Landmark 032923

New surveillance cameras making impact in North Riverside

14 cases in six weeks where license plate readers have led to arrests, recovered stolen cars

By BOB UPHUES Editor

Last fall when North Riverside trustees voted to approve installing a network of license plate reader cameras at key village entry/exit locations, Police Chief Christian Ehrenberg described the devices as an “early war ning system” to let officers know when a vehicle connected to a serious crime had entered the village

While the village network of seven cameras has taken some time to roll out – there’s just one presently installed at the intersection of Harlem Avenue and Cermak Road – the impact of the cameras has made itself evident elsewhere. At about the same time the village’s lone cameras went operational at Harlem and Cermak, the North Riverside

See CAMERAS on pa ge 15

VILL AG E OF BROOKFIELD

Funded mainly through a $250,000 state grant, the improvements to the Ehlert Park tennis cour ts w ill include a new su rface and striping for both tennis and pickleball. e adjacent basketball cour ts w ill also be resurfaced and recon gured as two half-court play spaces. Both areas w ill be enclosed by new black vinyl coated fenc ing.

Ehlert Park tennis, basketball courts to get overhaul

Work expected to start in mid-April, last through June

By BOB UPHUES Editor

A long-defer red project to improve the tennis cour ts at Ehler t Park in Brookfield is slated to break ground in mid-April, and its scope has expanded to also include renovating the adjacent basketball cour ts and upgrade the fencing.

On March 13, Brookfield village trustees awarded a $291,839 contract to West Chicago-based Evans & Son Blacktop Inc. to complete the work Village of ficials were expected to join the contractor this week for a pre-construction meeting with work expected to be gin April 17, according to Assistant Village Manager Stevie Ferrari.

Work is expected to be completed and the cour ts open to the public by the end of June

Evans & Son was the lowest of four bids submitted to the village for the project and was 30% below the village engineering/design consultant’s estimated cost for the work, which was $417,548.

In addition to a lower-than-expected low bid, Brookfield was also infor med in Feb-

r uary that it had rece ived an additional $50,000 in grant funding from the Illinois De par tment of Commerce and Economic Oppor tunity, bringing that total to $250,000, leaving Brookfield responsible for about $42,000 of the total cost of the project.

T he scope of work includes completely resurfacing the four tennis cour ts and lining them for both tennis and pickleball.

T he cour ts will also be outfitted with new nets, benches and practice boards New vinyl-coated fencing and new fencing screens will be erected around the tennis cour ts and basketball cour ts

As for the basketball cour ts themselves, the existing asphalt cour ts will be removed and the sub-base will be re graded

A new full-de pth surface will be installed, color-coated and striped for two half-cour t spaces instead of the compressed full cour ts that had been in place.

T he project marks the first significant improvement for those play areas in decades. In the mid-1980s the village board decided against reconstr ucting the tennis cour ts and opted to cover them with ar tificial turf and sand to simulate a clay surface

T he basketball cour ts also have not been improved since they were first built, according to a memo from Ferrari to the village board for their March 13 meeting

T he basketball cour ts were built in 1998 as part of a $2.5 million ef fort to improve areas of Ehler t and Candy Cane parks in Brookfield

According to the July 9, 1998 RiversideBrookfield Landmark, the improvements at Ehler t Park also including installing a fence around the tennis cour ts

Last June, after being infor med that the state of Illinois finally would be releasing the grant funding it had promised for the project back in 2019, the Brookfield Village Board gave its consultant Hitchcock Design Group the go-ahead to design the improvements to the tennis cour ts and directed them to include the basketball cour t renovation and fencing upgrades as alter nate bid items

While the work had been budg eted for completion in 2022, with the village experiencing higher-than-usual construction costs and shipping delays in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, local of ficials decided to defer the project until 2023.

Editor Bob Uphues

Staff Repor ters Francia Garcia Hernandez, Amaris Rodrigue z

Digital Manager Stacy Coleman

Design/Production Manager Andrew Mead

Editorial Design Manager Javier Govea

Designer Susan McKelvey

S ales and Marketing Representatives

Marc Stopeck, Lourdes Nicholls, Kamil Brady

Business & Development Manager

Mary Ellen Nelligan

Circulation Manager Jill Wagner

EMAIL jill@oakpark.com

Publisher Dan Haley

Special Projec ts Manager Susan Walker

BOARD OF DIREC TORS

Chair Judy Gre n Treasurer Nile Wendor f Deb Abrahamson, Gary Collins, Steve Edwards, Darnell Shields, Sheila Solomon, Eric Weinheimer

HOW TO REACH US

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VILL AG E OF BROOKFIELD

March 29-April 5

BIG WEEK

Chicago’s very own … parakeets

erside Public Library, 1 Burling Road, invites you to join Stephen , Riverside editor of “Naturalized Parrots of the World” for the esentation “Monk Parakeets in Chicago” about a parakeet species that has found a home in the Chicago area, including Riverside ogram is on April 4 at 7 p.m. in the librar y’s Community Room. Register to attend at riversidelibrar y.org/events

Triton Troupers Circus returns

Step right up and be amazed and thrilled as the Triton Trouper Circus returns with its 50th annual show March 30-31 and April 1 in the Collins Center Gymnasium (R Building) at Triton College, 2000 5th Ave. in River Grove.

The circus features skilled performers who will wow audiences with clowning, juggling, trapeze artistry, unicycling, feats of strength, stunts and more.

Tickets are $6 per person and are available at tritontrouperscircus.com or at the door (no credit or debit cars accepted). Seating is limited

Shows are at 7 p.m. on March 30-31 and April 1 with a 1 p.m. show on April 1, which will be interpreted for the hearing impaired. Doors open an hour before showtime

And more

■ Nazareth Academy, 1209 W. Ogden Ave. in LaGrange Park, host a Spring Fine Arts Showcase on April 3 from 5 to 8 p.m. in the Rooney Student Center. The showcase includes a reception, gallery tours and an exhibition of artwork from dozens of students. All are welcome.

■ The St. Paul VI Parish Holy Name Society hosts its 3rd Annual Easter Basket Ra e, which will be livestreamed virtually at stpaulviparish.org on April 2 at 3 p.m. Thirty- ve baskets will be ra ed o in addition to a split-the-pot ra e with thousands of dollars in cash prizes. Each entry is $5 with a twoentry bonus with each $20 purchase for either ra e.

Easter Egg Hunt in Riverside

Riverside Parks & Recreation invites all kids 10 and under to par ticipate in their annual Easter Egg Hunt, which is scheduled for April 1 at Big Ball Park, at the corner of Longcommon and Delaplaine roads, star ting at 10 a.m. sharp.

The Easter Bunny will join the children as they hunt for hidden eggs, each of which contains a prize. Children should bring their own bags or baskets to collect the plastic eggs

Pigging out

Join writer, traveler and food historian Cynthia Clampett on April 3 at 7 p.m. at the Linda Sokol Francis Brook eld Library, 3541 Park Ave., for “Wild Boar to Baconfest: Pigs in History and Pop Culture.”

Clampett presents the history of pigs and pork to examine the impact these animals have had worldwide, focusing on the Midwest, from Cincinnati’s “Porkopolis” to Chicago’s “Hog Butcher of the World.” Register to attend by calling 708-4856917, ext. 130 or visiting brook eld. evanced.info/signup

Juniors host ‘Brews, Blues & BBQ’ fundraiser

Tickets are now on sale for Riverside Junior Women’s Charity’s “Brews, Blues & BBQ” fundraiser at the Riverside Swim Club, 100 Bloomingbank Road, on April 22 from 2 to 6 p.m.

Proceeds go to support local charities. Tickets (21-older only) are $80 per person ($100 includes whiskey tasting) and include a sampling glass, 40 beer samples, pig roast (vegetarian/non-pork options) and live music Ticket sales close April 5.

To buy tickets, visit riversidejuniors.org/brewfest.

The deadline to buy tickets is March 31. Call 708-602-1927 with questions.

■ Riverside Arts Center, 32 E. Quincy St., presents “One Ends and Another Begins” featuring the work for Regin Igloria and “Over the Rainbow, One More Time,” featuring the work of Laura Kina through May 6. Gallery hours are Thursday-Saturday from 1 to 5 p.m. Visit riversideartscenter.com for more.

■ North Riverside Public Library, 2400 Desplaines Ave., presents After School Art Escape (child with adult) on March 30 at 4 p.m., Morning Munchkin Stories with Ms. Karen on April 3 at 10:30 a.m., Safari ABCs (child with adult, every other week in

Spanish) on April 5 at 10:30 a.m. and Using the Internet Archive for Genealogy with Debra Dudek on April 5 at 6 p.m. Register for programs online at northriversidelibrary. org/events-new.

■ Linda Sokol Francis Brook eld Library, 3541 Park Ave., presents Fairytale Storytime on March 30 at 10:30 a.m., a ‘Steel Magnolias’ screening with LATTE Theater on April 2 at 3 p.m., Chair Yoga (virtual) on April 3 at 11 a.m., Storytime Stars (ages 2-3 with caregiver) on April 4 at 10:30 a.m. and Danny Trejo Talks Tacos, Hollywood, and Redemption via Zoom on April 4 at 7 p.m. Call 708485-6917 or visit online at brook eld.evanced.info/

signup to register for programs

■ Riverside Public Library, 1 Burling Road, presents Drop-In Craft: Friendship Bracelets (all ages) on March 30 at 10 a.m., Bingo (all ages) on March 31 at 2 p.m., First Saturday Storytime on April 1 at 10 a.m., Mini-Movers Storytime (babies to age 3) on April 3 at 9:30 and 10:15 a.m., and Danny Trejo Talks Tacos, Hollywood, and Redemption via Zoom on April 4 at 7 p.m. To register for programs, visit online at riversidelibrary.org/events

■ The Brook eld Elks Lodge, 9022 31st St., hosts bingo the second Sunday of every month. Doors open at 1 p.m. and games start at 2 p.m. with cash payouts.

tritontrouperscircus.com

Riverside man charged after allegedly ring gun inside home

Riverside police charged a 28-year-old Riverside man with reckless conduct, a misdemeanor, after he allegedly fired a handgun inside a home in the 300 block of Shenstone Road early on March 25.

No one was hurt, but Public Safety Director Matthew Buckley said police observed a bullet hole in a wall in the first-floor living room. The round was fired from a handgun, he said.

Police from Riverside, Brookfield, North Riverside and McCook responded to the residence at about 12:10 a.m. after someone called 911 to report hearing a shot fired inside the home following what was described by that person as a verbal altercation between a man and a woman.

Using a bullhor n, police ordered the alleged offender to walk outside with nothing in his hands. He exited the home and walked down backward with his hands raised down the driveway toward police, who arrested him.

Police confir med only one other person was inside the house, however they were

unable to deter mine how the gun came to be discharged. The other person inside the home did not want to pursue charges, claiming the discharge was accidental.

Riverside police did refer the matter to the Cook County State’s Attor ney’s Office for possible felony charges, but the state’s attor ney declined, said Buckley, because there was no complaining witness inside the house

Armed robber y

Three men, one of them ar med with a semiautomatic pistol with an extended magazine, robbed a North Riverside convenience store clerk during the early mor ning hours of March 26, making off with cigarettes, cash and the victim’s wallet.

According to the police report, the three men all wearing hooded sweatshirts, masks and gloves, entered 7-Eleven, 9205 Cer mak Road at about 3:30 a.m. One of the offenders pulled out a pistol and along with another offender went behind the counter, grabbing

708-795-0700 Serving your Community Since 1982

cigarettes from the display and cash from the register

The offenders smashed the clerk’s laptop computer and threw his cellphone to the ground before taking his backpack, which contained a wallet with cash, credit cards and a driver’s license

All three then left the store and were last seen running eastbound around the cor ner

Man with gun arrested at mall

A 20-year-old Maywood man is being held at Cook County Jail without bond after he was arrested for possessing a loaded gun inside North Riverside Park Mall, 7501 Cermak Road on the evening of March 25.

Cameron J. Johnson was charged with aggravated unlawful use of a weapon and two counts of resisting arrest after he and another man were detained by police and mall security after a shopper reported seeing two men retrieve what looked to be a handgun from a vehicle parked in the west lot.

The other person was released without being charged. Police cut the gun from Johnson’s pants le g. It was loaded with 20 rounds, including one in the chamber, according to police

After police retrieved the gun, Johnson re por tedly ran from police, while still handcuf fed, but was apprehended again a shor t distance away

Limit

License plate stolen

March 25 to re port that between 3:30 and 5 p.m. someone removed the rear license plate from her vehicle, which was parked in the lot while she was shopping.

Phone scam aver ted

An aler t Nor th Riverside resident reco gnized someone was trying to scam her out of thousands of dollars and called police to re port the incident.

The resident said she received a call on March 23 at about 3 p.m. from someone claiming to be a lawyer for her son-in-law The “lawyer” said the son-in-law had been involved in a crash that had injured a pregnant woman and that he needed $25,700 in order to make bail

The “lawyer” told the woman to put the money in an envelope, which would be picked up by someone else. The woman went to police, who responded to her home. While police were there, the “courier” called saying he would be collecting the money. The woman handed the phone to the police of ficer, who advised him a police re port was being filed. The caller then responded with an expletive and hung up

60402

A shopper at the Nor th Riverside Park Mall, 7501 Cer mak Rd., went to police on

These items were obtained from police reports filed by the Ri verside, North Ri verside and Brookfield police departments, March 20-26, and re present a portion of the incidents to which police responded. Unless otherwise indicated, anybody named in these re ports has only been charged with a crime. These cases have not been adjudicated.

Illegal street takeovers hit suburbs, Brookfield Cars,

spectators block 31st/Maple to cheer on ‘dri ers ’

By BOB UPHUES Editor

Street takeovers, where do zens of vehicles converge on an intersection or parking lot and then block it, set of f fireworks and cheer as a vehicle “drifts” – doing doughnuts in common parlance – inside the ring, made their way to the suburbs on March 24, causing a stir in a number of towns, including Brookfield

The highly planned, tightly coordinated takeovers, last just a few minutes from star t to finish, but they generate anxiety among the general public, who feel powerless to control it.

Mainly an issue in the city of Chicago the past couple of years, the practice now has migrated into the ’burbs, perhaps in response to an ordinance passed by the Chicago City Council last summer allowing police to impound cars involved in drifting or street racing and to fine their owners up to $10,000.

An ille g al street takeover involving about 100 vehicles in the Brighton Park neighborhood in Chicago last October tur ned deadly when five people were shot, three fatally.

No one was hur t during the street takeover of the intersection at 31st Street and Maple Avenue on March 24 just before 9 p.m., video of which was posted to Facebook, showing a single vehicle “drifting” inside a ring of cars and spectators.

“From the time of the initial setup until they were gone was less than five minutes,” said Brookfield De puty Police Chief Ter ry Schreiber, who managed the de par tment’s response that night.

Brookfield police were on scene in two minutes, Schreiber said, by which time the takeover was over and vehicles were dispersing. No one was ar rested at the time. Police are reviewing surveillance camera video to see whether any vehicle owners can be identified and cited after the fact.

“Due to the recklessness they’re eng aged in, trying to ef fect any stop can add to already reckless behavior,” Schreiber said. “We’ re handling it through the investigative process afterward.”

Schreiber said the takeovers be gin when an advance group of vehicles ar rives and parks in the area and their occupants walk to the intersection. Once enough people gather, a second group of vehicles ar rives

Cars and spectators shut down the intersection of 31st Street and Maple Avenue at about 9 p.m. on March 24, allow ing cars to “dri ” inside the ring for a couple of minutes before dispersing as police arrived on scene. e street takeovers until now had been con ned to the city of Chicago, but happened last weekend in a number of west suburbs.

cars take tur ns “drifting” inside the ring.

Schreiber said sometimes the advance group will appear to prepare for a takeover in one area to divert attention from the actual takeover location.

“We did have an idea that there was a group out there [driving through the suburbs],” Schreiber said. “We didn’t know they were going to be coming to town.”

There’s no fir m count re garding how many vehicles were involved in the various street takeovers that played out on March 24 and 25, but estimates ranged from 50 to 300. Intersection takeovers were also re por ted in Cicero, Berwyn, Chicago and Melrose Park

Police in Riverside, Nor th Riverside, LaGrange and McCook also re por ted vehicles traveling in large numbers through their towns along main streets such as Harlem Avenue and First Avenue.

“They traveled through LaGrange, but

said LaGrange Police Chief Robert Wardlaw. “We don’t have exact numbers, but our of ficers re por ted a lot of vehicles. They couldn’t keep count.”

Suburban police were preparing for possible takeovers, star ting around 7:35 p.m. on March 24, when they initiated an Illinois Law Enforcement Alar m System (ILEAS) callout for police in greater nor theast Illinois to respond to the area for “crowd control for street racing.”

“We assisted several of our neighboring PDs,” said Riverside Public Safety Director Matthew Buckley “It was a constant issue on Friday and Saturday night.”

While there was no takeover in Nor th Riverside last weekend, police there did arrest the driver of a vehicle that had apparently been part of a pack nor thbound on First Avenue at about 10:30 p.m.

An orange Dodge Charger driven by a 24-year-old Waukeg an man re por tedly

tang eastbound on Cer mak Road and then nor thbound on Desplaines Avenue. After encountering a Nor th Riverside police squad car near Roosevelt Road, the vehicles re por tedly did U-tur ns and sped south at speeds greater than 60 mph.

The cars tur ned west on Country Club Lane, which is a dead end street and police blocked the east end. The Mustang’s driver sped around the squad car and reached Desplaines Avenue by driving on several front lawns, but police stopped the Dodge Charger and ar rested the driver.

He was charged with street racing, aggravated speeding, reckless driving and modifying/concealing re gistration.

According to police, the driver of the Dodge Charger possessed a key fob device that, with the push of a button, dropped a black cloth to cover the rear license plate. The license plates on the Ford Mustang repor tedly were stolen, police said.

VILL AG E OF BROOKFIELD

North Riverside candidate forum dra quorum, but not full slate

5 of 7 trustee candidates tackle issues at Landmark’s March 22 event

By JACKIE PISANO Contributing Reporter

With Election Day on April 4 around the cor ner, Growing Community Media hosted a “Meet Your Candidates” for um for village trustees on March 22 inside the gymnasium at the Nor th Riverside Village Commons, 2401 Desplaines Ave.

Moderated by Riverside Brookfield Landmark editor Bob Uphues, the 70-minute forum was held to provide the seven candidates vying for three trustee seats a chance to share their opinions on topics including public safety, business redevelopment, transparency in village practices and more.

Five candidates attended, including incumbent Deborah Czajka and her slatemates from the Nor th Riverside United ticket, newcomers Nicholas Tricoci and Antonio Santucci; inde pendent candidate and newcomer Jose Del Angel; and Municipal Integ rity Party candidate Sandra Greicius, who ran unsuccessfully for trustee in 2021.

The race’s other incumbent, Marybelle Mandel, and the third member of the Municipal Inte g rity Party slate, newcomer Jose ph Maruska, declined to participate in the forum.

A letter from MIP sent by Mandel to the Landmark the mor ning of March 22, stated the reason for “at least two of the three MIP par ty candidates” not par ticipating in the forum was due to “credible infor mation received by the party in advance of the event,” which they believed to mean

the for um would and impar tial airing the village.”

The letter also “plans for unruliness ing down of MIP the party was “concer tiality of the moderators

In the email to the letter, Mandel

“they will have tomatoes for um’s audience.

About 75 to 100 people were in the audience at the trustee for um, and despite the absence of two candidates and the behindthe-scenes drama around the election, no political spar ring between par ticipating candidates broke out nor were any tomatoes thrown, or evident.

In addition, candidates were vir tually in ag reement with one another on how they would address the topics discussed.

When asked about why they are running for trustee, all responded with the simple reason of caring about Nor th Riverside

“I’ve lived in town all my life,” Czajka said. “I care and I understand what you’ re going through sitting in those chairs. One of the things that was a goal for me was to pursue my love for Nor th Riverside by becoming a village trustee.”

Greicius ag reed, saying it’s all about wanting to make a dif ference.

“I do love the village,” she said. “I am sur prised at how kind people can be when I stop by their doors.”

Village revenue streams and attracting strong businesses were impor tant to everyone, with all remarking on the need to collectively discuss the public’s changing shopping habits and need to stay on top of pension obligations. Greicius usred village gover nment to reduce its debt burden, a theme of MIP’s campaign materials

“I think [the major issue] is revenue — how are we going to keep revenue coming in and paying pension liabilities,” Tricoci said.

“One issue I’ve noticed in the past few years is the lack of new revenues coming into town,” Del Angel said. “We need to come to gether and put a plan to gether we need to have an alter native source of revenue and an action plan.”

They all ag reed that while red light cameras in town have helped bring in money to fund pensions and pay down debts, that the uncer tainty of their staying power in the village means that new, viable streams absolutely need to be explored — including ways to help transfor m Nor th Riverside into a west-suburban destination for businesses

With respect to Nor th Riverside Park Mall, an economic engine for the village often viewed unfavorably by residents as a source of crime, candidates mainly held the same opinion that new commercial or residential construction at the site is something that would have to be openly worked on with local residents

The mall’s owner recently acquired the 11.5-acre for mer Carson Pirie Scott proper ty on the west side of the mall and has floated a mixed-use development for the land.

Possibilities for funding incentives for such development included exploring state grants, sales tax rebates and the introduc-

tion of TIF Districts — a new concept to Nor th Riverside.

“The use of [business areas in Nor th Riverside] would have to be decisions made by a team,” Santucci said. “Trustees could guide or explain what we would like to have there and what would be best for the community, then talk to residents and see how we can figure out a plan.”

Czajka remarked on the village and residents needing to work to gether to “encourage and support the robust revitalization of the mall,” with Del Angel saying how he hoped the mall could tur n into more of a restaurant/entertainment district akin to Rosemont.

“We are going to have to update infrastructure, but it’s going to have to be a multi-par tisan ef fort,” he said. “We owe it to everyone in Nor th Riverside to get it done.”

When presented with the question about transparency in local politics, most candidates ag reed that current of ficials appear transparent at meetings and in publications of business plans, audits and budgets

“As far as transparency, I believe the current board has been transparent, except for the clouded eyes of others who want to cause more problems that don’t need to be had,” Santucci said.

“Just because you don’t ag ree with something or don’t understand it, it doesn’t

TODD A. BANNOR

Five of the seven candidates running for v illage trustee this sprin g in North Riverside participated in the Landmark’s March 22 forum in the gy mnasium at the North Riverside Village Commons.

By Linda Sokol Francis. E.A.

HOW TO TELL THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A HOBBY AND A BUSINESS FOR TAX PURPOSES

Ahobby is any activity that a person pursues because they enjoy it and with no intention of making a profit. People operate a business with the intention of making a profit. Many people engage in hobby activities that turn into a source of income. However, determining if that hobby has grown into a business can be confusing. To help simplify things, the IRS has established factors taxpayers must consider when determining whether their activity is a business or hobby. These factors are whether:

• The taxpayer carries out activity in a businesslike manner and maintains complete and accurate books and records.

• The taxpayer puts time and effort into the activity to show they intend to make it profitable; there is a change to methods of operation to improve profitability.

• The taxpayer depends on income from the activity for their livelihood, or the taxpayer has enough income from other sources to fund the activity.

• The taxpayer has personal motives for carrying out the activity such as general enjoyment or relaxation.

Water project to shut Prairie Ave. crossing for a month

• Losses are due to circumstances beyond the taxpayer’s control or are normal for the startup phase of their type of business.

• Taxpayer and their advisor have the knowledge needed to carry out the activity as a successful business.

• The taxpayer was successful in making a profit in similar activities in the past.

• The taxpayer can expect to make a future profit from the appreciation of the assets used in the activity.

Mains to be replaced , reconnected north of tracks starting in August

By BOB UPHUES Editor

Brookfield residents still recovering from street closures due to the 18-month long Brookfield Avenue bridge construction project will get to experience a just-as-disruptive construction project in the village’s downtown later this summer

Local officials say the street closures and detours won’t last nearly as long – about a month – but they’re necessary to make water main improvements just north of the Prairie Avenue grade crossing, where the street intersects with Grand Boulevard, Brookfield Avenue and Fairview Avenue

The project will likely break ground in August and construction will last through October. While the timing is still unknown, there will be a four-week period during which the Prairie Avenue grade crossing will be closed to traffic as will the entire Grand/Prairie/ Brookfield/Fairview intersection.

“As we design the project, we will meet with staff to pick a four-week period sometime between early August through the end of October that will have the least interruption to the businesses and any planned events,” said Village Engineer Derek Treichel.

“Exact locations of closures will be determined during the design. I think on Grand, Prairie, Brookfield and Fairview, the closures will be either at the brick paver crosswalks or within 50 feet of the brick paver crosswalks.”

The Brookfield Village Board is expected to approve adding the project to the list of water main improvements already approved in 2023. The estimated cost of the work, including the design engineering and resurfacing the impacted intersection, is $606,400.

Treichel said the plan is to finalize the design by May, put the work out to bid in June and award a construction contract in July

Waiting until August to begin the work will avoid construction impact on the July 4 parade and the daylong Intelligentsia Cup criterium bicycle race scheduled to be held in the downtown on July 26.

While the village is planning to host Music on Grand this summer, Village Manager Timothy Wiberg said the work should not really impact that event in August or September

“The main work will certainly impact all traffic in that area for a month or so, [but] it shouldn’t necessarily directly impact the concerts as the stage and closure of Grand occur north of where the main work will occur,” Wiberg said.

At the village board’s committee of the whole meeting on March 13, Treichel explained that the water main issue in and around the Prairie Avenue grade crossing had its origins in the January 2018 failure of a 6-inch Prairie Avenue water main that crossed under the BNSF tracks

The leak was immediately below the rail line and BNSF would not allow any excavation near the tracks due to concer ns about track destabilization. The quick fix was to cut the main and cap it south of the tracks.

North of the tracks, workers shut down seven water valves to stop the flow of water through the 6-inch main under the tracks. Treichel said engineers deter mined the 6-inch main was not needed since water could flow from north to south under the tracks through 12-inch mains at four other locations

While shutting off the valves north of the tracks still allowed water to flow in that area, it diminished the flow in some areas So, last fall the village hired a contractor to cut and cap the 6-inch Prairie Avenue water main north of the tracks and reopen the valves.

However, when they reopened the valves, it resulted in a leak under the tracks. Treichel said the village’s water main atlas doesn’t show another pipe under the tracks, so they don’t know the source of that leak.

Treichel added that the water mains north of the tracks appear to have been installed through the years in a piecemeal fashion and that they weren’t connected in a logical way. He also feared there may be other long-forgotten and unmapped water mains and cross connections.

As a result, Treichel recommended relocating water main connections north of the tracks so future maintenance can be done without closing down the intersection. In addition, he recommended replacing sections of the water mains that run under Grand Boulevard and Prairie Avenue

Linda

Florist opens doors in downtown Brookfield storefront

Sister Squared Florist got its sta as home-based business

By JACKIE PISANO Contributing Reporter

In one way or another over the past 15 years, flowers greenery have found their way into Julie Procich’s life

From 2008 to 2010, she owned Sweetness, a candy downtown LaGrange that focused on designing deck candy buffets for weddings that often included flow

Afterward, Procich moved on to other jobs, first, ing for the Phillip’s Flowers design center in W and later as a de par tment manager and buyer for Standard Market, a gour met grocery store in Westmont.

But in 2019, the longtime Brookfield resident itch to star t a flower business, Sister Squared alongside her sister, Diane Magno

Operating out of Procich’s Brookfield home as an flower delivery business, Sister Squared F lorist launched as a small-scale operation, with Procich focusing on design and Magno handling business operations

Then, in February 2022, Procich had the oppor tunity to purchase the customer list and phone number of Christopher Mark Fine Flowers from Christopher Borzym, who closed his 16-year Brookfield business before ultimately passing away from cancer last December.

Procich, who had done some freelance floral ar ranging for Borzym in the past, said the oppor tunity was a nobrainer way to keep in touch with his dedicated clientele and help extend her customer base.

While Procich had always hoped her business would blossom enough to open her own Brookfield storefront, purchasing the number and contacts from Borzym didn’t make her rush to do so.

“I didn’t come into the storefront until I felt we could function,” she said. “I didn’t want to rush anything. I wanted to make sure we could be a viable business.”

But as more orders be g an pouring in throughout the

year, she be gan outg rowing the space in her home and decided the timing was finally right to go brick-and-mor tar.

“We were growing too much and too big for my house — there were flowers and tools everywhere,” she said.

“So finally, this past Christmas, I figured it was time to g et us into a space.”

With that, Procich be g an looking in town for the best location to open her first of ficial storefront, and on Feb. 21 Sister Squared F lorist of ficially opened its doors at 3741 Prairie Ave. in downtown Brookfield.

“I really like Brookfield — we’re very happy to be here,” she said. “When I found this space, I was like, ‘It’s absolutely perfect.’ I didn’t want a huge shop. When you

with how you look bespace. This way, I can space that vibe I want it

Squared apar t from other vating one-of-a-kind piectraditional floral products planters, wine bottles angements on bicycles

Procich relishes working with an ordinary container. traditional clear-glass vaslass vase,” she said. “I eally out of the box. If it s a really good chance dd them. We also feature ers that rotate throughlooking for things that

angements for everyto small-scale weddings to me is so much fun,” allows me the ability to stay unique and personalized.”

And, with the rise in popularity of indoor plants and flowers, especially among millennials, Procich says she’s happy to be a part of the local scene because of how plants can truly accommodate all seasons of life.

“I think a lot of [the buzz] star ted with COVID, when everyone was inside,” she said. “People have always liked house plants and greenery and florals, but I think that was the push for it to star t to ‘take root and grow.’ People saw how nice it was to have flowers and plants in a home and that feeling it gives you. It’s become [more than] a decorating accessory, it’s a living accessory.”

Sister Squared F lorist is open Tuesdays through F ridays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. T hough closed on Sundays and Mondays, Procich says she’s always accessible via phone at 708-785-1719. For more information visit s2florist.com.

JACKIE PISANO

Julie Procich

Teachers’ unions, state Dems endorse LTHS candidates

Unclaimed direct mailer labels others running ‘extremists’

By BOB SKOLNIK Contributing Reporter

The Democratic Party of Illinois and the state’s largest teachers’ union are getting involved in the Lyons Township High School District 204 school board race

The Illinois Education Association (IEA) has endorsed and sent out mailers suppor ting cur rent school board President Kari Dillon, incumbent Jill Beda Daniels and Tim Albores All three are all running inde pendent campaigns.

They are running in a contested race which features four other candidates tin Clark, Frank Evans, Da and Timothy Vlcek.

The IEA mailer suppo ing Albores, Daniels and Dillon describes them as “educator approved” and “pro-education” candidates Albores, Daniels and Dillon are also included in the IEA’s online voter guide as endorsed candidates with links to their campaign we sites or Facebook pages.

The Democratic Party of linois, meanwhile, has created a website called DefendOur SchoolsIL.com which claims that “extremist conservati are running for local school board and library boards

In the LTHS school board the site labels Evans, Her ndon and Vlcek as pursuing “an extremist political agenda” and gives positive checkmarks to Daniels and Dillon stating that they “share our values.”

“Illinoisans deserve to know the truth about candidates’ ideolo gies before they head to the ballot box, and DPI will make sure voters have the resources they need to make their decision,” Democratic Party of Illinois Chairwoman and state Re p. Lisa Her nande z (D-Cicero) said in a press release issued March 23.

“As conservative groups attempt to mask their radical agenda behind supposedly nonpar tisan candidates, DPI is committed to suppor ting credible candidates who will oppose ef for ts to ban books, revise history, and limit reasonable sex education,” she added. “We can’t af ford to sit back while

kids and families are at risk.”

The press release came just a day after some District 204 voters received a mailer urging voters to “Stop right wing political activists from the taking over the LT School Board” and urging them to “Say no to Vlcek, Her ndon and Evans” and to vote for Daniels, Albores and Dillon.

The retur n address of that mailer indicates it was sent by a group called Support Our School, with a retur n address of a post of fice box at a UPS store at 106 Calendar Ave. in LaGrange. No information about Suppor t Our School could be found at Il

that,” said Almer, who works at Argonne National Laboratory.

The soslyons.com website is re gistered to Ter rie Pickerill, who is a par tner in the SP Media Group, a fir m that specializes in campaign strate gy and media.

According to the SP Media website, Pickerill lives in Wester n Springs. She has long been active in Democratic politics.

tion, the teachers’ union at LTHS, endorsed Albores, Daniels and Dillon without conducting interviews or sending questionnaires to any of the candidates.

Albores said that he didn’t know that he was endorsed by the IEA until a friend of his saw the endorsement on the IEA website.

launched a website with the same name, promoting the same message

The website is a single page and describes Suppor t Our School as “an org anization of parents and neighbors committed to ensuring a strong future for Lyons Township High School and our sur rounding community, star ting with electing school board candidates who put education and our children’s future first.”

The website states it is paid for by Suppor t Our Schools, which is the name of an LLC that was re gistered with the Illinois of Secretary of State’s of fice on March 9 by two residents of LaGrange Pa rk.

The Landmark contacted one of the managers of Support Our Schools LLC, Jonathan Almer, on March 24 but he declined to comment.

“I’m at work, I don’t want to talk about

Prior to forming SP Media Group in 2010, Pickerill worked for more than a decade at a political consulting fir m led by David Axelrod, a renowned for mer campaign consultant, who was the strategist others Barack not refor her for the y of IlIllinois Associaparately told k that anizations responsible for the mailer said she ho was oup who candidate, I apsaid in an email to the Landmark. “Should I be for tunate enough to be re-elected, I look forward to continuing the work we’ve star ted on behalf of our students and community.”

The Democratic Party of Illinois said that it will spend $300,000 to support 84 recommended candidates across the state and oppose 74 candidates

“We’ re providing org anizing support alongside direct mail and digital communications to make sure we reach voters where they are, especially in these typically low-information races,” DPI Executive Director Ben Hardin said. “Many extreme national groups know that they can hide their re gressive agendas behind so-called nonpar tisan candidates due to a lack of access to clear and accurate information about the names appearing on ballots.”

The Lyons Township Education Associa-

“I found out after the fact that they endorsed me,” Albores said. “I was never interviewed by them.”

The IEA emailed the Landmark a statement from the president of the LTEA, Andrew Johannes, an economics teacher at LTHS.

“The LTEA’s Executive Committee’s process for selecting these candidates consisted of a deep discussion, thorough background review and ultimately a deter mination of which candidates align with the core values of our local public schools and our students,” Johannes stated.

Some of the other candidates questioned the teachers’ union endorsing candidates since the school board is be ginning to negotiate a new contract with LTHS teachers, whose contract expires Aug. 31.

“I do not think it’s appropriate to acce pt an endorsement from the IEA because it creates a conflict of interest,” Evans said. “I would never have acce pted an endorsement from the IEA or any org anization, but especially a teachers’ org anization and this board already has a problem with transparency and this endorsement just adds to those issues.”

Her ndon also said that the endorsement seemed to create a conflict of interest while Vlcek said that he, Evans and Her ndon are not seeking endorsements

“We haven’t acce pted any endorsements from anybody,” Vlcek said.

Dillon said she was glad to have the endorsement from the teachers’ union.

“I think that shows the progress that we’ve made over the last few years especially coming out of COVID,” Dillon said. “I actually applaud them for making a statement and letting us know how they feel about the cur rent board.”

Dillon told the Landmark that she is not personally involved in contract ne gotiations, although all school board members will vote to approve any new teachers’ contract.

7

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*Annual Percentage Yield (APY) accurate as of March 21, 2023 and is subject to change. A minimum of $1,000 is required to open the account and to obtain the stated APY. Fees may reduce earnings on the account. A penalty may be imposed for early withdrawal. Offer is for new money only.

Kickstarter launched to fund Doc Mack documentary

Filmmaker seeks to raise $60,000 to fund production

By BOB UPHUES Editor

Brookfield filmmaker Craig Bass hasn’t been working on his documentary about Galloping Ghost Arcade owner Doc Mack quite as long as Mack has been working on his videogame “Dark Presence,” but it’s been long enough.

After two years, more than 45 interviews and around 150 hours of film, he’s ready to begin making “Ghostlord and the Quest for Dark Presence” a reality.

“My ideal is to have the film done by the end of the year, which is super ambitious,” said Bass. “It’s a huge undertaking.”

It’s also an expensive undertaking, one that Bass says he’s sunk tens of thousands of dollars into already. So, to get the film to the next step – a rough cut – Bass has launched a Kickstarter campaign that seeks to raise

e documentar y “Ghostlord and the Quest for Dark Presence,” in production for 2 years, tells the story of Doc Mack (above), who has been developing the arcade game since he was a teenager

$60,000 to help pay costs associated with getting the documentary into finished form.

“Initially I was thinking private investment, and there still may be room for that, but the decision to go into crowdfunding was more along the lines of starting to get the audience involved in it and starting to generate an audience,” Bass said in a phone interview last week.

The online fundraiser can be found at kickstarter.com/ /projects/ghostlordsquest/ghostlord-and-the-quest-fordark-presence where you’ll also be able to find a link to a new 3-minute trailer Bass has created to create a buzz about the documentary.

A short teaser trailer released last week showed the documentary’s scope, following Mack’s quest to develop a Mortal Kombat-style arcade game from the time he was a fresh-faced teenager to today, where Mack oversees a virtual empire of Galloping Ghost businesses while still trying to realize his dream.

“Now it’s time to get into the fun stuf f, but we need the funds to do that,” Bass said.

The money from the Kickstarter will mainly go toward production costs, Bass said, to pay for crew, stop-motion animators, costumes, set design.

PROVIDED

Filmmaker Craig Bass has conducted more than 40 interv iews and has compiled more than 150 hours of lm for his do cumentar y on Doc Mack’s quest to create his ultimate v ideogame.

“A large chunk of that will go right into production and making that happen,” Bass said.

Because Bass is a filmmak-

PROVIDED

er working at a local production company, he said that the Kickstarter money can be stretched much further than if he was producing the documentary solo.

“We have the infrastructure in place to do $300,000 worth of work for $60,000,” he said.

The Kickstarter launched March 28 and will run for 30 days. This weekend Bass’ team will be hyping the documentary and fundraiser at C2E2, the Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo, at McCormick Place South, which is expected to draw 20,000 or more people and will feature an actual video game arcade, built by Mack, on the show floor.

“Once we have [the fundraiser] complete it goes into structuring how to get done what we want to get done,” Bass said, “because I certainly don’t want this to be my ‘Dark Presence.’”

A camera operator shoots lm for the documentary at Galloping Ghost Arcade in Brook eld, the largest video arcade in the U.S., which Mack has operated since 2010.

Fire guts top-floor apartment of North Riverside building

Tenant reported hearing pop, sizzle sounds before ames appeared

By BOB UPHUES Editor

Three people were taken by paramedics to the hospital for treatment of smoke inhalation and several more were displaced by a fire in a top-floor apartment at 7848 26th St. in North Riverside on March 24.

The six-unit building remained off limits to residents as of March 27 with a family member of the owner telling the Landmark that “everything is in limbo” at this time.

None of those taken to the hospital was seriously injured, but the east apartment on the top floor of the building, to which the fire was contained, was gutted by flames. The building’s other units sustained smoke and water damage.

The blaze was initially reported at about 5:50 p.m. by a North Riverside police officer who was conducting a traffic stop, along with another police officer, on the south side 26th Street near Keystone Avenue

One of the officer noticed black smoke “billowing” from the upper level of the apar tment building, and the other officer called the emergency dispatch center to report an active fire.

The two police officers ended the traffic stop and respond ed to the scene of the fire. Doors to the building were locked, so they forced them open and first went to the first floor and garden units to evacuate anyone still inside. Getting no re sponse from inside those units, police forced open the door to make sure they were clear

Heavy smoke prevented police from being able to get to the top-floor units, but they located several tenants standin outside at the rear of the building. Police learned that one tenant might still be inside the west unit on the top floor and went back inside to try to make contact.

Officers yelled for the resident to come down, and the tenant made their way down by following the officers’ voices according to the police report of the incident.

A resident who lived in the top-floor east unit reportedly told police he was sleeping when he was awakened by a loud pop, followed by a sizzling sound. After that the resident saw flames and smoke in the main living area of the apartment. That resident along with his mother and sister immediately left the unit and exited the building.

Fire department officials said the cause of the blaze was still under investigation. North Riverside officials enlisted the Red Cross to help those tenants displaced by the fire.

In addition to the apartment where the fire was tained, firefighters had to break 11 windows and in the roof to vent the fire, and 14 doors that had open had to be secured

11

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Komarek band teacher takes his sax into the spotlight

Dan Mo ett to be featured soloist at Symphony Hall concert

By JACKIE PISANO

Contributing Reporter

Komarek Elementary School band director Dan Moffett is a jack of all trades when it comes to music.

For the past 19 years, Monday through Friday, Moffett has mentored hundreds of fifth through eighth graders in North Riverside, helping them learn music theory, develop their abilities and prepare them for band perfor mances.

Then on weekends — and sometimes school nights — he steps on the stage as a saxophonist, playing everything from jazz and rock band festivals to weddings and filling in as a freelancer for bands traveling through the Chicago area.

He’s played with such legendary bands as The Buckinghams, The Rascals, Chicago, The Box Tops, Gino Vannelli and Jay and the Americans and his re per toire runs the musical gamut.

Though Moffett re gularly bounces between teaching middle schoolers and the world of rock and jazz, there’s one musical opportunity he almost never gets to tackle — playing in a symphony. It’s so rare, in fact, that it’s been exactly 27 years since Moffett has last done so.

But next week, he’ll finally get to perform in a symphony again, this time, as the featured saxophonist in the world premiere of the original composition “Symphony No. 3” alongside The Symphony of Oak Park & River Forest at Symphony Center in downtown Chicago.

The last time Moffett played in a symphony was in 1996, when he was hired by the Illinois Symphony Orchestra to play in a series of works by famed American composer George Gershwin.

“Typically, orchestras don’t use saxophones, so when this opportunity came up, I had to jump on it,” he said. “We’ re worldpremiering a symphony, and to do so at

Symphony Center is icing on the cake.”

So how did Moffett score the deal? On the golf course, of all places.

It all started three years ago when one day after school, Moffett stopped by Meadowlark Golf Course in Hinsdale on his way home to Westmont.

“I stopped to play nine holes, and I got randomly paired with Jay Friedman,” he said. “I didn’t know who he was until the very end of the golf round, when he got to talking and he asked me what I did for a living.

As fate would have it, Moffett will be playing the saxophone part in all four movements of Groesch’s new symphony, under the direction of Friedman.

As both a musician and music educator, Moffett says this performance demonstrates to his students that pursuing music into adulthood is something that’s absolutely possible.

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“I told him I was a band director and saxophonist, and he told me he was a musician, too. I was shocked when he said he was principal trombonist with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra — my jaw about fell on the floor.”

“I always like to push music as a lifelong activity, something that’s enriching, something that you can do forever,” he said. Just look at the director of the symphony [Friedman]. He’s 84 and he’s done this his whole life. It’s something I feel is important to bring new music to the public.”

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Our community has an impeccable record of safety during the COVID-19 crisis and we will stop at nothing to make sure it continues.

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Before leaving the green, Moffett and Friedman exchanged contact information, and in the months following, golfed together often. During one of those rounds, Friedman mentioned to Moffett that his principal cellist, Alex Groesch, was composing a symphony and adding in a part for a saxophonist, asking Moffett if it was something he’d be interested in.

Groesch, a Forest Park resident who first heard sax used in an orchestral composition by the late Russian composer Sergei Rachmaninof f, decided to incorporate the instrument in a future work

In addition to working at Komarek and performing professionally, Moffett is also an adjunct music professor at Benedictine University in Lisle, and is raising three daughters with his wife, Karen, who is also a middle school band director in Westmont.

“Symphony No. 3” debuts as part of The Symphony of Oak Park & River Forest’s program, “Romantic Visionaries, New and Old,” on April 3 at 7:30 p.m. at Symphony Center, 220 S. Michig an Ave. For more information and tickets, visit SymphonyOPRF.org or call 312-294-3000.

“Typically, orchestras don’t use saxophones, so when this oppor tunity came up, I had to jump on it.”

CAMERAS

More cameras coming from page 1

Park Mall, 7501 Cer mak Road, installed 10 license plate reader cameras on their prop er ty near entry/exit points – and made the data instantly available to local police.

Since mid-February, according to Nor th Riverside police, those cameras have been instrumental in 14 incidents in which po lice either made an ar rest, recovered a stolen vehicle or both.

“If someone is in a stolen auto, the modus operandi is it’s stolen because they don’t want a car that can be linked back to the person driving it and they’ re going to commit more crimes,” Ehrenberg said. “I we know who they are before they get into town, it’s a win for everyone.”

The license plate reader cameras are all par t of a system called F lock, which can be purchased by public and private entities who then have the ability to share their information with anyone else who’s part of the system.

F lock camera customers also have the ability to choose what they want the cameras to fla g. In addition to license plates, the cameras have the ability to discern unique vehicle characteristics, such as make and model, roof racks and bumper stickers

If someone steals a car and puts stolen license plates on it to throw of f police, those other characteristics can help ID the vehicle anyway. If a vehicle that’s been repor ted stolen or is suspected of being involved in a crime, police get instant aler ts to let them know they’re in town, and where.

In a busy commercial area such as Harlem and Cer mak or the mall, the cameras read thousands of license plates a day.

“My overall feeling is it’s just one more ar row in the quiver, so why wouldn’t you do it?” Ehrenberg said. “There’s no way an of ficer can run every plate. It’s not even a question. It’s a benefit to us and the village.”

Nor th Riverside will soon install its second camera at the nor theast cor ner of 31st Street and First Avenue on property owned by the Forest Preserve District of Cook County On March 20, village trustees ratified an intergover nmental ag reement with

cards to buy hundreds of dollars’ worth of merchandise.

Police arrested the two in the mall parking lot, but not before the driver had managed to get inside the stolen Jeep and tried to drive off. The Jeep struck a police squad and another car before officers smashed out a window and dragged the driver from the vehicle.

He reportedly was ar med with a loaded handgun, also allegedly stolen. They also recovered gift cards purchased with the stolen credit cards and merchandise bought with those cards at the mall.

To avoid such dangerous encounters, Ehrenberg said police have now devised a way to immobilize unoccupied stolen vehicles so that they can’t be driven away when suspected criminals retur n to them. Ehrenberg declined to describe the immobilization process.

BOB UPHUES/Editor

In February, the North Riverside Park Mall installed 10 license pl ate reader cameras at the shopping center’s entrance and exit points. e mall has shared access to th at data with police, who receive aler ts anytime a vehicle associated with a serious crime enters the mall property

the Forest Preserves to install the device at that busy intersection.

According to Ehrenberg, it has taken a while to get village-owned cameras installed because they sometimes need to ink ag reements with private property owners, which is why it took some months for the Harlem/Cer mak camera to go live

There’s another ag reement cur rently being vetted by lawyers for Hines V.A. Hospital, on whose proper ty Nor th Riverside police would like to install a camera near First Avenue and Cer mak Road.

In other cases, the village awaits Illinois De par tment Transportation permission to install cameras along their rights of way, such as Harlem Avenue.

“We have another three that are supposed to be approved soon,” Ehrenberg said.

In the meantime, license plate aler ts coming from the cameras at Nor th Riverside Park Mall have ke pt Nor th Riverside police busy, and mall of ficials have been

pleased so far with their impact.

“The safety and security of Nor th Riverside Park Mall guests, retailers and employees has always been our highest priority,” said Glenn Lindholm, general manger of the mall for The Feil Organization, in an email.

“They complement our existing safety initiatives of increased security personnel and ongoing communication with our business leaders. The Flock cameras are part of our ongoing efforts to provide visitors to NRPM with a safe place to gather, be entertained, and shop within the community.”

On Feb. 20 and 21, police recovered two stolen cars – a Kia and a Hyundai – at the mall. In one instance, police arrested two people shortly after they parked the car. In the other, they made no arrests, but reported that someone seen running toward that vehicle before fleeing in another had been chased through the parking lot by security after allegedly being involved in a retail theft at the mall.

On March 1, North Riverside police arrested two people, a juvenile and an 18-yearold who arrived at the mall in a Jeep stolen the prior night in Chicago. The two allegedly used stolen credit cards to buy at least $1,600 in gift cards at a grocery store before going to North Riverside Park Mall to use the

“We don’t want them to get into a car, because then it’s a weapon,” Ehrenberg said. “They don’t care if they hurt someone, but that’s our greatest concer n. We had to come up with a way so if they get into the car, they can’t start it. We don’t want them behind the wheel.”

The Flock camera alert system isn’t foolproof There have already been a handful of instances in Nor th Riverside where a car has been fla gged as a stolen vehicle, but isn’t. In some of those cases the vehicles had been re por ted stolen but then recovered without informing police.

In one case, on Feb. 23, Nor th Riverside police ordered a woman out a vehicle and handcuffed her in front of her four children after a computer check confir med the vehicle was re por ted stolen.

Police later lear ned the driver had been given permission to drive her children to school the day before but had not returned the car yet. The owner told police not to press charges, saying they just wanted the car back.

“To mitigate that danger, our policy is that we don’t act solely on the information from F lock,” Ehrenberg said, adding that police verify whether it’s still listed as an active steal in the Law Enforcement Agencies Data System (LEADS). “We’ re not acting as if it’s a stolen automobile right of f the bat.”

Ehrenberg said the F lock system allows police to choose criteria for flagging vehicles, some of which can be for minor offenses. He said Nor th Riverside’s cameras are and will continue to be set to flag only vehicles associated with serious crimes

“I myself am not a Big Brother kind of guy,” Ehrenberg said. “It’s not meant for your average person. It’s meant to protect residents – that’s an easy one.”

“If we know who they are before they get into tow n, it’s a win for ever yone.”

CHRISTIAN EHRENBERG

Nor th Riverside police chief

Lyons TTO board president not seeking re-election

ree seats up for election on April 4 are unopposed

By BOB SKOLNIK Contributing Reporter

There will soon be a new president of the board of trustees of the Lyons Township Treasurer of Schools of fice, better known as the TTO. Mike Thiessen is not running for another ter m after 11 years on the TTO board.

“I don’t think I can do any more work here,” Thiessen said. “This of fice is in great shape I have other things I want to do I have some other volunteer board work I want to focus on.”

Thiessen was originally appointed to the TTO board in 2012 to re place Edward Maloney, who became a judge. He was re-elected to the board in 2013 and 2017, running un-

CANDIDATE FORUM

from page 7

mean that the board is not being transparent,” Tricoci added.

Greicius said she believes the village could do more in the way of transparency, par ticularly with respect to finances and spending. The statement appeared to be related to MIP’s calls during the campaign for a “forensic audit” of the village books, something Mayor Jose ph Mengoni has stated is unnecessary in light of the village’s annual audit of its finances, which have not revealed any accounting failures.

In re gard to the number of video g ambling cafes in town and if enough is being done to attract a diverse business base, all candidates ag reed that while filling vacant storefronts is impor tant, more can be done to attract businesses with a more familyfriendly feel.

“As the town, we can only promote what the residents ask for,” he said. “We want to be open to everybody, but we have to sit down and ask residents and businesses what their needs are in our town.”

Czajka ag reed, saying that the village can’t prohibit businesses some might not like if that business confor ms with the village’s zoning code

“We can’t put all our eggs in one basket with g ambling, even though it brings in money to the village,” she said. “When a

opposed both times

In addition to leading the board, Thiessen often served as the spokesman for the TTO during its long-running lawsuit against Lyons Township High School, which ultimately resulted in LTHS prevailing.

After the verdict, LTHS withdrew from the TTO as it was allowed to do by state law. But LTHS and the Lyons TTO are still in cour t fighting over money in a new case LTHS filed in 2021.

LTHS claims that the TTO still has more than $2 million of its money. In February Cook County Circuit Cour t Judge Cecilia Horan rejected a motion by the TTO to dismiss the case The two sides have not

the case

The TTO wants LTHS to split the cost of mediation, which LTHS has refused to do since it had to pay for approximately $754,000 of the TTO’s more than $4 million of le g al fees it paid pursuing its lawsuit against LTHS.

This year, once again, the races for TTO board member are uncontested. Three candidates are running in the A pril 4 election for the three seats Koula Alevizos

Four nier, an assistant state’s attor ney from Bur r Ridge, is running for a two-year ter m and incumbents Jessica Doher ty, a leg al secretary from Countryside, and Carol McGowan, a radio station supervisor at Argo High School and member of the Sum-

for full six-year ter ms

As a result of a new state law backed by for mer state Sen. Steve Landek, the TTO board has expanded from three to seven members. Four of the trustees are elected by the voters and three are school board members selected by the school boards whose districts served by the TTO.

On Jan. 31 McGowan was appointed to the new elected seat and the three school board members were added to TTO board.

The three new school board members of the TTO board, who will serve one year ter ms, are William Green of Summit Elementary School District 104, William Brockob of Pleasantdale School District 107 and Nicholas Caprio of Argo Community High School District 217.

Santucci ag reed that work needs to be done to see what types of businesses Nor th Riverside should strive to have in town.

“What we should do is sit down and look at what’s going to work best for this community and attract that type of establishment so it can succeed in this community and thrive, ” he said.

On the matter of public safety, candidates ag reed that the police and fire depar tments have done a strong job of ke eping residents safe and addressing crime directly at the source of where it’s happening, mainly, those passing through the village or visiting businesses, including the mall.

Czajka and T ricoci noted how the new license plate reader cameras are a good way to fighting crime by targeting those driving stolen vehicles Del Angel, Greicius and Santucci all talked about finding ways to g et “neighborhood watch” groups more active

proper ty is bought, if it is zoned for that type of proper ty, we can’ t do anything about that. We can maybe try to chang e things up again with zoning, but I think the village is open to dif ferent businesses in town.”

“Strat eg y comes down to working as a team to g ether,” Del Angel said. “I’d like to see TIF Districts and economic development where you can attract businesses to

Nor th Riverside.”

Greicius said that she’d like to attract businesses that “add, not detract from our vision of f amily, social and cultural community.”

“Many times when I talk to residents, they are leaving Nor th Riverside to go to restaurants and businesses in other areas,” Greicius added. “I feel like we need a way to bring the people here.”

With respect to the for mer church proper ty at the intersection of 24th Street and 8th Avenue, purchased by the village in 2020, all candidates said that fur ther study needed to happen before making any decisions on whether to tur n the lot into per manent village green space or selling it for residential development.

A video recording of the entire meeting can be viewed by visiting the RiversideBrookfield Landmark’s Facebook page ay facebook.com/riversidebrookfieldlandmark.

TODD A. BANNOR

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Landmark’s forum for North Riverside village trustee candidates drew a crowd of between 75 and 100 residents, who listened to candidates address a number of issues they’ll conf ront if elected to o ce.

Opinion

THE L ANDMARK VIEW

KOSEY CORNER

RBEF selling ra e tickets for Telethon 2023 Let’s get those numbers up

Whenever there’s a U.S. presidential election people around these parts enthusiastically head to the polls to cast their votes for the nation’s chief executive and others vying for federal of fice

In the 2020 presidential election, voter tur nout in Brookfield, Riverside and North Riverside was between 75% and 80%. So many voters tur ned out that there were even long lines during early voting – in the midst of a pandemic.

When it comes to voting for people whose decisions will directly impact communities and schools and libraries, however, people don’t seem to care so much.

Even when there’s a contested race for the leader of a municipality – the mayor or president – it’s remarkable to note how few people actually take the time to cast a ballot.

In 2017 and 2021, for example, where there were contested and contentious mayoral races in North Riverside, voter tur nout didn’t make it to 40%.

In 2019, the last time Brookfield had a contested election, voter tur nout was 20.47%. In 2021, Brookfield’s first uncontested municipal election in decades, voter tur nout was 9%.

In Riverside, where there hasn’t been a contested election since 2009, voter tur nout in municipal races is positively dismal. In 2021, it was 11.8%.

Those low voter tur nouts impact school board races even more. While those who do tur nout for contested municipal elections certainly drive the vote, lack of contested elections elsewhere drive down overall voter tur nout for school districts, whose boundaries often include a much wider area.

For example, in 2021 voter tur nout was highest in North Riverside – the smallest voter base within Riverside-Brookfield High School District 208 – at 36%. However, uncontested municipal elections in Riverside and Brookfield drove down voter tur nout to the point that voter tur nout for the RBHS school board election was 16%.

Lyons Township High School District 204, despite featuring contested races in most years, experiences very low voter tur nout. For the past three elections in 2017, 2019 and 2021, the highest voter tur nout has been 14.2%.

Do we really want less than 15% of voters deciding how government decisions will impact our lives and the lives of our children?

These races for municipal of fice, school boards and library boards are vital to how local decisions get made.

So, before heading to the polls check out our election guide online at RBLandmark.com and make it a point to do your civic duty this spring. Vote.

Since the year 2000 when it was resur rected, the Riverside-Brookfield Educational Foundation has sought to provide educational opportunities to students and faculty

With the inception of a telethon, broadcast by RBTV, the foundation was able to raise funds of over $25,000. Each year the RBEF Telethon has been aired under different formats, many of them live telethons featuring school talent and other groups.

The foundation is gover ned by a board of trustees who volunteer their time. This year’s foundation President is Dave Monti, who is also a teacher at the school. It is the board of trustees that approves the grants to applicants who filled out request forms.

Over the years, the format of the fundraiser has altered, particularly in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Instead of viewers purchasing premium items during the live telethon, the foundation has gone to a raffle format with 25 cash prizes.

The goal is to sell 5,000 tickets, and if all are sold $5,000 will be the top prize. Tickets are available for $20 at Mary’s Mor ning Mix-up, 9110 Broadway Ave. in Brookfield and Aunt Diana’s Old-Fashioned Fudge, 29 E. Burlington St. in Riverside

Knott uniquely suited for D102 school board

As a longtime local elementary teacher, I have experienced firsthand how a school board can equip students for success by understanding and supporting their teachers. I think educators are especially qualified as school board members because they know personally the incredible opportunities and significant challenges of teaching

That said, I am thrilled that Molly Knott is running for a seat on the LaGrange-Brookfield District 102 school board. Not only is Molly an amazing educator, she is uniquely suited to serve on this school board because she knows this district so well.

Molly taught in D102 schools for several years in a few different roles. Our family was lucky enough to have her

The date for Telethon 2023 is April 15 with talented students set to perform from 6 to 9 p.m. in the auditorium at RiversideBrookfield High School, 160 Ridgewood Road in Riverside

In addition to school groups, there will be a performance by a Lynyrd Skynyrd tribute band. The group has performed locally and has a following. Admission to the auditorium is free, but donations will be accepted.

The foundation prides itself in the number of students who have benefitted from its grants. Students have attended numerous camps dealing with subjects ranging from technology to biology. The grants also have sent students out of the country to expand an interest. Students also are expected to retur n to school and recount their experiences and how it personally helped them.

The Telethon will be broadcast live on RBTV. For more information about the RB Educational Foundation or Telethon 2023, visit online at rbef.tv

A shout out to Patrick Joseph, a fellow rehabber at Cantata who mentioned he wasn’t mentioned. Well, here it is Patrick, consider yourself mentioned Want to buy a raffle ticket?

as a teacher for one of our children at Congress Park School. Before that year, we had known the Knott family as neighbors. Molly also understands and is dedicated to this community because she lives here. But we got to know her better through our son’s time in her class Molly is one of the most thoughtful, innovative and dedicated teachers I’ve met.

When our son shared the things he was doing in class with Mrs. Knott, it frequently inspired meaningful conversations at home. I greatly appreciated how well Molly knew her students as individuals and motivated each of them to be the best versions of themselves; her classrooms are places where students feel valued and empowered to take ownership of their learning. Molly is not satisfied with “good enough” but takes the time to reflect on her work and find creative ways to continuously improve.

Molly will bring this same dedication, innovation, and care to the D102 school board, supporting teachers and students because she knows so well what they need. Molly Knott has my vote for D102 school board, and she should have yours, too.

Gail Housman Brookfield

Brian A. Barnick, 39

Registered nurse

Brian Adam Bar nick, Brookfield, died on March 19, 2023 in Piper Illinois.

Bar nick was born 18, 1983 in Berwyn recently completed bachelor’s de gree in nursing at Norther n Ilspent many years as a re gistered nurse, taking care of mental health patients.

He most recently worked at Chicago-Read Mental Health Center, but his most important role was being a loving dad to Thomas, Ligaya “Lily” and Christopher “Chris.” Together, the family will continue to honor his le gacy and traditions

Mr Bar nick is also survived by his for mer spouse, Charina (nee Calara) Bar nick, and his girlfriend, Lourdesa. He was the son of Margaret and Tom; the brother of Joe Klaric, Christine “Chris” Donley and Sandra “Sandy” Kaufmann; the uncle of Joey, Jamie, Sarah and Grif fin; the nephew of many aunts and uncles; and a friend to many.

Services have been held. Inter ment was at Clarendon Hills Cemetery.

Johnson-Nosek Funeral Home, Brookfield, handled ar rangements

Online condolences, memories and photos may be shared at JohnsonNosek.com.

Celestine Casper, 104 Av id church volunteer

Celestine “Sally” Casper (nee Rukscinski), mother, grandmother, great grandmother and friend to so many, died March 21, 2023, peacefully, at Cantata Adult Life Services in Brookfield

She was born on Aug. 22, 1918 to the late Leonard and Katherine Rukscinski. She was the sister of the late Jeanne Rooks and Edward and Harry Ruks Celestine was a graduate of Morton East High School and began her career as a secretary at Birds Eye Foods. She reached a milestone of 100 years of age in August 2018 and there are many memories held in the hearts of all of those who loved her.

Besides her family, church was very important to her She volunteered at Mary Queen of Heaven Church in Cicero and Mater Christi Church in North Riverside as a eucharistic minister and lector, and she visited Cantata in Brookfield, where she said the rosary and distributed communion to the elderly. Celestine loved to play cards regularly with her family and friends.

Ms. Casper is preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, Eugene “Gene” Casper and her 4-year-old daughter, Judy Casper. She is survived by her son, Wayne and his wife Terry of Adell, Wisconsin, and by her daughter, Marilyn and life partner Donna Barker, of Phoenix, Arizona. She is survived by seven grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren.

A funeral Mass was celebrated March 24 at Mater Christi Church, followed by interment at Queen of Heaven Cemetery, Hillside Kuratko-Nosek Funeral Home, North Riverside, handled arrangements.

Online condolences, memories and photos may be shared at KuratkoNosek.com.

James B. Jurgens, 81

Retired bank exec utive

James Byron Jurgens, 81, of Arthur, Illinois, died peacefully in on March 18, 2023. He was born on December 31,1941 in Urbana to Ervin L. Jurgens and Dorothy B. Jurgens.

He attended Arthur High School, Culver Academy, Northwester n University (’64), and the University of Illinois Law School (’67).

Mr. Jurgens’ life revolved around dedication to work and his own beloved family His first career of 32 years was spent at the First National Bank of Chicago in the Law Department. After that he embarked on a second career of almost 20 years in the State Bank of Arthur, following in his father’s footsteps

He found great satisfaction in thoroughly throwing himself into his job and doing it in the best way he could. Only COVID-19 sent him into retirement at the age of 78.

Mr. Jurgens is survived by his wife of 57 years, Patricia; son David (Mary) Jurgens of Sanibel Island, F lorida; daughter Jennifer (Thomas) Mur phy of Charleston, South Carolina; daughter Kathryn Lofy of Kirkland, Washington; and son Michael (Me-

lissa) Jurgens of Riverside; his grandchildren, Jack Jurgens, Hailey Jurgens, Taylor Jurgens, Gavin Mur phy, Parker Mur phy, Connor Lofy, Kyle Lofy, Ella Jurgens, Henry Jurgens and Hazel Jurgens; and one sister, Janet Winningham, of Arcola.

Visitation is on Friday, March 31 from 4-6 p.m. at the Arthur United Methodist Church, 128 E. Illinois St. in Ar thur. His life will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on April 1 at the Arthur United Methodist Church.

In lieu of flowers, consider a donation to the Arthur Home in Jim’s memory, 423 Eberhardt Drive, Arthur, Illinois, 61911. The staf f there patiently cared for Jim and supported Patty

Shrader Funeral Home, Arthur, handled ar rangements

Online condolences may be shared at hilligossshraderfh.com.

Rober t J. Keehn III, 48

Raised in Riverside

Robert J. “Bob” Keehn III, 48, of Villa Park and for merly of Riverside, died suddenly on March 22, 2023.

Mr. Keehn was born Sept. 25, 1974. Bob spent one week a year fishing and the other 51 thinking about fishing. He loved being out on the water He was a generous soul who loved to get his hands dirty He was a hard worker with an enor mous heart, and he will be dearly missed

He was the devoted life partner and best friend of Jennifer Hull; the son of Robert J. Jr and Julia (nee Fuetterer) Keehn; the son-in-law of Lynn Hull and Gailen (Lynn) Hull; the brother of William (Krista) Keehn, Elizabeth (Christopher) Ger mann, Catherine (Wayne) Goodwin; a brother-in-law to Laura (Trevor) Clay, Christopher (Me gan) Hull, Andrew (Brittany) Hull and Emily (Jarrod) Diehl; the uncle and “bobfather” to Jackson, Gretchen and Jacob Ger mann; Jameson and Kathleen Keehn; Mia Goodwin; Brett and Sedona Clay; Avery, Carter, Margaret and Evelyn Hull; Addison Hull; and Cooper Diehl.

Services were held on March 27 at St. Mary Church, Riverside It can be viewed at the St. Paul VI Parish website at stpaulviparish.org. Inter ment will be private In lieu of flowers, donations in Bob’s memory to the Sierra Club (sier raclub.org) or at Sierra Club 70 E. Lake Street, Suite

1500, Chicago, 60601 would be appreciated. Arrangements were handled by the Original Kuratko Family, Brian D. Kuratko, director

Viola M. Palis, 94

Brook eld homemaker was active volunteer

Viola M. Palis (nee Hrabe), 94, of Brookfield, died peacefully at home on March 21, 2023.

Ms Palis was born in Fort Atkinson, Iowa. She met her late husband, Leonard N. Palis, while both worked at Hotpoint in Cicero. They built their home and raised their family in Brookfield and were mar ried for 56 years.

In addition to raising her family, she was a very active volunteer serving Medical Missions, the Blue Ar my of Our Lady of Fatima and 38 years with the Brookfield Zoo

She was a longtime parishioner at St. Louise de Marillac Catholic Church in LaGrange Park and an ardent practitioner of her faith. In 2019, Vi was honored with the Woman of the Year Award by the Catholic Women’s Organization.

Many a war m weather day would find Vi gardening, tending to her flowers and ve getables When in Wisconsin, she would often be seen on the end of the pier with a fishing pole in her hand. catching panfish.

An avid Cubs fan, one of Vi’s lifetime wishes was met with the Cubs’ World Series win in 2016. Vi loved family get togethers, presiding over holidays, birthdays and being the center of attention when her grandchildren were present.

Ms. Palis was the mother David Palis, Leonard J. Palis, John (Erin Palmer) Palis and Marie (Steven) Storter; the grandmother of Nicholas Storter, Katie Storter, Mitchell Storter and Forrest Palis; and the sister of the late Mary (Charles) Karnik and late Lillian (Donald) Mansfield.

A funeral Mass was celebrated March 25 at St. Louise de Marillac Church, followed by inter ment at Queen of Heaven Catholic Cemetery in Hillside. In lieu of flowers, Masses appreciated.

Hitzeman Funeral Home, Brookfield, handled ar rangements.

Send sympathy cards to Hitzeman Funeral Home, 9445 31st St., Brookfield, 60513, c/o the Viola Palis family.

After super 2022, RBHS baseball turns eyes toward young hurlers

Junior-heavy starting sta a key to Bulldogs’ success

By BILL STONE Contributing Reporter

Senior center fielder Luke Yachnin and his RiversideBrookfield High School baseball teammates had some huge losses from their Class 4A re gional championship lineup

T hey also have six retur ning star ters or key contributors with three 2022 All-Metro Suburban Conference players -- Yachnin and juniors Wyatt Mur phy and Cooper Mar rs – under new head coach Mark Ori.

T he Bulldogs (2-0) beat Argo 10-0 on March 27 and edged Hinsdale South 2-1 in the March 22 opener.

“The strengths of this team are we have a lot of retur ning players that can be leaders, and I trust everyone at the plat e, one to nine, at any point,” said Yachnin, who will play at Illinois Institute of Technolo gy “With the new coaching staf f and progr am, there is much more focus on improvement of a player’s skills. Some team goals I have for us are to win 30 g ames and a re gional, but I think we have the potential to go even farther than that.”

T he Bulldogs’ 30-6 ef fort in 2022 marked their first 30-victory season since 2013. T hey were MSC champions with a 9-1 mark and captured their first re gional title since 2014 before losing to Mt. Car mel 11-6 in the IHSA Class 4A Reavis Sectional semifinals

“[Our retur nees] will be leaned on heavily of fensively and defensively. T he Bulldogs will be re placing a seniordominant rotation and will rely on a heavy junior-led pitching staf f,” Ori said.

Yachnin had a .330 batting average last season with

56 r uns scored and 20 r uns batted in. T he leadof f hitter could threaten the single-season school record of 47 stolen bases.

Mar rs (.368, 30 RBIs, 35 r uns) primarily played third base Also an all-stater for the 2A state championship boys cross country team and an all-conference swimmer, Mar rs will show more baseball versatility as an outfielder and pitcher after going 2-0 with a 1.35 ear ned-run average in 2022.

Mur phy (6-0, 1.85 ERA, 41 strikeouts) will be the anchor of a younger pitching staf f that graduated brother Owen Mur phy, a 2022 first-round Major League Baseball draft pick by the Atlanta Braves, as well as star ter Jack Niekrasz and all-conference catcher Brian Twomey and outfielder Sean McDer mott.

Senior second baseman/shor tstop Rex Dockendorf (.209, 17 RBIs, 24 r uns), senior first baseman/third baseman/outfielder Ryan Novak (.275, 30 RBIs, 30 r uns) and senior Jake Tyler (.298, 16 RBIs, 25 r uns) also retur n. Tyler, who plans to play at Mor ton Colle ge, moves to catcher after playing outfield. Novak will play football at Augustana.

Seniors Jaime Izaguirre (second base, shor tstop and pitcher), Jacob Cruz (outfield), Charlie Wolfer (outfield),

Liam Schlesser (infield) and Rafael Me za (infield) also are varsity retur nees.

Key newcomers include juniors Kevin Cronin (infield/ pitcher), Jon Gruber (pitcher), Ben Wilkowski (pitcher/ first base), Wes Deason (first base) and sophomore outfielders Jaden Despe and Zach Ryzewski. Juniors Robert Drake, Julian Fer nandez, Sam Didio and Tohma Tucker also will bolster the bullpen.

“Our junior pitching staf f needs to ste p up,” Ori said. “We need two to three guys to play major roles, fill a star ting spot in the rotation and consistency out of the bullpen. We are not going to hit a lot of home r uns, but we have some great bats.”

Ag ainst Hinsdale South, Wyatt Mur phy struck out four in 5.2 innings and led a strong defensive ef fort with six big-time plays. Despe delivered a two-run double and Mar rs was 2 for 2.

Deason and Mar rs each had three hits and multiple RBIs against Argo and Yachnin and Dockendorf had two hits apiece. Winning pitcher Drake f anned eight in five innings.

“We have a young pitching staf f this year with less varsity innings,” Yachnin said. “If they ste p up and perfor m like I know they can, we will be in every g ame we play.”

STEVE JOHNSTON

Riverside-Brook eld’s third baseman Cooper Marrs, takes a throw as Hinsdale South’s Max Waszkiew icz slides in during the Bulldogs’ 2-1 w in on March 22 in Darien.

LTHS softball seeks to recreate last year ’s winning ways

Lions return in 2023 with new coach, younger lineup

By BILL STONE

Contributing Reporter

Lyons Township High School senior first baseman Lilly Prendergast is grateful to the upperclassmen who eased her transition upon joining the varsity softball team as a sophomore.

Now she and senior catcher Tess Meyer are third-year varsity players trying to set the tone for a relatively young roster with eight retur nees but three sophomores, two freshmen, only four seniors and new head coach Megan Pyles

“The younger girls have a lot of eager ness and drive towards the game, which makes the team feel the same drive, too,” Prendergast said. “I know when I was a sophomore, I felt intimidated with a handful of older girls, but a couple of them took me under their wings

and made the experience fun. I hope to do that and make sure they feel they can talk to me or any other older girl It’s vital to feel a sense of trust.”

The Lions also hope to ride the wave from their best seasons in recent memory. Their 21-4 season in 2022 included sharing their first West Suburban Conference Silver title since 1990 with Downers Grove North at 10-2 and winning their first regional since 2017 before losing in the IHSA Class 4A Marist Sectional final 1-0 to Marist, which finished second in state after taking the 2021 title.

Pyles is a 2017 Evergreen Park High School graduate who starred there and played one season at Moraine Valley Community College Cancellations have delayed the Lions’

season opener to April 3 at Sandburg.

“The majority of our starting defense is retur ning varsity players. Offensively, we have some hot bats and tons of speed,” Pyles said. “We have a lot of new varsity players so we want to focus on creating a culture and environment that will transfer into future seasons.”

Norther n Illinois recruit Meyer retur ns at catcher but also will play shortstop She was among the Lions’ big bats last season with a .387 batting average, three home runs and 21 runs batted in. Meyer shared the team lead with 31 runs scored.

Junior Peyton O’Flaherty (.329, 14 RBI, 17 runs) moves from second to third base She has verbally committed to Tennessee-Chatta-

nooga.

Senior catcher Makenna Kotor (.383, 26 RBIs, 15 runs), junior outfielder Kaitlyn Filkins (.355, 2 HR, 17 RBIs, 25 runs) and Prendergast (.250, 12 runs) also started and played at least 20 games

Also seeing varsity action were junior Clare Kelliher and senior Jay Sanchez, both outfielders, and sophomore Isabella Evans (.391, 8 RBIs), who will miss this season due to injury. Evans also was 5-2 with a 3.06 ear nedrun average as a pitcher.

Key newcomers include juniors Arianna Amelia (catcher/second base) and Daisy Laslie, sophomores Tess Ber nson (outfield) and Ellie Cook, freshmen Ava Jacklin (second base/shortstop) and Skyla Greco-Forsell and seniors Lexi Jeffrey, Lauren Schinker and Grace Sneed.

“The team has a lot of potential since we have so many young kids. Growing as a team and creating team chemistry is something that we are hopeful to create,” Prendergast said.

Developing young players the key for RBHS girls lacrosse

Bulldogs drop rst three games of 2023 season

By BILL STONE

Contributing Reporter

Riverside-Brookfield High School senior Ava Re g an has played lacrosse since first grade and will continue next season at NCAA Division III Chapman University in Orange, California.

Re g an and junior Maggie Durkin are co-captains for a young Bulldogs’ girls lacrosse roster, which has eight freshmen and six sophomores

“I feel like I do have to take more of an initiative,” said Re g an, an attacker and midfielder and the lone senior. “Last year, we had a pretty decent size of captains. Now there’s two of us. It’s more trying to take that leadership role and continue motivating and pushing everyone towards success.”

The Bulldogs retur n five star ters and nine letterwinners from a 2022 team that was 2-11 and played well in their Hinsdale

Central Sectional opener but lost to Trinity 15-10.

RBHS (0-3) has lost to St. Laurence 12-1, Mother McAuley 18-1 and Fenwick 14-2 so far this year

“The goal is development of the underclassmen,” RBHS coach Matt Bultas said. “They are the future of the program and we are hoping to find some key contributors for years to come.”

Re g an (52 goals, 31 ground balls in 2022) and Durkin (33 goals, 19 ground balls, 49 controlled draws) were last season’s top offensive players. In 2021, Re g an also had 51 goals and a team-best 14 assists and Durkin had 10 goals and five assists

Juniors Mia Diaz (11 ground balls), Isabella Ar reola and Josie Adlesick also are retur ning star ters. Juniors Naomi Galas, Phelan Larsh, Kathryn Ryan and Faye O’Bryan are retur ning letterwinners

Key newcomers include star ting freshman attacker Maggie Por ter, sophomore goalie Senia Johnson, who had 13 saves as last year’s backup, freshman midfielder Tali Schultz.

“[Our keys] are playing hard and playing

with intensity, practicing every drill and scrimmage like it is a g ame is vital in being prepared for the actual g ames,” Bultas said.

Re g an and Durkin each have two goals. Durkin cur rently is injured and missed the St. Laurence g ame, where Re g an scored the g ame’s final goal.

LTHS girls lacrosse

Lyons Township High School girls lacrosse has experienced captains with fourth-year varsity seniors Amanda Hahn and Lauren Kudia and third-year varsity junior Caitlyn Curtin.

Otherwise, the Lions have little overall varsity experience from last year’s 10-10 team that reached the Hinsdale Central Sectional semifinals before losing to York 19-9.

“We have a lot of younger players, which can be a strength because we have so much room to grow The way that we’re star ting the season is not the way we’re going to finish,” said Hahn, a standout defender limited last season by injury

Brookfield resident Kudia (13 goals, 7 assists in 2022) and Cur tin (19 goals, 9 assists) were among the Lions’ top scorers along with sophomore Grainne Kristufek (11 goals). This season, Kristufek already has a team-high eight goals with three from Kudia and two by Cur tin.

Nora Collins and Ella Federle are the other two seniors among nine with varsity experience Newcomers include sophomores Ashley Culin and Anna Murphy (3 goals each), goalie Stella Summerfield (19 saves), Emma Dwyer (11 ground balls) and Kaelyn Roth, juniors Grace Goldby, Mary McManaman and Charlotte Rice, senior Grace Gonzales and Lauren Zulanas, the lone freshman.

“A very new team. They’re getting adjusted but they all work well to gether,” LTHS coach C.C. Luxem said.

“It’s a lot of taking the few retur ning varsity players to really lead this team, and they’ re taking that on and doing a great job. The younger girls are eager to play, eager to make improvements. They’re asking great questions, really paying attention during g ames.”

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COLLECTIVE IMPACT MANAGER

The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Collective Impact Manager in the Village Manager’s Office. Under the general direction of the Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Officer, the Collective Impact Manager will be responsible for building and assessing racial equity impact needs and developing a strategic plan to support those needs. This includes driving the initiatives focused on the Racial Equity Action Plan through community assessments, community engagement, data functions, and overall internal and external functions. Applicants are encouraged to apply online at https://secure.entertimeonline. com/ta/6141780.careers?ApplyTo-

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SEASONAL FARMER’S MARKET ASSISTANT

The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Seasonal Farmer’s Market Assistant in the Health Department. This position will provide administrative support to the Farmer’s 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.

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HUMAN RESOURCE COORDINATOR

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POLICE RECORDS SUPERVISOR

The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Police Records Supervisor in the Police Department. This position will manage, supervise, plan and coordinate the activities and operations of the Police Records Division Support Services Bureau, within the Police Department including records maintenance and management services; and coordinate assigned activities with other divisions, outside agencies and the general public. Applicants are encouraged to visit the Village of Oak Park’s website at http://www. oak-park.us/jobs. First review of applications will be April 21, 2023.

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Under the Assumed Business Name of AADEL ISTAMBULE with the business located at: 1500 ROBIN CIRCLE #212, HOFFMAN ESTATES, IL 60169. The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/partner(s) is: AADEL

ABDALMONEAM ISTAMBULE 1500 ROBIN CIRCLE #212, HOFFMAN ESTATES, IL 60169

Published in Wednesday Journal March 22, 29, April 5, 2023

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: Y23010328 on March 16, 2023 Under the Assumed Business Name of MADAM STYLES with the business located at 2545 W. CATALPA AVE. APT 4C, CHICAGO, IL 60625. The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/partner(s) is: TOTIANNA POLK 2545 W. CATALPA AVE. APT 4C, CHICAGO, IL 60625

Published in Wednesday Journal March 22, 29, April 5, 2023

PUBLIC NOTICE NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

FISCAL YEAR 2024 BUDGET

The Village of River Forest will hold a public hearing on Monday, April 10, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. in the 1st floor Community Room of the Village Hall, 400 Park Avenue, River Forest, Illinois concerning the Village of River Forest proposed budget for the fiscal period starting May 1, 2023 and ending April 30, 2024.

A copy of the proposed budget is available for public inspection at the Village Hall during regular business hours or on the Village’s website at www.vrf.us. For more information, please contact Finance Director Rosemary McAdams at 708366-8500.

Published in Wednesday Journal March 29, 2023

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: Y23010346 on March 21, 2023

Under the Assumed Business Name of FLOOFS RANDOM WORKSHOP with the business located at: 339 S TAYLOR AVE OAK PARK, IL 60302. The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/partner(s) is:

CARSON HARRIS 339 S TAYLOR

AVE OAK PARK, IL 60302

Published in Wednesday Journal March 29, 2023

PUBLIC NOTICE

SECTION 000020

– LEGAL NOTICE

Park District of Forest Park

7501 Harrison Street Forest Park, IL 60130

Reiger Park

The Park District of Forest Park does hereby invite sealed bids for Reiger Park. Work will include removals, earthwork operations, concrete curbs, walks and paving, site furnishings, sand play surfacing, artificial turf play surfacing, playground equipment, water play equipment, fencing, planting and seeding, utilities, pre-fabricated restroom installation, and subdrainage.

Project manuals, including bid form and specifications, and construction documents are available after 10:00

A.M. on March 22, 2023 from Accurate Reprographics 2368 Corporate Lane, Suite 100, Naperville,Illinois 60563, 630.428.4433 www.hitchcockplanroom.com. Bidding documents are available to download and print at the non-refundable cost of reproduction.

Bids will be accepted at the Park District of Forest Park, 7501 Harrison Street Forest Park, IL 60130, during regular office hours. All bids must be submitted in a sealed envelope marked with the Contractor’s name and address, and “Bid for Reiger Park,” on the face of the envelope. Bids must be received no later than April 12, 2023

10:00 AM. Bids will be opened on April 12, 2023, 10:00 AM at the Park District of Forest Park, 7501 Harrison Street, Forest Park, IL 60130. All bidders will be required to submit Bid Security in the form of a Bid Bond, Certified Check, Cashier’s Check in the amount of 10% of the Base Bid, payable to the Park District of Forest Park.

The successful bidder, as determined by the Park District of Forest Park, shall be required to pay, and to agree to pay no less than the Prevailing Rate of Wages, pursuant to the Illinois Prevailing Wage Act (820 ILCS 130) for the locality of the Park District of Forest Park (Cook County), to each laborer worker, or mechanic needed or used to complete the work as detailed in the contract to be let. The successful contractor, and all subcontractors shall be required to submit, to the Park District of Forest Park, certified payrolls no later than the tenth day of each calendar month for the immediately preceding month.

The Park District of Forest Park reserves the right to reject any and all proposals, parts of any and all proposals, or to waive technical errors or omissions in submitted proposals. No submitted bid may be withdrawn until a period of ninety (90) days after the bid opening date, without written consent of the Park District of Forest Park. The Park District of Forest Park encourages minority business firms to submit bids on this project and the successful contract bidder to utilize minority businesses as sub-contractors for supplies, equipment, services, and construction.

Questions should be directed to Bridget Deatrick or Eric Hornig, Hitchcock Design Group (630) 9611787, bdeatrick@hitchcockdesigngroup.com, or ehornig@hitchccockdesigngroup.com

[This project is being financed, in part, with funds from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, “Open Space Land Acquisition & Development” (OSLAD) grant program.]

END OF SECTION 000020

Published in Forest Park Review March 29, 2023

LEGAL NOTICE

The Village of Oak Park –Office of the Village Engineer, 201 South Boulevard, Oak Park, Illinois 60302– will receive sealed proposals until 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, April 20, 2023 for

Project: 23-14, Bridge Fence Repairs. In general, the improvements consist of: the removal and replacement of the damaged fence assembly at the Southwest corner of the Oak Park Avenue Bridge, the installation of bent steel plates to the existing fence posts on the Northeast and Northwest corners of the Oak Park Avenue Bridge between post gaps at the expansion joint, the installation of woven wire fence repairs on the Oak Park Avenue Bridge, and the reattachment of fence posts on the Home Avenue Bridge. Work will include a detour of the Home Avenue Bridge pedestrian traffic as part of traffic control and protection.

Plans and proposal forms may be obtained from the office of the Village Engineer starting on Thursday, March 30, 2023 at 10:00 A.M. The Village of Oak Park reserves the right to issue plans and specifications to only those contractors deemed qualified. No plans will be issued to prospective bidders after 4:00 P.M. on the working day preceding the opening of bids.

The work to be performed pursuant to this Proposal is subject to the Illinois Prevailing Wage Act, 820 ILCS 130/0.01 et seq.

THE VILLAGE OF OAK PARK

Bill McKenna Village Engineer

Published in Wednesday Journal March 29, 2023

PUBLIC NOTICE

NOTICE OF INTENT TO REQUEST RELEASE OF FUNDSFOR TIERED PROJECTS AND PROGRAMS

Date of Publication: March 29, 2023

The Village of Oak Park 123 Madison St. Oak Park, Illinois 60302 (708) 358-5416

On or after April 7, 2023 the Village of Oak Park will submit a request to U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for the release of Community Development Block Grant funds under Title 1 of the of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 (PL93383), to undertake the following project:

Tier 1 Broad Review Project/Program Title: PY 2022 ADA Sidewalks

Purpose: There are many locations throughout the Village where public sidewalks have been identified which, due to their condition or settlement, no longer comply with the requirements of the Americans with Disability Act (ADA) and present a barrier to persons with disabilities.

Location: The project will take place in Oak Park between South Blvd. to the north and Roosevelt Ave. to the south, and Harlem Ave. on the west and Austin Ave on the east.

Project/Program Description: The project involves replacing and angle cutting public sidewalk squares and curbs adjacent to and between crosswalk ramps where elevation differences, cross slopes, or other physical conditions exist that make these areas non-compliant with ADA requirements. Replacing means removal of damaged squares and laying of new concrete, angle cutting means filing and leveling of squares with elevation differences.

Tier 2 site specific reviews will be completed for those laws and authorities not addressed in the Tier 1 broad review for each address under this program when addresses become known.

Environmental Justice. Mitigation Measures/Conditions/ Permits (if any): For Contamination and Toxic Substances the Responsible Entity (RE) will assess the 12 zones that make up the whole of the project area for Contamination and Toxic Substances and provide an assessment for each. In doing so, the RE will use data from the following resources to ensure to noted hazardous materials, contamination, toxic chemicals and gases, and radioactive substances, where a hazard could affect the health and safety of occupants or conflict with the intended utilization of the sites: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Toxic Release Inventory and Toxic Substances Control Act Facilities, Illinois EPA Agency Facility Inventory and Information Search System and Landfills, Illinois State Fire Marshall Underground Storage Tanks and National EPA Assist; For Wetlands Protection the RE will assess the zones that make up the whole of the project area to make sure the none of the zones are on or adjacent to land that is designated as Wetlands and provide an assessment for each. All zones will be mapped using the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Wetlands Mapper and proper zone boundaries will be identified.

Estimated Project Cost: $275,000

ENVIRONMENTAL CERTIFICATION

The Village of Oak Park certifies to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development that Tammie Grossman, Certifying Officer, in their capacity as Director of Development Customer Services, consents to accept the jurisdiction of the Federal Courts if an action is brought to enforce responsibilities in relation to the environmental review process and that these responsibilities have been satisfied. HUD’s approval of the certification satisfies its responsibilities under NEPA and related laws and authorities and allows the Village of Oak Park Public Works Department to use HUD program funds.

OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDS

LEGAL NOTICE

The Village of Oak Park will receive sealed bids from qualified contractors at the Public Works Center, 201 South Boulevard, Oak Park, Illinois 60302 Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. local time until 3:00 p.m. on Friday, April 14, 2023 for the following:

Village of Oak Park Central Pumping Station Masonry Repairs Project Number: 23-116

Bid documents may be obtained from the Village’s website at http://www.oakpark.us/bid. For questions, please call Public Works at (708) 358-5700 during the above hours.

Published in Wednesday Journal March 29, 2023

Level of Environmental Review Citation: Special projects directed to the removal of material and architectural barriers that restrict the mobility of and accessibility to elderly and handicapped persons: 24 CFR Part 58.35(a)(2)

Tier 2 Site Specific Review: The site-specific reviews will cover the following laws and authorities not addressed in the Tier 1 broad review: Contamination and Toxic Substances; Wetlands Protection;

The activity/activities proposed are categorically excluded under HUD regulations at 24 CFR Part 58 from National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requirements per 24 CFR Part 58.35(a)(2). An Environmental Review Record (ERR) that documents the environmental determinations for this project is on file at the Village of Oak Park, 123 Madison Street, Oak Park, Illinois 60302 and may be examined or copied weekdays 9:00 A.M to 5:00 P.M. or at https://www.hudexchange.info/ programs/environmental-review/ environmental-review-records/.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to the Village of Oak Park office of Development Customer Service. All comments received by April 7, 2023 will be considered by the Village of Oak Park prior to authorizing submission of a request for release of funds.

Published in Wednesday Journal, March 29, 2023

HUD will accept objections to its release of fund and the Village of Oak Park’s certification for a period of fifteen days following the anticipated submission date or its actual receipt of the request (whichever is later) only if they are on one of the following bases: (a) the certification was not executed by the Certifying Officer of the Village of Oak Park; (b) the Village of Oak Park has omitted a step or failed to make a decision or finding required by HUD regulations at 24 CFR part 58; (c) the grant recipient or other participants in the development process have committed funds, incurred costs or undertaken activities not authorized by 24 CFR Part 58 before approval of a release of funds by HUD; or (d) another Federal agency acting pursuant to 40 CFR Part 1504 has submitted a written finding that the project is unsatisfactory from the standpoint of environmental quality. Objections must be prepared and submitted in accordance with the required procedures (24 CFR Part 58, Sec. 58.76) and shall be addressed to HUD administration office at 77 West Jackson Boulevard Chicago, Illinois 60604. Potential objectors should contact HUD to verify the actual last day of the objection period.

Tammie Grossman, Director of Development Customer Services, Certifying Officer

Date of Publication:

March 29, 2023

Village of Oak Park 123 Madison Street Oak Park, IL 60302 (708) 383-6400

Notice is hereby given of a proposed Substantial Amendment to the Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG) Program Year (PY) 2020 Action Plan for additional funding allocations using $87,451 in returned CDBG PY2020 funds to the following: 1) $78,166 for resurfacing, street lighting, and landscaping on Census Tract 8123.01 Block 2 and 2) $9,285 for alley improvements on Census Tract 8123 Block 1 and 8215. The additional funds being reallocated is due to the bids selected to complete these projects were over budget.

PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICE

FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF BROOKFIELD NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

The proposed substantial amendment is on file at the Village of Oak Park, 123 Madison Street, Oak Park, IL 60302 and is available for public examination and copying weekdays from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. CST from March 30, 2023 to May 2, 2023.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Any comments concerning the proposed substantial amendment may be submitted in writing to the Village of Oak Park, 123 Madison Street, Oak Park, IL 60302, via: email to Vanessa Matheny, Grants Supervisor, at vmatheny@oak-park.us, or at the Public Hearing to be held from 3:30PM-4:30PM on May 2, 2023. Please send a request to the above referenced email address to attend the virtual hearing. Reasonable accommodations will be made for persons with disabilities and non-English speaking persons, as needed.

Published in Wednesday Journal, March 29, 2023

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

Notice is hereby given that, pursuant to call of its directors, a special meeting of stockholders of First National Bank of Brookfield (the “Bank”) will be held at the Bank’s main office located at 9136 Washington Avenue, Brookfield, Illinois, on April 19, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. to consider and vote whether an agreement and plan of reorganization, whereby a holding company, to be named Brookfield Bancshares, Inc., located in Brookfield, Illinois (the “Company”) would be created, making the Bank its wholly-owned subsidiary under the provisions of the laws of the United States, shall be ratified and confirmed, and to vote upon any other matters as may properly come before the meeting. A copy of the agreement and plan of reorganization, approved by a majority of the directors of the Bank and the proposed holding company, is on file at the institution and may be inspected during business hours.

First National Bank of Brookfield

Phillip Richard President and Chief Executive Officer

Published in RB Landmark March 15, 22, 29, April 5, 2023

EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION HSBC BANK USA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE FOR MERRILL LYNCH MORTGAGE INVESTORS, INC., MORTGAGE PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES, MANA SERIES 2007-OAR4

Plaintiff, -v.ELLEN C. SCHNACK, RANDALL C. SCHNACK

Defendants

19 CH 14891 626 NORTH TAYLOR AVENUE OAK PARK, IL 60302

NOTICE OF SALE

PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIV-

EN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on October 4, 2021, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on April 19, 2023, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker, 1st Floor Suite 35R, Chicago, IL, 60606, sell at a public sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate:

Commonly known as 626 NORTH TAYLOR AVENUE, OAK PARK, IL 60302

Property Index No. 16-05-319-0080000

The real estate is improved with a single family residence.

The judgment amount was $417,344.71.

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

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.

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION NATIONSTAR MORTGAGE LLC; Plaintiff, vs. JOHN PRABHAKAR PULUKURI; 929 OAK PARK CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION; BANK OF AMERICA, NA; UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NONRECORD CLAIMANTS; Defendants, 22 CH 5256

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, April 17, 2023 at the hour of 11 a.m. in their office at 120 West Madison Street, Suite 718A, Chicago, Illinois, sell at public auction to the highest bidder for cash, as set forth below, the following described mortgaged real estate: P.I.N. 16-18-307-034-1008.

Commonly known as 929 South Oak Park Avenue, Unit 2SW, Oak Park, IL 60304.

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

Date of Publication:

March 29, 2023

Village of Oak Park 123 Madison Street Oak Park, IL 60302 (708) 383-6400

Notice is hereby given of a proposed Substantial Amendment to the Community Development Block Program (CDBG) Program

Year (PY) 2022 Action Plan and move unexpended funds from PY 2018-PY 2021 to PY 2022. The proposed amendments will include the following reallocation of funds: 1) PY 2018 $3,373.50; PY 2019 $128,503,89; PY2020 $350,586.90; and PY 2021

$89,666.50 for a total of $572,130.79 added to the original PY2022 HUD allocation of $1,553,643.00. To prevent funds from expiring and being returned to HUD the Village of Oak Park will amend the PY2022 to reallocate unused funds. 2)

The PY22 budget originally allocated $225,000 to purchase the construction and purchase of a community restroom. This proposed project will be paused until PY23. The proposed amendment will allocate the $225,000 towards two activities a) $200,000 for an ambulance for the Oak Park Fire Department

and b) $25,000 towards the alley improvements to be completed in PY22 on Census Tract 8123 Block 1 and 8125. The additional funds being reallocated is due to the bids selected to complete these projects were over budget.

The proposed substantial amendment is on file at the Village of Oak Park, 123 Madison Street, Oak Park, IL 60302 and is available for public examination and copying weekdays from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. CST from March 30, 2023 5.p.m. to May 2, 2023.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Any comments concerning the proposed substantial amendment may be submitted in writing to the Village of Oak Park, 123 Madison Street, Oak Park, IL 60302, via: email to Vanessa Matheny, Grants Supervisor, at vmatheny@oak-park.us, or at the Public Hearing to be held from 3:30PM-4:30PM on May 2, 2023. Please send a request to the above referenced email address to attend the hearing. Reasonable accommodations will be made for persons with disabilities and non-English speaking persons, as needed.

Published in Wednesday Journal, March 29, 2023

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

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

is newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. All persons are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised are available on an equal opportunity basis. Restrictions or prohibitions of pets do not apply to service animals.

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

GROWING COMMUNITY MEDIA

Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation. No third party checks will be accepted. The balance, including the Judicial Sale fee for the Abandoned Residential Property Municipality Relief Fund, which is calculated on residential real estate at the rate of $1 for each $1,000 or fraction thereof of the amount paid by the purchaser not to exceed $300, in certified funds/or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. No fee shall be paid by the mortgagee acquiring the residential real estate pursuant to its credit bid at the sale or by any mortgagee, judgment creditor, or other lienor acquiring the residential real estate whose rights in and to the residential real estate arose prior to the sale. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in “AS IS” condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court. Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a Certificate of Sale that will entitle the

For information, contact The sales clerk, LOGS Legal Group LLP Plaintiff’s Attorneys, 2121 WAUKEGAN RD., SUITE 301, Bannockburn, IL, 60015 (847) 291-1717 For information call between the hours of 1pm - 3pm.. Please refer to file number 19-092500.

THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION

One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236SALE

You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day status report of pending sales. LOGS Legal Group LLP 2121 WAUKEGAN RD., SUITE 301 Bannockburn IL, 60015 847-291-1717

E-Mail: ILNotices@logs.com

Attorney File No. 19-092500

Attorney Code. 42168

Case Number: 19 CH 14891

TJSC#: 43-1045

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.

Case # 19 CH 14891 I3216043

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

For information call Law Clerk at Plaintiff’s Attorney, The Wirbicki Law Group, 33 West Monroe Street, Chicago, Illinois 60603. (312) 360-9455. W22-0188 ADC INTERCOUNTY JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION intercountyjudicialsales.com

I3215203