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Vol. 36, No.13

March 31, 2021

@riversidebrookfieldlandmark

Brookfield scales back Grand Blvd. closures after concerns Expanded outdoor dining one weekend a month, plus entertainment if allowed

By BOB UPHUES Editor

Brookfield officials have scaled back plans to expand outdoor dining in the 3700 block of Grand Boulevard this summer, opting now for closing down the street to traffic one weekend a month instead of every weekend.

The move comes in response to the owners of the non-restaurant/bar businesses in Brookfield’s downtown, who said depriving them of convenient parking for their customers would be ruinous if imposed for a second consecutive summer.

“I lost 75 to 80 percent of my Saturday business because of the street closure,” Chris Borzym, the owner of Christopher Mark Fine Flowers at 3742 Grand Blvd, told trustees at the village board’s committee of the whole meeting on March 22.

“If you go ahead with shutting any of this down, I will either have to close or I will have to move,” Borzym said. “I cannot afford another summer of this.”

Morey Dunbar, owner of Painted Studio at 3744 Grand See OUTDOOR DINING on page 17

ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer

SHUTDOWN SHY: Brookfield will pull back its closures of Grand Boulevard for outdoor dining in 2021, limiting them to one weekend a month, but possibly adding live entertainment if the state allows large gatherings.

Parents in District 103 fume over remote learning If testing can be done in person, why can’t classes, they wonder

By BOB SKOLNIK Contributing Reporter

Many parents in Lyons-Brookfield School District 103 are unhappy that their children apparently won’t have the opportunity to

attend school in person this year, except to take mandated tests.

A number of them made their feelings known at the March 23 school board meeting, submitting public comments by email or over the telephone because in-person at-

tendance at school board meetings is still limited to 10 people, including school board members and administrators.

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The Landmark, March 31, 2021

Brookfield church expansion back on the radar St. Nikola Church seeks to remove need for zoning variances

By BOB UPHUES Editor

A Brookfield church congregation that sought to build a larger house of worship before withdrawing the plan just as the COVID-19 pandemic hit last March will be back in front of the Brookfield Planning and Zoning Commission later in April.

Officials from St. Nikola Serbian Orthodox Church, 4301 Prairie Ave., were on the commission’s March agenda last week, seeking a recommendation to allow the parish to consolidate 11 lots it owns into one.

Presently, the property comprises three tax parcels, one that includes the church, one that includes the rear parking lot and greenspace and one that includes the church rectory at 4309 Prairie Ave. By consolidating the lots, the church will eliminate the need for it to seek a zoning variance for reducing the required minimum green space in order to build the new church on the southeast portion of the lot.

However, on March 25, Brookfield Community Development Director Michael Schwarz requested that the Planning and Zoning Commission table discussion of the plat of consolidation for a month while staff

try to figure out whether the village ever granted a special use permit for the present church to be built in what is a residential district.

The mid-century modern house of worship was built around the mid-1960s, possibly earlier, to house the Brookfield Church of the Nazarene. At the time, much of Brookfield’s south end remained undeveloped.

The church appears to have been standing by at least 1965, when a Chicago Tribune article announced a missionary’s appearance at the church in February of that year.

Records on file with the Cook County Clerk indicate that in 1992, the church had paid off a mortgage it entered into in April 1967.

Schwarz said he could find no record of the church receiving a special use permit prior to construction, adding that he was recommending the church apply for a special use permit, seeking to expand a nonconforming structure.

Both the special use issue and the plat consolidation, along with updated church plans, would be on the Planning and Zoning Commission’s agenda for their meeting April 22 at 7 p.m. at the Brookfield Village See ST. NIKOLA on page 9

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The Landmark, March 31, 2021

Catrina Tequila Bar embraces Día de los Muertos

IN THIS ISSUE Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

East Ave. newcomer bring Latin flair to Riverside cocktail scene

Crime . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5

By MELISSA ELSMO

Obituaries. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16

Food Editor

Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10

La Catrina, an elegantly clad skeleton, made popular through artist renderings as far back as the early 1900s, has grown to be a powerful symbol of Day of the Dead celebrations throughout Mexico.

Since opening earlier this month, Catrina Tequila Bar, 34 East Ave., is bringing distinctive Día de los Muertos spirt to Riverside.

I am excited to bring some of my Latin culture to Riverside,” said bar owner Gisela Muñoz. “This is an amazing location in a beautiful community. I couldn’t wait to jump at this opportunity.”

An impressive Catrina statue greets guests upon entry, while a massive custom mural of the iconic calavera easily draws attention. Delicate flourishes including bright marigold garlands, alebrije spirit guides, trails of monarch butterflies and plentiful red roses round out the bar’s cohesive theme.

Muñoz is especially grateful to her mother, Sarah Flores, for bringing her entrepreneurial energy and decorative prowess to this new endeavor — her attention to detail even extends to the restroom.

While the artistic environment is more than enough to draw any passerby into Catrina, a selection of 16 tequilas and a thoughtful cocktail menu will easily entice folks to linger long at the bar.

Muñoz traces her family lineage to Guerrero and Jalisco in Mexico. Jalisco is known for its tequila production and the spirit has

Classified . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 Kosey Corner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 Opinion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14

MELISSA ELSMO/Food Editor

CRAFT COCKTAIL: Gisela Muñoz, owner of Catrina Tequila Bar, rims a glass with salt while making one of the establishment’s signature cocktails celebrating all things tequila.

been a staple at Muñoz’s family gatherings for as long as she can remember. Unsurprisingly, tequila and mezcal are at the heart of Catrina’s craft cocktails.

Muñoz worked closely with a mixologist to develop the cocktail repertoire for Catrina.

The offerings, including a quartet of margaritas, are designed to modernize classic Mexican drinks.

Catrina’s Paloma Negra is the color of the night sky and elevates a classic grapefruit and tequila cocktail by giving the drink a mysterious hue without sacrificing flavor. A refreshing cocktail, the La Calaca features tequila, lime juice, elderflower liquor, cucumber, mint and a sprinkling of spicy tajin.

Those looking for something other than tequila will be pleased to find a robust collection of mojitos and sangrias on the menu at Catrina Tequila Bar. Muñoz was raised in a family dedicated to the restaurant business, and while she is primarily committed to bar service, she has augmented her roMELISSA ELSMO/Food Editor bust cocktail offerThe La Calaca (front), Paloma Negra (back left) and the La Cantarito ings with a limited menu of hearty celebrate the versatility of tequila.

snacks and small plates.

Fresh chips and house-made guacamole and salsa verde are made to order while heartier fare like steak tacos and quesadillas make use of steak catered in from her uncle’s restaurant, Taqueria El Asadero, located in Chicago.

As a young child, Muñoz, recollects her family driving through Riverside to look the beautiful homes in the area. She fell in love with the architecture and has come to appreciate Riverside for being and active community with residents dedicated to supporting small business.

The Cicero resident is aware several bars have come and gone in her East Avenue location over the years, but Muñoz is committed to attracting locals in a way that will make her bar a staple in the Riverside community.

“We have been overwhelmed with support,” said Muñoz. “We have been swarmed with locals who are happy and excited to have us here. I love this community and cannot wait to live here one day.”

Muñoz credits the village of Riverside for her smooth road to opening day. Thanks to their support she has enjoyed her month-long soft opening but looks forward to celebrating the Day of the Dead in grand fashion this fall. In the meantime, she is looking into the outdoor dining permitting process in hopes of offering sidewalk seating outside of Catrina Tequila Bar. Catrina Tequila Bar is open MondayWednesday 3-10 p.m., Thursday 3-11 p.m., Friday-Saturday 3 p.m.-midnight and Sunday 11 a.m.-5 p.m. No matter what time you stop by, expect to find Muñoz behind the bar.

Editor Bob Uphues Sports Editor James Kay Food Editor Melissa Elsmo Staff Photographer Alex Rogals Design/Production Manager Andrew Mead Designers Javier Govea, Mark Moroney Debbie Becker Sales and Marketing Representatives Marc Stopeck, Lourdes Nicholls Sales & Development Mary Ellen Nelligan Circulation Manager Jill Wagner E-MAIL jill@oakpark.com Publisher Dan Haley Business Manager Joyce Minich

Growing Community Media BOARD OF DIRECTORS Chair Judy Greffin Treasurer Nile Wendorf Deb Abrahamson, Gary Collins, Darnell Shields, Sheila Solomon, Eric Weinheimer

HOW TO REACH US ADDRESS 141 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, IL 60302 PHONE 708-442-6739 ■ FAX 708-467-9066 E-MAIL buphues@wjinc.com ONLINE www.RBLandmark.com The Landmark is published digitally and in print by Growing Community Media NFP. The newspaper is available on newsstands for $1.00.

A one-year subscription costs $34 within Cook County and $44 outside the county. Advertising rates may be obtained by calling our office. Periodical rate postage paid at Oak Park, IL (USPS 0019-585). Postmaster send address corrections to Landmark, 141 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, IL 60302. © 2021 Growing Community Media NFP.

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The Landmark, March 31, 2021

BIG WEEK March 31-April 7

Native Plant Sale

Native plants add beauty and benefit the environment. They provide habitat and food for wildlife, are drought-resistant, absorb storm water and carbon and are easy to grow.

So plant up your garden this spring courtesy of West Cook Wild Ones, which is taking orders for its Native Plant Sale through May 18. Pick up June 3-5, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Forest Preserves of Cook County Central Warehouse, 2199 S. First Ave., Maywood or Sagawau Environmental Learning Center, 12545 W. 111th St., Lemont.

This year, most plants will be plugs; dense roots help them grow quickly and lower prices help extend plant budgets.

Butterfly and bee plant kits available.

Order plants through wild-ones-west-cook.myshopify.com.

Country concert benefits zoo

Brookfield Zoo will join zoos and aquariums across the nation to help raise funds for their continued operation in the face of an ongoing pandemic during “All Together for Animals,” a virtual benefit concert that will be streamed on Wednesday, March 31 at 7 p.m.

The concert will feature performances by Brad Paisley, Ashley McBryde, Wynonna, Old Dominion and others. The emcee is Cody Alan. Host of Country Music television’s Hot 20 Countdown. The performances were shot on location at the Nashville Zoo.

BRAD PAISLEY

minds-eye, CC BY-SA 2.0

Half of your $30 contribution will benefit Chicago Zoological Society/Brookfield Zoo. To purchase tickets, visit CZS.org/AllTogetherForAnimals.

Mall hosts Easter Egg Scavenger Hunt North Riverside Park Mall, 7501 Cermak Road, will host an Easter Egg Scavenger Hunt on Saturday, April 3 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Join in for this socially distanced event and follow a bunny trail of clues to win an Easter basket full of goodies. Have your smartphone and favorite QR code reader ready to play. Via a series of clues and QR codes, you will be guided through the mall.

Register to play at northriversideparkmall.com/easterhunt.

The first clue will be emailed on April 3 and then visit the mall to hunt down the rest.

Brookfield Bio Blitz

Brookfield Zoo and Brookfield Public Library will partner on Saturday, April 3 at 2 p.m. for a special Brookfield Bio Blitz event in Kiwanis Park, Arden and Brookfield avenues.

Meet at the Kiwanis Park pavilion and then explore the biodiversity of the Brookfield community. Face coverings are required.

For more information, contact Adult Services at 708-485-6917, ext. 130.

Outdoor storytime in Riverside

Riverside Public Library, 1 Burling Road, invites kids and parents to join them for Outdoor Storytime on Friday, April 2 and Tuesday, April 6 at 10 a.m.

Bring your blanket, masks, listening ears and dancing feet to these socially distanced get-togethers and enjoy stories, songs and rhymes. Stories will be repeated from Friday on Tuesday, so pick which day

works better for you. Storytime will be canceled in the event of bad weather.

Visit www.riversidelibrary.org/calendar.html for more info.

And more

Saturday, 1 to 5 p.m. Email info@riversideartscenter. com to schedule an appointment.

via Zoom on April 5 at 6:30 p.m. Register at northriversidelibrary.org/events-new for Zoom access.

Riverside Arts Center, 32 E. Quincy St., invites you to “The Kitchen Sink,” a group exhibition which runs through April 3 in the Freeark Gallery. The show features the work of artists Bimbola Akinbola, Alex Bradley Cohen, Mari Eastman, Cassidy Early, Zehra Khan, Kelly Neibert and Sophie Treppendahl. Free.

Appointments required. Hours are Thursday through

North Riverside Public Library, 2400 Desplaines Ave., offers a number of virtual programs through Facebook Live (facebook.com/NRPL2400), conference calls and the teleconferencing app Zoom. Programs include Game Night Wednesdays on April 7 at 7 p.m. via Zoom.

For kids there’s ABCs and 123s (ages 3+) via Zoom on Mondays at 10:30 a.m.; Story Safari (ages 3+) via Zoom on Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m.; and Lego Builders Club (ages 5+) via Zoom on Thursdays at 4 p.m.

Brookfield Public Library offers virtual classes and programs for patrons of all ages throughout the week. Most youth activities will be presented live on the library’s Facebook page at facebook.com/ BrookfieldPublicLibrary. For adults, there’s also Chair Yoga via Zoom on April 1 at 11 a.m.

Call 708-447-0836, ext. 230, email youthservices@ northriversidelibrary.org or visit northriversidelibrary.

Visit brookfield.evanced.info/signup to register for Zoom programs.

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For adults, there’s also Stretching and Meditation

org/events-new for Zoom meeting access info.

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The Landmark, March 31, 2021

P O L I C E

R E P O R T S

Driver escapes serious injury in Brookfield rollover crash A 34-year-old Hoffman Estates man whose Chevy Malibu flipped over onto its roof after it struck two parked vehicles in the 3200 block of Cleveland Avenue on the morning of March 28 was charged with drunken driving and cited for other traffic offenses, according to Brookfield police.

Paramedics transported the driver to Loyola University Medical Center for treatment, but he reportedly was not seriously injured and was sitting on the curb next to his vehicle when police arrived on the scene.

The crash took place at about 12:40 a.m., said police. The impact of the crash had forced one of the parked vehicles onto the parkway. The driver reportedly told police he “looked down for a second” prior to the crash, which he reportedly did not remember.

Police said the man’s blood-alcohol content was .19, which is more than twice the legal limit of .08.

Out of control North Riverside police charged a 20-yearold woman with one count of aggravated battery to a police officer, seven counts of battery and one count of resisting arrest after reportedly kicking, scratching and biting police officers and hospital personnel. Those altercations came after someone called police when she got aggressively violent when the caller ordered her out of his vehicle at 4:40 a.m. on March 21 on 4th Avenue near Cermak Road.

A man told police he was with the woman at a party in Bridgeview and that while he was driving her to her home in North Riverside, she began to vomit inside the vehicle. According to the police report, the man reportedly told the woman to leave the car, causing her to become irate and to start slamming and hitting the passenger side door.

When police arrived, they reported that the woman appeared to be under the influence of some type of substance and allegedly initiated a physical altercation with police, reportedly coming close to biting one officer’s face, biting another officer’s hand and gouging officers with her fingernails before they were able to place her in handcuffs.

Two different police officers reportedly punched the woman in the face while trying to subdue her.

The woman reportedly alternated between going limp and aggressively trying to kick and bite police officers. At least five police officers responded to the call.

Paramedics eventually took the woman to Loyola University Medical Center, where she allegedly kicked two hospital staff before they subdued her with medication.

It wasn’t until almost 24 hours later that police were able to read the woman her Miranda rights and charge her.

DUI alleged in crash

Riverside police charged a 60-year-old Riverside woman with driving under the influence of alcohol after she allegedly drove her vehicle off the roadway and into a parkway tree at the intersection of Gage and South Herbert roads on March 26 at about 11:30 p.m.

The driver was not injured, but the vehicle sustained heavy front-end damage, according to police, and vehicle parts were found scattered around the crash site. Paramedics took the driver to MacNeal Hospital in Berwyn for evaluation, and police reported she appeared intoxicated.

In addition to DUI, police cited the driver for damage to village property and other traffic offenses.

Man steals iPhones from store An unknown man stole two iPhones, valued in total at about $2,200, from T-Mobile, 2312 Harlem Ave. in North Riverside, on the afternoon of March 21.

According to the police report, an employee told them the man entered the store at about 2:20 p.m. and requested to buy two iPhone 12 Max cellphones. When the clerk brought out the two phones to start the transaction, the offender reportedly grabbed them and ran out of the store.

He was last seen running west through the parking lot.

Graffiti spree

Brookfield police reported four properties defaced by graffiti, likely during the overnight hours of March 23-24. In purple spray paint, gang symbols and an obscenity were scrawled on two commercial buildings in the 9300 block of Southview Avenue.

A swirly line was spray painted on a residential garage door in the 3700 block of Morton Avenue, while a yellow smiley face was spray painted on the Grant Avenue fence of a property in the 3700 block of Cleveland Avenue.

Overdose victim revived Riverside police administered the opioid antidote Narcan to revive a 29-year-old Bridgeview man found unresponsive, apparently due to overdosing on some type of narcotic, on the front lawn of a home in the 300 block of Lawton Road on March 23 at 11:20 a.m.

Paramedics continued life-saving measures and transported the man to MacNeal Hospital in Berwyn for further treatment.

These items were obtained from police reports filed by the Riverside, North Riverside and Brookfield police departments, March 21-28 and represent a portion of the incidents to which police responded. Unless otherwise indicated, anybody named in these reports has only been charged with a crime. These cases have not been adjudicated.

— Compiled by Bob Uphues

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The Landmark, March 31, 2021

Brookfield Elks, Tischler’s partner to aid BEDS Plus clients Food basket donations have helped feed more than 100 people

By JACKIE PISANO Contributing Reporter

Since 1988, BEDS Plus has been a beacon of hope for scores of adults and children struggling with homelessness, food insecurity, unemployment and mental health concerns.

Through its emergency services, community partnerships, transitional residential shelters and other outreach programs, the organization has spent three decades providing vulnerable residents of the southwest suburbs with a sense of stability and independence during the most tumultuous of times.

And while nearly all area residents began feeling the fear of COVID-19, uncertainty in employment and major shifts in everyday life at the onset of the pandemic, those served by BEDS Plus especially grew more concerned about how they would make it day by day.

So last March, quick thinking and foresight helped avoid further instability through the creation of the Match a Meal Program — an initiative by BEDS Plus to help both shelter residents and others facing food insecurity by distributing meal donations through partnerships with local restaurants.

According to Erin Molek, community relations manager at BEDS Plus, the Match a Meal Program has helped provide regu-

PROVIDED

BRINGING THE BASKETS: Dennis Tischler (left) of Tischler Finer Foods and Rob Rolewicz of the Brookfield Elks have partnered to deliver food baskets to more than 100 clients of BEDS Plus, helping that organization feed the food- and housing-insecure in the area. lar meals to more than 175 area clients in motel-based shelter programs through the organization.

“BEDS Plus has been able to send meals to shelter clients every day,” Molek said. “It

takes a community of people who make and deliver home-cooked meals six days a week to clients.”

In an effort to further help BEDS Plus’ mission, a longtime Brookfield business

and fraternal organization -- Tischler Finer Foods and Brookfield Elks Lodge #1510 -have pooled resources to help provide hundreds of more meals to BEDS Plus clients.

The man behind the partnership is Brookfield resident Bob Rolewicz, a longtime Elks member and chairman of the Elks board of directors. While the Elks has been a longtime supporter of BEDS Plus through financial donations and grocery gift cards, late last year Rolewicz thought that there had to be another way the Elks could partner with another community leader to strengthen support for BEDS Plus.

Rolewicz, who started a food basket program as a young member of the former Cicero-Berwyn Elks in the late 1970s, thought that now was a better time than ever to recreate a similar program for area residents in need.

“What we did [back in the day] was call churches and social service agencies and took referrals, and we would bag up groceries and make baskets and deliver them to families,” he said. “Over the years, the process has changed because social service organizations maintain close privacy of clients, and especially during these times of the pandemic, a lot of people don’t want to be visited in-person.”

One day while shopping at Tischler’s, Rolewicz saw a poster for the St. Barbara Food See BEDS PLUS on page 13

Hauser Jr. High Food Drive seeks donations through April Donation from former church will help purchase 50,000 prepared meals

By BOB SKOLNIK Contributing Reporter

The Hauser Jr. High Food Drive is starting its second half-century this year. Last year’s 50th anniversary food drive, which kicked off at the beginning of March with a big assembly and TV coverage, was cut short due to the pandemic but still managed to collect 14,130 cans of food and raise $12,140.

This year the food drive is getting a boost from a donation of $6,918 from the proceeds of the sale of Christ Presbyterian Church to the village of North Riverside last year. That and other money raised during the fool drive will be used to purchase enough macaroni and cheese to prepare at least 50,000 meals that will be donated to local food pantries as part of the Feed Our Community Day. Lisa Swicionis, a co-chairwoman of the food drive, is a former member of Christ Presbyterian Church and was instrumental in starting the annual Feed Our Community Day event in 2012 as a project of that congregation and the Covenant of Churches. The Feed Our Community Day became part of the Hauser Food Drive in 2018.

The donation from Christ Presbyterian was one of the last acts of the church, which disbanded at the end of 2017

and it is of special significance to Swicionis and other former Christ Presbyterian Church members.

“As the congregation of that church we wanted our legacy to continue with donations to missions that were important to us and Feed Our Community Day was one of them,” Swicionis said. “Even though the church doesn’t exist anymore, this cause lives on through the Hauser Food Drive.”

This year, because of the pandemic, there will be no single Feed Our Community Day when volunteers gather to assemble the macaroni and cheese meals on a Saturday. Instead, throughout April, Hauser students will assemble the meals during their physical education classes. The bright side of this is that all Hauser students will have the chance to participate in the food drive this year, Swicionis said.

Those wishing to donate money to the food drive can do so at https://help-hauser-fight-hunger-2021.cheddarup.com.

Those who wish to donate non-perishable food items can drop off items at Hauser Jr. High School, 65 Woodside Road in Riverside, throughout April or call the school at 708-447-3896 to arrange for volunteers to pick up canned food from your front porch.

PROVIDED

DELIVERING THE GOODS: Hauser Junior High student Colin Cimino leads a group up the steps of the Riverside Township Hall to deliver items to the township’s food pantry.

The Landmark, March 31, 2021

Villages look to American Rescue Plan for federal relief Funds can be used for a variety of COVID-related expenses through 2024

By BOB UPHUES Editor

The villages of Brookfield, North Riverside and Riverside are in line to get hundreds of thousands of dollars in federal financial assistance as part of the American Rescue Plan, signed into law by President Joe Biden on March 11.

The $1.9 trillion COVID-relief law earmarked $65.1 billion for all municipalities nationwide. Of that total, $45.57 billion will go to larger metropolitan communities with allocations based on the Community Development Block Grant formula.

The remaining $19.53 billion is being directed to the states, who have been tasked with passing those funds through to smaller communities, such as Brookfield, North Riverside and Riverside, on a per-capita basis with payments capped at 75 percent of a municipality’s pre-pandemic budget as of Jan. 27, 2020.

According to projections provided by the federal government to the Illinois Municipal League, Brookfield is expected to receive

$2.26 million in American Rescue Plan funds through the state.

Riverside’s cut is expected to be about $1.06 million, with North Riverside taking in about $795,000.

Brad Cole, executive director of the Illinois Municipal League, said municipalities can expect to receive the first half of the federal disbursements from the state sometime in early July. The second half of those payments will come a year later, in summer 2022.

Some local officials have been wary about expecting the full amount of the federal relief payments, since they are being routed through the state. That concern resulted from the way the federal government allowed states to generally decide how relief funds from last year’s Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act, or CARES Act, were divvied up.

The state funneled that local money to municipalities through Cook County, which set aside $51 million for Chicago’s suburbs.

Compared to the federal funds coming through the American Rescue Plan, the CARES Act reimbursements for COVID-rated expenses were small. Brookfield qualified for about $450,000, with about $187,000 going to North Riverside and $125,000 to Riverside.

Cole says the state and county won’t be allowed to touch money targeted for munici-

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“It is our understanding they can’t do that,” Cole said. “The [American Rescue Plan] legislation was written to make clear the funds were to pass through without restriction or reduction by the state. If there is, that would conflict with the letter and the intent of the federal law.”

According to the terms of the American Rescue Plan, municipalities will be allowed to use the funds on certain costs incurred through Dec. 31, 2024, including the flowing: ■ Costs to respond to the COVID-19 emergency and/or its economic impact. Those costs could include assistance to households, small businesses and nonprofits or aid those in the travel, tourism or hospitality industries.

■ Worker costs, such as providing premium pay for essential municipal workers during the COVID-19 emergency or providing grants to eligible businesses which employ essential workers.

■ To make up for a loss in municipal revenue during the COVID-19 emergency.

■ To make improvements to municipal infrastructure and broadband services.

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Did you miss Easter last year?

So Did We!

Positivity rate, hospitalizations Celebrate Easter with Us! continue to trend upward Nearly 69 percent of seniors vaccinated, but ‘bridge’ phase on hold

By JERRY NOWICKI Capitol News Illinois

SPRINGFIELD – COVID-19 hospitalizations and case positivity rates continued to trend upward Monday, leaving entry into a recently announced “bridge” phase of reopening uncertain even as the percentage of seniors vaccinated continued to increase.

The COVID-19 case positivity rate in Illinois was 3.3 percent Monday, having risen for the fourth straight day. It marked a 50 percent increase since March 14.

The Illinois Department of Public Health announced 1,761 new cases on March 29.

Another five COVID-19 positive individuals were reported to have died Monday as well.

As of Sunday night, COVID-19 patients occupied 1,352 hospital beds, the highest point since Feb. 26. The 280 intensive care unit beds in use by COVID-19 patients marked a high since March 1.

All of the hospitalization metrics had been decreasing steadily for at least 15 weeks before beginning the uptrend over the previous two weeks.

Cornerstone Community Church of Brookfield

Sunday, April 4th 10:30a Nursery and children’s classes provided

Following CDC Guidelines

Brookfield woman dies from COVID-19 The Cook County Medical Examiner has reported that a 73-year-old Brookfield woman died from COVID-19 on March 24. She was the 13th resident of Brookfield to have died from the disease since the pandemic began in March 2020 and the first in the village since Jan. 22.

No new deaths from COVID-19 were reported in North Riverside and Riverside in See COVID-19 on page 17

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The Hospitality Center has a cup of coffee for you.

“Resurrection Peace & Hope” Dr. Gary Karwoski, Pastor

9008 Fairview Ave. Brookfield, IL 60513 708-485-8730 www.cornerstone-grow.org www.facebook.comCCCOB

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The Landmark, March 31, 2021

Mandel promises transparency, but questions remain unanswered North Riverside mayoral candidate sidesteps on-the-record interview

sections of his website were adopted by TAP in 2013, in particular elements critical of the village paramedic service provider.

Demopoulos and TAP ended up being sued for libel for statements made regarding the paramedic vendor, and in December 2016 the two sides settled the case when TAP candiBy BOB UPHUES dates and Demopoulos agreed to publicly apolEditor ogize for the statements in the local newspaper As part of the Landmark’s coverage of the and pay an undisclosed sum of money to the mayoral election in North Riverside, our in- paramedic vendor. tention was to provide readers profiles of all Mandel had managed to extricate herself three candidates, based on one-on-one inter- from that lawsuit and was not among the sigviews, where we could explore a little more in natories of the apology advertisement that ran depth how those candidates would approach in the Landmark in February 2017. governing should they be elected.

Despite the name of the party under which We ran two of those profiles, on incumbent she’s currently running, Mandel showed she Mayor Hubert Hermanek Jr. and Trustee could play politics just fine. Two weeks after Joseph Mengoni, in mid-March. it was announced the libel lawsuit However, after repeated requests had been settled, Mandel filed to to set a date and time, the Landrun for mayor against Demopoumark has been unable to personlos and Hermanek. ally interview the third candidate, Neither Demopoulos, who’d put Marybelle Mandel, who is making together a slate called the Municiher second run for mayor and her pal Village Party (MVP), nor Manfourth straight run for elective ofdel would admit they’d fallen out fice since 2013. politically, but Mandel’s presence Mandel has proved difficult to in the 2017 mayoral race siphoned pin down for on-the-record convervotes away from Demopoulos, who sations on the positions she takes. would finish a distant third, while While Mandel is active on social MARYBELLE MANDEL Hermanek coasted to a second media and has been an enthusiterm as mayor. astic door-to-door campaigner, she has been According to state board of elections data, less amenable to being interviewed by the lo- Mandel raised no money that election cycle cal newspaper, leaving questions as to how she but spent about $2,000. Part of those expendimight act on the priorities she outlines on her tures included anti-Demopoulos campaign litcampaign website, on social media and in re- erature that derisively alleged that Hermanek sponses to a questionnaire she submitted for and his “Buddy Bobby D.” were a team. our election guide last week.

Message sent, and with VIP beginning to She presents herself as a champion of the crack as a political entity, both Demopoulos people, committed to transparency and fis- and Mandel would run for election as indepencal responsibility, calling herself the village’s dents for trustee in 2019. They didn’t run as a “watchdog” on the website of her political par- slate, but they clearly had reconciled, forming ty People before Politics, an organization she the new People Before Politics Party last fall. co-chairs with Trustee H. Bob Demopoulos.

Demopoulos would win election to his third The two have run together on the same tick- term, while Mandel would win her first, leadet just once, in 2015, when Demopoulos and ing all vote getters in a six-person field.

Mandel ran for trustee spots as part of a ticket Throughout her runs for office, Mandel’s called Save Our Firefighters, which sought to platform issues have largely mirrored Demoexploit Hermanek’s eventually failed effort to poulos’ positions, focusing on what they term outsource firefighting services.

North Riverside’s “debt,” no-bid contracts, traDemopoulos enthusiastically backed Man- ditional (and largely discontinued) VIP pracdel’s first run for office in 2013, when she was tices of hiring party loyalists and granting a trustee candidate on the Transparency and them generous benefits as village employees.

Accountability in Politics Party (TAP). DeOne perk not normally found in small-town mopoulos was not a candidate that year, but government is one that provides elected offi-

cials low-cost health insurance for themselves and their families. North Riverside continues to provide that perk to elected officials. Three village board members participate in the insurance benefit -- Hermanek, Mandel and Demopoulos -- which for the current fiscal year was valued at about $24,000, according to the employee compensation report on the village’s website Mandel says she would “lay the foundation for fiscal and financial measures to alleviate our $117 million debt” but her campaign materials and statements about the debt don’t acknowledge that the vast majority of the “debt” -- $105.4 million are police and fire pensions and post-retirement insurance premium payments for retired village employees.

The village carries about $7.5 million in long-term debt, and North Riverside eliminated the post-retirement insurance benefit for employees a decade ago.

It is unclear whether it would benefit the village to somehow pay down additional future pension obligations when there is no requirement to do so by the state or how directing more money toward pension obligations would impact village services.

Mandel’s page of the People Before Politics Party website claims that North Riverside village government can “tighten our belts” to reduce the debt, but gives no concrete examples of how to do that. Doing so, she says “doesn’t mean cutting programs and services.”

The party states that it will pursue “zerobased budgeting” that will scrutinize all expenses.

“We will find ways to tighten our belts, economize, and put more resources/revenues toward retiring the debt of prior administrations,” the party’s website states.

The website hints at what may be Mandel’s belt-tightening policies, such as paying “fair wages for professional employee services that are equal to towns comparable to North Riverside” and “bring[ing] in professionals with new and creative approaches to business development and village management,” There’s no specific example of what that might mean, but village employees have been spooked by such statements enough that formerly non-union public works and clerical staff at village hall have organized and have enlisted the Teamsters Union to represent them.

At the most recent village board meeting several village hall employees called out

Mandel by name as the reason they sought to unionize.

The campaign and Mandel herself has doubled down at public meetings and on social media, criticizing village employee Sue Scarpiniti for accepting a $1,000 per month stipend for taking on the dual roles of finance director and village administrator.

Mandel has claimed Scarpiniti is breaking the law due to a provision in the village code that states the finance director “shall not receive compensation for any other office than finance director.”

Hermanek pitched the stipend in early 2020 as a practical as well as cost-saving measure when Guy Belmonte retired as administrator with a mayoral election just a year away.

Mandel called the payments to Scarpiniti a “crime,” which prompted Scarpiniti to demand a public apology from Mandel at a village board meeting.

Mandel only objected to the stipend after she found herself under scrutiny when federal appellate court documents surfaced in which a federal judge opined that she knowingly participated in a mortgage fraud scheme that landed her husband a 12-month prison sentence in 2000 for making a false statement to a financial institution.

She was never charged with any wrongdoing and publicly suggested that the U.S Department of Justice conduct an investigation she said would clear her name.

Since 2013, Mandel and the parties she has run with have hammered away at eliminating no-bid contracts. The People Before Politics website goes so far as to say “We must take every single one of our vendors and put them to the test!” without identifying what exactly that means.

Like many municipalities, North Riverside has had longstanding vendor contracts with its engineering firm and paramedic service provider, periodically renewed without seeking bids, although the village did seek competitive bids for paramedic services in 2019, retaining PSI as its vendor.

In 2012, Demopoulos pushed to rebid waste hauling services, which resulted in the village hiring Roy Strom that year, replacing a longtime vendor. In 2017, the village board did not seek new bids, choosing instead to renew Roy Strom’s contract for 10 years. Demopoulos, the co-chair of People Before Politics, voted in favor of extending the deal.

Lyons Township clerk confirms Brookfield polling places changes The polling place shuffle continues for some voters in the Lyons Township portion of Brookfield.

If you’re planning to vote in person on Election Day, April 6, you might want to double check just where you need to go.

A couple of weeks ago, an email distributed to voters in the area indicated there were new polling places for those in Lyons

Township Precincts 2, 4 and 6 in Brookfield and Precinct 66 in Lyons.

But last week, Lyons Township Clerk Mike Porfirio confirmed that the information in that email had been updated again, and provided the Landmark with the official list of polling place changes in Lyons Township for the April 6 Consolidated Election.

Brookfield voters in Precinct 2, who used to vote at Congress Park School, will vote on April 6 at Lincoln School, 4300 Grove Ave. Meanwhile, voters in Precincts 4 and 6, who used to vote at Congress Park School in Brookfield, will vote on April 6 at the LaGrange Community Center, 200 Washington Ave. Porfirio confirmed that there will be no

changes in polling places for Lyons residents who live in Precinct 66. Those voters will continue to vote on April 6 at Lincoln School in Brookfield.

Initial reports had those voters being sent all the way west of LaGrange Road to Park Junior High in LaGrange Park, but that is no longer the case.

— Bob Skolnik

The Landmark, March 31, 2021

Exciting News in 2021!

Brookfield’s only Independent Living community is experiencing a

MAJOR RENOVATION! Call today for details on pre-renovation pricing!

Courtesy of jamesholvay.com

NOW AND THEN: James Holvay has recorded his first new music in 40 years after writing hits for The Buckinghams and fronting his own rock ‘n’ roll bands in the 1960s (above right).

Brookfielder who wrote hit songs in 1960s releases new EP

Brookfield native and Lyons Township High School graduate James Holvay, who wrote the 1967 chart-topping hit “Kind of a Drag” and others for The Buckinghams before fronting and playing guitar in the rhythm and blues show band The Mob through the late 1960s and 1970s, will release a new five-song EP on April 16.

Titled “Sweet Soul Song,” the EP is a nod to the horn-drenched soul music of late 1960s Chicago.

“The collection is a vibrant tip of the hat to the music Holvay witnessed and then played in during its 1960s flowering, when such hometown stars as Curtis Mayfield, Major Lance and Gene Chandler ruled the R&B roost

ST. NIKOLA Scaled back? from page 2 Hall, 8820 Brookfield Ave. Apart from the special use permit, it does not appear that the new church will need any further zoning permissions, which indicate officials have scaled back their plans somewhat.

When presented last year, church officials sought variances for height and lot coverage. Planning and zoning commissioners said last year they believed a new church could be built on the site without needing

in America,” says a press release sent March 20 announcing the release of the EP and the debut of the single “Working On It.” After The Mob broke up in 1980, Holvay left the music business, headed to California and commenced a long career as a sales rep, selling copiers and mailing equipment. In 2012, Lyons Township High School inducted Holvay into its Hall of Fame, and 40 years after leaving the music business, at the age of 75, he went back into the studio to record “Sweet Soul Song.”

You can hear “Working On It” through Holvay’s YouTube channel or by visiting his website, jamesholvay.com.

708-485-5665 cantata.org

AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE AT:

— Bob Uphues

zoning variances.

Since last March the parish has purchased the single-family home at 4322 Forest Ave. That acquisition is in addition to the home the church owns at 4312 Forest Ave., which is next door to the north.

It is unclear whether those homes will remain standing or whether one or both will be demolished to create more greenspace.

They do not appear to be part of the plat consolidation that was to have been considered on March 25.

Church officials did not respond to requests from the Landmark for an updated site plan or renderings, but Schwarz indicated the parish intends to keep the existing church building as a parish hall/Sunday school facility.

For more info, contact Jim Franko at frankoj@rbhs208.net

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The Landmark, March 31, 2021

Lyons Township comeback falls short against OPRF Antonietti, Aselson hook up twice for late TDs, but Huskies spoil Lions’ debut

By MELVIN TATE

Huskie players.

Despite the lack of a noisy atmosphere, OPRF (1-1) and LTHS (0-1) put on an intense and hard-fought contest that saw the Huskies hold on for an 18-15 victory.

“It’s bittersweet,” said OPRF head coach John Hoerster of the lack of fans. “I feel fortunate that we got to have a home game and we’re playing a season. But on the other hand, this is a community event, and not having the students, band, cheerleaders and drill team, we missed them.

The loss spoiled the delayed debut of new LTHS head coach Jon Beutjer, whose

Contributing Reporter

ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer

LATE PUSH: LTHS quarterback Joseph Antonietti threw two touchdown passes against Oak Park and River Forest High School on March 27, but the Lions’ late bid to defeat the Huskies came up just short.

High school football is back in Illinois for the spring, but during the current COVID-19 pandemic, there is a distinct difference from the usual environment that fills stadiums.

There were no cheerleaders, no drill team, and no Marching Huskies on hand Saturday afternoon for the Oak Park and River Forest High School football team’s home opener against Lyons Township High School. The only spectators in attendance were the family members of the

Families can leave a legacy at new Brookfield library You can buy personalized pavers, memorial trees for library, mini-park

By BOB UPHUES Editor

As construction on the new Linda Sokol Francis Brookfield Library chugs along toward completion this summer, officials are now offering local residents an opportunity for families to leave a legacy at the campus by purchasing commemorative pavers for the library’s plaza or purchasing memorial trees or shrubs to complete the landscape.

Pavers come in two sizes. The 8-by-9-inch pavers ($100) can accommodate six lines of text, with 14 characters per line, while 5-by11-inch pavers ($75) allow for four lines of text, 17 characters per line.

Messages can be personalized and can leave a legacy for your family or business or can be purchased in memory of a loved one or other special person. The pavers will be part of a triangular brick paver plaza outside the main entrance to the new library.

A first wave of pavers will be installed in summer 2021, but anyone who’d like their personalized pavers to be included in that project needs to order their bricks by May 1. A second installation of commemorative pavers will be completed in the fall.

In addition to the commemorative brick pavers, the library is offering families the chance to purchase various trees and shrubs in memory of a loved one that will become a permanent part of the landscape on three sides of the library building it-

self or in the mini-park/parking lot areas across Lincoln Avenue on the site of the present library.

The park/parking lot will be constructed later this year after the completion of the new library and the demolition of the old one.

Some of the trees, including all three flowering crabapples for the mini-park, are already sold out, but as of last week, plenty were still available.

Purchasing a memorial tree or shrub is not cheap. The least expensive specimens are the four witch hazels slated for planting on the south side of the library, at $1,000 each.

Redpointe maple trees, which turn a brilliant crimson in the autumn, will cost you $2,500 each but they will be prominently located in the parkway and at the edge of the front lawn along Park Avenue in front of the library. As of late last week, three of the planned seven maples had been purchased.

Directly behind the library will be a line of Regal Prince oak trees (a white swamp oak cultivar), which are tall and narrow, to screen the library from residences to the east.

To purchase one of those trees as a memorial will cost $1,500.

Three other species planned for the park/ parking lot area, and each costing $1,500, are six Princeton elms and one Shademaster honeylocust (already purchased), both of which have leaves that turn yellow in autumn, and three white swamp oaks, which also turn an orangey gold in fall.

More information and order forms are available at the Brookfield Public Library’s website at brookfieldlibrary.info.

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A - Redpointe maple B - Regal Prince oak C - Princeton elm D - Swamp white oak E - Shademaster honeylocust F - Black-haw viburum G - Cardinal crabapple H - Eastern redbud I - Witch hazel

B A

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B B

A A A

H

A

B

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B B I I I I

D

B

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D C

C E

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C C C COURTESY OF BROOKFIELD PUBLIC LIBRARY

MAKE YOUR MARK: Brookfield residents and other library supporters have the opportunity to leave a legacy at the new Linda Sokol Francis Brookfield Library by purchasing a commemorative paver for the entry plaza or a memorial tree to landscape the campus.

The Landmark, March 31, 2021 Lions saw their opener last week canceled due to COVID-19 protocols. Nevertheless, he seemed pleased with his team’s effort against OPRF, considering the circumstances.

“We hadn’t played in 18 months, and then we were quarantined. We only had three practices coming out [of quarantine],” he said. “I was really proud of the way they fought and of the energy they had. We hurt ourselves a couple of times, but those are things we can improve on.”

After having a tough debut as the starting quarterback in the previous week’s 42-7 loss at Hinsdale Central, senior Jack Landis bounced back with a solid effort for the Huskies, throwing for two touchdowns, a 31yard strike to Ryan McFadden and a 12-yard toss to Francis Krusinski. Junior Demetrius Dortch had OPRF’s other touchdown, a run from 1 yard out.

LTHS made things interesting late, as junior quarterback Joey Antonietti threw touchdown passes to senior wide receiver Tommy Asleson on back-to-back possessions, the latter coming with 41.4 seconds remaining. But the ensuing onside kick was recovered by OPRF, dashing any hope the Lions had for completing the comeback.

“It feels awesome to get back out here with all the guys,” Antonietti said. “Coach Beutjer told us to keep hammering, and that’s what the offense finally started to do at the end. I think if we do that [from the start], we can win a lot of games.”

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Bishop Mac 34, RBHS 12 The Riverside-Brookfield High School football team fell to 0-2 on the season with a 34-12 defeat at the hands of Bishop McNamara in Kankakee. The Bulldogs’ next scheduled game is Saturday, April 3 at Ridgewood.

Nazareth 35, St. Laurence 7

ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer

STOPPED COLD: LTHS defensive linemen stonewall a Huskies running back during OPRF’s 18-15 win over the Lions in Oak Park on March 27. LTHS will play its second game of the season on April 1 at Leyden.

“They’re just happy to be playing,” added Beutjer. “They’re very resilient and have been through a lot. They’ve learned tough lessons at a very young age. We’re going to build off of this, and I feel had we earlier displayed the intensity and aggressiveness

on offense, this could’ve been a different outcome.”

In observance of the Passover holiday, the next game for LTHS will fall on Thursday, April 1 when the Lions visit Leyden Township.

After having last week’s opening game with Fenwick canceled due to COVID-19 protocols, the Nazareth Academy football team opened up the season Saturday in grand fashion with a 35-7 rout of visiting St. Laurence.

With J.J. McCarthy having transferred during the summer to IMG Academy in Florida, the Roadrunners played three quarterbacks against the Vikings, and all led scoring drives.

Senior Cass Kinsella started and tossed a 20-yard touchdown pass to Kaleb Miller on Nazareth’s first drive. Junior Ben Michel came in next and led the Roadrunners to another touchdown, a 32-yard sprint by Patrick Oden.

Junior Aidan Pieper, a transfer from St. Charles North, played most of the second half and connected with junior Tyler Morris for a 44-yard touchdown.

Junior Quintrell Harris, another transfer (from Lyons Township), had an 80-yard interception return for another score.

The Roadrunners’ next game is scheduled for April 1 at De La Salle.

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The Landmark, March 31, 2021

Join our CAMPAIGN FOR DEMOCRACY. It’s not some abstract concept that someone else will act on.

ALL DEMOCRACY IS LOCAL.

T

he Riverside-Brookfield Landmark is not owned by a distant conglomerate or hedge fund. It is owned by local 501(c)(3) nonprofit Growing Community Media. Our comprehensive reporting on the candidates for office and issues in the local elections emerges from journalistic principals and practice that champion the democratic process, a free press, civic engagement and civil discourse – on a local scale.

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Campaign for Democracy Landmark | 2021 All democracy is local

The Landmark, March 31, 2021

D103

Benchmarks negotiated from page 1 Heidi Garza, the mother of Home School fifth-grader, also couldn’t understand why District 103 is still limited to remote learning while other area school districts have offered part-time, in-person learning all year or have switched to full- or part-time in-person school this spring.

“I do not understand how a plan for inperson testing was put together in a short period of time, but a plan for a hybrid option wasn’t ready after being out of school for over a year,” Garza wrote in her emailed comment. “If the leaders are having such a difficult time figuring things out, then did they reach out to any of the surrounding districts for help since they all are or will be back? Our kids deserve better.”

Frustrated parents have formed a new Facebook group, District 103 Parents United, which had 71 members eight days after it was created on March 21.

After the school board meeting, Superintendent Kristopher Rivera said the district had been in the midst of working on a blended model that included some in-person school attendance when the district found

BEDS PLUS

Customers chip in from page 6 Pantry food basket program, where shoppers can buy a breakfast or dinner basket and Tischler’s would deliver the food to the pantry.

While Rolewicz spoke with the food pantry about extending the partnership to the Elks, he said the pantry said they had an abundance of food due to the public’s generosity.

So, he thought, “Why not approach BEDS?” “I thought doing a grocery match would be

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out that state and federally mandated testing has to be done in person.

That testing, which includes the Illinois Assessment of Readiness test (IAR), will be done in April and May. The complexity of figuring out how to safely get students in the schools for testing while maintaining social distancing guidelines disrupted plans to create a blended learning model, Rivera said.

Rivera said that some type of in-person school could still happen this year, especially for first- and second-graders who don’t take the IAR test.

Another reason District 103 has not had any in-person school this year, Rivera said, is that the district and the teachers’ union agreed at the start of the school on metrics that would trigger a three-week process to implement a hybrid learning plan with some in school attendance.

Metrics included having a new COVID case rate of less than less 50 new cases per 100,000 people in a week for each of the communities the district serves and a positivity test level of less than 5 percent. Hitting those metrics would trigger the process to implement a hybrid learning plan.

District 103 has not yet hit all of those metrics. The 50 weekly new cases per 100,000 benchmark has proved to be a particularly tough target to hit.

For the week ending March 27, the weekly new case rate in Brookfield was 106.4 cas-

es per 100,000 and in Lyons it was 143 per 100,000. The positivity rate was 3.61 percent in Brookfield, was but 7.69 percent in Lyons.

By the end of April, all District 103 teachers will have had the opportunity to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 through a vaccination program for educators at Morton High School.

Rivera said the metrics that were agreed upon at the beginning of the year were still in force, even if they now might not be the best metrics to use now.

“We bargained that back in the fall,” Rivera said. “We trusted the CDC. We didn’t understand it, but we bargained it and we committed to it.”

Rivera was asked if the teachers’ union was an impediment to returning to some form of in person school.

“Absolutely not, and you can put exclamation marks on that,” Rivera said.

During the school board meeting, Rivera said teachers have ample reason to take COVID seriously and to be cautious about teaching in person.

“We have staff members who have lost loved ones,” Rivera said, noting that school children have not been vaccinated.

Toni Jackman, the president of the District 103 teachers’ union, said it is up to administrators to develop return to school plans.

“The administrative team has the job of

surveying the parents, communicating with the community and ensuring that a safe environment is in place for children and staff to return,” Jackman wrote in a text message to the Landmark. “This includes building setup and safety protocols, and communicating that plan to the union for discussion and review.”

Jackman said the union has worked with the administrators throughout the year.

Many memoranda of understanding have been negotiated and agreed to by the district and the union.

All this leaves many parents frustrated.

“I feel like the metrics are set at almost impossible to reach,” said Kristin Salgado in her public comment at the school board meeting. “This is not only hurting our children’s education but their mental well-being.”

In an email to the Landmark, Salgado noted that elementary school students in the city of Chicago now have the option to attend school in person.

“Schools all over are going back to inperson learning, at least hybrid learning,” Salgado wrote. “I am not sure why even Chicago schools can go back, but we can’t. … My kids are in third, fourth and seventh grade. I feel like this is a wasted school year and I can only hope they will be at the same level as their peers in high school, especially my 7th grader.”

the biggest bang for our buck,” he said.

After speaking with Dennis Tischler, owner of the grocery store, and Molek at BEDS Plus, the three created a new extension of the Match a Meal Program, in which Tischler’s customers could purchase a $6 food basket at the store, with the Elks matching up to $1,200 in donations.

Through the joint partnership, the Tischler/Elks meal match has helped BEDS Plus feed an additional 100 food-insecure clients, helping supplement food assistance with staple grocery items including vegetables, meats and other fresh produce the clients otherwise could not afford or receive through traditional food bank donations or restaurant meals.

Along with the Tischler’s breakfast and dinner meal baskets, BEDS Plus is also using donations through Tischler’s to purchase microwave meals to supplement both clients of the shelter/motel program and those living on their own and receiving assistance through BEDS Plus.

For Rolewicz, the partnership has been another way to demonstrate to the greater community the drive the Elks have to not only show support for local businesses, but also for philanthropy.

“Above all, we are a charitable organization,” he said. “Above and beyond the socialization, we try to sell new members on the concept of volunteering and trying to help the community.”

Molek says that with the need for food greater than ever for clients of BEDS Plus, the partnership between the trusted community grocer and fraternal organization has been a blessing.

“The food and the support local groups like the Elks and Tischler’s have given to us right now are vital for our ability to extend our services to those in need in the community,” she said. “This is a really unique way to pay it forward — we’re helping out small businesses by bringing revenue and it’s a win-win situation all around. We have found a way to help vulnerable individuals, and it’s such a great feeling to be able to do that and pay it forward to businesses that have always been there for us.”

Hello Spring

14

The Landmark, March 31, 2021

THE LANDMARK VIEW

I

Havin’ a party, just not so often

t may seem as if the village of Brookfield is jumping back and forth trying to figure out just how to help restaurants and bars in the village’s downtown as they continue to face limits from the state on indoor service.

But, while patrons of those establishments gave rave reviews to the village’s decision last year to close off half of the 3700 block of Grand Boulevard to vehicular traffic in order to expand outdoor dining into the street – and create something of a family party atmosphere – restaurants and bars are not the only businesses on the block.

Last year those business owners kept any criticism of the village’s attempt to help bars and restaurants navigate the pandemic at a minimum. Everyone was in the same boat and bars and restaurants were unable to offer much in the way of indoor service. Although it negatively impacted their businesses, the non-restaurant/bar places gave the street closures a thumbs up.

After a meeting with some business owners – almost all of them bars and restaurants – on March 1 it appeared there was a consensus to follow last year’s blueprint for expanded outdoor dining.

Then the non-restaurant/bar business weighed in with an unmistakable “not this year.” The loss of parking spaces near their businesses had made weekends losers in terms of business, they said, and with the state opening up indoor dining more and more, there was no longer such a pressing need to offer so much in the way of extra outdoor dining space.

The public sidewalks and new bump outs at the south end of the block (adjacent to two establishments) and mid-block (near some others) provided plenty of space for outdoor tables, they argued.

Business owners also complained that, as much as patrons liked a traffic-free atmosphere that allowed their children to roam free and provided adults some freedom of movement as well, there were downsides.

Non-restaurant and bar businesses would return to work Monday morning with beer bottles in their planters and messes on the sidewalks. Bikes left leaning against storefronts and blocking foot traffic were also a nuisance.

In one instance, parents reportedly got angry at a business owner when their children were asked not to sit on the business’ front stoop, blocking the entry.

We think that a lot of people were content to give people a lot of leeway last year, especially last summer, which was as trying a time as we can remember. Weekends on Grand Boulevard in Brookfield were a time to blow off some of that pandemic steam.

The good news for all of those who enjoyed it last year, Brookfield will still create the festive atmosphere on Grand Boulevard this summer – one weekend a month, with live entertainment, if it’s allowed.

Non-restaurant/bar businesses are still making a sacrifice in support of their neighbors. Let’s make sure it’s as good an experience for those businesses as well.

Opinion KOSEY CORNER

Shaping up for an eggscellent Easter

W

hich came first, the chicken or the egg? While we’re going to avoid that debate, I think we can safely conclude that, in terms of eggs only, the probable order is chicken egg, followed by the chocolate egg and then by the plastic egg which can be fillable or solid.

Easter eggs, sometimes referred to as Paschal eggs in Christianity, symbolize rebirth. Colors or designs people may add to the surface of the eggs may also be symbolic.

So let’s look at coloring the edible eggs, which of course have been hard-boiled. You’ll naturally set aside those that have already cracked, so they can be eaten as-is or turned into egg salad.

I remember one time (notice, I said one time) using natural dye to color the eggs. I used tea leaves, onion skins and beets, which left me with hands that smelled of onions and red from the beets. From then on I would rely on my favorite PAAS egg-dying kit, an old stand-by. I like the one with the wax crayon included. However, the choice now is almost mind boggling – tie-dye, neon, sparkles. Just give me the pretty pastels You have to admit the chocolate eggs, solid or hollow, whether white, milk or dark are the most popular. Hollow ones can open up to display other tiny edibles, such as jelly beans. Or you can bite into an egg filled with a luscious cream or peanut butter. Decorated or not, there is nothing like a chocolate egg.

As for plastic eggs, they are the only way to have a proper egg hunt. They can be filled with candy or, better yet, money. However, if you have them outside be careful. One year after my mother painstakingly scattered the eggs in the backyard, she found that when the grandchildren were ready for the hunt, the squirrels had beaten them to them. Naughty little critters!

This is not to forget other Easter edibles. Do you eat the ears or the tail first on a chocolate bunny? Do you eat the tail or the head on the lamb cake first? Delicious decisions! This year to confuse and amuse yourself in the area of Easter confectionery Aunt Diana’s now has bunny butts. Go see for yourself, that and all the eggs and bunnies you could ever want.

Mea culpa: In reference to last week’s column and the Riverside Community Caucus, I have found out some of what I wrote was in error. The information on voting and what is now called the Recruitment Committee was not clear to me, although I understand that information was on the caucus’ website. I did not see that.

When I paid my membership is when it should have been reiterated to me the deadline for voting, which I would have understood.

The caucus needs to have varied opinions that should be expressed when necessary. My intention was not to discredit the caucus. I still stand by some of my opinions.

As a member of the caucus, I look forward to working for the betterment of the community.

JOANNE KOSEY

LETTERS

D95 teachers, administrators deserve thanks I appreciate the pain a lot of working parents are experiencing right now, trying to make pandemic life and hybrid or remote schoolwork. It’s been grueling, and we’ve been let down by a lot people in leadership roles.

But one group that has not let us down is the teachers, staff, administrators and school board at District 95. The teachers, staff, administrators and have moved heaven and earth to find a safe way to get school up and running. They were ahead of the curve in finding a way to offer a hybrid option, and through their dedication and the cooperation of parents and students have made it successful.

They recognized that not all parents would be home and set up not one but two options for before and after school care. They’ve found creative ways to engage students remotely both full and part-time.

They’ve done it with incredible professionalism and positivity, despite having to simultaneously deal with the pandemic’s effects on their own families. They’ve recognized the stress on families and put together resources for wellness and fun family activities for af-

terschool hours.

They deserve our admiration and praise. They are just as eager as the rest of us to get back to some semblance of normalcy. But the basic math of the situation hasn’t changed.

I understand the frustration that normal is still months away, we all feel that. But that doesn’t make it OK to heap abuse on or to threaten teachers, administrators, or board members or their families.

That kind of behavior should have no place in our community. It undermines the very strong partnership between parents, teachers, administration and the board that have made D95 successful. I hope the D95 community can pull together to support teachers and staff, while also finding ways to get additional support for students and families who are struggling.

Let’s pour our energy into making plans for a successful return when it is safe and feasible to do so, which hopefully will be this fall.

Bridget and David Jakubiak

Brookfield

The Landmark, March 31, 2021

15

LETTERS

When in doubt, google it Thanks again to the Landmark and its informative candidates’ coverage. As a former teacher I was especially interested in the high school candidate profiles. My read of the RB Landmark Voter Empowerment Guide is that we have four good candidates for the RBHS Board of Education.

Two bring experience having been on the board, there is representation from each of the served communities, there is racial and gender diversity, finance, advocacy and educational experience -- all represented. I took to heart the commitment expressed for our children, awareness of the shifting times and values brought on by the pandemic, population changes and goals of our graduates.

I am guessing I am not the only one who didn’t understand the use of the term “cis.” I hadn’t come across it before, but I am in my eighties and not familiar with many changes in contemporary languages.

Anyway, I looked up the definition and I still didn’t really understand. Briefly the term stands for “opposite to transgender.”

That didn’t tell me a lot. I called my twin sister in New York. She is a lesbian and she and her wife were not familiar with the term, but suggested I google it!

What I learned was helpful. Having

worked with youth and family services for years while teaching, I know how important it is to have someone to turn to with non-judgmental ears to listen when struggling with personal concerns and stresses.

Movies, TV, social media and the internet don’t make it easy for young people to get through the teen years. The suicide rate of young people reflects the seriousness of the stress many of our youth experience today.

I feel badly that others and even I were not there for my sister in earlier years.

Maybe as a young adult she wouldn’t have felt such a strong need to distance herself from family and friends, who had even less understanding back then.

I am not advocating for one candidate or another, I don’t know any of them personally, I don’t know anyone who has kids in high school even. I just want to encourage voters who are not familiar with the reference to “cis” to look it up. From a mental health perspective it is another competency, sensitivity, understanding one of the candidates could bring to the board.

Do vote, our democracy depends on our participation.

Sandra Baumgardner Brookfield

Gertsen-Briand deserves to keep serving D102 In the midst of all this discussion going on in school districts regarding returning to remote/hybrid/full time after spring break or not, there was a moment of incredible focus and consideration that had the D102 school board actually focusing on a brand new initiative intended to address student needs.

Dorren Gertsen-Briand, along with another board member, saw an opportunity to propose an initiative that places books in the hands of kids over the summer with a Little Free Library program in collaboration with the D102 school district and local libraries.

It was inspired by a local resident, Ramon Lacey from Laced Up Athletics, looking to give back to his community by placing his own two Little Free Libraries painted by two local African-American artists.

In the less than five months she has served, Dorren was able to collaborate with various stakeholders as part of this clever idea to promote literacy while partnering with different local entities to the benefit of children throughout the district. In all of my 13 years of active involvement in D102, I have never seen a new board member take

on an initiative in such sweeping form in such a short time serving. According to some, there is a learning curve that takes a few years to understand, but it does not seem to have affected Dorren.

Dorren is professional, measured and an independent thinker who thinks outside the box. She is earnest and experienced with the right temperament to rise above the chaos and create a moment that is all about the task at hand -- serving her community -- in this case, the students, which ultimately serves the taxpayers.

Dorren Gertsen-Briand was appointed to the D102 board in fall 2020. The community made a call for choice when it found that only one person applied for the vacancy.

Four more applicants emerged, including Dorren. Out of five applicants, Dorren was one selected by the school board for this special appointment.

Please join me to keep an earnest, refreshing, well-rounded voice serving on the D102 school board by voting for Dorren GertsenBriand.

Nancy Bramson

Brookfield

By Linda Sokol Francis. E.A.

DON’T FALL VICTIM TO ‘GHOST’ TAX RETURN PREPARERS

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he Internal Revenue Service is reminding taxpayers to avoid unethical “ghost” tax return preparers.

According o the IRS, a ghost preparer does not sign a tax return they prepare.

Unscrupulous ghost preparers will print the return and tell the taxpayer to sign and mail it to the IRS. For e-filed returns, the ghost will prepare but refuse to digitally sign as the paid preparer.

By law, anyone who is paid- to prepare or assists in preparing federal tax returns must have a valid Preparer Tax Identification Number, or PTIN. Paid preparers must sign and include their PTIN on the return. Not signing a return is a red flag that the paid preparer may be looking to make a fast buck by promising a big refund or charging fees based on the size of the refund. Remember: the taxpayer pays the fine and is charged with fraud.

Ghost tax return preparers may also: • Require payment in cash only and not provide a receipt.

• Invent income to qualify their clients for tax credits.

• Claim fake deductions to boost the size of the refund.

• Direct refunds to their bank account, not the taxpayer’s account.

No matter who prepares the return, the IRS urges taxpayers to review the document carefully and ask questions about anything not clear before signing. Taxpayers should verify both their routing and bank account number on the completed tax return for any direct deposit refund. And taxpayers should watch out for ghost preparers inserting their bank account information onto the returns.

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16

The Landmark, March 31, 2021

Mildred Koller, 83 Sales rep for beverage company Mildred “Millie” Koller (nee Chromicky), 83, of Brookfield, died Feb. 27, 2021. Ms. Koller worked in sales for a beverage company prior to retirement.

She was the wife of Franklin “Ralph” Koller; the mother of MILDRED KOLLER Kenneth Ralph (Terri) Koller and Katherine Ann (Joseph) Mrkvicka; the grandmother of Kayla (Jon) Brehm, Kyle Koller and the late Jenna Nicole Koller; the sister of Alice (the late Ron) Toth; the aunt of Tricia Toth; and a cousin to many.

Visitation for Ralph and Millie Koller will be Wednesday, March 31 from 3 to 7 p.m. at Hitzeman Funeral Home Ltd., 9445 W. 31st Street, Brookfield.

From 7 to 7:30 p.m. is reserved for Lions Club members, with a Lions memorial service at 7:30. All Lions Club members arriving for the reserved time and service must RSVP to info@ HitzemanFuneral.com or 708-485-2000. Reservations will close when the maximum of 50 are registered.

Private family services will be on Thursday.

Regulations allow for a maximum of 50 people in the funeral home at a time. Face coverings are required, the lounge facilities are closed, outside food or beverages are not allowed at this time.

Interment is private at St. Mary Cemetery, Evergreen Park.

Memorials are appreciated to the Lions of Illinois Foundation, 700 N. Peace Road, Suite B, DeKalb, Illinois, 60115 Send sympathy cards to Hitzeman Funeral Home, 9445 31st St., Brookfield, 60513, c/o Millie and Ralph Koller family.

Franklin Koller, 89 Telecommunications engineer Franklin “Ralph” Koller, 89, of Brookfield, died March 26, 2021.

Mr. Koller was a U.S. Air Force veteran and past district governor of District 1-A Lions Clubs International.

He worked as an engineer in the telecomFRANKLIN KOLLER munications field.

He was the husband of the late Mildred “Millie” Koller (nee Chromicky); the father of Kenneth Ralph (Terri) Koller and Katherine Ann (Joseph) Mrkvicka; the grandfather of Kayla (Jon) Brehm, Kyle and the late Jenna Nicole; the brother of the late Daniel (Carmela) Koller, Jr.; the uncle of many nieces and nephews; and a cousin to many.

See Mille Koller’s obituary above for service

OBITUARIES and memorial contribution information.

Hitzeman Funeral Home, Brookfield, handled arrangements.

Dr. Victor F. Krynicki Jr., 91 North Riverside resident Dr. Victor F. Krynicki Jr., 91, died March 24, 2021 at his home in North Riverside. He was a former resident of Glen Ellyn.

Dr. Krynicki was the husband of Kathryn (nee Slomski); DR. VICTOR F. the father of Linda KRYNICKI JR. (Donald) Thor, Susan (Paul) Skryd, Denise (Joseph) Zmuda and Kenneth (Eileen) Krynicki; the grandfather of Jennifer (Peter) Pierman, Sarah (Rodney) Bass, Joseph (Merlot) and Jonathan Thor, Stephanie (Tony) Dusek, Kristin (Ryan) Scupin, Brittany and Natalie Skryd, Catherine (Ron) Rowe, Heather (Jeremy) Jasien and Ryan Krynicki; the great grandfather of 17; the brother of Joan (late Blaine) Manker; the uncle of Jalaine (Scott) Nichels and James (Linda) Manker; and the brother-in-law of Helen Angelo.

A funeral Mass was celebrated March 30 at St. Mary of Gostyn Church, followed by interment St. Adalbert Cemetery.

Ivins/Moravecek Funeral Home, Riverside, handled arrangements.

Catherine J. Nealon, 61 Hospital administrative assistant Catherine J. “Kit” Nealon, 61, of Chicago and formerly of North Riverside, died peacefully on March 22, 2021 in the presence of loved ones.

She was born Feb. 6, 1960 in the Mount Greenwood neighborhood of Chicago CATHERINE J. NEALON to her late parents, Joseph and Kitty Nealon, of Beverly.

A St. Barnabas School alumna, Ms. Nealon was an administrative assistant for most of her working career, initially for Loyola University Hospital and then for Hines V.A. Hospital.

She enjoyed listening to music, playing cards, diving into a good burger, taking trips and spending long holidays with family and friends. Her most recent trip was with her children and grandchildren to the Grand Canyon and Sedona, Arizona, in October 2020. She will be remembered for being wickedly funny, a straight shooter and having a sense of humor that is unmatched. Kit’s intelligence, big heart, and spark will be missed by all who knew her.

Ms. Nealon was the mother of Jess (Doug) Pesola Gerald of Chicago and Nick Pesola of Cincinnati; the “wicked” stepmother of Jason (Keri) Pesola, Joey Pesola, and Michael (April)

Pesola; the grandmother (Mimi/Nana) of Arianna and Vito Pesola and soon to be Baby Boy Gerald; the sister of Marian (Bob) Nealon, Trish (John) Clark, Tom (Karin) Nealon, and the late Jim Nealon; and a cousin, aunt and friend of many.

Services have been held. A future memorial service to spread Kit’s ashes will be held at Virginia Ridge in Elizabeth, Illinois.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests making a charitable donation to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (https://www.lls.org) or planting a tree.

Friedrich-Jones Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Naperville, handled arrangements.

Bruno Walke, 82 Retired Morton East science teacher Bruno Walke, 82, of Riverside, died peacefully on March 24, 2021 after a long, blessed life surrounded by his loving family.

Mr. Walke was born in1938 in Werschetz, Yugoslavia, now known as Vršac, Serbia. Born premaBRUNO WALKE turely at the outbreak of World War II, Mr. Walke often referred to himself as a “little dachshund” because of his small stature but strong will. He was baptized at St. Gerhard Church and was a faithful practicing Catholic for the remainder of his life.

As the war escalated, Mr. Walke, his two younger brothers and his mother were separated from their father, and all three boys and their mother were placed in a starvation camp.

With the assistance of various family members and friends, Mr. Walke and his family were able to ultimately escape and make their way to Germany where they were reunited as a family once again in post-World War II occupied Germany. Once they were together and with the help of Catholic Relief Services, they were able to apply for asylum in the United States and arrived at Union Station in Chicago in the spring of 1952.

Mr. Walke was very proud of his education.

He began his formal education at the age of 10, attended St Aloysius Elementary School in Wicker Park, DePaul Academy in Lincoln Park, the University of Illinois at UrbanaChampaign and Southern Illinois University.

Because of belief in the restorative nature of education, he spent the next 34 years as a science teacher at Morton East High School, serving the immigrant communities until he retired in 1999. However, he continued his service through his volunteer work by teaching English to Mexican immigrants at the School on Wheels and at the Catholic Charities Food Pantry.

Although Mr. Walke often said he was a shy person, he was happiest when “holding court” in the living room, breakfast room or on the back porch with his family, friends or someone he had just met. In the Walke house, there was never a shortage of “Bruno stories.” This warmth was especially salient with his children but even more so with his grandchildren, whom he loved very deeply and tenderly.

The two most important things in his life, however, were his faith and his wife, Mary Anne. He attended mass weekly at St. Mary Parish in Riverside and humbly modeled his devotion to his friends and family. His faithfilled marriage to Mary Anne served as a distinct model not only to his four children, but many others who were graced to witness this union.

Mr. Walke was the husband of 46 years to Mary Anne (nee Kelly); the father of Elise (Brian) Murray, Bernhard (Rosa), Peter (Joy) and Mark (Tabaitha); the grandfather of Isabel, Genevieve, Elena, Mason, Tegan and Maxwell; and the brother of Wolfgang (late Roseann). He was preceded in death by his younger brother, Manfred, and his parents, Wilhelmine and Alfred. He was loved by countless nieces, nephews, former students, friends and family and his presence will be profoundly missed.

Visitation is Tuesday, March 30, from 3 to 8 p.m. and Wednesday, March 31, from 8:30 a.m. till time of services at 9:30 a.m. at Ivins/ Moravecek Funeral Home, 80 E. Burlington St., Riverside. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Mary Church at 10 a.m.

Memorial donations are appreciated to Catholic Relief Services, 228 W. Lexington St., Baltimore, Maryland, 21201 (www.crs.org).

Roy Zitny, 92 Telecommunications manager Roy Zitny, 92, of Downers Grove and formerly of Brookfield, died March 25, 2021. Mr. Zitny was retired from a career as a manager for a telecommunications firm.

He was the husband of Vlasta Zitny ROY ZITNY (nee Linhart); the father of Christopher (Deborah) Zitny and Russell (Kathryn) Zitny; the grandfather of Brooke (Patrick) McCarthy, Brett C. (Elizabeth) Zitny, Eric (Amy) Zitny and Kelly (Brian) Redding; and the great grandfather of Lily, Ethan, Marissa, Andi, Tatum, Charlotte and Max. Visitation is Thursday, April 1, from 3 to 8 p.m. and Friday, April 2, from 10:00 a.m. to time of a 10:30 a.m. funeral service at Hitzeman Funeral Home, 9445 31st St., Brookfield.

COVID regulations allow for a maximum of 50 people in the funeral home at a time. Face coverings are required, the lounge facilities are closed, outside food or beverages are not allowed at this time. All are asked to pay their respects/condolences to Vlasta and her family and be cognitive of others waiting to do the same.

A livestream of the service will be available to view at memorialslive.com/zitny. A recording will be available to be viewed at any time and downloaded at the same link by day’s end on April 3. Interment is at Clarendon Hills Cemetery, Darien.

If you wish to send a sympathy card to the family, send it to Hitzeman Funeral Home, 9445 31st St., Brookfield, 60513, c/o Roy Zitny family.

The Landmark, March 31, 2021

17

COVID19

‘Bridge’ on hold from page 7 the past week. Overall, the Landmark has identified four North Riverside residents and three Riverside residents who have died from the disease.

The Cook County Department of Public Health, meanwhile, reported on March 29 that in Brookfield and Riverside the “recent percent change” in new COVID-19 cases – which compares counts from the past 14 days to the 14 days preceding that – had risen by 200 percent and 100 percent, respectively.

North Riverside’s recent percent change remained unchanged.

As of the morning of March 30, there had been 19 new COVID-19 cases reported during the most recent one-week period on Brookfield, 12 in Riverside and two in North Riverside.

Vaccines expanding Meanwhile, 68.9 percent of seniors in Illinois have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, but even if that number reaches 70 percent, a “bridge” phase to expanded capacity limits at restaurants, other businesses and social gatherings is on hold until the hospitalization metrics and number of new cases reported stop climbing.

Last week, the state authorized counties to expand vaccine eligibility to all Illinoisans age 16 and over ahead of the April 12 date on which the expansion is scheduled to go live statewide.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker said allowing countylevel expansions was an effort to get more people vaccinated in counties with low demand for those in the categories currently

OUTDOOR DINING Parking is key from page 1 Blvd., painted a similar picture, saying the weekend street closures last summer essentially shut down her business.

“I never had a single customer on a Saturday [during the 2020 street closures]; I barely had a customer on Fridays,” said Dunbar. “So cutting us off from parking is huge. I’m a new business. I’ve been here two years. If you cut me off, I have to move somewhere else. I don’t have an option, because I have to be available for my suppliers and my customers.

“We’re more than happy to help the other businesses, but they have to help us, too.”

It had appeared as if Brookfield was going to reprise last year’s popular move to shut down the southern half of the 3700 block of Grand Boulevard from Friday morning through early Monday morning

eligible for the vaccine.

Vaccination appointment and location information can be found at vaccine.cookcountyil.gov or at coronavirus.illinois.gov or by calling 833-308-1988 (M-F, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.).

The state also activated mobile vaccination teams in an effort to slow disease spread in problem areas. The mobile teams provide the single-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

Over the past seven days the state has administered 103,769 vaccine doses on average, and more than 5.5 million doses have been administered since the vaccination ef-

fort began. More than 2 million Illinoisans, or 16.3 percent of the state’s population, are fully vaccinated.

The number of vaccines distributed by the federal government is increasing, according to Pritzker, and the state announced four new mass vaccination sites Monday, including new sites in Kane, Lake and Will counties and the expansion of a site in Grundy County.

“Over 3.6 million Illinoisans have already received their first dose of vaccine. We’re projected to get nearly 1 million doses this week, and IDPH and our 97 local health departments working hard to administer

these shots,” Pritzker said in a statement.

“However, this battle is far from over, and with new cases and hospitalizations on the rise, I encourage every resident to buckle down, wear your mask, and do your part so we can all power through to the other side of the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Pritzker also announced on March 29 he was activating additional members of the Illinois National Guard to assist with vaccination efforts in McHenry County. There are more than 1,460 National Guard troops assigned to COVID-19 operations at 40 locations, according to the governor’s office.

Bob Uphues contributed to this report.

every weekend.

On March 1, some business owners attended a meeting convened by Village Manager Timothy Wiberg at the village hall – primarily restaurant/bar owners – who preferred the weekend shutdowns to a proposal that would have blocked off parking spaces and kept the street open to traffic.

After news of that preference spread, the non-restaurant/bar business owners along the south half of the block made it clear they opposed a repeat of last summer.

“If you take away my parking you’re taking away my livelihood,” said Ray Kobelt, owner of Snails to Tails Pet Center at 3744½ Grand Blvd.

Based on that additional input from business owners on Grand Boulevard, Stevie Ferrari, the village’s recreation director, said the plan would be to close the southern half of the block to traffic on the last weekend of the month, from June through September.

Like last year, barricades would go up early Friday morning. That will allow the village to erect a stage at the south end of

the block to provide live entertainment throughout Saturday, beginning in the morning with family programming and wrapping up at night with a concert.

The live entertainment aspect of the plan is contingent on state reopening guidelines and could be scrapped if COVID-19 metrics still will not allow for large public outdoor gatherings.

Keeping the closures to the last weekend of each month will also mean barricades would not remain in place on Monday holidays, such as Labor Day. Although outdoor dining will be expanded into the streets only one weekend a month, restaurants and bars will still be able to use public sidewalks and new paved bump outs at the south end of the street and midblock.

Non-restaurant/bar business owners also implored village officials to crack down on diners and drinkers wandering away from their tables with beer cans and bottles in hand and, sometimes, stashing the empties in planters.

They suggested that those businesses

do a better job cleaning up after their patrons instead of leaving them a confronting a mess on Monday mornings. There was even some call for more bike racks and perhaps a more visible police presence to cut down on kids riding bikes on the sidewalks and leaning the bikes against store windows.

Dunbar said kids throwing baseballs and football around was also a problem, and that errant throws ended up hitting her storefront windows.

“This was supposed to be for dining, it wasn’t supposed to be a free-for-all,” Dunbar said.

Trustees appeared sympathetic to those concerns, saying they would seek to get some bike racks to the area and try to educate bar/restaurant owners about the need to keep patrons at their tables and encourage them to do more to clean up at the end of the night.

“We’re providing [restaurants and bars] a benefit,” said Village President Kit Ketchmark. “It should not be up to the other businesses to clean up their garbage.”

18

The Landmark, March 31, 2021 New local ads this week

HOURS: 9:00 A.M.– 5:00 P.M. MON–FRI

WEDNESDAY

CLASSIFIED Deadline is Monday at 5:00 p.m.

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

YOUR WEEKLY AD

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

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

Wednesday Journal Classified must be notified before the second insertion.

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

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

HELP WANTED

BUDGET & REVENUE ANALYST The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Budget and Revenue Analyst in the Police Department.

This position will Serve the public with professional administrative and analytical duties in the areas of budget preparation, purchasing, payroll, data analysis and process improvement. Provides, prepares and maintains records, and financial and statistical reports and analysis which assist in the Village’s ability to improve business processes and gain efficiencies through better use of technology. Budget duties include assisting in the development, analysis and application of performance measures with regard to Village services and resources; preparing, modifying, tracking and monitoring Village expenses and transfers; and conducting budget-related research and analysis. Applicants are encouraged to visit the Village of Oak Park’s website http://www.oak-park. us/jobs. Interested and qualified applicants must complete a Village of Oak Park application. First review of applications April 12, 2021.

VILLAGE OF RIVERSIDE SEASONAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

CUSTOMER SERVICE & EQUIPMENT SUPPORT PART TIME Manufacturer of commercial food service equipment in McCook seeks an experienced customer service professional with a mechanical, gas & electrical technical support background.

Please email resume to: marketing@keatingofchicago.com EQUIPMENT OPERATOR The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Equipment Operator in the Public Works Department. This position will operate construction and maintenance equipment in a variety of street activities including loading, hauling, and related operations.

Applicants are encouraged to visit the Village of Oak Park’s website http://www.oak-park.us/jobs. Interested and qualified applicants must complete a Village of Oak Park application. First review of applications April 6, 2021.

LICENSED ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PRACTITIONER The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Licensed Environmental Health Practitioner in the Health Department. This position will perform a variety of duties including education and enforcement activities for the promotion and protection of the public health environment. Applicants are encouraged to visit the Village of Oak Park’s website http://www. oak-park.us/jobs. Interested and qualified applicants must complete a Village of Oak Park application no later than April 16, 2021.

SERVER WANTED PAPASPIROS RESTAURANT 708-358-1700

The Riverside Department of Public Works is seeking energetic and motivated applicants who enjoy working outdoors. This is a parttime, seasonal position lasting from approximately April-September. Applicants will be expected to work up to 40 hrs. per week or as scheduled by staff. Primary tasks will include, but not limited to: cutting grass, general facilities maintenance, flushing hydrants, reading meters, assisting full-time employees, and other duties as assigned.

Applicants must be 18 years old, possess a valid Illinois driver’s license and high school diploma or equivalent. Applicants will be subject to a criminal background check, pre-employment physical and drug/ alcohol screening.

Applications can be downloaded from the Village website at www. riverside.il.us or picked up at the Riverside Village Hall located at 27 Riverside Rd, Riverside, IL 60546.

Completed applications should be submitted to the Riverside Village Hall or the Riverside Public Works Department, 3860 Columbus Blvd, Riverside, IL 60546. Applications will be accepted until all positions are filled. Pay rate is $15/hr.

The Village of Riverside is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

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LOCATION LOCATION LOCATION FOREST PARK HIGHLY VISIBLE OFFICE/STORE AVAILABLE FOR LEASE 1350 SF w/ AC & HIGHLY VISIBLE MADISON STREET EXPOSURE. 7607 Madison Street. Village parking lot next door. Bright, clean office.

Great Madison Street exposure! Call Francis 708-383-8574.

AUTOS FOR SALE 2008 FORD CROWN VIC INTERCEPTOR 62K MILES. $5500, 2013 FORD TAURUS INTERCEPTOR 140K MILES. $5500.

ITEMS FOR SALE

2005 HONDA CIVIC EX 5 SPD, 170K MILES. $3500.

ANTIQUE HALL TREE Antique American Hall Tree, solid oak. Excellent condition. 29”w x 78”h x 11”d, with covered shelf and mirror. $159.00.

708-488-8755

1986 CAMARO Z28 5 SPD, 73K MILES. $4500.

Many new parts on all Call Pearson 773-540-7650.

FRUITWOOD FINISH SIDE TABLE Solid wood side table, fruitwood finish. 1 drawer and 1 bottom shelf.

15”d x 24”w x 24”h. $59.00 708-488-8755

WANTED TO BUY

MUSIC Music: piano scores, concertos, piano trios, flute music violin music.

Variety of composers. $3.00 each.

708-488-8755

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

Call Uncle Gary 708-522-3400

NEW BIKES FOR SALE TANDEM BIKE with all the bells and whistles. Best offer.

THREE WHEELER with 2 baskets and all the bells and whistles. Best offer. Price negotiable.

708-447-1762

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

SUBURBAN RENTALS

SUBURBAN RENTALS

STUDIOS, 1, 2 & 3 BR Best Selection & Service

OAK PARK & FOREST PARK

708-386-7355

MMpropMgmt.com

Apartment listings updated daily at:

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

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

Wednesday Classified 3 Great Papers, 6 Communities To place an ad, call: 708/613-3333

CEMENT

MAGANA

HANDYMAN Mike’s Home Repair

C O N C R E T E C O N S T RU C T I O N

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

COMMERCIAL INDUSTRIAL RESIDENTIAL

CURT'S HANDYMAN SERVICE

“QUALITY IS OUR FOUNDATION” ESTABLISHED IN 1987

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

ELECTRICAL Ceiling Fans Installed

ELECTRICAL

A&A ELECTRIC

Let an American Veteran do your work

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

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

• Electric • Heating • Air Conditioning

John Giatras Licensed, EPA Certified

Phone: 708-556-5540 Email: adinstubc@yahoo.com Reasonable Pricing!

PETS

OFFICE & RETAIL SPACE FOR RENT RIVER FOREST–7777 Lake St. * 1116 sq. ft. * 1400 sq. ft. Dental Office RIVER FOREST–7756 Madison St. * 960 sq. ft.

OAK PARK–6142-44 Roosevelt Rd. * 3 & 5 room office suites FOREST PARK–7736 Madison St. *2500 sq. ft. unit Strand & & Browne Strand Browne 708-488-0011 708-488-0011

CEMENT

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

cat calls

Oak Park’s Original Pet Care Service – Since 1986

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

524-1030

        

FLOORS KLIS FLOORING INC.

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

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

708-296-2060

Drywall Repair • Painting Fans Installed • Carpentry Trim Gutter Cleaning • Window Repair

FREE ESTIMATES Excellent References No Job Too Small

708-488-9411

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

773-637-0692 Ask for John

HAULING BASEMENT CLEANING

Appliances & Furniture Removal Pickup & Delivery.

708-848-9404

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

FREE SERVICE CALL WITH REPAIR AND SENIOR/VETERAN DISCOUNT.

708-785-2619 or 773-585-5000 Attention! Improvement pros!

Don’t be caught short… reach the people making the decisions…

Advertise your home improvement business in Wednesday Classified.

Call 708/613-3342

The Landmark, March 31, 2021

LANDSCAPING

Public Notice: Your right to know In print • Online • Available to you 24/7/365 RBLandmark.com | PublicNoticeIllinois.com

BRUCE LAWN SERVICE Spring Clean-Up Aerating, Slit Seeding Bush Trimming, Lawn Maintenance brucelawns.com

708-243-0571

PAINTING & DECORATING CLASSIC PAINTING Fast & Neat Painting/Taping/Plaster Repair Low Cost

708.749.0011

PLASTERING

PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICE Notice is hereby given, pursuant to “An Act in relation to the use of an Assumed Business Name in the conduct or transaction of Business in the State,” as amended, that a certification was registered by the undersigned with the County Clerk of Cook County. Registration Number: Y21006278 on March 15, 2021 Under the Assumed Business Name of H & C RENTALS with the business located at:705 W 115TH ST., CHICAGO, IL 60628. The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/partner(s) is: ANDREA COLLINS 705 W 115TH ST., CHICAGO, IL 60628, USA

Oak Park Township is seeking a creative, qualified freelance graphic designer, design firm, or agency to create a strong graphic logo for our organization that represents and encompasses our organization’s diverse social and civic services. We are accepting proposals through April 23, 2021. Please see the RFP at https://oakparktownship.org/ employment-and-volunteer-opportunities/ for details and submission requirements. If you wish to find out more about Oak Park Township and its offerings, please visit www.oakparktownship.org.

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING REGARDING THE VILLAGE OF RIVER FOREST’S FISCAL YEAR 2021/2022 BUDGET AND APPROPRIATIONS (MAY 1, 2021 THROUGH APRIL 30, 2022)

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

Published in Wednesday Journal 3/24, 3/31, 4/7/2021

McNulty Plastering & Stucco Co.

Small & big work. Free estimates.

Complete Plaster, Stucco & Re-Coating Services

708/386-2951 • ANYTIME Work Guaranteed

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

PUBLIC NOTICES PUBLIC NOTICE Notice is hereby given, pursuant to “An Act in relation to the use of an Assumed Business Name in the conduct or transaction of Business in the State,” as amended, that a certification was registered by the undersigned with the County Clerk of Cook County. Registration Number: Y21006206 on March 11, 2021 Under the Assumed Business Name of AMERICAN DREAMS CLEANING COMPANY with the business located at:1025 PLEASANT PLACE, APT. 2G, OAK PARK, IL 60302. The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/partner(s) is: JEFFREY RUSSELL COLLINS 1025 PLEASANT PLACE APT. 2G OAK PARK, IL 60302, USA. Published in Wednesday Journal 3/17, 3/24, 3/31/2021

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: Y21006244 on March 12, 2021 Under the Assumed Business Name of CHAMBERS ADVERTISING with the business located at: 414 GENEVA AVE, BELLWOOD, IL 60104. The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/partner(s) is: FOSTER CHAMBERS, 414 GENEVA AVE, BELLWOOD, IL 60104, USA. Published in Forest Park Review 3/17, 3/24, 3/31/2021

PUBLIC NOTICE OF COURT DATE FOR REQUEST FOR NAME CHANGE STATE OF ILLINOIS, CIRCUIT COURT COOK COUNTY. Request of Mercedes De La PazBuck Case Number 20214000895 There will be a court date on my Request to change my name from: Mercedes De La Paz-Buck to the new name of: Cedes Delapaz Buck.

The court date will be held: On April 27th, 2021 at 9:30 a.m. at 1500 Maybrook Drive, Maywood, Cook County, IL in Courtroom #0111.

Published in RB Landmark 3/17, 3/24, 3/31/2021

Classifieds @RBLandmark.com

19

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 Thursday, April 22, 2021 for the following:

Published in Wednesday Journal March 31, 2021

OAK PARK TOWNSHIP NOTICE OF ANNUAL TOWN MEETING Please join meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone. https://global.gotomeeting.com/ join/540393325 You can also dial in using your phone.

United States: +1 (669) 224-3412 (For supported devices, tap a onetouch number below to join instantly.)

- O n e - t o u c h : tel:+16692243412,,540393325# Access Code: 540-393-325

Village of Oak Park Valve Actuator Replacement Project Number: 21-124

New to GoToMeeting? Get the app now and be ready when your first

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

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN to the legal voters, residents of the Township of Oak Park, County of Cook, and State of Illinois, that the Annual Town Meeting of said Township, will take place on Tuesday, April 13, 2021 at the hour of 6:30 p.m., for the transaction of the business of the Township; and a Moderator having been elected, will proceed to hear and consider reports of officers, and decide on such measures as may, in pursuance of law, come before the meeting, following this agenda:

Published in Wednesday Journal March 31, 2021

ADVERTISEMENT FOR RFQ PROPOSAL The Board of Education of Oak Park Elementary School District #97 will receive sealed copier equipment and the installation of said equipment RFQs at the Administrative Office located at 260 Madison Street – Oak Park, IL, 60302, until 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 14, 2021.

Copies of specifications may be secured at the Oak Park Elementary School District #97 District Office, 260 Madison Street, Oak Park, IL 60302, but only able to be received by emailing Michael Arensdorff (marensdorff@op97.org) to schedule a time, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Responses mailed or delivered shall be marked to the attention of: Oak Park School District 97 Attn. Mr. Michael Arensdorff 260 Madison Street Oak Park, Illinois 60302 The front of the envelope should be clearly marked “District 97 Copier RFQ”. Additional information may be obtained by contacting Mr. Michael Arensdorff at (708) 524-3015 or marensdorff@op97.org. Faxed or electronically submitted RFQs will not be accepted. Any faxed or electronically submitted RFQ will disqualify vendors.

Responses Due Date: Wednesday, April 14, 2021 at 3:00 P.M. Only those responses complying with the provision and specification of the response will be considered.

The Board of Education reserves the right to waive any informalities, qualification or irregularities and/or reject any or all responses, when in its opinion, such action will serve the best interest of the Board of Education of Oak Park Elementary School District 97.

Sheryl Marinier Board Secretary Published in Wednesday Journal March 31, 2021

I. Call to Order II. Pledge of Allegiance III. Procedures for Meeting IV. Supervisor’s Annual Financial Statements V. Election of Moderator VI. Resolutions to Come Before the Electors VII. Adjournment All interested citizens, groups, senior citizens and organizations representing the interests of senior citizens are encouraged to attend.

Oak Park Township does not discriminate on the basis of handicapped status in the admission or access to, or employment in its programs or activities. Those needing special accommodations are asked to provide 48 hours notice.

Given under my hand in the Town of Oak Park, County of Cook, State of Illinois, this 11th day of March, 2021.

Gregory P. White Oak Park Township Clerk Published in Wednesday Journal March 31, 2021

Starting a New Business?

Call the experts before you place your legal ad!

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

The Village President and Board of Trustees of the Village of River Forest (“Village”) will conduct a public hearing to consider the proposed budget and appropriations for the Village’s fiscal year 2021 / 2022, for the period of May 1, 2021 through April 30, 2022, on April 12, 2021, at 7:00 p.m., in the Community Room located in the River Forest Village Hall, 400 Park Avenue, River Forest, Illinois 60305.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the public’s access to, and participation at, this public hearing shall be as follows: (a) Physical attendance at the public hearing is limited to 10 individuals, with priority given to Village officials, Village staff and consultants; (b) The public is encouraged to stay at home and watch and listen to, and participate in, the public hearing via electronic means; (c) Public comments and any responses will be read into the public hearing record; (d) Written public comments may be submitted either by email to sphyfer@vrf.us, or by delivery to Village Hall, 400 Park Avenue, River Forest, Illinois 60305, in advance of the public hearing, by 5:00 p.m. on April 12, 2021; and (e) You may listen to, and participate in, the public hearing by dialing in to a telephone conference call. The telephone conference call number and access code will be made available at https://www.vrf.us/events/ event/1884 on or before April 1, 2021, and by emailing sphyfer@ vrf.us.

Copies of the proposed budget and appropriations are available for inspection by the public at the Village Clerk’s Office at River Forest Village Hall, 400 Park Avenue, River Forest, Illinois 60305 and on the Village’s website at http://www.vrf.us. The proposed budget and appropriations have been available at the Clerk’s Office since at least April 1, 2021.

The above public hearing restrictions are authorized by the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention directive that no more than 10 persons be in physical attendance at the public hearing, and by Section 7(e) of the Illinois Open Meetings Act, 5 ILCS 120/7(e).

If you have questions, please contact Village Finance Director Rosemary McAdams at 708-366-8500.

VILLAGE OF RIVER FOREST Kathleen Brand-White, Village Clerk Published in Wednesday Journal March 31, 2021

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: Y21006371 on March 23, 2021 Under the Assumed Business Name of THE PERIWINKLE PEACOCK with the business located at: 59 WASHINGTON BLVD, OAK PARK, IL 60302. The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/partner(s) is: BRIEANNE MARIE MALDONADO-CRUZ, 59 WASHINGTON BLVD, OAK PARK, IL 60302, USA. Published in Wednesday Journal March 31, April 7, April 14, 2021

NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS

2021 Street Improvement Program This project includes the replacement of curb and gutter, sidewalk and driveway aprons, hot-mix asphalt surface removal, frame/lid adjustment, resurfacing, and other associated work.

The bidding documents are available for download starting Thursday, March 25, 2021 at: www.vrf.us/bids Bids must be submitted by Monday, April 19, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. at: Village of River Forest 400 Park Avenue River Forest, IL 60305 The bid proposals will be publicly opened and read at that time. Proposals will be considered not only on the basis of cost, but also on past performance, experience and ability to perform the work.

No bid shall be withdrawn after the opening of the Proposals without the consent of the President and Board of Trustees of the Village of River Forest for a period of thirty (30) days after the scheduled time of the bid opening.

Bidders shall be prequalified by IDOT for: HMA Paving The Village of River Forest reserves the right in receiving these bids to waive technicalities and reject any or all bids.

Published in Wednesday Journal March 31, 2021

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT CHANCERY DIVISION DEUTSCHE BANK NATIONAL TRUST COMPANY AS TRUSTEE FOR HIS ASSET SECURITIZATION CORPORATION TRUST 2007OPT1, MORTGAGE PASSTHROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2007-OPT1; Plaintiff, vs.

CHARLES T. GRANT; JUANITA J. GRANT AKA JUANITA LACOURT; PRAIRIE PLACE AT 6436 ROOSEVELT CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION; UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NON RECORD CLAIMANTS; Defendants, 19 CH 14415 Calendar 56 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above entitled cause Intercounty Judicial Sales Corporation will on Tuesday, May 4, 2021 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: UNIT 311 AND P-30 IN PRAIRIE PLACE AT 6436 ROOSEVELT CONDOMINIUM, AS DELINEATED ON A SURVEY OF THE FOLLOWING DESCRIBED PROPERTY: LOTS 19 TO 28 BOTH INCLUSIVE, IN THE SUBDIVISION OF BLOCK 3 IN THE SUBDIVISION OF THE SOUTHEAST QUARTER OF LOT 6 IN B. F. JERVIS SUBDIVISION OF SECTION 18, TOWNSHIP 39 NORTH, RANGE 13, EAST OF THE THIRD PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN (EXCEPT THE WEST HALF OF THE SOUTHWEST QUARTER

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

OF SAID SECTION 18), IN COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS THE WEST 1/2 OF VACATED ELMWOOD AVENUE LYING EAST OF AND ADJOINING LOT 19 IN SUBDIVISION OF BLOCK 3 IN SUBDIVISION OF THE SOUTHEAST 1/4 OF LOT 6 IN B. F. JERVIS SUBDIVISION OF SECTION 18, TOWNSHIP 39 NORTH, RANGE 13, EAST OF TH E THIRD PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN, (EXCEPT THE WEST 1/2 OF THE SOUTHWEST 1/4 THEREOF), IN COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS. THE EAST 1/2 OF VACATED GUNDERSON AVENUE LYING WEST OF AND ADJOINING LOT 28 IN SUBDIVISION OF BLOCK 3 IN SUBDIVISION OF THE SOUTHEAST 1/4 OF LOT 6 IN B. F. JERVIS SUBDIVISION OF SECTION 18, TOWNSHIP 39 NORTH, RANGE 13, EAST OF THE THIRD PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN, (EXCEPT THE WEST 1/2 OF THE SOUTHWEST 1/4), IN COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS, WHICH SURVEY IS ATTACHED TO THE DECLARATION OF CONDOMINIUM RECORDED AS DOCUMENT 0617416044, AS AMENDED FROM TIME TO TIME, TOGETHER WITH AN UNDIVIDED PERCENTAGE INTEREST IN THE COMMON ELEMENTS. “MORTGAGOR ALSO HEREBY GRANTS TO THE MORTGAGEE, ITS SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS, AS RIGHTS AND EASEMENTS APPURTENANT TO THE ABOVE DESCRIBED REAL ESTATE, THE RIGHTS AND EASEMENTS FOR THE BENEFIT OF SAID PROPERTY SET FORTH IN THE DECLARATION OF CONDOMINIUM” “THIS MORTGAGE IS SUBJECT TO ALL RIGHTS, EASEMENTS, COVENANTS, CONDITIONS, RESTRICTIONS AND RESERVATIONS CONTAINED IN SAID DECLARATION THE SAME AS THOUGH THE PROVISIONS OF SAID DECLARATION WERE RECITED AND STIPULATED AT LENGTH HEREIN.”. P.I.N. 16-18428-043-1019 & 16-18-428-0431064.

Commonly known as 6436 Roosevelt Road, Unit 311, 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 Sale terms: 10% down by certified funds, balance, by certified funds, within 24 hours. No refunds. The property will NOT be open for inspection.

For information call Law Clerk at Plaintiff’s Attorney, The Wirbicki Law Group, 33 West Monroe Street, Chicago, Illinois 60603. (312) 3609455. W18-0641 INTERCOUNTY JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION intercountyjudicialsales.com I3166129 IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT CHANCERY DIVISION QUICKEN LOANS, LLC Plaintiff, -v.DRIKO DUCASSE, UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NONRECORD CLAIMANTS Defendants 2019CH08452 1226 N AUSTIN BLVD OAK PARK, IL 60302 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on December 17, 2019, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on April 27, 2021, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker Drive, CHICAGO, IL, 60606, sell at a public sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 1226 N AUSTIN BLVD, OAK PARK, IL 60302 Property Index No. 16-05-127-027-

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

0000 The real estate is improved with a multi-family residence.

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

If this property is a condominium unit, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, other than a mortgagee, shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required

by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(1) and (g)(4). If this property is a condominium unit which is part of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g1).IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW. You will need a photo identification issued by a government agency (driver’s license, passport, etc.) in order to gain entry into our building and the foreclosure sale room in Cook County and the same identification for sales held at other county venues where The Judicial Sales Corporation conducts foreclosure sales.

For information, examine the court file, CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C. Plaintiff’s Attorneys, 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100, BURR RIDGE, IL, 60527 (630) 794-9876 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.

CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C. 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100 BURR RIDGE IL, 60527 630-794-5300 E-Mail: pleadings@il.cslegal.com Attorney File No. 14-19-06429 Attorney ARDC No. 00468002 Attorney Code. 21762 Case Number: 2019CH08452 TJSC#: 41-167 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.

I3166321

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The Landmark, March 31, 2021

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354 N Delaplaine Rd, Riverside $487,000

144 Scottswood Rd, Riverside $799,000 R !

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294 Northwood Rd, Riverside $649,000

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178 Maplewood Rd, Riverside $625,000

442 Kent Rd, Riverside $588,000

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8110 Edgewater Rd, North Riverside $535,000

324 Herrick Rd, Riverside $489,000

273 Blackhawk Rd, Riverside $450,000

59 East Quincy, Riverside $369,000

192 Waubansee Rd, Riverside $539,000

3608 Wenonah Ave, Berwyn $279,000

621 S Plymouth Ct, #207, Chicago $249,000

45 Longcommon Rd, Riverside $975,000

293 Longcommon Rd, Riverside $975,000

4441 Wolf Rd, #406, Western Springs $1,050,900

EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY

Visit us at www.atproperties.com/agents/Burlington to view all of our properties and follow us on Facebook and Instagram for the latest news and updates on the local real estate market.