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Riverside village board adopts strategic goals for 2024

ashid faces challenge from former cop in Democratic primary

In the 15th District, Ald. Ray Lopez is going head to head with Jesús ‘Chuy’ García

By BOB SKOLNIK Contributing Reporter

Two years after Abdelnasser Rashid knocked longtime incumbent State Rep. Mike Zalewski out of the Democratic primary to set him on a path to the General Assembly,

he’s now facing a challenge of his own.

He’s defending his seat from for mer Chicago police detective Vidal Vasquez the 21st District, which covers much of Riverside and the southern portion of Brookfield.

Another candidate who filed to run, Matthew Synowicecki, dropped out of the race shortly after his petitions were challenged. Vasquez barely survived a petition challenge from Rashid supporters.

This is the 62-year-old Vasquez’s second political race. In 2003, the resident of the southwest side of Chicago ran

See PRIMARY ELECTIONS on page 3

Improving infrastructure, attracting businesses an d continuing work on the Groveland Floodwall are on the list

By TRENT BROWN Staff Reporter

Riverside has approved its list of strategic goals for the village for 2024 two months later than initially planned.

At its March 7 meeting, the Riverside village board adopted the list as part of its 2024 budget document. Each of the 10 goals on the list re presents an endeavor that the board or Riverside residents hope the village will pursue or continue to work on throughout the rest of the year. According to a village memo, the list of goals was supposed to have been adopted in January.

See STRATEGIC GOALS on page 9

Abdelnasser Rashid

Vidal Vasquez

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BOLINGBROOK

PRIMARY ELECTIONS

Distinguishing candidates

from page 1

for alderman of Chicago’s 23rd ward, where he was trounced by for mer Ald. Michael R. Zalewski, the father of the for mer state representative. Vasquez received only 18.31% of the vote. Vazquez, who now works as an Amtrak police officer after a 32-year career with the Chicago Police Department, said that race soured him on running for office for some time, but now he has decided to make another run for of fice.

Vasquez said that he is running against Rashid because he believes Rashid has not been active in the district and is more focused on Palestinian issues than the nuts and bolts work of being a state representative

“He’s got another agenda and it’s not here, it’s not in this district,” Vasquez said.

Vasquez got a boost recently after he was endorsed by the Chicago Tribune, which had endorsed Rashid two years ago. This time, the Tribune wrote that Rashid’s intense interest in pursuing a cease-fire in Gaza and American foreign policy suggests that he should pursue another job.

Rashid, the first Palestinian American elected to the Illinois General Assembly, rejects the criticism that he is ignoring his job in the legislature.

“That’s completely baseless,” Rashid said. “I’m really proud of the work that I’ve done in my first year and the work we’ve done in the district. I’ve passed five bills into law, made sure to bring money to the district to fix some of our infrastructure. We helped people recover from the disastrous flooding last year. We’ve had dozens of events and coffees with the representative and workshops that support people in many different ways and my office has helped resolve hundreds of cases of constituent services so my record speaks for itself. And you can walk and chew gum at the same time. You can serve your district and try to stop the genocide that’s happening as we speak.”

The bills Rashid sponsored that became law were bills to promote affordable housing, increase state aid for school districts that offer dual language programs, create a state wide task force on artificial intelligence (Rashid was named the co-chair of the task force), streamline the state’s small business procurement process, and a create a check box for Middle Eastern and North African ethnicity on state agency forms.

Rashid also rejected the Tribune’s reason for not endorsing him.

“Honestly the reasons they cited for not supporting me are a badge of honor,” Rashid said.

Rashid said that most people in the district ag ree with his call for an immediate cease-fire in Gaza.

“It’s also really been heartwarming to hear from people on their solidarity and support for what I’m doing on Palestine,” Rashid said. “In fact, our polling shows that the district overwhelmingly supports what I’m doing fighting for Palestinian rights and that’s not surprising because polls across the country have shown that the American people, both Democrats and Republicans, want a cease-fire.”

Vasquez calls himself center-left and criticizes the progressive Rashid for supporting the SAFE-T act, which eliminated cash bail, and for failing to support the Invest in Kids tax credit program that gave tax credits to donations to a scholarship fund for low-income families of students who attend private schools. The Invest in Kids programs is expiring this year after the Illinois General Assembly failed to extend it

“It gives some parents the opportunity to choose what school they send their kids to,” said Vasquez, noting that he could af ford to send his children to Catholic schools and that less for tunate parents should have the same opportunity.

Vasquez also said that he supports reinstating cash bail saying that he would like to reform the SAFE-T Act saying that most people don’t feel safe anymore because people who get arrested can get out of jail too easily.

Rashid said that he supports more equitable funding for public schools lowering the property tax burden so he did not support the Invest in Kids program which reduces state tax revenue. Rashid also defended his record on public safety

“I’m proud of my record fighting for public safety,” Rashid said. “I voted for a budget that invested in violence prevention, voted for a bill that would keep guns out of the hands of domestic abusers and am a cosponsor of the bill that would provide law enforcement with zero-dollar co-pays for mental health treatment.”

Vasquez, who has yet to report any campaign donations, is at severe financial disadvantage in the race. He said that Rashid’s petition challenge delayed his race and scared of f potential supporters, especially among elected officials and campaign contributors. He claims that some politicians who were open to supporting were instructed not to by leaders in Springfield. Rashid’s campaign, whose treasury has been bolstered by five-figure campaign contributions from the campaign fund of House

Speaker Chris Welch, has been sending out a lot of direct mail to voters.

Vasquez, who said that he will spend about $10,000 on the race, is relying on a grassroots door-to-door campaigning, something the Rashid campaign is also doing.

“I’m pressing the flesh,” Vasquez said.

In 2008, Vasquez was named as one of 46 Chicago Police officers in an excessive force lawsuit relating to damage caused in a noknock search of a home on the South Side of Chicago. The case was settled for $30,000.

Vasquez said that the high number of officers named in the lawsuit and the low amount of the settlement indicates that it was what Vasquez called a “nuisance lawsuit” that the city settled only because settling was cheaper than going to trial.

“If my name is in there that means I was somewhere around this incident,” Vasquez said, adding that he did not remember the details.

Incumbent vs. moderate in the 4th Congressional District

In the 4th Congressional District 15th ward, Chicago Ald. Ray Lopez is challenging three-term incumbent Jesús “Chuy” García. Lopez is running as a moderate and claims that García is too far left, but it doesn’t appear as if Lopez has raised enough money to seriously challenge García.

Lopez wants to end Chicago’s status as a sanctuary city and has raised concerns about the cost of supporting recent migrants, many of whom have been bussed to Chicago by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott.

“I think the primary difference between Chuy García and myself is that Chuy is an open-border Democrat who has forgotten about everyone here who has waited for help,” Lopez said in a recent interview aired on CBS News Chicago.

García said that Lopez is repeating Republican talking points and trying to create fear.

Lopez rejected the charge that he is more like a Republican.

“I’m a Democrat born and raised on the Southwest side. I’m not playing to the extreme, I’m not trying to out crazy the crazies and out left the left,” Lopez said. “I’m focusing deal in the middle because that’s how I was raised.”

García has called for a cease-fire in the war in Gaza while Lopez has been supportive of Israel.

“Alderman Lopez is a confused Democrat who seeks to get as much publicity as possible, wherever there’s is a camera he’ll be there,” García said. “My question is what have you delivered. My record is consistent, it’s long and it’s principled.”

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BIG WEEK March 13-20

Compiled by Grace Har ty

Friends + Foundation Book Sale

Saturday, March 16, 10:15 a.m. - 3 p.m., Linda Sokol Francis Brook eld Library

Reading books can be a time-consuming and, not to mention, pricey hobby! However, the Brook eld Library has your back: Stop by the library to browse hundreds of books, audiobooks, DVDs, CDs, and more at unbeatable discount prices. All proceeds go to the Friends + Foundation for the Brook eld Library. Come buy some books to reap the bene ts of this sale! Your wallet will thank you later. 3541 Park Ave.

Movies with Mar ty:

The Banshees of Inisherin

Sunday, March 17, 1 p.m., Linda Sokol Francis Brook eld Library

Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with the critically acclaimed lm, The Banshees of Inisherin. Two lifelong friends, played by Brendan Gleeson and Colin Farrell, nd themselves at an impasse when one abruptly ends their relationship — with alarming consequences for both of them. The lm is said to tell the tale of a break-up, but between two best friends. See what happens with these two friends by watching at the library. 3541 Park Ave.

True Crime Club: Brook eld Police Department Investigates

Wednesday, March 20, 7 p.m., Linda Sokol Francis Brook eld Library

Are you in love with true crime? Do you love watching Criminal Minds? Here is your chance to place yourself in a detective’s shoes. Walk through a police investigation from the initial 911 call to crime scene processing and beyond with detectives from the Brook eld Police Department. It’ll be enough to send chills down your spine. 3541 Park Ave.

All things Easter coming up at the Nor th Riverside

Ea ster Photos

Through Saturday, April 6 Gather the family and head over to Digital Hot Shots in the mall for an Easter Photoshoot. Dress the kids up in bright pastel colors for a chance to send out that Christmas card you forgot about. Instead, send out an Easter card. New, fun, and unique! Hours depend on what day of the week you’d like to make your appointment for: Monday through Friday from 1 to 7 p.m., Saturday from 12 to 7 p.m., and Sunday from 12 to 6 p.m. To make your appointment or to ask questions, call 708-442-0166. Packages star t at $30! 7501 Cermak Rd.

Mall Walker Stretch Session

Friday, March 15, 8:30 a.m.  Fitness Expert Andrea Metcalf is coming back to the mall this Friday. Andrea Metcalf is recognized as one of America’s foremost tness experts. Her tips and guidance focus on the connection between your mind and your body. She in uences people to live their best while feeling their best! Enjoy a relaxing morning with friends and family and start your weekend o right. Complimentary breakfast is included. Sign up online to reser ve your spot at northriversideparkmall.com/mall-walker-event or RSVP to Sebastian at schino@feil.com or call 708442-7605. 7501 Cermak Rd.

Bunny Bash!

Saturday, March 16, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.

“Here comes Peter Cottontail, hopping down the Bunny Trails, hippity-hoppity Easter ’s on its way!” Calling all members of the Kids Club: come celebrate Spring with no one other than the Easter Bunny this Saturday in the Nor th Court! This spring-tastic event will include a bunny hop, an egg scavenger hunt, balloon animals, coloring crafts, and face painting! To register visit https://northriversideparkmall.com/ bunny-bash-2024. 7501 Cermak Rd

C ALENDAR 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.

Will third time be a charm for Martin Reggi’s run for judge?

He squares o against party favorite Lucesther ‘Lucy’ Vasquez-Gonzalez

By BOB SKOLNIK Contributing Reporter

Fo r mer Rive rside resident Martin Re ggi hopes tha t the third time will be the charm as in this year ’s race for judge in the 3rd Ju dicia l Subcircuit

Re ggi, who now lives in Cicero, unsuccessfully ran for judge in 2014 losing a two-person race in the Democratic primary to fellow Riversider John Alle gretti in the 2014 Democratic primary. He finished third in a 2018 race that was won by Elizabeth Ciaccia and also featured Riversider John O’Meara, who finished a close second

Re ggi faces another uphill battle in the March 19 Democratic primary, facing Lucesther “Lucy” Vasquez-Gonzalez who has the support of most of the politicians in the subcircuit that includes much of Riverside and part of Brookfield, and is predominately Hispanic.

Vasquez-Gonzalez had the endorsement of for mer State Rep. Mike Zalewski, who remains Riverside Township Democratic committeeman, state Sen. Mike Porfirio, Cook County Commissioner Frank Aguilar, Chicago Ald. Silvana Tabares, Cicero Mayor Larry Dominick and a host of other Cicero government officials. One area where Re ggi has the edge is in bar associations’ ratings.

Re ggi, a graduate of Northern Illinois University Law School, began his career as a prosecutor for the Cook County State’s Attorney, but has been a solo practitioner since 1985. He has an office in Berwyn. Re ggi has been found either recommended or qualified by 10 of 12 bar associations that evaluated him, with only the Illinois State Bar Association rating Re ggi as not qualified and the Decalogue Society of Lawyers (an association of Jewish lawyers) rating him as not recommended. The Illinois State Bar raised concerns about

“the depth and breadth of Re ggi’s current legal knowledge.” According to the Illinois State Bar Association’s evaluation, Re ggi’s practice focuses on criminal defense, civil litigation, real estate closings, Secretary of State hearings and evictions.

The Chicago Council of Lawyers, typically one of the toughest judicial ratings groups, found Re ggi qualified and Vasquez Gonzalez not qualified. The Chicago Council of Lawyers praised Re ggi’s temperament and said that he has substantial litigation experience, much of it involving more complex matters

Vasquez-Gonzalez, 56, received a GED in 1988, went on to earn two associate de grees from Morton Colle ge and graduated from Roosevelt University before graduating from John Marshall Law School. She was admitted to the bar in 2009 and opened her own solo law practice after working for two small law firms.

She has focused primarily on family law, and also serves as an administrative law judge for the City of Chicago, conducting code violation hearings. In addition to her extensive work in family law, she also has done some work in probate, immigration and workman’s compensation cases. She has frequently served as guardian ad litem re presenting children. She has served as an adjunct professor at the UIC School

of Law, for merly known as John Marshall Law School. She is the secretary of the Puerto Rican Bar Association.

Vaquez-Gonzalez was found not recommended or not qualified by six of 11 bar associations that rated her. T he Illinois Bar Association said that she had no jury trial experience and limited bench trial experience. T he Chicago Council of Lawyers also raised concerns about her punctuality and diligenc e.

“She is re ported to be knowledgeable about her fields of practice and is re ported to have a good temperament,” the Chicago Council of Lawyers evaluation stated. “However, the Council is concerned that there have been re ports questioning her punctuality and diligence – noting that she sometimes fails to meet court deadlines and return communications to other lawyers. We are also concerned about her lack of litigation experience in more complex matters.”

Also finding Vasquez-Gonsalez not recommended were the Chicago Bar Association, the Hellenic Bar Association of Illinois, the LAGBAC-Chicago LGBTQ+ Bar Association and the Women’s Bar Association of Illinois.

The bar associations that found VasquezGonzalez qualified or recommended were the Puerto Rican Bar Association, the Black Women Lawyers Association, the Cook County Bar Association (an association of African-American lawyers) the Decalogue Society of Lawyers and the Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois.

The other 3rd Judicial subcircuit race has only one candidate, Patrick Heery of Brookfield. Running unopposed countywide is Riverside resident Chloe Pederson. Pederson was appointed to the bench last year after finishing second in a 2022 subcircuit race. She is currently assigned to the Traf fic Division downtown.

MARTIN REGGI LUCESTHER “LUC Y” VASQUEZ-GONZALEZ

How do Landmark readers feel about next week’s primary?

An informal Landmark survey asked respondents to rank the candidates’ issues and share their own

By TRENT BROWN Staff Reporter

As we approach the upcoming Illinois primary election next Tuesday, many eyes are on the biggest race, the presidential primary, whose results will deter mine who goes head-to-head to be commander in chief in November. Some are on other federal races, including hotly contested Congressional races that will decide who represents people from across Illinois in Washington.

Other eyes are on races that are closer to home, like the race between incumbent State Re p. Abdelnasser Rashid and fo rmer Chicago cop Vidal Vasque z. They ’re facing of f for the Democratic nomination for Illinois House District 21, which encompasses much of Riverside and parts of Brookfield.

In their campaigns, Rashid and Vasquez emphasized different issues affecting district residents.

Rashid’s campaign focused on goals

like strengthening the economy through infrastructure, expanding pathways to jobs, supporting gun control laws, ensuring flood relief and others that reflect his more progressive views.

Vasquez’s campaign emphasized his support for keeping the public safe from crime, capping annual property taxes for working-class families, allowing parents to choose where their children go to school and ensuring police and members of the judicial system can continue to work “without unreasonable restraint.”

As the race is a primary, both candidates are registered as Democrats, and their views did align on some topics. For example, both candidates’ campaigns showed that they support allowing access to abortion, and both promoted different issues they see affecting working-class constituents.

At the Landmark, these dif fering approaches to District 21 issues got us wondering about the issues that con-

stituents and voters in the district really care about. In an attempt to capture their views, the Landmark issued an infor mal survey for readers who live in the portions of Riverside and Brookfield that f all under District 21, asking them to rank 11 issues — each one listed on one of the candidates’ websites or mentioned by them on the campaign trail — on a scale from one to five to indicate how impor tant they find each issue and to share which issue is most important to them in the primary. Seven of the issues were taken from Rashid’s campaign while four were taken from Vasquez’s, as Rashid’s website goes into more detail on his views

We published the survey in our email newsletter Thursday and on our Facebook page Friday. As of Monday, 23 respondents indicated their views on the issues and 15 chose to elaborate on their top issue for the primary.

Brookfield Chamber of Commerce Business Spotlight

Prairie Path Vintage Market - a shop full of treasures

Prairie Path Vintage Market is the dream of owners Gina Conley and Julie Keating. The ladies spent a lot of time “antiquing”, and as a result, were inspired to open their own shop full of treasures. The shop has been in business for approximately 6 months, and offers a little something for everyone. Besides some wonderful antique furniture pieces that are for sale, the shop also stocks lovely throw pillows, jewelry items, home decor,

Prairie Path

Vintage Market

3742 Grand Blvd.

Brookfield, IL 60513

708-522-8294

prairie-path-vintage-market.company.site

seasonal items and original artwork (most of which is painted by Julie!). Gina and Julie are inspired by salvaging items that are still usable, but would otherwise be discarded. Gina’s husband Jamie Conley is also an owner and does a lot of the building and refinishing. With a little love and imagination, many items can be repurposed. Gina has another business in Brookfield, so opening a shop in Brookfield was an easy choice. The Community has not disappointed in their reception of the shop and it’s unique inventory. Julie commented that it has been a wonderful experience thus far, and find the Brookfield community to be welcoming and supportive.

The thing Julie and Gina enjoy most about their shop is the opportunity to change the shop along with the seasons.

It’s a new experience every time you set foot inside Prairie Path Vintage Market. Currently in stock are many St. Patrick’s Day items; t-shirts, sweatshirts, art, and earrings. Since Prairie Path is not a “big box” or chain store, you will be welcomed like an honored guest and friend. They are currently offering a free gift with purchase, which they do from time to time. They also enjoy having a sweet treat or warm beverage to offer their patrons as they shop. Prairie Path Vintage Market was recently a stop on the “Vintage Neighborhood Shop Hop” on March 1st-3rd. The Shop Hop is a tour of local vintage shops in the Chicagoland area.

And stop by for some St. Patty’s Day music, scones, and Irish coffee on Saturday, March 16!

The results

Across the board, every issue received more votes on the higher end of the scale, indicating general support for all of the views. One of Vasquez’s issues, “Keeping the public safe,” received the most support from respondents, with 15 ranking it five on the scale to indicate it as “very important.” The view receiving the next most support was “Supporting bans on military-style assault weapons,” one of Rashid’s, which received 14 votes marking it very important.

The issue that got the relative least support was Vasquez’s goal of “giving parents the freedom to choose where their children go to school, including private schools. That view received seven votes marking it at one out of five for “not important at all,” though it received the same number of votes marking it four out of five

See SURVEY on page 12

Presented by

Brook eld is hiring for open police and re positions

Applications close March 15 at 2 p.m.

By TRENT BROWN Staff Reporter

The village of Brookfield is expecting to see four new public safety employees join its ranks this year.

The village is hiring for two open firefighter-paramedic positions and two or more open police officer positions. Applications for the positions opened online Feb. 16 and will stay open until March 15 at 2 p.m. Brookfield Police Chief Michael Kuruvilla said Wednesday the police department’s open positions are a result of officers retiring or otherwise leaving the Brookfield force.

“We look for officers and people that take pride in their work, that exemplify professionalism, integrity, just the highest standards of ethics and morals and values,” he said in a phone call. “I don’t want it to sound boilerplate, but especially when it comes to integrity, respect, honor … I know these are qualities and characteristics that we talk about a lot within the department, and certainly, therefore, what we seek as

we look to bring on the next generation.”

The annual salary for each of Brookfield’s new firefighters will start at $73,172 and can grow to $111,088 after six years. For the police department’s open positions, the starting salary is listed at $70,283, which can grow to $103,625 after six years; however, both figures are currently under negotiation and are likely to increase once the village and the Illinois Council of Police — the police union of which Brookfield officers are members — settle on a new collective bargaining ag reement for 2024 and the next few years. The previous contract expired at the end of 2023.

Interested candidates for all four positions must have high school diplomas or GED equivalents and valid driver’s licenses. They must be between the ages of 21 and 35. Candidates will also be required to pass a mandatory written exam online during business hours between April 15-19. Any candidates who pass that exam will then have to pass a mandatory oral interview; police applicants will interview in-person on Wednesday, May 8, and firefighter applicants will interview Thursday, May 9.

From that point, Kuruvilla said, the police department creates a list of eligible applicants. The applicants are ranked on

the list based on their performance in the exams, with Illinois law awarding extra points to those with a history in the military or with a colle ge de gree, he said. According to the law, for mer firefighters also receive preference points.

After the ranking is finalized, the Brookfield PD — like other police departments across the state, Kuruvilla said — performs background checks on the top applicants. Then, they must pass a polygraph test, a psychological exam and a physical exam before being offered employment.

“Our hope is to get through all of that in the fall,” Kuruvilla said.

Then, once the department has selected its new officers, they will be required to complete training at a police academy. That process typically begins in August, Kuruvilla said, at which point the applicants are hired as “probationary” officers.

“When they go to the academy, they are actually an employee of the village of Brookfield,” he added. “Of course, they have to complete and pass the academy and then the state certification exam to become a police officer.”

After three to four months on average of “localized field training,” the officers are “cut loose” and allowed to ride and re-

spond to calls on their own, Kuruvilla said. Finally, after at least a year of working for the village, the officers lose the “probationary” label, becoming “fully sworn” members of the force.

“It’s an investment,” he said. “Not just for us, but for the person who wants to become an of ficer.”

Those applying for the open police officer positions must be authorized to work in the United States and have completed the Peace Officer Wellness Evaluation Report, or POWER, test, a physical assessment used by police academies and departments across Illinois, within a year of the March 15 application deadline.

Applicants interested in either of the firefighter positions must be U.S. citizens with valid paramedic certifications by the time of hire. They must also have passed the Candidate Physical Ability Test, an international standardized evaluation for firefighters, and received an Approved Ladder Climb card from a licensed agency within a year of taking the written exam. There is also a non-refundable $35 fee to apply to be a firefighter.

Interested candidates can visit Brookfield’s website for more information and for links to apply.

Brook eld Zoo Chicago warns against ticketing scam

Fake ads are circulating on social media, the zoo said

Prospective Brookfield Zoo Chicago guests, beware!

Brookfield Zoo Chicago has war ned potential park-goers about a scam advertisement circulating on social media

According to the zoo, the fake ad is

of fering four tickets for the zoo’s 90th anniversary celebrations for only $6.95.

T he zoo posted the warning to its social media accounts Wednesday, advising animal fans that the ad and any website

Anyone who sees the scam advertisement should re port it, the zoo said. Anyone interested in buying tickets to the zoo should do so on its website or in-person at the gate

— Trent Brown

STRATEGIC GOALS

Financial planning

from page 1

“These are in no particular order,” said Village President Douglas Pollock about the goals at the meeting. “They’re all of equal priority. We have the ability to address all of these goals, so there’s no reason, in my mind, to prioritize.”

While the goals vary in scope and department, many are for mal declarations of objectives the village had already been working toward. For example, one of Riverside’s goals for 2024 is to plan celebrations for the village’s sesquicentennial, or 150th anniversary, next year. Other goals for the village include continuin g to expand sustainability initiatives, addressing previously identified public facility needs and maintaining Riverside’s AA+ credit rating

At Thursday’s meeting, Pollock said the goal of attracting and retaining businesses to Riverside “stood out” as one that survey respondents highly prioritized.

“Our community is well aware of our need and the benefits of attracting and retaining businesses,” he said. “They not only provide revenue for village services, they provide services to our residents, so they can g et those services in town, and they don’ t have to leave town for a good restaurant or a haircut, whatever the case may be.”

The list of goals was first mentioned at a village board meeting in September 2023, when for mer Village Finance Director Karin Johns told the board that each of Riverside’s departments, boards and commissions had created a list of its accomplishments from 2023 and its goals for 2024 to be included in the 2024 budget. At that meeting, Pollock, a village trustee at the time, suggested the village boar d identify its own goals for 2024 in a similar way.

Then, at a board meeting in November 2023, Pollock, as village president, directed Riverside’s trustees to review and rank a consolidated list of the goals from across the village. At that meeting, trustee Megan Claucherty suggested creating a survey for residents to rank the village’s list and share their own goals with village staf f. That survey went live on Riverside’s website Jan. 4. At the Feb. 15 board meeting, Village Manager Jessica Frances said the survey had received more than 400 responses from residents, representing a “statistically significant sample size” ac-

cording to the meeting minutes.

From the sur ve y results and the trustees’ o pinions, village staf f presented a preliminary set of 22 g oals at the Fe b.

15. At the b oard’s direction, that list was pared down to c ombine similar g oals and remove duplicate entrie s, leavin g the list of 10 that the b oard ultimately approved Thursd ay

“I think having those goals is very important for the community to know what is important to us,” Pollock said at the meeting. “It’s important for staf f to know so they know what to work on. It’s not only a statement of goals; it’s a statement of our values and what we value as a community.”

Riverside is required to adopt a set of strategic goals as part of its budget each year in order to meet the standards of the Government Finance Officers Association Distinguished Budget Presentation Award Program, which reco gnizes local governments across the United States for creating budget documents “of the very highest quality” that each “excel as a policy document, financial plan, operations guide, and communication tool,” according to the program’s website. Without the goals list in its budget, Riverside would be ineligible for the award.

The list of Riverside’s strategic goals for 2024 is as follows:

■ “Continue to prioritize infrastructure improvements.

■ Initiate new programs or activities intended to attract and retain businesses.

■ Continue to work with the Ar my Corps of Engineers and the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District to reduce flooding and/or the consequences of flooding in the neighborhood around Forest Avenue, Groveland Avenue and West Avenue.

■ Expand and improve Parks and Recreation De partment programming.

■ Create a plan to address space and facilities needs.

■ C ontinue to impliment and expand sustainability and environmental health initiative s.

■ Plan and impliment events and reco gnitions for the Riverside sesquicetennial (150) celebration.

■ Improve the appearance of major transportation corridors, including the BNSF trainscape.

■ Foster more collaboration and a stronger working relationship with other local governmental bodies, including but not limited to local School Districts 96 and 208.

■ Maintain and strive to improve the Village’s AA+ credit rating.”

Felectronically: Filing electronically through IRS Free File or other e-file service provider helps reduce math errors and identifies potential tax credits or deductions the taxpayer may be eligible to claim. Filing electronically and choosing direct deposit is a fast and secure way for taxpayers to receive a refund.

Report all taxable income: Most income is taxable. Under-reporting income may lead to penalties and interest. Income may include unemployment income, interest received and income from the gig economy, service industry and digital assets. Publication 525, Taxable and Nontaxable Income, has more information.

Request an extension, if needed: Taxpayers can request an extension by paying all or part of their estimated income tax due and indicating that the payment is for an extension. They can do this using Direct Pay, the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System, or a debit or credit card or digital wallet.

This way taxpayers don’t have to file a separate extension form and will receive a confirmation number for their records.

Mail paper returns to the right address: Taxpayers and tax professionals are encouraged to file electronically if possible. Those who need to file a paper tax return should confirm the correct address of where to file on IRS.gov or on Form 1040 instructions to avoid processing delays.

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REPO RT S

to the hospital after breaking a

window

A woman was taken into police custody in Riverside and brought to the hospital March 6 after she broke a neighbor’s window and injured herself

Arrested for driving with a revoked license

A man was arrested in Berwyn March 6 for driving with a revoked license after a Riverside officer on patrol pulled him over.

According to police, the officer saw the man’s car heading south on South Harlem Avenue around 4:30 a.m. with only one working tail light. The officer performed a traffic stop on the man’s car in the Mobile gas station at the intersection with 30th Street.

Riverside officers were dispatched to a residence around 10:30 p.m. that night after the neighbor called them after the incident. According to police, the neighbor said she had heard an argument in the apar tment above hers that night, and about 15 minutes later she heard the woman “banging” on her back door. T he neighbor said she did not answer the door because she didn’t know the woman. Later, the woman punched one of the glass windows in before moving around the apar tment to the front door, at which point the neighbor called the police, she said. T he neighbor also said she tried to contact the man who lives in the apar tment above hers who had been arguing with the woman but that he did not respond, police said.

When officers spoke to the woman who had broken the window, she said she was hanging out with a different friend than the man who lived in the upstairs apar tment. Police said the woman was “profusely bleeding from her left hand,” slur red her words and smelled of alcohol while they spoke. According to police, the woman admitted to knocking on the neighbor’s back door but said she wasn’t knocking “that hard.”

After officers spoke to the woman, paramedics assisted her into an ambulance while police spoke to the neighbor. After she gave her version of events, the neighbor told police she was going to sign complaints for criminal property damage. According to police, the woman was then placed into custody and taken to MacNeal Hospital in Berwyn. Around 1 a.m. the next morning, the woman was released from custody at the hospital and brought to the Riverside Police Department for finger printing. An April 5 cour t date was set.

When the man pulled over, he initially exited his car and started to walk to the gas station store. The officer stopped him and made him come back to the car to complete the traffic stop. When the officer asked the man for his drivers license, the man provided his Illinois ID and started to cry, saying he was working to fix his license situation. He further explained that he was driving in order to pick up scrap metal to make money, police said, and that he needed to feed his daughter.

The officer ran the man’s infor mation through the police database, which showed his drivers license was revoked. The officer placed the man into custody and took him to be booked and processed. The man was later released and an April 19 court date was set.

These items were obtained from the Riverside Police Department reports dated March 3-6 and the Brookfield Police Department reports dated March 4-11; they represent a portion of the incidents to which police responded. Anyone named in these reports has only been charged with a crime and cases have not yet been adjudicated. We report the race of a suspect only when a serious crime has been committed, the suspect is still at large and police have provided us with a detailed physical description of the suspect as they seek the public’s help in making an arrest.

Compiled by Trent Brown

THE L ANDMARK VIEW

Riverside’s Top 10

While it is running a little late, the Village of Riverside gets credit for the list of 10 goals it is pursuing during 2024.

The village board adopted the list at its March 7 meeting. In part the list is late because the village chose to survey residents to assess their priorities. And more than 400 locals took the time to evaluate the priorities the village government had set. That process created a list of 22 priorities. The board asked staf f on Feb. 15 to consolidate some duplicates on the list and to come back with a Top 10.

We have no quibbles with those key goals. They are worthy if not very surprising.

The village acknowledges it needs to make progress on its own space and facility needs. This is a big one with a potentially big price tag. But good that Riverside has begun to plan for how to preserve its historic public buildings while meeting modern needs.

What seems to have become a perpetual goal is to bring closure to the endless work with the Ar my Corp of Engineers and the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District on a flood wall in areas along the river. With spring flood season upon us this is an urgent priority.

A focus on continuing to grow parks and rec programming is all positive as is work on sustainability initiatives. There are the evergreens such as protecting the village’s strong credit rating, being more business friendly and encouraging collaboration with other local governments.

All in all a solid list to focus the attention of the board and its staf f on moving Riverside forward.

Opinion LETTERS

Our response to domestic violence must change

There’s no doubt you’ read, viewed on TV, or heard about the two most recent mass shootings in the Chicago area involving domestic violenc arrest has been made of the husband in the Tinley Park mass shooting, where he killed several family member the offender killed seven of members in addition to a random individual on the street and injured another individual who was shot but not killed.

I have written about domestic violence in the past, but this is an issue that is worth visiting again as horrific domestic violence homicides. I serve on two statewide domestic violence task forces, both gubernatorial appointments. One is the Domestic Violence Fatality Review Commission (https://govappointments.illinois.gov/boardsandcommissions/details) and the other is Domestic Violence (Colton’s) Task Force (https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7503035/Woman-details-exhusband-killed-baby-boy.html), which is a task force that was developed after the brutal murder of an 18-month-old boy in Joliet by the father I have long been a proponent of several domestic violence initiatives that have gained no traction legislatively and, in some cases, have even been opposed by other police chiefs and police executives throughout the state. The crime of domestic violence should be an automatic class 4 felony. Additionally, when a person is ar rested for domestic battery, the individual should be held initially in custody and appear in front of a judge, who will determine whether that individual should be released.

An order of protection does not provide a ainst further domestic violence. although this is the way it is presented to victims of domestic violence well-meaning advocates,

ws in Illinois that petition for the confiscation of firearms and are designed to control gun violence are seldom used. This initiative eat fanfare and was promoted as a substantial step toward w is rarely used in Illinois, the process is complicated, and little training on k and making the red flag mechanism work. This law needs to be revised so that police can easily enforce these red flag laws, whether it’s 2 p.m. or 2 a.m. The courts, judges, and domestic violence initiatives have not proven successful when it comes to red flag laws.

So how do we handle these situations from a police perspective? It’s dif ficult for police to know what happens inside a home behind closed doors. But serious steps must be taken to patrol better and prevent domestic violence; more must be done to minimize re peat of fenders and reduce police of ficers responding like machines, who just do what’s commonly referred to as “separate the parties” without taking enforcement action. This is a terrible way to police domestic violence.

Several issues give domestic violence victims and their families what I would consider false protection. First, the order of protection, a temporary order granted by a judge when there is a perceived possible recurrence of abuse, does not prevent domestic violence. The order of protection is designed so police officers can make arrests when an individual violates that order of protection, as any violation of the order makes an ar rest much easier for the police.

When I was Police Chief in Riverside, I mandated that a supervisor attend all domestic violence calls I know that’s not possible at every police agency, but we need to start to have accountability, even at the police level. I believe supervisors should respond to domestic violence calls to ensure they’re handled properly.

There are many other categories of crime where police departments mandate that supervisors respond to the scene; domestic violence should be added to that list. Police officers should be allowed

Carol Ann Polich, 71

Beloved grandmother

Carol Ann Polich nee Webb, age 71 of Brookfield, for merly of Oak Lawn. Beloved wife of Robert Anthony Polich, loving mother of Richard Anthony (Carrie) Polich, cherished grandmother of Tyler (Stephanie), Emma, Aidan and greatgrandmother of Bryson and Lucas, dear sister of Sandra (Robert) Shellenberger, Donald (Susan) Webb, Gail (late James) Mullin and the late Mark Webb, fond aunt of Anthony (Jennifer) Tosello, Dawn Woods, James, Michael, Racheal and Shawn Mullin and great-aunt to many.

WEITZEL

New approaches

from page 11

by their agency policy to travel outside their jurisdictions if they need to make it as safe as possible for domestic violence victims and their families. That means if there is no shelter within a police jurisdiction, law enforcement needs to be able to transpor t the victims and the children to the closest location, and victims need to be put in immediate contact with legal help. When officers respond to the call, a safety plan must be developed right there on the scene. This may require that officers be tied up for several hours, finding a safe haven and the right social services for the victim and the f amily. This should be allowed, and I know it will take the workforce of f of suburban police depart-

SURVE Y

Candidate priorities

from page 7

The next lowest-ranked view was also one of Vasquez’s. “Ensuring police, prosecutors, judges and public defenders can ‘do their job without unreasonable restraint,’” which Vasquez said was his top

C AROL ANN POLICH

OBITUARIES

Carol was born December 11, 1952 in Chicago and died March 6, 2024 in her Brookfield home. She worked as a lunch room monitor for School District 105 Spring Avenue.

Memorial visitation is Saturday, March 16, 2024, from 2 to 6 p.m. A memorial service willl be held at 6 p.m. at Johnson-Nosek Funeral Home at 3847 Prairie Ave., Brookfield. Online condolences, memories and photos

ments who respond within their jurisdiction, but it is so essential that this happen. Officers should be allowed to maneuver this system for the victim’s benefit, to do whatever it takes, and to travel wherever they must go to make the situation safe.

I know that’s controversial with many police leaders, but it must be done. If it is not, the consequences will be deadly.

It also needs to be common practice that we, as law enforcement, review records to determine how often we’ve responded to a domestic violence scene and what action was taken previously. Typically, the media and police will look at the number of calls for service to a specific address or involving a particular offender over time.

If there’s a clear pattern that police are responding and no enforcement action is taken, then there is a problem with policy and enforcement.

Domestic violence situations, indeed, are some of the most volatile calls police officers respond to, and quite frankly,

issue in his candidate questionnaire with the Chicago Sun-Times, received six votes ranking it not important at all.

Many of Rashid’s issues received mixed support, with several getting more votes marking them toward the middle of the spectrum than indicating them as very important. For example, “Investing in domestic violence shelters and healthcare for survivors,” which Rashid listed on his campaign website, received eight votes of three out of five, more than it got for any

may be shared with the family at www. JohnsonNosek.com. For information, call 708-485-0214.

Rosemary

Ann McDonald, 96

Retired Illinois Bell secretar y

Rosemary A nn McDonald, nee Jacobson, age 96 of North Rive rside, for merly of Chicago and Oak Pa rk . Belove d w ife of the late Ray McDonald, loving mother of Ray (Theresa), Tom, Peter (Lisa) and the late Je r ry; cherished gr andmother of Je ff, Melani e, S hannon, S amantha,

police officers don’t like handling domestic violence situations. But it’s their job, so let’s ensure they do it right.

This may sound a little preachy and maybe ne gative. Still, with these recent mass murders, which were domestic-related, and then you throw in the incident that took place in Buffalo Grove in 2022, it is screamingly evident that a new approach, aggressive and on point, needs to happen throughout our state of Illinois.

Working as a governor-appointed member of two domestic violence task forces has highlighted several issues. One issue of note is that plenty of trained professional individuals want to help, but they’re not called on. I’ve listened to countless stories from task force members be gging police agencies to reach out to them, use their services, and get them involved early on — yet in many communities this never happens.

In closing, stop thinking of domestic violence as some little spat between hus-

other option.

When it came to explaining their own top issues, the 15 respondents who elaborated fell all along the spectrum of views. Several reiterated some of Vasquez’s points that were included in the survey as their top issues, including enabling the police to do their jobs, prosecuting criminals and keeping the public safe. Some aligned more closely with Rashid’s views, stating they valued reproductive health, gun control and environmental protections, all

Valerie and Joshua.

Rosemary was born August 25, 1927 in Chicago, Illinois and died March 10, 2024 in North Riverside, Illinois. Before retiring she was a secretary at Illinois Bell phone company and enjoyed cooking and going to church daily.

Visitation will be held Saturday, March 16. At 9 a.m. until the funeral service begins at 11 a.m. at Kuratko-Nosek Funeral Home at 2447 S. DesPlaines Ave. in North Riverside. Entombment will be at Queen of Heaven Mausoleum. Online condolences, photos and memories may be shared with the f amily at www.KuratkoNosek.com. For more information, call 708-447-2500.

band and wife, boyfriend and girlfriend, or any other intimate relationship. I can tell you with certainty that when a domestic violence victim calls the police, it’s often a last resort. Domestic violence has likely been going on inside that household and within that relationship probably over a hundred times before the victim dares to pick up the phone and call 911. It’s never the first time.

If we continue down the same path we’ve been on, there’ll be more domestic violence murders and mass murders, and the victims will fill the morgue. And we’ ll look at each other and ask, “What could we have done? What should we have done?”

I just outlined what can and must be done. Now let’s do it; let’s move forward.

Tom Weitzel is a graduate of Oak Park and River Forest High School and the retired police chief of the Riverside Police Department after 13 years as chief and 37 years in law enforcement. These opinions are his own.

things his campaign says he supports.

Ultimately, District 21 residents will have the opportunity to make their opinions on the issues known on Election Day next week; only time will tell as to whether Rashid or Vasquez is selected as the Democratic challenger for the state House seat and how Riverside and Brookfield residents in the district will have voted in the race.

To view the complete data from the sur ve y, read this story online at rblandmark .com.

Bulldogs to play at Milwaukee Brewers stadium

‘ at got us real excited to play some baseball, ’ senior Cooper Marrs says

By BILL STONE Contributing Reporter

Senior Cooper Marrs and his Riverside Brookfield High School baseball teammates already had major hopes for this season.

T hen about one month ago, the Bulldogs were told they will be playing Libertyville May 3 at American Family Field, home of Major League Baseball’s Milwaukee Brewers.

“That got us real excited to play some baseball,” Marrs said.

“That was a very good surprise, very fun to find out about. It’s kind of like been every young baseball player’s dream to play in a professional stadium one day. I’ve played at some nice colle ge parks, but nothing like this.”

Excitement abounds for the Bulldogs, who return 2023 All-Metro Suburban Conference players Marrs and senior Wes Deason, seven starters and most of their pitching from last year’s 21-11 team that finished third in the MSC at 7-3 and had a 12-game winning streak. The Bulldogs lost 4-2 to St. Rita in the Class 4A St. Rita Re gional final.

“We’ve had a couple of scrimmages already,” said RBHS coach Mark Ori. “Even though I see pitching as a strength, I was impressed by our hitters. Usually, the timing’s off and that comes in a couple of weeks. I’m

proud of the work they put in the offseason. There’s going to be a lot of competition within the team.”

With the MSC down to four teams this season, Ori has added several tougher opponents as further preparation for another brutal sectional that may also include two-time reigning 3A state champion Nazareth Academy

The Milwaukee trip came about with Ori’s friendship with Libertyville coach and for mer Northwestern player Matt Thompson. To assist with game expenses, the Bulldogs are selling Brewers tickets for home games against the White Sox May

31 and Cubs June 28. Contact Ori orim@ rbhs208.org for more infor mation.

“It’s a cool opportunity for the kids,” Ori said.

Marrs, who will play at Dennison University in Granville, Ohio, was the team’s top offensive player in 2023, batting .471 with three home r uns, 39 r uns batted in, 30 r uns scored and 12 stolen bases. He also was a strong starting pitcher, going 4-4 with a 2.54 earned-run average and 46 strikeouts in 49.2 innings. His pitching has been sidetracked slightly by an offseason wrist injury

Deason, the powerful first baseman/designated hitter, hit .357 with a team-best four homers and 28 RBIs.

Four other seniors – shortstop Joey Garvey (.238, 6 RBIs in 2023), starting pitchers Wyatt Murphy (5-3, 3.33 ERA, 36 strikeouts in 42 innings) and Kevin Cronin (3-0, 2.84 ERA, 20 strikeouts in 32 innings) and pitcher Robert Drake (3-1, 4.50 ERA, 27 strikeouts in 28 innings) – and junior left fielder Jaden Despe (.206, 18 RBIs, 5 stolen bases) also are returning starters. Garvey will get a later start after being injured at the end of the basketball season.

More returning senior varsity letterwinners are catcher Anthony Petrucci, center fielder/pitcher Tohma Tucker, pitchers John Gruber, Carter Duda and Julian Fer nandez, first baseman/pitcher Ben Wilkowski and infielders/pitchers Ben Pondel and Sam Didio Newcomers are juniors Sean Campbell, Zach Ryzewski, Aiden Pankros, Ethan Smith, Michael Oppe gard, Brady McCallum, Peter Gardiner, Gino Pigoni, Ethan Rivas, Cal Milchhoefer and Luke Schwarte, and possibly sophomores Ronnie Murray and Aidan Polich.

Last season’s sophomore team was 20-6 and 8-1 in the MSC.

“We feel we have a good mix of experience and a number of juniors that can be impactful. We have a lot of depth in this area,” Ori responded.

“(Our keys are) play each game as if it is a playoff game, bring the same mindset, keep it simple. Throw strikes, challenge hitters, make all the routine plays and execute small ball when called upon.”

LTHS boys water polo seeks another state trophy LTHS girls expect season-long progress from inexperienced lineup

By BILL STONE Contributing Reporter

Senior and fourth-year

state trips with the Lyons Township High School boys water polo team.

As the Lions seek their sixth straight state berth – and sixth straight top-three state trophy – there’s hope a veteran group

can change one thing. They’d like to add to the program’s only state championship from 2015.

“We’re definitely looking to put a big plaque on the wall,” Vlk said. “LT has had

a lot of second and third places throughout the years. We kind of call it a curse here, but we’re hoping to break it.”

BILL STONE

Seniors Cooper Marrs (le ), Wyatt Murphy and Joey Garvey are among seven retur ning starters for the Riverside Brook eld baseball team.

varsity goalie Charlie Vlk has become accustomed to

LTHS baseball armed for another great season

Starting pitchers boost Lions’ hopes for sectional success

By BILL STONE Contributing Reporter

Lyons Township High School senior Nate Anderson begins his fourth varsity baseball season with extra enthusiasm after working with new pitching coach Ryan McWilliams at B.S.F. Pitching Perfor mance in Lockport

The left-handed starter has developed a slider to accompany his four-seam and twoseam fastballs and change-up.

“I’ve been working on that for years and I finally got it down so I’m super excited to use it in games,” Anderson said. “I just kept messing with the pitch g rips and then finally I kept throwing one that was consistently getting the break that I wanted.”

The Lions will boast one of the strongest starting staffs in the state – Anderson, senior Brady Chambers and junior Tucker King – as they hope to extend their longest streak of consecutive re gional titles since four straight from 2011-14.

After winning their second straight regional in 2023, the Lions lost 7-3 to state

WATER POLO

from page 13

The Lions’ roster boasts 12 seniors, many of whom contributed to last year’s thirdplace state finish with a 21-11 record. LTHS beat York 8-6 for third after losing to state champion New Trier 9-6 in the semifinals.

On Saturday, LTHS opened by winning the Stevenson Tour nament with a 3-0 record, including a tough 7-6 win over the host Patriots, last year’s state r unners-up, while also beating Whitney Young 9-2 and Fremd 19-4.

“We have a very large senior class that has been dedicated to the sport and this team,” said LTHS coach Doug Eichstaedt. “We were a little bit inexperienced last year. We were really excited where we ended up at the end of the season. I think these guys are all kind of ready to build of f that and using their experience to

runner-up Mt. Carmel in the Class 4A Mt. Carmel Sectional semifinals to finish 25-10 overall after a 13-5 record in the West Suburban Conference Silver Division for second behind Downers Grove North.

“Everyone on our team is super hungry,” said Chambers, also a fourth-year varsity starting pitcher. “We just want to compete as hard as we can and get as far as we can in the state series. We’ve just got to compete as a team and if we all stay together, I think we have a really good chance of winning a lot of games.”

Chambers, who will play at Michig an State, earned All-WSC Silver honors in 2023 after a 4-2 record with a 2.69 earnedr un average and 54 strikeouts in 39 innings pitched

Anderson (3-1, 2.66 ERA, 53 strikeouts in 47.1 innings) was all-conference in 2022 and will play at John A. Logan Colle ge in downstate Carterville.

raise the bar.”

Vlk was named first-team all-state in 2023 and senior Brendan Whelton was secondteam all-state and their leading scorer with 87 goals and 19 assists. Both were first-team all-sectional.

Senior Luke Jackson (40 goals, 16 assists), named honorable mention all-sectional, and junior Sami Rabah (25 goals, 27 assists) also return as starters plus key senior sub Laine Te gan (13 goals, 15 assists) and seniors Michael Avakian, Sam Garvin, Sam Pere z, Steven Strandberg, Josh Vander Wagen and Michael Wall and sophomore Ben Kozak. Newcomers are seniors Anthony Ellis and Finn Vahey and junior Declan Vahey. The Vaheys are transfers from Fenwick with Finn earning second-team allsectional honors last season.

“One of the key things as of now and the past is our environment,” Jackson said. “We have a really great team culture here and I think that’s something that leads to a lot of success for us.”

Already committed to Cincinnati, King was 4-0 in his first varsity season with a 3.04 ERA and 59 strikeouts in 46 innings and has bulked up 15 pounds.

“I think our rotation is one of the best in the state and we’ve got some young guys in the lineup that can really provide for us,” Anderson said.

The starters form the kind of “threeheaded monster” LTHS coach Kevin Diete recalled in 2019, the last time the Lions won the Silver.

“We’re definitely going to lean on them a little bit, just in terms of pitching and defense, keep us in games. We’ve just got to find some runs to help support them,” Diete said.

“We’re always going to have high expectations. All of these guys are working really hard. I’m anxious to see what these guys can do.”

In the field, seniors Mike Mango (.321 batting average, 16 runs batted in, 11 stolen bases in 2023) and Ryan Jackson (.283, 11 RBI) and junior Luke Nicholaus (.303, 24 RBI) also are returning starters.

LTHS girls water polo

Despite having just four returning players from their 2023 sectional finalist, the Lions’ high expectations continue.

“Definitely right now it’s a little bit of a challenge because we have so many players moving up from (junior varsity) that it’s going to be a struggle at first,” junior Maya Mladjan said. “But as the season goes on, I think we’ll definitely become better and better. I’m real excited to see how everything goes.”

Mladjan, seniors Estelle Wright and Tess Filipiak and sophomore Bella Recker are returning starters and lone Lions with significant varsity action from last season’s 25-5 team that lost to Mother McAuley 13-11 in the LT Sectional final.

Also playing are senior Ellie Baum, juniors Sophie Kalas and Sarsha O’Sullivan, sophomores Abbey Danaher, Rose Frank, Avery Watanabe and Bebe Wright and junior Delaney Judkins and sophomore Caroline Robb, the two goalies

Jackson, the Lions’ starting quarterback in the fall, will play football at St. Thomas. Jackson moves to center field to replace graduated standout Frederick Ragsdale III, now playing at Kent State.

Mango, who will play at Harper Colle ge, was the starting shortstop and pitched. The left-handed Nicholaus will be an outfielder/designated hitter/pitcher.

Three more seniors saw varsity action – infielder Joey Severson, headed to MIT, catcher Quinn Mateja, who will play at Morton Colle ge, and first baseman/pitcher Jake Shumaker. Varsity newcomers are seniors Ryan Good, Will Greifenkamp, Brack Hyde, Roark McCarthy and Sam Ruden, juniors Noah Fitzgerald, Blake Pisciotti, Mercer Krantz, Cam Clarke, Jaden Gonzalez, Luka Luburic and Mac McCarthy and freshman Blake Ragsdale, Frederick’s younger brother who already has committed to Texas Christian.

T he Lions haven’ t won a sectional since their 2012 second-place 4A state finisher Two-time reigning 3A state champion Nazareth Academy may also be a new sectional opponent.

“That sectional title is the goal. We need one of those,” King said. “Our bats might not have as much power as last year but we’re definitely going to compete, compete, compete.”

“The (2023) seniors definitely left their mark. The returners still feel that, still want that same level,” LTHS coach Megan Jacobs said.

“Our four returning players are super strong and experienced and so far are kind of helping everybody catch up to speed. It’s not just me coaching. It’s kind of like a group effort in getting the younger kids up to speed.”

Mladjan was second-team all-state and all-sectional in 2023 after collecting 78 goals and 47 assists. She missed the sectional final after suffering a concussion in the previous match. Estelle Wright had a teambest 51 assists with 49 goals and Recker (16 goals, 24 assists) and Filipiak (11 goals, 15 assists) reached double figures

In the season-opening Stevenson Tournament, the Lions beat St. Charles North 17-4 and Lincoln-Way East 15-4 and lost to the host Patriots 12-7. Mladjan had 19 goals.

“There’s a lot of new people and we have to teach them, which is very different from last year, but it’s fun,” Estelle Wright said.

BRADY CHAMBERS NATE ANDERSON TUCKER KING

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: 1-800669-9777.

GROWING COMMUNITY MEDIA

The Village of Brookfield has Scheduled Public Information Meeting #1

The Ogden Avenue Corridor Improvements East Avenue/Eberly Avenue to Custer Avenue

The Village of Brookfield cordially invites you to attend Public Information Meeting #1 concerning the Ogden Avenue Corridor Improvements. The project is investigating roadway and streetscape improvements along Ogden Avenue from East Avenue/Eberly Avenue to Custer Avenue. The proposed improvement includes the resurfacing of the Ogden Avenue pavement, reconstruction of the sidewalk, and streetscape, parking, utility, and ADA improvements throughout the corridor. Existing conditions, ongoing analyses, and what we have heard to date will be presented.

The Village is aiming to obtain federal funds for this project, and this public information meeting is being held in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requirements and the Illinois Department of Transportation’s public involvement policy. The purpose of this meeting is to present the existing conditions and to seek public input and comments regarding the project. The details of the meeting are as follows:

Date: March 19, 2024

Time: 4:00 P.M. – 6:00 P.M.

Location: Linda Sokol Francis Brookfield Library 3541 Park Avenue, Brookfield, IL 60513

The in-person public information meeting will be conducted in an informal, open house format. Feel free to attend the meeting at any time between 4:00 P.M. and 6:00 P.M. The Village of Brookfield and consultant representatives will be present to discuss the project and to answer questions on an individual basis.

Written comments will be accepted during the meeting as well as after the meeting. All comments received by April 2, 2024 will become part of the Public Information Meeting #1 record. Comments are welcome throughout the entirety of the project, however, they may not be documented within the project report.

The meeting will be accessible to persons with a disability. Anyone in need of special assistance and planning to attend should contact the Village of Brookfield representative listed below by March 17, 2024 by telephone, in writing, or by e-mail.

For more information, contact:

Stevie Ferrari

Assistant Village Manager Village of Brookfield 8820 Brookfield Ave. Brookfield, IL 60513

Phone: 708-485-1114

E-Mail: SFerrari@brookfieldil.gov

Published in RB Landmark, March 13, 2024

ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS

President and Board of Trustees

Village of Brookfield 8820 Brookfield Avenue Brookfield, IL 60513

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“Any contract or contracts awarded under this invitation for bids are expected to be funded in part by a loan from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (Illinois EPA). Neither the State of Illinois nor any of its departments, agencies, or employees is or will be a party to this invitation for bids or any resulting contract. The procurement will be subject to regulations contained in the Procedures for Issuing Loans from the Public Water Supply Loan Program (35IAC Part 662), the Davis-Bacon Act (40 USC 276a through 276a-5) as defined by the United States Department of Labor, the Employment of Illinois Workers on Public Works Act (30 ILCS 570), Illinois Works Jobs Program Act (30 ILCS 559/20-1), and the federal “Build America, Buy America Act” requirements contained in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Pub. L. No. 117-58.

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The CONTRACT DOCUMENTS may be examined at the following location:

Edwin Hancock Engineering Co., 9933 Roosevelt Road, Westchester, Illinois 60154

Bidding documents can be requested by emailing info@ehancock.com and a non-refundable fee of Thirty dollars ($30.00) will be required. All bidders wishing to obtain bidding documents must be approved by the Village prior to obtaining bidding documents. Proposals must be submitted on the forms provided and will only be accepted from bidders that have obtained bidding documents from the Edwin Hancock Engineering Company. No bidding documents will be issued after 4:30 P.M. on Tuesday, April 16, 2024.

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

Published in RB Landmark March 13, 2024

ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS

President and Board of Trustees Village of Brookfield 8820 Brookfield Avenue Brookfield, IL 60513

Separate sealed BIDS for the construction of the Village of Brookfield’s 2024 Lead Water Service Replacements - Phase I will be received by the President and Board of Trustees of the Village of Brookfield at the office of the Village Manager in the Village Hall located at 8820 Brookfield Avenue, Brookfield, Illinois up until the hour of 11:00 A.M. on Tuesday, April 30, 2024, and then at said office publicly opened and read aloud.

“Any contract or contracts awarded under this invitation for bids are expected to be funded in part by a loan from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (Illinois EPA). Neither the State of Illinois nor any of its departments, agencies, or employees is or will be a party to this invitation for bids or any resulting contract. The procurement will be subject to regulations contained in the Procedures for Issuing Loans from the Public Water Supply Loan Program (35IAC Part 662), the Davis-Bacon Act (40 USC 276a through 276a5) as defined by the United States Department of Labor, the Employment of Illinois Workers on Public Works Act (30 ILCS 570), Illinois Works Jobs Program Act (30 ILCS 559/20-1), and the federal “Build America, Buy America Act” requirements contained in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Pub. L. No. 117-58.

This procurement is also subject to the loan recipient’s policy regarding the increased use of disadvantaged business enterprises. The loan recipient’s policy requires all bidders to undertake specified affirmative efforts at least sixteen (16) days prior to bid

PUBLIC NOTICES

ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS

President and Board of Trustees

Village of Brookfield 8820 Brookfield Avenue Brookfield, IL 60513

Separate sealed BIDS for the construction of the Village of Brookfield’s 2024 Lead Water Service Replacements - Phase II will be received by the President and Board of Trustees of the Village of Brookfield at the office of the Village Manager in the Village Hall located at 8820 Brookfield Avenue, Brookfield, Illinois up until the hour of 11:00 A.M. on Thursday, May 2, 2024, and then at said office publicly opened and read aloud.

“Any contract or contracts awarded under this invitation for bids are expected to be funded in part by a loan from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (Illinois EPA). Neither the State of Illinois nor any of its departments, agencies, or employees is or will be a party to this invitation for bids or any resulting contract. The procurement will be subject to regulations contained in the Procedures for Issuing Loans from the Public Water Supply Loan Program (35IAC Part 662), the Davis-Bacon Act (40 USC 276a through 276a-5) as defined by the United States Department of Labor, the Employment of Illinois Workers on Public Works Act (30 ILCS 570), Illinois Works Jobs Program Act (30 ILCS 559/20-1), and the federal “Build America, Buy America Act” requirements contained in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Pub. L. No. 117-58.

This procurement is also subject to the loan recipient’s policy regarding the increased use of disadvantaged business enterprises. The loan recipient’s policy requires all bidders to undertake specified affirmative efforts at least sixteen (16) days prior to bid opening. The policy is contained in the specifications. Bidders are also required to comply with the President’s Executive Order No. 11246, as amended. The requirements for bidders and contractors under this order are explained in 41 CFR 60-4.”

The CONTRACT DOCUMENTS may be examined at the following location:

Edwin Hancock Engineering Co., 9933 Roosevelt Road, Westchester, Illinois 60154

Bidding documents can be requested by emailing info@ehancock.com and a non-refundable fee of Thirty dollars ($30.00) will be required. All bidders wishing to obtain bidding documents must be approved by the Village prior to obtaining bidding documents. Proposals must be submitted on the forms provided and will only be accepted from bidders that have obtained bidding documents from the Edwin Hancock Engineering Company. No bidding documents will be issued after 4:30 P.M. on Thursday, April 11, 2024.

BY ORDER THE PRESIDENT AND BOARD OF TRUSTEES

VILLAGE OF BROOKFIELD, ILLINOIS

Published in RB Landmark March 13, 2024

PUBLIC NOTICES

ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS

President and Board of Trustees

Village of Brookfield 8820 Brookfield Avenue Brookfield, IL 60513

Separate sealed BIDS for the construction of the Village of Brookfield’s 2024 Lead Water Service Replacements - Phase II will be received by the President and Board of Trustees of the Village of Brookfield at the office of the Village Manager in the Village Hall located at 8820 Brookfield Avenue, Brookfield, Illinois up until the hour of 11:00 A.M. on Thursday, May 2, 2024, and then at said office publicly opened and read aloud.

“Any contract or contracts awarded under this invitation for bids are expected to be funded in part by a loan from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (Illinois EPA). Neither the State of Illinois nor any of its departments, agencies, or employees is or will be a party to this invitation for bids or any resulting contract. The procurement will be subject to regulations contained in the Procedures for Issuing Loans from the Public Water Supply Loan Program (35IAC Part 662), the Davis-Bacon Act (40 USC 276a through 276a-5) as defined by the United States Department of Labor, the Employment of Illinois Workers on Public Works Act (30 ILCS 570), Illinois Works Jobs Program Act (30 ILCS 559/20-1), and the federal “Build America, Buy America Act” requirements contained in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Pub. L. No. 117-58.

This procurement is also subject to the loan recipient’s policy regarding the increased use of disadvantaged business enterprises. The loan recipient’s policy requires all bidders to undertake specified affirmative efforts at least sixteen (16) days prior to bid opening. The policy is contained in the specifications. Bidders are also required to comply with the President’s Executive Order No. 11246, as amended. The requirements for bidders and contractors under this order are explained in 41 CFR 60-4.”

The CONTRACT DOCUMENTS may be examined at the following location: Edwin Hancock Engineering Co., 9933 Roosevelt Road, Westchester, Illinois 60154

Bidding documents can be requested by emailing info@ehancock.com and a non-refundable fee of Thirty dollars ($30.00) will be required. All bidders wishing to obtain bidding documents must be approved by the Village prior to obtaining bidding documents. Proposals must be submitted on the forms provided and will only be accepted from bidders that have obtained bidding documents from the Edwin Hancock Engineering Company. No bidding documents will be issued after 4:30 P.M. on Thursday, April 11, 2024.

BY ORDER THE PRESIDENT AND BOARD OF TRUSTEES

VILLAGE OF BROOKFIELD, ILLINOIS

Published in RB Landmark March 13, 2024

When

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