[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6115218,"mediaKeyId","2739535-4e02b78d6a1c74ae118be169cc726f0a","parentId",2739535,"title","Trustee criticizes 988 rollout and urges written crisis-counseling plan for township","audioSeconds",255,"startMs",815000,"endMs",1070000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2739535-4e02b78d6a1c74ae118be169cc726f0a&start=815&end=1070","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2739535-4e02b78d6a1c74ae118be169cc726f0a/thumbnail_815000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6115218/Riverside/Cook-County/Illinois/Trustee-criticizes-988-rollout-and-urges-written-crisis-counseling-plan-for-township","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6115218-15959b4d09c9ed1a495e419af37b321c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771208241&Signature=iDzrn-9akqvNdtduEV6Hygle-8cskSJ7iwN~jRvog0TJlPYxWTr6nAPCNZUp1HS8kscsgPW0mJsU9Q~Bch0mIFF5eK2YW4cL2AFNBXImNnjrG2lYZJNHBtDsrc3E3IquSmUVDGIDiZO9d-fi7rVWj4gse~o5KAlMMfR1r0dN66se6ozvQ3SM2R0ekDYi2Wt3UxVTV6HGHBvnxcK9LYPIdM4dG534Labko2VC4g2C-ZGCXcrPLH7kAbHuwc0Hgx~lXmQMWtN~UzlGVxe6SaZu1WeZh2ioHjjl6YXav7l-NsmEvNu7AdbEB~G3O74Zlnf-zdkqDj6XgKSBFry~kuzk6A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Village of Riverside, IL","date","2025-03-22T21:24:12.607Z","article","Trustee Heilenbach used the trustees’ reports segment on March 11 to criticize the state and federal rollout of the 988 mental health crisis line and to outline local steps the township is pursuing to support crisis response.

Heilenbach said the program has underperformed since its launch and attributed staffing and funding problems to low call coverage and calls routed out of state. “From the start this program was a failure,” Heilenbach said, adding that the program had a “3% call rate” and that funding shortfalls mean the program may not continue in its current form. He urged trustees to read the consultant Dr. Joe Trajani’s monthly mental health reports and noted that first responders remain overwhelmed.

Heilenbach told the board the township has been in talks with the nonprofit Pillars to set up a local crisis response arrangement whereby crisis counselors would be available to respond to local emergencies. He said he has asked for a written proposal so police and fire departments in the township’s service area will know “who they have to call, how it works.”

Trustees asked whether an alternative exists; Heilenbach responded that the program’s funding is “gone” and that local arrangements will be necessary to supplement first responders. No formal board action was taken; Heilenbach requested that Pillars submit a written proposal for review and distribution to local public-safety partners.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Township of Riverside Board of Trustees Regular Meeting 03-11-25","oneSentenceSummary","Trustee Heilenbach criticized the 988 crisis response rollout, called it a failure in the current funding and operational model, and said the township is pursuing a written agreement with Pillars to provide crisis counselors the township and local first responders can call.","taxTitle","Riverside, Cook County, Illinois","taxId",70350,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6115222,"Lions Club to pilot compostable plates at Riverside chicken dinner; organizers plan collection with local composting service",376,1168000,1544000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2739535-4e02b78d6a1c74ae118be169cc726f0a&start=1168&end=1544","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2739535-4e02b78d6a1c74ae118be169cc726f0a/thumbnail_1168000.jpg","/articles/6115222/Riverside/Cook-County/Illinois/Lions-Club-to-pilot-compostable-plates-at-Riverside-chicken-dinner-organizers-plan-collection-with-local-composting-service","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6115222-05fbf56e546b8c311d1adc90afc0c229/orig.mp4?Expires=1771208241&Signature=WOwRTOmx9L8ZEXIhVQIhtqPYYcrUpjsunuzE94u5Q04RZboXjhdd2-5m48gjCPqdI4XyD7IwA71-awtphi0YWpqnh5QrGjpIx~IpWvZnZTyep7Faa206DLKXkPliSaZIK65Op4iB1E9qSIRomeLoQkVVXOXZOCGF2FtNLwnB1rEWKZAtl5qFNGlFBZJg~fosA~ATDpoJjS-oK4Qz3lgOC0xLotF5hnKgXr1y1smmzSw6MMJ3cVXM3a5g9IYDGOCAYwDX4o4QFCcaDv9V5Mwvtqh5rhzR1P9DDijiIqDdq54-AzWDK4pqkU9zXo~btnkSwLvmdhje3KmdufKHs~2fbw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Bob Finn, a Riverside resident representing the Lions Club, told the Board of Trustees on March 11 that the club will introduce compostable dinner plates at its annual chicken dinner as a trial to reduce landfill waste and to educate attendees about composting.

“We are going to introduce compostable plates and... we're only gonna do the dinner plates,” Finn said. He described a collection plan in which diners will deposit used plates, food scraps and bones into five-gallon buckets; volunteers will then transfer them to Riverside Foods or have a commercial partner, Waste Not, pick them up for composting in Chicago.

Finn said the club expects roughly 200 in-house meals and that takeout orders will likely remain on conventional packaging because most residents do not have composting at home and takeout items would otherwise enter the trash. He emphasized the pilot nature of the initiative: if the collection buckets fill and additional waste remains, the extra items would go to regular garbage.

Trustees asked logistical questions about sourcing plates, transport and the need for maintenance staff to help manage disposal. Finn noted options for buying compostable plates locally or online and said Riverside Foods and Waste Not were the primary collection partners he had identified.

No board action was required; trustees expressed support for the pilot and asked Finn to provide contact information so staff could coordinate operational details and maintenance support on the event day.","Representatives of the Lions Club told trustees they will pilot compostable dinner plates for roughly 200 in-house meals at this year’s chicken dinner, collect used plates and food in five-gallon buckets, and arrange pickup by a local composting partner.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6115227,"Township assessor: Cook County appeals open through April 18; office expects heavy volume",199,596000,795000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2739535-4e02b78d6a1c74ae118be169cc726f0a&start=596&end=795","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2739535-4e02b78d6a1c74ae118be169cc726f0a/thumbnail_596000.jpg","/articles/6115227/Riverside/Cook-County/Illinois/Township-assessor-Cook-County-appeals-open-through-April-18-office-expects-heavy-volume","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6115227-bc27b145660664e34f4303ae66b3d907/orig.mp4?Expires=1771208241&Signature=aVcpqqw6qLeBqt~mWuDssvrk0V~Z6TKBei6ItNWQp158P2TAiBBtcNZ4WJsNSHlyB784NBHOptS3zzLUkyfHZWo~sIGJNmIueQ8GbziIl0fm7iSORV-S0bcZdfgtT0oOe7wseY4mPBio--vs0rLlIt6l5yLf3-YWNW~sWQD9VjlnsqKQxu5vLaOvUk2ScqwKQPOk6O71l6wUyIm~aW09NDDv2KHv36Q2zAbWk56UvoPejdFwxJHkhEjP5tBTHnTFLbznIBcjMTQyfy4018pIVfpXx3RPvnsQ4LfnuFWGjBsUlSjzmUEbVzq0qBfVBe7tQGnP6B4~APhzFSORqaR8BA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Brian Sikowitz, Riverside Township assessor, told the Board of Trustees on March 11 that the Cook County assessor’s office opened the property tax appeal period for the township and that the township office will assist taxpayers through the April 18 deadline.

“...we will be open for appeals through, April 18,” Sikowitz said, noting his office was preparing outreach and expected “a lot of traffic coming in for the next 2 months.” He said the township assists residents with both appeals and exemption applications, and that renewal forms for the senior freeze were expected to be mailed by the Cook County Assessor within a week of the meeting.

Sikowitz said this is the third year of the reassessment process and he estimated the township would handle about 600 appeals. He told trustees that reductions are less frequent this reassessment cycle because the assessor’s office and the board of review are using a larger data set; he estimated roughly 30% of people who file with the assessor’s office might receive reductions under current conditions, but added that results depend on each taxpayer’s circumstances.

The board asked procedural questions about the deadline and the volume; Sikowitz confirmed the April 18 filing deadline and said the township will continue to assist residents who contact the assessor’s office.","Brian Sikowitz, Riverside Township assessor, told trustees the Cook County assessor opened the appeals period and the township expects about 600 appeals; staff will assist taxpayers with appeals and exemptions.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6115231,"Riverside Township trustees pass resolution opposing statewide effort to eliminate townships, approve warrants and town meeting agenda",263,1921000,2184000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2739535-4e02b78d6a1c74ae118be169cc726f0a&start=1921&end=2184","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2739535-4e02b78d6a1c74ae118be169cc726f0a/thumbnail_1921000.jpg","/articles/6115231/Riverside/Cook-County/Illinois/Riverside-Township-trustees-pass-resolution-opposing-statewide-effort-to-eliminate-townships-approve-warrants-and-town-meeting-agenda","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6115231-a501a348a7922908dc5e4c665804d466/orig.mp4?Expires=1771208241&Signature=cD1lDqCUHpt7x6KpNKcs1eJOiNl8UZnov4TMgL-9wsd8MaR9T2HUdtMeCDhTf52cW8LX-kQz1TOjkc6twd~8zkNBksrCGNT050e4a-NFLF4rEb6k2LUuYGMRCY4vdrsvYwYTqnqhzrB97CeI4RyAMdKw-FcvqXk1yXdalifEPxcgZ-ZnyzwtcmyjVSHJPzC12QwmzYhw5ZMQJM21yAD6HDqphFqN~ROv47owUmwA4UjdK8IcKmmIdtehzYsi3UmOMg5~tyh3mamsXV43aXhOLcIl8ejkDbxqLkdiytJqF3V22iyaRqmoBzRRqHHoPVS5Yh1rBZLEPOzgBNf6c5aPKQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Riverside Township trustees on March 11 adopted a resolution opposing proposals at the state level to consolidate or eliminate township governments and approved routine payments and the agenda for the township’s annual town meeting.

The trustees passed the resolution after Supervisor Wilt read a draft that objected to the governor’s budget initiative and related legislation targeting townships with fewer than 5,000 residents. The board also approved the township’s March warrants, including a general warrant and several program-specific warrants, and accepted the agenda for the April annual town meeting.

The resolution, read into the record by Supervisor Wilt, said in part that research shows the change “would cost far more for another government to provide the same level of services that townships provide” and that townships account for “only around 2% of property tax bills statewide.” It also asserted that townships manage roughly “72,000 miles of roads compared to IDOT and counties” and described township services that the board said should be preserved, including general assistance, emergency assistance and the food pantry.

Supervisor Wilt said the resolution and associated outreach were in response to a legislative alert circulated by Township Officials of Illinois. The board voted by voice or roll call to approve the resolution; the motion was moved by Trustee Heilenbach and seconded by Trustee Carroll. The resolution passed on a voice vote with no recorded “nay.”

Trustees also approved a set of payment warrants presented at the meeting. The board authorized payment of a general warrant in the amount of $13,630.57. In addition the board ratified the following warrants for March 2025: utility, $1,856.32; payroll, $19,808.39; health, $6,421.52; community partnership, $26,500; general assistance, $9,629.89; township radio players, $180; and food pantry, $1,180.37. Clerk Reyes called the roll for the warrant approvals; trustees present voted yes and the motions carried.

The trustees also approved the proposed agenda for the township annual town meeting, scheduled for April 8 at 6:01 p.m., which Supervisor Wilt said will be “very basic and mostly just presentation of reports.”

The actions come as the township’s leadership urged residents and officials to contact state lawmakers about the proposed consolidation language. No formal changes to township services were adopted at the meeting; the resolution is a statement of opposition and a request for outreach to legislators.","At its March 11 meeting the Riverside Township Board of Trustees voted to adopt a resolution opposing proposed state measures to consolidate or eliminate townships, approved multiple payment warrants and set the annual town meeting agenda for April.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Trustee criticizes 988 rollout and urges written crisis-counseling plan for township

Lions Club to pilot compostable plates at Riverside chicken dinner; organizers plan collection with local composting service

Township assessor: Cook County appeals open through April 18; office expects heavy volume

Riverside Township trustees pass resolution opposing statewide effort to eliminate townships, approve warrants and town meeting agenda