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RIVERSIDE-BROOKFIELD Also serving North Riverside $1.00

Vol. 34, No. 4

January 23, 2019

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Viva va Las Vegas

North Riverside woman followed home, robbed PAGE 4

Risee and Fall of Marshall ings, Part 4 PAGE 10 Savings,

Neighbors rally after fire displaces family PAGE 5

Revenue sought to balance Brookfield budget

rblandmark.com @riversidebrookfieldlandmark @riversidebrookfield_landmark @RBLandmark

GIDDYAP!

Plentiful snowfall Jan. 18-19 brought out swarms of kids to Swan Pond Park in Riverside last weekend, who took to the hill on sleds and, in at least one case, an inflatable horse. For more photos, see page 20 and visit online at www.RBLandmark.com.

Manager recommends restaurant tax, host of fee increases

By BOB UPHUES Editor

Brookfield’s village manager has recommended imposing a series of initiatives -- from imposing a local tax on food and drink purchases at restaurants and bars to raising fees on vehicle stickers, parking tickets, liquor licenses, business licenses and ambulance fees – in order to solve a “structural imbalance” that led to a large budget shortfall in 2018 and will lead to another in 2019 if it’s not addressed.

Village Manager Timothy Wiberg outlined the village’s financial picture during a three-and-a-half hour budget workshop with elected officials on Jan. 17.

See BUDGET on page 20

ALEXA ROGALS/Staff Photographer

D96 board settles on plan for Ames School Addition would bring pre-K to site, expand parking, create large outdoor area

By BOB SKOLNIK Contributing Reporter

Last week the Riverside Elementary School District 96 Board of Education

quickly coalesced around a design to build a 14,000-square-foot, two-story addition to the back of Ames School that is estimated to cost between $8.28 and $9 million.

The design was one of four alternatives

presented to the school board on Jan. 16.

Board members preferred this design because it includes three pre-kindergarten See AMES SCHOOL on page 14

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The Landmark, January 23, 2019

RBHS senior’s perfect ACT a surprise Despite not being at the top of her class, Sophie Marhoul excelled on exam

Big Week . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 Crime . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 Classified . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21 Kosey Corner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16 Opinion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15 Obituaries. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18

By BOB SKOLNIK Contributing Reporter

When Sophia Marhoul was taking the ACT Exam last year, she sensed that it was going well.

“I felt like I was doing well, I felt like I knew what I was doing,” Marhoul recalled recently.

How well did it go?

Well, the 17-year Riverside-Brookfield High School senior got the highest composite score on the ACT than a person can get.

She scored a perfect 36 composite score, but she is the first person to tell you that she has not always been a perfect student.

About two-tenths of 1 percent of those who take the ACT score a 36, said Ed Colby, a spokesman for the ACT. Among members of the class of 2018, the last year that ACT has data for, only 290 of the 62,626 students in Illinois who took the ACT scored a 36. Nationwide 3,741 students out of 1.9 million scored a 36.

Marhoul, a Riverside resident, was the first RBHS student to get a 36 on the ACT since Marly Santora did so in 2015. Santora, a one-time grade school spelling bee phenom from North Riverside, is now a student at the University of Chicago majoring in art history and minoring in linguistics.

Marhoul was startled when she and saw her ACT score.

“I was like, ‘Oh my God, that’s better than I expected it be,’” Marhoul said. “I was kind of surprised that I had done quite as well, because when I had done the practice tests I had been like 33 or 34.”

She took the SAT about six weeks after taking the ACT, and her composite score on that exam was of 1,560 (780 on both the evidence-based reading and writing section and the math section) showed that her 36 ACT score was no fluke. The maximum possible SAT score is 1,600; a 1,560 is in the 99th percentile.

Marhoul has always tested well and she

Editor Bob Uphues Sports Editor Marty Farmer

Sophia Marhoul has sympathy for those who don’t, especially those who suffer from test anxiety. She said she didn’t tell too many people about her 36 on the ACT. “On one level I am kind of like sort of gleeful and a little bit proud and I kind of want to share the fact that I was happy, but I know that there are so many people who struggle with test anxiety,” Marhoul said. “I’ve told some friends. I didn’t really feel inclined to shout it from the mountaintops.”

Marhoul, who wants to study electrical engineering in college, has not always been a perfect student. She does not have a straight-A average by any means and has struggled at times in certain classes.

She says she does not rank near the top in her class and that her unweighted gradepoint average is in the 3.3, though her

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weighted GPA is 3.924 because of all the Advanced Placement classes she has taken.

“Given the [ACT] score you might expect perfect, and I am a terribly, terribly imperfect human being.” Marhoul said. “I have had alphabet soup grades before.”

Ironically, she took the ACT at time last year when she says that she was really struggling in school. The 36, and general growth and maturity, helped her pull out of her struggles. She received straight A’s in the first semester this year despite taking four AP classes.

“I was very pleased with myself this semester because for the first time since I was probably 10 years old I managed to get all A’s with one A- minus,” Marhoul said.

Marhoul applied to five universities, and, so far, she has been accepted to the University of Illinois, Milwaukee School and Engineering and Missouri University of Science and Engineering.

In addition to reading, math, and science, Marhoul has danced since she was about 7 years old and also takes afterschool art classes.

“I am not a gifted dancer by any means,” Marhoul said. “It’s a really wonderful physical activity. It kind of balances the artistic and the more purely physical. I think it’s taught me a lot about how to interact with other people, because it’s is a very group-based thing.”

She enjoys the problem-solving aspect of engineering and wants to use her talents to make the world a better place.

“I want to make the best of whatever gifts I have been given and do something good for the world,” Marhoul said.

Staff Photographer Alexa Rogals Editorial Design Manager Claire Innes Editorial Designers Jacquinete Baldwin, Javier Govea Advertising Production Manager Philip Soell Advertising Design Manager Andrew Mead Advertising Designers Mark Moroney, Debbie Becker IT Manager/Web Developer Mike Risher Advertising Director Dawn Ferencak Advertising Sales Marc Stopeck, Bill Wossow Inside Sales Representative Mary Ellen Nelligan Ad Coordinator Nonna Working Event Coordinator Carmen Rivera Circulation Manager Jill Wagner Distribution Coordinator Wakeelah Cocroft-Aldridge Front Desk Maria Murzyn, Carolyn Henning Publisher Dan Haley Associate Publisher Dawn Ferencak Business Manager Joyce Minich Chairman Emeritus Robert K. Downs

HOW TO REACH US ADDRESS 141 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, IL 60302 PHONE 708-442-6739 ■ FAX 708-467-9066 E-MAIL buphues@wjinc.com ONLINE www.RBLandmark.com The Landmark is published weekly on Wednesday

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The Landmark, January 23, 2019

P O L I C E

R E P O R T S

North Riverside woman robbed at gunpoint Sts. Peter and Paul

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Please Call (708) 613-3362 to add a listing in the Church Guide

North Riverside police continue to hunt for a man who robbed a 57-year-old woman at gunpoint outside her 6th Avenue home on Jan. 17 at about 6:40 p.m.

The victim told police she had just arrived home after grocery shopping at Jewel in North Riverside and was walking up to her home when a man wearing a dark hooded jacket walked out of the gangway.

The man pointed a gun at her, prompting the woman to extend her purse toward him.

The man grabbed the purse and then ran westbound on 24th Street. The woman told police she was so scared she didn’t look at the offender’s face for fear he’d shoot her if she did.

Police reported that there were two failed attempts to use credit cards stolen in the robbery to buy items at Target in Hillside and a successful purchase using one of them at a sandwich shop in Hillside.

Police were able to obtain surveillance video from Target documenting the attempted purchases there. They also obtained surveillance video from the parking lot near Jewel, which appears to show the woman was targeted and followed home from that location.

The vehicle involved was believed to be a Ford Fusion, possibly dark blue.

Driving with the hood up Riverside police charged a 24-year-old Lyons man with drunken driving after a public works snow plow driver radioed police about a heavily damaged vehicle driving west from downtown Riverside at about 3:10 a.m. on Jan. 19.

The 2002 Honda stopped on Forest Avenue and the driver got out to look at the damage.

When the snowplow driver asked if he needed help, the owner of the damaged vehicle asked if he could follow the snow plow.

The damaged vehicle continued to First Avenue and then turned north before striking the curb, causing the hood of the vehicle to fly up, hitting the windshield. The vehicle continued to drive north before pulling over near 31st Street.

When a Riverside police officer arrived on the scene, he reported that the hood of vehicle was still up, blocking the windshield.

The officer reported that the driver appeared intoxicated and failed field sobriety tests.

Police also contacted neighboring towns to see if they had any recent hit-and-run crashes reported. According to police, the driver was abusive and uncooperative. He remained in custody until 10 a.m. due to his level of intoxication.

Scam attampts continue ■ A North Riverside woman is out several hundred dollars after falling for an email

scam that offered to send her a check for $1,400 in exchange for gift cards and money transfer totaling about $400.

On Dec. 31, 2018, the victim received an email from someone claiming to represent a “secret shopper” program and announcing that the victim would be receiving a package in the mail with instructions on how to redeem it.

The package contained a check for $1,400 and it instructed her to deposit the check in her bank account. The woman didn’t have a bank account, so she opened a new account and deposited the check on Jan. 3 and then withdrew funds to buy gift cards and wiring money to a New Jersey address.

On Jan. 7, the victim’s bank called to report that the original check had bounced and that she was being held accountable for the withdrawn money.

■ A North Riverside woman contacted police on Jan. 11 and had her bank accounts locked down after allowing online access to her computer to a person who appeared to be attempting to defraud her of $4,000.

According to the police report, the woman said a man claiming to be employed by Microsoft had called her and got permission from her to gain remote access to her computer.

The man then said he would pay the woman $500 for her time and gained access to her bank accounts, claiming to have mistakenly deposited $4,500.

He asked the woman to reimburse him for the $4,000 overage by purchasing gift cards and giving him the redemption codes. The woman called police.

It does not appear that the woman was defrauded of any money during the incident.

■ A 29-year-old Brookfield woman is on the hook for $3,200 after she was the victim of an internet scam. The woman called police on Jan. 18 to report she’d applied for a secretarial job online and received an email from a man who hired her. The man told her he was out of town but would send her a $3,750 check to buy office supplies.

He also instructed her to deposit the check and then use the money to buy $3,200 in gift cards and send him the redemption codes.

Several days after depositing the check, the bank informed her it was fraudulent.

The gift cards by that time had been redeemed and the bank told the woman she needed to replace the money taken out of the bad check.

These items were obtained from police reports filed by the Riverside, North Riverside and Brookfield police departments, Jan. 7-21.

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

The Landmark, January 23, 2019

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Fundraiser for Brookfield family displaced by fire Cause of DuBois Boulevard blaze likely electrical, fire chief says

By BOB UPHUES Editor

A family of five was left homeless after a fire tore through their home at 4619 DuBois Blvd. in Brookfield on Jan. 16, but friends and neighbors are trying to raise money online to help them through their ordeal.

An online account, which can be found at www.gofundme.com/our-amazing-neighbor had raised almost $6,400, in excess of its $5,000 goal, as of the morning of Jan. 22. The money will go to aid the family, which includes a mom and her three children along, the children’s 76-year-old grandfather and a 24-year-old man who police described as a relative.

Firefighters responded to the home at about 5:25 p.m. on Jan. 16 and encountered flames shooting out of a front window of the

two-story brick home, said Fire Chief Mark Duffek.

Initial reports indicated that as many as three children were trapped inside a secondfloor bedroom, but when police arrived on the scene, they reported that everyone who had been inside, the grandfather and three children, had all safely exited the building.

Paramedics treated the man for minor smoke inhalation, but he refused transport to the hospital. Firefighters were also able to remove several pets from the home, including a dog, cat, snake, lizard, guinea pig and birds.

Three birds perished in the fire, Duffek said.

Firefighters were able to knock down the flames within 10 or 15 minutes, said Duffek, and fire damage was contained to a first-floor bedroom at the front of the house. However, the entire house sustained heavy smoke damage and the basement sustained water damage, making it uninhabitable.

The cause of the fire is still being investigated, but Duffek said it started in the firstfloor bedroom and appeared to be electrical in nature.

According to the police report of the inci-

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Brookfield firefighters extinguishing the fire at 4619 DuBois Blvd. on Jan.16. dent, the grandfather reported that he and three children were on the second-floor of the residence when he heard a loud “boom” that shook the floor. He went downstairs and encountered dark smoke throughout the first floor and noted that the lights were out.

An 11-year-old girl who in a second-floor bedroom told police the “boom” was followed by crackling noises. After seeing flames outside her bedroom window, she yelled that the house was on fire.

Angie Jarka, a neighbor who started the

GoFundMe campaign, said she’s known the kids’ grandfather for some time. He serves as a youth enrichment instructor for the Greater LaGrange YMCA, according to David Torres, youth program director for the YMCA. “He’s such a wonderful guy,” Jarka said.

“I’m just heartbroken for them.”

Jarka said the family is staying with relatives or friends at this time. The Red Cross reached out to the Brookfield Fire Department following the blaze to offer its assistance, said Duffek.

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The Landmark, January 23, 2019

BIG WEEK January 23-30 Taste of St. Barbara’s

St. Barbara Parish will host its 2nd Annual Multicultural Taste of St. Barbara on Saturday, Jan. 26 from 6 to 9 p.m. in the Parish Center, 4015 Prairie Ave. Samples of food from around the world made by St. Barbara parishioners will be available to all who attend. Admission is free. Food and drink tickets will be available for purchase at the door.

In addition, there will be a raffle of gift baskets, a “wooden spoon” raffle and a chance for attendees to vote on their favorite booth and food. Proceeds will help support parish ministries.

Brookfield Chamber Holiday Party Brookfield Chamber Commerce invites of Co the public to join them at their th better-late-thanbe never Chamber ne Holiday Party on Ho Thursday, Jan. 24 Thur at Irish Times, 8869 Ave. in Brookfield.

Burlington Av The event starts at 5:30 p.m. Enjoy the cash bar along some holiday cocktails at th provided by the Chamwith free appetizers provide ber and local businesses. The Chamber will install its 2019 officers at the event as well.

Facebook page at Visit the Chamber’s Faceb www.facebook.com/BrookfieldIllinois for more info.

And more Aging Care Connections hosts a free nine-month Memory Café program January through September on the second Friday of each month from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Young at Heart Adult Day Services Center, 6504 Joliet Road in Countryside and the third Tuesday of each month at Salerno’s Pizzeria & Sports Bar, 9301 W. 63rd St. in Hodgkins. Call 708-354-1323 for more information.

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Riverside-Brookfield High School, 160 Ridgewood Road in Riverside, hosts Water Exercise Techniques (WET), an adult level fitness class on Wednesday nights from Jan. 23 through March 20 at 7:30 p.m. No swimming involved. $54 for nine ■

St. Louise de Marillac School, 1125 Harrison Ave. in LaGrange Park, hosts a Star Wars Pancake Breakfast – a traditional pancake breakfast with a Star Wars theme – on Sunday, Jan. 27 from 8 to 11 a.m.

classes. Email Noelle at bajohrn@rbhs208.net for info.

Riverside Arts Center, 32 E. Quincy St., presents “Natural Deceptions,” the first solo exhibition in the Chicago area by Seattle-based photographer Natalie Krick, through Feb. 16. Inspired by magazine spreads and celebrity pinups, the show is a biting yet witty sendup of popular portrayals of feminine beauty and sexuality. Admission is free. Gallery hours are Tues.-Sat. from 1 to 5 p.m.

Theater of Western Springs, 4384 Hampton Ave., presents “The Tin Woman” through Jan. 27. The play tells the deeply touching story of a woman saved by a heart transplant, who meets her donor’s family with unpredictable results.

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Star Wars + Pancakes

Tickets are $5 per person or $20 for a family of four or more. Enjoy pancakes, sausages, orange juice, fresh fruit, coffee and milk. Come in full Star Wars costume and get $1 off your ticket.

Tickets are $21 and $23. For show times and ticket information, visit online at www.theatrewesternsprings.com or call the box office at 708-246-3380.

Compassion Factory Art Gallery and Studio, 9210 Broadway Ave. in Brookfield, celebrates its first birthday this month with an Anniversary Art Show through Jan. 26. Gallery hours are Thursday from 4 to 9 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Admission is free.

North Riverside Parks and Rec invites all ages to participate in its Winter Photo Contest. Take a photo in one of the village’s parks this winter and have a chance to have it featured in the department’s next Fun Guide and receive a copy of your photo on canvas. To enter, follow the department ■

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on Facebook (www.facebook.com/NRRecreation) and post the photo under the events tab “Winter Photo Contest” with a description. Winners chosen by Feb. 28.

Brookfield Public Library, 3609 Grand Blvd., hosts a Retirement Tax Planning presentation with Greg Kurinec of Bentron Financial on Jan. 24 at 7 p.m. and a Medicare Seminar by Access Benefit Plan Consultants on Jan. 26 at 10:30 a.m.

Register to attend by calling 708-485-6917 or visiting www.brookfieldlibrary.info.

North Riverside Public Library, 2400 Desplaines Ave., hosts a Senior Drop-in on Jan. 25 from 10 a.m. to noon in the Meeting Room. Play cards and socialize every Friday.

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The Landmark, January 23, 2019

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Sears accepts chairman’s bid to save company

Creditors say the retailer is doomed no matter what

By BOB UPHUES Editor

Orville and Wilbur Wright

Getting the Wrights right Join author William Hazelgrove as he presents the true story of the Wright Brothers and their famous flights at Kitty Hawk at the Brookfield Public Library, 3609 Grand Blvd., on Monday, Jan. 28 at 7 p.m.

Register to attend by calling 708-485-6917 or visiting www.brookfieldlibrary.info.

BEDS Plus fundraiser BEDS Plus Care, a LaGrange-based nonprofit dedicated to helping end homelessness in southwest Cook County, hosts its 7th Annual Soup and Bread fundraiser to support their emergency overnight homeless shelter services on Sunday, Jan. 27 from 3 to 7 p.m. at Holiday Inn William Tell Banquets, 9201 Joliet Road in Countryside.

Join them for a cozy, family-friendly gathering featuring live music, a variety of craft beers and great local food. Tickets Also for seniors, win prizes while playing bingo and exercising during a new Bingocize program on Jan. 30 at 2 p.m. The program is funded by Age Options.

For adults, there’s Medical Cannabis and CBD Oil on Jan. 24 from 6-7 p.m.; a new Spanish Language Book Club on Jan. 25 at 10:30 a.m.; and Unwind at the Library: Meditation & Stretching on Jan. 28 at 6:30 p.m. To RSVP for senior and adult programs, call 708-447-0869 or visit www. northriversidelibrary.org/events.

For kids, there’s Lapsit Storytime (through age 5) on Jan. 24 at 10:30 a.m.; Messy Mornings for Munchkins (ages 2-5) on Jan. 29 at 10:30 a.m.; Pajama Storytime (all ages with adult) on Jan. 29 at 6:30 p.m.; Bilingual Storytime (ages 2-5) on Jan.

are $25 per person (kids under 12 free). To buy tickets visit online at www.beds-plus. org/soup--bread-event.html.

Call 708-354-0858 for more info.

30 at 10:30 a.m.; Love2Read (grades K-1) on Jan. 26 at 2 p.m.; Do-it-Yourself Craft Hour (grades 2+) on Jan. 25 at 4 p.m.; and DIY Marshmallow Catapults (grades 6-12) on Jan. 26 from 1-3 p.m.

The community is invited through March 22, 2019, to jog, walk or run inside on the indoor track at the Lyons Township High School South Campus fieldhouse, 4900 S. Willow Springs Road in Western Springs, from 6 to 7 a.m. on days when school is in session. Free.

The Brookfield Elks Lodge, 9022 31st St., hosts bingo every Monday night. Doors open at 5 p.m. and games start at 7 p.m. minimum cash payout of $2,275 a night, plus pull tabs, lightning, tic-tac and raffles.

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Sears Holdings Inc. board chairman Eddie Lampert appears to have come out on top in an auction for substantially all of the struggling former retail giant’s assets, but creditors believe that the company is doomed in any case and that Lampert’s $5.2 billion bid will simply serve to delay its demise while Lampert profits.

After a marathon negotiating session that began Jan. 14, Sears Holdings accepted their board chairman’s bid for the company’s assets just after 3 a.m. on Jan. 16. Lampert’s bid would keep open about 425 Sears and Kmart stores and save the jobs of some 45,000 employees.

Creditors had submitted rival bids to liquidate the company.

Sears Holdings Inc. filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in U.S Bankruptcy Court in the South District of New York on Oct. 15, 2018. Judge Robert Drain is presiding over the case. It will be his decision on whether or not to accept the winning bid.

According to a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the bid includes $850 million in cash funded through the proceeds of a new $1.3 billion asset-based loan, a credit bid of $1.3 billion, some $621 million in debt forgiveness and other instruments.

Among the stores saved by Lampert’s bid is the one at North Riverside Park Mall.

That store was radically downsized in 2017; it now occupies just half of the space it formerly did at the north end of the mall.

Sears occupies about 90,000 square feet in the upper floor of a two-floor anchor space at North Riverside Park Mall, which is owned by Seritage Growth Properties.

Seritage, a real estate investment trust created by Sears Holdings in 2015, purchased 250 Sears and Kmart store properties and has been working to attract new, higherpaying tenants to the spaces.

Lampert’s hedge fund, ESL Investments, owns a significant percentage of Seritage Growth Properties and he serves as the trust’s chairman of the board.

Round One, a family amusement complex which opened Dec. 22, 2018, occupies half of Sears’ former lower level at North Riverside Park Mall. Seritage is building out the other half in order to attract other tenants to the lower level.

ALEXA ROGALS/Staff Photographer

A hearing to approve the sale of Sears to a company affiliated with ESL Investments is scheduled for Feb. 1, with the transaction expected to close on Feb. 8.

Meanwhile, a committee representing Sears’ creditors blasted the selection of Lampert’s bid in a Jan. 17 court filing, saying that Sears’ present predicament “was precipitated by years of misconduct by Lampert, ESL and others against its creditors.”

The court filing states that the people selected Lampert’s heavily leveraged bid “were handpicked by and are beholden to Lampert and ESL” and that the company’s “downfall is nothing short of tragic.”

Creditors accuse Lampert of stripping Sears of its valuable assets, including real estate and brand names like Craftsman tools and Land’s End, shielding them from creditors’ claims while maximizing benefits to ESL Investments.

While Lampert’s bid saves tens of thousands of jobs and 425 stores, under his direction Sears has closed 3,000 stores and eliminated 250,000 jobs in the process.

“ESL’s current bid to ‘save the company’ is nothing but the final fulfillment of a years-long scheme to deprive Sears and its creditors of assets and its employees of jobs while lining Lampert’s and ESL’s own pockets,” creditors stated in their Jan. 17 filing.

Creditors also cast doubt on Sears’ longterm viability under Lampert’s continued leadership.

“Lampert and ESL have painted themselves as saviors, stating their bid will save the few jobs they have not already eliminated – but for how long?” creditor’s asked in their court filing. “They have failed to set forth a business plan that offers any viable go-forward path. Sears simply cannot survive as a going concern.”

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The Landmark, January 23, 2019

Wanted at Ogden and DuBois: Commercial development After residential proposal fizzles, officials refocus priorities

By BOB UPHUES Editor

Brookfield officials last week sought to clarify what their redevelopment goals were for property the village owns in the 4000 block of DuBois Boulevard and the 9500 block of Ogden Avenue, now that a primarily residential development pitched for the area has fizzled.

During a discussion of the subject at the village board’s committee of the whole meeting on Jan. 14, elected officials and the village’s management team agreed to make strictly commercial development a priority for the land, though they remain open to other alternatives.

High-density residential development of the type previously explored at the site is not preferable, said officials, since that type of development is more likely elsewhere, such as in downtown Brookfield.

Moreover, there’s no other location along Ogden Avenue where a development might be able to achieve some lot depth if more property can be assembled in area bounded by DuBois on the east, Blanchan Avenue on the west, Ogden Avenue on the south and the Burlington Northern-Santa Fe Railroad right of way on the north.

“You don’t have any other areas on Ogden that lend themselves to any development grander than a strip [shopping] center,” said Village Manager Timothy Wiberg in a telephone interview.

Village President Kit Ketchmark in a telephone interview said that the village board created the Ogden Avenue and Congress Park tax increment financing (TIF) districts to foster commercial development on Ogden Avenue.

Commercial development has been the village’s stated goal for that area since the adoption of the Brookfield 2020 Master Plan in 2004. However, when the village has issued requests for proposals for the former Brookfield Moose property at 4000 DuBois Boulevard, developers have not delivered.

“I think this board and previous boards looked at this site as a place where we could have some substantial development for Brookfield,” Ketchmark said. “But as we put out RFQs, developers were sending us something different back.”

The most recent serious proposal came from the real estate development company Troutman and Dams, which proposed starting by building a pair of high-density residential buildings on the former Moose property and

It’s Your Money

By Linda Sokol Francis. E.A.

DIVORCE TAX ISSUES-PART III Capital Gains Tax: You should discuss

how you will divide any capital gains taxes you may incur as a result of the sale of any assets such as real estate, stocks, etc. When you divide investments accounts, mutual funds, stocks, etc., you should include language in your Marital Settlement Agreement that the assets will be divided “in kind,” which means that you transfer the assets without selling them first. This will ensure both parties are being awarded a share of all underlying assets with corresponding tax bases, and if either party chooses to sell an asset after division, any tax consequences will be in his or her own name.

depending on the circumstances. If you are being awarded assets against which you may be able to claim such loss carryforwards in the future, you may wish to be awarded a portion of the carryforwards, to the extent allowable by the IRS. If not allowable, you may be awarded an offset for the value of the carryforward being awarded to your spouse.

Net Operating Loss Carryforwards and Capital Loss Carryforwards: You and your spouse may have net operating loss carryforwards or capital loss carryforwards from previous tax years. These may be subject to allocation

then slowly acquiring enough property to perhaps construct a small strip mall along Ogden Avenue.

However, village officials learned that the residential development alone would require a water and sewer system upgrade costing in the vicinity of $500,000. Combined with conveying the property to the developer at low or no cost, the result was not something the village felt worth the cost.

“I don’t think we’re willing to give away property for something that doesn’t lead to future REFOCUS: Brookfield officials have recommitted to development,” Ketchmark said. commercial redevelopment near Ogden and DuBois “It’s very rare that you have after a residential proposal fizzled. The village controls property under your control.” several parcels in the area.

By abandoning the Troutman lage or a combination of the two are going to and Dams plan, said Ketchmark, have to assemble more property to make it “We were standing firm on what we wanted.”

Village Trustee Michael Garvey at the Jan. work.

Ideally, said both Wiberg and Ketchmark, 14 meeting said he saw the area near DuBois the village wouldn’t be the party stockpiling and Ogden as an “open template.”

“I think it needs to be developed as a whole, property.

“I don’t think we want to be in the landnot front and back,” Garvey said.

Trustee Michelle Ryan got more specific owning business,” Ketchmark said. “But if in the type of development she could see for you’re going to have commercial, there has to the area bounded by DuBois, Ogden Blanchan be depth to it.”

As for how the property ends up being asand the BNSF. sembled, that’s always the tricky part.

“There are some things that are kind of “That’s the conundrum every community missing in our community, and this could be an opportunity for that,” said Ryan, mention- faces,” Wiberg said. “Municipalities shouldn’t ing Aldi, a Fresh Thyme Farmers Market gro- be in the real estate business. That should be cery store or a restaurant like Outback Steak- the private sector. In a perfect world, a developer would do that.” house as examples.

There are no specific development propos“It would be nice to understand a little bit better what a true profile is from a market- als on the table for the DuBois/Ogden area at ing perspective to know what would fit or this time, Wiberg said. However, with a firm preference for commercial development unwhat matches up with these different types of derstood, it will help guide decisions in the businesses, so we go and reach out to some of future. them,” Ryan said.

The decision also reinforces the idea that “I can now definitively say the consensus is if there is to be any type of large commercial clearly for commercial development on that development there, either a developer, the vil- site,” Wiberg said.

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The Landmark, January 23, 2019

9

Pace wraps up study of ‘Pulse’ route for Harlem Avenue Implementation still years away, but is a priority

By BOB UPHUES Editor

A high-tech, rapid transit bus route from Elmwood Park to Bridgeview along Harlem Avenue is one step closer to reality with the recent completion of Pace Suburban Bus and the Regional Transportation Authority’s Central Harlem Avenue Corridor Study.

The RTA, which provided funding for the year-long study, announced its completion on Jan. 15.

“The Pulse program is a key part of Pace’s plan to modernize our network of public transportation services to better serve the communities of northeastern Illinois,” said Rocky Donahue, Pace’s interim executive director in a press release. “Studies and plans like this help us lay a solid foundation to build the transportation system our region deserves.”

Harlem Avenue was one of seven proposed Pulse corridors deemed “near-term priorities.” Other near-term priority corridors include Cermak Road from the 54th Avenue Pink Line station to Yorktown Center and Roosevelt Road from the Forest Park Blue Line terminal to Oakbrook Center.

Another 28 corridors in the greater Chicago area are considered mid- or long-term priorities by Pace.

It’ll be some time before Pulse service debuts along Harlem Avenue, perhaps three to five years, but the corridor was identified as a priority route by Pace when it rolled out its Pulse rapid-transit concept.

The next step for Pace will be to identify funding for a roughly year-long environmental review, which will analyze the impact the new bus route would have on the corridor.

When completed, the Harlem Avenue

PROVIDED

FACE OF THE FUTURE? Once implemented, the Harlem Avenue Pulse bus route will have special stations about every half-mile or so. They will be outfitted with heat in the winter, lighting, bicycle racks. A vertical marker, equipped with an electronic display giving real-time bus arrival info, will make the stops easy to locate.

Pulse route will augment the buses that already serve the Harlem Avenue corridor, but will be more frequent and have special stations spaced about a half-mile apart along the route, a 10-mile stretch in which 85,000 people live and 25,000 work, according to the study.

The stations themselves will be outfitted with “interior lighting, seating, bicycle racks, and overhead heating for passenger comfort during winter months,” according to Pace’s Pulse website.

In addition, the stations will be fully ADAcompliant and will have a vertical marker, making them easy to identify and an electronic display providing real-time bus arrival times and other information.

The buses themselves will have WiFi, de-

vice charging stations and will be equipped with transit signal priority technology, much like that used by police and fire departments, which can shorten red lights or lengthen green lights in order to keep buses moving along the corridor.

Right now, according to the study, bus trips along Harlem Avenue take 40 to 50 percent longer then auto trips.

The first Pulse route – which has been in the works since 2014 – will begin operation in late summer 2019 along Milwaukee Avenue, connecting the Jefferson Park transit center in Chicago with the Golf Mill Shopping Center in Niles.

That route was supposed to have started in 2018, but the project has faced a variety of delays, including permitting delays triggered by

an unexpected need to move a water main.

Getting the first route up and running has been a learning experience, said Pace’s media relations manager, Maggie Daly Skogsbakken.

“With the first line there was a lot of leg work that’s been done that will expedite the others,” Skogsbakken said. “We’re hitting our momentum on this program.”

The one new wrinkle in implementing the Harlem Avenue corridor route is that it involves so many municipalities. The Milwaukee Avenue Pulse route involved just two.

This new line includes Elmwood Park, River Forest, Oak Park, Forest Park, Berwyn, North Riverside, Riverside, Stickney, Lyons, Forest View, Summit, Chicago, Bedford Park and Bridgeview.

“That will add time, because of the public outreach we like to do,” said Skogsbakken.

The completed study has also identified high-priority locations for Pulse stations along Harlem Avenue. Those locations include North Avenue, Circle Avenue/South Boulevard. Madison Street, the Eisenhower Expressway, Roosevelt Road, Cermak Road, the BNSF rail corridor, Ogden Avenue, 63rd Street and 71st Street.

Medium-priority locations include Division Street, Chicago Avenue, 16th Street, 47th Street and Archer Avenue. Low-priority locations are Longcommon Road, 41st Street and the Stevenson Expressway.

Other recommendations for areas near station locations include intersection enhancements such as high-visibility crosswalks, construction of pedestrian refuge islands, curb extensions to shorten crosswalks and the introduction of short “bus only” lanes.

The entire study can be found online at pulse.pacebus.com.

Riverside couple donates $10,000 to police department Money set aside to help those in emergency situations

By BOB UPHUES Editor

A Riverside couple has made a $10,000 donation to the Riverside Police Department for police to use to help people obtain shelter, food or any other purpose arising from an emergency or incident that required police involvement.

Police Chief Thomas Weitzel said he was “stunned” by the gift, which the couple said they wanted to make anonymously. It’s the single largest donation the police department has received since he’s been chief, Weitzel said.

“The couple approached me in December

and said they wanted to make a donation to help the less fortunate people who couldn’t get assistance through normal channels or who couldn’t get it right away,” Weitzel said.

Weitzel said that he has written a policy on how the money is to be used and said he will place cash in a lockbox that is accessible to police supervisors, who must provide written explanations about how much was used, for whom and for what purpose.

“There has to be police involvement, a police response,” said Weitzel, referring to how individual cases would be judged appropriate. “I’ll leave it up to the supervisors, but they have to make a determination this is a legitimate use.”

A classic example for using the funds, said Weitzel, was in the case of helping someone seeking to escape domestic violence, sometime in the middle of the night.

“The people who come in are almost exclusively female, with children, looking to get out of a situation and needing a day or two to get set,” Weitzel said. “We can pay for a hotel.”

Weitzel said the money might also go to help such a person pay legal expenses related to obtaining an order of protection, though he figured such cases would be rare.

In some instances, Weitzel said, police encounter homeless people – one man recently has been trying to sleep inside the enclosed

vestibule of the police station – and money could be used to buy food.

According to Weitzel, the donors put no strings on how police determined to use it.

But, Weitzel said that he wants the money to be used “in emergency situation that benefit families.”

Donations to the police department are not uncommon, though the amounts tend to be more in the hundreds of dollars and often are made to purchase equipment or to fund crime prevention efforts, said Weitzel.

This particular donation, he said, was an eye-opener.

“I was overwhelmed they’d be so generous,’ Weitzel said.

10

The Landmark, January 23, 2019

Viva Las Vegas

Manny Skar’s dream hotel/nightclub and his deal with the devil

By BOB UPHUES

in a musical starring George Jessel and Zsa Zsa Gabor,” the Time magazine author wrote.

Patrons lounging beside the outdoor pool, n June 6, 1962, after its deck punctuated by palm trees and gold months of anticipatorches, were served cocktails by waitresses, tion, Manny Skar called “starlets,” sporting ruffled bikinis – resplendent in a and beehive hairdos. “metallic red tuxThe waitresses inside the edo,” according to Chicocktail bar served drinks cago Tribune reporter while wearing skimpy “harem” Robert Wiedrich -- stood outfits, draped with strands of at the door of his new faux pearls and topped with ti267-room hotel/restauaras sprouting ostrich feathers. rant/nightclub complex at A mural on one wall of the 3939 N. Mannheim Road in bar was covered with caricature Schiller Park to greet visidrawings of big and once-big tors at the grand opening of stars -- singers, comedians and the Sahara Inn North.

– many of whom Time magazine, just a week The Rise and Fall of entertainers graced the nightclub stage. later, published a short travel Marshall Savings Inside the main nightclub, piece written by a corresponPART 4 OF 5 the Club Gigi, the headliner dent who’d been at the openon opening night was popular ing, who called the Sahara “a singer Bobby Darin, who had little bit of Las Vegas, but without just released a new single, “Things,” a coungambling tables yet.”

“A salmagundi of Italian marble, try-tinged side that would shoot to No. 3 on Japanese carpet, matched rose- the U.S charts.

Second on the bill was all-around enterwood, Hawaiian monkeypod wood, gold foil and tropical fish, the Sahara tainer George Kirby, a singer/piano player/ Inn is like a movie set for a dream sequence comedian, a black man who had an uncanny

O

Editor

PHOTOS COURTESY LIZ FARON COLLECTION

SWINGIN’: Manny Skar (above) opened his Sahara North hotel and nightclub complex at 3939 N. Mannheim Road in Schiller Park (top) on June 6, 1963 with Bobby Darin (left) and George Kirby headlining the Club Gigi. ability to do impressions of white Hollywood stars like John Wayne and of jazz singers as diverse as Joe Williams, Louis Armstrong and Sarah Vaughan.

Also, on opening night, the place was lousy with cops.

The Landmark, January 23, 2019 “Platoons of policemen,” including “detectives from the state police, state’s attorney’s office, police intelligence unit and the Federal Bureau of Investigation almost outnumbered the guests,” wrote Wiedrich, who chronicled organized crime of the era for the Tribune.

Wiedrich made it a point to note that “hoodlums” known to associate with Skar were in short supply on opening night.

Among those who did make an appearance that night were Rocco DeGrazio and Gus Alex, whom Wiedrich described as “gambling bosses for the mob crime syndicate.”

Annoyed by the number of law enforcement officers, Skar – whom Wiedrich repeatedly referred to in newspaper articles as a “thrice-convicted felon” -- complained to a detective, “What’s the matter with you guys? Don’t you believe in rehabilitation?”

In this case, judging by the attention the Sahara Inn North received in the press in the weeks prior to and after its opening, they surely did not.

The Sahara Inn North may have been one of the glitziest hotel/nightclub venues to be built on Mannheim Road near O’Hare Airport, but it certainly wasn’t the first.

“Glitter Gulch,” as Wiedrich called it in the Trib, started turning on the lights in the late 1950s just as O’Hare Airport was being transformed into an international commercial airport served by a pair of new high-

ways – the Kennedy Expressway and the Tri-state Tollway.

“The strip’s proximity to O’Hare field and the network of tollways and expressways that serve the Chicago area are providing the crime syndicate with one of the biggest bonanzas in years,” Wiedrich wrote in June 1962.

The mob financed and populated places like the Guest House at 2409 N. Mannheim Road, where Wiedrich reported seeing mobster Americo DePietto, “a muscleman and terrorist in the juke box racket” greeting friends at a table, and Andre’s Lounge at 3011 N. Mannheim Road, owned by Frank V. Pantaleo.

Wiedrich described Pantaleo as “a River Grove contractor with close crime syndicate ties” who’d testified before the U.S. Senate Select Committee on Improper Activities in the Labor or Management Field in 1959 and pleaded the 5th Amendment so many times “that his inquisitors almost went to sleep.” Pantaleo was the concrete contractor for the Sahara Inn North.

The mob-controlled restaurants, lounges and nightclubs along Mannheim Road were part of a larger enterprise, said Arthur Bilek, former chief of the Cook County Sheriff ’s Police Department and later the longtime executive vice president of the Chicago Crime Commission, in a 2011 interview with the Landmark.

Bilek was named chief of the Cook County Sheriff ’s Police Department in December 1962, following the election of Richard

PHOTOS COURTESY LIZ FARON COLLECTION

GLITZ: Time magazine called the Sahara “a little bit of Las Vegas” with its marble staircase in the lobby (above), scantily-dressed “harem girl” cocktail waitresses (top left) and bikini-clad “starlets” serving drinks the pool (top right).

11

Ogilvie as Cook County Sheriff a month ■ earlier. Ogilvie had vowed to make war on the Chicago mob, and Bilek, a Chicago Born Mendel (or Mandel, most press acpolice sergeant, was going to be his right- counts used the latter) Skovunack on April hand man.

29, 1923, Manny Skar first makes his appear“The information my vice men developed ance in the Chicago Tribune at the age of 20 was that Skar intended to open up a gam- in 1943. The 5-foot-5 Skar was arrested for bling casino down in the basement,” Bilek stealing 50 cases of whiskey from the basesaid. “Because, at the time he started this, ment of a far South Side Chicago tavern. the running of casinos out of the county In 1952, he was indicted in Sioux Falls, was something that was an accepted activ- South Dakota, for mail fraud, an offense for ity and the county was ringed with them.” which he was convicted. His two-year prison Bilek said the mob ran casinos at the sentence and $2,000 fine were suspended.

Chevy Chase Country Club just Despite that rather lackluster outside of Wheeling, at Pat Patcriminal career, he caught the terson’s on Skokie Highway eye of Rocco DeStefano, who was near Lake-Cook Road and one 10 years older than Skar and had at Narragansett and Gunnison ties to the Capone gang. called the Wagon Wheel, run by DeStefano had had run-ins Sam Giancana. with the law of his own. He was Others were the Casa Madrid indicted for robbery in 1936, a in Melrose Park, said Bilek, and charge that was later dropped.

In 1938, DeStefano and his father, The Hilltop, near Midway Airwho ran a liquor business, were port. On the far South Side was charged with failing to pay about the Owl Club, run by Tony Accardo, outside Calumet City. $50,000 in sales taxes since 1934.

Rocco DeStefano “They made a semicircle right They were later acquitted. around the city of Chicago,” In 1941, DeStefano and six othBilek said. ers were charged with looting almost $1 milAfter Ogilvie was elected Cook County lion from the treasury of the Retail Clerks Sheriff, said Bilek, “all of the casinos volun- International Union, but the case against tarily closed, because we went to every one him apparently went nowhere. of them.”

But by 1950, DeStefano was in the con“And fortunately I had been in the state’s struction business and, according to Chicago attorney’s office as the investigator on orga- Crime Commission records, was president nized crime, and so I surveilled and visited of the 51st Street and Michigan Building all of these places in the years leading up to Corporation.

1972,” Bilek said. “So I knew where they all At some time in the next couple of years he’d were, plus I had the list of all the bagmen taken Skar under his wing. In 1957, both Skar for the sheriff of where they made their col- and DeStefano are reported to be partners in lections, so I knew where all the handbooks R&M Construction Company. Skar was also were. … We made over 500 gambling raids in a partner with DeStefano and his brother, the four years that I was chief of the county.” Frank, in Southwest Community Builders, That was very bad news for Manny Skar, which the Tribune reported was building 300 who’d come such a long way, from a petty homes between Cicero and Harlem avenues hood to impresario.

See MARSHALL on page 12

12

The Landmark, January 23, 2019

MARSHALL

South Side roots from page 11 and 77th and 79th streets.”

And on Jan. 14, 1957, the Cook County Recorder of Deeds noted that Southwest Community Builders had purchased property at 4501 S. Cicero Ave. in Chicago. Between then and May 1959, Rocco DeStefano would buy three more lots adjacent to that address.

That land would be transferred to the Sahara Motel Corp., which shared the same address as Southwest Community Builders. And in June 1959, Sahara Motel Corp. obtained an $800,000 construction loan from Prospect Federal Savings and Loan for what would become known as the Sahara South.

It opened in July 1960, similar in style to its much flashier cousin, soon to be built in Schiller Park. A brochure shows an exoticlooking, mustachioed doorman wearing a fez standing in front of the motel and it’s garishly lit sign. A cocktail waitress in a harem costume serves drinks poolside.

By the time the Sahara South opened, the Cook County Recorder of Deeds also noted that several liens had already been placed against the property for non-payment of bills, and on June 6, 1961 a company called National Heat and Power initiated foreclosure proceedings.

On the very next day, Marshall Savings and Loan of Riverside made a loan of $1.7 million to refinance and take on the Sahara South’s mortgage.

And in August 1961, Marshall Savings would refinance another Prospect Federal Savings and Loan mortgage – this time a $2 million loan for the construction of the Sahara North. Loan records kept by Marshall Savings and Loan noted that the loan was made to “DeStefano.”

Before the first payment on that loan was due, in October 1961, Marshall Savings and Loan refinanced its Sahara North Loan, increasing it to $2.7 million, with the first payment due in August 1962.

■

How did Marshall Savings and Loan strike up a business relationship with Rocco DeStefano?

It’s not entirely clear, but it appears to have been through a man named Joseph Mercurio, who since 1957 had been senior loan officer at Prospect Federal Savings and Loan, which made the original construction loan for the Sahara South.

Mercurio’s son, Phil, in an interview with the Landmark, said his father told him he was “part owner” of the Sahara South. For a couple months during summers as a child, Phil said he remembered staying at the Sahara South. The adults would hit the nightclub scene at night while Phil and his sister stayed in a hotel room.

Immediately after a conversation with his father in June 1997, Phil Mercurio jotted down some notes that he shared with the Landmark. His father told him that he initially refused a job offer from Marshall Savings and Loan because they did “shady loans.”

But by May 1962, Joseph Mercurio was employed as senior loan officer at Marshall Savings and Loan. Company records showed

PHOTOS COURTESY PHIL MERCURIO

TEST RUN: Rocco DeStefano took on Manny Skar as a partner, first opening the Sahara South on South Cicero Avenue in Chicago (top). Though smaller in scope, it had a similar Arabian theme, costumed cocktail waitresses serving poolside (above) and garish interior decorating (lower left). he was the second highest-paid employee of the association.

And just around that time, in April 1962, Marshall Savings and Loan refinanced the Sahara North Loan – this time to the tune of $4.2 million. The Cook County Recorder of Deeds indicated that the loan went to a real estate trust. But in Marshall Savings and Loan’s own records, it states the mortgage was given to “Skar.”

Rocco DeStefano saw this as the mob’s moment to get out. In 1965, the Trib’s Wiedrich revealed that DeStefano forced Skar, who the mob used as a front man, to buy him out of the Sahara operations at a cost of $1.2 million.

What nobody knew at the time was, to do that, Skar had to divert money to DeStefano from the $4.2 million loan he’d received from

the Riverside S&L. The FBI was already surveilling the situation. A June 1962 FBI field report indicated that an informant had told an investigator that “an official of the Marshall Savings and Loan Association, possibly the president, Henry Moravec, or his son, received one hundred thousand dollars under that (sic) table for negotiating the four million dollar loan [for] the Sahara Inn North.”

■

The Sahara North’s connections to the mob, along with its ostentatious, Las Vegasstyle look and Manny Skar’s thirst for the spotlight attracted plenty of attention from the press, state regulators and local and federal law enforcement.

The Landmark, January 23, 2019

13

O’Hare airport

Sahara North

NH N A M

E

OA R M I

Des Plaines Oasis

D (1-294)

PHOTO COURTESTY OF THE RODGER HAMMILL PHOTO COLLECTION, FRANKLIN PARK PUBLIC LIBRARY DISTRICT

MARSHALL

pany whose president, Larry Roth, owned the Park Inn, a tavern on Chicago’s North Side. Roth’s wife, the company’s secretary, had worked as a waitress at the Riviera Lounge on Milwaukee Avenue in Niles from page 12 Township, a place Wiedrich called “a notorious crime syndicate vice and gambling In February 1962 Tribune columnist Herb place.”

Lyon announced that Bobby Darin would In the weeks prior to and after the Sahara open the Sahara’s Club Gigi in June, call- North opened, the stories kept coming. For ing the nightclub “a Chez Paree of the sub- three straight days in May 1962, Wiedrich urbs,” referring to the famed Chicago night filed stories linking the Sahara North to the spot that had closed in 1960. mob.

In April, Trib columnist And on June 3, 1962, just Will Leonard made the three days before opennightclub scene’s flight to ing night, Wiedrich filed a the suburbs his lead item, story revealing Skar had calling Skar “a man who been holding “secret meethas been known to look for ings” with Chicago Outfit trouble.” In the column, bosses and that the mob ran Skar boasts that the Sahara a network of call girls who North would run the downrented rooms in buildings town night spots out of busiowned by DeStefano and ness. mailed their rent checks to “Wait and see; they’ll all the Sahara South. be following me,” Skar said.

The day before the Sahara “In five years there won’t North opened, Wiedrich be any nightclub business reported that six separate TIME MAGAZINE downtown. It’ll all be out agencies were investigating here.”

Skar and his operations, and After DeStefano’s retreat, on June 9, 1962 he reported one of the biggest hurdles that the Internal Revenue Skar had in opening the Sahara North and Service was probing the financing of the keeping the Sahara South operating was Sahara North. getting a liquor license. His felony convicThings kept getting worse. Just four days tions meant the liquor licenses couldn’t be after he opened the Club Gigi, Bobby Darin approved in his name. was roughed up by “five hoodlums” in the He turned to a mob-connected front com- hotel lobby after he walked off the stage be-

Trouble in sight

“A salmagundi of Italian marble, Japanese carpet, matched rosewood, Hawaiian monkeypod wood, gold foil and tropical fish.”

COURTESY LIZ FARON COLLECTION

THE MAN IN THE MIDDLE: The link between Marshall Savings and the Sahara appears to have been Joseph Mercurio (above) who was senior loan officer at Prospect Federal Savings when the original mortgages were inked. In 1962, he would join Marshall Savings in the same role.

Top, the now-demolished Sahara Inn would have been seen from I-294 just south of the Des Plaines Oasis near O’Hare Airport. The site is now home to a Hampton Inn. cause they were causing a disturbance. One Schiller Park police officer was assaulted trying to intervene.

And, in July 1962, a former Sahara North “harem girl” was found dead of a drug overdose in her Schiller Park apartment.

Despite the headaches, work started on the five-story, 102-room addition to the Sahara North that summer. Whether that addition was to have been financed from the $4.2 million loan back in April is unknown.

But, in November 1962, Marshall Savings and Loan loaned another $1.7 million for the Sahara North project. The S&L’s loan records note that the money was for the “motel add’n” already under construction.

In all, Marshall Savings and Loan had loaned $10.3 million to finance the construction of both the Sahara North and South.

And all signs indicate that the savings and loan still hadn’t been paid a dime on any of the debts.

14

The Landmark, January 23, 2019

AMES SCHOOL

‘The whole package’ from page 1 classrooms that would allow the district to move its pre-kindergarten program from Blythe Park School to Ames, doesn’t alter the front of Ames School and adds extensive green space, including a large softsurface playground to the northeast of the school on land the district purchased in 2016.

“It really is the whole package we were looking for,” said Ames Principal Todd Gierman, who served on the district’s facility advisory committee, which recommended this option of the four presented to the board.

Board member David Barsotti said that this option was clear choice.

“It solves all of our problems,” Barsotti said.

The plan also includes renovating 3,700 square feet of the existing building and expanding onsite parking from 30 to 44 parking spaces.

The pre-kindergarten program would be housed in the first-story of the addition at the northeast corner of the school. The area would have a separate pick-up and drop-off spot, which board members liked.

The addition would also include a new 2,300-square-foot multipurpose room, two large flexible group learning spaces, a new 1,900-square-foot library on the second floor, two new regular classrooms in addition to the three new pre-K classrooms, and three new second-floor learning spaces for small groups.

The plan also includes separate renovated art and music rooms. The 1,000-squarefoot music room would have two separate 200-square-foot practice rooms next to it.

One existing classroom would also be renovated.

Rich Regan, who along with Lynda Murphy served as the school board representatives on the facility advisory committee, reminded board members that the design is still conceptual in nature and said cost estimates could change as more detailed plans are developed.

“It could be less expensive than what we’re representing here; it could be more expensive,” Regan said. “It’s really a factor of what kind of finishes we want in these spaces, what are our needs as a district in each of these spaces.”

District officials and board members are keen to move the pre-K early learners program to Ames School, because that would allow them to gradually turn Blythe Park School into a two-section school.

Blythe Park has, at present, only one section on each grade except for kindergarten. Making Blythe Park a two-section school would reduce enrollment at Central School and would also bring educational benefits to Blythe Park students, district officials believe.

Architect Carrie Matlock presented the

PROVIDED

PREFERRED PLAN: The District 96 school board prefers the third of four plans for an addition to Ames School presented by their architectural firm. It increases classroom space, including room for the district’s pre-K program, includes a large multi-purpose room, plenty of outdoor space for students and expanded parking. The full set of options can found online at www.RBLandmark.com. board with four options for expanding Ames School. The option the board is backing is the second most expensive option.

The first two options would not have permitted the district to move the pre-K program to Ames School. The first option, which was estimated to cost between $4.7 and $5.1 million, called for a one-story 5,150-square-foot addition to the back of Ames, housing a new library, a new multipurpose room, a large group learning space and a small group learning space.

The second option, which was estimated to cost between $6.28 to $6.8 million, would have added a second story to the addition outlined in the first option and also add three new classrooms including a new art room. That addition would have been 8,900 square feet and would have included 52 parking spaces.

The most expensive option presented

to the board would have included additions to both the front and back of Ames, costing between $9.9 and 10.7 million. An 18,200-square-foot addition would have housed a pre-K wing attached to the east side of the existing building.

It would have included three new regular classrooms, a new library, a new multipurpose room, renovated art and music rooms. This option called for 23 diagonal parking places in front of Ames, a feature that board members thought would make village approval of the plan difficult.

Board members also didn’t like the idea of adding on to the front of Ames and thought this option took up too space and didn’t allow enough green space.

“In Option 3 [the board’s choice] you’ve got a huge contiguous area playground which is really very attractive,” said school board President Jeff Miller.

Board member Shari Klyber also liked the third option, especially because it does not alter the front of the school.

“I like that it doesn’t change the original facade,” Klyber said of option that the board backed. “I think it keeps it more in the Riverside tradition without having diagonal [parking] spaces in the front. The play looks great to me. I think we need some natural space that’s consistent, so that you’re not kind of funneling children around in these narrow spaces.”

The district plans to pay for the addition to Ames out of its abundant cash reserves.

The school board took no formal action last week opting to wait to get community feedback, but it was clear that, after months of study, the board has found a plan that it likes.

Work on the Ames addition is not expected to begin until 2020.

Opinion THE LANDMARK VIEW

F

Sears teetering

or the record, we’re happy that some 45,000 employees at some 425 Sears and Kmart stores around the nation, including the one in North Riverside, will remain on the job if a U.S. bankruptcy judge OKs the sale of most of Sears Holdings’ in early February.

Sears Chairman Eddie Lampert – the company’s largest investor and also one of its largest creditors – has bid $5.2 billion to keep it a going concern.

However, we have to say that we don’t have a lot of faith in Sears’ future, given Lampert’s past actions, which have put the company in its present position.

We agree with the company’s creditors that Lampert’s “rescue” bid will simply provide him more time to squeeze every last dollar out of the company and acquire its most valuable assets for his own benefit.

That was the model that resulted in a real estate investment trust, of which Lampert is chairman, acquiring Sears’ most valuable real estate assets in order to lease them to others at higher rates.

It’s the model that sold off brands like Land’s End to a group controlled by Lampert’s hedge fund, ESL Investments, and sold off Craftsman tools to pay off debt, including debt owed to Lampert.

Posing as Sears’ savior at this point is a little rich, given that under Lampert’s direction the company has closed thousands of stores and shed 250,000 jobs, according to the company’s creditors.

Good luck with your savior, Sears. You’re going to need it.

Lightford rising

With the headlines focused on the full-bore ascendency of Democrats in Illinois, attention rightly turns to new Governor J.B. Pritzker and the swearing-in recently of an all-Democratic roster of state constitutional officers.

Our headline, though, is on the deserved recognition of a veteran local Democratic state senator who has risen to the heights of influence within the senate.

Winning a dramatic promotion is Sen. Kimberly Lightford. The Maywood native represents portions of all of North Riverside, a good chunk of Brookfield’s north end and most of Proviso Township. She has now been appointed Senate majority leader, the number two post in the Senate.

Certainly, it is notable that Lightford becomes the first black woman to hold this post. She is also president of the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus, another post of considerable influence.

Beyond that is Lightford’s considerable political and policy chops. She earned this post because she is a legislator with clear policy priorities, focusing directly on unmet needs in her communities. She is savvy and persistent enough to make those priorities real on-the-ground change.

We look particularly at Lightford’s public education focus and the statewide impact of her legislation, which forced high school districts to radically change direction on suspensions and expulsions of students.

This is a restorative justice approach that makes so much sense and goes straight to the inequities in how schools have dispensed discipline along racial lines.

Our communities have offered up a state legislator with progressive values, deep knowledge and political skills to make genuine change happen.

The Landmark, January 23, 2019

15

8 Corners church proposal ‘not right or fair’

C

hurches are supposed to bring the community together, yet the debate over Rev. Sokol’s plans for Eight Corners has undoubtedly been divisive for Brookfield.

It is a shame that less than a year after his initial SUP was approved, it appears Rev. Sokol wants to continue this battle with the village and members of this community by reneging on some of the promises and claims he and his congregation made during the special-use permit process for the Compassion Factory.

Rev Sokol assured us the Compassion Factory would remain a tax-generating business for years to come; he now wants to turn the Compassion Factory into a 501c3 non-profit, thus taking much-needed existing property tax revenue from the village, our schools and the TIF district. He omitted the fact that the special-use permit for the Compassion Factory was clearly nothing more than a temporary plan.

Time and time again, the Sokols have implied that the guidelines and economic development goals for Eight Corners (that have been in village’s comprehensive plan since 2004) somehow do not apply to them.

Rev. Sokol has even claimed that it is his constitutional right to build his church where he wants, but churches and the Sokols are not exempt from zoning and land use laws, especially when the village has a “compelling interest” like attracting new businesses to a commercial district and growing the tax base.

There is nothing in the village code preventing Rev. Sokol from building elsewhere in the village where it wouldn’t hurt the tax base and the village’s economic development goals, so his rights are not being infringed upon despite his claims.

In fact, Rev. Sokol’s latest plan would allow his church to directly benefit from TIF funds – taxpayer money intended for businesses, not churches – while also directly taking revenue away from the TIF district via property tax exemptions and derailing the overall purpose of the TIF district.

That does not seem right or fair, especially for

businesses in Eight Corners, and it raises legitimate questions about separation of church and state.

The Sokols have willfully left a prime commercial redevelopment site vacant for nearly a decade, and the taxpayers and business owners in Brookfield have paid the price. I cringe at the thought of all of the business and redevelopment opportunities we may have missed out on in Eight Corners over the last decade during the most lucrative development cycles in my lifetime.

Instead of new retail space and housing generating additional tax revenue in Eight Corners and spurring additional redevelopment, we have a vacant lot, an eyesore of a parking lot, boarded up stores (almost all owned by the Sokols) and now these plans that would hurt the coffers of our village, our schools and the newly created TIF fund.

Our property tax bills keep rising with no relief in sight, our streets are crumbling and our alleys have become popular fishing spots.

Brookfield’s best option to alleviate some of the tax burden on homeowners is to seek additional revenue through sales taxes from new businesses and adding properties to the tax base through redevelopment, not through taking potentially lucrative commercial properties and redevelopment opportunities off of the tax rolls as Rev. Sokol has proposed.

Rev Sokol’s latest plans will undoubtedly cost the village, the taxpayers and our schools millions of dollars in lost tax revenue and opportunity. Plus, every dollar lost from the tax-exempt status of the Sokols’ properties will have to be recaptured through higher taxes for the rest of us, despite the fact that his plans do not conform to the village’s comprehensive plan.

Why should Brookfield’s taxpayers and business owners subsidize Rev. Sokol’s church through higher taxes and lost revenue? How does that benefit those of us that aren’t members of his church?

Mark McCann is a Brookfield resident.

MARK MCCANN One View

LETTERS

Thanks to paramedics and police Our entire family would like to thank the Riverside Fire Department for the caring and skilled services provided to my mother-inlaw on the evening of December 22, 2018.

Paramedics Kosha Koscielniak and Jesus Pineda arrived quickly and surveyed the situation. They provided caring support and encouragement to our mother who

was understandably a bit shaken.

Thanks also to Riverside Police Officer Simpson.

The Riverside fire and police departments demonstrate their value to the village every day. We are all fortunate to have such well-trained and compassionate individuals serving our community.

James J. Skvaril Riverside

Many thanks to the wonderful and quick response I received from the Brookfield EMTs on Jan. 18.

They were professional and so very kind. I felt safe in their care.

God bless them for what they do. I am thankful also for living in Brookfield.

Pat Hanna

Brookfield

16

The Landmark, January 23, 2019

KOSEY CORNER

Riverside family goes back five generation

L

ast week, I wrote about families whose histories have deep roots in the village of Riverside. I’m familiar with this week’s family, but I didn’t realize how long they’d been here in the village.

I have known Greg and Dawn (Leoni) Ostrowski for a number of years, but I was surprised how long their families have been in town when Dawn Ostrowski sent me information on her family.

The story begins with the Ostrowski-Marhoul-Textrum family whose members now are fifth generation Riversiders.

Dr. Florian Ostrowski a prominent doctor in Cicero, moved his family to 273 Blackhawk Road in the 1920s. Florian had a son, Fabian, who was also a doctor. In the late 1940s Florian Ostrowski moved his family to Kent Road to a home which is still in the family. It’s the home of Greg and Dawn Ostrowski, who have resided there for 49 years.

Fabian Ostrowski was father of Greg and Thea. Thea Ostrowski is married to Paul Marhoul, and they are also residents of the village.

The Marhoul children -- Joel, Andrew and Marissa -have been active members of the community. Joel Mar-

houl has been on the board of the Riverside Swim Club and currently is a member of the Riverside School District 96 Board of Education. Meanwhile, Marissa (Marhoul) Textrum teaches at Ames School.

Greg and Dawn Ostrowski were active with their children’s school organizations and Dawn served as president of the Riverside Brookfield High School Educational Foundation.

Jason Ostrowski, the son of Greg and Dawn, who grew up attending Riverside schools also now resides on Bartram Road with his family.

Together with Jason’s kids and the Marhoul kids, that makes five generations in Riverside.

Eight kids of Generation 5 attend five different Riverside schools.

I now have another family I can add to my list of longtime residents, including those who continue to live in a longtime family home, which I always find interesting.

If only the walls could talk, we would learn more about the village of Riverside and those who helped shape its history.

More stories to come later, I hope.

JOANNE KOSEY

Bank sale not good for Riverside or St. Mary

R

ecently, it was announced that St. Mary had purchased 40 E. Burlington St., the vacant 4,600-square-foot former location of PNC Bank, to serve as the future site for parish

ing spaces to accompany its planned addition, given officials’ assertions that the existing 134 spots were more than sufficient for St. Mary.

But just last week, Rev. Thomas May cited the additional 28 parking spaces at the 40 E. Burlington St. property as one justification for pursuing the purchase, seemingly in contradiction to earlier reasoning and needs.

The concerns with the parish’s acquisition of this property goes beyond simple dollars and cents. To move the parish offices to an off-site location does away with the greater “campus-like” feel of the main school building, parish center, church, “Mary Park” and rectory as a single unit.

With this move, an entire segment of the school and parish community may be cut off from the day-to-day happenings at 97 Herrick Road.

Yes, the expansion and renovation of St. Mary Parish should be welcomed, and it is long overdue that the rectory be reconverted into a residences-only space for parish officials. But these plans should not come at the expense of the entire village’s economic and commercial progress.

These plans should not cut off a potentially transformative development in the downtown area before it could even materialize. Riverside residents and parishioners shouldn’t have to choose between parish expansion and the village’s economic well-being.

Parish officials should reconsider this short-sighted move to the 40 E. Burlington St. location — it’s bad for the St. Mary community and bad for the village.

Dylan Gresik is a Riverside resident.

DYLAN GRESIK One View

offices.

While the planned addition to St. Mary has been welcomed by pastoral staff, parishioners, and the community as a whole, this purchase is a misguided step for both the school and the village.

The 40 E. Burlington St. location not only occupies a core retail space within Riverside’s central business district, but it also sits beside two, additional unoccupied commercial structures: 28 and 30 E. Burlington.

Together, the three properties comprise 55,000 square feet of land ripe for a new, transformative development in the heart of downtown Riverside. Relocating the offices in the middle of the business district, however, virtually eliminates the potential for worthwhile, future projects.

With the success of the Village Center development as both a residential and commercial space, a similar undertaking could have the potential to reenergize the village’s longstanding goal of making the downtown area more appealing to businesses and more frequented by outsider foot traffic.

Moreover, the former PNC Bank parcels generated over $55,000 in property tax revenue in 2017 with $39,000 going to local schools and an additional $11,000 to village services. With St. Mary’s purchase (being a religious institution), this tax burden would be shouldered by all other taxpayers in Riverside – residential and commercial.

Last year, the Riverside Village Board exempted the parish from having to meet the required number of park-

OBITUARIES

Mary L. Bartik, 89 Longtime Riverside resident Mary L. Bartik (nee Ahearn), 89, a longtime resident of Riverside, died Jan. 20, 2019. She was the wife and best friend for 63 years of the late Robert A. Bartik Sr.; the mother of Roberta Mary (Anthony Graffeo) Bartik, Diane R. (Richard) Jedrzejewski, Denise Elizabeth (Glen) Francis and Robert A. (Colleen) Bartik; the grandmother of Jennifer Carrino, Lauren (Michael) Ciolino, Michelle (Daniel) LaVieri, Brian and Patrick Francis, and Kathleen, Daniel and MaryClare Bartik; and an aunt to many nieces and nephews.

Lying-in-state will be on Friday, Jan. 25, St. Mary Church, 97 Herrick Road, Riverside from 9 a.m. until the start of a funeral Mass at 10 a.m. Interment is at Bohemian National Cemetery in Chicago.

In lieu of flowers, donations are appreciated to Shriner’s Children’s Hospital. Arrangements were handled by The Original Kuratko Family, Brian D. Kuratko, director.

Gustav ‘Gus’ Baumgart, 92 Western Electric retiree Gustav (Gus) Baumgart, 92, of Riverside, died on Jan. 17, 2019 at the Scottish Home in North Riverside.

Born on Oct.15, 1926 in Chicago, he attended grade school and high school in Chicago before serving proudly in the U.S. Army between 1944 and 1945, including service on Okinawa.

GUSTAV BAUMGART Following his military service, Mr. Baumgart was employed by Western Electric for 27 years. He was an avid gardener and longtime member and usher at St. Mary Church in Riverside and loyal Cubs and Bears fan.

He will be missed by many friends and neighbors. Mr. Baumgart was the son of the late Gustave and the late Karolina Baumgart.

A funeral Mass was celebrated Jan. 22 at St. Mary Church in Riverside, followed by interment at St. Mary Cemetery.

Ivins/Moravecek Funeral Home, Riverside, handled arrangements.

Martin F. Biskowski, 56 Mexican prehistory scholar Martin F. Biskowski, 56, of Sacramento, California and formerly of North Riverside, died Jan. 8, 2019.

Dr. Biskowski graduated from Riverside-Brookfield High School in 1980, received his B.A. (mathematics and anthropology) from Beloit College in 1984, and his M.A. and Ph.D. (anthropology) from UCLA in 1997.

MARTIN F. BISKOWSKI

The Landmark, January 23, 2019

17

OBITUARIES He loved being a college professor and was an influential member of the anthropology faculty of Sacramento State University since 2002. A scholar of Mexican prehistory, Dr. Biskowski was a veteran of many research expeditions to the archaeological digs at Teotihuacan. He was a friend and valued colleague to his fellow professors, and an engaging instructor to thousands of students. He will be sorely missed.

Dr. Biskowski was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Sherlane, and a brother, Lawrence. He is survived by his two sisters, Katherine (Stephen) and Rosalie (David) and eight nieces and nephews.

Private interment will be at Bohemian National Cemetery.

Kathleen Brown-Tejack, 71 Registered nurse Kathleen L. Brown-Tejack, 71, of Orland Hills, died on Jan. 18, 2019. She was born on May 21, 1947 and was a registered nurse.

She was the mother of Joseph (Rebecca) Tejack and the KATHLEEN late Diane (Steve) BROWN-TEJACK Lawinger; the grandmother of Jaxson, Emma, Jamie, Sean and Jodie; the sister of Inez Kelleher (Peter), Brian Brown (Loral) and the late DonnaLee (Ed) Kasuba; and the aunt of many nieces and nephews.

Visitation was Tuesday, Jan. 22 from 4 to 9 p.m. and Wednesday, Jan. 23 from 9 to 9:30 a.m. at Hitzeman Funeral Home, 9445 31st Street, Brookfield. A funeral Mass will be celebrated Jan. 23 at 10 a.m. at St. Louise de Marillac Church, 30th Street and Raymond Avenue in LaGrange Park. Interment is private.

Edward H. Clarke, 91 Retired truck driver Edward H. Clarke, 91 of Willowbrook formerly North Riverside, died Jan. 19, 2019.

Born on Jan. 1, 1928, Mr. Clarke served in the U.S. Navy during World War II aboard a minesweeper in the Pacific, deployed to China, Japan, Korea, Philippines, Formosa and Guam.

He was a retired truck driver and was a member of Knights of Columbus Council 1005.

Mr. Clarke was the companion of Irene Yuknis; the father of Thomas, Raymond (Sharon), Laura (Jeffrey), William and Patrick (Kerry); the grand and great-grandfather of many; and the brother of Virginia.

Interment is at Mount Auburn Cemetery.

Funeral info is available by contacting Ivins/Moravecek Funeral Home, 80 E. Burlington St. in Riverside, at 708-447-2261 or www.ivinsfh.com.

Margaret Novak, 89 North Riverside resident Margaret J. Novak (nee Pitz), 89, of North Riverside, died on Jan. 20, 2019.

She was the wife of the late Kenneth J.; the mother of Mark (Cynthia), Dean (Penny), Neal, Kim (J. Michael) Alden and Marty (Sophie); the grandmother of Brooke (Matt) Couch, Shannon, Katelyn, Josh, Nathan, Nelson, Alyssa Alden, Abby Alden, Nicole and Matthew; the great-grandmother of Bella RyMARGARET NOVAK man and Emmett Couch; and the sister of the late Charles Pitz.

Family and friends will be received at the Conboy-Westchester Funeral Home, 10501 W. Cermak Rd., Westchester (2 blocks west of Mannheim Rd.), on Friday, Jan. 25 from 3 to 9 p.m. Funeral is on Saturday at 9 a.m. until time of chapel service, 10 a.m. with interment at Woodlawn Cemetery in Forest Park.

Paul B. Robbins, 85

Columbia, Missouri, enjoyed soccer locally and also earned a paralegal degree. He was a Third Order Franciscan and belonged to the St. Barbara Knights of Columbus Council 15943. Mr. Skokna also was a co-worker of Mother Teresa, working with her sisters in Haiti while on his honeymoon.

Mr. Skokna was preceded in death by his parents, Joe and Edythe Skokna and will be forever loved by his son, Michael (Katie), Mary, ElizaANTHONY F. SKOKNA beth, Evelyn, Jacqueline, Bernadette, Andrea, Lucy and their mother Julie. He was the grandfather of Addison Grace; the brother of Michael I., Peggy (James) Pappin, Catherine (Jim), Andrew (Kate), Thomas (Marie), Nicholas (Tracey) and Christopher (Karen), and the uncle of countless nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to St. Barbara Knights of Columbus Council 15943, 4008 Prairie Ave., Brookfield, 60513 or The Sports Shed, 72 S. Milwaukee Ave #112, Libertyville, 60048 would be appreciated.

Johnson-Nosek Funeral Home, Brookfield, handled arrangements.

Longtime Riverside resident Paul B. Robbins, 85, a longtime Riverside resident who served in the U.S Army during the Korean War, died on Jan. 18, 2019.

Mr. Robbins was the husband and best friend of 60 years to Arline Robbins; the father of Daniel (Joan) Robbins and the late Paul Kenneth Robbins; the grandpa of Timothy, Samuel and Luke Robbins; the brother of three deceased brothers and one sister; and the uncle of Susan Ireland.

Visitation is on Wednesday, Jan. 23 from 3 to 8 p.m. at Adolf Funeral Home & Cremation Services Ltd., 2921 S. Harlem Ave. in Berwyn.

Funeral services are on Thursday, Jan. 24 with visitation from 10:30 a.m. until the time of service at 11 a.m. at First Congregational Church, 6500 W. 34th St. in Berwyn. Interment is at Mount Emblem Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the First Congregational Church or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tennessee, 38105 would be appreciated.

Anthony F. Skokna, 64 High school teacher, coach Anthony Francis Skokna, 64, of Brookfield, died Jan. 15, 2019 in LaGrange.

Born on July 17, 1954, Mr. Skokna was a teacher of many years at St. Joseph High School, Providence St. Mel and John Marshall High School, all in Chicago, coached high school basketball and Babe Ruth Baseball and was a referee for AYSO soccer.

He played baseball at Columbia College in

D. Martin Stratman, 72 Formerly of Riverside D. Martin Stratman, 72, of Clarendon Hills formerly Riverside, died Jan. 17, 2019.

Born March 3, 1946, Mr. Stratman served in the U.S. Army and was a retired longtime employee of Divane Electric Company.

He was the son of the late Raymond J. and late Rita Mae (nee Cobey); the brother of John (Carolyn), Carol (Richard) Lochner, Philip (Nancy), Mark (Tina) and the late Gregory; and the D. MARTIN STRATMAN uncle and great uncle of many.

Visitation is on Friday, Jan. 25 from 2 to 8 p.m. and Saturday, Jan. 26 from 8 a.m. until time of services at 9 a.m. at Ivins/Moravecek Funeral Home 80 E. Burlington St., Riverside. A funeral Mass will follow at 10 a.m. at St. Isaac Joques Catholic Church, 306 W 4th St, Hinsdale. Interment and military honors will be at Queen of Heaven Cemetery in Hillside.

Donations to the American Diabetes Association at www.diabetes.org or the American Cancer Assn. at www.cancer.org. are appreciated.

RIVERSIDE FUNERAL HOME a Ivins/Moravecek P.C. Inc. David Moravecek, Director

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18

The Landmark, January 23, 2019

Zach Attack

Sports

@RBLandmark

Clutch senior point guard does it all for RBHS

By MARTY FARMER

W

Sports Editor

hen a game is on the line, the Riverside-Brookfield High School boys basketball team wants the ball in Zach Vaia’s hands.

Known as the reigning Metro Suburban Conference MVP and as the Bulldogs’ floor general, perhaps the best title for Vaia is closer.

The playmaking senior guard has a knack for making decisive plays, exemplified by his game-winning shots against Immaculate Conception and Fenwick last season.

In those memorable outings, Vaia hit a 30foot shot at the buzzer to edge IC 47-44. Two games later, he made a fadeaway jumper with two seconds left to upset Fenwick 67-65 in the Bulldogs’ signature win of the season.

“As a kid you always picture yourself in those last-second moments,” Vaia said.

“I just love those types of games.

That’s when the game of basketZACH VAIA ball is so much RBHS senior fun. Whether it’s to shoot the ball or find the open person, I want the ball in my hands in those situations. I feel very confident in my ability to make something happen.”

RBHS coach Mike Reingruber appreciates his point guard’s affinity for crunch time.

“Zach has a knack for hitting bit shots,” Reingruber said. “In addition to the buzzerbeating shots he hit against IC and Fenwick last year, he also had a buzzer-beating assist to Andrew Veon against York in the regional. He could have easily forced that shot, but Zach was willing to make the extra pass to his teammate for the win.”

This season, Vaia is averaging 14.8 points, 5 rebounds, 3.5 rebounds and 2.3 steals per game in leading the Bulldogs to a 16-4 record highlighted by a 6-1 mark in conference.

He’s led the team in assists 13 games and in scoring six games this season.

“I think we are having a better season so

“As a kid you always picture yourself in those last-second moments.”

File photo

RBHS guard Zach Vaia, averages 14.8 points, 5 assists, 3.5 rebounds and 2.3 steals per game this season. far than last season,” Vaia said. “I’ve been playing with our senior class guys since about fourth grade. The chemistry is there on the court for us.”

Vaia was picked as the co-MVP with Veon at the 16th Annual Bill VandeMerkt Thanksgiving Classic earlier this season. Vaia’s best game (31 points, 7 assists) at VandeMerkt occurred against their toughest opponent, Morton. Tied with the Mustangs at 60-60 late in the fourth quarter, Vaia scored seven points in a row to secure a 69-63 victory.

RBHS won the tourney title with a 4-0 record.

A three-year starter, Vaia is the latest in a long line of outstanding guards at RBHS. His backcourt predecessors include Ryan Cicenas, Jalen Clanton, Daniko Jackson, Damonta Henry, Ryan Jackson and Sean McGonagill.

The commonality they share is a wellrounded skill set.

Vaia averaged 14 points, 5.2 assists, 4 rebounds and shot 40 percent on 3-pointers and 91 percent from the line last season, which earned him MVP recognition in the Metro Suburban Conference last season.

The Bulldogs won their 16th conference

title in 17 seasons and finished 19-11 overall in a bounce-back season. In 2017, player defections and injuries paved the way to a disappointing 12-16 campaign in Tom McCloskey’s final season as the Bulldogs’ coach.

During the coaching transition from McCloskey to Reingruber, Vaia provided levels of continuity and stability.

“Zach has been an instrumental player in our program the past few years,” Reingruber said. “When you have a three-year starter at point guard, it makes you sleep easier as a coach, knowing he is an extension of you on the court.”

Vaia’s leadership and talent should translate well to college basketball if he chooses to continue his athletic career.

“Zach is one of the top small-college point guard prospects in the area,” Reingruber said. “He has a ton of interest from Division III and NAIA schools, and I know he is in the process of narrowing down his list. I think Zach would be a tremendous college basketball player.”

In addition to Vaia, the Bulldogs feature an array of players that are all-conference caliber performers. Veon, Charles Terry, Patrick

Hanley, Reggie Loury and Ryan Cermak are all capable of leading the team in multiple statistical categories on any given night.

“I think that’s definitely what makes our team special,” Vaia said. “Anybody on our team can get a hot hand, step up in a big moment and lead our team. And what’s cool about that is even when one guy scores 20 points, the rest of our starters are usually in double digits scoring as well.”

Since an overtime loss against Aurora Christian, the Bulldogs appear back on track with three straight wins. In two victories against Bishop McNamara and St. Francis, Hanley scored 48 points, Veon pulled down 28 rebounds and Vaia dished out 14 assists, collectively. RBHS defeated Marshall over the weekend as well.

“We have bounced back nicely and closed out some tough games since our overtime loss to Aurora Christian,” Reingruber said.

“We would like to close out the season on a positive note. Currently, we are tied for first in the league with five league games to play. Hopefully, we will perform well in those games and win a conference championship.”

S P O R T S

The Landmark, January 23, 2019

19

Lions lose to OPRF in boys swimming

200-yard freestyle relay team sets new record in Huskies’ pool

By MARTY FARMER Sports Editor

The Lyons Township and Oak Park and River Forest High School boys swimming teams will be seeing a lot of each other over the next several weeks.

The Huskies won the first meeting, a 11472 dual-meet victory against the visiting Lions on Friday, Jan. 18.

The West Suburban Conference Silver Division rivals meet again on Saturday, Jan. 26 at the Lyons Township Invite and a final time on Nov. 1-2 at the West Suburban Conference Silver Division Championships.

While LTHS and Hinsdale Central have dominated the conference in recent years, the Huskies are making it a three-way race this season with their young and talented group of swimmers. Hinsdale Central edged OPRF 97-88, but the Huskies responded well with a victory against LTHS, the reigning

state runner-up in Class 3A. The Lions’ best result at OPRF occurred in the 200-yard freestyle relay. The quartet of seniors Michael Walsh and Ben Lynch and juniors Jack Thorell and Bryson Breitenbucher set an OPRF pool record time of 1 minute, 27.19 seconds, topping the previous mark of 1:28.12.

Individually, Lynch placed second in two events. He recorded runner-up times of 1:53.77 in the 200-yard freestyle and 50.55 seconds in the 100-yard freestyle.

In other notable results, Thorell took second in the 50-yard freestyle, touching the wall at 22.06. Breitenbucher also earned second in the 100-yard butterfly with a time of 55.06.

After the aforementioned LTHS Invite and West Suburban Conference meet are concluded, the Lions will turn their attention to sectional competition on Saturday, Feb. 16.

While the Lions will be hard pressed to match their incredible run of two state

Courtesy Erin Rodriguez

LTHS swimmer Jack Thorell swims the backstroke. championships and a state runner-up finish over the past three years, first-year coach Erin Rodriguez is optimistic about the team’s chances.

“I would like to see the team continue to hold themselves to the high expectations they’ve been held in the past.” said Rodriguez, who replaced Scott Miller after his recent retirement. “Our team is very successful when the boys compete for each other,” OPRF set two pool records, won every individual event and two of three relays against the Lions in the dual meet. Multiple event

winners Will Raidt, Benjamin Guerrero and Diego Pareja paced the Huskies.

Raidt took first place in the 100 free with a new home pool record time of 47.16 (previously 47.22) and the 200 free in 1:45.01 Other OPRF winners included Frank Tirone (50 free/21.79), Owen Osga (100-yard breaststroke/1:04.18) and Tyler Hoyt (diving/226.90).

The Huskies’ quartet of Pareja, Pedraza, Raidt and Tirone also set a new home pool record time of 1:35.29 in the 200 medley relay. The previous record was 1:37.60.

Liston, Navarro lead Fenwick at CCL tourney Talented freshmen account for five wins, 37 points at conference meet

By MARTY FARMER Sports Editor

Jimmy Liston has a bright future in the Fenwick High School wrestling program.

According to coach Pete Kowalczuk, Liston is one of the team’s “four pillars,” along with Matt Zuber, Brandon Navarro and David Capron, expected to lead the Friars back to prominence.

Liston, a freshman heavyweight, took another step in his development with a strong showing at the Chicago Catholic League Championships, hosted by St. Rita over the weekend.

Liston won three of four matches to place third in the 285-pound weight class and score 22 of the Friars’ 50 points. Advancing via bye in the opening round, Liston (9-3) defeated RJ Schneider from Providence Catholic on a fall at 3:50 in the quarterfinals. St. Laurence’s Jerrell Carey pinned him at 3:30 in the semifinals. However, Liston responded well with a pair of pin victories against Willy Lopez from DePaul Prep and another against Schneider.

Brandon Navarro (27-9), another promising freshman for the Friars, earned fifth place at 160 pounds by splitting four matches. He pinned Tom Crane (Brother Rice) at 5:58 before losing two matches. He won his last match by forfeit over Mount Carmel’s Owen Jacobson.

“I think both Liston and Navarro wrestled well

and are showing a lot of improvement,” Kowalczuk said. “Jimmy has shown a lot of heart and is really starting to understand what high school wrestling is all about, which is great to see. Brandon wrestled really tough against the guy from Marmion (Brad Gross) who won the tournament. I know Brandon wasn’t satisfied with fifth place, but he has a lot of potential.”

At 152, Fenwick sophomore David Capron (17-8) also wrestled well with two wins, both by fall against Ruben Urquiza (DePaul Prep) and Charlie Paxson (Loyola Academy) at 1:51 and 2:41, respectively.

Montini and Mount Carmel tied for the title with 276.5 points apiece, followed by Marmion (270), Providence Catholic (207) and St. Rita (172.5).

Earlier matches in January included a 39-39 win on criteria against DePaul Prep and a 36-21 victory against St. Ignatius. Senior captain Charlie Sullivan produced a timely pin to power the Friars past St. Ignatius.

Fenwick, which last won a regional title in 2005, hosts an IHSA Class 2A regional on Saturday, Feb. 2.

Matches start at 9 a.m.

“We’ll have a full lineup of wrestlers for the regional, which we didn’t have last year,” Kowalczuk said. “I think we have a core group of guys who should win the tournament. I believe we have a realistic shot of winning this thing, which would be awesome and a real boost for our program.”

Courtesy Pete Kowalczuk

Fenwick freshman Brandon Navarro attempts to pin an opponent during a match.

20

The Landmark, January 23, 2019

FLAKING OUT Plentiful snowfall Jan. 18-19 brought out swarms of kids to Swan Pond Park in Riverside last weekend, who took to the hill on sleds and, in at least one case, an inflatable horse. For more photos, visit online at www.

RBLandmark.com.

PHOTOS BY ALEXA ROGALS/Staff Photographer

BUDGET

Fee increases from page 1 “We’re in structural imbalance right now and that’s one of the red flags that we’re unfortunately here to share,” Wiberg told the village board. “That’s the bad news. The good news is I think we can deal with it.”

A main takeaway from Wiberg’s presentation was that the village has been balancing its budget in recent years by making a large transfer annually – between $400,000 and $600,000 -- from its motor fuel tax (MFT) fund to its general operations.

The village has been using that money to pay for things related to roads, such as salaries for public works personnel related to street maintenance, road salt and the like. While that’s allowable under state law, it’s not an ideal use of those funds, said Wiberg, and was serving to mask a financial problem.

“It not a crisis by any stretch of the imagination,” Wiberg told the village board. “We are balancing our budgets, but we can’t keep doing this year after year after year. Eventually the deficit will become too great for what we get out of MFT.” Ideally, said Wiberg, the village would use MFT funds for capital improvements,

such as street replacement, replacing street lights and so on. In the past, the village has done just that, using MFT funds to serve as a local match for grant funded street resurfacing projects.

Since 2014, however, making the MFT transfer into the general operating fund has been the solution to balance what otherwise would have been deficit budgets.

While that strategy has been able to mask the structural imbalance, the veil dropped in 2018 when, even after a $600,000 transfer from the MFT fund to the general operating fund, the village’s budget ended 2018 at a deficit of $566,000.

In 2019, that trend is expected to continue without additional revenue, said Wiberg.

According to a summary of preliminary 2019 budget numbers, general operating expenditures are expected to outpace revenues by about $902,000.

While it might not be possible to forego some sort of transfer from the MFT fund to the general fund to close that gap, Wiberg said he wanted this year to start weaning the village from its practice of making that MFT transfer.

“I want to reverse the trend,” he said.

One of the principal causes of the financial imbalance, said Wiberg, was the ever increasing burden of police and fire pensions.

The 2019 preliminary budget indicates the village will pay a little more than $3.3 million to meet its police and fire pension obligations. That obligation has skyrocketed by

$1.3 million -- 64 percent -- since 2015.

“It’s primarily a product of pensions,” Wiberg told the Landmark in a phone interview following the Jan. 17 workshop. “That’s the ticking time bomb.”

Property taxes fund roughly half the cost of village operations, and the number of tax dollars being used to fund village services is dropping, because more and more dollars are being earmarked to pay pension obligations.

To help meet those challenges, Wiberg outlined a variety of measures designed to increase general operating revenues on an ongoing basis.

By imposing a 1-percent places-of-eating tax on sales at restaurants and bars, Wiberg estimated that the village could raise $200,000 annually. With the Brookfield Zoo serving as Brookfield’s largest sales tax generating business, their contribution via a places-of-eating tax would be about $50,000 to $60,000.

Both Riverside, North Riverside and Countryside have already implemented such taxes, said Wiberg, leading him to conclude that such a tax in Brookfield would not leave local restaurateurs at a competitive disadvantage.

Wiberg said that he would meet with the Brookfield Chamber of Commerce and restaurant and bar owners to explain the need for the tax.

Raising vehicle stickers on passenger cars by $10 would net the village another

$100,000, said Wiberg, while adjustments to liquor and business license fees could net another $77,000.

Wiberg also suggested raising another $120,000 by increasing parking ticket fines from $35 to $50. The village might also net another $100,000 by increasing its ambulance fee from $1,000 to $1,400. The village’s policy of only seeking insurance reimbursement from residents who require paramedic services would not change.

One other way to increase revenue assumptions, Wiberg, said would be to adjust how the village estimates its return on pension investments. Currently, the village estimates a 6.74-percent return.

By raising that assumption by a quarter point, Wiberg said, the village could pencil in $200,000 more in revenue for the general operating fund.

“All of this goes to the operations of our village. … This is how the village is funded,” Village President Kit Ketchmark said to trustees regarding the revenue recommendations. “If we don’t do that, then what else do we do?”

Village trustees are slated to discuss some of the revenue initiatives, such as vehicle stickers, liquor license fees and pension assumptions a bit more at upcoming board meetings. The next one is Feb. 11 at 6:30 p.m. at the village hall, 8820 Brookfield Ave. Wiberg said his goal was to have a final budget ready for passage by the village board by the end of February.

The Landmark, January 23, 2019

RBLANDMARK.COM New local ads this week

YOUR WEEKLY AD

REACHES SIX SUBURBAN COMMUNITIES: OAK PARK, RIVER FOREST, FOREST PARK, BROOKFIELD, RIVERSIDE, NORTH RIVERSIDE, AND PARTS OF CHICAGO

WEDNESDAY

CLASSIFIED

21

HOURS: 9:00 A.M.– 5:00 P.M. MON–FRI

Deadline is Tuesday at 9:30 a.m.

Please Check Your Ad: The publisher will not be responsible for more than one incorrect insertion.

Wednesday Journal Classified must be notified before the second insertion.

The newspaper reserves the right to edit or reject any advertisement.

Place your ad online anytime at: www.RBLandmark.com/ClassiďŹ ed/

BY PHONE: (708) 613-3333 | BY FAX: (708) 467-9066 | BY E-MAIL: CLASSIFIEDS@RBLANDMARK.COM HELP WANTED

HELP WANTED

COMMUNITY RELATIONS INTERN The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Community Relations Intern in the Community Relations Department.

This is a seasonal position that will provide assistance to the Community Relations Department, provides intake and referral services for residents to community resources, assists in investigations of landlord/ tenant complaints, etc.

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 no later than February 8, 2019.

PART TIME DRIVER Part Time Driver/Warehouse Personnel. M-F 9am til 3. Must have valid DL, be able to lift 75 lbs and pass a drug test. Forest Park ,IL send resume to hr@sievertelectric.com

Data Architect, Sr. sought by Anthem, Inc. in Chicago, IL to provide technical leadership to IT and the enterprise, and to help develop, implement and maintain databases. Requires travel to other office locations in Chicago metro area.

Apply at www.jobpostingtoday.com, ref # 48047.

ELECTRICIAN’S HELPER PART-TIME Part-time Electrician’s Helper. Must have own transportation. Call for more info 708-738-3848.

ENGINEERING TECH The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Engineering Technician I in the Public Works Department. This employee performs technical engineering support tasks; prepares preliminary designs through final plans and technical drafts; makes complex calculations for various public works projects; and performs a variety of field inspections. Applicants are encouraged to visit the Village of Oak Park’s website http://www. oak-park.us/jobs. Interested and qualified applicants must complete a Village of Oak Park application no later than January 31, 2019.

OPRF COMMUNITY FOUNDATION Oak Park River Forest Community Foundation has a part-time job position open for a Donor and Grant Services Coordinator. The position will support the administration and management of the Foundation’s grant and scholarship programs and donor development efforts, including maintenance of the Foundation’s database. For a complete job description and required qualifications, visit oprfcf.org under Who We Are–Job Postings. Qualified candidates please submit cover letter and resume by Jan.31, 2019.

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 no later than January 25, 2019.

PART-TIME COMMUNITY SERVICE COORDINATOR The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Part-Time Community Service Coordinator in the Adjudication Department. This person monitors individuals who have been ordered to provide community service in the Village, coordinates with organizations that provide community service opportunities, etc. Applicants are encouraged to visit the Village of Oak Park’s website http://www.oakpark.us/. Interested and qualified applicants must complete a Village of Oak Park application no later than January 25, 2019.

SYSTEMS ANALYST The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Systems Analyst in the Information Technology Department.

Applicant will need to be knowledgeable and capable to apply the principles and techniques of various programming languages, database, computer programming, on-line programming and programming documentation. Additional skillsets include systems analysis and design techniques, such as database normalization, business analysis, workflow procedure, modular programming, stored procedures, and interface with operating system.

Our technology environment consists of MS-SQL & Tools, Superion OneSolution CAD/RMS, CityView Permit, Licensing & Inspections, ERSI ArcGIS, Laserfiche and web software (Java, HTML, Adobe ColdFusion and Drupal).http://www. oak-park.us/ . Interested and qualified applicants must complete a Village of Oak Park application no later than February 8, 2019.

CITY RENTALS APARTMENTS FOR RENT Division and Cicero.

2nd floor, 2 BR. Heat included. Nice apartment. $750 per month.

Lower Level 1 BR. Heat, gas included. $600 per month.

1 mo security and background check required.

Call 773-626-0365.

ROOMS FOR RENT AUSTIN CLEAN ROOM With fridge, micro.

Nr Oak Park, Super Walmart, Food 4 Less, bus, & Metra. $116/wk and up.

773-637-5957

ROOMS FOR RENT

Large Sunny Room with fridge & microwave. Near Green line, bus, Oak Park, 24 hour desk, parking lot. $101.00 week & up. New Mgmt.

773-378-8888

OFFICE SPACE FOR RENT THERAPY OFFICES FOR RENT Therapy offices for rent in north Oak Park. Rehabbed building. Nicely furnished. Flexible leasing. Free parking; Free wifi; Secure building; Friendly colleagues providing referrals. Shared Waiting room; optional Conference room. Call or email with questions. Shown on Sundays.

Lee 708.383.0729 drlmadden@ameritech.net

WANTED TO BUY WANTED MILITARY ITEMS: Helmets, medals, patches, uniforms, weapons, flags, photos, paperwork, Also toy soldiers-lead plastic-other misc. toys.

Call Uncle Gary 708-522-3400

PETS While you’re away, your pets are okay . . . at home

cat calls

Oak Park’s Original Pet Care Service – Since 1986

Daily dog exercising Complete pet care in your home )PVTF TJUUJOH t 1MBOU DBSF Bonded References

524-1030

SUBURBAN RENTALS

M&M

property management, inc.

708-386-7355 • www.mmpropmgt.com 649 Madison Street, Oak Park Oak Park: Studios, 1, 2 & 3 BR from $825 - $2,100 Forest Park: Studios, 1, 2 & 3 BR from $795 - $1,850

Apartment listings updated daily at:

PERSONAL SERVICES Abby Schmelling Genealogy Support Services Family History Research Helping You Get Started Getting Through Brick Walls

708-417-1241 abbyschmelling@gmail.com

NOVENAS PRAYER TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN (NEVER KNOWN TO FAIL) Oh, most beautiful flower of Mt. Carmel, fruitful vine, splendor of heaven, Blessed Mother of the Son of God, Immaculate Virgin, assist me in my necessity. Oh, Star of the Sea, help me and show me, herein you are my mother. Oh, Holy Mary, Mother of God, Queen of Heaven and Earth. I humbly beseech you from the bottom of my heart to succor in my necessity (make request).

There are none that can withstand your power. Oh, show me herein you are my mother. Oh, Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee (3 times).

Holy Mary, I place this prayer in your hands (3 times). Say this prayer for three consecutive days and publish; your request will be granted. CAC

CLEANING Pam’s A+ Cleaning Service

Fall is here! Time to make a change? Take a moment to preview our detailed cleaning. For a free esimate please call 708-937-9110

Find your new apartment this Saturday from 10 am – 4pm at 35 Chicago Avenue.

Or call us toll free at 1-833-440-0665 for an appointment.

FLOORS KLIS FLOORING INC.

New hardwood flooring installation & pergo. Sanding, re-finishing, staining. Low prices, insured.

Call: 773-671-4996 www.klisflooring.com

You have jobs.

We have readers!

Find the best employees with Wednesday Classified!

Call 708-613-3342 to advertise.

ELECTRICAL Ceiling Fans Installed

A&A ELECTRIC

Let an American Veteran do your work

We make service calls!

We fix any electrical problem and do small jobs Home Re-wiring • New Plugs & Switches Added New circuit breaker boxes • Code violations corrected Service upgrades,100-200 amp • Garage & A/C lines installed Fast Emergency Service | Residential • Commercial • Industrial Free Home Evaluations | Lic. • Bonded • Ins. • Low Rates • Free Est.

708-409-0988 • 708-738-3848 Sr. Discounts • 30 Yrs. Exp Servicing Oak Park • All surrounding suburbs • Chicago area

GARAGE/GARAGE DOOR Our 71st Year

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Electric Door Openers

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(708) 652-9415 www.forestdoor.com

HANDYMAN CURT'S HANDYMAN SERVICE Drywall Repair • Painting Fans Installed • Carpentry Trim Gutter Cleaning • Window Repair

FREE ESTIMATES Excellent References No Job Too Small

708-488-9411

%,%#42)#!, (!.$9-!. 3%26)#%3 !LL 4YPES OF (OME 2EPAIRS 2EPAIRS )NSTALLATIONS 0ROFESSIONAL 1UALITY 7ORK !T 2EASONABLE 0RICES 0ROMPT 3ERVICE 3MALL *OBS A 3PECIALTY

Mike’s Home Repair Drywall H Painting H Tile Plumbing H Electric H Floors Windows H Doors H Siding Ask Us What We Don’t Do

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HANDYMAN Roofing Repairs Concrete Repairs • Drywall All types of handiwork Call For Free Estimates

773-732-2263 Ask for John

HAULING BASEMENT CLEANING Appliances & Furniture Removal Pickup & Delivery. 708-848-9404

HEATING/ AIR CONDITIONING HEATING AND APPLIANCE EXPERT Furnaces, Boilers and Space Heaters Refrigerators Ranges • Ovens Washer • Dryers Rodding Sewers Lic/Bonded 25 yrs experience

FREE SERVICE CALL WITH REPAIR AND SENIOR/VETERAN DISCOUNT.

708-785-2619 or 773-585-5000

ORGANIZING PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZER Home organizer. Reasonable rates and privacy assured. Send contact info to Organizher c/o Hollywood Citizens Assoc P.O. Box 262 Brookfield, IL 60513

PAINTING & DECORATING CLASSIC PAINTING

Fast & Neat Painting/Taping/Plaster Repair Low Cost

708.749.0011

Lost & Found and To Be Given Away ads run free in Wednesday Classified. To place your ad, call 708-613-3342

22

The Landmark, January 23, 2019

RBLANDMARK.COM

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PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE ADVERTISEMENT OF BIDDING Request of bids for building addition and renovations at the Carroll Center.

PUBLIC NOTICES

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on Tuesday February 19, 2019 at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of Village Hall, 517 Desplaines Avenue, Forest Park, Illinois, the Village of Forest Park Zoning Board of Appeals will conduct a Public Hearing regarding a request for a conditional use for a restaurant at 7510 Madison St. and such other variations as may be necessary in the DBD Zoned District for the following described property:

LEGAL NOTICE

LOT 3 AND THE EAST 9 FEET 3 INCHES OF LOT 4 IN HAASE’S ADDITION TO OAK PARK IN THE NORTHEAST QUARTER (1/4) OF SECTION 13, TOWNSHIP 38 NORTH RANGE 12 EAST OF THE THIRD PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN IN COOK COUNTY ILLINOIS

t Lic. #0967

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Serving Oak Park, River Forest, Forest Park & Riverside Since 1974

PUBLIC NOTICES PUBLIC NOTICE Notice is hereby given, pursuant to “An Act in relation to the use of an Assumed Business Name in the conduct or transaction of Business in the State,â€? as amended, that a certification was registered by the undersigned with the County Clerk of Cook County. Registration Number: Y19000348 on January 15, 2019. Under the Assumed Business Name of FĂ S TRĂ? COMHAR with the business located at: 7214 JACKSON BLVD APT 1D, FOREST PARK, IL 60130. The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/partner(s) is: CHRISTINE FLYNN, 7214 JACKSON BLVD APT 1D, FOREST PARK, IL 60130 Published in Forest Park Review 1/23, 1/30, 2/6/2019

Starting a business in 2019? Call the Experts!

Publish your assumed name legal notice in • Wednesday Journal • Forest Park Review • Riverside/Brookfield Landmark • Austin Weekly News • Village Free Press Call Mary Ellen for details: 708/613-3342

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The Village of Oak Park will receive sealed bids at the Public Works Service Center, 201 South Boulevard, Oak Park, Illinois 60302, until 4:00 p.m. on Friday, February 1st, 2019 for the following

PUBLIC NOTICES BID 19-112 VILLAGE OF OAK PARK VILLAGE WIDE UTILITY PAVEMENT PATCHING REQUEST FOR PRICES

Bid forms may be obtained from the Public Works Customer Service Center by calling 708358-5700 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 Streets Superintendent, Scott Brinkman, sbrinkman@oak-park.us or on the Village’s website http://www. oak-park.us/your-government/ finance-department. 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.

THE VILLAGE OF OAK PARK Published in Wednesday Journal 1/23/2019

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: Y19000281 on January 8, 2019. Under the Assumed Business Name of CAREER ENTERPRISES with the business located at: 300 NORTH MAPLE #3, OAK PARK, IL 60302. The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/partner(s) is: ROBIN ANN SHEERER, 300 NORTH MAPLE #3 OAK PARK, IL 60302.

Published in Wednesday Journal 1/16, 1/23, 1/30/2018

Selling your home by owner?

Advertise here!

Call: 708-613-3342

Commonly known as 7510 Madison PIN: 15-13-201-003-0000 The petitioner is Francisco Garcia, the property owner is Don Williams Commonly known as 7510 Madison Kerry McBride, Interim Chairperson Zoning Board of Appeals Published in Forest Park Review 1/23/2019

PUBLIC NOTICE ADVERTISEMENT OF BIDDING Request of bids for playground improvements at Carroll Park.

Owner: Park District of Oak Park 218 Madison St, Oak Park, IL 60302 The Park District of Oak Park seeks bids related to the playground improvements of the Carroll Center in Carroll Park. The Playground Improvements project consists of existing tree preservation, relocated existing boulders, construction and installation of new playground play equipment, synthetic grass as playground surfacing, concrete barrier curb, subgrade, grading, utilities, and landscape planting and sod restoration. The Park District of Oak Park will receive individual sealed Bids until 10:00 a.m.

(CST) on Friday, February 15th, 2019, at 218 Madison St., Oak Park, Illinois. The bidding documents and requirements will be available on the Park District’s website as of 5:00 pm Friday, January 25th, 2019.

A non-mandatory pre-bid conference will take place on Tuesday, January 29, 2019 at 10:00am, local time at Carroll Park Center, 1125 S Kenilworth, Oak Park, IL 60304.

Copies of the bidding specifications are available via the Park District of Oak Park website at: http://www.pdop.org/bids-and-rfps/ For additional information, contact Chris Lindgren at chris.lindgren@ pdop.org or (708) 725 2050. Only the bids prepared in compliance with the bidding documents will be considered. This project must adhere to the Prevailing Wage Act of 2018. The Park District of Oak Park encourages minority and women owned business firms to submit bids for this project.

Park District of Oak Park By: Kassie Porreca, Secretary Park District of Oak Park 218 Madison St. Oak Park, IL 60302 Published in Wednesday Journal 1/23/2019

Owner: Park District of Oak Park 218 Madison St, Oak Park, IL 60302 The Park District of Oak Park seeks bids related to the building addition and renovations of the Carroll Center in Carroll Park. The addition is slab-on-grade, Type V-B construction consisting of CMU bearing walls with steel truss structure.

The addition is highly-insulated with TPO roofing, exterior fiber cement cladding, wood and drywall interior finishes, fiberglass energy-efficient windows. The addition is 3,400 square feet at a height of 20’. The renovations to the existing building will be to the interior finishes, added insulation and upgraded MEP’s. The Park District of Oak Park will receive individual sealed Bids until 2:00 p.m.

(CST) on Tuesday, February 26th, 2019, at 218 Madison St., Oak Park, Illinois. The bidding documents and requirements will be available on the Park District’s website as of 5:00 pm Tuesday, January 29, 2019. A non-mandatory pre-bid walk-thru is scheduled for Wednesday, February 6th at 10:00 am (CST) at 1125 S. Kennilworth, Oak Park, IL. Copies of the bidding specifications are available via the Park District of Oak Park website at: http://www.pdop.org/bids-and-rfps/ For additional information, contact Chris Lindgren at chris.lindgren@ pdop.org or (708) 725 2050. Only the bids prepared in compliance with the bidding documents will be considered. This project must adhere to the Prevailing Wage Act of 2018. The Park District of Oak Park encourages minority and women owned business firms to submit bids for this project.

Park District of Oak Park By: Kassie Porreca, Secretary Park District of Oak Park 218 Madison St. Oak Park, IL 60302 Published in Wednesday Journal 1/23/2019

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT– CHANCERY DIVISION RMAC LENDING, LLC Plaintiff, -v.MI CASA ENTERPRISE, LTD, D’VILLEGAS, HOUSEFACTS INC. Defendants 2018 CH 10415 209 DIVISION STREET 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 18, 2018, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on January 31, 2019, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker Drive, CHICAGO, IL, 60606, sell at public auction to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 209 DIVISION STREET, Oak Park, IL 60302 Property Index No. 16-05-303-0190000; 16-05-303-020-0000.

The real estate is improved with a single family residence.

The judgment amount was

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

$456,818.69.

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, contact Plaintiff’s attorney: JOHNSON, BLUMBERG & ASSOCIATES, LLC, 230 W. Monroe Street, Suite #1125, Chicago, IL 60606, (312) 541-9710 Please refer to file number 18-1058.

THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236-SALE You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day status report of pending sales.

JOHNSON, BLUMBERG & ASSOCIATES, LLC 230 W. Monroe Street, Suite #1125 Chicago, IL 60606 (312) 541-9710

E-Mail: ilpleadings@johnsonblumberg.com Attorney File No. 18-1058 Attorney Code. 40342 Case Number: 2018 CH 10415 TJSC#: 38-9909 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.

I3108701

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 or contact Plaintiff’s attorney: CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C., 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100, BURR RIDGE, IL 60527, (630) 794-9876 Please refer to file number 14-13-31429.

THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236-SALE You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day status report of pending sales.

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. 14-13-31429 Attorney ARDC No. 00468002 Attorney Code. 21762 Case Number: 13 CH 027299 TJSC#: 38-9058 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.

I3108981

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT– CHANCERY DIVISION JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION Plaintiff, -v.JOHN B. BERGEN, ANNE BERGEN A/K/A ANNE MATERN BERGEN, JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, NA, UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NONRECORD CLAIMANTS Defendants 13 CH 027299 128 S. LOMBARD AVENUE OAK PARK, IL 60302 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on November 14, 2018, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on February 20, 2019, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker Drive, CHICAGO, IL, 60606, sell at public auction to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 128 S. LOMBARD AVENUE, OAK PARK, IL 60302 Property Index No. 16-08-303-008.

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

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT– CHANCERY DIVISION WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE FOR BANC OF AMERICA ALTERNATIVE LOAN TRUST 2006-3 MORTGAGE PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2006-3 Plaintiff, -v.GLADYS MYERS, BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., THE BOARDWALK CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION OF FOREST PARK, UNKNOWN HEIRS AND LEGATEES OF NELLIE A. TERRY, UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NONRECORD CLAIMANTS, TIMOTHY CONNER, CARY ROSENTHAL, AS SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE FOR NELLIE A. TERRY (DECEASED) Defendants 2018 CH 03645 235 MARENGO AVENUE #6E FOREST PARK, IL 60130 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on October 1,

The Landmark, January 23, 2019

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23

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REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

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2018, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on February 15, 2019, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker Drive, CHICAGO, IL, 60606, sell at public auction to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 235 MARENGO AVENUE #6E, FOREST PARK, IL 60130 Property Index No. 15-12-434-0441069.

The real estate is improved with a condo/townhouse.

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 or contact Plaintiff’s attorney: CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C., 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100, BURR RIDGE, IL 60527, (630) 794-9876 Please refer to file number 14-18-02388.

THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236-SALE You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day status report of pending sales.

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. 14-18-02388 Attorney ARDC No. 00468002 Attorney Code. 21762 Case Number: 2018 CH 03645 TJSC#: 38-7981 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.

I3108819

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT– CHANCERY DIVISION U.S. BANK TRUST NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS OWNER TRUSTEE FOR CARISBROOK ASSET HOLDING TRUST; Plaintiff, vs.

CARMELLA BROWN; SECRETARY OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT; UNKNOWN HEIRS AND LEGATEES OF CARMELLA BROWN, IF ANY; UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NON RECORD CLAIMANTS; Defendants, 17 CH 3789 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above entitled cause Intercounty Judicial Sales Corporation will on Tuesday, February 19, 2019 at the hour of 11 a.m. in their office at 120 West Madison Street, Suite 718A, Chicago, Illinois, sell at public auction to the highest bidder for cash, as set forth below, the following described mortgaged real estate: P.I.N. 15-21-216-044-0000 Vol. 0170.

Commonly known as 1523 Bristol Avenue, Westchester, IL 60154.

The mortgaged real estate is improved with a single family residence. If the subject mortgaged real estate is a unit of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by subsection (g-1) of Section 18.5 of the Condominium Property Act. Sale terms: 10% down by certified funds, balance, by certified funds, within 24 hours. No refunds. The property will NOT be open for inspection.

For information call Law Clerk at Plaintiff’s Attorney, The Wirbicki Law Group, 33 West Monroe Street, Chicago, Illinois 60603. (312) 3609455. W17-0106 INTERCOUNTY JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION Selling Officer, (312) 444-1122 I3109298

Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker Drive, CHICAGO, IL, 60606, sell at public auction to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 208 LE MOYNE PARKWAY, OAK PARK, IL 60302 Property Index No. 16-05-102-0290000.

The real estate is improved with a single family residence.

The judgment amount was $474,475.34.

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, contact Plaintiff’s attorney: HEAVNER, BEYERS & MIHLAR, LLC, 111 East Main Street, DECATUR, IL 62523, (217) 422-1719 Please refer to file number 2120-9146–FT. If the sale is not confirmed for any reason, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the purchase price paid. The Purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee or the Mortgagee’s attorney.

THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236-SALE You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7

day status report of pending sales.

HEAVNER, BEYERS & MIHLAR, LLC 111 East Main Street DECATUR, IL 62523 (217) 422-1719 Fax #: (217) 422-1754 CookPleadings@hsbattys.com Attorney File No. 2120-9146–FT Attorney Code. 40387 Case Number: 10 CH 36911 TJSC#: 38-9898 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.

I3109170

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 or contact Plaintiff’s attorney: CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C., 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100, BURR RIDGE, IL 60527, (630) 794-9876 Please refer to file number 14-18-04423.

THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION

One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236-SALE You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day status report of pending sales.

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. 14-18-04423 Attorney ARDC No. 00468002 Attorney Code. 21762 Case Number: 18 CH 05513 TJSC#: 38-9260 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.

I3109529

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT– CHANCERY DIVISION LOAN FUNDER LLC, SERIES 1699; Plaintiff, vs.

ECHELON REALTY INVESTMENTS CORP., SERENA G. VICTOR; VILLAGE OF OAK PARK; ALFONZO AND MANGELSON GROUP, INC. AKA AAMG FINANCE; Defendants, 18 CH 5978 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above entitled cause Intercounty Judicial Sales Corporation will on Tuesday, February 19, 2019 at the hour of 11 a.m. in their office at 120 West Madison Street, Suite 718A, Chicago, Illinois, sell at public auction to the highest bidder for cash, as set forth below, the following described mortgaged real estate: P.I.N. 16-06-403-023.

Commonly known as 815 NORTH EAST AVENUE, OAK PARK, IL 60302.

The mortgaged real estate is improved with a commercial building.

Sale terms: 10% down by certified funds, balance, by certified funds, within 24 hours. No refunds. The property will NOT be open for inspection.

For information call Mr. Ira T. Nevel at Plaintiff’s Attorney, Law Offices of Ira T. Nevel, 175 North Franklin Street, Chicago, Illinois 60606.

(312) 357-1125. 18-00922 INTERCOUNTY JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION Selling Officer, (312) 444-1122 I3109306

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT– CHANCERY DIVISION WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB, D/B/A CHRISTIANA TRUST, NOT INDIVIDUALLY BUT AS TRUSTEE FOR PRETIUM MORTGAGE ACQUISITION TRUST Plaintiff, -v.LINDA F. COLE Defendants 10 CH 36911 208 LE MOYNE PARKWAY 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 March 13, 2017, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on February 15, 2019, at The

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BiD Live or onLine via ProxiBiD Visit DonleyAuctions.com for more information

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IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT– CHANCERY DIVISION CITIZENS BANK NA F/K/A RBS CITIZENS NA Plaintiff, -v.SHEILA ARMOUR, FIRST AMERICAN BANK Defendants 18 CH 05513 2106 18TH AVENUE BROADVIEW, IL 60155 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on November 26, 2018, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on February 28, 2019, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker Drive, CHICAGO, IL, 60606, sell at public auction to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 2106 18TH AVENUE, BROADVIEW, IL 60155 Property Index No. 15-15-330-0170000.

The real estate is improved with a 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

EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY All real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Fair Housing Act., which makes it illegal to advertise any preference, limitation or discrimination based on age, race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin, or intention to make any such preferences, limitations or discrimination.

The Illinois Human Rights Act prohibits discrimination in the sale, rental or advertising of real estate based on factors in addition to those protected under federal law.

This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. All persons are hereby informedthat all dwellings advertised are available on an equal opportunity basis.

Restrictions or prohibitions of pets do not apply to service animals.

To complain of discrimination, call HUD toll free at: 1-800-669-9777.

WEDNESDAY JOURNAL Forest Park Review, Landmark

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The Landmark, January 23, 2019

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