Landmark_032917 by Wednesday Journal

G E T Y O U R C O M P L E T E E L E C T I O N R E S U LT S T U E S D AY, A P R I L 4 AT R B L A N D M A R K . C O M

RIVERSIDE-BROOKFIELD

ELECTION

2017

Also serving North Riverside $1.00

Vol. 32, No. 13

March 29, 2017

@R @RBLandmark

Late leaders honored

Brookfield looks to expand marketing reach PAGE 4

Riverside Township to dedicate plaques for Topinka, Gross

Riverside approves major sewer project PAGE 6

PAGE 3

Parents in D103 protest after board meeting nixed

Angry parents contend school leaders have ‘no respect for anybody’ By BOB SKOLNIK

Contributing Reporter

bout 30 people, including one school board member, staged a protest outside the Lyons-Brookfield School District 103 administration building on the night of March 23 after a school board meeting scheduled that night was abruptly canceled due to a lack of a quorum. Some protesters held signs, saying things like “Save My School.” Some motorists driving by honked their horns in apparent support. Gloria Medina of Stickney came to the protest to blast the decision to cancel the meeting. See D103 PROTEST on page 25

WILLIAM CAMARGO/Staff Photographer

ON THE MARCH: Shawna Olsowka, president of the Edison School PTA, protests in front of the Lyons-Brookfield District 103 administration building in Lyons on March 23 in the wake of a last-minute cancellation of a school board meeting.

Lawsuit: North Riverside stonewalling on legal costs Firefighters want judge to force village to divulge privatization cost

By BOB UPHUES Editor

A south suburban firefighter has filed suit in Cook County Circuit Court to force the village of North Riverside to turn over

records related to how much it has paid its legal counsel, Odelson & Sterk Attorneys at Law, in recent years. Scott Moran, a Hickory Hills resident who is a lieutenant with the Homewood Fire Department, claims the village is stonewalling

the request, which was sent to the village on Jan. 3 and seeks to determine just how much North Riverside’s attempt to privatize its fire department has cost the village in legal fees as Election Day draws closer. The law firm representing Moran is Corn-

Payne Plumbing & Heating

field and Feldman LLP, which also represents North Riverside Firefighters Union 2714. The union’s attorney, J. Dale Berry said the union enlisted Moran to file a Freedom See LAWSUIT on page 25

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The Landmark, March 29, 2017

Brook Park Elementary School’s

Spring & Summer Consignment Sale Saturday April 8, 2017 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM Brook Park Elementary School 1214 Raymond Ave. La Grange Park, IL

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Toys - Games - Books - DVDs & Blu-Ray Discs - Video Games & Consoles - Bikes Sports Equipment - Shoes - Baby Gear - High Chairs - Strollers & MORE! All our gently used merchandise is pre-screened by volunteers for condition and cleanliness. This event is sponsored by the Brook Park Council and funds raised go to benefit student enrichment programs. Find out more about the BPC at brookparkcouncil.org

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The Landmark, March 29, 2017

Township to dedicate plaques honoring Topinka, Gross The Riverside Township Board early next month will be unveiling a pair of plaques honoring the late Judy Baar Topinka and the late Schofield “Scuff ” Gross inside the township hall at 27 Riverside Road in Riverside. The township has invited the public to attend the dedications, which will be held separately, beginning with the one in honor of Gross, the longtime township assessor, on April 1 at 1 p.m. in the lobby of the township hall. A lifelong Riverside resident, Gross served as the Riverside Township assessor for 40 years, from 1969 to 2009. He died at the age of 88 on July 4, 2016. Last August, the Riverside Township Board voted to dedicate the third-floor assessor’s office to Gross and commissioned a plaque in his honor, which will hang in the lobby near ones honoring other notable past township officials. Township officials will convene again on Saturday, April 8 at 11 a.m. to unveil the plaque honoring Topinka, the long-

time Riverside Township Republican Committeeman who served as a state representative, state senator and as Illinois’ treasurer and comptroller between 1980 and her death on Dec. 10, 2014 at the age of 70. The plaque dedication will take place in the second-floor auditorium of the township hall, which the township board voted to dedicate to Topinka’s memory in July 2015. Initially, Topinka’s son, Joseph, asked the township board to consider renaming the township hall in his mother’s name, but officials balked at the request. After voting to dedicate the auditorium in Topinka’s name, her son asked officials to consider a more elaborate permanent display of artifacts related to Topinka’s life of public service. Township officials instead settled on the plaque, releasing funds to pay for it in March 2016. The public is welcome to attend both plaque dedications. Refreshments will follow those dedication ceremonies. — Bob Uphues

IN THIS ISSUE Big Week . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 Crime . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 Classified . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28 Kosey Corner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 Opinion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11 Obituaries. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26

Editor Bob Uphues Sports Editor Marty Farmer

FILE PHOTO

Judy Baar Topinka waves from her red Mini Cooper during the 2014 Fourth of July Parade in Riverside.

D95 ballot snafu has officials scrambling Voting instructions wrong for two-year positions By BOB UPHUES Editor

Officials from Cook County and BrookfieldLaGrange Park School District 95 are scrambling to find out how to handle a mistake on the ballot involving two candidates running for two-year terms. Brian Conroy and Joseph Ivan filed to run for a pair of two-year terms, which landed on the ballot due to the resignations last year of John LaBarbera and Lynn Waterloo, who were elected to four-year terms in 2015. The trouble is, the ballot doesn’t ask voters to choose two candidates. It asks them to

choose just one. District 95 Superintendent Mark Kuzniewski said the issue came to his attention on March 23 when someone voting early found it odd that the ballot asked for just one choice for the two-year terms. Kuzniewski has reached out to the school district’s attorney and has been in contact with officials from the county clerk’s office. But as of Friday afternoon there was no word on just how the county was going to handle the matter. So what went wrong? Well, it appears that both the county and the school district share the blame. According to Kuzniewski, the school district sent the county a document, which accurately showed four four-year terms and two two-year terms up for election, verifying what the county’s ballot should reflect. But when the county sent the school district

a proof of the ballot, it included incorrect voting instructions for the two-year terms. And the school district didn’t catch the mistake before sending it back to the county as correct. “Ultimately it’s my responsibility,” Kuzniewski said of the mistake on the district’s part. It’s unclear whether the county will acknowledge the mistake and certify both candidates as having been elected or just the one who got more votes. If the county certifies just one of the candidates as the winner, the school board would have the opportunity to appoint the lower vote-getter following the election. Both Conroy and Ivan are incumbents. “If there’s a silver lining, it’s that there were two positions open and two people running for them,” Kuzniewski said. “It’d be a much bigger disruption if there were four people running.”

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Staff Photographer William Camargo 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 Director Social Media Strategy & Communications Jackie McGoey Advertising Director Dawn Ferencak Advertising Sales Marc Stopeck, Joe Chomiczewski Media Coordinator Kristen Benford Inside Sales Representative Mary Ellen Nelligan Circulation Manager Jill Wagner Distribution Coordinator Caleb Thusat Comptroller Edward Panschar Credit Manager Laurie Myers Front Desk Maria Murzyn, Carolyn Henning Publisher Dan Haley Associate Publisher Dawn Ferencak Business Manager Joyce Minich Chairman Emeritus Robert K. Downs

HOW TO REACH US ADDRESS 141 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, IL 60302 PHONE 708-442-6739 ■ FAX 708-524-0447 E-MAIL buphues@wjinc.com ONLINE www.RBLandmark.com The Landmark is published weekly on Wednesday by Wednesday Journal, Inc., an Illinois corporation. The newspaper is available on newsstands for $1.00. A one-year subscription costs $25 within Cook County and $34 outside the county. Advertising rates may be obtained by calling our office. Periodical rate postage paid at Oak Park, IL (USPS 0019-585). Postmaster send address corrections to Landmark, 141 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, IL 60302. © 2017 Wednesday Journal, Inc.

The Landmark, March 29, 2017

Brookfield joins visitors’ bureau to expand marketing Village signs on with Visit Oak Park tourism office By BOB UPHUES Editor

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

Sts. Peter and Paul

Midweek Lenten Vespers, Supper and Bible Study Wednesday evenings in Lent thru April 5th Evening Prayer 7:15 pm “Holden Setting”

preceded by supper at 6:30 pm in the dining hall.

The Sabbath Journey Continues:

March 15: The Gospel of Consumption March 22: Selling Unhappiness March 29: The Tyranny of Choice April 5: Sensuality and Delight

Sunday Worship

10:15 a.m. Liturgy of Holy Communion

Saint Barbara Catholic Church

4008 Prairie Avenue, Brookfield • 708-485-2900 www.stbarbarabrookfield.org

Mass Schedule

Weekdays: 8:00am Monday - Saturday Weekends: 5:00pm on Saturday Sunday: 7:30, and 10:00am • 12:30pm Spanish Mass

Pray the Rosary

After 8:00am Mass – Monday – Saturday Tuesday Evenings – 6:30pm • Friday Evenings – 6:30pm Spanish

Eucharistic Adoration

2:00 – 9:00pm every Monday

Reconciliation

Saturday 8:45 – 9:30am

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If you visit a rest stop in southern Wisconsin later this year, you might be surprised to see a brochure touting the village of Brookfield and some of its local attractions. That’s because the village has joined the Visit Oak Park regional tourism bureau and has partnered to produce a marketing piece aimed at tourists. Visit Oak Park is a state-certified visitors’ bureau that serves about 20 communities in the Chicago suburbs. It’s funded by state hotel/motel taxes which it uses to market communities and attractions like Brookfield Zoo, which is a member individually of Visit Oak Park. Riverside has been a member of Visit Oak Park for several years and Riverside resident Aberdeen Marsh-Ozga sits on the Visit Oak Park board of directors. Until 2017, Brookfield largely didn’t take advantage of Visit Oak Park but has now signed on as an enhanced member, spending $3,000 to join and obtaining full memberships for three local businesses -Mary’s Morning Mix-Up, Galloping Ghost videogame arcade and Irish Times -- in the deal. “It will allow Visit Oak Park to feature those attractions in Brookfield,” said Nick Greifer, economic and community development director for Brookfield. He added that the businesses were chosen because it was looking for ones that “appeal to the broader region and tourists.” Greifer called Galloping Ghost and Irish Times “power draws” from a large geographic area while Mary’s Morning MixUp could become such a draw because of its proximity to Brookfield Zoo. However, those won’t be the only businesses Visit Oak Park will feature, said Greifer. The visitors’ bureau sends out regular email blasts and uses social media. Local businesses will be featured in those communications. The village’s 2017 budget put funds toward marketing efforts and there was some thought early on that Brookfield might use that money for outdoor advertising, on a smaller scale but similar to the “Why Berwyn?” campaign being done to draw city dwellers to that community. Instead, Brookfield went with Visit Oak Park because officials believed it was more cost-effective and able to reach a larger audience. “The reach they have is something we could never duplicate on our own,” said Greifer, who now sits on the Visit Oak Park board of directors.

Crain’s to spotlight Brookfield in June special section Brookfield will be featured in a special advertising section that’s slated to be inserted into an edition of Crain’s Chicago Business in June, according to Brookfield Community and Economic Development Director Nick Greifer. The theme for the special insert is local economic development, said Greifer, who added that the publication reached out to village officials to invite the village to participate. Three other towns also will be featured in the insert. “Brookfield will have its own page,” Greifer said. “It will draw attention to Brookfield and the assets we have. It’ll be nice to be mentioned in the same breath with other progressive municipalities.” Greifer said that in terms of people the village is trying to target for future economic development, Crain’s hit the mark. “The readership are folks we want to let know that Brookfield is a good place to invest,” Greifer said. Last year, Crain’s featured Brookfield in an article about hot spots for suburban home sales, which caught the attention of real estate investors and developers, according to Greifer. “This [June insert], too, keeps us in the mind of real estate professionals,” Greifer said. — Bob Uphues

Brookfield will have its own section inside a new visitor guide being developed by Visit Oak Park. The visitor guide is available at places like hotels, highway rest stops, airports and the Visit Oak Park Visitors Center, said Visit Oak Park Executive Director Sarah Barnett. In addition, Visit Oak Park advertises in publications like AAA Living. A key component of the marketing strategy for Brookfield will be the creation of a two-sided “rack card” that will highlight Brookfield attractions, restaurants and activities. Visit Oak Park will print 75,000 of the rack cards and distribute them throughout the region. “Visit Oak Park will put this [rack card] and their brochure in dozens of areas in metropolitan Chicago and outside,” Greifer said.

The Landmark, March 29, 2017

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The Landmark, March 29, 2017

Riverside Library board appointee a village newbie Greve Hack brings communications background, enthusiasm

By BOB UPHUES Editor

Courtney Greve Hack moved with her husband and young son to Riverside just six months ago. Now she’s a member of the Riverside Public Library Board of Trustees. Library trustees on March 14 selected Greve Hack to fill the vacancy left by the departure of Ed Lyons. Her term will expire in 2019. According to library board President Joan Wiaduck, despite her short tenure as a Riverside resident, Greve Hack was the board’s clear top choice from a field of 12 applicants. “Her optimism and enthusiasm,” said Wiaduck “immediately” won over trustees, who will be embarking on a major fundraising effort perhaps this fall to reconfigure space in the lower level of the library, which houses Children’s Services. According to Wiaduck, 800 children visit the Children’s Services area in any given month. Greve Hack said that since moving to Riverside the library has been a favorite spot for her and her 5-year-old son and that

it was an easy call on deciding As the library board begins to apply for the open spot. its efforts to raise as much as “It’s the heart of the commu$1.5 million for the space renity,” Greve Hack said. configuration of the building’s That she has a young child lower level, Greve Hack’s comwho attends the children’s promunications experience might grams provided in the lower levalso come in handy. el of the library was probably Greve Hack worked as a rea factor in the board choosing porter for the Daily Southtown her, Greve Hack said. for seven years before landing “I really want to contribute COURTNEY GREVE HACK a job as director of communiand can make a difference, escations for Cook County Clerk pecially for the children of the David Orr. She rose to the job of community,” Greve Hack said. deputy clerk before leaving in December Greve-Hack, said she’s also interested 2015 to become director of media relations in being able to serve as a steward for the for Loyola University Health System. library building, a local landmark built in “My overall experience [as a library 1930. A former resident of Oak Park, Greve board member] is still pretty limited, but Hack was a regular volunteer for the annu- it seems like an active, working board, and al Wright Plus housewalk, which features they have a long-range vision that’s pretty tours of historic homes. exciting,” Greve Hack said. “You just don’t see that kind of library arAlthough the library board had to turn chitecture anymore,” she said. away 11 other applicants for the open spot, A resident of Oak Park for eight years, they’ll be returning to that list of names Greve Hack served on the Farmers Market in May when the library board will be Commission, bringing more child-centered faced with appointing another new board activities to that weekly staple of village life. member.

“They have a long-range vision that’s pretty exciting.” COURTNEY GREVE HACK Library trustees

Just two people, Wiaduck and incumbent Michael Flight, filed to run for three open spots on the library board in the April 4 election. Incumbent Susan Kucera decided not to run for re-election, leaving the board a trustee short after Election Day. “Come May we’ll be re-interviewing people and seeing where we’re at,” Wiaduck said. “All of the candidates interviewed well and came from all walks of life, but they all had one thing in common – they all love the library.”

Riverside sewer project price tag: $4.5 million New pipes installed in 2017, but streets will wait until 2018

By BOB UPHUES Editor

If you live in Riverside’s First Division, the southernmost peninsular area of the village, hemmed in by a loop in the Des Plaines River, you’re going to be living in the middle of a construction zone for about six months. The bad news is that from about late April until October your streets are going to be dug

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up and won’t be fully resurfaced until sometime in 2018. The good news is that once the project finally is over, the First Division will have brand new streets and completely separate storm and sanitary sewers, which ought to help reduce basement flooding during heavy rains. On March 16, the Riverside Village Board voted unanimously to award a $3.24 million contract to Christopher B. Burke Engineering Ltd. to lead the sewer separation project in the First Division. The $3.24 million that Riverside will expend in 2017, however, is just part of the total bill for the work. That amount does not include resurfacing the streets once the sewer lines are installed. That work is expected to cost another $1.3 million, pushing the total cost of the sewer separation project to about $4.5 million. Last year, Burke Engineering pegged the total cost of the work at about $5.75 million. “So we’re over one million dollars under last year’s estimate,” said Orion Galey of Burke Engineering. The project was supposed to have been completed last year but got sidetracked when officials ran into unexpected complications in the form of connections between sanitary sewers lines running from about 16 homes

“The benefit you’ll see... include reduced flooding, reduced sewer buck-up... and... reducing the amount of combined sewer over flow going into the river.” ORION GALEY

Riverside Village Engineering

into the storm sewer lines. According to Galey, the solution will be to abandon the more-than-century-old pipes serving as combined and sanitary sewers and build an entirely new storm sewer system in the First Division. Pipes that now serve as a storm sewer line will become the First Division’s new sanitary sewer system, since so many homes are already connected to it. “The intent of these projects is to separate your storm water flow from your sanitary flow, and the benefits you’ll see from that include reduced flooding, reduced sewer back-

up into people’s homes, and then also the environmental aspect of reducing the amount of combined sewer overflow going into the river,” Galey told trustees at their March 16 meeting. Presently the village’s sewer system can’t handle the amount of water coming down in large rain events, which results in sanitary waste water being released into the river during such storms. The sewer installation project will be funded by reserves in the village’s water and sewer enterprise fund. Street repairs in the First Division, which won’t happen until 2018, will be funded by motor fuel tax and non-home rule sales tax revenues, according to Public Works Director Edward Bailey. The First Division project will severely deplete the water and sewer fund reserves, leaving trustees wondering how sewer separation projects in other parts of the village will be paid for. Village Manager Jessica Frances said the village could apply for low- or no-interest loans. Galey said that a smaller project to disconnect a storm sewer line west of First Avenue from the combined sewer system will be funded by a $90,000 grant from the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago.

The Landmark, March 29, 2017

BIG WEEK

It’s a mystery! Brookfield Public Library, 3609 Grand Blvd., invites residents to an evening of mystery featuring local author Karen Berg-Raftakis on Thursday, March 30 at 7 p.m. Berg-Raftakis is the author of the Arianna Archer Mystery Series, and she’ll be discussing her books and reading excerpts from his latest murder mystery, Slaughter on Sanibel Island. A book signing will follow the presentation and copies of her two most recent books will be available for $11 each. To learn more about the event or to register to attend, call 708-485-6917 or visit www.brookfieldlibrary.info.

March 29-April 5

LTHS College Fair

Free movie screenings Keaton, Mark Ruffalo and Liev Schreiber. North Riverside Public Library, 2400 Desplaines Ave., continues its Wednesday Movie Admission is free. Drop-in only. Call 708-447Matinee series on April 5 at 2 p.m. with a screen0869 or visit www.northriversidelibrary.org/events. ing of the 2015 film Spotlight, which won three Riverside Township continues its Thursday Oscars, including Best Picture. Afternoon at the Movies series with the 1964 The film depicts the Boston Globe investigative reporting team that uncovered an exposed Disney classic Mary Poppins, starring Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke, on March 30 at 12:30 sexual abuse by priests and the archdiocesan p.m. at the Riverside Town Hall, 27 Riverside cover-up that sought to keep the information Road in Riverside. from the public. ■

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Spotlight stars Rachel McAdams, Michael

And more The St. Louise Players present Mary Poppins on March 31 and April 1 at 7 p.m. and April 2 at 2 p.m. at the parish center, 1125 Harrison Ave. in LaGrange Park. Tickets are $13 for adults and $11 for seniors (children 12 and under $7). Buy online at stlouiseplayers.brownpapertickets.com. Baseball writer Jared Wyllys presents “Writing for Baseball and Cubs 2017 Preview” on March 29 at 6:30 p.m. at the North Riverside Public Library, 2400 Desplaines Ave. The program is free. To sign up call 447-0869 or visit online at www.northriversidelibrary.org/events. St. Barbara, Divine Infant and St. Louise de Marillac parishes will host Deacon Allen Tatara who will talk on “How to Listen to God’s Voice in an Earbud Wearing World” on April 4 at 7 p.m. as ■

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Admission is free. part of the parishes’ Lenten Mission. The talk will take place at St. Louise de Marillac Church, 1144 Harrison Ave. in LaGrange Park. Riverside Township hosts its free monthly blood pressure screening on April 3 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Riverside Town Hall, 27 Riverside Road, Riverside. Riverside Arts Center, 32 E. Quincy St. in Riverside, presents “What the Cool Pigeon Knows,” a solo exhibition of works by painter Kevin Blake in the RAC’s FlexSpace gallery and “Resist the Urge to Press Forward,” a two-person show of sculpture and installations by Brent Fogt and Stacia Yeapanis in the Freeark Gallery through April 15. Admission is free. Gallery hours T, W, Th, Sat from 1 to 5 p.m. and Fridays from 1 to 4 p.m. Brookfield Public Library, 3609 Grand Blvd., hosts an exhibit of artwork by local artist Brittany ■

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Lyons Township High School students will have an opportunity to get a glimpse of college life at the annual College Fair scheduled for Wednesday, April 5 from 6 to 8 p.m. in the North Campus Fieldhouse, 100 S. Brainard Ave. in LaGrange. Admission representatives from more than 200 public and private colleges, as well as community colleges, will be available to help students and families explore a variety of post-high school options. The Illinois Student Assistance Commission, which handles all financial aid for the state, will also be present. Students can register at www. strivefair.com and receive a barcode on their phone that can be used at the fair to demonstrate interest to schools and receive information from them.

Hanks. The exhibit runs through April. North Riverside Library, 2400 Desplaines Ave., hosts Messy Mornings for Munchkins (2+ with adult) on April 4 at 10:30 a.m.; Tales and Treats (ages 2-5) April 1 at 10:30 a.m.; Lego Club (1st grade+) April 5 at 3:45 p.m.; Wii Games and Movies (grades 6-12) April 1 from 1 to 3 p.m. Friends of the Riverside Public Library, 1 Burling Road, are selling raffle tickets ($5 each or five for $20) as a fundraiser to support the library. Purchase a chance to win any of the five prize items, which are in display at the library. The prize drawing will be held April 9. 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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KAREN BERG-RAFTAKIS

Mall opens new play area

North Riverside Park Mall, 7501 Cermak Road in North Riverside, unveils its fully remodeled Kid Safari Play Area on Saturday, April 1 from 10 a.m. to noon in the lowerlevel concourse near J.C. Penney. Enjoy music, games, face painting, a balloon artist, prizes and a special appearance by Alvin the Chipmunk.

North Riverside Parks and Recreation hosts a supervised open gym for teens every Sunday from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Village Commons, 2401 Desplaines Ave. Concession available. $5 fee at the door. ■

St. John United Church of Christ, 4500 Prescott Ave. in Lyons hosts the Council’s Odds and Ends Flea Market on April 1 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Call 708-299-5031 for info. ■

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 Landmark, March 29, 2017

Best Fish Fry South of Wisconsin! • Home of the Hugh Burger • Craft Beers • Great Salads • Daily Drink & Sandwich Specials

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708-366-6667 • osullivanspublichouse.net The Riverside Township Board Invites you to attend the

Dedication of the Plaque Honoring Schofield “Scuff “ Gross

Riverside Township Assessor | 1969 - 2009

Saturday April 1, 2017 | 1:00 pm Lobby of Riverside Town Hall 27 Riverside Road, Riverside, IL Refreshments will be served • All invited Any questions please call Riverside Township 708-442-4400

D96 candidates air views at forum Few differences on most issues facing next school board By BOB SKOLNIK Contributing Reporter

Four years ago a polarizing race for the Riverside Elementary School District 96 Board of Education was dominated by controversy surrounding a former school principal, and two years ago the school board race was dominated by the controversy around the future of the district’s superintendent. This time around, the race for the District 96 is a much sleepier affair with few differences apparent among the candidates, who seem generally happy with how the district is doing. The 2017 election most resembles a game of musical chairs. With five candidates running for four seats, after April 4 one candidate will be left standing while the other four candidates will be seated as school board members. On March 21 the five candidates met at the Hollywood Community House for their first and only campaign forum. Few differences emerged. That it was the first campaign forum for the candidates become apparent in the opening statements when candidate Joel Marhoul lost his train of thought and froze for awkward period of time. “It happens more often than I care to admit,” quipped an embarrassed Marhoul, who is a member of the Riverside Planning and Zoning Commission and the president of the Riverside Swim Club. But after that difficult moment, Marhoul recovered and answered questions in a deliberate style befitting his profession as a civil engineer. School board President Jeff Miller, the only incumbent running for re-election, noted the lack of campaign activity compared to two years ago when he was elected to the school board. Miller said that he was happy with how the school board’s most important decision of the last two years, the hiring of Superintendent Martha Ryan-Toye turned out. “We think she’s going to be a good long term fit for the district,” Miller said. In his opening statement, Nick Lambros, a property manager and the only candidate without children in the district, said that his business experience would be valuable on the school board. He said that running a business has taught him universal management skills such as the importance of communication, collaboration, respect, and the value of setting goals. Lambros said that he would think outside the box and explore new possibilities. Hunt showed off his genial nature and sense of humor in his opening statement.

“I’m running for the school board because I like long meetings and drinking lots of coffee,” Hunt joked. Some recurring issues came up the forum, such as whether District 96 should institute a full-day kindergarten program. The candidates were all non-committal, noting the advantages of full-day kindergarten while acknowledging the cost and space issues that it would present. “It’s definitely a huge expense,” said Hunt who is making his second race for the school board after finishing at the rear of the pack two years ago. “There are a lot of issues to take into account before you implement a program like that. It can’t be taken too lightly in that once you provide it it’s very hard to roll it a back.” Miller said that he was agnostic on the subject. “We’d have to look at space, we’d have to look at cost and we’d have to look at the funding model,” Miller said. While acknowledging that full-day kindergarten would be a convenience for working parents, Miller noted that full-day kindergarten didn’t emerge as major priority during focus groups held in 2015 that resulted in the district’s strategic plan. Lambros said he sees the value of full-day kindergarten but is leery of the costs. “I understand the value it can provide to children in the form of increased academic potential and to their working parents, maybe, in the form of decreased child care expenses,” Lambros said. Lambros said he would lean toward charging tuition if the district ever implemented full-day kindergarten, so that the families benefiting from the program would pay most of the additional costs. Marhoul also didn’t take a firm stand on full-day kindergarten saying it was not an easy question. “We need to see if the district really wants to invest the money and time in creating the space for full-day kindergarten as well as where we would hold it,” Marhoul said. David Barsotti, like Hunt a member of the district’s technology steering committee, said he would like to see a cost-benefit analysis done on full-day kindergarten. “There are a lot of things that need to be answered before we go forward,” Barsotti said. The candidates were asked about bullying and how the district is handling that issue. “We have a strong policy against bullying and harassment,” Miller said. “We feel strongly that it has to be enforced.” Hunt said that he hadn’t known until recently that bullying was a major concern. “It hasn’t been something I have heard from my own kids as a concern,” Hunt said. Lambros said that bullying cannot be eliminated but victims of bullying should be assured that it is not their fault. “Bullying is not just a Riverside problem,” Continued on facing page

The Landmark, March 29, 2017

P O L I C E

KOSEY CORNER

R E P O R T S

St. Mary to host Car break-ins continue in Brookfield Pasta Knight

hough I admit I don’t know much about the Knights of Columbus, I’m always impressed when they’re present at functions in their full regalia, which I would imagine to be considered their uniforms. They stand at attention and serve as honor guards when called upon, most often at religious functions, and the plumage on their hats and their black capes catch one’s attention during solemn occasions. There is a Knights of Columbus group attached to St. Mary’s Parish in Riverside, and I have learned they are much more than an honor guard. Along with the camaraderie of being part of the group, members are also philanthropic. As with any philanthropic group, fundraising is of great importance and the St. Mary’s group has succeeded well in their endeavors through their annual pasta dinner, or as we at St. Mary call it, Pasta Knight. This year the event will take place on Saturday, April 8 from 3 to 8 p.m. in the St. Mary Parish Center at 97 Herrick Road (or as I refer to it as the “churchagymatorium” since it serves all those purposes at one time or another). Tickets for the all-you-can-eat dinner are $8 in advance or $10 at the door; children under 5 eat for free. Aside from a delicioso abbondanza meal and a glass of vino, there will be live music for your listening and dining pleasure. Because this is a fundraiser there will be raffles and auction items and, remembering from last year, there were some great prizes available. For more information about the dinner or to purchase tickets go to: stmaryriverside.org/ pasta. Salute to the Knights of Columbus and let’s all meet to mangia on Saturday, April 8.

JOANNE KOSEY

Lambros said. “It exists in all schools. It’s just part of life.” Barsotti also said that bullying will always occur, but said that incidents of bullying should be used as teachable moments. “Kids are going to be bullies,” Barsotti said. “That’s always going to happen.” The candidates were also asked about inclusion in general and dealing with transgender students in particular. “The most important thing is for every

Vehicle break-ins continued in Brookfield last week, with seven instances taking place during the overnight hours of March 22-23, according to police reports obtained from the village police department. All of the vehicles targeted in the late night/early morning spree were unlocked. Three of the incidents occurred in the 3700 block of Raymond Avenue, while two each took place in the 3700 blocks of Cleveland Avenue and Kemman Avenue. The offender rifled through the glove boxes and center consoles of the vehicles, sometimes leaving items from the vehicles lying in the street next to them. Many of the victims reported nothing of value missing from their vehicles. However, the victim who owned one of the vehicles parked in the 3700 block of Kemman Avenue told police that a key for a storage locker, which he left in his car, had been jammed into the ignition switch and broke in two, as if someone tried to use it forcibly to steal the vehicle. A T-Mobile flip phone valued at about $75 was taken from a vehicle on Cleveland Avenue.

Rush hour road rage Police responded to the 200 block of Lionel Road, Riverside, on March 21 at about 6:30 p.m. after a Riverside woman called to report a road rage incident. The woman said she was waiting at the Burlington/Longcommon stop sign for her turn when a large Ford truck with Wisconsin license plates ran the stop sign and tried to cut her off as she turned south onto Longcommon Road. The truck driver reportedly yelled at the woman and flashed inappropriate hand gestures until the two vehicles were just past the police station on Riverside Road. There the truck sped up and passed the woman’s vehicle, got in front of her and slammed on the brakes. The woman stated the truck driver continued to yell at her all the way to Miller Road, where he turned to exit the village. When the woman continued east onto Lionel Road, the truck driver swerved into the woman’s lane, causing her to evade

child to express themselves and have their voice,” Marhoul said. “You can’t force acceptance on other kids.” Lambros said that issues of transgender students and gender identity should be handled on a case-by-case basis. Miller emphasized the importance of good communication between the school and parents. Barsotti said that the district needs diversity training.

him to avoid a collision. According to the police report, the woman told police that this kind of thing always happens during rush hour but said she didn’t call police because the other driver would have been gone by the time they arrived. The woman reportedly provided police with a photo of the other vehicle.

Vehicle damaged in Riverside A resident of the 300 block of Gatesby Road, Riverside, called police on the morning of March 25 to report that sometime during the overnight hours someone broke out the rear window of his vehicle, which was parked in the driveway of his residence. There was nothing of value inside the vehicle and nothing was reported missing, according to the police report.

Tomatoed Police responded to the 300 block of Bartram Road, Riverside, on the morning of March 26 after a resident called to complain that someone had thrown a tomato at his house two days earlier. The man reported that he was inside the house watching TV at about 9 p.m. on March 24 when he heard a thud by the front window. He got up and went out onto the front porch and reportedly saw a tan sedan speed off. The following day, the man reported finding a tomato on the ground behind bushes in front of his house, and he could see a mark on the window frame where the tomato hit it. About three months ago, the homeowner said, someone had thrown eggs at his house. These items were obtained from police reports filed by the Riverside, North Riverside and Brookfield police departments, March 20 to March 26, 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

“There needs to be diversity training at the district level, at the school level, at the teacher level, even at the student level,” Barsotti said. The candidates were also asked about gifted education, an area that has concerned many District 96 parents over the years. Miller said that computer-based learning could be used for more advanced students. “It would allow people more at their own pace than the current regime,” Miller said.

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The Landmark, March 29, 2017

D103 hopefuls say administration must go Getty-backed candidates are no-shows

By BOB SKOLNIK Contributing Reporter

Only three of the six candidates running for seats on Lyons School District 103 Board of Education showed up for a candidate forum held March 20 at the Stickney American Legion Hall. The three no shows were the candidates for running on the Parents for Student Excellence slate -- incumbents Katie Broderick and Kendra Pierce and newcomer Olivia Quintero. At the March 9 school board meeting, forum organizer Shawna Olsowka, the president of the Edison School PTA, personally invited all the candidates including Pierce, and Broderick to attend the forum. After the forum Olsowka said that she had also invited Quintero to the forum by sending her a message on Facebook. She said she never heard back from Broderick, Pierce or Quintero. Pierce declined to comment Thursday afternoon about why she didn’t attend the forum. “I’m a work at this time,” Pierce said when contacted by the Landmark on the afternoon of March 23. “I can’t really talk at this time.” The Landmark called Pierce back on Thursday night and left a voice message that wasn’t returned. Candidates running on the Putting Students First slate -- incumbent Sharon Anderson and first-time candidates Marge Hubacek and Shannon Johnson -- told the overflow crowd of about 70 people at the Stickney American Legion Hall that if they were elected they would try to clean house at the administration building and take steps to get rid of many of the new administrators hired in the last two years.

They all agreed that they had little confidence in Superintendent Carol Baker and Assistant Superintendent Kyle Hastings. But Anderson warned the supportive crowd that they because Baker and Hastings had multiyear contracts they might not be able to get rid of them as quickly as they would like if they are elected. If Anderson, Hubacek and Johnson are elected they, along with longtime incumbent Joanne Schaeffer could wrest control of the seven-member school board from the present board majority, which has the backing of Lyons Village President Christopher Getty. Schaeffer was in the audience at the forum. “We can’t make changes willy-nilly,” Anderson said. “But changes are going to need to be made. These changes really need to start from the top and go down.” Baker has a three-year contract and Hastings has a four-year contract. “We’ll do everything we can do legally to oust them as soon as we can,” Hubacek said. “I could never vote for Carol Baker to get an extension on her contract.” Hubacek said that Hastings’ position was not needed and she wasn’t sure what work he did. “Kyle Hastings’s job was just invented as political payback for bringing in people,” Hubacek said. “I could never support having that job. He doesn’t do anything and even if he did that’s an administrative position we don’t need. “But when you have a school board that’s politically connected, financially to the village and they make votes based on what they’re told to do. this is exactly what you wind up with.” Hastings, who was installed as interim superintendent two years ago soon after the

our children and our tax new Getty-backed majordollars.” ity took control of the All three candidates school board, moved to the said principals should do new position of assistant the hiring at their schools superintendent when Bakand voiced concerns that er was hired last summer. hiring is now being done Hastings is paid $1,000 mostly by Hastings and a day, but can work no Baker. more than 100 days a year “The principals should because he is currently be choosing who works receiving a pension from MARGE HUBACEK in our schools,” Anderthe Illinois Teacher RetireD103 board candidate son said. “The principals ment System. know their school. They “I would love to make $1,000 a day and do nothknow their environment. ing,” Anderson said. It’s its own little commuJohnson also didn’t see nity. They shouldn’t be just the need for an assistant superintendent. putting whoever into a position just because “We made it in this district for how long somebody feels the need to give someone a without an assistant superintendent?” John- job.” son asked. All three candidates said they opposed Anderson, Hubacek and Johnson criticized switching to grade-level centers, though Huthe school board majority for hiring admin- bacek left open the possibility of supporting istrators without elementary school and mid- a switch to grade-level centers if that is what dle school experience and said that hiring is parents wanted. based more on political connections than The forum was sponsored by the Edison qualifications. School PTA and was going to be held at EdiThe candidates also questioned the qualifi- son School until Baker barred school board cations of Human Resources Director Marty candidates appearing on school property, Stack, Maintenance Director Ryan Grace and saying she wanted to keep politics out of the Technology Director John Williamsen. schools. Johnson noted that Baker once served on Johnson said she was disappointed that her a school board with the son of Kyle Hastings competitors didn’t show up. and said the new Costello School principal, “I think that if they were serious about Jennifer Bednarczyk, is the daughter of a wanting to be on the school board they Getty political ally. would have come here and they would have “They are not qualified,” Johnson said. answered the questions from the commu“They’re not meeting the needs of the kids. nity,” Johnson said after the forum. “And They are meeting the needs of a politically it just shows that they’re not of their own hungry man who’s trying to advance his ca- thinking and they’re not doing this on their reer through our school district at the cost of own.”

“We’ll do everything we can do legally to oust them as soon as we can.”

Former D103 official to receive more than $25,000 School district releases details of long-awaited settlement agreement

By BOB SKOLNIK Contributing Reporter

In return for resigning as the business manager of Lyons-Brookfield School District 103, Jacqueline Parisi will receive a severance and benefits payments of more than $26,000. Parisi’s separation agreement from the school district, which was approved by a 6 to 0 vote at the Feb. 23 school board meeting, was released to the Landmark on Monday in response to Freedom of Information request. The district, for reasons that have yet to be explained, abruptly removed Parisi from her position on Aug. 26, 2016 and placed her on paid administrative leave. The district then

began proceedings to fire her. Parisi requested a hearing before the school board, as was her contractual right, and lawyers for the district and Parisi negotiated the separation agreement. Parisi, who was to have been paid $118,000 for the 2016-17 school year, resigned effective March 1. Her contract was due to expire on June 30. In addition to the $15,167 in severance pay, Parisi will also be paid nearly $11,000 for her 17 days of unused vacation time and five days of floating holidays that accrued while she was on administrative leave. Her daily rate of pay for unused vacation days is $491.67. The district will also pay Parisi $600 a

month for up to the next four months to at least partially cover the cost of Parisi’s health insurance. If Parisi obtains a job that provides employer-paid health insurance before June 30, the district’s obligation to pay Parisi for health insurance will end when she starts that job. As part of the agreement, Parisi agrees not to sue the district. The agreement also states that Parisi agrees not to reapply for a job with District 103. Both Parisi and the school board agreed not to publicly disparage each other. The agreement also includes a sample letter of recommendation for Parisi that the district agreed to provide. The letter lists seven accomplishments, including restruc-

turing the 2015 tax levy, which resulted in tax revenue for the district. Another accomplishment listed was reconciling and resolving a 2002 vendor complaint that resulted in savings of $30,000 to the district. Parisi is also credited with implementing an automated timesheet eliminating payroll errors. In September 2016 the district hired retired school business manager Steve Langert to take over some of Parisi’s work. Langert, who is working two or three days a week, is being paid $100 an hour for no more than 599 hours of work. The district is now seeking to hire a fulltime business manager, most likely to start on July 1.

Opinion W

e’ll probably never know exactly why the former business manager for Lyons-Brookfield School District 103, Jacqueline Parisi, was suddenly placed on paid administrative leave on Aug. 26, 2016 – a little less than two months into a contract that was to have paid her $118,000 for the 2016-17 school year. All we really know is that the district surely came out on the wrong end of this situation, at least financially. For her less than two full months of work for the school district, Parisi walks away with about $105,000 in salary and benefit payments, according to the terms of a settlement agreement the school board inked recently with the former employee. And that doesn’t include contributions to health insurance premiums the district paid for Parisi through Feb. 28 or the up to $2,400 in additional health insurance premiums that could accrue in the next four months. It also doesn’t take into account the up to $60,000 the district may pay to a part-time business manager it was forced to hire when they shelved Parisi at the beginning of the school year. So, that $118,000 salary line item in the District 103 for the business manager will end up being more like $178,000 plus the cost to hire a full-time replacement in time for 2017-18. And who would want that job anyway? Did Parisi warrant being fired? Well, the school board voted unanimously, so take that for whatever message it sends. The only thing anyone else will know publicly is that Parisi accomplished some cost savings to the district and corrected a prior tax levy mistake that gained them additional revenue. Seems like it would have been a lot cheaper for taxpayers of the district to simply not rehire her at the end of the contract.

Recapping our endorsements April 4 is Election Day in Riverside, Brookfield and North Riverside, so get out there and vote. In case you missed it last week, here is who the Landmark is endorsing for 2017: Brookfield village president: Kit Ketchmark Brookfield clerk: Brigid Weber Brookfield trustee: Edward Cote, Michael Garvey, Nicole Gilhooley North Riverside mayor: Hubert Hermanek Jr. North Riverside clerk: Kathy Ranieri North Riverside trustee: Joseph, Mengoni, Theresa “Terri” Sarro

ELECTION

2017

Brookfield Library board: Adam Burghgraef, Carol Vaughan Kissane and J. Edgar Mihelic District 95 board: Scott Encher, Barbara Garvey, Michelle Maggos, Rebecca Zoltoski District 96 board: David Barsotti, Dan Hunt, Joel Marhoul, Jeffrey Miller District 103 board: Sharon Anderson, Margaret Hubacek, Shannon Johnson District 208 board: Edward Jepson, William “Wes” Smithing, Ramona Towner

THE LANDMARK ELECTION ENDORSEMENTS

THE LANDMARK VIEW

An expensive way to go

The Landmark, March 29, 2017

Burghgraef, Kissane and Mihelic for Brookfield Library Board

here’s a contested election for three four-year terms on the Brookfield Public Library Board. Quite frankly, there’s not a whole lot of disagreement, you could call it none, among anyone running on what direction the library should take in the next four years. All are ardent supporters of the library, its director and the need for a new facility. So you could say that this race is a pick ’em. But we are endorsing Adam Burghgraef, Carol Vaughan Kissane and J. Edgar Mihelic for the board. Kissane needs no introduction to anyone who has spent any time in Brookfield. A library board member for more than 30 years, she is a dedicated public servant who is looking to continue her work. We see no reason why that

should end now. Burghgraef, who was appointed in 2015 to replace Judith Sweet, has shown himself to be a solid board member. Mihelic is a passionate supporter of the library’s mission and was involved heavily in the unsuccessful referendum push last year. Also running for a four-year term is Jeanne McTeague, a co-chair of the library’s 2016 referendum committee and staunch advocate for the Brookfield Public Library. Frankly, we doubt Brookfield voters would go wrong voting for any of the four. Whether a future referendum succeeds or not, these candidates understand the role of a public library and its place in the fabric of a community. Michelle Svendsen, an incumbent, is running unopposed for a two-year term on the board.

CANDIDATE OP-EDS

Don’t credit mayor for North Riverside changes

He was not the Mayor at that respective lease allow us to explain that time, yet is subsequently is reaping the North Riverside waste hauling benefits of his political party’s shortcomand water services are no lonings and others’ hard work and determiger subsidized by the general nation. fund due to the past respective It wasn’t until after the 2015 election non-VIP chairmen and members of those that the administration realized the resisame committees who achieved what previous village boards could not accomplish Candidate Rebuttal dents were fed up with the dilapidated state of our streets. Only then, after over within a span of 20-40 years. 15-20 years of no major street projects, was At that time these measures where accomthere movement towards repairing our streets. plished, Hermanek was not the mayor and instantly Finally, any presumptions that we cater to only the voted with both respective proposals that non-VIP demands of union firefighters are simply laughable. chairmen succeeded in doing. By bidding out the first We support “all” unions but more importantly attend garbage contract in over 40 years and quickly institutto the needs of the North Riverside taxpayers first ing the water meter exchange program to induct and foremost. accuracy and integrity to the purchases of our water Common sense experience supersedes any governsupply and enterprise fund (which had been losing mental experience. Our platform speaks for itself and money for over 20 years). hosts dozens of measures to improve our village. The Landmark’s editorial opinion that Hermanek supposedly and single-handedly overhauled these The MVP Party slate of candidates includes H. specific measures are false, inaccurate and underBob Demopoulos, president; Virginia Rodriguez, mine the hard work trustees of all political parties clerk; and Lawrence Manetti, Kevin Melvin and and village staff that engaged in a coordinated effort Pricilia (Jasso) Runquist, trustee. in working together to solve subsidization issues.

NORTH

RIVERSIDE MVP SLATE

Are Your Affairs in Order? 12

The Landmark, March 29, 2017

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OBITUARIES

Don Lee, 88

Suzanne Toufar, 69

Retired auditor

Longtime North Riverside resident

Don George Lee, 88, of Brookfield and formerly of La Grange Park, died on March 24, 2017. He grew-up in Colfax, Washington, graduated from Washington State College and served in the Korean War, DON LEE earning a Combat Infantry Badge and attaining the rank of first lieutenant. Mr. Lee worked more than 30 years as an auditor for the Equitable Life Assurance Society and traveled extensively throughout the United States and abroad. He was sharp-witted, hard-working, loyal, true, warm and generous. He was married to Sally Lee for 54 years; father to Tom and Margaret (Hedberg); father-in-law to Rena Lee and Doug Hedberg; and grandfather to Katie Lee. He leaves behind numerous dear friends, many of whom knew him for more than 50 years. Services have been held. Interment is in Colfax, Washington. Memorial donations are appreciated to a charity of choice. Hitzeman Funeral Home, Brookfield, handled arrangements.

Suzanne Toufar lived in North Riverside for over 35 years. She was a member of numerous garden clubs in the area as well. S Suzanne Toufar, 69, died peacefully at home on Feb. 24, SUZANNE TOUFAR 2017 surrounded by her family. She immigrated to the United States in 1969 from the former Czechoslovakia and, as an American, she often spoke of her love for her homeland and visited often. Ms. Toufar lived in North Riverside for more than 35 years and was a member of numerous area garden clubs. Her humor and spirited personality will be greatly missed. Ms. Toufar is survived by her son, Paul (Kami) Toufar, and her grandson, Liam. A memorial service is planned for March 30 at 6 p.m. at the Czech Mission of Saints Cyril and Methodius Church in Brookfield. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to The Wellness House via https://interland3. donor perfect.net/weblink/weblink. aspx?name=wellness&id=30.

Anne Nemec, 90 Former Riverside resident

Clarence L. Zvetina, 98

Anne L. Nemec (nee Skarka), 90, of Forest Park and formerly of Riverside, died on March 19, 2017. Ms. Nemec is survived by her children, Sandra (late Keith) Boggs, William (Patricia) Nemec and ANNE NEMEC Lynda Bazata; her grandchildren, Mark (Kathy), Cory (Tara) Boggs, Matt Nemec, Amy and Adam Bazata; and her great-grandchildren, Kerstin, Justin and Katie. She was preceded in death by her husband, Frank. Visitation is on Wednesday, March 29 at 9 a.m. until a noon service at Ivins/Moravecek Funeral Home, 80 E. Burlington St. in Riverside. Interment will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery in Forest Park.

VP of tool and die company Clarence L. Zvetina, 98, of Riverside, died on March 23, 2017. Mr. Zvetina was a U.S. Army veteran and had retired as vice president of Kenson Tool & Die Inc. Mr. Zvetina was the husband of the late Tillie (nee Brezina); the brother of the late James and George; the uncle of Janice Woodburn; and the cousin of Barbara Voors, Richard Zak, Nancy Escobosa, David Zak, Susan Lavagnino and Jean Zvetina. A funeral Mass will be celebrated on March 29 at 10 a.m. at St. Mary Church, 126 Herrick Road in Riverside. Interment is on Thursday, March 30 at 11 a.m.; please meet at the main gate of Bohemian National Cemetery, 5255 N Pulaski Road, Chicago. Ivins/Moravecek Funeral Home, Riverside, handled arrangements.

To run an obituary

Please contact Bob Uphues by e-mail: buphues@wjinc.com, or fax: 708/524-0447 before Monday at noon. Please include a photo if possible.

O P I N I O N

The Landmark, March 29, 2017

CANDIDATE OP-EDS

LETTERS

Running to give back to D96 community

PEP has earned Brookfield’s support

y name is Nick K. Lambros and I am a candidate for Riverside School District 96. My wife, Lisa Cunningham Lambros, and I have been married for over 30 years and have made Riverside our home for the last 16 years. In that time, we have endured the loss of our home three times as a result of historic Des Plaines River floods. In each flood, we experienced the support and kindness of this wonderful community and with the help of neighbors and friends we rebuilt our home and strengthened our already strong ties to the community. As the river readied itself to engulf our home, volunteers including neighbors and strangers mounted a sandbag war to stop it. Most notably were those young student volunteers who were part of District 96. My wife and I still get choked up thinking about the character and kindness that those young students demon-

strated during a desperate and very low point in our lives. I am running for school board member because I would like to give back to the community generally and to District 96 specifically. My unique professional experience will be an asset and will bring a fresh approach to the District 96 school board. As an owner of a real estate management services company as well as a clerical services company, I foster and encourage participation, communication, imaginative thinking along with financial clarity. All the candidates running should be commended for their willingness to volunteer their time and resources to the students of District 96. I am certain that my unique experience and insight would allow the District 96 board to make the best decisions to obtain our educational goals, while getting the best value for every dollar spent. I will work hard to ensure the continued excellence of District 96. I ask for your vote on April 4.

NIKE K.

LAMBROS

Candidate Rebuttal

Common Sense Party offers new perspective

The Common Sense Party formed he Common Sense Party when residents realized they needed would like to offer a different to get more involved in bringing an perspective as it relates to the independent voice to Brookfield’s govendorsements that RB Landernment to make a real plan for growth mark gave to the longtime happen. established PEP Party. Our slate is a group of dedicated resiWe respect our local journalist, but Candidate Rebuttal dents, all who have served either in our we want to clarify some points as the armed forces or law enforcement; they endorsement form the Landmark may believe that our local government should appear to some as a political mail piece be looking out for our interest. written from the PIP party than by your editors. The Common Sense Party candidates are not caThe Landmark writes “After weathering a diffireer politicians. They are community leaders who cult couple of years during the economic downwant to serve as citizen legislators for not more turn, Brookfield’s village government has clearly than two terms. We think that is exactly what focused on the Village’s future.” Brookfield needs right now. It appears that you are looking at what they are We need independent leaders who are not part going to do versus where we are at as a village. of the antiquated Brookfield political establishAfter 12 years we should not be looking at rhetoric ment. but at actual results. One last note, why is the PEP Party opposed to Why is it that our neighboring towns thrived fair opposition? during the same period as that the PIP Party held Longtime Village President and PEP Party control of our local government. Experience is a leader Kit Ketchmark continues to spread lies and good thing except when it’s not producing results. attacks on the newly formed Common Sense Party. Electing the same people to the same office expectTheir latest mailer contained a comparison chart ing a different outcome is the very definition of with many lies and distortions about Common insanity. Sense Party. Our opponents can talk about all the grants and It’s OK to support your party. It’s not OK to atmoney they have leveraged till they’re blue in the tack residents because they have new ideas and face. want a better Brookfield. The reality is that Brookfield is losing ground. The Common Sense Party offers a solution to Many of our neighborhoods are seeing abanturn our village around. Please visit TheCommondoned houses, deteriorating sidewalks and alleys, SenseParty.net to learn more about our plans and we are not attracting enough new young profesjoin the movement to make Brookfield a village sionals, our business corridors are revolving doors that works for its residents. and new development is misplaced or nonexistent. Candidates running for office in Brookfield on Look at Ogden Avenue and Eight Corners. the Commons Sense Party slate include Roberto Hold on, Ketchmark says he just rezoned the “Bobby” Garcia, president; Leilani “Lani” Capbusiness district. How long did it take to figure out petta, clerk; and Edward “E.J.” Frantzen, Kathleen this needed to be done? Eight, 10, 12 years? Hillmann and Sherry Lada, trustee. This is unacceptable. We need a change.

COMMON SENSE PARTY

Twenty-three million dollars for street and infrastructure repair. Record sales tax generated from dozens and dozens of new businesses. Eight million dollars in outside grants for village improvements. A flood mitigation program for homeowners. A brand new band shell and soon-to-be-built canoe launch. Reduced late night crime. Planning for the future. Professional management. These past few years have seen significant progress for Brookfield. I was fortunate to witness it first hand for the past eight as a trustee on the village board. Although we have accomplished much, there is far more to do. At the same time if the wrong people are put into power, all the positive momentum could be wiped out in an instant. As I see it, before you lead our town you must serve it first. Be a volunteer in Brookfield. Coach a Little League team. Help out at Project NICE. Sit on an appointed committee. Live in town for a significant number of years before running for office. There is a good reason the term “carpetbagger” is such an insult. Having been a trustee for two terms now, I can say that I would have been truly lost had I not been prepared ahead of time to serve on the board. My five years on two different village commissions were invaluable for me being ready for the big leagues. The training wheels need to come off long before you are elevated to the top level of our local government, where you bear the ultimate responsibility for the safety of our community and the values of our homes. I’ve worked alongside Kit Ketchmark, Mike Garvey, Nicole Gilhooley and Brigid Weber. Our community is strong because of their leadership. Ed Cote is a new face with a fresh perspective and is the right person to join the others to keep Brookfield moving forward. They have earned and deserve our support. Please vote PEP on April 4.

Brian Oberhauser

Brookfield Ed. note: Brian Oberhauser is a Brookfield village trustee.

Vote Jepson for District 208 board We would like to express our support for Ed Jepson for the RiversideBrookfield District 208 Board of Education. We have been very impressed with Ed during the past four years he has served on the board. He has been faced with some challenging situations in the past four years, and has always acted responsibly, and in the best interest of the school, its students, and the district tax payers. We trust Ed to make well-reasoned and responsible factually based decisions regardless of how controversial a decision may be. Ed has the necessary leadership experience to move the board forward in the next four years. We will be voting for Ed Jepson on April 4, and encourage the Landmark readers to do so as well.

Patrick and Jennifer White Riverside

Sinde, Jepson right for RBHS board On April 4, you will have a chance to keep Riverside-Brookfield High School a great school. Matt Sinde and Ed Jepson have made an impact as school board members in several areas of the school. Through their leadership our finances are solid with a great rating by the state, hired a strong administration which has developed the new 1-to-1 program and using new student data analysis, which helps to increase the success of our students. Ed and Matt deserve our vote to the Riverside-Brookfield High School Board.

Pat O’Connor

Brookfield See LETTERS on page 14

O P I N I O N

The Landmark, March 29, 2017

LETTERS Continued from page 13

RBHS board incumbents good leaders

Smithing shows awareness of RBHS needs

As a Riverside resident with my oldest child entering RBHS in the fall, I have been paying close attention to the Board of Education and its decisions. Through the leadership of Matt Sinde and Ed Jepson, they have maintained the greatness of RB with a bright future ahead. A balanced budget aided in low-interest refinancing of construction bonds having a direct impact on taxpayers. Student’s educational experience has been enhanced by the hiring of a strong administrative staff. The current board also analyzes data to ensure that each individual student’s needs are being met. Their implementation of the 1-to-1 program helps create innovative learning between teachers and students by providing each incoming student with his/her own laptop. On Tuesday, April 4, please vote for Matt Sinde and Ed Jepson.

In 2013, RBHS received a windfall $8.9 million state grant that had been applied for, nearly a decade ago, before the high school was renovated. The current board used this and other money to continue improving the RBHS facilities and have done a great job of executing this, using their skills to do that work efficiently. Now the money is nearly gone, the District 208 Board of Education already borrowed $6 million in 2015 and we face projected million dollar budget deficits in just three years. The time for building is over. With problems in teacher morale, increasing class sizes, excess AP classes, failure rates on AP exams 20 percent higher than at LTHS, and embarrassing student administration confrontations on the evening news, it is time for a District 208 board that knows how to negotiate with an open mind. I urge you to vote for candidates that will listen to the students, parents and community. I believe William “Wes” Smithing has the experience necessary. An executive at United Airlines he frequently negotiates with their unionized labor force and has the right attitude necessary to do work with all sides. Based on what I have heard at board meetings Ed Jepson seems to have the same qualities. If there is a third candidate with these qualities let me know.

There are three things that matter when considering the Riverside-Brookfield High School Board of Education candidates: Finances, academics and respect In all those areas, I believe the current board members and, more largely, the school administration have fallen far short of what we should expect as voters and citizens. ■ Finances. RBHS received a no-stringsattached $8.9 million grant from the state in 2013. This grant was applied for a decade earlier by the previous administration. In 2015, the board sold $6 million in bonds, an action that did not require voter approval. With that kind of influx of money, it is unacceptable that the school is forecasted to have budget shortfalls expected to rise to about $2 million by 2021. ■ Academics. The Landmark article on March 21 (“RBHS board hopefuls hear from faculty at forum”) shared that RBHS faculty express concern about falling test scores. They are right to be concerned. In 2011, the state-administered ACT collegereadiness score was met by 70.6 percent of the graduating class. By 2016, that percentage had fallen year-over-year to 59.5 percent. During the same period, average class size went from 21.3 in 2011 to 24 in 2016. Similarly, while the RBHS course catalog shows electives that would indicate support of students not planning to attend college, those classes are not offered every year. In at least one case, such a course consistently listed in the catalog hasn’t been offered for 11 years. All of these things tell me that college-bound students and those who intend to pursue immediate employment or trade school are not being served by the current board or administration. ■ Respect. The recent situation with the social sciences teacher and the student/parent outcry, as well as the events preceding these things (unaddressed racist graffiti) and the apparent morale issue with the school’s teachers indicate that there is a problem with respect from the top-down at the school. Students must be able to talk openly about the many issues that concern and confront them. We need teachers able to facilitate and lend an open ear to those concerns. Similarly, a school board whose immediate choice when it doesn’t get its way is a lawsuit against the community it serves shows a lack of respect for taxpayers. As a parent with one RBHS graduate and another child about to enter the school, I think it has great teachers and potential but new guidance is needed. Only Wes Smithing has shown an awareness of RB’s needs. Your vote matters. Please vote for Smithing on April 4.

Brookfield

Laura Durkin Riverside

New direction needed at RBHS

Guy Adami

Martha Carlson

Lupfer good choice for VIP will keep North township trustee Riverside on track I’ve known Tom Lupfer professionally for over 10 years. He is a respected colleague and we have become good friends. Our work together at the Illinois Landscape Contractors Association has given me an insight to how Tom works on Boards and Committees. First, he takes a critical look at the issues, sees what needs improvement, and then works hard to make a difference, often times bucking the system and challenging the status quo. This results in real progress, progress that I have personally witnessed and appreciated. So when I heard that Tom was running for Riverside Township trustee, I could only imagine that he would be an extremely effective advocate for the residents of Riverside Township.

Jeff Swano

Brookfield

Demeaning fire chief was ‘deplorable’ I was present at the North Riverside Village Board meeting on March 20, as many residents were, and it was truly evident that with just two weeks from the election that supporters of the MVP political party and their union firefighters would demean our fire chief, Brian Basek, and his reputation in the way they did at this meeting. This hateful rhetoric was deplorable, unwelcome and uncalled for. Our village has no room for this type of animosity by interlopers from another town, village or city and for our residents to witness such an act was unjustified to say the least. Our mayor, Hugh Hermanek, should be recognized for the kind, compassionate and dignified way he handled a most contentious board meeting and Chief Basek should be granted the respect he so rightfully desires as he prepares for his retirement. It would be my hope that everyone in attendance would have noticed that the candidate and the party they are working so hard to support, H. Bob Demopoulos, actually took a stand to applaud our chief. I have been a supporter of the VIP Party and their candidates for many years, and I would hope that the MVP Party would be called out for this shameful display of political behavior. The VIP Party does not get their fair share of respect at any election time, and I believe this is one time that they are definitely overdue. On April 4, please support the Voter’s Improvement Party (VIP) and their candidates as they continue to give this small community with the big heart the kind of leadership they deserve.

P.J. Folz

North Riverside

The North Riverside concerned citizens will help make the village business stay on track. It is very important that all registered voters get to their voting booths on April 4 and do their duty. Four years ago I was on the bandwagon for change in our small village. With my help and support for the VIP we made it happened. Yes, I was a candidate for mayor four years ago, but a technicality prevented me from getting on the ballot. I did not get sore, I realized that Mayor Hermanek and the new VIP candidates were for the same cause and decided to join them. Yes, at first some of my supporters disagreed and I had lost their support. Through the years as I silently campaigned, the residents that refused my ideology then, agree with me today due to all the hard work that has been put in saving our village. To the hundreds of residents that I came in contact with throughout the years and even recently, please do not be intimidated by anyone. Remember what we stand for and everything we talked about and what this village stands for. If we allow inexperienced, reckless and irresponsible people to run our village, the financial crises will be a repeat of the past. The recreation and public works departments serve the community well and they are an important part of better serving the community and its residents. I give an A+ to Mayor Hermanek who has chosen the right people for the jobs needed in our village. The disgruntled employees will always be the opposition who spread rumors and hate. These actions are not productive in any sense. As a North Riverside concerned citizen, I urge you to come out and vote for all the VIP candidates: Mayor Hubert E. Hermanek, Clerk Kathleen Ranieri, Trustee Joseph Mengoni, Theresa (Terri) Sarro and Fernando Flores. I will be in front of village hall on Election Day to greet you and yours.

George Georgopoulos North Riverside

Racism is never correct I am responding to the Dec. 7, 2016 letter to the editor “Landmark needs to get a grip.” The Landmark deserves a high mark, because racism is never correct; furthermore, we have a man who, although he was elected president, has no right to practice racism. As president, he has the obligation to be civil and respectful. The president has no license to lie, especially if he expects to be respected himself.

Paul Straka Riverside

Special Advertising Section

EDUCATION & ENRICHMENT GUIDE

March 29, 2017

Special Advertising Section

Spring 2017

Education &Enrichment

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March 29, 2017

EDUCATION & ENRICHMENT GUIDE

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EDUCATION & ENRICHMENT GUIDE

March 29, 2017

THURSDAY, APRIL 27TH FROM 4- 6 PM Blow your childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s minds by bringing their favorite vehicles to life! Join us at the North Riverside Village Commons and let your children explore real modes of transportation that will excite their senses! TH They can make the lights flash, honk the horn, sound the siren and uncover the mysteries of BIG vehicles! Bring your family, your childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s minds bycamera! bringing their your friends and your

THURSDAY, APRIL 27 FROM 4- 6 PM Blow favorite vehicles to life! Join us at the North Registration is IN Riverside Village Commons and let your PROGRESS for the children explore real modes of Kids Flea Market on Saturday,transportation that will excite their senses! April 22nd They can make the lights flash, honk the 9 am-1 pm horn, sound the siren and uncover the mysteries of BIG vehicles! Bring your family, 2401 DesPlaines your friends and your camera! Spaces include a table and two chairs and are available for $15 Call (708) 442-5515 with Visa or MasterCard and reserve your space today!

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EDUCATION & ENRICHMENT GUIDE

March 29, 2017

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FAITH ●● VALUES FAITH ● VALUES FAITH VALUES Teaching academic excellence andand Catholic values Teaching academic excellence values - Teaching academic excellence andCatholic Catholic values ACADEMICS ●● FAMILY ACADEMICS ● FAMILY ACADEMICS FAMILY preparing students for a successful, principled future preparing students for aa successful, principled future preparing students for successful, principled future Full Day Kindergarten—8th Grade • Full & Half Day Day Preschool Full Day Kindergarten—8th Grade • Full & Half Preschool Call us to Full Day Kindergarten—8th Grade • Full & Half Day Preschool Call us to Call us to class size for personalized attention  Small classallows size allows for personalized attention schedule aa tour schedule atour tour Small Small class size allows for personalized attention Google Chromebooks for 5th – 8th Graders schedule  Google Chromebooks for 5th – 8th Graders Google Chromebooks forthroughout 5th –throughout 8th Graders  Current technology integrated curriculum in every oror Shadow Day!  Current technology integrated curriculum in class every class Shadow Day! Current technology throughout or Shadow Day!  Multiage classrooms withintegrated differentiated instructioncurriculum in every class

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GUIDE

March 29, 2017

RBLANDMARK.COM

community news. calendar. high school sports. weekend events. restaurant reviews. real estate resources. local schools. shopping. police reports. opinions.

EDUCATION & ENRICHMENT GUIDE

March 29, 2017

Spring 2017

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Special Advertising Section

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EDUCATION & ENRICHMENT GUIDE

Special Advertising Section

March 29, 2017

WE ARE CELEBRATING OUR

TH ANNIVERSARY! ALL EVENTS ARE AT THE BANK:

MONDAY, APRIL 3

FRIDAY, APRIL 7 10 AM TO 2 PM

Stop by for a sweet treat. Candy Bar Giveaway: 100 Grand, Payday and chocolate coins.

Visit the Secretary of State Mobile Unit in the community room.

TUESDAY, APRIL 4

11 AM TO 2 PM Taco Truck

Stop by for a sweet treat. Candy Bar Giveaway: 100 Grand, Payday and chocolate coins.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 5 Join us for a slice of anniversary cake.

WE BRING IT HOME BY CELEBRATING MOMENTS . We’ve been part of this community for 15 years and we’re ready to celebrate! We wouldn’t be where we are without this wonderful community, so we’ve planned a special thank you to show our appreciation. Please stop by the bank for one of our fun events during the month of April.

CELEBRATING 25 YEARS OF COMMUNITY BANKING!

SATURDAY, APRIL 8 10 AM TO 12:30 PM

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WE’RE PROUD TO BRING IT HOME. As a company made in this area, for this area, Wintrust and its family of true community banks is dedicated to the unique neighborhoods each serves. For 25 years, we’ve been banks that invest in, give back to, and get to really know our communities and the people living in them. When you bank with a Wintrust Community Bank, you can be confident your money is going back into the things that matter most to you.

Riverside Bank is a branch of Hinsdale Bank & Trust Company. 1. New money is defined as money not currently held at any Wintrust Community Bank. Personal accounts only. Initial deposit of $1,000 required. Annual Percentage Yield (APY) is accurate as of 3/13/2017. APY assumes funds remain on deposit. Substantial penalty for early withdrawal. Offer expires 6/30/17.

EDUCATION & ENRICHMENT GUIDE

March 29, 2017

9008 Fairview Ave, Brookfield Corner of Sunnyside & Fairview

Rooted firmly on the Rock.

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Special Advertising Section

This Summer Take an Adventure to a 17Castle! SBC brkfld ed. g.docx

t Mighty Fortress kids will learn that the 5.04” x H 5.58” victory hasW been won through Jesus. Each day kids will visit the Stronghold to hear true stories in the Bible of victory. Then go to Victory Village for science fun, create Festival crafts and enjoy Great Hall snacks to get reenergized for the Tournament games. So raise your banner! Hold it high. The battle is won. They will receive Crown of Victory collectibles as reminders of the lesson of the day. They may not ace their next test or make the team and friends may fail them, but God promises to be their rock, and their salvation their fortress and sure defense.

The Mighty Fortress adventure will be held at Cornerstone Community Church of Brookfield, 9008 Fairview Ave (Sunnyside and Fairview) from July 31st through August 4th, 9:30 a.m. - Noon. Online registration begins May 1st at: www.cornerstone-grow.org or call the church ofﬁce 708 485-8730.

Might Fortress welcomes kids 4 years old through 5th grade in the fall. $20.00 covers the whole week of adventure. Discount for siblings.

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10:30a Sunday Worship Service and Children’s Classes

The Wonder of Music GSM’s 2nd Annual Guitar Camp will take

place from July 10 - 14, 2017. 9 am - noon.

Beginners ages 8 - 12. No experience necessary. $150 early bird price before June 1st. Guitar rental is extra. Mention this ad for (1) free 30-min lesson. New students only.

Gasse School of Music • 7641 W. Polk St., Forest Park, IL 60130 708.488.8117 • www.GasseSchoolofMusic.org

he Gasse School of Music, founded in 2001 is dedicated to a simple, twopoint mission: 1.) Provide quality, instrumental music instruction for children and adults of all ages, and 2.) Make the playing of a musical instrument a fun and enjoyable part of everyday life. Bringing the joy of music to anyone is a gift of incalculable value and the academic and life-skill benefits of musical instruction are well-documented. Those benefits suffer, however, if the process of instruction is not infused with a sense of fun and love of music as well as technical excellence. It is here that the Gasse School of Music excels. The Gasse School started with five students and two instructors and has since grown to 140 students and a faculty of five. More importantly, most of our younger students continue to study with us throughout their school careers, developing their skills and progressing through elementary, middle school, high school, and college orchestras and chamber groups. The school provides individual and group instruction with an emphasis on self expression, creativity, teamwork, fun and proper technique. Lessons are given

in instrumental music, elementary music for early childhood, chamber music and music reading. The school promotes public performances by its students, faculty and guest artists.

“ Bringing the joy of music to anyone is a gift. ” The school offers lessons in cello, guitar, piano, viola and violin. Providing individual and group instruction with an emphasis on self expression, creativity, teamwork, fun and proper technique. Lessons are given in instrumental music, elementary music for early childhood, chamber music and music reading. The school promotes public performances by its students, faculty and guest artists. GSM is active in the communities it serves regularly participating in the annual Forest Park Holiday Walk and Forest Park Music Fest where students perform, weekly music classes at Montessori Language Academy, sectional training at Roosevelt Middle and Brooks Middle Schools and mini lessons at the annual Berwyn Back to School Picnic.

EDUCATION & ENRICHMENT Special Advertising Section

GUIDE

March 29, 2017

Big Year Planned for 2017

iverside Parks and Recreation is looking forward to 2017! We are able to add Monday’s to our KinderKids Afternoon Enrichment Programming for the 2017 – 2018 school year. Registration for this program will begin on April 18th at 8 AM. Registration hours will remain regular office hours after the 18th, 9 AM to 6 PM, Monday – Friday at the Water Tower. All initial registration must take place at the Water Tower, 10 Pine Ave. There are 20 spots available. We do understand that your child may be placed in afternoon Kindergarten. This is one of the reasons we allow for an August 15th deadline to cancel enrollment without financial penalty. Riverside Parks & Recreation would like to thank this year’s participants for a fun and enlightening year! This year’s group has a lot of personality and has taught us as much as we hope we have taught them.

Riverside Parks and Recreation has a big year planned! We have made adjustments to our summer camp registration to allow for more convenient options for our participating families. Riverside Parks & Recreation has started programming directly with District 96 schools for after school programs. This summer we will celebrate our 10th Annual Cori’s Kids Triathlon, a race for beginners and experts 7 and up. Three years ago, we opened up the race to adults and have had participants from the start. We hope to grow in our initiative to involve the whole family in participating in events that boosts mental and physical strength. Look for fun summer programming in our brochure this April!

RIVERSIDE PARKS AND RECREATION

KinderKids 2017 - 2018 Registration begins on April 18th

KinderKids Information Open House

April 12 at 5:30pm Children Welcome!

Who: 5 to 6 year olds (as of 9/1/17) When: Monday – Friday… Fee: KKC Class $260/$270 Non-Res Brown Bag Buddies $70/$75 Non-Res 10 Pine Avenue (inside the Water Tower) | (708) 442-7025 riversidepr@riverside.il.us

The Landmark, March 29, 2017

PEOPLE BEFORE POLITICS INDEPENDENT CANDIDATE INDEPENDENT THINKER

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Marybelle Mandel Village President North Riverside

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Fire union declares ‘no confidence’ in North Riverside chief Mayor blasts statement as politically motivated, disgusting

By BOB UPHUES Editor

The president of North Riverside Firefighters Union Local 2714 announced a “vote of no confidence” in Fire Chief Brian Basek during a blistering and, at times, personal denouncement at the end of the village board’s March 20 meeting, and which appeared timed to inflict maximum political damage and embarrassment to Mayor Hubert Hermanek just two weeks before the April 4 election. In a council chamber packed to overflowing with supporters of both union firefighters and the village’s administration, union President Chris Kribales said members cast unanimous “no confidence” votes and read a two-page prepared statement blasting Basek’s “inability to provide sound leadership and

Maiah Galarza • 4th • Lincoln Elementary

effectively manage the affairs of this fire department.” Basek, a full-time North Riverside firefighter for 32 years and chief since 2013, announced his retirement last year and intended on walking away from the job at the end of November 2016. He agreed to stay on through the election as a favor to Hermanek, since candidates for the job were leery of taking a new job with a mayoral election just over the horizon. The chief sat silently through Kribales three-minute statement, during which the union president criticized him for “flagrant apathy for public safety,” “orders to use antiquated apparatus and equipment” while new equipment sat idle, “intentionally misinterpret[ing] the labor agreeContinued on facing page

The Landmark, March 29, 2017 ment, and “micromanag[ing] the day-to-day operations of his command staff.” “This undereducated, underqualified mayoral appointee conveys an arrogance and ignorance dangerous to his position by not allowing positive, proactive decisions necessary for this department to move confidently forward,” said Kribales to the applause of his supporters. In a phone interview after the meeting, Basek told the Landmark, “I don’t want to dignify Mr. Kribales’ remarks with a response.” Hermanek responded at the meeting to the no-confidence announcement by rattling off a list of accomplishments, from setting department policies to securing a grant for a new fire engine, that lasted six minutes. At the conclusion of Hermanek’s remarks, many in the audience along with all of the members of the village board, responded with a standing ovation in support of the fire chief. “I was humbled and appreciative of the standing ovation from all of the elected officials and residents at the board meeting,” Basek said. While the fire chief didn’t want to respond to the vote of no confidence, Hermanek called the union president’s statement “embarrassing, disgusting and uncalled for.” The mayor also said it was an “election stunt” near the climax of a campaign where administration three-year effort to privatize the fire department have drawn clear battle lines. Kribales told the Landmark that firefighters took the no-confidence vote “about a month ago.” Basek and Hermanek said no one from the fire department mentioned anything to them about the vote in the past month. “It was done solely for political reasons, to embarrass the chief, which is their way of embarrassing me,” Hermanek said. “I think this opened a lot of people’s eyes. They’re not the angels everyone thought they were. “To go after him personally, personally at-

LAWSUIT

Odelson: ‘campaign gimmick’ from page 1 of Information request seeking vouchers for legal services. Moran, said Berry, has filed similar FOIAs in other towns and has had success in obtaining the documents. In this instance, according to the lawsuit, the village at first did not respond to Moran’s Jan. 3 records request. The Illinois Attorney General’s public access counselor sent a letter to Village Clerk Kathy Ranieri on Jan. 20 asking about the delay. More than a month later, on Feb. 28, having heard nothing from North Riverside, the public access counselor emailed Ranieri for an update. On March 16, the public access counselor notified Moran that he’d been in touch with the village’s attorney “recently” and that the law firm was reviewing invoices and would respond soon. With a mayoral election pitting incumbent

tacking his competence and intelligence – it’s just uncalled for.” Hermanek said he wished he could have reappointed Basek for another three years as chief on March 20. “He’d have gotten unanimously approved,” Hermanek said. Trustee H. Bob Demopoulos, who stood to applaud after the mayor’s March 20 remarks, is running against Hermanek for mayor and has made the fire department his number one issue for the past two municipal elections. In 2015, Demopoulos was re-elected trustee, leading a slate of candidates calling itself Save Our Firefighters. Since 2013, he has supported the fire union’s proposal for the village to drop its longtime private paramedic service and use part-timers to man ambulances while union firefighters, most of whom are not cross-trained, get paramedic certification. Demopoulos and the union want the department to be staffed only by union firefighter/ paramedics and Demopoulos has embraced the union’s call for additional staffing. Paramedic Services of Illinois, the village’s paramedic service for more than three decades, has contributed $8,885 to the VIP Party, of which Hermanek and every village trustee with the exception of Demopoulos is a member. Their last contribution was for $1,500 on Feb. 14. While state campaign contribution records don’t indicate any large donors to Demopoulos’ campaign to be from individuals or groups associated with firefighters, past Demopoulos campaigns drew financial support from local and out-of-town firefighters. In 2015, the biggest contributors to Save Our Firefighters were a pair of Berwyn firefighters, which each gave $1,000. The campaign also received donations from the Berwyn Firefighters Union ($250), the Cicero Firefighters Union ($250) and a veteran North Riverside firefighter ($200).

Hubert Hermanek Jr. against two challengers less than a month away and the privatization bid still unresolved, Moran filed suit to try and force the village’s hand. “The voters have a right under FOIA to know the total cost of this litigation to inform their vote in choosing a candidate for mayor,” the lawsuit states. “It is imperative that the requested documents be produced prior to April 4.” Village officials have been reluctant to put a firm number on legal costs related to the fire privatization bid. During an endorsement interview with Hermanek and challenger H. Bob Demopoulos on March 15 at the Landmark’s offices, Hermanek estimated the costs related to privatization at $100,000, a figure Demopoulos questioned. Hermanek argued that the privatization effort was a fraction of the legal bills paid by the village since summer 2014 when he announced the idea. He pointed out that the village was also paying to defend itself against dozens of union grievances, unfair labor practice claims and a wrongful termination complaint. Berry dismissed such separation of claims, saying, “It’s all part of this. It’s all part of this

D103 PROTEST ‘It’s ridiculous’ from page 1 “No respect for parents, no respect for anybody,” Medina said of the administration and school board majority. An email sent to board members at 12:04 p.m. on March 23 by Char Latronica, assistant to Superintendent Carol Baker, was brief. “Good Afternoon,” the email said. “Unfortunately we do not have a quorum for tonight’s board meeting and therefore the meeting will need to be cancelled and rescheduled at some point next week. Thank you.” The hiring of two kindergarten aides at Costello School was on the agenda for the cancelled board meeting. The cancelled meeting comes less than two weeks before a hotly contested school board election. Members of the board’s majority, backed by Lyons Village President Christopher Getty, were apparently the ones who were unable to make the meeting. Two board members who spoke to the Landmark, Sharon Anderson and Joanne Schaeffer, who are not part of the Gettybacked majority, said they had planned on attending the meeting. Schaeffer blasted the decision to cancel the school board meeting, calling the board majority “chicken,” and saying that she believed the meeting was cancelled because many parents were planning on attending the meeting. “I’m fit to be tied,” Schaeffer said of the decision to cancel the meeting. “Bills cannot be paid because they can’t be paid until the board approves it. There’s two people who are supposed to start work Monday.

legal theory of [attorney Burt Odelson] that once the union contract expires, one can terminate it and bypass interest arbitration.” As for just how much of the hundreds of thousands of dollars paid to Odelson & Sterk since mid-2013, when the firm was picked to represent the village, Berry said it’s unclear exactly how much is related to fire privatization because the village has blocked efforts to find out. “We just want to get out that they are stonewalling us,” Berry said. “We have some information, and it’s no less than several hundred thousand dollars.” Reached by phone March 27, Hermanek said he hadn’t yet seen a copy of the lawsuit. Odelson, however, in a phone interview called it “just a campaign gimmick” and that “the appropriate documents will be provided at the appropriate time” to Moran. Odelson said he was working to redact documents that reveal matters protected by attorney-client privilege. He reiterated Hermanek’s estimate that his firm has been paid about $100,000 for the privatization lawsuit the village filed in Cook County Circuit Court in 2014.

They cannot be hired, because we didn’t vote on it. I think four members backing out six hours before the board meeting is outrageous.” Anderson also was upset that the meeting was cancelled at the last minute. “It’s ridiculous,” Anderson said. “There is no reason to cancel a meeting. They’re planned a year in advance.” The previous school board meeting on March 9 was filled with angry parents who during the public comment period berated Baker for her handling on an incident at George Washington Middle School where a student was discovered one morning with brass knuckles and a switchblade before he entered the school. Some parents said that student should have been expelled from the school instead of being given a brief suspension. More angry parents were expected March 23 in the wake of a power outage at Robinson School in Lyons the previous week. On March 20, Sarah Carr, the treasurer of the of Robinson School Parent Teacher Council (PTC), hand-delivered a letter to the superintendent and the school board, complaining about the way the district handled the outage, particularly in failing to notify parents that the power was out at the start of the school day, leaving the building without heat on a cold day. “The power outage itself was not their fault, it was how they handled everything else,” Carr said. Carr said that she and other parents planned to speak at the March 23 school board meeting and that she believed that the board meeting was cancelled to avoid hearing from more angry parents so close to the April 4 election. “I’m just very disappointed,” Carr said. “They thought they could quiet us down before the election.”

The rest of the fees were related to fighting termination of employees for cause, unfair labor practice complaints, arbitration and other actions taken by the union. Examining the village’s annual treasurer’s reports gives an idea of just how much Odelson & Sterk has benefitted from representing North Riverside. During fiscal year 2013-14, the first year it represented North Riverside, prior to the privatization effort, Odelson & Sterk was paid $111,470, which was more than the village’s prior legal counsel, Mahoney, Silverman and Cross, was paid in 2012-13. In the three fiscal years prior to 2012-13, the village paid Mahoney, Silverman and Cross no more than $75,800 annually. But during 2014-15, the year Hermanek launched the privatization effort, the village paid Odelson & Sterk $416,118 and followed that up with another $281,142 in 2015-16. The village has not yet published its treasurer’s report for fiscal year 2016-17, which ends April 30. But in its 2016-17 operating budget, officials estimated legal costs related to the fire department alone at $100,000. No money was budgeted for “privatization” per se.

The Landmark, March 29, 2017

Sports

@OakPark

RBHS cruises past Francis Parker

Fitzgerald, Turina trigger Bulldogs’ balanced showing against Colonels By MARTY FARMER

Sports Editor

t 6-foot-1 and 190 pounds, Riverside-Brookfield High School senior Kyle Fitzgerald cuts an impressive figure at shortstop. He has size, strength and flexibility. It’s no wonder the five-tool player signed with Northwestern Florida State Junior College, which has a 2110 record this spring. In only the Bulldogs’ third game of the season, Fitzgerald’s set the tone against visiting Francis Parker in his first at-bat. Fitzgerald crushed a pitch from Parker sophomore Sammy Kagan well over the 325-foot wall in left field to give the Bulldogs a 1-0 lead. Fitzgerald finished 2-for-2, with two walks and two runs scored and showed off his arm at shortstop as RBHS rolled to a 7-0 victory at Ehlert Park in Brookfield. Fitzgerald is off to a blazing start this spring, hitting .714 with a 1.286 slugging percentage while hitting leadoff. “Kyle is probably more of a traditional [No. 3] hitter but I want to get him as many at-bats as possible,” RBHS coach Dallas Till said. “He is also a tremendous base runner.” The defending Metro Suburban ConDALLAS TILL ference champs are RBHS coach hardly a one-man team, however, which has Till and his veteran assistants Mark Ruge and his son, Joe, excited about this season. Boasting seven starters off a 23-win team in 2016, the Bulldogs’ depth wore down the Colonels at Ehlert Park. After Fitzgerald’s solo shot, senior designated hitter Sam Habayeb doubled to left-center. He scored on junior right fielder Howie Hatton’s stand-up triple to make the score 2-0 at the end of one inning. In the second inning, Parker put runners on the corners via two errors by the Bulldogs. RBHS starting pitcher Jarod Turina wiggled out of trouble by recording three straight outs, including two strikeouts. RBHS freshman Mike Schicker roped a double to start off the Bulldogs’ half of the second. After left fielder Christian Perez and third baseman Asher Runyan-Randruut both flied out, Fitzgerald walked to put runners on first and second base with two outs. Turina hit a ball to Parker shortstop

“Kyle is probably more of a traditional [No. 3] hitter but I want to get him as many at-bats as possible.”

File photos

RBHS senior shortstop Kyle Fitzgerald is hitting .714 this season. (Left) Sam Habayeb anchors the pitching staff.

Nate Besold, who committed a two-run error, extending the Bulldogs’ advantage to 4-0. With Turina cruising along on the mound, RBHS put the game out of reach with three runs in the fourth to establish a commanding 7-0. Sophomore first baseman Ryan Cermak (2-for-4) and Hatton each had a run-scoring single in the inning. Whereas Hatton, Turina and second baseman John Kosner made an immediate impact as first-year varsity players in 2016, Cermak and Schicker are great additions this spring. “Working with promising young players like Ryan and

Michael is one of the most exciting aspects of coaching for Coach Ruge and I,” Till said. “We know that we can work with them early in their career and help mold them into better players.” Turina allowed two hits and struck out five over five innings to pick up the win. “We aren’t terribly deep in terms of pitching so Jarod will continue to be a mainstay in our rotation,” Till said. “I expect him to perform well.” Jeremy Heer and Habayeb each pitched a scoreless inning in relief to preserve the shutout. In other games this season, RBHS won its home opener 13-2 against Holy Trinity in five innings on March 23. Cermak earned the win in his first career varsity start. The Bulldogs tied host Leyden 4-4 in the season opener on March 21. “Our defense has been really strong thus far outside of one inning at Leyden,” Till said. “We have been aggressive on the bases and our bats are coming along. “We need to improve in all areas but one that comes to mind is limiting the walks. I realize it’s early in the season but our pitchers have surrendered too many walks.” RBHS (2-0-1), which has outscored the opposition 24-6 in three games, plays a game every day this week capped off by a double-header at Leyden Saturday.

S P O R T S

The Landmark, March 29, 2017

Winning remains priority for RBHS girls soccer Sans Kucera, Bulldogs return a talented mix of veterans and newcomers By MATT LE CREN Contributing Reporter

File photo

RBHS senior Kathryn Sessler is a three-year varsity starter at midfield. She has tremendous speed and instincts on the field.

With Danny Makaric at the helm and Allie Kucera scoring goals, the past two seasons represented a golden age for the Riverside-Brookfield High School girls soccer program. Now the Bulldogs will find out if they can keep the good times rolling without them. Kucera, a junior striker who scored over 30 goals as a sophomore, has elected to play club soccer this season, while Makaric stepped down as head coach, giving the reins to assistant Ivek Halic. While RBHS has no players as talented as Kucera, expectations remain high coming off a 2016 season that saw the Bulldogs go 14-7-3 and advance to the Class 2A sectional semifinals. RBHS won its second straight regional championship and third overall before losing 2-1 to St. Ignatius. “(Kucera) is a great player,” Halic said. “It’s a big loss. “(Playing without her) is not easy, but we just want to have everyone working together, playing as one unit. So far it’s been working.” After bad weather cancelled or postponed their first five games, the Bulldogs finally got the season started Friday, March 24 by knocking off Argo 2-1 on the road. Freshman Taylor Kosiak scored the game-winning goal in the second half off an assist from senior Kathryn Sessler. Junior Gabby Tarrant had scored the Bulldogs’ first goal in the first half, with freshman Grace Larson getting the assist. Sessler, a four-year varsity player and three-year starter at midfield, is one of only five seniors on the roster. Though small, that class provides plenty of leadership.

Reloaded Lions have high expectations LTHS girls` soccer looking good with influx of new talent BY MATT LE CREN Contributing Reporter

Most programs that graduate 11 seniors would be looking at a rebuilding year. That probably won’t be the case for the Lyons Township High School girls soccer team. The Lions, who went 17-5-2 and won their fourth straight regional championship in 2016, still have plenty of weapons thanks to senior newcomer Erin Smothers and a host of talent moving up from an unbeaten sophomore team. “We had a sophomore team last year that went undefeated, scored like 98 goals and gave up seven,” LTHS coach Bill Lanspeary said. “Our sophomores were fantastic last year and we’ve got a lot of those players, so I feel like we kind of reloaded.” The Lions (1-0-1) certainly don’t lack firepower if their first two games are any indication. They bagged eight goals in beating Oswego East 5-3 in the season opener before tying powerful Metea Valley 3-3 on March 22 at Bennett Field. Metea Valley, which has reached the sectional finals the past three seasons, led 3-1 before the Lions rallied to force the

draw in a thrilling game between two highly talented teams. “It shows how much we persevere,” LTHS senior forward Jenna Fuller said. “We’re not going to give up even if we’re down two goals. We can always come back.” Fuller, an Ohio Northern recruit, and Smothers, who will continue her career at St. Ambrose, will team with senior Mary Devine to give the Lions a potent, speedy attack that can score from anywhere at any time. Smothers, a senior who is in her first year with the Lions after playing club soccer her first three seasons, proved that by scoring 20 seconds into the game against Metea Valley. She also set up the game-tying goal with 25:09 left in the second half by stealing the ball from a Metea defender near the endline and tapping the ball into space, where Devine hammered it home from six yards out. “That was Smothers with the effort getting around a kid that was shielding the ball,” Lanspeary said. “She got around her, saved it and played it back to Mary. That was a great effort.” Though she hadn’t played with the Lions before, Smothers always took an interest in the team. “I’ve always been into the high school soccer scene,” Smothers said. “I’d come to the games and watch when I

Midfielder Esther Annoreno, a four-year starter who will continue her playing career at Concordia, was second on the team in scoring last year and assisted on many of Kucera’s goals. Ivy Marcucci is a returning starter on defense. “They are huge role models,” said Halic, who had been an asESTHER ANNORENO sistant coach the past five seasons. “All three have been leaders RBHS midfielder on and off the field. It’s been a lot easier for me to make a smooth transition.” The rookies acquitted themselves well against Argo, a Class 3A school. Larson, Evie Roth, Mazzy Marcucci, Megan Riordan and Sophia DiForti all started in their prep debuts. “They definitely played a big role,” Halic said. “They’re doing well. I’m very pleased with their production and hard work so far.” As usual, the Bulldogs will play a tough non-conference schedule to prepare for the state playoffs, including games against 3A teams such as Maine South, Leyden, Morton and Lake Park. Not having a proven scorer like Kucera will make that task tougher, but Halic won’t let his players use that as an excuse. “It’s not necessarily a rebuilding year, but I’m holding these girls to high expectations,” Halic said. “These girls are putting in a lot of hours to get to where we want to go. They are working hard.” The Bulldogs are off until April 4, when they host Romeoville in the home opener. A previously postponed home game against Lake Park has been rescheduled for May 6.

wasn’t at practice or club. It feels good to finally actually play for my school.” Fuller fully appreciates what Smothers adds to the team. “Club is different from high school,” Fuller said. “Club girls obviously play faster so it’s nice having someone who has been used to that and can bring that speed.” The Lions also benefit from first-year varsity players Bella Lestina, Meara Hilling, Georgia Dougherty, Elsa McMahon, Lauren Kimberling and Grace Truax, who all played on the vaunted sophomore team last season. Lestina, a junior forward, scored 30 goals for the sophomores in 2016 and had a goal and an assist against Metea Valley. Dougherty, a sophomore, starts at forward while the other varsity rookies come off the bench. “As many players as we lost, we’ve got some good players stepping up,” Fuller said. “They’re not quite as experienced as (the ones) we had but they are good players and I think as the season goes on they’ll just get stronger.” With two-time defending champion Hinsdale Central starting only one senior, the door is open for the Lions to win the West Suburban Conference Silver Division and perhaps contend for a championship. The Lions will have to shore up their defense to do that, but Lanspeary is confident in the backline led by junior returning starter Catherine Johnson will get the job done. “(The Metea game) was a good test for us defensively,” Lanspeary said. “I know we gave up three goals. It’s weird to say you gave up three goals and still (think) we played pretty well in the back.”

The Landmark, March 29, 2017

RBLANDMARK.COM New local ads this week

YOUR WEEKLY AD

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

WEDNESDAY

CLASSIFIED

HOURS: 9:00 A.M.– 5:00 P.M. MON–FRI

Deadline is Tuesday at 9:30 a.m.

Please Check Your Ad: The publisher will not be responsible for more than one incorrect insertion. Wednesday Journal Classified must be notified before the second insertion. The newspaper reserves the right to edit or reject any advertisement.

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

BY PHONE: (708) 613-3333 | BY FAX: (708) 524-0447 | BY E-MAIL: CLASSIFIEDS@RBLANDMARK.COM HELP WANTED

HELP WANTED

CHILD CARE/RECREATIONAFTER SCHOOL DAY CARE Hephzibah Children’s Association offers after school day care at all Oak Park public elementary schools. The Program is accepting applications for warm, nurturing, energetic individuals to provide care and supervision of 5-11-year old children in the after-school program. Monday through Friday, 2:30–6:00 PM, Wednesday–1:30–6:00 PM.

LINE COOKS & DISHWASHERS WINBERIE’S (Oak Park) Winberie’s Restaurant and Bar in Oak Park is looking for Dishwashers and Line Cooks to join our team! The ideal candidates will be friendly, hardworking team players. The Line Cook candidates will have some previous experience, understand recipes and be friendly, hardworking team players that are passionate about food. Open availability a must, full-time and part-time positions available.

PT WATER METER READER The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualified candidates for the position of part-time Water Meter Reader in Public Works. This position will perform a variety of duties including reading water meters and recording consumption; identifying water meter equipment problems and performing minor water meter maintenance and repair. This position requires walking and working in inclement weather. Applicants are encouraged to visit the Village of Oak Park’s website http://www. oak-park.us/jobs. Interested and qualified applicants must complete a Village of Oak Park application no later than March 31, 2017.

THERMO OVEN OPER/HELPER Thule, Inc. located at 7609 W Industrial Drive, Forest Park, IL 60130 seeks a person to operate thermoforming equipment.

SCHAUER’S HARDWARE PART-TIME CASHIER 25-30 hours, mostly Afternoons and Evenings. Weekends required. No experience necessary, but looking for positive energy people. Must be outgoing, able to work with customers, deal with money & problem solving. Send resume to schauerhardware@att.net.

SUBURBAN REAL ESTATE

Responsibilities include planning and supervising arts and crafts activities, group games, helping with homework, and indoor and outdoor play. At least 6 semester hours in education, recreation or related coursework. Experience working with children. Contact MJ Joyce, Human Resources at: mjjoyce@hephzibahhome.org EOE COURT LIAISON OFFICER The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Court Liaison Officer (Civilian) in the Police Department. This position will maintain departmental records of court appearances, process subpoena requests, prepare court schedules, perform other necessary duties related to court proceedings and operate as the liaison between the Police Department and Cook County Judicial System. This position requires a valid Illinois driver’s license and proof of insurability. Applicants are encouraged to visit the Village of Oak Park’s website at http://www.oak-park.us/jobs. Interested and qualified applicants must complete a Village of Oak Park application no later than April 5, 2017. ELECTRICIAN’S HELPER PART-TIME Part-time Electrician’s Helper. Some experience required. Must have own transportation and some tools. Call 708-738-3848. LEGAL SECRETARY The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Legal Secretary in the Law Department. This position will perform a variety of responsible and advanced legal secretarial and clerical duties in support of the Law Department; perform complex clerical duties within the assigned work unit; and provide secretarial and administrative support to Law Department staff. Applicants are encouraged to visit the Village of Oak Park’s website at http://www. oak-park.us/jobs. Interested and qualified applicants must complete a Village of Oak Park application no later than April 3, 2017.

Are you a For Sale By Owner? Call Mary Ellen to advertise: 708-613-3342

Compensation: Hourly. Competitive based on experience. Benefits for any full-time employees. Employment type: employee’s choice Please apply in person, Monday through Saturday, from 2 to 6 p.m., at: 151 North Oak Park Ave. Oak Park, IL 60301 PROPERTY MANAGEMENT & MARKETING ASSISTANT Oak Park (IL) Residence Corporation, a community based, non-profit housing development corporation is seeking an experienced, Full-time administrative assistant and leasing agent for its property management and marketing departments. The qualified candidate will have previous experience working in the multi-family rental industry; work effectively with both clients and co-workers; take direction well and work independently on tasks and assignments to meet established deadlines; provide support to Director of Property Management and Marketing Director. Must be proficient in Microsoft Office Suite. This position will also provide leasing support and an Illinois leasing agent license will be required within 3 months of hire. Experienced in YARDI VOYAGER a plus. To view a complete job description visit our website at www.oakparkrc. com/work-oprc. To apply forward a cover letter and resume to Beth Swaggerty, Assistant Executive Director at bswaggerty@oakparkrc. com. Oak Park Residence Corporation is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We provide competitive compensation and a full benefits package. PT FARMERS’ MKT ASST The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Seasonal Part-time Farmers’ Market Assistant in the Health Department. This position will provide administrative support to the Farmers’ Market Manager to allow growers and producers of food to sell directly to the public within established guidelines. This position requires work in inclement weather conditions; some heavy lifting of up to 50 pounds; walking or standing for sustained periods of time. Applicants are encouraged to visit the Village of Oak Park’s website at http:// www.oak-park.us/ jobs. Interested and qualified applicants must complete a Village of Oak Park application no later than April 12, 2017.

SERVERS & BUSSERS WINBERIE’S (Oak Park) Winberie’s Restaurant and Bar in Oak Park is looking for experienced SERVERS & BUSSERS to join our team! The ideal candidates will have 1-2 years restaurant/hospitality experience and be friendly, hardworking team players. Open availability a must. Compensation: Hourly. Vacation & health benefits available for full-time employees. Employment type: employee’s choice

Candidates should have some prior mechanical experience. The right candidate will have the ability to read a drawing, operate equipment and small tools. High school education or equivalent. This full-time position offers a starting rate of $12.06 per hour w/benefits. Please apply in person. Thule is an Equal Opportunity Employer, Gender/Minority/Veterans/Disabled.

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902 S. 3RD AVENUE (2 blks W of 1st Ave & 1 blk N of Madison) Tired of renting? Why not consider buying an affordable 2BR condo w/ 1000+ sq ft of living space? Savings are built in from a unique 12 year tax freeze plus lower utility costs from energy saving systems and appliances. Onsite pkg, exterior lighting and enhanced security systems included. Plus you can customize and design your living space to better meet your needs! For details Call 708-383-9223.

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GLA PROPERTY MANAGEMENT, INC.

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Lovely, old fashioned country church in Maywood, on corner of Fifth and Erie is looking for a roommate or tenant. We are willing to work out a flexible arrangement if you are an appropriate tenant. Various size spaces. Call 708 344-6150, leave a message.

OAK PARK CLASSIC CHURCH FOR RENT

Includes Sanctuary, Fellowship Hall, Kitchen, Midweek Service/ Bible Study, Office Options. 708-848-5460

Apartment listings updated daily at: 708-386-7355 • www.mmpropmgt.com 649 Madison Street, Oak Park

Contact: Amy O’Rourke at: aorourke@hephzibahhome.org

OFFICE SPACE FOR RENT

SUBURBAN RENTALS

SUMMER DAY CARE Hephzibah Children’s Association offers a Summer Day Care program in Oak Park, IL. We are seeking caring, nurturing individuals to provide care and supervision of 5–11-yearold children.

Responsibilities include planning and supervising play shops, arts and crafts, sports, activities, group games, and indoor and outdoor play. Staff accompany and supervise children at the swimming pool and on weekly field trips. Requirements include a minimum of 6 semester hours in education, recreation, social work, or related college courses. Previous experience working with school aged children preferred.

AUSTIN VILLAGE 5939 W. Midway Parkway Remodeled 1 BR. Half block from Oak Park, Green Line & shops. 3rd Floor. $800/month. Heat not included. 708-383-9223 or 773-676-6805.

M&M property management, inc.

Oak Park: Studios, 1 & 2 BR from $750-$2000 Forest Park: 1 & 2 BR from $750-$1300

LaVerne Collins Managing broker

Office located at: 320 S. Wisconsin Ave. Oak Park

708-763-9927 www.glapropertymanagement.com

Properties may be broker owned.

Call us for a complete list of rentals available.

Find your new apartment this Saturday from 10 am – 4pm at 35 Chicago Avenue. Or call us toll free at 1-888-328-8457 for an appointment.

You have jobs. We have readers!

Find the best employees with Wednesday Classified! Call 708-613-3342

The Landmark, March 29, 2017

RBLANDMARK.COM

CLASSIFIED RUMMAGE SALES River Forest

RUMMAGE SALE RIVER FOREST U.M. CHURCH 7970 LAKE ST (Lake & Thatcher)

SAT APR 1 9AM TO 1PM

CASH ONLY: Clothes, housewares, furniture, bookcases, metal storage cabinets, wood file cabinets, books, toys, old wooden chests, banquet tables, decorations, antique zinc garden table, odds & endsâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;SPRING CLEANING!

ITEMS FOR SALE BUMPER POOL TABLE $40 obo. BLONDE CHEST OF DRAWERS Dust Proof & DRESSER with MIRROR. $150 FOR BOTH. Call 708-488-8755. FINE CHINA Lucien Piccard Fine China. Cream with platinum rim. 12 place settings. $150. Call 708-488-8755. FUTON Black futon on heavy iron frame. $49. Call 708-488-8755. OUTDOOR FURNITURE High Quality Outdoor furniture. Heavy wrought iron. $125 obo. Call 708-488-8755. SEWING MACHINE Singer Sewing Machine. Like new. $49.00. Call 708-488-8755. Weber Grill Large double burner prpoane gas grill.Stainless Steel Cabinet. Excellent condition. $250 obo.

FURNITURE Dining Buffet & Hutch Qaulity Colonial dining buffet with hutch display top. $250. Call 708-689-0498. Leave message and phone number.

WANTED TO BUY WANTED MILITARY ITEMS: Helmets, medals, patches, uniforms, weapons, flags, photos, paperwork, Also toy soldiers-lead plastic-other misc. toys. Call Uncle Gary 708-522-3400

CEMENT

(708) 613-3333 â&#x20AC;˘ FAX: (708) 524-0447 â&#x20AC;˘ E-MAIL: CLASSIFIEDS@RBLANDMARK.COM

CEMETERY LOTS

CEMENT

Mount Auburn Cmetery Plot Beautiful plot in Mount Auburn Cemetery. Rare spot in Gracelawn Gardens, `Eyes of the Lord.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Lot 25, Grave 13. Stacked. 2 lawn crypts and double headstone. If interested call (708) 703-7572

Finishing Touch Cement & Masonry

AUTOS FOR SALE 2005 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF GL 4 dr hatch. Automatic. 44k low miles. $4500. Call 708-383-8507.

CHURCHES Find Hope this Easter!

Join us this Sunday and every Sunday leading up to Easter to experience HOPE and find Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s purpose for your life.

New Life Community Church

3801 Madison in Brookfield Sundays @ 11:30 Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ministry is available Free gifts for all visitors. (meeting at Faith Lutheran Church)

newlifebrookfield.org 708.277.9191

PETS While youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re away, your pets are okay . . . at home

cat calls

Oak Parkâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Original Pet Care Service â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Since 1986

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

524-1030

TAX SERVICES INCOME TAXES BY CPA. Inexpensive. Will travel. www.fiazeissa.com or 708-870-5006

CEMENT

MAGANA

C O N C R E T E C O N S T RU C T I O N â&#x20AC;&#x153;QUALITY IS OUR FOUNDATIONâ&#x20AC;? ESTABLISHED IN 1987

COMMERCIAL Â&#x2DC; INDUSTRIAL Â&#x2DC; RESIDENTIAL

708.442.7720 '5,9(:$<6 Â&#x2021; )281'$7,216 Â&#x2021; 3$7,26 67(36 Â&#x2021; &85% *877(56 Â&#x2021; 6,'(:$/.6 612: 3/2:,1* Â&#x2021; 67$03(' &2/25(' $**5(*$7( &21&5(7( FREE ESTIMATES LICENSED, BONDED & INSURED

Plan a spring garage sale.

Call 708-613-3342 to advertise in Wednesday Classified.

Residential and Commercial Driveways | Garage Floors Sidewalks | Steps | Patios Specializing in Stamped Concrete Tuck Pointing and All Types Brickwork

Rocco Martino 708-878-8547

ELECTRICAL

A&A ELECTRIC

Let an American Veteran do your work

We fix any electrical problem and do small jobs Fast Emergency Service | Residential â&#x20AC;˘ Commercial â&#x20AC;˘ Industrial Ceiling Free Home Evaluations | Lic. â&#x20AC;˘ Bonded â&#x20AC;˘ Ins. â&#x20AC;˘ Low Rates â&#x20AC;˘ Free Est. Fans Home Re-wiring â&#x20AC;˘ New Plugs & Switches Added Installed New circuit breaker boxes â&#x20AC;˘ Code violations corrected Serv. upgrades,100-200 amp â&#x20AC;˘ Garage & A/C lines installed

708-409-0988 â&#x20AC;˘ 708-738-3848

Sr. Discounts â&#x20AC;˘ 30 Yrs. Exp | Servicing Oak Park and all surrounding suburbs

GARAGE/GARAGE DOOR

FinishingTouchCement2 @gmail.com

Our 71st Year

For All Your Concrete Needs!

Garage Doors &

CLEANING Pamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s A+ Cleaning Service

A cleaner day is just a phone call away. For a detailed cleaning please call 708-937-9110

ELECTRICAL

FOUR SEASONS ELECTRIC

Full Service Electrical Work including

Rewiring Old Houses & Installing Ceiling Fans

Reasonable Pricing & Free Estimates No Job Too Big or Too Small Lic * Bonded * Ins * 24 hrs

708-445-0447

HUGHS ELECTRIC

Trouble Calls â&#x20AC;˘ Lights Rehab â&#x20AC;˘ Service Upgrades Lic - Bonded - Ins. Since 1986 Call Hugh:708-612-4803

Electricians serving the greater Oak Park area. Licensed, Bonded & Insuredâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;Reasonable Pricing & Free Estimates. Kineticâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s proud to say you have never experienced service like this! 15 years experience and dedication. No job too big or small!

(708) 639-5271

FLOORS KLIS FLOORING INC.

New hardwood flooring installation & pergo. Sanding, re-finishing, staining. Low prices, insured. Call: 773-671-4996 www.klisflooring.com

ELECTRICAL

Electric Door Openers

Sales & Service Free Estimates

(708) 652-9415 www.forestdoor.com

HANDYMAN CARPENTRY TILING PAINTING

Call Taki (708)552-1565

CURT'S HANDYMAN SERVICE Drywall Repair â&#x20AC;˘ Painting Fans Installed â&#x20AC;˘ Carpentry Trim Gutter Cleaning â&#x20AC;˘ Window Repair

FREE ESTIMATES Excellent References No Job Too Small

708-488-9411

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

+$1'<0$1 &2175$&725

:H GR TXDOLW\ ZRUN DW DIIRUGDEOH SULFHV

:D\QH

Mikeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Home Repair Drywall H Painting H Tile Plumbing H Electric H Floors Windows H Doors H Siding Ask Us What We Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t Do

708-296-2060

HAULING

PLUMBING

A-All American

Plumbing & Sewer Service FREE ESTIMATES Service in 1 Hour in Most Cases

All Work Guaranteed Lowest Prices Guaranteed FREE Video Inspection with Sewer Rodding /P +PC 5PP -BSHF t /P +PC 5PP 4NBMM Family Owned & Operated

We clean outâ&#x20AC;Ś r #BTFNFOUT r (BSBHFT r "UUJDT r )PVTFIPME %FCSJT r 4UPSBHF -PDLFST r "QBSUNFOUT r $PNNFSDJBM 0Ä&#x201C; DFT FREE ESTIMATES

Lic. #0967

MOVING

708-280-9987

McNulty Plastering & Stucco Co.

Fast Service, Great Prices Fully Insured metrojunkremoval.net

Small & big work. Free estimates. Complete Plaster, Stucco & Re-Coating Services

708/386-2951 t ANYTIME

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

HEATING/ AIR CONDITIONING HEATING AND APPLIANCE EXPERT Furnaces, Boilers and Space Heaters Refrigerators Ranges â&#x20AC;˘ Ovens Washer â&#x20AC;˘ Dryers Rodding Sewers

Work Guaranteed

Professional Movers ď &#x2019; Small Local Moves ď &#x2019; Storage Moves ď &#x2019; Labor-Only Moves

Call 708-375-0700 LIcensed â&#x20AC;˘ Insured ILCC 175625 MC

PAINTING & DECORATING 3 Pâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s AFFORDABLE PAINTING

Lic/Bonded 25 yrs experience

Professional water damage repairs plus more. 30 years of experience. Great references.

FREE SERVICE CALL WITH REPAIR AND SENIOR/VETERAN DISCOUNT.

(708)557-9258 or (708)435-9258

708-785-2619 or 773-585-5000

Exterior and Interior All Work Guaranteed 35 Years Experience Call 708-567-4680

LANDSCAPING

CLASSIC PAINTING

BRUCE LAWN SERVICE

PLASTERINGâ&#x20AC;&#x201C; STUCCOING

ALEX

Licensed, Bonded, Insured, & EPA Certified Expert craftsmanship for over 50 years

REMODELING JO & RUTH REMODELING General Contractors - Family Owned Since 1982 -

Complete Remodeling Services

Specialists in:

â&#x20AC;˘ Kitchens & Baths â&#x20AC;˘ Basements â&#x20AC;˘ Electric & Plumbing â&#x20AC;˘ Wall & Floor Tile â&#x20AC;˘ Painting & Carpentry We Work With You To Meet Your Needs

773-575-7220

WINDOWS

PAINTING & DECORATING

BROKEN SASH CORDS?

Fast & Neat Painting/Taping/Plaster Repair Low Cost

CALL THE

Spring Clean-Up 708.749.0011 WINDOW 1 MAN! 6/3/16 11:27 AM Aerating, Slit Seeding Zap 'em Trap 'em-z2BX B&S 06.08.16:Layout FAST RELIABLE SERVICE Bush Trimming, (708) 452-8929 Lawn Maintenance Senior Discount EXTERMINATOR â&#x20AC;&#x201C; brucelawns.com

PEST CONTROL

708-243-0571

LAWN & GARDEN LAWN MOWING We will do a clean, neat job mowing and trimming your lawn for a reasonable rate.

ALLENâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S LAWN MOWING 708-280-6282

Licensed

Residential and Commercial Pest Management Services offered:

â&#x20AC;˘Ant/Spider Control â&#x20AC;˘ Bed Bug Control â&#x20AC;˘ Bug Spraying â&#x20AC;˘ Exterminator Services â&#x20AC;˘ Fumigationâ&#x20AC;˘ Insect Control â&#x20AC;˘ Rodent Control & Removal â&#x20AC;˘Termite Control â&#x20AC;˘ Other Pest Control

CALL FOR A FREE ESTIMATE:

(773) 590-0622

Insured

Ralph Grande Elmwood Park 708-452-8929

Serving Oak Park, River Forest, Forest Park & Riverside Since 1974 Lost & Found and To Be Given Away ads run free in Wednesday Classified. To place your ad, call 708-613-3342

The Landmark, March 29, 2017

RBLANDMARK.COM

CLASSIFIED

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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 PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICE PETITION FOR CHANGE OF NAME In the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois, County Department, County Division. In the matter of the petition of Xhevat Shefik Sherifi on behalf of Adrian Xhevan Sherifi, Aferdita Sherifi; Artana Sherifi for change of name to Jack Prespa on behalf of Adrian Jack Prespa; Aferdita Prespa; Artana Prespa;, Case No. 17M3001772.

PUBLIC NOTICE NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS

Notice is given you, the public, that on March 10, 2017, I have filed a Petition For Change of Name in this Court, asking the Court to change our present names of Xhevat Shefik Sherifi, Adrian Shevat Sherifi, Aferdita Sherifi, and Artana Sherifi to the names of Jack Prespa, Adrian Jack Prespa, Aferdita Prespa, and Artana Prespa. This case will be heard in courtroom 204 on May 16, 2017 at 9:00 a.m.. Published in Wednesday Journal 3/22, 3/29, 4/5/2017

PUBLIC NOTICE AGENDA FOR THE ANNUAL TOWN MEETING TOWN OF OAK PARK, COUNTY OF COOK, STATE OF ILLINOIS APRIL 11, 2017, 6:30 p.m. OAK PARK TOWNSHIP SENIOR SERVICES 130 S. OAK PARK AVENUE OAK PARK, ILLINOIS 60302 Call to Order Pledge of Allegiance Procedures for Meeting Supervisor’s Statements

Annual

Financial

Election of Moderator Township Year in Review: A.COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH BOARD B.ASSESSOR C.SENIOR SERVICES D.YOUTH SERVICES E.GENERAL ASSISTANCE Resolutions to Come Before the Electors: A.RESOLUTION RE: PROPERTY RECORD SYSTEM B.RESOLUTION FOR SETTING THE TIME FOR THE 2018 ANNUAL TOWN MEETING Public Comments Adjournment Published in Wednesday Journal 3/29/2017

Attention! Home improvement pros! Don’t be caught short… reach the people making the decisions… Advertise your business in Wednesday Classified. Call 708/613-3342

Notice is hereby given by the President and Board of Trustees of the dent and Board of Trustees of the Village of River Forest, Cook County, Illinois, that sealed bids will be accepted for: 2017 Pavement Project

Preservation

This project consists of the application of Asphalt Pavement Rejuvenating Materials to various streets throughout the Villages of River Forest, Elmwood Park, and Riverside. The bidding documents are available for download starting Tuesday, March 28, 2017 at: http://vrf.us/government/bids-a-rfps Bids must be submitted by Friday, April 14, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. at: Public Works Department, 2nd Floor Village of River Forest 400 Park Avenue River Forest, IL 60305 The bid proposals will be publicly opened and read at that time. Proposals will be considered not only on the basis of cost, but also on product specifications, past performance, experience and ability to perform the work. No bid shall be withdrawn after the opening of the Proposals without the consent of the President and Board of Trustees of the Village of River Forest for a period of thirty (30) days after the scheduled time of the bid opening. The Village of River Forest reserves the right in receiving these bids to waive technicalities and reject any or all bids. Published in Wednesday Journal 3/29/2017

PUBLIC NOTICE BID NOTICE Crack Sealing The Village of Riverside will be accepting sealed bids for Crack Sealing. Bids will be accepted at the Riverside Department of Public Works, 3860 Columbus Blvd., Riverside, IL 60546 until April 11, 2017, at 2:30 p.m. at which time they will be opened and publicly read aloud. The contractor shall pay not less than the prevailing rates of wages to all laborers, workmen, and mechanics performing work under this contract, and shall comply with the requirements of the Illinois Wages of Employees on Public Works Act (820 ILCS 130/1-12). Specifications may be obtained at the Public Works Department, weekdays between 7:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Questions may be directed to the Public Works Department at 708 442-3590. The Village of Riverside reserves the right to reject any or all bids, to waive technicalities, and to accept any bid which is deemed to be in the best interest of the Village of Riverside. Published in Landmark 3/29/2017

PUBLIC NOTICES LEGAL NOTICE LAW OFFICE OF LINDA EPSTEIN Attorney for Petitioner 722 W. Diversey Parkway Ste. 101B Chicago, IL 60614 STATE OF ILLINOIS, COUNTY OF COOK, ssCircuit Court of Cook County, County Department Domestic Relations Division In re the Marriage of Lilia Diaz, Petitioner, and Pedro Marquez, Respondent. No. 17 D 001856 The requisite affidavit for Publication having been filed, notice is hereby given to you, Luz Maria Diez, Respondent, that a Petition has been filed in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois, by the Petitioner, for Dissolution of Marriage and for other relief: and that said suit is now pending. Now, therefore, unless you, the said Respondent file your response to said Petition or otherwise make your appearance therein, in the Office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois, Room 802, Richard J. Daley Center, in the City of Chicago, Illlinois, on or before April 12, 2017, default may be entered against you at any time after that day, and a Judgment for Dissolution of Marriage Entered in accordance with the prayer of said Petition. DOROTHY BROWN, Clerk. Published in Wednesday Journal 3/15, 3/22, 3/29/2017.

LEGAL NOTICE STATE OF ILLINOIS) COUNTY OF COOK )ss Circuit Court of Cook County, County Department, Domestic Relations Division. In re the marriage of Jesus Gabriel Avila,Petitioner and Milvian Chaparro, Respondent, Case No. 2017D-001932. The requisite affidavit for publication having been filed, notice is hereby given to you, the above named Respondent, that a Petition has been filed in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois, by the Petitioner, for Dissolution of Marriage and for other relief; and that said suit is now pending. Now, therefore, unless you, the said Respondent, file your response to said Petition or otherwise make your appearance therein, in the Office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois, Room 802, Richard J. Daley Center, 50 West Washington Street, in the City of Chicago, Illinois, on or before April 24, 2017, default may be entered against you at any time after that day, and a judgment for Dissolution of Marriage entered in accordance with the prayer of said Petition. DOROTHY A. BROWN, Clerk. Published in Wednesday Journal 3/22, 3/29, 4/5/2017

PUBLIC NOTICES LEGAL NOTICE Chertkow and Chertkow (22019) Attorneys for Petitioner 1525 East 53rd Street Chicago, Illinois 60615 STATE OF ILLINOIS) COUNTY OF COOK )ss Circuit Court of Cook County, County Department, Domestic Relations Division. vIn re the marriage of Mario Gonzalez, Petitioner and Elisa Analco Andrade, Respondent, Case No. 2017D-002060. The requisite affidavit for publication having been filed, notice is hereby given to you, the above named Respondent, that a Petition has been filed in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois, by the Petitioner, for Dissolution of Marriage and for other relief; and that said suit is now pending. Now, therefore, unless you, the said Respondent, file your response to said Petition or otherwise make your appearance therein, in the Office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois, Room 802, Richard J. Daley Center, 50 West Washington Street, in the City of Chicago, Illinois, on or before /bApril 24, 2017, /rdefault may be entered against you at any time after that day, and a judgment for Dissolution of Marriage entered in accordance with the prayer of said Petition. DOROTHY A. BROWN, Clerk. Published in Wednesday Journal 3/22, 3/29, 4/5/2017

LEGAL NOTICE Chertkow and Chertkow (22019) Attorneys for Petitioner 1525 East 53rd Street Chicago, Illinois 60615 STATE OF ILLINOIS) COUNTY OF COOK )ss Circuit Court of Cook County, County Department, Domestic Relations Division. In re the marriage of Benjamin Padilla, Petitioner and Yolanda Padilla, Respondent, Case No. 2017D-002202. The requisite affidavit for publication having been filed, notice is hereby given to you, the above named Respondent, that a Petition has been filed in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois, by the Petitioner, for Dissolution of Marriage and for other relief; and that said suit is now pending. Now, therefore, unless you, the said Respondent, file your response to said Petition or otherwise make your appearance therein, in the Office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois, Room 802, Richard J. Daley Center, 50 West Washington Street, in the City of Chicago, Illinois, on or before /bMay 1, 2017, /rdefault may be entered against you at any time after that day, and a judgment for Dissolution of Marriage entered in accordance with the prayer of said Petition. DOROTHY A. BROWN, Clerk. Published in Wednesday Journal 3/29, 4/5, 4/12/2017

PUBLIC NOTICES LEGAL NOTICE Chertkow and Chertkow (22019) Attorneys for Petitioner 1525 East 53rd Street Chicago, Illinois 60615 STATE OF ILLINOIS) COUNTY OF COOK )ss Circuit Court of Cook County, County Department, Domestic Relations Division. In re the marriage of Olufunke O. Ogunyipe, Petitioner and Adebola Ogunsanya, Respondent, Case No. 2017D-002420. The requisite affidavit for publication having been filed, notice is hereby given to you, the above named Respondent, that a Petition has been filed in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois, by the Petitioner, for Dissolution of Marriage and for other relief; and that said suit is now pending. Now, therefore, unless you, the said Respondent, file your response to said Petition or otherwise make your appearance therein, in the Office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois, Room 802, Richard J. Daley Center, 50 West Washington Street, in the City of Chicago, Illinois, on or before /bMay 1, 2017, /rdefault may be entered against you at any time after that day, and a judgment for Dissolution of Marriage entered in accordance with the prayer of said Petition. DOROTHY A. BROWN, Clerk. Published in Wednesday Journal 3/29, 4/5, 4/12/2017

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: D17149848 on March 2, 2017. Under the Assumed Business Name of WANDERLUSTUDIO with the business located at: 482 PERRIE DR, ELK GROVE VILLAGE, IL 60007. The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/partner(s) is: ANNA HALAMA 428 PERRIE DR ELK GROVE VILLAGE, IL 60007 Published in Wednesday Journal 3/15, 3/22, 3/29

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: D17149961 on March 9, 2017. Under the Assumed Business Name of NO LABELS THERAPY with the business located at: 1075 SHERWOOD DR., WHEELING, IL 60090. The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/ partner(s) is: MARGARET ZANGRILLI 1075 SHERWOOD DR. WHEELING, IL 60090 Published in Wednesday Journal 3/15, 3/22, 3/29/2017

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: D17150044 on March 15, 2017. Under the Assumed Business Name of WHITE WOLF ACADEMY with the business located at: 159 MARION ST. SUITE 336, OAK PARK, IL 60301. The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/partner(s) is: CHAD KOCH 159 N MARION ST. SUITE 336 OAK PARK, IL 60301 Published in Wednesday Journal 3/29, 4/5, 4/12/2017

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT– CHANCERY DIVISION WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY, BUT SOLELY AS TRUSTEE FOR MFRA TRUST 2015-1 Plaintiff, -v.LEONARD S. DE FRANCO A/K/A LEONARD S. DEFRANCO, BEATRICE DE FRANCO A/K/A BEATRICE DEFRANCO, RIGHT RESIDENTIAL II FUND 2–LLC, SUCCESSOR IN INTEREST TO COMMUNITY BANK WHEATON GLEN ELLYN, SMS FINANCIAL JDC, LP Defendants 10 CH 017620 1339 N. LATHROP AVENUE RIVER FOREST, IL 60305 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on January 23, 2017, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on April 25, 2017, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker Drive–24th Floor, CHICAGO, IL, 60606, sell at public auction to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 1339 N. LATHROP AVENUE, RIVER FOREST, IL 60305 Property Index No. 15-01-212-003. The real estate is improved with a single family residence. Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation. No third party checks will be accepted. The balance, including the Judicial sale fee for 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

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE 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 14-10-14420. 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. 14-10-14420 Attorney ARDC No. 00468002 Attorney Code. 21762 Case Number: 10 CH 017620 TJSC#: 37-1152 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. I716463

the Experts Before You Place Your Legal Ad! Publish Your Assumed Name Legal Notice in Starting A New Business? Call R A ! Call Mary Ellen for details: 708/613-3342 Journal/Review/Landmark/Austin CLASSIFIED L OWEST

ATE

ROUND

The Landmark, March 29, 2017

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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 REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT–CHANCERY DIVISION WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A. Plaintiff, -v.JENNIFER KANWISCHER, THOMAS KANWISCHER, CHASE MORTGAGE SERVICES, INC. F/K/A CHASE HOME MORTGAGE CORPORATION Defendants 16 CH 12264 1126 SOUTH HUMPHREY AVENUE Oak Park, IL 60304 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on February 1, 2017, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on May 2, 2017, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker Drive–24th Floor, CHICAGO, IL, 60606, sell at public auction to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 1126 SOUTH HUMPHREY AVENUE, Oak Park, IL 60304 Property Index No. 16-17323-012-0000. The real estate is improved with a single family residence. The judgment amount was $268,984.41. 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 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 twentyfour (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(g1). IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE

WITH SECTION 15-1701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW. You will need a photo identification issued by a government agency (driver’s license, passport, etc.) in order to gain entry into our building and the foreclosure sale room in Cook County and the same identification for sales held at other county venues where The Judicial Sales Corporation conducts foreclosure sales. For information, contact The sales clerk, SHAPIRO KREISMAN & ASSOCIATES, LLC, 2121 WAUKEGAN RD., SUITE 301, Bannockburn, IL 60015, (847) 2911717 For information call between the hours of 1pm–3pm. Please refer to file number 16-080649. 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. SHAPIRO KREISMAN & ASSOCIATES, LLC 2121 WAUKEGAN RD., SUITE 301 Bannockburn, IL 60015 (847) 291-1717 E-Mail: ILNotices@logs. com Attorney File No. 16-080649 Attorney Code. 42168 Case Number: 16 CH 12264 TJSC#: 371267 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. I715322

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT– CHANCERY DIVISION WELLS FARGO BANK, NA; Plaintiff, vs. DAVID GILKEY; Defendants, 15 CH 8713 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, May 1, 2017 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. 15-10-436-055-0000. Commonly known as 826 South 11th Avenue, Maywood, IL 60153. The mortgaged real estate is improved with a single family residence. If the subject mortgaged real estate is a unit of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by subsection (g-1) of Section 18.5 of the Condominium Property Act. Sale terms: 10% down by certified funds, balance, by certified funds, within 24 hours. No refunds. The property will NOT be open for inspection. For information call Sales Department at Plaintiff’s Attorney, Manley Deas Kochalski, LLC, One East Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60601. (614) 220-5611. 15-012938 F2 INTERCOUNTY JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION Selling Officer, (312) 444-1122

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT– CHANCERY DIVISION DITECH FINANCIAL, LLC; Plaintiff, vs. STEVEN SPEARS; TCF NATIONAL BANK, A NATIONAL BANKING ASSOCIATION; EDGEWOOD PLACE CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION; Defendants, 16 CH 12877 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, May 5, 2017 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. 15-11-211-018-1008. Commonly known as 419 Edgewood Place aka 419 Edgewood Place, Unit 2, River Forest, IL 60305. 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. 16-019886 F2 INTERCOUNTY JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION Selling Officer, (312) 444-1122 I718114

MORTGAGE DIRECTORY REAL ESTATE REAL ESTATE FOR SALE FOR SALE

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

MORTGAGE RATE DIRECTORY LENDER COMMUNITY BANK OF OAK PARK - RIVER FOREST

(708) 660-7006 1001 Lake St., Oak Park IL 60301 www.cboprf.com

AMOUNT

RATE/YR

80% 80% 80% 80% 80% 80%

4.375% / 30 yr. fixed 4.250% / 20 yr. fixed 3.625% / 15 yr. fixed 3.750% / 5 yr. ARM 3.750% / 7 yr. ARM 4.000% / 10 yr. ARM

POINTS/ APP. FEE 0%/$550 0%/$550 0%/$550 0%/$550 0%/$550 0%/$550

A.P.R.

4.446% 4.347% 3.748% 4.060% 4.017% 4.070%

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EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY All real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Fair Housing Act., which makes it illegal to advertise any preference, limitation or discrimination based on age, race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin, or intention to make any such preferences, limitations or discrimination. The Illinois Human Rights Act prohibits discrimination in the sale, rental or advertising of real estate based on factors in addition to those protected under federal law. This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. All persons are hereby informedthat all dwellings advertised are available on an equal opportunity basis. Restrictions or prohibitions of pets do not apply to service animals. To complain of discrimination, call HUD toll free at: 1-800-669-9777. WEDNESDAY JOURNAL Forest Park Review, Landmark

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The Landmark, March 29, 2017

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