Landmark 061224

One of the two Mexican wolf pups at Brook eld Zoo Chicago is starting to explore its env ironment. Seven of its siblings are being fostered by w ild wolf packs in New Mexico.

Dana Rettke will make her Olympic debut as a middle blocker for the U.S.

By TRENT BROWN Staff Reporter

A Riverside native is making waves in the world of international sports.

Dana Rettke, who grew up in Riverside and graduated from Riverside Brookfield High School in 2017, is set to play in the 2024 Olympic Games.

USA Volleyball, the national governing body for volleyball, announced Rettke as one of 12 players who will compete at the Paris Summer Games later this year on the United States Women’s National Team. She and her 11 teammates were selected from 25 players who form the team’s “core group,” the See OLYMPICS on page 6

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American Heart Association works with local churches to implement Cardiac Emergency Response Plans

By Elizabeth Short

Every year, 436,000 Americans die from cardiac arrest. The first 10 minutes after a cardiac arrest are key. Performing CPR can double or triple an individual’s chances of survival, yet only 40% of individuals who experience cardiac arrest outside of a hospital receive the help they need.

This year, the American Heart Association (AHA) of Chicago received a grant from the Westlake Health Foundation to implement its Cardiac Emergency Response Plan (CERP) in the Proviso Township area. The association is working directly with three local faith-based organizations: the Second Baptist Church in Maywood, the Quinn Center of St. Eulalia, and Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Oak Park. Seventy percent of cardiac arrests occur outside of the hospital. Ninety percent of these emergencies become

Good Shepherd joins two Maywood churches in training

fatal. In these cases, bystander CPR is crucial for survival.

“That’s why it’s so critical for those in our families, those in our communities, to know what to do,” said Jocelyn Vega, director of community impact at the American Heart Association. “I personally think everyone should be able to survive a cardiac arrest. The power is in our hands with CPR.”

The CERP goes beyond basic CPR and Automated External Defibrillator (AED) training and allows a community to develop a specific, detailed, and unique emergency response plan of action in the case of cardiac arrest. According to the American Heart Association, a CERP can increase sudden cardiac arrest survival rates by 50% or more.

Vega works to build partnerships with communities, create a team and an emergency response plan, and run drills

to prepare organizations for potential emergencies. “We’re having these really big, what is usually a very emotional situation, broken down as a team very proactively,” said Vega.

Similar to a fire drill or active shooter plan, CERPs take an organizational approach to cardiac arrest. “As organizations, as places of faith, we have the power, we have the people, and we can take this opportunity of taking a stance and really educating our community in this skill,” said Vega.

Vega works with organizations to ensure that the community is fully prepared not only to effectively respond to cardiac emergencies, but also to process and heal after potential trauma. Community members consider different scenarios and create specific emergency response plans. As cardiac arrest becomes fatal in just 10 minutes,

it is critical to have an emergency plan in place. “We don’t want to wait to experience the loss of someone dying at our center or at our church to be like, ‘Oh wow, these are things we should have done,’” she said.

If you witness somebody go into cardiac arrest, call 9-1-1 and begin giving chest compressions. You do not have to be certified to give CPR. Administer an AED if it is available. Learn more by visiting the American Heart Association website or by attending a training.

The American Heart Association of Chicago hopes to work with more organizations to create Cardiac Emergency Response Plans. If you are interested in working with Vega, email her at Jocelyn.Vega@heart.org.

Endangered Mexican wolf pups are born at Brookfield Zoo Chicago

Seven of the nine newbor ns are being fostered by wild wolf packs

By TRENT BROWN Staff Reporter

Brookfield Zoo Chicago’s newest litter of wolves is helping endangered populations in the wild.

T he zoo announced May 31 that nine Mexican wolf pups we re bo rn April 27. While two of the pups will remain at the zoo with their parents, seven of the pups have b een living in two wild Mexica n wolf d ens in New Mexico since the firs t week of May.

At just 10 days old, the seven pups, six male and one female, were flown out as part of the Mexican Wolf Recovery Pro-

A Mexican wolf pup born at Brook eld Zoo Chicago on April 27 is weighed as part of its physical exam. e pup and six of its siblings were recently ow n to New Mexico and placed with wild Mexican wolf packs as part of the Mexican Wolf Recovery Program, which aims to bolster the subspecies’ wild population through fostering.

Me mb ers of the Me xica n Wo lf Inte ra genc y Field Te am give one fi nal health check to the wi l d-bor n an d zoo-bor n pu ps befo re they are mi xed together an d placed in to the wi ld den.

ico, Arizona and New Mexico through fostering, as the subspecies has been considered endangered since 1976. Zooborn pups that are successfully fostered increase the genetic diversity of the wild Mexican wolf population.

Once the wolf pups arrived in New Mexico, members of the Mexican Wolf Interagency Field Team masked their scents and covered them in the scent of wild pups in the dens, ensuring all of the pups smelled the same so the wolf mothers wouldn’t be able to tell them apar t. Then, after a final health check, they monitored the dens to make sure each wolf mother returned and accepted the captive-born pups as her own.

The two pups that are staying at the zoo, both female, are still in a den with their mother, 5-year-old Vivilette, but guests will start to see them in their habitat over the coming weeks. The pups will live in the habitat with their mother and father, 11-year-old Amigo, as well as their older brother Ahote, who was born last year.

Brookfield Zoo Chicago participates in the Mexican Wolf Recovery Progr am as a member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Saving Animals From Extinction Mexican Wolf progr am. T he zoo has participated in SAFE since 2003 and has supported the successful fostering and cross-fostering of Mexican wolves, including pups from a wild pack being raised at the zoo and an adult wolf from the zoo raising its own litter after being released to the wild

“With the help of our amazing SAFE partners, including Brookfield Zoo Chicago, we fostered a record number of Mexican wolf pups into the wild this year,” said Maggie Dwire, the Mexican Wolf Recovery Program deputy coordinator for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, in the news release. “Fostering is a truly remarkable conservation achievement, demonstrating what can be accomplished when partners come together under a unified goal to recover endangered wildlife.”

Staff Reporters Trent Brown, Amaris E. Rodrigue z Digital Manager Stacy Coleman

Digital Media Coordinator Brooke Duncan

Design/Production Manager Andrew Mead

Editorial Design Manager Javier Govea

Designers Susan McKelvey, Vanessa Garza Sales and Marketing Representatives

Lourdes Nicholls, Ben Stumpe

Business & Development Manager Mary Ellen Nelligan

Circulation Manager Jill Wagner EMAIL jill@oakpark.com

Publisher Dan Haley Special Projec ts Manager Susan Walker

OF

TORS

Judy Gre n

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Abrahamson, Gary Collins, Steve Edwards, Darnell Shields, Sheila Solomon, Eric Weinheimer

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BROOKFIELD ZO O CHICAGO

BIG WEEK June 12-19

Jigsaw Puzzle Swap

Saturday, June 15, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. Riverside Public Library

If you are sick of all your puzzles and need something new, the puzzle swap is per fect. Bring one (or more) new or gently used jigsaw puzzle to the library and take a di erent one (or more) puzzle home. All puzzles must be 300+ pieces, complete, and in the original box. 2400 S. Desplaines Ave.

Friday Night Concert Series

Friday, June 14, 7 - 8:30 p.m., Kiwanis Park

Kiwanis Park ’s Concer t Series is back on Fridays now until August 23. The first c oncer t will be put on by the Nev erly Brothers, a Rock n’ Roll trio from Chicago. Ga ther up your friends and family, bring your coolers, blankets, and chairs to the park to r elax and listen to some live music! This can and will be the per fe ct star t to your weekend! Tune in during the upcoming weeks to find out who will be ne xt in line to pla y. 8820 Brookfield Ave.

Listing your event

■ If you would like your event to be featured here, please send a photo and details by noon of the Wednesday before it needs to be published. We can’t publish everything, but we’ll do our best to feature the week’s highlights. Email calendar@wjinc.com.

Manic Mondays

Monday, June 17, 3 - 4 p.m. LSF Brookfield Library

Monday is approaching so you know what that means: just another Manic Monday! And no, unfortunately, I’m not talking about the song by The Bangles Howeve r, this event puts an outrageous twist on our favorite board games, so it is a hectic star t to your week, in a good way. 3541 Park Ave.

Should I Stay or Should I Go?

Friday, June 14, 1:30 - 2:30 p.m. LSF Brookfield Library

“Should I stay or should I go now?” Do you have to face the possibility of sending yourself or a loved one to a senior living facility? Do you have a lot of questions about what it could mean or what your ne xt steps are? At tend the library on Friday to learn about all the pros and cons of aging in a house or making the transition to a senior living communit y. The health of your loved ones or you is important- make the moves necessar y to guarantee your top safety. Register for this event along with others at the Brookfield Librar y online, by phone at 708-485-6917 or in person. www.lsfbrookfieldlibrar y.org

Cactus Pin Cushion

Monday, June 17, 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. Nor th Riverside Public Library

Calling all sewists, tailors, and seamstresses: the North Riverside Library has the per fect event for you! This month’s sewing kit is a cac tus pin cushion! I know all of you may already have a pin cushion, but I bet none of you have a pin cushion in the shape of a cac tus! Now, how cute is that?! Come by the librar y and pick up your bag of supplies. This craft is also beginner friendly for those who would like to begin their journey into sewing. Registration is required so make sure to visit the librar y’s website. 2400 S. Desplaines Ave.

Compiled

Riverside trustees agree to raise electric, water bills

e village will keep its 100% green energ y program

By TRENT BROWN Staff Reporter

The cost of living in Riverside is going up this year.

At the village board’s June 6 meeting, trustees agreed to two measures — one increased the price of electricity in town while the other increased the price of water, though both increases are due to factors outside of the village board’s control.

Starting in October, the price of electricity for most users in Riverside will increase from 7.57 cents per kilowatt-hour to 8.09 cents per. The village will maintain its 100% green energy aggregation program for another year through a contract with MC Squared Energy Services, which provided the village with electricity from 2020-2023.

As of January 2024, the United States Enviromental Protection Agency reco gnized Riverside as the second-best community for green power in the country, as 74% of the village’s electricity comes from green power.

Changes to the water rate are retroactive to June 1 and will start showing up on water bills next month. Like Brookfield last month, Riverside is increasing its water rate as a consequence of Chicago, which indirectly supplies Riverside with water, raising the rates for its water customers.

Residents will owe $1.33 more per thousand gallons of water used for a total of $20.77 per thousand gallons. The sewer rate is also increasing by $0.17 per thousand g allons of water for a total of $5.45 per thousand gallons

“It’s not lost on me that in one meeting — and I believe in the decisions we’re about to make here — but in one meeting, we’ve increased the resident-experienced cost for electricity and for water. These are basic services. These are fundamentals,” Trustee Megan Claucherty said. “For families on the edge or families without a lot of extra in their budgets, this is impactful.”

Electricity

At the board meeting, trustees discussed options for moving forward with the village’s electric aggregation program, which it has run since 2012. Village Clerk Ethan Sowl said the board did not need to make a choice at the meeting, but if it did not, the village’s aggregation program would end, and residents would be individually enrolled with ComEd.

As part of the program, the village received bids on June 6 from two electric companies that provided fixed rates for 12-, 24- and 36-month contracts at 0%, 25%, 50% and 100% green energy. Across all four options for green energy, MC Squared provided the lowest rates with its 12-month contract.

Those rates ranged from 7.69 cents per kWh at no green energy to 8.09 cents per kWh at 100% green energy, making them higher across the board compared to last year’s rate of 7.57 cents per kWh at 100% green energy

“It’s really disappointing. The price of energy just keeps going up, and the price of green energy is at a premium,” Trustee Aberdeen Marsh-Ozga said.

She pointed out that low- or moderateincome residents in Riverside may choose to opt out of the aggregation program due to the premium cost of electricity and proposed solar power through the Illinois Solar for All program as an alternative these residents may consider pursuing. To qualify, households must make 80% or less of the median area income

At the meeting, Riverside trustees realized there were two efficient options to move forward: they could accept MC Squared’s 8.09 cent rate and extend the village’s streak of 100% green power for another year, or they could end the streak and sign a different contract with MC Squared to match ComEd’s rate, which is not fixed, and offset 10% of the village’s electricity. As of the June 6 meeting, the ComEd rate was 6.62 cents per kWh.

Sharon Durling, president and CEO of Illinois Aggregation Consultants and Riverside’s aggregation consultant, said only 9% of Riverside residents opted out of the aggregation program last year.

“That speaks to, I think, confidence in your choice and maybe buy-in from residents, because anyone can opt out at any time, and there was not 100% opt-out,” she said.

“Correct me if I’m wrong, but it also in-

dicates that residents are willing to pay for green energy,” Village President Douglas Pollock said.

Ultimately, the board agreed unanimously to the 100% green power contract with MC Squared, extending the village’s streak for another year

Since 2012, Riverside has offered the electric aggregation program for its residents and small business, allowing the village to aggregate the combined electric load in town and negotiate a fixed rate. Since starting the program, the village has only selected electric suppliers who offer 100% green energy, which means they offset the village’s energy consumption by purchasing renewable energy certificates

Residents and businesses alike are able to opt out of the program and select their own electric provider. For more information about the program, visit Riverside’s website.

Water

Riverside purchases its water from McCook, which purchases water from Chicago. Chicago raised rates for its water customers earlier this year, so the upcharge has been passed down through McCook and Riverside to residents.

But that’s not the only cause for the increase in Riverside’s bills. Because village staff know Chicago raises its water prices every June, the village is raising water and sewer rates at the same time to collect money for the village’s capital improvement projects as well as its lead service line replacements. The lead service line replacements must begin by 2027 according to the Lead Service Line Replacement and Notification Act

T he move is one the village board approved in 2022 after the state mandated the re placements

“Instead of increasing the bill significantly in the year that we do a lot of lead service line replacements, we would do a smoothing technique, so it would be a little increment each year,” Finance Director Yvette Zavala said.

Between Chicago’s rate increase, the lead service lines and upcoming projects like street improvements, Riverside’s base water rate has gone up 6.83% for the next year. The sewer rate increase is 3.30%.

According to a village memo, the annual

See BILLS on page 15

OLYMPICS

Heading to Paris

from page 1

team’s head coach, Karch Kiraly, said in a news release Wednesday.

T he g ames will mark the Olympic debuts of 6-foot-8-inch m iddle blocke r Rettke and three of her teammates; the other eight pl ayers we re pa rt of the team that took home a g old medal at the 2020 To kyo Olympics.

Rettke started playing volleyball as a ninth grader at RB through the Triple Ace Volleyball Club in River Forest. She started her athletics career on the basketball court in the first grade, playing through her first years in high school and even considering playing in colle ge

She ultimately chose to play volleyball at the University of Wisconsin-Madison after a visit to the University of Illinois UrbanaChampaign, where she practiced basketball with some Illini players.

“I j ust knew right then and there that I did not want to do that anymore, ” Rettke

b asketball pl ayer, but they have a bigger presence than I do. T hey ’re big-boned and meant for physicality. I’m sure I c ould’ve d one great, but I j ust knew it wasn’t for me anymore. ”

Throughout her high school and colle ge volleyball career, Rettke received several accolades and awards, including being named the Illinois State Player of the Year for high schoolers in 2016.

S he was also named the Big Ten Female A thlete of the Year in 2020 and 2022, making her the first ever Big Te n student-athlete to rece ive the award twice in non-consecutive year s. S he is the third two-time recipient of the award and the fourth volleyball student-athlete to win the award.

While the 2024 Paris Games are Rettke’s Olympic debut, they will not be her first time playing volleyball internationally.

The Women’s National Team selected her for the 2019 FIVB Women’s Volleyball Nations League hosted by the Fédération Internationale de Volleyball, the international governing body for volleyball that is based in Switzerland. As part of the team, Rettke helped the U.S. win the gold medal, which was awarded at the final match of

always been easier for me to help others than to help myself

It’s always been easier for me to help others than to help myself

It’s always been easier for me to help others than to help myself

Dana Rettke (center) celebrates with other me mb tional Team dur ing the 2024 FIVB Wome n’s Leag ue. Rettke, a Ri ve, is set to compete at the 2024 Olymic Games in Pari s.

pete in an international Olympic qualification tournament, helping the Women’s National Team earn their way to the 2020 Summer Olympics, where they went on to win the gold medal.

In 2022, Rettke started her post-collegiate za, Ital that competes in the country’s highest volleyball league.

“If I had I [would] use them,” Rettke wrote in an Insta am story after she was announced as part of the Olympic roster. “Full of gratitude, love, appreciaeryone who has helped me to this point. Dreams really do come true.”

As a Veteran, when someone raises their hand for help, you’re often one of the first ones to respond. But it’s also okay to get help for yourself. Maybe you want or need assistance with employment, stress, finances, mental health or finding the right resources. No matter what it is, you earned it. And there’s no better time than right now to ask for it. Don’t wait. Reach out.

As a Veteran, when someone raises their hand for help, you’re often one of the first ones to It’s always been easier for me to help others than to help myself

As a Veteran, when someone raises their hand for help, you’re often one of the first ones to respond. But it’s also okay to get help for yourself. Maybe you want or need assistance with employment, stress, finances, mental health or finding the right resources. No matter what it is, you earned it. And there’s no better time than right now to ask for it. Don’t wait. Reach out.

at

As a Veteran, when someone raises their hand for help, you’re often one of the first ones to respond. But it’s also okay to get help for yourself. Maybe you want or need assistance with employment, stress, finances, mental health or finding the right resources. No matter what it is, you earned it. And there’s no better time than right now to ask for it. Don’t wait. Reach out.

VOLLEYBALL WORLD

Growing Community Media takes home Illinois Press Association awards

e nonpro t took hom 19 1st place plaques across its four newspaper

By TRENT BROWN Staff Reporter

Growing Community Media won big the 2024 Illinois Press Association co tion last week.

At the annual convention in Bloomington, held June 6, the nonprofit — which is the parent company of the Wednesday Journal of Oak Park & River Forest, Austin Weekly News, the Riverside-Brookfield Landmark and the Forest Park Review — took home 16 first-place awards and 35 total awards across editorial and advertising categories.

Expires 8/15/2024

The first-place awards are as follows:

Growing Community Media, the nonpro t parent company of RiversideBrook eld Landmark and three other newspapers, took home 13 rst-place plaques at the 2024 Illinois Press Association convention on June 6.

Best one-time special section — Wednesday Journal

Best website, nondaily — Wednesday Journal

Editorial page, nondaily — Wednesday Journal

Original column, Division C — Wednesday Journal — “Someone who cared” by Harriet Hausman

Informational graphic, Division C — Wednesday Journal — Andy Mead

General excellence, Division A — Forest Park Review

News reporting, series, Division A — Forest Park Review — D209 election coverage by Amaris E. Rodriguez

Feature writing, Division A — Forest Park Review — “Proviso West teacher champions trade school as a path for students” by Amaris E. Rodriguez

Special sections, Division A — Forest Park Review — Forest Park Community Guide 2023

Local editorial, Division A — Forest Park Reivew — “Petty politics on council” by Dan Haley

General advertising excellence, Division G — Forest Park Review

Newspaper design, nondaily — Riverside-Brookfield Landmark — Javier Govea, Andy Mead

News repor ting, single story, Division B — Riverside-Brookfield Landmark — “Broo-kfield True Value closing its doors” by Amina Sergazina

Obituary tribute, Division B — Riverside-Brookfield Landmark — “JoAnne Kosey

personified community involvement” by Bob Uphues

Feature writing, Division B — Riverside-Brookfield Landmark — “Hard work, some play pay of f for Riverside ballerina in starring role” by Erika Hobbs

Informational graphic, Division B — Riverside-Brookfield Landmark — Javier Govea

on page 28

Jillian Barnes, North Riverside, will attend Loyola University Chicago

Alice Buchman, Riverside, will attend the University of Dayton

Andrew Buenrostro, Brookfield, will attend the University of Iowa

Daniel Gentile, Riverside, will attend Indiana University Bloomington

Emily Kos, North Riverside, will attend Triton College

Madeline Markham, Riverside, will attend the University of Dayton

Gianina Montoro, North Riverside, will attend Purdue University

Kevin Prosen, Brookfield, will attend the University of Alabama

Emma Udelson, Riverside, will attend the University of Iowa Gianina Montoro Recipient of the 2024 Sr. Oliver Donlin

BEN STUMPE

Each v illage estimates it will lose about $50,000 each year

By TRENT BROWN and JESSICA MORDACQ Staff Reporters

T he elimination of I llinois’ state grocery tax as pa rt of Gov. J. B. P ritzker ’s $53.1 billion budg et for 2025 is expected to be a bl ow to the finances of many loc al municipalities. S ome village s, li ke Fo rest Pa rk , c ould lose up to $400,000 per year or even more, but for Rive rside and Brookfield, the c onsequences aren’t looking as dire.

Rive rside stands to lose about $45,000 annually from the elimination of the tax, Finance Director Yvette Zavala c onfirmed in an email to the L andmark. Similarly, Brookfield stands to lose about $50,000 each year, Finance Director Doug C ooper said in a phone intervie w. Reve nue from the statewide 1% tax on groceries was distributed to local municipalities. T he c ut takes effect Jan. 1, 2026.

C ooper said the removal of the tax wo n’ t affect Brookfield’s finances “to a great extent.”

“Brookfield has one grocery stor e, and that’s Tischler’s,” he said. “We estimated the total amount of lost reve nue that

they eliminate [with] the 1% percent grocery tax would be about $50,000. ”

C ooper said Brookfield budg ets each year for “well over $1 million” in sales tax reve nu e.

“It’s a small percentage, and we hop e to make it up in other ways, but, I mean, it ’s not going to have a major effect on us,” he said.

Li ke Brookfield, Rive rside has only one grocery store, Rive rside Food s.

Before the passage of Pritzker’s budg et last week, Illinois was one of 13 states that taxed grocery sales. Pritzker had proposed eliminating the grocery tax as a way to save money for f amilies. Dropping the 1% tax saves Illinois shoppers $1 for every $100 of groceries that they buy.

“I do n’ t think there’s any b enefit to g etting rid of it,” said Maria Maxham, Fo rest Pa rk ’s c ommissioner of a ccounts and financ e, of the tax. “It’s obviously goin g to save p eople who grocery shop — wh ich is everybody — money,” but the amount, she added, is fairly insignificant.

“It tends to have a smaller impact on a person buying $100 wo r th of grocerie s than it d oes on a municipality as a whole that’s losing out on a significant chunk of money that they use for all kinds of dif ferent things, ” Maxham said.

While eliminating the state tax on grocerie s, the recently approved state budg et also allows all municipalities to imp ose their own local grocery tax.

ADOBE STOCK

Beauti c tion commission honors local business owners

ree businesses i Brook eld won a B Award for impro their storefr

By TRENT BROWN Staff Reporter

Three Brookfield business we re reco gnized last week the appearances of their businesses Members of Brookfield tion c ommission, including tie K aluzny, the b oard liaison to the mission, went around town to present 2023 Brookie Awards to three winner the commission chose earlier this year.

Dr. Shikha Kapoor of Brookfield Dental Studio, Julie Procich and Diane Magno of Sister Squared Florist, and Jennifer O’Desky of Pub 78 received their framed Brookie Awards on Friday. Each business also received a sticker for its front windows.

OF THE VILLAG E OF

Julie Procich of Sister Squared Florist received the Brookie on Friday on the business’ behalf. She is also holding the sticker each business was given for their front w indows.

According to the , Kapoor and O’Desky took advanof Brookfield’s Property Improveam (PIP), ich enables property owners to make ements to s exterior through 50% regrants up to $20,000. Kapoor ant to a “comprehenr” to the outside and inside of her business.

O’Desky obtained the grant to improve the exterior of Pub 78. The improvements include code-compliant signage and a new pair of folding doors that can open the front of the bar onto Grand Boulevard . While Procich and Magno did not use

From le , Dental Assistant Dulce Chavez, Dr. Shiska Kapoor, Manager Karina Hernandez and Kapoor’s husband, Raj Kapoor, all members of the Brook eld Dental Studio team, pose with the business’s 2023 Brookie Award.

the PI P, they remade their storefront i nto a “charming, welcoming, p et-friendly space f ull of floral displ ay s, ” the village said.

*AnnualPercentageYield(APY)accurateasofOctober26,2023andissubjecttochange. Aminimumof $10,000isrequiredtoopentheaccountandtoobtainthestatedAPY.Feesmayreduceearningsonthe account.

minimumof$10,000is requiredtoopentheaccountandtoobtainthestatedAPY.Feesmay reduceearningsontheaccount.Apenaltymaybeimposedforearlywithdrawal.Offerisfor newmoneyonly.

COURTESY

BROOKFIELD

COURTESY OF THE VILLAG E OF BROOKFIELD

Farmers Market aims to be voted tops in Midwest

Brook eld market was voted best in Illinois last year

By TRENT BROWN Staff Reporter

Brookfield’s award-winning far mer s market is back for another year — and it needs your help with i ts ambitious g oal of being voted the b est far mers marke t in the entire Mi dwest. L ast year the local market won the title of best in Illinoi s.

In an email June 10, Brookfield Fa rmers Market Manager Gina S harenow made the announcement to the Brookfield c ommunity, asking residents to vote for the far mers market and spread the wo rd

T he announcement c omes the week after the start of the 16th annual A merica’s Far mer Market C elebration, a c ontest held by A merican Far mland Trust. Eve ry year, p eople across the c ountr y c an vote for their local far mers marke t to be named the b est in the state, re gion or c ountr y. This year, voting started June 1 and will run through Ju ly 31.

American Far mland Trust gives out a combined $15,000 in awards for the competition. The five best far mers markets in the country win cash prizes ranging from

$250 for the fifth-place market up to $5,000 for the best market. Each market that wins its state receives $100, and each winner gets a gift bag of merchandis Brookfield’s far mers mar p laced as high as fourth nationwide in previous years of the contest.

“E ve ry vote c ounts, and with thusiasm, we c an shine a spotlight on the heart of our town: the Far mers Mar

S harenow wrote in her announcement.

“It’s more than j ust a market; it ment to our local pride and the of our produce. ”

eld residents can scan this QR code to vote online for the Brook eld Farmer Market Celebration this year as the market shoots to be named the best in the Midwest. Brook eld’s farmers market was voted the best in Illinois last year.

Driver nabbed going 90 in a 35-mph zone

A 23-year-old Cicero man was ar rested June 8 in Riverside after a police officer on patrol saw him drive more than double the speed limit.

T he officer, patrolling on Desplaines Avenue around 3 a.m. that morning, spotted the vehicle heading south before turning east onto 26th Street. Upon following the car, the officer confirmed its speed to be 90 mph in a 35-mph zone, police said.

T he vehicle made a right turn onto Harlem Avenue, heading south as the officer activated emergency lights and t ried to catch up. It slowe d down after the officer broadcast a d escription of the vehicle and another officer on patrol who was heading north activated the emergency lights, so the first officer p ulled the car over

T he officer saw an open White Claw alcoholic seltzer in the car’s center console

T he man provided his driver’s license and told the officer he thought he had been driving 60 mph. T he man ag reed to take field sobriety tests after stepping out of his car. He swayed and showed indica-

tors of impairment during every test, police said. Before taking a preliminary breath test, the man admitted to drinking five White Claws and three shots of alcohol. His breath test showed .16 blood alcohol content, twice the le g al limit, so the officer ar rested the man.

T he man was booked at the station and released on pre-trial conditions with both DUI and aggravated speeding charges.

Arrested for DUI after driving over yellow lines

A 61-year- old Berwyn man was arrested June 6 in Lyons after a Rive rside officer saw his car “straddle” the d otted lines between lanes

The officer, who was on patrol around 11:30 p.m. that night, heard the area dispatcher tell Brookfield police about a caller following a car “traveling all over the road and driving recklessly” while heading east on Ogden Avenue. The officer saw the man’s car continue east, straddling the dotted white lines while passing Plainfield

Road in Lyons. As the officer followed the man’s car, it straddled the double yellow lines near Joliet Avenue

T he officer attempted a traffic stop, but the man’s car continued for more than a block before the driver curbed it near the intersection of Ogden Avenue and Shakespeare Avenue in Lyons, police said.

As the officer spoke with the drive r, they saw he was moving slowly and had bloodshot eyes. T he man initially did not answe r the officer ’s q uestions and looked at them “with a blank stare. ” The officer reached in and turned the car of f, and the man struggled with his b alanc e after exiting the vehicl e. T he man told the officer he did not drink any alcohol that night.

According to police, the man ag reed to take field sobriety tests, but refused to finish them after pa rt i ally c ompleting the first test, wh ich was the horizontal ga ze test. T he man ag reed to take a preliminary breath test, wh ich showe d .2 4 blood alcohol c ontent, three times the le g al limit.

T he officer ar rested the man for driving under the influence and took hi m to the p olice station for processing T he man attempted to provide a chemic al breath sample at the station, but he was unable to do so. He did not sign hi s M iranda warning s, wh ich we re read around 12:30 a.m. the next day. He was later picke d up by his d aughter and a Ju ly 19 cour t date was set.

These items we re o btained from the Riverside Po lice Department re ports date d May 25 to June 8 and the Brookfield Police Department re ports dated June 3-10; th ey re present a portion of the incidents to wh ich police re sponded. Anyone name d in these re ports has only b een charge d with a crime and cases ha ve not yet been adjudicated. We re port the ra ce of a suspect only wh en a s erious c rime has been c ommitted, the suspect is still at la rge and police ha ve provided us with a detailed physical d escription of the suspect as th ey seek the public’s help in makin g an ar re st .

Compiled by Trent Brown

Help Wanted - Bus Driver

The Village of Forest Park has immediate opening for a responsible fulltime PACE Bus Driver to transport senior citizens, disabled residents and school children. Must have a valid Illinois Driver’s License, and a good driving record. In addition, must be physically fit and submit to criminal background check, annual physical exam and drug and alcohol testing.

M-F Days Starting salary $36,687 with excellent benefits. The position is a non-exempt, AFSCME union position. Apply in person at Howard Mohr Community Center, 7640 Jackson Blvd., Forest Park. 708-771-7737.

Disc golf is coming to Riverside, but concerns are raised

Some Riversiders are unhappy with the placement of the course

By TRENT BROWN Staff Reporter

A disc golf course is finally coming to Riverside after years of work from the village, but some residents are still unhappy with where the course will be placed.

After drawing mixed reactions from residents last summer, village officials expected the course to be installed last month. At the Riverside Village Board’s June 6 meeting, Village Manager Jessica Frances said the disc golf course will start to be installed this week in the wooded area of Indian Gardens and near the baseball diamonds south of Fairbank Road.

In an April memo to the village board, Parks & Recreation Director Ron Malchiodi wrote that the department had finalized the course layout with suggestions from residents in mind.

“We solicited and received feedback from the community, including neighbors who live across from the proposed course. We held walk-throughs, took their specific feedback and adjusted the layout of the course to their requests,” he wrote.

While the course is set to be installed no matter what, there are still Riversiders who say its location — in particular, the placement of three of the nine baskets west of the unpaved one-way road jutting out from Fairbank Road — concerns them.

Cathy Maloney, who lives on Scottswood Road, said she believes the disc golf course should not be installed in that area because of its historical importance. She said that in the late 1800s, around the time when Riverside was designed by Frederick Law Olmstead and Calvert Vaux, people would visit the Indian Gardens area to investigate the native flora.

“You had early collectors — and I’m talk-

ing about the late 1870s — that we have records of, who would come here and just see what the dif ferent plants were,” she said.

Maloney added that some of the first conservationists after the Chicago World’s Fair in 1893 visited the area to walk next to the Des Plaines River.

“A lot of people would come from Chicago, and they would walk along that trail,” she said of a path accessible near the Scout Cabin. “All the way along and up, and then all the way up to River Forest. Along here, it used to be full of blooms, crabapples, hawthorns and a lot of native plants, and that’s how they would lear n about nature.”

Lisa Lambros is a member of Riverside’s Landscape Advisory Commission (LAC) who stepped down as its chair on June 1. She ag reed that the historical use of the area is important and compared it to how Riverside residents still use Indian Gardens today.

“I think it’s important for us to understand our history and understand how critical, at least, that point is,” she said. “We have other areas that are used for recreation … and it makes a lot of sense. I think [of] how parks & rec has had it with the tennis courts — they’re separate, you know, you’re not birding in that specific area. But when we’re up by Scout Cabin, that’s where you see people birding and walking and looking at plant material, and really focused on nature.”

Lambros said, as a member of the LAC, she was surprised at how far the disc golf project had progressed before she and other commissioners knew about it; she said the commission invited Malchiodi to speak about it at a meeting in January or February this year.

Dan Murphy, president of the Frederick Law Olmstead Society of Riverside, said he and the society are supportive of the disc golf course, but they have the same concerns as Lambros as to how the space is used today.

“We see that in the Indian Gardens park area, there is a considerable amount of

Let

while

Let us provide the care they need, so you can recharge and find peace of mind!

Brook eld home sells for $620,000

The following property transfers were re ported by the Cook County Clerk from February and March 2024. Where addresses appear incomplete, for instance where a unit number appears missing, that information was not provided by the clerk’s office.

BROOKFIELD

20

Brookfield reorganizes village hall front counter

e new con guration went into e ect last week

By TRENT BROWN Staff Reporter

Brookfield has reconfigured the front c ounter experience at its village hall.

S tarting June 3, there have b een two c ounters within the village hall that residents c an approach, the village announced online May 31.

At the building and i nspectional services c ounter, village staf f c an answe r q uestions about building pe rm it s, inspections, licensing and code require-

WATER, ELECTRIC

Raising rates

from page 5

bill for a Riverside water user will increase 6.07% compared to last year. Someone using the minimum amount of water — 4,000 gallons or less each bimonthly billing cycle — will pay $36 more next year compared to this year; someone using the average 8,228 gallons of wa-

Help Wanted - Crossing Guard

The Forest Park Police Department is seeking qualified individuals for the position of Crossing Guard. This position requires flexible hours during days when schools are in session. A background investigation and drug screening will be conducted prior to consideration for the position. Applications available at Village Hall, 517 Desplaines Avenue or on-line at www.forestpark.net and should be returned to Vanessa Belmonte, HR Director, at Village Hall. For additional information, contact Dora Murphy at 708-615-6223 or write dmurphy@forestpark.net.

Applications accepted until position is filled. EOE.

Hourly Rate of Pay $18.30

Regular hours 7:30 am to 8:30 am, 2:30 pm to 3:30 pm; Occasional half days 7:30 am to 8:30 am and 11:00 am to 12:30 PM

ments. At the finance c ounter, staf f will handle pay ments for water bills, vehicl e sticker s, c ommuter pa rk ing p asses, pe rmits and waste sticker s.

T here is also a new drop box residents c an use to file c ompleted business lic ense applications, p lan submittals and pe rm it applications, b oth residential and c ommercial. Any incomplete applications submitted will be returned within two business days

Permits related to residential work involving windows, doors, gutters, roofing, siding or water heaters will be issued within two business days as long as the application is fully completed, including any additional documents that are required.

C ommercial pe rm i ts will be reviewed on the same timeline as before

ter per bimonthly bill will pay $74.05 more.

“As always, I’d like to remind everyone that the water fund is an enterprise fund. Every dollar that a resident or business pays for water stays in that fund and is spent for maintenance, operations, capital [improvement projects] and purchase of water,” Pollock said. “It’s unfortunate that it’s going up, but it’s not just us. It’s happening everywhere because of the cost of buying water, and now with the state mandated requirement to replace lead service lines, we have no choice but to pay for those.”

Free lunches for kids return to Brookfield ’s

e Greater Chicago Food Depositor provide food for a second yea

By TRENT BROWN Staff Reporter

T he Linda Sokol Francis

L ibrary is doing i ts pa rt ag mer to combat food insecurit

For the second year in a ro is partnering with the Greater Chicago Food Depository to provide free, nutritious lunches for children in Brookfield

T he l ibrary will offer the free meals from noon to 1 p. m. on weekd Mond ay, June 10 through F rida

s ide a classroom in the l ibrary or out on the front plaza.

Throughout the progr am, the Greater Chicago Food De p ository will d elive r lunches to the l ibrary in the morning , where they’ll be refrig erated until the afternoon. T he l ibrary first partnered with the de p ository last year, but l ibrary staf f had hoped to start a similar progr am since before 2021, when they relocated to the l ibrary’s cu rrent location. According to the organization, one in our children in Cook County are at ris k of hunger. S tudents who rece ive free or reduced-cost meals at their schools may experience hunger over summer break, when school resources are not availabl e.

T he Greater Chicago Food De p ositor y is a nonprofit that has b een wo rk in g since 1978 to end hunger in Chicago and C ook County

Juneteenth 2024

JUNETEENTH 2024

For Rep. Danny Davis, Juneteenth is ‘a holiday of movement’

The U.S. congressman won’t rest that day despite his years of work pushing for national recognition of Juneteenth

By MICHAEL BANIEWICZ Contributing Reporter

While U.S. Cong ressman Danny Davis was growing up in the small town of Parkdale in Arkansas, Juneteenth was an annual celebration for him and his f amily. He was told that day was his “real Four th of July.”

He and his f amily would spend part of the day sharing a large meal, and after they finished, he would spend time reading outside

Now, Davis said, Juneteenth is a time for people in the United States to reflect on the history surrounding the federal holiday. There are some parallels between the post-Civil War, reconstruction era and the current times, Davis said.

Obama, who was then a senator, duced legislation in 2005. And Davis and cosponsors tried ag ain in 2008.

In 2021, he spoke from the House during the vote

“Madam Speaker,” he said, “I rise in strong support of the recognition of J teenth as a national holiday to celebrate the ending of the most horrific period and the most horrific policy and practices this Na tion has ever known: slavery. I heard one of my colleagues suggest a moment that perhaps the cost of Juneteenth is not known. I guarantee you, Madam Speaker, that whatever the cost, it will not come close to the cost of slavery.”

Rep. Danny Davis with elected o cials from Chicago and the west suburbs area greet well-wishers along the route during the inaugural West Villages Juneteenth Parade in 2022, which passed through Oak Park, River Forest and Maywood.

“So, celebrating Juneteenth as a national holiday is simply an idea whose time has come.”

“Juneteenth” he added, “is the reco gnition that darkness can come to light and that there is a celebration as my fore fathers and -mothers struggled to endure the hor ror they experienced. So, celebrating Juneteenth as a national holiday is simply an idea whose time has come.”

U.S. CONGRESSMAN DANNY DAVIS

“The progress, the policies…getting rid of martial law which protected Blacks in the South…getting rid of all that, seems to me to be what some are trying to do right now,” Davis said. “That some of the protections of affirmative action. Some of the protections of laws to protect rights of individuals.”

Long before President Joe Biden signed a bill in 2021 that made Juneteenth the 11th American federal holiday — and the first since 1983, when Martin Luther King Jr. Day was created — Davis, along with others, had been pushing for national recognition of Juneteenth. He and Barack

Today, Davis said, for progress to be made, one has to understand their history and how they got here.

“If you don’ t know where you come from, you won’ t understand to know how you got to where you are,” Davis said. “Then you don’ t have a good prognosis for where you ought to be going. Individuals look to what has been done and how people managed to do it. It was blood, sweat and tears, it was hard work. It was serious ef fort, but if those ef for ts don’ t continue then you don’ t go any fur ther.”

T he holiday also highlights that there is still work to be done for equality and equity, Davis said.

“There is a possibility that all men and women can in fact experience equality and equal expectations, equal justice,” Davis said. “We’ve come a long way, but

Rep. Danny Davis has worked with countless others for recognition of a Juneteenth holiday.

we’re not there yet.”

While Juneteenth is federal holiday, it is not a day of f the job for Davis.

“We will have a chance to experienc e

a holiday, but for me it will be a holiday of wo rk . A holiday of movement. And I hope lots of other p eople will be doin g the same thing.”

avery r. young teaches ‘folks to become better painters with language

Chicago’s poet laureate hosts monthly workshops for the public in Austin

By HOPE BAKER Contributing Reporter

Chicago’s poet laureate avery r. young brings poetry to his back Kind of. T he Austin monthly poetry workshop soul workshops, at the Austin Branch library in Chicago.

“With chi-soul workshops, we really want to concentrate on narratives that are centered in Chicago and really shed light on all that happens in Chicago, not just what people see on the news,” young said. “Poetry is a great vehicle for shedding light on the things that everyday Chicagoans get to see and experience.”

Selected as Chicago’s first-ever poet Laureate in April 2023, young is an award-winning poet, educator, composer, performer and producer whose work spans the g enres of music, performance, visual arts and literature. His work has been featured in several exhibitions and theatre festivals including the Chicago Hip Hop T heatre Fest, the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago and the American Jazz Museum. With more than two decades of experience in the teaching artist field, young has led progr ams within schools, community-based organizations,

and other learning en

When young was named the city laureate, he was commissioning of ate public progr year ter m.

“Writing poetry is painting with language,” young said. der to be good at and workshops help with the craft of ing. I want to teach folks to become better painters with language

etry and literature.

“I spent days upon days upon days at that library,” young said. “I tell folks all the time that the library is an airport. You can go anywhere in the world. Every book is an airplane. That’s what I love about the library. And it’s free.”

His love of poetry began in third grade when he first read the anthology

“I Am the Darker Brother,” a collection of poems by Langston Hughes, Mari Evans, Gwendolyn Brooks, Robert Hayden and others.

Young said that since he “had a mouth” as a kid, poetry also became a helpful tool for expressing his emotions.

“I realized that when I wrote a poem people didn’t see me as flippant,” he said.

“When I said what I wanted to say in the context of metaphors or rhyme scheme or haiku, I didn’t get in trouble. In fact, I got praise for expressing myself in that form.”

Although he has written since elementary school, it wasn’t until his early twenties that young decided to seriously pursue poetry.

“I was able to do that through the open mic scene and through performance poetry,” he said. “Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine one day becoming a poet laureate of any city, let alone Chicago.”

Young said the sights, smells, sounds and people of Austin undeniably shaped who he is as a poet today

“I want to teach folks to become better painters with language.”

and the celebration of such liberty – and that’s what a poem can be. It’s a celebration of our liberties. It can be a way that we honor what it means to be a liberated soul. To be armed with your voice is liberty and it’s everything that Juneteenth is about.”

avery r. young

“A writer is constantly ear hustling and a writer is also constantly taking mental photographs,” he said. “I don’t think I would be the writer that I am had I not been incubated in the Austin community.”

Chicago Poet Laureate

When asked about how Juneteenth can be honored through poetry, young said “when I think about Juneteenth, I immediately go to emancipation and liberation

young’s workshops are designed for adult writers of all skill levels to build poems and poetry manuscripts centered on tales of Chicago. The two-hour sessions will include time to edit, workshop and present poetic works in a personal setting.

Re gistration for chi-soul workshops is required and participants must be at least 18 years old. Workshops will take place from 2 p.m to 4 p.m. on June 2, July 7, Aug. 4, Sept. 1, Oct. 6 and Nov. 3. Re gister at chipublib.org/chi-soul. T hey are held at the Austin Branch Library, 5615 W. Race Ave.

SARA JANZ

avery r. young, Chicago Poet Laureate dur ing a per formance at the Logan Center for the Arts on April 27, 2023.

CHIC AG O PUBLIC LIBRARY

avery r. young

Happy Juneteenth, I celebrate with you!

Since 1972, The Oak Park Regional Housing Center (OPRHC), an organization regarded as a leader for fair housing rights, expansion of housing options, and economic opportunity, has been providing services to residents of the Village of Oak Park and the surrounding West Cook

County communities including Chicago’s Austin neighborhood. For many years, OPRHC spent much time creating the residential integration you see in the Village of Oak Park today. This work, intentional in nature, allowed people of all races to learn about fair housing and their opportunities to live

where they choose to live. Fast forward to a new century, as we celebrate 53 years of service to the community, we are beginning to pivot our work to strengthen community ties and residential relationships while continuing to help people with their housing needs. We are still here… for you!

Main Office:

1041 South Boulevard

Oak Park, IL 60302

708-848-7150

info@oprhc.org

City of Chicago Office:

West Cook Homeownership Center 5934 W. Lake St. Chicago, IL 60644

773-887-5187

info@westcookhomeownership.org

Athena Williams, Executive Director

Austin United Alliance is a property development initiative of The Oak Park Regional Housing Center (OPRHC). As The Oak Park Regional Housing Center begins to pivot to work to increase housing inventory, we will continue to assist residents with their housing needs. Over the past 17 years as a HUD-approved housing counseling agency, we’ve assisted thousands of BIPOC families on their homeownership journey providing counseling on credit-debt management, financial empowerment services, and home and rental maintenance for healthy, sustainable, and stable housing on the Greater West Side.

The Laramie State Bank Redevelopment Project, 5200-5226 W. Chicago Ave.

As we develop more housing, we will continue to keep the community updated about the Austin United Alliance Laramie State Bank Project and others. For more information, call: 708-848-7150 or send an inquiry to: info@oprhc.org. www.oprhc.org

Emancipation Ball heads into its 3rd year

Moor’s Brewing Company’s gala celebrates Juneteenth

By HECTOR CERVANTES Contributing Reporter

In a blend of entrepreneurship and community engagement, Moor’s Brewing is gearing up to mark its third anniversary with the Emancipation Ball.

This milestone celebration not only honors the brewery’s success but also serves as a platfo rm for promoting Black excellence and empowerment in Chicago. In June 2021, Moor’s Brewing, owned by members of the Black community, was founded by co-founder and Chief Executive Officer Damon Patton and Chief Financial officer Jamhal Johnson, marking both an anniversary celebration and Juneteenth observance.

Moor’s Brewing also launched the Care Moor Foundation for Civic Engagement. This foundation aims at promoting civic involvement through fundraising ef for ts and scholarship provisions.

Johnson said this celebration is designed for this sole purpose of emphasizing Black excellence through the achievement of another year in business.

“We aim to showcase our business alongside other Black-owned beers, wines, and spirits and collaborate with and highlight Black chefs, food curators, as well as dessert providers, utilizing Black-owned bakeries for our desserts and coffee bars,” Johnson said. “By showcasing these outstanding companies and their impactful work, we emphasize and celebrate Black excellence.”

The funds raised from the celebration will go toward supporting the Lafayette Gatling Sr. Scholarship Fund and the Marcus J. Bradshaw Foundation. The MJBF will be granting the MJBF Care Moor scholarship to recipients selected by the Moor’s Brewing team in July. Moor’s Brewing also supports the AROSE Foundation and the Lotus Globe.

“We are awarding scholarships to entrep reneurs for students who are entering their freshman year of c olle ge,” Johnson said.

The Emancipation Ball will have nine food stations across the venue, enhancing

the culinary experience for attendees.

Attendees can enjoy an open bar featuring a curated selection of premium drinks.

The selection at the open bar will include Alexandra James Whisky, Bull Young Bourbon, Disbəlēf Tequila, Love Corkscrew Wine, Michael Lavell Wine, Duo Vodka, and spirits from NG Distillery.

Moor’s Brewing is also celebrating its three-year anniversary with the release of its flagship beer called Moor’s Kölsch that will be released on Juneteenth.

DJ Envy from The Breakfast Club will be providing music and a local DJ named DJ Sean Mac will perform.

“We’re also in the final stages of securing another celebrity DJ. The event will be in a gala style,” Johnson said.

Johnson also plans to collaborate with local artists to enhance the ambiance and visual appeal of the event space.

Johnson said that in the previous year,

the event showcased an art installation imbued with the vibrant essence of Hispanic and African-American cultures

“We partnered with a prominent ar t collector from Englewood, collaborating closely with Hispanic muralists to bring these themes to life. Furthermore, the event featured the live artistic talents of Dana Topp Hope, who created a painting on-site, later purchased by one of the attendees,” Johnson said.

Johnson said that they will collaborate with a nearby t-shirt printing business.

General Admission tickets are priced at $100. For those seeking an elevated experience, the Single VIP ticket, granting exclusive benefits, is available at $115.

The VIP Admission for groups of four, providing a collective VIP experience, can be purchased for $440. Johnson said that the VIP package provides unique privile ges such as reserved seating, a perk not

available with general admission.

“The event will have three stations specifically allocated for VIP guests,” Johnson said. “While chefs will exclusively cater to the VIP section, most food vendors will be accessible to general admission ticket holders. VIP attendees will enjoy full access to all areas, including a riverfront patio where they will receive gift bags and complimentary swag items such as t-shirts.”

“As we look to the future of The Emancipation Ball, our aspirations center around three key pillars of our company: culture, community, and commerce.”

The Emancipation Ball will be held from 7 p.m. to 12 a.m., Tuesday, June 18, at Rockwell on the River, 3057 N. Rockwell St. For more information and to purchase a ticket, visit the event’s web page. https:// www.eventbrite.com/e/the-emancipationb all-2024-chicagos-premiere-juneteenthevent-tickets-803921690417

Emancipation Ball in 2023.

The history of Juneteenth

A refresher on the origins of this federal holiday

By LORETTA A. RAGSDELL Contributing Reporter

On June 17, 2021, U.S. President Joseph Biden, signed into law the Bill establishing June 19 as Juneteenth National Independence Day to commemorate the end of slavery in the United States.

The Bill was sponsored by D-Mass. Senator Edward Markey and 60 cosponsors. The Bill, unanimously approved by the Senate, faced opposition from 14 House Representatives, many of whom represented states that had been part of the 19th Century slave-holding Confederacy.

The celebration of Juneteenth originated in 1865 after enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, were infor med by a Union general that the Civil War had ended and they had been freed in 1862 by President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation.

“Now, therefore I, Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States, by virtue of the power in me vested as Commander-in-Chief, of the Army and Navy of the United States in time of actual armed rebellion against the authority and government of the United States, and as a fit and necessary war measure for suppressing said rebellion, do, on this first day of January, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixtythree, and in accordance with my purpose so to do publicly proclaimed for the full period of one hundred days, from the day first above

mentioned … I do order and declare that all persons held as slaves within said designated States, and parts of States, are, and henceforward shall be free; and that the Executive government of the United States, including the military and naval authorities thereof, will recognize and maintain the freedom of said persons.”

T he actual abolishment of slavery occurred on January 31, 1865, after Congress passed the 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. It was ratified Dec. 6, 1865.

However, news of the Civil War’s ending traveled slowly from the North to the South. In addition, some slave owners did not share the news with the slaves in hopes of holding on to their slaves. As a result, military officers had to travel to Union states and inform them of Lincoln’s Proclamation.

On June 19, 1865, Union Army General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, and delivered General Order No. 3:

“The people of Texas are infor med that, in accordance with a proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free. This involves an absolute equality of personal rights and rights of property between for mer masters and slaves, and connection heretofore existing between them becomes that between employer and hired labor. The freedmen are advised to remain quietly at their present homes and work for wages.”

As a result of this proclamation, more than 250,000 slaves were freed in Texas Throughout Texas, great celebrations emerged. The enslaved people celebrated their newfound freedom with great merriment, including elaborate cookouts, dancing, singing, and religious services. One of the highlights of many gatherings was the symbolic ritual of removing their tattered and torn garments they had worn as slaves and throwing them in the river.

Over the years, as Galveston celebrations became more elaborate, Juneteenth celebrations spread throughout other Union States and became known as African Americans Independence Day. For more than 150 years, there was no for mal acknowledgement of slavery, one of America’s most horrific human stains, and its abolishment.

The road to Juneteenth’s acceptance and destination as an American Federal Holiday has been a long and untiring one for Opal Lee. Lee, born in Marshall, Texas, in 1924, a retired educator, has been an activist for African-American rights since her early teens. Lee, as told through her books, television appearances, and public interviews, has witnessed many atrocities of slavery, racism, and prejudice.

At age 12, after her f amily move to Fort Wo r th, Texas, into a predominately white neighborhood, her f amily home was bur ned to the ground by an angry white mob. T he fire took place on June 19, 1939.

T he date and its significance propelled

Lee to work diligently to bring about a for mal reco gnition of the emancipation of African Americans from slavery.

“The fact that it happened on the 19th day of June has spurred me to make people understand that Juneteenth is not just a festival,” Lee has said.

L ee’s civil rights activism and wo rk has ga i ned her national reco gnition. Sh e is reverently c alled the “Grandmother of Juneteenth.”

At age 89, Lee started her symbolic 2.5mile walks from her Fort Wo r th Texas home to the U.S. Capitol in support of her goal. In 2017, Lee launched an initiative to gather online signatures in support of making Juneteenth a national holiday. Her goal was to gather 100,000 signatures; howeve r, the net goal was more than 1.6 million.

By 1979, every U.S. state and the District of Columbia for mally reco gnized the holiday in some way. It is also celebrated by the Mascogos, descendants of Black Seminoles who escaped slavery in 1852 and settled in Coahuila, Mexico

Joining members of Cong ress and Vice President Kamala Harris, Lee, then 96, was present on June 17, 2021, when Biden signed the Bill making Juneteenth a federal holiday.

After distributing the pens used to sign the bill to those around him, Biden said, “I hope this is the beginning of a chang e in the way we deal with one another.”

AUSTIN HISTORY CENTER, AUSTIN PUBLIC LIBRARY/WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

Juneteenth Emancipation Day Celebration, June 19, 1900, Texas

JUNETEENTH 2024

Annual Juneteenth celebrations to kick o in Chicago, suburbs

Marking what many perceive as the true date of emancipation in the United States, the holiday is a celebration of unity and Black culture

By ALEX GOLDSTEIN Contributing Reporter

As Juneteenth approaches, so too does a month of educational, commemorative and entertainment opportunities across the country. Here’s Growing Community Media’s most complete list of ways to celebrate the holiday across the Chicago area.

FOREST PARK

Juneteenth Fair — Forest Park

Public Library and Liberated Ar t Movement

Saturday, June 8

Forest Park Public Librar y, 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. This celebration highlights Black artists, authors, creators and small business owners. The event will include refreshments and book giveaways

Fifteenth Annual Juneteenth Family Pool Celebration

Saturday, June 15

Park District of Forest Park Aquatic Center, 6:45 p.m. to 10 p.m.

AUSTIN/WEST SIDE

1865 Fest

June 14-16

Gar eld Park ’s Music Court Drive

Day one of this three-day experience features Juneteenth military honors, highlighting Black veterans and active service members and including a Juneteenth ag-raising ceremony. Day two, the “cultural experience,” features family activities centered around Juneteenth history, with educational workshops, live music and free food The nal day of celebration honors Father’s Day on June 16

with a grill-o and house music event.

The annual event is put together by the 1865 Coalition, a collaboration of community organizations, residents enforcement, educational institutions, elected o cials local businesses and churches on Chicago’s West Side

Far South CDC

Juneteenth Festival

Saturday, June 15

11420 S. Halsted St., noon to 4 p.m.

The Far South Community Development Corporation will be hosting an afternoon of celebration including live music, food from Black-owned restaurants, a resource vendor fair and a small business marketplace.

Juneteenth Wellness 5K Walk/Run

Saturday, June 15

Starting at the Gar eld Park football eld at 8 a.m.

Proceeds from this fourth annual 5K will go to Peace Runners 773 as well as Fresh Supply, a not-for-pro t organization with the goal of providing resources and safe spaces to underprivileged youth in the Austin area.

Front Porch Ar ts Center Annual

Juneteenth Celebration

Saturday, June 17

Columbus Park, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

This family-friendly event will feature music, food and dancing. There will also be a Juneteenth art exhibit curated by the Front Porch Ar ts Center and family artmaking activities.

Teamwork Englewood

Juneteenth Celebration and Resource Fair

Tuesday, June 18

Multiple locations, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Part one of this fair, hosted by Teamwork Englewood, will be from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 63rd Street and Halsted

Avenue. It will feature a job fair, legal clinic, ra es, food and a live DJ.

Part two will transition to 63rd Street and Justine Street for a celebration from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., with line dancing, card games, a bounce house and a “foot working session” in store.

The Black Au ra

June 29, 6:30 p.m. – Jun 30, 11:00 p.m.  5628 W. Washington Blvd. Kehrein Center For The Arts

The Black Aura: A Weekend of Liberation and the Ar ts is a response to the city›s need to dev elop a greater sense of identity and clarity around the values associated with Juneteenth. Scheduled to take place June 28-29, the weekend between Juneteenth and Independence Day, this artistic experience leverages the ar ts to illuminate the tensions in African American histories and struggles, and the resiliency that has emerged.  It promises a broad array of experiences, including performances, documentaries and workshops. The weekend

will highlight the aura of “Blackness” and re ect the resilience and humanity of Black people in the arts. The end is designed to feature local artists, intentionally building upon and strengthening our collective sense of community in Austin and beyond.

CHIC AG O

Nikole Hannah-Jones, Pulitzer Prize-winning creator of The 1619 Project

Chicago Public Librar y, Thursday, June 20, 6 – 7 p.m.

Harold Washington Library Center, 400 S. State St.

In honor of Juneteenth, Chicago Public Library welcomes Nikole Hannah-Jones, Pulitzer Prize-winning creator of The 1619 Project and a sta writer at The New York Times Magazine. Hannah-Jones will be in conversation about her work on The 1619 Project with Chicago journalist Natalie Moore.

How to Attend in person: D oors to the Auditorium open at 5:30 p.m., and seating is rst come, rst served (350 capacity). Books are available for purchase, courtesy of Semicolon, and the author will autograph books at the conclusion of the program.

How to attend vir tually: This event will also take place live on CPL’s YouTube channel and CPL’s Facebook page. You’ll be able to ask questions during the event as well. Can’t make it to the live stream? The video will be archived on YouTube to watch later.

OA K PARK

Juneteenth Flag-Raising Ceremony

Wednesday, June 12

Oak Park Village Hall cour tyard, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Coordinated by Oak Park ’s Juneteenth Committee of community leaders and sponsored by the village’s O ce of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, o cials at Village Hall will raise the Juneteenth ag to kick o a week of celebration. The ceremony will be followed by speakers, refreshments and more.

PROVIDED

Nikole Hannah-Jones

JUNETEENTH 2024

Juneteenth Community Cookout

Saturday, June 15

Oak Park Village Hall south lawn, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

This family-friendly event, coordinated by the J uneteenth Committee, will include music, food, resource tables and a vendor market featuring local B lack-owned businesses.

Juneteenth Oratory Competition

June 16, 18 and 19, Various locations

Students of all grade levels are invited to craft original, persuasive speeches on the signi cance of the Juneteenth holiday and importance of its celebration. Winning students will receive a cash prize and be invited as featured speakers at a community luncheon. The event was designed by Asé Productions, which partnered with the Suburban Unity Alliance and Ra re Conscious Dialogues.

RIVER FOREST

Juneteenth Family Barbecue and Keynote Address at Dominican University

Thursday, June 13

Barbecue 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the quad, keynote 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. in Springer Suites

A keynote address by Danielle Walker, Ph.D., will follow a family barbecue at Dominican University. She’ll discuss the lessons learned from Juneteenth and how Americans can use them to work towards an objective of racial justice. Walker is the chief diversity, equity and inclusion o cer for the Village of Oak Park.

MAY WOOD

“Let ’s Grow Together” Holistic Wellness Festival and Juneteenth

Celebration

Saturday, June 8

Proviso East High School, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

This festival will feature tness events including a 3K walk/run, food provided by various local Black-owned restaurants, live DJ showcases and “Best of Proviso”

competitions including tug-of-war and a football distance throw Forest Park Mayor Rory Hoskins and Oak Park Village President Vicki Scaman will be in a dunk tank for par ticipants to indulge

The event is hosted by A Greater Good Foundation, which o ers social-emotional learning curriculums, restorative practices and other opportunities and programs for connection among youths in the Chicago area.

WESTCHESTER

Juneteenth Freedom Walk and Flag-Raising Ceremony

Wednesday, June 19

Lineup at Broadview Missionary Baptist Church at 9:45 a.m., ag-raising ceremony at Westchester Village Hall from 10:45 a.m. to noon

Community members can register to participate in this freedom walk, which will proceed to village hall for a ag-raising ceremony. Afterward, a Juneteenth Traveling Museum, book display from Westchester Public Library and complimentary refreshments will ser ve as enter tainment and educational opportunities to celebrate the holiday.

Juneteenth Community Celebration

Saturday, June 22

Gladstone Park, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

This celebration is the other half of the Village of Westchester’s two days of festivities. Food trucks, live music, line dancing lessons and a vendor market will round out the holiday, complete with a performance from Grammy award-winning Pastor Darius Brooks.

HILLSIDE

Speaker Chris Welch’s Juneteenth Festival

Wednesday, June 19

Memorial Park Distric t, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Emanuel “Chris” Welch, 7th distric t state representativ e and speaker of the house, is hosting this free even t. It will feature food, games, v endors , ar tists , enter tainers and more.

Cicad-amazing art!

amaris mendez

evelyn gunn

bridget & ginny optholt

Mallory alecci

Friends – We can hardly contain our excitement about this one and want to share the news with you!

Thursday at the Illinois Press Association awards ceremony, Growing Community Media walked away with 35 awards – 19 for first place – and 10 for our coverage right here at the Landmark!

That’s right! That includes a first-place award from former editor Bob Uphues (we miss him, too) for his obituary for longtime Landmark columnist and Mrs. Riverside, JoAnn Kosey.

Editor-in-chief Erika Hobbs also placed first for her feature on Riverside teen Vera Brenneman who danced the coveted role, Clara, in The Nutcracker this past winter.

Our design team killed it with overall best design and snagging the top award for our Answer Book. Stacy Coleman placed first, too, for best web design.

These awards spotlight the value our reader-supported newsroom brings to Oak Park and River Forest: fact-based reporting, rigorous journalism and news you can use, reported and shared by our dedicated team of journalists, editors and designers from within our neighborhoods.

We celebrate these awards together with you, our readers, whose support made this vital work possible!

And we ask your continued support, to build on this strong foundation. No amount is too small – $5, $15, $25. Each dollar goes a long way.

Stacy Coleman, Digital manager

Bob Uphues, Former Editor

Erika Hobbs, Editor

THE LANDMARK VIEW

The basics of water and power

It is good to hear trustees at the Riverside Village Board table express concern and empathy for residents of limited financial means as, during one meeting, they vote to raise both water and electric rates for constituents.

It is easy to lose track, as one drives down Riverside’s lovely streets, that there are neighbors living on fixed incomes who feel it acutely when basic living costs rise. So good for elected officials who do not take it for granted when they increase fees That said, the current realities are that municipalities at the end of the pipe from Lake Michigan are in a limited position to bargain on the cost per gallon of water being drawn from this great Midwestern freshwater asset. Further reality is that there are two immediate and ongoing water-related infrastructure projects that need funding in Riverside. And tacking costs onto water bills is a logical way to create dedicated revenue streams to fund those costs

One is what is now recognized as a perpetual need to pay for water and sewer infrastructure. The pipes under these streets are only getting older, more prone to leaks and water waste, and flooding events will only become more extreme as our climate changes. Riverside in recent decades has been fairly proactive in investing in its water infrastructure. Higher water fees are key to paying those perpetual costs

In recent years, America has also begun to come to grips with the hazard of lead in our water systems Flint, Michigan became the symbol of all that can go wrong with public water utilities Wisely, the state and federal governments have imposed mandates for local government to replace the lead service lines which bring water from the street and into homes and businesses. There is a fixed timeline and for more affluent communities such as Riverside little to no chance of receiving funds from the state or feds to pay for this expensive and essential work. And so we need to create a local fund to pay a portion of this cost.

Meanwhile, the village board stayed true to its goal of support for an electrical aggregation program that makes use of green energy sources. Riverside has been a recognized leader on this front since 2012. Some years it is easier than others to stay true to this vital climate cause. This year the costs from a trusted green aggregator and ComEd made it a more difficult choice. But the village board chose to sign on for another year with Illinois Aggregation Consultants and its 100% green power supply.

Any resident or local business may opt out of the agreement with the aggregator and return to ComEd. But the percentage of households that opt out is small, which confirms for Village President Doug Pollock that, overall, Riverside is committed to this worthy climate action.

Opinion

OBITUARIES

Ann Brox, 77

Ronald McDonald House director

A nn Marie Brox (nee Rose), 77, of Genoa, for merly of Brookfield, died in DeKalb on June 9, 2024. Born in Chicago on May 11, 1947, she wo rked in administration at seve r al hospitals and as a director at the Ronald McDonald House

A nn was the w ife of Christop her Brox; the mother of David Christopher Brox, Douglas R. Brox, Vi c toria Elizabeth Brox and S usan Diane Polinski; the gr andmother of Brandon, Taylor, Reag an, Jacob and Julia; the d aughter of Richard and Evelyn (nee Underwood) Rose; and the sister of Marlene Miller.

Vi sitation will be held on T hursd ay, June 13, from 9 a.m. until the chapel servic e, 12:30 p. m. , at Johnson-Nosek Funeral Home, 3847 Prairie Ave., Brookfield, followe d by i nterment at Queen of Heaven Cemetery in Hillside.

Online c ondolences, memorie s and p hoto gr aphs may be shared with the f amily at www.JohnsonN osek.com.

Jean Drummond, 89

Homemake

r

Jean E. Drummond (nee Bilek), 89, of Brookfield, died on June 6, 2024. A homemaker, Jean was w ife of the late Eldon M. Drummond ; the mother of Barbara (Steve L aurent) Drummond; the d aughter of the late Andrew Bilek and E leanor Bilek (nee Austera); the sister-in-law of Frances March, the late A nnavieve C onner, Dick Drummond, Dolan Drummond , and Lovena Dilley Vi sitation was held on June

9 and the f uneral on June 10 at Hitzeman Funeral Home, 9445 31st St., Brookfield, IL 60513, followe d by i nterment at Mt. Aubu rn Cemetery in Stickney

In lieu of fl ower s, memorials are appreciated to St. Joseph ’s Indian School, 1301 N. Main St., P. O. Box 326, C hamberlain, S outh Dakota 57325.

If you wish to send a sympathy card, p lease send it to Hitzeman Funeral Home, 9445 31st St., Brookfield, IL 60513, c/o the Jean E. Drummond Family We will g ladly forward it on.

Joanne Welch, 92

Receptionist, gardener

of Justin (Tara), Nicole (Jim), Jennifer (Rich), Erica (Zach), and Jimmy; step-grandmother of Sadie (Silvino); great-grandmother of Travis, Hunter, Ben, Cash and step-great-grandmother of Samuel and Saul; sister of the late Richard (late Patricia) Komar and the late Betty (late Edward) McGuire; and the aunt of many.

Vi sitation will be held on Monday, June 17 from 4 to 8 p. m. at Kuratko-Nosek Funeral Home, 2447 S. Desplaines Ave., North Rivers ide, followe d by f uneral Mass on T uesd ay, June 18 at St. Mar y C hurch at 10 a.m., with i nterment at Queen of Heaven Cemeter y. Memorial donations to the Alzheimer’s Association, www.alz.org, would be appreciated. Online condolences, photos and memories may be shared with the family at www.KuratkoNosek.com.

Michele Sandrik, 69

omar), 92, of ver-

s died on May 15, 2024 in L aGrang e. Born on Fe b. 27, 1932 in Chicag o, before retirement, she was a rece ptionist at a d ental offic e. S he enjoyed b aking , c ooking, cleaning and ga rdening Joanne was the wife of the late John R. Welch; the mother of Carol (Jim) Hale, Jacqueline (Carl) Cacioppo, Catherine (Jim) Roskopf and John (Resa) Welch; the grandmother

Former Riverside resident Michele S andrik, 69, w ife, mother, gr andmother, and friend to many, died p eacefully on March 19, 2024. S he was bo rn on Nov. 17, 1954 in Chicag o, where she spent

OBITUARIES

from page 27

most of her early years until marrying and moving to Rive rside. T here she spent over 40 years living and raisin g her f amily wh i le pa rt icipating as an active member of the community.

Her recent years we re spent in Hampstead, North Carolina, enjoying retirement with her husband and spendin g time with gr andchildren. S he enjoyed tr aveling for f amily vacations, hosting friends and f amily in her home, and spoiling her gr andkids. S he will be remembered for her warmth and friendliness, g enerosity to f amily and those in need, and thoughtfulness toward other s d espite her own physical limitations

Michele is survive d by her husband , Mark S andrik, with whom she shared 47 years of mar riage; her children, John S andrik (Rachel), Rachel Dono g hue (Michael), and Matthew S andrik (Lisa), as well as her gr andchildren, Evelyn and Ju de S andrik, Benjamin S andrik, and

DISC GOLF

Dissenters speak

from page 13

land that could be used for the disc golf course, but the choice to locate it on a narrow strip of land, as it were, between the river and the street, we think is a less-thanoptimal location from the standpoint that

AWARDS

Landmark honored

from page 7

In a ddition to first-place awards, Growing C ommunity Media ’s newspaper s also p laced in the g eneral excellence categ o ries b ased on circulation. T he Fo rest Pa rk Review c ame in second p lace fo r the b est small, nondaily newspaper in I llinoi s. T he Rive rside-Brookfield L andmark also placed second for the best me-

OP INI ON

Ronan Dono g hue. S he was preceded in death by her mother, S tella K mak; her father, Mitchell Kowynia; and her brother, L eonard Kowynia.

Michele’s l ife will be honored in a memorial service at Ascension L utheran C hurch, 400 N uttall Road in Rive rside, on June 29 at 10 a.m. Following the servic e, all are welcome to attend light refreshments in the church basement.

In lieu of fl ower s, c ontributions c an be made in Michele’s memory to F riedman Place of Chicago at www friedmanplac e. org, where her brother, L eonard, rece ived exce ptional care for many year s.

William Brandt, 74

Gail Brandt, 68

Brook eld residents

Wi lliam C. Brandt, 74, and Gail Brand t (nee Pe rk i ns), 68, of Brookfield, died on May 5, 2024. T hey are survive d by d aughter Kimberly Blay lock; gr andchildren C ourtney Brooke Blay lock, Tyler Wi lliam Blay lock, and Wi lliam Brandt Blay-

lock; and great-gr andchildren Lilly Wi lson and McKenzie Ro ggen Camp A Celebration of Life was held on June 8 at Brookfield Zoo’s ITW Bramsen Building. Memorial donations to the family c/o Kimberly Blaylock would be appreciated. Please visit www.johnsonnosek.com to share online condolences, memories and photos with the family.

that’s sort of a corridor for hikers, birders and joggers,” he said. “We’re all for outdoor recreation, and we think that’s consistent with Olmstead’s vision for Riverside.”

On the other hand, Maloney and Lambros questioned whether it makes sense for Riverside to inter rupt the kinds of recreation already happening at Indian Gardens in order to install the disc golf course.

“The one thing I didn’t understand personally is, it ’s not li ke we ’re in a disc golf desert, right? It ’s not li ke there

dium, nondaily paper. T he We d nesd ay Journal p laced fourth for the b est large, nondaily pape r.

For news reporting series in Division C, Austin Weekly News placed second for a series on the West Side’s opioid crisis by Francia Garcia-Hernandez. In the same category, the Wednesday Journal placed third for Erika Hobbs’s series on migrants in Oak Park who are seeking asylum.

For feature writing in Division A, the Forest Park Review placed fourth for “Anastosios Doulas, Kyriacos Philippou, Elias Politis” by Tom Holmes. The Forest Park

To run an obituary

Please contact Erika Hobbs by e-mail: erika@g rowingcommunitymedia.org,

aren’t f ull disc g olf c ourses within a short driving distance from us,” L ambros said. “It’s not li ke, oh, we ’re b ringing something, really, to the g eneral public that makes a lot of sense.”

“Let’s confine it to where it belongs. Let’s respect the nature that is what makes us unique, Riverside unique, and a historic landmark,” Maloney said. “There are disc golf courses in Berwyn and Brookfield and Stickney. … We’re changing something that’s been in place for 100 years that does

Review also placed first in that category.

For spot news photos in Division A, the Forest Park Review placed second for a photo shot by Todd Bannor for a story titled, “Sunday flooding brings Ike to a halt.” For the same category in Division C, the Wednesday Journal placed third for a photo shot by Amaris E. Rodriguez for her story titled “This is not a new issue to OPRF,’ students say during Friday walkout.”

For newspaper design, nondaily, the Wednesday Journal placed third for designs by Javier Govea and Susan McKelvey. Fo r special sections in Division A, the

not really add anything that people can’t get within a mile.”

Lambros said that, while the village is moving forward with disc golf course’s installation, she hopes to spread the word about the importance of Riverside’s parks and passive recreation spaces

“I look at, is disc golf that important in the big scheme of things? In life? Not so much,” she said. “But do I believe in protecting and educating people on what Riverside is? Absolutely.”

Fo rest Pa rk Review p laced third for No Glove Nationals 2023. T he Fo rest Pa rk Review also placed first in this cate gory

Fo r special sections in Division B, the Rive rside-Brookfield L andmark p laced second for the Rive rside-Brookfield L andmark An swer Book 2023. Fo r special sections in Division C, Austin Weekly News p laced second for At Home on the Greater West Side. We d nesday Journal p laced third for the We d nesday Jour nal An swer Book 2023/24. Fo r nondaily we bsites, the Rive rsideBrookfield Landmark placed second

Sports

Riverside’s Mullen, Kolb, Jisa part of Fenwick softball history

Friars nish program-best third in 3A in rst downstate trip since 1998

By BILL STONE

Contributing Reporter

For senior Ellie Kolb and junior Molly Mullen, the joy of the Class 3A downstate berth with the Fenwick High School softball team began with the trip to Peoria.

“The bus rides [were memorable],” Kolb reported. “Whether it was from Fenwick to Peoria or from the fields to the hotel, chattering with the girls and blasting music was so much fun.”

The Riverside residents enjoyed quite a journey this season. Fenwick (19-8) not only achieved its first downstate berth since 1998 but finished a program-best third by beating Waterloo 4-2 on Saturday after losing to state champion Pontiac 10-0 in five innings in Friday’s semifinals.

T he 1998 F riars finished fourth in C lass AA, the progr am’s only other downstate ber th.

“This is an awesome accomplishment,” Mullen said. “We all knew we were going to break history if we won at least one game. This is a great feeling and I am so proud of all of my teammates. We blasted music and talked the whole way down. It was so much fun and we were all in it to win it.”

First-year head coach Valerie Jisa, also a Riverside resident, served as an assistant in 2023. A Riverside resident since 2010, she lives with husband Wendell, a 1990 Fenwick alum, and their three children.

“So proud they made it there. I am on cloud nine,” she said. “The b onding experience for these girls in the hotel, on the bu s, seeing these other amazing softb all pl ayers and to show wh at it looks li ke to be an athlete, it was bigger than anything I c an imagine and bigger than the wins and losses.”

Completing her third varsity season, Mullen started at first base on Saturday and Friday. Mullen batted .205 in 24 games with one home run, six runs batted in and two doubles Kolb was among three four-year varsit y players and six seniors. She had six RBIs and two doubles in 14 g ames, often con-

tributing as a pinch or c

She did not pl F riday and missed Saturday’s cause of uled to Europe twin sister

“Though I wasn there physicall was there in I follo through the li on GameChanger,” she said.

Saturday’s comeback

Friars’ spirit. Against Pontiac (31-7), they were by j vare

in the fifth as junior pitcher Elena Krause (24-5), a Stanford commit, had 12 strikeouts and no walks.

Leah Lo reached base in the fifth on a third strik

“A their next goal was, ‘Let’s go out with a bang and try to secure the third-place trophy,’” Jisa said.

Fenwick broke a scoreless tie with Waterloo (28-8) with a four-run third behind five hits from junior Gabriella Simon (double), freshman Bella Bigham (RBI single), senior Maddie Entler (RBI double) and Lowery and Nevare z (RBI singles). Senior winning pitcher Sophie Stone (8-2) struck out 10 over the final five innings.

“We ke pt the same energy we had on the bus ride down. We did some team bonding on F riday night and came back

ready to play on Saturday,” Mullen said.

“From the first day in the weight room, the coaching staf f has brought nothing but positive energy, especially Coach Jisa. All of my teammates and I have been engaged and excited to pl ay each g ame. The dugout atmosphere is positive and keeps us all motivated to do our best.”

T he F riars have won three straigh t re gional titles. W hen Kolb, E ntler and S tone we re freshmen on varsit y, the F riars we re 3-22.

“Our team culture, thanks to my teammates and the coaching staf f, has been vibrant this year, which I believe contributed greatly to our success,” Kolb said.

“We focused on the process all season, not an end point. T he one g oal was to be b etter than we we re last year (16-15), wh ich we crushed. Placing third is such an a ccomplishment within i tself, but it also leaves room for even more growth in the years to come.”

STEVE JOHNSTON

Fenw ick’s rst baseman Molly Mullen

Bulldogs’ Levine hits first-team all-state in softball

Lions’ Vlk, Jackson, Mladjan earn rst-team all-state for water polo

By BILL STONE Contributing Reporter

Riverside Brookfield High School senior Zoe Levine recalled her first year of varsity softball in 2021 when then-senior Bella Garcia and junior Hannah Organ received Class 3A third-team, all-state honors.

“ Since then, I’ve neve r really thought about [all-state],” Levine said.

Fo r Levine and senior shortstop Emily Organ, their long d eser ve d honors finally arrive d. Levin e, recent gr aduate and DePaul recr uit, was named first-team, all-state in 4A by the I llinois Softball C oaches Association.

Organ was second team all-state. Th e four-year varsity starter will be joinin g sister Hannah to pl ay at Bradley In 3 A, N azareth Academy j unior outfielder Kennedy Joe was second-team all-state. T he Roadrunners reached the super- sectional.

Levine and Organ rece ived the news S und ay from RBHS c oach Doug Schultz following the c ompletion of the state tournament.

“It’s really c ool. Our roster this year was so strong. It c ould have b een anybo dy,” said Levin e, headed for K ansas this week to pl ay with her Extreme Elite tr aveling team. “Emily Organ made it S he d eserves it more than anyone I know. It ’s b een really special to be able to pl ay with her. It definitely makes it more special that it was the first time, but b oth of us we re j ust t rying to do wh atever we c ould to help the team. ”

Over her four varsity seasons, Levin e set RBHS career records for batting average (.456), home r uns (35) and d oubles (56), breaking the for mer records of 454, 29 homers and 48 d oubles. Levine’s 19 d oubles in 2023 also set a single-season record and was one more than this season’s total.

Levine was named this season’s Most Valuable Player as part of the All-Metro Suburban Conference Team. Organ, junior third baseman Ellie Megall, senior outfielders Julia Madera and Kelley Tyler and sophomore first baseman/pitcher Trinity Stevenson also were all-conference.

T he Bulld og s won their first M SC title since 2021 with a 5-1 record .

“I think the biggest thing for me was winning conference, ” Levine said.

“Really again, [MVP] could be any one of those gi rls. They all r eally contributed. And especially to be able to win confer-

ence, we hadn’t done since my freshman year. It was a special team this year.”

Lyons Township senior second b aseman Pe y ton O’Flaherty and j unior pitcher Isabella Evans we re named to the A ll-West Suburban C onference Silve r Division Team.

O’Flaherty will pl ay at TennesseeChattanoo ga .

Jo e, N azareth senior pitcher/infielder Catie L uzzi and j unior pitcher A nnabella Rychetsky we re named to the All-East Suburban Catholic Conference Team.

Boys water polo

State champion Lyons Township had senior g oalie C harlie Vlk and senior drive r Lu ke Jackson named first-team all-state by the I llinois Water Polo C oaches Association.

S enior drive r Brendan W helton was second-team all-state. Junior drive r S ami Rabah was fourth-team all-state

T he Lions’ Doug Eichstaedt was named C oach of the Year

On the Lyons Township All-Sectional Team, Vlk, Jackson and Whelton were first team, Rabah was second team and senior driver Finn Vahey was honorable mention.

RBHS senior A lex Jacobs was second team all-sectional.

Eichstaedt also was sectional’s C oach

of the Year.

Girls water polo

Third-place state finisher Lyons Township had j unior Maya Mladjan named first-team A ll-State by the I llinois Water Polo C oaches A ssociation. Junior g oali e Delaney Ju dkins and sophomore utility pl ayer Bella Re cker we re second-team all-state.

Fo r the Lyons Township A ll-Sectional Team, Mladjan, Ju dkins and Re cker we re first team, senior utility pl ayer Estelle Wright was second team and senior utility pl ayer Tess Filipak was honorable mention.

T he Lions’ Me g an Jacobs was sectional Coach of the Year

On the Fenwick A ll-Sectional team, RBHS senior g oalie Edie Hamilton was first team, senior utility pl ayer P riscilla Gil was second team and j unior drive r Liv Dobbe was honorable mention.

Boys tennis

N azareth Academy senior Ryan N elson was a top-12 singles finisher at the Class 1A boys tennis state tournament with a 3-2 record. N elson reached the championship q uarterfinals with a three-set victory and lost his final match in a 10- 7 third-set tiebreaker.

Summer Shootout returns to Riverside Brookfield

Bulldogs, Lyons Township among 84 Illinois boys basketball teams at 3-day event

By BILL STONE Contributing Reporter

As summer officially begins, Riverside Brookfield High School once again is the place to be for high school boys basketball. The 21st Riverside Brookfield Summer Shootout takes place Friday through Sunday at the high school. The complete list of 84 teams and g ame schedules are available at riversidebrookfieldbasketball.com.

It is an NCAA Live Event for Division I

c olle ge coaches

T he host Bulld og s and Lyons Township are among the field and actually pl ay each other this season at 2:25 p. m. Saturday. Three of the four state champions from this p ast season also will attend — Homewood-Flossmoor (Class 4A), DePaul Prep (3A) and Phillips (2A).

“The c asual high school b asketball fa n would g et the o pportunity to see many of the top projected teams and pl ayer s for 2024-25. T here are g enerally over 200

c olle ge c oaches who attend, and it is pretty high-l evel summer b asketball, ” said RBHS boys b asketball c oach Mi ke Re in gr uber, the I llinois High School Basketball C oaches A ssociation’s Section 8 Co-coach of the Year this past season.

“We have pretty much all of the top teams in the state attending. We do have a c ouple more downstate schools that we have n’ t had in the past, li ke Peoria Manual, Peoria Central and Moline.”

Eve ry team pl ay s four g ames, with

two g ames on two of the three days. Th e g ames are two, 20-minute halves with r unning clocks

T he Bulld og s open F riday against Morton at 12:55 p. m. and N euqua Valley at 2:45. T heir final g ame is against Peoria Manual at 3:20 p. m. on Saturday. T he Lions start F riday with Joliet West at 2:45 p. m. and Mt. Carmel at 4:35. T heir finale is against Niles N otre Dame at 3:20 p. m. Saturday.

PUBLIC NOTICES PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICE

STATE OF ILLINOIS

VILLAGE OF BROOKFIELD

Notice of Public Hearing

Village of Brookfield Planning and Zoning Commission June 27, 2024 at 7:00 PM

NOTICE is hereby given that the Village of Brookfield Planning and Zoning Commission will conduct a public hearing on Thursday, June 27th, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. in the Edward Barcal Hall located at 8820 Brookfield Avenue, Brookfield, Illinois for the purpose of considering a request for a final planned development application for a property located at 8845 Burlington Ave, Brookfield, Illinois 60513 (PINs 15-34-433-001-0000; 15-34-433-002-0000; 15-34-433003-0000) by Three Green Vegetables represented by Elizabeth Diaz for a proposed 12-unit, 3-story new construction residential condominium building with enclosed parking.

Legal Description: Lots 17, 18, and 19 in Block 29 in the Subdivision of Blocks 27, 29 to 34 Inclusive, in Grossdale, a Subdivision in Section 34, Township 39 North, Range 12 east of the Third Principal Meridian, in Cook County, Illinois.

The public is invited to attend the public hearing and present oral and/ or written comments.

The proposed final planned development application may be viewed at the Village of Brookfield Village Hall during normal business hours. Written comments may be provided prior to 4:00 PM on the day of the public hearing to: Village of Brookfield, Planning and Zoning Commission c/o Kate Portillo, 8820 Brookfield Avenue, Brookfield, IL 60513 or at kportillo@brookfieldil.gov. Please reference PZC Case 24-12. Oral or written public testimony may be given during the public hearing.

Individuals with disabilities requiring accommodation to participate in any meeting should contact the Village of Brookfield (708) 485-7344 prior to the meeting. Wheelchair access is available through the front (South) entrance of Village Hall.

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

Published in RBLandmark June 12, 2024

PUBLIC NOTICE STATE OF ILLINOIS VILLAGE OF BROOKFIELD

Notice of Public Hearing Village of Brookfield Planning and Zoning Commission June 27, 2024 at 7:00 PM

NOTICE is hereby given that a public hearing will be held by the Planning and Zoning Commission of the Village of Brookfield on Thursday, June 27, 2024 at 7:00 PM in the Edward Barcal Hall located at 8820 Brookfield Avenue, Brookfield, Illinois to consider an application from Errol Jay Kirsch for a Special Use Permit for Accessory Off-Street Parking for property located at 9016 W 31st Street.

Legal Description: Lot 40 and 41 in Block 8 in Brookfield Homesites, a Resubdivision of Bartlett and Roach

Addition to Grossdale, Being a Subdivision of the Southwest Quarter of the Southeast Quarter of Section 27, Township 39 North, Range 12 East of the Third Principal Meridian (Except Therefrom the Following Lots Which

are not Included and are not a Part of this Resubdivision; Lots 25 to 37, Both Inclusive and the West half of Lot 38 in Block Two, Lots 26 and 27, in Block Four, Lots 9, 10, 37, 38, 39, 40, 45, 46, 47 and 48 in Block Six, According to the Plat of Said Brookfield Homesites, Filed in the Office of the Registrar of Titles, June 30, 1922 as Document Number 157442, in Cook County, Illinois.

The public is invited to attend the public hearing and present oral and/ or written comments. Written comments may be provided prior to 4:00 PM on the day of the meeting to: Village of Brookfield, Planning and Zoning Commission c/o Kate Portillo, 8820 Brookfield Avenue, Brookfield, IL 60513, kportillo@brookfieldil.gov, or 708-485-1445. Oral or written public testimony may be given during the public hearing.

The applications may be viewed at the Village of Brookfield Village Hall during normal business hours. Please reference PZC Case 24-10. Public hearings may be continued from time to time without further notice, except as otherwise required under the Illinois Open Meetings Act.

Individuals with disabilities requiring accommodations to participate in any meeting may contact the Village of Brookfield at (708) 485-7344 prior to the meeting. Wheelchair access is available through the front and side (south and east) entrances of Village Hall.

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

Published in RBLandmark June 12, 2024

PUBLIC NOTICE STATE OF ILLINOIS VILLAGE OF BROOKFIELD

Notice of Public Hearing Village of Brookfield Planning and Zoning Commission June 27, 2024 at 7:00 PM

NOTICE is hereby given that a public hearing will be held by the Planning and Zoning Commission of the Village of Brookfield on Thursday, June 27, 2024 at 7:00 PM in the Edward Barcal Hall located at 8820 Brookfield Avenue, Brookfield, Illinois to consider an application from Szewai Lee and Chris Watland for a Special Use Permit for an Indoor Assembly use of an indoor children’s playroom and event space for the commercial property located at 9037 Monroe Avenue.

Legal Description: Lots 6,7,8, and 9 in Block 24 in Brookfield Manor, a Subdivision in the Northeast quarter of Section 34, Township 39 North, Range 12 East of the Third Principal Meridian, in Cook County, Illinois.

The public is invited to attend the public hearing and present oral and/ or written comments. Written comments may be provided prior to 4:00 PM on the day of the meeting to: Village of Brookfield, Planning and Zoning Commission c/o Kate Portillo, 8820 Brookfield Avenue, Brookfield, IL 60513, kportillo@brookfieldil.gov, or 708-485-1445. Oral or written public testimony may be given during the public hearing.

The applications may be viewed at the Village of Brookfield Village Hall during normal business hours. Please reference PZC Case 24-11. Public hearings may be continued from time to time without further notice, except as otherwise required under the Illinois Open Meetings Act.

Individuals with disabilities requiring accommodations to participate in any meeting may contact the Village of Brookfield at (708) 485-7344 prior to the meeting. Wheelchair access is available through the front and side (south and east) entrances of Village Hall.

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

Published in RBLandmark June 12, 2024

NOTICE OF 2024-2025 BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING DATES FOR RIVERSIDE BROOKFIELD TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT 208

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on May 14, 2024, a resolution was passed establishing that the 20242025 meetings of the Board of Education, Township High School District 208, Cook County, Illinois, will be held in Room 201 at the hour of 7:00 p.m. in the Riverside Brookfield High School building, 160 Ridgewood Road, Riverside, IL 60546. The Regular Meetings will be held on the second Tuesday of each month. The Committee of the Whole Meetings will be held on the fourth Tuesday of September, October, January, February, April, and May. Meeting dates can be found on the Riverside Brookfield High School website (www. rbhs208.net).

Published in RBLandmark June 12, 2024

LEGAL

NOTICE

The Village of Oak Park will receive sealed proposals from qualified consultants at the Public Works Center, 201 South Boulevard, Oak Park, Illinois 60302 Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. local time until 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 27, 2024 for the following: Village of Oak Park Drinking Water Reservoir Inspections Project Number: 24-113

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

Published in Wednesday Journal June 12, 2024

HOURS: 9:00 A.M.– 5:00 P.M. MON–FRI

Deadline: Monday at 5 p.m.

Advertisement of Bidding Request for Bids for the Park District of Oak Park “947 RidgelandRoofing Replacement”.

Owner: Park District of Oak Park 218 Madison St, Oak Park, IL 60302

The Park District of Oak Park will accept sealed bids for the “947 Ridgeland – Roofing Replacement” located at 947 S. Ridgeland Ave. Oak Park Il. 60304. The project generally consists of removal of the existing roofing membrane, repairs to sub framing and sheeting and new roofing material. The Park District of Oak Park will receive individual sealed Bids until 10:00 am (Central Daylight time), on Friday, June 28th , 2024 at 218 Madison St., Oak Park, Illinois. The bidding documents and requirements will be available on the Demand Star bidding website as of 5:00 pm on Wednesday, June 12, 2024. A non-mandatory pre-bid walk-thru is scheduled for Friday, June 14th at 10:00 am (Central Daylight time) at 947 S. Ridgeland Ave., Oak Park, IL 60304. Bid bonds will be required by bidding contractors. Copies of the bidding specifications are available on June 12th at 5pm via the Demand Star website at:

On the DemandStar website at https://www.demandstar.com/app/ buyers/bids/462626

For additional information, contact (Nelson Acevedo at Nelson.Acevedo@pdop.org or (708) 725 2053) or Chris Lindgren at chris.lindgren@ pdop.org or 708-725-2050) . Only the bids prepared in compliance with the bidding documents will be considered. This project must adhere to the Prevailing Wage Act of 2024. The Park District of Oak Park encourages DBE, minority and women owned business firms to submit bids for this project.

Park District of Oak Park

By: Sandy Lentz, Secretary Park District of Oak Park 218 Madison St. Oak Park, IL 60302

Published in Wednesday Journal June 12, 2024

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION MORTGAGE ASSESTS MANAGEMENT, LLC F/K/A REVERSE MORTGAGE SOLUTIONS, INC Plaintiff, -v.-

ANDREW C. CRAWFORD, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA - DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT

Defendants

2021 CH 05362 827 N. GROVE AVE OAK PARK, IL 60302 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on March 22, 2024, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on June 24, 2024, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker, 1st Floor Suite 35R, Chicago, IL, 60606, sell at a public sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 827 N. GROVE AVE, OAK PARK, IL 60302 Property Index No. 16-06-305-0200000

The real estate is improved with a single family residence.

Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation. No third party checks will be accepted. The balance, in certified funds/or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in “AS IS” condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court.

Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a Certificate of Sale that will entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale. Where a sale of real estate is made to satisfy a lien prior to that of the United States, the United States shall have one year from the date of sale within which to redeem, except that with respect to a lien arising under the internal revenue laws the period shall be 120 days or the period allowable for redemption under State law, whichever is longer, and in any case in which, under the provisions of section 505 of the Housing Act of 1950, as amended (12 U.S.C. 1701k), and subsection (d) of section 3720 of title 38 of the United States Code, the right to redeem does not arise, there shall be no right of redemption.

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

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

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

IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW. You will need a photo identification issued by a government agency (driver’s license, passport, etc.) in order to gain entry into our building and the foreclosure sale room in Cook County and the same identification for sales held at other county venues where The Judicial Sales Corporation conducts foreclosure sales. For information, examine the court file, CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C. Plaintiff’s Attorneys, 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100, BURR RIDGE, IL, 60527 (630) 794-9876 THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236SALE

You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day status report of pending sales. CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C. 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100 BURR RIDGE IL, 60527 630-794-5300

E-Mail: pleadings@il.cslegal.com Attorney File No. 14-20-03979 Attorney ARDC No. 00468002 Attorney Code. 21762 Case Number: 2021 CH 05362 TJSC#: 44-840

NOTE: Pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, you are advised that Plaintiff’s attorney is deemed to be a debt collector attempting to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose. Case # 2021 CH 05362 I3244734