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disc golf plan tees

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neighbors

Advisory group formed to nalize Indian Gardens layout

By BOB UPHUES Editor

Plans for a nine-hole disc golf course set in the wooded area between the Scout Cabin and the Indian Gardens ballfield parking lot, which have been progressing slowly and without much comment for more than a year, are suddenly receiving pushback from those who live close to the site.

The volume of that opposition increased, July 18, after Riverside Parks & Recreation Board member John McGlennon published a post on a local Facebook community page. While the post was mainly a call for volunteers to serve on an advisory committee for the initiative, what raised eyebrows was a statement that both the park board

the

Ball eld behind RBHS a hot topic at zoo town hall

New master plan could in uence fate of land leased by high school

By CLAIRE HARRISON Contributing Reporter

Around 20 community members and zoo officials joined together at Riverside Brookfield High School on July 25 to discuss what is in store for the next decades at the Brookfield Zoo. Although the master plan will include new exhibits and the potential of new species, animals were not the central topic of the event.

Since December 2022, the Chicago Zoological Society, the nonprofit that operates the Brookfield Zoo, has been undergoing a master planning process to create a vision for the next few decades.

By resurveying land and hosting both internal staf f and community town hall meetings, CZS is gathering feedback and information to consider what comes next for the Brookfield Zoo as it approaches its 1934 centennial.

The July 25 event included a recap of what happened at the zoo in 2022, what to expect for the rest of 2023, updates about the master planning process and an openmic community forum.

Jennifer Baader, senior vice president of government af fairs, hosted the event, and Mary Ann Cronin, a consultant for CZS, provided updates on the master planning process.

During the Q&A section of the town hall, audience members had the chance to share ideas, experiences and concerns relating to the future of the zoo. Participants of fered suggestions about topics ranging from maintaining biodiversity to improving visitors’ connections with animals.

However, the majority of the open for um was not focused on animals.

Several community members spoke about the fields between RBHS and the

southern perimeter of the zoo, and how they believe they should be turned into permanent ballfields for use by RBHS athletics.

The high school currently leases the fields for use from the zoo, but the area is used for overflow parking, meaning the fields are at times filled with tire ruts and are not always available for use by the high school

Doug Schultz, math teacher and head coach of softball at RBHS, said it is challenging to maintain his players’ safety in the current situation in which several sports teams — including softball, baseball and lacrosse — are forced to practice and host games of f site.

“My number one job is making sure that my players are safe, and traveling to different fields … is tough. I’m concerned when I’m away from the building where my trainers and support staf f are, and I’m trying to conduct a softball game where injuries can occur,” Schultz said.

Schultz also asked where ne gotiations currently stand, as a land-sharing ag reement that would have granted RBHS exclusive use to the property fell through in March 2021.

In response, Baader said that the master planning process involves a study of the zoo’s traffic flow and that the zoo is trying to be a good community partner by improving the parking and traffic situation. Cronin added that no stone is being left unturned during this extensive process.

In a separate interview, Baader said that as the zoo focuses on creating a great guest experience at the North Gate, it looks to move more traffic away from the South Gate where the ballfields are located.

“We are still waiting to see what the final master plan brings up in terms of opportunities for all the land across the zoo, but with a focus on moving that parking to the north, it’s our hope that we can reduce the parking needs on the south side,” Baader told The Landmark.

In addition to comments from RBHS staf f and community members about the

ballfields, multiple audience members, one representing Cycle Brookfield, expressed their wishes for a sidewalk along zoo property on 31st Street between Prairie and First avenues.

An official from the village of Brookfield also of fered context about the partnership behind the pedestrian and bike pathway. After the comments, Baader expressed that the sidewalk is likely to move forward.

“We have been in discussions with the village for years about transportation across 31st Street … but we’re at a point where both the village, the zoo and the forest preserves are eager to have a path along 31st. We are at the point where we need to figure out exactly where the path goes, but there’s a lot of enthusiasm for all three groups to get something done,” Baader told The Landmark.

In hearing community feedback, the master planning team is looking for common issues brought up by all groups that bubble to the surface as top priorities. Many of the ideas brought up on July 25 echoed and put an emphasis on previously mentioned issues so that the master planning team can make sure to address them through the master plan, Baader told The Landmark.

Moving forward, there will be another town hall meeting, likely in a virtual format, before the master plan is completed. Baader hopes that this next town hall will include the public’s reaction to initial master plan ideas before the draft is finalized in the fall and rolled out to the public sometime in the winter.

To share your feedback and ideas about the future of the zoo, email planyourzoo@ czs.org.

Editor Bob Uphues

Sta Reporters Francia Garcia Hernandez, Amaris Rodriguez

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Editorial Design Manager Javier Govea

Designer Susan McKelvey

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Lourdes Nicholls, Kamil Brady, Ben Stumpe

Business & Development Manager Mary Ellen Nelligan

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EMAIL jill@oakpark.com

Publisher Dan Haley

Special Projec ts Manager Susan Walker

BOARD OF DIREC TORS

Chair Judy Gre n

Treasurer Nile Wendor f Deb Abrahamson, Gary Collins, Steve Edwards, Darnell Shields, Sheila Solomon, Eric Weinheimer

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BIG WEEK

August 2-9

Seed collection tutorial

Join the Brook eld Native Plants Group on Aug. 7 at 7 p.m. for “Seed Collection Tutorial: How to Harvest,” a beginner-friendly program at the Linda Sokol Francis Brook eld Library, 3541 Park Ave.

Learn how to harvest seeds from your garden and learn how to get some hands-on experience at a seed collection eld trip later this fall Register to attend at brook eld.evanced.info/ signup

Blue hue to Brook eld outdoor concert

Brook eld continues its Friday Night Concert Series on July 28 at 7 p.m. at the bandshell in Kiwanis Park, Arden and Brook eld avenues.

This week, groove to the bluesy garage rock sounds of The Vaughn Building. Bring your coolers, blankets and chairs

Bagpipes, Highland dancers and more

Channel your inner Scot, don your tartan and head over to the beautiful, wooded campus of Caledonia Senior Living and Memory Care, 2800 Desplaines Ave. in North Riverside, for their 107th Annual Picnic on Aug. 5 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The public is invited to attend, and admission is free (donations welcome). Celebrate high summer with live music, food, a balloon artist, face painting and, of course, bagpipes and some authentic, traditional Scottish Highland dancing

And more

■ Riverside Arts Center, 32 E. Quincy St., presents “Summer, Joy and Harmony,” featuring paintings by Joe Fournier, at the Riverside Township Hall, 27 Riverside Road, through Sept. 29. Viewing hours are Monday-Thursday from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. and Friday from 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

■ The Riverside Chess Club invites players of all skills and ages to meet for casual games at the Riverside Public Library, 1 Burling Road, on Mondays from 5 to 7 p.m. Open to anyone. For more info email TheRiversideChessClub@gmail.com or visit facebook.com/TheRiversideChessClub

■ The Riverside Farmers Market operates each

Wednesday through Oct. 4 from 2:30 to 7 p.m. in Centennial Park, at Forest Avenue and Longcommon Road. The Brook eld Farmers Market returns every Saturday through Oct. 14 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the parking lot of the Brook eld Village Hall, 8820 Brook eld Ave.

■ North Riverside Public Library, 2400 Desplaines Ave., invites you to take part in Make Your Own Soap on Aug. 3 at 6 p.m., Baby and Me (4-24 months w/adult) on Aug. 4 at 10:30 a.m., Lego Club on Aug. 4 at 4 p.m., Big and Little Storytime (children w/adult) on Aug. 7 at 10:30 a.m., Science Explorers (all ages) on Aug. 7 at 4:30 p.m., My First Storytime (ages 4-24 months w/adult) on Aug. 8 at 11 a.m., Safari ABCs (child w/adult,

every other week in Spanish) on Aug. 9 at 10:30 a.m. and DIY Shiny Cars or Bookmarks (grades 6-12) on Aug. 9 at 5 p.m. Register for programs online at northriversidelibrary.org/events-new

■ Linda Sokol Francis Brook eld Library, 3541 Park Ave., presents Fairytale Storytime (all ages w/caregiver) on Aug. 3 at 10:30 a.m., Craft Craze: Shadow Puppets (grades 1-5) on Aug. 3 at 4 p.m., Chair Zumba on Aug. 4 at 1:30 p.m.., Legotastic Saturday on Aug. 5 at 10:30 a.m., Chair Yoga (virtual) on Aug. 7 at 11 a.m., Storytime Stars (ages 2-3 w/caregiver) on Aug. 8 at 10:30 a.m., a Film Discussion Series screening of the Japanese lm “Still the Waters” on Aug. 8 at 6:30 p.m. and Stories Galore on Aug. 9 at 10:30 a.m. Call 708-485-6917

Kids can cook

It’s never too early to learn how to cook. If you are a kid between the ages of 8 of 12, channel your inner chef and learn how to make delicious treats during Kids’ Kitchen on Aug. 8 at 4 p.m. at the North Riverside Public Library, 2400 Desplaines Ave. This guided cooking class will help introduce kids to tools and methods in the kitchen and to fun, new foods

Register at the library by calling 708-447-0869 or at northriversidelibrary.org/events-new

or visit online at brook eld.evanced.info/signup to register for programs.

■ Riverside Public Library, 1 Burling Road, presents Mindful Chair Yoga on Aug. 3 at 11 a.m., Friday Outside Storytime on Aug. 4 at 10 a.m., Legopalooza Movie Day on Aug. 5 at 10 a.m., At the Spot: Create with Cricut Mini-Camp (teen/ adult) on Aug. 7 at 6:30 p.m. and Storytime at the Community Garden (400 Nuttall Road) on Aug 8 at 9 a.m. To register for programs, visit online at riversidelibrary.org/events.

■ The Brook eld Elks Lodge, 9022 31st St., hosts bingo the second Sunday of every month. Doors open at 1 p.m. and games start at 2 p.m. with cash payouts.

THE VAUGHN BUILDING

Nor th Riverside 7-Eleven clerk robbed at gunpoint

A man armed with a handgun robbed a convenience store clerk early on July 28, taking money from the cash re gister before exiting and leaving in a vehicle.

North Riverside police responded to 7-Eleven, 9205 Cermak Road, at about 2:20 a.m. after an employee called to re port the robbery. The victim, who was uninjured, said the offender came into the store and grabbed a soft drink from the cooler before approaching the counter as if to pay.

Instead, the offender re portedly pushed the clerk, produced a handgun and reached over the counter, grabbing about $50 from the re gister. Police described the offender as a Black man, about 6-feet tall with facial hair and wearing a gray hoodie, black shorts and black shoes with white tips and white laces.

The offender was seen on video leaving the store and walking across 17th Avenue to a vehicle, which did a U-turn and headed south on 17th Avenue. A Brookfield police camera last recorded the vehicle heading eastbound on 31st Street.

Felony eeing/eluding

Mark J. Phillips, 31, of Riverside faces two felony counts of fleeing/eluding police after he reportedly led North Riverside officers on a pursuit that started in the 8300 block of Cermak Road and wound through Broadview, Westchester and Hillside before speeding east on I-290 and north on I-90/94 and then into Chicago’s Loop and onto Du Sable Lakeshore Drive before being blocked into a parking lot near McCormick Place early in the after noon on July

North Riverside police received a call at 12:24 p.m. of a blue minivan driving into on-

coming traffic while westbound on Cermak Road from Desplaines Avenue. An officer located the van stopped at a traffic light at First Avenue and attempted to pull the driver over.

Instead, the driver, whom the responding officer knew had a revoked driver’s license from prior contacts, sped west on Cermak and then north on Mannheim Road, disobeying two stop signs and a red light while reaching speeds up to 61 mph in a 30 mph zone.

Police terminated the active pursuit on I-290 around Desplaines Avenue, but a police officer in an unmarked squad continued to follow at a distance. Phillips was reportedly forced to exit Lake Shore Drive due to a police blockade due to Vice President Kamala Harris’ appearance at McCormick Place. He cut through a parking lot, where police were able to block him in

After reportedly refusing commands to get on the ground after exiting his vehicle, Phillips reportedly was tackled from behind by a North Riverside police officer. In addition to the two felony counts, Phillips was charged with reckless driving and driving while revoked.

Brook eld vehicle/garage break-ins

■ A resident of the 8900 block of Southview Avenue, Brookfield, called police on July 25 to report that during the overnight hours, someone entered her vehicle, which was possibly unlocked, and removed a set of Apple ear pods

■ Brookfield police responded to a

dence in the 3500 block of Prairie Avenue on the morning of July 30 after a resident called to report that someone smashed out a window on her vehicle, which was parked on the street over night, and removed the garage door remote.

The offender then used that remote to open the garage door and steal a 2016 BMW X6 parked inside.

■ A resident of the 3900 block of Ver non Avenue, Brookfield, called police on July 30 to report that during the overnight hours, someone entered his unlocked garage and attempted to disassemble the ignition of his vehicle, which was parked inside, in an attempt to steal it

The offender was not successful, and police recovered a screwdriver, which did not belong to the victim, from inside the vehicle.

■ The owner of a landscaping company called Brookfield police on July 31 at about 1:15 p.m. to report that someone had stolen a backpack-style leaf blower, valued at about $350, from a work trailer that had been parked during a job in the 4400 block of Sunnyside Avenue

The victim said he was mowing the lawn at the residence and left the trailer parked out of sight. When he returned, the leaf blower was missing.

Theft

North Riverside police responded to the 2200 block of Park Avenue on the afternoon of July 25 after a resident called to report that someone stole eight outdoor solarpowered lights from the front of his property

The victim told police he last saw the lights on July 24 at 9 p.m. The lights were

■ A woman called North Riverside police on July 25 to re port that someone had stolen two planters from the bottom of the front staircase of a home in the 2300 block of 14th Avenue. It was unclear if the planters had been taken that day or the day before The planters and the flowers in them were valued at about $110.

■ Brookfield police are investigating the theft of multiple items from a business’ storage yard in the 3400 block of Maple Avenue on July 26 around noon.

The witness told police that the items had been taken by someone driving a maroon pickup truck, which was last seen southbound on Maple Avenue. According to the victim, 11 manhole covers, two manhole framers and an unknown number of manhole couplings were taken. The value of the items was estimated at possibly more than $1,000.

■ Police responded to the North Riverside Park Mall, 7501 Cermak Road on July 29 after a man re ported that someone had removed a backpack containing paperwork, financial documents and a pair of shoes from the rear seat of his vehicle.

The victim reportedly told police he’d locked the vehicle before entering the mall, but police re ported no signs of forced entry.

These items were obtained from police reports filed by the Ri verside, North Ri verside and Brookfield police departments, July 2130, and re present a portion of the incidents to which police responded. Unless otherwise indicated, anybody named in these re ports has only been charged with a crime. These cases have not been adjudicated.

— Compiled by Bob Uphues

Get your cupcakes with a side of profanity

Brook eld woman behind e Vulgar Vegan in quarter nals of online contest

By JACKIE PISANO Contributing Reporter

When most people bake cupcakes, they do one of two things — either throw a boxed mix together with eggs and water or Google a recipe, blending butter, flour, baking powder, eggs, butter, salt, oil and milk in a mixing bowl and hoping for the best.

But for Brookfield resident Valerie Vedral, perfecting the art of cupcake making is something she’s approached in anything but the conventional way.

With heaping cups of vegan ingredients, tablespoons of tenacity and a dash of sass, the Brookfield resident has whipped up The Vulgar Vegan — a one-of-a-kind business dedicated to creating vegan cupcakes made from the highest-quality ingredients and packed with a punch of personality.

And right now, Vedral finds herself in the quarterfinals of Carla Hall’s Favorite Chef competition — nationwide online contest sponsored by celebrity chef Ca Hall in which one chef will wi $25,000 and appear in a two-page advertorial in Taste of Home magazine.

In the contest, everyone from sous chefs to hobbyists is judged based on public voting. quarterfinals voting ends

3. If she makes it into the semi finals, voting will take p through Aug. 17 before a national winner is named.

Wherever Vedral sets up shop, she in cludes a voting QR code at her table and asks if people wouldn’t mind casting their for her. You can do that at favchef.com/2023/ valerie-vedral.

In her specific contest bracket, Vedral is the only vegan chef, and if she wins, Vedral said she’s putting the prize money toward opening her own storefront.

“I’ve always loved cooking, and for years and years, I talked about wanting to open up my own restaurant one day or have a vegan

restaurant or bake an food, but never r thing with it,” she said.

Vedral’s journey started a few years ago the pandemic, at a time when many people were reevaluating lives, including jobs and passion projects

When she could stop thinking about much she wanted to create a vegan food Vedral figured there was no better time to get the wheels turning on making her dream a reality

While Vedral had publicly ser cakes several years ago at a wedding, she never had an official business. With a background in journalism and communications, pivoting into the culinary world ould be a complete 180.

ly 2021, she created The Vegan, baking cupcakes her home while researchlocation where she could ccess to a licensed commercial kitchen, offering her pportunity to yield dozens more of her goods.

on a small scale, you got a ood sense of what it would and if it’s really for

gan has operated as a pop-up at the Riverside Far mers Market, Brookfield Far mers Market, Oak Brook Artisan Market, Chicago Vegan Test Kitchen’s markets and Austin Town Hall City Market.

The first question Vedral usually gets from customers is the story behind her business’ peculiar name

huge priority.

“I walk the walk and talk the talk for sure,” she said. “It’s really important to limit our exposure to so many chemicals, and I think we really have a responsibility to make some better choices with products. For a lot of my customers, especially those who are vegan, it’s important to find things that have organic ingredients and companies that are eco-friendly.”

In addition to cupcakes, Vedral also offers a line of premium roasted coffees, partnering with a local coffee roaster who helps her create her private label line of coffees

VEDRAL

After establishing her business as an LLC and securing aking space at The Hatchery — a 67,000-square-foot production facileneurs in Chicago’s East neighborhood —The Vulgar

dral earned a space inside the inaugural Berwyn Shops small-business incubator program in the city’s Roosevelt Road corridor — a venture which helped her gain experience with having a storefront, business education, promotion and future business building resources.

“One of the things that was nice about being a part of the Berwyn Shops was it really gave me that experience of having a mini storefront,” she said. “Even though it was

“Vulgar Vegan came about because my initials are V.V. and I also do have a potty mouth,” she said. “It just kind of made sense and is catchy and funny. The marketing behind the business really does embrace an upscale experience, but the vulgarity is still there — and it really makes people laugh.

“When I’m out in public and people see my logo or they read the menu — like the Lemon Twist being ‘f*cking refreshing’ — people tell me, ‘Well, I have to get this cupcake now.’”

With recipes created on the fly, Vedral first comes up with a cupcake’s name and then reverse engineers a recipe

“The Vulgar Vegan is for people who really want that experience of having this cupcake that’s got some crazy name but will make you feel good and put a smile on your face,” she said.

A vegan for the past decade and a longtime vegetarian prior, for Vedral, creating a business incorporating organic ingredients and environmentally conscious sourcing was a

Though running a one-woman business has its challenges, Vedral credits her husband, Brian Moore, and her kids, Elliot, Elise and Mira Moore, for their help and love along the way.

And while she’s loved meeting so many different people at popup events, her ultimate goal for The Vulgar Vegan is for the business to become brick-and-mortar.

To any budding bakers and chefs in the area, Vedral has a simple message: just go for it

“Don’t wait until your idea is perfect, because if you wait, your idea will never be perfect,” she said. “You’ll always find a reason to talk yourself out of it. I think of how many years I finally waited to start this business, and sometimes it makes me sad that I didn’t go for it a lot sooner, because I truly love this.”

To learn more about The Vulgar Ve gan, visit thevulgarvegancupcakes.com.

VALERIE

PROVIDED

Valerie Vedral has been selling her Vulgar Vegan sweet treats as a pop-up vendor at markets in Brook eld, Riverside, Oak Brook and Chicago.

By Linda Sokol Francis. E.A.

THE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE RECENTLY ISSUED GUIDANCE ADDRESSING IMPROPER FORGIVENESS OF A PAYCHECK PROTECTION PROGRAM LOAN: PART II

Under the terms of the PPP loan program, lenders can forgive the full amount of the loan if the loan recipient meets three conditions.

• The loan recipient was eligible to receive the PPP loan. (An eligible loan recipient is a small business concern, independent contractor, eligible self-employed individual, sole proprietor, business concern, or a certain type of true-exempt entity);

• was in business on or before February 15, 2020; and

• had employees or independent contractors who were paid for their services, or was a selfemployed individual, sole proprietor or independent contractor.

The loan proceeds had to be used to pay eligible expenses, such as payroll costs, rent, interest on the

Brook eld to buy bus for recreation department use

business’ mortgage, and utilities.

The loan recipient had to apply for loan forgiveness. The loan forgiveness application required a loan recipient to attest to eligibility, verify certain financial information, and meet other legal qualifications.

If the three conditions above are met, then under the PPP loan program the forgiven portion is excluded from income. If the conditions are not met, then the amount of the loan proceeds that were forgiven but do not meet the conditions must be included in income and any additional income tax must be paid.

Sokol Francis, E.A.

Purchasing vehicle w ill cut down on rentals, expand programming

By BOB UPHUES Editor

Brookfield trustees on July 24 gave their blessing for the Department of Parks and Recreation to purchase a 2014 Chevy Elkhart Coach bus from the South East Association for Special Parks and Recreation, the organization the provides special recreation programming in the village

Parks and Rec has never had a bus of its own, and SEASPAR recently of fered its 2014 bus, which has a wheelchair lift, to the village for $12,000. The bus has 61,000 miles on it, but it re por tedly was given once over from both mechanics in the Department of Public Works, who “believe this is a great deal for the price and the bus is in good condition,” according to a memo to the village board from Recreation Director Luke Gundersen.

During a discussion of the purchase during the village board’s committee of the whole meeting on July 24, Assistant Village Manager Stevie Ferrari said the bus, which seats 15, including the driver, would not only cut down on what the recreation department spends to rent buses, it will streamline transportation of kids in the before- and after-school STARS program.

Financial records obtained by the Landmark from the village indicate that in 2022, Brookfield spent about $26,000 in bus rental fees, much of that for day trips to museums, sporting events and other attractions. Year to date through June 2023, the village had spent about $8,000 on bus rentals

The Parks and Recreation Department does have re gular access to another SEASPAR bus, which is housed in Brookfield and which it uses to transport STARS and summer camp participants

But the village’s access to that bus is limited, since SEASPAR uses the bus Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Perhaps as important, having its own bus will allow the department to increase enrollment in the STARS program and expand programming in the form of weekday trips for kids, teens and seniors.

“If we were to provide one bus trip [for senior citizens] per month, I project an additional $7,000 in revenue per year,” Gundersen wrote in his memo to the board.

Senior trips are in high demand, said Gundersen, and because the cost to rent a bus can be $500 per trip, that cost has to be rolled into the cost of the trip for the participants.

“At times, the extra cost to residents discourages them from signing up for the trip,” Gundersen said.

According to Gundersen, those additional program offerings – expanding enrollment and increasing day trip opportunities -- could result in around $42,000 annually in revenue.

While the bus purchase, wrapping it in Brookfield Parks & Rec graphics, fuel and vehicle maintenance will cost Brookfield about $18,000 in the first year, it would cost about $3,000 annually in fuel and maintenance costs in the future.

Staf f will be able to drive the bus, since a commercial driver’s license is not required for its operation.

While village trustees questioned how much life a 9-year-old bus with 61,000 miles on it had left in it, they agreed that Village Manager Timothy Wiberg should move ahead with a purchase ag reement, which was for an amount below the level triggering village board approval.

“If you’ re showing the revenue it can create even if it only lasted for two years, it would pay for itself and maybe another new bus,” said Trustee Katie Kaluzny, which she suggested might even be an electric-powered vehicle.

Trustee Nicole Gilhooley pointed out that owning a bus with a chair lift would allow the department to accommodate people with a wide range of abilities or mobility issues.

“It really looks like it could support a diverse group of participants who would be using it, and I think that’s really important,” Gilhooley said.

Fewer lead water lines in Brook eld than expected

As village primes for water main/lead line replacement, eyes turn toward funding

By BOB UPHUES Editor

As Brookfield begins in earnest the task of re placing all lead water service lines in the village, officials got a bit of good news recently.

As crews changing out water meter transmission units have taken inventory of the number of lead service lines they’re encountering, they are reporting far fewer lead lines than expected.

Village Engineer Derek Treichel told elected officials during an update at the village board’s July 24 committee of the whole meeting that instead of an estimated 5,500 lead service lines, Brookfield had closer to 3,100.

With the cost of swapping out one lead service line hovering at around $10,000, that means a savings to the village – and, by extension, residents -- of about $24 million when the state-mandated changeover

is complete.

That said, the village’s two-pronged plan to replace the oldest water mains in the village and all of the lead water service lines will still end up costing tens of millions of dollars.

Previously, the village had hoped that it would qualify for up to $4 million in loans from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency each year – loans that would eventually be forgiven – to fund much of the work. However, the IEPA has told Brookfield it is no longer forgiving the lowinterest loans.

In March, Brookfield submitted a project plan for the first two phases of its water main re placement program, which included replacing all of the lead service lines connected to those mains.

The project plan also included a program to re place 1,200 lead service lines connected to mains that are not scheduled to be replaced in the near future.

The total estimated cost of all of those projects was about $31 million, although due to fewer than expected lead service lines being encountered that figure will likely come down by several million dollars.

The IEPA has re portedly accepted the project plan in its entirety, and it appears likely that Brookfield will be able to obtain low-interest loans from the IEPA to fund the Phase I water main/lead service line re placement, which is expected to cost roughly $5.3 million and re place some 8,200 feet of water main in various spots around the village

If IEPA funding is approved for those projects, the Phase I work will take place in 2024.

In addition, Brookfield plans to apply for up to $3 million annually to fund re placement of lead water services that are not part of water main replacement projects. If successful, that amount of money could

Brookfield Chamber of Commerce Business Spotlight

Warm Wick has been in business for 2 years. We are celebrating our 1 year anniversary with our brick-n-mortar on September 24. My passion and work ethic inspired me to open up a shop. I always wanted to own a little “tiendita.” I have a background in graphic design and a masters in project management. I decided to combine the two to create a company that is based on our culture. Latin-inspired Spanishnamed candles, natural soy wax candles, non-toxic fragrance oils and recyclable amber jars. We’re bringing our homage to our customers. We want to share our culture with you!

Our best-sellers are Abuelita Concha, Pumpkin Churro, Harvest Horchata and Apple Canela! Fragrances that inspire you to eat your favorite Mexican foods

or reminisce about your childhood experiences. I grew up in Little Village on the Southside of Chicago. I want to inspire people with food candles, treats and more. We have a signature, fresh & floral, masculine and kids collection! We also offer our candle experiences. This is the perfect way to make a candle, pour your own wax and choose your fragrances. I help you with the blending process. You also get to name your candles. During this workshop, you will learn the fundamentals of candle-making to create a custom candle for yourself or as a gift. Registration ticket includes supplies, guided instruction to craft (1) 8 oz amber candle jar with a custom fragrance design. Additional candles available for purchase in the shop.

Candle makers also get charcuterie from

Krispies and a treat from Fill My Jar. We love collaborating with small businesses. The best part about being in Brookfield is the sweet sense of community our village has. We have great neighbors, love the vibe Brookfield brings to families, in proximity to the city, but also how much Brookfield supports local, small businesses. We love being Brookfielders! We welcome everyone to the shop! Warm Wick is a safe, small boutique for families and new comers!

My favorite thing about running a business is meeting new people and networking with them, learning from each other, receiving good mentorship and of course, I get to make candles for all you beautiful people! You truly inspire me everyday! I love my customers!

pay for the re placement of 250 lead water services each year, putting the village on a path to complete the lead water service changeout in 10 years.

In 2021, village officials raised water rates 18.5% to service any debt the village would have to incur to pay for the water main re placement and then raised rates another 14% in 2022 to fund lead service line re placement.

The IEPA loans will spread the cost over 20 years, and village officials may need to adjust water rates in the future to pay for whatever debt Brookfield ends up taking on. Based on current prices and interest rates, according to Treichel, the village may need to again look at adjusting water rates in 2027.

But, with about $800,000 in revenue already generated by the 2021 and 2022 water rate increases, the village this year will begin re placing about 60 lead service lines that have been identified as leaking.

Presented by

North Riverside celebrates its centennia with parade, festival

New time capsule placement, historical society gala, original musical on tap in coming months

By JACKIE PISANO Contributing Reporter

In 1923, The Walt Disney Company was founded, the New York Yankees won their first World Series title, the inaugural issue of Time magazine was published and the original Hollywood sign was unveiled in Los Angeles.

That same year, in a small, quiet corner of the Midwest nestled between the City of the Big Shoulders and vast forest preserves, the village of North Riverside was

incorporated, setting the trajectory toward a century of life in the suburb.

One hundred years later, North Ri village officials and residents from across generations gathered on July lage’s official centennial celebration.

The afternoon kicked of f from the west end of town heading eastbound along 26th Street toward Veterans Park.

Parade participants included not only North Riverside village officials, but an array of local politicians across Ri and Proviso townships and Cook County, first responders from the near west suburbs, Komarek School staf f and local business owners.

The fun then shifted to the Village Commons, 2401 Desplaines Ave., where young festival goers enjoyed carnival rides and games and guests of all ages enjoyed an abundance of food, fellowship and live music. The evening capped of f in true North

Riverside fashion — with a fireworks display.

Though North Riverside was long known in the area for many years as the home of Melody Mill Ballroom — one of the nation’s largest, which entertained thousands with music and dancing from 1930 through 1984 — residents today proudly reflect on the village as a place that cherishes family values and lasting friendships with neighbors.

“I know people that grew up here, got mar ried and bought homes here themselves and are now raising their families here,” said Donna Landa, a 24-year resident of North Riverside. “Raising my own family in North Riverside, I loved the down-home feel. We have restaurants and stores and all that stuf f, but it still feels like a small town where so many people know each other.”

Debbie Czajka, a lifelong resident and village trustee now serving her third term in office, ag rees.

“The people of North Riverside have made the village so great,” she said. “Being the small community with the big heart, I think that when times are tough, we all band together and look toward the future.”

Mayor Joseph Mengoni, who has lived

in North Riverside for more than 20 years, says that whether he meets with other local government leaders or makes small talk with people, he’s always proud to say he’s helping North Riverside not just remain a quaint village of under 7,000 residents — but move toward a promising future.

With new plans on the horizon for North Riverside, including revitalization of vacant property at North Riverside Park Mall, Mengoni says he hopes residents always feel they are made a priority.

“In North Riverside, we’re always looking forward,” he said. “We want to continue to provide the same quality services that we’ve always provided from kids to seniors, change as the times change, and continually improve the village. I want to help keep North Riverside beautiful, just as it’s always been. We’re a small town, where everybody knows everybody — it’s family.”

As for other centennial events planned this year, North Riverside has a few things in the works.

At the upcoming annual Autumn Fest & Chili Cookof f in September, a new time capsule is set to be buried at the Village Commons.

The village’s 75th anniversary time capsule, which was buried during celebrations

JACKIE PISANO

North Riverside Parks and Recreation employees wave to specta tors dur ing the North Riverside 100 parade, which kicked o the village’s centennial festival on July 30.

JACKIE PISANO

Kids enjoyed carnival r ides and games at the centennial festival outside the North Riverside Village Commons on July 30. e event, which featured live music, food and beverages, was capped by a reworks display.

Garcia fetes Nor th Riverside’s centennial in U.S. House speech

Congressman Jesus “Chuy” Garcia, the Democrat whose 4th District includes North Riverside east of to the floor of the sentatives on the afternoon of enter into the record to North Riverside tennial of its incorp municipality

His brief floor speech follo

“I rise to celebrate the versary of the Village Illinois.

“The area now known as North Riverside sits on Potawatomi land that was purchased by a real estate and fur tradin company in 1835.

“By 1900, onion far move to the area and the from there.

“The bright neon lights and blaring brass sounds of the le g endary Melody Mill Ballroom – a mainstay of the Big Band era – attracted people from all over who were looking for a lindy-hopping night of jazz and swing music.

“North Riverside continues to be a thriving place, with a vibrant theater scene, sports, scouting, and even a quilting club. Every street has a block captain who helps neighbors and seniors with errands and much more.

“Here’s to the next 100 years, North Riverside!”

Garcia, a resident of Chicago’s Little

in the summer of 1998, was recently unearthed by village officials. Unfortunately, father time and mother nature we re not kind to the contents of the capsule Mold and water d estroyed many of the capsule’s ar tifacts. However, i tems that we re salvageable, including historic al village p hoto gr aphs, village building sketches, a menu from Mother ’s Day Restaurant and letters from residents at the time are now displayed inside a small g lass c ase located i nside the Vi llage C ommons

On F riday, Oct. 20, the North Rive rside Historical Society will host a c entennial g ala at Rive rside Golf C lub, promising g uests an evening of dinner, drinks and live ly musi c.

Village neighborhood, has been the 4th District’s cong ressman since 2019, when he re placed Luis Gutier re z. T he 4th District, an amoebic area that stretches as far northwest as Franklin Park, as far west as Oak Brook, as far east as Bridgeport and as far south as Oak Lawn, also includes all of Riverside and all but one proper ty in Brookfield.

— Bob Uphues

In November, the North Rive rside Players will produce a special c entennial show. T hough d etails are yet to be unve i led, the theater troupe says the production will be an upbeat musical review of the past 100 year s.

In a ddition, visitors to the Vi llage C ommons c an now check out a visual timeline of North Rive rside ’s history on the wall next to the C ouncil C hamber s, with p hotos and years marking major events, p eop le and p laces from throughout the year s.

Fo r more info rm ation on North Rivers ide ’s c elebrations and events throughout the end of the year, visit the Vi llage ’s we bsite at northr iverside-il.org or check out the village and Parks and Re creation Department’s Facebook page s.

COURTESY OF C-SPAN Rep. Jesus “Chuy” Garcia congratulates North Riverside on celebrating its centennial dur ing a speech on the House oor at the U.S. Capitol on July 27.

Brook eld inaugural bike race brings thrills, spills

Crowds thronged to downtown area for Intelligentsia Cup Criterium

By BOB SKOLNIK

Contributing Reporter

Professional bicycle racing came to Brookfield last week when the village hosted the Cycle Brookfield Criterium, which was part of the 10-day Intelligentsia Cup series in the Chicago area.

Hundreds of bike racers, ranging from novices to experienced pros, raced around a nearly one-mile, zigzagging course, which started and ended in downtown Brookfield. The day featured nine races in various categories and a family fun ride of a couple laps for recreational cyclists.

Crowds grew throughout the day. Spectators were sparse when the first races began after a morning thunderstorm, but spectators gathered as evening approached, especially along the 3700 block of Grand Boulevard

There, the sidewalks were packed, especially by the start/finish line, by the time the professional women and men raced in the evening. Spectators and racers came from all over, including -for the racers at least -- from as far away as Australia and New Zealand.

Many of the spectators had never seen a bike race in person before and they were impressed as bikers whizzed raced by in tight groups. In the final sprint to the finish line, the men’s pro division winner, 32-year-old Robin Carpenter, of Philadelphia, hit 45 mph as he overtook second-place finisher Hugo Scala.

“It’s exhilarating,” said Joe Remiasz, of Brookfield. “I just think the atmosphere is cool, the sound’s cool, the place is cool, I like everything about it. I just think it’s a pretty cool little experience in our little village here.”

“It’s just impressive to see how fast these guys are,” added Brookfield resident Wally Ottenhof f.

Both the men’s and women’s pro races lasted 70 minutes, with the men riding about 32 miles and the women doing a little less.

Danielle Morshead of California, a 26-year-old graduate of Brown University, won the women’s race with a powerful sprint, edging fellow Californian Kendall Ryan and picking up the first place prize money of $500.

Morshead, who works part time as a marketing manager for the National Eczema Association in addition to being a profes-

sional bike racer, said that she liked the Brookfield course

“This course was really technical and it had a long sprint, which is pretty unique,” Morshead said. “Not too many courses are both technical and long sprint. Usually, it’s one or the other.”

The day of racing was sponsored by Cycle Brookfield, which worked with the village to put to event on. Chris Valadez, the president of Cycle Brookfield, said that a number of people told him that they had never seen a bike race before but now wanted to see more.

“People were really jazzed about seeing more of this,” Valadez said. “It was really cool to kind introduce my community to crit racing, but also to see the reactions from people who had never seen it before.”

The event also brought local restaurants

and bars some new business

Dan Velcich, a co-owner with his wife, Brenna, of Burger Antics on Grand Boulevard, said that the event brought new diners to his gour met burger restaurant saying that he was doing more business than a normal Wednesday.

“And regardless of what happens today when it comes to our final checkout, it’s an amazing event and it’s going to be really awesome to have all this exposure,” Velcich said. “We have so many new people.”

Down the block at Paisan’s, business was slow in the afternoon. One cashier said that a number of people had cancelled lunch orders because there was no place to park since Grand Boulevard was closed to car traffic for the day of bike racing.

Village President Mike Garvey said that he thought the day was a success

“This is our first time doing this and I’ve got to tell you I want to do it again,” Garvey

STEVE JOHNSTON

Men’s professional racers make their way back onto Grand Boulevard past the Linda Sokol Francis Brook eld Library during the Cycle Brook eld/ Intelligentsia Cup Criter ium on July 26 in Brook eld.

STEVE JOHNSTON

told the crowd from the awards stage before handing out awards to the top three finishers.

Garvey said the event exposed many to downtown Brookfield for the first time

“I think it will make an economic impact today, but also when people come and see Brookfield, they’ll want to come back,” Garvey said.

Village Manager Tim Wiberg said it probably cost the village approximately $20,000 to put on the event, mostly for overtime costs and traffic control measures. Wiberg said

that the village viewed the cost as an investment in economic development.

“It seemed like the businesses were enjoying a strong customer base, which was kind of one of the goals of this and I think it achieved that,” Wiberg said. “It was great to see our bars and restaurants doing special things to take advantage of the fact that were some people right outside their doors, at least on Grand Boulevard.”

Approximately 80 volunteers, including about a dozen from the Brookfield Women’s Club, helped put on the event and kept

Women’s professional racers spin out of the rst, tight turn from Grand Boulevard onto Prairie Avenue during the Cycle Brook eld/Intelligentsia Cup Criter ium on July 26 in Brook eld.

things running smoothy.

PROVIDED

Brookfield. “I thought it would be kind of neat to have somebody in the race.”

For mer Brookfield resident Robert Sedivy, 33, finished sixth in the men’s novice race

The woman’s pro race was marred by a nasty crash coming out of the tur n by the library. The cyclist was seriously injured, and the race was stopped as paramedics treated her and eventually transported her to a hospital.

The delay, which came with six laps to go, was difficult for the lead group

“We don’t like to stop, especially within the last 10 laps,” Morshead said after the race “Our engines are hot and we’re cruising and we’re in the flow and in the zone and when you stop, it breaks all of that.”

Carpenter finished third overall in the men’s pro division of the Intelligentsia Cup, which is based on results in all 10 races. The men’s overall winner was Ben Oliver of New Zealand. Oliver finished ninth in the Brookfield race

Morshead finished 10th overall in the women’s professional standings. The women’s overall winner was Samantha Schneider, who finished seventh in the Brookfield race.

Only a couple of local riders participated in the competitive races. One was 56-yearold Eddie Rivera of Brookfield, who was competing in his first bike race. He’s a former runner who got more into cycling when he had his left knee replaced a few years ago.

Rivera rode in the first race of the day, the men’s novice race, which lasted for about 30 minutes. Although he finished 15th in the field of 16 who finished the race, Rivera said that he had fun.

“I thought I would represent the town,” said Rivera, an active member of Cycle

The race in Brookfield was a homecoming for Todd Busteed, the lead announcer for the Intelligentsia Cup. Busteed grew up in Brookfield and graduated from RiversideBrookfield High School in 1978. Busteed now lives in Winfield. He said he hadn’t been back in Brookfield for decades.

On the morning of the race, he rode the course and also to his alma maters S.E. Gross and RBHS. As a kid he rode around Brookfield delivering newspapers on his bike.

“It was surreal experience to see all those places after 45 years,” Busteed said.

JEFF BOROWIAK

Eddie Rivera, 56, of Brook eld, competed in the Nov ice div ision of the Cycle Brookeld/Intelligentsia Cup Criter ium, his rst-ever race, on July 26 in Brook eld.

STEVE JOHNSTON

People of all ages ride down Grand Boulevard during Family Fun Ride, which took place in between the women’s and men’s pro races at the Cycle Brook eld/Intelligentsia Cup Criter ium on July 26 in Brook eld.

STEVE JOHNSTON

Ada Kuykendall, of Brook eld, pins on her mother Amy’s Family Fun Ride tag during the Cycle Brook eld/Intelligentsia Cup Criter ium on July 26.

D103 school board extends superintendent’s contract

New deal keeps Rivera at helm through 2025-26 school year

By BOB SKOLNIK Contributing Reporter

For the second consecutive year, Lyons School District 103 Superintendent Kristopher Rivera has rece ived a contract extension.

On July 25, the District 103 school board voted 5-0 to extend Rivera’s contract two additional years so that it now r uns through the end of the 2025-26 school year. Under a contract extension approved last year, Rivera’s contract would have expired at the end of the upcoming school year.

If a school board wants to keep a superintendent, they are g enerally loath to enter the final year of a superintendent’s contract without giving the superintendent an extension.

“I’m happy with it,” Rivera said after the July 25 school

board meeting, which lasted for approximately se minutes.

“I’m glad to continue in the district, continue the wo we’re doing,” he added. “We’ve got some growth, hopefull coming in the test scores. We’ve gone from, prior to me, having some struggling schools and now we’ve got two exemplary schools and four commendable and, hopefully, come thi October we’re going to find out we have four exemplary.”

Edison and Home elementary schools, both located in Stickney, were rated as exemplary, the highest rating, on the most recent school report card issued by the Illinois State Board of Education. The district’s other four schools were all rated as commendable.

District 103 serves Lyons, Stickney, McCook, Forest View and the southeast quarter of Brookfield

The school report focuses on student growth and progress. Students in District 103, 75% of whom are considered low income by the state, continue to lag state averages in absolute academic performance as measured by performance on state-mandated standardized tests

In the district as a whole, only 18.6% of District 103 stu-

dents met or exceeded state standards in English and language arts as measured in the spring of 2022 compared to 30.1 percent of students statewide

In math only 12.1% of District 103 students met or exceeded state standards compared to 25.5% of students statewide Rivera is beginning his fourth full year at the helm in District 103 after being hired in 2019. His salary this year will be $176,130.

In the final two years of his contract, he will receive the same percentage raise as teachers, 4% for the 2024-25 fiscal year and 3.75% for the 2025-26 school year.

KRISTOPHER RIVERA

RBHS hires rst-ever, full-time public relations sta er

Recent college graduate w ill handle all aspects of communication, social media

By BOB SKOLNIK Contributing Reporter

For what is believed to the first time in the school’s history Riverside Brookfield High School now has a full-time public relations person.

On July 11, the RBHS District 208 Board of Education voted 6-0 to ap prove hiring Kiley Fletcher to the newly created position of coordinator of public relations and community engagement.

Fletcher, 21, began working RBHS on Aug. 1. She is a recent graduate of the University of Illi nois with a degree in advertisin and a minor in public relations.

“I started to minor in PR and then I kind of realized that I wanted to take more of the PR route than traditional advertising,” Fletcher told the Landmark in a telephone interview last week before starting work at RBHS

Fletcher had been working since January as a public affairs account associate at wellknown Chicago public relations firm Jasculca Terman. Fletcher was chosen from a field of 20 applicants. She will be paid an annual

salary of $65,000.

Fletcher, who grew up in Palatine and graduated from Palatine High School, is excited to begin work at RBHS

“I just kind of want to set a high standard for this position because I’m the first one in this role,” Fletcher said.”

The genesis for creating the position came from a consultant’s community survey and report done last year by the Wisconsin-based School Perceptions consulting firm. The firm evaluated RBHS communications efforts and saw room for improvement.

One finding that concerned school officials was that 58% of respondents to a survey, who were not RBHS parents or staff members, said that their preferred method of receiving information about the school was from the Landmark newspaper. Only 24% of staff and just 8% of RBHS parents said the same thing

“I think that we can do a better job of getting information out and advertising all the good things that are going at the high school,” said RBHS Superintendent Kevin Skinkis.

While Skinkis said he thought the Landmark’s coverage was fair, he said there are other things going on at the school worthy of attention that don’t make it into the newspaper

That will be one of Fletcher’s main jobs

“I think Dr. Skinkis and everyone else on the team kind of wants to have those positive stories, and part of my job is to find what those stories are and put them out into the community,” Fletcher said.

Fletcher will supervise the school’s social media accounts and the school’s communication with parents. She will work to develop relationships with involved parents

“They are a big stakeholder when it comes to making sure everyone can access infor mation easily and everyone can be on the same page,” Fletcher said.

She will also work to improve the school’s website and boost its social media accounts

“We want to grow our presence on social media and we want to improve the overall functionality of our website,” Skinkis said.

It is not unusual for high schools these days to have a communications professional on staff. Lyons Township High School and Oak Park and River Forest High School have long had such positions.

Some schools like to funnel all communication with the news media through their PR person while others permit school staff to talk with reporters unsupervised. Skinkis told the Landmark that school administrators will still be able to talk to the news media

“You can still contact the administrators you’re looking for,” Skinkis told the Landmark. “Whether or not they call you back or they work with her to get you a response, I don’t want you to think that you cannot contact us because there should be opportunities for us to provide a direct quote to you or answer to you.”

One of Fletcher’s responsibilities at Jasculca Ter man was to help put together the firm’s FYI School News newsletter to clients. While doing that Fletcher became very interested in school news and started thinking about eventually working for a school district.

Fletcher thinks that her youth, she is only four years removed from high school herself, will help her relate to students at RBHS. She has been researching RBHS and will continue to learn more about it as she starts her new job.

“It’s exciting but it can be a little nervewracking,” Fletcher said.

Apparent settlement in lawsuits between former cop, Nor th Riverside

Agreement in principle expected to get village board approval

By BOB UPHUES Editor

Back in May, a federal jury found for mer North Riverside Mayor Kenneth Krochmal liable for defaming for mer police officer Frank Schmalz outside the Village Common polling place on election day in 2013 and cleared for mer Police Chief Lane Niemann of retaliating against Schmalz, who was taken off a plum task force, passed over for promotion and eventually sent home for good following that election.

The jury awarded Schmalz $600,000 in

damages for statements made in public by Krochmal on that day in 2013.

But that wasn’t the end of the case.

Schmalz had a second retaliation case, filed in 2021, pending against the village of North Riverside and Administrator Sue Scarpiniti related to $60,000 in courtordered benefit payments that the village was withholding.

Now, however, Schmalz, the village, Krochmal and Niemann have apparently come to a settlement that will resolve both cases once and for all, according to documents filed recently in U.S. District Court.

On July 12, the village of North Riverside filed a motion to dismiss the 2021 case and on July 19, Krochmal filed a motion for a new trial, claiming the court improperly prejudiced the jury against him and tha t the damages awarded to Schmalz were excessive

Two days later, on July 21, Schmalz and the various defendants filed motions to stay hearing the new trial and dismissal requests.

According to both motions to stay, all sides have “reached an ag reement in principle to resolve the disputes between them.” That ag reement, as of July 21, was being drafted in preparation for approval by the North Riverside Board of Trustees

“Barring something unexpected,” the motion states, that ag reement is expected to be approved no later than Sept. 30.

The unexpected has been part and parcel of Schmalz’s pursuit of his 2013 case against the village. In 2014, Schmalz amended his complaint to zero in on his theory that local officials conspired to retaliate against him for backing Rocco DeSantis, another for mer police officer, for mayor against Hubert Hermanek Jr.

The outgoing mayor, Krochmal, who did not run for a second term, backed Hermanek and engaged in a heated verbal exchange outside the North Riverside Village Commons on election day 2013 with Schmalz, publicly accusing him of committing crimes.

In 2016, court documents showed that Schmalz appeared to have accepted a $60,000 settlement, but a judge ruled that Schmalz never gave his explicit consent to accept the settlement.

The case would drag on another seven years, with multiple attempts at reaching a settlement coming to nought.

It finally went to trial on May 5 and lasted 11 days before the jury returned a split decision, awarding damages on the defamation claim but exonerating Niemann of retaliation.

KILE Y FLETCHER

Opinion

THE L ANDMARK VIEW

KOSEY CORNER

Barbie not just for kids anymore Park use in crosshairs

In years gone by, if there was a public fight to be waged in Riverside, it’d often be fought over exactly how park land should be used.

Green spaces are treasured in Riverside, since their broad expanses are the legacy of Frederick Law Olmsted’s general plan for the village. It’s understandable that those who love those green spaces feel possessive of them.

But we’d remind everyone of what Olmsted himself thought of those green spaces. Writing in 1868 in his preliminary report to the Riverside Improvement Company, he put it this way:

“We should recommend the appropriation of some of the best of your property for public grounds, and that most of these should have the character of infor mal village-greens, commons and play-grounds, rather than of enclosed and defended parks or gardens.”

Those green spaces should, Olmsted wrote, “often provide at such points, croquet or ball grounds, sheltered seats and drinking fountains, or some other objects which would be of general interest or convenience to passers-by.”

In other words, Olmsted viewed parks as active spaces to be used by the community, not passive sanctuaries to be, in his words, “defended.”

So, the prospect of disc golf – not a thing back in 1868, but in concept along the lines of croquet – would appear to fit in with Olmsted’s vision for what purpose Riverside’s parks should serve And while the Parks and Recreation Department might have moved more quickly to reach out to residents near Indiana Gardens, where a disc golf course is being proposed, we’re not sure it would have made much of a difference to at least some neighbors, who want no part of it for that location, Olmsted be damned.

What’s most disappointing is an apparent scare campaign underway implying that the Scout Cabin will disappear and stating, recklessly, that “random strangers” will be ordering Riverside residents out of their park in order to play a round of disc golf, presumably with their dirty, outsider hands and shoes

That’s some old-school Riverside parochialism right there, and it’s as ugly now as it was in 1893, when Riverside went to court to try and stop the construction of a bridge connecting Riverside with Riverside Lawn. That bid failed and the Swinging Bridge has long been seen as an amenity.

There are some details to work out with regard to disc golf in Indian Gardens – where exactly the holes will be, how the hole structures will be anchored, whether they can be removed in winter and how to make them as inobtrusive as possible.

We are certain that, with an advisory committee of 25 people, work can be done in good faith and without the need for anyone to push self-serving false narratives impugning the motives of their fellow Riverside residents

Little did I expect at this stage of my column career the Barbie doll would be my subject. I was not one who would have played with Barbie dolls, since I was past the stage and had preferred baby dolls anyway

I will admit to having an original Ken doll in the box. It was a gift from my mom, who felt sorry for me because that Christmas I didn’t have a boyfriend. Needless to say, the following year I did have a boyfriend, who coincidentally wound up to be Husband Joe.

So, Barbie the doll took off and many little girls had not just one Barbie, but a collection of clothes for everyday wear as well as professional wear. It was the intent that Barbie could teach what little girls could be in today’s world.

Barbie dolls also became collectibles, issued in costumes that are affixed to historical personalities. Often these dolls were ke pt in their original boxes to keep or increase their values. It was apparent those dolls were not meant to be played with and often were collected by adults

So now we come to today’s Barbie and a new era.

LETTERS

Disc golf course needs to be moved east

We support our Parks and Recreation Department, enjoy and volunteer for their programs, and reco gnize their value to village residents. Nevertheless, parks and rec are proposing to install a nine-hole disc golf course in the natural parkway between the Scout Cabin and Indian Gardens, and we most strongly object to their proposal to site this activity in this space.

The proposed location poses safety issues, either for the participants or the general public; the proposed location would be so short as to be a “putt putt” version of a normal course; and the proposed location is protected by village statute as open space for the enjoyment of all citizens.

Here we will focus on safety. First, the area current-

I naively believed the new blockbuster movie was geared toward the young Barbie aficionados of today. Evidently, it is a movie geared towards adults and enjoyed by a number of people, breaking box office records over the weekend

I guess it really is a good movie, and Ryan Gosling is even mentioned as an Oscar candidate. I don’t know if he would be my character choice; obviously it’s a good thing they didn’t ask me.

Y

Helping the box office high was the soaring heat. What better way to cool off by checking out a flick and getting a big box of popcorn.

Speaking about weather, everybody is talking about it but can’t do a thing about. I think the person who invented air conditioning was a man named Carrier. Luckily, the air conditioning at Cantata has remained good, even the other night during the storm. There were a few blips, but the service was good. TV was off, so I said my rosary hoping all would be helped and fell asleep.

Stay cool everyone, although we will be talking about this heatwave for quite a while.

ly proposed is both nar row and only 350-400 yards in length. This would accommodate three to four holes of disc golf. To wedge in nine holes means that on the second half of the course, the players are playing against the direction of players coming the other direction. They would, in effect, be sharing the same fairways, but in opposite directions. Second, players using the course pose a danger for pedestrians walking in this area, as well as a conflict for people using the Scout Cabin.

Third, many holes of the proposed course are sited very close to Fairbank Road. Even for expert players, it is reasonable to expect that discs will end up in the road, creating a huge risk for motorists or cyclists and the individual retrieving the disc.

All of these safety issues could easily be avoided by locating the proposed course 100 yards to the east and situate the holes around the baseball fields in Indian Gardens Park. This would provide a safer, more interesting and longer one-way course.

Melinda Pruett-Jones Ri verside

JOANNE KOSE

Eugene Koszala, 88

Retired union machinist

Eugene Koszala, 88, of North Riverside, died July 30, 2023.

Born Jan. 3, 1935, Mr. Koszala was a union trustee for Machinist Local 126. He was a longtime parishioner of Mater Christi Church, where he was an usher, a member of the Holy Name Society and a SPREAD Gold Member. Eugene’s pride and joy were his grandchildren.

He was the husband of the late Joanne S. Koszala (nee Cossa); the father of Sharon (Steven) Rodriguez, Kevin (Helene), Jonathan (Dawn) and Brian (Emily) Koszala; the grandfather of Gianna (Estaban) Reyes, Nicholas Pollastrini, Margaret, Joseph, Anthony Koszala and Carter and Aubrey Koszala; and the great-grandfather of Natalie, Olivia, Luka and Eli.

Family and friends will be received at the Conboy-Westchester Funeral Home, 10501 W. Cermak Road, Westchester, on Thursday, Aug. 3 from 3 to 8 p.m. A funeral Mass will be celebrated Friday, Aug. 4 at 10 a.m. at Mater Christi Church, North Riverside. Interment is at Queen of Heaven Cemetery, Hillside.

In lieu of flowers, memorials to SPREAD Center or the Prostate Cancer Foundation (pcf.org) are appreciated.

Arrangements were handled by the Original Kuratko Family, Brian D. Kuratko, funeral director.

Margaret Mikel, 92

LaGrange Park homemake r

Mar ga re t

“Marge” Mi kel (nee Pulec), 92, of L aGrange Pa rk , died Ju ly 27, 2023.

Ms. Mikel was a homemaker

S he was the w ife of 57 years to the late John A. Mikel; the mother of S usan L ally,

OBITUARIES

John R. (Julie) Mikel, the late Ro be rt J. (Kat hy ) Mikel and the late T homas L ally; the gr andmother of Pam (Brian) Bilek, A manda (Keith) Ryan, Crissy (Jay ) Hansen, Cin dy (Wes) Devries and Nicholas N olan; the great gr andmother of Lo ga n and Pe y ton Bilek, Wi lliam N olan, Dylan, Delaney, Sadie and S hane Ryan, A nnab elle, Lu cy and Magnolia Devrie s, Gage and C allie Hansen; the d aughter of the late St ep hen Pulec and the late A nna Pulec (nee Janosik); the sister of the late A nn (the late Laddie) Vavra, the late Milan (the late Lil) Pulec and the late E lsi e (the late Ed) Fields; and the aunt of many nieces and ne phew s.

A f uneral Mass was c elebrated Ju ly 31 at St. L ouise de Marillac C hurch, LaGrange Pa rk . I nterment was at Queen of Heaven Cemeter y, Hillside.

Express c ondolences online at HitzemanFuneral.com. S end sympat hy card s to Hitzeman Funeral Home, 9445 31st St., Brookfield, 60513, c/o the Marge Mi kel f amily

Mary E. Rooney, 84

Former Riverside resident

Mary E. Rooney (nee Madden), 84, of LaGrange and for merly of Riverside, died July 27, 2023.

She was the wife of the late John G. Rooney; the mother of Terrence Rooney, Jay (Tara) Rooney, Beth (Ray) Poczekaj and Tim (Colleen) Rooney; the grandmother of Ellie, Carolina, Peter, Isadora, McKenna, Jack, Kayla, Kate, Joe, Timothy and Patrick; and the sister of Maggie O’Connor, John (Sophie) Madden, the late Joseph (late Kathy) Madden and the late James (Leslye) Madden.

A funeral Mass was celebrated July 31 at St. Mary Church in Riverside. Interment was at Queen of Heaven Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials to Misericordia Home (misericordia.com) are appreciated.

Arrangements were handled by the Original Kuratko Family, Brian D. Kuratko, director.

Michael A. Sabella, 79 Accountant was LaGrange Park tr ustee

Michael Albert Sabella, 79, died peacefully on July 26, 2023 after a long and hard-fought battle with cancer.

Mike grew up on the South Side of Chicago and later in suburban La Grang e. He was a graduate of Lyons Township High School and later Central Missouri Stat e University where he met the one true love of his life, Marilyn

He had the desire to be an accountant since the age of 14 as “numbers always made sense” to him. After his service in the Ar my National Guard, when he was re peatedly de ployed to ensure public safety during the tumultuous events of the late 1960s, he worked to become a CPA and star ted his first practice in Zion.

He spent the bulk of his career acting as a trusted advisor to many people in La Grange Pa rk and the sur rounding communities as well as partnering with the several small business clients whose companies he helped to grow with his strategic acumen, exper tise and sage counsel.

His attempt at official retirement happened a few years ago when he sold his last business Sabella & Graham after a long and successful practice in Park Ridg e. He was well-known for his thoroughness and inte g rity.

Public service and community support were always important passions of Mike’s and he donated his time in a variety of different capacities throughout his lifetime. He found his work as a trustee of the village of LaGrange Park to be among his most rewarding and followed that up as a Member of the La Grange Park Police Pension Board.

He truly loved his time serving on the board of Single Source, a local food distribution company, during which he met several of his closest confidants. Other meaningful leadership roles include treasurers of the Lake Ripley Management Board, Zion-Benton Township High School and the Italian-American War

Veterans of Illinois.

Mike will be remembered as a warm and loyal soul, g enerous with his smile, his jokes, his time and his af fable nature. He was de pendable and strong, a loyal friend, brother, brother-in-law, devoted husband, father, PopPop, uncle, great-uncle and a trusted colleague and advisor to so many people in his life.

He loved playing golf, watching the White Sox and the Bears, being at La ke Ripley with his friends and family and tinkering in one of his garage s. There was nothing he wouldn’ t at least try to re pair on his own.

Mike and Marilyn were to have celebrated their 56th wedding anniversary next week. His daughters have been overwhelmed by the outpouring of kindness and stories from so many people about what Mike meant to them. He will be sorely missed and leaves behind a le gacy of warmth and generosity

He was the husband of Marilyn Sue Sabella (nee Detweiler); a father to Susan (Jason) Kling and Elizabeth (Michael) Patti; grandfather of Jessica, Charles and Grif fen Kling and Hudson, Makenna and Brooklyn Patti; brother of Albert (Marcia) Sabella, John (Susan) Sabella, Jane (Randy) Walkwitz and the late Patrick (the late Joan) Sabella; and an uncle to many nieces and ne phew s.

A funeral Mass was celebrated Aug. 1 St. Francis Xavier Church in LaGrang e, followed by interment at Bronswood Cemetery in Oak Brook.

In lieu of flowers, the f amily kindly requests that donations be made in Mike’s name to either T he American Cancer Society, 1 E. Wacker Drive, Chicago, 60601 or T he Alzheimer’s Association, 225 N. Michig an Ave., Chicago, 60603.

Hitzeman Funeral Home, Brookfield, handled ar rangements.

Send sympat hy cards to Hitzeman Funeral Home, 9445 31st St., Brookfield, 60513, c/o the Michael A. Sabella family.

To run an obituary

Please contact Bob Uphues by e-mail: buphues@wjinc.com, or fax: 708/524-0447 before Monday at noon.

Please include a photo if possible.

EUGENE KOSZAL A

MARGARET MIKEL

MARY E. ROONE Y

MICHAEL A. SABELL A

Estimated cost for new Brook eld ambulance jumps 30%

Village moves to lock in quotes for components as vehicle price spikes

By BOB UPHUES Editor

The village probably won’t take possession of it until 2025, but Brookfield trustees on July 24 voted unanimously to lock in some aspects of the cost of a buying a new Ford F550 Life Line Superliner ambulance through the Houston-Galveston Area Council Consortium, a purchasing cooperative the village has been using in recent years to obtain big-ticket capital items

According to Fire Chief James Adams, it may take up to 24 months from the date the ambulance is ordered to receive it, so the expenditure likely won’t need to be budgeted until the 2025 fiscal year

That will give the village more time to determine exactly how to fund the purchase, since the new ambulance will cost the vil-

lage in the vicinity of $356,000 – about 30% more than the $275,000 Adams originally had estimated.

When Brookfield last purchased an ambulance – also a Ford 550 Life Line Superliner through the Houston-Galveston Area Council Consortium – in 2017 it cost the village $250,000. It also only took between four to six months to take delivery. The village took out a bank loan to make that purchase

The for mal purchase order will need village board action in the coming months, said Adams, and it’s still unknown exactly what the vehicle will end up costing, since the manufacturer has not yet provided the cost of a 2024 chassis.

By acting now, however, Brookfield can lock in the cost of other components needed to outfit the ambulance. Adams said that component costs are expected to rise by $1,500 to $2,000 per month.

In a memo to the village board, Adams noted the village owns three ambulances, the 2017 Ford 550 and a 2013 Ford F450, which serve as front-line vehicles, and a 2006 Ford that serves as the department’s reserve and

is used when one of the front-line ambulances is out of service for re pairs.

The average life span for an ambulance is seven to eight years, according to Adams. It’s unclear what will become of the 2006 am-

bulance when the new one arrives. It could be repurposed for another municipal use –Brookfield has one old ambulance that is used by the Public Works Department – or sold as surplus property.

Ford F550 Life Line Superliner ambulance

DISC GOLF Layout pending

from page 1

and village board “have approved provisions” for the course.

That appeared to be at odds with a letter from Recreation Director Ron Malchiodi, sent at the end of June to neighborhood residents. The letter indicated the layout of the course had not yet been confirmed, but it included a preliminary map for the nine-hole course.

Malchiodi had given village trustees a brief update on the disc golf initiative in April, at which time then-Trustee Edward Hannon urged him to solicit feedback from residents of the neighborhood, but there was no comment one way or another from other trustees.

The village board has not approved any aspect of the proposal. While the board won’t be involved in any plan approval, the expenditure for it will need its approval, but that has not come before trustees yet.

Melinda Pruett-Jones, who lives across the street from the site, said she had drafted a letter following Malchiodi’s update in April, but held of f sending it because she believed she and her neighbors would be hearing from the park board.

Their first contact was via Malchiodi’s letter at the end of June, and then came the July 18 Facebook post. Neighbors, seeing McGlennon’s post about the course having been “approved,” got the impression that the preliminary map was a done deal.

That Facebook post generated more than 100 comments and another post by PruettJones’ husband, Steve, which contained the preliminary course map sent to residents by Malchiodi in June.

Two days later, Pruett-Jones, who said she also represented many of her neighbors, argued against the disc golf course at the July 20 meeting of the Riverside Board of Trustees, saying the plan presented “areas of serious concern.”

Chief among those concerns was safety, since the preliminary course layout showed hole locations not too far from Fairbank Road.

“It would have been really great if parks and rec had actually reached out to the residents while they were planning because then we would have been able to provide a lot of really valuable, real-life experience living across this very busy place,” PruettJones said, “and to really understand the increasing ne gative interactions between

vehicles, park users, pedestrians, cyclists, skiiers and dog owners that are constantly using this space throughout the year.”

Pruett-Jones also questioned how the installation of the disc golf holes, which are metal posts draped with chains to catch discs, would impact the natural setting of the wooded area.

“Based on the plan, they would be very visible from many houses,” Pruett-Jones said. “And for about seven months of the year when there are not leaves covering the deciduous trees, these structures would be visible completely to the residents during a time when the golf course likely would not be used.”

On the heels of all that, someone also began circulating a flyer to those living around Indian Gardens intended to whip up fear and opposition to disc golf.

“Enjoy the natural beauty of the Scout Cabin … while you still can,” the flyer stated. “The deer, the Scouts and the school kids … they’re going away.”

The flyer warned residents to “be prepared to be kicked out of your park when random strangers show up to play” and invited them to voice their displeasure to their “local trustee.” That trustee, Megan Claucherty, is referred to only by her first name, but the flyer also published her address.

Claucherty did not respond to an email from the Landmark asking for comment.

Village President Joseph Ballerine, who told the Landmark he believes the disc golf proposal is an “exciting opportunity,” said singling out Claucherty and including her address was “just not right.”

“That’s bordering on intimidating an elected official,” Ballerine said. “We’ve debated a lot bigger things in this town than disc golf. Hopefully cooler heads will prevail, and we can move forward with something.”

As for the general message that a disc golf course would result in “random strangers” visiting Indian Gardens, Ballerine expressed disappointment.

“One of the things that bothers me is we’re back to the old stuf f we’ve heard in Riverside — that the ‘other’ is going to be in our parks,” Ballerine said. “I thought we were beyond that stuff.”

By July 31, Save the Scout Cabin signs, implying that the village is contemplating the landmark’s removal, began popping up in the First Division. Meanwhile, the village of Riverside sought to head of f the disinformation by publishing a disc golf FAQ on its website.

The disc golf advisory committee created to lay out a course has 25 members, and it met last week for the first time to go over the site.

The committee includes recreation officials, residents of Riverside’s First Division where the course would be located,

and disc golf enthusiasts from other communities. At least one of the residents who lives across from the Indian Gardens site is part of the committee.

the chairwoman of the ks and Recreation Board, seen the “scare” flyer that was circulated late last month, but said mission was to increase amming and usage trying to get more people in the parks, and I think people confuse Olmsted’s design with having pristine parks that get used and are there just to look at,” noting that the park board welcomes the public feedback, which has led whether the disc golf hole structures can be removed during the winat options there are for their construction, since most disc golf courses hole structures embedded in concrete for the least amount of impact on the area, and because [Indian Gardens] is in a floodway, we have to be pouring concrete anywhere,”

While she acknowledges there is some opposition from some neighbors, Kos said the park board’s duty is to weigh those concerns against residents voicing support for more recreation programming, especially for initiatives like disc golf, which appeals to teenagers.

“It’s a demographic that we’re really trying to serve because it’s a tough demographic to reach,” Kos said. “It seemed like a win all the way around.”

The size of the advisory commission, she said, was a good indication that the disc golf idea has pretty solid community support. However, she said, the park board has not been rushing this initiative through. The board has been talking about disc golf since at least early 2022.

It’s unlikely that the committee will be able to put together a final plan for review by the Riverside Parks and Recreation Board and for the village board to approve the expenditure in time for any disc golf course to be built this year.

A more likely scenario would be for the course to be built in spring 2024. As for locating such a course elsewhere in Riverside, that seems unlikely.

The Indian Gardens location, said Kos, is the only area with enough space for disc golf without impacting ball field use, where the holes can be set back far enough from the roadway and where there’s offstreet parking.

“It really does check all the boxes,” she said.

Brook eld 12U softball World Series run ends at regionals

All-stars knocked out by eventual Central Region champs from Ohio

By BILL STONE Contributing Reporter

Amanda Krueger has seen and played plenty of Brookfield Little League softball as the youngest of four sisters.

During her historic games with the Brookfield 12-Under all-stars last week at the Central Region in Whitestown, Indiana, Krueger’s sisters Allie, Annabel and Abby came to cheer on the team and their father, Kevin, an assistant coach.

“Just walking out on the field for the first regional game, it’s great standing with these girls you’ve been with your entire life and knowing you’re going to be proud knowing how far you’ve come,” Krueger said. “This is definitely the biggest thing so far [for me in softball]. This year I was really excited, because my dad has been coaching my sisters in allstars for a really long time. I’m really glad he got to be a coach and go to regionals with us.”

In their first regional berth since 2006, the Brookfield 12Us tied for fifth in the nine-state, double-elimination bracket with a 1-2 record, beating Crestwood, Kentucky, 7-4 on July 23 and losing to nearby Zionsville, Indiana, 12-4 on July 25 and Austintown, Ohio, 4-3 on July 26 – all broadcast live on ESPN+

Team members are Hannah Buscemi, Quinley Costello, Cam Fox, Sienna Giampietro, Kate Hamilton, Aurea Hilgenberg, Elly Kowynia, Krueger, Bella Nasti, Brailyn Naylor, Alyssa Norman, Amelia Pytel and McKenna Toland. The manager is Lisa Hilgenberg-Buhle with coaches Angelo Nasti and Krueger.

“A little over a year ago, they made a declaration of a goal to play on TV, to win state and they did every single thing they could to get there as a team,” Hilgenberg-Buhle said. “It seemed like a very lofty goal at the time, and they made it happen.”

Brookfield finished 10-2 this postseason and was undefeated in capturing District 9 and state championships. Brookfield needed to beat Ohio and two more opponents to reach

the winner-take-all regional championship on July 28. Against Indiana, Brookfield cut deficits of 3-0 and 5-2 to 5-4 before Indiana scored five runs in the bottom of the fourth inning.

Ohio led 4-0 but Brookfield scored once in the third, fourth and fifth. Krueger opened the sixth reaching on an error, but three straight strikeouts ended the game. Ohio would go on to win the Central region tournament and secure a spot in the Little League Softball World Series, which is being held Aug. 6-13 at Greenville, North Carolina.

“Getting the opportunity to play in regionals, I think that’s super cool and just staying in the hotel with some of my best friends,” Norman said.

“It’s definitely the coolest experience I’ve ever had with softball, being able to play on such a cool field, playing on TV, just everything,” Giampietro said.

Naylor fondly remembers recording the final out of the Kentucky victory in center field.

The day before, Pytel’s grandmother had died. Pytel not only stayed but chose to be the starting pitcher. Fox relieved in the fourth.

“I overall supported whatever decision [Pytel] made,” Hilgenberg-Buhle said. “She came out and did really well, but she knew when she was up and passed the reins to Cam.”

Costello balanced softball with her dancing and returned in time for her recital on July 27. Giampietro, who balanced

softball with club gymnastics, will remember scoring Brookfield’s first run against Ohio with her third-inning triple followed by an error.

Eleven girls also played travel softball, nine with the BRW Blast and Pytel and Naylor with the Blazers.

“With travel softball, Little League softball, that equaled for most of these girls about 90 games. And that excludes winter tour naments,” Kevin Krueger said.

Hilgenberg-Buhle, whose daughter is Aurea, and Krueger are finishing coaching together about six years and Krue ger for 13 years overall.

Krueger’s been to state three times each with Amanda and oldest daughters, Allie and Annabel. Abby’s all-star seasons were affected by COVID-19.

“We usually played on three different Little League teams. We’d have games at 4, 6 and 8 so you’d pretty much be there all day,” Amanda Krueger said.

During time off at regionals, Brookfield players enjoyed Wiffle Ball games in the grassy field by their hotel.

When they noticed girls waving from hotel windows, they invited them down for a pickup game

That hastened their friendship with the Ohio pl ayers, who beat Johnston, Iowa 4-0 for the championship.

“[Regionals] was really fun and we got to make new friends,” Naylor said. “We told them they better win, because they won against us.”

e Brook eld 12U so ball team included (front row, from le ) McKenna Toland, Amanda Krueger, Sienna Giampietro, Aurea Hilgenberg, Cam Fox, Kate Hamilton, Braily n Naylor, Elly Kowy nia, Hannah Buscemi, Bella Nasti, Quinley Costello (on teammates’ backs) Amelia Pytel and Alyssa Norman

PART-TIME ELECTRICIAN’S HELPER

Experience or not.

Call for more information.

708-738-3848

COVID-19 EPIDEMIOLOGIST

The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Covid-19 Epidemiologist in the Public Health Department. This is a One-Year, Full Time Temporary position as of date of hire. This position will serve as a subject matter expert on communicable diseases of public health concern, including COVID-19. This position will work on the surveillance and investigation of infectious diseases and other public health threats; rapid response to disease outbreaks including assisting the community’s emergency preparedness and response team. Applicants are encouraged to visit the Village of Oak Park’s website https://www.oakpark.us/your-government/human-resources-department. Interested and qualified applicants must complete a Village of Oak Park application. This position is open until filled.

IT OFFICE COORDINATOR

The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Office Coordinator in Information Technology. This position will perform a variety of responsible and complex administrative duties for the IT Department; provide information and assistance to Village staff regarding requests for service; and provide administrative support to the IT Director and the IT staff. Applicants are encouraged to visit the Village of Oak Park’s website https://www.oakpark.us/your-government/human-resources-department. Interested and qualified applicants must complete a Village of Oak Park application. Open until filled.

General maintenance on lifters and towing trailers. Must be able to operate and fix maintenance equipment. Some assembly and build projects. Some other job duties may include but are not limited to general building upkeep, painting, light cleaning, lifting 50lbs+, driving company vehicles on occasion, operating forklifts and scissor lift, assisting in other warehouse tasks such as loading and unloading trucks, shipping and receiving. email resume to hr@sievertelectric.com

Job Type: Full-time

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OAK PARK POLICE DEPARTMENTACCEPTING APPLICATIONS!

Application Deadline is Friday, September 1, 2023, at 2:00 p.m.

How to Apply:

• Complete your application at https://

iosolutions.com by the application deadline.

• Submit all supporting documentation by the application deadline.

Police Officer Minimum Requirements:

• At least 21 years of age and have not passed their 35th birthday by closing date for application.

• U.S. Citizen who speaks and understands English.

• Possess at least 60 hours of college credit at a fully accredited college or university, and also possess a minimum grade average of “C” by application deadline.

• Possess a valid driver ’s license.

• Possess a Firearm Owners Identification (FOID) card at the time of hire

Written Exam Information:

A mandatory written exam will be held on Saturday, September 30, 2023. Testing will take place at Oak Park Village Hall (room# 101) located at 123 Madison St. Oak Park, IL 60302. Sign-in will held from 8:30a.m. – 9:00 a.m. Additional details will be provided to eligible candidates approximately one week prior to the exam.

About the Village of Oak Park and Police Department:

• Starting Salary: $78,650.74 after 4 years of service $110,953.23

Please contact IOS Recruitment at (800)-343-HIRE or recruitment@ iosolutions.com with questions regarding the application, required documents or testing.

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Full Stack Engineer sought by Solstice Consulting LLC dba Kin + Carta (Chicago, IL). Resp: Partner w/ clients to build ent-grade cloud native apps w/ modrn Spring frmwks (Spring Boot, Spring Cloud Svcs) + cloud platforms. Support team to deliv products by high qlty code for full tech stack. Partnr w/ designrs to create user exp that uses modrn web app frmwks. Bridge elegant frntend + existng ent backend archit. Collab w/ client devt team. Mentor less exp’d engrs. Reqs: Bach’s deg (or foreign educ equiv) in Comp Sci + 5 yrs work exp in Comp Engr; Or, altrntivly, Mastrs (or foreign educ equiv) in Comp Sci + 3 yrs work exp in Comp Engr. Reqs 3 yrs exp w/ the follwng: Gather biz reqs, coord testng, anlyzng + design dscssions + defining sys probs; Conceptualize, design + dev Client/Server sys, Web Apps, Windows Svcs, Web Svcs, + Dsktp sw solutions; Anlyz + doc sw reqs + specs, UML + ER Modelng; Anlyz currnt apps + recomm proactive changes to meet biz goals; Undrstnd proj expctations + effctvly comm when evnts may affect delivrbles of proj; Coord w/ biz anlysts + progrmrs to assist in rsolvng probs w/ sw sys; Prform Unit + Integ testing on apps using various testing methodlgies. May trvl to unanticipated locs in US. Telecommutng permitted. Apply at www.kinandcarta.com/en-us/careers/

Full Stack Engineer sought by Solstice Consulting LLC dba Kin + Carta (Chicago, IL). Resp: Dev enterprise mobl web + native iOS, Android, + Windws Ph mobl apps. Work w/ pattrns, frmwks, DBs, sw, hw, open-srce

tech stacks, sys, data proc. Mentor less exp’d engrs. Reqs: Bach’s deg (or foreign educ equiv) in Applied Comp Sci + 3 yrs work exp devlpng ent mobl web or native iOS, Android, + Windws Ph mobl apps; or, altrntivly, Mastrs (or foreign educ equiv) in Applied Comp Sci + 1 yr work exp devlpng ent mobl web or native iOS, Android, + Windws Ph mobl apps. Reqs 12 mos exp in all the follwng: Devlpng frnt-end ent apps using .Net Frmwk, Bootstrap CSS + knockout. js; Implmnting loggng functnlity using Log4Net, user auth, + sngl sign-on featrs w/ help of SiteMinder (3rd pty plugin); Wrkng w/ Github + Jenkins to automate builds + deploymnt of fll stck apps; Designing + buildng apps for iOS platfrms; and Comp Interaction user exp + design. May work in various unanticipated locs in U.S. Telecommutng is permitted. Apply at www.kinandcarta.com/en-us/careers/

Solutions Architect sought by Solstice Consulting LLC dba Kin + Carta (Chicago, IL). Resp: Partner w/ clients to build ent-grade cloud native apps by anlyzng user needs + sw reqs to detrmin feasblty of design w/in time+cost cnstraints. Bridge elegant frnt-end + existng ent backend archit. Confer w/ mgrs on limits/capablties for data proc projs. Apply tech vision w/ sw design pattrns to create solution archits. Navigate cmplx data footprnts, intro modrn data mgmt + integ tech. Provide tech dir + encourg innovatn. Mng + suprvise Tech Anlysts. Reqs: Bach’s deg (or foreign educ equiv) in Comp Sci, + 5 yrs work exp as backend engr/API devlpr, incl exp in design, implem + maint ent lvl prodct; Or, altrntivly, Mastrs (or foreign educ equiv) in Comp Sci + 3 yrs work exp as backend engr/ API devlpr, incl exp in design, implem + maint ent lvl prodct. Reqs 3 yrs exp w/ the follwng: workng w/ Java/ J2EE tech incl Spring frmwk, REST frmwk for API devt + Hibrnate usng SQL basd DB Oracle; workng w/ Ent lvl Archtcts to design + dev POC for various tech probs + lead team of sw engrs to implmnt backend solutions + REST based API for various sw reqs + doing code rvws. Reqs 2 yrs exp workng w/ Big data tech like Apache Spark, Elastic Search + Apache NIFI usng Hortonworks Platform + NoSQL DB MongoDB. Telecommutng permitted. Trvl is req’d to unanticipated locs in US. Apply at www.kinandcarta. com/en-us/careers/

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 Moritz, 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.

CARS WANTED

CLASSICS WANTED

CLASSICS WANTED

Restored or Unrestored

Cars & Vintage Motorcycles

Restored or Unrestored

Cars & Vintage Motorcycles

Domestic / Import Cars:

Domestic / Import Cars:

Mercedes, Porsche, Corvette, Ferrari’s, Jaguars, Muscle Cars, Mustang & Mopars $$ Top $$ all makes, Etc.

Collector James • 630-201-8122

Mercedes, Porsche, Corvette, Ferrari’s, Jaguars, Muscle Cars, Mustang & Mopars

CLASSICS WANTED

WANTED TO BUY

Restored or Unrestored

WANTED MILITARY ITEMS:

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

Cars & Vintage Motorcycles

Helmets, medals, patches, uniforms, weapons, flags, photos, paperwork, Also toy soldiers – lead, plastic – other misc. toys. Call Uncle Gary 708-522-3400

Domestic / Import Cars:

LOST & FOUND

Mercedes, Porsche, Corvette, Ferrari’s, Jaguars, Muscle Cars, Mustang & Mopars

FERRET LOST

A ferret named Nero was last seen on July 10 at midnight between Madison & Washington. Nero’s very friendly, brown, with a white face, black stripe across his eyes (like a burglar’s mask), and about 15 inches long.

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

AWARD AVAILABLE IF FOUND. If found call David 872-273-8452.

773-203-2665

SERVICES PUBLIC NOTICES

Notice is hereby given by the Board of Education of Riverside Brookfield High School District 208, Cook County, Illinois, that a tentative budget for said school district for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2023, will be on file and conveniently available at the school district’s administrative offices at Riverside Brookfield High School District 208, 160 Ridgewood Road, Riverside, Illinois, from and after 8:00 a.m. on July 1, 2023.

Notice is hereby given that a public hearing on said tentative budget will be held at 7:00 p.m. on September 12, 2023, at Riverside Brookfield High School District 208, 160 Ridgewood Road, Riverside, Illinois.

Published in RB Landmark August 2, 2023

PUBLIC NOTICE

NOTICE TO BIDDERS

Notice is hereby given by the President and Board of Trustees of the Village of Brookfield, Illinois that bid proposals will be received for the following project:

2023 WATER MAIN IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT

This project includes the construction of water main improvements at the following locations.

1. DuBois Boulevard from Ogden Avenue to Burlington Avenue

2. Burlington Avenue from DuBois Boulevard to Deyo Avenue

3. Intersection of Prairie Avenue and Brookfield Avenue

These improvements will include the installation of Ductile Iron Pipe water main, valves, fire hydrants, water services, and restoration of disturbed areas.

INC.

hardwood flooring installation & pergo. Sanding, re-finishing, staining. Low prices, insured. Call: 773-671-4996 • www. klisflooring.com

PUBLIC NOTICES

Any bidder in doubt as to the true meaning of any part of the bidding documents may request an interpretation thereof from the Village. The bidder requesting the interpretation shall be responsible for its prompt delivery. At the request of the bidder, or in the event that the Village deems the interpretation to be substantive, the interpretation will be made by written addendum issued by the Village.

In the event that a written addendum is issued, either as a result of a request for interpretation or the result of a change in the bidding documents issued by the Village, a copy of such addendum will be emailed to all prospective bidders. The Village will not assume responsibility for receipt of such addendum. In all cases it will be the bidders’ responsibility to obtain all addenda issued.

The Contractor and Subcontractor shall comply with all regulations issued pursuant to Prevailing Wage Act (820 ILCS 130), and other applicable Federal Laws and regulations pertaining to labor standards.

The Village of Brookfield reserves the rights to determine the lowest, responsive, responsible bidder, to waive irregularities, and to reject any or all bid proposals.

BY ORDER THE PRESIDENT AND BOARD OF TRUSTEES VILLAGE OF BROOKFIELD, ILLINOIS

Published in RB Landmark August 2, 2023

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

Sealed bids will be received up to the hour of 11:00 A.M. on Wednesday, the 16th day of August, 2023, in the office of the Village Manager in the Village Hall located at 8820 Brookfield Avenue, Brookfield, Illinois. All sealed bids received will be publicly opened and read at 11:00 A.M. on the same day, Wednesday, the 16th day of August, 2023, at the Village Hall.

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a Certificate of Sale that will entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale.

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

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

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

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

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

For information, contact The sales clerk, LOGS Legal Group LLP Plaintiff’s Attorneys, 2121 WAUKEGAN RD., SUITE 301, Bannockburn, IL, 60015 (847) 2911717 For information call between the hours of 1pm - 3pm.. Please refer to file number 22-096854.

THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION NATIONSTAR MORTGAGE LLC D/B/A

MR. COOPER Plaintiff, -v.PATRICE HOUSTON A/K/A PATRICE CAREY, PARRIS HOUSTON, OAK PARK PLACE CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION

ROOFING

JOE ROOFING

Roofing repair, tuckpointing, gutters and painting--- bonded, insured For free estimate

773 297-1121

All bidders wishing to obtain bidding documents must be approved by the Village prior to obtaining bidding documents. Electronic copies of bidding documents, consisting of the bid proposal, project specifications, and project plans are available from the Edwin Hancock Engineering Co., 9933 Roosevelt Road, Westchester, Illinois 60154. Bidding documents can be requested by emailing info@ehancock.com and a non-refundable fee of Thirty dollars ($30.00) will be required to obtain bidding documents. Proposals must be submitted on the forms provided and will only be accepted from bidders that have obtained bidding documents from the Edwin Hancock Engineering Company. No bidding documents will be issued after 4:30 P.M. on Friday, the 11th day of August, 2023.

All bid proposals offered must be accompanied by a bid bond, cashier’s check or certified check in an amount not less than Five Percent (5%) of the total amount of the bid, as a guarantee that if the bid proposal is accepted, a contract will be entered into, and the performance of the contract properly secured. Checks shall be made payable to the Order of the President and Board of Trustees of the Village of Brookfield. No bid proposal shall be considered unless accompanied by such bid bond or check.

Defendants 22 CH 8975 420 HOME AVENUE #208 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 May 31, 2023, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on September 1, 2023, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker, 1st Floor Suite 35R, Chicago, IL, 60606, sell at a public sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 420 HOME AVENUE #208, OAK PARK, IL 60302

Property Index No. 16-07-324-033-1017

The real estate is improved with a condominium.

The judgment amount was $104,989.28.

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.

highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 227 W CHICAGO #3, OAK PARK, IL 60302

Property Index No. 16-08-102-0211009

The real estate is improved with a 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.

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

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

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

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

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

E-Mail: ILNotices@logs.com

Attorney File No. 22-096854

Attorney Code. 42168

Case Number: 22 CH 8975

TJSC#: 43-2298

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 # 22 CH 8975 I3225644

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION

FIFTH THIRD BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

Plaintiff, -v.-

ANTONIO A. BRAVO, THE TREMONT CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION

Defendants 2023 CH 00031 227 W CHICAGO #3 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 June 6, 2023, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on September 8, 2023, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker, 1st Floor Suite 35R, Chicago, IL, 60606, sell at a public sale to the

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. 14-22-09619

Attorney ARDC No. 00468002

Attorney Code. 21762

Case Number: 2023 CH 00031

TJSC#: 43-2462

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 # 2023 CH 00031