Landmark 120722

Riverside cannabis dispensary plan goes up in smoke

Property owner placing Harlem Ave. building back on the market

By BOB UPHUES Editor

A plan to open an adult-use cannabis dispensary inside a Harlem Avenue building in Riverside appears dead.

Dr. Milad Nourahmadi, who has had a sales ag reement in place with Mint IL LLC since late 2021, said he’s terminating that contract this month and is putting the property back on the market for sale or lease.

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Revisiting a Polish cuisine classic

Sawa’s Old Warsaw ghts its way back

to pre-pandemic norms

By MELISSA ELSMO Food Editor

Since 1973, hung ry folks clamoring for cabbage rolls, kielbasa and pierogi have been following the glittering lights to Sawa’s Old Warsaw, 9200 W. Cer mak Road in Broadview. Carryout saved the buffet-based business during the pandemic and now the restaurant is battling back to pre-pandemic business levels

Founder and World War II veteran Walter Sawa emigrated to the United States in 1948 after escaping a prisoner of war camp Prior to serving in both the Polish and British ar mies he worked as a pork butcher at Polish delicatessen and brought those skills to Broadview when he open his third restaurant in as many years.

Walter’s son, Stuart, the youngest of five, started working at the Broadview restaurant when he was just 13 years old. He worked his way up from “salad boy” to owner and keeps his late father’s le gacy alive today

“I met my wife in the kitchen here,” said Sawa who has three sons “She would teach me Polish and I would teach her English. We’ve been mar ried for 38 years.”

The large dining room boasts a pink color palette, retro vibes and a rotating ar ray of Sawa family recipes. The restaurant is celebrated for serving comforting dishes at reasonable prices and that combination never goes out of fashion. As a result, Sawa’s Old Warsaw is capable of serving 200 people a day and hosting large scale banquets.

“I don’t know what to say, but our food is homemade, and our cook has been here for so many years that the food is consistently good,” said Sawa.

Before the pandemic, Sawa’s Old Warsaw served 6,000 people a month. After COVID-19 shuttered Chicagoland dining rooms, the 40-year-old business sustained itself on carryout alone. Now the restaurant is battling back to full strength while maintaining an approachable price point. Busi ness is down approximately 50 percent from pre-pandemic nor ms but is increasing.

To draw fur ther attention to the restaurant and help attract customers, Sawa’s hosts a Polish cookout every second Tuesday of the month. Cooked on an outdoor g rill under a large banner, Sawa’s of fers “Polish tacos” free to people stopping in for a drink at the bar

Sawa personally mans the g rill and fills flour tor tillas with crispy potato pancakes, smoky kielbasa, sauer

Stuart Sawa, ow ner of Sawa’s Old Warsaw, ser ves up a compli mentar y Polish taco.

kraut and spicy mustard. The portable bite has plenty of textural intrigue and bold flavor. On busy nights, Sawa’s has been known to give away 130 Polish tacos.

“We always draw attention to ourselves,” said Sawa, “But these tacos have been really popular.”

Both the creative taco and the traditional smorg asbord of fer din ers traditional Polish cuisine. Daily specials like meatballs in dill sauce, carved roast beef and goulash rotate with mainstay dishes like gluten-free potato pancakes, stuf fed cabbage rolls, crispy pork patties and Broasted chicken, made with both proprietary ing redients and a patented Broaster pressure fryer.

Daily bu et specials at Sawa’s Old Warsaw

Tuesday: Meatballs in dill sauce

Wednesday: Pork goulash

Thursday: Swiss or pe pper steak

Friday (dinner only): Shrimp cocktail, Broasted cod and shrimp, her ring, carved roast beef and ham of f the bone

Saturday (dinner only): BBQ ribs, breaded pork cutlets, carved roast beef and ham of f the bone

Sawa’s Old Warsaw is open Tuesday thru Saturday. Lunch is served from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; dinner 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Polish cookout held the second Tuesday of every month from 5 to 8 p.m.

Sawa’s authentic sauerkraut star ts with a house-made pork bone broth and a combination of sauerkraut, fresh cabbage, ham and fried onions Caraway seeds, allspice and a bit of tomato round out the of fering.

The restaurant has been known to go through 16 g allons of sauerkraut every week. It is easy to add a hint of nostalgia to any meal – the Ashland Sausage Company in Carol Stream manufactures the kielbasa served at Sawa’s Old Warsaw using Walter Sawa’s original recipe, so you can savor a little taste of history in every bite.

Editor Bob Uphues

Director of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Michael Romain

Digital Publishing & Technology Manager Briana Higgins

Staff Photographers Alex Rogals, Shanel Romain

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Editorial Design Manager Javier Govea

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S ales and Marketing Representatives

Marc Stopeck, Lourdes Nicholls, Kamil Brady Business & Development Manager Mary Ellen Nelligan

Donor Relations Manager/Food Editor Melissa Elsmo

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BOARD OF DIREC TORS

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Deb Abrahamson, Gary Collins, Darnell Shields, Sheila Solomon, Eric Weinheimer

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ADDRESS 141 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, IL 60302 PHONE 708-442-6739 ■ FAX 708-467-9066

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The Landmark is published digitally and in print by Growing Community Media NFP. The newspaper is available on newsstands for $1.00. A one -year subscription costs $41 within Cook County and $51 outside the county. Adver tising rates may be obtained by calling our o ce. Periodical rate postage paid at Oak Park, IL (USPS 0019-585). Postmaster send address correc tions to Landmark, 141 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, IL 60302.

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MELISSA ELSMO/Food Editor

December 7-14 Aging Care Connec tions

BIG WEEK

S anta’s Mailbox in Riverside

Riverside Parks & Recreation invites kids to drop o a letter in Santa’s Mailbox, which is located near the water tower on Longcommon Road, by Dec. 20 and, as long as there’s a return address on your letter, you will receive a special note back from Santa.

And more

■ Tallgrass Sudbury School, 87 Kimbark Road in Riverside, hosts a play day for children ages 2-6 on Dec. 9 from 10 a.m. to noon. Parents are invited to take a break, run errands, enjoy co ee with friends or just hang around. RSVP required at tinyurl. com/4yvtceh5.

■ The Prairie Trail Federation and the Greater LaGrange YMCA Men’s Club host a Christmas tree sale on weekdays from 5 to 8 p.m. and weekends from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. through Dec. 15

(or until the last tree is sold) in Gordon Park, on Ogden Avenue near the Metra/BNSF overpass, in LaGrange. Proceeds bene t the organizations’ philanthropic ac tivities.

■ Brook eld Zoo hosts its 41st Annual Holiday Magic festival of lights on the following dates: Dec. 7-11, 14-18 and 26-31 from 3 to 9 p.m. Regular zoo admission and parking apply (advance reservation required for South Gate entr y). Visit CZS.org/HolidayMagic for more info.

■ Chef Shangri-La, 7930 26th St. in North Riverside, hosts live entertainment on weekends

The organization will host an initial listening session, open to LGBT+ seniors, adult children of LGBT+ parents and seniors who want to learn more about the LGBT+ community, to help chart Pride Café’s course on Dec. 7 from 5 to 6 p.m.

You can attend in person at Aging Care Connections, 111 W. Harris Ave., LaGrange, or via Zoom. Email info@ agingcareconnections.org for a link

Frozen house on the prairie

Join author Cindy Wilson for “How the Hard Winter Became the ‘The Long Winter’” a look at the genesis of Laura Ingalls Wilder’s autobiographical novel on Dec. 12 at 7 p.m. in the Meeting Room of the Linda Sokol Francis Brook eld Library, 3541 Park Ave.

Wilson uses historical documents and letters informed Wilder’s 1940 book about her experiences as a 14-year-old living in the Dakota Territory during the “hard winter” of 1880–81.

Register to attend by calling 708-485-6917, ext. 130 or at brook eld.evanced.info/signup.

featuring performers impersonating rock ‘n’ roll’s classic stars. On Dec. 9 at 7 p.m. enjoy Chicks with Picks. There’s an Elton John impersonator on Dec 10 at 7 p.m.

■ North Riverside Park Mall, 7501 Cermak Road, will hold a toy drive bene ting The Children’s Center of Cicero-Berwyn through Dec. 15. Bring a new, unwrapped toy to the customer service desk in the mall’s center court. The mall will deliver donations in time for Christmas You can also bring the kids to visit Santa in his workshop located in the mall’s center court daily through Dec. 24. Visit northriver-

Free gift-wrapping ser vice

Linda Sokol Francis Brook eld Library, 3541 Park Ave., invites you to get your Christmas presents wrapped via its Friends & Foundation Holiday Gift Wrapping Ser vice on Dec. 10 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Gift wrapping is free of charge, but donations to sup port the Friends & Foundation are welcome

You can also pick up some literary gifts at the Mini Book Nook and have those wrapped as well. For more info, call 708-485-6917.

Super Smash Bros. tourney

Nor th Riverside Public Library, 2400 Desplaines Ave., hosts a Video Game Tournament for kids in grades 6-12 on Dec. 10 from 1:30 to 3 p.m.

Who will be the best at Super Smash Bros.? You’ll have to play to nd out. Register to participate at northriversidelibrary.org/events-new

sideparkmall.com/santa-photos for details.

■ Kuratko-Nosek Funeral Home, 2447 Desplaines Ave. in North Riverside, invites you to ll a holiday stocking for troops overseas and veterans. Stop by Monday through Saturday between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. and pick up a free stocking. Fill it up and return it through Dec. 16. Call 708-447-2500 for more.

■ 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.

LAURA INGALLS WILDER

Game show fans know the common vowels, A, E, I, O and U, are essential to solving complex puzzles. In fact, these letters are so valuable that some shows make you buy them.

Vowels, letters and words of all kinds are valuable to everyone at GCM. As a nonprofit news organization, we’re committed to telling the stories about the people, places

and institutions in Riverside-Brookfield that might otherwise go untold. But we need your help to keep words on our pages and stories on our websites.

Our community-funded newsroom can’t run without reader support. Each year GCM spends more than $250,000 on printing alone and this week we’d like to raise $10,000 to offset the cost of getting vowels on the page all while

maximizing our generous match opportunity!

From now through the end of the year, we’re inviting you to join other engaged community members who make our work possible by donating. If you buy GCM a vowel by December 31, our pool of MatchMakers will double your investment in us by matching your gift up to $10,000.

Trustee candidates come into focus in North Riverside

O cial ling period for April 2023 election begins Dec. 12

By BOB UPHUES Editor

Nor th Riverside United, the political party for med in 2020 after the VIP Party folded amid inter nal dissent, got through its first election campaign in 2021 by swee ping the field, with its three candidates for trustee along with mayor and clerk all winning their races.

The party will make its second attempt at achieving that feat next spring, when three trustee seats are up for grabs. While candidates will not file nominating petitions until the Dec 12-19 filing period, Nor th Riverside United made its slate of candidates public in a committee filing with the Illi nois Board of Elections last month.

Of ficially dubbed Nor th Riverside United 23, the par ty has named incumbent Deborah Czajka and two newcomers, Nicholas

Tricoci and Antonio “Tony” Santucci, as its candidates Trustee ter ms are for four years.

Two inde pendent incumbent trustees whose ter ms are expiring next spring are Marybelle Mandel and H. Bob Demopoulos, who have at times suppor ted one another.

Contacted by the Landmark, Mandel, who was elected to her first ter m as trustee in 2019 but fell shor t in her bid for mayor in 2021, declined to disclose whether or not she was planning to run again for trustee Demopoulos, who is completing his third ter m as trustee, did not respond.

The Landmark has also lear ned that Jose Del Angel, an emergency dispatcher for West Central Consolidated Communi cations (WC3), is passing nominating pe titions In response to an inquiry seeking confir mation of his candidacy, Del Angel told the Landmark he is running inde pen-

dently and is not af filiated with a political org anization.

Del Angel, 45, has been employed by WC3 for the past five years and previously served as a community service of ficer in Riverside and a public safety aide in Nor th Riverside. He’s a member of the dispatchers’ union ne gotiating team and works the midnight shift.

Del Angel says he’s active in the St. Paul VI Parish Holy Name Society The mar ried father of three daughters has lived in Nor th Riverside for 12 years.

“I have decided to run for the of fice of village trustee, because our community is changing and I believe I re present the average age group for the village at this moment,” Del Angel said. “I believe I can provide some fresh air and new ideas to the cur rent village board. I believe to be a forward thinker and a seeker for progress in

our community.”

Czajka was first appointed to the village board in 2013 to re place her ailing husband, Randall. She was elected to a full ter m in 2015 and re-elected in 2019. However, in a clear rebuke to the VIP Party at the time, Czajka was the par ty’s lone candidate to win a seat in that election, and she finished a fairly distant third to Mandel and Demopoulos

It was VIP’s poor perfor mance in 2019 that led to VIP’s inter nal fracture and de mise a year later

“I think we wanted to go in a dif ferent direction,” said Czajka. “We wanted to listen more. I’ve been here all my life. The people mean the most to me here.”

Running for a third ter m wasn’t a sure thing, said Czajka, who retired as a para

Candidates lining up for local school board races

All incumbents in RBHS District 208 say they are running

By BOB SKOLNIK Contributing Reporter

All five incumbents on the Riverside Brookfield High School District 208 Board of Education whose ter ms expire next year say they plan to run for re-election. The fil ing period for school board candidates be gins on Dec. 12 and runs through Dec. 19. To get on the ballot school board candidates must submit nominating petitions with at least 50 valid signatures of voters within the district.

Mike Welch, who was appointed to the school board to fill a vacancy in 2021, said he plans to run for the two-year ter m up in April to complete the ter m of Ramona Towner, who resigned from the school board in Se ptember Welch had previously served on the RBHS school board from 2009 until 2017.

For mer Komarek school board member Carolyn Lach was appointed in November to re place Towner. When she last spoke to the Landmark, Lach said that she hadn’t decided whether to run for a two- or a four

year ter m on the school board in April.

The other District 208 incumbents running for re-election are school board Presi dent Deanna Zalas, longtime board member Laura Hruska and Bill Durkin.

Hruska will be seeking her fifth ter m on the RBHS school board. She first won a seat in 2005, was defeated when she ran for re election in 2009, but ran again and won a seat in 2011. She was re-elected in 2015 and 2019.

Zalas and Durkin are both completing their first ter ms on the school board.

Five school board seats up in D95

There will also be five seats up for elec tion on the Brookfield-LaGrange Park District 95 school board in April, three four year ter ms and two two-year ter ms.

District 95 school board President Katie Mulcrone and board member Jackie Jordan both told the Landmark that they are running for another ter m on the school board.

Mulcrone, Jordan and Meaghan McAteer are all completing their first ter ms on

the District 95 school board. McAteer did not respond to a telephone call or text message asking if she was going to run for another ter m.

Elizabeth Loerop and Melissa Biskupic were appointed to the District 95 school board and both those seats will be up for two-year ter ms in April.

Loerop was appointed to the school board in 2019 after only three candidates filed for the four seats up for election that year. Last year, Biskupic was appointed to fill a vacancy created when Kyle Wood resigned because he moved out of the district.

Loerop told the Landmark that she plans to run for a seat on the school board. Biskupic did not respond to a message from the Landmark asking if she was going to run for another ter m.

Murphy won’t run in D96 race

Three seats are up in Riverside Elementary School District 96. Incumbent Wesley Muirheid said he plans to run for a second ter m on the school board, but Lynda Mur

phy has decided that eight years is enough and will not run for a third ter m.

The last time she spoke to the Land mark, Shari Klyber said she hadn’t decided whether to run for a third ter m on the school board. Klyber did not respond to a phone call or text message on Monday asking if she had decided yet whether to run for another ter m.

Three seats in play in D204

Three seats on the Lyons Township High School District 204 school, currently held by school board President Kari Dillon, Alison Kelly and Jill Beda Daniels, will be on the ballot in the April election.

Dillon told the Landmark that she is “strongly considering” running for another ter m. Beda Daniels appears to be running for second ter m on the board as she was collecting signatures on her nominating petitions at the school board’s Dec. 5 Committee of the Whole Meeting.

Kelly told the Landmark that she is still undecided about whether to run for another ter m on the school board.

Railroad ‘safety’ project also seeks to reclaim BNSF land

By BOB UPHUES Editor

The Burlington Nor ther n-Santa Fe Railroad, whose three sets of tracks slice through the middle of Riverside and a do zen other west suburban communities, embarked recently on what’s being called a “cleanup/safety initiative.”

To be sure, crews have already be gun clearing significant swaths of shrubs and weeds – anything less than 6 inches in diameter within the BNSF right-of-way, 30 feet on each side of the tracks They star ted near Longcommon Road, where the wester n boundary of the work areas ends, and will continue east all the way to Har lem Avenue over the next few weeks.

“The work … should wrap up by the end of the year,” said Peter Skosey, executive director of public and gover nment af fairs for BNSF, in an email. “The work is exclusive to Riverside and sparked by conversations with the town in an ef fort to clear up debris and improve safety in the corridor No grade crossings will be af fected.”

Plans also call for plug ging gaps in what have become fairly solid fence lines –cour tesy of East Burlington Street and East Quincy Street residential and commercial property owners – in that stretch of railway.

Where there are no existing bar riers, the BNSF plans to install either guardrails or sections of 4- to 6-foot-tall fencing along the railroad’s property lines, which were marked by high-visibility pink ribbons atop wood stakes that have been hammered into the ground

According to a work area survey ob tained by the Landmark through the vil lage, the plan indicates the BNSF will erect

wood fencing. In a communication from the village of Riverside emailed to the public on Nov. 28, the new fencing is described as chain link.

A solid bar rier along the entire length of the right-of-way from Longcommon to Har lem will deter pedestrians from wandering onto the tracks.

In addition, at grade crossings, the rail road will erect vehicle gates to help ensure vehicles don’t drive of f the roadway and onto the tracks – which has been known to happen occasionally.

The BNSF work area survey also indicates five sections of fence within the rail road right of way which will be removed, a detail that hints at a larger ef fort by the

BNSF work crews spent time last week cutting down and mulching br ush and weeds from the railroad right-of-way (above) between Longcommon Road and Harlem Avenue in Riverside. Prior to that work, the railroad surveyed the land and marked its property lines with stakes topped by pink r ibbons (below le ). e survey revealed a number of encroachments by residential property ow ners into railroad property over the years, ones the railroad w ill address in the coming months.

For now, any of the encroachments in place before Nov. 28 will remain untouched by this round of BNSF work However, that could change in the future, Skosey confir med in a phone interview last week.

“We’ ll definitely have to circle back, but we wanted to g et a clear picture of what was there,” Skosey said. “We’ ll touch base with individual landowners early next year.”

30 such encroachments, with many being backyard fences extending into the right of way, particularly between the Cowley Road and Herbert Road grade crossings. The BNSF still is trying to confir m who owns what appears to be three sections of right-of-way on the nor th side of the tracks

railroad to reclaim its entire right-of-way through that section of Riverside, one that may end up impacting more than two do zen private properties that have, in one form or another, encroached onto railroad property over the decades.

In some cases, homeowners took the op por tunity to enlarge their backyards by extending fences into the right-of-way. In other cases, property owners have used the right-of-way for parking, have placed sheds there, extended driveways, or have built garages there.

In some cases, removing encroachments could be as simple as mo ving a pic nic table or smaller structures, like sheds. But some encroachments might be more of a headache

Skosey indicated that the railroad “may be able to do a lease.” If that won’ t work, the railroad could seek removal of the encroachments

“It’ ll be on a case-by-case basis,” Skosey said.

Asked if he had an estimate of just how many properties could be impacted, Skosey said, “We have not done a hard count yet.”

However, a glance at the BNSF work area survey shows potentially more than

Village of ficials have not always been able to flag situations where proper ty owners put up fences on railroad prop er ty, since those areas are pretty well shielded from street view and dense shrubbery has hidden possible of fending structures even from train view, where they are sometimes caught.

Village Manager Jessica Frances said she hoped the work BNSF is doing along its right-of-way will help limit such is sues in the future.

“Having their [new] fencing there will be helpful,” said Frances “Riverside is unique in that it has a lot of [residential] proper ties along the rail line.”

Frances said it was her understandin g the BNSF will be gin to erect new fencing in mid-December

Riverside property owners have encroached into right-of-way over decades

BOB UPHUES/Editor

BOB UPHUES/Editor

2400 S. 5TH AVENUE, NORTH RIVERSIDE

Tattoo establishments now permitted in Brook eld

Summit ar Ogden Ave. building to relocate business

By BOB UPHUES Edito

If you’re pondering just where to get a ne tattoo in the future, you long until you can type the into your Google search. trustees voted unanimously to amend the vil lage code adding tattoo permitted use in all of cial districts and along the 47th Street industrial corridor.

The vote ended any suspense Huston might have been experiencing sinc approaching local officials earlier this about opening a tattoo shop in Brookfield. Huston owns Heathen Ink, a shop she’s op erated in nearby Summit for more than a decade

However, Brookfield’s code of ordinances did not allow tattoo establishments because that kind of use was omitted completely from the table of permitted uses. It’s likely that omission was intentional on the part of past village officials when tattooing was not such a widespread phenomenon.

More recently, courts have ruled in favor of tattooing business owners who have worked to break down barriers to their presence elsewhere. It didn’t take a lot of convincing for Brookfield trustees – at least one of whom proudly admitted to having many tattoos – to agree to the code amendment.

Elected officials in September tasked the Planning and Zoning Commission to consider the amendment, which that body unani mously recommended approving following a public hearing in October

Not only that, planning commissioners and village trustees decided to permit tattoo establishments in all of the village’s business districts. Staff initially had recommended limiting the use to the Ogden Avenue corridor.

Huston closed on the purchase of 9040 Og den Ave., a one-story brick building at the northeast corner of Ogden and Park avenues, on Dec. 2. The property will need a bit of in

terior renovation, including new flooring and ceiling work, Huston said.

“It hasn’t been updated for a while,” Huston said of the Ogden Avenue building, which was long home to a tax preparation business.

There is no date for when the Summit location shuts its doors and the Brookfield shop will open.

“I really don’t want to interrupt service for my clients,” Huston said. “Hopefully as soon as possible.”

Tattoo establishments are not allowed in North Riverside, as that village’s zoning code is silent on those types of uses. Local officials have addressed whether to change that omission in the future.

Riverside does allow tattoo and body pierc ing establishments specifically as uses in the B1-C business district along Harlem Avenue but does not allow those uses in other busi ness districts

During a brief discussion of the topic on Dec. 1, Riverside village trustees expressed support for allowing those uses in what would be a new B1-TOD zoning district, which would stretch along Harlem Avenue between roughly Addison and Lawton roads as well as a portion of East Burlington Street west of

BOB UPHUES/Editor

Rebecca Huston

Car thieves operating in the near west suburbs in recent weeks struck again in Brookfield over night on Nov 29-30, stealing a white 2017 Kia Sportage from in front of a residence in the 9100 block of Lincoln Av enue and attempting to steal another Kia parked nearby.

The auto theft victim told police he last saw his vehicle parked in front of his resi dence at about 1 a.m. on Nov. 30. When he woke up later that mor ning the car was missing.

Private security camera video obtained by police re por tedly showed someone wearing a hooded sweatshirt with the hood up walking westbound on Lincoln Avenue at about 4:10 a.m.

That person is then seen entering the Kia through the passenger side door, which ap pears to have been unlocked. Once inside, the of fender moves into the driver’s seat and is seen driving away at 4:11 a.m.

That same mor ning, police received a call from a resident of the 9000 block of Sheridan Avenue, who re por ted someone had broken into his 2011 Kia Sportage over night.

The vehicle’s glove box was ransacked and the steering column was stripped, indicating someone had tried to steal the car Police noted a small amount of blood by the ignition switch and on the outside of the driver’s side door.

Brookfield police did not indicate a connection to the car theft and attempt, but a resident of the 9000 block of Burlington Av enue called on the mor ning of Nov. 30 to re por t that someone had stolen a lawnmower from under the front porch of a residence there.

Catalytic conver ter stolen

Nor th Riverside police responded to a business in the 9100 block of Cer mak Road on the mor ning of Nov. 28 after someone called to re port that the catalytic conver ter had been removed from a Ford work truck parked behind the business

It was unclear exactly when the theft took place, according to police The truck had been parked there for “a few weeks.”

Doing doughnuts begets reckless driving charge

Nor th Riverside police charged an 18-year-old Chicago man with reckless driving and cited him for squealing/ screeching tires after an of ficer on patrol at the Nor th Riverside Pa rk Mall, 7501 Ce rmak Road, re por ted observing a black 2016 Dodge Charger doing doughnuts in the parking lot south of J.C. Penney on Nov. 28 at about 3:40 p.m.

According to the re port, the car’s tires screeched as it did several doughnuts around other parked vehicles. A pair of po lice squad cars bracketed the Dodge Char ger, and an of ficer ar rested the driver.

DUI

Nor th Riverside police charged a 76-year old Cicero man with driving under the influence after someone called police to re por t someone driving a silver SUV traveling “at a high rate of speed and all over the road” while eastbound from First Avenue on Cer mak Road on Dec. 5 at about 12:15 a.m

When police located the vehicle around Desplaines Avenue, an of ficer re por ted it traveling at an unreasonably slow rate of speed in the left lane of traf fic, braking of ten and swerving across lane markers until pulling to the curb for police.

Once stopped, the driver then re por tedly put the Jeep SUV in reverse, and it slowly backed into the Nor th Riverside police squad car positioned behind it.

The driver re por tedly admitting drinking wine at a restaurant in Oak Brook ear lier that night. He re por tedly failed field sobriety tests and was ar rested.

These items were obtained from police reports filed by the Riverside, North Riverside and Brookfield police departments, Nov. 27-Dec. 5, and represent a portion of the incidents to which police responded. Unless otherwise indicated, anybody named in these reports has only been charged with a crime. These cases have not been adjudicated.

— Compiled by Bob Uphues

LTHS school board weighs selling 72-acre parcel

Land purchased decades ago as possible campus site

By BOB SKOLNIK Contributing Reporter

The Lyons Township High School District 204 Board of Education appears ready to sell a 72-acre parcel of vacant land it has owned

for more than half a century after apparently being approached by a potential buyer.

“It has come to our attention that there is interest again in the Willow Springs prop erty,” school board President Kari Dillon announced at the Dec. 5 committee of the whole meeting

The land is located near 79th Street and Willow Springs Road in unincorporated Ly ons Township near the Tri-State Tollway. LTHS purchased the land in two parcels, one

NOTICE OF PROPOSED PROPERTY TAX INCREASE FOR RIVERSIDE BROOKFIELD TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT 208

I. A public hearing to approve a proposed property tax levy increase for Riverside Brookfield Township High School District 208, Cook County, Illinois for 2022 will be held on Tuesday, December 13, 2022, at 7:00 p.m. in Room 201 of the high school at 160 Ridgewood Road, Riverside, IL 60546. Any person desiring to appear at the public hearing and present testimony to the taxing district may contact Dr. Kristin Smetana, Assistant Superintendent, Riverside Brookfield Township High School, 160 Ridgewood Road, Riverside, Illinois, telephone number 708-442-7500.

II. The corporate and special purpose property taxes extended for 2021 were $21,885,849. The proposed corporate and special purpose property taxes to be levied for 2022 are $22,715,323. This represents a 3.79% increase over the previous year.

III. The property taxes extended for debt service and public building commission leases for 2021 were $5,953,131. The estimated property taxes to be levied for debt service and public building commission leases for 2022 are $5,942,688. This represents a .18% decrease over the previous year.

IV. The total property taxes extended for 2021 were $27,838,980. The estimated total property taxes to be levied for 2022 are $28,658,011. This represents a 2.94% increase over the previous year. All hearings shall be open to the public. The corporate authority of the taxing district must explain the reasons for the proposed levy and shall permit persons desiring to be heard an opportunity to present testimony within reasonable time limits as the authority determines.

in 1955 and the other in 1962, be cause there was concer n District 204 would need to build another high school to accommodate enrollment growth beyond the capacity of its existing buildings, but that has never happened.

A demographic study done for the district in August concluded the property will not be needed for future expansion. If LTHS does sell the property, it would use the proceeds from the sale to upgrade its current facilities to likely fully air condition its two buildings, further upgrade the HVAC systems, moder nize classrooms, create ad ditional collaborative spaces for students and staf f and make im provements to current athletic facilities

Ricardo Martine z, who ran unsuccessfully for the school board in both 2019 and 2021, advocated during both of his campaigns selling the Willow Springs prop erty and using the proceeds to fully air condition both of LTHS’ campuses

79th St. Howard Ave. 80th Pl.

German Church Rd.

Lyons Township High School has ow ned a 72-acre parcel of land in Willow Springs, show n above inside dotted line, for 60 years.

Lyons Township High School has two campuses. The nearly century-old North Campus in LaGrange serves juniors and seniors while South Campus, built in Wester n Springs in 1956, serves freshman and sophomores. District 204 has an enrollment of about 3,900 students

School board members say they are anxious to get community feedback about the possibility of selling the land. Community members can read about the potential sale and leave feedback on a web page at ltwillowspringsproperty.org

“It will be exciting to see what comes of this exciting opportunity,” said LTHS board member Jill Beda Daniels at the Dec 5 meeting of the school board. Board member Julie Swinehart ag reed.

“This is big opportunity,” Swinehart said. “This is a big potential decision.”

The school board met in closed session Dec 5 to discuss setting a price for the Willow Springs land

One community member who attended the Committee of the Whole meeting be lieves that it would be a mistake to sell the land. Anne Bennett, an accountant and lawyer who lives in LaGrange and graduated from LTHS in 1979, addressed the is sue in the public comment portion of the Dec. 5 meeting

Bennett, whose father served on the LTHS school board in the 1970s and 1980s including as school board president, says the demographic study is riddled with errors. She be lieves much of the land in the LTHS’ district, including the giant UPS facility near the Tri-State, could eventually be developed into high density housing. The land is zoned as a planned development district.

Bennett believes LTHS should hold on to the land as a hedge against future need and in the meantime tur n the land into incomeproducing property by developing it for some kind of use, possibly a health club or retail or office space, that could eventually be converted into a high school if needed

She also said that developing the land, but maintaining ownership of it, would provide LTHS with an annual revenue stream rather than just a one-time infusion of cash.

“Although as fiduciaries the [school board] should periodically review its assets, the possibly of needing a third LTHS campus is a distinct reality; therefore, I believe LTHS should look for other alternatives to generate revenue from the LTHS property as opposed to selling it,” Bennett said in a detailed memo she sent to the school board.

GOOGLE MAPS

Riverside Foods hosts Pack the Truck drive

Riverside Foods, 48 E. Burlington St. in Riverside, will host a Pack the Truck food drive from Dec. 12-18.

There will be a trailer in the store’s park ing lot, and community members are being asked to fill it with as many non-perishable items as possible. Those items will be donated to the Riverside Township Food Pantry for distribution to those in need in the

CANDIDATES

ree trustee seats in play

from page 6

educator for Riverside School District 96 after 22 years in June.

“I really thought long and hard about it,” she said. “When I retired, I felt I had more time on my hands and that I would give it one more shot.”

North Riverside United’s rebound in 2021 was a result of that different direction, ac cording to Czajka. The party’s candidates campaigned seriously and kept official messaging positive and issues-based during a campaign that saw plenty of negativity –some of it leading to a libel lawsuit filed ear lier this year by Mandel against North Riverside United backers, including Tricoci. The suit is still pending in Cook County Circuit Court.

“I can’t talk about the lawsuit, but the case didn’t change my mind on whether to run or not to run,” he said.

While he said he had no specific role in North Riverside United’s campaign in 2021, Tricoci, 48, served in an unofficial communi cations capacity through a Facebook community group North Riverside Voter Insight. He has been a presence at village board meetings in the past couple of years, livestreaming the proceedings on Facebook.

immediate area.

Toiletries, canned foods, soups, pasta and pasta sauce and other non-perishable food items are most in need. Riverside Foods has assembled pre-made grocery bags and will have deeply discounted cases of products that can be purchased to facili tate the food drive.

Call 708-447-0324 with questions.

While he is newer to North Riverside, having moved to the village in 2019, he is no stranger to politics. A native and longtime resident of neighboring Forest Park, Tricoci’s father, John Tricoci, had a long political career in Forest Park, serving as the District 91 school board president and on the village’s police and fire commission.

Tricoci’s cousin, Tony Calderone, was mayor of Forest Park for 20 years, from 1999 to 2019. He is also a longtime friend of North Riverside Trustee Jason Bianco, who also grew up in Forest Park

Following the 2021 election, Mayor Joseph Mengoni named Tricoci to the North Riverside Police Pension Board and the North Riverside Fire Pension Board.

Santucci, 56, a North Riverside resident for 19 years, is making his first run for elected of fice, though he says it’s been something he’s considered in the past.

In 2021, Santucci retired after 27 years as a police officer in neighboring Broadview. He now works a more predictable schedule as a security officer at a Broadview business

“It’s something I was interested in, but with my work schedule, I just couldn’t commit to anything,” Santucci said. “As much as I enjoy living in this community, I want to contribute to it.”

Santucci also has been long active at Mater Christi Church, where he spent four years as the St. Paul VI Parish Holy Name Society’s vice president of social. He has also served as a parent volunteer at Komarek School.

Now safely moving new residents to our small, wooded campus.

Now safely moving new residents to our small, wooded campus.

Now safely moving new residents to our small, wooded campus.

A safe & smart choice.

A safe & smart choice.

A safe & smart choice.

Choosing a community you can trust has never been more difficult.

Choosing a community you can trust has never been more important.

Choosing a community you can trust has never been more difficult.

Our community has an impeccable record of safety during the COVID-19 crisis and we will stop at nothing to make sure it continues.

Our community has an impeccable record of safety during the COVID-19 crisis and we will stop at nothing to make sure it continues.

Our community has an impeccable record of safety during the COVID-19 crisis and we will stop at nothing to make sure it continues.

We would be honored for your family to be part of ours.

We would be honored for your family to be part of ours.

We would be honored for your family to be part of ours.

99% OF OUR CALEDONIA STAFF IS VACCINATED

IL

Season’s greetings!

Riverside and Brook eld kicked o the holiday season last weekend, drawing hundreds of people to their business districts dur ing their annual celebrations, sponsored by each v illage’s Chamber of Commerce and facilitated by the villages. Clockw ise from top le , kids anxiously await the arrival of Santa at Centennial Park for a tree lighting at the Dec. 2 Riverside Holiday Stroll; Kids pose for a photo inside an in atable snow globe in the S.E. Gross School gy m during the Brook eld Holiday Celebration on Dec. 3; Visitors enjoy listening to carolers in Victorian garb outside Burlington Realty during the Holiday Stroll; Santa greets the throng as he heads to ip the switch on Riverside’s holiday tree; Aaron Pesek (le ) and Juan Silva roast marshmallows for S’mores outside Beach Ave. BBQ in Brook eld on Dec. 3. See more photos online at RBLandmark.com

PHOTO S BY ALEX ROGALS/Sta Photographer

CANNABIS

“At this point, I’m not holding my breath anymore,” Nourahmadi said in a phone interview late last week. “There are too many pieces stuck in limbo for me to feel comfortable financially waiting.”

Nourahmadi said he’s open to revisiting a deal if the state of Illinois approves Mint IL LLC’s site application. The Riverside Village Board on Dec. 1 voted unanimously to extend, for the third time, its sales ag reement with Nourahmadi for the purchase of village property at 2710 Harlem Ave. until March 31, 2023.

However, neither Nourahmadi nor Omar Fakhouri, owner of Mint IL LLC, expressed confidence in the state approving Fakhouri’s prefer red site application.

“I have no idea if and when [the site ap proval] is going to go through,” Nourahmadi said. “Given how long the whole process is taking, I’m beginning to market the property to other businesses as well.”

Fakhouri, the owner of Mint IL LLC,

also cast doubt on the property housing his dispensary.

“I believe the site will fly for a basic layout, but the limited space and with how I want to design/lay it out, I don’ t think it will work and was trying to g et feedback from the state,” Fakhouri said in a text message.

Asked if that meant a dispensary would not be happening at the Riverside location, Fakhouri said, “For me, probably not.”

Nourahmadi, who purchased 2704 Harlem Ave. in December 2020, said he’d be interested in selling the property to another cannabis dispensar y, but said it would be marketed for lease. It has serve d as a CO VID-19 testing site on and of f since June 2021.

T he plan had been for Nourahmadi to sell 2704 Harlem Ave. to Mint IL LLC and at the same time acquire the village owned vacant lot to the south at 2710 Har lem Ave. N ourahmadi also owns the strip mall property at 2720 Harlem Ave., and his plan was to convert the village-owned parcel, which sits between Nourahmadi’s two parcels, into pa rking that could ser ve both his strip mall and the cannabis dis pensary.

He has already obtained village approv

al for a special use permit and two zoning variances to build the new parking lot, but the entire deal hinged on selling 2704 Harlem Ave. to Mint IL LLC

Nourahmadi said it still may be possible for him to acquire the village-owned parcel at 2710 Harlem Ave. if he is able to sell 2704 Harlem Ave. to another buyer, de pending on the eventual use for that property

“I’ve spoken to the village, and they said they would look at it on a case- by -case ba sis,” Nourahmadi said. “Their goal was to bring in a business that would g enerate a lot of sales tax revenue for the village.”

It wasn’t clear just how much a cannabis dispensary would have brought Riverside at that location, but the village would collect sales taxes totaling 6 percent on cannabis sales at 2704 Harlem Ave. – the state’s 1-percent retail sales tax, Riverside’s 1-percent non-home r ule sales tax, a 1-percent tax on all retails sales within Riverside Business District 1 where the building is located and Riverside ’s 3-percent cannabis retailer occupation tax.

A cannabis dispensary in Oak Park g enerates close to $400,000 annually via that village ’s 3-percent cannabis retailer occu pation tax.

By Linda Sokol Francis. E.A.

UNDERSTANDING THE ADOPTION TAX CREDIT

Taxpayers who adopted or started the adoption process in 2022 may qualify for the adoption credit. This credit can be applied to international, domestic private, and public foster care adoption. Taxpayers who adopt their spouse’s child can’t claim this credit. Here is some basic information to help people understand this credit and if they can claim it when filing their taxes:

The maximum adoption credit taxpayers can claim on their 2022 tax return is $14,890 per eligible child. There are income limits that could affect the amount of the credit.

Taxpayers should complete Form 8839, Qualified Adoption Expenses. They use this form to figure how much credit they can claim on their tax return.

An eligible child must be younger than 18. If the adopted person is older, they must be unable to physically take care of themselves.

This credit is non-refundable. This means the amount of the credit is limited to the taxpayer’s taxes due for 2022. Any credit leftover from their owed 2022 taxes can be carried forward for up to five years.

Qualified expenses include reasonable and necessary adoption fees; court costs and legal fees; adoption related travel expenses like meals and lodging; and other expenses directly related to the legal adoption of an eligible child.

Expenses may also qualify even if the taxpayer pays them before an eligible child is identified. For example, some future adoptive parents pay for a home study at the beginning of the adoption process. These parents can claim the fees as qualified adoption expenses.

BROOKFIELD FINANCIAL PLANS, INC. Linda Sokol Francis, E.A.

RBHS student earns perfect sco re on AP exam

Riverside-Brookfield high school senior Joshua Nelson ear ned a rare perfect score on his Advanced Placement Computer Science A exam as a junior last spring. Not only did Nelson ear n a top score of 5, he ear ned every single point on all sections of the entire exam.

In order to achieve a perfect score, students not only need to have a deep under standing of the content and a capacity to apply that understanding, they also have to be extremely attentive to detail within the test’s time limit.

About 80,000 students nationwide took the Computer Science A exam in 2022 after about 134,000 students completed AP Computer Science Principles in 2021. Less than one-half of 1 percent of those test takers received perfect scores.

Attorney named 40 Under 40

Riverside native Jose ph T. Murphy , a par tner at Clif ford Law Of fic es, was named one of the Chicago Dai ly Law Bulletin’s 40 Under 40 Attor neys to watch in the Chicago area.

Mur phy attend ed Central School and Hauser Ju nior High in Riverside before graduating in 2003 from Riverside-Brookfield High School. He comes from a long f amily line of lawyers and judges and serves as a U.S. Ar my Reserve Of ficer

He has serve d as an investigator on the Judicial Evaluation Committee for the Chicago Bar Association since 2019.

In 2022, Mur phy was selected as a recipient of the Rising Stars of the Plaintiff s Bar Award, given by T he National Law Jour nal. This honor goes to a select group of attor neys who are under the age of 40 and who are up-and-comers in the plaintiff ’s bar.

He rece ived his law de gree from the University of Illinois at Chicago and ob tained a Bachelor of Ar ts de gree in history from Illinois Wesleyan University.

Mur phy is part of the aviation team of lawyers at Clif ford Law Of fices working on personal injury and wrongful deat h cases including the 2019 crash of a Boeing jet in Ethiopia that killed 157 people

LTHS teacher honored

Jessica Drogos an educator at Lyons Township High School, has received the Uni versity of Chicago Outstanding Educator Award.

Students acce pted into the University of Chicago Class of 2026 were asked to nominate an educator whose guidance has helped them along the path toward intellectual growth. Responses were received from thousands of students in reco gnition of educators who have positively impacted their lives.

All of those selected received a commem-

orative award, certificate and letter that includes details from the student they were nominated by

Milano named Coach of the Year

Nazareth Academy baseball coach Lee Milano been selected the administrati staf f at the Illinois High School Association to rece the 2021-22 Baseball Coach of Year Award.

The IHSA also submitted Mi lano’s name to the National Federation of State High School Associations for fur ther consideration at the re gional and national levels.

Last spring Milano led the Roadrunners to a 34-7 record and the school’s first-ever baseball state title In his 23 seasons as baseball coach at Nazareth, he has chalked up 531 victories.

On air

For mer Riverside Police Chief Thomas Weitzel will be a re ular contributor the John Howell dio Show, which airs between 4 and 7 p. weekly, on WLS-AM 890. Weitzel will field questions from listeners on police work, crime policy and procedure and deliver his perspective on breaking police/crime topics.

The program will also be available as a podcast at wlsam.com/john-howell.

On stage

■ Brookfield resi dent and Brook Park School fifth grader Genevieve Jane, 10, is starring as Brigitta Von Trapp in Paramount Aurora Theater’s “Sound of Music,” which runs through Jan. 15. She is a regular participant in Children’s Theater of Wester n Springs. This is her first professional production.

Quinley Costello, 12, of Brookfield, Ballet Legere’s 37th Annual pro“The Nutcracker.” It’s the sec straight year she has perfor med in the Christmas season tradition.

mances were in the Lund Auditoriat Dominican University on Dec 3 and 4.

On campus

■ A total of seven Brookfield residents were among the 196 students at Lyons Township High School named 2023 Illinois State Scholars. The designation is given to graduating high school seniors based on exemplary colle ge entrance exam scores and high school achievement indicating potential for success in colle ge.

Among those named were Brookfield residents Nathan Edsell, Isabella Forero Cadena, Neva Hamilton, Nina Issel, Mae Mathis, Emilia Mladjan and Cassidy Monti

JOSEPH T. MURPHY

JESSIC A DROGOS

LEE MILANO

GENEVIEVE JANE

THOMAS WEITZEL

BOB SKOLNIK/Contributor

RBHS senior Joshua Nelson (right) accepts a certi cate from Principal Hector Freytas at a school board meeting in October where Nelson was recognized for his per fect score on an AP Computer Science A exam last spring.

THE L ANDMARK VIEW

KOSEY CORNER

The holidays shine on the silver screen Rep. Ford leads on guns

There is little upside to living in a state as vividly blue as Illinois if the supersized Democratic majorities in the state Senate and House don’t flex that power for life-changing good.

Come the new year, four Democrats in the House will introduce sweeping legislation, dubbed the Protect Illinois Communities Act, to control the gun violence that decimates well-being in our state

Whether it is indiscriminate drive-by shootings on the West Side of Chicago or mass shootings in schools or at a north suburban Fourth of July parade, we face a plague of gun violence across Illinois.

Proud to say that Rep. LaShawn Ford (D-8th) is one of four co-sponsors of the legislation. Ford represents the wester n half of North Riverside as well as Chicago’s West Side and portions of other suburbs, including Oak Park, Forest Park, LaGrange Park, LaGrange and Countryside.

He has become a powerful leader on issues of criminal justice reform. He has played a leading role in crafting, passing and last week refining the landmark SAFE-T justice reform bill which takes effect Jan. 1.

This new gun legislation, which also has the support of Gov. J.B. Pritzker, would ban the sale of assault weapons and, after 300 days, ban the possession of such weapons in Illinois.

It would raise the legal age to purchase a gun legally to 21 and outlaw the sale of bullet-spraying oversized ammunition clips. It would also focus on investigating the trafficking of guns from neighboring states with no effective gun safety laws and extend to 12 months from 6 the duration of a firearm restraining order.

There will be opposition to this commonsense push for gun safety from Republicans and likely some percentage of downstate Democrats. That’s why acting in a moment when Democratic majorities are so astoundingly high is the necessary step.

There will also be doubts about the virtue of passing such legislation in a time when the U.S. Supreme Court has been captured by the far right.

But fighting for what is right means ignoring the doubters. It means driving action at the local and state level to fuel a wave of action across America that turns our national fetish for weapons into a more manageable aber ration.

Thanks to Re p. Ford for providing leadership.

As far back as 1898 in England the first Santa Claus movie was made. The silent black-and-white movie ran for 76 seconds. Since then, the list of holiday movies has grown each year.

The 1942 film “Holiday Inn” brought us Bing Crosby singing “White Christmas,” and it is believed the hotel chain of the same name was inspired by the film.

One of the most popular holiday movies is “It’s a Wonderful Life” and who does not say when hearing a bell ring that an angel has received its wings?

Then there’s the voice of Burl Ives narrating and singing the story of “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer” in the 1964 stop-motion ani mated classic. The song was famous far before, hitting No. 1 in 1949, as sung by Gene Autry, who also recorded “Frosty the Snowman” in 1950.

Most of the movies tend to start out somber and work their way up to the true spirit of the season -- think “Miracle on 34th Street” or one of my lesser known favorites,

OBITUARIES

Joalle M. Desco, 55

Secretar y for cybersecur ity rm

Joalle Marie Desco (nee Hanson), 55, of Burr Ridge and for mer ly of Brookfield, died Nov. 30, 2022.

“Christmas in Connecticut.”

Some classics, like “A Christmas Carol,” have been done over and over and sometimes end up taking different forms, like “The Grinch Who Stole Christmas,” whose main character is kind of a riff on Ebeneezer Scrooge.

Who wouldn’t want to be part of the Griswold family as they take us on their “Christmas Vaca tion.” Talk about a disjointed but loving family.

Ranking among the top for me is “A Christmas Story” -- I did have a student get his tongue stuck to the flagpole while I was teaching at Mater Christi School. I will not mention his name. We simply poured war m water on his tongue instead of calling the fire department. He was released but somewhat embarrassed. I love the phrase “You’ll shoot your eye out” from the movie. My brother had a BB gun. He didn’t shoot his eye out, but I didn’t run fast enough.

My preference is for the older films, and I do have a favorite but I’m not going to tell you. However, if you look in the window above Riverside Plumbing, there is a clue. I don’t think you’ll be too surprised. Get the popcor n ready.

Lucille S. Frey, 100

Bank vice president

Lucille S. Frey (nee Simpson), 100, of Brookfield, died Dec. 1, 2022. She worked as a bank vice president before retiring.

Ms. Desco was born March 9, 1967 in Chicago and worked as an information technology secretary for a cybersecurity company.

She was the wife of Robert “Bob” Desco; the mother of Ben (Kayla) Weldon and James Desco; the daughter of Carol (nee Kujawa) and the late James Hanson; the grandmother of Oliver and Avett Weldon; the sister of Audrey Hanson, Chris (Michelle) Hanson, Phil (Masako) Hanson and Mike (Bree) Hanson; and the aunt of Maggie, Martina, Lilly, Gaby, Claire, Elyse, Penny, Nora and Alex.

Memorial visitation is Monday, Dec 12 from 4 to 9 p.m. at Johnson-Nosek Funeral Home, 3847 Prairie Ave., Brookfield, with a memorial service at 6 p.m.

Memorial donations to the American Cancer Society or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital would be appreciated.

Online condolences, memories and photos may be shared at JohnsonNosek.com.

She was the wife of the late David J. Frey III; the mother of Dr Joanne M. (Diantha McJilton) Frey and David J. (Chadwin Sneyd) Frey IV; the sister of the late Dorothy Woodford, Doris Weaver and Arthur Simpson; the sister-in-law of Vera (the late Charles) Frey; and the aunt of many nieces and nephews.

A funeral Mass was celebrated Dec. 5 at St. Louise de Marillac Church in LaGrange Park, followed by inter ment at Woodlawn Cemetery, Forest Park

Memorials are appreciated to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 6704, Hagerstown, Maryland, 21741.

Hitzeman Funeral Home, Brookfield, handled ar rangements.

Send sympathy or Mass cards to Hitzeman Funeral Home, 9445 31st St., Brookfield, 60513, c/o Lucille Frey family.

JOANNE KOSE Y

David Moreau, 75, was friendly proprietor of Grumpy’s

By BOB UPHUES Editor

David Moreau, whose coffee shop cream parlor Grumpy’s was a Riverside institution for nearly 20 Dec 3, 2022, at his Riverside home years old

Mr. Moreau was not a cor ner shop etor by nature. His pre-Grumpy’s spent as a brakeman for the Chicago wester n Railroad. After retiring job, Moreau landed a job as the a restaurant called the Refectory Arcade Building in downtown Ri

The restaurant, which opened 1994, was owned by Peter Sahlas time also owned the historic Arcade ing. Kim Palka, who would work Moreau at Grumpy’s from the da until the day it closed, worked as a the Refectory.

“He was a pain in the ass manage after a couple of months we hit started dating on and off for 20 y said. We mutually split up but have been best friends ever since. He was like a stepfather to my daughter [Lauren].”

A cor ner space in the Arcade Building served as the ice cream supply room for the Refectory, according to Palka, but it wasn’t open to the public. Moreau took over the corner storefront around 1994-95.

The Refectory Café closed its doors in Au

was named after Moreau – he would say jokingly that he named it after his customers –the name came from “Grumpy Old Men,” the title of a popular 1993 movie that Moreau particularly enjoyed.

“He wasn’t really grumpy,” said Larry Baron, who would become a close friend of Moreau’s after Grumpy’s closed at the end of 2013. “He would say hi to everybody. He was a

eally friendly guy.” became more than a cor ner and it drew a loyal cast of regu Kanz and her mother, Victoria ho lived nearby on East Quincy

take her there before going to mor ning and we’d sit outside,” ho remained a close friend. “You t beat a view of the water tower.” would play host to an annual rty and birthday parties. Kanz birthday party for her mom at

y people say it was an icon in this wn, a site to meet,” Palka said. “We were an lace.’ We threw parties. We still in touch with the people from there.” was not always a smooth one In ahlas had sold the Arcade Build property was caught up in an inter onzi scheme The building, which slated to be converted into condowas placed into receivership and disrepair with Grumpy’s the lone remaining tenant.

That November, Grumpy’s was forced out of the space, but Moreau secured a new location at 35 E. Burlington St. in January 2009. While it remained in downtown Riverside, Grumpy’s would never really be the same Zimmer ended up buying the Burlington Street property, which now houses Sawmilly, and Grumpy’s closed for good at the end of

December 2013.

“I remember the day we found out we had to clear out, and we just stood in the basement and cried for an hour and a half,” Palka said.

Moreau may have left the coffee shop busi ness, but he couldn’t stay away from the coffee klatch. He soon wound up finding kindred spirits at Locha Mocha in Brookfield and would ride his bike there most days from his home on the wester n edge of Riverside

“Dave didn’t always come,” said Baron. “But it was better when he was there.”

If Moreau was a no-show, according to Bar on, “I’d call and ask, ‘Are you coming today?’ Like a job. I’d always watch out the window to see if he was coming on his bike.”

Moreau and Baron were the coffee klatch’s pranksters, at one point putting a gag sign post on the Brookfield train platform directing commuters to the zoo, New York, Los An geles and, of course, “coffee.” The sign lasted four days before it was removed.

The duo was also responsible for hanging signs around the neck of the cow atop the shuttered Brookfield Restaurant on Ogden Avenue.

“He was my lookout. I’d say, ‘You watch for the cops, I’ll do the deed,’” Baron said.

A memorial gathering is planned for Friday, Dec. 9 from 10 to 11:45 a.m. at Ivins/ Moravecek Funeral Home, 80 E. Burlington St., Riverside, followed by a funeral Mass at noon at St. Mary Church, 126 Herrick Road, Riverside

OBITUARIES

John M. Gallagher, 78

Business consultan t

John M. Gallagher, 78, of Plainfield and for merly of Brookfield, died Dec. 4, 2022 in Bolingbrook.

Mr. Gallagher was born Nov. 16, 1944 in Chicago. He worked as a business consultant prior to retirement.

He was the husband of Linda (nee Egler), the father of John Gallagher, Kim (Scott) Miller, Mike (Ashley) Gallagher and Joe Dlouhy; the papa of Briana, Brendan, Mia, Aisling and great-papa of Kaia; and the brother of Bar ney (Sonia) Gallagher and the late

Ellen Sedlak.

Visitation is on Wednesday, Dec 7 from 5 to 8 p.m. and Thursday, Dec 8 from 9:30 a.m. until time of a chapel service at 10 a.m. at Johnson-Nosek Funeral Home, 3847 Prairie Ave., Brookfield. Inter ment is at Queen of Heaven Cemetery, Hillside.

Online condolences, memories and photographs may be shared at JohnsonNosek.com.

William F. Lapacek,

72

Electrician at Reynolds Aluminum

William “Bill” Frank Lapacek, 72, of Platteville, Wisconsin, and for merly of Brookfield, died unexpectedly on Nov. 25, 2022.

Mr Lapacek was a proud graduate of Riverside-Brookfield High School, Class of 1968.

An electrician by trade, he was an electrical supervisor at Reynolds Aluminum in Mc

Cook for 30 years.

He went on to work for and retire from Midwest Service Center as a regional sales executive. Mr. Lapacek loved the sport of baseball, a proud player on two national winning Brookfield Babe Ruth teams. He continued his love of the sport throughout his young adult life coaching young players and playing in baseball and softball leagues, while in his older years he was seen in the stands cheering on his grandchildren.

Mr Lapacek was the ultimate fix-it man -- he could build or fix anything and would be found most days tinkering and working around the farm. An avid outdoorsman, his true passions were hunting and fishing. He was happiest sitting in a boat wetting a line, or upwind in a deer stand.

Bill believed in living life to the fullest and making memories with those most dear to him. He surrounded himself with many,

many friends, who to him were family Anyone who knew Bill knew that family was the most important thing in his life and his ador ing family will miss him greatly.

Mr. Lapacek is survived by his wife of 54 years, Kathy; his children, Jennifer (Jack) Smith, William (Robin) Lapacek and Jacob Lapacek; his grandchildren, Madeline Janis, Gracie, Isabella and Matthew Lapacek, and Abigail and Victoria Smith; his brother Robert (Chris) Lapacek; his sister-in-law Chris (the late Ron) Feltz; and his nieces, Jody, Amy, Jena, and Val. He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Gladys Lapacek.

Services have been held. Memorial donations to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital are appreciated.

Johnson-Nosek Funeral Home, Brookfield, handled arrangements.

Online condolences, memories and photos may be shared at JohnsonNosek.com.

DAVID MOREAU

Class specifications are intended to present a descriptive list of the range of duties performed by employees in the class.

Specifications are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job.

DEFINITION

To perform various network/system administration, computer support, and operational activities for the Village including computer system setup, configuration, and testing.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Reports directly to the Information Technology Services Director.

EXAMPLE OF DUTIES:

Essential and other important duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

Essential duties and responsibilities

1. Ensure that best in class customer service is provided to both internal and external customers and also embrace, support, and promote the Village’s core values, beliefs and culture.

2. Configure, test, and deploy network systems, such as, firewalls, routers, switches, wireless equipment, network servers and storage arrays.

3. Configure, test, and deploy system servers, such as, file, print, Internet, e-mail, database, and application servers.

4. Configure, test, and monitor server and end-user systems for security, such as, user accounts, login scripts, file access privileges, and group policy management.

5. Configure, test, and deploy end-user systems, such as, workstations, laptops, mobile devices, printers, and software.

6. Test, configure, deploy, and support security systems, such as, facility access system, video & audio system.

7. Monitor and auditing of networks, systems, and user activities to ensure security and efficiency of systems. Create scripts and reports of detail activities for regular review.

8. Perform and participate in disaster recovery activities, such as, backup procedures, data recovery, and system recovery planning.

9. Assist end-users with computer problems or queries. Troubleshoot systems as needed and meet with users to analyze specific system needs.

10. Ensure the uniformity, reliability and security of system resources including network, hardware,

HELP WANTED

Qualifications:

• Valid Illinois Professional Educator License with an endorsement in School Psychology.

HELP WANTED

software and other forms of systems and data.

11. Prepare, create and update user/technical procedure documentations and provide computer training.

12. Assemble, test, and install network, telecommunication and data equipment and cabling.

13. Participate in research and recommendation of technology solutions.

Other important responsibilities and duties

1. Train users in the area of existing, new or modified computer systems and procedures.

2. Participate in the preparation of various activity reports.

3. Travel and support remote facilities and partner agencies.

4. Operate, administer and manage the Village and Public Safety computer systems, including E-911 center, in-vehicle computer systems.

5. Prepare clear and logical reports and program documentation of procedures, processes, and configurations.

6. Complete projects on a timely and efficient manner.

7. Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.

8. Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

9. Perform related duties and responsibilities as required.

QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge of: Principals and procedures of computer systems, such as, data communication, hierarchical structure, backups, testing and critical analysis.

Hardware and software configuration of. computers, servers and mobile devices, including computing environment of Windows Server and Desktop OS and applications, Unix/Linux OS, VMware, iOS/Android.

Network protocols, security, configuration and administration, including firewalls, routers, switches and wireless technology.

Cabling and wiring, including CAT5/6, fiber network, telephone, serial communication, termination, and punch-down.

Telecommunications theory and technology, including VoiP, serial communication, wireless protocols, PBX, analog, fax, voicemail and auto-attendant.

Principles and methods of computer programming, coding and testing, including power shell, command scripting, macros, and

VB scripts.

Modern office procedures, methods and computer equipment.

Technical writing, office productivity tools and database packages.

Ability to:

Maintain physical condition appropriate to the performance of assigned duties and responsibilities, which may include the following:

- Walking, standing or sitting for extended periods of time

- Operating assigned equipment

- Lift 50 pounds of equipment, supplies, and materials without assistance

- Working in and around computer equipped vehicles

Maintain effective audio-visual discrimination and perception needed for:

- Making observations

- Communicating with others

- Reading and writing

- Operating assigned equipment and vehicles

Maintain mental capacity allowing for effective interaction and communication with others.

Maintain reasonable and predictable attendance. Work overtime as operations require.

Experience and Training Guidelines

Experience: Three years of network/system administration in the public or private sector, maintaining a minimum of 75 Client Workstation computers. AND

Training: Possession of a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in computer science or a related field. Certifications in Microsoft

Server Administration, Networking, Applications and Cisco Networking.

Possession of a valid Illinois Driver License is required at the time of appointment.

Vaccination against COVID-19 strongly preferred.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Work in a computer environment; sustained posture in a seated position for prolonged periods of time; continuous exposure to computer screens; work in and around computerized vehicles outdoor and garage facility; lifting heavy equipment, communication cabling and wiring into walls and ceilings.

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Administrative Assistant in the Public Health Department. This position provides a variety of responsible administrative and analytical functions; records and monitors department budget and fiscal requirements of grant-funded programs; oversight of Accounts Payable process; prepares reports and serves as a resource for computerized office applications. Applicants are encouraged to visit the Village of Oak Park’s website at http://www.oak-park.us/ jobs. Interested and qualified applicants must complete a Village of Oak Park application.

FULL TIME HELP WANTED

SPOTLESS CARWASH at 7343 Roosevelt and 7802 Madison St in Forest Park is in need of an attendant. We are looking for someone who likes to be outside and is friendly and likes people.

The duties are to meet and greet customers, make change, sell tokens, automatic and self serve wash instructions, keep the lot, equipment room, and perimeter clean.

Pay is $13.00 per hour to start. The hours an attendant is on duty are 9 – 11 and 12 – 5 on weekdays, 9 – 11 and 11:30 – 4 on Saturday and Sunday. Looking for Wednesday through Sunday. If you are mechanically inclined please mention it.

Please come to 7343 Roosevelt Rd. in Forest Park to pick up an application. 708-771-2945.

Thank you

PARKING ENFORCEMENT OFFICER

The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Parking Enforcement Officer in the Police Department Field Services Division. This position will perform a variety of duties and responsibilities involved in the enforcement of Village parking regulations; and to provide general information and assistance to the public. Applicants are encouraged to visit the Village of Oak Park’s website http://www.oak-park.us/. Interested and qualified applicants must complete a Village of Oak Park application.

Marketing Specialist (Chicago, IL) Research market conditions in domestic and int’l markets in areas tea & related products. Design/develop marketing strategies; executive plans to promote products; collect and analyze price, trends, brands of competitors to adjust and form marketing/promoting proposals. Work with management to develop data information, marketing campaign planning. Design/develop marketing contents. Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, International Business, or Economics required. 2 yrs of experience in a sales or marketing position involving marketing or promotion projects required. Send resume to HR, Spirit Tea LLC, 3431 W. Fullerton Ave., Chicago, IL 60647

• Prefer at least 5 years of successful educational experience in both general and special education; and at least five years of successful experience in evaluating students, collaborating, and problemsolving with school and District teams.

• Master’s Degree preferred.

Demonstrates knowledge of special education legislation and acts in accordance with those mandates; follows policies and procedures of the District. Develops and implements activities that encourage students to be life-long learners. Identify and assess the learning, development, and needs of individuals and groups, as well as, the environmental factors that affect learning and school success. Uses assessment data about the

students and their environments in developing appropriate interventions and programs. Conducts appropriate individual psychoeducational assessments for children who have or are suspected of having a disability and provides written reports of assessment results.

Participates in all staff conferences of students having received psychological evaluation or reevaluation, including hospital discharge. Provide support to special education personnel including assisting staff with development of functional behavioral analysis and behavior intervention plans, modeling “best practices” and assisting special educators with instructional practices.

For a complete list of duties, please visit our website at https://www.district90.org/about/ employment

Interested candidates should complete the online application available at www.district90.org.

FINANCE COORDINATOR

The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Finance Coordinator. The ideal candidate will perform a wide variety of responsible and complex administrative, secretarial and clerical duties for the Finance department; and will provide information and assistance to the public regarding department to which assigned. Applicants are encouraged to visit the Village of Oak Park’s website at http://www.oakpark.us/jobs.

Interested and qualified applicants must complete a Village of Oak Park application. This position is open until filled.

COMMUNITY HEALTH ADVISOR

The Village of Oak Park is seeking a qualified candidate for the position of Community Health Advisor. The professional in this position is responsible for a variety of tasks including; promoting a safe health care environment; including health education, outreach and promotion which includes disseminating information, making referrals, and counseling as well as managing caseloads, and performing a variety of tasks relative to assigned area of responsibility.

Applicants are encouraged to visit the Village of Oak Park’s website at http://www.oak-park.us/jobs. First review of applications December 19, 2022.

FULL-TIME POLICE RECORDS CLERK

FOREST PARK, IL

The Forest Park Police Department, seeks a Full-Time Civilian Information Management Records Clerk reporting to the Lieutenant of the Criminal Investigations Division. Eligible candidates will be required to pass an aptitude test and an extensive background check. Qualifications include excellent organizational skills, computer skills, the ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines,

good knowledge of English language, and adherence to all police department policies and procedures.

Responsibilities and duties include subpoena fulfilment, evidence room duties, data entries, general office functions, report creation, and other duties as needed our assigned. Open until filled. Applications are available at Village Hall, 517 Desplaines Ave. or at www.forestpark. net and should be returned Attn: Vanessa Moritz, Village Clerk, Village of Forest Park, 517 Des Plaines Avenue, Forest Park, IL 60130. Email: vmoritz@forestpark.net

Assistant Project Managers sought by LG Construction Group LLC in Chicago, IL to complete subcontractor evals & comparison of bids w/ prjct mngr. Apply at jobpostingtoday. com Ref# 16327.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Oak Park, Illinois (Chicagoland) www.collab4kids.org

Since its beginnings in 2002, the Collaboration for Early Childhood (the Collab) has embraced the vision that all children should arrive at kindergarten safe, healthy, ready to succeed and eager to learn. The Collab’s focus has always been on how much impact the organization could have on the youngest among us in the community.

The Executive Director will be charged with taking the organization into its next phase of organizational life. He/She/They will have the opportunity to leverage the organization’s expanded influence and funding, potentially beyond the state of Illinois. The Executive Director will enhance the organization’s advocacy profile and will help shape a policy agenda for early learning. He/She/ They will help expand the organization’s opportunities for revenue generation, diversification, and strategic partnerships. Most significantly, the Collab will continue to serve as one of the state’s primary thought leaders in early childhood education.

The minimum of a bachelor’s degree is required, though a master’s or advanced degree is preferred.

The salary range for this position is between $120,000 and $140,000 and will be commensurable with experience. The Collab offers a comprehensive benefits package, including but not limited to 12 paid holidays, vacation days and group health insurance, as well as a retirement plan.

It is the policy of the Collaboration to afford equal employment opportunities regardless of actual or perceived race, color, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, religion, marital status, disability, sex, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, military or veteran status, order of protection status, genetic information, or any other category protected by applicable law. This policy of equal employment applies to all aspects of the employment relationship, including but not limited to: initial consideration for employment; job placement and assignment of responsibilities; performance evaluation; promotion and advancement; compensation and fringe benefits; training and professional development opportunities; formulation and application of human resource policies and rules; facility and service accessibility; and discipline and termination.

Applications are being received by Kittleman & Associates, LLC. For more information or to apply, please visit https://bit.ly/3tBKpLu (click on the Apply button at the bottom of the page to upload a current resume and letter of interest).

HELP WANTED • NETWORK SPECIALIST

River Forest Public Schools

River Forest Public Schools, District 90 is seeking an experienced part-time School Psychologist

PUBLIC NOTICES PUBLIC NOTICES PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICE SUMMONS (Family Law) CITACIÓN (Derecho familiar)

CASE NUMBER (NÚMERO DE CASO): HF22130927

NOTICE TO RESPONDENT (Name): AVISO AL DEMANDADO (Nombre): ANGELO C GALLARDO

You have been sued. Read the information below and on the next page.

Lo han demandado. Lea la información a continuación y en la página siguiente.

Petitioner’s name is: Nombre del demandante: MERCEDITA M. GALLARDO

You have 30 calendar days after this Summons and Petition are served on you to file a Response (form FL-120) at the court and have a copy served on the petitioner. A letter, phone call, or court appearance will not protect you.

If you do not file your Response on time, the court may make orders affecting your marriage or domestic partnership, your property, and custody of your children. You may be ordered to pay support and attorney fees and costs.

For legal advice, contact a lawyer immediately. Get help finding a lawyer at the California Courts Online SelfHelp Center (www.courts.ca.gov/ selfhelp), at the

California Legal Services website (www.lawhelpca.org), or by contacting your local county bar association.

Tiene 30 días de calendario después de haber recibido la entrega legal de esta Citación y Petición para presentar una Respuesta (formulario FL-120) ante la corte y efectuar la entrega legal de una copia al demandante. Una carta o llamada telefónica o una audiencia de la corte no basta para protegerlo.

órdenes puede hacerlas acatar en cualquier lugar de California.

FEE WAIVER: If you cannot pay the filing fee, ask the clerk for a fee waiver form. The court may order you to pay back all or part of the fees and costs that the court waived for you or the other party.

EXENCIÓN DE CUOTAS: Si no puede pagar la cuota de presentación, pida al secretario un formulario de exención de cuotas. La corte puede ordenar que usted pague, ya sea en parte o por completo, las cuotas y costos de la corte previamente exentos a petición de usted o de la otra parte.

1. The name and address of the court are (El nombre y dirección de la corte son): SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, 24405 AMADOR STREET, HAYWARD, CA 94544 - FAMILY LAW DIVISION

2. The name, address, and telephone number of the petitioner’s attorney, or the petitioner without an attorney, are: (El nombre, dirección y número de teléfono del abogado del demandante, o del demandante si no tiene abogado, son): SATNESH S. PRASAD, 607 LONGWOOD AVE., HAYWARD, CA 94541

Date (Fecha): OCT 21, 2022

CHAD FINKE, Clerk, by (Secretario, por) SARAH GOUVEIA, Deputy (Asistente)

[SEAL]

Published in the Wednesday Journal November 23, 30, December 7, 14, 2022

PUBLIC NOTICE INVITATION FOR BIDS

Sealed proposals will be received by the Housing Authority of the Village of Oak Park (Owner) at 21 South Blvd., Oak Park, Il, 60302 until 2:00 p.m. local time on Thursday, January 19, 2023, at which time they will be opened and read. The sealed bids will be received for the following project:

Turnkey modernization of two traction elevators and its mechanical and electrical systems at the Mills Park Tower public housing property.

Drawings and Specifications are available at no cost in PDF electronic format from Lerch Bates Building Insights, Charlie Geist, Regional Manager, 328 S. Jefferson St., Suite 760, Chicago, IL 60661, telephone (312) 332-5444, email Charlie.Geist@LerchBates.com.

Bidders are required to attend the mandatory pre-bid meeting on Thursday, December 15, 2022, at 9:30 a.m. on the first floor of Mills Park Tower, 1025 Pleasant Place, Oak Park, IL 60302. If bidders have questions or need further information, they may call Ken Southward at (708) 386-9322, extension 134.

Bid Security: Each bid must be accompanied by a bid bond in the amount of 5% of the base bid or a certified check in the same amount payable to the Housing Authority of the Village of Oak Park. Checks of unsuccessful bidders will be returned as soon as practicable after the opening of the bids.

Performance Bond: The Contractor, before commencing the work, shall furnish a Performance Bond for contracts over $100,000.00. The Performance Bond shall be in an amount equal to 100% of the full amount of the Contract Sum as security for the faithful performance of the obligations of the Contract Documents. Such Bond shall be issued by a Surety satisfactory to the Owner and shall name the Owner as primary Co-Obligee.

NOVENAS

PRAYER TO ST. JUDE

May the Sacred Heart of Jesus be adored, glorified, loved & preserved throughout the world now & forever.

Sacred Heart of Jesus, pray for us.

St. Jude worker of miracles, pray for us. St. Jude helper of the hopeless, pray for us. Say this prayer 9 times a day for 9 days. By the 8th day your prayer will be answered. It has never been known to fail .Publication must be promised. Thank you Jesus. Thank You St . Jude. R.B.

NEVER FAIL NOVENA

May the Sacred Heart of Jesus be praised, adored and glorified throughout the world, now and for-ever. Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, I put my trust in you. Holy Mary Mother of Jesus, pray for me. St. Theresa child of Jesus, pray for me.

St. Jude, helper of hopeless causes, pray for me and grant this favorI ask. Say this prayer 9 times a day for 9 days .R.B

PRAYER TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN (NEVER KNOWN TO FAIL)

Oh, most beautiful flower of Mt. Carmel, fruitful vine, splendor of heaven, Blessed Mother of the Son of God, Immaculate Virgin, assist me in my necessity. Oh, Star of the Sea, help me and show me, herein you are my mother. Oh, Holy Mary, Mother of God, Queen of Heaven and Earth. I humbly beseech you from the bottom of my heart to suc cor in my necessity (make request). There are none that can withstand your power. Oh, show me herein you are my mother. Oh, Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee (3 times). Holy Mary, I place this prayer in your hands (3 times). Say this prayer for three consecutive days and publish; your request will be granted. R.B.

Si no presenta su Respuesta a tiempo, la corte puede dar órdenes que afecten su matrimonio o pareja de hecho, sus bienes y la custodia de sus hijos. La corte también le puede ordenar que pague manutención, y honorarios y costos legales. Para asesoramiento legal, póngase en contacto de inmediato con un abogado. Puede obtener información para encontrar un abogado en el Centro de Ayuda de las Cortes de California (www.sucorte.ca.gov), en el sitio web de los Servicios Legales de California (www.lawhelpca.org) o poniéndose en contacto con el colegio de abogados de su condado.

NOTICE—RESTRAINING ORDERS ARE ON PAGE 2: These restraining orders are effective against both spouses or domestic partners until the petition is dismissed, a judgment is entered, or the court makes further orders. They are enforceable anywhere in California by any law enforcement officer who has received or seen a copy of them.

AVISO—LAS ÓRDENES DE RESTRICCIÓN SE ENCUENTRAN EN LA PÁGINA 2: Las órdenes de restricción están en vigencia en cuanto a ambos cónyuges o miembros de la pareja de hecho hasta que se despida la petición, se emita un fallo o la corte dé otras órdenes. Cualquier agencia del orden público que haya recibido o visto una copia de estas

The Housing Authority of the Village of Oak Park reserves the right to award the contract at its discretion, to reject any or all proposals, to waive informalities in bidding, and to hold the three lowest proposals for a period of sixty (60) days after the bid due date.

This project is subject to Federal Regulations including Fair Labor and Prevailing Wages. The Housing Authority of the Village of Oak Park, in an effort to reaffirm its policy of non-discrimination, encourages the efforts of Contractors and Sub-Contractors to take affirmative action in providing for Equal Employment Opportunity without regard to race, religion, creed, color, sex, national origin, age, protected Veteran status or handicap unrelated to ability to perform the job. The Owner encourages General Contractors to employ minority subcontractors and suppliers.

Ken Southward Director of Housing Programs (708) 386-9322, ext. 134

PUBLIC NOTICES PUBLIC NOTICES PUBLIC NOTICES PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICE OF COURT DATE FOR

REQUEST FOR NAME CHANGE

STATE OF ILLINOIS, CIRCUIT COURT COOK COUNTY.

Request of Ryan Cavario Isom Case Number 20224005929

There will be a court date on my Request to change my name from: Ryan Cavario Isom to the new name of: Rian Isom

The court date will be held: On January 31, 2023 at 11am at FOURTH MUNICIPAL DISTICT

COURT OF COOK COUNTY 1500 MAYBROOK DRIVE, MAYWOOD, COOK COUNTY, IL via Zoom.

ZOOM ACCESS CODE: 914 3462 0283 PASSWORD: 988648

Published in Wednesday Journal December 7, 14, 21, 2022

PUBLIC NOTICE

VILLAGE OF RIVERSIDE, ILLINOIS

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARINGS

Notice is hereby given to all interested persons that public hearings before the Planning and Zoning Commission of the Village of Riverside will be held on Wednesday, December 28, 2022 at 7:00 p.m., or as soon thereafter as the business of the Planning and Zoning Commission may permit, in the Riverside Township Hall, Room 4, 27 Riverside Road, Riverside, Illinois, to consider various proposed text amendments to the Village of Riverside Zoning Ordinance.

The first public hearing will consider various changes to the Village’s accessory structure regulations. Affected sections include, but may not be limited to, Section 10-7-3 (Accessory Structures and Uses) and Section 10-11-4 (Other Terms Defined). Among the potential changes being considered include changing the height and setback and standards for accessory buildings, allowing limited utilities in accessory buildings, and revising related definitions. Following is information specific to the first public hearing:

Application No.: PZ 22-11

Petitioner: Village of Riverside

Proposed Text Amendments: Various changes to the Village of Riverside Zoning Ordinance regulations. Affected sections include, but may not be limited to, Section 10-7-3 (Accessory Structures and Uses) and Section 10-11-4 (Other Terms Defined) of the Riverside Zoning Ordinance. Among the potential changes being considered are changes to the height and setback standards for accessory buildings, allowing limited utilities in accessory buildings, and revising related definitions.

The second public hearing will consider various changes to the Village’s temporary tent regulations. Affected sections include, but may not be limited to, Section 10-6-3 (Temporary Uses), Section 10-7-3 (Accessory Structures and Uses), and Section 10-11-4 (Other Terms Defined). Among the potential changes being considered include defining temporary event tents and providing standards for the use of temporary event tents. Following is information specific to the second public hearing:

Application No.: PZ 22-12

Petitioner: Village of Riverside

Proposed Text Amendments: Various changes to the Village of Riverside Zoning Ordinance regulations.

Affected sections include, but may not be limited to, Section 10-6-3 (Temporary Uses), Section 10-7-3 (Accessory Structures and Uses), and Section 10-11-4 (Other Terms Defined). Among the potential changes being considered include defining temporary event tents and providing standards for the use of temporary event tents.

The above applications and proposed text amendments are available for inspection at the office of the Village Clerk, 27 Riverside Road, Riverside, Illinois 60546. The proposed text amendments may be added to or otherwise revised as a result of the public hearing. During the Public Hearings the Planning and Zoning Commission will hear testimony from and consider any evidence presented by persons interested to speak on these matters. Persons wishing to appear at the hearings may do so in person or by attorney or other representative and may speak for or against the proposed text amendments. Communications in writing in relation thereto may be filed at such hearings or with the Planning and Zoning Commission in advance by submission to Village Planner Anne Cyran via email at acyran@riverside. il.us or delivered to the attention of Village Planner Anne Cyran at the Village Offices at 27 Riverside Road, Riverside, Illinois, prior to 4:00 p.m. on the day of the public hearings. Please specify the public hearing to which your comments pertain.

The public hearings may be continued from time to time without further notice, except as otherwise required under the Illinois Open Meetings Act. The proposed text amendments may be added to, revised, altered, or eliminated as a result of the public hearings and prior to final action by the Board of Trustees of the Village of Riverside.

Dated this 7th day of December, 2022.

Jill

Districts), which states that fences and walls shall be prohibited in street yards, except where the street yard adjoins a nonresidential use or along 26th Street, 31st Street or York Road, subject to further review by Village staff.

The above application is available for inspection at the office of the Village Clerk, 27 Riverside Road, Riverside, Illinois 60546. During the Public Hearing the Planning and Zoning Commission will hear testimony from and consider any evidence presented by persons interested to speak on these matters. Persons wishing to appear at this hearing may do so in person or by attorney or other representative and may speak for or against the proposed variations.

Communications in writing in relation thereto may be filed at such hearing or with the Planning and Zoning Commission in advance by submission to Village Planner Anne Cyran via email at acyran@riverside.il.us or delivered to the attention of Village Planner Anne Cyran at the Village Offices at 27 Riverside Road, Riverside, Illinois prior to 4:00 p.m. on the day of the public hearing.

The Public Hearing may be continued from time to time without further notice, except as otherwise required under the Illinois Open Meetings Act.

The proposal and zoning relief sought may be added to, revised, altered or eliminated as a result of the Public Hearing and prior to final action by the Board of Trustees of the Village of Riverside.

Dated this 7th day of December, 2022.

Jill Mateo, Chairperson Planning & Zoning Commission

Published in RB Landmark December 7, 2022

Mateo, Chairperson

Planning & Zoning Commission

Published in RB Landmark December 7, 2022

PUBLIC NOTICE

VILLAGE OF RIVERSIDE, ILLINOIS NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

Notice is hereby given to all interested persons that a public hearing before the Planning and Zoning Commission of the Village of Riverside will be held on Wednesday, December 28, 2022 at 7:00 p.m., or as soon thereafter as the business of the Planning and Zoning Commission may permit, to consider an application for a variation from Section 10-7-3(F)2(a) (Fence and Wall Location in Residential Districts) of the Village of Riverside Zoning Ordinance. The variation is sought to build a 5-foot tall aluminum fence that would encroach approximately 57 feet into the Woodside Road street yard for a length of approximately 84 feet. The subject property is in the R1-AA Single-Family Residence District.

Application No.: PZ22-13

Petitioners: Michael and Tawny Gecan

Property commonly known as: 148 Maplewood Road

PIN: 15-35-203-038-0000

Variation:

The variation sought includes, but may not be limited to, a variation from the following section of the Riverside Zoning Ordinance: a variation from Section 10-7-3(F)2(a) (Fence and Wall Location in Residential

PUBLIC NOTICES PUBLIC NOTICES PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICE OF INTENT TO REQUEST RELEASE OF FUNDS

On December 22, 2022 the Village of Oak Park will request the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to release federal funds under Title of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 (PL 93383), as amended, for various activities pursuant to the Program Year (PY) 2022 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program.

The following activities will take place within the Village of Oak Park, Illinois at a total cost of $1,059,843: Water Line Improvements $50,000; Sidewalk Improvements $225,000; Alley Improvements $400,000; Street Resurfacing $384,843.

An Environmental Review Record covering CDBG programs has been made by the Village, which documents the environmental review of the activities. This Environmental Review Record (ERR) is on file at the Village of Oak Park, 123 Madison Street, Oak Park, IL 60302 and is available for public examination and copying upon request from December 7, 2022 to December 22, 2022, 5 p.m. The ERR is also available on the HUD Environmental Review Online System (HEROS) at: https://cpd.hud.gov/cpd-public/ environmental-reviews. Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to the Village of Oak Park, 123 Madison Street, Oak Park, IL 60302 or via: email at grants@oakpark.us. All comments received by December 22, 2022, 5 p.m. will be considered by the Village of Oak Park prior to authorizing submission of a request for release of funds.

The Village of Oak Park will undertake the activities described above with grant funds from HUD, under PL 93-383. The Village of Oak Park and Kevin J. Jackson in his official capacity as Village Manager, and Tammie Grossman, in her official capacity as Development Customer Services Director, consent to accept the jurisdiction of the Federal courts if an action is brought to enforce responsibilities in relation to environmental reviews, decisionmaking, and action, and that these responsibilities have been satisfied. The legal effect of the certification is that upon its approval, the Village may use the grant funds, and HUD will have satisfied its responsibilities under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969.

HUD will accept objections to its release of funds and the Village of Oak Park’s certification for a period of fifteen days following the anticipated submission date or its actual receipt of the request (whichever is later) only if they are on one of the following bases: (a) the certification was not executed by the Certifying Officer of the Village of Oak Park; (b) the Village of Oak Park has omitted a step or failed to make a decision or finding required by HUD regulations at 24 CFR part 58; (c) the grant recipient or other participants in the development process have committed funds, incurred costs or undertaken activities not authorized by 24 CFR Part 58 before approval of a release of funds by HUD; or (d) another Federal agency acting pursuant to 40 CFR Part 1504 has submitted a written finding that the project is unsatisfactory from the standpoint

of environmental quality. Objections must be prepared and submitted in accordance with the required procedures (24 CFR Part 58, Sec. 58.76) and shall be addressed to HUD at 77 West Jackson Blvd., Chicago, Illinois 60604. Potential objectors should contact HUD at 77 West Jackson Blvd., Chicago, Illinois 60604 to verify the actual last day of the objection period.

Notice is also given that CDBG Tier 1 Broad Reviews were conducted for the following proposed projects in low- and moderate-income areas: Village of Oak Park Public Works Infrastructure construction projects (4) that will: 1) make water line improvements; 2) make sidewalk improvements in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act standards; 3) replace deteriorated public alleys; and 4) resurface deteriorated streets. Tier 2 Site Specific Reviews will be completed for those laws and authorities not addressed in the Tier 1 Broad Reviews for each address under the Oak Park CDBG program when addresses become known.

The specific locations within the Village of Oak Park are not yet determined for the above proposed Tiered Activities. Tier 2 Site Specific Reviews will be completed (which include laws and authorities not addressed within the Tier 1 Broad Reviews) for each individual address under the Oak Park CDBG program when addresses become known.

LEGAL NOTICE

The Village of Oak Park will re ceive proposals from qualified architectural engineering firms to provide professional architec tural and/or engineering services on an as-needed task-order ba sis throughout 2023. Proposals will be accepted until 2:00 p.m. local time on Friday, December 30th, 2022.

Request for Qualifications for Professional Architectural Engineering Services for

The Village of Oak Park

RFQ forms may be obtained by calling 708-358-5710 or by e-mailing vics@oak-park.us be tween the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. M-F. The Village of Oak Park reserves the right to issue proposal documents and specifications only to those firms deemed qualified. No proposal documents will be issued after 4:00 p.m. on the working day preceding the date of proposal opening.

THE VILLAGE OF OAK PARK

Published in Wednesday Journal December 7, 2022

7, 2022

Published in Wednesday Journal, December

Kevin J. Jackson, Village Manager, and Tammie Grossman, Development Customer Services Director, Certifying Officers

LTHS girls take heart in loss to Benet

Lions nearly pull o upset of perennial power

By BILL STONE Contributing Reporter

Especially following last season’s 28-4 march to the IHSA Class 4A sectional final, senior Ally Cesarini and her Lyons Township High School girls basketball teammates are accustomed to winning.

So far in this successful start, the Lions’ biggest victory has been their only defeat

The Lions played with visiting perennial power Benet Academy on Nov. 30 – and were in position to stage the upset – before the Redwings scored the final four points in the final 30 seconds to prevail 54-51 in LaGrange.

“Obviously, I’m upset that we lost, but I’m not upset with the way that we played,” said Cesarini, who had 13 points, four rebounds and two steals

Three other players reached double figures for the Lions (6-1) – Elin O’Brien (14 points), Nora Ezike (10 points, 7 rebounds, 3 blocks) and Ella Or msby (10 points). O’Brien was

ALLY CESARINI

4-for-5 from 3-point range.

going to lear n from that and that’s not going to happen again to us,” LTHS coach Meghan Hutchens said.

Lewis recruit Cesarini made perhaps her greatest contributions defensively against Benet senior and Indiana recruit Lenee Beaumont, who was held scoreless in the first quarter but still managed a game-high 19 points. Maggie Sularski had 18 points with four threes

“[Wanless] bumped [Carrier] every chance she got. She didn’t let her take the path to the basket that she wanted every single time,” Hutchens said. “She did a really nice job of making her work.”

Wanless also finished with eight points, eight rebounds and five steals Add to that, Wanless was a varsity-best 3-for-3 on her three-pointers.

KENNEDY WANLESS

LTHS started strong and led from the outset but needed the first eight points of the fourth quarter to regain the lead, pulling ahead 48-46 on Cesarini’s basket.

Still ahead 51-50, the Lions struggled with tur novers and mistakes down the stretch. Benet (5-1) scored on a layup after a loose-ball scramble and added two free throws.

“We’re going to grow from that experience. That’s a loss I’ll take as a win because we’re

“I was really excited to take on that challenge,” Cesarini said. “One of my goals was to just stop [Beaumont] from hitting shots that would give them a lot of momentum, a bigger lead. I think I did pretty well on that.”

On Dec 3, 5-foot-10 junior Kennedy Wanless was the defensive star in the Lions’ 57-39 vic tory over Sycamore at Fremd as part of the Chicagoland Invitational Showcase

Wanless defended 6-4 senior Evan Carrier and limited her to 12 points and no second half points until a fourth-quarter three with LTHS well ahead.

“I’ve been working on [my defense] a lot and then some outside shots,” Wanless said. “Ob viously people don’t guard the post as much on the perimeter, so if I can kind of show that I can hit those shots, that’ll help me.”

Cesarini’s double-double (17 points, 11 re bounds) ear ned the tour nament’s choice as LTHS Player of the Game Ezike had 16 points and eight rebounds.

LTHS, the defending West Suburban Conference Silver champions, opened league play Nov. 29 with a 58-29 victory over Proviso West behind Elin O’Brien (17 points) and Cesarini (9 points).

RBHS girls hold o IC to spark 3-game win streak

Covarrubias’ late work in the trenches helps seal victory

By BILL STONE Contributing Reporter

Riverside-Brookfield High School junior Mayan Covarrubias is used to pressure situations as a two-time state qualifier in girls golf She’s also becoming used to them on the basketball court.

“I feel like the adrenaline rush is about the same, but the work is totally different,” Covarrubias said. “Just the entire game, the flow, the crowd. You don’t have that in golf. In golf, I’m depending on myself. Basketball, I have to focus on myself, but I also have my teammates to count on as well.”

With the Bulldogs needing big plays down the stretch at IC Catholic Prep on Nov. 29, Co varrubias delivered several in the final 1:14 without scoring a point.

The Bulldogs won their Metro Suburban Conference Blue opener 54-48 by scoring the final five points after their 47-33 lead was re duced to 47-46 and 49-48.

The victory started a three-game winning

streak for the Bulldogs (4-3), who won home games over Ridgewood 65-32 on Dec 1 and Richards 61-53 on Dec. 3.

“Nothing’s better than a win close, down the stretch, at least for me,” Covarrubias said.

Alyssa Morris had 20-point games against IC with five 3-pointers and Ridgewood with two threes on 9-for-14 shooting. Morris had three of the final five points against ICCP via free throws.

With RBHS ahead 50-48, Covarrubias entered to successfully inbound the ball. She then got an offensive rebound and passed to Luna Lloyd, who swished her shot from right of the lane for a 52-48 lead. Covarrubias later rebounded a missed RBHS free throw, which led to Morris’ final free throw with 11.3 sec onds.

“I’m just glad that I was ready when my number is called and I’m just going to try to continue to be,” Covarrubias said.

Emily Organ (11 points, 13 rebounds, 4 as-

sists) delivered a double-double. Lloyd (8 re bounds) and Niamh Larson each had seven points.

“We came together at the end. We were able to relax, run our game plan. We need to do a little better job on the boards, but they played well,” RBHS coach Jordan Mack said. “Mayan has the most basketball IQ on the team by far. She knows what to do. She’s relaxed, poised under pressure.”

Larson (13 points) and Organ (10 points) also reached double figures against Ridgewood, followed by Covarrubias (7 points) and Lena Lembcke (5 points, 4 steals). Lloyd and Organ each had seven rebounds and Morris and Organ each had five assists

Organ (16 points, 8 rebounds), Lloyd (14 points, 8 rebounds). Bryce Pacourek (9 points, 9 rebounds), Morris (8 points with 2 threes) and Lembcke (4 steals) were top performers against Richards

ALY SSA MORRIS

MAYA N COVARRUBIAS

RBHS boys fall to Benet, but bounce back against IC

Bulldogs unable to recover from early Redwings’ barrage

By MELVIN TATE Contributing Reporter

Riverside-Brookfield High School boys basketball coach Mike Reingruber figured his young team would be in for a challenge against Benet Academy in the Chicago Elite Classic Dec. 2 at Credit One Arena on the Uni versity of Illinois at Chicago campus

The Redwings have been one of the Chicago area’s consistently strong programs over the years and put the Bulldogs in an early hole en route to a 58-42 victory.

“Benet is very good and has a lot of experience,” Reingruber said. “They’re wellcoached and did a nice job right from the start taking it to us.”

A 3-point barrage spearheaded by Benet’s Brady Kunka (game-high 20 points) and Niko Abusara (15 points) put RBHS behind in the first half. The Bulldogs trailed 34-19 at half time, and although they fared better in the second half, they were never able to get their deficit back within single digits.

“We fought and had a few chances in the second half but couldn’t convert on a couple of layups,” Reingruber said. “We just dug ourselves a pretty big hole early.”

Arius Alijosius led RBHS with 12 points while Will Gonzalez added nine points

“The thing we learned most is that you can’t just go through the motions,” Reingruber said. “You’ve got to go hard all the time, especially when you’re playing a pretty good team, and Benet took advantage of our mistakes. It was a good experience for our guys.”

The Bulldogs (4-2) bounced back on Dec 3, routing visiting IC College Prep 65-42 in a Metro Suburban Blue opener. Stefan Cicic

led the way with 18 points and 13 rebounds. Alijosius had 16 points, Gonzalez 10 and Rex Dockendorf eight.

“From the first half into the second against Benet, we made some progress,” he said. “That carried over into [the IC game]. We were locked in on both ends of the ball for the duration of the game.”

After a non-conference home contest versus Ridgewood on Dec. 6 (after the Landmark’s print deadline), the Bulldogs will host Chicago Christian on Dec. 9, then face St. Ignatius in the Team Rose Shootout at Mount Carmel on Dec. 10.

LTHS wrestlers subdue opponents at Fremd Quad

ree Lions ranked in top 10 of Class 3A

By BILL STONE Contributing Reporter

The Lyons Township High School boys wrestling team had an impressive showing at the Sandburg Quad on Dec. 3, beating Fremd 33-31, Sandburg 38-26 and Batavia 45-21.

The Lions ar e now 4-1 in duals with their lone loss to Glenbard North. In last week’s

were honorable mention.

Ranked individually were No. 6 senior Cooper King (9-1 at 195 pounds), No. 8 junior Gunnar Garelli (7-3 at 152) and No. 8 freshman Grif f Powell (8-2 at 106). King went 3-0 Saturday and Garelli and Powell were 2-1, both losing to top-four ranked opponents

The Lions opened the season by beating Riverside-Brookfield 48-17 on Nov. 23 and were seventh of 32 teams at the Barrington Invitational on Nov. 26.

Powell, King and Claudio Rodrigue z (132) finished third at Barrington. Garelli was fourth, Brookfield’s Eric Marquez (170) eighth and Sam Costello (285) ninth.

LTHS boys basketball

The Lions (4-0) won their road opener 68-48 at Downers Grove South on Dec. 3 behind Nik Polonowski (15 points, 6 rebounds), Matthew DeSimone (10 points, 11 rebounds), Jackson Niego (8 points), Connor Carroll (6 points, 7 rebounds), Brady Chambers (8 points) and Patrick Kracker (5 points).

The Lions were 3-0 with two double-digit victories in winning their annual home Thanksgiving tournament. Niego and Polonowski were named all-tournament. They visit defending IHSA Class 4A state champion Glenbard West on Dec. 10.

Martin wins at 170 to pace RBHS wrestlers at Fenton

Bulldogs nish 2nd at 16-team tourney

By BILL STONE Contributing Reporter

The Riverside-Brookfield High School boys wrestling team finished second at Fenton’s 16-team Weiss Invitational (185.50 points), just 3.5 points from champion South Elgin on Dec. 3.

Senior Billy Martin won the 170-pound championship for the Bulldogs (3-1 in du-

als) with a pin in 4:39 in the final.

Martin captured his previous two other matches also by fall in 1:35 and 3:12.

Sophomore Edgar Mosquera (113) and senior Quintavius Murrell (120) were second. Mosquera lost 5-3 in the final.

Senior Devontae Givens (285), junior Cade Tomkins (152) and sophomore Nathan

Stanard (126) were third. Junior Jacob Noe (145) and sophomore Max Strong (160) were fourth, and junior Josh Gonzalez (138) and sophomores Chase Murrell (106) and Ethan Rivas (132) were fifth.

RBHS gymnastics

The RBHS girls gymnastics team reached 130 points in its home opener, a 132.65 to 130.50 loss to Hinsdale South on Dec. 1.

Sophomore Lia Christiansen had a meetbest 35.35 all-around total and took first on vault (9.45), balance beam (8.9) and floor exercise (8.9) and fourth on uneven parallel

bars (7.7). Sarah Lindenberg (32.15), Annabel Krue ger (31.80) in her season debut and Reese Phelan (31.20) also competed as all-arounders. Lindenberg was third on beam (9.0), Krue ger tied for fourth on beam (7.9) and was fifth on floor (8.1) and Phelan was fifth on uneven bars (7.6).

Illinois Matmen Class 3A state rankings, Fremd was No. 12 and Sandburg and Batavia

ERIC MARQUEZ GRIFF POWELL

BILLY MARTIN

SARAH LINDENBERG