Landmark 122122

Riverside Chamber looks to future as new

By BOB UPHUES Editor

The Riverside Chamber of Commerce, re ported earlier in 2022 to be in danger of folding, marked the beginning of a new chapter in its history on Dec. 14, swearing in a full slate of officers and setting an ambitious agenda for reinvigorating the nearly century-old org anization.

At their re gular meeting last week held at the Riverside Township Hall, the chamber installed Baird & Warner Realtor Arrick Pelton as its new president, Gears 2

New boutique tness gym opens in North Riverside

Hustle Hard Athletics o ers weightli ing, strength, agility training

By JACKIE PISANO Contributing Reporter

Lifelong friends Emilio Debartolo, Nick Santos and Mike Jay couldn’t have asked for a better place to grow up than 1980s and ’90s North Riverside and Brookfield

From fun on the sports fields in their respective hometowns to Riverside-Brookfield High School, the three could think of no better place to end back up as adults

Now, more than 20 years after graduating from RBHS, they’ve come full circle with Debartolo and Santos raising families in North Riverside and Jay raising his in Brookfield

For the past few years, Debartolo and Santos have had a good taste of passing along their passion for athletics at the local level to their own sons, now both freshmen in high school.

As their sons aged out of youth sports, Debartolo and Santos wanted to find a way to stay involved. So, earlier this year, they obtained personal training certificates and began training their sons and other boys at a Broadview fitness center

“During the spring and summer, we were training all these kids, and what began as something small blue up into this,” Santos said.

That ‘this’ is Hustle Hard Fitness, a new business for weightlifting, strength and agility training at 8921 Cermak Road in North Riverside, for merly a lawnmower repair shop for decades.

Though the building itself is small at 1,100 square feet, the location, visibility, and bare

bones, cinder block walls were all ideal to house their business venture.

“Through the town, we heard the place was for rent, and after getting hold of the owner, he decided to lease out the space to us,” Debartolo said. “The location was perfect, and we put a lot of work into it.”

In addition to installing blue synthetic turf, cleaning and painting the walls, restoring and painting the ceiling beams and installing an up-to-date ventilation system, Debartolo, Santos and Jay purchased workout equipment and this fall began setting up the space for Hustle Hard Athletics’ first fall classes and ribbon opening, which took place Dec. 12.

During the business’ soft opening in late November, over 50 people attended classes, and since then, upwards of 200 people have registered for future classes

“The greatest thing that we have to offer is our own strengths and abilities,” Santo said. “We love to work both with all-state athletes and the kids who are just looking to get off the couch and come burn some calories.”

Debartolo, Santos and Jay want athletes to feel a sense of accomplishment both on and off the field, building lasting friendships along the way.

“Overall, the gym is for everyone, but what we wanted to do was make it small so we can have smaller classes,” Debartolo said. “When you have a smaller group, it allows friends to train together in a comfortable environment, and that’s what we’re try-

ing to build here.”

During the warmer months, the owners plan to host larger classes outdoors in the lot adjacent to the building. For now, training is for smaller groups, with youth programs for ages 2-14, young adult programs for ages 14-20 and adult male and adult female group training and open labs

Classes run 45 to 60 minutes and, depending on the format, can be purchased in bulk by the month or at a drop-in rate of $15 per class

“We wanted to make this affordable for everyone, because training is expensive,” Debartolo said. “Giving that option to parents is key. They might come here a few times and learn some things, and we have no problem emailing kids more information about training. It’s good for us, it’s good for the community.”

Though the owners’ day jobs are outside of fitness — Santos in sales management for a liquor distributor, Debartolo as a manager for Carvana and Jay in corporate restaurant management — their main goal is to make Hustle Hard Athletics a community staple.

“I want kids to walk past and say, ‘I go there, I train there, those are my guys,’” Santos said. “That’s the type of environment we want to build and make people feel like they belong.”

For more information, visit hustlehardathletics.com or follow Hustle Hard Athletics on Facebook and hustlehardnr on Instagram.

IN THIS ISSUE

Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Crime . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Classi ed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Kosey Corner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Opinion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Obituaries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Editor Bob Uphues

Director of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Michael Romain

Digital Publishing & Technology Manager

Briana Higgins

Staff Photographers Alex Rogals, Shanel Romain

Design/Production Manager Andrew Mead

Editorial Design Manager Javier Govea

Designer Susan McKelvey

Sales and Marketing Representatives

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

Donor Relations Manager/Food Editor Melissa Elsmo

Sales & Digital Development Manager Stacy Coleman Circulation Manager Jill Wagner EMAIL jill@oakpark.com

Publisher Dan Haley

Special Projects Manager Susan Walker

BOARD OF DIREC TORS

Chair Judy Gre n Treasurer Nile Wendor f

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

HOW TO REACH US

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

E-MAIL buphues@rblandmark.com ONLINE www.RBLandmark.com

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 corrections to Landmark, 141 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, IL 60302.

© 2022 Growing Community Media NFP.

ALEX ROGALS/Sta Photographer

Friends since childhood, (from le ) Emilio Debartolo, Nick Santos and Mike Jay have opened Hustle Hard Athletics, a new tness business on Cermak Road in North Riverside.

BIG WEEK

December 21-28

La st week for Holiday Magic

The 41st Annual Holiday Magic festival of lights at Brook eld Zoo, 8400 31st St., enters its nal week on Dec. 26 and will run through Dec. 31 daily from 3 to 9 p.m.

Walk through the 600-foot tunnel of lights and pose for photos in the illuminated gingerbread house or luminous 20-foot orb. The West Mall will be a two-mile Sea of Lights synchronized to music A 41-foot-tall tree with lights “dancing” to choreographed music will be just inside the North Gate.

Several indoor and outdoor animal areas will be open, and you can take a spin on the skating rink ($7, skate rental extra). Restaurants, food stands and gift shops will also be open.

Regular zoo admission and parking apply (advance reser vation required for South Gate entry).

Visit CZS.org/HolidayMagic for more info.

And more

■ Chef Shangri-La, 7930 26th St. in North Riverside, hosts live entertainment on Fridays and Saturdays at 7 p.m. featuring performers impersonating rock ‘n’ roll’s classic stars This week’s tribute is on Dec. 23 with Michael St. Angel as Elvis.

■ Nor th Riverside Park Mall, 7501 Cermak Road, invites kids to visit S anta in his workshop located in the mall’s center court daily through Dec. 24. Visit nor thriversideparkmall.com/santaphotos for details.

■ Riverside Arts Center, 32 E. Quinc y St.

presents “Plot Structure,” featuring paintings by Matthew Girson; “Continue a Poem,” a group show featuring the work of Nicholas Frank, Lauren Fueyo and Nyeema Morgan; and “Dwell,” an installation of sculptures by Margie Glass Sula, through Dec. 30. Gallery hours are Thursday-Saturday from 1 to 5 p.m.

There’s also “The Art of Seeing,” featuring botanical boxes by Shilin Hora, at the Riverside Town Hall, 27 Riverside Road, through Dec. 31. Viewing hours are Monday-Thursday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Visit riversideartscenter. com for more.

■ North Riverside Public Library, 2400 Desplaines

Nor th Riverside Librar y screens

‘The Wizard of Oz ’

Kids of all ages are invited to attend Koko’s Film Club on Dec. 27 at 2 p.m. at the North Riverside Public Library, 25400 Desplaines Ave., for an in-person screening of the beloved 1939 classic lm “The Wizard of Oz,” starring Judy Garland, Ray Bolger, Frank Morgan and Margaret Hamilton.

Follow the yellow brick road and visit the Emerald City with Dorothy and her pals, who tr y to stay clear of the Wicked Witch of the West

while Dorothy seeks the help of the Great Oz in returning home to Kansas.

Register by calling 708-447-0869, online at northriversidelibrary.org/events-new or in person at the reference desk.

READ to the Dogs at LSF Brookfield Librar y

Join the Hinsdale Humane Society on Dec. 27 from 7 to 8 p.m. for a READ to the Dogs event at the Linda Sokol Francis Brook eld Librar y, 3541 Park Ave The event is held in the librar y’s classroom space.

The humane society launched its READ Therapy Program in 2006, where trained volunteer owners of dogs read with children to promote literacy in a pressure -free environment.

Register for a time by visiting brook eld.evanced info/signup.

Polar Express Part y

Riverside Public Library, 1 Burling Road, hosts a Polar Express Party on Dec. 23 from 10 to 11:45 a.m.

In addition to watching the classic animated children’s lm “the Polar Express,” starring the voices of Tom Hanks, Nona Gaye and Daryl Sabara, families can enjoy cookies and hot chocolate in the lowerlevel Community Room.

Register to attend at riversidelibrary.org/events

Ave., presents iPhone and iPad Basics on Dec. 22 at 2 p.m., After School Art Escape (child with adult) on Dec. 22 at 4 p.m. and Stor y S afari (child with adult) on Dec. 28 at 10:30 a.m. Register for programs online at northriversidelibrar y. org/events-new.

■ Linda Sokol Francis Brook eld Library, 3541 Park Ave., presents Make a Candle in a Teacup on Dec 22 at 7 p.m. in the Meeting Room, Winter Button Making on Dec. 26 at 5 p.m. in the Maker Studio, Board Game Club on Dec. 27 at 7 p.m. in Meeting Room 1 and a meeting of the Needle Guild on dec 28 at 2 p.m. in the Maker Studio. Call 708-485-6917

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

■ Riverside Public Library, 1 Burling Road, presents Family Playtime in the Program Room on Dec. 26 at 10 a.m., a Pokemon Meet Up (grades K-8) on Dec. 27 at 10 a.m. in the Program Room and a Chess Meet Up for kids in grades K-8 on Dec. 28 at 10 a.m. To register for programs, visit online at riversidelibrary.org/events.

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

BROOK FIELD ZO O/CZS

Professional bike race may be coming to Brookfield

By BOB UPHUES Editor

Although they won’t give an official goahead until early next month, Brookfield trustees on Dec. 12 appeared to favor backing a plan by the local nonprofit Cycle Brookfield to bring a professional bicycle race, known as a criterium, to the village next summer

If the village board gives the go-ahead, as expected, on Jan. 9, Cycle Brookfield will become the lead local organization, partnering with the coffee company Intelligentsia, which has sponsored the 10-day Intelligentsia Cup in Chicago and the suburbs for the past 11 years.

The event draws both amateur riders as well as professional riders and teams, who compete for thousands of dollars in prize money at each of the 10 criterium races held on consecutive days in July

According to Christopher Valadez, president of Cycle Brookfield, the races draw thousands of spectators daily, adding that in its first year as a host, Brookfield might ex-

tion to the competitors and race crews – for the event.

“You are getting eyes, ears and attention on a national scale to your village,” Valadez said. “This possibly could be an opportunity for Brookfield to draw attention to what it has to offer.”

While there’s an opportunity to draw hundreds or more people to Brookfield for the first time – and for repeat visits in subsequent years if the event is a local success –being part of the Intelligentsia Cup will also cause some inconveniences for one day.

The date being eyed for Brookfield is Wednesday, July 26, and the area around the proposed racecourse will be barricaded and closed to traffic all day. There will be multiple races and fun rides anywhere from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., with the professional women’s and men’s races capping the criterium in the evening hours.

“Residents obviously will have concer ns that we will want to accommodate,” Tom Schuler, a retired professional bicycle racer who is managing partner of the race series,

Cars will need to be moved from streets where the race will take place, and unless residents have access to their homes via an alley or other street, they will have to park elsewhere and walk to and from home to ge t around on race day.

On the other hand, Schuler said, in other towns where the races happen, residents often organize block parties around the event.

“There’s no doubt the [race] route disrupts residents, but the flipside of that is it’s a celebration,” Schuler said. “People will have lawn parties, bounce houses … bands. That’s part of Cycle Brookfield’s job, is we will have resident meetings to say how to throw a party, what are your concer ns on the event day, how can we accommodate you?

“We want this to be a win for Brookfield, not an inconvenience.”

Valadez laid out the preferred racecourse for the Brookfield criterium, which showed that the start/finish line would be at roughly the midpoint of the 3700 block of Grand Boulevard

Such a location will also require the Prairie Avenue railroad crossing to be closed all day to vehicular traffic and shift vehicles to other crossings, principally either Maple Avenue or First Avenue.

Racers would head south from the start line and make the sharp tur n north onto Prairie Avenue then east on Grant Avenue, then north on Sunnyside Avenue, then west on Lincoln Avenue and then back southeast

Sunnyside Ave.

on a long Grand Boulevard straightaway.

The course would be a little less than a mile long and competitors would do multiple laps of the course. According to Valadez, the amateur and novice races last anywhere from 30 to 45 minutes or 15 to 20 laps, with professional races lasting about an hour, at 60 to 70 laps

“It’s fun because it’s unique,” said Valadez, who has participated and worked the event for many years. “I don’t envision many Brookfielders have seen a professional race before in person, so this is a really different caliber. They’ ll be able to see what a real bike team looks like when the pros go through at 40 miles an hour You’re literally blown back by the wind. It’s awe inspiring.”

It’s not necessarily cheap to put on the event, and much of that burden will fall on Cycle Brookfield, which will need to come up with the $10,000 entry fee, $5,000 in prize money and another $4,000 or so for advertising, T-shirts, food and other race ancillaries.

They’re asking the village of Brookfield to cover the cost of public works and police overtime to help prep the course and provide security.

Cycle Brookfield will recruit local sponsors to help them raise the money they need to pull off a successful event.

“We want to give businesses in town the opportunity to be a sponsor for this,” Valadez said. “We want to be about elevating Brookfield, highlighting Brookfield.”

INTELLIGENTSIA CUP CHICAG O

Professional racers (above) zip through the streets of Lombard during the 2022 Intelligentsia Cup last July. Brook eld would like to host the series in 2023, and organizers have settled on a preferred course route (top), which begins and ends in the downtown area.

Seven to face o in 2023 North Riverside trustee election

Two full slates, one independent le papers to run by Dec. 19 deadline

By BOB UPHUES Editor

Nor th Riverside voters will have plenty of choices when it comes to next spring’s election of three village trustees after seven candidates filed to r un for the three four-year ter ms up for grabs.

Two full slates of candidates and one inde pendent filed to r un for trustee by the 5 p.m. deadline on Dec 19. T he first slate to file was the Nor th Riverside United Party, whose candidates were revealed publicly in a campaign disclosure filing back in November

Incumbent Deborah Czajka is joined on the Nor th Riverside United slate by newcomers Nicholas T ricoci and Antoni “Tony” Santucci. Inde pendent candidate Jose Del Angel, who confir med to the Landmark that he was r unning for trustee weeks ago, also filed nominating petitions

Filing petitions late on Dec 19 were three candidates r unning under the Municipal Inte g rity Party banner T he party’s chairwoman, incumbent Marybelle Mandel, is r unning for a second ter m on the village board after being elected in 2019. She filed paperwork creating the MIP political committee with the Illinois State Board of Elections on Dec. 13.

Running alongside Mandel, who lost a bid for Nor th Riverside mayor in 2021, are Sandra Greicius, who ran unsuccessfully

for trustee on Mandel’s slate in 2021, and Joseph Maruska, who is making his first r un for elected of fice.

Brookfield, Riverside trustee races uncontested

For the second straight municipal election in Brookfield, there won’ t be a contested village board race.

At the Dec. 19 deadline the only three candidates to have filed to r un for the three trustee seats up for election were the PEP Party slate of incumbent Katie Kaluzny, newcomer Julie Narimatsu and Nicole Gilhooley, who served two ter ms as trustee from 2013 to 2021.

Kaluzny, the associate director of the Illinois Green Alliance and the village board’s liaison to the Cross Community Climate Collaborative (C4), will ste p into her second ter m as trustee

Narimatsu, who works in the Of fice of the Inspector General at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s of fice in Chicago, will leave her spot on the Brookfield Parks and Recreation Board to serve as a trustee

Gilhooley, who is the human resources director at a consulting fir m, will be gin her third ter m as a trustee after the election next April Incumbent first-ter m Trustee Brain

Conroy decided not to r un for re-election, while incumbent two-ter m David LeClere will exit the board due to ter m limits

Meanwhile, Riverside voters once agai n won’ t face a competitive race for three trustee seats up for election next spring. T he only candidates to have filed before the Dec. 19 deadline were incumbents Cristin Evans and Alex Galle gos and Jill Mateo, who will serve her first ter m after serving on the Riverside Planning and Zoning Commission eight years, the last five as its chairwoman.

Evans, who is public info rmation of ficer for the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority; Galle gos, who works in the financial services industry; and Mateo, who is a biolo gy and psycholo gy professor at the University of Chicago, were also endorsed by the Riverside Community Caucus in October.

Despite the endorsement, all three are r unning inde pendently and not as a slate.

Contested race for Brookfield Librar y Board

Five candidates have filed to r un for the four four-year ter ms up for election to the Brookfield Public Library Board of Trustees, but one of them won’ t be Dianne Duner, the library board president who has served as a trustee for 23 years.

Duner and fellow incumbent Jennifer Perry, who is finishing up her third ter m as a library trustee, did not file nominating petitions by the Dec. 19 deadline.

Howeve r, two incumbents – Linda Kampschroeder and J. Edg ar Mihelic –did file, along with three newcomers, including Mitzi Nor ton, Karl Olson and Jennifer Paliatka.

T he races for Riverside Library Board and Nor th Riverside Library District Board will be uncontested

While five candidates filed nominating petitions for the four ter ms up for elections on the Riverside Library Board of Trustees, one withdrew almost immediately.

Staying in the race are incumbents Kenneth Circo and Cour tney Greve-Hack, who will resume their seats alongside Nancy DeFauw and Daniel Loucks Kimber Day Coombes had filed to r un, but withdrew on Dec 20, according to Riverside Village Clerk Ethan Sowl.

Running for the two six-year ter ms up for election on the Nor th Riverside Public Library District Board of Trustees is longtime trustee and board President Annette Corgiat and incumbent Kathy Bonnar. Running for the lone two-year ter m is incumbent Kyle Johnson, who was appointed to the board in Se ptember 2021 to fill a vacancy left by the resignation of Allen Pineda.

High school board races will be contested in 2023

5 running for 4 seats at RBHS while 9 le to run for 3 seats at LTHS

By BOB SKOLNIK Contributing Reporter

Two incumbents who were appointed to the Riverside-Brookfield High School District 208 Board of Education to fill vacancies are poised to battle it out next year for a two-year ter m on the school board.

T he candidate filing period for the April election ended Dec. 19 and both Caroly n Lach and Mike Welch filed to r un for the one two-year ter m on the ballot in District

208. T he two-year ter m will complete that of Ramona Towner, who was re-electedin 2021 but resigned - in October when she moved out of the district.

Lach was appointed by a unanimous vote of the school board to re place Towner. Welch, who was elected to the school board in 2009 and 2013 and served as president of the school board for two years, was appointed in 2021 to fill out the ter m of Tom Jacobs, who also moved out of the district.

Neither Lach nor Welch wanted to make a four-year commitment to the school board.

“This is just what is best for myself right now,” said Lach whose youngest child is a junior at RBHS.

Welch declined to comment on why he filed for a two-year ter m but he had made it clear a few weeks ago that was his intention.

Five candidates filed for the four fouryear ter ms up on the RBHS school board,

including incumbents Bill Durkin, Laura Hruska and Deanna Zalas and first-time candidates Kenyon Duner and Nicholas Novak.

Duner, who is the son of longtime Brookfield Public Library board member Dianne Duner, lives in Brookfield and is the superintendent of recreation for New Star Recreation Services, a cooperat ive recreation district that serves people with

Nor th Riverside cops’ Toys for Tots drive a big success

Dec. 10 event at Costc spurred huge numb donations

By BOB UPHUES Editor

It had a been a couple of weeks North Riverside Police Depar launched its donations collection Toys for Tots, the U.S. Marine Co nationwide campaign to collect nomically disadvantaged children during the holiday season, and it wasn’t going particularly well.

While the police had placed a donation box in the department’s lobby and put out word of the collection effort, by the time Thanksgiving weekend rolled around, no members of the public had donated any toys

So, Officer Marisa Mangiantini, who had been placed in charge of the initiative, knew she had to come up with a Plan B. She saw that another police agency had success col-

lecting toys at a Costco location, and figured, why not reach out to the North Riverside location?

“I spoke with the regional manager, and he was all for it,” Mangiantini said.

On Dec. 10 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., North Riverside police rolled up and parked a squad car outside the entrance to Costco, 2500 Harlem Ave., set up a table in the vestibule and

WHY TAXPAYERS SHOULD HAVE THEIR TAX REFUND DIRECT DEPOSITED: PART II

Taxpayers should deposit refunds into U.S. bank accounts in their own name, their spouse’s name or both. They should avoid making a deposit into accounts owned by others. Some banks require both spouses’ names on the account to deposit a tax refund from a joint return. Taxpayers should check with their bank for direct deposit rules.

Get banked

Taxpayers who don’t have a bank account can visit the FDIC website for information on banks that allow them to open an account online and how to choose the right account.

Veterans can use the Veterans Benefits Banking Program for access to financial services at participating banks. Tax preparers may also offer electronic payment options.

Some mobile apps and prepaid debit cards allow for direct deposit of tax refunds. They must have routing and account numbers associated with them that can be entered on a tax return. Taxpayers should check with the mobile app provider or financial institution to confirm which numbers to use.

Taxpayers must have their routing and account numbers for direct deposit available when they are ready to file. The IRS can’t accept this information after a return is filed.

There is a limit of three direct deposit refunds made into a single financial account or prepaid debit card.

hallenged incoming shoppers, aided by a elebrity guest, The Grinch, to “stuff the squad” with toys for the drive

By 10:40 a.m., according to Mangiantini, the squad car’s cabin and trunk were ammed with toys, and they weren’t close to being done

“As customers walked in, they saw what were doing – we were very vocal,” Mangiantini said. “Kids loved it. Some people came out with carts full of toys

“It was a huge success.”

And the donations didn’t stop there. In ddition to the hundreds of donations reived at the Costco drive, the public kept dropping off more at the police station lobby. The North Riverside Fire Department on Dec. 13 dropped off an enor mous bag filled with Lego toys, and a friend of Mangiantini’s, who is a teacher in Willowbrook, had her class collect toys for the drive On Dec 15, Mangiantini drove to work with her car stuffed with more toys donated by the school children.

Toys for Tots left the North Riverside Police Department on Dec. 13 with a box truck full of toys and scheduled another pickup for

Dec 17 to collect the rest. The toy drive ended Dec. 14.

“We still have another 10 to 15 boxes for them,” Mangiantini said in a phone interview on Dec. 15.

This was the first year the North Riverside Police Department hosted a Toys for Tots drive. In 2017, they had organized a Shop with a Cop day, where police officers accompanied children as they walked through Costco, selecting gifts for the children’s family members.

“One of the most important things for us as police officers is to have a positive relationship with the community,” Mangiantini said. “We try any way we can to help promote a positive impact, bring joy to the holiday season and build a relationship with the community.”

Mangiantini said the department is hoping to hold another Toys for Tots drive next year as well as revive the Shop with a Cop event. The department is also looking to participate this spring in the Cop on a Rooftop initiative, held in partnership with Dunkin Donuts, which raises funds for Special Olympics Illinois.

PROVIDED

By Linda Sokol Francis. E.A.

BROOKFIELD FINANCIAL PLANS, INC.

“Alone Together”: Overcoming Social Isolation…with Help From UCP Seguin

As COVID-19 emerged in March 2020, Amanda, resident of a UCP Seguin group home in Oak Park, was presented with a major dilemma. With a dual diagnosis of intellectual disabilities and bipolar disorder, she asked the question: how would she cope with challenges brought on by the pandemic?

Initially UCP Seguin closed its day services sites, including the Levinson Center in Oak Park where Amanda received life skills training and other services to promote community integration. She was relegated to her group home to “shelterin-place.” Amanda faced social isolation and the potential of worsening mental and physical health. UCP Seguin deployed day services staff to her group home to ensure around-the-clock provision

Getting ready for a Zoom class, where Amanda engages, participates, and encourages others.

interventions.

Using her iPad, Amanda participated in remote Zoom video activities, such as cooking and fitness classes, conducted by day services staff. With assistance from UCP Seguin Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) Dana Pavlik, Amanda helped conduct a class for other participants every Thursday afternoon called “Fun Times With Dana: Let’s Get Social!” In these classes, participants were presented with a basic understanding of the new norm and how best to cope with it. In this way, Amanda has served as a role model for other individuals with disabilities.

As the pandemic has waned in severity, Amanda has returned to in-person community activities, while continuing some virtual learning

Seguin support, Amanda has been “Alone Together” with the community, succeeding in overcoming the challenges of her dual disabilities and the COVID-19 pandemic.

UCP Seguin believes that all people, regardless of ability, deserve to achieve their potential, advance their independence and act

provide life skills training, assistive technology, meaningful employment and a place to call home for people with disabilities, as well as specialized foster care for children. Our goal: life without limits for people with disabilities.

Make a difference in the lives of people with disabilities. Donate online at ucpseguin.org or send gifts to UCP Seguin, 332 Harrison Street,

Amanda shopping for Friday’s Cooking Challenge at Pete’s Market on Lake Street in Oak Park, pictured by mural of “House of Rock.”

This holiday season, Brook eld trustees give the gift of land

Village vacates portion of 29th Street right-of-way on north end

By BOB UPHUES Editor

Four Brookfield homeowners received an early Christmas present cour tesy of the Brookfield Village Board earlier this month, and it would have made Lucy Van Pelt green with envy, because it what was she always wanted – real estate.

Village trustees voted unanimously at their Dec 12 meeting to vacate an unimproved 33-foot strip of public right-of-way – essentially what would have been 29th Street – between Prairie and Sunnyside avenues

The village is deeding the land to the single-family properties immediately to the south, for malizing what over many years had become unof ficial annexation by private property owners of the property Three of the four homes adjacent to the public land already have driveways constructed on them.

The land just nor th of that village rightof-way is owned by the Forest Preserve District of Cook County

Brookfield of ficials compressed the timeline for the property vacation so that it could be approved by the end of 2022. The village provided le g al notice of a Dec 12 public hearing in the Landmark on Nov. 23. Village board members conducted the hearing, which generated no public comment, during the same meeting trustees voted to vacate the land

The timing will allow the village to vacate the property and the homeowners to

acquire it as tax year 2022 ends. The land for the first time ever will go onto the proper ty tax rolls be ginning when 2023 star ts, or very nearly after that.

According to Brookfield Finance Director Doug Cooper, those property owners will see their tax bills rise about 9% to account for the additional land. While gaining that property does come at a perpetual tax cost, the land itself cost nothing to acquire and it eliminates the possibility of the village ordering any existing improvements – at least one driveway dates to the early 1960s -- to be removed.

“In general, those properties would be expected to increase in value due to the new size,” said Brookfield Village Planner Kate Portillo. The fact that all four properties have frontage on a forest preserve ar-

guably helps these property values for future transactions There’s assurance now that there will be no encroachments on that side of the private properties.”

The village will maintain a per manent easement on the land, according to Portillo, because there are some utilities that run under a portion of it.

The four homes south of the village right-of-way until recently had been owned by the same families for many years and Brookfield had never for mulated any plans to improve the land, so its use was never really addressed. It’s unclear exactly when the driveways were built or if the village ever gave any for mal OK for them. There are no property records for malizing any such agreements, Portillo said.

Of ficials got the ball rolling on the pro-

cess of vacating the property, when one of the four homeowners, who purchased a home in late 2020, approached the village about building a new garage on the land, where a driveway already existed

“It was from that communication with the village that we star ted to work through all of the infor mation,” Portillo said.

More recently, the home at 2901 Sunnyside Ave. went on the market – according to infor mation online last week, the property was under contract – and some concer n had been expressed about the future use of the driveway there, which sits on the unimproved right-of-way

There still remain a couple of other oddball, rarely used se gments of public rightof-way in Brookfield, though there’s been no call to vacate them, at least for now.

One of them is nearby – the unimproved section of Forestview Avenue between 26th Place and 26th Street and an unimproved section of 26th Street between Park Avenue and the Forestview right-of-way.

A sidewalk exists in those rights-of-way, which run behind four private properties in that area. Three homes in that area can only be accessed via an east/west alley east of Park Avenue between 26th Street and 26th Place

The other unimproved section of a public street is what would be Sunnyside Avenue between Plainfield Road and 47th Street. In 2003, village of ficials caught some flak from nearby proper ty owners when it used that stretch of right-of-way as an open storage area for the fall leaf pickup program.

Spanish class fails to materialize at GWMS

Language exploratory was supposed to replace life skills in rotation

By BOB SKOLNIK Contributing Reporter

For many years, students at George Washington Middle School in Lyons, which serves the southeast quar ter of Brookfield, took a life skills class as part of their re gular rotation of exploratory classes

But the class was eliminated this summer after the teacher who taught it chose

not to come back to work after having twins. T he plan was to re place the life skills rotation with Spanish, but the school could not manage to hire a Spanish teacher after looking over the last half of the summer

As a result, this year there is no Spanish class and no life skills class at GWMS

For mer Lyons School District 103 school board member Joanne Schaef fer said she

believes it was a mistake to eliminate the life skills class, which taught useful skills and was popular with students

“We don’ t have classes because kids like them, but they lear ned how to balance checkbooks -- money coming in money going out -- they lear ned how to do laundry, they lear ned how iron, they lear ned how to sew and they lear ned how to cook minimally, at least to be f amiliar around the

stove,” said Schaef fer, who has a grandson in eighth grade at GWMS and a great granddaughter in seventh grade.

Currently the exploratory class rotation at GWMS includes art, music, STEM, computer skills and health.

Superintendent Kristofer Rivera, Curriculum Director Darek Naglak and GWMS Principal Joshua Dakins did not retur n calls asking for comment.

GOOGLE MAPS

Brook eld trustees last week vo ted to vacate a 33-foot wide section of unimproved 29th Street right-of-way (marked by broken line above) and cede the land to the property ow ners immediately south.

Sunnyside Ave.

29th St. 29th St. Prairie Ave.

Chicago man charged with felony after brandishing pistol

A 43-year-old Chicago man who reportedly brandished a gun during an argument in North Riverside on the mor ning of Dec. 16 was charged with being an ar med habitual criminal, a Class X felony punishable with between 6 and 30 years in prison, if convicted

According to the police report, Daniel D. Sample was waiting in line with several others outside OctaPhar ma Plasma, 7379 25th St., at about 8 a.m. when he got into an argument with others upset at him blowing cigarette smoke in their direction.

Sample allegedly pulled a two-tone Sig Sauer 9 mm handgun out of his pocket and pointed it at the people arguing with him. One of the people standing in line told police he ran to his vehicle and called 911.

A North Riverside police officer on patrol at the nearby North Riverside Park Mall responded to the scene and reported locating Sample walking westbound in front of Urban Air.

Ordered to stop, Sample reportedly ran around the west end of building into the alley behind it and kept running eastbound until police took him into custody. Police reported recovering the gun on the ground behind the building.

A security camera at OctaPhar ma Plasma reportedly captured video of Sample brandishing the handgun, which he took from his right jacket pocket, during his altercation with others outside the business.

As of Dec. 19, Sample remained in custody at Cook County Jail with his bond set at $200,000. He was scheduled for a preliminary hearing at the Maybrook courthouse in Maywood on Dec 20, after the Landmark’s press deadline

Attempted trespass to vehicle

North Riverside police charged two juveniles with attempted criminal trespass to a vehicle and resisting arrest after someone called to report two people pulling on the door handles of cars parked in the food court lot of North Riverside Park Mall, 7501 Cermak Road, on Dec. 15 at about 9:05 p.m.

Police located two boys walking westbound in the parking lot and attempted to talk to them, according to the police report, but the two ran from police, who took both into custody a short time later Security camera

video reportedly showed the boys pulling on the door handles of two Kia sedans and one Hyundai Sonata.

Kia and Hyundai models have been popular targets for car thieves recently due to the ease with which their ignitions can be tampered. The boys reportedly told police they were just walking past the vehicles and did not try to open the doors.

Sex offender charged with failing to register

A 47-year-old Brookfield man who is a convicted sex offender was charged last week for failing to register with police since 2019 after an interaction with a female motorist led the woman to call police

The 23-year-old woman phoned police on Dec. 15 at about 2:15 p.m. to report that a man driving a white box truck had attempted to flag her down in the 9100 block of 31st Street. The man did not say anything to her or make any physical contact, but the box truck followed the woman’s vehicle for a short distance before leaving in an unknown direction.

A short time later, the woman flagged down an officer canvassing the area, and she pointed out the box truck parked in the alley near where she’d last seen it. The truck driver, Steven Converse, reportedly told police he was retur ning to work and that the interaction with the woman was simply him waving her to tur n onto northbound Park Avenue in front of him.

While running Converse’s driver’s license, police lear ned he was an Illinois sex offender whose registration status was listed as noncompliant. The Cook County State’s Attorney approved charging him with a felony for failing to register

The Illinois State Police sex offender list classifies Converse as a sexual predator, who was convicted of aggravated criminal sexual abuse of an 11-year-old victim when Converse was 34 years old

DUI crash

Riverside police charged a 24-year-old Cicero woman with driving under the influence of alcohol after she allegedly lost control of her 2014 Honda and crashed it into a traffic

signal at Kimbark Road and Park Place before coming to a rest on the lawn of Ascension Lutheran Church on Dec 15 at about 12:50 a.m.

No one was hurt, but the airbags in the vehicle deployed. The driver told police she was coming from a Desplaines Avenue bar in North Riverside and that she was trying to avoid another vehicle that was headed toward her just before the crash.

A breath test reportedly showed the woman’s blood-alcohol content to be .186, or more than twice the le g al limit of .08.

Package thefts

■ A resident of the 2800 block of Harlem Avenue, Riverside, called police on Dec. 17 to report that an Amazon delivery driver had left a large box containing a stroller on the side of the building instead of in the lobby

The victim did not immediately see the notification of delivery, and when she went to retrieve the box, it was gone

■ A Brookfield resident went to police last week to re port that between Dec 14 and Dec. 15, someone removed two packages containing clothing that had been delivered to his residence by FedEx.

Counterfeit $100 bill

Nor th Riverside police responded to Dunkin Donuts, 8360 Cer mak Road, on Dec. 18 at about 4:10 p.m. after the store owner called to re port that a couple had just tried to pay for items using a counterfeit $100 bill.

An employee confronted them about the fake bill and the couple re por tedly said they’d stay until police got there, but they were not around when an of ficer ar rived. Nor th Riverside police notified the U.S. Secret Service of the incident and took possession of the counterfeit bill.

These items were obtained from police reports filed by the Ri verside, North Ri verside and Brookfield police departments, Dec. 1218, and re present a portion of the incidents to which police responded. Unless otherwise indicated, anybody named in these re ports has only been charged with a crime. These cases hav e not been adjudicated.

— Compiled by Bob Uphues

Guatemalan fast-food eatery eyes Cermak Road location

Pollo Campero looks to build in Hobby Lobby outlot in North Riverside

By BOB UPHUES Editor

Nor th Riverside is apparently one of the more than 100 locations in the United States where a Guatemala-based fast-food chain is looking to expand its presence in the coming year.

Pollo Campero, an all-chicken restaurant chain which sells fried and grilled chicken meals, sandwiches and empanadas, has submitted a petition for a public hearing in front of the North Riverside Planning and Zoning Commission to consider a plan to build a new 2,518-square-foot restaurant on a 0.7-acre section of northeast parking lot in front of Hobby Lobby, 7451 Cer mak Road

Village Administrator Sue Scarpiniti said Pollo Campero is looking to get in front of the Planning and Zoning Commission sometime in February.

“We’ve been talking to them for about six months,” said Scarpiniti, who added Pollo Campero wants to finalize engineering and architectural plans before for mally presenting them at a hearing.

According to a site plan included in Pollo Campero’s public hearing petition, the restaurant would include a drivethru, an outdoor dining area and dedicated parking for 30 vehicles

Access to the restaurant would be via a curb cut on Cermak Road and via a drive aisle connecting 7451 Cer mak Road with the parking lot just north of Kohl’s in the adjacent North Riverside Plaza shopping center

According to Cori Moran, a spokesperson for Pollo Campero, the North Riverside restaurant is on track to open in 2024

If the restaurant ends up being built, Nor th Riverside and the surrounding area will certainly not be at a loss for chicken options. There’s a Chick-fil-A just east of the proposed Pollo Campero location, a Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers

location a few blocks south of Harlem Avenue and Popeye’s Chicken just across Harlem Avenue in Berwyn.

What’s different about Pollo Campero are its spices and toppings, such as the cayenne and habanero sauce on its spicy chicken sandwiches, and sides like yuca fries and fried sweet plantains

According to information provided by Moran, the recipe is “considered a national treasure of Guatemala.” In addition to fried chicken Pollo Campero offers “slow-marinated, citrus-infused g rilled chicken.”

While founded in Guatemala in 1971, Pollo Campero International’s headquarters are in Dallas. The chain has more roughly 350 locations in Central America, North America, the Caribbean, Europe, Africa and the Middle East.

There are about 80 locations in the United States, principally in California, in the Washington, D.C, metro area and the New York City/Long Island region. Two of the company’s U.S. locations are in Illinois, one in the Albany Park neighborhood of Chicago and one in the River North neighborhood, which opened in November

Last month, a website called FastCasual.com reported that Pollo Campero was embarking on a U.S. expansion effort that seeks to increase its number of locations in the country to 250 by 2026.

“Our initial focus is corporate growth in California, New York, Chicago and Florida,” said Luis Javier Rodas in late November during an interview with FastCasual.com’s Cherryh Cansler

PROVIDED

Pollo Campero, a Guatemalan fast-food chicke n restaurant, is being planned an outlot in the northeast corner of the property where Hobby Lobby is located, at 7451 Cermak Road in North Riverside.

disabilities in Calumet City, Riverdale, South Holland, Broadview and Maywood. Novak, lives in North Riverside and works for the Wheaton Park District. He is the father of two recent RBHS graduates.

Nine file to run in LTHS D204

T he most competitive school board race will be for the three seats up on the Lyons Township High School District 204 Board ofEducation. Nine candidates, including incumbents Kari Dillon and Jill Beda Daniels, filed to r un for those three seats Incumbent Alison Kelly decided not to r un for another ter m on the school board.

T he seven candidates who are not incumbents include Tim Albores ofLaGrange Park, Justin Clark of LaGrang e,

Frank Evans of LaGrang e, David Herndon of LaGrang e, Gina Sirchio-Lotus of LaGrang e, Jill VanHimbergen of Wester n Springs and Timothy Vlcek of LaGrang e Park

D94, 95, 96, 103

school boards uncontested

Races in Riverside Elementary School District 967 and in Brookfield-LaGrange Park District 95 school will be uncontested. Incumbent Wesley Muirheid and newcomers Salina Zane Chaps ofRiverside and Marlowe Djuric Kachlic of Brookfield filed to run for the three seats up in District 96. According to their LinkedIn pages Chaps is a financial analyst for Ruane, Cunniff and Goldfarb and Kachlic is the director ofintroductory pharmacy practice experiences at the UIC Colle ge of Pharmacy.

Five candidates filed for the five seats up in District 95. Newcomer Kristin Re-

ing ruber, who is the principal ofMonroe Elementary school in Hinsdale, is running along with four incumbents: school board President Katie Mulcrone, Elizabeth Loerop, Jackie Jordan and Meaghan McAteer. Jordan and McAteer are both running for the two two-year terms up in April because oftwo resignations from the board. Loerop, Mulcrone and Reingruber are running for four-year terms.

In Komarek School District 94 school board President Chris Waas and newcomer Monica Arango were the only two candidates who filed by the Dec. 19 deadline, according to Cook County Clerk’s website. Three seats are up on the Komarek school board.

There also won’t be a contest for four four-year terms up for election in LyonsBrookfield School District 103. Filing late on Dec. 19 were incumbent school board president Jorge Torres and incumbents Winifred Rodriguez and Olivia Quintero. A newcomer on the ballot will be Lyons

resident Les Antos, who will take the place of Vito Campanile, who has remained on the school board despite not having attended a meeting since April.

A few more late-filing candidates may yet be added to the roster. Sally Daly, the deputy clerk for communications in the Cook County Clerk’s Office, said the list of school board candidates won’t be finalized until later in the day on Dec. 20, after the Landmark’s press deadline.

Contested race in D102

In LaGrange-Brookfield Elementary School District 102, which includes the southwest portion ofBrookfield, six candidates have filed to run for four seats on the school board.

Incumbents Bessie Boyd and Tiz Lambert are running, along with Brookfield resident Molly Knott and LaGrange residents Kathryn McQuiston, Catherine Murphy and Therese O’Sullivan.

Season’s

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. Immediate availability in our

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

Olmsted

CHAMBER

relaunch

from page 1

You co-owner Peter Janunas president, Wright Services Co Keith Wright as second vice president and A&G Mortg age Solutions owner Gerry bledo as secretary. Comic Collector o Rich Lukes stays on board as “Now we redefine what the and what it should be doing,” the Landmark in a phone interview last week.

As recently as April, the Ri Chamber of Commerce appeared to be in danger of collapsing. With membership down to just a couple of do z en members, and even fewer actively participating, longtime chamber director and officer Janice Foley said at the time that the org anization was “at the precipice.”

T he chamber’s board of directors was down to just three people, one of whom was Lukes, who had started becoming a more active participant in 2019. It was that year the chamber’s longtime president, David Moravecek, stepped down. Almost immediately afterward, the COVID-19 pandemic hit, and the chamber essentially went into a yearlong hibernation.

When the world reemerged from the lockdowns, the chamber didn’t reemerge with it

“I think what the chamber members needed to know was that someone was willing to be at the helm,” Pelton said. “Once someone said, ‘I’m willing to be at the helm,’ they could g et behind that.”

Pelton stepped into the role of board secretary this summer after reading an article about the chamber’s travails in the Landmark. Pelton, along with Wright, a longtime chamber member, and Janunas, hosted their own networking event in September to g auge the interest of and get feedback from the business community to see if the Riverside Chamber of Commerce had a future.

Hosted inde pendently from the chamber, that event produced results. About 30 people showed up to the g et-to g ether

at T he Chew Chew, many of them newer business owners willing to get involved.

“That’s what we needed more than anything – involvement,” Wright said. “The group we have now, I think we’re all pretty excited to turn the chamber into something we can pass on in the future, to develop it so all systems are in place.”

T he Se ptember networking event identified other new key volunteers, said Wright, such as Realtor Amy Re g an, who stepped up to be the lead org anizer for the Riverside Holiday Stroll, Becky Visser of First American Bank and Dani Andersen of J. Andersen Construction.

“What we learned [in Se ptember] was how much interest there was going to be in the chamber,” Pelton said. “There were a lot of people who showed up, not to g ripe but to hear what we were going to do. T here is a passion and interest in having a full-functioning chamber.”

T he chamber’s Dec. 14 meeting agenda, following the installation of officers, laid out the plan for the coming months, most immediately creating a social media and communications strat eg y, reaching out to the Riverside Economic Development Commission, updating membership application/renewal processes and incentivizing participation.

“It’s time to relaunch, rebrand and get active ag ain,” Pelton said.

‘Time to

Arrick

Pelton

“There is a passion and interest in having a f ull-f unctioning chamber.”

ARRICK PELTO N Riverside Chamber of Commerce president

Hephzibah is celebrating its 125th anniversary celebration with a series of stories about the children and families whose lives were transformed by our programs and services, as well as some of the “Hephzibah Heroes” who help make our mission possible. We hope you nd these stories as inspiring as we do!

Peter Murphy, the subject of this story, talks about his journey from an orphaned ve-year-old in foster care to a belove d residential counselor who has helped more than 2,000 other vulnerable youngsters nd hope and healing at Hephzibah Home.

Peter Murphy’s Journey of Hope and Healing

The year was 1982 and it was shaping up to be the worst year ever for five-year-old Peter and his older siblings John, Marita and Anne Marie, who had just lost their single adoptive mom, Elizabeth, to pneumonia.

Peter, now 46, remembers that loss vividly. He and Anne Marie had been at home watching Bozo’s Circus with Elizabeth when her breathing became labored. After a fierce bout of coughing, she looked over at her youngest child and whispered his name. Peter looked up at her and they locked eyes.

“Then she passed over,” he says quietly more than four decades later. “It was the first time I felt emptiness.”

In the aftermath of their mother’s death, the four orphaned youngsters were placed in temporary foster and group homes. The children were all in good hands, but they were reeling from the death of their mom and the loss of the comforting presence of their siblings When night fell, they lay alone in unfamiliar beds, wondering if they’d ever be together again.

“I felt so lost at the time,” Peter confides. “My temporary foster family was very kind and loving, but I missed my brother and sisters terribly.”

Meanwhile, Mary Anne Brown, Hephzibah’s executive director at the time, was also lying awake at night worrying about the sibling group’s future. The children had just been referred to Hephzibah for placement through the agency’s newly launched Foster Care and Adoption program and Peter was now living at Hephzibah Home. Would she have to split up the siblings permanently to find them forever families? She had to find a better way.

Brown mentioned the children’s plight to her friends, Dennis and Bunny Murphy, who had already adopted three children. Although Peter, John, Marita and Anne Marie were not related by blood, the Murphys felt that the children should be placed in the same foster/adoptive home because they’d been living together as a family before Elizabeth’s death. When Brown voiced her concern that it would be difficult to find a foster family willing to adopt and raise all four children together, Dennis and Bunny Murphy said quietly, “We will do it.”

FROM HEARTBREAK TO HAPPINESS

Those four simple words changed the lives of four extremely vulnerable youngsters and forged Hephzibah’s first forever family

“I still remember the day that Mary Anne Brown drove me over to the Murphys’ house in her yellow convertible to introduce me to my new family,” says Peter. “I was the first of the siblings to arrive When we pulled up in front of the house, a child jumped out of the bushes and ran toward me, screaming ‘I have a new brother! I have a new brother!’ That

was Michael, one of the three children who had already been adopted by the Murphys.”

That joyous greeting caused something to shift inside of the five-and-a-half-year-old, dislodging the grief that had blunted his other emotions. Peter describes it as the moment when everything began to change for the better.

“I had always been an active, outgoing kid. But during the six-month period after my mom died and before the Murphys took us in, I had become kind of an ‘inward’ person,” he explains. “I wasn’t able to process what had happened to me or put the hurt into words, so I spent a lot of time alone, throwing a ball up in the air and catching it for hours on end, day after day.”

Michael Murphy’s enthusiastic welcome reawakened Peter’s innate optimism and zest for life.

“I felt that warm, happy feeling again,” he confides. “Those feelings of love and acceptance that I’d felt before my mom died came flooding back when Michael jumped out of the bushes. I leaped out of the back of the convertible and I was just a little boy again, excited and happy and ready to have some fun.”

When Peter’s siblings arrived, his happiness was complete

“I was thrilled that we were all together again. But I was also excited to be a Mur phy because I felt loved and accepted I had everything I needed and wanted—and I knew that I was home.”

Hephzibah residential counselor Peter Murphy, photographed in front of a viaduct mural featuring his likeness outside of Hephzibah Home

GIVING BACK

Today, Peter and his siblings see Dennis and Bunny Murphy as the stabilizing force in their lives. So it makes sense that Peter is carrying on their good works by serving as a stabilizing force for other vulnerable youngsters as a residential counselor at Hephzibah Home Peter found his way back to Hephzibah at the age of 19—purely by chance.

“I was a Triton College student at the time and I was riding the CTA Green Line train from Ridgeland Avenue to Harlem,” he says. “I was studying for a test later that day and I happened to look up from my textbook just as the train passed a building with a lot of windows. The building looked familiar, but I didn’t know why. So I got off the train to check it out.”

As he climbed the stairs of Hephzibah Home and opened the red brick building’s double white doors, that vague sense of recognition began to coalesce into a memory.

“I was immediately hit by a comforting smell that I remembered from a long time ago—a smell that I associated with homecooked food, happiness and warmth,” says Peter. “I asked the woman at the front desk what kind of a place this was. She told me it was Hephzibah Home, and I said, ‘I think I used to live here.’”

He left his name and phone number with the receptionist, asked if “the boss” could give him a call and headed back out through the double doors.

“I had walked maybe 50 steps when I heard someone calling my name,” he recalls. “When I turned around and saw Mary Anne Brown, the memories came flooding back—and the tears started flowing.

“Mary Anne took me back inside, we chat ted for a while in her office and she asked me what I was doing with my life. I told her that I was going to Triton to become a PE teacher or coach and she asked me ‘Well, do you want to work here instead?’ I be gan working for Hephzibah two weeks later.”

That was 26 years ago. Today, when Peter talks about his work caring for young survivors of severe neglect and abuse at Hephzibah Home, it’s obvious that he sees his work as a calling.

“Within six months, I knew it wasn’t just a job anymore,” he says. “It was a way to help other children in the same way that Hephzibah and the Mur phys had helped me.

“Dennis and Bunny filled the emptiness that I felt after my mom died in so many ways,” he adds. “My mom was always cooking and my dad was always riding bikes and

playing sports with us. They taught me to be the person I am today: self-disciplined, gentlemanly and noncombative. Even their discipline was gentle. If I broke a rule or had a bad day, they would say, ‘Tomor row, make sure you do better’ as they tucked me into bed at night.

“That’s the kind of person I try to be with the children at Hephzibah Home. I have so much empathy for these children. The only thing that I don’t have in common with them is the neglect and abuse. But I remember the feelings of loss and sadness in the months after my first adoptive mom died. That’s what the children at Hephzibah Home go through every single day.”

ever family forged through Hephzibah oster care (l-r): Peter, John, Marita and Anne Marie in 1982, when they were placed with Hephzibah’s rst foster parents, Dennis and Bunny rphy.

After more than two decades of helping traumatized children heal, Peter allows that the work can be intense

“Once I go through the doors of Hephzibah Home, my own life is no longer important because I have 10 different spirits and identities to listen to, love and support. The minute I arrive, I hear the kids screaming ‘Peter!’ and then they are all jumping on me at once. I’ll have two kids hanging on my ankles and more hanging from my arms and I’ll pretend to be King Kong for a couple of minutes to make them laugh and then say, ‘Okay, guys, I’m happy to see you too.’ Like every member of Hephzibah’s child care staf f, I am totally here for the kids, to give them someone to laugh with and lear n from and, when necessary, a shoulder to cry on. This is a really emotional job. If you can’t deal with emotions

on an hour-to-hour or sometimes minute-tominute basis, this job isn’t for you.”

“Every time Pete comes into work, he changes the mood,” says Program Coordinator Re gina Harbor. “His energy is always happy and jolly. He’s a jokester and a fun person to be around. Whenever he’s working with children who are struggling, he goes in with that positive energy and the kids often forget why they were angry or sad. If those feelings persist, they will open up to him and tell him what’s going on.”

Peter’s own early hardships—from the loss of his biological parents to the death of his first adoptive mom—also give the children hope. When they hear Peter’s story, they often feel less alone and more optimistic about the future because this cheerful, compassionate, playful adult is evidence that hard times aren’t forever and happy endings are still possible.

“I think that being a ‘Hephzibah kid’ has helped Pete learn patience and really get down and help these kids on a different level,” notes Harbor. “I’ve seen him share tears and parts of his own story with the children when they are in crisis. This has helped them open up to him so that they can process their feelings. Pete builds relationships with these kids that continue long after they leave Hephzibah Home.”

“I’ve been where they are, so I really appreciate and admire these kids for their strength and their ability to keeping moving forward, despite their losses,” Peter confirms. “I was 12 or 13 years old before I began to process my grief about Elizabeth’s passing. The Murphys really shored me up during that time. Just like the Murphys did with me, I try to shore up the children at Hephzibah Home as they grieve their losses and show them that they, too, can heal and do amazing things with their lives.

“Every evening, before I leave to go home, I tell each child, ‘I believe in you. You did a good job tod ay and tomor row can be even better. Always keep your head up and stay positive and shine bright on your path.’ I’m always trying to think of new ways to share the love and support I got from Hephzibah and the Murphys with the next generation.”

MAKE A GIFT

For 125 years, Hephzibah Children’s Association has helped children thrive and families ourish. Your donation today will make a di erence in a child’s life and allow us to continue to help children heal and families succeed.

Four lives changed for the better: Peter and his siblings in 2015.

THE L ANDMARK VIEW

New chapter for the chamber

It really has been a pretty remarkable tur naround for the Riverside Chamber of Commerce, which limped into 2022 facing possible dissolution and exits the year ready to write a new chapter It’s not that the handful of people holding the organization together with tape and wire last spring didn’t want to see the chamber succeed, it was more that they were exhausted and saw no help on the horizon.

At one time the chamber boasted 120 members, but by April that list had been whittled down to around a half dozen and not all of those were particularly active. As a result, the same core group of people were on for everything. By late 2021 only the Holiday Stroll survived as a chamber-sponsored event, and barely There was no guarantee anyone would step up to take the reins when a new chamber board was elected in November, but a handful of people interested in giving it a shot – Keith Wright, Arrick Pelton and Peter Janunas – did so.

At a non-chamber event that was pretty clearly a chamber recruiting event in September, they were surprised by the response they got to their question: “Does anyone really care?”

It tur ns out people did.

In November, a new, full slate of officers was elected to the chamber board and those people were officially installed last week, completing the transformation from undead to fully alive.

Their first event – the 2022 Riverside Holiday Stroll – was a great success and now comes the hard work of identifying the chamber’s role as an organization and then translating that into actions that benefit the village’s business community

Best of luck to them as they enter 2023.

On your mark

While we’re on the subject of business, Brookfield has the opportunity to expose its downtown business community to the Intelligentsia Cup Chicago, a 10-day bicycle racing series, which has drawn thousands of visitors to its 10 race locations on consecutive days each July for the past decade or so.

It wouldn’t come without some headaches – an all-day closure of the Prairie Avenue grade crossing to vehicular traf fic, chief among them, although it would also af fect ordinary residents whose streets would be closed to traf fic and easy access as well.

But, for a community whose residents are forever pleading with elected of ficials to address economic development and spread the word about all the village has to of fer, this seems like a no-brainer, even as a test run.

If successful the race could become an annual staple, something downtown businesses – who knows, maybe it could expand down to Eight Cor ners – look forward to as a solid payday

Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

KOSEY CORNER

Ready or not, the big day is almost upon us

Here it is the week before Christmas and, like most people, I am running behind, which means going to Plan B, which may even become Plan C. There have been a few glitches in my plans this year

Like most people, I get nostalgic this time of year. I remember the toys I wanted for Christmas from Santa and how I spent the weeks before snooping to find that special present knowing that if I found it, I would have to give my best sur prise performance, although my mother was a good hider

JOANNE KOSE Y

Toys have come a long way. These days Le gos are very popular, but I had Tinker Toys and my brother had an Erector set, which when you think about it was not a real safe toy. Well, he wasn’t going to be an engineer anyway.

We didn’t have to wor ry too much about batteries because not many toys required them. And if they did, you probably forgot to get them and went on Christmas Day searching for an open drug store.

There were even a few years when my mother decided to put everything up on Christmas Eve

-- tree, presents, all of it. No wonder when we came down in the mor ning, we would find her stretched out on the couch. We thought she had been waiting for Santa. That changed when we star ted going to my god parents’ house on Christmas Eve for a traditional Italian fish dinner. I still remember the snail trying to escape the pot. On Christmas Day there was another feast at my Nona and Kiki’s house, my mother’s parents. Food, cousins and presents -- what more could one want. Although I miss all that, I still like to give presents in whatever shape or form. The Riverside Township Lions Club has a pin that states, “Kindness Matters,” and that is probably one of the best presents one can give, whether it be to open a door, give a smile, let someone ahead of you in line, help someone if you see they need it. Those will be the gifts that last

So, my friends, whatever holiday you are celebrating, do it in the spirit of kindness, which costs nothing, needs no batteries or instructions You can do it

To Dan, Bob and all the Landmark staf f, happy holidays To my family and reader s, I wish you peace and happiness

LET TERS

Delighted VHS archive is being preser ved

I was d elighted to read about the gr ant to Riverside TV to digitize the VHS arch ive (“Rive rside TV g ets gr ant to digitize VHS archive, ” News, Nov. 23). What a smar t move to preserve and ma ke available the p lethora of c ontent that of fers so many details of contemporary Rive rside histor y.

I know firsthand j ust how c ritical a pursui t those tapings we re. As you noted, my father, Dr. Bob Novak, and his steadfast par tner, Don Fa rnham, made it their business to p ush the agend a on meeting and event taping access, because they knew the preservation of process and infor mation was the right thing to do

T heir early infamous “removal” from the proc eedings was a badge of honor for them, subject to many retelling s, as they knew it was the firs t ste p to getting attention.

My father p assed aw ay during the holiday season 10 years ag o. Kn ow ing that their ef fo rt s remain viable and that the ability to more f ully info rm Rive rside history is secure is the b est Christmas gift we could ever give him.

And as Dr. Bob would have expressed, Happy Holidays and good health to all Rive rsidians!

Mary Novak Piette LaGrange

Thomas E. Kasnicka, 85

Carpenter

T homas Edward Kasnicka, 85, a resident of Brookfield for 62 years, died peacefully at home on Dec. 19, 2022.

Mr Kasnicka was born in Chicago on Oct. 13, 1937, the son of Edward and Lillian Kasnicka, who preceded him in death. He graduated from Mor ton High School in 1955.

He was a member of the Carpenters Local Union 54 for 67 years and worked for Woodwork Corporation of America for most of his career

Mr Kasnicka joined the Boy Scouts of America in 1971 and was a volunteer for 51 years. He received many awards including the Silver Beaver Award. He was a Vigil Honor Member in the Order of the Ar row.

He was also a member of St. Barbara Church, where he was an usher for 60 years.

Mr Kasnicka was the husband of Carol (nee Brunke) for 63 years; the father of Kurt (Cindy) Kasnicka, Laura (Blair) F rieberg and Kym Geissler; the grandfather of Jennifer (Ryan) Ramshaw, Melissa (Benjamin) Brondos, Paig e Geissler and Alexa Geissler; the brother of Marion (Daniel) Motykie, Richard (Karla) Kasnicka, James Kasnicka and Jeffrey Kasnicka; the brother-in-law of Anita Brunke and the late Raymond; the uncle and great uncle of many nieces and ne phews; and a friend to all.

Visitation is Wednesday, Dec 21 from 3 to 8 p.m. at Hitzeman Funeral Home, 9445 31st St., Brookfield. The Order of the Ar row will hold the Broken Ar row Ceremony at 7 p.m. Visitation will continue on T hursday, Dec 22, from 9 to 9:30 a.m. at the funeral home with a funeral Mass at 10 a.m. at St. Barbara Church, 4008 Prairie Ave., Brookfield. Inter ment is at Chapel Hill Gardens West, Oakbrook Terrace. Send sympat hy cards to Hitzeman Funeral Home, 9445 31st St., Brookfield, 60513, c/o the T homas Edward Kasnicka f amily

OBITUARIES

Rober t F. Kociara, 76

Building maintenance worker

Robert F. Kociara, 76, of Brookfield, died Dec. 15, 2022 in LaGrange.

Mr. Kociara was born March 4, 1936in Chicago and was retired from a career in building maintenance.

He was the son of the late Frank S. and the late Jessie M. (nee Nejedly) Kociara, the brother of the late Donna J. Kociara and the late Norine A. Kociara and a cousin to many

A funeral Mass was celebrated Dec 19 at St. Barbara Church, Brookfield. Inter ment was at Queen of Heaven Cemetery, Hillside Memorial donations to the American Cancer Society would be appreciated.

Johnson-Nosek Funeral Home Brook-

Neri, Julia Pineda, Eric Pere z, Veronica Pere z, Adina Wolf, Matthew Pere z, Joshua Pere z, Nicholas Pere z, Cara Pere z, Samuel Pere z, Gabriela Yiangou, Francesca Yiangou, Nathan Pere z, Jacob Pere z, Vivian Pere z; the great grandmother of Jayden, Oliver, Gael, Avett and Giancarlo; the sister of F lor Cor nejo, Amado Cor nejo, Marcos Cor nejo, the late Miguel Cor nejo, late Dolores Cor nejo, late Jose Cor nejo and the late Silverio Cor nejo.

A funeral Mass was celebrated Dec. 19 at St. Pius V Church in Chicago, followed by inter ment Queen of Heaven Cemetery, Hillside

Johnson-Nosek Funeral Home, Brookfield, handled ar rangements Online condolences, memories and photo graphs may be shared at JohnsonNosek. com.

Mar y Agnes Ponticelli, 87

Star ted Brook Park PTA

Mary Agnes Ponticelli (nee Schweppe), 87, of Brookfield, died on Dec. 15, 2022 after a battle with lung cancer.

Ms Ponticelli was bor n Nov. 19, 1935 to Daniel and Mary Schwe ppe in Chicago She was a dedicated social worker in Chicago and later implemented the PTA at Brook Park Elementary School and served as its president. She also worked in the cafeteria

at Riverside-Brookfield High School and was instrumental in fo rming a union. Mary and Nick eloped 70 years ago and went on to have four children, seven grandchildren and six great grandchildren. Family was the most impor tant thing to her, and she enjoyed decorating for the holidays, including decorating her basement which was lovingly referred to as Mary’s Irish Times. It remained decorated all year. She enjoyed family vacations in F lorida and cherished the time she took her daughters to Ireland

Ms Ponticelli was predeceased by her parents, her brother Daniel (Tiny) and her sister Catherine (Mickey). She is survived by her devoted husband Nick; her children, Clarice (Tony), Noreen (Cipriano), Michael, and Nickalette (Tom); her grandchildren, Veronica (Andy), Daniel (Julia), Natalie, Jackie (Tony), Cassandra (Johnny), Conner and Caleb; and her great grandchildren, Aubree, Kadence, Sophia, Noah, Jackson and Lucas.

Visitation is Wednesday, Dec 21 from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at Hitzeman Funeral Home, 9445 31st St., Brookfield, followed by a funeral Mass at 11 a.m. at St. Louise de Marillac Church, LaGrange Park. Inter ment is at Queen of Heaven Cemetery, Hillside.

A celebration of life will immediately follow, with a special toast of Bailey’s Location to be announced

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to Michael Ponticelli’s home, Aspire Chicago at aspirechicago.com. Mary dedicated her life to ensure her son had the best resources available.

Express condolences online at HitzemanFuneral.com. Send sympathy cards to Hitzeman Funeral Home, 9445 31st St., Brookfield, 60513, c/o the Mary Ponticelli family

Monica Cor nejo De Pere z, 84, of Brookfield and for merly of Chicago and Mexico, died Dec. 8, 2022 in Hinsdale

Ms Pere z was born March 24, 1938 in Mexico and was a cosmetolo gy teacher

She was the wife of the late Humber to E. Pere z; the mother of Anayasin Patricia (Julio) Pere z, Jose ph (Delfina) Pere z, Carlos (Sue) Pere z, Monica Pere z, Berenice Pere z and the late Rocio Pere z; the grandmother of Rebeca Neri, Jesus Neri, Jorge

To run an obituary

Please contact Bob Uphues by e-mail: buphues@rblandmark.com, before Monday at noon. Please include a photo if possible.

THOMAS E. K ASNICK A

MARY AGNES PONTICELLI

Clutch hoops send LTHS girls to top of WSC Sliver

Ormsby’s back-to-back threes in 3Q put Lions up for good

By BILL STONE Contributing Reporter

Lyons Township High School senior girls basketball player Ella Or msby only took two shots the entire first half Friday at York. When the Lions fell 1 point behind midway through the third quar ter, Or msby suddenly delivered back-to-back threepointers

“The first one, once I shot it, once I made it, I was like, ‘I’ve got to shoot the next chance I get because I’m really feeling it,’” Or msby said. “And then I did.”

Those threes on consecutive possessions put the Lions ahead for good in their 49-39 victory in the early showdown between the West Suburban Conference Silver coleaders

LTHS (11-1, 5-0) won last year’s title with a perfect 12-0 record en route to reaching the Class 4A sectional final. York (9-2, 4-1) retur ns four star ters from its third-place 8-4 WSC Silver team.

Or msby, a retur ning star ter, finished with a team-best 11 points all after halftime and five rebounds.

“York is a really great team and this is a really great win. We all feel really good about it,” Or msby said. “[Conference is] very impor tant. We won it last year and now we’re still undefeated, so we want to

keep it going for the rest of the season.”

Besides a veteran like Or msby, newcomers like freshman guard Avery Mezan also contributed clutch plays.

Mezan had two big fourth-quarter baskets after the Lions’ 37-30 lead entering the fourth quarter dwindled to 37-35 with 4:15 left.

“Avery hit some major shots for a freshman,” LTHS coach Meghan Hutchens said. “I thought her three-pointer was dynamite. That was just ice in her veins to take it in.”

Mezan, who missed her only shot in the first half, started with her 3-pointer from the right cor ner for a 40-35 LTHS lead. When the Dukes answered with a three, Mezan drove the lane for a scoop layup and 42-38 lead with 2:27 to go.

“Our coaches said not to shoot many threes, but I shot it anyway. I was pretty nervous I was going to miss it. It felt good [to score],” Mezan said.

Junior Elin O’Brien had nine points on three first-half threes. Seven points apiece came from senior Ally Cesarini (4 steals), junior Kennedy Wanless (8 rebounds, 4 assists)

and sophomore Nora Ezike (5 rebounds, 3 blocks). Sophomore Emma O’Brien also had five rebounds.

“I’m so proud of the how the younger kids have come in and step up, in big games especially,” Or msby said. “Avery had a bunch of nice attacks and Emma and Nora, they played great. It was an awesome effort from everyone.”

Cesarini scored on a layup off a Wanless pass for a 44-38 lead with 1:25 left. Or msby was 4 for 4 from the free throw line in the final 13.3 seconds.

“That credit [for poise] goes to Ally and Ella, our two seniors, being able to play the entire game, being able to take care of the basketball and relying on each other to always come back and help one another,” Hutchens said. “At the times we needed it, we had the poise where we worked it around to get the perfect shot. Late in the game, we passed it and got layups.”

LTHS next plays at the 16-team Montini Tour nament, opening with Niles Nor th at 8:15 p.m. on Dec. 27.

Bulldogs, Lions hot entering Jack Tosh Tournament

RBHS makes rst appearance at holiday invite since 2019

By BILL STONE Contributing Reporter

For the Riverside-Brookfield High School boys basketball team, it’s been a long wait to compete at York’s annual Jack Tosh Holiday Tour nament.

The Bulldogs (7-3) will finally get to play in the 32-team field for the first time since 2019. A COVID-19 outbreak in the squad ke pt the Bulldogs from participating last year after the pandemic resulted in no 2020 tour nament and a limited spring 2021 season.

“We’ re looking forward to it. We’re even extra hung ry because we didn’t get to play last year,” RBHS coach Mike Reingruber said.

Undefeated Lyons Township (7-0) finished second in 2021 to eventual IHSA Class 4A state champion Glenbard West.

“York is always super competitive field and by far the dee pest in the state with a lot of good teams,” Reingruber said. “We’ re hoping to get some great g ames and lear n more about our team.”

In first-round action on Dec 27, the Bulldo gs play Schaumburg at 11:30 a.m. and LTHS faces Batavia at 6 p.m. All teams are guaranteed at least four games and possibly a fifth.

Entering their Dec 20 g ame against St. Edward, after the Landmark’s print dead-

line, RBHS had won four of its last five. The Bulldogs defeated St. Francis 81-58 on Dec. 16 to improve to 3-0 in the Metro Suburban Conference Blue Division.

LTHS moved to 3-0 in the West Suburban Conference Silver by beating York 58-38 in LaGrange.

The Bulldogs shot 62 percent against St. Francis (29 for 47) and used 24-point second and third quar ters to tur n an 18-14 deficit into a 62-48 advantage

For the first time this season, four RBHS players finished in double figures in one g ame – Will Gonzale z (19 points), Arius Alijosius (19 points), Stefan Cicic (17 points, 5

rebounds, 4 assists) and Hunter Ferguson (10 points). Steven Brown had three assists.

Gonzale z and Alijosius each had five threes as the Bulldogs shot 12 for 22 from three-point range.

“We shot it really well,” Reingruber said. “A big part of that was we really emphasized improving our ball movement and spacing the last couple of weeks in practice and they’ re star ting to figure it out.”

Leading the Lions’ victory were Nik Polonowski (19 points, 3 assists), Michael DeSimone (8 points, 4 rebounds), Jackson Niego (8 points, 8 assists), Car ter Reid (5 points, 7 rebounds), Graham Smith (6 points) and Connor Carroll (4 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists).

ELLA ORMSB Y AVERY MEZAN

HUNTER FERGUSON

King takes 195-pound title to pace LTHS at Whitlatch Tourney

A er early scare, senior dominates weight class to win it

By BILL STONE Contributing Reporter

Lyons Township High School senior wrestler Cooper King’s 195-pound championship match at Hinsdale Central’s Rex Whitlatch Invitational on Dec 17 began with him nearly being pinned in the first 15 seconds.

“I was kind of confused how I even got there in the first place,” King said. “It was kind of like a shock, like I got rolled over or something. It was a weird position that I got caught in. I was glad that I fought out of it, though.”

King not only recovered but dominated, winning 9-4 and not allowing a point the rest of the way.

King (18-1) only has lost once in finishing third at the Barrington Invite.

His championship at the prestigious 25–team tour nament on Dec 17 was the Lions’

first since 2017 and King’s first major invite title – something he’s thought about for a while. King missed last year’s Whitlatch after knee surgery on his left meniscus but retur ned to qualify for sectionals

“I have a white board in my room, and it’s been ‘Whitlatch champ’ on it since last year,” King said. “I’m really happy that I accomplished this.”

Four other Lions ended with wins. Senior Sam Costello (15-7 at 220) and freshman Grif f Powell (17-4 at 106) were fifth and seniors Calum Rogers (9-7 at 145) and Gunnar Garelli (14-6 at 152) were seventh. The Lions (89.5 points) were 12th as a team.

“As far as the place rounds were concer ned,

we couldn’t have finished any better,” LTHS coach Griff Powell said. “All of these teams are very competitive. This is very much like a sectional. You’re going to see a lot of these guys at sectionals and obviously at the state meet.”

In the finals, King defeated DeKalb senior David Stewart (16-2) by leading 6-4 after the first period. King opened with two pins followed by a 7-0 semifinal decision.

LTHS assistant coaches Mark King, his grandfather, and brother Griffin King were in King’s cor ner for the final.

“I trusted my abilities and what I needed to do,” King said. “I’ve got two of my most loving people in my cor ner cheering and supporting me on. They know exactly what I needed to do and they can lead me to any victory.”

Costello’s fifth-place victory especially was emotional. Costello pinned Hinsdale South senior Griffin Carr (10-3) in 3:42 after he was pinned by Carr in the quarterfinals in 1:15. Costello trailed the fifth-place match 3-1 in the second period before his pin 52 seconds after an injury timeout.

“You lear n from mistakes,” Costello said. “Wrestling is not just about winning but overcoming yourself and lear ning more.”

Powell defeated Lincoln-Way West freshman Carter DiBenedetto 12-8 for fifth after multiple comebacks from early-match deficits. Powell won his quarterfinal 11-9 and lost his semifinal 11-10 and his consolation-bracket semifinal 8-6.

“I didn’t wrestle up to my best,” Powell said. “I made a few mistakes in the matches but this is just getting me ready for the state tour nament and better every week.”

Rogers defeated Lincoln-Way West senior Tyler Mansker 9-7 for fifth on a takedown with 13 seconds left. Rogers lost his previous match 3-2 after recording two pins.

In arguably the toughest bracket, Garelli defeated Stevenson junior Themba Sitshela 5-3 for seventh by holding his 2-point lead in the final 1:53.

A 2021 state qualifier, Garelli lost to Warren freshman Aaron Stewart (17-1), the tour nament’s eventual champion, 7-3 in the quarterfinals Garelli suffered a disappointing 3-2 double-overtime wrestleback loss after earlier beating the same wrestler 4-2.

“That was a tough one to drop,” Garelli said. “I think my conditioning’s really good right now. I’ve just got to find a way to open the guys up more. I’ve got to push the pace.”

RBHS cheer team looks for return to state nals

Bulldogs hope to break through a er 12th at sectionals last year

By BILL STONE Contributing Reporter

One of the few moments that Riverside-Brookfield High School seniors Elli Christiansen and Olivia Glawe were physically to gether during their sophomore competitive cheerleading season is their most memorable.

The 2021 IHSA state series was completely virtual because of COVID-19. After submitting their video routine for sectionals, RBHS coach Madelyn Dall posted on their group chat that the Bulldogs qualified for the Class 2A state finals

“I think half of our team was hanging out and one person saw the message We all just screamed, cheered,”

Christiansen said.

The Bulldogs are hoping to actually make this year’s trip to the state finals with a smaller but talented lineup

Other team members are seniors Chloe Alexander and Grace Pankros; sophomores Maya Gonzale z, Sofia Lee and Anna Pinnick; and freshmen Aubrey Agne, Isabella Kirsch, Sofia Miller, Liliana Nieto and Emelia Royer.

“I just feel like we’re really motivated to work together and really work hard and put in the effort,” Glawe said.

The 2021 Bulldogs also made history by finishing a program-best eighth (86.56) in their fourth state appearance, three of them coached by Dall. They qualified with a top-six qualifying berth at sectionals (3rd, 83.83) after winning conference. Last year’s team finished 12th at their 2A Geneva Sectional (78.17).

“I would say state is the goal, kind of the culmination,” Dall said. “I think the motivation, the g rit to get through every practice every day [is our key to

success], if the want is there, if they’r willing to put in the work to make it happen.”

All four seniors and Lee retur n from last season’s lineup Christiansen is the lone fourth-year postseason competitor. Alexander also was on the 2021 competition roster but an injury ke pt her from postseason routines

The Bulldogs plan to compete with 10. Christiansen said the competition roster is smaller than roughly 14 her previous three seasons

“It’s harder to do cool visual for mations, because we don’t have as many people but with the smaller amount of people it’s easier to clean the routine and make sure everyone’s doing the same thing,” Christiansen said.

“We definitely have a lot of cool skills that we haven’t had in the past. Our team ability level has definitely gone up and I think we also have a pretty strong emotion as we dance, a strong connection to the song.”

1st

2nd:

SAM COSTELLO COOPER KING

row (from le ) So a Miller, Mia Royer, Olivia Glawe, Maya Gonzalez

So a Lee, Elli Christiansen, Grace Pankros, Aubrey Agne, Isabella Kirsch, Chloe Alexander

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,

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.

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.

Salesforce Tech Lead sought by Enova Financial Holdings, LLC in Chicago, IL to wrk w/ stkhldrs in Sales & Loan Support to scpe efrt ndd to add nw ftrs. Telecomm prmtd. Apply @ jobpostingtoday.com #33758

Financial Manager sought by a Financial services company in Chicago, IL. to: Work with business leaders across the organization, driving financial planning, business forecasting, and analysis around key initiatives and growth opportunities; Complete ad-hoc business projects and financial modeling analyses such as revenue & logo retention.

Requirements: Master degree in Science in Finance, Economics, or related field, 1 year of experience in the job offer or related occupations; 1 year of experience working with proficiency in financial modeling, large data sets, detailed & dynamic operating or forecast models, revenue and logo retention analyses, cohort analyses, unit economics, user engagement, or other relevant KPIs for technology companies; Send resume to: Klover Holdings, Inc, attention Timothy Ghosh, 222 W Hubbard St, Suite 210, Chicago, IL 60654

Shipping Manager

Manufacturing

Top rated firm Alpina Manufacturing LLC founded in 1992, locally owned beautiful campus in Galewood, near Mars candy, 3 blocks north of Oak Park. We build and sell display framing systems to customers nationwide including Wal-Mart, Verizon, Circle K, Hospitals, CTA Apply in person M-F 8am to 4pm • Alpina • 6460 W Cortland St Chicago, IL 60707 www.fastchangeframes.com

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

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

HELP WANTED • NETWORK SPECIALIST

PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICES LEGAL NOTICE

STATE OF ILLINOIS) COUNTY OF COOK )ss

Circuit Court of Cook County, County Department, County Division.

In re Nicholas J. Russo and Isui Dawn Russo, Petitioner and JeanCarlo Munoz-Ordaz, Respondent, Case No. 2022COAD000505.

The requisite affidavit for publication having been filed, notice is hereby given to you, the above named Respondent, that a Petition has been filed in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois, by the Petitioner, for Adoption and for other relief; and that said suit is now pending.

Now, therefore, unless you, the said Respondent, file your response to said Petition or otherwise make your appearance therein, in the Office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois, Room 802, Richard J. Daley Center, 50 West Washington Street, in the City of Chicago, Illinois, on or before January 20, 2023, default may be entered against you at any time after that day, and a judgment for Adoption entered in accordance with the prayer of said Petition.

DOROTHY A. BROWN, Clerk.

Published in Wednesday Journal December 21, 28, 2022, January 4, 2023

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. GLK

PUBLIC NOTICES PUBLIC NOTICES

Public Notice

STATE OF ILLINOIS, COUNTY OF COOK, ssCircuit Court of Cook County, County Department, Domestic Relations Division

In re the Marriage of: Nina Obi, Petitioner, and Innocent Obi, Respondent, Case No. 2022 D 005212.

The requisite affidavit for Publication having been filed, notice is hereby given to you, Innocent Obi, Respondent, that a Petition has been filed in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois, by the Petitioner, Nina Obi, for Dissolution of Marriage and that said suit is now pending.

Now, therefore, unless you, the said Respondent file your Appearance and Response electronically to said Petition with the Office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois, on or before January 4, 2023, default may be entered against you at any time after that day, and a Judgment for Dissolution of Marriage Entered in accordance with the prayer of said Petition.

IRIS Y. MARTINEZ, Clerk.

Published in the Wednesday Journal December 14, 21, 28, 2022.

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

ADVERTISEMENT OF BIDDING Request of bids for the Park District of Oak Park 228-230 Lot Restoration, 228-230 Madison St., Oak Park.

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

The Park District of Oak Park will accept sealed bids for the 228-230 Madison Lot Restoration, 228-230 Madison St., Oak Park. The project consists of removal of sidewalk, asphalt, curb and gutter; grading, new driveway approach, paving, sidewalk, masonry, drainage, pavers, striping, bike racks and more. The Park District of Oak Park will receive individual sealed Bids until 9:00 a.m. (Central time) on Wednesday, January 4 th , 2023, at 218 Madison St., Oak Park, IL. The bidding documents and requirements will be available on the link below as of 9:00 am Wednesday, December 21 st , 2022.

Bid bonds will be required by bidding contractors. Copies of the bidding specifications are available via this link: https://www.demandstar.com/ app/buyers/bids/406688/details

For additional information, contact Chris Lindgren at chris.lindgren@ pdop.org or (708) 725-2050. Only the bids prepared in compliance with the bidding documents will be considered. This project must adhere to the Prevailing Wage Act of 2022. The Park District of Oak Park strongly encourages minority and women owned business firms to submit bids for this project.

Park District of Oak Park

By: Chris Wollmuth, Secretary Park District of Oak Park 218 Madison St. Oak Park, IL 60302

Published in Wednesday Journal December 21, 2022

PUBLIC NOTICE

Notice is hereby given, pursuant to “An Act in relation to the use of an Assumed Business Name in the conduct or transaction of Business in the State,” as amended, that a certification was registered by the undersigned with the County Clerk of Cook County. Registration Number: Y22009963 on December 16, 2022. Under the Assumed Business Name of SLOAN COFFEE ROASTING with the business located at: 261 HERRICK RD, RIVERSIDE, IL 60546. The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/partner(s) is: MATT SLOAN 261 HERRICK RD RIVERSIDE, IL 60546, USA.

Published in RB Landmark December 21, 28, 2022, January 4, 2023

PUBLIC NOTICE NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR FORMATION OF A BANK HOLDING COMPANY

Brookfield HoldCo, Inc., 9136 Washington Avenue, Brookfield, Illinois 60513, has applied to the Federal Reserve Board for permission to form a bank holding company and acquire control of First National Bank of Brookfield, located at 9136 Washington Avenue, Brookfield, Illinois 60513. The Federal Reserve considers a number of factors in deciding whether to approve the application, including the record of performance of banks we own in helping to meet local credit needs.

You are invited to submit comments in writing on this application to Colette A. Fried, Assistant Vice President, Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, 230 South LaSalle Street, Chicago, Illinois 60604. The comment period will not end before January 20, 2023 and may be somewhat longer. The Board’s procedures for processing applications may be found at 12 C.F.R. Part 262. Procedures for processing protested applications may be found at 12 C.F.R. 262.25. To obtain a copy of the Federal Reserve Board’s procedures, or if you need more information about how to submit your comments on the application, contact Jeremiah Boyle, Assistant Vice President for Community and Economic Development at (312) 322-6023; to request a copy of an application, contact Colette A. Fried at (312) 322-6846. The Federal Reserve will consider your comments and any request for a public meeting or formal hearing on the application if they are received in writing by the Reserve Bank on or before the last day of the comment period.

PUBLIC NOTICES PUBLIC NOTICES

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING VILLAGE OF OAK PARK PLAN COMMISSION

DOCKET NUMBER: PC 22-09

HEARING DATE: January 5, 2023 TIME: 7:00 p.m. or as soon thereafter as the Agenda permits

LOCATION OF HEARING: Room 201 (Council Chambers), Oak Park Village Hall, 123 Madison Street, Oak Park, Illinois, 60302

SUBJECT PROPERTY

ADDRESSES: 6500-6538 Roosevelt Road, Oak Park, Illinois 60304 (“Subject Property”)

LEGAL DESCRIPTION: Parcel 1: Lots 137 and 138 in South Ridgeland in South Ridgeland being a subdivision of a part of the Southeast quarter of Section 18, Township 39 North, Range 13 East of the Third Principal Meridian, in Cook County, Illinois. Parcel 2: Lots 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52 and that part of the West half of vacated Gunderson Avenue lying East of and adjoining said Lot 43 in South Ridgeland being a subdivision of a part of the Southeast quarter of Section 18, Township 39 North, Range 13 East of the Third Principal Meridian, in Cook County, Illinois. Lots 139, 140, 141, 142 in South Ridgeland, a subdivision of the Southeast quarter of Section 18, Township 39 North, Range 13 East of the Third Principal Meridian, in Cook County, Illinois.

P.I.N.s: 16-18-426-040-0000, 16-18-426-041-0000, 16-18-427036-0000, 16-18-427-037-0000, 16-18-427-038-0000, 16-18-427039-0000, 16-18-427-040-0000, 16-18-427-041-0000, 16-18-427042-0000, 16-18-427-043-0000, 16-18-427-044-0000, 16-18-426037-0000, 16-18-426-038-0000, and 16-18-426-039-0000.

PROPERTY OWNER(S): Berwyn Properties, LLC and Dei Cugini, LLC, 6501 Roosevelt Road, Berwyn, IL 60402

PETITIONER(S): Berwyn Properties, LLC and Dei Cugini, LLC, 6501 Roosevelt Road, Berwyn, IL 60402

REQUEST: The Plan Commission will conduct a public hearing on an amendment/major modification to Planned Development Ordinance Number ORD 18-386 to include property commonly known as 6536 Roosevelt Road (former Salvation Army location) abutting the Subject Property to the west of the existing

Planned Development in order to expand the existing surface parking lot. The Applicant seeks the following seven (7) allowances from the Oak Park Zoning Ordinance associated with the Planned Development amendment/major modification: (1) relief from Article 5.4 (Roosevelt Road District Dimensional and Design Standards), Section G.2 (Side and Rear Setbacks: Parking Located Adjacent to Buildings), to reduce the required five-foot parking setback along the north property line to one foot; (2) relief from Article 10.2 (Location of Off-Street Parking Spaces) Section B.2(e) to allow parking within the boundaries of the Village of Oak Park for a building or use being served outside the Village of Oak Park boundaries (i.e., eight van-sized route truck vehicles); (3) relief from Article 10.3 (Off-Street Parking Design Standards), Section G (Landscape and Screening), to allow a reduction in parking lot landscaping requirement set forth in Article 11 (Landscaping); (4) relief from Article 10.3 (Off-Street Parking Design Standards), Section B.2 (Access), to not provide internal pedestrian circulation in the parking lot; (5) relief from Article 11.7 (Required Parking Lot Interior Landscaping), Section A, to allow for a reduction of three required landscape islands; (6) relief from Article 11.7 (Required Parking Lot Interior Landscaping), Section B, to reduce the required parking lot landscape area from 10% to approximately 7.4%; and (7) relief from Article 11.7 (Required Parking Lot Interior Landscaping), Section C, to reduce the number of required landscape areas at each end of a parking row. A copy of the application and each of the applicable documents are on the Village Website at www. oak-park.us and also on file and available for inspection at the Village Hall, Development Customer Services Department, 123 Madison Street, Oak Park, Illinois 60302, during current business hours, Monday through Friday, between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. The Plan Commission may continue the hearing to another date without further notice by public announcement at the hearing setting forth the time and place thereof.

Published in Wednesday Journal, December 21, 2022

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

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

U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS TRUSTEE FOR THE RMAC TRUST, SERIES 2018-G-CTT Plaintiff, -v.-

ANN W. BELL, MARTIN F. BELL, COMMUNITY BANK OF OAK PARK RIVER FOREST Defendants 2022 CH 02068 1152 HOME AVENUE OAK PARK, IL 60304

NOTICE OF SALE

PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on September 6, 2022, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on January 13, 2023, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker, 1st Floor Suite 35R, Chicago, IL, 60606, sell at a public sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate:

Commonly known as 1152 HOME AVENUE, OAK PARK, IL 60304

Property Index No. 16-18-326-0020000

The real estate is improved with a single family residence.

The judgment amount was $130,513.82.

Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation. No third party checks will be accepted. The balance, including the Judicial Sale fee for the Abandoned Residential Property Municipality Relief Fund, which is calculated on residential real estate at the rate of $1 for each $1,000 or fraction thereof of the amount paid by the purchaser not to exceed $300, in certified funds/or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. No fee shall be paid by the mortgagee acquiring the residential real estate pursuant to its credit bid at the sale or by any mortgagee, judgment creditor, or other lienor acquiring the residential real estate whose rights in and to the residential real estate arose prior to the sale. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in “AS IS” condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court.

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

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

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

IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE

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

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

For information, contact Alexander Potestivo, POTESTIVO & ASSOCIATES, P.C. Plaintiff’s Attorneys, 223 WEST JACKSON BLVD, STE 610, Chicago, IL, 60606 (312) 263-0003. Please refer to file number 314605.

THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION

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

You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day status report of pending sales.

POTESTIVO & ASSOCIATES, P.C. 223 WEST JACKSON BLVD, STE 610 Chicago IL, 60606 312-263-0003

E-Mail: ilpleadings@potestivolaw. com

Attorney File No. 314605 Attorney Code. 43932 Case Number: 2022 CH 02068 TJSC#: 42-4397

NOTE: Pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, you are advised that Plaintiff’s attorney is deemed to be a debt collector attempting to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose. Case # 2022 CH 02068 I3208865

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION CASCADE FUNDING MORTGAGE TRUST HB5 Plaintiff, -v.-

UNKNOWN HEIRS AT LAW AND LEGATEES OF WILLIE L. ADAMS, DONNY ADAMS A/K/A DONALD ADAMS, THE SECRETARY OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT, ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES, THOMAS QUINN, AS SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ESTATE OF WILLIE L. ADAMS, UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NON-RECORD CLAIMANTS Defendants 2021 CH 05255 806 S. TAYLOR AVENUE OAK PARK, IL 60304

NOTICE OF SALE

PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on September 23, 2022, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on January 5, 2023, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker, 1st Floor Suite 35R, Chicago, IL, 60606, sell at a public sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate:

Commonly known as 806 S. TAYLOR AVENUE, OAK PARK, IL 60304 Property Index No. 16-17-129-0050000; 16-17-129-006-0000

The real estate is improved with a single family residence.

The judgment amount was $470,390.58.

Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE REAL ESTATE FOR SALE REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

Sales Corporation. No third party checks will be accepted. The balance, including the Judicial Sale fee for the Abandoned Residential Property Municipality Relief Fund, which is calculated on residential real estate at the rate of $1 for each $1,000 or fraction thereof of the amount paid by the purchaser not to exceed $300, in certified funds/or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. No fee shall be paid by the mortgagee acquiring the residential real estate pursuant to its credit bid at the sale or by any mortgagee, judgment creditor, or other lienor acquiring the residential real estate whose rights in and to the residential real estate arose prior to the sale. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in “AS IS” condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court.

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

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

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

IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW. You will need a photo identification issued by a government agency (driver’s license, passport, etc.) in order to gain entry into our building and the foreclosure sale room in Cook County and the same identification for sales held at other county venues where The Judicial Sales Corporation conducts foreclosure sales.

For information, contact JOHNSON, BLUMBERG & ASSOCIATES, LLC

Plaintiff’s Attorneys, 30 N. LASALLE STREET, SUITE 3650, Chicago, IL, 60602 (312) 541-9710. Please refer to file number 21 8680.

THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION

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

You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day status report of pending sales.

JOHNSON, BLUMBERG & ASSOCIATES, LLC

30 N. LASALLE STREET, SUITE 3650 Chicago IL, 60602 312-541-9710

E-Mail: ilpleadings@johnsonblumberg.com Attorney File No. 21 8680 Attorney Code. 40342 Case Number: 2021 CH 05255 TJSC#: 42-3674

NOTE: Pursuant to the Fair Debt Col-

lection Practices Act, you are advised that Plaintiff’s attorney is deemed to be a debt collector attempting to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose. Case # 2021 CH 05255 I3208368

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

Nationstar Mortgage LLC Plaintiff, vs. UNKNOWN HEIRS AND LEGATEES OF LACEY WILLIAMS AKA LACEY A. WILLIAMS; ARTIST SQUARE CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION; OLIVE MARIE RIVERA, A MINOR, BY LANGSTON WILLIAMS, JR. AND ALTHEA WILLIAMS, HER GRANDPARENTS AND NEXT FRIENDS; ALTHEA WILLIAMS; LANGSTON WILLIAMS, JR.; JULIE FOX AS SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE OF LACEY WILLIAMS AKA LACEY A. WILLIAMS; UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NONRECORD CLAIMANTS; Defendants, 21 CH 5815

NOTICE OF SALE

PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above entitled cause Intercounty Judicial Sales Corporation will on Monday, January 9, 2023 at the hour of 11 a.m. in their office at 120 West Madison Street, Suite 718A, Chicago, Illinois, sell at public auction to the highest bidder for cash, as set forth below, the following described mortgaged real estate: P.I.N. 16-07-323-055-1011.

Commonly known as 1041 Susan Collins Lane, Unit 304, Oak Park, IL 60302.

The mortgaged real estate is improved with a condominium residence. The purchaser of the unit other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by subdivisions (g)(1) and (g) (4) of Section 9 of the Condominium Property Act

Sale terms: 10% down by certified funds, balance, by certified funds, within 24 hours. No refunds. The property will NOT be open for inspection.

For information call Law Clerk at Plaintiff’s Attorney, The Wirbicki Law Group, 33 West Monroe Street, Chicago, Illinois 60603. (312) 360-9455. W20-0232 ADC

INTERCOUNTY JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION

intercountyjudicialsales.com I3208202

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

THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON F/K/A THE BANK OF NEW YORK, AS TRUSTEE FOR THE CERTIFICATEHOLDERS OF THE CWALT, INC., ALTERNATIVE LOAN TRUST 2007-23CB MORTGAGE

PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2007-23CB

Plaintiff, -v.-

RORY L VALENTINE, JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, NA, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NONRECORD CLAIMANTS

Defendants 2022 CH 05449 1178 S SCOVILLE AVE OAK PARK, IL 60304

NOTICE OF SALE

PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on October 5, 2022, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on January 13, 2023, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker, 1st Floor Suite 35R, Chicago, IL, 60606, sell at a public sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate:

Commonly known as 1178 S SCOVILLE AVE, OAK PARK, IL 60304

Property Index No. 16-18-427-0150000

The real estate is improved with a single family residence.

Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation. No third party checks will be accepted. The balance, including the Judicial Sale fee for the Abandoned Residential Property Municipality Relief Fund, which is calculated on residential real estate at the rate of $1 for each $1,000 or fraction thereof of the amount paid by the purchaser not to exceed $300, in certified funds/or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. No fee shall be paid by the mortgagee acquiring the residential real estate pursuant to its credit bid at the sale or by any mortgagee, judgment creditor, or other lienor acquiring the residential real estate whose rights in and to the residential real estate arose prior to the sale. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in “AS IS” condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court.

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

The property will NOT be open for inspection and plaintiff makes no

ALL INTERESTED PERSONS ARE INVITED TO BE HEARD OAK PARK PLAN COMMISSION Oak Park, Illinois 60302

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE REAL ESTATE FOR SALE REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

representation as to the condition of the property. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information.

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

IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW. You will need a photo identification issued by a government agency (driver’s license, passport, etc.) in order to gain entry into our building and the foreclosure sale room in Cook County and the same identification for sales held at other county venues where The Judicial Sales Corporation conducts foreclosure sales.

For information, examine the court file, CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C. Plaintiff’s Attorneys, 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100, BURR RIDGE, IL, 60527 (630) 794-9876

THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236SALE You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day status report of pending sales.

CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C. 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100 BURR RIDGE IL, 60527 630-794-5300

E-Mail: pleadings@il.cslegal.com

Attorney File No. 14-22-04053

Attorney ARDC No. 00468002 Attorney Code. 21762 Case Number: 2022 CH 05449 TJSC#: 42-3886

NOTE: Pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, you are advised that Plaintiff’s attorney is deemed to be a debt collector attempting to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose. Case # 2022 CH 05449 I3208571

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE FOR GSAA HOME EQUITY TRUST 2006-14, ASSET-BACKED CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2006-14 Plaintiff, -v.-

ELIZABETH SMITH, LARRY E. SMITH

Defendants

2018 CH 03138 646 LYMAN AVE OAK PARK, IL 60304

NOTICE OF SALE

PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on July 27, 2022, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on January 19, 2023, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker, 1st Floor Suite 35R, Chicago, IL, 60606, sell at a public sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 646 LYMAN AVE, OAK PARK, IL 60304

Property Index No. 16-17-114-0150000

The real estate is improved with a single family residence.

Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales

Corporation. No third party checks will be accepted. The balance, including the Judicial Sale fee for the Abandoned Residential Property Municipality Relief Fund, which is calculated on residential real estate at the rate of $1 for each $1,000 or fraction thereof of the amount paid by the purchaser not to exceed $300, in certified funds/or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. No fee shall be paid by the mortgagee acquiring the residential real estate pursuant to its credit bid at the sale or by any mortgagee, judgment creditor, or other lienor acquiring the residential real estate whose rights in and to the residential real estate arose prior to the sale. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in “AS IS” condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court.

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

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

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

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

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

For information, examine the court file, CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C. Plaintiff’s Attorneys, 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100, BURR RIDGE, IL, 60527 (630) 794-9876

THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION

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

You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day status report of pending sales.

CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C. 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100 BURR RIDGE IL, 60527 630-794-5300

E-Mail: pleadings@il.cslegal.com Attorney File No. 14-18-00602 Attorney ARDC No. 00468002 Attorney Code. 21762 Case Number: 2018 CH 03138 TJSC#: 42-4547

NOTE: Pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, you are advised that Plaintiff’s attorney is deemed to be a debt collector attempting to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose. Case # 2018 CH 03138 I3209538

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