B Y RANDY WHALEN For the Bugle
Forest Park iE School receives character recognition
Forest Park Individual Education
(I.E.) School has been named an Illinois state-level School of Character by Character.org. Forest Park is the only school in the state to receive this recognition this year.
Character.org certifies schools and districts each year at the state level that have developed and implemented an intentional, proactive, and comprehensive approach that embeds character into all aspects of the school life. Schools and districts receiving this designation will be considered for a National School of Character distinction, the highest honor a school or district can receive from Character. org. Since its inception, Character. org’s Schools of Character program has positively impacted over three million students, staff, parents, and other community members.
“Congratulations to Forest Park Principal Jacob Darley and his entire Forest Park staff for being named an Illinois School of Character,” said Joliet Public Schools District 86 Superintendent Dr. Theresa Rouse, “This is the second time Forest Park has received this prestigious honor.”
Forest Park I.E. received their first state level Character.org award in 2017 and was named a 2020 National School of Character.
“I am so proud of the hard work my teachers, staff, and families put in on a daily basis to make our school a true community,” said Forest Park I.E. School Principal Jacob
Darley, “It is validating to know an outside organization recognizes all the effort and commitment that goes into making our school thrive.”
“Each of these schools and districts have put into place an initiative that equips and empowers their staff to reinforce and model
a range of positive core values that will shape and form the hearts, minds, and choices of their students.” Said Dr. Arthur Schwartz, Character.org’s President.
Criteria for selection are based on Character.org’s 11 Principles Framework for Schools: A Guide to Cultivating a Culture of Character.
The Framework includes key indicators on creating a caring school community where everyone feels they belong, providing students with opportunities to practice, and reflect on their character strengths, and engaging families and communities as partners in the school’s character initiative.
Romeoville Fire Academy Partners with Endeavor Health to Train Underserved Students
The Romeoville Fire Academy, which trains firefighters and Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT) from all over the US and internationally, is proud to announce its ongoing partnership in Endeavor Health’s 2025 Community Investment Fund (CIF). This year, the Fire Academy has been awarded $380,000 for continued support of workforce development aimed at recruiting, training, and launching firefighter and EMT careers with a focus on young adults from diverse communities.
In 2024, Endeavor Health selected the Romeoville Fire Academy as a partner in their Community Investment Fund and awarded them $100,000. The partnership has been extended for 2025 and 2026 and the grant is increasing to $190,000 each year.
“We are beyond thrilled that Endeavor Health has chosen to increase their funding to support the partnership with our Fire Academy,” said Mayor Noak. “The fire service continues to experience challenges in recruitment. It’s crucial to discover effective strategies to draw in
and retain the next generation of firefighters and EMTs. This funding will provide new opportunities as we enhance those efforts.”
Endeavor Health selected the Romeoville Fire Academy as one of 44 local organizations across the Chicagoland area to collaborate on programs focused on behavioral health, food and housing insecurity and access to care.
“At the heart of the Community Investment Fund is our role as a convener, connecting organizations and fostering partnerships that amplify their collective impact,” said Kristen Murtos, Chief Innovation & Transformation Officer at Endeavor Health. “By bringing together diverse community groups, we don’t just fund projects—we create opportunities for collaboration that drive innovation, spark new ideas and deliver solutions that are greater than the sum of the parts.”
The nationwide shortage of firefighters and EMTs is an ongoing challenge. During recruitment sessions, the Fire Academy noticed students of different ethnic groups wanted to join, but would become discouraged when they heard the cost of getting through training. With the continued support from Endeavor Health, the Fire Academy will bring in more than 20 students of underserved communities in 2025
and put them through fire and EMT training with the hopes of successful job placement by the end of the year.
In 2024, the grant helped more than 15 students that have completed programs or are currently enrolled in early 2025 programs.
For more information about the Fire Academy, please visit romeoville.org/153/FireAcademy. To learn more about Endeavor Health’s Community Investment Fund, visit endeavorhealth.org/cif.
illinois lawmakers try again to ban certain food additives
B Y L i LY CAREY Capitol News illinois
For the second legislative session in a row, Sen. Willie Preston, D-Chicago, is pushing to ban several chemicals from Illinois food items.
But this time, Preston and his bipartisan backers have momentum from the federal government on their side.
Senate Bill 93, dubbed the Food Safety Act, passed out of the Senate Public Health Committee Tuesday. It would ban the use of four chemicals in Illinois foods: brominated vegetable oil, red dye No. 3, potassium bromate and propylparaben. All four of these substances have been the subject of scientific studies linking them to elevated health risks over time, and red dye No. 3 has been linked to cancer in animals.
Preston proposed an essentially identical bill last year, which passed the Senate with bipartisan support but was not called for a vote House. However, this year’s bill comes amid renewed national attention on the issue of food additives. In the past six months, the
Food and Drug Administration has moved to ban two of the four substances that Preston’s bill proposes banning in Illinois — brominated vegetable oil and red dye No. 3.
The latter ban was enacted on Jan. 15, just days after Preston reintroduced the Food Safety Act. He said in a news release he intends to amend his bill in line with the recent federal bans.
“Manufacturers already have to comply with California standards, the EU (European Union) standards and now the FDA,” said Sen. Rachel Ventura, D-Joliet, at a Senate Public Health Committee hearing Tuesday. “We’re just asking them to make sure that our state, Illinois, also has those same safe foods.”
The two recent federal bans came “at lightning speed for the FDA,” Preston said. But the agency has a long history of missing deadlines, Melanie Benesh from the research and advocacy organization Environmental Working Group noted during the hearing.
The ban on red dye No. 3 has been in the works since 1990, when the FDA linked the chemical to cancer in lab rats and to behav-
ioral problems in children. Meanwhile, all four substances that the Food Safety Act proposes banning have been outlawed in Europe and Australia for decades.
Given the FDA’s history of regulatory delays, Preston and other members of the Senate Public Health Committee said Illinois needs to take food additive bans into its own hands.
“I want the FDA to be a leader on this issue, but I cannot allow them the time to be a leader on this issue at the expense of the people of Illinois,” Preston said.
California became the first state to ban red dye No. 3 and brominated vegetable oil in 2023, and several other states are currently considering similar bans on food and color additives, including New Jersey, New York, Arkansas, Oklahoma and Missouri.
But some legislators believe the recent FDA bans could signal a change to the federal food regulatory process. Sen. Andrew Chesney, R-Freeport, was one of three to vote against the act in committee. He said food additive regulations should be left to the federal government and he
expects President Donald Trump “will handle things differently” and move regulations along more quickly.
Sen. Seth Lewis, R-Bartlett, one of four Republicans to support the bill last session, is a chief cosponsor on this year’s effort. “Make no mistake — food, and
the security of our food and the quality of our food, is a bipartisan issue,” Lewis said at a Wednesday news conference. “We need to make sure that what our children are eating helps them grow to be accomplished individuals here in our society. That is not partisan, that is bipartisan.”
“Stamped into History” celebrates Black History Month at Bicentennial Park
All are invited celebrate Black History Month at Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park & Theatre. Learn, laugh, dance and be uplifted while celebrating the rich heritage and contributions of African Americans.
Enjoy “Stamped Into History” on February 14, 15, and 16, held in the indoor theatre. Admission is free for all three days! All ages can enjoy a Valentine’s Day weekend filled with love of history, community and music.
“Stamped Into History,” a LWCLeads Production, was created by Larry Crawford to celebrate the highlights of African Americans honored on U.S. postage stamps. Though this will be the third year at Bicentennial Park’s theatre, Mr. Crawford has presented “Stamped Into History” around the region for the past eight years including performances at both St. Francis and Lewis Universities. Here is the lineup for the three days of celebration:
“Special Delivery” is Friday, February 14 at 7:00 pm. Lobby opens at 6:00 pm. We offer a special way to enjoy Valentine’s evening, whether solo, duo, with family or with friends! All ages will enjoy a musical and oratorical look at Black History. Many African Americans have been honored by the U.S. Postal System, and a select group will be honored Friday night. Actors portraying these historical figures will fill the indoor theatre with their passion and purpose of their contributions to our collective history.
The evening’s musical highlight will be professional flautist Gwen
Cain. Classically trained, Ms. Cain’s passion began at the young age of 8 years old in Joliet. She later won 1st place in the IL State High School Music Contest while attending Joliet West. She was awarded a talent scholarship by Illinois State University. She also attended After receiving her BA in Music, she took off in her professional career, earning her SAG-AFTRA membership (Screen Actors guild and American Federation of Television and Radio Artists).
Ms. Cain’s many talents also include music therapist, actor and health advocate. “I am a Music Therapist who knows the science and spiritual side of sound as God’s natural creation, that can change your behavior and life. I would like to be a part of that vibe, that sound, that will transpire to you, to have a better healing experience, inspirational experience and wonderful blessed day experience.”
Her passion for music and people makes for Valentine’s evening to remember! The show will be about 90 minutes with intermission.
“Soulsville” is Saturday, February 15 at 7:00 pm. Lobby opens at 6:00 pm. All ages are invited to enjoy this R&B variety show filled with music, singing and dancing! Relive the days of “Soul Train” with grooves from the 60’s, 70’s, and 80’s. The driving force behind the live music will the R&B band, “Standing Room Only.” For those that want to get up and dance, there will be room for dancing down in front! The show will be about 90 minutes with intermission.
“Hymns & Gems for HIM” is Sunday, February 16 at 4:00 pm. All are
welcome to be uplifted and filled with passion for life and community. Enjoy an evening of power-packed inspirational words and gospel music. We welcome back R&B band, “Standing Room Only” and other special guest soloists and musicians. Lobby opens at 3:00 pm. The show will be about two hours with intermission.
Special vendors, including custom-designed African garments and jewelry, will be available for sale in the lobby. A cash bar and refreshments will also be available for sale. The lobby opens one hour before each performance.
Bicentennial Park Theatre is grateful to all the entertainers donating their time and talent over the three days. Although admission is free for all the events, we ask audience members to please consider making a free-will donation of any amount. All the money goes directly to the entertainers, who are dedicated volunteers. There will be an opportunity to donate to the performers and help offset their expenses for travel, meals and other expenses they personally incur to make these special performances possible.
Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park and Theatre is located at 201 West Jefferson Street, downtown Joliet. Parking is free and available within the park and south of Jefferson Street.
For more information on the Park and more events, visit www.bicentennialpark.org or contact the office: 815-724-3761/ bipark@joliet.gov.
LEGAL NOTICE
Notice is hereby given that a public hearing will be held by the Village of Niles Planning and Zoning Board on Monday, March 3, 2025, at 6:00 P.M. in the Council Chambers of the Niles Municipal Building, 1000 Civic Center Drive, Niles Illinois, to hear the following matter(s):
25-ZP-05
Mohammad Alqraini of 3105 W Western Ave, South Bend, IN 46619, is requesting approval of a Variation from Village of Niles Zoning Ordinance Appendix B, Section 5.2(A)(3) to a allow for a use not listed under the “retail” category in Table 8-1 of the Zoning Ordinance within 250’ of a signalized intersection for a barber shop at 7517 W Oakton St, Niles, IL 60714
Pin #: 09-25-201-032-0000
25-ZP-06
Olabayode Oluwole of 7042 N Milwaukee Ave, Niles, IL 60714 is requesting approval of a Special Use Permit per Village of Niles Zoning Ordinance Appendix B Section 8.2(A) for a ‘Reception Facility’ at 7030-7040 N Milwaukee Ave, Niles, IL 60714.
PIN #: 10-31-101-036-0000, 10-31-101-025-0000, 10-31-101-026-0000 & 10-31-101-031-0000
25-ZP-07
Olabayode Oluwole of 7042 N Milwaukee Ave, Niles, IL 60714 is requesting approval of three Variations from Village of Niles Zoning Ordinance Appendix B to allow for a ‘Reception Facility’ at 70307040 N Milwaukee Ave, Niles, IL 60714:
- A Variation from Section 10.4 to provide 126 parking spaces where 143 are required. - A Variation from Section 10.3(D)(1) to allow for a parking lot with a gravel surface - A Variation from Section 10.3 to allow for a tandem parking configuration for the proposed valet parking lot.
PIN #: 10-31-101-036-0000, 10-31-101-025-0000, 10-31-101-026-0000 & 10-31-101-031-0000
25-ZP-08
Rima Butros of 8001 N Elmore St, Niles, IL 60714 is requesting approval of a Special Use Permit per Village of Niles Zoning Ordinance Appendix B Section 8.2(A) for an ‘Educational Facility – Vocational’ (beauty school) at 9509 N Milwaukee Ave, Niles, IL 60714.
PIN #: 09-14-114-006-0000 & 09-14-114-007-0000
All persons interested should attend and will be given an opportunity to be heard. For additional information regarding the above case(s) or should any individual need auxiliary aid or service, such as sign language interpreter or materials in alternative formats, please contact the Village of Niles Community Development Department at 847-588-8077.
Published February 13, 2025
LEGAL NOTICE
STATE OF WISCONSIN CIRCUIT COURT
LANGLADE COUNTY CIVIL DIVISION
COVANTAGE CREDIT UNION
Plaintiff,
Case No.: 2024CV000129 Case Code: 30301 (Money Judgement) vs.
DHARMEN PATEL and SONAL PATEL Defendants.
SUMMONS FOR PUBLICATION
THE STATE OF WISCONSIN,
To each person named above as a defendant:
You are hereby notified that the plaintiff named above has filed a lawsuit or other legal action against you. The Complaint, which has been mailed to you, states the nature and basis of the legal action.
Within 40 days after January 16, 2025, you must respond with a written answer, as that term is used in Chapter 802 of the Wisconsin Statutes, to the Complaint. The Court may reject or disregard an answer that does not follow the requirements of the statutes. The Answer must be sent or delivered to, or electronically filed with the Court, whose address is 800 Clermont St, Antigo, Wisconsin 54409, and to Frank W. DiCastri, plaintiff’s attorney, of Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren s.c., whose address is 1000 North Water Street, Suite 1700, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202. You may have an attorney help or represent you.
If you do not provide a proper answer within 40 days after January 16, 2025, the Court may grant judgment against you for the award of money or other legal action requested in the Complaint, and you may lose your right to object to anything that is or may be incorrect in the Complaint. A judgment may be enforced as provided by law. A judgment awarding money may become a lien against any real estate you own now or in the future, and may also be enforced by garnishment or seizure of property.
Dated this 8th day of January, 2025.
Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren s.c. 1000 North Water Street, Suite 1700 Milwaukee, WI 53202 414-298-1000
Fax: 414-298-8097
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 2965
Milwaukee, WI 53201-2965 Electronically signed by Frank W. DiCastri Frank W. DiCastri fdicastri@reinhartlaw.com State Bar ID No. 1030386
Attorney for Plaintiff CoVantage Credit Union
Published 2/6/25, 2/13/25 & 2/20/25
