Landmark 022019

RIVERSIDE-BROOKFIELD Also serving North Riverside $1.00

Vol. 34, No. 8

February 20, 2019

Payless closing stores Shoe retailer liquidating all U.S. locations PAGE 11

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Brookfield zeroes in on 2019 budget PAGE 5 Hauser Jr. High Food Drive in full swing

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Brookfield OKs study for Grand/ Prairie TIF

Officials say district would aid in redevelopment

By BOB UPHUES Editor

The village of Brookfield may be in line for its fourth tax increment financing (TIF) district, this time focused on the historic downtown area in the Grand Boulevard/ Prairie Avenue business district.

On Feb. 11, village trustees gave the go ahead for Kane, McKenna and Associates to conduct a TIF feasibility study to see if the area qualifies for the designation, to prepare preliminary estimates of the kind of incremental tax revenue that can be created and establish the boundaries of the potential TIF. While the village board has steered clear of a TIF in the Grand/Prairie district in the past, the arrival of Village Manager Timothy Wiberg breathed life into the concept.

“When I came here and when I was doing my research on the village, I thought the downtown had so much potential,” said Wiberg. “There are things we can do to increase the vibrancy and make it more of a destination. But absent a TIF district there’s no other reliable source of funding.”

In his memo to the village board, which was discussed on Feb. 11, Director of Community and Economic Development Nicholas Greifer called out impediments to development in the Grand/Prairie area that could be addressed through a TIF. One parcel, in particular, is the triangular site bounded See DOWNTOWN TIF on page 10

COURTESY OF THE CHICAGO ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY

GARDEN PARTY: A central pavilion (the pictured style is just an example) will be a focal point of the new Hamill Family Science and Nature Plaza that’s replacing Monkey Island and will open later this summer.

Nature plaza to replace Monkey Island at Brookfield Zoo

Donation from Hamill Family Foundation will transform 1.5-acre site

By BOB UPHUES Editor

Almost six years after the exhibit was taken offline, Brookfield Zoo’s Monkey Island is coming down to

make way for the Hamill Family Science and Nature Plaza.

Demolition of the faux-rock outcropping where dozens of Guinea baboons roamed, chased one another and groomed themselves and their families

and hunted for morsels of food that would make their way to the bottom of the island’s dry “moat” since the 1930s, began earlier this year.

See NATURE PLAZA on page 11

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The Landmark, February 20, 2019

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The Landmark, February 20, 2019

RBHS graduate killed in crash on I-57 Former teacher recalls Valdovinos’ spirit, leadership

By BOB UPHUES

an important part of our family there.”

On Feb. 11, Valdovinos was killed after he lost control of his vehicle while driving Less than a week before he was killed in southbound on I-57 in Kankakee County and a head-on crash on I-57 near Bourbonnais, crashed head-on into a semi-trailer tractor.

The Illinois State Police identified ValdoviRiverside native Oscar Valdovinos visited nos as a resident of Champaign. his old music mentor from RivValdovinos, said McOlgan, had erside-Brookfield High School, been attending the University Kevin McOlgan, at McOlgan’s of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Forest Park home. and was excited to be finishing Apart from getting caught up, up his degree this semester. the 23-year-old Valdovinos had a “He said he had one class left request for McOlgan: Could the to complete,” McOlgan said. “I’m former high school music teachreally distraught over this.” er learn a song to play for his State police reported that mom on her birthday? The song Valdovinos was driving a 2006 was the Edith Piaf standard “La OSCAR VALDOVINOS Honda Accord on I-57 at about Vie en Rose,” which translates to milepost 317, near Bourbonnais “life through rosy glasses.”

“We always had a really good understand- at about 7:25 p.m., when the vehicle went off ing of each other,” said McOlgan, who said the roadway across the center median and Valdovinos played alto saxophone in RBHS’ into the path of a northbound 2007 Freightconcert band and marching band during his liner semi driven by a 48-year-old Ypsilanti, four years at the school. “He was someone Michigan man.

Valdovinos was pronounced dead at the all the kids just loved in band. He was such Editor

IN THIS ISSUE

scene. The semi driver was not injured.

McOlgan described Valdovinos as smart, sensitive and a deep thinker who loved American jazz standards, like Chet Baker’s version of “My Funny Valentine,” which the two listened to during Valdovinos’ visit a few days before his death.

During Valdovinos’ senior year at RBHS, McOlgan said, Valdovinos had the opportunity to move up into the top band at the school, but decided to stay on with the concert band, “because they needed a leader.”

“He mentioned he wanted to come back for lessons even last week,” McOlgan said.

James Baum, RBHS’ present band director who was the program’s assistant when Valdovinos was at the school, called Valdovinos “a great kid.”

“He had a ton of friends in band and in school,” Baum said. “I ran into him about a month ago, and he told me he was still playing every once in a while.

“He was very laid back and cool, but had an energy about him. Kids wanted to be around him.”

Drivers escape injury in rollover crash No one was seriously injured in a rollover crash involving two vehicles at the intersection of 26th Street and Westover Avenue on Feb. 18 at 7:20 p.m., North Riverside police reported.

According to police, the light was green for traffic on 26th Street at the time of the crash. A Chevy van driven by a woman was westbound on 26th Street and was waiting for eastbound traffic to clear before making a left turn onto Westover Avenue.

An eastbound vehicle in the inside lane reportedly stopped at Westover Avenue, even though the light was green, and flashed the car’s lights to let the woman make the left hand turn in front of the vehicle.

However, a white Honda that was traveling eastbound in the curb lane did not stop and struck the van as it was making the turn, flipping the Chevy van onto the driver’s side. No one in the Honda was injured, police said.

The driver of the van was treated by paramedics at the scene but was not hospitalized.

Information on the drivers involved in the incident or whether any traffic citations were issued was not immediately available.

— Bob Uphues

Big Week . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 Crime . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 Classified . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17 Kosey Corner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13 Opinion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 Obituaries. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13 People . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15

Editor Bob Uphues Sports Editor Marty Farmer 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

BOB UPHUES/Editor

T-BONED: A Chevy van making a left turn in front of a stopped car onto Westover Avenue from 26th Street was struck by an eastbound Honda, which had a green light. No one was seriously hurt.

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The Landmark, February 20, 2019

P O L I C E

R E P O R T S

Masked burglar scared off by teen

Sts. Peter and Paul

Mardi Gras & Talent Night Saturday, March 2nd 6:30 pm - Food served 7:30 pm - Talent Show

Entertainment provided by talent and bands from local communities

Pinata for the children!

Adults $10 • Children 10 and under $5 Includes Food and the Show

Tickets available by calling the church office 708-442-5250

Stolen SUV recovered in Chicago

Sunday Worship

Last week, Chicago police arrested two juveniles who were found in possession of a vehicle three days after it was stolen from the 4500 block of Madison Avenue, Brookfield.

That theft, on Feb. 12, may also be related to three vehicle break-ins reported in the area that same day.

The vehicle, a blue Ford Explorer, was apparently stolen during the early morning hours of Feb. 12.

About 3:15 a.m. that day, Stickney police reported the vehicle being involved in a car break-in there. An officer reported seeing four people running toward and getting into the Explorer from the scene of a vehicle burglary in the 4400 block of Maple Avenue in Stickney.

Police attempted to chase the Explorer but cut it short due to hazardous road conditions.

On Feb. 15, Chicago police called Brookfield to report they’d recovered the Ford Explorer and had two juveniles in custody.

In addition to the theft of the Explorer on Feb. 12, police reported vehicle break-ins that morning in the 4300 and 4500 blocks of Madison Avenue and the 4100 block of Raymond Avenue.

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N urse ry & C hildre n’s C la ss

A man wearing a mask attempted to burglarize a Harlem Avenue apartment where a 13-year-old was sleeping, Riverside police reported, but fled without stealing anything when the child woke and saw him.

The incident occurred on Feb. 15 at 3:30 a.m. in the 2800 block of Harlem Avenue. Police reported no signs of forced entry and that either the door to the apartment was unlocked or the lock malfunctioned.

According to police, there was no physical contact between the offender and the child, who threw pots and pans at the offender as he left the apartment. The man was described as black, about 5-foot-6 to 5-foot-10 with a medium to large build and short, slightly wavy hair. He reportedly wore a half mask, which covered his lower jaw area.

Police searched the area for the offender without success and detectives continue to investigate the case, searching for surveillance video and checking to see if there have been any similar incidents in nearby towns.

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Social media spat turns violent A server at Olive Garden, 7513 Cermak Road in North Riverside, got a drink thrown in her face, a fat lip, and a black eye after she was attacked by three women inside the restaurant on Feb. 9 about 3 p.m.

The victim told police she’d had an argument on social media several years ago with one of the women and that she tried to avoid them as they dined. But as the victim walked up to the hostess’ stand to get more menus, the three women ran up to her, threw a drink in the victim’s face and began punching her before other employees intervened.

The victim signed battery complaints against two of women, who were sisters, police said.

Account closed A man who was a customer at MB Financial Bank, 7222 Cermak Road in North Riverside, was banned from the property and his account closed after he allegedly urinated in the lobby while withdrawing money at the ATM on Jan. 29 about 8:30 p.m.

The bank contacted police on Feb. 4 after surveillance video and transaction data revealed who the culprit was, police said. Employees called the offender a familiar customer.

Police interviewed the offender, who admitted the deed, saying he urinated in front of the ATM because it was an emergency and because it was cold outside.

Identity theft A Brookfield man called police on Feb. 12 to report that someone may have attempted to steal his identity via phone scam.

The victim told police he got a call on his cellphone from someone who stated the victim’s Social Security number had been used to rent a car in Texas. The caller asked the victim to verify his Social Security number. When the victim complied, the caller then said the rented car was found to have blood on it and that it was involved in a drug crime.

The caller hung up after the victim asked several questions about who the caller was and who he worked for. Police advised the victim to contact credit bureaus about the incident and to place a fraud alert on his credit report.

Police said the phone number used to call the victim had been reported online as being involved in numerous scams.

Drunk and disoriented Police cited a 23-year-old Tinley Park man with criminal damage to property and disorderly conduct after he allegedly damaged the rear door of a home in the 4000 block of Vernon Avenue on Feb. 15 about 1:40 a.m.

The homeowners called police to report an unknown man trying to kick in their back door. Police arrived to find the offender, very intoxicated, who told them he believed he was trying to get into his own house.

It was later learned that the offender had been drinking at a Brookfield bar and had wandered away from his girlfriend after she refused to let him drive drunk.

These items were obtained from police reports filed by the Riverside, North Riverside and Brookfield police departments, Feb. 4-17, and represent a portion of the incidents to which police responded. Unless otherwise indicated, anybody named in these reports has only been charged with a crime. These cases have not been adjudicated.

— Compiled by Bob Uphues

The Landmark, February 20, 2019

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Brookfield closing in on 2019 budget Board approves fee hikes to help shrink deficit

By BOB UPHUES Editor

The Brookfield Village Board is poised to approve its 2019 operating budget at its next meeting on Feb. 25 after trustees approved increasing the cost of various fees, licenses and fines to help close a large deficit.

The fee hikes on their own won’t be enough this year to do that completely, so the village will again make a $600,000 transfer from its motor fuel tax fund to the general fund to balance the general operating fund.

“The goal is to wean ourselves off of [that MFT transfer] in future years,” said Village Manager Timothy Wiberg at the village board’s Feb. 11 meeting.

Last month, Wiberg targeted the village’s recent practice of using MFT funds to balance its operating budget as unsustainable.

In response, he asked village trustees to approve a host of fee and fine increases, several of which were passed by the village board on Feb. 11.

The hikes included increasing the cost of a passenger car vehicle sticker from $40 to $50 in order to increase funding for annual street maintenance and allow MFT funds to

accumulate for larger street improvement efforts.

Also among the increases was a 50-percent increase in business license fees and the imposition of a $300 business license fee for restaurants and other food service establishments. The latter fee will now fully cover the cost of semi-annual health inspections.

Parking ticket fines are going up from $35 to $50 and the village will also increase its ambulance fees. Basic life support services will be billed at a rate of $1,000 per ride, up from $750. Meanwhile, advanced life support services will be billed at a rate of $1,400, up from $1,000.

The village will maintain its policy of not charging Brookfield residents for any more than insurance companies reimburse the village.

Brookfield will also raise its contractor license fee by 50 percent to support initiatives within the code enforcement department.

In all, those fee increases will generate approximately $350,000 in revenue in 2019, officials believe.

Those won’t be the last bite at the revenue apple this year. On Feb. 19, after the Landmark’s press time, Wiberg was to meet with

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the owners of the village’s restaurants and bars to press the case for imposing a 1-percent places-of-eating tax.

The goal of that session, Wiberg said, was to educate business owners on the need for the tax and how it would be administered. State law allows municipalities to impose the tax by a simple vote of the village board. Such a tax would bring in about $200,000, Wiberg estimated.

In addition, the village board is expected to raise liquor license fees, which haven’t been adjusted in many years.

The $18.1 million general operating budget includes 2.7-percent raises for nonunion village staff, matching the base pay raises of Brookfield’s union employees.

Key capital expenditures in the 2019 budget include spending $100,000 to purchase self-contained breathing apparatuses for firefighters. That expense could be offset by a grant, if the village’s application is successful.

The budget includes a $70,000 line item to purchase two police squad vehicles, $50,000 for a consultant to study a potential downtown TIF district and amend the Eight Corners TIF map, $25,000 in village

hall IT improvements, $20,000 to rehab the former police dispatch control room and $26,000 to install a new village hall phone system.

In addition, the budget calls for spending $50,000 to join the GIS Consortium, where local Chicago-area governments combine “to share resources, information, staffing, and technology so that municipalities can optimize the value of geographic information systems,” according to the consortium’s website.

Two partially grant-funded projects include spending $60,000 for a new roof at the Prairie Avenue Metra station, half of which will be paid by Metra.

Also, covered bike racks will be installed at both the Prairie Avenue and Congress Park train stations at a cost of $222,000.

Brookfield’s share of that cost will amount to about $42,000. The remainder is being funded by grants from the state of Illinois and the Regional Transportation Authority.

The village’s eight-year street improvement campaign hits its halfway point in 2019 with the improvement of Broadway Avenue and several residential streets north of 31st Street.

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The Landmark, February 20, 2019

BIG WEEK

February 20-27

Zoo hosts Wine and Whiskey Fest Brookfield Zoo, 3300 Golf Road in Brookfield, invites you to thaw out at their Winter Wine and Whiskey Fest on Saturday, Feb. 23 from 4 to 8 p.m. The 21-over event features more than 40 seasonal wines and whiskeys accompanied by small bites.

Live entertainment is courtesy of Red Carpet Riot and attendees can also see the zoo’s animal ambassadors up close. Two

ticket options are available, both of which include free parking and admission to the zoo (from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.).

General admission tickets are $85 and include samplings of wines and whiskeys plus a commemorative glass. A designated driver ticket is $45 and includes unlimited soft drinks and small bites.

Tickets are available at www.CZS.org/ WinterWineandWhiskey.

New show at Riverside Arts Center Riverside Arts Center, 32 E. Quincy St., kicks off its newest exhibitions “Undiscoverable Country,” featuring the works of Kate McQuillen and Gina Hunt, and “Nomads,” featuring the work of Lynn Basia, with an opening reception on Sunday, Feb. 24 from 3 to 6 p.m.

“Undiscoverable Country” in the Freeark Gallery, which runs through March 30, features work that shares a tension between precision and openness, at the threshold of feeling and fact.

“Nomads,” which runs through April 27 in the outdoor sculpture garden, are a troupe of paintings migrating through Chicago on their way to

Eat tacos, aid refugees Lynn Basa, “Nomads,” 2019, detail, mixed media

becoming something else.

Admission is free. Gallery hours are Tuesday through Saturday from 1 to 5 p.m.

And more North Riverside Parks and Rec offers a Parent Escape Night on Feb. 22. Schedule a dinner date, pencil in time with friends, go shopping or just take a nap. Drop off your kids ages 2-11 for activities of all sorts. Dinner for kids provided. $15 for the first child, $10 each additional. Call 708-442-5515.

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Compassion Factory Art Gallery and Studio, 9210 Broadway Ave. in Brookfield, presents “Sacred Art,” an exhibition of artwork by Beth Shadur, through Feb. 23. Gallery hours are Thursday ■

Enjoy some delicious tacos and support efforts to aid refugees at a Taco Dinner hosted jointly by Ascension Lutheran Church and Riverside Presbyterian Church on Sunday, Feb. 25 from 5 to 8 p.m. at Ascension Church, 400 Nuttall Road in Riverside.

from 4 to 9 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Free.

Brookfield Public Library, 3609 Grand Blvd., hosts a screening of the Academy Award-nominated film “BlacKkKlansman,” starring John David Washington and Adam Driver and directed by Spike Lee, on Feb. 23 at 1 p.m.

North Riverside Public Library, 2400 Desplaines Ave., hosts a Senior Drop-in on Feb. 22 from 10 a.m. to noon in the Meeting Room. Play cards and socialize every Friday. There’s also Estate Planning with attorney Kathleen McGovern on Feb. 27 at 2 p.m. Free. Call 708-447-0869 or go online at www. northriversidelibrary.org/events to register.

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The Taco Dinner supports the churches’ joint mission to host and settle incoming refugees in partnership with the group Refugee One. The dinner will also feature activities for kids.

Tickets can be pre-ordered by emailing to ascensionriverside@

For adults, learn to navigate buying your first home at First Time Homebuyers on Feb. 21 at 6 p.m. There’s also Spanish Language Book Club on Feb. 22 at 10:30 a.m. and Meditation: An Antidote to Stress on Feb. 27 at 6:30 p.m. To register for adult programs, call 708-447-0869 or visit www. northriversidelibrary.org/events.

For kids, there’s Lapsit Storytime (through age 5) on Feb. 21 at 10:30 a.m.; DIY Craft Hour (grades 2+) on Feb. 22 at 4 p.m.; Love2Read (grades K-1) on Feb. 23 at 2 p.m.; Messy Mornings for Munchkins (ages 2-5) on Feb. 26 at 10:30 a.m.; Pajama Storytime (all ages with adult) on Feb. 26 at 6:30 p.m.; and Bilingual Storytime (ages 2-5) on Feb.

gmail.com. Pre-ordered adult tickets are $12 each or $15 at the door. Children’s tickets are $5 at the door or through email.

Parking is available around Ascension Church and Ames School. For more info, call 708447-2600.

27 at 10:30 a.m.

The community is invited through March 22 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.

Aging Care Connections hosts a free Memory Café program 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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The Landmark, February 20, 2019

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Brookfield manager to search for top assistant Longtime village hall staffer files complaint after job eliminated

By BOB UPHUES Editor

Courtesy of Brookfield 125 Collection

Trace your home’s history

Learn strategies for researching the history of your home using government records, newspapers, phone directories, maps and other resources at “Brick by Brick: Tracing Your Home’s History” on Wednesday, Feb. 20 at 7 p.m. at the Brookfield Public Library, 3609 Grand Blvd.

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

Beat the Librarians Trivia Night

Can you beat the undefeated North Riverside librarians at pub trivia? You can find out if you have what it takes at Trivia Night: The Redux on Friday, Feb. 22 from 7 to 9 p.m. at Tipsters Village Pub, 8839 Cermak Road in North Riverside.

Prizes for first, second and third place. Food and drink available for purchase. To register, call 708-447-0869 or visit www.northriversidelibrary. org/events.

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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CALENDAR EVENTS ■ If you would like your event to be featured here,

please send a photo and details by noon of the Wednesday before it needs to be published.

We can’t publish everything, but we’ll do our best to feature the week’s highlights.

Email calendar@wjinc.com.

The longtime administrative assistant to Brookfield’s village manager has filed a complaint with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission after her position was targeted for elimination, effective April 30.

On Feb. 11, village trustees voted unanimously to eliminate the position of director of administrative and residential services in response to a request from Village Manager Timothy Wiberg to swap that position for an assistant village manager post.

The vote came without discussion as part of the consent agenda for the village board’s Feb. 11 meeting.

That decision left Theresa Coady, who was hired in 1999 and has served as an administrative assistant for four village managers, apparently out of a job, although Wiberg said she can apply for the newly created position.

Coady referred all questions to her attorney, Stacey Vucko. In response to an email from the Landmark seeking comment on her client’s situation, Vucko issued a statement confirming the legal complaint.

“My client has a pending EEOC charge,” said Vucko, whose Downers Grove-based law firm specializes in handing workplace rights issues for women. “She was shocked and disturbed by the ordinance which the village board passed on [Feb. 11]. She will suspend further comment at this time.”

When former Brookfield Village Manager Keith Sbiral resigned almost a year

ago, he left behind an unsettled administrative structure at village hall – one he’d announced internally but for which he hadn’t gotten the village board’s blessing.

In his request to hire an assistant village manager and eliminate Coady’s position, Wiberg is starting to put his own stamp on the organization. Wiberg described the future assistant village manager as someone who can manage projects and has a particular grasp of information technology.

“I see a need for an assistant village manager that can implement projects and initiatives across the organization,” said Wiberg, calling out information technology and software upgrades, implementation of the village’s new GIS program, providing better customer service to residents, and managing the village’s website and social media presence as examples.

The lack of that person in house right now, Wiberg said, means that he spends more time on day-to-day paperwork, preventing him from doing more strategic planning and getting out into the community more.

“Right now I need some assistance to move along the initiatives I’d like to implement,” Wiberg said.

Brookfield also lacks an in-house information technology expert.

“We need someone who has the nuts and bolts knowledge and an infusion of more state-of-the-art technology than we have currently,” Wiberg said.

Because there’s no money in the budget to add a position to the organizational chart, Wiberg asked for and received ap-

proval from the village board on Feb. 11 to eliminate the position of director of administrative and residential services, effective April 30, to clear the way for an assistant manager.

Coady is the director of administrative and residential services, working for many years as the deputy clerk and administrative assistant to the village manager.

In March 2018, Sbiral announced that Coady had been promoted to assistant village manager in a staff-only memo that outlined other internal shifts, some of which went through and some of which didn’t.

Coady’s promotion at that time reportedly did not come with a raise in salary, and it’s unclear if it ever was made official. When asked if Coady ever officially held that title, Michelle Robbins, the village’s human resources director, said she could “not answer that question at this time.”

Wiberg said Coady is free to apply for the assistant village manager position, but made no promises.

“We’re doing a full, nationwide search and we’ll hire the best applicant,” Wiberg said.

The search is being handled in house by Robbins, and the position will be advertised in national and state publications in addition to taking advantage of other contacts in local government “to cast as wide a net as possible.”

Asked if he planned on hiring someone he worked with at his previous post in Lincolnwood, Wiberg said he was not.

North Riverside family displaced by house fire A family of three has been displaced from their North Riverside home after a fire ignited in the basement just before 6 p.m. on Feb. 18.

No one was hurt, said Fire Chief John Kiser, but smoke and heat damage throughout the brick raised-ranch house at 2209 Northgate Ave. made the home uninhabitable. Representatives from the Red Cross were on the scene at about 7:20 p.m., assisting the family.

“We’re working with the Red Cross to get them accommodations for tonight,” Kiser said.

Kiser said that four people —an adult woman, her infant child and two others described as teenagers — were inside the house when the fire started in the basement. The cause of the fire is under investigation, Kiser said. A couple and their young child live at the home.

Firefighters were able to contain the flames to the basement, and firefighters were not required to vent the roof of the home.

However, all of the basement and first-floor windows and doors were removed to ventilate the structure.

Firefighters from Broadview, Forest Park and Berwyn assisted North Riverside.

— Bob Uphues

BOB UPHUES/Editor

The front door of the home at 2209 Northgate Ave. in North Riverside stands ajar after a fire in the basement forced the family from the house.

8

The Landmark, February 20, 2019

D103 website now features ‘fact check’ page School board member called out in first posting

By BOB SKOLNIK Contributing Reporter

It’s not often that an item on a school district’s website calls out a sitting school board member for allegedly lying. But that is what’s currently posted on the Lyons School District 103 website in a new feature called “Fact Checking Information.”

The first item in new Fact Checking section of the District 103 website challenges the veracity of a portion of a Facebook post made by school board member Jorge Torres, who is running for re-election as part of a slate that is apparently backed by Lyons Village President Christopher Getty.

On Jan. 25, Torres made a post on the Facebook page of Parents for Student Excellence, the group that is supporting Torres’s slate. In his post Torres wrote that he had received “many calls from parents” that morning wondering if JORGE TORRES school was open that day and saying that school buses “never came for their kids.”

He also wrote that parents were not able to get in contact with the school district and that even his calls to the district were not returned.

“Even as a board member my calls have not been answered to the administration or superintendent,” Torres wrote. “Unfortunately communication is NOT priority for our district. We need change.”

The Fact Checking Information page on the website reproduced Torres’ post, incorrectly stating that it was made on Jan. 28, and then proceeds to refute it.

The entry posted by the district, which is led by co-interim superintendents Robert Madonia and Patrick Patt, says that some

to call out sitting board members, Madonia said that he had no alternative.

“What is the choice, short of allowing false information to be out there, particularly when it is directed at me saying that he called me and I wouldn’t return his call?” Madonia asked. “That’s not accurate information and I’m not going to let that stand, because that’s a reflection on me.”

Madonia said he prides himself on returning phone calls.

“I do not want the public to perceive that I would have a board member call me and never get back to him,” Madonia said.

Madonia said he wasn’t trying to get involved in the school CHECK IT OUT: D103 now has a fact-check page on its board election, but said he felt he website, with a co-interim superintendent saying he was had to correct misinformation, “not going to let stand” social media posts and other even if it came from a sitting board member. information about the district that was not factual.

“I’m going to clarify the facts buses were late on a snowy day and the fact regardless of who states it incorrectly,” Mathat school was open was clearly posted on the donia said.

Soon the school district will send out a rodistrict’s website. It went on to state that Torres never called the district office during that bocall to parents informing them of the new fact-checking feature on the website and askthat time period.

“Mr. Torres never received a return call ing them to check the accuracy of informafrom the superintendents because he NEVER tion about the district that they hear about or placed the call,” the Fact Checking Informa- read on social media.

The idea for the fact-checking section came tion item states. “There are no messages from after district officials felt stung by a wave of him on any of our answering machines.”

Madonia, who makes the call of whether to bad publicity last fall about the hiring of a open schools on bad-weather days, wrote the middle school teacher who, unbeknown to the fact check item. He said that he needed to cor- district at the time he was hired last summer, was facing charges of attempted murder. rect the record.

Torres was featured in television news in“I’m not calling him a liar, I’m just saying that the information that he has put forth is terviews saying that the district’s background check was inadequate and criticizing the adnot accurate,” Madonia said.

Torres has not replied to requests for com- ministrators and the school board majority.

“Information posted on social media and in ment sent to him via email and Facebook through the Parents for Student Excellence the media has not always been accurate,” said Madonia in a press release announcing the Facebook page.

While it is uncommon for superintendents debut fact-checking feature of the district’s

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D103 formally adopts public comment policy The Lyons-Brookfield District 103 news the school board voted 5-2 at its Feb. 11 meeting to formally adopt a policy limiting public comment to 15 minutes per topic at school board meetings.

Board members Jorge Torres and Michael Bennett voted against the 15-minute limit.

The move comes after the Illinois Attorney General ruled last month that school board president Marge Hubacek violated the Illinois Open Meetings Act at its Oct. 22 meeting when she cut off public comment after more than 15 minutes of comment, mostly criticizing the board for its hiring of teacher Andres Rodriguez, who had been charged with attempted murder, but whose alleged criminal act eluded the district’s background check.

The Attorney General’s Office ruled that limiting public comment on a single topic to 15 minutes was only allowed if such a policy was formally voted on and approved by the school board and added to the board’s policy manual.

Hubacek said that the change only formalizes a practice that the board had adhered to for years.

— Bob Skolnik

website. “The site will state and clarify all facts. We invite our community to visit this site regularly.”

The teacher, Andres Rodriguez, was immediately placed on leave when district officials learned of the charges against him and has since been fired for not being completely truthful on his job application.

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The Landmark, February 20, 2019

9

Hauser Jr. High Food Drive in full swing Event culminates with food packing day March 2

By BOB UPHUES Editor

Hauser Junior High School in Riverside is in the midst of its annual food drive, which will culminate on Saturday, March 2 when students, parents, faculty and community members will gather for the drive’s second Feed Our Community Day. The food drive, organized by the Hauser PTO is in its 49th year at the school. For most of its life, the food drive was a holiday season event, which culminated just prior to Christmas with all of the food collected displayed on the stage of the auditorium.

Since the PTO took over the food drive, it has been more of a springtime event, with the food-packing Feed Our Community Day event new in 2018.

Lisa Gaynor, one of the organizers of the food drive said the decision was made to move the food drive up this year, so it could be held continuously over a month without spring break or the Easter holidays interrupting the momentum.

“It all lined up right for February this year,” Gaynor said in an email. “So, the drive kicked off Feb. 1 and will end Saturday, March 2.”

The goal is to collect 20,000 cans or packages of non-perishable food, which will be donated to both the Salvation Army Red Shield Center Food Pantry in the Englewood neighborhood in Chicago and to the Riverside Township Food Pantry.

In addition, the Hauser PTO hopes volunteers will pack 50,000 meals for the hungry.

To reach that goal, the PTO has to raise $12,500 to cover the cost of the food. Anyone wishing to make a cash donation can do so online at help-hauser-fight-hunger-copy. cheddarup.com.

Anyone wishing to volunteer to pack food on March 2 at any time between 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the school’s cafeteria, click the link “Food Packer for Feed Our Community Day,” which is in the right-hand rail on the Hauser website home page (www.hauserpto.org).

Community members can also drop off donations of non-perishable foods at the following locations: the Hauser Junior High office, 65 Woodside Road; Riverside Public Library, 1 Burling Road; Riverside Foods, 48 E. Burlington St.; Riverside Bank, 17 E. Burlington St.; North Riverside Village Commons, 2401 Desplaines Ave.; or the North Riverside Public Library, 2400 Desplaines Ave.

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The Landmark, February 20, 2019

New public works chief on the way for Brookfield Veteran DPW superintendent from Westchester starts Feb. 19

By BOB UPHUES Editor

Brookfield will have all its top administrative positions filled next week, when Carl Muell steps in as the village’s new permanent public works director.

Village Manager Timothy Wiberg told the Landmark that Muell (pronounced “Mill”) started in the job on Feb. 19, taking over from interim director Robert Hartnett, who has been holding down the fort since last October.

“We were looking for someone with operations experience, who knows all facets of public works, and Carl’s touched every

rung of the public works ladder,” Wiberg said.

Muell, who for the last six years has been superintendent of public works for the village of Westchester, has more than 20 years of experience in the field.

Born and raised in Broadview, Muell said he believed his experience in virtually all aspects of municipal public works made him a good fit for the job.

“Brookfield is in my wheelhouse,” said Muell. “I think they more or less decided they wanted someone with more of a history in public works, and I was a really good fit for that.”

Unlike Brookfield’s last two public works

directors, Muell is not an engineer, but he has worked his way up from being a laborer in Broadview to a street department foreman in Lisle to his present position.

“We liked that his career had a steady upward tilt,” Wiberg said. “This is a logical step for him.”

GovHR did the search for Brookfield’s public works director and Wiberg interviewed six candidates. The search firm had been used when the village hired Amy Wagner as public works director in 2017.

Because she left in less than two years, GovHR owed the village another search.

Wiberg said Muell’s long experience as a rank-and-file public works employee as

DOWNTOWN TIF

Village to amend 8 Corners TIF map

Goal ‘flexibility’ from page 1

by Fairview Avenue, Brookfield Avenue and Sunnyside Avenue. Once home to a gas station and now home to a vacant dental office and a storage building belonging to Brookfield Zoo, the property is in a prime location for transit-oriented development.

However, the site’s past life as a gas station has scared away developers unsure of the costs to remediate the property. A TIF might also provide revenue to address parking if the area undergoes significant redevelopment. TIF funds could also be used to assemble property along Grand Boulevard, where oddly shaped, shallow lots pose hurdles for modern development.

“I think the goal is to give us flexibility to meet some of these challenges,” Greifer said.

A rough map of the proposed boundaries for the downtown TIF could be ready for the village board’s next meeting on Feb. 25, Greifer said. The map likely would take in property on both sides of the railroad tracks, along the 3700 blocks of Grand Boulevard and Sunnyside Avenue, parts of Brookfield Avenue, Fairview Avenue and Burlington Avenue.

TIF districts are often large areas of obsolete commercial and industrial land where development is difficult without ways to fund critical infrastructure improvements, assemble property or provide incentives for development.

Over a period of 23 years, property assessments are frozen with respect to property tax revenue going to local agencies such as schools and municipal, township and county government. Instead, any incremental increases in tax revenue realized through higher assessments are held in a special fund and can be used only within the TIF district to help fund infrastructure improvements, property acquisition and economic incentives for prospective

well as a supervisor will be a benefit in a department that’s seen quite a bit of turnover at the top in recent years.

Including Hartnett’s turn as interim director, Muell will be the fourth person occupying the public works director’s office since April 2017.

“With his operations experience, Carl can bring guidance and leadership to a department that has seen a lot of leadership changes,” Wiberg said. “I think he’ll bring stability to the director’s office.”

Muell’s starting salary will be $115,000 annually. That’s a raise from his current salary of about $82,900 as public works superintendent in Westchester.

ALEXA ROGALS/Staff Photographer

MAIN DRAG: Brookfield could have its fourth TIF district in place sometime later this summer, this one centered on the village’s downtown hub, including the 3700 block of Grand Boulevard (above) and adjacent areas. developers.

Brookfield’s first TIF, which stretches the length of Ogden Avenue from Custer to Eberly, was cut from that traditional mold. However, subsequent TIFs in Brookfield have been focused narrowly. The Congress Park TIF includes just a small section of land along the 4000 block of DuBois Boulevard, which essentially acts as an extension to the Ogden Avenue TIF. But with the Eight Corners TIF, established by 2016, and the proposed downtown TIF the village has sought to boost prospects for development in areas where redevelopment is seen as difficult, though not impossible.

The Eight Corners experience, said Wiberg, shows TIFs can work well in targeted areas where development is otherwise difficult.

“We’re doing really good, important projects because of the TIF,” said Wiberg, referring to new streetlights along Broadway Avenue and the demolition of the Brookfield Bowl, which

are being funded in whole or in part through TIF proceeds.

It will cost between $7,000 and $10,000 for Kane, McKenna to complete the report. It could be ready for the village board to review by the end of March. If the area qualifies for TIF designation, the village board could then employ Kane, McKenna to complete a TIF redevelopment plan that would outline projected costs for redevelopment projects within the TIF district.

That second phase, which would cost the village between $19,500 and $22,000, would also trigger public hearings and convene a joint review board featuring representatives from all taxing bodies within the TIF, including school districts, Cook County and township government.

It would take about four months to complete that second phase, meaning that the earliest the village board might vote to create a downtown TIF district would be late summer.

While the village moves forward with a study to see if a TIF district makes sense for the Grand/Prairie downtown area, the village board has also hired its consultant, Kane, McKenna and Associates, to begin the process of amending the boundaries of the Eight Corners TIF District.

Officials have moved to change the map in order to now include two parcels that comprise the parking lot north of the Brookfield Bowl building at 3415 Maple Ave. Initially, the parking lot was carved out of the TIF district, because at the time the TIF was being formulated in 2016 the two parcels were privately owned and had taxable value.

The village acquired the parcels in November 2016 through Cook County’s No-Cash Bid Program to get tax-delinquent properties back on the tax rolls. When the village acquired the parking lot, it became tax exempt, but not right away. Waiting to include the site within the TIF district until it no longer had an assessed value allowed the village to avoid a “negative increment” in assessed value.

Amending the TIF map triggers a full TIF-hearing process, including public hearings and convening a joint review board, which will take roughly four months to conduct. However, since the preliminary and final TIF reports are already complete, amending the map will be less expensive than creating the TIF from scratch.

The total cost to amend the map will be an estimated $11,000 to $15,000.

— Bob Uphues

The Landmark, February 20, 2019

11

Liquidation begins at Payless stores in North Riverside

Company is shutting down all of its U.S. locations

By BOB UPHUES Editor

Two more retail spaces will be vacated in North Riverside in the next few months now that Payless ShoeSource Inc. has decided to liquidate its roughly 2,100 locations in the United States and Puerto Rico.

Both of the Payless locations in North Riverside – at 2210 Harlem Ave. in the North Riverside Plaza Shopping Center and at the North Riverside Park Mall, 7501 Cermak Road – started liquidation sales on Feb. 18.

An employee of the Harlem Avenue store, which employs nine people, said liquidation could last until May. In the meantime, Reuters reported last week that the company later this month will file for bankruptcy protection for the second time since 2017. Payless Holdings Inc. filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in April 2017 and closed 400 stores at that time.

The company subsequently was acquired by a group of creditors, which included the hedge fund Alden Global Capital, Invesco

Senior Secured Management and Octagon Credit Investors, according to the company’s website.

Payless ShoeSource started in Topeka, Kansas, in 1956 and, according to its website, employs more than 18,000 people worldwide. The Payless locations outside of the U.S. reportedly are not part of the liquidation plan.

It’s been a rough three years for retail in North Riverside, beginning in 2016 when Sports Authority closed its doors at 1900 Harlem Ave. A year later H.H. Gregg closed on Cermak Road, followed in 2018 by a triple whammy of losing Toys R Us, Carson Pirie Scott and Tony’s Finer Foods.

North Riverside’s already downsized Sears store at North Riverside Park Mall escaped the same fate earlier this month when a U.S. bankruptcy judge accepted a $5.2 billion dollar bid for the company’s assets by Sears Chairman Eddie Lampert, though industry experts doubt the longterm viability of Sears.

It hasn’t been all bad news, though clear-

BOB UPHUES/Staff

Payless ShoeSource at 2210 Harlem Ave. in North Riverside ly the face of big-box retail is changing in North Riverside.

Binny’s Beverage Depot quickly replaced H.H. Gregg at 7250 Cermak Road and Divine Consign, an upscale furniture consignment shop occupies a portion of the former Sports Authority. The remainder of the former Sports Authority space will be occupied later this year by a Cook County Health and Hospitals System clinic.

What used to be the lower-level of Sears at

NATURE PLAZA Event space from page 1 The concrete “island” located just west of the zoo’s South Gate has been demolished and the 1.5-acre site will be filled in and graded to serve as a canvas for a series of gardens, paths, a three-seasons pavilion and picnic-type seating for visitors seeking a spot to rest or enjoy a treat from the adjacent Scoops Ice Cream vendor.

Dr. Stuart Strahl, president and CEO of the Chicago Zoological Society, which operates Brookfield Zoo, said the plaza will have areas for science exploration, including examples of native prairie, a sensory garden and pollinator gardens.

“We hope this gives kids opportunities who are not going into the [Hamill Family] Play Zoo, because of cost or because they’re not members, an opportunity to view a semi-restored prairie … and have a learning experience in a variety of different places,” Strahl told members of the Brookfield Village Board during a presentation at their Feb. 11 meeting.

“The landscape features going to be pleasing to the eye year-round and most of them

ALEXA ROGALS/Staff Photographer

ISLAND NO MORE: Once the longtime home to Brookfield Zoo’s Monkey Island, this plaza just west of the South Gate will be transformed into a nature plaza with sensory gardens framing a central pavilion that can be used for zoo programming or revenue-producing events. will be native plants,” Strahl said.

The plaza was made possible, Strahl said, via a “large donation” by the Hamill Family Foundation, which has been a frequent and

generous benefactor of the Chicago Zoological Society.

The family name not only adorns the entrance to the Play Zoo but also the popular

North Riverside Mall is now half occupied

by Round One, a family entertainment complex. Amita Health will move into another part of the former Sears lower level later this year.

And earlier this month, North Riverside Mayor Hubert Hermanek Jr. announced a lease deal was imminent for a new tenant at the former Tony’s Finer Foods space at 7401 25th St., but that the prospective tenant was not a retail company.

Wild Encounters exhibit, which replaced the old Children’s Zoo in 2015.

In addition to the gardens that will frame the plaza, the pavilion can be used for events.

The Scoops Ice Cream area is already undergoing renovation and is being downsized somewhat to accommodate a new outdoor grill.

“It’ll be a much different experience from other dining experiences [at the zoo],” Strahl said.

Renovation of Scoops will continue through the spring and the zoo is targeting August 2019 cut the ribbon on the completed plaza.

“This is not going to grow our attendance much, but it is a use of space that was beforehand a very old design,” Strahl said.

The former Monkey Island opened in 1936 and has been home to various species, from Rhesus monkeys to antelope and monitor lizards. The moat was once filled with water.

But the island’s most famous residents were at one time up to 70 Guinea baboons that patrolled the concrete crags. Strahl called them “the oldest and most inbred population of Guinea baboons in the galaxy.”

Brookfield Zoo stopped breeding the baboons in 1992 and their numbers slowly dwindled. The Chicago Zoological Society decided to phase out the exhibit in 2013.

12

The Landmark, February 20, 2019

Opinion TRAIL CONDITIONS

THE LANDMARK VIEW

Raising the minimum This winter, get out of the house and stay there

G

ov. J.B. Pritzker was expected to sign legislation on Feb. 19, after the Landmark’s press time, to make the minimum wage in Illinois $15 an hour by the year 2025.

Whether that figure will even be considered a living wage six years hence is probably up for debate, but this action is long overdue and is a recognition that people who perform minimum wage jobs deserve the dignity of being paid more than a starvation wage of $8.25.

Not too long ago, we expressed disappointment that all three of the villages the Landmark covers had passed on opportunities to set the precedent now being followed statewide.

We still feel that local governments need to act when those kinds of opportunities to lead present themselves, and we’re glad that the new governor has done just that.

Make no mistake, putting money into the hands of minimum wage workers will be a net benefit not only to them and their families but also to many of the very businesses whose owners are decrying the new legislation.

Because that money is not going to be hoarded. It’s going to be spent on goods and services that will help the economy. If, by 2025, $15 is no longer considered a reasonable living wage, we hope the Illinois legislature, if not local governments themselves, revisit the subject.

Brookfield Rec perking up One of the great disappointments of the past decade and a half in Brookfield was the decision made in the early 2000s to essentially starve the Department of Parks and Recreation.

It’s not that the village didn’t invest in parks during that time. Ehlert Park was enlarged and large areas of it improved and renovated. Kiwanis Park underwent a major overhaul and got a swanky new band shell as well as other amenities.

But the investments were largely physical. Investments in people to direct and execute programming largely remained flat. And while Mary Pezdek and Arlene Rovner worked tirelessly during those lean years to bring recreation programs and events to residents, their ability to deliver was hampered by a lack of real backing by village officials.

The decision to hire a bona fide director for the department has done wonders. It has sent a message that recreation is important and has freed up that director, Stevie Ferrari, to spread her wings and seek out a wealth of new programs and events for residents to enjoy all year round.

Frankly, we hope she can keep pace with all of the changes she seeks to implement, because that is one hefty to-do list. And as far as additional hands to help her, that funding hasn’t materialized.

Where that money may end up coming from, at least in part, is from increased revenues all the new programming will bring in.

In any case, it’s exciting for the village of Brookfield to be investing new energy into recreation programming.

The residents deserve it.

T

he trail is a frozen pond.

Behind the North Riverside Village Commons in Commons Park, the scenic fountain ponds of summer are thick with ice beckoning skaters to take a spin under the gray skies of mid-winter.

Only a few take up the invitation. Which is too bad.

As much as I enjoy hogging the open ice it’s a puzzlement that so few people – so few kids -- are in the park on a 25-degree day with the snow beginning to fall in a Midwestern winter scene so classic it seems staged for the cameras.

For all the absurd weather porn we endure – the hyperventilating Doppler SuperMaxx warnings of Killer Kold and impossible, impassable conditions – winter is a gift to be celebrated. It is our most private season in the outdoors, the time of year when so many others choose to hibernate or, worse, complain about the weather.

If you are already “done with winter,” in the middle of February in Chicago, you are a fool and you are a masochist. I’m not going to sugarcoat it. You are punishing yourself with unrealizable, stubborn fantasies of how things should be rather than how they are, and you are forgoing one of the truly unique features of life in this latitude.

Until we are all living in a burnt-out and desertified “Eaarth,” we still have winter and the Cardinal Rule of Winter is to embrace it and find ways to celebrate a season that occupies one-third of our year. Finding ways to look forward to winter is revelatory and life-altering and offers permission to enjoy living where you live rather than searching for budget peak-season accommodations in suburban Phoenix or hellhole Florida.

Buy some skates and learn to use them. Or some snowshoes. Or cross-country skis. Or even just some warm boots for walking in the snow.

Take the Orlando airfare and buy some decent coats. And long underwear.

Two weeks ago, a young North Riverside family was picnicking on the ice with a group of friends. Great idea. The dad read my mind: “Where is everyone?” he asked while we passed a hockey puck back and forth.

Part of the answer was offered by a woman who walked by and asked, “Aren’t you scared?”

Of falling in?

I explained the ice was more than a foot thick – enough to support a pick-up truck – and the pond is about two feet deep in any event.

To the great credit of village officials, this kind of oldfashioned pond skating is OK behind village hall. And last weekend I also saw skaters on a little ersatz rink in Riverside’s Swan Pond Park. (The Big Ball Park rink is great but is not a pond.)

One thought that would probably be vetoed by the funhating lawyers and insurance carriers: Why not maintain a couple skatable areas on both North Riverside ponds and rent skates? Offer some lessons, for kids and adults, when the weather allows. And sell some hot chocolate under the gazebo.

Doing so would greatly expand access to the park and the outdoors in winter for all village residents.

Providing that kind of access accords with the Second Rule of Winter which is: Get out of the house and stay there!

Trail Conditions explores the woods, waters and trails out our back doors. Brett McNeil lives in North Riverside. Write to him at brett@rblandmark.com.

BRETT MCNEIL

LETTERS

Unique opportunity to promote idea of term limits I wish to clarify and amplify a few items related to term limits. First, no board has the unilateral right to create term limits for elected officials. This can only be done through a referendum and with the direction of the voters.

Research indicates that term limits are overwhelmingly popular in the general public, but are clearly not preferred by elected officials. There is a long tradition of term limits in Riverside that were influenced by the Cau-

cus and it has served the village well.

Unlike most governments at every level, Riverside has a long history of being non-partisan. Trustees and the president act more as stewards of the community, not politicians, as a result.

I cannot understand any opposition to giving voters the opportunity to choose whether term limits should be enacted – especially when it is a long held tradition of the village. Imagine if more elected officials were open to term limiting themselves in the founding fathers’ spirit of citizen statesmen.

Second, I do not see any conflict between Trustee Jisa’s comments and mine. My point is that if trustees and the village president were allowed to serve for generations, there would be less interest for others to get involved.

I support the tradition of the Caucus but acknowledge that more transparency is always better than less, despite the best of intentions, similar to any organization.

Finally, it is my understanding that there hasn’t been any trustee or president elected for three consecutive terms in at least two generations and possibly since the formation of the Caucus in the 1920s. I believe President Meksto was appointed to one of his terms.

With very few exceptions, and possibly none, no trustee or president has proven bigger than the village and that tradition should remain. The current board, with three retiring trustees along with support from sitting trustees that will be continuing onto the next Board, has a unique opportunity to promote the ability of the electorate to express their desire on the matter.

Michael Sedivy, village trustee

Riverside Ed. note: Edward Meksto was appointed to the village board as a trustee in 1972. He was elected president three consecutive times, in 1977, 1981 and 1985.

The Landmark, February 20, 2019

13

KOSEY CORNER

T

The Riverside Community Caucus back in the day

here’s some uncertainty about the future of the Riverside Community Caucus, and only time will tell what that future will be.

But, I can tell you how it worked when I joined the Caucus back in the 1980s, when the Caucus’ motto “the office seeks the man.”

The Caucus at that time was composed of residents representing all local organizations and community affiliations. Organizations would receive a letter from the Caucus, asking for a representative.

That’s how I ended up as a member of the Caucus. I represented the Riverside Junior Woman’s Club.

From its membership, the Caucus formed a nominating committee who interviewed prospective candidates and brought their

names back to the full Caucus membership for selection of a slate.

Following the selection of a slate, a general meeting was held for the entire village chaired by a community member, who was not necessarily a Caucus member. At that meeting, other people might be nominated and supplant a Caucus nominee on the slate.

After the slate was confirmed, the slate typically formed a party, following election rules. The party would dissolve following the election, but the Caucus would remain.

While I was part of the Caucus, I asked

for a copy of the bylaws, only to find out there were none. So, we formed a committee to create guidelines for the Caucus.

Among the members were Harold Smith, John Lewe and myself.

There were a few others whose names escape me. The guidelines were very workable.

They weren’t so restrictive, and allowed at that time for someone to serve more than two terms if that person was someone whose qualities and abilities were still needed on the board. That’s how Ed Meksto ended up serving three terms.

The document also contained suggestions on term limits and staggering the elections

JOANNE KOSEY

so as not to have a large turnover of the board at one time for the sake of continuity.

The Caucus was not secretive as many thought, and not just a “bunch of old men,” as my membership and others would attest to. The names of members were printed in the newspaper.

John Lewe had a large map of the village at his house. He used push pins to indicate where trustees lived and where Caucus members lived. He believed that all parts of the village should be represented, people of all political and religious beliefs were given consideration.

Did everything always go smoothly? Of course not, and Kay Snyder’s successful campaign as a write-in for trustee showed that the Caucus wasn’t always right.

In that case, the office sought the woman.

OBITUARIES

Mary Jane Avizius Jados, 71 North Riverside resident Mary Jane Avizius Jados (nee Kunickis), 71, died Feb. 11, 2019 at her home in North Riverside. She was born in Chicago on Dec. 13, 1947.

She was the mother of Anthony Avizius, Allen Avizius, Andrew Avizius and Arthur (Karina) Avizius; the grandmother of 14; great-grandmother of 9; and the sister of Bernice Rajewski and Eva “Jackie” Jados.

Services have been held.

Kuratko-Nosek Funeral Home, North Riverside, handled arrangements.

John R. Mrizek, 84 Longtime Oddfellows Grand Representative John R. Mrizek, 84, of Brookfield, died Feb. 11, 2019.

Mr. Mrizek was born in Chicago and grew up in Riverside, graduating from Riverside-Brookfield High School. He worked for the R.J. Mrizek Baking Company, founded by his father. After the bakery closed, he worked for several companies for 40 years as a bookkeeper.

He was a longtime member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, serving in a variety of leadership positions for his local lodge, Palacky Lodge #630, as well as at the state, national, and international level.

Mr. Mrizek served as the Grand Patriarch of the Grand Encampment of Illinois in 1967 and the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Illinois in 1976. He was most proud of his 40 years of service as Grand Representative of the Grand Encampment of Illinois to the Sovereign Grand Lodge, being the longest serving Grand Represen-

tative in the history of Odd Fellowship.

His work at the national level of Odd Fellowship allowed him to travel the country and the world with his wife, Ruth.

Mr. Mrizek was a dedicated and devoted husband, father and grandfather who was always there for his family. He served as scoutmaster and assistant scoutmaster in the Cub and Boy Scouts, a coach for Brookfield American Little League and Western Conference Baseball, and was a constant spectator and booster for whatever event his sons or grandchildren were involved in.

He was the husband of the late Ruth Ann Mrizek (nee Livesey); the father of Richard Mrizek and Stephen (Brandi) Mrizek; the grandfather of Zetta, Mira, Evelyn, Magdalyn and Addison; and the uncle of many nieces and nephews.

Services have bene held. Interment was at Bohemian National Cemetery, Chicago.

Memorial donations are appreciated to Palacky Odd Fellows Lodge Kids R Essential Program, 9234 Broadway Ave., Brookfield, 60513.

Hitzeman Funeral Home, Brookfield, handled arrangements.

Nicholas Sasuta, 91 Electrician Nicholas Sasuta, 91, of Brookfield, died on Feb.13, 2019.

Born on Dec. 17, 1927, he served in the U.S. Army during World War II and worked as a commercial electrician.

Mr. Sasuta was the husband of Mary Sasuta (nee Crossken); the father of Susan (Terry) Robb, Nancy (James) Brown, James Sasuta and Janet (John) Broussard; the grandfather of Chris (Lauren) Robb, Beth (Thomas) O’Hare, Matt Robb, Daniel

(Liz) Robb and Laura Brown; the greatgrandfather of Olivia, Charlotte and Allison Robb; and the brother of the late John (Mary) Sasuta.

A funeral service was held Feb. 18 at Sts. Peter and Paul Lutheran Church, followed

by interment at Woodlawn Cemetery.

The family appreciates memorials to Sts. Peter and Paul Lutheran Church, 250 Woodside Rd., Riverside, 60546.

Hitzeman Funeral Home, Brookfield, handled arrangements.

It’s Your Money

By Linda Sokol Francis. E.A.

SPLITTING FEDERAL INCOME TAX REFUNDS-PART I

Y

ou have several options for receiving your federal income tax refund.

You can: • Split your direct deposit refund among two or three different accounts, with up to three different U.S. financial institutions • Direct deposit your refund into a single checking or savings account • Receive your refund in a paper check • Buy up to $5,000 in U.S. Series I Savings Bonds with your refund By splitting your refund, you get the convenience of directing some of your refund to your checking account for immediate needs and sending some to savings for future use.

Plus, you get the safety and speed of direct deposit, meaning you will have access to your refund faster than if you opt to receive a paper check.

How do I split my refund?

Simply follow the instructions your tax software provides to do it electronically. If you file a paper tax return, complete and attach

Form 8888, Allocation of Refund (Including Savings Bonds Purchases) to your federal income tax return to tell IRS how much and to which of your accounts you want your refund deposited.

Must I file electronically to split my refund?

You can split your refund whether you file electronically or on paper. However, IRS recommends using e-file to avoid simple mistakes that could change the amount of your refund, and therefore the amount available for deposit I’m requesting an extension to file my return.Can I still split my refund?

You can split your refund on any original return, even if you have an extension of time to file and do not file until October.

BROOKFIELD FINANCIAL PLANS, INC. Linda Sokol Francis, E.A. 3439 Grand Boulevard • Brookfield, Illinois 60513 • 708-485-3439 Brought to you as a public service since 1975

14

The Landmark, February 20, 2019

PEOPLE

Olmsted Society elects officers for 2019

T

he Frederick Law Olmsted Society mation design, and North Riverside resiof Riverside elected new officers dent Andrew Lemesurier, who is majoring for 2019 during their annual meetin finance, were named to the dean’s list for ing in January at the Riverside the 2018 fall semester at Cedarville (Ohio) Public Library.

University.

Taking the reins as president ■ Riverside resident Aidan will be Cathy Maloney. Other Kaiser was named to the 2018 top officers are Cindy Kellogg, fall semester dean’s list of the vice president; Olivia Murphy, College of Letters and Sciences secretary; and Theresa Pelleat the University of Wisconsintier, treasurer.

Madison.

Board members renewing their ■ The University of Dayton Submitted terms are Yvonne Lucero and announced its 2018 fall semester Dea Rufo Jim Harrington, Holly Machidean’s list for students achieving na and Jason Kinnan, Janice a GPA of at least 3.5. Among those O’Flaherty and Tony and Phylon the dean’s list are Brookfield CATHY MALONEY lis Pecelunas. residents Mayra Baeza, Gina New board members include Crisanti and Hunter Soumar Bob and Judy Finn, Corina and Stefan and Riverside residents Molly Gates and Pambuccian and Diana and Jim LaMantia. Hannah Michl.

Dea Rufo, the librarian at Lincoln School can bring in an item of non-perishable food The society also announced at the meeting ■ Riverside resident Derek Johnson rein Brookfield, has been recognized by a local and get a book in exchange for their home that it would host a housewalk in September. ceived a Chancellor’s Award from the Univerfood pantry for her efforts collecting food to libraries.

The last Olmsted Society housewalk was held sity of Wisconsin-Stout for attaining a GPA of Students really enjoy knowing that for help feed the needy in Brookfield and Lyons. in 2015. at least 3.5 during the 2018 fall semester.

Since 2017, Rufo has donated the food she every can of food that they donate, they are ■ Julia Boge, of Riverside, was named to collects to the Share Food, Share Love Food helping another person as well as getting the 2018 fall semester dean’s list at the ColPantry, which is located at Faith Lutheran a book for their kindness,” Rufo said in a lege of William and Mary in Williamsburg, press release.

Church in Brookfield.

Riverside resident Adam Wang, a fresh- Virginia, for achieving a GPA of at least 3.6 Books that are left over from the book She involves Lincoln School families by man at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, during the semester. enlisting their help in collecting food during swap are donated to Share Food, Share traveled to Vienna, Austria, with the college’s ■ Riverside residents Ryan Kodama and her book swap/food drive events. Students Love. symphony orchestra for a month-long resi- Isabella Legan were named to the 2018 fall dency from Jan. 10 to Feb. 4. semester dean’s list at Iowa State University The trip concluded with a performance for earning a semester GPA of at least 3.5. both of Brookfield, were among 27 LTHS stu■ Brookfield resident Mina Fredona, a seat the Musikverein, the home of the Vienna ■ Jeremiah Clarkson, of Brookfield, and nior at Lyons Township High School, won an dents qualifying for the state competition of Philharmonic Orchestra.

Joshua Clark, of Riverside, were named to Award of Excellence for her artwork, which the Business Professionals of America Club Wang, the son of Daniel Wang and Darcy the 2018 fall semester dean’s list at Wheaton was recently on display at Elmhurst College’s at the regional contest held in January.

Lewis of Riverside, plays the double bass in The BPA state competition will be held in College for achieving a semester GPA of at 20th Annual High School Art Exhibition. the Luther College Symphony Orchestra.

Also recognized for his artwork was ju- March. At regionals, McLean placed second least 3.5.

While in Austria, the student musicians visnior Pedro Hernandez, of Brookfield, who in Banking and Finance while Strzelczyk ■ Riverside residents Fiona McMahon, ited Mozart’s birthplace and attended several placed fourth in Fundamental Accounting. won an Award of Distinction.

Gianna Rumoro and Margaret performances at some of Vienna’s finest con■ Nazareth Academy in La■ Kip Friend, a graduate of Hauser JuSchereck have been named to cert halls, among other cultural activities.

Grange Park has announced its nior High in Riverside, was among the 23 St. the 2018 fall semester dean’s list honor rolls for the first semes- Laurence High School students named Illiat St. Mary’s College in Notre ter of the 2018-19 school year. nois State Scholars from the Class of 2019.

Dame, Indiana, for achieving a Among those recognized were Illinois State Scholars represent approxiGPA of at least 3.6.

■ Sam Kazmierowicz, of Brookfield, was the following: mately the top 10 percent of high school ■ A trio of student-artists from among the approximately 340 undergraduA Honor Roll: Brookfield resiseniors across the Brookfield were among the 30 ates receiving their degrees from the Unidents Grace Acosta, Gwenyth state based on stanLyons Township High School stuversity of Dayton during the winter 2018 Acosta, Leilani Dodson, Gundardized test scores dents recognized in this year’s commencement ceremony in December. nar Hendrix and David Sul- and class rank.

Scholastic Art Awards regional ■ Olivia Novak, of Brookfield, has graduMINA FREDONA livan and Riverside residents ■ Riverside resiated magna cum laude from Edgewood Col- competition with sophomore AiMatthew I vansek, Carlie dent Matthew leen Flores advancing to the nalege in Madison, Wisconsin. Novak earned a Merola and Elizabeth Pilarz.

Ivansek will reptional competition later this year.

Bachelor of Science degree in nursing.

B Honor Roll: Brookfield residents Ash- resent Nazareth Flores won a Gold Key award in the jew■ Karolina Hodurek, of Riverside, gradley Gamboa, Elijah Pesek and Braden Academy’s Class of elry category.

She was one of 11 LTHS stuuated from the Lakeview College of NursSchneider; North Riverside resident Diego 2021 at one of the 70 ing during the institution’s fall commence- dents to advance to the national competiArroyo; and Riverside residents Michael Hugh O’Brian Youth tion. ment ceremony held in Danville. She is a MATTHEW IVANSEK Other Brookfield students recognized at Almeida, Griffin Hartnett, David Her- (HOBY) Leadership 2014 graduate of Riverside-Brookfield High Seminars to recogtogs, Justin Rokicki and Jazzmin MartiSchool and the daughter of Maria Konier the regional competition were freshman nize their leadership talents and apply them Kaylee LeClere (honorable mention, ce- nez. and Marcin Hodurek, both of Riverside.

Lyons Township High School junior Me- to become effective, ethical leaders in their ramics) and junior Pedro Hernandez (hon■ Riverside resident Emily Pitts, who is gan McLean and senior Adam Strzelczyk, homes, school, workplace and community. majoring in professional writing and infor- orable mention, printmaking).

Lincoln School teacher honored for charity work

Have bass will travel

On campus

@RBLandmark

Sports

The Landmark, February 20, 2019

15

Lions, Friars finish second in sectionals Walsh (LTHS), Rosa (RBHS) and Hutchinson (Fenwick) excel

By MARTY FARMER

F

ALEXA ROGALS/Staff Photographer

(Top) LTHS senior Michael Walsh qualified for four events in the IHSA state finals at New Trier (Feb. 22-23). (Above) RBHS senior Michael Rosa qualified for the state meet in the 200-yard IM and 200-yard breaststroke.

Sports Editor

ive of the top eight boys swimming teams at Saturday’s York Sectional came from the West Suburban Conference Silver Division. Silver squads Hinsdale Central (271 points), Lyons Township (263) and host York (161) took the top three spots.

Representing the Metro Suburban Conference, Riverside-Brookfield came in fifth with a score of 122.

Senior Michael Rosa qualified for state in two events, the 200-yard individual medley with a time of 1 minute, 56.22 seconds and the 100yard breaststroke at 57.24 seconds for the Bulldogs. Freshman diver Nolan Harrison also advanced to the state meet with a score of 560.15, good for second place.

RBHS junior Nolan Downing earned fifth in the 500-yard freestyle with a time of 4:54.86.

Sophomore Noah Breit finished sixth in the 100-yard backstroke, touching the wall at 53.98. The Bulldogs’ 200-yard freestyle relay team of senior Peter Baartman, Rosa, Dowling and Noah took sixth place at 1:30.98.

LTHS placed second in the state last season and won two straight state titles in 2016 and 2017. The Lions lost several outstanding swimmers like Spencer Walker (Alabama) and Henry Claesson (Virginia Tech) to graduation and coach Scott Walker to retirement.

Nevertheless, the Lions have remained very competitive this season under new head coach Erin Rodriguez.

Senior Michael Walsh set the tone at York by qualifying for the IHSA state finals in four events (2 individual races/2 relay races).

He won the the 50-yard freestyle in 20.98 and the 100 breast in 56.16.

Juniors Bryson Breitenbucher took second in the 100-yard freestyle (46.29) and Jack Thorell was third in the 50 free (21.30).

LTHS dominated the relays, winning all three races over runnerup/rival Hinsdale Central. The Lions recorded the following win-

ning times: 1:31.28 in the 200-yard medley, 1:23.26 in the 200 free and 3:08.26 in the 400-yard freestyle.

Hutchinson, relays power Fenwick It’s called the Fenwick Sectional, but a more accurate description of Saturday’s boys swimming competition would have been Friars-Huskies Round 2.

With 15 teams competing for IHSA state final berths, Fenwick and OPRF produced every relay team and individual swimmer (except Argo senior diver Ryan Rogers) that will compete at state hosted by New Trier on Feb. 22-23.

Talk about a select pool of teams.

True to the nature of the crosstown rivalry, the Huskies exacted a measure of revenge by outscoring the host Friars 315-304 to win the sectional team title. In the first meeting on Dec. 4 this season, Fenwick defeated visiting OPRF 107-78 in a nonconference dual meet.

In the most anticipated race of the day, Fenwick senior Liam Hutchinson edged Raidt (both state contenders) in the 200-yard freestyle. Hutchinson touched the wall at 1:40.88, followed closely by Raidt at 1:41.13. Fenwick freshman Mike Flynn advanced to state in the 200 free as well with a time of 1:42.36.

In the 500 free, Fenwick qualified two swimmers in Hutchinson (4:36.52) and Flynn (4:39.99).

Sophomore Connor McCarthy recorded a time of 1:56.43 to claim the 200 individual medley title.

The Friars’ other state qualifiers included Alex Figus (2nd place in 50 free; 21.57), Dan Lynch (2nd in 100 breast; 59.65) and McCarthy (3rd in 100 fly; 52.01).

Fenwick also advanced all three teams to state. The Friars won the 200- and 400-yard freestyle races at 1:26.02 and 3:07.65, respectively, while Fenwick’s 200 medley moves on to New Trier as well.

The IHSA state finals take place at New Trier High School in Winnetka on Feb. 22-23. Preliminaries are Friday and the finals are Saturday.

16

S P O R T S

The Landmark, February 20, 2019

Future bright for Bulldog basketball Led by MVP Loftus, conference champs return plenty of talent next season

By MARTY FARMER Sports Editor

Although it’s certainly unintentional, the RiversideBrookfield High School girls basketball team appears to be a victim of its own success regarding the state playoffs.

Despite winning 20 games and the Metro Suburban Conference championship, the Bulldogs drew the 13th seed (out of 20 teams) in the Hinsdale South Sectional of the Class 4A state playoffs.

After dismantling Curie 58-12 in the quarterfinals of the Argo Regional, the Bulldogs were bounced out of the postseason in the next round via a 62-38 loss against St. Ignatius.

Against St. Ignatius, RBHS trailed the Wolfpack by just five points at one point in the second quarter. Unfortunately, the Bulldogs made just 12 of 45 shots (27 percent) as St. Ignatius scouted their opponents well.

Sophomore forward Brenna Loftus led RBHS with 17 points, while Leah Rettke and Cassandra Hines contributed six points and three rebounds apiece. Georgi Gomorczak finished with a team-high eight rebounds.

In their postseason opener, the Bulldogs cruised past Curie. Reflective of the final score, RBHS dominated the stat sheet as well, making 24 of 36 shots (67 percent) and scoring 31 points off turnovers. Led by Rino Hachimura (13 points on 6-for-6 shooting) and JnoBaptiste (10 points), 12 players scored for RBHS. The quick exit from the playoffs, however, can’t erase another solid season for RBHS under the guidance of head

coach Dallas Till and assistant Mark Ruge.

“I’m so proud of all the girls for being able to pull out a conference title, especially with two big wins against Bishop Mac. That was a really big deal for us,” Loftus said. “The thing I’ll remember most about this season is how much fun we had together as a team.”

After a 1-2 start, RBHS won six games in a row and 12 of 15 overall to become contenders in the Metro Suburban.

Sweeping Bishop McNamara by scores of 69-64 on the road and 61-56 at home paved the way to winning the conference title.

The team’s winning ways occurred in large part due to the players’ willingness to buy into the Bulldogs’ system. RBHS played very aggressively on offense, looking to score in transition off turnovers and fast breaks as much as possible.

When running their half-court offense, the Bulldogs relied on Loftus and JnoBaptiste to score. All-conference senior guard Mary Maloney directed the offense well, while Leah Rettke provided scoring, rebounding and energy. Angelina Ocampo is a promising player with a well-rounded game. Gomorczak had perhaps the most notable statistic of the season, pulling down 16 rebounds (9 offensive) in the aforementioned victory at home against Bishop McNamara.

Looking ahead to next season, Loftus, JnoBaptiste and Ocampo return to lead the Bulldogs in their bid for a second straight league title. Loftus earned conference MVP while JnoBaptiste and Ocampo were selected. as all-conference players.

“I’m extremely excited about what’s in store for us next

ALEXA ROGALS/Staff Photographer

RBHS sophomore Brenna Loftus was named the Metro Suburban Conference MVP this season. season,” Loftus said. “I think we have a lot of potential to keep playing well. We have some promising years ahead of us.”

Red-hot RBHS boys hoops ready for playoffs Conference champs have won 25 games, including 12 in a row

By MARTY FARMER Sports Editor

CAROL DUNNING/Contributor

RBHS reserves Sam Grivetti (#35) and Ryan Cermak (#22) lengthen the Bulldogs’ formidable lineup.

Times are good around the Riverside-Brookfield High School basketball team. Following an ideal game plan for virtually any team, the Bulldogs are playing their best basketball of the season with the state playoffs on the horizon.

RBHS (25-4, 11-1 Metro Suburban Conference) won the conference championship with a gritty 51-47 victory against top league foe Aurora Christian on Friday, Feb. 15.

The Bulldogs have won 12 games in a row and tied the school-record for most wins in a single season with 25. They can break the single-season record with a victory at Ridgewood this week.

The 2015 RBHS team, the only group to reach a sectional in program history, also won the most games ever in a season that year with a 28-4 record.

“Our goal from the beginning of the year was to be playing our best basketball leading into the state tournament. I think we are doing that,” RBHS coach Mike Reingruber said. “The best part of this team is our balance and the fact we are getting great contributions from everyone. Each and every day it seems to be multiple players stepping up and making key plays.”

The Bulldogs have won a remarkable 17 conference championships over the past 18 seasons.

Other than a mediocre patch through mid-December when the Bulldogs split six games, the team has been virtually unbeatable.

RBHS defeated De La Salle and Aurora Christian over the weekend. The Bulldogs beat De La Salle 82-67 at the President’s Day Shootout at Evergreen Park High School on Sunday, Feb. 17. The Bulldogs made 21 of 28 field goals and had 30 points off the bench. Patrick Hanley (team-high 17 points) and Zach Vaia shot 10-for-23, collectively behind the 3-point arc, while Sam Grivetti (16 points, 5 rebounds) and Ryan Cermak (14 points) also contributed for the victors.

“Sam and Ryan provide us with so much energy and hustle,” Reingruber said. “They both took huge charges defensively against Aurora Christian. They both would be starters at most high schools, but have bought into their roles coming off the bench for us. They are a huge part of our success.”

RBHS celebrated Senior Night with the aforementioned win against Aurora Christian. Andrew Veon recorded a double-double of 13 points and 11 rebounds, while Vaia turned in a terrific all-court effort with 13 points, four assists and five steals. Hanley chipped in 11 points and six boards. Reggie Loury, Charles Terry, Cermak and Grivetti led a spirited defensive performance.

“Our seniors have been playing together since fourth grade,” Reingruber said. “They all got valuable experience in the state tournament last year and experienced the emotional lockerroom after we lost a hard fought game to Curie in the regional championship.

“Ever since that day, they have worked their tails off and are focused on each opponent. They know the state tournament is all about survive and advance. I’m not worried about their focus.”

The Landmark, February 20, 2019

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The Landmark, February 20, 2019

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PUBLIC NOTICES PUBLIC NOTICE Notice is hereby given, pursuant to “An Act in relation to the use of an Assumed Business Name in the conduct or transaction of Business in the State,� as amended, that a certification was registered by the undersigned with the County Clerk of Cook County.

Registration Number: Y19000399 on January 23, 2019. Under the Assumed Business Name of NICE OUTDOOR DECORATING SERVICE with the business located at: 2844 W WALNUT ST, CHICAGO, IL 60612. The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/partner(s) is: JONATHAN KELLY 2844 W WALNUT ST CHICAGO, IL 60612 Published in Wednesday Journal 2/6, 2/13, 2/20/2019

Public Notice is hereby given that the Village of Oak Park Community Development Citizens Advisory Committee will be holding an Introductory meeting, four meetings for applicant Presentations, a Working meeting and a Public Hearing on Program Year (PY) 2019 project proposals submitted to the Village for federal Community Development Block Grant Program & Emergency Solutions Grant Program funds. PY 2019 will run from October 1, 2019 to September 30, 2020. All meetings will be held at 7 p.m. in Room 101 of Village Hall, 123 Madison Street, Oak Park unless noted otherwise, and are as follows: Introductory meeting, March 14, 2019; Presentations I, April 2, 2019 (Room 201); Presentations II, April 4, 2019; Presentations III, April 9, 2019; Presentations IV, April 11, 2019; Working meeting to determine funding recommendations, 6:30 p.m., April 17, 2019 (Room 201); and a Public Hearing to receive comments on proposed funding recommendations, April 25, 2019. All meetings are open to the public; all meeting rooms are accessible. Reasonable accommodations will be made for persons with disabilities and non-English speaking persons, as needed.

Meeting specifics are subject to change; please visit Village Hall or call Mark Dwyer, Village Grants Supervisor at (708) 3585416 to confirm details.

Published in Wednesday Journal 2/20/2019

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: Y19000578 on February 13, 2019. Under the Assumed Business Name of LENDEZ with the business located at: 2429 S 2ND AVE, NORTH RIVERSIDE, IL 60546. The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/ partner(s) is: RICHARD ALVAREZ 2429 S 2ND AVE NORTH RIVERSIDE, IL 60546.

Published in RB Landmark 2/20, 2/27, 3/6/2019

In print • Online • Available to you 24 / 7 /365

RBLandmark.com | PublicNoticeIllinois.com PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICE NOTICE TO BIDDERS

Notice is hereby given by the President and Board of Trustees of the Village of Brookfield, Illinois that bid proposals will be received for the following project:

2019 STREET IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT VILLAGE OF BROOKFIELD, ILLINOIS This project will include the replacement of concrete curb and gutter, sidewalks, driveway aprons, and drainage structures, installation of 1,200’ of 8� DIP water main, replacement of certain sections of combined sewers, milling and resurfacing certain pavements, reconstructing certain pavements, installation of street lighting on Broadway Avenue, landscaping disturbed areas, and performing other related work.

Sealed bids will be received up to the hour of 11:00 A.M. on Tuesday, the 12th day of March, 2019, in the office of the Village Manager in the Village Hall located at 8820 Brookfield Avenue, Brookfield, Illinois. All sealed bids received will be publicly opened and read at 11:00 A.M. on the same day, Tuesday, the 12th day of March, 2019, at the Village Hall.

Bidding documents, consisting of the bid proposal, project specifications, and project plans are available at the office of Edwin Hancock Engineering Co., 9933 Roosevelt Road, Westchester, Illinois 60154, upon payment of a non-refundable charge of One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) per set of bidding documents. No bidding documents will be issued after 4:30 P.M. on Tuesday, the 5th day of March, 2019.

All bid proposals offered must be accompanied by a bid bond, cashier’s check or certified check in an amount not be less than Five Percent (5%) of the total amount of the bid, as a guarantee that if the bid proposal is accepted, a contract will be entered into and the performance of the contract properly secured.

Checks shall be made payable

to the Order of the President and Board of Trustees of the Village of Brookfield. No bid proposal shall be considered unless accompanied by such bid bond or check.

All bidders wishing to obtain bidding documents must be approved by the Village prior to obtaining bidding documents.

All bidders must provide proof that they are prequalified with the Illinois Department of Transportation to perform at least 35% of the value of the work before being issued bidding documents.

Any bidder in doubt as to the true meaning of any part of the bidding documents may request an interpretation thereof from the Village. The bidder requesting the interpretation shall be responsible for its prompt delivery. At the request of the bidder, or in the event that the Village deems the interpretation to be substantive, the interpretation will be made by written addendum duly issued by the Village.

In the event that a written addendum is issued, either as a result of a request for interpretation or the result of a change in the bidding documents issued by the Village, a copy of such addendum will be mailed to all prospective bidders. The Village will not assume responsibility for receipt of such addendum. In all cases it will be the bidders’ responsibility to obtain all addenda issued.

The Contractor and Subcontractor shall comply with all regulations issued pursuant to Prevailing Wage Act (820 ILCS 130), and other applicable Federal Laws and regulations pertaining to labor standards.

The Village of Brookfield reserves the rights to determine the lowest, responsive, responsible bidder, to waive irregularities, and to reject any or all bid proposals.

BY ORDER THE PRESIDENT AND BOARD OF TRUSTEES VILLAGE OF BROOKFIELD, ILLINOIS

Published in RB Landmark 2/20/2019

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REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT– CHANCERY DIVISION WELLS FARGO BANK NA; Plaintiff, vs.

BARBIE ELERSON AKA BARBIE HURST AKA BARBIE ELERSON HURST; PARK TERRACE CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION; Defendants, 18 CH 10199 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 Monday, March 18, 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. 15-13-300-022-1073.

Commonly known as 1013 South Des Plaines Avenue, Unit B401, Forest Park, IL 60130.

The mortgaged real estate is improved with a condominium residence. The purchaser of the unit other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by subdivisions (g) (1) and (g)(4) of Section 9 of the Condominium Property Act Sale terms: 10% down by certified funds, balance, by certified funds, within 24 hours. No refunds. The property will NOT be open for inspection.

For information call Sales Department at Plaintiff’s Attorney, Manley Deas Kochalski, LLC, One East Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60601. (614) 220-5611. 18022015 F2 INTERCOUNTY JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION Selling Officer, (312) 444-1122 I3111830

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT– CHANCERY DIVISION WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A. Plaintiff, vs.

FRANCESCO MANCINI; JENNIFER MANCINI AKA JENNIFER MCLEAN; LIONS GATE CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION; UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NONRECORD CLAIMANTS Defendants, 17 CH 15605 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 Friday, March 15, 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. 16-07-315-029-1005.

Commonly known as 336 South Maple Avenue, Unit 2B, Oak Park, Illinois 60302.

The mortgaged real estate is improved with a condominium residence. The purchaser of the unit other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by subdivisions (g) (1) and (g)(4) of Section 9 of the Condominium Property Act Sale terms: 10% down by certified funds, balance, by certified funds, within 24 hours. No refunds. The property will NOT be open for inspection.

For information call Sales Department at Plaintiff’s Attorney, Manley Deas Kochalski, LLC, One East Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60601. (614) 220-5611. 19001387 F2 INTERCOUNTY JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION Selling Officer, (312) 444-1122 I3111611

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT– CHANCERY DIVISION WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A. SUCCESSOR BY MERGER TO WELLS FARGO BANK SOUTHWEST, N.A. F/K/A WACHOVIA MORTGAGE, FSB F/K/A WORLD SAVINGS BANK, FSB Plaintiff, -v.JOHN E. STROTH, VILLAGE OF OAK PARK, WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A. Defendants 18 CH 05417 520 N. OAK PARK 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 January 3, 2019, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on April 5, 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 520 N. OAK PARK AVENUE, OAK PARK, IL 60302 Property Index No. 16-06-419-006.

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 the residential real estate pursuant

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The Landmark, February 20, 2019

RBLANDMARK.COM

CLASSIFIED

19

(708) 613-3333 • FAX: (708) 467-9066 • E-MAIL: CLASSIFIEDS@RBLANDMARK.COM

Let the sun shine in...

Public Notice: Your right to know

In print • Online • Available to you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, every day of the year RBLandmark.com | PublicNoticeIllinois.com

CLASSIFIED

The Landmark, February 20, 2019

(708) 613-3333 • FAX: (708) 467-9066 • E-MAIL: CLASSIFIEDS@RBLANDMARK.COM

RBLANDMARK.COM

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

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 14-18-04360.

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. 14-18-04360 Attorney ARDC No. 00468002 Attorney Code. 21762 Case Number: 18 CH 05417 TJSC#: 39-187 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.

I3112799

CITIZENS NA SUCCESSOR BY MERGER TO CHARTER ONE BANK, F.S.B. Plaintiff, -v.EDNA R. MCCOY, CHICAGO TITLE LAND TRUST COMPANY SUCCESSOR TRUSTEE TO LASALLE BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS SUCCESSOR TRUSTEE U/T/A DATED 10/17/1990 A/K/ A TRUST NO. 1182-CH, UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NONRECORD CLAIMANTS Defendants 18 CH 00566 205 S HARVEY AVE OAK PARK, IL 60302 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on October 1, 2018, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on March 19, 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 205 S HARVEY AVE, OAK PARK, IL 60302 Property Index No. 16-08-307-0160000.

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 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 14-17-18077.

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. 14-17-18077 Attorney ARDC No. 00468002 Attorney Code. 21762 Case Number: 18 CH 00566 TJSC#: 39-958 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.

I3113082

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT– CHANCERY DIVISION CITIZENS BANK NA F/K/A RBS

BANK-DIRECTED SALE

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

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

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

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

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

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

Wednesday Journal • Landmark Forest Park Review

local employees, happy employees!

ONLINE AUCTION & OFFERS DUE

MARCH 13 & 21

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Contact Mary Ellen Nelligan for more information.

(708) 613-3342 classifieds@rblandmark.com

20

The Landmark, February 20, 2019

21 E. BURLINGTON ROAD, RIVERSIDE | MYBURLINGTONREALTY.COM | 708.447.7207

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