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levy referendum
Straight arm ahead
By TRENT BROWN Staff Reporter
If you’ve ever wondered whether your individual vote matters, Riverside has proven it does.
Riverside voters passed the village’s tax levy extension referendum for street re pairs on election night — by just five votes.
By 8:18 p.m. on Nov. 5, the Cook County Clerk’s office’s election results page showed the referendum passed with 2,307 “yes” votes to 2,302 “no” votes with all eight of Riverside’s voting precincts reporting results.
Village President Douglas Pollock said his immediate reaction to hearing the news was to wonder when the results will be certified.
“I don’t know what the status of mail-in ballots and
Meet the new faces of community development in Brookfield
3 o cials hired since the spr ing aim to take the department ‘to the next level’
By TRENT BROWN Staff Reporter
Unless you’ve applied for a building permit or hosted a ribbon cutting in Brookfield since the summer, you may not have noticed staffing changes in the village’s community development department this year
Since April, Brookfield has hired Community Development Director Libby Popovic, Building Division Manager Michelle Niemeyer and Business & Economic Development Coordinator Deanne Adasiak to fill out the department, which is responsible for permitting, property maintenance, planning and zoning, business retention and more within the village
Popovic, who started April 28, came to Brookfield after founding and managing her own private law firm for about 14 years; before that, she worked at the Cook County State’s Attorney’s office. An attorney by trade, Popovic earned a doctorate in law from the Chicago-Kent College of Law and a master’s in public administration from the Illinois Institute of Technology
Popovic said she wanted to join Brookfield after seeing its growth through her private work in real estate. In a joint interview with Niemeyer and Adasiak on Oct. 30, she told the Landmark the community development director position spoke to her as a role where she could play a pivotal part in the village
“Brookfield has grown so much over the last number of years, and in what I was doing previously, in private practice with residential and commercial and lending and so for th, I’ve seen different areas in Cook County, Will County, DuPage [County] that have grown,” she said. “This position particularly has four divisions that are under it, in terms of the organizational structure, and it seemed like it would be the best fit for being able to come in and really make an impact.”
Niemeyer, who started June 24, said she
Community Development Director Libby Popov ic, Business & Economic Development Coordinator Deanne Adasiak and Building Division Manager Michelle Niemeyer pose together at the Berwy n Shops while researching for a similar program in Brook eld.
had spent the entirety of her nearly 30-year career in the public sector as an employee of the Village of Oak Lawn, joining them straight out of college. While she worked for Oak Lawn, Niemeyer earned a bachelor’s in early childhood education, which she sai d has been helpful in her role due to the large amount of teaching and explaining she does to residents and contractors alike about the ins and outs of permits.
She first became acquainted with Brookfield while applying for the open community development director role after being pushed to look outside her status quo at Oak Lawn.
“My supervisor was retiring, and he had made a comment to me, something like, ‘I just wish I had looked outside of Oak Lawn at some point … and I’m going to encourage you to,’” she said. “It was kind of a cheesy moment, but it was super true.”
Editor Erika Hobbs
Staff Repor ter Trent Brown
Digital Manager Stacy Coleman
Digital Media Coordinator Brooke Duncan
Contributing Editor Donna Greene
Design/Production Manager Andrew Mead
Editorial Design Manager Javier Govea
Designers Susan McKelvey, Vanessa Garza
Marketing & Adver tising Associate Ben Stumpe
Senior Media Strategist Lourdes Nicholls
Business & Development Manager Mary Ellen Nelligan
Circulation Manager Jill Wagner EMAIL jill@oakpark.com
While she lost out on that position to Popovic, Niemeyer said Village Manager Tim Wiberg saw she would be a good fit with the building division and offered her the job.
“It’s a strong fit for me, and I’m thankful that Libby has that position, because she’s a really good leader for us, and we can all learn a lot from her,” Niemeyer said. “This has given me a lot of opportunity to make advancements in the department that were needed and ready.”
Adasiak, who started Sept. 30, worked at Oak Lawn, like Niemeyer, for about 18 years, she said, where she worked in business licensing and community development. She said she started her career in institutional sales at Merrill, for merly known as Merrill Lynch, the investment and wealth management arm of Bank of America, after
Sheila Solomon, Audra Wilson
erika@growingcommunitymedia.org ONLINE
PROVIDED BY LIBBY POPOVIC
BIG WEEK
November 13-20
Saddle Shoe Sisters
Salute to Veterans
Sunday, Nov. 17, 2 p.m., Linda Sokol Francis Librar y The popular local Americana band, The Saddle Shoe Sisters, will salute veterans with a live per formance of the best patriotic songs from the ’40s, ’50s, and ’60s. Enjoy classics from The Andrews Sisters, The Supremes, and more in this per formance at the librar y. 3541 Park Ave., Brook eld
Medicare Lunch and Learn
Thursday, Nov. 14, 11:30 a.m.
Linda Sokol Francis Librar y
Learn about the di erences between Medicare Supplement and Medicare Advantage plans while enjoying a free lunch. An expert will guide participants through common Medicare questions and discuss the annual enrollment period. Registration is required. 3541 Park Ave., Brook eld
Reindeer Run
Saturday, Nov. 16, Brook
eld Zoo
Gather family, friends, and holiday cheer and join in the Reindeer Run. With a two-mile course entirely within Brook eld Zoo Chicago, participants in the “fun run” will dash under the lights while being one of the rst to see Holiday Magic. Space is limited, don’t wait to register. $35 fee. All registered Reindeer Run participants will receive a commemorative Reindeer Run winter hat with registration. https://runsignup.com/Race/IL/Brook eld/ZooReindeerRun
Crows on a Wire
Nov. 15, 8 - 11 p.m., Pub 78
Crows on a Wire return to Pub 78’s stage with their 1960s to ‘80s funk, blues and rock music. Kitchen is open until 9 p.m. on Friday night. Check them out at: https://www.facebook.com/ chicagojam. 3733 Grand Blvd., Brook eld
Photos with Santa
Nor th Riverside Park Mall Now through Dec. 24
Monday - Saturday: 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
Sunday: 12 p.m.-6 p.m.
Come visit Santa and take photos!
Schedule:
Dec. 22: 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Dec. 23: 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Dec. 24: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Santa will be on the lower-level center cour t.
Packages start at $39.95. Questions? Please call: 708-442-0166. 7501 W. Cermak Rd. Nor th Riverside
Illinois Libraries Present: Holiday Tips and Tricks With Chef Ar t Smith
Wednesday, Nov. 20, 7 p.m.
Linda Sokol Francis Librar y
A two-time James Beard Foundation Award winner and celebrity chef, Ar t Smith will share his professional journey with participants and bring some culinary inspiration just in time for the holiday season. During this Zoom event, Smith will be joined in conversation by Monica En g, award-winning Chicago journalist and co -host of food podcast “Chewing” with Louis Chu. Register to receive the Zoom link via email and watch this culinar y conversation from the comfort of home. 3541 Park Ave., Brook eld
Listing your event
■ If you would like your event to be featured here, please send a photo and details by noon of the Wednesday before it needs to be published. We can’t publish everything, but we’ll do our best to feature the week’s highlights. Email calendar@wjinc.com.
COURTESY OF BROOKFIELD ZO O CHIC AGO
Sliced Turkey
Carved Turducken
Carved Ham off the Bone
Broasted Chicken
Pierogies
Fresh & Smoke Polish Sausage
Shrimp Cocktail
Stuffing/Sauerkraut
Sweet Potatoes
Potato Pancakes
Stuffed Cabbage
Mashed Potatoes with Brown Gravy
Best Salad Bar in Town
Mushroom & Chicken Noodle Soup
Apple Crepes + Soft Serve Ice Cream
Pumpkin Pie + Dessert Table
Kolaczki + Assorted Cakes
$38 Adults
$15 Children 11am to 8pm
Seating reservations every 2 hours
Brookfield opts for safest but costliest bike path on 31st Street
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O cials seem unclear on y for this part ines River l extension
By TRENT BROWN porter
Brookfield has taken another step fo rthe re gional Des extension projec t larity on who is financially responsible for the wo rk
Brookfield will owe about $1.47 million for wo rk on the r oute, about 20% of the total c ost of about $7.34 million, a ccording to agenda documents
At the meeting, Vi llage Engineer Derek Tr eichel told trustees the path’s c lass ification left Brookfield on the hook to pay for it
Tour our 10-acre campus today! (708) 387- 1030
lifetoday,tomorrowandintothefuture.We’vebeen here,rightacrossfromtheBrookfield Zoo,formorethan a centurypassionatelyservingtheneedsoflocalseniors.
Tour our 10-acre campus today! (708) 387- 1030
lifetoday,tomorrowandintothefuture.We’vebeen here,rightacrossfromtheBrookfield Zoo,formorethan centurypassionatelyservingtheneedsoflocalseniors.
Tour our 10-acre campus today! ( )
WithCantata’scontinuumofcare,youcanliveyourbest lifetoday,tomorrowandintothefuture.We’vebeen here,rightacrossfromtheBrookfield Zoo,formorethan a centurypassionatelyservingtheneedsoflocalseniors.
WithCantata’scontinuumofcare,youcanliveyourbest lifetoday,tomorrowandintothefuture.We’vebeen here,rightacrossfromtheBrookfield Zoo,formorethan centurypassionatelyservingtheneedsoflocalseniors. Tour our 10-acre campus today! (708) 387- 1030
Independent Living•Assisted Living•Memory Support Short-Term Rehab•Long-Term Care•Home Care Scan here to visit Cantata.org here,rightacrossfromtheBrookfield Zoo,formorethan a centurypassionatelyservingtheneedsoflocalseniors.
Rehab•Long-Term Care•Home Care Scan here to visit Cantata.org Tour our 10-acre campus today! (708) 387- 1030
Care•Home Care Scan here to visit Cantata.org
Independent Living•Assisted Living•Memory Support Short-Term Rehab•Long-Term Care•Home Care Scan here to visit Cantata.org
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At the village b oard’s Oct. 28 c ommittee of the whole meeting, Brookfield trustees ag r eed to proceed with one of three options for a c onnector r oute along 31st Street that would ser ve cycli sts and pedestrians ali ke T hey c hose the most expensive b ut safest option, wh ich would r un along the south s ide of the r oad , next to eastbound traffic, from Prairie Avenue to F irst Avenue, allowing for a bike c onnection to Brookfield Zoo Chicago ’s north entranc e.
“The path on 31st Street is c lassifie d as a c onnector r oute, so it ’s not pa rt of the Fo r est Preserves [o f C ook C ounty ’s ] main trail system. What that means, as we ’ve talked with them, is, this is something initiated by the village, as a desire by the village to have a c onnector to the main trail system,” he said.
He a dded that Brookfield staf f expects to g et gr ant f unding for the r emaining 80% of the c ost, leaving the village to cove r the entire local share; Brookfield rather than the c ounty forest preser ve s would also be r esponsible for maintaining the route.
Independent Living•Assisted Living•Memory Support Short-Term Rehab•Long-Term Care•Home Care Scan here to visit Cantata.org
Support
visit Cantata.org
Trustees we re simply asked to direc t staf f on wh ich option to proceed with; the b oard did not c ommit to paying an y c osts for the project.
Ciorba, the firm hired by Brookfield for engineering on the project, estimates
T he c onnector r oute is j ust one po rt io n of a re gional ef fo rt to c onnect the Des Plaines Rive r Trail, wh ich r uns for 55 miles from near the I llinois- Wi sconsi n border to the Je r ome Huppe rt Woods in Rive r Gr ove. Then, ther e’s a 6.5-mile ga p in the trail until it picks up on Ogden Avenue in Lyons, where it r uns south fo r another mile and a half.
on page 7
PROVIDED
Continued from page 6
Wo rk on the project first be g an in 2020, when Brookfield entered i nto an ag r eement with Rive rside, Lyons, L aGrang e Pa rk and the Fo r est Preserves of C ook C ounty, taking c harge of the project. Th e project halted d ue to a lack of f unding at the start of 2023, b ut Brookfield r esuscitated it in January after receiving extr a f unds from the county
T he other options presented to trustees included a r oute that would start on the south s ide of the r oad before crossing to the north s ide mi dw ay b etween Fo r est Avenue and McCo rm ick Avenue before sw a pping back to the south s ide at Golfview Avenue. T he third r oute would feature the same m id-route sw itch to the north s ide b ut would stop shor t at McCo rm ick Avenue. T he second option would have c ost the village about $950,000, wh i le the third option would r un Brookfield roughly $590,000.
Tr eichel said the first option was the c ostliest d ue to “additional c osts” associa ted with the r oute, such as the r emova l of trees on the FPCC’s property and the
i nstallation of r etaining walls for berm s along the path.
Tr eichel said the FPCC recommended the first option b ut said in r esponse to a q uestion from Vi llage President Michael Gar ve y that he didn’t know wh at would happen if Brookfield c hose another option ag ainst the FPCC’s wishes
“They ’r e not going to be able to f und it, and that’s pa rt of their mission statement. Th at ’s not j ust Brookfield … and yet, [Vi llage Manager] Tim [Wiberg ] will acknowledge they’ve b een a driving force in some of these meeting s, ”
Tr eichel said. “I do n’ t want to c all it c ombat ive, b ut there’s b een some disag r eements b etween village staf f, wher e they want the r oute, and where the Fo rest Preserves [ want it]. So, long answe r, b ut I’m not sur e. ”
Despite the high cost associated with the first option, trustees identified it as the safest option for anyone who would use it and thus the best choice for Brookfield.
“ I’m not in favo r of option thr ee, right of f the bat, because it d oesn’t c onnect it to the zoo … I do n’ t think that will ever happen if we do n’ t do it now, ” Trustee
Edward C ôté said. “This is n’ t j ust goin g to be used by p eople on bikes. It ’s goin g to be used by people on foot. It ’s going to be used by other means, and if they ’r e going to be expected to cross 31st Street twice to g et to the zoo, I’m not in favo r of that, because I think that c ould actuall y present more of a danger.”
Trustee Kit Ketchmark said he suppo rted the creation of the c onnector route bu t took i ssue with the fact that Brookfield alone seemed to be on the hook to pay for it after he said it was identified as fa r back as 2015 as the most expensive po rtion of the extension project.
“When and where did this become Brookfield’s sole part to be the one connecting these routes? That doesn’t make sense. This is a huge county project. We’re looking to connect to the Salt Creek Trail north of 31st. You’ re out of Brookfield real quick there; you’ re into North Riverside. T here are a lot of people that benefit from this besides Brookfield,” he said. “The funding on this is crazy. This should not be coming down to the Village of Brookfield for almost $2 million for that. T he county seems to have washed
Brookfield Chamber of Commerce Business Spotlight
The Social Play
3741 Grand Blvd., Brookfield IL
• 708-255-5143
• thesocialplay.net
Owner: Cristina Garza
Number of years in business?
We just opened on September 30th, so this is our first year in business!
What inspired you to open the business?
As a bilingual speech-language pathologist, I’m passionate about early childhood development, particularly the role of language and social interaction in learning. The Social Play was created to offer a safe, enriching environment for
their hands of so much of this to the point where they’re going to tell us, ‘If you take down trees, it’s going to cost you, but we want you to take those trees down.’ That does not make sense.”
After the b oard discussed p otential f unding source s, li ke partnering with Rive rside or North Rive rside or asking Brookfield ’s c ounty c ommissioner, Frank J. Aguilar, for help leve raging c ounty f und s, Tr eichel said the b oard’s decision would mostly impact wh ic h po rt i ons of 31st Street Ciorba will study in further detail.
“You c an study the f ull length, and we c an pursue f unding at the same time. If we ’r e not able to g et, for i nstanc e, C ook C ounty to pa rt icipate in the f unding, then that c an be a j ustifiable r eason why we, at a later date, would reduce the limi ts of the path,” he said.
Trustees ultimately ag r eed to direc t staf f to c ontinue with the most expensive option wh i le looking i nto f undin g from sources across the re gion to c omp lement the project’s overall goal.
Presented by
Connecting, exploring and learning at The Social Play
young children to play, socialize, and grow—all while giving parents a space to connect with each other.
Best selling product / service OR something you want to highlight at the time of the article
We offer language-enrichment classes for children ages 1-5, which incorporate interactive storytelling, song, and play. These classes are led by bilingual speech-language pathologists, making them both fun and developmentally supportive.
Something that no one knows about your business
Every detail in The Social Play has been intentionally chosen, from the colors on the walls to the toys we provide, to create an engaging, calming, and supportive environment for children’s growth. We also use visual aids throughout the space to encourage positive
communication and problemsolving.
What is the best part about being in Brookfield?
Brookfield is such a familycentered, welcoming community, and there’s a strong sense of connection here. It’s the perfect location for a place like ours, and we’re excited to offer a space where families can gather, kids can play, and the community can come together.
Your favorite thing about your business
My favorite part is seeing children explore, play, and make new friends. Watching them develop new skills and confidence through play—and seeing the joy on their faces—makes every moment worth it.
Anything else you may want to add
We’re looking forward to offering even more classes and events, and we’re always open to community feedback! We want The Social Play to feel like a second home for Brookfield families.
Brookfield bans food trucks within 100 feet of restaurants
Ocials want to ‘reward and support brick-andmortar establishments’
By TRENT BROWN Staff Reporter
Brookfield has enacted a ban on food trucks parking within 100 feet of brickand-mortar restaurants in town.
The ban, which trustees approved at Monday’s board meeting, will go into effect Nov. 21. It specifies food trucks may not operate within the 100-foot limit of any restaurant, bakery or other “food establishment” as defined by the village code while that business is open. Food truck owners are also prohibited from running their stands within 300 feet of any Brookfield-run event or any other event held on village or public property, though village staff can waive this restriction if, for example, the food truck is participating in the event.
Village staff brought the item to trustees’
attention at their committee of the whole meeting on Oct. 28 as Brookfield has had time to adjust to the presence of food trucks since the board first allowed them to set up shop in town in February 2023 by creating a license for proprietors. Twelve vendors now hold licenses, Community Development Director Libby Popovic said at the Oct. 28 meeting.
“There’s no limitation for parking, where the mobile food vendors can park, at this time,” she said. “As staf f reviewed the re ports and reviewed the ordinance, we thought this might be an appropriate time, about a year and a half into it, to review and see if the board would be interested in placing some limitations on that.”
She said village staf f recommended the 100-foot restriction as the average of restrictions found in other municipalities, like Cicero and Oak Park.
“We’ve had scenarios where this has come up and come into play,” Village President Michael Garvey said. “We want to support the food truck vendors. They do provide a service. They’ve been very popular, but we also want to support the brick-
and-mortar businesses and restaurants.”
During their initial discussion, trustees seemed concerned that 100 feet may be too far to push food trucks from storefronts, but Village Manager Tim Wiberg said it wouldn’t be prohibitive.
“I know 100 feet sounds very far, but that’s like two lots,” he said. “The Theater Building is 50-feet wide, so you put two of those together, and that’s how far away we’re talking.”
The board discussed when the change should go into effect. Popovic initially said she expected the ban to start in 2025 so vendors would have enough notice, but Trustee Edward Côté suggested it go into effect as soon as the board would pass it.
“Do you need enough notice when it’s mobile? I mean, not to sound crazy, but it’s already mobile, so why [do vendors] have to gets months’ notice?” he said. “If they want to set up a mobile burger joint, we don’t want them parking in front of Burger Antics, and they shouldn’t have to wait until 2025 to do so.”
At trustees’ request, staf f added a section giving Brookfield the discretion to waive the restriction, though Trustee Kit
Ketchmark voiced some hesitancy.
“In terms of the exception, even for special events, I’d like to see us not bring in food trucks and put them right in front of our restaurants,” he said. “With the bike race, it was off to the side. That’s fine, but we should be supporting our permanent, full-time businesses. So, if there are food trucks, there’s always a place for them, but, certainly, it shouldn’t be right in front of our existing food businesses.”
After the Oct. 28 meeting, village staf f added the 300-foot limit from special events in response to feedback from the Brookfield Chamber of Commerce.
“They have vendors at some of their special events that pay to sponsor the chamber, and they serve food, and we’ve had some instances of food trucks parking right next to those events, so there’s an additional regulation that was put in here,” Garvey said Monday He added that the change is not intended to punish food truck operators.
“We do not want to ban food trucks, but we also want to reward and support the brickand-mortar establishments we have,” he said.
Essential Civics
Democracy, Accountability, Equity, Connection, Civility
GCM’s reader supported newsroom turns to you for support
With focus on democracy, GCM launches its biggest fundraiser ever
Election Day and the launch of Growing Community Media’s largest ever fundraiser do not intersect by accident.
Democracy is on the line this minute and it has never been clearer that local news is essential to salvaging and strengthening our democracy – whether that is across this great country or in the villages and neighborhoods we have covered for decades.
That’s why in our reader supported newsroom we focus on the Essential Civics and why democracy is at the top of our list of five virtues for local news. Democracy. Accountability. Equity. Connection. Civility. That’s the list.
Between now and Dec. 31 we aim to raise better than $300,000 from readers in our communities. We have a good head start toward that hefty goal thanks to the dozens of MatchMakers who have already offered their financial support.
In the coming weeks, we’ll use those funds to double your investment in the newsrooms which publish Wednesday Journal of Oak Park & River Forest, Austin Weekly News, Forest Park Review and Riverside-Brookfield Landmark.
If you believe that our reporters nurture democracy with every local municipal meeting we cover, every school budget we explore, each candidate we profile, then we ask you to invest in those reporters by becoming part of our newsroom.
We need hundreds of supporters who either renew their investment or decide for the first time that genuine, independent local news coverage deserves their support right now.
Making a donation to GCM is simple. So please consider signing on as a $10 recurring monthly donor, make a single annual donation at a level that works for you or let’s sit down and talk about your more substantial investment in this newsroom.
With your support we’ll be here, we’ll grow and we’ll deepen our coverage of every town we are honored to serve.
Democracy needs news. And news needs you.
With gratitude in advance.
Dan Haley Publisher Growing Community Media
Stay Healthy
This Fall YOUR BEST LIFE with Lisa Capone
As temperatures dip and the air turns crisp, seniors need to take extra steps to stay healthy and comfortable through the colder months. Fall brings beautiful scenery but also an increase in flu and seasonal illnesses. Staying healthy during colder months is all about a proactive approach to wellness. Here are a few simple tips to help keep you feeling your best this season.
First, consider scheduling a flu vaccine. The flu can pose serious health risks, especially for seniors, and getting vaccinated reduces your chances of severe illness.
Staying active is also key. While outdoor walks might be brisk, indoor activities like stretching, gentle yoga, or using light hand weights are great ways to keep muscles strong and joints flexible. Even 15-20 minutes a day can boost energy and mood!
Finally, focus on seasonal foods that support immunity. Fall’s harvest —pumpkins, squash, and apples—are packed with vitamins that can help your body fend off seasonal bugs. Adding warm soups and stews with these ingredients provides both comfort and nutrition.
By taking these steps, you can enjoy the beauty of fall while staying well and thriving all season long!
PO LICE REPO RT S
Riverside police catch driver going 70 mph in a 30-mph zone
Rive rside p olice ar r ested a man Nov. 6 after they c aught him driving at mor e than twice the speed limit.
Around 10:08 a.m., an officer on patrol near the i ntersection of Ogden Avenue and Haas Avenue was stationary when they saw a car driving west on Ogden “a t an extremely high rate of speed.” Using their car’s rada r, they c onfirmed the ca r was going 70 mph in a 30-mph zone, so the officer p ulled the car over near the i ntersection with S hakespeare Avenue in Lyons.
After the man’s drive r’s license and proof of i nsurance c ame back c lear, the officer ar r ested the man for ag gr av a ted speeding. While inventorying the man’s ca r, the officer f ound and later disposed of a THC vape pen.
According to p olice, the officer transported the man to lockup in North Riverside and i ssued his citations and a receipt for the towing of his ca r. T he man was then r eleased, and a Dec. 6 c our t date was set.
Ticketed for passing in the parking lane
Brookfield police ticketed a Brookfield woman Nov. 7 after they saw her illegally pass another car at a stop sign.
Around 3:20 p. m ., the officer on patrol saw the woman’s car heading south on Prairie Avenue approaching the stop sign at Wi ndemere Avenue. T he car stoppe d briefly b ehind another car in the single traffic lane before p assing it in the pa rking lane. T he officer followe d the woman’s car to the stop light at Ogden Avenue, where they r an her license plate number through the p olice database and found the car’s re gistration had b een suspended d ue to a lack of insuranc e.
Once the light turned green, the officer pulled the woman’s car over near the intersection of Ogden Avenue and Forest Avenue. After the officer made contact with the driver, she provided an expired driver’s license. When asked for proof of insurance, the woman said she needed to check through her emails, police said; af-
ter five minutes, the officer told the woman she would be ticketed for driving an uninsured car alongside citations for improper lane usage, driving a car with suspended re gistration and driving with an expired license.
The officer told the woman her car would be towed and issued the citations to her. After informing the woman how much it would cost to get her car back, the woman handed the officer her car key and walked away from the scene without signing copies of her citations. The officer asked the woman if she needed anything from her car, but she continued to walk away.
Around 10 p.m. that day, the woman reported to the police station to pick up her car, but police did not release the vehicle to her due to her not having a valid driver’s license. After taking copies of her citations, the woman left and returned about
20 minutes later with a friend who had a valid license and to whom the car could be released.
These items we re o btained from the Riverside Po lice Department re ports date d No v. 1-6 and the Brookfield Po lice Department re ports dated No v. 4-11; th ey re present a portion of the incidents to wh ic h police responded. Anyone named in thes e re ports has only b een charged with a c rime and cases ha ve not yet been adjudic ated. We re port the ra ce of a suspect onl y wh en a s erious crime has b een c ommitted, the suspect is still at la rg e and police ha ve provided us with a detailed physical des cription of the suspect as th ey seek th e public’s help in making an ar re st .
Compiled by Trent Brown
Fenwick’s Gamboa achieves cross country all-state again
By BILL STONE Contributing Reporter
Fenwick sophomore Juliana Gamboa fig ured earning Class 2A girls cross countr top-25 all-state honors a second time would be even harder. The Riverside resident re sponded with a personal-best time of 17:41.23 for the 3.0 miles at Peoria’s Detweiller Park her fastest time since taking 14th at state last year in 17:47.33.
“My goal was just to place and get allstate,” Gamboa said. “I definitely had high expectations. I wanted to place again, bu there’s also a lot of really good girls this year and I realized that.”
Gamboa becomes the Friars’ third multiple all-stater, joining four-time all-stater Olivia Ryan (2011-14) and two-time all-stater Bella Daley (2021-22). Gamboa also took pride that her team qualified again and jumped to 17th (448 points) from 25th in 2023. Saturday’s young lineup consisted of four state-returning sophomores, one junior and two freshmen.
“Everyone was just really excited to show how hard we worked this season,” Gamboa said. Her final push was aided by her uncle yelling her place with just under one mile left. During the middle portion, Gamboa received help particularly from Trinity junior Molly McGreal (18th, 17:35.69) after they first bonded during the 2023 state meet.
DA N CHAMNESS
Juliana Gamboa and Molly McGreal
Hardy (22nd, 17:42.69) joined 2023 graduate and three-time honoree Colette Kinsella as the Roadrunners’ only all-staters. Besides rainy conditions, Hardy withstood a right foot injury from lacrosse that resurfaced during the race.
“She’s my racing buddy. We kind of have a special connection,” Gamboa said. “We are always able to find each other during races.”
Nazareth cross country
Besides executing his pre-race plan, Nazareth junior Daniel Lewis of Brookfield received some welcome rain during the 2A boys state race
“Actually I’m one of those people who really enjoy running in the rain,” Lewis said. “I just stuck to [my plan] and I think I excelled.”
Lewis posted a school-record 15:28.6 for 3.0 miles in placing 61st. In his 2023 state debut, Lewis was 160th (16:27.15). He worked off and then outkicked two Notre Dame runners that edged him at the East Suburban Catholic Conference Meet, Oct. 19.
“I tried to run my hardest. [All-state] gave me a lot of motivation to finish the race,” she said. “I was really nervous because I knew there were going to be a lot of great runners but my goal was to get all-state and I tried to push it as much as I could.”
The Roadrunners were 25th (493) in their fifth straight team trip to an IHSA state meet. Sophomores Allie O’Halloran (95th, 19:03.54), Sophia Towne (117th, 19:20.48), Julia Parkes (194th, 20:13.35), seniors Sarah Owen (195th, 20:15.99) and Alayna Plahm (211th, 20:40.67) and sophomore Ashley Kenna (222nd, 20:52.31) also competed.
Hardy said she nearly joined tennis for her fall sport but chose cross country because “I’d meet a lot more people for school. My team put in so much work. I truly think it was a team effort and I’m really happy with the way my season ended,” she said.
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REFERENDUM
A narrow win
from page 1
things like that might be, so I want to be cautious to make sure that that is indeed the final count,” he said in an interview the morning of Nov. 6.
Village Clerk Ethan Sowl, Riverside’s local election official, said Nov. 6 he expected the results to be certified around the end of the day on Nov. 12, after the Landmark’s print deadline, as Cook County was still counting mail-in ballots that could have been postmarked through Nov. 5.
“Beyond that, I think my reaction is that the village board put their faith in the voters of Riverside to understand the issue, and that faith was rewarded, I think, with the vote,” Pollock said. “Regardless of the outcome, the fact that this community showed a high level of trust and faith in their local government, I think, speaks a lot to our staf f and our elected officials who took a chance with this referendum.”
At one point during election night, it seemed as if the referendum would fail. When seven of Riverside’s eight precincts
DEVELOPMENT
New team in place
from page 3
earning an English degree from Northern Illinois University.
She said she saw professional opportunities working for Brookfield that she couldn’t access at her previous post.
“I felt that I needed to grow, and I was limited [in] doing some of the things to do For example, grants; we had a grant person. Economic development on a more specialized level: There were other people in the department that handled that,” she said. “I feel like there is so much opportunity here for growth, and to be a part of that was exciting for me, to make a change here.”
Popovic had a hand in hiring Niemeyer and Adasiak after she was brought on board; she said each of them was a perfect fit for Brookfield.
“When I was hired for this position, and even before that, I had a chance to evaluate all four of the divisions and see where they’re at and what do we need to take it to the next level in terms of experience,”
had re ported results, the “no” votes were exceeding the “yes” votes 1,905 to 1,869, a difference of only 36.
Pollock said he didn’t check the results on election night until the final count was in to avoid the whirlwind of emotions that could have come with it.
“I chose to just wait … until I thought the results and everything would be counted before I checked. I’m glad I took that strategy,” he said. “Even before I could check it myself, I got a text from someone saying it had been approved. Afterwards, of course, I talked to a couple people, and they said, yeah, it was going to fail. It was behind, and then the last precinct reported, and it changed. I’m glad I didn’t have to put myself through that.”
Pollock attributed the tight margin of votes to the referendum’s complicated phrasing
“A lot of people who vote in the national elections in November don’t pay much attention to what, maybe, is going on locally, and, as we said leading up to yesterday, if you just walked into the voting booth and you know nothing about this referendum, you’re likely going to vote ‘no’ because of the way the state mandates the wording,” he said. “It’s confusing and it sounds a little bit scary. It sounds like we’re asking for a 9.4% property tax hike, and that’s not the case.”
He applauded Riverside’s educational
she said. “It was like [Niemeyer] was born to the position, because there is a need for [experience] here, because [the building division] could be run more efficiently and be enhanced.”
In fact, Popovic said she played a part in the creation of Adasiak’s role before hiring her.
“We never had an economic development full-time coordinator. That was just a parttime, contract job, and it jumped out at me initially: Why don’t we have one? Because it’s really hard to do it on a contract basis, because Brookfield, for a little town, has a lot of stuff and a lot of potential,” she said. “Bringing someone in, it was just a matter of finding the right person, so I feel like the universe brought both of them in.”
While each of them has specific goals in their own positions, the group consensus was that they hope to take the department “to the next level” after the strides they’ve already made this year, like streamlining applications and considering how the department deals with residents. All three agreed they work together well and have a passion for Brookfield and community development.
“We always joke that we’re winning,” Popovic said.
“I don’t know what we’re winning, but we are winning,” Niemeyer added.
campaign, which included social media posts and events like a town hall, for informing residents about the referendum’s purpose and importance.
“I went to half a dozen different community groups to provide information about the referendum,” he said. “I’d say 99% of the people I talked to, once they understood it, they said, ‘Yeah, Doug, this is a no-brainer. We need to do this.’”
What now?
If the results now are certified, the referendum will allow Riverside officials to extend the village’s corporate levy by up to 9.3% this year, which exceeds the state’s limit of 5% annual increases under the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law. Under PTELL, a municipality can only increase its tax levy in any given year by more than 5% if voters approve the measure.
taken 50% longer to re pair streets, Village Manager Jessica Frances told the Landmark; for example, those scheduled now to be re paired in 2034 would have had to be delayed until 2039.
Since 2004, Riverside had funded street improvements by taking out 10-year bonds with voters’ approval. In 2004 and 2014, these bond referenda passed with about 80% of the vote. While this method gave voters oversight on the costs of road re pairs, about 20% of the money Riverside collected for road repairs went to extraneous fees across each decade.
The referendum will go into ef fect at the same time that Riverside’s bond’s debt from 2014 expires, meaning the funding method shift comes at no experienced cost to residents. While your taxes will technically rise, the amount you pay to property taxes will not go up this year compared to last year, at least not due to the village’s
a
PROVIDED BY LIBBY POPOVIC
Niemeyer, Adasiak, Administrative Assistant Jennifer Novak and Popovic each repped
di erent Hogwarts house from “Harry Potter” for Halloween this year
Opinion
THE L ANDMARK VIEW
Des Plaines connector
Acurious dance is underway between the village of Brookfield and the Forest Preserve District of Cook County. Both parties want to build a worthwhile but costly extension of the Des Plaines River Trail along 31st Street in the village. Who will pay for it and in what proportions is unclear. But in the still-early stages of the proposed project, it seems possible that Brookfield could wind up with a quite costly end of the stick.
This extension is termed a “connector” to the main trail and so not as high a priority to the county. Brookfield would like to see this built as a way to connect the zoo to the main trail and to make 31st Street safer for those walking or on bikes
In fact, two weeks ago the village gave its engineering firm the nod to move forward with planning the safest and most costly option for the connecting route. This option is clearly the safest as it keeps the route entirely along the south side of the street while two other options have a path that crosses and crisscrosses the busy roadway. Continuing to plan is not the same thing as locking in an expensive payout. Discussions between the village and the forest preserve district continue — conversations the village engineer described as something short of “combative.” The effort will be to get the county to pay more while also having village staff search out more funding options. This project, pretty much back-burnered a while ago, was resurrected by the village. Now it has its hands full working to pull together some coalition of local governments, county government, and grant funding to make it real. A tall task but a worthy one
Food trucks, safe distance
Brookfield leaders were right when they decided in February 2023 to allow food trucks to operate in the village. And there are now 12 truck vendors licensed in town, adding interest and options to the mixed bag of brick-and-mortar eateries in Brookfield. Those same leaders were also correct this week when they tweaked the food truck ordinance to require the mobile vendors to park at least 100 feet away from any food-serving storefront. This will keep a food truck selling donuts from parking in immediate proximity to a local bakery. A truck peddling burgers should not be allowed to set up directly in front of Burger Antics, as Trustee Edward Côté noted at the village meeting. Brookfield development officials said their compromise was an average of similar distances put in place in neighboring towns. Adding these modest limits on food trucks is a logical refinement and a good balance.
LETTERS
Condolences to our past leaders
On this awful day, post-election 2024, I would like to offer condolences to some of our past leaders:
Dear President Madison,
I am sorry that we elected a man who disre garded the precious document that you worked so hard to give us, our Constitution. This document forbids insur rectionists from holding any of fice.
Dear Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamiltion,
I am sorry that we elected a man who will add exponentially to our national debt (something that you dealt with quickly) by giving more tax breaks to folks who do not need them.
Dear President Eisenhower, I am sorry that we elected a man who cares nothing for NATO and our role in ke e ping Europe saf e. You we re proud to ser ve as NATO ’s 1st Supreme
A llied Commander
Dear Rachel Carson,
I am sorry to have to w rite to the woman wh o authored A S ilent S prin g , a b ook that started the environmental movement. We elected a man wh o thinks climate c hange is a hoax and wants to “ drill, ba by, drill.” It is beyond irony that this man is more popular in the states most af fected by hor-
Elizabeth Ryan, 57
rible hurricanes and tor nadoes
Dear Sarah Weddington,
I am sorry to have to w rite to the woman wh o successfully argued “Roe v. Wa de.” We elected a man who gave us 20-plus states that offer inferio r health care to women.
Dear President Obama,
I am so sorry that we elected a man who bragge d that his pa rt y voted against your health care p lan over 50 times! This p lan cu rr ently helps over 25 million people
Dear Statue of Liberty,
I am sorry that we elected a man who will make a mockery of the Emma Lazarus poem that you display Dear President Biden,
I am sorry that we elected a man who will undo the good work you have done to bring our country back from the deadliest pandemic in 100 years, to save our economy by lowering unemployment and increasing wages, to bring back the respect of our allies worldwide, and to bring back decency to the White House. Thank you!
Today I am ashamed to call myself an American. Jan Goldberg Riverside
OBITUARIES
on Oct. 31, 2024,
Dr. Ryan, a respected and dedicated educator of future physicians, served as the associate dean of Educational Integration at Indiana University School of Medicine. Previously, she was an associate professor in the Department of Family and Community Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University. A proud alumna of Loyola University Chicago for both her master’s and doctoral degrees, she was fiercely protective of those she loved and instilled in her students that their sacred duty was to be guardians of the vulnerable. A wise and trusted mentor, she gave guidance by nurturing confidence and empathy in those who came to her
Her warm and compassionate nature, and her smile, led strangers to quickly become new friends. She loved music and was an avid and gifted photographer, in particular, her landscapes and photos of Lake Michigan sunsets.
Ever g enerous with her time and talents, she
Elizabeth Miller Beach, Gary, Indiana, and Ri , died peacefully
surrounded by family after a brief illness.
Continued from page 15
was a strong supporter of the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana and Operatio n C harlie Br avo, wh ich provides job training to veterans.
Elizabeth was the daughter of the late Mary Jan (nee Lhotka) and the late Dennis Ryan; the sister of Denise and Josie Ryan, and will be missed by countless aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.
In lieu of fl ower s, p lease c onsider a d onation to one of these c harities in Elizabeth’s honor : www.foodbanknwi.org/donate-online/ www.combatbikesaver.org/donate.html
She will be laid to rest next to her parents in a private service. Her sisters, Denise and Josie, will receive family and friends, colleagues and for mer students who wish to pay their respects at a Celebration of Life, Visitation and Luncheon on Saturday, Nov. 23 from noon until 4 p.m. at Robert’s Westside, 7321 Madison St., Forest Park, IL 60130. Arrangements were handled by Ivins/ Moravecek Funeral Home.
Mary Burke, 92
Walked, danced and tanned
Mary K. Bur Riverside, died on Nov. 6, 2024. She was born on March 11, 1932. If you lived in Riverside, you surely saw Mary walking everywhere. One of her favorite destinations was the Riverside Swim Club, where she held court with family and friends and worked on her perpetual tan for over 55 years. Her pastimes included walking to the mall to shop, her twice weekly hair appointments, and decorating for every season. She never met a dance floor she didn’t like and could be heard singing “New York, New York” or “Celebration” at every wedding. She was a tiny person with a big personality and will be forever missed
Mary was the wife of the late Robert Burke; the mother of Kathy Clarke, Sue (the late Bill) Sherman, Mary Jo (Tom) McCloskey and Pe g Burke; Gram and spectator of all sporting events of Katy, John
(Anna), Robert, Joe and Tim Clarke, Ryan (Tia) Sherman, Kevin (Carly) Sherman, Kelly (Peter) Lyson, Dan (Shannon) McCloskey, Maggie (Andy) Bax, and Molly McCloskey; great-grandma of Maeva Clayshulte, Jack Clarke, Tessa, Bryce, Tori, Jake, Brody, and Riley Sherman, Madison and Emma Lyson and Payton McCloskey; cousin and friend of Mary Grube Hill; and aunt of Jim and Chuck Laing. Services are private. Memorials in Mary’s memory to a charity of your choice are appreciated.
Arrangements were handled by the Original Kuratko Family – Brian J. Kuratko, Funeral Director.
Carole Wilga, 82
Bulldogs’ Vlcek back at state seeking fast all-state times
LTHS hopes to get team trophy a er four school records at sectional
best 5:00.20 in March this past club season for the Academy Bullets, whose coaches include RBHS swim coach Mike Laurich.
By BILL STONE Contributing Reporter
For senior Hailey Vlcek, the ending of four years of unprecedented Riverside Brookfield High School girls swimming success became a bit longer Saturday. The two-time all-stater in the 200-yard freestyle has returned to consistently competing in the 500 free, the longest high-school event, for the first time since sophomore year.
“I’m hoping to go under 5:00 in the 500. I was really happy how I did in the 200 (at sectionals) so I’m hoping to just carry that on to state and trying to drop more,” Vlcek said. “I’m just hoping to place topeight (all-state) in both of those events. It’s my last year so I’m really hoping to go and have fun and race and enjoy my last high-school state meet.”
Junior Maria Ellis’ third-place 2:10.77 in the 200 individual medley just missed the state cut of 2:10.54. Ellis swam 2:10.54 at sectionals in 2023, but that year’s cut was 2:10.26.
lga (nee Behrendt),
LaGrange Hospital. Born on Oct. 23, 1942 in Chicago, she was an office worker at a flooring company before retiring.
Carole was the wife of the late Richard M. “Dick” Wilga and the late Emery Andrew Mingo; mother of the late Emery Andrew III (Shelley) Mingo and the late Lester Adam Mingo; grandmother of Adam Mingo, Steven (Monica) Mingo, Samantha (late Christopher) Navarre and great-grandmother of Emery Mingo IV, Addison Mingo, Christopher Navarre, Grace Navarre and Vanellope Mingo; sister of the late Leslie (late Robert) Walker; aunt of Darby (Russell) Hjort, Jolinda (Jon) Cernoch, and Dustin (Alan) Cruzan; and good friend of Barb and Bob Funeral service and interment will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, 11 a.m. at Memory Gardens Cemetery, 2501 E. Euclid Ave., Arlington Heights. Family and friends are asked to meet at the cemetery office by 10:45 a.m.
Arrangements were handled by Johnson-Nosek Funeral Home, Brookfield. Online condolences, memories and photographs may be shared with the family at www.JohnsonNosek.com.
“I think I’ve gotten a little bit better at swimming that event,” Vlcek said. “My 400 long-course meters was really good over the summer (in club) so I decided to try it out for the high-school season.”
She returns to the state meet in both events after winning them in school-record times at the Hinsdale Central Sectional. State preliminaries are Friday at the FMC Natatorium in Westmont. The top 16 performances advance to Saturday’s finals with the top eight competing for the state championship and earning all-state honors.
Vlcek’s 200 free (1:49.58) broke her school record of 1:50.50 from the 2023 state prelims and Hinsdale Central pool record of 1:51.18 from the 2023 sectional. Her 500 free (5:00.87) broke Megan St. John’s school-record 5:06.46 from 2006. The Bulldogs were fourth (160 points).
Unfortunately for them, Vlcek again is their only state qualifier either by winning sectionals or achieving state cuts at the meet.
She is the Bulldogs’ only all-state swimmer. Last year, she was third at state in the 200 free (1:51.05), the highest state finish by any RBHS swimmer or diver, after taking fourth in 2022 (1:52.30).
Also at 2022 state, Vlcek was 17th in the 500 free (5:08.60). She swam a personal-
“At first, I was kind of in disbelief because I had missed it by the same amount as I had last year,” Ellis said. “It’s all a big learning experience. Nothing in this sport is guaranteed and I wish I had taken that approach and used it this year.” She still had three events left. She joined Vlcek, sophomore Maggie McCoy and freshman Lizzie Ryan in taking third in the 200 free relay (1:40.16), 1.16 seconds from the cut, and fourth in the 400 free relay (3:38.69). Ellis also was fifth in the 100 butterfly (59.09), just .01 from Vlcek’s school record Se pt. 10. McCoy was fifth in the 100 backstroke (1:02.91).
“I’m proud of myself being able to keep my composure (at sectionals) a lot better than last year,” she said. “I was able to hold my head high. I was really happy with my 100 fly and then our relays.”
LTHS swimming and diving
Lyons Township junior Maeve Collins had a breakthrough 2023 state meet in helping the Lions finish fourth (156.5 points).
After four school records and five pool records in winning the Hinsdale Central Sectional Saturday, the Lions have high hopes for what would be just the second top-three state trophy in program history.
Sports
Bulldogs’ Norman, Lions collect personal bests at state
First-time all-stater Wuggazer helps LTHS nish seventh in Class 3A
By BILL STONE Contributing Reporter
Riverside Brookfield High School senior Brady Norman saw any top-25, all-state hopes at the Class 3A boys cross country state meet Saturday fade quickly.
“I could tell 400 [meters] into the race I was not in contention,” Norman said. “I fought and left everything out there. Senior year, I gave it all I had. Not the result I wanted but I’m proud of my effort.”
Norman’s persistence over the 3.0 miles at Peoria’s Detweiller Park did earn a personalbest time of 15:03.50 and 77th place.
Norman improved upon his best pace of 14:39.60 for 2.9 miles, which was 13th at the Hinsdale Central Sectional, Nov. 2. He also made big time strides from 106th at state last year (15:26.81) and 69th (16:46.96) as the last remaining member from the Bulldogs’ 2022 2A state championship lineup.
Even with rainy conditions, Saturday’s race was blistering fast. The all-state cut for 25th was 14:37.1, believed to be the fastest ever “I’m definitely a little bitter at not breaking 15:00, after coming so close,” Norman said. “I
never envisioned, even on a perfect day, ever running in the 14:30s. You can’t be mad. It is what it is.”
LTHS cross country
After seeing three teammates earn top25, all-state honors over the past two years, Lyons Township senior Ben Wuggazer knew his time had come Saturday.
Wuggazer delivered a personal best by more than 20 seconds to finish 22nd (14:31.0).
“Today I was like, ‘I need to be where I need to be.’ I knew who I needed to be with to be there. And then in the end I just kicked it down,” Wuggazer said. “We got out really fast so just being able to stay with it and get all-state, it means a lot. It was great.”
Wuggazer continued the momentum from the Hinsdale Central Sectional Nov. 2. He finished third behind Philip Cupial and Grant Schroder from state champion Downers Grove North. They were fourth and second Saturday.
He easily beat his state performance from last year (67th, 15:10.87). That lineup graduated all-staters Nick Strayer and Cillian Henning, who also were all-state with 2023 graduate Aidan Collins in 2022, the Lions’ first season with three all-staters.
“Nick and Cillian, they’re great mentors and Aidan two years ago. They’re really great leaders,” he said. “They influenced me a lot. They’re texting me before the race, tell-
LTHS senior Ben Wug gazer (number 2361)
ing me what I need to do. I really appreciate that. They’re really supportive.”
Going for another top-five finish, the Lions (280 points) were seventh, 11 points from fifth-place York and 16 from fourth, after taking fourth in 2023 (207).
Senior John O’Halloran (34th, 14:43.3) was top 40, followed by junior Tyler Gantt (88th, 15:08.1), senior Charles Ciesla (101st, 15:14.0), junior Patrick Collins (136th, 15:27.4), freshman Brennan Monohan (173rd, 15:42.0) and senior Tate Pavelka (190th, 15:50.0).
A ll four seniors returned from the 2023 state lineup with O’Halloran (99th)
and Ciesla (155th) improving their spots. Wi th one mile left, the Lions we re c ontending for third
“We were in it,” LTHS coach Mike Danner said. “That’s the state meet in Illinois. You’ve got to close, fight for every spot. If you lose 10-20 points in that last mile, you’re slipping back. I think for who this team was a year ago, this is still a really incredible perfor mance. We had a lot of guys who came a really long way. We almost pulled it off.”
In 3A girls, LTHS junior Mya Coglianese was 98th (16:14.0) at her first state meet in the final season for retiring LTHS coach Eric Simon.
Record-setters Stamm, Pisciotti help LTHS back to quarter nals
Lions to face Naperville Central; Nazareth returns in 5A quarter nals
By BILL STONE Contributing Reporter
Already the most decorated wide receiver in Lyons Township High School football history, senior Travis Stamm still was determined to contribute more his fourth
varsity season. A 2023 part-timer in the defensive secondary, Stamm also wanted to start at cor nerback.
“I was pretty adamant about it. I told our defensive coordinator the day our [2023] season ended,” Stamm said. “[LTHS head coach Jon Beutjer] was a little shaky at the
start of it. He didn’t know if I could do it. That’s a lot of conditioning, but I told him I’m going to be in shape and I’m going to be out there.”
Now playing nearly every snap from scrimmage, Stamm seemed to be around every thrown ball Friday against Down-
ers Grove South in the second round of the Class 8A state playoffs.
He not only caught three passes in senior quarterback Dom Pisciotti’s record-setting 323-yard, five-touchdown passing game but
See FOOTBALL on page 18
FOOTBALL
from page 17
also had three interceptions, including his second pick-six interception return for a touchdown this season.
The undefeated Lions (11-0) won 63-20 in Western Springs.
“Overall, offense and defense, this is the greatest game I’ve ever had,” said Stamm, committed to Illinois State. “I’m just glad it came at a big moment. We always stress that, to peak at the right time, and playoffs are coming. It’s time to play the best football we have all year.”
LTHS faces a stiff home quarterfinal test at 7 p.m., Friday against Naperville Central (10-1). The Redhawks and Lions were No. 2 and 3 in the final Associated Press regularseason rankings.
The Lions are trying to reach the state semifinals for the first time. This is their second quarterfinal appearance in three seasons and third including 1987, the last time the Lions won the West Suburban Conference Silver Division outright until this season.
Naperville Central opened the season beating Hinsdale Central 24-13 and only has lost to top-rated Lincoln-Way East 287, Oct. 25. The Lions won 21-16 at Hinsdale Central Sept. 13.
“Two years ago [the quarterfinals] was a celebration. It was something different in the program, but this year we’re focused on winning the next game,” LTHS senior linebacker Shane Harris said. “Two years ago, we were just happy to be there. This year, we’re going for more.”
The Lions started slow Friday, leading 2814 at halftime, before unleashing a 28-point third quarter to create a 40-point running
SWIMMING
from page 16
The Lions were third in 1995.
“Just a lot of individual and relay expectations again (at state), seeing some fast swims,” Collins said. “As a team, we’re always just there to support each other and continuing to have that high team spirit, although the meet is important to all of us.”
The Lions (322 points) won sectionals by 30 points over the host Red Devils.
SP OR TS
Nazareth Academy’s Johnny Colon (13) runs down the eld on kick o coverage against Woodstock North during the IHSA Second Round playo s Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024 in La Grange Park
clock at 56-14.
“Our kids kind of responded and settled down,” LTHS coach Jon Beutjer said. “We did some uncharacteristic things penaltywise and just made some mistakes in the first half we can clean up. But overall I thought we had a strong second half.”
Of the 23 balls caught between the Lions and Mustangs (8-3) without penalties, Stamm had 11 of them. Offensively, Stamm had eight catches for 159 yards with TDs of 21, 26 and 30 yards. Already, Stamm holds documented outright LTHS receiving records for career rece ptions (142), TDs (28) and yards (2,037) and single-season (57) and single-game (15) receptions.
His three interceptions Friday and eight for the season also are believed to be re-
Senior Lauren Jablonski (100 breast stroke in 1:03.96), the 200 medley relay (junior Kylie Thompson, Jablonski, Collins, senior Audrey Cavaliere in 1:42.90), 200 free relay (Cavaliere, Jablonski, junior Anna Pansing, senior Ella Jean Kelly in 1:33.61) and 400 free relay (Cavaliere, Collins, Pansing, Kelly in 3:25.73) won sectionals with school-record times and set Hinsdale Central pool records along with sophomore diving champion Brynn Krantz (471.40 points for 11 dives).
Collins also won the 100 butterfly (55.65) as she nears her school-record 55.06 that was an all-state seventh in 2023.
yards and two TDs.
“It was definitely one of our better games (passing). Travis definitely had himself a game, too,” Pisciotti said.
“[With Stamm], Mack, the rest of the receivers, I have a ton of confidence out there, just trusting my guys, doing my job, getting the guys the ball. [The interception] was a good play by the linebacker. We moved down from that, our next-play mentality. I think what sparked it was Carroll’s 98yard touchdown run.”
Tanner Rivera had a late 38-yard, pick-six TD. Mack and Miko Zecevic had pass breakups and Will Tobin and Nicky Arquilla had quarterback hurries. An untouched Harris recorded a 13-yard sack late in the third quarter.
“Even though we were up big, it felt really good to get my first sack this season,” Harris said. “[Lineman Roman Sosnovyy] held up the tackle and guard so that got me free.”
Nazareth football
cords. For the second time this season, he had an interception Friday nullified by a penalty, but his second also came after linebacker JD Mahoney just missed a pick on the previous play. Stamm returned his third 18 yards for a TD and 48-14 advantage.
“The win was awesome,” Stamm said. “No LT team has made it past the quarterfinals. That’s the target this week.”
Running back Danny Carroll (20 carries, 160 yards) initiated the scoring with a 98yard TD run and an 11- yard score for a 21-7 lead. Pisciotti set single-game school records for passing yards and TDs. Officially, he was 12-for-14 passing also with TDs of 67 yards to Mack Long and 26 to Brady Rusk.
After an interception on his first attempt, Pisciotti completed seven straight for 132
At-large state qualifiers were secondplace juniors Lindsay Forebaugh (100 fly in 56.79), Dylan Jorgensen (200 IM in 2:08.73), Pansing (200 free in 1:52.00) and Kelly (100 breast in 1:04.78), third-place Kelly (50 free in 23.85), Cavaliere (100 free in 51.54), Forebaugh (500 free in 5:04.71) and freshman diver Maeve Comes (3rd 460.45) and fourthplace Jablonski (50 free in 24.01), Pansing (100 free in 51.91) and Thompson (500 free in 5:09.98).
“We’re just one more step (forward),” retiring LTHS coach Scott Walker said. “I believe that we’ve done everything that we’re
The Roadrunners (9-2) advanced to their seventh straight state quarterfinals with a 42-20 Class 5A second-round victory over Woodstock North, Saturday.
Nazareth, the defending 5A champions and No. 1 in the final 5A AP poll, plays at 1 p.m., Saturday, at No. 7 Rochelle (10-1), a 38-6 winner over Benet Nov. 8 that only has lost to undefeated No. 2 Sycamore. The Roadrunners beat Benet 62-14 Oct. 18. Nazareth opened a 42-0 lead on Charles Calhoun’s 1-yard TD run with 7:55 left in the third quarter.
Quarterback Logan Malachuk started with three TD passes to Jake Cestone (56, 14 and 20 yards), had a 19-yard TD run and threw a 2-yard TD pass to Jimmy Penley for a 35-0 halftime advantage
supposed to do. We’ve just got to go over there and take care of business.”
At 2023 state, Cavaliere, Kelly, Collins, Jablonski and Thompson contributed to a combined six top-eight, all-state finishes, including all three relays. Cavaliere, Collins and Kelly were part of the second-place 200 free relay (1:33.93).
“Definitely now being in that environment, I kind of know what to expect,” Collins said. “It kind of makes everything going into it easier. Decreases the nerves a little bit and the quick (finals) turnaround from Friday night. I know I’ ll be able to handle it.”
STEVE JOHNSTON
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION
You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day status report of pending sales.
JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Plaintiff, -v.-
MARY WOLFE, CITY OF CHICAGO
Defendants 2019 CH 11236 1028 S AUSTIN BLVD
OAK PARK, IL 60304
NOTICE OF SALE
PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIV-
EN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on September 17, 2024, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on December 19, 2024, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker, 1st Floor Suite 35R, Chicago, IL, 60606, sell at a public sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 1028 S AUSTIN BLVD, OAK PARK, IL 60304 Property Index No. 16-17-331-015
The real estate is improved with a single family residence.
Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation. No third party checks will be accepted. The balance, in certified funds/or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in “AS IS” condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court.
Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a Certificate of Sale that will entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale. 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, 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
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. 14-19-08871
Attorney ARDC No. 00468002
Attorney Code. 21762
Case Number: 2019 CH 11236 TJSC#: 44-2632
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 # 2019 CH 11236 I3255336
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION
PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Plaintiff
vs. ALFONSO RECENDEZ, UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NON-RECORD CLAIMANTS
Defendant 24 CH 1921
CALENDAR 57
NOTICE OF SALE
PUBLIC NOTICE is hereby given that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure entered in the above entitled cause Intercounty Judicial Sales Corporation will on December 16, 2024, at the hour 11:00 A.M., Intercounty’s office, 120 West Madison Street, Suite 718A, Chicago, IL 60602, sell to the highest bidder for cash, the following described mortgaged real estate:
Lot 5 in Block 5 in Hillside Manor, a Subdivision of part of the North Half of the North West Quarter of Section 17, Township 39 North, Range 12, East of the Third Principal Meridian, according to the Plat thereof recorded October 5, 1945 as Document Number 1368749, in Cook County, Illinois. P.I.N. 15-17-104-005-0000. Commonly known as 329 High Ridge Road, Hillside, IL 60162. The real estate is: single family residence. If the subject mortgaged real estate is a unit of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by subsection (g-1) of Section 18.5 of the Condominium Property Act. Sale terms: At sale, the bidder must have 10% down by certified funds, balance within 24 hours, by certified funds. No refunds. The property will NOT be open for inspection. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information.
For information call Sales Department at Plaintiff’s Attorney, Marinosci Law Group, PC, 2215 Enterprise Drive, Suite 1512, Westchester, Illinois 60154. (312) 940-8580. 1803562
INTERCOUNTY JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION intercountyjudicialsales.com I3255050
NOTICE
Public notice is hereby given that the Board of Education of Riverside School District 96 in Riverside, Illinois will receive sealed bids for:
Ames Elementary School Boiler Replacement Project
Copies of the Bid Documents including plans and specifications will be available starting November 12, 2024. Bidders can download electronic Drawings and Specifications from the BHFX Plan Room, www bhfxplanroom.com. Printed sets may be ordered and paid for by the contractor.
All bids offered must be accompanied by bid security in the form of certified check or bid bond made payable to the Owner in the amount of not less than ten percent (10%) of the amount of the aggregate of the bid as a guarantee that if the bid is accepted, a contract will be entered into and the performance of the contract properly secured. The successful bidder for the project is required to furnish Performance and Labor and Material Payment Bonds in an amount equal to one hundred percent (100%) of the bid amount, with sureties to be approved by the Owner, and in the form required by the Bidding Documents.
The successful bidder is required to pay the general prevailing wage for work under this Contract as ascertained by the Illinois Department of Labor, and shall submit certified payroll records, in compliance with the Prevailing Wage Act (820 ILCS 130) and the requirements of the Bidding Documents.
A pre-bid meeting will be held on November 22, 2024 at 10:00 AM at Ames Elementary School, 86 Southcote Road, Riverside, IL 60546. Bidders must allow sufficient time to register at the building prior to being permitted to proceed to the meeting location.
Bids will be received until 1:00 PM, December 3, 2024, at the District office at 3440 S. Harlem Ave, Riverside, IL 60546. A public bid opening will take place A public bid opening will take place afterwards.
The Board of Education reserves the right to reject any or all bids or any part thereof.
Published in RB Landmark November 13, 2024
PUBLIC NOTICE
PUBLIC NOTICE OF COURT DATE FOR REQUEST FOR NAME CHANGE
STATE OF ILLINOIS, CIRCUIT COURT COOK COUNTY.
Request of Kalei Elisabeth Guedel Case Number 2024CONC001472
There will be a court date on my Request to change my name from: Kalei Elisabeth Guedel to the new name of: Kalei Sorenson Guedel.
The court date will be held:
On January 10, 2025 at 10:30 a.m. at Zoom ID: 95894921843 Password: 226532, Cook County, in Courtroom # 12.
Published in Wednesday Journal November 13, 20, and 27, 2024
PUBLIC NOTICE
THE LAW OFFICE OF LINDA EPSTEIN Attorney for Petitioner 722 W. Diversey Parkway, Ste. 101B Chicago, IL 60614
STATE OF ILLINOIS, COUNTY OF COOK, ssCircuit Court of Cook County, County Department, Domestic Relations Division
In re the Marriage of: Tigist Samuel Zeleke, Petitioner, and, Amdemichael Lidetu Tariku, Respondent, Case No. 2024D007809
The requisite affidavit for Publication having been filed, notice is hereby given to you, Amdemichael Lidetu Tariku, Respondent, that a Petition has been filed in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois, by the Petitioner, Tigist Samuel Zeleke, for Dissolution of Marriage and that said suit is now pending.
Now, therefore, unless you, the said Respondent file your Appearance and Response electronically to said Petition with the Office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois, on or before November 27, 2024 default may be entered against you at any time after that day, and a Judgment for Dissolution of Marriage Entered in accordance with the prayer of said Petition.
IRIS Y. MARTINEZ, Clerk.
Published in Wednesday Journal October 30, November 6, and November 13, 2024.
PUBLIC NOTICE
OAK PARK HOUSING AUTHORITY Request for Proposals: NSPIRE Inspections and Rent Reasonableness Determinations
The Housing Authority of the Village of Oak Park (OPHA) is requesting qualified, licensed, and insured entities to submit proposals for conducting National Standards for the Physical Inspection of Real Estate (NSPIRE) Inspections and Rent Reasonableness Determinations for its Housing Choice Voucher Program. Interested parties may download the RFP document at https://oakparkha. org/about-opha/rfps-rfqs/ beginning Wednesday, November 13, 2024. The terms of this notice are subject to the terms set forth in the RFP. Hardcopy proposals must be received at 21 South Blvd, Oak Park, IL 60302 no later than 5:00 PM on Friday January 10, 2025. Electronic submissions will not be accepted. Questions regarding this RFP should be directed to LaTaunda Cobb at (708) 386-9322 Ext. 135 or via email at lcobb@oakparkrc.com no later than 5:00 PM on Friday, January 3, 2025. The OPHA reserves the right to postpone, cancel, or reject any or all proposals, waive any informality, and terminate the RFP process if deemed in the best interests of OPHA.
13, 2024
