Twenty five employees who retired from Joliet Public Schools District 86 this year. Collectively, these individuals worked in District 86 for a total of 570 years. The retirees included: Karen Ball, Farragut Elementary; Zahida Bhatti, Sator Sanchez Elementary; Deatrice Childs, Sator Sanchez Elementary; Cynthia Davis, Edna Keith Elementary; Patricia De La Fuente, Isaac Singleton Elementary; Manuel Eiquihua, Isaac Singleton Elementary; Lucila Esquivel, Isaac Singleton Elementary; Karla Farr, J.F. Kennedy Administrative Center; Francie Ferguson, Carl Sandburg Elementary; Cindy Fuchs, Thomas Jefferson Elementary; Ramona Gonzalez, Marycrest Early Childhood Center; Kim Gordon, Woodland Elementary; Sylvia Horne, Washington Junior High; Julie Lanagan, Hufford Junior High; Patricia Louis, J.F. Kennedy Administrative Center; Steve Maticic, Building Support Services; Kathy Neal, Marycrest Early Childhood Center; Anglean Payton,
Hufford Junior High; Erika Rock, J.F. Kennedy Administrative Center; Anna Stacy, Lynne Thigpen Elementary; Valeria Thongsavath; Hufford Junior High; Kelly Walker, M.J. Cunningham Elementary; Susan Wychocki, Marycrest Early Childhood Center; Kimberly Young, J.F. Kennedy Administrative Center; and Donna Zawisza-Dineen, Thomas Jefferson Elementary School.
“Thank you to these individuals for your hard work and assisting countless students, families, and employees over the years.” said Joliet Public Schools District 86 Board of School Inspectors President Elvia Madison, Jr.
“Congratulations to our retirees. We wish you many years of happiness, health, and relaxation.” Joliet Public Schools District 86 Superintendent Dr. Theresa Rouse added.
A reception was held in the Victorian Ballroom at the Jacob Henry Mansion to celebrate the Joliet Public Schools District 86 retirees.
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Thomas Jefferson Junior High 8th grader (now rising high school freshman) Ellen Toohey is a recipient of this year’s National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) Outstanding Achievement Award. She is one of only 14 students in the state of Illinois and 500 across the country who were selected.
The National Junior Honor Society Outstanding Achievement Award recognizes middle-level students for their commitment to the five pillars of NJHS: scholarship, service, leadership, character, and citizenship.
Students selected for the Outstanding Achievement Award receive a $500 college savings plan to support their educational aspirations.
Even though Gov. JB Pritzker has yet to sign the budget bill lawmakers just passed, the Illinois State Board of Education is seeking applicants for some of the new money contained in that bill.
ISBE is looking for new providers to offer preschool programs in areas of the state designated as “preschool deserts,” with the goal of creating 5,000 new preschool slots in the upcoming school year.
The $75 million in new funding available for new preschool slots this year is part of Pritzker’s $250 million “Smart Start Illinois” initiative, a four-year effort that seeks to make early childhood day care and preschool available and affordable to every family in the state who needs it.
That will bring the state’s total funding for early childhood block grants to just over $673 million.
“We are wanting to make sure that every community is aware that these grants are available,” State Superintendent of Education Tony Sanders said in a recent interview. “We want
to make sure that school districts know. We want to make sure that day care centers, religious organizations, community-based organizations –that anybody that might serve children in pre-K opportunities knows about these opportunities and can apply.”
ISBE defines a preschool desert as an area where there is an insufficient number of publicly funded slots to serve at least 80 percent of 3- and 4-year-old children from lowincome families.
“And you find them everywhere, from Belvedere to Springfield to Shawnee, all the way down in southern Illinois,” Sanders said.
The agency has identified 196 areas – including district regions, counties and ZIP codes – in the state that meet that definition. Each has a gap of 15 or more seats. Of those, 108 districts show a 100 percent need, meaning there are as many needed seats as there are priority eligible children. Those areas have a combined 5,100 needed seats.
The grants will fund the creation of new programs as well as the expansion of existing programs with priority being given to applicants
who serve children in preschool deserts outside the city of Chicago, which has a separate appropriation for early childhood programs.
The grants provide funding for three programs:
Preschool for All, which is 2.5 hours per day of preschool for 3-5-year-olds with licensed teachers and a standards-aligned curriculum.
Preschool for All Expansion, which offers five hours of preschool per day along with physical and mental health services for 3-5-year-olds in the highest need communities.
Prevention Initiative, which offers child development and family support services for expectant parents and families with children from birth to age 3 who are at risk of academic challenges.
ISBE has developed a website that offers information about the grant programs and technical assistance for potential applicants. Applications are open to public entities as well as private nonprofit and for-profit organizations. Applications are due no later than 4 p.m. on June 14.tro, DElgin, accused Republicans of using “dog-whistle” language – coded or suggestive language to draw support
from a particular group – and Senate Majority Leader Kimberly Lightford, D-Westchester, said the opponents “have a problem with the LGBTQ community.”
The measure passed the Senate on a vote of 35-20, sending it back to the House which approved it on a vote of 63-41. It will next be sent to the governor for consideration.
The debate in the House lacked much of the vitriol that characterized the Senate discussion, although House Republicans raised many of the same concerns as their Senate colleagues.
“I hate to say it because it doesn’t speak well of my gender,” said Rep. Dan Ugaste, R-Geneva. “But since the dawn of time, young men and men in general have done awful and horrendous things to young women and women, and allowing them to follow them into a washroom when we know that it’s led to bad consequences in other areas of the country already – this is not a good idea.”
But Rep. Jaime Andrade, D-Chicago, said he would actually feel safer sending his 13-year-old daughter into a restroom that has floor-toceiling
Ten members of Oakton College’s administration, faculty and staff were recognized by the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development (NISOD) with Excellence Awards at the International Conference on Teaching and Leadership Excellence in Austin, Texas, May 27-30. A national member organization, NISOD is committed to promoting and celebrating excellence in teaching, learning and leadership at community and technical colleges.
The Excellence Awards allow NISOD member colleges to celebrate individuals doing extraordinary work on their campuses. At Oakton, nominations were made by the Center for Teaching Innovation based on dedication and service to faculty professional development.
“Oakton staff and faculty care deeply about their students. This year, recognized individuals distinguished themselves by not only developing their own classroom practice but also by supporting others in advancing their teaching,” said Mary JohannesenSchmidt, coordinator of Oakton’s Cen-
ter for Teaching Innovation.
The 2023 NISOD Excellence Awards were awarded to the following Oakton employees:
Administrator
Rick Daniels, director of Student Life and Campus Inclusion
Staff
Mindy Finnigan, senior manager, Center for Professional Development
Full-time faculty
Khursheed Ichhaporia, associate professor of biology
Tracy Fulce, chair and distinguished professor of business
Leslie Van Wolvelear, chair and distinguished professor of accounting
Valeria Benson Lira, assistant professor of earth science & geography
Part-time faculty
Margaret Knapp, lecturer in the Division of Liberal Arts
Marianne Millman, lecturer in the Division of STEM
Nelson Wainwright, lecturer in the Division of Liberal Arts
Ruth Whitney, lecturer in Library Services
each excellence award recipient receives a unique silver medallion engraved with The University of Texas and NISoD insignias and adorned with a burnt orange ribbon. pictured from left to right are: Nelson Wainwright, lecturer in the Division of liberal arts; Khursheed Ichhaporia, associate professor of biology; marianne millman, lecturer in the Division of STem; and ruth Whitney, lecturer in library Services.
This past weekend, Forest Preserve District of DuPage County officials and guests gathered for a ribbon-cutting ceremony to commemorate the reinstallation of two bridges at Hidden Lake Forest Preserve in Downers Grove. The event, which was held on National Trails Day, marked the successful completion of another 2019 certified master plan project and enhanced trail access at the preserve.
Forest Preserve District elected officials, including President Daniel Hebreard, District 2 commissioner Tina Tyson-Dunne, District 3 commissioner Linda Painter, and District 4 commissioner Jeff Gahris, joined state Rep. Terra Costa Howard and Sen. Laura Ellman, Friends of the Forest Preserve District members, preserve neighbors, and other fans of the forest preserves for the celebration.
“We are all part of nature’s tapestry, and as we walk this loop today and every time you walk this trail or any other trail, I encourage you to reflect on the interconnectedness of all things — humans are merely one species in our ecosystems,” said Forest Preserve District president Daniel Hebreard.
Routine inspections of Hidden Lakes’ bridges revealed structural deficiencies in two existing aging bridges. Last fall the “lake bridge,” located on the east side of Round Meadow Lake and serving a recreational trail encircling the lake, was replaced with a 50-foot-long by 14-foot-wide prefabricated truss bridge. The “river bridge,” a remarkable 50-foot long by 11-foot-wide cast- and wrought-iron bowstring pony truss bridge dating back to the 1870s, underwent me-
ticulous, month’s-long restoration before it was reinstalled in its previous location over the past few weeks.
“If you overlay a modern map onto the 1874 DuPage County atlas, you can see this bridge in the same location as a road that once crossed the
river,” said Commissioner Gahris of the bridge, which is the only remaining example of its kind in the Chicago region. “This suggests that this bridge sits in the same location it was originally installed in the 1870s.”
Both bridges are now open, invit-
ing visitors to explore the preserve for decades to come.
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166 miles of trails, seven education centers, and scores of programs each year. For information, call 630-9337200 or visit dupageforest.org, where you can also link to the District’s enewsletter and Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok pages.
SHARE will hold its annual Wings of Hope Angel Garden Blessing & Butterfly Release on Tuesday, June 20 at 6 p.m. on the campus of Edward Hospital, 801 S. Washington St. in Naperville. The Garden is located on the south side of the campus, near the Emergency/Outpatient Entrance.
The guest speaker for this year’s event will be Kevin Madsen, MD, a specialist in maternal-fetal medicine and independent physician on the medical staff of Edward-Elmhurst Health.
SHARE, now in its 34th year, is a support group for those who have experienced a miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, stillbirth or neonatal death. Membership in SHARE is not required to attend. The event is open to all who have experienced a similar loss. The Garden opened in 2010 as a place that allows parents who have lost a baby to remember and celebrate their child’s life.
Features of the Garden include brick walls where parents can memorialize their baby, benches, fountain and plants that attract butterflies. For more information, to make a donation in support of the Garden or to purchase a memorial etched brick paver or etched butterfly, visit www. eehealth.org/wings.
SHARE meets in person at Edward Hospital, 801 S. Washington St. in Naperville on the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month, 7:15-9:15 p.m. in the Education Center, 3rd floor. There is also an online option (via Webex) on the first Tuesday of each month from 8:00-9:30 p.m. To attend the SHARE online program, e-mail
Susan.Villa@EEHealth.org for the link.
In addition, Sharing HOPE (Having Optimistic Pregnancy Expectations) is a group for those who have suffered a miscarriage or loss of an infant and who are now pregnant or considering becoming pregnant. The group meets
in person at Edward Hospital, 801 S. Washington St. in Naperville on the second Thursday of the month, 7:159:15 p.m. in the Education Center, 3rd floor. There is also an online option (via Webex) on the fourth Thursday
of each month from 8:00-9:30 p.m. To attend the Sharing HOPE online program, e-mail Susan.Villa@EEHealth. org for the link.
For those more comfortable receiving support one-on-one, a parent who
has experienced a similar loss will call upon request. For more information about SHARE events, support groups and resources, visit www.eehealth. org/SHAREResources or call (630) 527-3263.
Nicor Gas today announces the launch of TotalGreen™, a voluntary pilot program designed for qualified customers to balance their carbon footprint from their use of natural gas by combining renewable natural gas credits[1] with the purchase of carbon offsets.[2]
“At Nicor Gas, our team is excited to offer a new way for our customers to help reach our state’s goal of a clean energy economy,” said Meena Beyers, vice president of Community and Business Development. “We are committed to doing our part to live a more
environmentally friendly lifestyle and offer programs and options for our customers to live and work more sustainably as well. TotalGreen is just one example of how Nicor Gas is working tirelessly to support the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.”
The program cost is an additional monthly charge that is calculated on a per therm basis – the measure of natural gas use. On average, the cost of participating in the voluntary TotalGreen Basic program for a single-family home is approximately $100 a year but varies based on individual natural
gas use and plan selection.
To learn more, explore program details, and to see if you are qualified to enroll today, visit www.NicorGas. com/TotalGreen.
In addition to TotalGreen, Nicor Gas also offers a robust energy efficiency program that all residential customers can take advantage of to save money and energy, including free energy-saving kits and complementary in-home energy audits. The company is also committed to reaching net zero GHG emissions from its operations by 2050 and supporting emissions reductions
across the natural gas supply chain.
Through its parent company, Southern Company Gas, Nicor Gas is a founding member of Our Nation’s Energy (ONE) Future, a coalition of natural gas companies working to achieve a rate of methane emissions across the natural gas supply chain that is less than 1% of total production.
Beyond the company’s commitment to providing sustainable programs for our customers, Nicor Gas is also dedicated to achieving equitable access to the more than 650 commu-
nities it serves every day. As the largest natural gas provider in Illinois, Nicor Gas is focused on creating, maintaining and sustaining 10,000 acres of open space in its service territory.
Last year, Nicor Gas distributed $52,000 in grants to support environmental stewardship initiatives for nonprofit organizations that contribute clean air, conservation, preservation and sustainable activities.
To learn more about how renewable natural gas is contributing to a more sustainable future, visit www. NicorGas.com/RNG.
It is with much sadness we announce the passing of John E.R. Gossett on Friday, June 2nd, 2023 in Bolingbrook Hospital of natural causes. John was born on Oct 3rd, 1932 in Danville, IL to Lee Roy & Dora Mae (Bear) Gossett. After graduating from Danville High School in 1950, John moved to Florida where he joined the Air Force Reserves. It was during this time John was briefly recruited by the Boston Celtics. After getting out of the service, John moved back to the Danville area where he contemplated life in the Christian Ministry, however, that was not to be his calling. He obtained a job with the Western Electric Company as an installer and later as part of the management team. John retired from AT&T after 30 years of service. As a part of his new position with Western Electric, he relocated to the Joliet area. It was there in 1958, he met the love of his life, Mary Alyce Crawford of Plainfield, IL. The couple were married and settled in Plainfield in 1959, where they raised a family and lived for the rest of their lives. John loved the outdoors and had a beautiful rose garden at his Plainfield home, and spent many summers with his family at Sand Lake, WI, where he indulged in his passion
for walleye fishing. While being a “man’s man” John was also man of sophisticated substance. Along with being a Jazz enthusiast, he was a charter member of Hugh Hefner’s Playboy Club in Chicago. In retirement, John and Mary Alyce become movie and tv extras, appearing in countless productions filmed in the Chicagoland area. John was also an avid reader, and he amassed a substantial book collection of local and national authors. Both John & Mary Alyce volunteered at the Plainfield Public Library. In his last months, John was an aficionado of Subway sandwiches and watching movies on his iPad! However, most of all they enjoyed spending time with their family. He leaves behind his daugh-
ter April Gossett-Daily (Franklin, TN), his son Shawn Gossett (Lutz, FL), his daughter Crystal Gossett-Bloom (Los Angeles, CA), his nephew Mac Crawford (Spring Hill, TN) 7 grandchildren, Patrick, Ryan, Allyson, Elliott, John, Julian and Kelly, as well as 4 Great Grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his wife, Mary Alyce Gossett, and his sonin-law Larry Daily. In lieu of flowers, donations in his name can be made to the Plainfield Public Library District, via check. Donations can be dropped off at the Library or mailed to: Plainfield Public Library District, 15025 S. Illinois St, Plainfield, IL 60544. Arrangements entrusted to Overman-Jones Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 15219 Joliet Rd., Plainfield, IL 60544. For more information, please call 815-4369221 or www.overman-jones. comregister at the following link to view the service: https://event. forgetmenotceremonies.com/ ceremony?c=86370b4a-35584661-9d62-1623e061ade6.
Bill’s family appreciates donations to the American Diabetes Association in his memory. Cress Funeral Service
1310 Emerald Terrace Sun Prairie, WI 53590 608-837-9054
CASE NO. 2023TX000095
FILED April 5, 2023
TAKE NOTICE
TO: ROHIT YADAV, HIRA HASNAIN, JULIE TATHAM, MERS, ROCKET MORTGAGE, LLC C/O REG AGENT CT CORPORATION SYSTEM, WILL COUNTY CLERK; OCCUPANTS, PARTIES IN OCCUPANCY OR ACTUAL POSSESSION OF SAID PROPERTY; AND UNKNOWN OWNERS or PARTIES INTERESTED IN SAID LAND OR LOTS AND UNKNOWN OCCUPANTS
This is NOTICE of the filing of the petition for Tax Deed on the following described property: Property located at: 376 LAKEVIEW CIRCLE, BOLINGBROOK, ILLINOIS
Property Index Number: 12-02-10-201-0580000
On October 12, 2023 at 9:00 AM, in the Circuit Court of Will County, Will County Courthouse, 100 West Jefferson Street, Courtroom 905, Joliet, Illinois, the Petitioner intends to make an application for an order on the petition that a Tax Deed be issued. The real estate was sold on December 9, 2020, for delinquent real estate taxes and/or special assessments for the year 2019. Certificate No. 19-00294. The period of redemption will expire on October 4, 2023.
GDAX LLC PETITIONER 8147-932801
Published 5/24/23, 5/31/23, 6/7/23
CASE NO. 2023TX000084
FILED April 5, 2023
TAKE NOTICE
TO: WHITE ROSE ANGELS LLC - 412 BIRCH DRIVE, LLC, WHITE ROSE ANGELS LLC412 BIRCH DRIVE, LLC C/O REG AGENT JENEE LEE MAZANY, JENEE L POLACZEK, WILL COUNTY CLERK; OCCUPANTS, PARTIES IN OCCUPANCY OR ACTUAL POSSESSION OF SAID PROPERTY; AND UNKNOWN OWNERS or PARTIES INTERESTED IN SAID LAND OR LOTS AND UNKNOWN OCCUPANTS
This is NOTICE of the filing of the petition for Tax Deed on the following described property: Property located at: TROY TOWNSHIP, BIRCH DRIVE, SHOREWOOD, ILLINOIS Property Index Number: 05-06-09-401-0010000
On October 12, 2023 at 9:00 AM, in the Circuit Court of Will County, Will County Courthouse, 100 West Jefferson Street, Courtroom 905, Joliet, Illinois, the Petitioner intends to make an application for an order on the petition that a Tax Deed be issued. The real estate was sold on December 9, 2020, for delinquent real estate taxes and/or special assessments for the year 2019. Certificate No. 19-01377. The period of redemption will expire on October 4, 2023. DG ENTERPRISES, LLC - X, LLC PETITIONER 10732-932798
Published 5/24/23, 5/31/23, 6/7/23
CASE NO. 2023TX000085
FILED April 5, 2023
TAKE NOTICE
TO: WHITE ROSE ANGELS LLC - 19625 NW FRONTAGE ROAD, LLC, WHITE ROSE ANGELS LLC - 19625 NW FRONTAGE ROAD, LLC C/O REG AGENT JENEE LEE MAZANY, JENEE L POLACZEK, WILL COUNTY CLERK; OCCUPANTS, PARTIES IN OCCUPANCY OR ACTUAL POSSESSION OF SAID PROPERTY; AND UNKNOWN OWNERS or PARTIES INTERESTED IN SAID LAND OR LOTS AND UNKNOWN OCCUPANTS
This is NOTICE of the filing of the petition for Tax Deed on the following described property: Property located at: TROY TOWNSHIP, NORTHWEST FRONTAGE ROAD, SHOREWOOD, ILLINOIS
Property Index Number: 05-06-10-400-0310000
On October 12, 2023 at 9:00 AM, in the Circuit Court of Will County, Will County Courthouse, 100 West Jefferson Street, Courtroom 905, Joliet, Illinois, the Petitioner intends to make an application for an order on the petition that a Tax Deed be issued. The real estate was sold on December 9, 2020, for delinquent real estate taxes and/or special assessments for the year 2019. Certificate No. 19-01386. The period of redemption will expire on October 4, 2023. DG ENTERPRISES, LLC - X, LLC PETITIONER 10732-932799
Published 5/24/23, 5/31/23, 6/7/23
CASE NO. 2023TX000090
FILED April 5, 2023
TAKE NOTICE
TO: VERNA J O’BRIEN AS TRUSTEE UTA DATED 5/17/2017 ADA THE VERNA J O’BRIEN REVOCABLE LIVING TRUST DATED 5/17/2017, WILL COUNTY CLERK; OCCUPANTS, PARTIES IN OCCUPANCY OR ACTUAL POSSESSION OF SAID PROPERTY; AND UNKNOWN OWNERS or PARTIES INTERESTED IN SAID LAND OR LOTS AND UNKNOWN OCCUPANTS
This is NOTICE of the filing of the petition for Tax Deed on the following described property: Property located at: 507 SIX PINES DRIVE, ROMEOVILLE, ILLINOIS
Property Index Number: 12-02-27-114-0260000
On October 12, 2023 at 9:00 AM, in the Circuit Court of Will County, Will County Courthouse, 100 West Jefferson Street, Courtroom 905, Joliet, Illinois, the Petitioner intends to make an application for an order on the petition that a Tax Deed be issued. The real estate was sold on December 9, 2020, for delinquent real estate taxes and/or special assessments for the year 2019. Certificate No. 19-00481. The period of redemption will expire on October 4, 2023. DOLOMITE ENTERPRISES, LLC PETITIONER 8146-932800
Published 5/24/23, 5/31/23, 6/7/23
