New millionaire in Cook County
The Mega Millions Jackpot for tomorrow night’s drawing has soared to $800 million - the seventh largest Mega Millions jackpot in history. However, someone in Illinois is already celebrating after snagging a cool $1 million over the weekend.
The winning Mega Millions ticket was purchased at Gas Express in Chicago’s Bridgeport neighborhood, located at 501 W. 31st Street. The lucky winner matched all five numbers, 6-23-42-59-63, to win the $1 million prize in Friday night’s drawing.
“I guess you can say ‘luck is in the air’ at Gas Express in Bridgeport,” said Faris Saleh, owner of Gas Express. “This is the second big winning lottery ticket we’ve sold at our store this year - a $400,000 Lucky Day Lotto ticket in April and now a $1 million Mega Millions ticket – so exciting!”
For selling the winning ticket, the retailer will receive a bonus of $10,000 which is one percent of the prize amount.
“My employees and I are hoping that the winner is someone we know, a regular customer,” added Saleh. “No matter the outcome, I plan to use some of the bonus to celebrate with
my employees and use the rest to upgrade my gas station.”
This is now the seventh Illinois Lottery player who has won a prize of $1 million or more playing Mega Millions this year.
In total, nearly 66,000 winning Mega Millions tickets were sold in Il-
linois for the September 6 drawing.
Winners have one year from the date of the winning draw to come forward and claim their prize. The Illinois Lottery encourages all lucky winners to write their name on the back of their ticket and keep it in a safe place until they’re ready to come forward and claim.
Mega Millions is played every Tuesday and Friday night. Tickets are $2 each, and players can add the Megaplier for an additional $1 for the chance to multiply non-jackpot prizes.
And please remember - Mega Mil-
lions is a game of chance. Knowing the rules and odds of the games you play is an important part of responsible gaming.
To learn more, visit the responsible gaming pages on the Illinois Lottery website: Illinois Lottery Responsible Gaming.
Store manager, Stephanie Noteboom (right), takes a celebratory photo with co-worker, Brittany McDaniel, after selling a $1 million winning Mega Millions ticket.
State law banning concealed carry on public transit ruled unconstitutional
By PETER H a NC o C k Capitol News illinois
A federal judge in Rockford has declared a state law banning concealed firearms on public transit systems unconstitutional – at least as it applies to four individuals who challenged it in court.
But the law remains in effect for everyone else as the parties in the case consider their next steps.
In a decision released Friday, Judge Iain D. Johnston said under current U.S. Supreme Court standards, the law violates the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.
“After an exhaustive review of the parties’ filings and the historical record, as required by Supreme Court precedent, the Court finds that Defendants failed to meet their burden to show an American tradition of firearm regulation at the time of the Founding that would allow Illinois to prohibit Plaintiffs— who hold concealed-carry permits—from carrying concealed handguns for self-defense onto the CTA and Metra,” he wrote.
Johnston cited the 2022 Supreme Court decision, New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen, which struck down a century-old law in New York requiring individuals to show “proper cause” for needing to carry a firearm before they could be issued a concealed carry permit.
The Illinois case challenged a portion of the state’s 2013 Firearm Concealed Carry Act, which allows certain individuals to obtain permits to carry concealed firearms in many public places.
But the law also lists several prohibited areas where it remains illegal to carry concealed weapons, including “Any bus, train, or form of transportation paid for in whole or in part with public funds, and any building, real property, and parking area under the control of a public transportation facility paid for in whole or in part with public funds.”
Four individuals who hold concealed carry permits filed suit in 2022 to challenge the law, saying it prevented them from carrying
their firearms for self-defense on mass transit trains and buses in the Chicago metropolitan area. They included Benjamin Schoenthal, of DeKalb County; Mark Wroblewski, of DuPage County; Joseph Vesel, of suburban Cook County; and Douglas Winston, of Lake County.
Johnston’s ruling held that the law is unconstitutional, but only as it applies to the four plaintiffs, meaning the law remains in effect for everyone else.
A spokesperson for Raoul, a defendant in the case, said that office would likely appeal the ruling. A spokesperson for Cook County State’s Attorney Kimberly Foxx, who was also named as a defendant, declined to comment.
Asked about the decision at an unrelated event Tuesday, Gov. JB Pritzker said he disagreed with Johnston’s opinion. He said the rights protected under the Second Amendment are not absolute and that there should be limits on the kinds of weapons people are allowed to carry and where those weapons should be
permitted.
“So it’s clear that there are some misguided decisions that get made at the circuit court level, the federal court level, and I’m hoping that it will be overturned along the way, if it has to all the way the Supreme Court,” he said. “It will be disappointing if they uphold this. But I’m hopeful that the law that was passed in Illinois a number of years ago, that’s frankly done a lot to keep people safe, will be upheld.”
In July, the Supreme Court declined to hear an appeal of challenges to the state’s 2021 ban on assault-style weapons and largecapacity magazines, at least for the time being. Several lawsuits seek preliminary injunctions to block enforcement of that law while the cases are being tried, but the court said it would not hear those challenges until after the lower courts have conducted their trials.
The first of those trials is scheduled to begin Sept. 16 in U.S. District Court in East St. Louis.
Heritage Corridor contributes to record tourisn growth in illinois
Heritage Corridor Destinations announced today the area generated a local economic impact of $1.6 billion and contributed to an increase in visitor spending across Illinois in 2023. In addition, this boost in tourism contributed $54.4 million in local tax revenue while directly supporting more than 12,200 jobs in the tourism and hospitality industry, according to the latest data provided by Tourism Economics.
“I’m thrilled to see our six-county region continues to provide significant economic impact from visitors to the region – celebrating the 175th anniversary of the I&M Canal, the beauty of Starved Rock Country, and the nostalgia of The First Hundred Miles of Route 66 Illinois,”-said Robert Navarro, President & CEO of Heritage Corridor Destinations. “Visitors are spending over $1.6 billion on transportation, lodging, attractions, food & beverage and other tourism related services in our region – that translates to over 12,000 jobs and more than $54 million in taxes for our local communities.”
Governor JB Pritzker recently an-
nounced that Illinois reached its highest ever total tax revenue figures in FY24 ($322 million)-a 4.5% increase over the previous record set in FY23. Illinois welcomed 112 million domestic and international visitor who spent $47 billion in 2023-an increase of 1 million visitors and $3 billion in spending from 2022. Visitor spending in 2023 surpassed 2019 levels for the first time, reaching 4% above its pre-pandemic benchmark. As a result of tourism spending and visits in 2012 the overall economic impact-which included indirect and induced impacts-amounted to $83 billion, which is a 6.4% increase from 2022 figures.
“Illinois continues to make substantial investments in the travel and tourism sector, leading to an increase in visitors who are spending more time in our state and supporting local businesses,” said DCEO Director Kristin Richards. “We’re excited to continue this momentum and further enhance tourism in Illinois, building on this record-breaking success.”
“Illinois’ tourism is thriving, with
another record-breaking year across key metrics such as the average length of stay, visitor spending, and overall growth,” said Daniel Thomas, Deputy Director of the DCEO Office of Tourism. “Whether it’s the vibrant energy of Chicago or the charm of our small towns, we’ve introduced new initiatives like LUXE by Illinois, which highlights luxury experiences and expanded our Outdoor experiences campaign, Real People, Real Stories, Real Outdoors, giving visitors even more compelling reasons to extend their stay and spend more.”
R o BERT N ava RR o
Fall on the Farm features petting zoo, antique tractors and more
Harvest some good memories this September with a visit to the Forest Preserve District of Will County’s free, family-friendly Fall on the Farm event at Riverview Farmstead Preserve in Naperville.
The event will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 14.
“Riverview is the perfect site to host this fun farm-themed event,” said Jen Guest, facility supervisor at Isle a la Cache Museum.
“The farm will be decorated for fall while we showcase the farmstead’s buildings and grounds.”
Attendees can explore Riverview’s barn, which will be filled with antique farm equipment, and the historic 1800s limestone farmhouse.
“We will even have tractors, old and new, outside the barn for people to check out,” she said. “You can pose next to or climb up on a few for a great photo opportunity.”
Riverview Farmstead’s buildings will be surrounded by activities for all ages to enjoy.
“For kids, there will be an expanded petting zoo and hands-on, farm-themed activities,” Guest said. “They can try their hand at collecting eggs, hand washing clothes, and pretending to run their own farmstand.”
There also will be a barnyardthemed bounce house and corn sandbox with farm toys. Live bluegrass music will be provided by Rochambeau.
If you get hungry after all these fun activities, satisfy your cravings with food from Smokin’ Z BBQ, quench your thirst with cold beer from Tapville Social, and enjoy cold treats from Kona Ice.
“Be sure to stop by the craft areas to make butter from cream, a clothespin doll, a vegetable print, or farm-themed toy to take home,” Guest said.
And make sure you take some pics in the photo booth to remember this fun occasion. Other sites around the preserve will be decorated to take your own pics, too.
The Nature Foundation of Will County will host a native plant pop-up sale, and the Forest Preserve District will be selling its Outsider Threads(Opens in a new window) T-shirts and other merchandise. In addition, Wild Birds Unlimited will be selling bird feeders and outdoor decor and Ruhter Bison will be selling frozen bison meat.
“We also have some history demonstrations to check out,” Guest said. “Meet a farmer from the past, a historic beekeeper, and
see how wool is made.”
Fall on the Farm is a wonderful way to show off this unique preserve and its history, Guest added.
“We love highlighting Riverview Farmstead where we can share a bit about early agriculture in Will County,” she said. “We have been so fortunate to save these beautiful buildings and grounds. We can’t wait to share it with the public during this awesome event.”
Rare sighting of swallow-tailed kite in Will County
A bird that has never been reported in Will County in the past was spotted and photographed recently in and around the Forest Preserve District of Will County’s Hadley Valley preserve.
A photo of a swallow-tailed kite was posted to the District’s Will County Wildlife Facebook group on Monday, Sept. 2, by Kara Senders Morales. According to eBird maps, this is the first time the bird has been reported in Will County. The 854-acre Hadley Valley is in Joliet, New Lenox and Homer townships.
Swallow-tailed kites spend the summers in the southeastern United States, primarily in Florida, then migrate south to South America for the winter. These
raptors have been described as “the coolest bird on the planet,” according to Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s All About Birds website.
The birds are easy to identify due to their bold black-and-white plumage. Swallow-tailed kites spend most of their time in flight, which can make them easier to spot.
According to the Cornell website, “The kite’s aerial acrobatics while on the hunt are something to see. It continually flicks and rotates its tail, switching from a straight course to a tight turn in an instant as it scans for prey. Sometimes it rolls and dives backward to catch an insect behind it. Adults swallow their food while flying, rarely perching during the day.”
Other rare birds that have been spotted in the Will County area include a cinnamon teal, great kiskadee, painted bunting, redthroated loon and black-legged kittiwake. Birds can make their way far outside of their range for a variety of reasons. They can be thrown off course by weather, or they may be first-year birds that have migrated in the wrong direction.
Woodridge’s Pawlak among zoo photo contest winners
Nearly 6,000 votes helped determine the winners of Brookfield Zoo’s 2024 Photo Contest. Over the past two weeks the public was asked to cast their votes for their favorite entries in three categories on the Zoo’s website.
The grand prize winner was selected by a panel of professional photographers from the more than 560 photo entries submitted from May 24 through August 2. Judges also selected their top seven choices in the three categories: mammal, bird, and reptile/amphibian/invertebrate/fish. The public was then asked to vote over a two-week period for their favorites in the three categories, which determined first-, second-, and third-place finishers in each.
Steven DeYoung of Thornton won the grand prize with his beautiful photo of Mina, an Amur leopard at Brookfield Zoo Chicago, gazing up. He received a Zoo Family Plus Membership for one year, Penguin Encounter for four people, an original painting by one of Brookfield Zoo Chicago’s Humboldt penguins, and a $100 Brookfield Zoo Chicago gift certificate that can be used in any of the Zoo’s gift shops or restaurants.
Winners in the reptile/invertebrate/amphibian/fish category are 1st Place—Courtney Murray of Elgin with a photo of a frog half sub-
merged in water
2nd Place—Lukasz Pawlak of Woodridge with a photo of a tiger longwing butterfly
3rd Place—Marissa Romero of Blue Island with a photo of a sea nettle Winners in the mammal category are
1st Place—Sarah Geiger of Princeton, Illinois, with a photo of Whirl, one of the Zoo’s Amur tigers
2nd Place—Glenn Nagel of Orland Park with a photo of Sophia, an orangutan at the Zoo
3rd Place—Aneliese Benitez of Elmwood Park with a photo of one of the Zoo’s western lowland gorillas
Winners in the bird category are 1st Place—Jacob Dalen of Manhattan, Illinois, with a photo of one of the Zoo’s cock of the rocks
2nd Place—Jennifer Terzich of Chicago with a close-up photo of an ostrich
3rd Place—Mikenna Doyle of Elmwood Park with a photo of a piping plover
This year’s winning photos can be seen on the Zoo’s Website at BrookfieldZoo.org/DigitalPhotoContestWinners as well as several of its digital monitors located around the park through at least October 31, 2024.
Eichelberger Elementary School nurse saves student
Elizabeth Eichelberger Elementary School nurse Mena Powell was “in the right place at the right time,” Elizabeth Eichelberger Elementary School principal Trevor Harris said.
Powell was filling in on nursing needs next to the elementary school at John F. Kennedy Middle School.
On this day, a JFK middle school student was eating with friends when they noticed the student was choking in the lunchroom.
The friends alerted the staff in the lunchroom.
Staff immediately called Powell to the cafeteria.
“The student was alert but hunched over their tray,” Powell said.
“I was able to go behind the student and perform the Heimlich with three-to-four thrusts.”
The student expelled small bites of cheese pizza onto the tray, she added.
Once the student was able to catch their breath, Powell said she asked if they were able to walk to the nurse’s office.
The student was then escorted back to the nurse’s office and given water, and parents were contacted.
“Nurse Mena reacted quickly to make sure the student was safe and to support the student,” JFK Middle School principal AJ Hundal said.
“I’m glad Nurse Mena was there to help this student,” Harris said of her heroics.
TAX DEED NO.: 2024TX000227
FILED: 08/13/2024 TAKE NOTICE
County of: Will
Date
Premises Sold: December 5, 2022
Certificate No.: 21-00154
Sold for General Taxes of (year): 2021
Sold for Special Assessment of (Municipality) and Special Assessment Number: N/A
Warrant No.: N/A Installment No.: N/A
THIS PROPERTY HAS BEEN SOLD FOR DELINQUENT TAXES
Property Located at: 167 West Boughton Road, Bolingbrook, Illinois
Legal Description or Property Index No.: 12-
02-10-201-002-0000
This notice is to advise you that the above property has been sold for delinquent taxes and that the period of redemption from the sale will expire on February 11, 2025.
The amount to redeem is subject to increase at 6 month intervals from the date of sale and may be further increased if the purchaser at the tax sale or his or her assignee pays any subsequently accruing taxes or special assessments to redeem the property from subsequent forfeitures or tax sales. Check with the county clerk as to the exact amount you owe before redeeming.
This notice is also to advise you that a petition has been filed for a tax deed which will transfer title and the right to possession of this property if redemption is not made on or before February 11, 2025.
This matter is set for hearing in the Circuit Court of this County in Joliet, Illinois on February 27, 2025 at 9:00 A.M. in Courtroom 905, Will County Courthouse, 100 West Jefferson Street, Joliet, Illinois 60432.
You may be present at this hearing but your right to redeem will already have expired at that time.
YOU ARE URGED TO REDEEM IMMEDIATELY TO PREVENT LOSS OF PROPERTY Redemption can be made at any time on or before February 11, 2025 by applying to the County Clerk of Will County, Illinois at the Office of the County Clerk in Joliet, Illinois.
For further information contact the County Clerk:
Address: 302 North Chicago Street, Joliet, Illinois 60432
Telephone: (815) 740-4615
P&N PROPERTIES INC
Purchaser or Assignee
Dated: 08/13/2024
CASE NUMBER: 2024TX000227
CERTIFICATE OF PURCHASE NUMBER: 2100154
Lolita Ranchero
Eduardo Ranchero
Occupant - 167 W Boughton Rd., Unit A, Bolingbrook, IL 60440
Occupant - 167 W Boughton Rd., Unit B, Bolingbrook, IL 60440
Occupant - 167 W Boughton Rd., Unit C, Bolingbrook, IL 60440
LMR Home Health Care, Inc.
Michae J Raiz as R/A for LMR Home Health Care Inc
L.M.R. Nursing Services Inc.
Illinois Secretary of State for L.M.R. Nursing Services Inc.
Kevin Edward Ranchero as R/A for L.M.R. Nursing Services Inc.
Primerica Financial Services
Illinois Secretary of State for Primerica Financial Services
VIP Home Health & Hospice Inc.
Michael J Riaz as R/A for VIP Home Health & Hospice Inc.
LMR Medial Equipment Inc.
Illinois Secretary of State for LMR Medial Equipment Inc.
Carlito V Soriaga as R/A for LMR Medial Equipment Inc.
Awesome Home Health Care Inc.
Michael J Raiz as R/A for Awesome Home Health Care Inc.
Lauren Staley Ferry, Will County Clerk Claimants, Judgment Creditors and Decree Creditors, if any of the above described as “unknown owners”
“Unknown owners or parties interested in said land or lots”
8147-945848
Published 8/28/2024 , 9/4/2024, 9/11/2024
TAX DEED NO.: 2024TX000228
FILED: 08/13/2024
TAKE NOTICE
County of: Will
Date Premises Sold: December 5, 2022
Certificate No.: 21-00296
Sold for General Taxes of (year): 2021
Sold for Special Assessment of (Municipality) and Special Assessment Number: N/A
Warrant No.: N/A Installment No.:
N/A
THIS PROPERTY HAS BEEN SOLD FOR DELINQUENT TAXES
Property Located at: A parcel of leand measuring 170.08 feet by 256.61 feet located on the South side of Belmont Drive, starting approximately 179.44 feet West of Anderson Drive, 2Romeoville, Illinois
Legal Description or Property Index No.: 1202-34-315-004-0000
This notice is to advise you that the above property has been sold for delinquent taxes and that the period of redemption from the sale will expire on February 11, 2025.
The amount to redeem is subject to increase at 6 month intervals from the date of sale and may be further increased if the purchaser at the tax sale or his or her assignee pays any subsequently accruing taxes or special assessments to redeem the property from subsequent forfeitures or tax sales. Check with the county clerk as to the exact amount you owe before redeeming.
This notice is also to advise you that a petition has been filed for a tax deed which will transfer title and the right to possession of this property if redemption is not made on or before February 11, 2025.
This matter is set for hearing in the Circuit Court of this County in Joliet, Illinois on February 27, 2025 at 9:00 A.M. in Courtroom 905, Will County Courthouse, 100 West Jefferson Street, Joliet, Illinois 60432.
You may be present at this hearing but your right to redeem will already have expired at that time.
YOU ARE URGED TO REDEEM IMMEDIATELY TO PREVENT LOSS OF PROPERTY
Redemption can be made at any time on or before February 11, 2025 by applying to the County Clerk of Will County, Illinois at the Office of the County Clerk in Joliet, Illinois.
For further information contact the County Clerk:
Address: 302 North Chicago Street, Joliet, Illinois 60432
Telephone: (815) 740-4615
P&N PROPERTIES INC
Purchaser or Assignee
Dated: 08/13/2024
CASE NUMBER: 2024TX000228
CERTIFICATE OF PURCHASE NUMBER: 2100296
Skyland LLC
Illinois Secretary of State for Skyland LLC
Agents of Delaware Inc. as R/A for Skyland LLC Brodzinski Law PC User Village of Romeoville c/o Village Clerk
Lauren Staley Ferry, Will County Clerk Claimants, Judgment Creditors and Decree Creditors, if any of the above described as “unknown owners” “Unknown owners or parties interested in said land or lots” 8146-945847
TO: LAUREN STALEY FERRY, WILL COUNTY CLERK; MARQUETTE BANK ATUTAD
04/14/2008 AKATN 18649; KARLA RIOS; ADAN RODRIGUEZ; ALEXIS RIOS; DOMINIC RIOS; KAYLA M. RIOS; PERSONS OR TENANTS IN ACTUAL OCCUPANCY OR POSSESSION OF SAID PROPERTY; UKNOWN OCCUPANTS OR PARTIES INTERESTED IN SAID PROPERTY.
TAX DEED NO.: 2024TX000221
FILED: 8/8/2024
TAKE NOTICE
COUNTY OF WILL
Date Premises Sold: 1/10/2022
Certificate No.: 20-00962
Sold for General Taxes of (year) 2020
Sold for Special Assessment of (Municipality) and Special Assessment Number N/A Warrant No. N/A Inst No. N/A THIS PROPERTY HAS BEEN SOLD FOR DELINQUENT TAXES
Property located at: 205 BUTTERNUT DRIVE
BOLINGBROOK, ILLINOIS
Legal Description or Property Index No. 12-02-16-105-002-0000
This notice is to advise you that the above property has been sold for delinquent taxes and that the period of redemption from the sale will expire on 1/10/2025.
The amount to redeem is subject to increase at six-month intervals from the date of sale and may be further increased if the purchaser at the tax sale or his or her assignee pays any subsequently accruing taxes or special assessments to redeem the property from subsequent forfeitures or tax sales. Check with the county clerk as to the exact amount you owe before redeeming.
This notice is also to advise you that a petition has been filed for a tax deed which will transfer title and the right to possession of this property if redemption is not made on or before 1/10/2025.
This matter is set for hearing in the Circuit Court of this County in Joliet, Illinois on 1/23/2025 in Room 905 of the Will County Courthouse, 100 W. Jefferson Street, Joliet, Illinois at 9:00 a.m.
You may be present at this hearing but your right to redeem will already have expired at that time.
YOU ARE URGED TO REDEEM IMMEDIATELY TO PREVENT LOSS OF PROPERTY
Redemption can be made at any time on or before 1/10/2025 by applying to the County Clerk of Will County, Illinois at the Office of the County Clerk in Joliet, Illinois.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT THE COUNTY CLERK
Address: 302 N. Joliet Street, Joliet, Illinois 60432
Telephone: (815) 740-4615
JAX, as CUSTODIAN for Central FBO Firstrust Purchaser or Assignee Dated: 08/09/2024
Published 9/12/2024, 9/19/2024, 9/26/2024
Published 8/28/2024 , 9/4/2024, 9/11/2024
REaL ESTaTE REaL ESTaTE REaL ESTaTE
