Landmark_112625

RIVERSIDE-BROOKFIEL

Riverside OKs Blythe Park playground design

Trustees took issue proposed fenc ing th could inhibit ‘f r of movement

By STELLA BROWN Staff Reporter

Riverside trustees gave their appr al to a new design for the pl near Blythe Park Elementary School — on the condition the raised curb and fence planned to encircle the pl ground be removed.

Ryan Kelley, an associate principa with D LA Architects, the firm for the project, presented the de sign prefer red by Rive rside District 96 b oard members to the village on Nov. 20. T he new pl ay feature separate areas for 2-5 and those aged 5-12 and will see the

See BLYTHE on pa ge 10

is rendering shows the proposed layout of the new pl ayground at Blythe Park Elementary School.

3.7% jump would be for new residential, commercial properties in rict; 2.9 percent for xisting properties

By GREGG VOSS Contributing Reporter

rside School District 96 Board of Education on Nov. 19 approved a 2025 tax levy increase of 3.7% for new residential and commercial properties in the district and 2.9% for existing properties.

According to the district’s interim director of finance, Dr. Mark Kuzniewski, the district’s tax levy for existing properties is capped to which-

See LEVY on pa ge 12

Brookfield seeks IEPA funds for 2026, 2027 water pipe work

Water main improvemen and lead service lin replacements could pr with state fundin

By STELLA BROWN Staff Reporter

Brookfield is looking for additional funding from the state to finance its water line improvement projects over the next two years.

Trustees approved four contracts No with Hancock Engineering, wh been the village’s firm for municipal projects. The contracts totaled more than $1.5 million for services related to Brookfield water main improvement project next year and its lead water service line projects for 2026 and 2027.

Of the four contracts, costs related to three will only be incurred if Brookfield can secure bypass funding from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agenc leaves the village to cover just $42,500 in design engineering services for water replacements.

Those three contracts were for main improvement construction engineering worth $523,200, 2026 lead water service replacement construction engineering worth $571,900, and 2027 lead water service replacement construction engineering worth $375,500.

“It is necessary for the village to pass these ag reements tonight because the IEPA requires executed ag reements for any engineering costs that are to be paid with loan funding to be included in the request for bypass funding,” said Village President Michael Garvey. “Hancock Engineering anticipates making requests for bypass funding by the end of the week. They will be requesting approximately $25 million of lead water service replacement and $12 million in water main improvements.”

According to a village memo, the IEPA has informed Brookfield and Hancock that more than $40 million in bypass funding will be available at the start of 2026.

The agency’s funding cycle is based around Illinois’ fiscal year, which runs July 1 to June 31. Municipalities must apply by March 31 to reserve loan funding for

is illustration lays out the public/private nature of the lead ser vice line replacement mandate ever y community in the state faces follow ing action by Illinois General Assembly, which became e ective Jan. 1, 2022. Replacing lead water services in even small communities w ill cost tens of millions of dollars.

their projects for the first half of the upcoming fiscal year — that is, July 1 to Dec. 31 — during which time they can begin construction and have the funds released. But if an approved project is delayed until the start of the next calendar year on Jan. 1, the IEPA may bypass it and put the reserved funding toward other projects that are ready to move forward.

T he IE PA did not approve Brookfield’s projects — water main improvements in 2026 and lead service line re p lacements in 2026 and 2027 — for the initial round of f unding, but bypass f unding c ould allow them to proceed anyway. While that f unding is not g uaranteed, the village obtained bypass f unding for i ts water

Operations

main improvements in 2024 and 2025, the memo said.

At the meeting, trustees also approved $237,700 in preliminary and design engineering from Hancock for improvements to Prairie Avenue. The project is set to receive grant funding through the Central Council of Mayors’ Surface Transportation Program in 2029, but through contingency funding — which works similarly to the IEPA’s bypass funding — the resurfacing and streetscape work could be funded in 2027 or 2028.

Trustees directed Hancock staf f to begin engineering work on the Prairie Avenue project at their Oct. 27 committee of the whole meeting, which was for malized through the contract.

Cahillane, Steve Edwards, Judy Gre n, Horacio Mendez, Charles Meyerson, Darnell Shields, Audra Wilson HOW TO REACH US PO Box 6670, River Forest, IL 60305 PHONE: (708) 442-6739

E-MAIL: dhaley@wjinc.com

ww.RBLandmark.com

Riverside is set to create a digital amusement tax

Payments to video or audio streaming services and online game purchases will be taxed at 5%, projected to raise $40,000 annually

By STELLA BROWN Staff Reporter

Riverside residents who like to stream television should prepare for their monthly bills to go up

Trustees on Nov. 20 directed village staf f to draft an ordinance to impose a 5% tax on video and audio streaming services — li ke N etflix and Spotify, fo r example — as well as purchases of digital c omputer g ames, li ke those one migh t buy on S team, the largest distributor of video g ames for PCs. T he tax will not ap -

ply to cable television.

According to a village memo, staf f expect the new tax to g enerate about $40,000 per year once it g oes i nto effect on Jan. 1, 2026.

The new revenue would nearly make up for $45,000 the village will lose each year after the state-imposed 1% grocery tax sunsets in 2026. Municipalities were given the option to impose the grocery tax locally starting next year after Illinois lawmakers voted to eliminate it in 2024. But Riverside’s village board opted to let the tax fall of f, calling it “regressive.”

“When my household budget gets tight, I’m going to eliminate Netflix long before I stop eating,” said Village President Doug Pollock. The imposition of the streaming tax will require streaming providers to re gister with Riverside staf f and submit a monthly return, similar to retail operators of “places to eat” that sell prepared food, according to the memo.

Providers c ould p ass c osts associated with the tax to residents who pay fo r their services

Several suburban municipalities in Cook County, including River Grove, Evanston, Midlothian and more, have already imposed a similar tax at 5% while Chicago has imposed a 10.25% streaming tax. In the 2015 court case Labell v. City of Chicago, state judges upheld the city’s right to collect the tax in the face of a lawsuit alleging a violation of the Illinois Constitution.

Village Manager Jessica Frances said the new tax could make village-related expenses more equitable between residents who pay for cable and those who opt instead for streaming.

“[Cable providers] pay us not only a cable franchise fee, but also, they pay for different pet fees. T hen, those resources help to of fset costs that we have for Riverside TV, and we don’ t g et that from streaming,” Frances said. “They utilize our right-of-way for all of their cabling underneath, and while streaming services need that cabling in order to make those different connections … they’re not paying those fees, so it is a little bit of an of fset to help manage that.”

Tolerance museum challenges all ‘to be better citizens’

e museum bus is open outside the Brook eld library through Wednesday

By STELLA BROWN Staff Reporter

The Mobile Museums of Tolerance, a free, traveling exhibit that uses history to explore themes of empathy, compassion and respect — and the power of ordinary people — is back at the Linda Sokol Francis Brookfield Library

“We’ll talk about civil rights or the Holocaust but really use it as a message to get ordinary people to make a difference in the world today,” said Elizabeth Blair, an education associate who is operating the exhibit in Brookfield. “I think talking about these topics

is definitely important now more than ever, in terms of rising tides of hate in our world. Especially, seeing these messages about resistance, about the civil rights movement, it’s a way for people to get inspired to make a difference today, too.”

The exhibit, which travels in a purple bus to classrooms and libraries across the country, is run by the Museum of Tolerance in Los Angeles. It will be open to the public from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. from Monday, Nov. 24, to Wednesday, Nov. 26, in the library’s parking lot in what Blair called “open-house style.”

“When people come, I’ll be here if they have questions, and they can watch our different videos on the Holocaust or civil rights,” she said.

This is the library’s fourth year hosting the exhibit; last year, it offered one video about identifying and standing up against hatred and bigotry online, and the civil rights and

Continued on page 7 PROVIDED BY CO RTNE Y MCINERNE Y e Mobile Museums of Tolerance are open to the public in Brook eld from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. from Monday, Nov. 24, through Wednesday, Nov. 26.

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TOLERANCE MUSEUM

from page 5

Holocaust lessons have been available individually in 2022 and 2023.

Blair said the exhibit’s lessons are relevant today as history may appear to repeat itself

“When we look at the hate crime statistics

— for example, antisemitism, Islamophobia

— you can’t ignore that that stuff is rising. I think the way that we see these patterns happening is very similar to what happened in the past. We talk a lot about, with our Holocaust workshop, propaganda,” Blair said. “It starts with appealing to what people want and making promises to people, and then, eventually, it gets to the point where you’re actually pushing that hate against specific groups of people. We’re seeing a lot of that same stuff happening, not as much with posters and radio broadcasts and what was happening back in the ’40s, but with social media.”

Cortney McInerney, the library’s community engagement coordinator, said the library has hosted the exhibit year after year due to the community’s interest.

“We’ve gotten great feedback from our community. The library members who have visited the Mobile Museums of Tolerance have walked away feeling empowered and inspired

by the experience. They come back every year to see the new modules,” she said. “We, as informational professionals, believe it is important to have freedom of information, to offer experiences where people can be educated in a way that teaches them empathy, being able to connect and communicate with people who might be unlike themselves.”

McInerney agreed the lessons from the exhibit are applicable in the current political moment, as residents in Brookfield, Riverside and other communities nearby are grappling with extrajudicial detentions of Latino people by federal immigration agents

“Those lessons are universal. I don’t think anybody’s going to walk away from it feeling like it’s disconnected from their personal experience or from things that are happening today,” she said. “The tragedies in history were only possible because ordinary people stepped aside and let it happen, or even actively participated in it. The moments in history where you see things changing for the better are also because ordinary people got involved and became activists and stood up for other people, people different from themselves. It really demonstrates the power of ordinary people to make a better society, a more democratic society, and reminds us that we all have this personal responsibility to be better citizens in America.”

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

I. A public hearing to approve a proposed property tax levy increase for Riverside Brookfield Township High School District 208, Cook County, Illinois for 2025 will be held on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. in Room 201 of the high school at 160 Ridgewood Road, Riverside, IL 60546. Any person desiring to appear at the public hearing and present testimony to the taxing district may contact Dr. Kristin Smetana, Assistant Superintendent, Riverside Brookfield Township High School, 160 Ridgewood Road, Riverside, Illinois, telephone number 708-442-7500.

II. The corporate and special purpose property taxes extended for 2024 were $25,075,211. The proposed corporate and special purpose property taxes to be levied for 2025 are $26,316,434. This represents a 4.95% increase over the previous year.

III. The property taxes extended for debt service and public building commission leases for 2024 were $5,676,197. The estimated property taxes to be levied for debt service and public building commission leases for 2025 are $4,769,795. This represents an 11.77% decrease over the previous year.

IV. The total property taxes extended for 2024 were $30,952,030. The estimated total property taxes to be levied for 2025 are $31,086,229. This represents a 0.43% increase over the previous year.

All hearings shall be open to the public. The corporate authority of the taxing district must explain the reasons for the proposed levy and shall permit persons desiring to be heard an opportunity to present testimony within reasonable time limits as the authority determines.

Day of pro biking to return for 4th year in Brookfield

e Cycle Brook eld Criterium will follow its previous route next summer

By STELLA BROWN Staff Reporter

Fans of the annual Cycle Brookfield Criterium, rejoice: The day of professional bicycle racing, operated as part of the Chicago Grit bike racing series around Chicagoland, is returning to Brookfield for a fourth year.

The village board gave its support Monday evening to Chris Valadez, the president of transit advocacy nonprofit Cycle Brookfield, to bring the criterium back to town next summer. The races will return to the B-shaped route starting on Grand Boulevard that they followed in 2023 and 2024 after this year’s event moved south of the train tracks due to summer construction on Grand, Valadez said.

He said audiences and pro cyclists alike preferred the old route to this year’s.

“That course was designed to be not only fast but hit highlights of some of the beautiful areas throughout the village,” Valadez said. “The unfiltered version [of cyclists’ feedback] is, if you’re not a good bike racer, you loved this year’s route. If you’re professional, they love this [B-shaped] course, because this is more challenging. This brings more visibility.”

He attributed lower crowds at the July event this year to the intense 90-degree heat and diminished shade along the new route While two trustees were absent from the

meeting, those who were present lent thei unanimous support to a fourth the day of bike racing

At the meeting, Deanne Adasiak, Brookfield’s business development specialist, walked the board through the ment to host the event in 2025, with the vil lage’s total price tag coming to about $51,000.

About half of that money went toward pa ing public works staff to set the forehand and take it down afterward, Adasiak said cost $26,085. T department spent another $8,802 toward crete patching work to prepare the streets the races, she said, for a total de of $34,887.

Next, the police department spent $13,232, with about $7,000 going to and the remainder to staf f ov said. Finally, she said, the fire department spent $2,884 for a 10-hour detail of fighter paramedics to ensur village memo, “immediate medical capability” for the duration of Valadez took a chance at recognize that the Cycle Brookfield Criterium truly does take a village Brookfield.

“President [Michael] Gar doesn’t know, was out there holding a sign at the crossing, that, Women’s Club and many other organi zations really make this happen. a Cycle Brookfield and village-only he said. “I’m always in awe. Ev

I’m done, I don’t want to think for many, many days, but then the keeps coming back out and saying, Please bring this back.’ The support that comes through is truly immense, and I’m honored to be part of the community, that they want it back as well.”

The Oak Park-River Forest Community Foundation is committed to supporting, creating, and implementing solutions identified in our landmark Community Voices report. Our 2024-25 Community Grants recipients are advancing the strategic priority of mental and behavioral health for youth and young adults.

Our community and those who work tirelessly to support it need your help — we hope you will consider them in your year-end giving.

We recognize and celebrate the Community Grants Cohort:

• A Greater Good Foundation

• &Rise

• Austin Coming Together

• BUILD

• Dominican University

• Family Service and Mental Health Center of Cicero

• The Firehouse Dream

• Front Porch Arts Center

• Kehrein Center for the Arts Foundation

• Kinfolk CoLab

• Maywood Fine Arts

• Nehemiah Community Project

• New Moms

• Race Conscious Dialogues

• Thrive Counseling Center

• YEMBA

• Youth Crossroads

• Youth Outreach Services

pa rk ’s footprint expanded by 300 square f eet, with a maximum capacity of 135 children.

“It was important as we met with the c ommunity, met with the school, understanding and knowing Blythe Pa rk , that the pl ayground reflect the pa rk i tself We re peatedly heard that we we re looking for something that’s organi c, ” Kelley told trustees. “What you’ll see in thi s equipment is rock outcroppings as opp osed to stairs, log p osts as o pposed to metal stanchions and p oles, and g enerally more organic and nature-inspired pl ayground equipment. ”

Trustee Jill Mateo pointed out one proposed pl ay element that was blue and wh i te in c olor c ould violate Rive rside ’s code related to preservation that c alls for pl ayground equipment to be “mad e of natural wood or stone materials or materials dark in color.”

Kelley said D LA c ould look to use a ve rsion of the equipment in a da rker or woodier color moving forward.

As part of the design, he added, DLA proposed a perimeter curb around the playground in order to protect the roots of trees that could run underneath and allow for a water drainage system to be installed

“One d oes exist tod ay. It is flush with the gr ade and ground around it, but it d oesn’t eliminate erosion,” Kelley said. “What we ’re proposing is to raise a c oncrete curve, and, by doing that, we ’re also proposing to p ut f encing on top of that curb to eliminate the t ripping hazard that it creates.”

According to a village memo, Rivers ide ’s preservation c ommissioners q uestioned the need for the curb and f enc e when Kelley presented the d esign to them on Nov. 3, though they ultimately expressed support for the project.

Joel Marhoul, a for mer member of b oth the D96 school b oard and Rivers ide ’s p lanning and zoning c ommission, said during the public c omment perio d that he did not suppo rt the inclusion of a fenc e.

“It would seve rely c onstrain cu rrent

use. Right now, k ids are free to use the equipment and then r un on the slopes and around the trees. L ots of choice fo r them. This is wh at k ids should be doing, and [ they should be] not restricted to one single spac e, ” he said. “A dditionally, this c ommunity t ries i ts ve ry b est to limit f ences in open spaces. This b oard, supported by p lanning and zoning and village code s, d oes not g enerally allow f ences in open spaces, and when it d oes, it is ve ry, ve ry conditional. ”

S ome members of the village b oard seemed to ag re e.

“I am ve ry much sympathetic and in ag reement with the c oncerns over changing the way that children use the Blythe Pa rk pl ayground. I think the ability to go from a sw ing set to sit under a tree or to have freedom of movement — to take that aw ay from f uture g enerations is really, really problematic, ” said Trustee Aberdeen Marsh-Ozga. “I do think that it is more than p ossible to seek out expe rt i se and come up with alternate solutions for erosion c ontrol and drainage i ssues that do not involve a fenc e. ”

Village President Doug Pollock said staf f asked Christopher B. Burke Engi-

neering, Riverside’s engineering firm, to look for an alternative solution. Engineers suggested adding a small bed of granite cobbles with a slight lip in place of a curb, with wood mulch sloping down toward the center of the playground

“I f the majority of the b oard is in ag reement that you’d li ke to see other p lans that exclude or remove the f enc e and curb, I would ask the school dist rict re presentatives if they are willing to wo rk with a p lan,” Pollock said. “I f they ’re willing to c ontinue wo rk ing with our engineers to c ome up with something, we c ould approve it, subject to g eneral c ompliance with that, with fu rther d etails to be wo rked out b etween the engineers and building staf f. ”

Public Works Director Dan Tabb said the engineers’ suggested solution could ne gatively impact trees in the area, but another workaround could likely be reached

“A t the end of the day, we understand the school district wants to build a park . We b oth want a pa rk We ’re t rying to meet in the m iddle somewhere, and I think our engineering firm and the architects c an find some m iddle ground to this without a fenc e, ” Tabb said.

Drunk driver runs red ligh

Brookfield police arrested a 25-year-old Bolingbrook man on Nov. 9 for driving drunk after he drove through a red light.

Around 1:34 a.m., an officer was driving east on Ogden Avenue approaching Prairie Avenue when they watched a southbound vehicle ignore a red light and “no turn on red” sign to make a right turn and head west at the intersection while east- and westbound traffic had the right of way. The officer attempted to pull the vehicle over as it turned right to head north on Vernon Avenue, striking a curb before coming to a complete stop.

Before the officer approached the car, they saw the driver open his driver-side door, so they advised him to stay in the car and roll the window down until more officers arrived at the scene. The officer approached the car and asked the man for his driver’s license and proof of insurance. The man said he did not have his wallet but continually put his hands in his coat pocket to look for it. While speaking with the man, the officer smelled alcohol and noticed the man was slurring his words.

The officer asked the man to step out of his car and put his hands on it so the officer could search him. The officer asked where the man thought he was, and he said Oak Park or River Forest.

After being unable to find his driver’s license, the man shared his full name and date of birth so the officer could run it through the database, at which point they learned his license had been suspended. The man said he had not been drinking and volunteered to take field sobriety tests to prove as much; but the officer placed him under arrest for driving with a suspended license and said he could complete the tests at the police department due to the cold weather

While the man took the tests, the officer observed multiple signs of impairment in the man, including asking for his glasses so he could take the one-leg stand test. Police observed the man for 20 minutes and read him his Miranda warning, after which he took a chemical breath test, which showed .233 blood alcohol content.

Police charged the man with driving under the influence, having a BAC above .080, driving on a suspended license, disre garding a traffic light, improper lane usage and operating an uninsured motor vehicle. Police set a Dec. 9 court date for the man before attempting to release him to his sis-

left the police department on foot without supervision, police had him evaluated by paramedics, who determined he needed to be taken to the hospital.

Dog walker dumps trashcan

Brookfield police on Nov. 10 ticketed a 39-year-old Stickney woman for illegally dumping trash in public.

Around 12:45 a.m., an officer was dispatched to the alley behind the 3800 block of Park Avenue for a complaint of illegal trash dumping. The complainant, a resident, said a dog walker had placed a bag of dog waste in the resident’s recycling bin. When the resident confronted the walker, an argument ensued, she said, and the dog walker tipped the bin over before fleeing north on foot. According to police, the resident was “adamant” about pursuing a local ordinance violation for the use of her garbage bin

At the corner of Elm and Fairview avenues, the officer located the dog walker, who admitted to using the resident’s recycling bin and t ipping it over after arguing with her. T he officer i ssued a local ordinance citation to the woman with a Dec. 15 a djudication c ourt date and sent her on her way.

Drunk driver found sleeping in car

On Nov. 8, Brookfield police arrested a 32-year-old Chicago man for driving under the influence.

Around 2:50 a.m., officers responded to the 3300 block of Hollywood Avenue on a report of a suspicious automobile. There, an officer saw a black Dodge running with the driver and sole occupant asleep in his seat. The officer woke the driver by knocking on

While talking with the officer, the man said he had nodded of f and didn’t know where he was. He said he had been at a restaurant with his sister, where they had had a few drinks, and said he thought he may be in Berwyn. During the conversation, the officer smelled alcohol and saw the man had glassy eyes as he slur red his speech, police said.

The man ag reed to take field sobriety tests, during which he failed to follow instructions and struggled with his balance. The man declined to take a preliminary breath test. Due to the multiple indicators of impairment, the officer placed the man under arrest for DUI and transported him to the police department for processing.

There, the man signed his Miranda warning and said he had consumed three or four drinks in the form of beers and mixed drinks at Zubar and Grill. He said he started drinking around 7 p.m. that night and didn’t know what time he stopped. After a 20-minute observation period, the man again declined to take a chemical breath test.

The officer charged the man with driving under the influence of alcohol and set a Nov. 25 court date before releasing him to obtain a ride home.

These items were obtained from the Brookfield Police Department re ports dated Nov. 8-17; they re present a portion of the incidents to which police responded. Anyone named in these re ports has only been charged with a crime and cases have not yet been adjudicated. We re port the race of a suspect only when a serious crime has been committed, the suspect is still at large and police have provided us with a detailed physical description of the suspect as they seek the public’s help in making an arrest.

Compiled by Stella Brown

Safe Steps for Fall Day YOUR BEST LIFE withLisaCapone

Autumn brings crisp air and colorful leaves — but also new safety risks. A few simple steps can help keep you and your loved ones safe at home:

Clear outdoor paths: Sweep or rake wet leaves from steps, driveways, and walkways to prevent slipping.

Improve lighting: Replace dim bulbs, add motion-sensor lights outside, and keep indoor hallways and entryways well lit. Secure floors inside: Remove clutter, tuck away cords, and use non-slip pads under rugs. Wear safe footwear: Choose shoes with firm, non-skid soles instead of socks or loose slippers.

Use support when needed: Keep railings sturdy and add grab bars in high-risk areas like bathrooms.

Taking these precautions helps reduce fall risks and keeps your home safe and welcoming all season long.

Visit Cantata.org for more senior living advice or call (708) 387-1030

LEVY

Capped at CPI

from page 1

ever is lower – 5%, or the consumer price index for 2025, which is 2.9%.

T he lightly attended public hearing that proceeded the vote featured only one speaker. T he hearing was not le g ally required because the tax levy increase is less than 5%, Kuzniewski said, but was prudent in the interest of transparency.

“We’ re capped at CPI,” he said. “In the days when the district could levy whatever amount they could levy, that probably created more consternation among folks,” he said.

A public hearing “draws attention to your board’s agenda,” he said. “People have the opportunity to be heard. [The

board] is the fiscal agent of the residents in the community in which it serves.”

He added that the new property trend from 2023 and 2024 was roughly $400,000 in new property values.

Kuzniewski, the for mer superintendent of Brookfield-La Grange Park School District 96, said the district has zero debt service and that he’s pleased with its overall financial position.

“I think the district is in good financial shape, and I think the district has used reserves appropriately to address buildings and infrastructure,” he said. “The board has done an excellent job using reserve funds to address these very much needed building projects, whether it’s a new roof or an addition.”

District students come primarily from Riverside, though a small contingency comes from Brookfield, North Riverside and Lyons.

CO RRECTI ON

A story titled “In Riverside and Brookfield, officials explain ICE policies” that ran in print Nov. 19, 2025, misspelled the name of a public commenter in Brookfield. She is Beth Berendsen. The Landmark apologizes for the er ror.

Thanksgiving gratitude from GCM

Has there been a Thanksg ing in memory where we had more urgent, more complex reasons to offer up our thanks for being pa these villages and neighborhoods served ing Community Media?

There is the strong and vital pulse of community, of sharing, of generous listening and collecti times which are perilous West Side and out to Riverside, we report on neighbors showing care and love to each other whether it is food pantries being urgently replenished, whistles being blown or a local high

school student singing the National Anthem before a Bears victory. us at GCM es thanks for the privige and the responsibility of serving our readers. thank readers who are also donors to our nonprofit newsroom. We isers who use our reach to build their businesses. pledge our best ef for ts in the year ahead to be a strong, accurate and accountable voice for our communities. With our gratitude.

Dan Haley Senior Advisor and Interim Editor

NOTICE OF THE PROPOSED PROPERTY TAX INCREASE FOR THE VILLAGE OF BROOKFIELD, COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS

I. A public hearing to approve a proposed property tax levy increase for the Village of Brookfield for 2025 will be held on December 8, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. at the Village Hall Board Room in the Municipal Building of the Village of Brookfield, 8820 Brookfield Avenue, Brookfield, Illinois 60513.

Any person desiring to appear at the public hearing and present testimony to the taxing district may contact Michael Melendez, Village Clerk, 8820 Brookfield Avenue, Brookfield, Illinois 60513, (708) 485-7344.

II. The corporate and special purpose property taxes extended or abated for 2024 were $13,143,031.

The proposed corporate and special purpose property taxes to be levied for 2025 are $13,700,552. This represents a 4.01% increase over the previous year.

III. The property taxes extended for debt service and public building commission leases for 2024 were $2,777,728.

The estimated property taxes to be levied for debt service and public building commission leases for 2025 are $2,776,988. This represents a 0.00% increase over the previous year.

IV. The total property taxes extended or abated for 2024 were $15,920,759. The estimated total property taxes to be levied for 2025 are $16,477,540. This represents a 3.50% increase over the previous year.

LETTERS

Protecting wetlands protects us

I am from Brookfield and, throughout my childhood, I’ve been an occasional visitor to Brookfield Zoo. My favorite exhibit to this day is the Swamp. I learned how vital swamps and marshes are to the entire ecosystem. I also learned that most of Chicago and the surrounding area were built on a swamp. One day, I saw the consequences of Chicago’s ecological placement. It rained so hard that the streets flooded at such a high level, people were taking out canoes and kayaks and paddling in the streets. I had to run to grab all the towels in the entire house to put around the walls of my basement to stop all the water from getting in. I remember getting pictures from friends of their fully flooded basements, where the water was up to their ankles.

Around 90% of all wetlands in Illinois are gone. The 10% we have left is in danger of being lost as well. You may not

think that wetlands affect you personally, but they are crucial for the re gulation of the ecosystem. And if you are tired of the floods, you should be protecting the wetlands and promoting their cultivation.

T he solution? A statewide wetlands protection progr am can create a system of accountability and mitigation measures that would ensure the preservation of our remaining wetlands. No matter how big or small you are, from your home to the environment worldwide, wetlands protect everyone

That is why I urge you to join many young Illinoisans like me to call on Governor JB Pritzker to support the statewide protection program, to protect both the wetlands and our homes.

Alec Oltrogge Brookfield

Food pantries and food insecurity

I just read your article about the Riverside Food Pantry. Thank you, Riverside Foods, for your help!

It’s like as soon as the news went out about SNAP benefits being cut, the community in general came out in droves to help our local pantries. Thank you, all who contributed.

I volunteer at a pantry. We have received so many donations in the past few weeks we almost have nowhere to put them. What a great problem to have!

However, when the SNAP benefits are all restored, and the “season of giving” is over, the need will still be there. Food insecurity does not care what time of the year it is or what the whims of the government are. So please keep this in mind and remember to generously donate to our local food pantries all year round.

The perception of food insecurity looks a lot different when you see it face-to-face.

Michael Stefanik Ri verside

Long

OBITUARIES

Tom Adams, 83

career in higher education

siblings, Ly nn (Thomas) L ooney, wh o preceded him in death; Timothy (Jane) Adams and S hannon (Benjamin) Wi lson and a large and loving extended f amily of ne phew s, nieces, and greatphews and -nieces.

Tom was the husband of Donna DorlAdams. To g ether, they created a war m and welcoming home filled with love and laughter. He was the father of T. ff rey Adams (Maggie White) and hannon Adams (Steve Rembis); and the gr andfather of Jack T homas Adams and Elijah Orlo Rembis, d elighting in their growth and sharing in their joys.

To honor Tom, you may d onate to the Greater Chicago Food De p ository or Doctors Wi thout Borders. Please mention you are donating in his honor

A c elebration of Tom’s l ife will occur on Saturday, Nov. 29 with an open house from 2 to 7 p. m. at 135 Lawton oad, Rive rside.

William Scanlon, 90

Dan Haley, Ri verside-Brookfield Landmark 141 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, IL 60302

E-mail: dhaley@wjinc.com

Please include name, address and daytime phone number for verification.

T homas “Tom” Orlo Adams, 83, of Rive rside, died p eacefully on Oct. 25, 2025. Born on Nov. 29, 1941, he re tired in 2005 from a storied career in higher education, serving as the d ean of students and later as associate vic president of S tudent Af fairs at Loyola Unive rsity Chicago from 1968 to 1995. After Loyola, he held leadership p osi tions in development and gr ant-writ ing at Mi dwestern Unive rsit y, DePaul Unive rsity and Marillac St. Vi ncent Services. In an active retirement, he tr aveled the g lobe with his w ife Donna. Known as a dapper g entleman, he neve r p assed up an o pportunity to acquire a new hat or a stylish c ane He had a rare g ift for making everyone f eel valued and heard. W hether through small acts of thoughtfulness or his steadfast presenc e, he left an in d elible mark.

He was the son of the late Orlo and Mildred Adams of Oak Lawn and had a strong f amily b ond with his three

Wi lliam A. Scanlon, 90, of Rive rside, for merly of the S outh Deering neighborhood in Chicag o, died p eacefully on Nov. 22, 2025, sur rounded by his f amily Born on May 29, 1935, he treasured time spent with his f amily, whether gathered around the table sharing storie s, enjoy ing one another ’s c ompany, or hearin g the latest news about his gr andchildren. N othing meant more than the annual f amily trips to Door County, Wi sconsin. He was a respected c ommunity member where he held many leadership roles: for mer trustee for the village of Rivers ide, p ast chairman of the Rive rside Economic Development C ommission, p ast president of the Rive rside Township Lions C lub (where he was awarded Man of the Year), p ast president of the Rive rside C ommunity Fund/United Way, a b oard member for the Riverside Olmstead Society, and board member for the Lone Tree Area Girl Scout Council. He owned and founded his own business Access Benefit Plan Consultants, which he ran successfully for many years. A veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, he was a lifelong fan of the Chicago Bears, Chicago White Sox, and Fighting Illini Football.

Bill was the husband of Maripat (nee Higgins) Scanlon; father of Jacqueline (Michael) Lurie, Cour tenay (Edward) Erb, Alyson Scanlon, and Blake (Anne) Scanlon; grandfather of Bradford (Samantha) Lurie, Blaire Lurie, Sheridan Lurie, Laramie Scanlon, Colin Scanlon, Nolan Scanlon, Cassidy Erb; and great-grandfather of Margot Lurie. He was the son of the late William B. and the late Catherine (nee Fitzgerald) Scanlon; brother of Mary Catherine (the late John) Durkin, Noreen (the late Philip) Cherep, the late John D. (Jane) Scanlon, the late Edward “Butch” (the late Colleen) Scanlon, and the late Andrew “Skip” Scanlon; uncle of many nieces, ne phews, and cousins; and friend to many.

Visitation will be held at ConboyWestchester Funeral Home, 10501 W. Cermak Road, Westchester (2 blks west of Mannheim Road) on Friday, Nov. 28 from 3 until 8 p.m. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Saturday at St. Mary Church in Riverside. Interment Private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Bill’s memory to Riverside Township Lions Club. Arrangements were handled by the Original Kuratko Family, Brian D. Kuratko, Funeral Director

OBITUARIES

Bernie Darmetko, 79

American Legion nance o cer

John Murdock, 81 Chemical Workers Union member

Bernie Darmetko, 79, of Riverside, died on Nov. 21, 2025. An Ar my and Marine combat veteran, he was born and raised in Wyandotte, Michig an, where he was an Eagle Scout and a high school hockey player. He was a member of American Legion Post 96 in Cicero. He served as Finance Officer for First Division and Fifth District of the American Legion in Illinois and was a member of the 3rd Recon Association of Marine Veterans. He was supportive and generous to friends, neighbors and family.

Bernie was the husband of Mary Rose Mangia; son of the late Anthony Darmetko and Louisa Darmetko (nee Noring); brother of Anthony (Rose) Darmetko and the late Edward (Lorraine) Darmetko; son-in-law of Rose Marie Mangia (nee Latham) and the late Samuel Mangia; brother-in-law of 11; uncle of many nieces and nephews and great nieces and great nephews; and dedicated guardian of Maddie and Cubby.

Visitation will be held on Dec. 1, from 3 to 8 p.m. and Dec. 2 from 9 to 9:30 a.m. at Hitzeman Funeral Home Ltd., 9445 31st St., Brookfield. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m., Dec. 2, at St. Mary Catholic Church, 105 Herrick Road, Riverside with interment at Queen of Heaven Cemetery, Hillside

John W. Murdock, 81, of LaGrange Park, died peacefully on Oct. 24, 2025. Raised in Lyons and a graduate of Morton West High School, Class of 1962, he was a longtime Brookfield resident, well known in the area for his warm and kind spirit and his dedication to those he loved.

An honored veteran, he served our country in the Army, was a proud Chemical Workers Union member and supporter of AkzoNobel. He enjoyed pizza nights at Ledo’s with family and friends, watching the Chicago Bears, walks with the family Golden Retrievers, fishing vacations to Orr, Minnesota, and mild pranks and general mischief.

In lieu of flowers or donations, we encourage those who knew John to keep his light bright by offering kind gestures to

John was the husband of the late Dorthea Dawn Murdock, and they are now resting side by side at Clarendon Hills Cemetery. He was the father of Kelly and Jeff, stepfather of Jennifer and Nicholas, a cheerful grandfather, loyal friend, and excellent neighbor. was held pri the and held in the spring.

Sports

Nazareth football edged in OT by Fenwick in epic 6A semi nal

ree-time defending 5A champions stopped on two-point try for victory

By BILL STONE Contributing Reporter

Nazareth Academy senior football player Johnny Colon of Brookfield was part of two state championship teams and another great one this season. Colon was among many Roadrunners who took their time leaving their home field for the last time Saturday. The season ended one game too soon after losing to Fenwick 28-27 in overtime in an epic Class 6A state semifinal at Dennis Moran Field.

Nazareth (11-2), which had the ball last in overtime, went for the two-point conversion and victory after its touchdown but was stopped. In the final seconds of re gulation, Billy Harding’s apparent gamewinning 38-yard field goal was nullified by a blown whistle for Fenwick being offsides. The second attempt from 33 yards was unsuccessful.

“I thought the game was two good teams going at it. We both wanted it really bad and we just came up short,” Colon said. “Unfortunately, when you come up short in the playoffs you turn in your equipment and are going home and unfortunately that’s what happened.”

The Roadrunners moved to 6A this season after three straight 5A state championships Their only other loss this season was to undefeated Mt. Carmel, an 8A state finalist against Oswego. Fenwick (10-3) came to 6A after losing to Downers Grove North in the second round of last year’s 7A playoffs. If any game could eclipse Nazareth’s re-

markable quarterfinal victory, this was it

The Roadrunners were coming off Lake Zurich 24-21 with two comeback touchdowns in the final three minutes aided blocked punt and recovered onside kick

“It was a classic game. You can’t get any better than what we just witnessed. I’d li to take back a couple of my calls there the end, but I told the kids what an incredible football game and this one game doesn define them,” Nazareth coach Tim Racki said. “We were real confident in the huddle (for the 2-point conversion) but that’s football. You’re not going to win every every play. They won that rep and in turn won the game.”

Nazareth led 21-14 before Fenwick used an interception at its 27 with 4:25 left for a seven-play TD drive that tied the game at 21 with 1:13 left. Nazareth then drove from its 20 to the Fenwick 23 with five seconds left. The Roadrunners were celebrating Harding’s 38-yard field goal before learning the play was nullified. After the missed attempt, the Friars kneeled to run out the re gulation clock.

“We’ve been on the winning end quite a bit and we’ve been blessed by that. Today wasn’t our day but again it was an incredible game and kudos to Fenwick,” Racki said. “[Our] kids were incredible. The seniors, their leadership, how they listened, they’re nice kids of f the field. When the sting wears of f, that’s what we’re all going to remember.”

Colon starts at cor nerback/outside linebacker and plays on special teams and returns. He’s been the primary holder the past two seasons. This year he didn’t continue because Harding is left footed.

“It was a roller coaster of emotions. We

made the first kick and thought the game was over,” Colon said. “Going into overtime, it was like, ‘Play our game, get the stop, score (to win).’ It didn’t work out the way we wanted but that’s life sometimes.”

In overtime, Fenwick scored on a thirddown 11-yard pass from 6A all-state quarterback Jamen Williams to all-stater Tommy Thies. Nazareth scored on three rushes by Charles Calhoun, the third from the 1 to score. For the two-pointer, the Roadrunners were stopped on a delayed handof f to Calhoun along the left side of the line.

“I ag ree [with trying for two],” said Nazareth senior quarterback Jackson Failla of Brookfield. “That was unfortunate but everyone was ready for overtime. No one was hanging their heads because they made us re-take the kick.”

Edward McClain Jr. had a 12-yard TD run with 9:01 left to put the Roadrunners ahead 21-14. Failla had a 7-yard TD pass to Calhoun and scored from the 2 as Nazareth took a 14-7 lead in the second quarter after the opening drive of the game ended

LTHS boys basketball seek success with new faces

Carroll, Timmy Sloan only Lions with signi cant varsity experience

By BILL STONE Contributing Reporter

Lyons Township High School senior guard Owen Carroll may forever be known for making the shot heard around the school last boys basketball season. His remarkable swish from just beyond half court beat the buzzer and gave the Lions to a 58-55 home victory over rival Hinsdale Central Feb. 18, also costing the Red Devils an outright West Suburban Conference Silver Division title

“People bring it up to me every time People love talking about it and I enjoy talking about it, too,” Carroll said. “It’s a fun memory that I’ll have for the rest of my life It’s kind of something people growing up always dream about, beating your biggest rival with a buzzer-beater at home. Kind of surreal but something I will never forget.”

Carroll hopes for many more great memories this season with the Lions He and junior guard Timmy Sloan are the only retur nees with significant varsity experience from a 14-16 season in which the Lions improved significantly throughout the season. Also on the team are seniors Tommy Blyth, Dylan Holcer, Grant Pinta, Tommy Sloan, Matthew Stetler, Braden Sullivan and Luke Taylor, juniors Kyndell Bar nes of Brookfield, Grayson Lee, Blake Ragsdale, Ty Smith, Byron Walton and Nate Woods and sophomore Grant Smith.

“I think we have a lot of interchangeable parts, guys that can do multiple things. We don’t have that 6-8, 6-9 size, but good size across the board,” said LTHS coach Tom Sloan, also father of Timmy and Tommy. “Our bigger guys can handle the ball and

with a lost fumble at the 1. Failla was a transfer this season from North Alle gheny (Wexford, Pa.). As a sophomore reserve, he made the state championship game in Pennsylvania’s largest 6A class, which the Tigers lost 45-23. This season, Failla was 128 for 209 passing this season for 2,182 yards and 25 TDs and rushed for four more TDs He also was among the last Roadrunners to leave the field

“I’ ll probably just remember all of our practices and team dinners and all of those little things with each other,” Failla said. “(Even being new) I was pretty emotional myself. Even in the short time here, I’ve

my and I have kind of stepped up, making sure everyone’s on the same page, making sure guys know the plays,” Carroll said. “Last year’s team, where they got going pretty quickly, helps to get us going. Just because we don’t have a lot of (varsity) experience doesn’t mean we can’t have a good season.”

Carroll will join the starting lineup. Blyth and Tommy Sloan, who both played a few varsity games, Smith and Woods also will be huge contributors as well as Ragsdale and transfer Walton. As a sophomore in football, the 6-6 Smith played tight end and was among the Lions’ best receivers.

“He’ll be on the floor as much as anybody. He’s very good,” coach Sloan said. “We always try to be fast paced. It’s just a matter of whether we have guys to do it and if that’s going to be successful for the group.”

STEVE JOHNSTON

Lyons Tow nship’s Dylan Holcer (3) works up court against Maine South dur ing the Downers Grove Hoopsgiving Basketball Tournament, Nov. 24, in Dow ners Grove.

play on the perimeter. There’s flexibility there. And the team has good chemistry so far. We all seem to be pulling the same direction.”

Timmy Sloan emerged as a starting shooting guard last season. He was third in scoring average (6.4 points per game), had a team-best 131 assists and was second in three-pointers (38) and steals (23). Usually among the first off the bench, Carroll was fourth in scoring average (6.2 ppg) and threes

made some really great friends. It was hard to come to ter ms that football’s over.”

Class 6A all-state senior Jake Cestone had 48 catches for 999 yards and 17 TDs. Junior lineman Christian Malachuk was honorable mention all-state Calhoun had 949 r ushing yards (139 Saturday) with 12 TDs. Trenton Walker had 865 receiving yards with 6 TDs. Junior Nathan Hill of Brookfield was a reserve wide rece iver

On defense, junior Chris Kasky of Brookfield moved into a star ting role in his second varsity season. Kasky (68 tackles, team-high 23 for loss, 12 sacks, teamhigh 4 blocked kicks) was among the stats

(30) with 50 assists and 18 steals.

This group has confidence and motivation knowing that last year’s team excelled also with basically a new lineup Graduated starter Ian Polonowski (14.1 ppg) was its only retur ning player with significant previous varsity experience. In last year’s Class 4A regional semifinals, LTHS led higherseeded Curie on its home court in the third quarter before losing 74-65.

“Ian last year (took leadership) and Tim-

leaders with Dylan Wellner (team-high 69 tackles, 10 for loss) Ben Lukes (66 tackles) and Will McGar ry (62 tackles, team-high 15 sacks). Colon had 52 tackles with two interce ptions.

“T here were older guys ahead of me [last year] and now I’m one of the older guys and I get to have more responsibility,” Kasky said earlier this season. “I feel comfor table now (on varsity). Starting definitely helps and being around all of the guys.”

Colon and Failla both are considering colle ge football as they plan to major in business (Colon) and math and finance (Failla). Both were grateful for the life les-

The season be gan Monday with the Lions beating Maine South 80-65 in their opener at the Downers Grove North Tour nament in place of their longtime home Thanksgiving tour nament. The WSC Silver once again will be great training ground with every team expected to be talented with old or new faces. LTHS finished fourth at 5-7 last season.

“(Our keys are) if we can play solid defense and make it difficult for the other team to get easy stuff and share the ball offensively. If we can do those two things, we’ll give ourselves a chance to compete with most teams that we play,” coach Sloan said.

“Obviously we would like to win conference. That’s a huge achievement,” Carroll said. “Trying to beat Hinsdale Central is something LT looks forward to And then just trying to take it one game at a time.”

sons from Nazareth football.

“I’m definitely going to take all of the incredible teachings Coach Racki instilled in us, lessons from the older guys when I was just a young kid on varsity. With hard work anything can be accomplished,” Colon said.

“It was definitely dif ferent (playing at Nazareth). I think a lot of that comes down to Coach Racki and the way he goes about things,” Railla said. “There’s a lot of emphasis on building relationships with each other. That was new for me to be coached like that and that kind of environment.”

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

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

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: M25001043 on November 4, the Assumed Business Name of GABE THE REALTOR h the business located at: 3526 PRAIRIE AVENUE, BROOKFIELD, IL 60513. The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/partner(s) is: EUSTAQUIO VERDUZCO 3526 PRAIRIE D, IL 60513, USA

Published in RB Landmark November 12, 19, 26, 2025

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: M25001094 on November 18, 2025 Under the Assumed Business Name of ROAMWELL, A TRAVEL COMPANY with the business located at: 221 OLMSTED , RIVERSIDE, IL 60546. The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/ ALLISON FAKHOURY 221 OLMSTED ROAD RIVERSIDE, IL

Published in RB Landmark November 26, December 3, 10, 2025

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: M25001053 on November 4, he Assumed BusiName of GREY PHOENIX ART h the business located at: 3730-32 PRAIRIE AVENUE, , IL 60513. The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/partner(s) is: THERESE ANGARONE 3238 RAYMOND AVE BROOKFIELD, IL 60513, USA

Published in RB Landmark November 19, 26, December 3, 2025

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