Landmark 040523

Riverside resident Todd Veltman takes photos of birds in the wetlands area of Swan Pond Park on March

No Mow May gets a test run in Riverside

No tickets for letting grass grow wild until a er Mother’s Day

By BOB UPHUES Editor

Riverside elected officials on March 16 voted to temporarily suspend issuing property maintenance citations to those who let their lawns grow wild this spring in order to participate in No Mow May, a growing trend in the U.S. seeking to protect emerging spring pollinators and encourage biodiversity.

But, they’re taking a more cautious approach than proposed by the Riverside Landscape Advisory Commission, which suggested allowing homeowners to not mow lawns until June 1.

After discussing the subject at their March 16 meeting, trustees appear to have settled on Mother’s Day – May 14 – as the end of No Mow May in Riverside.

The main reason? Well, no one wants the front lawns of a mainly manicured place like Riverside covered in dandelions – or the avalanche of complaints it’s bound to generate.

“When dandelions go to seed, the seed doesn’t just fall down,” said Village President Joseph Ballerine. “It spreads with the wind, so your ‘no-mow’ becomes my ‘mow.’ The problem is twofold: It spreads to multiple neighbors may, in tur n, make them use pesticides, which is then defeating what we’re trying to do.”

The village of Riverside itself has been trying to strike a balance the past several years with respect to the use of herbicides and mowing to protect merging native pollinators in spring.

For example, in Swan Pond Park – once mowed regularly to maintain it as an expanse of lawn – is now left largely unmown, save for walking paths allowing people to wander

through what has become a haven for native and non-native wildflowers and other plants Last year, in an attempt to limit the spread of non-natives in the wetland area of the park, the village conducted a controlled burn

The village abandoned the use of herbicides on public lands in 2016, and today only use pesticides on hardscape, like sidewalks, in the central business district.

But, this year is the first time the village has considered letting private property owners let their lawns go wild, i.e., letting grass grow taller than 8 inches without getting a maintenance code citation.

The Landscape Advisory Commission pitched No Mow May following a discussion of the subject at their meeting in February. Commissioner David Rubin outlined the purpose of No Mow May at the May 16 village board meeting, emphasizing the importance of protecting early pollinators.

“Not mowing our lawn and other plants growing in your lawn will be beneficial for newly emerging bees by giving them more food sources,” Rubin said. “There’s been a decline in native bee populations in Illinois and all over the country. Bees are the most effective pollinators of native plants and are also very important as pollinators in agriculture.”

As native bee populations have declined, said Rubin, more people and municipalities have become involved in bee conservation, joining the Bee City USA movement, a national initiative launched in North Carolina in 2012.

Bee City USA has more than 330 city and campus affiliates, including a few in the Chicago suburbs, such as Hawthor n Woods, Port Barrington and Barrington Hills

In addition to supporting No Mow May, the Landscape Advisory Commission will be launching an initiative to educate Riverside residents about the importance of pollinators and promote native plants.

“This is part of a long-ter m plan we have in encouraging the use of native plants, especially native spring bloomers,” Rubin said.

The Landscape Advisory Commission, said Rubin, could provide signs to those households participating in No Mow May to spotlight the initiative

While village trustees generally suppor ted the concept of No Mow May, they were reluctant, at least for now, to extend the citation moratorium all the way until June 1.

A Landscape Advisory Commission pilot “no mow” area near the Riverside Public Library didn’t provide any conclusive benefits, other than more blooming plants, said Rubin because of the weather last year in May.

Trustee Edward Hannon said he’s heard concer ns from residents about No Mow May, largely related to the fact that many Riverside front lawns connect seamlessly with their neighbors.

“The concer n with not mowing in a full month is, does that allow weeds and other things you don’t want on your lawn take root,” Hannon said. “If you have a neighbor that’s doing “no mow,” does that cause you as the neighbor who’s not doing No Mow May to have to deal with weeds that you might not otherwise have?”

The village of Riverside is itself not participating in No Mow May. According to Public Works Director Dan Tabb, because the village has so much public greenspace, letting it grow wild for a full month would result in crews never being able to catch up

Editor Bob Uphues

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BIG WEEK

April 5-12

Modern homesteading

Overwhelmed by the environmental problems facing the world and looking to do something to help? Join biologist Hannah Pecis for “Homesteading in the 21st Century” in the Community Room of the Riverside Public Library, 1 Burling Road, on April 12 at 7 p.m.

Pecis will discuss the modern homesteading movement and how the solutions to complex environmental problems can star t with simple changes right at home

Register to attend at riversidelibrary.org/events.

Easter Egg Hunt and Hot Dog Lunch

Kids through age 13 are invited to the North Riverside Policemen’s Benevolent and Protec tive Association’s 40th Annual Easter Egg Hunt and Hot Dog Luncheon on April 8 at 10:30 a.m. behind the North Riverside Police Depar tment, 2359 Desplaines Ave Arranged by age group, kids will be able to collect plastic eggs scattered on the ground. Some eggs will contain prize vouchers, which can be redeemed at the luncheon held afterward in the gym at the North Riverside Village Commons.

The Easter Bunny and Medinah Shiner clowns will be on hand to greet and enter tain ever yone. Children are asked to bring their own baskets or bags to collect eggs. In case of inclement weather, the event will be held indoors.

New show from RAC at Riverside Town Hall

From Chicago to the Moon

The Triton College Cernan Earth and Space Center, 2000 5th Ave, in River Grove, hosts “To the Moon and Back: The Apollo-Chicago Connection” featuring Space Station ambassador Edward Rafacz on April 7 at 7:30 p.m.

Rafacz will discuss astronauts Jim Lovell, one of the rst to orbit the moon, and Gene Cernan, the last man to walk on the moon, and their deep roots in the Chicago area, as well as the Apollo missions and how aerospace engineer John Houbolt made it all possible.

Admission is free. Registration is required by visiting tinyurl.com/5n789ncd.

And more

■ Aging Care Connections, 111 W. Harris Ave. in LaGrange, relaunches its Monday Movie Matinee series on April 10 at 3:30 p.m. with a screening of the 2021 lm “Ticket to Paradise” starring Julia Roberts and George Clooney. Reservations required. Call 708603-2259 or email awn@agingcareconnections.org.

■ The West Suburban Chamber of Commerce continues its 2023 Legislative Breakfast Series with a focus on the Local Government Distributive Fund on April 11 at 7:30 a.m. at Plymouth Place, 315

N. LaGrange Road in LaGrange Park. Tickets are $30 members/$40 non-members. Register at wscci.org/ events/details/wscci-legislative-breakfast-9685.

■ Nor th Riverside Public Librar y, 2400 Desplaines Ave., presents After School Ar t Escape (child with adult) on April 6 at 4 p.m., Calming Craft for Kids on April 7 at 4 p.m., Crafternoons: DIY Hanging Notepads on April 8 at 1:30 p.m., Morning Munchkin Stories with Ms. Karen on April 10 at 10:30 a.m., Bingo/ Loteria on April 11 at 4 p.m., S afari ABCs (child with adult, ever y other week in Spanish) on April

Riverside Arts Center opens a new exhibition, “Everything Fades,” featuring the paintings of Natalie Shugailo with a reception from 3 to 5 p.m. on April 8 at the Riverside Township Hall, 27 Riverside Road in Riverside. The show, which runs through June 30 at the township hall, is a statement on the impermanence of street art, which is not meant to last forever and belong to all who walk by them. Shugailo, a Brook eld-based muralist, layers spray paint to create depth and form.

The township hall is open Monday-Thursday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Visit riversideartscenter.com for more.

12 at 10:30 a.m. and It ’s Sew Easy: Drawstring Bag on April 12 at 5 p.m. Register for programs online at northriversidelibrar y.org/events-new

■ Linda Sokol Francis Brook eld Librar y, 3541 Park Ave., presents Fair ytale Storytime on April 6 at 10:30 a.m., How to Reduce College Costs on April 6 at 7 p.m., Chair Zumba on April 7 at 1:30 p.m., Legotastic Saturday on April 8 at 10:30 a.m., Violin Storytime with Anderson Music on April 10 at 11 a.m., Chair Yoga (vir tual) on April 10 at 11 a.m. and Stor ytime Stars (ages 2-3 with caregiver) on April 11 at 10:30 a.m. Call

‘Children of the Mist ’ film discussion

Join lm enthusiast Marty Blank on April 11 at 6:30 p.m. as he leads the next Film Discussion Series screening with “Children of the Mist,” a 2021 documentary from Vietnamese lmmaker Ha Le Diem about the custom of child brides among the Hmong people of northern Vietnam and one girl’s ght against that tradition.

The program takes place in Meeting Room 1 of the Linda Sokol Francis Brook eld Library, 3541 Park Ave. Register to attend at brook eld.evanced.info/signup

708-485-6917 or visit online at brook eld.evanced info/signup to register for programs

■ Riverside Public Library, 1 Burling Road, presents Mindful Chair Yoga on April 6 at 11 a.m., School ’s Out Ac tivity: Build Your Own Microgrid on April 7 at 10 a.m., Mini-Movers Stor ytime (babies to age 3) on April 10 at 9:30 and 10:15 a.m., Knitting, Crochet and Needlework Group on April 10 at 7 p.m., and Little Hands Ac tivity Time (ages1-4) on April 11 at 9:30 a.m. To register for programs, visit online at riversidelibrar y.org/events.

Eugene Cernan on the moon’s surface in 1972

Natalie Shugailo, “Bold,” 2022, spray paint, 30 x 40 inches

NASA

Zeigler Ford commences showroom renovation

Dealership agreed to improvements as part of sales tax rebate deal

By BOB UPHUES Editor

Construction fencing is up around the main showroom at Zeigler Ford, 2100 Harlem Ave. in North Riverside, and a white tent that will serve as a temporary showroom has been erected in the north parking lot as the dealership embarks on a major renovation of the property.

The project comes more than two years after the village board voted 4-2 to award Zeigler Ford a 50% rebate on all sales taxes the dealership generates over the next 20 years in exchange for a pledge to remain at the North Riverside location for 20 years.

According to the ter ms of the deal, Zeigler was required to begin construction on the improvements within three years of the sales tax rebate deal’s approval, which was in July 2020. The dealership has two years from now to complete the project.

When the deal was passed by the village board, the company had indicated they would be making a $10 million investment. The vast majority of that investment was made shortly after Zeigler Automotive Group got its deal from the village, when the company purchased the roughly 7-acre parcel, which it had been leasing from Rizza

Auto Group for $8 million.

Rizza had owned the property since 1978 and operated a dealership there until 2017, when it left the village and leased the property to McCarthy Ford, which sold the business to Zeigler Automotive Group 18 months later.

Construction plans on file with the village’s building department indicate that the improvements will be mainly confined to the main showroom and sales offices at the north end of the main Zeigler Ford building along Harlem Avenue

The company plans to make over the exterior and construct a 930-square-foot addition to the north end of the building to create what is listed on the plans as a “celebration bay” where new vehicle buyers can take possession of their vehicles in the comfort of the indoors.

The front entrance tower will also be modified, and the showroom will prominently feature a large round concierge reception desk just inside the main door, a new customer lounge, larger restrooms and reconfigured office spaces.

It is unclear how long construction will take to complete Attempts to connect with a spokesperson from Zeigler Automotive Group were unsuccessful prior to the Landmark’s print deadline

District 103 school board hires new business manager

Brother of interim business manager selected for new assistant supt. position

By BOB SKOLNIK

Contributing

Reporter

Lyons-Brookfield Elementary School

District 103 has hired a new business manager, upgrading the position to that of assistant superintendent for business office.

On March 28 the school board voted 5-0 to hire Abdul Dada to be the new assistant superintendent. Dada who goes by his middle name, Kadir, will be paid an annual salary of $125,000.

Dada, 67, who has worked as the comptroller at Maywood School District 89 for more than eight years, will be gin work at District 103 on April 7. Dada will re place

his brother Mosin Dada, and Mosin ha business 103 since last fall. Being cers Abdul is marek Nor is of School land Pa “W

school board members on in and ing Unithen ned a in second computer the Springrkindustry

for 25 years, he decided to go into school finance, ear ning a master’s de gree in education and a chief school business of ficer endorsement from Nor ther n Illinois University.

Nearly a decade ago, Dada worked for District 103 for a few months in an interim capacity. Counting interim appointments, Dada is the sixth business manager -- and the third full-time business manager -- at District 103 since 2019.

District 103 Superintendent Kristopher Rivera did not respond to calls or an email from the Landmark asking him to comment on the hiring of Dada to the new position of assistant superintendent.

ABDUL DA DA

BOB UPHUES/Editor

Construction fencing has gone up ar ound the Zeigler Ford show room in North Riverside as the company launches a major renovation of its dealership, which was pledged as part of a sales tax rebate deal with the v illage in 2020.

Brook eld gas station minimart robbed at gunpoint

Two people, one of them ar med with a silver handgun, robbed a Brookfield gas station minimart on the night of April 1, making of f with an unknown amount of cash.

According to police, the two entered the Clark gas station minimart art 3045 Maple Ave., just after 8:10 p.m. within a few seconds of one another and selected items from coolers in the back before approaching the counter as if to pay for them.

While one of fender was at the counter paying for a bottle of water, the second placed a six-pack of beer on the counter and pulled out a handgun and pointed to the cash drawer, which the clerk opened

The gunman grabbed the cash drawer out of the re gister and both offenders took cash from it before the two walked the clerk into the back of fice, where another employee was sitting in a chair.

The two ordered the employees to the ground, with the gunman reportedly punching the front counter clerk in the face. When police ar rived, they reported the clerk’s right temple area was red and swollen.

Security video re portedly showed the two

of fenders leave the minimart and cross 31st Street before walking southbound down the 3100 block of Elm Avenue

Arrest in stolen vehicle recovery

A 21-year-old Chicago woman faces felony charges after alle gedly driving a stolen vehicle to the Nor th Riverside Park Mall, 7501 Cer mak Road, on March 31.

The Cook County State’s Attor ney’s Office approved charging Taja Thompson with possession of a stolen motor vehicle after she and two others were ar rested inside the mall shor tly after their ar rival was signaled to police by one of the mall’s F lock surveillance cameras at about 6:15 p.m.

Thompson re por tedly parked the 2017 Kia Forte, which was re por ted stolen in Chicago on March 27, outside the food cour t entrance. Police found the vehicle unoccupied and unlocked, noting that the steering column had been peeled away By viewing surveillance camera video, police were able to identify three suspects, who exited the vehicle. Police charged a ju-

venile and a 20-year-old Chicago man with misdemeanor criminal trespass to a motor vehicle.

Thompson re por tedly told police she didn’t know how the vehicle had been obtained, but admitted to star ting it using a screwdriver, which police found in her possession.

Aggravated speeding

Nor th Riverside police charged a 40-yearold Chicago man with aggravated speeding after an of ficer on patrol re por ted clocking his silver Toyota Avalon traveling at 66 mph in a 35-mph zone while southbound in the 2400 block of First Avenue on April 2 at about 11:45 p.m.

The driver will appear for a hearing date on the misdemeanor charge at the Maybrook courthouse on May 22.

Check scam aver ted

A 74-year-old Brookfield woman and her 42-year-old son went to Brookfield police

Brookfield Chamber of Commerce Business Spotlight

on March 28 to re port receiving a fraudulent check in the mail that they immediately suspected to be part of a scam.

T he check ar rived in a UPS Next Day Air envelope, addressed to the son in the amount of $4,859. T he check came with va guely worded instructions to de posit the check, make purchases and provide documentation of those actions.

T he two went to Citibank, the purp or ted issuing bank for the check, and an employee there confir med it was fraudulent. A tracking number on the envelope indicated it had been sent on March 27 from Atlanta.

These items we re obtained from police re ports filed by the Ri verside, North Ri verside and Brookfield police de partments, March 27-April 2, and re present a portion of the incidents to which police responded. Unless otherwise indicated, anybody named in these re ports has only been charged with a crime. These cases ha ve not been adjudicated.

— Compiled by Bob Uphues

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Smego also stated, “For every job we do, we donate 2 meals to U.S. Hunger. We also work very hard to keep items out of landfills by donating and recycling through partnerships with many local community organizations. We also work with LADSE and Serco to provide work experience for young adults. Smego has also recently started hosting “Thrifting Days” at the warehouse, which is an opportunity for the general public to come on a designated day and shop the stock. More dates for “Thrifting Days” will be posted as events on Facebook.

“Brookfield is a very tight knit community. I have lived here for about 11 years and never

thought I would have found such a great small town feel with big city excitement. I have also found that the people we serve feel the same about the community.”

When asked what his favorite thing is about his business, Smego stated, “We have the ability to actually make a difference personally, professionally and in the community, as well as the vision to pursue our goals. We participate in, and sponsor many community events and meet great people.”

Thank you to the Joshua Harris VFW post 2868 for being our donation recipient for our first Veterans helping Veterans initiative.

Rebu ed twice, business owner done ‘ ghting nonsense’

Despite trying to address parking, tra c concerns Brook eld trustees reject 31st Street daycare

By BOB UPHUES Editor

A man twice rebuffed by the village of Brookfield in his attempt to open a daycare center in a vacant 31st Street commercial storefront won’t try again, saying he’s through “fighting nonsense.”

On March 27, Brookfield trustees voted 4-1 to deny two special use permits and a zoning variation to Pawel Czauder na, who since late 2022 has been trying to accommodate residents and neighboring business owners who expressed concer ns that the proposed daycare would worsen traffic and impact parking.

Daycare centers are allowed as special

uses in the C-4 Local Retail District where the property at 9046 31st St. is located. However, the property that would have housed the daycare also includes three second-floor residential units, and the village code would have required 19 onsite parking spaces

Initially, Czauder na sought village approval to reduce the number of required onsite parking spaces to 13, using public parking spaces nearby to make up for the lack of onsite spaces

Last October, when the Brookfield Planning and Zoning Commission voted unanimously against recommending Czauder na’s application for zoning relief, neighboring business owners complained that the daycare would limit their customers access to public parking spaces on the east side of Park Avenue

Meanwhile, residential tenants complained that parking required by village code for their use would be jeopardized. During a discussion of the proposal at a village board meeting in early March, tenants also said the landlord, who is not Czauder na, reduced the number of parking spaces allotted to each

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unit from two to one, contrary to village code

After the Planning and Zoning Commission gave a thumbs down last October, Czauder na withdrew his application and revised it

His revised plan, which the Planning and Zoning Commission also unanimously rejected in February, sought approval for a second special use permit to allow the daycare center to rent eight parking spaces at the Brookfield Elks property at 9022 31st St to get closer to the required minimum 19 spaces

By renting parking spots a couple of doors east and reworking the rear parking lot behind the building at 9046 31st St. to create an onsite drop-off/pickup area, Czauder na believed he had addressed concer ns over traffic and parking.

“I can’t keep investing money and fighting nonsense,” Czauder na told the Landmark in a phone interview last week. “I’m not going to keep fighting over parking that was not even on our radar.”

Opponents pointed to signs in the alley behind the 9000 block of 31st St., indicating traffic was one way going east, contrary to the daycare’s traffic circulation plan, which would have had cars tur ning west to exit onto Park Avenue, just a few feet away Village officials said they didn’t know when the signs were placed there, by whom or for what reason, but that there was no village ordinance mandating one-way traffic through the alley.

Signs, which have been there for years, regulating the public parking spaces on Park Avenue just north of 31st Street also

appear to be of uncertain origin. Officials said the village didn’t place the signs there.

Czauder na pointed to other daycare centers on busy streets in Brookfield that lacked onsite parking and dedicated pickup/ drop-off areas. The village has allowed such daycare centers on Broadway Avenue and Grand Boulevard.

He also said the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, which regulates daycares in the state, had visited the 31st Street property twice and approved it for use as a daycare.

“I keep coming up with solutions to everything and they keep saying no,” Czauder na said.

Prior to the village board voting on March 27 to deny the zoning relief Czauder na sought, Trustee Katie Kaluzny, who cast the only vote in favor, said a daycare center was needed on the north end of Brookfield and that Czauder na’s attempts to address parking and traffic issues were “a unique solution to the problem.”

But Trustee Edward Cote, who voted with the majority, said he had a pr oblem with the parking solution, saying the daycare could lose those spaces if the Elks lodge property ever changed hands.

“While I’m not against a daycare per se, I just don’t see that this can meet the requirement for parking needed to become a daycare,” Cote said.

With last week’s vote, Czauder na said he’s washing his hands of Brookfield.

“They can have it and their lack of business in a ghost town,” he said.

BOB UPHUES/Editor

In Swan Pond, Riverside taking measured approach

Village resists consultant’s recommendation for aggressive ecological strategy

By BOB UPHUES Editor

A re port completed by a consulting fir m in 2022 on plant diversity in Swan Pond Park in Riverside recommends an aggressive approach targeting invasive and undesirable native species, but village of ficials say they will continue to take a conservative approach to managing that evolving natural area in Riverside’s downtown.

Last year, the Riverside Landscape Advisory Commission enlisted Waukeg an-based Inte grated Lakes Management (ILM) to deliver a monitoring re port providing baseline data on the park’s plant species diversity and recommend ways to improve it

The conclusions in that re port are also part of the LAC’s updated Master Landscape Plan for the village, which was presented by commission members to elected of ficials at the March 16 village board meeting.

ILM recommended that Riverside “should include aggressive [herbicide] treatments throughout the site, targeting all invasive species and many undesirable native species,” calling that approach “the most ecolo gically sound option.”

However, local of ficials aren’t so sure that approach would be for the best. Not only is that approach the costliest, at around $13,350, but it would result in a visually unappealing landscape, even if temporary, and open the door to unintended consequences.

“An aggressive approach is not necessarily better,” said Village Forest Michael Collins, who has conducted controlled bur ns of Swan Pond in two consecutive years, the last being March 29.

Collins says Swan Pond remains a hydrologically volatile area, one prone to flooding during a time when significant stor ms have come more frequently. In the past decade, Swan Pond, a low-lying basin along the banks of the Des Plaines River, has flooded repeatedly in all seasons

Some of those floods have caused significant damage to the park’s landscape, and were the reason the village decided to abandon its use as an active recreation area to a natural area, with a significant wetlands component.

“You can push and pull and place demands on Mother Nature all you want, but Mother Nature is going to do what she wants,” Collins said. “To me, it’s impor tant to have a measured approach to match how the natural systems work.”

Lisa Lambros, the chairwoman of the Landscape Advisory Commission, ag reed with Collins’ assessment of ILM’s recommendations

“Even if, all of a sudden, we had a pile of money, the problem is if you kill of f even what’s existing and you get a flood, you could actually put the site in even worse condition,” Lambros said.

The controlled bur ns are part of that measured approach, creating natural condition in which native plants

BOB UPHUES/Editor

Riverside resident Todd Veltman attempts to capture photos of mi grator y birds who alight in Swan Pond Park during their spring jour neys. An av id birder, Veltman says he’s seen 70 species of birds in Riverside and was in the park on March 30 tr ying to get photos of blue-w inged teals, who are attracted to the wetland area at this time of year.

can compete with invasives and undesirable native species For the past couple of years, Riverside has also used ILM to apply herbicides in a targeted way to kills invasives such as canary reed grass. But those strategies alone are not a panacea.

The LAC’s updated master plan noted that the 2022 herbicide applications were not followed by under planting with desirable species, leaving undesirable plants to occupy the vacated spaces

In response the village is adopting ILM’s recommendations to continue with regular controlled bur ns and herbicide treatments, but the village is also now seeding strategic areas after those treatments.

Collins said he’s judicious in his application of the mesic plant seed, because it’s very expensive since it has be collected by hand for use in specific locations A 30-pound bag, enough to cover 1 acre, said Collins, costs $900.

He typically stays away from the lowest-lying areas of the park, where flooding is more prevalent.

“We want to put quality plant material into that system,” he said.

Avoiding the most aggressive approach in Swan Pond

may also be the result of lessons lear ned from 2017, when the village spent nearly $30,000 to plant 10,000 plant plugs, comprising 16 species, into the wetlands area of Swan Pond.

The LAC’s 2023 Master Landscape Plan noted only eight of the 16 species planted in 2017 had survived the conditions there. The ones that did survive and thrive there today are plants like bullrushes, sedges and sweet flag

“The ultimate lesson was that the village board is committed to moving forward and monitoring these sites,” Collins said. “I think it also demonstrates the site will tell you what it wants.

“[The 2017 planting ef fort] was well-intentioned, but when to comes down to it, we could have used more mesic plant material.”

Riverside Public Works Director Dan Tabb said the village is committed to continue using ILM to apply herbicides and monitor the evolution of Swan Pond. The village’s annual budget for that ef fort is about $6,500.

We’re not going to force feed the site something that won’t keep for the long ter m,” Tabb said. “We’ ll amend the plan annually depending on what we see.”

Metra pitches warming shelters for Zoo Stop

Brook eld trustees looking for clarity on maintenance, electricity costs

By BOB UPHUES Editor

A couple ofthe fine details still need to be worked out but at their meeting on April 10, Brookfield trustees are expected to approve an ag reement with the Metra commuter rail service to place two warming shelters at the Hollywood Avenue-Zoo stop on the Burlington Northern-Santa Fe Railroad route.

T he new shelters would be set on new concrete pads located on both the inbound and outbound platfor ms east of the existing Brookfield Zoo-built and painted “mushroom” shelters, which are not heated. T here’s also an unheated ga-

zebo on the outbound platfo rm west of the existing shelter

Drawings ofthe proposed shelter submitted to the village by Metra in dicate the 14-foot-tall brick and alumi num-framed warming shelters would be enclosed by quarter-inch thick tempered glass walls on all four sides, with doors at either end .

Inside each shelter will be a bench, two wall-mounted heaters and BNSF route info rmation signag e. T he roof ofeach shelter will extend about 6 feet past the east and west walls to form a covered outdoor area for commuters.

See WARMING SHELTERS on pa ge 13

VILL AG E OF BROOKFIELD

Metra has proposed erected two warming shelters like the one pictured above on both platforms of the Zoo Stop at Hollywood Avenue in Brook eld.

Compare our CD Rates

Compare our CD Rates

Compare our CD Rates

LTHS RACE

Endorsements not sought

from page 1

Right-leaning groups threw their support behind Frank Evans, David Herndon and Tim Vlcek while left-leaning groups supported Tim Albores and incumbents Jill Beda Daniels and Kari Dillon.

Awake Illinois, a conservative group endorsing right-wing school board candidates around the state, endorsed Evans, Herndon, and Vlcek on their website.

Herndon said did not accept the endorsement from Awake Illinois.

tions getting involved in the school board race

Vlcek said that he learned of the Awake endorsement on April 3. In January, Vlcek attended a school board candidate training workshop co-sponsored by Awake Illinois and the Virginia-based Leadership Institute, which boasts on its website that it has been training conservative activists since 1979.

The People Who Play By The Rules political action committee, which is led by conservative radio talk show host Dan Proft, reported on March 23 that it spent $3,725 to produce and send a mailer supporting Evans, Her ndon and Vlcek.

Proft is a longtime conservative activist in Illinois who now lives in Florida but remains very active in Illinois politics and co-hosts a mor ning talk show on WIND-AM radio.

Now safely moving new residents to our small, wooded campus.

Now safely moving new residents to our small, wooded campus.

Now safely moving new residents to our small, wooded campus.

A safe & smart choice.

A safe & smart choice.

A safe & smart choice.

“I made it clear from the start of my campaign since this was supposedly a nonpartisan election, I was not seeking or wanting any endorsements from any political organizations and therefore I do not accept Awakes endorsement,” Herndon said in an email.

Herndon decried all the outside organiza-

In 2010, Proft ran for gover nor if Illinois and finished sixth in a seven-person Republican primary field, receiving nearly 8% of the vote. Proft has remained a major player year

C spent

Choosing a community you can trust has never been more difficult.

Choosing a community you can trust has never been more important.

Choosing a community you can trust has never been more difficult.

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

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

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

We would be honored for your family to be part of ours.

We would be honored for your family to be part of ours.

We would be honored for your family to be part of ours.

IS

our

TIMOTHY VLCEK DAVID HERNDON FRANK EVANS

BOB UPHUES/Editor

Election signs touting the candidacies of Jill Beda Daniels, Kari Dillon and Tim Albores are

heavily on television ads attacking Gov. J.B. Pritzker

An email sent on April 2 by radio station WIND-AM included a link to its school board endorsements. For District 204, it listed Vlcek as the only candidate endorsed for the LTHS board.

The Democratic Party of Illinois, a new local group called Support Our School and the LTHS teachers union, acting through its statewide union, the Illinois Education Association, all supported Albores, Dillon and Daniels.

All three groups have sent out direct mail

campaign pieces supporting Albores, Daniels and Dillon and attacking Evans, Herndon and Vlcek.

The involvement of the Democratic Party of Illinois in non-partisan school board races is unprecedented. It has spent $300,000 throughout the state to support candidates that it says shares the party’s values and to oppose candidates it calls extremists. The Democratic Party of Illinois has also sent out text messages to local residents urging them to vote for Albores, Daniels and Dillon.

The Democratic Party of Illinois has also created a website called Defend Our Schools

IL where voters can enter their address and see how the Democratic Party of Illinois views local school oard candidates.

In the LTHS school oard race, the Democratic Party of Illinois website gave posive checkmarks to Albores, Daniels and Dillon stating, “We believe this candidate shares our values” and gives red exclamation mark war ning signs to Evans, Herndon and Vlcek, categorizing them as “pursuing an extremist political agenda.”

Daniels told the Landmark that she has not coordinated with any of the groups supporting her. She, like all the other candidates, said she is running an independent campaign. Daniels said she is not part of a slate with Albores and Dillon even though Support Our School has put up signs with the names of Albores, Daniels and Dillon on them.

“Anyone that is suppo doing so on their

7 Month Certificate

are joint signs out there by Support Our Schools, but I had no knowledge nor approval of same, but I thank everyone for their support of me as a candidate.”

Daniels said that she does not know Terrie Pickerill, a longtime Democratic strategist, who registered the Support Our School website

“I have no idea who that is,” Daniels said.

That website, direct mail pieces and campaign signage are being funded by a similarly named corporation called Support Our Schools LLC, which is registered to two LaGrange Park residents.

Daniels said she only knows of Jonathan Almer, one of two people who created Support Our Schools LLC, because their children are friends.

“I know him only through our boys being friends, but I had no conversations or discussions with him regarding this,” Daniels said.

The one candidate who did not receive any outside support is Justin Clark, the associate principal at Richards High School. The Democratic Party of Illinois website had no characterization of Clark, who spun the lack out outside endorsements as a positive eholden to current lark told the

Deposit

Deposit 5.10%

7 Month Certificate

JILL BEDA DANIELS K ARI DILLON TIM ALBORES JUSTIN CLARK

Brook eld record shop to o er live music events

Vines & Vinyl to make performances a regular feature starting this month

By BOB UPHUES Editor

When Dylan Kloska opened his record/ houseplant store Vines & Vinyl at 3730 Prairie Ave. last fall, he said he hoped the place could also be something of a cultural center, hosting open mic nights and artsy pop-up shops.

He wanted a place where people like him, those who’d moved from hip city neighborhoods into the suburbs, could revisit that city vibe

“What we all miss most about the city are the cultural touchstones, like that independent coffee shop and record stores,” Kloska said. “It reminds city folks of what it was like in the city.”

Last December, Kloska offered up a handful of live performances in the “record room” of the storefront, singer/songwriter showcase nights, and the store has also hosted water color and paint pour classes.

“I wanted to turn the shop into a place where, if you have a creative itch you want to scratch, this space is where those kinds of things can be made available,” Kloska said.

Based on the positive feedback from those attending the December events, Kloska has decided to make music a more regular part of Vines & Vinyl’s offerings. He’s also booking more than singer/songwriters workshopping new material solo, although he’s trying to feature acts that play original music.

“It can be jazz, hip-hop, country, as long as they’re doing original work,” Kloska said. “Most live music is cover band based, which is great, but my goal is provide space where people can come and do their own thing. It’ll always be different, but original every time you come through.”

On both April 15 and 16, the store will host two bands, including its first rock combos. The shows on April 15 are all-ages begin at 6 p.m. with a pair of bands featuring re-

cent graduates of Rive High School, Laikaa and Fo There’s a $5 cover.

“It’s the first time with two bands,” Kloska said. “I’m excited for that.

On April 16, a Sunday, the performances will take place during reg starting around noon. There’s a $5 co the bands, The Rust Riders and Meg & Wheelers, skew country.

“Meg & The Wheelers are most established band to pl far,” Kloska said.

While the music is performed in the cord room, Cherry Thrift will host a pop-up shop in the plant room up front.

Other performances will be announced as they’re booked, said Kloska, himself er/songwriter who plays guitar

“The schedule is going to be said. “They’ll either be as the shop is while the shop is open [as on April 16].”

11

Month Certificate of Deposit

11 Month Certificate of Deposit

5.36% APY

5.36% APY*

PROPER TY TR ANS FERS

Brook eld total rehab sells for $536,000

The following property transfers were re ported by the Cook County Clerk from No 2022. Where addresses appear incomplete, for instance where a unit number appear missing, that information was not provided by the clerk’s office.

Brookfield

Nor th Riverside

WARMING SHELTERS

Cost questions

from page 9

According to the ter ms of the ag reement, Metra would bear all of the costs for designing and constructing the shelters –an amount pe gged at $157,000 apiece

T he ag reement calls for the village of Brookfield to assume responsibility for maintaining the shelters, such as removing graf fiti, making routine re pairs and

cleaning them.

Before giving their blessing to the shelters, trustees at their meeting March 27 wondered whether the village would be responsible for costs such as electricity to power the shelters. Trustee Brian Conroy also wanted to know who would be responsible for removing the war ming shelters if the Zoo Stop were ever to close. T here is no plan to close the station at this time.

T he reason for those questions is because the Chicago Zoolo gical Society, which operates Brookfield Zoo, already is responsible for maintaining the Zoo Stop platfo rms, including upkeep of the exist-

ing shelters and snow plowing.

T he language of the new ag reement appeared to indicate that Brookfield would take on g eneral maintenance responsibilities for the platfo rm, which trustees did not want to sign of f on.

Emily Eg an, the village ’s community development director, said she had already discussed that language with Metra and that the commuter rail service is aware of the zoo’s maintenance responsibilitie s, which she said would continue.

Maintenance of the new war ming shelters, howeve r, could f all on the village ’s shoulders.

“This ag reement is not to supersed e any previous ag reement,” Eg an said. “The zoo is currently maintaining [the platfor ms] and they would continue to do so But that is cer tainly some language we can clarify.”

Despite the lingering q uestions, Conroy said he favored the improvement.

“One of Brookfield’s unique assets is the fact that we do have three Metra stops,” Conroy said. “Any investment that goes into any of those stops and keeps them viable for the future is a good move and helps make our community that much more appealing.”

4238 Madison Ave., Brook eld

Opinion

THE L ANDMARK VIEW

The new normal

Much was made in this latest election campaign season about partisan politics inser ting itself into local school board races, par ticularly in Lyons Township High School District 204, where everyone from a right-wing radio host to the Democratic Party of Illinois endorsed candidates and paid for campaign materials, support that the candidates themselves say they never asked for.

While this might have been unprecedented, you’d be naïve to think it wasn’t inevitable, given the extent to which the idea of public education itself has become an important battlefield in the nation’s never-ending culture wars.

Attempts in recent years by public school districts, including Lyons Township High School, to begin seriously addressing systemic inequities have met with furious pushback by those who refuse to admit those inequities ever existed.

In the face of attacks on school administrators and teachers, it’s no wonder there’s been an “unprecedented” response. It would be foolish not to respond and advocate on behalf of those who face that criticism, which is sometimes deeply personal and offensive

This year’s introduction of partisan politics in non-partisan school board elections, alas, won’t be a one-time occurrence. For better or worse, voters can expect these kinds of battles to continue being waged in the future until the time that they decide whether they value equitable public education or not.

The long haul

Back in 2017, the village of Riverside made a major investment in making the low-lying section of Swan Pond Park a wetland area supporting native plant species. Close to $30,000 was spent to plant thousands of native species to jumpstar t that initiative.

Six years later, only about half of those plants have survived the volatile hydrological conditions in the park, but it provided lessons lear ned in how to approach Swan Pond in the future.

Riverside has shown it’s committed to its original intent and in the past couple of years has tweaked its approach to a long-ter m strate gy of re gular controlled burns, targeted removal of invasive plants, and underseeding reclaimed spots with natives.

This won’t produce results over night, and if it’s to succeed future Riverside village boards will need to follow through on what’s been star ted. Here’s hoping village gover nment will stick with the strategy, long ter m.

KOSEY CORNER

Kick back and enjoy some Easter candy

‘Kee p your le gs elevated.” OK, so that means I’m reading a lot and watching a lot of TV. Doing well with my Grisham books, can’ t wait until Chicago elects a mayor and I am seeing too many tempting Easter candy ads.

Cadbury eggs look good, but I have never had one, don’t know why. They have used the same ad for years with all the dif ferent animals. Bawk! Bawk! Hopefully they sell enough eggs this year to a new ad next year.

JOANNE KOSE Y

Hershey’s little foil wrapped eggs on the other hand are fun to eat, because they’ re small and you can eat quite a few without feeling guilty. However, have you ever had hard time opening them? Takes some of the fun out and puts frustration in, but they are still Hershey quality.

They’re all the same on the inside. That’s Peeps delivering a two-fold message, one on their candy and a life lesson. Peeps started out as a yellow marshmallow confection designed to resemble a little chicken.

The little yummy candies were so popular, the company started making them in different shapes, but

OBITUARIES

James W. Heilenbach, 88

Worked 55 years for Electro-Motive

James W. Heilenbach, 88, of Riverside, died March 24, 2023.

Mr Heilenbach retired in 2012 after 55 years of service with Electro-Motive as a mechanical engineer

He was the husband of Patricia Karas; the father of Timothy, Thomas (Linda) and William (Danita); the grandpa of Lynda, Kimberly (Ryan) Albright, Lisa (Tommy West), James (Allison), Erica, John, Steven, Samuel (Alexandra Hojnar) and Kathryn; and the great grandfather of Mallory and Har rison.

A funeral Mass was celebrated March 29 at St. Mary Church, Riverside

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Riverside Fire-

inside they were the same – just like people; we’re different on the outside but the same inside.

Of course, eggs really are an Easter symbol, be they chocolate or real. I think real eggs taste better when they are boiled, but colored chocolate eggs are the best the bigger they are and if they are cream-filled

Thank goodness for plastic eggs. They make Easter egg hunts easier. One year my mother filled the eggs with candy and coins for our outdoor hunt. Needless to say, the squirrels got them and the next year the hunt was indoors.

Serious Easter candies include chocolate rabbits -- really serious is a solid chocolate rabbit, not a hollow one. Look in Aunt Diana’s Old-Fashioned Fudge shop to see a serious chocolate rabbit. Each year there is someone who tries to purchase it, but no sale.

Rumor has it the late Michael Jackson tried to buy it but no sale to him. If you are lucky enough to get a chocolate rabbit from Aunt Diana’s, do you eat the ears or tail first? One of the world’s burning questions

Well, whatever your Easter traditions, I hope they tur n out well this year. Happy Easter to my readers and thank you for the cards I have received

fighters Assn., 27 Riverside Road, Riverside, 60546, are appreciated Ivins/Moravecek Funeral Home, Riverside, handled ar rangements.

Mar y L. Kanz, 95

Former long time Riverside resident

Mary Louise Kanz, 95, of Oro Valley, Arizona, died peacefully at home on March 8, 2023 sur rounded by loved ones

She was bor n on Dec 4, 1927 to Fred and Mary Narobe in Cicero and mar ried Bill Kanz in 1951. They went on to have four children, Bill, Ken, Russ and Kathy. The family lived in Cicero for 10 years before moving to Riverside, where they lived for 46 years.

The couple moved to Rock Island in 2007 to be near See OBITUARIES on pa ge 16

RBHS volleyball off to strong start in 2023

A er so-so season last year, Bulldogs look to upperclassmen

By BILL STONE Contributing Reporter

The Riverside-Brookfield High School boys volleyball team is hoping an equal combination of seniors and juniors will provide a winning result.

T he Bulldogs are of f to a 5-3 star t, beating Joliet Catholic, Bolingbrook and Plainfield South in five matches at the Joliet West Tour nament last month and beating Morton and Oak Lawn both in two sets

T he Bulldogs are 2-1 in three-set matches

Senior setter Landon Harazin is a thirdyear star ter and senior outside hitter

Ig gy Bielobrade k a third-year varsity player for the Bulldogs, who have seven seniors and juniors on their roster

Last season, the Bulldo gs finished 15-20 in 2022 and 4-3 in the Metro Suburban Conference They lost their Proviso West Re gional opener to West Aurora 27-25, 25-22.

Senior outside hitters Ricardo Ulloa and Angel Her rera also usually were rotation re gulars, and the three other seniors, middle hitter Sebastian Ciszewski, senior outside hitter Thomas Dixon and defensive specialist Nate Padilla, saw significant playing time.

Harazin led the 2022 Bulldo gs in assists (496). Ulloa had a team-best 35 aces and 360 serve rece ptions and was third in digs (141), Bielobradek was second in kills (128) and Her rera (35) and Ciszewski (32) were second and third in total blocks

This season, Ciszewski leads the Bull-

do gs with 41 kills, a .347 attack percentage and 18 total blocks Harazin has a team-best 151 assists and 41 digs, Bielobradek has 29 kills and 27 digs, Dixon has 83 serve rece ptions and Herrera 12 blocks.

Varsity newcomers are juniors Garrett Angshed, Campbell Duncan and Makoto Scheuer mann as outside hitters, libero Liam Reilley, middle hitters William Roudebush and Sam Shelven and setter Francisco Cervantes

Reilley leads the Bulldogs with 45 digs, 105 serve rece ptions and six service aces Shelven has 27 kills and 14 blocks

LTHS remains per fect after Argo title

The Lyons Township High School boys volleyball team moved to 7-0 by winning the Argo Tour nament on April 1 with five twoset victories, including over Lockport in the final match. They opened the season late last month by beating Brother Rice in three sets and Wheaton Warrenville South in two.

Statistical leaders have been seniors Sam Levinson (21 kills), Leo Wiemlet (28 kills) and Tommy Hennessy (25 digs) and juniors Luka Kostic (24 kills, 4 aces) and

Carson Tur ner (59 assists). Levinson, Wiemlet and Kostic ear ned all-tour nament honors at Argo.

All five were part of last season’s star ting rotation. T he 2022 Lions were 25-13, equaling their most overall victories since 2019, and 1-5 in the West Suburban Conference Silver Division. T hey captured a third straight re gional title before losing to Silver rival Hinsdale Central 23-25, 2523, 25-22 in the IHSA Hinsdale Central Sectional semifinals

T he 6-foot-7 Wiemelt will play volleyball at the University of California-San Diego. A third-year varsity player, the 6-3 Levinson will play at Springfield Colle ge Senior 6-3 outside hitter Connor Carroll, another key varsity retur nee, will play at Aurora University.

Newcomers include junior opposite-side hitter Tim Shepard and junior setter Tommy Culver, both 6-2.

“We have the ability to compete with top teams in the state and West Suburban Conference and having a successful postseason r un,” LTHS coach Brad Skendzel said. “Our experience and leadership will be critical components to our progr am’s continued development.”

RBHS girls soccer returns with experienced squad

Bulldogs o to 5-2 start, building

turnaround

By BILL STONE

Contributing

Reporter

Senior Natalie Rubi and her RiversideBrookfield High School girls soccer teammates faced many obstacles to finish the 2022 strong and share the Metro Suburban Conference title.

The Bulldogs hope they have the upper hand this season with 16 retur ning varsity players and eight returning starters.

“We can see a great team forming, but going into a game we have to play every game at our best to prove we are a top team,” Rubi said.

Seniors Lena Lembcke, Jessica Sharenow,

Nina Bretz and Rubi are team captains for the Bulldogs, who finished 11-10-3 overall in 2022 after a 2-6-1 start.

The Bulldogs already are 5-2 this season. They won the round-robin Glenbard South Invitational last month with three shutout victories over the host Raiders, Lake Park and Montini.

Sharenow and Lembcke (6 goals, assist in 2022) anchor the back line as veteran central defenders for new senior goalie Piper Blair.

In 2022, Stabenow received honorable mention all-sectional. Sharenow, Lembcke, Bretz (6 goals, 9 assists) and junior Hazel Hall (10 goals, 4 assists) were All-MSC honorees.

Rubi (11 goals, 3 assists), senior Sophie Swicionis (goal, assist), junior Katherine

Newberry (2 goals, assist) and sophomore Lucy Drenth (goal, 2 assists) also are retur ning starters. Other varsity retur nees are senior Monique Sandoval (4 goals), juniors Niahm Larson (7 goals, 5 assists), Madison Bisiules (goal, 7 assists), Ericka Pacheco (3 goals, 2 assists) and Cassidy Erb and sophomores Ella Caputo (2 goals, 2 assists), Isa Hernandez (goal) and Raleigh Jesswein

So far this season, Larson has six goals and two assists, including four goals in the Glenbard South Invite victories Hall (3 goals, 2 assists), Rubi (3 goals, assist) and Bretz (2 goals, 3 assists) have accounted for the other goals. Swicionis (assist), Drenth and Erb have contributed at outside defender

o last year’s

L ANDON HARA ZIN

NATALIE RUBI LENA LEMBCKE

SEBASTIAN CISZEWSKI

LTHS gymnast vaults into mix as a senior

A er competing as child for clubs, Johnson step right into high school team

By BILL STONE

Contributing Reporter

Senior and former club gymnast

Ryan Johnson annually was asked by coach Sam Zeman to consider joining the Lyons Township High School boys gymnastics team.

Before this season, finally Johnson said yes.

“High school gymnastics is a lot more team focused than club,” Johnson said. “Also, being a senior it was my last opportunity to play a sport and be a part of a team at Lyons Township.”

He’s been among the many reasons the Lions once again appear on track to retur n to the eight-team state meet. At the halfway point March 28, the Lions ear ned the state’s No 4 sectional seed and have scored as high as 147.70 points

In their last two meets, the Lions won 147.60 to 141.40 at Downers Grove North March 14 and were sixth (126.125) at Hinsdale Central’s Neil Krupicka Invitational March 17.

“I tried recruiting him consistently over the last four years and now we are excited to have him as part of our team,” Zeman said. “He lear ns new skills at an incredible rate.”

OBITUARIES

Continued from page 14

their daughter Kathy and son-in-law Bill. Mr. and Mrs. Kanz had a large circle of friends They hosted g ame nights, dined out, traveled and went on cruises with friends on a re gular basis. They had a full life to gether.

After her husband of 56 years passed away in 2007, Mary, her daughter Kathy and son-in-law Bill combined households Soon thereafter, she be g an RVing with Kathy and Bill. They were snowbirds for three years before moving to Arizona. Mary lived in an inde pendent living community for a shor t period of time before

At Downers North, juniors Matt Adler (54.60) and Will Taylor (48.10) were second and third in all-around and were top-three finishers in practically every event.

Adler won pommel horse (9.2) and tied for first on parallel bars (9.3). Johnson, who was third on horizontal bar (7.2) and fourth on floor exercise (8.5), all-around Nick Giordano and Ryan Evans also had top-five event finishes

At the Krupicka Invite, Taylor was fourth on still rings (8.15) and sixth on parallel bars (8.1) in taking 13th in all-around (46.00).

Johnson competed club gymnastics from age 6 to 11 and finished with two years at Level 7. He feels he’s already better than he was back then due mainly to confidence and strength.

While he’s picked up new skills on his first few tries, he definitely feels the results of consistent training

“Lear ning new skills and getting excited about it really helps the team out,” Johnson said.

LTHS girls water polo

Senior Evie Reinisch and her Lyons Township girls water polo teammates have a big week ahead.

The Lions (14-3) visit Mother McAuley, usually one of their top sectional opponents, on April 5 and York, which has beaten defending state champion Naperville North, on April 7.

moving back in with Kathy and Bill. They lived to gether as a family unit and had many adventures and lots of laughs to gether before her passing

Mary was preceded in death by her husband, parents and brother She is survived by her four children and her only remaining living friend, Marge.

Private inter ment was at Queen of Heaven Cemetery in Hillside

S ara H. Straney, 83

Lived in Riverside

Sara Heilman Straney, 83, of Lyons and Riverside, for merly of Chicago and born in Brooklyn, New York, died on March 28, 2023.

“It really is going to be a good test,” Reinisch said.

The Lions finished fourth at the Fenwick tour nament last weekend by beating the host Friars 11-3 on April 1 after earlier beating St. Ignatius 125. In pool play on March 31, they beat Whitney Young 12-5 and lost 9-7 to Stevenson, their second loss to the Patriots this season. With spring break, the Lions had players missing at Fenwick and at their invite March 25, when they lost to Lincoln-Way Central.

“When we have everybody here and we’re on our game, things go really well,” Reinisch said.

Reinisch retur ns at central defender. She’s splitting time there with sophomore Maya Mladjan, who has grown taller than older senior sister Emilia

Reinisch feels she is better at fronting players while Mladjan is better being between the attacker and the goal. They defend together or the other player is on the wing

“We have different strengths in that position,” Reinsich said. “[Mladjan] has really strong legs I am more of a fighter in there. It depends on the team we’re playing or the player we’re against.”

She was the mother of Christopher and Andrea Straney, the mother-in-law of Christine Car r, the grandmother of Christopher Car r-Straney and the sister of the late Julie Habers

Services have been held Ivins/Moravecek Funeral Home, Riverside, handled ar rangements.

Gregor y E. Wagner, 66

Riverside resident

Gregory E. Wagner, of Riverside, died March 23, 2023.

Greg never met anyone he couldn’t talk to and was truly interested in everyone’s stories He was a wonderful care giver to his parents and was always willing to help

RBHS softball

T he Bulldogs (3-3) lost to Bishop McNamara 12-5 on April 3 but won victorie s over Shep ard 10-4 on March 28, Mor ton 14-2 on March 24 and Addison Trail 12-0 on March 21.

Emily Org an, Lianna Noel, Zoe Levine and Ellie Me g all each had two hits against Shep ard and Luna Lloyd had three against Addison Trail. Pitchers Abby Krue ger and Abby Stevenson ear ned their firs t victories against Mor ton and Addison Trail, respectively

LTHS baseball

Lyons Township (3-1) won a West Suburban Conference Silver game over Glenbard West 14-2 in five innings April 3 with an eight-run fifth.

Troy Stukenberg hit two home runs with four runs batted in. Sam Viniard and Jack Falls (4 RBIs) also homered and James Georgelos doubled. Winning pitcher Tucker King allowed six hits

On March 30, the Lions’ two runs in the top of the seventh pulled out a 13-12 victory at Lincoln-Way Central.

Falls hit a two-run double in the seventh after Michael Mango led off with a walk, Frederick Ragsdale III (3 for 5) reached on a bunt and both advanced on Stukenberg’s sacrifice bunt. Ryan Jackson tripled and doubled with three RBIs.

out someone in need.

He was the husband of Ellen Cleary; the father of Tess; the brother of Mary (Carl) Uthe and Renee Wagner; the brother-in-law of Mike (Nancy) Cleary, Pat (Jane Hodgkinson) Cleary, Mary Anne (Bob) Keenan, Joan (Bob) Patz elt, Dan (Colleen Clarke) Cleary and Bill (Julie) Cleary; and an uncle to many nieces and ne phews

He was preceded in death by his parents Jerome and Genevieve Wagner; parents in-law William and Mary Cleary; brotherin-law Tom Cleary and ne phew Jonathon Uthe

A memorial Mass will be celebrated Saturday, April 15 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Mary Church, 126 Her rick Road, Riverside. Ivins/Moravecek Funeral Home, Riverside, handled ar rangements

RYAN JOHNSON

E VIE REINISCH

PART-TIME

Call for more info.

708-738-3848

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 https:// www.oakpark.us/your-government/ human-resources-departments

Interested and qualified applicants must complete a Village of Oak Park application.

SEASONAL FARMER’S MARKET ASSISTANT

The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Seasonal Farmer’s Market Assistant in the Health Department. This position will provide administrative support to the Farmer’s Market Manager to allow growers and producers of food to sell directly to the public within established guidelines. This position requires work in inclement weather conditions; some heavy lifting of up to 50 pounds; walking or standing for sustained periods of time. Applicants are encouraged to visit the Village of Oak Park’s website at http://www.oak-park.us/jobs.

Interested and qualified applicants must complete a Village of Oak Park application. Open until filled.

CARS WANTED

work and AWESOME!

Pay starts at $20/hr.

Must be available for weekends also.

Ready to work? Contact us by email at info@awesomecjs.com.

HUMAN RESOURCE COORDINATOR

The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Human Resource Coordinator in the Human Resources Department. The ideal candidate will have a high level of customer service skills, Will provide routine to complex office, clerical, and administrative tasks. Applicants are encouraged to visit the Village of Oak Park’s website at http://www.oak-park.us/jobs. Interested and qualified applicants must complete a Village of Oak Park application. This position is open until filled, first review of applications will be on April 14, 2023.

POLICE RECORDS SUPERVISOR

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

LOST & FOUND

Lost Earring

Found: single gold earring for pierced ears. Small, 1/2 inch, possibly a child’s. Found at northeast corner of Harlem and Lake, at curb. Call Barb at 708-771-2575. Must identify with matching earring.

CLASSICS WANTED

CLASSICS WANTED

Restored or Unrestored Cars & Vintage Motorcycles Domestic / Import Cars: Mercedes, Porsche, Corvette, Ferrari’s, Jaguars, Muscle Cars, Mustang & Mopars

Restored or Unrestored Cars & Vintage Motorcycles

Domestic / Import Cars: Mercedes, Porsche, Corvette, Ferrari’s, Jaguars, Muscle Cars, Mustang & Mopars

CLASSICS

$$ Top $$ all makes, Etc. Collector James 630-201-8122

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

OFFICE SPACE FOR RENT

Office space (2-3 office rooms,1 bathroom, 700-900 sq ft,$1650/monthly) Please call 708-485-9224 ask for Linda Sokol-Francis

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: Y23010313 on March 14, 2023

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

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

PUBLIC NOTICE

Notice is hereby given, pursuant to “An Act in relation to the use of an Assumed Business Name in the conduct or transaction of Business in the State,” as amended, that a certification was registered by the undersigned with the County Clerk of Cook County. Registration Number: Y23010328 on March 16, 2023 Under the Assumed Business Name of MADAM STYLES with the business located at 2545 W. CATALPA AVE. APT 4C, CHICAGO, IL 60625. The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/partner(s) is: TOTIANNA POLK 2545 W. CATALPA AVE. APT 4C, CHICAGO, IL 60625

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

PUBLIC NOTICE

STATE OF ILLINOIS VILLAGE OF BROOKFIELD

Notice of Public Hearing

Village of Brookfield

Planning and Zoning Commission

April 27, 2023, at 7:00 PM

NOTICE is hereby given that a public hearing will be held by the Planning and Zoning Commission of the Village of Brookfield on Thursday, April 27, 2023, at 7:00 PM in the Edward Barcal Hall located at 8820 Brookfield Avenue, Brookfield, Illinois to consider an application from Khalid Habbab for a Special Use Permit to conduct Low-Impact Manufacturing of ice cream associated with a Warehouse and Distribution use at 4620 Forest Avenue (PIN 1803428060).

Legal Description: Lot 27 (EXCEPT THE SOUTH 20 FEET OF THE EAST 100 FEET THEREOF), AND LOTS 28 THROUGH 31 IN AUSPITZ AND OAKES “BROOKFIELD PARK”, BEING A SUBDIVISION OF THE WEST HALF OF THE EAST HALF OF THE SOUTH EAST QUARTER, ALSO THE EAST 6.8368 ACRES (EXCEPT ROAD) OF THE SOUTH WEST QUARTER OF THE SOUTH EAST QUARTER IN SECTION 3, TOWNSHIP 38 NORTH, RANGE 12, EAST OF THE THIRD PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN, IN COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

The public is invited to attend the public hearing and present oral and/ or written comments. Written comments may be provided prior to 4:00 PM on the day of the meeting to: Village of Brookfield, Planning and Zoning Commission c/o Kate Portillo, 8820 Brookfield Avenue, Brookfield, IL 60513 and at kportillo@brookfieldil.gov. Oral or written public testimony may be given during the public hearing.

The application may be viewed at the Village of Brookfield Village Hall during normal business hours. Please reference PZC Case 23-06. Public hearings may be continued from time to time without further notice, except as otherwise required under the Illinois Open Meetings Act.

Individuals with disabilities requiring accommodation in order to participate in any meeting may contact the Village of Brookfield at (708) 4857344 prior to the meeting. Wheelchair access is available through the front (south) entrance of Village Hall.

By the Order of Chuck Grund, Planning and Zoning Commission Chairman.

Published in RB Landmark

April 5, 2023

PUBLIC NOTICE STATE OF ILLINOIS VILLAGE OF BROOKFIELD

Notice of Public Hearing

Village of Brookfield Planning and Zoning Commission

April 27, 2023, at 7:00 PM

NOTICE is hereby given that a public hearing will be held by the Planning and Zoning Commission of the Village of Brookfield on Thursday, April 27, 2023, at 7:00 PM in the Edward Barcal Hall located at 8820 Brookfield Avenue, Brookfield, Illinois to consider an application from Michael Fries for a Special Use Permit related to a Transportation Terminal use for Moving Services at 9118 W 47th Street (PIN 1803424021).

Legal Description: THE WEST 275 FEET OF LOTS 15 AND 16 TOGETHER WITH THE NORTH HALF OF THE VACATED ALLEY LYING SOUTH OF AND ADJACENT TO THE SAID WEST 275 FEET OF LOT 16 AND ALSO LOTS 17, 18, 19 AND 20 TOGETHER WITH THE SOUTH HALF OF THE VACATED ALLEY LYING NORTH OF AND ADJACENT TO SAID LOTS 17, 18, 19 AND 20 IN BLOCK 12 IN OLIVER SALINGER AND COMPANY’S BUNGALOW PARK, A SUBDIVISION IN SECTION 3, TOWNSHIP 38 NORTH, RANGE 12 EAST OF THE THIRD PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN ACCORDING TO THE PLAT THEREOF RECORDED OCTOBER 18, 1921 AS DOCUMENT 7299660, IN COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

The public is invited to attend the public hearing and present oral and/ or written comments. Written comments may be provided prior to 4:00 PM on the day of the meeting to: Village of Brookfield, Planning and Zoning Commission c/o Kate Portillo, 8820 Brookfield Avenue, Brookfield, IL 60513 and at kportillo@brookfieldil.gov. Oral or written public testimony may be given during the public hearing.

The application may be viewed at the Village of Brookfield Village Hall during normal business hours. Please reference PZC Case 23-07. Public hearings may be continued from time to time without further notice, except as otherwise required under the Illinois Open Meetings Act.

Individuals with disabilities requiring accommodation in order to participate in any meeting may contact the Village of Brookfield at (708) 4857344 prior to the meeting. Wheelchair access is available through the front (south) entrance of Village Hall.

By the Order of Chuck Grund, Plan-

ning and Zoning Commission Chairman.

Published in RB Landmark April 5, 2023

PUBLIC NOTICE STATE OF ILLINOIS VILLAGE OF BROOKFIELD

Notice of Public Hearing Village of Brookfield Planning and Zoning Commission

April 27, 2023, at 7:00 PM

NOTICE is hereby given that a public hearing will be held by the Planning and Zoning Commission of the Village of Brookfield on Thursday,

April 27, 2023, at 7:00 PM in the Edward Barcal Hall located at 8820 Brookfield Avenue, Brookfield, Illinois to consider an application from The 1937 Group, Ltd. for a Special Use Permit for a Cannabis Dispensary use at 8863 W Ogden Avenue (PINs 1803221001, 180322102 and 1803221003).

Legal Description: LOTS 8,9 AND 10 BLOCK 86 IN S.E. GROSS’ THIRD ADDITION TO GROSSDALE, BEING THAT PART OF THE WEST HALF OF THE NORTHEAST QUARTER AND THE EAST HALF OF THE NORTHWEST QUARTER LYING NORTH OF THE ROAD (NOW OGDEN AVENUE), EXCEPTING THE RIGHT OF WAY OF THE C.B.&Q R.R., ALSO EAST HALF OF THE NORTHWEST QUARTER LYING SOURTH OF THE ROAD (NOW OGDEN AVENUE), ALL IN SECTION 3, TOWNSHIP 38 NORTH, RANGE 12, EAST OF THE THIRD PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN, IN COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS

The public is invited to attend the public hearing and present oral and/ or written comments. Written comments may be provided prior to 4:00 PM on the day of the meeting to: Village of Brookfield, Planning and Zoning Commission c/o Kate Portillo, 8820 Brookfield Avenue, Brookfield, IL 60513 and at kportillo@brookfieldil.gov. Oral or written public testimony may be given during the public hearing.

The application may be viewed at the Village of Brookfield Village Hall during normal business hours.

Please reference PZC Case 23-08.

Public hearings may be continued from time to time without further notice, except as otherwise required under the Illinois Open Meetings Act.

Individuals with disabilities requiring accommodation in order to participate in any meeting may contact the Village of Brookfield at (708) 4857344 prior to the meeting. Wheelchair access is available through the front (south) entrance of Village Hall.

By the Order of Chuck Grund, Planning and Zoning Commission Chairman.

Published in RB Landmark April 5, 2023

PUBLIC NOTICE STATE OF ILLINOIS COUNTY OF COOK

VILLAGE OF NORTH RIVERSIDE

Notice Of A Public Hearing

By The Joint Plan Commission/Zoning Board of Appeals Of The Village Of North Riverside

Notice is hereby given that a Public Hearing will be held by the Joint Plan Commission/Zoning Board of Appeals of the Village of North Riverside on Thursday, April 20, 2023 at

6:00 P.M., in the Council Chambers located in the Village Commons, 2401 S. Desplaines Avenue, North Riverside, Illinois.

At such time and place, the Joint Plan Commission/Zoning Board of Appeals will consider a request for a variance to Title 17 Village of North Riverside Zoning Ordinance Section 5.08.D(3) Accessory Buildings, Structures and Uses.

Applicant: David and Dina Witken 2417 S. 9th Avenue North Riverside, Illinois 60546

All persons desiring to appear and be heard for or against said petitions may attend the Public Hearing.

Village of North Riverside

Pat Ferriter, Chairman of the Joint Plan Commission/Zoning Board of Appeals

Published in RB Landmark April 5, 2023

PUBLIC NOTICE STATE OF ILLINOIS COUNTY OF COOK VILLAGE OF NORTH RIVERSIDE

Notice Of A Public Hearing

By The Joint Plan Commission/Zoning Board of Appeals Of The Village Of North Riverside

Notice is hereby given that a Public Hearing will be held by the Joint Plan Commission/Zoning Board of Appeals of the Village of North Riverside on Thursday, April 20, 2023 at 6:00 P.M., in the Council Chambers located in the Village Commons, 2401 S. Desplaines Avenue, North Riverside, Illinois.

At such time and place, the Joint Plan Commission/Zoning Board of Appeals will consider a request for a variance to Title 14 North Riverside Sign Ordinance.

Applicant: American Real Estate Management and Development Co., LLC 8400 W. 26th Street North Riverside, Illinois 60546

All persons desiring to appear and be heard for or against said petitions may attend the Public Hearing.

Village of North Riverside

Pat Ferriter, Chairman of the Joint Plan Commission/Zoning Board of Appeals

Published in RB Landmark April 5, 2023

PUBLIC NOTICE NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING

Attention: Parents of Homeschooled Students

On Tuesday April 25, 2023 at 1:00pm, Forest Park Schools District 91 will conduct a meeting at the Administration Office, 424 Des Plaines Avenue, Forest Park. The purpose of this meeting is to discuss the district’s plans for providing special education services to students with disabilities and/or students that are eligible to receive Title 1 services who attend private schools and/or home schools within the district boundaries for the 2023-2024 school year. If you are the parent of a homeschooled student who has been or may be identified with a disability and/or is eligible to receive Title 1 services and you reside within the boundaries of Forest Park Schools District 91, you are

urged to attend. If you have further questions pertaining to this meeting, please contact David Mekhiel, Director of Student Services, at (708) 3665700 ext 3306.

Published

Time and Place of Opening of Bids:

Sealed proposals for the improvement described below will be received at the office of the Village Clerk, Village Hall, 517 Des Plaines Avenue, Forest Park, Illinois 60130, until 10:00 o’clock A.M., April 13, 2023. Bids will be accepted ONLY through QuestCDN.com via their electronic VirtuBid online bid service. A virtual bid opening will be held at the day and time of the bid closing. Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/ j/82553807824?pwd=K2huZ1U2V3A1UWhoTUgvL0pXRWlCZz09

Meeting ID: 825 5380 7824

Passcode: 597244

Description of Work:

Name: Community Center Playground Improvements Project Location: 7640 Jackson Blvd., Forest Park, IL Proposed Improvement: Installation of Playground Equipment, perforated underdrain, poured in place safety surface, concrete ribbon and restoration.

Bidders Instructions:

The Bidding Documents can be downloaded from QuestCDN via the Christopher B. Burke Engineering Ltd. (CBBEL) website http://cbbel. com/bidding-info/ or at www.questcdn.com under Login using QuestCDN #8443100 for a non-refundable charge of $50.00. A QuestCDN login will be required. Contact QuestCDN. com at 952-233-1632 or info@questcdn.com for assistance in membership registration and downloading this digital project information. Contractors must purchase bid documents and be shown on the Bidder’s Planholder List in order to bid. Bids received from contractors who are not in the Bidder’s Planholder List will be rejected.

By Order of: Village of Forest Park, Vanessa Moritz, Village Clerk, (Awarding Authority)

Published in the Forest Park Review April 5, 2023

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS

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:

2023 Public Works Garage Parking Lot ReconstructionBase Bid – Hot Mix Asphalt Alternate Bid #1 – Reinforced Concrete Pavement

45 Forest Avenue, River Forest, IL

This project consists of approximately 10,000 square feet of parking lot reconstruction (Base Bid – Hot Mix Asphalt, Alternate Bid #1 –Reinforced Concrete Pavement) and other work incidental thereto.

The bidding documents are available for download starting Friday, March 31, 2023 at: www.vrf.us/bids

Bids must be submitted by Wednesday, April 19, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. at:

Public Works Department, 2nd Floor Village of River Forest 400 Park Avenue River Forest, IL 60305

The bid proposals will be publicly opened and read at that time. Proposals will be considered not only on the basis of cost, but also on 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, Concrete Construction

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 April 5, 2023

PUBLIC NOTICES LEGAL NOTICE

STATE OF ILLINOIS) COUNTY OF COOK )ss

Circuit Court of Cook County, County Department, Domestic Relations Division.

In re the marriage of JORGE PENA, Petitioner and BEYERLY MOORE PENA, Respondent, Case No. 2023D002416.

The requisite affidavit for publication having been filed, notice is hereby given to you, Beverly Moore Pena the above named Respondent, that a Petition has been filed in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois, by the Petitioner, Jorge Pena for Dissolution of Marriage and for other relief; and that said suit is now pending.

Now, therefore, unless you, the said Respondent, file your Appearance and Response electronically to said Petition with the Office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois, on or before May 3, 2023, default may be entered against you at any time after that day, and a Judgment for Dissolution of Marriage entered in accordance with the prayer of said Petition.

IRIS Y. MARTINEZ, Clerk.

Published in Wednesday Journal April 5, 12, 19, 2023

PUBLIC NOTICE NOTICE OF NEIGHBORHOOD MEETING

New Meeting Date

Date: Thursday, April 20, 2023

Time: 7 pm to 8:30 pm

Location: Dole Branch/Dole Center, Oak Park Library, 255 Augusta St., Oak Park, IL 60302

Subject Property Address(es): 505 N. Ridgeland, Oak Park, IL

Proposed Development: 5-story apartment building with parking

Purpose of Meeting: Pre-Planned Development Submittal Discussion

Contacts:

Ambrosia Homes, Tim Pomaville, 312-437-8292, tim.pomaville@gmail. com

Published in Wednesday Journal April 5, 2023

PUBLIC NOTICE

LEGAL NOTICE

Invitation to Bid

PRINTING, XEROGRAPHIC AND CARBONLESS PAPER

Oak Park Elementary School District #97 will receive sealed bids for “PRINTING, XEROGRAPHIC AND CARBONLESS PAPER” at the District’s Administration Offices - 260 West Madison Street - Oak Park, Illinois 60302 until 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday April 19th, 2023. At that time the bids will be publically opened.

Bids mailed or delivered shall be marked to the attention of:

Ms. Anne Calvin Oak Park School District 97 260 Madison Street Oak Park, IL 60302

The front of the envelope should be clearly marked “PRINTING, XEROGRAPHIC AND CARBONLESS PAPER”. The bid specifications may be obtained from Anne Calvin, Print Shop Specialist – Administration Building – 260 West Madison Street –Oak Park, IL 60302, (708) 524-7630, commencing on April 12th, 2023.

The Board of Education reserves the right to waive any informalities, qualifications or irregularities, and/or reject any and all Requests for Proposal (RFP), when, in its opinion, such action will serve the best interest of the Board of Education of Oak Park Elementary School District 97.

Lonya Boose Board Secretary

Published in Wednesday Journal April 5, 2023

PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICES

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

VILLAGE OF OAK PARK COMMUNITY DESIGN COMMISSION

HEARING DATE: April 26, 2023

TIME: 7:00 p.m. or as soon thereafter as the Agenda permits

LOCATION OF HEARING: Room 201 (Council Chambers), Oak Park Village Hall, 123 Madison Street, Oak Park, Illinois, 60302

CALENDAR NUMBER:

01-23-DRC

APPLICANT: Illinois Pain and Therapy Associates

ADDRESS: 836 S Oak Park Avenue, Oak Park, IL 60304

REQUEST: The Community Design Commission will conduct a public hearing on an application filed by the Applicant, Khosrow Zarei, on behalf of Illinois Pain and Therapy Associates, seeking variances from the following sections of the Oak Park Sign Code relative to increasing permanent window sign coverage and increasing items of information displayed in a window area, to allow the existing permanent window signage to remain at the premises commonly known as 836 S. Oak Park, Illinois, Property Index Number 16-18-224-0270000 (“Subject Property”).

1. Section 7-7-15 (C) (1) of the Village of Oak Park Sign Code,

requiring that permanent window signs affixed to or painted on the inside of a window shall occupy no more than twenty-five percent (25%) of the surface of each window area. Window area is counted as a continuous surface until divided by an architectural or structural element. The window area north of the entrance door is 100% covered.

2. Section 7-7-9 (H) (1) of the Village of Oak Park Sign Code, requiring all signs to limit the number of items of information to no more than six (6) items of information. The window north of the entrance contains 14 Items of information.

A copy of the application and applicable documents are on file and are available for inspection at Village Hall, Development Customer Services Department, 123 Madison Street, Oak Park, Illinois 60302, Monday through Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.

The public hearing may be adjourned by the Commission to another date without further notice by public announcement at the hearing setting forth the time and place thereof.

Published in Wednesday Journal, April 5, 2023

PUBLIC NOTICE

FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF BROOKFIELD

NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

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

First National Bank of Brookfield

Phillip Richard President and Chief Executive Officer

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

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

VILLAGE OF OAK PARK COMMUNITY DESIGN COMMISSION

HEARING DATE: April 26, 2023

TIME: 7:00 p.m. or as soon thereafter as the Agenda permits

LOCATION OF HEARING: Room 201 (Council Chambers), Oak Park Village Hall, 123 Madison Street, Oak Park, Illinois, 60302

CALENDAR NUMBER: 02-23-DRC

APPLICANT: Sugar Beet Food Store Cooperative

ADDRESS: 812 Madison Street, Oak Park, IL 60302

REQUEST: The Community Design Commission will hold a public hearing on an application filed by the Applicant, Sugar Beet Food Store Cooperative, seeking variances from following sections of the Oak Park Sign Code relative to increasing permanent window sign coverage and increasing items of information that can be displayed in a window area at the premises commonly known as 812 Madison Street, Illinois, Property Index Number 16-07-327-041-0000 (“Subject Property”).

1. Section 7-7-15 (C) (1) of the Village of Oak Park Sign Code, requiring that permanent window signs affixed to or painted on the inside of a

window shall occupy no more than twenty-five percent (25%) of the surface of each window area. Window area is counted as a continuous surface until divided by an architectural or structural element. There is a total of ten (10) window areas on the building; five (5) of the ten (10) window areas contain more than twenty-five percent (25%) window coverage.

2. Section 7-7-9 (H) (1) of the Village of Oak Park Sign Code requires all signs to limit the number of items of information to no more than six (6) items of information. There is a total of seven (7) window areas along the south elevation of the building; three (3) of the seven (7) window areas contain eight (8) items of information.

A copy of the application and applicable documents are on file and are available for inspection at Village Hall, Development Customer Services Department, 123 Madison Street, Oak Park, Illinois 60302, Monday through Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.

The public hearing may be adjourned by the Commission to another date without further notice by public announcement at the hearing setting forth the time and place thereof.

Published in Wednesday Journal, April 5, 2023

EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY

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

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

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

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

GROWING COMMUNITY MEDIA

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

purchaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale.

The property will NOT be open for inspection and plaintiff makes no representation as to the condition of the property. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information.

PARK, IL 60302

NOTICE OF SALE

PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIV-

EN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on October 4, 2021, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on April 19, 2023, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker, 1st Floor Suite 35R, Chicago, IL, 60606, sell at a public sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 626 NORTH TAYLOR AVENUE, OAK PARK, IL 60302

Property Index No. 16-05-319-0080000

The real estate is improved with a single family residence. The judgment amount was $417,344.71.

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

If this property is a condominium unit, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, other than a mortgagee, shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g) (1) and (g)(4). If this property is a condominium unit which is part of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g-1).

IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW.

You will need a photo identification issued by a government agency (driver’s license, passport, etc.) in order to gain entry into our building and the foreclosure sale room in Cook County and the same identification for sales held at other county venues where The Judicial Sales Corporation conducts foreclosure sales.

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

THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION

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

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

E-Mail: ILNotices@logs.com

Attorney File No. 19-092500

Attorney Code. 42168

Case Number: 19 CH 14891

TJSC#: 43-1045

NOTE: Pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, you are advised that Plaintiff’s attorney is deemed to be a debt collector attempting to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose.

Case # 19 CH 14891 I3216043