RIVERSIDE-BROOKFIELD Also serving North Riverside
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Vol. 36, No. 26
June 30, 2021
@riversidebrookfieldlandmark
Villages to roll out Independence Day celebrations PAGE 3
Brookfield to repeal ‘anti-trans’ law still on books PAGE 6
Riverside Public Library set for full reopen July 6 Building closed through July 2 as staff moves materials By BOB UPHUES Editor
The Riverside Public Library, 1 Burling Road, will close briefly this week in anticipation of fully reopening – including the newly renovated lower level – on July 6. The library building was slated to be closed from June 29 through July 2 in order for staff to move materials into their proper places following the 10-month, $1.5 million renovation of the lower level, which houses Youth Services, the genealogy research center, public meeting room and staff offices. Curbside pickup services will still be available while the library is closed, but reference and reader’s advisory services will not be. You can request to pick up materials curbside at 708-4426366, ext. 109. Early learners, children and teens now have their own separate areas in the lower level and all adult library materials will be located on the upper level. The public meeting room can now be divided to accommodate more than one program at a time. Library officials had intended to christen See LIBRARY on page 11
ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer
MOVING UP: Brookfield Deputy Police Chief Michael Kuruvilla, a 15-year veteran of the police department, will assume the top job on July 12, replacing Edward Petrak, who has been chief since early 2019.
Kuruvilla will be Brookfield’s next top cop 38-year-old deputy chief was sole internal candidate interviewed By BOB UPHUES Editor
Michael Kuruvilla, who has served as Brookfield deputy police chief since September 2019, has been selected by Brookfield Village Manager Timothy Wiberg to
be the village’s new police chief. A 15-year veteran of the force, the 38-year-old Kuruvilla takes over from Chief Edward Petrak on July 12. He was the only candidate interviewed for the job and had been recommended by Petrak for the post.
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“He has all the skills and knowledge to be chief,” said Petrak, 54, who has been chief since April 2019 and is retiring after serving as a Brookfield police officer for 31 years. “Fifteen years is plenty of See KURUVILLA on page 11
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