Landmark 052423

essential voices.

Craft brewery on tap for

By BOB UPHUES Editor

80 years after a U.S. Navy aviator from Riverside was lost at sea, R ichard Jicka’s family will accept his Gold Star Citation

Lt. Richard Jicka, a 1937 graduate of Riverside-Brook eld High School, sits at the controls of his PBY Catalina patrol bomber in the South Paci c in 1943 dur ing World War II. e 23-year-old Jicka and seven other crew men died when the plane crashed while on a reconnaissance mission over the Solomon Islands that November.

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Interior demo commences for Riverside cannabis dispensar

Business could be open by August, village manager says

By BOB UPHUES Editor

Riverside’s first adult-use recreational cannabis dispensary could open its door to the public as soon as August, according to Village Manager Jessica Frances.

Star Buds IL, which opened a dispensary in southwest suburban Burbank in January, recently began interior demolition at 2704 Harlem Ave. after being granted a permit by the village of Riverside. Signs on two sides of the building’s exterior announce “cannibis (sic) dispensary coming soon.”

An attempt to reach Ahmad Joudeh, one of two brothers who are Star Buds IL’s principals, was not successful.

The cannabis company is leasing the property from its owner Dr. Milad Nourahmadi, who also owns the strip mall at 2720 Harlem Ave. Once the dispensary has been open for one month, the village of Riverside intends to sell the property at 2710 Harlem Ave., which sits between 2704 and 2720 Harlem Ave., to Nourahmadi.

The plan is to convert that vacant parcel at 2710 Harlem Ave. into additional parking for 2720 Harlem Ave., and also set aside some parking spaces in that lot for the dispensary.

Because cannabis dispensaries are allowed by right in the Harlem Avenue commercial zoning district, Star Buds will not need any zoning relief.

Work to convert 2704 Harlem Ave. into a cannabis dispensary has set a number of other wheels in motion, specifically regarding parking and traffic circulation in and around the commercial properties.

Riverside trustees ag reed on May 18 with a recommendation by Frances to temporarily allow employees of the strip mall businesses to park during business hours on Longcommon Road while the parking lot at 2710 Harlem Ave. is built.

Employees of Nourahmadi’s Shining Smiles dental practice have been parking

With a cannabis dispensary on the way for Harlem Avenue, local o cials are now tr ying to address parking and tra c circulation in and around the site.

in the lot at 2704 Harlem Ave. However, as the dispensary nears completion, those employees will be displaced.

Because work on the parking lot at 2710 Harlem Ave. will not start until at least one month after the dispensary opens, those employees are going to need an alternate location to park.

Frances said residents of the 500 block of Longcommon Road would be notified multiple times of the plan, once it’s finalized, and that it will only be for employees via permit. Asked how long the temporary on-street parking arrangement might last, Frances guessed three to four months.

Village trustees gave Frances the goahead to seek bids for the construction of a curb and gutter bump-out on the north side of Berkeley Road just east of the alley running behind the commercial properties.

In 2020, in order to prevent cut-through traffic, the village made Berkeley Road one way going east from the alley and placed “do not enter” signs at Harlem Avenue. While that helped reduce cut-through traffic, it also meant residents of the townhomes in the 2600 block of Harlem Avenue had to use Longcommon and loop back on Byrd Road to access their properties.

With the dispensary parking lot having street access of f of both Harlem Avenue and Berkeley Road, the plan is to revert to two-way traffic on Berkeley Road west of Harlem Avenue.

The curb and gutter bump-out on the north side of Berkeley Road will prevent westbound traffic past the dispensary driveway. The arrangement will also once again allow townhome residents easier access to their homes.

In addition, Star Buds has asked for additional offsite parking for their eight to 10 employees who will be working at any given time.

One idea was to cut out a section of the parkway on the south side of Berkeley Road between the dispensary driveway and the Harlem Avenue sidewalk to allow four diagonal parking spaces.

However, trustees were not thrilled with that idea because it would mean removing two mature trees in the parkway. Frances said another option could be notching the parkways on both the north and south sides of Berkeley Road to create two parallel parking spaces on each side of the street.

It was not clear whether that would also require any tree removal or potentially damage tree roots. The parallel parking option also costs about double the diagonal parking option, Frances said, although Star Buds reportedly has expressed willingness to pay for the impr ovement up to a certain amount.

Trustees are expected to consider the Star Buds parking request again at their next meeting on June 15.

Editor Bob Uphues

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BIG WEEK

May 24-31

‘Clue’ at Theatre of Western Springs

Theatre of Western Springs, 4384 Hampton Ave., closes out its 94th season with a mainstage production of “Clue: Live on Stage” written by Sandy Rustin and directed by Jay Fontanetta from May 25 through June 4.

The comedic murder mystery is based on the 1985 lm by Jonathan Lynn, which Rustin wrote as a stage play in 2017. All versions are based on the classic board game. Set in a secluded mansion in New England, six mysterious guests gather for a dinner party where the host turns up dead

Tickets are $25 ($12 for children, students). Call the box o ce at 708-246-3380 or visit theatrewesternsprings.com.

Alternative Fuels Car Show

The Brook eld Conser vation Commission invites you to get an up-close look at the vehicles of the future during an Alternative Fuels Car Show in the parking lot of the Linda Sokol Francis Brook eld Library, 3541 Park Ave., on May 27 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Brook eld Zoo Photo Contest

Brook eld Zoo, 8400 31st St., invites shutterbugs of all ages to grab their cameras, head to the zoo and start snapping photos. You just might capture a winning shot to enter into the zoo’s annual Photo Contest.

Pro photographers will judge submissions and choose a grand-prize winner. There will also be top-seven picks in the following categories: mammals, birds and reptiles/ amphibians/invertebrates/ sh.

Beginning May 27 go to CZS.org/2023PhotoContest for details, rules and entry forms. Photos accepted through Aug. 11.

And more

■ Aging Care Connections, 111 W. Harris Ave. in LaGrange, presents Pride Café, a monthly in-person and virtual program providing space for LGBT+ seniors who are interested in age-related or LGBT+ related topics, discussion and social opportunities, on May 27 at 11 a.m. This month’s topic is “Caregiver Stress and Burnout.” Contact Hanah Sebek at 708603-2270 or hsebek@agingcareconnections.org to get the Zoom link or with questions

■ Riverside Arts Center, 32 E. Quincy St., hosts “Introspective Dream Assembly,” paintings and

mixed-media art by Ryan Burns and Ari Norris, and “Re ection of a Community as It Is,” large-scale drawings by Jesse Howard, through June 24. Gallery hours are Thurs.-Sat. 1-5 p.m.

There’s also “Everything Fades,” featuring the paintings of Natalie Shugailo at the Riverside Township Hall, 27 Riverside Road in Riverside through June 30. 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.

■ North Riverside Public Library, 2400 Desplaines Ave., presents a Club de Lectura discussion of

Everything from ex-fuel to electric vehicles – all owned by Brook eld residents – will be on display. Come see the future of driving.

Senior Health & Fitness Day at Sokol

Sokol Spirit, 3909 Prairie Ave. in Brook eld, invites you to attend its Senior Health & Fitness Day on May 31 from 10 to 11 a.m.

The event is open to seniors in Brook eld and surrounding communities and is free to attend. No pre-registration is required.

“La Pareja de al Lado” by Shari Lapena on May 25 at 10:30 a.m., After School Art Escape (child with adult) on May 25 at 4 p.m., Crafterdarks: Apron Painting on May 25 at 6 p.m., LEGO Club (kids 8-U with adult) on May 26 at 4 p.m. and Fun with LED Lights (grades 6-12) on May 27 at 1:30 p.m. Register for programs online at northriversidelibrar y.org/events-new.

■ Linda Sokol Francis Brook eld Librar y, 3541 Park Ave., presents Medicare 101 on May 25 at 6:30 p.m., Chair Zumba on May 26 at 1:30 p.m., a Movies with Marty screening of the 1932 classic “Red-Headed Woman” on May 27 at

Riverside walking tours kick o May 28

The Frederick Law Olmsted Society kicks o its seasonal walking tours of Riverside, highlighting the village’s design, history and architecture beginning May 28 from 2 to 4 p.m. The tour will cover the area north of the railroad tracks. Tours are $20 per person ($15 for seniors 62+ and Olmsted Society members). Tour groups depart at 2 p.m. from the Riverside Train Depot (east side of platform) at 90 Bloomingbank Road.

Advance reservations are recommended.Visit olmstedsociety.com to pay via PayPal or credit card. Cash/checks also accepted. Customized tours available by appointment. Email tours@olmstedsociety.com or call 708-447-7635.

1 p.m., Maker Studio 101 on May 27 at 3 p.m. and Maker Studio 101 (en Español) on May 30 at 7 p.m. Call 708-485-6917 or visit online at brook eld.evanced.info/signup to register for programs.

■ Riverside Public Library, 1 Burling Road, presents All Ages Yoga Storytime on May 26 at 10 a.m., Mindfulness Together meditation on May 26 at 11 a.m., Family Playtime on May 27 at 10 a.m. and Little Hands Ac tivity Time (ages 1-4) on May 30 at 9:30 a.m. To register for programs, visit online at riversidelibrar y.org/ events.

2022 grand prize winning photo by Hayley Pendergast of Plain eld

Brook eld OKs cannabis dispensary for Ogden Ave.

By BOB UPHUES Editor

The Brookfield Village Board unanimously and without comment voted to approve a special use permit to The 1937 Group to convert a for mer medical of fice at 8863 Ogden Ave. into the village’s first adult-use recreational cannabis dispensary.

T he vote capped of f a fairly quick zoning review, which included a unanimous recommendation from the Brookfield Planning and Zoning Commission in late April, followed by a brief presentation by the company to elected officials at their May 8 committee of the whole meeting, where it appeared almost certain trustees were on board with the proposed dispensary.

T he 1937 Group, which was granted one of the state’s social equity licenses, takes its name from the federal Marijuana Act of 1937 that outlawed cannabis in the Unit-

ed States. Its enforcement often targeted minority communities.

T he company’s CEO, Ambrose Jackson, is a for mer healthcare administrator. In addition to the coming Brookfield dispensary, T he 1937 Group operates a cannabis manufacturing facility in Broadview and a dispensary in downstate Tilton, near Danville.

Sonia Antolec, the company’s chief leg al counsel and a Brookfield resident, told the Landmark in April that T he 1937 Group ultimately seeks to obtain the state’s maximum 10 licenses in order for the company to compete with multi-state operators.

Antolec did not return a call from the Landmark prior to its print deadline seeking information on next steps for the Brookfield property.

In its application to the village, the company said it would seek to purchase the property at 8863 Ogden Ave., and plans in-

By Linda Sokol Francis.

dicated that the property would undergo a significant overhaul.

T he commercial building will have its roof removed and re placed, with a steel canopy wrapping around the east and north sides, with new parapet walls screening rooftop mechanical units

T he existing pole sign on the property will be removed, and as a condition of approval the village of Brookfield is requiring T he 1937 Group to obtain a permit from the Illinois Department of Transportation to remove the property’s Ogden Avenue curb cut to eliminate that probable traf fic hazard.

T he 1937 Group intends to demolish the non-conforming single-family home at the rear of the property in order to expand the parking lot to 22 spaces and include additional landscaping at the southwest cor ner of the lot.

Brookfield is also requiring T he 1937 Group to install a 6-foot-high opaque fence

along the south lot line of the property to screen it from neighbors to the south and eliminate traffic cutting through the parking lot.

T he company must also either work with the property owner to the east to repair and make opaque the existing fence along that lot line or to re place it themselves with an opaque fence.

Plans show the exterior of the commercial building will be rendered with stucco and articulated by diagonally placed decorative wooden battens, and the window opening on the west façade will be removed to create room for a future mural, if and when the village amends its zoning code to allow for such public ar t along Ogden Avenue.

In April, Jim Reilly, the company’s vice president of facilities, told planning commissioners it would take six to seven months for the property to be completely renovated

As the old saying goes: When something sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Taxpayers with outstanding tax bills might be tempted by businesses who advertise and offer to help them reduce their tax debt. These businesses, often called Off er in Compromise mills, make huge claims about reducing unpaid taxes for pennies on the dollar. Unfortunately, these companies sometimes don’t deliver and charge large fees. An Offer in Compromise with the IRS can help some taxpayers who can’t pay their tax bill. An Offer in Compromise is an agreement between a taxpayer and the IRS that settles a tax debt for less than the full amount owed. The offer program gives eligible taxpayers a path toward paying off their debt when they otherwise couldn’t or would face financial hardship.

The OIC mills that are dishonest take advantage of taxpayers’ lack of knowledge to make a quick buck. These ore mills urge people to hire their company to file an ore application, even though the taxpayer won’t qualify. They often charge big fees to prepare applications that they know the IRS will deny. This unfair practice wastes taxpayers’ time and money.

Taxpayers who do qualify for an OIC can get the same deal working directly with the IRS, without the extra fees.

The OIC mills that are dishonest are a problem all year long, but they step up their advertising after the filing season ends, when taxpayers are trying to resolve their tax issues.

Brook eld man charged in shooting outside Chicago library

Allegedly red rounds at group of juveniles, striking two

By BOB UPHUES Editor

A 37-year-old Brookfield man was ordered held without bond pending his next court hearing on May 23 after he allegedly shot two juveniles, a 16-year-old and a 12-year-old, during an altercation outside a public library in the Garfield Park neighborhood of Chicago on May 16.

The shooting unfolded directly outside the Henry E. Legler Regional Branch Library at 115 S. Pulaski Road at about 5:40 p.m. According to the Cook County prosecutor, Adam

Avizius was walking with a fe male when the 16-year-old walked past.

The juvenile and Avizius re portedly got into a verbal alterca tion during which the 12-year-old victim, who was not involved walked by and turned to obser it. The 16-year-old boy allegedl walked up to Avizius and struc him several times, according to the prosecutor, and a firearm fell to the ground.

ADAM AVIZIUS

Avizius reportedly picked up the handgun and pointed it at the 16-year-old, who ran away in the direction of a group of juveniles outside the library. According to the prosecutor, Avizius then pointed the gun at the group and fired five rounds, striking the 16-year-old in the leg and the 12-year-old in the lower

back

As Avizius fled the scene on oot, a group of witnesses chased after him, holding him at a store in the 3900 block of West Madison Street until police arrived about 5:45 p.m. The handgun ell onto the ground at that location as well, and police reported recovering it, noting that it had a defaced serial number.

Police charged Avizius with aggravated battery/discharge of a firearm. During a hearing on May 19, a Cook County prosecutor called Avizius “clearly a danger to the community” in asking a judge to order him held without bond

According to the prosecutor, Avizius has an extensive criminal history that includes seven felony convictions dating back to 2008,

including for burglary, theft, drug offenses and DUI.

He last served a one-year sentence after being convicted of DUI/driving while revoked. Avizius was last paroled in October 2019.

Avizius’ public defender argued against the no-bond order, saying Avizius had attempted to walk away from the 16-year-old before the juvenile attacked him. However, the judge sided with the prosecutor, who argued that, as a felon, Avizius was not allowed to possess a firearm and that he indiscriminately fired into a group of children.

The aggravated battery charge was for Avizius allegedly shooting the 12-year-old bystander, the prosecutor said. That juvenile underwent surgery and remained in the intensive care unit as of May 19. Avizius was not charged for wounding the 16-year-old, who was shot clear through the leg.

Brookfield Chamber of Commerce Business Spotlight

Presented by

Linda Sokol Francis Brookfield Library Summer Initiatives

Free Summer Lunches for Youth 18 & Under

June through August is a challenging time of year when students have limited or no access to school breakfast and lunch programs. To help combat food insecurity, the Library has partnered with the Greater Chicago Food Depository to provide free lunches for kids 18 & younger.

Summer Meals @ LSF Brookfield Library

• Monday-Friday | 12—1 PM

• June 5—August 18

• Available to all youth 18 and under

Comidas de Verano @ LSF Brookfield Library

• Lunes—Viernes | 12—1 PM

• 5 de junio—18 de agosto

• Disponible para todos los niños de 18 años y menos

www.brookfieldlibrary.info/SummerMeals

Summer Reading Kick-Off

with The Great Boodini

Thursday, June 1, 6:30 p.m.

LSF Brookfield Library

Join us for our summer reading kick-off party! Enjoy ice cream, prizes, and an amazing magic show by The Great Boodini.

As music enrollment falls, RBHS trims sta ng

No music/choir classes are being eliminated, say o cials

By BOB SKOLNIK Contributing Reporter

It seems to happen every spring. Parents of students in the music program at RiversideBrookfield High School are upset that choir teacher Kayley Smetana has only been offered a limited part-time job at the school for the 2023-24 academic year

Just like one year ago Smetana, no relation to Assistant Superintendent Kristin Smetana, was technically not rehired, and next year she is only being offered a 0.2 full-timeequivalent position, teaching only one class per semester

In 2022-23, Smetana, who is completing her second year at RBHS, taught three classes and supervised two study halls to get up to a full-time pay. RBHS has two other full-time music teachers in James Baum and Matthew Loeb.

Music parents and choir students are fearful that Smetana will get a full-time job

elsewhere and leave RBHS. Smetana did not return an email from the Landmark seeking comment about her plans.

At the May 9 meeting of the RBHS school board, Riverside resident Lisa Janunas, a Music Sponsors board member, made a public comment expressing her “extreme disappointment” at the possibility of losing Smetana. Janunas praised Smetana’s accomplishments in her two years at RBHS, pointing out her contributions to the spring musical, in helping develop five all-state choir students and establishing a cappella groups.

“These artistic accomplishments bring prestige and accolades to RB and the wider community, leading to the programs’ growth and student enrichment,” Janunas said. “And much of that is due to Ms. Smetana’s guidance these past two years. Does that count for anything?”

Janunas complained that the school administration failed to tell music parents about the reduction in Smetana’s teaching

Police seek suspect in Brook eld stabbing

Victim expected to survive reported assault during family party

By BOB UPHUES Editor

Brookfield police say they are actively seeking the arrest of a 29-year-old Chicago man they suspect of stabbing a 26-year-old Berwyn man during a family party at a residence in the 4000 block of Prairie Avenue on May 21 just before 9 p.m.

The suspect had fled the scene before police arrived, according to Police Chief Michael Kuruvilla, who confirmed the victim had suffered a stab wound to the left side of his chest and was transported by paramedics to a hospital where he underwent surgery The

victim is expected to survive, Kuruvilla said.

According to Kuruvilla, the two men knew each other and were attending a family party when they got into a verbal altercation “over family matters.” Others attending the pa separated the two men, and the alle fender left the room and then returned, presumably with the knife, said Kuruvilla, stabbed the victim.

Because the suspect was said to ha the scene on foot, Brookfield police in officers from about a dozen departments including a police dog from North Ri to establish a perimeter and search They also requested a helicopter, unit was not available.

Police received multiple 911 calls, said ruvilla, and police first secured the scene to allow paramedics to render aid to the victim. The investigation remains active “Now we’re trying to track [the suspect] down,” Kuruvilla said.

load.

“We heard about the possible loss of Ms. Smetana through rumor and speculation, whispers among parents and teachers in the hall after a concert,” she said. “We weren’t given the chance to respond or to prepare our kids for a cut in the music classes offered next year or possibly not having a choir at all.”

Assistant Principal Kylie Lindquist said no music classes are being cut next year and that three choir classes will be offered next year, just like this year, even if Smetana does not return. Loeb, who came to RBHS in 2020, one year before Smetana, will teach some choir classes next year

“Every music class that typically runs is running next year,” said Lindquist in an email to the Landmark. “And Matt Loeb, who will likely be picking up two classes of choir, has taught choir for nearly a decade at his previous school, so he is more experienced even than our current choir teacher, so the students will be in capable hands, just like

they have been with Kayley.”

If Smetana does not return to RBHS next year, the school will seek to hire a part-time music teacher to teach the class that Smetana would have taught.

RBHS will offer 11 music classes, including three choir classes, next year. A proposed new choir class, called Buddy Choir, proposed by Baum will not run because only five students signed up for it.

The number of students enrolling in music classes at RBHS had been dropping in recent years, falling from 501 students in the 2020-21 school year to 394 this year

For next year, only 336 students have registered for music classes, a drop of nearly 15% from the current school year Baum said that he hopes Smetana will return but wouldn’t blame her if she left RBHS.

“She’s a great teacher,” Baum said. “I totally hope she stays but I would also understand why she would leave Wouldn’t take it personally.”

PO LICE REPO RT S

Woman charged with identity theft in Riverside

Riverside police charged Tina M. DayChadwick, 54, of Palos Hills, with possession of a fraudulent ID and identity theft, both felonies, after she alle gedly tried to use a fake ID to gain information and possibly cash from an account holder at First American Bank, 15 Riverside Road, on May 10.

Day-Chadwick had left the bank before police arrived, but officers detained her in a nearby alley a short time later. According to the police re port, Day-Chadwick walked up to a teller at the bank at around 12:35 p.m. to ask about her account.

Day-Chadwick re portedly had an ID bearing the name of an actual depositor and her date of birth. She also knew the depositor’s Social Security number and bank account number.

The woman reportedly wanted to know how much money was in the account, but she could not answer any security questions.

The teller also told police that the bank had received an email alert about a similar incident the day before in south suburban Matteson, which included a photo of DayChadwick

Bank personnel called police and tried to

BREWERY

Extensive renovation

from page 1

Properties LLC purchased the building for $185,000 from a real estate trust connected to the owners of Panel Window Company Inc., which had operated at that address for decades.

The property is across the street from Imperial Oak Brewing, which opened its doors in 2021.

The manager of Koblish Properties is listed in Illinois Secretary of State records as James Koblish, of LaGrange Park. He’s also one of three managers of Bevmasters LLC, which operates under the name Hop District Community Brewers, a craft beer producer which opened a brewery and taproom room at 23 E. 31st St. in LaGrange Park in 2022.

stall for time, but Day-Chadwick left before they arrived. Police also re ported being able to access Day-Chadwick’s cellphone, where they found text message conversations between her and a man who provided her with personal and bank information of several people.

Vehicle stolen from golf club lot

North Riverside police responded to the Riverside Golf Club, 2520 Desplaines Ave., at about 5:20 p.m. on May 18 after someone called to report that someone had stolen his 2020 Range Rover, which had been parked in the lot in front of the clubhouse since about 12:30 p.m.

The victim told police the vehicle was parked near the clubhouse and had been left unlocked with the keys on the dashboard near the steering wheel. The car was detected by a license plate reader camera at 23rd Street and Home Avenue in Berwyn at about 3:30 p.m., according to police, and the car’s GPS later pinged to an address in Calumet City, but police there could not locate it.

Inside the vehicle, according to the police report, were two basketballs signed by Michael Jordan and four to five baseballs

Attempts to get more information on what’s planned for the Brookfield property from Hop District by phone and email were not successful.

Hop District celebrated its first anniversary at its location at the northwest corner of 31st Street and Meadowcrest Road on May 20. Earlier this month, the taproom started opening its doors on Mondays and now serves thirsty customers seven days a week both inside and on their new outdoor patio.

According to an article published by LaGrange Patch in 2022, Koblish had started distilling liquor in 2009 and by 2013 had begun brewing beer. When Koblish was furloughed from his job with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, he and his fiancée, Shayne Hansen, shifted gears.

The business is “an IPA and lager-focused craft brewery,” according to its website, but it also produces “sours, big imperial stouts and plenty of seasonal brews.” The business has food partnerships with Mattone

signed by the 2005 White Sox team that won the World Series.

DUI crash

A 31-year-old man from St. Peters, Missouri, faces drunken driving charges after his white Toyota rear-ended a 1948 Chevy while southbound on First Avenue near the BNSF train bridge in Riverside on May 7 at about 1:50 a.m.

No one was hurt, but both vehicles sustained damage. The driver of the Toyota reportedly told police that the Chevy was stopped on the roadway when he struck it, but the driver of the Chevy said his vehicle was traveling southbound when the Toyota hit it from behind

The driver of the Toyota appeared intoxicated, according to police, and admitted having been to a wedding and then had two drinks at a bar afterward. Police reported that a breath test revealed the man’s bloodalcohol content to be .148, which is nearly twice the le gal limit of .08.

In addition to driving under the influence, the driver was cited for failure to reduce speed to avoid a crash and having no proof of insurance.

Doing doughnuts at Costco

North Riverside police charged a 20-yearold Berwyn man with reckless driving and illegal screeching of tires after an officer on patrol observed him behind the wheel of an Infiniti kicking up a large cloud of smoke while doing doughnuts in the parking lot of Costco, 2500 Harlem Ave., on May 18 at about 9 p.m.

The car screeched its tires and exited, fishtailing, on to eastbound 26th Street and drove away at a high rate of speed, police said, before the officer was able to curb the vehicle at Clinton Avenue in Berwyn.

Police said the driver had been arrested twice previously for reckless driving in the past five months in both North Riverside and McCook.

These items were obtained from police reports filed by the Ri verside, North Ri verside and Brookfield police departments, May 7-21, and re present a portion of the incidents to which police responded. Unless otherwise indicated, anybody named in these re ports has only been charged with a crime. These cases have not been adjudicated.

— Compiled by Bob Uphues

Restaurant and Bar, which is just a short distance west, and El Pollo Food Truck, which is there on weekends.

Brookfield Village Planner Emily Egan said that it will take some months for Hop District to build out the space, which she characterized as a “complete gut and interior demo.”

Over the years, the for mer community hall had been broken up into smaller spaces, Egan said.

“I think they’re trying to get back to it being a big, open space,” Egan said of Hop District’s plans. The company has not yet submitted any architectural drawings for the interior renovation, she added.

Egan said it was her understanding that the Brookfield location primarily would be used for beer production, but that village officials are encouraging Hop District to include a small taproom.

“They are considering that,” said Egan, who added it could take six months or more

for the build out to be completed.

In the years immediately after it was built, the Congress Park Community Hall served a variety of purposes. In March 1925, the West Suburban Athletic Club brought an “All Star Athletic Carnival” to the building with Tony Rocco, “Italian middleweight champion wrestler” as the star attraction, along with a “professional exhibition of bag punching and Indian club swinging.”

In Nov. 1927, the hall was used as a polling place for an Elementary School District 102 building bond referendum.

By the mid-1970s, the building housed AAA Appliance and Furniture and most recently was home to Panel Window Company Inc., whose sign still hangs from the building’s façade

The window company was incorporated in 1959, but it appears to have moved to 9509 Ogden Ave. in 1979, according to Illinois Secretary of State records.

North Riverside to host UCP Seguin Stroll & Roll fundraiser

Event scheduled for June 11 in and around Commons Park

By BOB UPHUES Editor

North Riverside trustees voted unanimously last week to allow UCP Seguin of Greater Chicago to host its 2nd Annual Stroll & Roll fundraiser in Commons Park and on nearby side streets on Sunday, June 11.

Julie Lerch, chief development office for UCP Seguin, told elected officials at their meeting May 15 that the event involves participants walking one to three loops of a roughly one-mile course that will begin in Commons Park, located behind the Village Commons, 2401 Desplaines Ave.

Walkers will follow the bike path east to Hainsworth Avenue and then head south to 25th Street, where they’ll head west to Keystone Avenue and back north to the park

While the entire event itself, from setup to breakdown, is expected to last from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., the residential side streets would be used for just about 45 minutes of that time.

A majority of the individuals participating in the Stroll & Roll have mobility issues, Lerch said, and likely would be completing just one loop of the course

UCP Seguin, whose president and CEO is North Riverside Mayor Joseph Mengoni, is a Cicero-based nonprofit organization serving children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

The organization operates 90 group homes for adults with disabilities in the Chicago suburbs, including one on 7th Avenue in North Riverside. Those facilities stretch from Cicero to DuPage County . Lerch said the course would be well marked and that volunteers would usher participants safely along the way. Volunteers would also trail during the final loop to clean up any trash and remove signs marking the course. UCP Seguin will be providing participants with reusable water bottles, so there should be little in the way of trash in any case, Lerch said.

“We are hosting this event as a way to bring our individuals who we serve with disabilities and our families and the community together to get outside, to have some activity and raise a little bit of money,” said Lerch.

Last year’s inaugural Stroll & Roll was held in Wheaton.

“We were able to raise about $17,000 last year, which for us is wonderful, unrestricted dollars that we’re able to then put back into our homes and into the programs and services we provide for the individuals that we serve,” Lerch said.

Setup in Commons Park and along the course route will start at 7:30 a.m., with registration opening at 9 a.m. The Stroll & Roll starts at 10 a.m. Afterward there will be a post-stroll party with a light lunch in Commons Park. The rain date is June 25.

People wishing to participate can register at ucpseguin.org/get_involved/events/ stroll-roll.html. Fees are $25 per walker/roller or $100 for families of four or more. Kids under 4 are free

For more visit ucpseguin.org.

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Honoring the fallen, closing the loop

Family of Navy aviator from Riverside lost in WWII to receive Gold Star Citation

By BOB UPHUES Editor

On May 30, 1944, during a Memorial Day ceremony conducted in Guthrie Park, Riverside American Legion Post 488 Commander Frank Hanzelin presented Gold Star Citations to the families of seven men killed in action or while preparing to fight in Europe or the Pacific.

Not receiving a citation was the family of Lt. Richard Jicka, who was still officially listed as missing in action.

The 23-year-old U.S. Navy aviator from Riverside was last seen Nov. 6, 1943 when the PBY Catalina he was copiloting took of f on a reconnaissance mission from Henderson Field on Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands.

James and Rose Jicka, who lived at 403 Audubon Road, received word their son was missing four days later. He would be declared dead on Nov. 8, 1944.

The American Legion prepared a Gold Star Citation to be presented to Jicka’s family on Memorial Day the following year. Dated May 18, 1945, the citation was to be presented to the family as the Legion’s “emblem of devotion to the highest duty of citizenship.”

For whatever reason, the citation never made it into the hands of Jicka’s family.

That will change next week.

On May 29, two of Jicka’s nephews and his niece will be present at the annual Riverside Memorial Day ceremony to accept the Gold Star Citation that’s sat unclaimed for the past 79 years.

“I think it’s right to close the loop and finish the process with the town of Riverside,” said Charles Zitnik, the son of Jicka’s sister, Phyllis. Charles said his brother Richard, Jicka’s namesake, will accept the citation on behalf of the family.

For Riverside American Legion Post 488 Commander Joseph Topinka, presenting a World War II-era Gold Star Citation to a family is a special moment. It’s not clear when the Legion post ceased presenting the certificates to surviving family members, but in 2017 after pinka assumed command of the post, he was handed a box containing 14 unclaimed citations from World War II.

“No one was sure where the certificates were hiding for all these years,” pinka said. “I just made a long sigh at the time. Now, I am starting to smile.”

It’s been hard finding families to claim them. The connection with Jicka’s family was happenstance.

“Around seven years ago I was doing Ancestry.com and along the line [some-

one in Riverside] noticed me or I noticed them, and we connected,” Charles Zitnik said. “At the time they were interested in renewing the memorial and the plan was to restore everything and have a rededication ceremony.”

A large-scale overhaul of the memorial never panned out, but some improvements were carried out in 2019 and the post had planned on re-dedicating the memorial in fall 2020. The COVID-19 pandemic hit and put an end to those plans.

In the past year, Topinka and Zitnik were able to reconnect and set the wheels in motion for a citation presentation ceremony in 2023.

“Giving these certificates to the families of these Riverside fallen has been one of my big goals as Post 488 commander,” Topinka said. “We must always remember as a community our fallen, whether it be through these certificates, posting POW-MIA flags around the community or wearing poppies. These are all simple and humble acts to re present significant sacrifices for our country.”

Jicka graduated from Riverside-Brookfield High School in 1937 and attended the University of Illinois for three years before enlisting in the U.S. Navy prior to the country’s involvement in the war. He volunteered for flight training and won his wings in September 1942.

COURTESY OF CHARLES ZITNIK

Lt. Richard Jicka checks out one of the four .30-caliber machine guns with which his PBY Catalina aircra was equipped.

COURTESY OF CHARLES ZITNIK

Lt. Richard Jicka (right) posed for a portrait with his sister Phyllis (right) and mother, Rose, probably in 1942 a er being commissioned as an ensign and prior to his deploy ment to the Paci c eater.

The following January, he was sent to the Solomon Islands, where Guadalcanal was still being contested by the Japanese He was a crew member on a PBY Catalina, described by the National Museum of the U.S. Navy as “the principal patrol bomber utilized by the U.S. Navy.”

The amphibious planes, capable of taking of f from and landing on water, were used for numerous missions, including “anti-submarine warfare, bombing of enemy targets, escorting convoys, search and rescue missions, and transportation of cargo and personnel.”

According to “VP Navy: USN, USMC, USCG and NATS Patrol Aircraft Lost or Damaged During World War II” by Douglas E. Campbell, Jicka was part of the nine-man crew aboard a PBY-5A aircraft about 30 miles off the western coast of Bougainville, just days after U.S. Marine and Army units landed on that island, when it crashed in bad weather.

According to Campbell, Jicka’s squadron “was tasked with providing anti-subma-

rine coverage, search missions and air coverage at the beginning of the Bougainville campaign.”

Zitnik, who lives in Kentucky southwest of Cincinnati, said his grandfather refused to talk about his son’s death during the war, but Zitnik knew of his “Uncle Dick” as a small child through his mom, who was 10 years younger than her brother and was about 13 years old when Jicka was lost at sea.

“My mother had some of his belongings from his locker,” Zitnik said. “She gave me his pilot’s helmet. I was 6 or 7 years old, and she let me play with it.”

Richard was like “a third parent” to his sister Phyllis, said Zitnik, and his letters home show he was interested in making sure she was keeping up with her schooling and practicing the piano.

“He really took an interest in what she did,” Zitnik said.

While his grandfather might not have voiced his feelings, he made them very visible. A commercial artist by profession, James Jicka used photographs of Richard in his uniform as models for two pieces of art. One of them, a painting that now belongs to Richard Zitnik, “hung in my parents’ living room for 30 years.”

Zitnik’s parents died in 2012 and he inherited an archive of photos and documents of his uncle that had been kept by Phyllis. His interest in family genealo gy would eventually reconnect him with Riverside.

Asked why he thought the family never received the Gold Star Citation, Zitnik speculated that it simply might have been too difficult to bear. The family moved out of Riverside not long after Richard’s death, Zitnik said.

“It was just such a heartache they probably didn’t want to relive it and get that certificate,” he said.

There are Gold Star Citations for 13 fallen Riverside servicemen in the possession of the Riverside American Legion that have not been presented to surviving family members, including Pfc. George Bohaty, Lt. Mark W. Castle, Pfc. Burt L. Krue ger, Pfc. Donald C. Lundgren, S/Sgt. Marry P. Martini, A/C Robert H. MacFarlane, A/C Thomas McCue, Capt. Keith A. Orsinger, Lt. John Neal D. Smith, Cpl. Jack L. Thatcher, Lt. Graham Trevor, Lt. John T. Warner and S/Sgt. Merle F. Wolfe.

Riverside to host Memorial Day ceremony

Riverside American Legion Post 488 will host its annual Memorial Day ce emony on Monday, May 29 at 10 a.m. in the St. Paul VI Parish Hall at St. Mary School, 97 Herrick Road in Riverside.

In addition to the presentation of a Gold Star Citation to the family U.S. Navy Lt. Richard Jicka, who was killed while serving in the South Pa cific during World War II, the names of all 54 Riverside residents who died while serving overseas in the Armed Forces will be read aloud.

The Legion will also honor retired Command Sgt. Maj. Frank W. Gresik, a Riverside resident who served in the U.S. Ar my for 29 years, from 1987 to 2016. Gresik served on active duty through 1992 in South Korea and California before entering service in the Ar my Reserve.

In 2005, he was promoted to command sergeant major at the 17th Psychological Operations Battalion. In 2009-10, Gresik served overseas in Iraq and also for a time in Afghanistan with the 16th

Psychological Operations Task Force. He was part of a two-person command team that led the largest psychological operations task force that was deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan.

Among the decorations warded to Gresik were the Bronze Star, Ar my Achievement Medal with three oak leaf clusters, Meritorious Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster and the Ar my Superior Unit Award.

Among those participating in the ceremony are local veterans, representatives from Riverside churches, scouting organizations, schools, emergency personnel, Riverside American Legion Post 488 and its Sons of the American Legion auxiliary.

Legion Post 488 will also hold a Navy Wreath Ceremony at 1 p.m. on May 29 at the Gold Star Memorial in Guthrie Park, across Bloomingbank Road from the Riverside train station.

They’ll place a wreath into the Des Plaines River to honor those from Riverside who died while serving in foreign wars.

COURTESY OF CHARLES ZITNIK

In January 1943, Jicka was sent to the Solomons Islands and ew out of Henderson Field on Guadalcanal. Above, Jicka writes a letter from his quar ters in the South Paci c.

FRANK W GRESIK

“

Giv ing these certi cates to the families of these Riverside fallen has been one of my big goals.”

JOSEPH TOPINK A Commander,

Riverside American Legion Post 488

COURTESY OF CHARLES ZITNIK

Richard Jicka’s father painted this portrait of his late son from a photog raph, adding an image of his plane in the background.

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Opinion

THE L ANDMARK VIEW

KOSEY CORNER

Buckley named Riverside Person of the Year Jolt of energy

In another sign that Brookfield’s plan to “energize” Ogden Avenue is beginning to pay dividends, a pair of true destination businesses are on the radar at each end of the busy commercial strip.

Instead of paint stores and auto parts retailers, the latest two businesses are more along the lines of what village of ficials envisioned when they launched their Ogden Avenue Corridor Study during the midst of the pandemic in 2020.

On May 22, the village board voted unanimously for a special use permit that will bring an adult-use recreational cannabis dispensary to the southeast corner Ogden and Prairie – who’d have predicted that back in the day? – and in March a craft brewer purchased the property on Ogden Avenue west of DuBois and apparently plans on turning it into a production center.

With Imperial Oak Brewing, the village’s first-ever craft brewer, located across the street, the 9500 block of Ogden Avenue looks poised to become a destination for craft beer aficionados in the way the 9400 block has become a mecca for video g ame enthusiasts.

We hope that Hop District Community Brewing, which bought the old Cong ress Park Community Hall at 9509 Ogden Ave., does include a taproom in its new production facility

Their location on 31st Street in LaGrange Pa rk, which just celebrated its first anniversary, looks to be a success and recently made the move to open the taproom there seven days a week.

These are kinds of businesses Brookfield has long sought to change the public perception of Ogden Avenue as a relic of mid-20th century America, when it was lined with motels, car dealerships and auto repair shops.

About a year ago, the village board adopted its Energize Ogden plan, which provides a toolkit to encourage the kind of Ogden Avenue the village wants to create – down to preferred building types, proper ty and streetscape beautification, signage, taking the profusion of curb cuts, increasing pedestrian safety and more.

It’s going to take years and Ogden Avenue will never be a quaint downtown – its purpose is to move cars quickly along a state highway – but the interest shown in Ogden by a pair of destinations, sales-tax producing businesses shows that those from outside the village are noticing.

There are a number of properties ripe for redevelopment along Ogden Avenue. Here’s hoping these two examples will draw even more interest and keep that energy flowing.

‘His exceptional leadership and dedication to Riverside has undeniably made Riverside a better and safer place. We are incredibly fortunate to have him as our director of public safety.”

Those are the words used by Riverside Village President Joe Ballerine when describing Matt Buckley, and in recognition for all he has done and does, Buckley was named Riverside’s Person of the Year 2023.

The announcement was made by Mary Rob Clark at the May meeting of the Riverside village trustees. Clark was representing the Riverside Township Lions Club, which yearly sponsors the naming of the Person of the Year

Clark is a member of the Lions Club committee which reviewed nominations for the prestigious award. Buckley was one of many nominations received this year.

Matt is a familiar face to residents, having been raised in Riverside. He and his family are still residents of the village

Placing both the fire and police departments under the one director of public safety in 2021 was a big change for Riverside, but village officials believe Buck-

LETTERS

Riverside American Legion highlights Memorial Day

As we approach Memorial Day, I think all citizens of the United States need to remember its purpose, which is to remember those who died while serving in the U.S. military.

History.com has a great overview of the day’s significance at history.com/topics/holidays/memorial-day-history. Over the years, however, many have come to confuse Memorial Day with Veterans Day. The days are actually very different. I recommend history.com/topics/holi-

ley is up to the task and has proved to have met those challenges.

It is not unusual to see Buckley arrive at the scene first wherever there is a call, no matter how small or large the call may be. At local events he is visible with his bright red hair and broad smile

As Person of the Year, Buckley will be a guest of honor in the July 4 parade. Nor mally, the Person of the Year rides in a sports car, but this year Buckley will fittingly lead the parade in the fire department’s antique fire truck.

The accolades will continue at a dinner in the fall at the Riverside Golf Club. Arrangements have not been confirmed but an announcement will be coming soon. Tickets will then be available at Aunt Diana’s Fudge, Riverside Library and Riverside Bank. I’ll announce the details in this space.

Y

Upon being told he was named Person of the Year in a three-way call, Buckley’s silence was followed by the word “humbled.” Those that know Matt personally and privately are not surprised by his response, because that is Matt.

His capabilities have brought him where he is in his field. His capabilities as a person have made him the man he is and worthy of the title Person of the Year

days/history-of-veterans-day for a great overview of the significance of Veterans Day.

Both days provide an opportunity for us to reflect, learn, and, most of all, teach our fellow citizens about service and history.

Last year, American Legion Post 488 (veterans who wear the deep blue caps) and Sons of the American Legion Squadron 488 (sons and male relatives of those who have served in the military who wear light blue caps) focused on the annual Memorial Day event which always draws a great crowed.

Led and organized by Coach Thomas Sisulak (commander of the Squadron 488), the event is a source of pride for the village of Riverside and every member of the post and the squadron.

As the membership of Post 488 and Squadron 488 has expanded across state lines, the recording of the Memorial Day event by Riverside TV is now seen by old and

See LETTERS on pa ge 14

JOANNE KOSE

Charles T. Douglas, 88 Woodshop teacher

Charles Thomas “Tom” Douglas, 88, a beloved member of the Eugene, Oregon, community, died May 3, 2023, in Eugene

Tom was born on Sept. 7, 1934, in Brookfield. He married his first wife, Karen, in 1957, and together they shared a loving and devoted marriage until her passing in 2013.

Tom held a degree in teaching from Black Hills State University in South Dakota. He dedicated more than 30 years of his life to teaching with a passion for creativity and craftsmanship as a woodshop teacher for many years.

Tom’s faith was a cornerstone of his life. He was an active and valued member of Grace Community Fellowship church in Eugene,

LETTERS

continued from page 13

new members alike across the country.

In addition, Post 488 and Squadron 488, under the efforts of James Connolly of Brookfield (vice-commander of Squadron 488), began passing out traditional poppies at the Memorial Day event. Sadly, it was apparent that many did not understand the significance of poppies.

Furthermore, both units began to encourage more members to participate in the Hold Oral History Program managed by the Pritzker Miliary Museum and Library. Our annual advertisement in the Landmark 2022

OBITUARIES

where he served diligently and deepened his relationship with God.

Tom had a deep love for music. He passionately participated in the ascade Chorus of Eugene for an impressive 53 years, using his voice to uplift others.

He is survived by his son, Mihael Douglas; his wife, Nancy Shepherd-Douglas (married in 2014); his sister, Marian Schmidt; and extended family

In memory of Tom, donations can be made to the Cascade Chorus or Grace Community Fellowship. A reception celebrating his life will be held at Grace Community Fellowship, 989 Country Club Road, Eugene, Oregon, 97401 on June 9 from 5 to 7 p.m.

Answer Book focused on the need for our veterans to tell their stories to current and future generations

The previous year, 2021, we lost our former commander, Richard A. “Dick” Dolejs. Fortunately, for all of us, his oral history will live on with us and for future generations at pritzkermilitary.org/pmml-tv/holtoral-history-program/richard-dick-andrewdolejs-special-agent.

This year, Commander Sisulak is once again leading the effort to put on an incredible Memorial Day event. Everyone is grateful to him. During the event, a 1945 Gold Star Citation will be presented to the family of Lt. Richard Jicka who was killed in action during World War II.

Jean L. Folz, 93

North Riverside homemake r

Jean L. Folz (nee irst), 93, of North Riverside and for Riverside, died May 19, 2023 in LaGrang Folz was born in on June 7, 1929 and was a homemaker. She was the wife of the late Walter N. F mother of Gary (Genell) Folz, Cheryl (Dennis) Cook, Pamela “PJ” Folz, and Jeanine (Thomas) grammy of Katherine Folz, Dennis (Amy) Cook, Brian (Dianne) LaPointe, Andrew (Megan) Folz, Scott Michael Folz, Marijean Rapp and Eva Rapp; great grammy of Christopher Cook

In addition, Post 488 and Squadron #488 are sponsoring a different advertisement in The Landmark 2023 Answer Book, copies of which will be in the May 31 edition of the Landmark.

The advertisement will once again promote the Holt Oral History Program, but it will also promote an understanding of the history behind the poppy and the POW-MIA flag. Both are symbols of remembrance and highly appropriate on Memorial Day and every day of the year. Jim Connolly as well as Alex Gallegos (co-adjutant of Sons of American Legion Squadron 488) will be handing out poppies around the community and at the Memorial Day event.

As the weather has been brutal to the

and Katherine Cook; the sister of the late William F. Kurfirst Jr. and the late Darlene (late Richey; and the aunt of Louise (late Mitch) Stemm, Debbie (Mark) Blume and Richard (Michelle) Frey . Services have been held. Entombment at Queen of en Cemetery, Christ the King Garden Mausoleum, Hillside. ratko-Nosek Funeral Home, rside, handled arrange-

Condolences, memories and photos may be shared online at Kuratko-

United States flag at the Guthrie Park Gold Star Memorial, Post 488 and Squadron 488 have decided to use donations for poppies to purchase new United States flags for the village to fly over the memorial.

Both units have also decided to use poppy donations to replace unserviceable POWMIA flags used by the village of Riverside. Both units collectively voted over two years ago to ask the village of Riverside to fly the POW-MIA flag under the United States flag at the memorial year around as is common practice and/or required by law in other locations around the country.

Joseph Baar Topinka, commander American Legion Post 488 Ri verside

LTHS boys rebound for 3rd at water polo nals

Lions prevail over York to notch h straight top 3 state nish

By BILL STONE Contributing Reporter

Senior Sean Gripp and his Lyons Township High School boys water polo teammates came into the third-place match at the state tournament on May 20 with something still to prove.

While guaranteed another top-four trophy, the Lions were facing West Suburban Conference rival York for the fifth time this season with a 1-3 record.

“Definitely [motivated] with a conference rival like that,” Gripp said. “They did get us in conference, but we got them for state.”

The Lions prevailed 8-6 at Stevenson to earn their fifth straight top-three state finish in their eighth straight state finals appearance.

With a relatively young and inexperienced lineup for the Lions (22-11), just

returning to state seemed at times a challenge.

“With our 10 [regular-season] losses, that’s what we were working for the whole season,” Gripp said. “We had a hard schedule but we ended the season with a win, especially against a rival like York. It felt awesome to win that.”

LTHS reached the semifinals with a 10-7 quarterfinal win over Fremd on May 19 after trailing 7-6 entering the fourth period. In the next day’s semifinal, the Lions lost 9-6 to eventual champion New Trier, setting up the York rematch.

“For sure, there was some extra motivation knowing we lost to York in the conference championship game,” LTHS coach Doug Eichstaedt said. “We kind of went down early, 2-0 and 4-2, and then again our defense and [goalie Charlie Vlk] played great and we were kind of able to just keep chipping away. I’m just really proud of the way they kind of rallied at the end.”

Gripp and fellow senior Louis Grib each had three goals. Brendan Whelton, Sami Rabah had one goal and one assist and Luke Jackson assisted. Vlk made nine saves.

Gripp finished the season with 61 goals,

second on the team to Whelton’s 92.

“Normally I don’t take too many outside shots. This (York) game I felt another way, I guess, and I was hitting them,” Gripp said. “They were playing down on me. I had shots open or I’d give the ball to Louis in the set.”

The comeback win over Fremd further displayed the Lions’ resiliency. Gripp had three goals, Grib and Rabah had two and Jackson had two assists. Whelton had three goals against New Trier, which led

5-0 at halftime.

Gripp will continue playing water polo at the University of Toronto after being spotted by a coach during a camp. Gripp’s official visit last September was his first time in Canada.

“I was very proud to be a ‘pooligan.’ I feel like our team has a kind of interconnectedness more than a lot of other teams,” Gripp said. “We take it serious when we need to but it’s all about our friendships and everything like that.”

RBHS boys snatch rst-ever MSC volleyball title

Bulldogs a perfect 7-0 in conference play in 2023

By BILL STONE

Contributing Reporter

Senior setter Landon Harazin and his Riverside-Brookfield High School boys volleyball teammates usually play bigger than their size. The ef fort led to one of the pro-

gram’s greatest victories May 14.

The Bulldogs captured their first conference title ever with a 25-20, 27-25 victory at St. Francis in the winner-take-all showdown for the Metro Suburban Conference championship.

“We don’t have a [championship] banner in the main gym,” Harazin said. “That’s what I wanted. Now we can put our year up there. “

The Bulldogs (23-13) completed a perfect 7-0 run through MSC play with only three

sets needed to defeat Wheaton Academy

Seniors Iggy Bielobradek (7 kills, 4 digs, ace), Sebastian Ciszewski (4 kills, 6 blocks), Thomas Dixon (5 digs, 8 points, ace, 2 kills), Harazin (14 assists, 7 digs, 3 blocks, 6 service points), Ricardo Ulloa (7 digs, 5 points, ace) and Angel Her rera (2 kills, 3 blocks) and juniors Liam Reilley (11 digs) and Sam Shelven (4 kills, 3 blocks) paced the victory.

“We’ re proud to put up a banner for sure,” Bielobradek said. “We knew right

away [this season]. We showed up and said, ‘We know this is a good team. We’re going to give our best.’”

The Bulldogs be g an state tournament play May 22, beating Naperville North 2927, 25-22. They will have to beat St. Francis again on its home court in the St. Francis Re gional semifinals on May 23 after the Landmark print deadline.

The Bulldogs have won four regionals in program history, their last in 2017 in a 30-9 season.

STEVE JOHNSTON

LTHS senior Sean Gripp, of Brook eld, scored 3 goals against York in the third-place game at the IHSA state nals. He nished the season with 61 goals.

Sommerfeld sacri ces individual glory for relay

Lions 3,200 relay nishes an all-state 4th, with season-best time

By BILL STONE

Contributing Reporter

Lyons Township High School senior Catherine Sommerfeld had her final IHSA Class 3A girls track and field state meet seemingly planned out as best as possible.

With the school prom Thursday night and state prelims Friday, Sommerfeld opted to qualify for the 3,200-meter run and not double with the 1,600 as she did in 2022.

Something still was missing.

During sectionals, Sommerfeld realized she wanted to contribute for the first time to another potential top-nine, all-state finish by the 3,200 relay.

“I knew we had a lot of potential as a team and I wanted to be a part of it, help out,” Sommerfeld said.

Joining the lineup for Saturday’s finals, Sommerfeld teamed with junior Shannon Cranny, senior Charlotte Lange and junior anchor Kristina Findley for fourth in a season-best 9:18.38 at Easter n Illinois University.

“This is the best experience I could ask for,” said Sommerfeld, who will run at Vanderbilt. The Lions were all-state in the relay for the fourth time in the past five state meets. Cranny and Findley were part of last year’s lineup that

was an all-state eighth (9:32.05).

“I think last year helped me prepare for this year, feel more confident. It’s definitely really exciting that we did a lot better,” Cranny said.

During prelims, junior Madison Findley, Kristina’s twin sister, ran in place of Sommerfeld, who later competed Friday with the 1,600 relay.

Lange completed her breakthrough season with her first state meet, which also included 26th in the 1,600 (5:17.92).

“It’s just been so great to be able to finally contribute to the team and make some big strides,” Lange said.

In 2022, Sommerfeld was an all-state seventh in the 3,200 meters (school-record 10:35.21) and 1,600 finalist (12th, 5:11.58).

Even after her second leg in the 3,200 relay on May 20, she tried to run her 3,200-meter race in the heat just two events afterwards. Exhausted, Sommerfeld dropped out shortly past the halfway point, walking across the infield under her own power before being attended to by LTHS head coach Greg Frandsen.

“I just couldn’t,” Sommerfeld said. “I tried.”

Among the Lions’ other state qualifiers, senior Becky Phillips (400 in 59.35) was 17th; the 1,600 relay with Phillips, Madison Findley, Sommerfeld and Kristina Findley (4:05.91) was 18th; junior Julianne Melby (3,200 in 12:04.87) was 26th; the 800 relay of seniors Emma Kwak and Claire McVady, sophomore Jordyn Hoffenberg and senior Ella Ormsby (1:48.40) was 29th; and sophomore Leigh Ferrell (2.98 meters/9 feet, 9 inches in pole vault) was 31st.

RBHS soccer falls to Hinsdale Central in regional nal

Bulldogs can’t sustain momentum a er big semi nal victory

By BILL STONE

Contributing Reporter

Senior midfielder Nina Bretz took advantage of a great through ball to score her final goal for the Riverside-Brookfield High School girls soccer team on May 19.

“[RBHS coach Ivek Halic] had me play more defense for the first half. As soon as he told me I could play up again, I was like, ‘Let’s go,’” Bretz said. “It felt good and we

ended at least with one.”

By the time of Bretz’s goal with 2:53 left, the Bulldogs were in the closing moments of a 4-1 loss to Hinsdale Central in the IHSA Class 3A Re gional final at RBHS

The Bulldogs (16-7-1), seeded No. 6 in the Reavis Sectional, enjoyed one of their highest victory totals for a season. They hoped for their first regional title since 2016 and first in Class 3A after losing to the Red Devils on penalty kicks in last year’s regional semifinals

“We all really wanted this win. Especially losing to them by this much, at least take them to [penalty kicks] again,” Bretz said.

The improved No. 3 Red Devils (14-7-2), however, scored just 7:41 into the match off a

corner kick and opened a two-goal lead 4:33 before halftime

“The first two [goals] kind of deflated us,” RBHS assistant coach Kevin Gawne said. “We were a little nervous, on edge, trying to settle them down at halftime but give Hinsdale Central a lot of credit. We knew what we were up against.”

The Bulldogs came in with momentum from one their best games this season, a 2-1 regional semifinal victory over No. 9 Glenbard East. Bretz and sophomore Ella Caputo scored with assists from junior Hazel Hall.

The Bulldogs finished second in the Metro Suburban Conference Blue after being part of a three-way tie for the title in 2022. Like last year, they played their best at the end,

going 11-4-1 after a 5-3 start.

Another key stat Gawne left upon the 23 regular varsity players was that all of them contributed stats in terms of goals or assists.

“It’s tough for us to play 3A but we’ve just accepted it. We’re right there. Competing for conference championships is what we want, and we played an awesome game [against Glenbard East],” Gawne said.

The Bulldogs lose six seniors -- Bretz, defensive starters Jessica Sharenow, Sophie Swicionis and Lena Lembcke, goalie Piper Blair, forward Natalie Rubi and midfielder Monique Sandoval. Lembcke, a retur ning starter who will play at Augustana, has been out the past three weeks with a tendon injury in her foot.

Catherine Sommerfeld (le ) competes in the 3,200 relay at the IHSA state meet.

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COLLECTIVE IMPACT MANAGER

The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Collective Impact Manager in the Village Manager’s Office. Under the general direction of the Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Officer, the Collective Impact Manager will be responsible for building and assessing racial equity impact needs and developing a strategic plan to support those needs. This includes driving the initiatives focused on the Racial Equity Action Plan through community assessments, community engagement, data functions, and overall internal and external functions. Applicants are encouraged to apply online at ht tps:/ /secure.entertimeonline. com/ta/6141780.careers?ApplyToJob=537117711 or 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.

CASHIER

The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Cashier in the Finance Department. This position will perform all clerical tasks related to the cash receipt function. Collect, process, and deposit payments made to the Village received directly from customers, via mail, lockbox, or from other internal departments. Applicants are encouraged to visit the Village of Oak Park’s website at https://www.oakpark.us/your-government/human-resources-department. 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 May 23, 2023.

The Oak Park Residence Corporation (OPRC) is looking to hire talented and experienced individuals for the following positions. OPRC is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We provide competitive compensation and a generous benefits package.

MARKETPLACE

HOME SERVICES

JOB OPENINGS

SENIOR PROPERTY MANAGER, HOUSING PROGRAMS – Provides oversight in the management of three housing communities in Oak ParkMills Park Tower, The Oaks, and The Farrelly-Muriello Apartments.

ROSS PROGRAM SERVICE COORDINATOR (RPSC) – MILLS PARK TOWER – Develops and coordinates service programs that promote self-sufficiency and independent living for Mills Park Tower residents.

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT/ PROGRAM SUPPORT – MILLS PARK TOWER - Provides administrative and clerical support to Mills Park Tower Property Manager and Assistant Property Manager.

HCV PROGRAMS CASE MANAGER(S) – Provides case management to Oak Park Housing Authority Housing Choice Voucher participants.

PROPERTY MANAGER, MULTI-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL –Manages multiple market-rate buildings throughout Oak Park. In collaboration with leasing and maintenance teams, provides excellent customer services to residents.

For a complete job description for each of these positions and information about how to apply, please visit our website at https://oakparkrc.com/ about-us/work-for-oprc/ OR Send Cover letter and resume to bswaggerty@oakparkrc.com

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Video Producer, Editor sought by Teamfire Productions in Chicago, IL to wrk w prj ownrs & mngs all aspcts of prdctn job frm start to fnsh. Reqs BS in Film, Arts, or rltd field & frqnt dmstc trvl. Telcmtng frm Chicagoland area prmtd. Mst hv perm auth to wrk in US. Snd rsm & cvr lttr to 200 E Illinois St, Unit 2504, Chicago, IL 60611

PARKING ENFORCEMENT OFFICER FOREST PARK, IL

The Forest Park Police Department is seeking Part-Time Parking Enforcement Officer(s); Shifts to be filled are 8:00pm – Midnight or Midnight – 6:00am. The position is a rotating schedule assigned by the Supervisor – 4 days on and 4 days off which includes weekends and some holidays. Eligible candidates will be required to pass an aptitude test and an extensive background check. Qualifications include high school diploma (or equivalent), a valid driver’s license, knowledge of basic parking regulations, and good verbal and written skills.

Open until filled. Applications are available at Village Hall, 517 Desplaines Ave. or at www.forestpark. net and should be returned Attn: Vanessa Moritz, Village Clerk, Village of Forest Park, 517 Des Plaines Avenue, Forest Park, IL 60130. Email: vmoritz@forestpark.net

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PUBLIC NOTICES PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICE NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING

The Oak Park and River Forest High School District 200, located at 201 N. Scoville will conduct a Timely and Meaningful Consultation Meeting which will take place remotely via video/telephone conference on Wednesday, May 31, 2023 at 9:00am. The purpose of the meeting will be to discuss the district’s plans for providing special education services to students with disabilities who attend private/parochial schools and who are home schooled within the district for the 2023-24 school year. If you are the parent of a homeschooled student who has been or may be identified with a disability and you reside within the boundaries of Oak Park & River Forest High School District 200, you are urged to attend. If you would like to join the meeting, please contact Kiara Colas at kcolas@oprfhs.org or call (708) 434-3706 to request the Zoom Link information.

Published in Wednesday Journal May 17, 24, 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: YY23010544 on May 9, 2023

PUBLIC NOTICES PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICE OF COURT DATE FOR REQUEST FOR NAME CHANGE STATE OF ILLINOIS, CIRCUIT COURT COOK COUNTY.

Request of Nathan Christopher Gonzales Case Number 2023CONC000747

There will be a court date on my Request to change my name from: Nathan Christopher Gonzales to the new name of: Nathan Ace Pietri

The court date will be held: On 08/10/2023 at 9:30 a.m. via Zoom.

Published in Wednesday Journal May 17, 24, 31, 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: YY23010581 on May 17, 2023

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Under the Assumed Business Name of NOTHING MATTERS with the business located at: 3938 N CALIFORNIA AVE APT 1E, CHICAGO, IL 60618. The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/partner(s) is: CLAUDIA LICETH CRUZ 3938 N CALIFORNIA AVE APT 1E CHICAGO, IL 60618, USA

Published in Wednesday Journal May 17, 24, 31, 2023

Under the Assumed Business Name of ARCADIA FINANCIAL STRATEGIES with the business located at: 830-A NORTH BLVD, OAK PARK, IL 60301. The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/partner(s) is: DAVID WALZ 1518 ELGIN AVE. FOREST PARK, IL 60130.

Published

EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY

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

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

This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. All persons are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised are available on an equal opportunity basis.

Restrictions or prohibitions of pets do not apply to service animals.

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

GROWING COMMUNITY MEDIA

PUBLIC NOTICE Request for Bids

Priory Park Asphalt Path

Replacement Project

Bids for the River Forest Park District’s 2023 Priory Park Asphalt Path Replacement Project in River Forest, IL, shall be received until 2:00 PM local time, Friday, June 9, 2023, at which time they will be publicly opened.

Bid documents are available electronically at www.rfparks.com starting Friday May 19, 2023. This is a State of Illinois/Cook County Prevailing Wage Project, with a certified payroll to be turned into the Park District.

Published in Wednesday Journal May 24, 2023

PUBLIC 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:

FY 2024 Tree & Stump Removal

This project consists of the removal of designated parkway trees throughout the Village in addition to stump removal and area restoration.

The bidding documents are available for download starting Monday, May 22, 2023 at:

www.vrf.us/bids

Bids must be submitted by Friday, June 9, 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.

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 May 24, 2023

LEGAL NOTICE

The Village of Oak Park --Office of the Village Engineer, 201 South Boulevard, Oak Park, Illinois 60302-- will receive electronic proposals until 10:00 a.m. on Thursday June 15, 2023 for Project: 23-2, Resurfacing of Various Streets. Bids will be received and accepted, and bid results posted via the online electronic bid service listed below. In general, this contract includes removal and replacement of curb and gutter, sidewalks and sidewalk ramps, and driveways; combined sewer repairs; drainage structure adjustments; pavement patching; full depth pavement removal; earth excavation; cold-milling of bituminous concrete; installation of hot-mix asphalt base, binder and surface courses; installation of HMA speed humps at various locations; installation of RRFB systems; pavement markings; parkway restoration; and all appurtenant work thereto.

Plans and proposal forms may be obtained via the electronic

service starting on Thursday June 1, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. Plans and proposal forms can be found at https://www.oak-park.us/yourgovernment/budget-purchasing/ requests-proposals or at www. questcdn.com under login using QuestCDN number 8539392 for a non-refundable charge of $64.00. The Village of Oak Park reserves the right to issue plans and specifications only to those contractors deemed qualified. All prospective bidders must be pre-qualified in the HMA Paving category by the Illinois Department of Transportation. No bid documents will be issued after 4:00 p.m. on the working day preceding the date of bid opening.

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

THE VILLAGE OF OAK PARK

Bill McKenna Village Engineer

Published in Wednesday Journal, May 24, and May 31, 2023

Growing Green 2023

Nurturing Small Businesses to Thrive and Grow.

Amanda Daly Owner | The Daly Bagel

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Becoming Illinois’ rst ‘green dining hub’

A collaboration of three organizations, including Oak Park’s Takeout25

By STACEY SHERIDAN Senior Reporter

Local restaurants across the Greater West Side – city and near west suburbs -- have risen to the voluntary challenge of becoming Illinois’ first “green dining hub.” The program is supposed to roll out in earnest this summer, but so far, 12 restaurants and counting have committed to altering operations to become part of an environmentally sustainable restaurant eco-system.

One of those restaurants, the Daly Bagel, signed on to the initiative last October after hearing about it at a meeting of Takeout 25, an Oak Park-based nonprofit that supports local restaurants and other food establishments started by the sustainability-minded Oak Park village trustee, Ravi Parakkat.

Since then, Daly Bagel co-owners Adrienne Guldin and Amanda Daly attest the greening process has been smooth, interesting and relatively easy at the bakery, 130 Chicago Ave. This was a pleasant surprise for the two, who initially felt a little overwhelmed at the prospect of what going green could entail.

“We’re already so strapped for time,” said Daly. “I was like, ‘Oh my gosh, what are we getting ourselves into?’ but I have to say it has been so painless.”

This, according to Daly and Guldin, is in large part because of Cassie Carroll, founder of the Illinoi Green Business Association and program director of the Smart Energy Design Assistance Center at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. The two organizations teamed up to create the Illinois Green Business Program, which provides technical assistance and cost-saving energy efficiency opportunities to businesses

Carroll connected with Parakkat and Takeout 25 through staff at the Village of Oak Park Village staffers had reached out to Carroll initially as part of it Climate Ready Oak Park climate change plan to explore what a green business program might look like for the village From there, her collaboration with Parakkat was born, according to Carroll.

“We thought it would be a great opportunity to help restaurants, especially because they were some of

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A dozen sign up from page B3

the hardest hit during the pandemic, really connect to the energy and cost saving opportunities,” said Carroll. “But then bring sustainability practices to the broader community and ultimately provide greener dining experiences for those in the region.”

To do this, Carroll and her team assess the participating food businesses based on a set of standards, gauging their ener tion and waste and cycling methods, among other areas. Based on how the businesses measure up against the standards, Carroll dev plans for improvement, tailored to each businesses’ needs and limitations Essentially, Carroll the heavy lifting.

For the Daly Bagel, tha meant such suggestions as switching refrigerator to reduce yearly ener costs. Carroll, accordin to Guldin and Daly, provided a list of ommended refrigerator models at different price points and where to buy them.

“She’s doing the consumer reporting and the stuff that we would really like to be able to have the time to do,” said Guldin Carroll and her team understand the individual limitations of businesses and help to find workarounds to offset the environmental and financial impacts associated with certain fixed variables. This includes the massive oven used at the Daly Bagel, which was built in the 1930s for baking bagels

“Because of the nature of what we do, we

can’t change this oven,” said Daly. “This is an oven that is specifically built for what we do, and they haven’t changed the design in nearly 100 years.”

The experience has been so positive for Daly Bagel, the co-owners have been encouraging their peers to sign on to the initiative, which was changed from being a green dining district to a hub, representative of the several municipalities Takeout 25 works within. Food businesses generally want to employ more sustainable practices, according to Daly, but owners often don’t have the know-how or the resources to implement them.

“Our time and our mental energy are already spread so thin, the thought of taking on something, that on the surface appears to be a lot of work, can be a deterrent,” said Daly.

Carroll is something of a green fairy godmother, stepping in and solving problems for food businesses, then returning annually to make sure things still run smoothly. And to help assist the businesses in making these investments, Takeout 25 is putting $25,000 toward the effort if 25 businesses commit.

“It’s not just talk; we are putting our money where our mouth is,” said Parakkat, who is in the process of mobilizing financial sponsors.

And it’s not too late to get involved. Beyond taking active steps to address climate change, the intent is to get as many food businesses on board as possible to make the Greater West Side a dining destination, attracting customers throughout the greater metropolitan area. Carroll and Parakkat are excited to help make that a reality

“We look forward to helping more restaurants within the community really go green,” said Carroll.

JAVIER GOVEA

Amanda Daly show ing the oven used for baking bagels.

A snapshot of environmental burdens in Austin, West Side

Austin residents are dispropor tionately exposed to environmental pollution

By FRANCIA GARCIA HERNANDEZ Staff Reporter

In the city of Chicago, historic redlining, disinvestment and the effects of past and current zoning laws, have disproportionately exposed South and West Side residents to pollution. On the West Side, Austin residents live close to sources of pollution that may increase their risk of chronic disease. In 2020, the city’s department of public health found that air pollution disproportionately affects Austin, among other south and west side communities. Due to its proximity to major high-

ways and industrial corridors, there are higher levels of pollutants like particulate matter and ozone in the air.

As a result, Austin residents are at higher risk of health issues like lung irritation, respiratory problems, cardiovascular disease, asthma, cancer, and early death. The city estimates 5% of premature deaths in Chicago each year can be attributed to exposure to particulate matter

“The Austin area is an overburdened community,” said Michael Cailas, associate professor of environmental and occupation health sciences at the University of Illinois Chicago.

Cailas is part of a group of researchers from the university who study disparities in environmental pollution in Chicago. As part of the research titled “Proximity to environmental health hazards in Chicago,” in 2022 they published an interactive map where residents can easily visualize hazardous sources close to a specific location. Considering that children are a vulnerable population, Chicago Public Schools are identified on the map so residents can see what hazardous sources are near a school and how close they are.

MICHAEL C AILAS

Associate professor of environmental and occupation health sciences at

University of Illinois Chicago.

Lavergne Avenue, there are five industrial facilities that release toxic chemicals, including lead and lead compounds, and four brownfields. Lead is known to be a carcinogen, however more research is required to determine if the quantity released is sufficient to pose a health threat to students near facilities that release it Yet, it is known that industrial facilities often increase heavy traffic in the area, worsening air quality due to vehicle emissions. According to the city of Chicago’s 2020 report, diesel particulate matter is more prevalent

For example, in a mile radius of Spencer Technology Academy, located at 214 N.

See WEST SIDE on pa ge B8

North Austin Communit y Center was built on site of an abandoned paint factory.

“The Austin area is an overburdened community.”

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in areas with significant traffic and industry. Railyards also increase the presence of particulate matter in the air.

The Environmental Protection Agency requires certain industrial facilities that generate toxic chemicals to report how much of each chemical they manage or release to the air, water or land. According to the federal environmental agency, toxic chemicals are those that cause cancer, chronic health effects, severe immediate health effects and adverse damage to the environment. The information is compiled in the Toxic Release Inventory, which was used to include industrial facilities that release toxic chemicals in the interactive map.

Brownfields are commercial, industrial or abandoned properties with actual or perceived contamination that have potential to be redeveloped. However, the potential presence of one or several contaminants on these properties usually means brownfields remain abandoned as cleanup

tends to be expensive and complex.

The recently inaugurated North Austin Community Center is located on the site of the for mer Glidden paint factory,

a brownfield. The presence of xylene and other toxic substances almost doubled the cleanup costs and delayed the construction process of the new education and sports

facility, said Andraya Yousfi. Yousfi is the manager of partnerships and development at By The Hand Club, one of the organizations which purchased and redeveloped the site that had been abandoned for 40 years. The benefits to the community outweigh the lengthy and costly cleanup, she said. In years past, residents and environmental justice organizers in areas like Little Village and McKinley Park have opposed known polluting companies like metal shredders and asphalt mixing plants from operating in their neighborhoods for environmental and health concerns.

Austin residents can utilize data to urge local government and policymakers to evaluate environmental and health data when making development decisions. Last year, the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development ruled the city violated residents’ civil rights by deliberately placing heavy industry facilities in industrial corridors largely concentrated in the city’s predominantly Black and Latino neighborhoods. The ruling came after a two-year long investigation started after three environmental groups on the Southeast side of Chicago filed a complaint to prevent a metal-scrapping facility from opening in the area.

FRANCIA GARCIA HERNANDEZ

Parks like LaFollette Park, 1333 N. Laramie Ave., are in proximity to indust rial facilities that release regulated chemicals.

From soap bottles to plastic benches, Austin artists grow jobs

Project employs locals, teaches skills that can translate into jobs

By IGOR STUDENKOV Staff Reporter

It all started with a chance meeting.

The Happy Returns art studio and Alt_Chicago (pronounced “Alt Space Chicago), a nonprofit that seeks to improve communities like Austin through art, both operate out of the basement of an Austin loft studio building at 5339 W. Lake St. One day, around two years ago, Happy Returns co-directors Tom Burtonwood and Cody Norman ran into alt_chicago co-founder Jon Veal in a hallway. They talked about their mutual interest in creating something that supports the community around them, combats harmful narratives and improves environmental sustainability.

That conversation led to the creation of Redemptive Plastics. The project hired a mix of West Side residents and people from elsewhere in the city to melt down used laundry detergent containers, forge them into plastic “beams” and use those beams to make benches. Their goal is relatively modest to build three benches in public locations around the Central/Lake Line el station – with the benches scheduled to be installed and un in early June. But in the long run, the project hopes to continue making more benches, training more local residents as they go.

Norman and Burtonwood decided to launch Happy Returns in 2020, and they decided to mo to that building because Burtonwood was alread familiar with it – he had a studio there in 20162017. By that point, Norman and his wife moved

to Oak Park, near Austin Boulevard, and he appreciated having a studio he could easily bike to.

Veal was an Austin native, and fellow Alt_Chicago cofounder Jordan Campbell worked as a substitute teacher at Austin College and Career Academy high school, 231 N. Pine Ave. Veal previously told this newspaper that they wanted to “reframe the narrative, the narrative of disinvestment, the narrave of negativity” on the est and South sides, as ell as to inspire people to take control of their destiny by “taking ownership our community.”

Norman recalled that one of the things they talkabout in the hallway was the lingering impact plastic waste, which oesn’t break down easily. hey kept talking about it “since probably 2021” and developed the idea by early 2022. A $65,000 grant from the Illinois Science and Energy Innovation Foundation’s E(art)H Chicago program helped

to kickstart the project in July of that year.

Alt_Chicago CEO Curry Greene said their goal was threefold – to reduce plastic waste, provide employment opportunities for local residents and address a major symptom of disinvestment in communities like Austin.

“One of the signs of disinvestment in the community is trash [on the ground],” she said, adding that “it isn’t that the community itself is dirty” – it’s that there are fewer garbage cans on the streets people can throw trash into Greene said they originally thought they would have to pick up laundry containers of f the street – but it turned out that laundromats welcomed someone taking the used containers off their hands. After all, she said, hauling waste costs them money

“Now, we’re inundated with plastics every week,” she said. Workers cut them apart and thoroughly clean them of any detergent residue. The large pieces are then sliced into tiny pieces, and those pieces are mixed together, melted down and poured into a mold that creates board-like plastic beams. They then use those beams to make benches. Happy Retur ns and Alt_Chicago spaces are close to each other, and work is spread across both.

“It’s a true collaboration,” Norman said. “The only thing that’s separating us is a hallway.”

For the first cohort, they hired 10 people. About two-thirds of them came from either Austin or another West Side neighborhood. Greene said they used their networks to try to get the word out.

Alt_Chicago CEO Curry Greene (le ) and Cody Norman.

IGOR STUDENKOV

Cody Norman shows a beam being made out of melted-down laundry detergent containers.

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BENCHES

Recycled plastic

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“It was really important to Jon that we offer jobs to people who live in the community,” she said. “We really need jobs here, so it was really important to him and for all of us to offer jobs. We [recruited] heavily in the Austin community, we had a workshop back in October, just inviting people to see the process and sign up as part of the cohort.”

Norman said they train the members of the group. While the first cohort will only work through the end of spring, the hope is that the skills and experience will help them find jobs elsewhere, or work on their own art projects.

Greene said they wouldn’t start the search for a new cohort until later this summer, but anyone interested can apply by filling out the volunteer interest form on the project website and noting they want to be hired in the message field

The benches will be installed at the Aus-

tin branch library, 5615 W. Race Ave., Harambee Community Garden, 5701 W. Midway Park, and a privately owned vacant lot at 327 N. Waller Ave. Redemptive Plastics will hold a grand opening event.

From there, Redemptive Plastics plans to continue making benches, and they are considering other uses for the beams, such as fences and even school rulers. They have even been toying with the idea of making a whole playground out of recycled plastic.

As the interview concluded, Green and Norman made a point to mention someone who wouldn’t be there for the festivities. Veal passed away suddenly on Dec. 21, 2022.

“He was a huge part in the [project’s conception], coming up with the name, Redemptive Plastics, and the vision of the project,” Greene said. “It was a huge loss for us, and we’re committed to continue this vision and staying true to his values.”

Those values, Norman said, are “thinking about the community, and sustainability in the community” and making sure that the community has meaningful input on anything they do.

“We just want to make sure that the West Side gets the oppor tunities,” he added.

IGOR STUDENKOV

Alt_Chicago Joseph Campbell, Tom Burtonwood and Cody Norman

“We just want to make sure that the West Side gets the opportunities.”

CO DY NORMAN Austin artist

How Manolo Avalos’ trip to Egypt brought climate change home

OPRF student joined UN climate conference and keeps focus on local level

By AMARIS E. RODRIGUEZ Staff Reporter

While getting to travel halfway across the world to attend one of the largest conferences on climate change, a local student says it is the changes that we make on a local level that can make a difference.

Manolo Avalos, 17, attended the 2022 United Nations Climate Change Conference COP27 held in November 2022 in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt. He made that trip along with other students from the Chicagoland area who participated in the Seven Generations Ahead youth-driven project, It’s Our Future.

The junior at Oak Park and River Forest High School said he was dedicated to addressing issues surrounding climate change that his generation has inherited, saying that the consequences of passiveness will be grave.

“We are going to be dealing with it,” Avalos said. “Sorry to be blunt towards the old generations but they have frankly done nothing or a poor job. We will see cities, villages, wiped out because of sea levels rising, flooding, and that is just one of the reasons why we should care and act and educate ourselves. That is a barrier with some people, especially with topics such as recycling and composting, education is key.”

For Avalos the interest in environmental issues began in his seventh-grade science class at Roosevelt Middle School, 7560 Oak Ave., River Forest, where his science teacher raised trout in class to release into the wild.

“That really got me interested,” Avalos said. “Just watching it during class, when we weren’ t taking care of it, he had us put in a lot of work but it was for a good purpose, releasing it afterwards.”

At OPRF, Avalos got involved in the OPRF Sustainability Committee, which helped create the high school’s ambitious sustainability plan, which is currently being implemented. Avalos also got involved in the environmental club at OPRF

Cindy Wong, OPRF Environmental Club

Sponsor, said Avalos, is the president of the environmental club.

“He is the type of kid that just goes for it, he is not afraid of the red tape or people possibly saying no, if there is something on his mind that he feels is an issue, he goes for it,” Wong said. “Rarely do I see

kids who have that sort of initiative.”

That initiative to be active in finding solutions to the climate crisis has long been with Avalos, who not only participated in clean ups but also joined It’s Our Future when he was in the eighth grade. The program was developed by Seven Generations Ahead with the help of local community partners as well as Al Gore’s Climate Reality Project, Chicago Climate Youth Coalition, Sunrise Chicago, and The River Forest Sustainability Commission among others.

It was through It’s Out Future that Avalos attended the biggest climate change conference, COP 27.

Gary Cuneen, founder of Seven Generations Ahead, said the program received support from the Oak Park River Forest Community Foundation along with the Lumpkin Foundation to help send participating students to the conference after receiving approval from the United Nations to be an official observer of the conference.

Cuneen said a major goal of the program is to send Chicagoland youth who might not otherwise have exposure to the conversations surrounding climate change.

“Now we are expanding to new communities, to make sure that youth of color and some low to moderate income youth have the opportunity to participate in the COP experience as well as other students,” Cuneen said. “This project gives us the opportunity to expose high school students to the largest conference in the world that is attempting to deal with the climate crisis.

It is a life changing experience; all the students say it.”

With over 200 countries participating in the conference, students were able to hear important dialogue and learn more on how certain actions from more affluent countries are impacting others across the globe.

“A big part [of this year] was loss and damage, where they talked about how a lot of rich countries, like the United States, are causing the damage but we are not paying it forward to more lower-income countries that don’t have the resources to combat that issue,” Avalos said.

Being able to go to Egypt was a phenomenal experience, said Avalos, adding every

DAVID SAT TLER

Manolo Avalos

day they were exposed to different panels as well as sessions by key leaders in the world of climate change advocacy, including John Kerry, U.S Special Presidential Envoy for Climate, who gave the closing statement at COP27.

Avalos said a highlight of the conference was speaking with Dr. Katharine Hayhoy, a climate scientist and professor at Texas Tech University, who said something that will stick with him forever.

“She said we have to connect our hearts to our hands,” Avalos said. “I think a lot of people in Oak Park and River Forest, and I would argue across the country, we know what is happening, we are feeling the impacts, or hearing it on the news…the hands part, that comes in by educating and taking small steps to make a difference.”

While learning and coming face-to-face with issues surrounding climate change can be overwhelming for many, including himself, Avalos said the best way to combat the information anxiety is to take action.

“I need to get my hands dirty and start acting,” Avalos said.

These opportunities give students a chance to see issues from outside the perspective of Oak Park, said Wong.

“The number one thing is perspective. We, here in Oak Park and River Forest, I

Growing Green 2023

think that we are a little bit cuddled. We have leaders here, at the school level, at the village level that are very environmentally focused,” Wong said. “But when you look outside globally, that level of support is not there…so for them to go to a conference with such a global perspective, they get to see [that].”

Being able to expose students to the conversations happening around the world re garding the climate crisis opens up their minds to how they can help on a local level, said Cuneen.

“It gives them an opportunity to see what other people are doing, to learn from other leaders and hopefully [it] gives them a leg up moving forward on developing their interest, and potentially professional interest, in relationship to sustainability and climate and equity,” Cuneen said. “As you know, climate and equity go hand-inhand.”

Avalos said he has walked away with a stronger passion for change at a local level, saying it is often more doable and reachable, and important.

“Local actions are easier to convince mayors, like in Oak Park and River Forest, and others, than working on the federal level,” Avalos said. “While there are big federal groups that are lobbying, that is really hard.”

DAVID SAT TLER

OPRF student Manolo Avalos (center) talking to Al Gore while attending the COP27 event.

“I need to get my hands dir ty and start acting.”

M ANOLO AVALOS OPRF student

Talking trash: composting in Proviso

Grant funds food waste alternatives in three school districts

By AMARIS E. RODRIGUEZ Staff Reporter

Looking to create a more sustainable and climate conscious community, three Proviso communities, Bellwood, Maywood, and the Lindop school district, are working alongside Seven Generations Ahead, to make composting a part of daily life.

Seven Generations Ahead SGA, dedicated to building healthy and sustainable communities, co-developed The Cross Community Climate Collaborative C4 with the Urban Efficiency Group and the mayors of River Forest, Oak Park, and Broadview to help bring together minority and non-minority communities to achieve greenhouse gas emissions reductions and other equity and sustainability goals. Currently, C4 helps support 14 disinvested and under resourced communities in the state of Illinois.

ready implemented composting to see what they would be able to make work at D92.

Additionally, D92 would like to figure out a plan to be able to redirect food that is still able to be consumed and give back to community members who might be experiencing food insecurity.

“It was very enlightening to hear that some schools were already doing this and they have ways to make the food available to people who might not have it,” Jackson said.

In response to the element of composing, Jackson said it will be a learning tool for the community, so its inception beginning in schools where students will be able to directly learn about the benefits makes sense

JANIECE JACKSON

As part of their work, the collaborative submitted a project for a USDA grant via their composting and waste reduction grant program, which provides funding for municipal programs serving residents as well as programs serving K-12 schools. Fo the grant, SGA will be workin with Broadview, Bellwood, and Maywood to help implement food scrap collection residential program as well as provide community education on recyclin and composting, which will be showcased through their SGA’ Zero Waste Schools program.

The two-year $300,000 grant was awarded in February 2023.

“I think Proviso Township is really taking the lead on that and to partner with the school districts is the way to go,” Jackson said. “We are educating our students and we need to be on the forefront of that but also making sure their health is good and the environment is good and how important it is for us to stay on top of that.”

GARY CUNEEN

According to Gary Cuneen, SGA’s director, the program will help organize zero waste teams in schools for Bellwood School District 88, Maywood District 89, and Lindop School District 92. They will be working with faculty, school administrators, custodial and food service staf f along with students to eliminate waste sources, increase recycling, and divert food scraps from the landfill by collecting them and taking them to a composting site.

Dr. Janiece Jackson, superintendent of Lindop School District 92, said the district was looking into different ways to be able to address different food issues they have seen, including food waste. Jackson said the district is currently focusing on touring other school districts which have al-

“We will be working with their municipal governments to analyze their hauling contracts to support provisions that build in food scrap diversion and collection and to design educational components to the programs so that residents are educated on

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COMPOSTING Proviso project

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what can be composed and what can’t be,” said Cuneen.

Broadview Mayor Katrina Thompson said targeting composting “just made sense” when talking about environmental issues

“We wanted to make sure that we can have residential value of organic waste that is captured,” Thompson said, adding that composting falls under their resource and regeneration goals to achieve sustainability. “When you talk about partnerships and collaborations it makes sense for our municipalities to partner with our school districts and the nonprofit sector to roll out these initiatives so that we can become wholesome in the types of works we participate in.”

The importance of these partnerships is crucial, especially fo r Black and Brown communities which have historically seen a disparity in the resources allocated to them.

munities, especially in the Black and Brown communities, then we have to take an active role in the change and in the process,” said Jackson.

The program is still in the very early stages of implementation, as Cuneen said they are currently looking at hauling contacts before they begin the second step, which would be setting up a collection bin system within the schools

Cuneen said participants are also working towards building a regular meeting schedule with those who will be involved in the implementation of the programs at the schools.

“We are also in a data gathering phase right now,” said Cuneen. “We want to know what they are currently doing with recycling and eventually we will be doing waste audits that will look at what the waste sources are and how they can be eliminated.”

Bringing these programs to the Proviso Township community is seeing a larger worldwide issue and breaking it down to work that can be addressed at a community level. By working to remove food scraps from entering landfills, Cuneen said it lowers the production of methane gasses which contributes to green-

Oak Park Regional Housing Center supports sustainable living!

Whether you are a homeowner or a renter, you can take steps for a more sustainable, energy efficient, and cost effective home!

Composting: Compost your food scraps! Oak Parkers can sign up for curbside composting if they live in a single-family home or up to a five-flat building. Renters can also bring scraps to one of four locations. Visit bit.ly/VOPCompost to learn more.

Weatherization: Homeowners and renters can reduce energy waste and costs by increasing the energy efficiency of their homes. Proper insulation, LED lights, and weatherproofing are simple ways to improve energy efficiency. For home efficiency resources, visit Oak Park Climate Action Network's resource guide at bit.ly/electrify-your-oak-park-home.

Solar Energy: Homeowners and renters can switch to clean energy. Illinois Solar for All and Community Solar programs offer options to fit a variety of housing situations. Visit Citizens Utility Board's community solar resource guide at https://bit.ly/cub-community-solar. Learn about Illinois Solar for All at www.illinoissfa.com.

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“It impacts the Black and Brown

In tackling climate change, investors also have a voice

Financial experts explain how sustainable investing works

By FRANCIA GARCIA HERNANDEZ Staff Reporter

With the urgent need to tackle climate change, more attention is paid to the impacts of companies on the environment and the communities they operate. A 2023 report published by the Intergove mental Panel on Climate Change -- the United Nations scientific arm on climate change -- notes that greenhouse gas emissions need to be cu by almost half by 2030. This reduction needs to happen in all sectors so global temperatures in crease no more than 1.5 degrees Celsius w compared to pre-industrial levels, a goal that quires private and public entities to make chang es in their operations and investments

For everyday people, ESG investing, also referred to as sustainable or socially responsible investing, provides an avenue to invest their money in companies that make better environmental and social decisions. This often includes taking steps to reduce their carbon emis-

sions. In the last decade, and particularly, in the past four years, more people have become interested in these investments

“When I started working with sustainable in ing in the 1990s, the way that people did sociall responsible investing was using gative screens to avoid owning the types of companies that they didn’t want to own in their inv ment portfolio,” said William M. illy, senior vice president and senior financial advisor at Mer rill Lynch Wealth Management.

“Now through technologica vancements and better re ing, what’s more common is onsidered ESG investing, that not only avoids the types of companies that people don’t want to own, but actually identifies companies that are making good decisions in those areas.”

While the terms sustainable investing and ESG investing are often used interchangeably, investment firm Edward

Jones differentiates between the two. Sustainable investing is an all-encompassing term for financial investments that take into consideration people’s values. Within this umbrella are investors who exclude specific types ompanies they consider “negative actors” from their investment portfolios, for example, ossil fuel companies or gun manufacturing ompanies, commonly referred to as valuesased investing.

ESG investing, as its acronym denotes, coniders a company’s environmental, social and r nance performance. This information is monitored and self-reported by companies.

“What ESG investing typically does is incenompanies to make good decisions,” Reilly added that because companies have to repo rmation like their environmental risks, carbon footprint, the way they treat their employees and the diversity of their board, they tend to make more responsible decisions

This information is paired with traditional financial measures so investment managers can evaluate the company’s

WILLIAM M. REILLY

risks and opportunities and align them to their clients’ financial goals

“We rely on them to provide data through their annual reports, but a good active manager in that space is going to do their own research and assign their own risk factors to certain companies,” said Joe

O’Krepky, financial advisor at Edward Jones

This additional layer of active management is important as the demand for ESG investing has increased and continues to increase. Bloomberg projects that by 2025, global ESG assets will exceed $53 trillion. Knowledgeable financial advisors are key, as companies can provide misleading information suggesting they are more environmentally responsible than they really are, a ter m known as greenwashing

Financial research shows that ESG investments offer benefits to investors, such as diversifying their portfolio and reducing risks. “If you invest in companies who have good scores in environmental, social and corporate gover nance metrics, those compa-

nies tend to have higher earnings, they tend to have higher dividend yields, their stock tends to perform better on a 12-month basis [and] they’re less likely to go bankrupt,” Reilly said.

ESG investing also provides a mechanism for people to encourage comanies to have a better performance.

“To me, ESG is always about being an active investor and having a voice in that boardroom,”

O’Krepky said, adding qualified and committed financial advisors are key to help investors have a voice in the companies they own.

“And if the company that you’re investing with isn’t carrying your voice to them, then they’re not the right manager for you.”

“Shareholder activism is when owners of companies, owners of stocks, owners of mutual funds take action to address the company and make them act better,” Reilly said. “So, we help our client be good shareholders and help the companies that they invest in make better decisions and become better.”

Our Community Needs Community Journalism

JOE O’KREPKY