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RIVERSIDE-BROOKFIELD Also serving North Riverside $1.00

Vol. 33, No. 52

December 26, 2018 @riversidebrookfieldlandmark @riversidebrookfield_landmark @RBLandmark

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6 vie for trustee seats in North Riverside PAGE 3

Tourney time

Burglary suspect caught in the act PAGE 4

PAGE 14

Local high schools hoops squads face tough tests

2018 The slow march into YEAR IN REVIEW

uncertain times

From reeling retail to municipal and school board drama, 2018 was a rough go By BOB UPHUES Editor

When the clock struck midnight on Jan. 1, 2018 we’d thought maybe, mercifully we’d swept out the mess left at the end of 2017 and could usher in a better year. It couldn’t get any worse, right? Yet, as the sun of 2018 begins to descend slowly – so painfully slowly – beyond the horizon, we look back and see that the past 12 months were very much a continuation of the previous year with many of the same issues lingering, like spoiled leftovers in the fridge, with some fresher dishes thrown onto the shelves for a little variety.

Finding their voice Local high school students got a sense in 2017 of the power of protest. Perhaps nudged along by the larger national movement resisting the policies of President Donald Trump, students made their views known in 2017, staging a sit-in to protest the non-tendering of a popular teacher who many students said encouraged their engagement on important issues. On the one-month anniversary of another senseless mass shooting, at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, See YEAR IN REVIEW on page 8

RBHS to search for new principal Smetana to be promoted to assistant supt., finance chief out By BOB SKOLNIK Contributing Reporter ALEXA ROGALS/Staff Photographer

WALKOUT: Riverside-Brookfield High School students in March took part in a nationwide school walkout to mark the one-month anniversary of the Parkland, Florida, school shooting and advocate for commonsense gun laws.

Riverside-Brookfield High School will have a new principal next fall. On July 1 Principal Kristin Smetana will move up to a newly created assistant superintendent position, pending board approval which is

expected to be a formality. The odd man out in the administrative reshuffle is Chief Financial Officer Scott Beranek, who will be losing his job. “We’re going to eliminate the role of chief financial officer and Kristin Smetana will See PRINCIPAL on page 13

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The Landmark, December 26, 2018

Challengers file to contend for trustee in North Riverside Demopoulos, Mandel, Labellarte all file as independents

By BOB UPHUES Editor

North Riverside voters will go to polling places next April with a contested election for three village trustee seats on their minds, after three candidates filed nominating petitions on the last days of the filing period, which ended at 5 p.m. on Dec. 17. In all, unless there are any successful petition challenges in the future, there will be MARYBELLE MANDEL H. BOB DEMOPOULOS six candidates running for three trustee poMandel, Labellarte and Demopoulos cersitions on April 2, 2019. Incumbent trustee H. Bob Demopoulos tainly have a history of supporting one anfiled his petitions, seeking a third term on other, though that alliance has sometimes been on the rocks. the village board, on Dec. 14. In 2013, in what turned out to be a bitter And on the final day of the filing period two more candidates turned in petitions campaign that still has one legal loose end -- Luigi “Gino” Labellarte and Marybelle dangling in federal court, Mandel and Labellarte ran for trustee as part of a slate backed Mandel. by Demopoulos. All three filed as indepenAn extended ballot chaldents, but Demopoulos told lenge resulted in the slate’s the Landmark that they incandidate for mayor getting tend to support each other’s disqualified and general concandidacies, even though fusion. Just a week before they’re not running as a the election, Cook County slate. was forced to print special “In my opinion, Marybelle, ballots for the village board Gino and I have the same race. opinion that we need to be In the end, Mandel finmore accountable, especially ished fourth and Labellarte with finances, with pensions JASON BIANCO finished sixth in the sevenand borrowed money,” said Village trustee person race for three trustee Demopoulos in a phone inseats. terview. “I believe we’re all But there was more. The going to help each other. party banner under which “I definitely see them as alMandel and Labellarte ran, lies.” Transparency and AccountDuring his nearly eightability in Politics (TAP) adyear tenure Demopoulos opted, word for word, a posaid the board has addressed litical platform gleaned from many of the issues he’s campaigned on, from bidding out major con- Demopoulos’ own website criticizing North tracts to improving streets and other mu- Riverside’s paramedic service provider. The paramedic company sued all of the nicipal infrastructure to instituting a bus TAP’s candidates in 2013 as well as Demoservice for seniors. “I think it keeps them on their toes,” De- poulos, whose website was the source of the mopoulos said of his presence on the board. information. On Dec. 5, 2016, the parties settled the law“It allows them to listen to what the people suit, with Labellarte, Demopoulos and other want.” Demopoulos spent six years on the village candidates involved required to publish a board’s water, sewer, drainage and zoning public apology in the newspaper for two committee and for the past two years has consecutive weeks. Mandel’s name did not chaired the streets, alley, sidewalks and gar- appear on the published apology. Two weeks after the lawsuit was settled, bage committee.

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Mandel filed nominating petitions to run for mayor in the 2017 election – against Demopoulos. Her entry into the race doomed Demopoulos’ candidacy. Mayor Hubert Hermanek Jr. walked away with 51 percent of the vote to win a second term. Mandel, without having to spend more than $2,000 during the campaign, snatched 30 percent of the vote, good enough for second place. Demopoulos finished third with a little less than 20 percent. Asked whether she, too, was ready to support Demopoulos during the upcoming campaign, Mandel didn’t deny that the three may work together, but she emphasized that she was running as an independent. “As independents anybody can have different opinions,” Mandel said in a phone interview. “I’m ready to work with those on the village board and for the residents.” In pointing out major themes for her campaign, Mandel touched on issues Demopoulos also highlighted as important. “We’ve got to find out how to draw more businesses to town and economic development,” she said. “We’ve got to do something with revenue, and get more businesses here. Residents are not happy with all of the fees.” The three independent candidates will be taking on a slate of three candidates put up by the VIP Party, which holds every seat on the village board, except the one held by Demopoulos. VIP’s candidates are incumbent Deborah Czajka, Matthew Decosola and Martin DeLeonardis. They filed nominating petitions on Dec.10. The party did not slate incumbent Jason Bianco, although he was interested in running for another term and applied to be slated. Bianco flirted with making a run as an independent, going so far as circulating nominating petitions. In the end, however, Bianco decided against running. “I put feelers out and the response was outstanding, but running and campaigning as an independent is not easy,” said Bianco, who added he has not cut ties with VIP and that he respected the party’s decision not to slate him. “I decided that now is not the right time and I’m going to hold off,” he said. “You’ll definitely hear from me again.”

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IN THIS ISSUE Big Week . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 Crime . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 Classified . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16 Kosey Corner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11 Opinion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11 Obituaries. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14

Editor Bob Uphues Sports Editor Marty Farmer Staff Photographer Alexa Rogals Editorial Design Manager Claire Innes Editorial Designers Jacquinete Baldwin, Javier Govea Advertising Production Manager Philip Soell Advertising Design Manager Andrew Mead Advertising Designers Mark Moroney, Debbie Becker IT Manager/Web Developer Mike Risher Advertising Director Dawn Ferencak Advertising Sales Marc Stopeck, Bill Wossow Inside Sales Representative Mary Ellen Nelligan Ad Coordinator Nonna Working Event Coordinator Carmen Rivera Circulation Manager Jill Wagner Distribution Coordinator Wakeelah Cocroft-Aldridge Front Desk Maria Murzyn, Carolyn Henning Publisher Dan Haley Associate Publisher Dawn Ferencak Business Manager Joyce Minich Chairman Emeritus Robert K. Downs

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@wjinc.com ONLINE www.RBLandmark.com The Landmark is published weekly on Wednesday by Wednesday Journal, Inc., an Illinois corporation. The newspaper is available on newsstands for $1.00. A one-year subscription costs $27 within Cook County and $36 outside the county. Advertising rates may be obtained by calling our office. 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. © 2018 Wednesday Journal, Inc.

The Landmark, December 26, 2018

P O L I C E

R E P O R T S

Riverside burglary suspect caught in the act

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A Chicago man has been charged with burglary after allegedly breaking into the former Texor Petroleum building — soon to be the central administrative offices for Riverside School District 96 — at 3340 Harlem Ave. during the early morning hours of Dec. 19. A Riverside police officer who was across the street from the building on an unrelated call about 3:05 a.m. was notified of an activated burglar alarm at the office building. He ran across the street and found the rear door forced open and damaged, prompting him to radio for additional officers from Riverside and Berwyn. Police searched the building, immediately recovering a crowbar just inside the entrance to the west side of the building. Subsequently, police discovered Maurice L. Sanders, 37, hiding behind a refrigerator. He was taken into custody at gunpoint, according to police. During an interview with investigators, Sanders reportedly admitted he’d been staying with a relative in Berwyn and noticed that a dumpster at the property was filled beyond capacity. According to police, Sanders said he broke into the building to see if he could take any items he could pawn for cash. Police also reported that at the time of his capture, Sanders was wanted on a warrant by Cook County Sheriff ’s police for manufacture/delivery of heroin. He reportedly has a criminal history that includes arrests for armed robbery, possession of a stolen motor vehicle and being a fugitive from justice. In addition to burglary, Sanders was also charged with possession of burglary tools. Both charges are Class 4 felonies, punishable by up to three years in prison. He is being held without bond at Cook County Jail, awaiting a Dec. 31 preliminary hearing at the Maybrook courthouse in Maywood.

Mall frowns on drone flight inside An employee of a store at the North Riverside Park Mall, 7501 Cermak Road, has lost his job, another man was charged with battery, and both have been banned from the shopping center after they reportedly failed to cooperate with mall security who wanted them to stop flying a drone inside the mall on Dec. 16 about 7 p.m. Mall security called police when the two reportedly refused to leave the premises. Both were charged with criminal trespassing. One was charged with battery for allegedly shoving a mall security guard.

Christmas decorations stolen, damaged North Riverside police responded to the 200 block of 4th Avenue on Dec. 14 after a resident called to report that someone had stolen one Christmas decoration from her front lawn and damaged a second. The incident happened between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., according to the police report. Three decorative snowmen had been placed in front of the residence. A 3-foot-high snowman was missing and a 5-foot-tall snowman had been broken in half.

Child endangerment North Riverside police charged a woman with child endangerment after reportedly finding her and two others asleep in a vehicle that was parked in the lot at the North Riverside Park Mall, 7501 Cermak Road on Dec. 16 about 5:35 p.m. Police responded to the mall after someone called 911 to report three people “passed out” in a blue Nissan Sentra, with an infant awake inside the vehicle. An officer reported a strong odor of cannabis coming from inside the vehicle, with one person holding a cannabis cigar, sitting next to the infant, who was in a car seat. Paramedics took the infant to the hospital for evaluation. The infant was later turned over to her grandmother. The infant’s mother was reportedly asleep at the wheel of the Nissan when police arrived on the scene. The matter was referred to the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services. The two passengers were cited for possession of cannabis.

Package theft not actually theft A resident of the 2400 block of Burr Oak Avenue called police on Dec. 11 about 8:05 p.m. to report that someone had stolen a package from her front porch. The resident told police that she was out of town, but the theft had been captured by her doorbell video camera. While investigating, police learned that the package had been taken from the porch by someone who lives in the 2500 block of Burr Oak Avenue. It turned out the package had been delivered to the wrong house and the person who took it actually was the intended recipient. These items were obtained from police reports filed by the Riverside, North Riverside and Brookfield police departments, Dec. 1120, and represent a portion of the incidents to which police responded. Unless otherwise indicated, anybody named in these reports has only been charged with a crime. These cases have not been adjudicated.

— Compiled by Bob Uphues

The Landmark, December 26, 2018

Man who eluded Riverside manhunt arrested in Chicago Reportedly left gun with high-capacity magazine at crash scene

By BOB UPHUES

away during the traffic stop. During the ensuing chase, Burns reportedly drove the wrong way on Miller Road A man who eluded a full-scale police and then through a barricaded construcmanhunt by convincing a Riverside resi- tion area on Riverside Road. After driving dent to let him into his home just after across some front lawns and striking a landscaping berm near Gage Road, midnight on Aug. 11 and call for Burns continued the wrong way a ride out of town was appredown Burling Road before the vehended by Chicago police last hicle left the roadway and struck week and now has been charged a tree about 100 feet inside Swan by Riverside police. Pond Park. Derrius Burns, 25, of BellBurns ran away from the wood, remains in Cook County scene of the crash and reportedJail without bond awaiting a ly knocked on the window of a preliminary hearing date at the home on Scottswood Road, tellMaybrook courthouse on Dec. 28. Riverside Police Chief Thoming a resident that his car had as Weitzel said Burns has been broken down and that he needed DERRIUS BURNS charged with unlawful use of to call a ride. He waited at the a weapon by a felon and likely home as a manhunt involving faces indictment by a Cook County grand K-9 units and a police helicopter was takjury for other offenses related to the Aug. 11 ing place outside. incident in Riverside. During the search, police recovered near Just after midnight on that date, an officer the car a Glock 19 handgun outfitted with a attempted to make a routine traffic stop on a drum-style magazine holding 53 rounds of vehicle reportedly going 55 mph in a 30 mph ammunition and modified to make the weapzone in the 3400 block of Harlem Avenue. on fully automatic. The gun had been reportThe driver, later identified as Burns, sped ed stolen out of Lowell, Indiana, in March. Editor

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Riverside police recovered this Glock 19 handgun with a 53-round drum-style magazine in Swan Pond Park near the crash scene in August. Burns had been on the run since the incident, but his luck ran out on Dec. 15 when a Chicago police tactical unit stopped a vehicle in which Burns was a passenger in

the 1200 block of South Fairfield Avenue. Chicago police stopped the vehicle because none of the passengers were wearing seatbelts. When marked Chicago police units showed up as well, Burns reportedly fled the car on foot and was later apprehended. Chicago police reported recovering a loaded Glock 19 handgun with an extended magazine under the front seat of the vehicle. Chicago police charged Burns with unlawful use of a weapon by a felon and possession of a firearm by a parolee. Riverside police had obtained a warrant for Burns’ arrest after the August incident and served that warrant at Burns’ bond hearing in Chicago on Dec. 18. According to Weitzel, Burns refused to cooperate with Riverside detectives. At the time of his arrest in Chicago, Burns was on parole for a pair of offenses. In 2008 as a 15 year old, Burns was convicted of attempted murder. He was sentenced to eight years in prison for that offense. He was also convicted of unlawful use of a weapon involving a vehicle in 2016, an offense for which he received a two-year sentence.

The Landmark, December 26, 2018

BIG WEEK

December 26-January 2 Holly-Day Camp

North Riverside Parks and Rec invites kids ages 3-12 to participate in its Holly-Day Camp from Dec. 26-28 and Jan. 2-4 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Come to the Village Commons, 2401 Desplaines Ave., and enjoy sports and games, arts and crafts, sweets and treats and music. There will be outdoor activities as well, so dress accordingly. Register for one or more dates. The cost is $25 ($27 non-resident) per day. Call 708-442-5515 for more info.

Celebrate with The King

Ring in the New Year

North Riverside Public Library, 2400 Desplaines Ave., celebrates the birthday of Elvis Presley by featuring one his films as its Wednesday Movie Matinee on Jan. 2 at 2 p.m. The King stars as Spec. 5 Tulsa McLean, who likes to sing when he’s not manning a tank, in G.I Blues. The film also

Kids in Riverside and North Riverside are invited to ring in the New Year at a pair of special events in the coming week. On Friday, Dec. 28 from 11:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., kids ages 4-9 are invited to Kids New Year’s Eve at Noon at the North Riverside Village Commons, 2401 Desplaines Ave. There will be games, activities, treats and more before a countdown on the Big Screen. The fee is $12 ($15 non-resident). Call 708-4425515 for more information. If you can’t make it that day, on Monday, Dec. 31 you can head over to the Scout Cabin, 417 Fairbank Road in Riverside, for a Kiddie New Year’s Party from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Loads of fun for kids ages 5-8 will precede a countdown at noon. The fee is $15 ($20 non-resident). Register online (program No. 314315A) at www.riverside.il.us/ 446/RegisterOnline. Call 708-442-7025 for more info.

stars Juliet Prowse. Drop-in only.

Escape Room in Reverse

North Riverside Public Library, 2400 Desplaines Ave., invites families for an Escape Room in Reverse challenge, which will take place throughout the day on Saturday, Dec. 29. Can you solve clues to help Lizzy the Librarian get into the box containing her New Year’s kazoo? Sign up (time slots for teams of up to four people) by calling 708-4470869 or stopping in at the library.

And more Hitzeman Funeral Home, 9445 31st St. in Brookfield, will host the next of its monthly grief support gatherings on Jan. 8 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. The theme of the gathering will be “Coping with Loss in the New Year.” Seats are limited. RSVP by Jan. 4 to info@hitzemanfuneral.com or call 708-485-2000. The Riverside Township Lions Club is collecting unwanted Christmas lights for recycling. Lights can be dropped off at the Riverside Public Library, 1 Burling Road, or the North Riverside Public Library, 2400 Desplaines Ave., during normal business hours through Jan. 15. ■

■

Courtesy of Chicago Zoological Society

Zoo Year’s Eve

Brookfield Zoo, 3300 Golf Road in Brookfield, puts a bow on its Holiday Magic festival of lights with a special Zoo Year’s Eve event on Monday, Dec. 31. The family friendly event will take start at 6 p.m. inside the Holly Jolly Theater, which will be rocking with music, fun, games, party favors, prizes and more. Families with younger children can head over to the Hamill Family Play Zoo, where kids can make noisemakers. Both locations will host an early countdown to the New Year at 8 p.m. Guests should park in the north lot. Regular admission and parking fees apply. For more, visit www.CZS.org/HolidayMagic or call 708-688-8000.

Holiday Magic, the annual festival of lights at Brookfield Zoo, 3300 Golf Road in Brookfield, returns Dec. 26-31. The zoo is open each day of the event from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Come early and stay later for the festivities, which begin at 4 p.m. Guests should park in the north lot. Regular admission and parking fees apply. For more, visit www.CZS.org/HolidayMagic or call 708-688-8000.

Riverside Arts Center, 32 E. Quincy St., presents “While Here,” a solo exhibition of work by painter Kim Piotrowski as part of its Spotlight Exhibition series highlighting artists who are part of the RAC community through Jan. 5, and “We Are Beasts” featuring the work of Sarah and Joseph Belknap in the outdoor sculpture garden through December. Gallery hours are Tuesday-Saturday from 1 to 5 p.m.

Compassion Factory Art Gallery and Studio, 9210 Broadway Ave. in Brookfield, presents artwork by Heather Kadlec Stock and Don Mendenhall through Dec. 29. Free. Open Thursdays from 4 to 9 p.m., Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and first Fridays from 7 to 10 p.m.

North Riverside Public Library, 2400 Desplaines Ave., hosts a Senior Drop-in on Dec. 28 from 10 a.m. to noon in the Meeting Room. Play cards and socialize every Friday.

■

For kids, there’s Lapsit Storytime (through age 5) on Dec. 27 at 10:30 a.m.; Winter Break Field

Days (grades 1+) on Dec. 27 at 3:30 p.m.; and Winter Break Fun Days (all ages) from Jan. 2-4. Lots of fun activities for brain and body, all day. The community is invited through March 22, 2019, to jog, walk or run inside on the indoor track at the Lyons Township High School South Campus fieldhouse, 4900 S. Willow Springs Road in Western Springs, from 6 to 7 a.m. on days when school is in session. Free. ■

The Brookfield Elks Lodge, 9022 31st St., hosts bingo every Monday night. Doors open at 5 p.m. and games start at 7 p.m. minimum cash payout of $2,275 a night, plus pull tabs, lightning, tic-tac and raffles. ■

The Landmark, December 26, 2018

Candidates in Brookfield, Riverside file for 2019 elections Uncontested races for library boards, Riverside village board By BOB UPHUES Editor

There were no surprises as the nominating petition filing period which ended in Brookfield on Dec. 17. Three candidates running as a slate under the Brookfield Community Party banner turned in their petitions on the afternoon of the final day. The PEP Party, which has held every elected position in village government since 2005, filed nominating petitions on the first day of filing, Dec. 10. Challengers Mark Rogers, Joshua Jones and Tom Galbraith will face off against a slate of three PEP Party candidates, incumbent David LeClere and newcomers Katie Kaluzny and Brian Conroy. Rogers has held office before, having previously served on the Lyons-Brookfield School District 103 Board of Education, including a stint as president. Conroy also has

school board experience, having served for six years on the Brookfield-LaGrange Park District 95 Board of Education. LeClere has served on the Brookfield Village Board in two non-consecutive terms and previously served on the village Playgrounds and Recreation Commission and Special Events Commission. Kaluzny has served on the Brookfield Conservation Commission. Jones made an unsuccessful run for trustee in the 2011 election but never made it to the ballot after his nominating petitions were challenged. Galbraith is new to village politics. There are three trustee seats in play for the April 2, 2019 Consolidated Election.

Brookfield Library race uncontested Four people, including three incumbents,

have filed to run for the four Brookfield Public Library trustee seats on the April 2 ballot. Running for another term are library board President Linda Kampschroeder and fellow incumbents Jennifer Mack Perry and longtime board member Dianne Duner. Making his second bid – this time assured – run for a seat on the library board is J. Edgar Mihelic, who ran unsuccessfully in 2017. Mihelic currently is vice president of the Foundation for the Brookfield Public Library, which is leading the capital campaign to raise money for the construction of a new library.

No contest for Riverside village, library boards Riverside voters won’t have much choice next April when it comes to selecting candidates for the village board and library

board. Both races will be uncontested. Filing to run for the three open seats on the village board are Cristin Evans, Alex Gallegos and Edward Hannon. All will be new to the board of trustees and will replace incumbents Joseph Ballerine, Scott Lumsden and Michael Sedivy, who chose not to run for re-election. The minimum number of candidates also filed to run for seats on the Riverside Public Library Board. All are incumbents. Four people are running for the four full terms up for election, including Kenneth Circo, Courtney Greve Hack, Jennifer Pacourek and Patrick White. Meanwhile, Michael Hagins is running as the lone candidate for a two-year unexpired term. Hagins was appointed to the library board in May 2017 after the last election when just two people ran for three open seats. Because he was appointed, Hagins had to run in 2019 to complete the term.

Riverside board hikes fees, passes 2019 budget Most new and increased fees related to building inspections

By BOB UPHUES Editor

The Riverside Village Board voted unanimously earlier this month to increase and create about a dozen fees mainly for services related to its Community Development Department, which handles things like safety and compliance inspections. The fee increases and new fees were passed by the board as part of a consent agenda at the village board’s Dec. 6 meeting that also included passage of the village’s 2019 operating budget. In response to an email from the Landmark, Riverside Finance Director Karin Johns said the fee increases and a handful of new fees should bring in $49,000 in additional revenue to fund general operations. The operating budget passed by the village board on Dec. 6 was identical to the one presented to village trustees back in October and did not reflect the new revenue the fee increases and new fees represent. At the time, the budget indicated that officials expected the general operat-

While the village in ing fund, which pays for the past has charged day-to-day expenses like for fire inspections as staff salaries and benefits part of the building would end the year with permit process, it has a minuscule surplus of not charged for doing about $3,700. annual fire inspections Village Manager Jesat apartment and condo sica Frances last week buildings or at busiconfirmed that the budnesses. get passed by the village There will now be a board on Dec. 6 was the new $100 fee for such inone presented in October spections, which should and that the impact of the JESSICA FRANCES generate some $13,000 new and increased fees Village Manager per year in added revehad not been factored in. nue. The village also ex“We’d rather be more pects to generate nearly conservative to make sure $18,000 by raising the we’re providing enough of fee it charges for real a cushion,” Frances said estate resale compliin a phone interview. “2019 will be our baseline to help with future ance inspections from $200 to $325 per year and raising the compliance re-inspection projections.” Among the fees that are expected to have fee from $75 to $100. The village also expects another $11,000the greatest impact on revenues are a new fee for annual fire inspections the village plus in revenue by raising inspection fees does for multifamily residential buildings for plumbing and electrical work from $75 to $100. and at businesses.

“We’d rather be more conservative to make sure we’re providing enough of a cushion.”

Another new fee the village is instituting is a $75 parkway inspection fee for projects that involve the use of heavy equipment to make repairs in the public right of way. The village requires a deposit prior to work in the public parkway, and will draw down on that deposit if the work results in damage that’s not repaired. However, because village public works employees must do inspections of the sites as a routine matter, the village has decided to institute the fee for that service. The new fee is expected to bring in about $5,600. The village also has created a new fee to cover the administrative costs for processing real estate transfers that don’t require compliance inspections. The village processes dozens of property transfers for reasons ranging from transfers to a trust, transfers related to divorces or transfers to a family member after the death of an owner, among others. Finally, the village is raising its pet license fee from $7.50 to $10 per cat or dog. That fee increase is expected to bring in roughly $1,250 annually.

Read it online at www.rblandmark.com

The Landmark, December 26, 2018

YEAR IN REVIEW from page 1 Florida, in February, students at Riverside-Brookfield and Lyons Township high schools walked out in protest of the failure of government to enact commonsense gun laws. The walkouts even extended to the grammar school level, where Congress Park School first-grader Ellie Knott created signs and convinced 35 of her fellow students to walk out and assemble near the flagpole outside where they stood in silent protest.

Retail in retreat Warning signs were plentiful in 2017 that the village of North Riverside was facing a future in which its most important source of revenue, sales taxes, was no longer going to be a slam-dunk line item in the annual budget. Over 2016 and 2017, the village saw a dripdrip of retailers leaking away, first Sports Authority and then H.H. Gregg. While the arrival of Binny’s in late 2017 more than made up for the loss of its predecessor, H.H. Gregg, the year ended with Sears consolidating its operations in half the space it previously occupied. When 2018 dawned, the economic gods turned on the faucet. The bankruptcy of Toys R Us swiftly turned into a liquidation and then, like a pair of lightning bolts in a spring thunderstorm, news arrived that North Riverside was going to be losing Tony’s Finer Foods and, worse yet, Carson, Pirie Scott. By the end of November all three retail spaces – tens of thousands of square feet of space that once helped fill North Riverside’s coffers – were empty with no prospects for replacements. To make matters worse, Sears filed for bankruptcy protection in 2018. In mid-December, Sears Holdings Chairman Eddie Lampert – the person who steered Sears

BOB SKOLNIK/ Contributor

SPEAKING UP: A Congress Park first-grader convinced about 35 of her schoolmates to walkout in solidarity with victims of the Parkland, Florida, school shooting during a nationwide commemoration of the event in March. into its present predicament -- said his hedge fund would bid $4.6 billion to acquire some 500 Sears and Kmart stores, including the one in North Riverside, in order to save the company from liquidation and save tens of thousands of jobs. In the meantime, a bankruptcy judge approved Sears’ plan to pay executives $25 million in bonuses for their performance. The deadline for bidders for Sears Holdings’ assets is Dec. 28.

Brookfield clears the decks

early April. Swirling around all of this was the deterThe signs were there throughout 2017 that mination that it was time for Village Manthe situation inside Brookfield Village Hall ager Keith Sbiral to go. After meeting with was beginning to get shaky. Ongoing unrest Village President Kit Ketchmark, Sbiral between management and public works em- agreed to submit his letter of resignation, ployees resulted in a mutiny in which union effective March 15. employees openly supported a challenger On March 26, the village board approved a for village president and filed numerous generous severance package for Sbiral. Ketchgrievances regarding treatment. mark, meanwhile convinced Robbins to stay While the election didn’t usher in new on and Lenzi to postpone his retirement. leadership, changes were With a management concoming. Soon after the elecsultant in place to help steer tion the public works dithe ship, the village board rector was shown the door. embarked on a search for a Things quieted down a bit new manager. until July when the entire There were a couple of Brookfield Fire and Police IN more bumps in the road to Commission resigned en come. In June, Village Planmasse, complaining about ner Emily Egan departed village management’s treatment. for a new opportunity and the only other In March 2018, the dam broke. employee of the recreation department, ArIt started with a ripple. Mary Pezdek, the lene Rovner, announced she was retiring. longtime recreation program coordinator, To top it all off, new Public Works Director had announced her retirement in February. Amy Wagner announced she was leaving as The only full-time employee of the depart- well. ment, there was still no plan of succession Not all of the holes have been filled to date. in place when she was to leave for good on The village is still looking for a permanent March 15. public works director and a new planner, but It turned out there were bigger issues de- the turmoil also resulted in a chance for reveloping at the same time. The village’s hu- structuring. man resources director, Michelle Robbins, For the first time in 15 years, the village has had quietly announced she was leaving on a bona fide director, Stevie Ferrari, in charge March 16 to take another job and Fire Chief of recreation and the village board hired a Patrick Lenzi announced he was retiring in veteran manager in Timothy Wiberg.

2018 YEAR REVIEW

ALEXA ROGALS/Staff Photographer

Sears at North Riverside Park Mall

The Landmark, December 26, 2018

So long, St. Barb’s The Catholic Church in Chicago is in the midst of a comprehensive overhaul involving every parish in the archdiocese. The effort, called Renew My Church, is attempting to realign resources to reflect dwindling congregation sizes and a shortage of priests to serve them. The message to the faithful is simple – you need to get out there and evangelize and grow the faith. While the faithful are getting used to that new mission, their parishes are slowly undergoing a process of consolidation – one that struck home in Brookfield, LaGrange Park and Westchester in 2018. The bad news at the most local level is that yesterday’s Christmas Masses were the last ones that will be said at St. Barbara Parish in Brookfield and St. Louise de Marillac Parish in LaGrange Park. Earlier this IN year, Cardinal Blase Cupich announced that St. Barbara and St. Louise would be consolidated into a new parish, with a single pastor. The name of the new parish has not been announced yet. The good news is both churches will be retained as local sites of worship and St. Louise School (whatever its name will be) will continue to serve as the new parish’s school.

2018 YEAR REVIEW

Library, rising After a referendum to approve a bond issue for the construction of a new building was defeated by voters in late 2016, officials at the Brookfield Public Library spent the following year trying to chart a path forward. The wheels started turning in late 2017 with the creation of the Foundation for the Brookfield Public Library, a nonprofit that would lead a capital campaign to raise money to help fund the new facility. In February 2018, the library board cut ties with its longtime architect and hired Product Architecture and Design, a boutique firm specializing in libraries. At first, the library board charged architects with expanding the existing library, but concepts were not only

Courtesty of The Brookfield Public Library

NEW LOOK: Architects and the library board unveiled the most recent design for the new Brookfield library at the capital campaign kickoff event on Dec. 3 at Brookfield Zoo. expensive but unsatisfactory. In midsummer, the library board scrapped the expansion and again embraced building new. Architects in relatively quick order delivered a concept the board embraced and the entire package fell into place in September, when Linda Sokol Francis pledged a donation of $1 million to the cause, virtually ensuring the construction of a new building. While fundraising still continues, groundbreaking is tentatively being eyed for 2020.

The gift that keeps on re-gifting It’s has been more than four years since North Riverside Mayor Hubert Hermanek Jr. unveiled his plan to privatize firefighting services. In that time, the village has spent hundreds of thousands of dollars fighting the battle through the courts and in January the Illinois Supreme Court nailed the final nail in the coffin, declining to take up the case. Union firefighters continue to work without a contract (their most recent deal expired April 30, 2014) and the matter still is in the hands of a labor arbitrator, whose ruling will determine the path forward. While that drama continued to play out, and largely because of that drama, the fire department underwent a brief but painful upheaval during the summer. The mayor in July canned the fire chief and deputy chief – whom he’d hired just seven months

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earlier – and abruptly replaced them with an interim chief whose appointment drew immediate fire. The interim chief was due to be sworn in on Aug. 13, but it never happened. The meeting drew protesters angry that the village had hired someone who a decade earlier had been a defendant in a sexual harassment lawsuit that ended up costing the village of Oak Lawn $850,000. Later in August, the mayor named John Kiser fire chief, effectively ending the crisis.

D103 turnstile keeps spinning The election in 2017 resulted in another complete turnover in the board majority of Lyons-Brookfield School District 103 and the impact really became evident in 2018. By July, almost all of the administrators hired after the 2015 election were out, including Superintendent Carol Baker. The school board hired as co-interim superintendent Patrick Patt, who’d been run out of the central office in 2015 when a new board majority with the backing of Lyons Village President Christopher Getty took over, along with former Komarek School Superintendent Robert Madonia. The board has launched a search for a new permanent superintendent, who should be hired in early 2019. But another election awaits in April. If the board majority flips again, there’s no telling what new drama awaits in mid-2019.

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Hello, history The village of Brookfield marked its 125th birthday in 2018, pulling off a celebration that was at once enthusiastic and low-key, and in the end served to spark an interest in preserving the village’s past. A couple of truly positive results of the anniversary was a renewed interest in preserving and updating the village’s historical museum, the Grossdale Station, which also happens to be the town’s oldest surviving structure. Buoyed by an influx of new volunteers, the museum’s interior got a much-needed makeover and opened to the public for the first time in at least two years in November during the 125th’s capstone event, Founder’s Day, in November. Time will tell if the volunteer spirit will allow the museum to open on a regular basis and serve to connect residents with the village’s past. One thing that will remain a window into that past is a hopefully ongoing effort by the Brookfield Public Library to create a digital archive of photographs, images, documents, oral histories and more. Scrolling through the photos is a fascinating journey into the past and a tantalizing sample of remains undocumented, hidden in people’s attics, in file folder and photo albums. You can access the online archive through the library’s website at www. brookfieldlibrary.info.

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The Landmark, December 26, 2018

L A N D M A R K

P H O T O S

I N

R E V I E W

2 0 1 8 1. Children go sledding down the snowy hill on Feb. 10, at Commons Park behind the North Riverside Village Commons on Des Plaines Avenue.

2 1

2. Onlookers watch over the kayakers as they paddle their way under the swinging bridge on July 28, during the 2nd annual Scuff Gross Memorial Riverside Regatta on the Des Plaines River. 3. Philadelphia Eagles kicker/Lyons Township High School alum and Super Bowl champ Jake Elliott, is honored at halftime of the Lionsâ€™ boys basketball game against Glenbard West on Feb. 17 in LaGrange.

4. Attendees check out artwork on Jan. 5, during the opening night and first exhibition at Compassion Factory Art Gallery in Brookfield.

5. Chinelos dancers perform for attendees on March 31, at La Estancia restaurant in Riverside.

6. Mary Vyskocil, of Brookfield, dresses up as a witch on Oct. 27, during the Monsters On Main Halloween event at Grossdale Station in Brookfield. 7. First graders from Brook Park School participate in different exercises on the soccer field on May 4, during a Walkathon at Vena Park in La Grange Park.

PHOTOS BY ALEXA ROGALS/Staff Photographer

Opinion

The Landmark, December 26, 2018

THE LANDMARK VIEW

KOSEY CORNER

On the bright side …

A holiday homecoming, at Henninger’s

he swirling uncertainty casting a pall over the national scene seems to pervade everything, almost magnifying things that go wrong locally or cause controversy. We’re quick to outrage these days. But there have been many good things that have transpired locally, and we can too often overlook their impact or forget them too quickly. Before we blow out the candle on 2018, we’d like to take a look at a few of the stories that made us feel better this year. ■ Linda Sokol Francis sometimes gets a rough ride in Brookfield. Her influence at Eight Corners and her mission to bring a church to the business district frustrates some people. At her core, she is incredibly generous. Her $1 million gift to ensure Brookfield will have a library that will suit its 21st century mission was nothing less than a breathtaking gesture of public goodwill. In a couple of years, Brookfield will have a library that will serve its residents for generations, one that will be a point of pride. Francis’ gift ensured its existence. ■ Harry Carlsen left Brookfield in late 1941 and his family never saw him again. Killed in the first hours of the Battle of Tarawa during World War II, his remains were buried on the island where he fell and then lost. Earlier this year, through DNA tests and U.S. Navy medical records, forensic specialists were able to identify a set of unknown remains interred at a military cemetery in Hawaii as Carlsen. Surviving family members were able to bring those remains back to the Chicago area this fall and interred Carlsen at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood, not too far from the home he left 77 years ago. ■ With Riverside’s decision to join the West Suburban Special Recreation Association (WSSRA), residents with special needs and their families in all three communities the Landmark covers have access to recreation and social opportunities. The cost to taxpayers is minuscule compared to the benefits the WSSRA membership delivers for these residents and their families. ■ North Riverside, it turns out, isn’t the nicest place in America, it sure is in the team photo. That verdict came from the folks at Readers Digest and “Good Morning America” who urged folks nationwide to cast their votes for 10 finalists, including North Riverside. How much does it mean in the long run? Not a whole lot, but when you’re a place whose motto is “a small community with a big heart,” it feels good that so many people agree. ■ You know what else is good news? That the RiversideBrookfield Landmark is here to document what’s happening in our communities and tell the stories of the people who make and have made it all happen. Sometimes it’s joyous. Sometimes it’s infuriating. And sometimes it’s downright depressing. But that’s life, isn’t it? And the local paper – in duress as a paper-focused species – is the only place where that story is most comprehensively told. We love doing that. And we hope the feeling is mutual, if not always comfortable. Happy New Year.

big part of the holidays is going or coming home; we see the crowded airports and roads out of town. I’m lucky. I stay in Riverside or travel all the way to Brookfield. But the other night we celebrated with friends at La Barra and it was sort of a coming home or coming together. It is a group that hailed originally from LaGrange Park, Brookfield and Riverside and we have known each other over 50 years, some since grade school, some since high school. All have been married to their original spouses for many years, some it seems longer than ever. Over the years, some members of our groups have moved far away while some have stayed close to home, but it’s always great to get together. Kathy and Jerry Kracht are always ready to come in from Wisconsin, and Noreen and Roger Stedronsky are in from either Florida or Lake Geneva. Doug and Dee Matook, Judy Tullis and Lee, Val and

Bruce Jablonski, Bruce and Judy Johnson are all in the western suburbs. Conversation tends to drift toward who has new knees, who is getting new knees or hips, and other irritations that come along in the course of our years. Dentures! Did I say dentures, or is it implants? As I look around at the group, I like to think that none of us has changed over the years. We all still look good. Thanks, Oil of Olay! Of course, we talk about children, grandchildren, retired spouses and what they do or don’t do. We remembering high school friends and antics, since most of the group attended RB. They enjoyed Riverside in its holiday splendor, particularly the water tower and remarked on how they were dining where Henninger’s Drug Store, where we would all meet during our teen years, had been. We shared some gifts, but friendship was most important gift, along with the realization that while time had passed, the feeling of togetherness had not lessened, no matter where we lived.

JOANNE KOSEY

LETTERS

Friends of VIP benefit a success For the fourth year, the Friends of the VIP in North Riverside held their annual Christmas for a Cause to benefit families in need in the village. This year the event was held on Dec. 9 at JC’s Pub in McCook. It was a wonderful afternoon starting with a Ho-Ho-Ho Holiday stroll to local businesses in the village who generously donated to this charitable fundraiser. With the support of over 140 residents in attendance and those who made a donation, the Friends of the VIP were able to help 136 families enjoy the merriest Christmas. Great food, drinks, a multitude of raffle prizes and

Send letters to the Editor Bob Uphues, Riverside-Brookfield Landmark 141 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, IL 60302 buphues@rblandmark.com include name, address and daytime phone number for verification

the comradery of the guests made this the most successful fundraiser yet. A big thank you to our committee chairs, Kathy Ranieri and Terri Sarro for once again leading the committee and a big thank you to the committee for all of their hard work and dedication to this event. Once again, this truly delivers the message that the village of North Riverside is “the small community with the big heart!”

P.J. Folz

North Riverside

The Landmark, December 26, 2018

I N

M E M O R I A M

In Memoriam: Remembering those we lost in 2018 A look back at notable residents and former residents of the Landmark coverage area who died in 2018

Merrill Becker Jr., 89 A U.S. Army Ranger who also served in the Army National Guard for 40 years, attaining the rank of colonel, he was a successful real estate broker, owning Merrill Becker, Knoll & Associates in Oak Park and served on the Triton College Board as well as the Riverside Economic Development Commission. Jan. 27.

Carl Dropka, 63 A lifelong resident of North Riverside, he spent 34 years as a North Riverside firefighter, first as paid-on-call and later as a fulltimer, reaching the rank of deputy chief and retiring in 2011 as a lieutenant. Aug. 16.

Leroy LeGros, 81 Retiring from a 39-year career at ComEd in 1991, “Lee” LeGros embarked on a new career -- as Santa Claus. Alongside his wife, Marie (as Mrs. Claus), the couple were mainstays at Brookfield events, both village sponsored and at churches. Until recently the couple would fly into Brookfield’s Ehlert Park in a helicopter to usher in the holiday season. July 17.

Donald Doneske, 85 Riverside’s longest serving police chief, Mr. Doneske ushered in initiatives such as advanced training for his patrol officers, using portable radios and squad car computers, instituting a field training program for rookie officers, a crime prevention unit and evidence technicians and creating a tactical unit for investigations. He retired after in 1994 after 41 years. June 13.

James Marousek, 98 Mr. Marousek was the first person to advocate for a bike path connecting North Riverside to Riverside-Brookfield High School along First Avenue, pitching the idea, as a member of the Komarek School District 94 board, to Cook County Board President Richard Ogilvie in 1968. In 2017, he finally saw his dream become reality and helped cut the ribbon on a path that does just that. At the time of his death on June 30, he was still a member of the North Riverside Zoning Board of Appeals, with whom he’s served for 50 years. Marjorie Lewe, 94 A lifelong resident of Riverside, Ms. Lewe was a tireless local volunteer – with the Riverside/ North Riverside Covenant of Churches, St. Mary Church, the Wellness Support Center in Hinsdale, PeopleCare, the Riverside Presbyterian Church Woman’s Group, the Riverside Garden Club, Loyola Hospital, the British Home and Scottish Home, the Riverside Township Radio Players and the Riverside Public Library. In 2005, she was named Riverside Person of the Year. May 27.

Sister Margaret Halligan, 90 Raised in Brookfield and in St. Barbara Parish, Sister Margaret entered religious life at 20 and taught at a half dozen schools in the Chicago area before returning to St. Barb’s in 1972. She founded and was director of the St. Barbara Food Pantry for 34 years before retiring in 2014. She also established the parish’s Pastoral Care of the Sick, the Seaton Group and the parish’s Medical Lending Closet. Jan. 14.

Dan Hull, 75 A Brookfield legend, Mr. Hull was most celebrated for managing Brookfield’s Little League softball team to a World Series title in 1985, but that told just a fraction of “Handsome Hull’s” story. He served 20 years as a police officer in Brookfield, retiring as a lieutenant, and spent 14 more years with the Cook County Sheriff ’s Department. He owned a successful Brookfield Avenue tavern and coached women’s basketball and softball at Triton College, including coaching the 1993-94 basketball team to second in the NJCAA Division III national tournament. Following his death a softball field at Ehlert Park was dedicated in his name as was the annual women’s basketball tournament at Triton College. March 29.

Ruth Freeark, 92 A sculptor in her own right, Ms. Freeark’s legacy remains the Riverside Arts Center, established in 1993. Ruth and Robert Freeark donated the building to the organization and their financial support helped maintain the center through tough financial times in the 2000s. The couple’s home, an island of modernism in a sea of Victoriana, designed by John Vinci was also named a local architectural landmark. Oct. 7.

Chester Kendzior, 83 After starting his career in local government in 1962 and spending more than a decade jumping from Glencoe to northwest Pennsylvania to Oxford, Ohio, to Chapel Hill, North Carolina, “Chet” Kendzior found a home in Riverside. He was hired as village manager in 1976 and remained in the position for 22 years until his retirement in 1998. Aug. 27.

Dean Eastman, 78 The former director of Argonne National Laboratory and physics professor at University of Chicago left a lasting legacy in Riverside by painstakingly restoring, alongside his wife Ella Mae, the public wing of the Coonley Estate – the pinnacle of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Prairie-style period – and rescuing and restoring the estate’s coach house. March 4.

Edward Meksto, 94 The only person to serve three terms as Riverside village president, Mr. Meksto spent 17 years as an elected official in the village, served as the village board’s liaison to the Riverside Centennial Committee and was Riverside Person of the Year in 1989. He had a 33-year career as a pilot with United Airlines after learning to fly bombers during World War II. March 20.

To run an obituary Frank Nadile, 61 A versatile vocalist and drummer who played in numerous bands going back to the 1970s but made his mark with the band R-Gang, Mr. Nadile was perhaps best known as co-owner of Tipster’s Village Pub in North Riverside where every Saturday night, he hosted one of the best karaoke nights in the area. April 5.

Please contact Bob Uphues by e-mail: buphues@wjinc.com, or fax: 708/467-9066 before Monday at noon. Please include a photo if possible.

The Landmark, December 26, 2018

PRINCIPAL

the age of 29. A math major at the University of Illinois, Smetana is completing her doctoral degree in education at Western Illinois University and has already received her superintenfrom page 1 dent’s endorsement. She is two classes away from receiving her be going into the district office as an assis- chief school business officer’s endorsement, tant superintendent,” said District 208 Su- but does not have an extensive background perintendent Kevin Skinkis who announced in business or finance. the move in an email to parents on Dec. 20. The administrative shuffle has been in the “Her responsibilities will include the busi- works for weeks although there has been no ness office, human resources, academic data public discussion at school board meetings analysis, state and federal grants and all of about creating a new assistant superintenthe district’s purchased services contracts.” dent position. In closed session, however, Smetana is in her fifth year as RBHS Skinkis has been talking about his plan to principal. She came to RBHS from Hinsdale board members for a couple of months. Central High School in 2012 as the assistant Skinkis said the changes are not being principal for curriculum and instruction. made because of any dissatisfaction the In 2014, Smetana replaced former RBHS work of Smetana or Beranek. He said that Principal Pamela Bylsma, who resigned to the new position of assistant superintentake a job as an assistant superintendent in dent will be a good fit for Smetana. Hinsdale. Smetana initially was “I think Kristin did a great job named interim principal. Six as a principal,” Skinkis said. “I months later, in January 2015, think she handled the role very the interim tag was removed. well, very professional. I think Smetana was hired as prinKristin’s strengths with curcipal without any other candiriculum and instruction and her dates being considered for the ability to process large tasks and position a fact that upset some to analyze data will make her faculty members, who thought even more effective in a district that there should have been an office role.” open and competitive hiring proSmetana will still have a role cess for such an important job. in academics, particularly anaThis time Skinkis said that he lyzing test data. Skinkis also KEVIN SKINKIS will cast a wide net. In addition said that Smetana’s new role will District 208 to posting the job opening on Ilprepare her to be a superintenSuperintendent linois Educators Job Bank, Skindent one day while also giving kis said that he sent word of the him an opportunity to bring in a opening to the Illinois Associanew principal. tion of School Administrators, “Her skill set has grown and the Illinois Principals Associashe’s ready to become a central tion and also wrote to more than office administrator,” Skinkis a dozen school superintendents asking for said. “We think that the role of chief finanrecommendations. cial officer could be expanded and we think “I wanted to make sure that we do a thor- we have somebody inside that can do that ough search,” Skinkis said. “I will make role very well. It provides an opportunity sure that there are teachers on the [inter- for Kristin to get a new experience and it viewing] committee, there will be some also provides an opportunity for the district students on the committee [and] we’ll have to operate more effective and efficiently, and representatives from our parents’ group on it gives an opportunity to bring in a new the committee. I want to make sure it gets principal to take a new look at things in the thoroughly vetted.” building.” Assistant Principal for Curriculum and Smetana said she is excited about the upInstruction Kylie Lindquist could be the coming job change. strongest internal candidate should she ap“It has been one of my career goals to ply for the job. Assistant Principal for Stu- become an assistant superintendent,” dent Affairs Dave Mannon could also pos- Smetana said in an email. “I feel that my sibly apply. Neither Lindquist nor Mannon knowledge and experience at the building replied to questions asking them if they level will provide me with the background would apply for the job. information when making decisions at the “I think Kylie has a good skill set,” Skinkis district level.” said. “She’s done a nice job as an assistant Skinkis praised Beranek while eliminatprincipal. However, I don’t think anybody ing his job. He said that the decision was not has an advantage in the process. I think it’s performance-based. going to be a wide-open process. If Kylie “Scott’s done a nice job as our chief financhooses to apply she’ll have to go through cial officer over the last three years,” Skinthe process like anybody else. I would say kis said. “It’s unfortunate that we’re making the same about Dave.” a decision to eliminate that position, but I Smetana, who turns 36 at the end of De- think Scott will land on his feet and be an cember, began her career as a math teacher asset to another district.” at Hinsdale Central and quickly advanced Beranek did not respond to a request for to math department chairman there before comment. He will remain at RBHS until becoming an assistant principal at RBHS at July 1.

‘Wide-open process’

“I want to make sure it gets thoroughly vetted.”

OBITUARIES

Rita V. Plasketes, 94

Carmen Ritacca, 71

Formerly of North Riverside

Retail executive

Rita V. Plasketes, 94, of Lombard and formerly of North Riverside, died Dec. 29, 2018. Born Jan. 18, 1924 in Chicago, Ms. Plasketes worked in an electronic factory prior to retirement She was the wife of the late Charles E.; the mother of Laura Plasketes, George (Julie) Plasketes and Lynette (late David) Piekarski; and the RITA V. PLASKETES grandmother of Anais, Rivers, Tyler, Chandler and Alexa. A funeral Mass was celebrated Dec. 22 at Mater Christi Church in North Riverside. Interment was private. Memorials to the Alzheimer’s Association, 8430 W. Bryn Mawr Ave., Suite 800, Chicago, 60631 are appreciated. Kuratko-Nosek Funeral Home, North Riverside, handled arrangements.

Carmen Ritacca, 71, of LaGrange Park, died on Dec. 17, 2018. Born on Nov. 29, 1947, his roots were in Calabria, Italy, where he spent his childhood before his family immigrated to America through Ellis Island on their way to Chicago. CARMEN RITACCA He had a deep love for his family, vintage cars and Italian music. He was a retail executive who also had a flair for cooking and sharing those meals with his loved ones, particularly making his granddaughters’ favorite meals. Mr. Ritacca was the husband of Blanca Ritacca (nee Reyna), the father of Venessa (Joe) Tornabene and Santo “Sonny” Ritacca and the grandfather of Bella and Angie. He is also survived by his sister, Fran (Tony) Sofia, and a brother as well as many nieces and nephews. A funeral service was held Dec. 21 at Western Springs Baptist Church, followed by interment at Queen of Heaven Cemetery in Hillside. Hitzeman Funeral Home, Brookfield, handled arrangements.

It’s Your Money

By Linda Sokol Francis. E.A.

DIVORCE TAX ISSUES-PART I

hen getting a divorce, you should be certain to discuss with your accountant the various tax issues that need to be considered. It is important that provisions related to your taxes are negotiated and included in your Marital Settlement Agreement or, if your matter goes to trial, raised with the court. Although taxes are often overwhelming, tax season will be much easier if you and your spouse determine these common issues in advance: Filing Status: You and your spouse can file your taxes as married filing jointly or married filing separately so long as you are married on the last day of the tax year, December 31st (this is when your marital status is determined). This means that in the year you are divorced, you can no longer file jointly for that tax year. Therefore, the timing of the entry of the

Judgment of Dissolution of Marriage should be considered. If you are filing jointly, you should also address how your tax refund will be divided or your tax liability will be paid. If you are receiving a refund, you should consider requesting a joint refund check or electronic deposit to a joint bank account rather than applying the refund to the following tax year as it will be applied to the first named taxpayer’s return.

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Sports

The Landmark, December 26, 2018

@RBLandmark

Holiday tourneys top wish list RBHS, Nazareth, Fenwick and Trinity hoops hit the courts over Christmas break By MARTY FARMER

Sports Editor

ince the Chicago Bulls own a 7-25 record (worst record in the NBA) and apparently bleak future, it’s been slim pickings lately for basketball fans in the Chicago area. Sure the DePaul University men’s team has refreshingly won eight of 10 games after years in the doldrums; however, last year’s NCAA tourney darling Loyola University Chicago and University of Illinois, collectively, are 11-12. Thankfully the local high school hoops scene never disappoints, especially during the holidays. Here’s a preview of where the Riverside-Brookfield, Nazareth Academy, Fenwick and Trinity teams will be playing during Christmas break.

RBHS boys The Bulldogs’ opening game at the Jack Tosh Holiday Classic constitutes a true road game. RBHS will face tourney host York on Dec. 26. Tip-off is 1 p.m. Regardless of venue, the Bulldogs (9-2, 4-0 Metro Suburban Conference) should be a tough out at Tosh. RBHS has already beaten teams like Kenwood and Oak Park and River Forest comfortably. “Overall, we are pretty happy with where we are,” coach Mike Reingruber said. “We got off to a tremendous start. The key is continuing to get better and keep improving in all facets of the game.” Balance at both ends of the floor has been the key to the Bulldogs’ success. Seniors Zach Vaia (15.5 points per game), Andrew Veon (14.1 ppg) and Patrick Hanley (12 ppg) are all proven scorers. Vaia also dishes out five assists and Veon grabs 7.7 boards per outing. Swingmen Charles Terry and Reggie Loury are effective, versatile players as well. “Charles Terry has been really good all-around,” Reinbgruber said. “He guards our opponents’ best players and contributes in so many ways on the offensive end.” Featuring a deep field of teams with assorted playing

ALEXA ROGALS/Staff Photographer

MERRY TERRY: RBHS senior guard Charles Terry is one of the Bulldogs’ most verstatile players. He’s a two-way player and key contributor. styles over a handful of days, the Bulldogs will be tested at Tosh. That suits Reingruber just fine. “The Tosh may not have some of the top echelon teams like at Pontiac or Proviso West,” said Reingruber, “but with 32 quality teams, the depth at Tosh is second to none. There are no easy games and it will definitely help our team become battle tested. It’s the only tournament where you need to win five games over six days in order to win. This tournament can eat you up and spit you out if you aren’t ready to go each day.”

RBHS girls The Bulldogs (10-5, 6-0 Metro Suburban) always look forward to hosting a tournament over the Christmas break. This year is no exception. “The RB Christmas Tournament will include top teams from the area,” assistant coach Mark Ruge said. “We enjoy playing against good competition. If you look at our losses against Kankakee, Dundee-Crown, Zion-Benton and two we lost at the buzzer, those games helped us regarding different ways to close out games.” Head coach Dallas Till typically calls on contributions from multiple players. Brenna Loftus, Sara JnoBaptiste, Angelina Ocampo, Leah Rettke and Mary Maloney have led the team well with lots of playing time, but the Bulldogs also call on their reserves in numerous situations.

2018

HOLIDAY TOURNEYS PREVIEW

The team has also been effectively employing its multifaceted attack on offense. “We are very impressed with our new concept of attacking the basket which is always option one,” Ruge said. “Then, completing our secondary fast break by emphasizing a good open look is option two. Lastly, our bigs have been running the floor to secure the offensive rebound as option three.” RBHS hosts its tournament on Dec. 26-29. The Bulldogs will face Shepard, Glenbard East, Morton and a team to be announced in the four-day event. RBHS opens against Shepard on Dec. 26 in the main gym. Tip-off is 11 a.m.

Nazareth Academy girls With victories over Montini, St. Ignatius, Phillips and Marshall, the undefeated Roadrunners have already proven they are more than capable of beating very good teams. The team’s 11-game winning streak will be put to the test again at the Montini Christmas Tournament. The event features 16 teams and 32 games in four days. The host Broncos edged Geneva 52-50 in the 2017 final. “Montini is the best Christmas tournament in Illinois,” coach Ed Stritzel said. “It features many of the team in the state, which will get us ready for February. We have beaten four of the top 20 teams in the state, but we’re still a work in process. We are transitioning to becoming a high-pace team.” Senior Annie Stritzel leads the Roadrunners. The Harvard-bound Stritzel is averaging 25 points, six rebounds, five

S P O R T S

The Landmark, December 26, 2018

File photos

RBHS sophomore Brenna Loftus, above, and Nazareth Academy senior Annie Stritzel, right, are tremendous scorers who also pass, rebound and defend well. steals per game, while shooting 65 percent on two-point baskets and 40 percent from beyond the three-point arc. Kaylen Evans, Jovanna Martinucci, Francesca Metz and Sophia Cullotta average between 11 and 6 points. Freshman Caroline Workman (4 points, 4 rebounds per game) looks like a future star. Montini’s Tatiana Thomas and Zoe Zacker, OPRF’s Ahsha Spencer and Darse Sanchez, and Mother McAuley’s Grace Hynes will be other players to watch at Montini. Batavia’s Geddy Rerko, Ava Sergio and Erin Golden comprise an excellent trio of players for the Bulldogs. Aside from a bevy of college prospects, an equally impressive component of the tourney other is the elite quality of the field. Montini, Fremd, Nazareth, Benet Academy, Mother McAuley, Marian Catholic, Geneva and Hersey are all threats to go deep in the bracket.

Fenwick boys The Friars return to the 58th Annual Proviso West Holiday Basketball Tournament, which will be held Dec. 26 through Dec. 29 in Hillside. “This tournament has the most tradition of any holiday tournament in Illinois and we are honored to be part of it,” coach Staunton Peck said. “We are matched up against an undefeated Dunbar team in the

first round [Dec. 26 at 4 p.m.]. “The tournament also has eight ranked teams in its field. Our goal is always to get to play in the last day and at night of any tournament we enter. That will mean winning two games at Proviso which is always a challenge.” This year’s field of teams includes Whitney Young, Bogan, Uplift, Hillcrest, Morton and the Friars. Throw in St. Joseph and the Proviso schools (East and West), and it’s a stacked bracket. Led by the terrific trio of guards DJ Steward, Tyler Beard and Myles Baker, Young is the favorite but the competition will be ready. Bogan is led by 5-foot-9 guards Jordan Booker and Jeremiah Washington and 6-8 senior Rashaun Agee, while Uplift guard Markese Jacobs (DePaul commit) is a great playmaker and scorer. Led by sophomore Bryce Hopkins, Fenwick’s (6-3, 2-2 Chicago Catholic League) signature win came against OPRF at the Chicago Elite Classic. Hopkins, who finished with 30 points and 13 rebounds against the Huskies, scored the game-winning basket in overtime as the Fenwick prevailed 66-65. The 6-5 forward is averaging 24 points, seven rebounds and two steals per game. Fellow Friars Solomon Oraegbu (15 points, 6 rebounds per game), Lucas Kolovitz, and Trey Pettigrew have also led the team. The bench is solid with senior Charlie

Westerman, juniors Sean Walsh and Ryan Planek, plus freshman Kaden Cobb. “Offensively we are playing and sharing the ball well,” Peck said. “Defense and rebounding are areas that we need to improve. We are young so we are getting better every day.” Competing at Proviso West 35 times, Fenwick has a 45-57 record at the tourney with a pair of runner-up showings in 2015 and 1977. Regardless of how the Friars fare this year, they always benefit from facing long, athletic teams with standout players in a pressure environment.

Fenwick girls This group has created probably the best story on the hardwood this winter. Fresh off a season in which the team graduated a pair of 1,000-point career scorers in Kate Moore and McKenzie Blaze, the Friars have somewhat surprisingly not skipped a beat at 12-3. After dropping two of three games to open the season, Fenwick reeled off 11 wins in a row highlighted by a 33-point victory against Trinity. The Friars are winning with balance, depth and chemistry. Senior Maggie Van Ermen and freshman Audrey Hinrichs exemplify the team’s talent that spreads out over all four classes. Lily Reardon, Lauren Hall, Audrey Hetzer, Sheila Hogan, Elise Heneghan, Gianni Ortiz, Gianna Amundsen, MK Kapsch and Katie Schneider are all playing well for Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Famer Dave Power.

The girls will also play in a high-profile tourney at the Komaromy Classic DundeeCrown. The prohibitive favorite in the 16team field is two-time defending tourney champ Maine West. The host Chargers, New Trier, Prospect and Fenwick, among others, could be in the mix as notable contenders.

Trinity Under new head coach Kim Coleman, Trinity is learning on the fly with a relatively young team. The loss of Dayjah Chmielewski to injury (ACL) was a costly blow for the Blazers. However, 5-11 sophomore Makiyah Williams has stepped up as one of the best players in the 2021 Class. Junior captains Zyerra Stafford and Claire Hanley stabilize the backcourt and Lauren Saleh provides a presence in the paint. Savannah Childress adds scoring punch. Trinity has placed an emphasis on rebounding in order to improve. Despite a lopsided loss against OPRF, the team won the battle on the boards which pleased Coleman. “We learned a few games back that we had to rebound,” Coleman said after the OPRF game. “Moving forward, that’s the number one responsibility. Everyone needs to rebound. You can’t win games if you don’t. I was proud with how we handled ourselves on the boards (against OPRF), and I’m sure we’ll continue to do that as the season goes along.” The Blazers will join Fenwick at DundeeCrown tourney.

The Landmark, December 26, 2018

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BY PHONE: (708) 613-3333 | BY FAX: (708) 467-9066 | BY E-MAIL: CLASSIFIEDS@RBLANDMARK.COM HELP WANTED ACCOUNT CLERK The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Account Clerk II. This position which performs a variety of accounting clerical duties involving financial record keeping and/or transactions including accounts payable and receivable and to provide a variety of accounting support to the Development Customer Services Department. Applicants are encouraged to visit the Village of Oak Parkâ€™s website http://www.oak-park. us/. Interested and qualified applicants must complete a Village of Oak Park application no later than December 31, 2018. FULL TIME MAINTENANCE PERSON Downtown Chicago company looking for full time maintenance person. Good pay & benefits. Hours: Monday thru Friday, 7:30am to 4pm. If interested please call Tony at 312-942-2686 Manager, Risk Strategy sought by Avant LLC in Chicago, IL to develop & implnt credit & clltn rules using anlyticl methods. Apply at jobpostingtoday.com, ref 16105 PART TIME DRIVER Local company looking for part time parts driver/receiving clerk.Must be drug free & have valid IL DL. Must be able to lift 75lbs. $12/hr email resume to hr@sievertelectric.com

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REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT– CHANCERY DIVISION STERLING NATIONAL BANKAS SUCCESSOR BY MERGER TO ASTORIA BANK Plaintiff, -v.CARL M. WAHLSTROM A/K/A CARL M. WAHLSTROM JR., SUSAN I. WAHLSTROM, PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, TARGET NATIONAL BANK, CAPITAL ONE BANK (USA), N.A. Defendants 17 CH 009087 522 NORTH HUMPHREY AVENUE OAK PARK, IL 60302 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on July 2, 2018, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on January 25, 2019, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker Drive, CHICAGO, IL, 60606, sell at public auction to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 522 NORTH HUMPHREY AVENUE, OAK PARK, IL 60302 Property Index No. 16-05-326-0080000. The real estate is improved with a residence. Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation. No third party checks will be accepted. The balance in certified funds/or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in “AS IS” condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court. Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a Certificate of Sale that will entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale. The property will NOT be open for inspection and plaintiff makes no

representation as to the condition of the property. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information. If this property is a condominium unit, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, other than a mortgagee, shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(1) and (g)(4). If this property is a condominium unit which is part of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/ 18.5(g-1). 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 or contact Plaintiff’s attorney: CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C., 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100, BURR RIDGE, IL 60527, (630) 794-9876 Please refer to file number 14-17-07164. THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236-SALE 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. 14-17-07164 Attorney ARDC No. 00468002 Attorney Code. 21762 Case Number: 17 CH 009087 TJSC#: 38-9287 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. I3107527

PUBLIC NOTICES LEGAL NOTICE LAW OFFICE OF LINDA EPSTEIN Attorney for Petitioner 722 W. Diversey Parkway Ste. 101B Chicago, IL 60614 STATE OF ILLINOIS, COUNTY OF COOK, ssCircuit Court of Cook County, County Department Domestic Relations Division In re the Marriage of KORNELIA ERDELYI, Petitioner, and LEO RIVERA, Respondent. No. 2018 D 010236 The requisite affidavit for Publication having been filed, notice is hereby given to you, Leo Rivera, Respondent, that a Petition has been filed in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois, by the Petitioner, Kornelia Erdelyi, for Dissolution of Marriage 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, in the City of Chicago, Illinois, on or before January 9, 2018, 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. DOROTHY BROWN, Clerk. Published in Wednesday Journal 12/12, 12/19, 12/26/2018

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: Y18000107 on December 12, 2018. Under the Assumed Business Name of JANET VARN TRAVEL CONSULTANT with the business located at: 1123 PLEASANT STREET, UNIT 4, OAK PARK, IL 60302. The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/partner(s) is: JANET VARN 1123 PLEASANT STREET, UNIT 4, OAK PARK, IL 60302 Published in Wednesday Journal 12/19, 12/26/2018, 1/2/2019

EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY All real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Fair Housing Act., which makes it illegal to advertise any preference, limitation or discrimination based on age, race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin, or intention to make any such preferences, limitations or discrimination. The Illinois Human Rights Act prohibits discrimination in the sale, rental or advertising of real estate based on factors in addition to those protected under federal law. This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. All persons are hereby informedthat all dwellings advertised are available on an equal opportunity basis. Restrictions or prohibitions of pets do not apply to service animals. To complain of discrimination, call HUD toll free at: 1-800-669-9777. WEDNESDAY JOURNAL Forest Park Review, Landmark

Season’s Greetings

Starting a business in the new year? Call the Experts! Publish your Assumed-Name Legal Notice here— call 708/613-3342

MORTGAGE DIRECTORY

MORTGAGE RATE DIRECTORY LENDER COMMUNITY BANK OF OAK PARK - RIVER FOREST

(708) 660-7006 1001 Lake St., Oak Park IL 60301 www.cboprf.com

AMOUNT

RATE/YR

80% 80% 80% 80% 80% 80%

4.875% / 30 yr. fixed 4.750% / 20 yr. fixed 4.375% / 15 yr. fixed 4.375% / 5 yr. ARM 4.500% / 7 yr. ARM 4.750% / 10 yr. ARM

POINTS/ APP. FEE 0%/$550 0%/$550 0%/$550 0%/$550 0%/$550 0%/$550

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Mortgage rates are accurate as of Monday afternoon. Due to the fluctuation of mortgage rates, the rates may vary before publication. Contact your mortgage lender for complete details. Mortgage rates vary in APR and other qualifying factors.

To Advertise your Mortgage Rates, call Mary Ellen Nelligan: 708/613-3342

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The Landmark, December 26, 2018

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