E.

JASON WAMBSGANS/TRIBUNE PHOTO

A crew from Landmark Signs works to install what else? a sign Wednesday, this one with 3-foot-9-inch letters near the top of the new 32-story Roosevelt University academic and residential tower at 425 S. Wabash Ave. in Chicago.

Neighbors lend owner a hand

By Alissa Groeninger
Tribune reporter

store for nine days following his sons death to mourn him. Ravenswood residents, Eduard Peci and his son shocked and saddened, left Gjergji worked together in flowers and cards outside the familys Ravenswood the store. But the neighbors liquor store day after day for dedication to the family three years and made it a didnt end there. Caroline Russell shops at point to get to know their customers, learning their the store about twice a week names, asking about their and, finding a handwritten families and even acknowl- note saying it was closed, started a conversation onedging their pets. The son was very close to line, and neighbors pieced his father, translating for together the events, she him and helping him navi- said. Though most of them know the family gate their lives as only through immigrants after greetings on the they moved to Chiway in and out of cago five years ago the store, they from Greece. wanted to help. So On July 8, Eduard they started an onPeci was alone in his line fundraiser to store, Windy City help the Pecis deal Liquors, 4959 N. with the lost funds Damen Ave., when and funeral exrobbers hit him and Gjergji Peci penses. took money from Residents appreciated the cash register, he said through a translator. Want- the Peci familys kindness ing only to get back to work, and interest in customers he didnt call police. But a lives, Russell said. They seem to care more about passerby dialed 911. Then, just five days later, people than they do profit, the family faced even great- she said. Its nice that (the Pecis) er sorrow when Gjergji, 24, drowned in Wisconsins Ge- live in the area so they know neva Lake. He was boating whats going on in the with friends and went into neighborhood as well, Rusthe water, and winds sell said. As of Wednesday afterpushed the boat out of his reach, said relatives and the noon, three days into the online fundraiser at giveforWalworth County coroner. Peci closed the family ward.com/pecifamilyfun-

JOS M. OSORIO/TRIBUNE PHOTO

Neighbors of Windy City Liquors in the Ravenswood area have rallied around its owner after his month of misfortune.

draiser, $545 had been pledged to the family. It just shows what a great community we have over here. To be able to count on people in a time of need is just amazing, said Brandon Weninger, a neighbor who created the fundraising page. Everyones come together just trying to support a local business and a local family. Neighbors would like to do more and may hold a fundraiser at a neighborhood bar, Weninger said. Originally from Albania, the Pecis moved to Chicago in 2006 to join another relative. After two years of working for other employers, Eduard Peci wanted to be his own boss and opened his shop. He works about 15-hour days, taking only short breaks. Gjergji Peci was quiet and loved sports, rooting for the soccer team AC Milan and the Chicago

Bears, his father said. In addition to helping his father, he worked at the Sofitel hotel to pay for classes at Northeastern Illinois University. He wanted to work in sports management, his father said. With his son gone, only Peci and his wife work at the store. Though nothing can erase the pain of losing his son, Peci said support from family and the community helped him get through each day. The Pecis opened their doors for family and friends after Gjergji Pecis death, and support from neighbors poured in, Eduard Peci said. Family from around the world called, but few were able to travel to Chicago. His neighbors care has helped fill that void. Knowing the people makes the job more rewarding, Peci said. agroeninger@tribune.com

ers and other busi collecting mortgag ments. Financial ind groups, including th eral regulator for Mae and Freddie have sought to torpe Chicago legislation the ordinance e broad support amo dermen, many of wards are filled with doned houses th local nuisances. What were try do is protect the co nity, said Ald. Pat D 3rd, chief sponsor legislation. Were tected when a property is allow have squatters and boarded up, when potential for fire h and when we have bangers take over and turn them int dens. But Tom Deutsc cutive director o American Securit Forum, said that by ing a party who is possession of a pro

Murder victi

A Cook Count Wednesday awarde million to the fam Rhoni Reuter as a re a civil case against Yang, the woman victed of Reuters m Yang was found in March of killing R the pregnant girlfri former Chicago Shaun Gayle. Yang i ing two life senten the 2007 murder. Essentially, the nal trial was all Marni Yang, said at Theodore Woerth

Quinn names daughter of Justice Burke, Ald. Burk

By Ray Long
Tribune reporter

SPRINGFIELD Democratic Gov. Pat Quinn on Wednesday gave a highly paid position to the daughter of the Illinois Supreme Court justice who swore him into office and a power-

ful Chicago alderman who was a campaign donor. Attorney Jennifer Burke, 41, was named to the Illinois Pollution Control Board, a post that pays $117,043 a year, Quinns office said. She is the daughter of Justice Anne Burke and 14th Ward Ald. Edward Burke,

chairman of the City Councils Finance Committee. Jennifer Burke works for the city as an assistant corporation counsel supervisor. As of last month, her annual salary was $99,948. Reached by phone, Justice Burke said she had not heard of her daughters ap-

pointment and that it is absolutely not connected to political donations to Quinn. The justice said she had no further comment. Disclosures showed the Friends of Edward M. Burke campaign fund lent Quinn $200,000 during his campaign for governor and

donated more than $52 since Justice Burke s Quinn into office in Jan 2009 following the ous Gov. Rod Blagojevich. Quinns office also jected the notion that paign donations play role. Quinn spokeswo Annie Thompson defe