APRIL 1, 2015 VOL. 7 ISSUE 30
u.S. 30 WorK StartS thiS WeeK Will continue through summer 2017
see page 18
NEWS 13 candidates run for Joliet city council Joliet Chamber holds candidate forum
Joliet Chamber of Commerce holds mayoral candidate forum see tHe Full story on Page 2
see page 3
OPINION Batter Up for this rite of spring Pilcher Park Pancake fest an ongoing family tradition
see page 7
SPORTS
trio honored Three locals among all-area honorees
see page 11
Mayor toM giarrante
councilMan BoB o’DeKirK
canDiDate anDy Mihelich
p age 2 | Wed n e sd ay, a p r i l 1 , 2 0 1 5 | j o l i e t bugle. c om
Mayoral candidates state local views Joliet Chamber of Commerce holds candidate forum
Stay uPDateD
buglenewspapers.com for all election updates
By Kris staDalsKy for the bugle
sweditor@buglenewspapers.com @BugleNewspapers
All three Joliet mayoral candidates had an opportunity to share their views and a quick bid for office during the Joliet Chamber of Commerce’s candidate forum at the Jacob Henry Estate Victorian Ballroom March 25. The forum allowed each candidate just three minutes to speak their minds. Pulling numbers from a hat, Mayor Tom Giarrante drew the first spot in the mayoral forum. Giarrante stood by his record of accomplishments since taking office four years ago. The city of Joliet was in bad shape at the time, he said, and he was told by then City Manager Tom Thanas that if they didn’t bring in more revenue, they would be laying off police officers and firefighters. Giarrante said he knew when he supported a budget increase it would be an issue during re-election, but because of the telecommunications tax and small sales tax increase, the city now has a $35 million to $40 million reserve fund and has had a balanced budget for four years. “It was the right thing to do. Rather than kick the can down the road, address the problem, and we did,” he said. If not for that budget, the city would have an $80,000-plus shortage, he said. Because of the budget, they were able to hire more police officers and address the ash borer tree problem. The Mayor also said the city has issued 21,000 building permits in that time, compared to 829 prior to his taking office. Giarrante said that while challenger, Councilman Bob O’Dekirk, claims not to have voted for the tax increase, the increase was in the budget which passed 9-0. “So he did in fact vote for an increase in taxes,” Giarrante said. O’Dekirk first spoke of his former career as a Joliet police officer on the east side, his return to school to study law, as a prosecutor for the City of Chicago and 20 months overseas working with armed forces and Iraqi police to prepare them for when the U.S. pulled out. He now
has a private law practice in Joliet. He believes the reason he was elected as a city councilman in 2011 is that the people of Joliet knew there was something wrong, he said. O’Dekirk said despite what the mayor says, the city is not on budget. Last year, they took $3 million from reserves to balance the budget, and the 2015 budget includes $8 million taken from reserves. He pointed out that the two riverboat casinos bring in $700 million in tax revenue to the city. “With $700 million, we should be able to pay our bills,” O’Dekirk said. “The problem of Joliet is the culture at city hall.” Some of the changes O’Dekirk called for is to hire an economic development director, which the city has never had, an economic development plan to lead the city forward and to actively market the city. Candidate Andy Mihelich started his comments by saying he has a totally different and bold, new vision for Joliet that separates him from his opponents. “Joliet is at a turning point,” he said. “We grew too fast during a declining economy. We are now stuck with big city problems, both social and economic.” Mihelich handed out a plan with 101 ideas he developed to correct problems in the city. Among them he cited taking legal possession of Evergreen Terrace, restarting efforts on the Bridge Street Towne Center, creating a mayor’s advisory commission on new businesses, transforming the riverfront into the showcase of Joliet and selling or converting Silver Cross Field into a multi-use facility. “These are not just traditional solutions to traditional problems, they are a roadmap for Joliet,” he said. Mihelich is retired after 30 years as an administrator at Joliet Junior College, ending with his position as a vice president. He is currently Chairman of the board for JJC. Mihelich said the city needs to look and find solutions to its problems collectively, not one at a time, in order to be effective and address all the issues and all the opportunities.
Wednesday, Apri l 1, 2015 | joli etbug le.com
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APRIL 7 ELECTION > JOLIET
13 Candidates run for Joliet City Council seats Joliet Chamber holds candidate forum By Kris Stadalsky for the bugle
sweditor@buglenewspapers.com @BugleNewspapers
All but two of the candidates running for Joliet City Council attended the Joliet Chamber of Commerce luncheon and candidate forum March 25. The 11 candidates running for the five districts each started with thanking the Chamber for the opportunity to present themselves to area business and organization leaders before launching into their reasons for seeking election on April 7.
District 1 As a private business who now owns an independent insurance agency, and is a labor union member, Councilman Larry Hug said he understands all sides of commerce. Hug discussed how a small tax increase can negatively affect Councilman small businesses Larry Hug District 1 candidate when gross profit margins and shrinking net income revenue are factored in. A 2 percent tax increase can balloon into a 33
percent reduction, he said. “And with that (reduction) comes a tightening of the belt, which affects labor,” Hug said. “The most important thing we can have in the business community is council members who actually understand business.” Terry Cottrell is Chief Information officer at the University of St. Francis and has community experience in several areas, including the United Way of Will County and trustee for Plainfield Public Library District. He has m a n a g e m e n t Terry Cottrell skills in District 1 candidate collaboration and teamwork that he can offer to the community, he said. With District 1 being close to Louis Joliet Mall, Cottrell said he would be a great ambassador in selling the city to increase commercial development. He also supports more commercial development of Route 59 and Theodore Street, wants to concentrate on the city’s infrastructure and encourage young people to be viable members of the community. Cottrell believes in working together with residents to move Joliet forward.
District 2 Candidate Pat Mudron pointed
to his local ties to the community, living in District 2 all of his life, a local business owner and attending Joliet schools. “I am a local product,” he said. Mudron has thought about getting involved in city government for some time, and feels he finally has the time to run for office.
Mudron has been self employed for 43 years and is owner of Mudron Kane Insurance Agency. He pointed to the city governmental structure, saying it is underutilized and needs to have more of a team concept.
Housing Authority commissioner Roger Powell Sr. said his experiences have given him the ability to oversee budgets, make sure money goes where it’s supposed to go, and work Pat Mudron District 2 candidate
see council | page 23
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county news
Rauner: Will County ‘doing pretty well … but can do way better’ Insists he is ‘ pro-competition,’ not anti-union
John Greuling, president and CEO of the Will County Center for Economic Development, listens as Gov. Bruce Rauner speaks to Will County officials in Joliet March 27. (PHOTO BY NICK REIHER/MANAGING EDITOR)
By nick reiher
managing editor
nreiher@buglenewspapers.com @JolietILNews
Gov. Bruce Rauner stopped in Joliet March 27 to seek support from Will County officials in his quest to “turnaround” Illinois through various reforms. As a businessman, Rauner has attempted such turnarounds – taking a troubled company and bringing it back – many times before. But he told the several dozen officials packed into the BMO Harris Bank Community Room in the University of St. Francis’ downtown Robert W. Plaster Free Enterprise Center – the Democratic process is a different animal. In business, he said he would have locked everyone in a room with cold pizza and said no one gets out until there is an agreement. But the $1.6 billion bailout for the 2015 budget took longer than he expected, he said. In the end, though, he said the process gave him hope he and the Legislature could work in bi-partisan fashion on the 2016 budget. He said he hoped to get a budget passed by May 31 so they can avoid needing a supermajority in the Legislature for approval. But he knows it will be tough. He said his turnaround agenda has been put into bill form, and he will be discussing it soon now that the 2015 shortfall has been addressed. For 2016, by law, Rauner had to provide a balanced budget when he did so back in February. Revenues are projected right about $32 billion, and Rauner says that’s what they will spend unless alternative sources are found. That includes
monies to replace the $4 billion lost when the temporary state income tax increase sunset Jan. 1. Though the state is in financial crisis, he said he put more funding into education because he wants to help grow careers, not just jobs. And he would like to see technical and vocational programs return to high schools. He believes in social services, but said the state can’t afford a strong social service safety net. Rebuilding the state’s economy and its education system can help the state get there. Rauner told the crowd too much time and money has been spent in the past on protecting government jobs. Though his reforms have been portrayed as anti-union, he insists he is “anti-conflict of interest” and “pro-competition.” The people who are making the rules are making it easier for unions who support them financially, he said, instead of working for the people who elected them. He suggested his “employee empowerment zones,” where work would be offered in open shops only, could be done by county. Then it would be up to the people in those counties whether they wanted union work or open shops, he said, adding that “Right to Work,” states such as Iowa have seen lower unemployment. John Greuling, president and
CEO of the Will County Center for Economic Development, which cohosted Rauner’s visit, said later he isn’t sure the general public should be the ones deciding whether their areas are open shop or unions. He added that he didn’t understand how offering open shops county by county would help the state as a whole, or if it would simply pit one county against another. Will County also has benefitted from union labor that is considered among the best when it comes to construction. He said it was “very bold” of Rauner to come into a strong union area like Will County to pitch his “Right to Work” plans. Though Rauner said thousands of employers won’t look at a closed shop state, Greuling said he has seen that prospective employers considering Will County or Illinois in general are less concerned about unions than they are the state’s pension issues and the worker’s compensation program, which Rauner called broken. Greuling also noted state transportation officials are taking another look at the financing possibilities for the proposed Illiana Tollway. Some have said the state would need to put in another $400 million up front to make the road viable for prospective investors. But he believes that figure is high. Rauner said the Illiana is among major projects the state is looking at to improve infrastructure. That also includes whatever can be done to alleviate truck traffic issues around the CenterPoint Intermodal Center in Joliet and Elwood that already has caused business to go elsewhere. “Right now, we’ve got bottlenecks with transportation in Will County,” Rauner told reporters later. “We can’t have bottlenecks if we’re going to keep growing.”
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column
Dateline: Springfield Welcome to this week’s Hot Air, Springfield edition, culled from a bunch of meetings with local legislators in our State Capitol. Dear John … Congratulations to state Sen. Michael Hastings, D-Tinley Park, on his marriage in February. Only problem is, when you’re on several financial committees and the state is broke, you have to put some things on hold, courtesy of state Senate President John Cullerton, D-Chicago. “John told me, ‘You can plan your honeymoon for the week after the Fourth of July,’” Hastings said. “’If it gets bad, you can have your wife call the office.’” And with the temporary state income tax sunset in January and yet-to-be-discovered alternative revenue sources, she just might be making that call. “I don’t like using reserves,” Hastings said, “but this time, I may support it. Fiscal Year 2016 will be quite the train wreck.”
Dear, dear Nancy Will County Clerk Nancy Schultz Voots has been telling County Board members she will need about $1 million more in this year’s budget due to a new law that requires her to offer same-day voter registration at all of the county’s 300-plus polling places. That is, i4f you want to help protect against voter fraud by buying nearly 300 special eBooks that contain info registration info for all voters in that area, anyway. The problem is, said state Rep. Larry Walsh Jr., D-Elwood, is that Voots seems to be the lone voice among her fellow clerks lobbying for a change in the law to at least reduce the number of same-day polling places. He did note, however, there are grants available to help offset the cost of those special books.
And pass the pepper, please Not only was the recent dinner served by Joliet Junior College Culinary Arts students at the Governor’s Mansion a nice honor and great success, state Sen. Pat McGuire, D-Crest Hill, happened to get into a little table talk sitting next to Gov. Bruce Rauner. Somewhere between the poached flounder and saffron herb mousseline, and the chocolate mousse, McGuire mentioned that, oh, by the by, the old Joliet Correctional Center on Collins Street is falling into disrepair. All the while, it continues to be the most asked about local spot by tourists. That resulted in a follow-up discussion with two of Rauner’s staff, including Sean McCarthy, policy advisor for Economic Development. And that could result in a tour by the governor’s staff that locals hope will open up tours to the still-safe parts of the prison.
Insert your own punchline When Rauner visited Logan Correctional Center in Lincoln recently, Hastings said he became the first sitting governor to visit a prison in the state.
They said … “You have a lot of prisons in your district.” Rauner said to McGuire when talking about old Joliet Correctional, Stateville and the Illinois Youth Center in Joliet, soon-to-be renovated as a treatment center for adult mentally ill offenders. “I’m quitting my job. I want to drive a combine!” What state Sen. Linda Holmes, D-Aurora, said she told her mother after getting a combine ride courtesy of the Will County Farm Bureau.
Managing Editor Nick Reiher contributed to this week’s column.
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www.crimestoppersofwillcounty.org • 800.323.734 Wednesday, Apri l 1, 2015 | bug lenewspapers.com
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The following items were compiled from the official reports of the Joliet Police Department. Appearing in the police blotter does not constitute a finding of guilt, only a court of law can make that determination.
SHOREWOOD Alanis, Blanca I. Alanis, 22, 1756 W. North Shore, Chicago, was arrested at 11:38 p.m. March 13 at Brookforest and Jefferson Street for no valid driver’s license and illegal use of cell phone.
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Marina, Michael R. Marina, 19, 1653 Quinn Drive, Plainfield, was arrested at 11:58 a.m. March 18 at Brookforest and Ridge Drive on a Will County warrant for criminal damage to property and retail theft.
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Ranell L. Duncan, 43, 412 Illinois St., Joliet, was arrested at 8:56 p.m. March 17 at 700 W. Jefferson on a Will County warrant for driving while license suspended.
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Jose Garcia, 31, 211 Illinois St., Joliet, was arrested at 7:13 a.m. March 19 at Jefferson Street and River Road for no valid driver’s license and no seatbelt.
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Bryan L. Rudd, 5343 Waterbury Court, Crestwood, was arrested at 2:13 p.m. March 17
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at 903 W. Jefferson on an East Hazel Crest warrant for driving while license suspended. A male juvenile age 17 of Joliet was arrested at 1:55 a.m. March 17 at Brookforest Drive and Jefferson Street for possession of controlled substance, possession of cannabis, possession of drug equipment, no valid driver’s license and improper lighting.
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A female juvenile age 17 of Plainfield was arrested at 4:34 p.m. March 17 at 1008 Vertin Blvd. for driving while license suspended, no Insurance and speeding.
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Ryan M. Brown, 33, 911 Westminster Road, Joliet, was arrested at 8:35 a.m. March 19 at 950 Brookforest Ave. for possession of cannabis, illegal transportation of alcohol, driving while license suspended and speeding.
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Nicholas E. Neumann, 45, 7414 Windstone Court, Plainfield, was arrested at 8:03 a.m. March 24 at 621 Brookforest Ave. for Improper use of registration and no valid registration.
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Heidi M. Haller, 23, 901 S. Racine, Chicago, was arrested at 2:09 a.m. March 21 at Brookforest and Vertin Boulevard for DUI, no insurance, failure to signal and speeding.
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Darvis T. White, 23, 4837 S. Forrestville Ave, Chicago, was arrested at 2:44 p.m. March 24 at Cottage and Meyers for no valid driver’s license and other equipment violations.
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JOLIET Ricky Allen Widner, 54, 1800 Hosmer Lane, Crest Hill, was arrested at 7:22 p.m. March 20 at that address for violation of order of protection.
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Kyle B. Jones, 31, 2346 White Birch, was arrested at 10:38 p.m. March 20 at 1710 W. Jefferson for liquor on private parking lot.
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Ramone L. Stephens, 22, 300 N. Bluff, was arrested at 10:22 a.m. March 20 at that address for possession of controlled substance w/ intent, delivery of cannabis, unlawful use of weapon by felon, possession of drug equipment and criminal trespass to real property.
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Kelly C. Rajkovac, 42, 5210 Riviera Blvd, Plainfield, was arrested at 10:50 a.m. March 20 at that address for negligent control of an animal.
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Marcus N. Kurzinski, 18, 121 Picnic, Shorewood, and Antonio N. LaSalvia, 18, 5002 Montauk Drive, Plainfield were arrested at 1:17 p.m. March 20 at
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401 N. Larkin for battery. Whitney Denise Johnson, 27, 505 Gardner, was arrested at 2:56 p.m. March 20 at 1401 W. Jefferson for retail theft.
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Latonya A. Travis, 38, 1503 Fairview, was arrested at 7:03 p.m. March 20 at 350 Water for theft and battery.
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Michelle L. Mikula, 39, 515 Albert, was arrested at 7:39 p.m. March 20 at Briggs and Sterling for driving under the influence/ alcohol.
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A. Garduno-Lopez, 18, 20 Oscar 405 Hunter Ave., was arrested at 12:34 a.m. March 20 at Silver Cross Hospital for DUI – aggravated with injuries, suspended/revoked driver’s license and operation uninsured motor vehicle. Jefferson J. Davis, 21, 927 Lois, was arrested for possession of cannabis. Danielle P. Hauptman, 31, 702 Madison, was arrested at 6:59 p.m. March 21 at 1401 W. Jefferson for theft.
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Malik Carlvin, 22, 2422 Walsh Way, was arrested at 9:58 p.m. March 21 at 2424 W. Jefferson for theft.
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Marisol L. Alicea, 39, 709 John, was arrested at 3:55
a.m. on March 21 at that address for two counts of domestic battery. Antonio L. Ross, 42, 422 Oakview, was arrested at 10:11 a.m. March 21 at 127 Iowa for obstructing a peace officer.
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Demetrious M. Houston, 32, 103 Wesleyan, Lockport, was arrested at 1:03 p.m. March 21 at Rosalind and Englewood for criminal trespass to state supported-land.
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Shannon Lee Cheney, 46, 574 Dover, was arrested at 5:28 p.m. March 21 at 2424 W. Jefferson for retail theft.
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Robert A. Nielson, 35, 1422 Ascot, was arrested at 5:46 p.m. March 21 at that address for unlawful restraint, interfering with the reporting of domestic violence and aggravated domestic battery.
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Sabrina A. McSherry, 23, 713 N. Center, and Jacob A. Smeets, 20, 308 N. Pine, Gardner, were arrested at 6:34 p.m. March 21 at 2424 W. Jefferson for retail theft.
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For more Joliet Police Blotter, visit www.buglenewspapers.com/ policeblotter
Send us your feedback at sweditor@buglenewspapers.com
Wedn esday, apri l 1, 2015 | bug leneW spapers.com
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COLumN
Batter Up for this rite of spring The Pilcher Park Pancake fest has been a tradition in our family before even had my own came down from Chicago with wife Anne. At that time, the festival offered managing editor nreiher@buglenewspapers.com maple syrup tapped from the trees in @JolietILNews Pilcher Park. My brother was nuts for that syrup. I have known many types of So one year, I think he smuggled pressure in my life: deadlines; some from the table home in one portable toilets at concerts; of my niece Emily’s baby bottles. birdie putt after dodging a Speaking of babies, we brought hole in one by inches (missed ours there every year, using the it); asking Tammy to marry totem pole outside as a measuring me (got it); anytime the kids stick to see how much they had are driving anywhere (never nicK reiHer grown each year. Our Jillian, now get over it). MANAGING EDITOR 25, was there this year, as was her But there’s nothing like cousin, Emily, two years older. standing over a sizzling And every year, we would wait in lines griddle, waiting for pancakes to set while a few dozen hungry people are lined up to get those unlimited pancakes, two sausages, coffee, milk or orange juice. behind you. Seriously. There was nothing like it. And every year, I would look at the guys I got a chance to fulfill a semi-lifelong flipping cakes back there, and I would dream March 21 by flipping pancakes envy them. It was a rite of spring. I mentioned my dream to my friend at the Pilcher Park Pioneer Fest and Glen Marcum, president of the Joliet Pancake Breakfast in Joliet. Some of you know I was among the Park District Board, which oversees bunch of guys grilling pork chops the Pilcher Park and the fest. Next thing I past few years for the Farm Bureau’s knew, I got the call: Pilcher Park Manager annual Family Night. That was fun, too, Katie Zaban invited me to flip cakes at grilling and helping Gordon McCoy press the fest. I could barely sleep the night before. a grate over the chops and flip them over all at once. I could do that for hours. And I drove over to Pilcher Park, parked in the space set aside for volunteers and I hope to do it again this summer. But the Pilcher Park Pancake fest has walked to the half mile or so to the been a tradition in our family before Nature Center, not knowing, or caring at even had my own. My brother Gordy that point, a shuttle could have brought heard about it some 30 years ago and me there.
editorial
By nicK reiHer
advertising
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Laura KatausKas stewart warren • Mark GreGory • Mike Sandrolini
Once there, I hooked up with John Lesnak, a volunteer who has been flipping cakes for the Park District for 15 years. A few feet away in the small kitchen was his wife Terri, aptly known as “The Batter Queen,” for making sure we had enough ammunition in the thumb pump-powered pancake spreader. (Her relationship with pancakes ended there, however. “I don’t like the things.”) Once the clock struck 8 a.m., John and I started making cakes. The first time I used the spreader, I spilled a cup of batter from the side, making for an interesting shape. John knew how to make bunny ears on his, and he did a couple times. At one point, I looked back, and there was a line like the ones my family and I had stood in year after year. Initially, there was some pressure there to make sure people got their cakes and could sit down and enjoy them. But … you cannot rush pancakes. They will be done when they are done. So basically, I stopped looking behind me. I poured, waited, flipped, waited, then when they were ready, I scooped them on the plates, and started over. After nearly four hours, we were done. I could enjoy some pancakes and sides, and the best thing? John told me someone else does the cleanup. Is this a great job or what? More than 800 adults and children were served over the two days. I hope this turns into another annual tradition. I know it will be added to my long list of pancake festival memories. I can’t wait until next year.
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Railroad safety too important to ignore These accidents are too common, but they are preventable A story, “We are Heartbroken,” published March 19, 2015 in the Champaign NewsGazette, described a March 18, accident in Tilton, Vermilion County, in which a young man was struck and killed by a train. It’s a painful reminder to all of us to be especially careful near railroad tracks. Unfortunately, that tragic incident plays out all too often in Illinois. (Similar incidents occurred in two other Illinois communities within the past week). These accidents are too common, but they are preventable. Illinois ranks fourth in the nation
for the highest number of trespasser fatalities and, in the past five years, 15 percent of those fatalities were in the 13-19 age group. The Illinois Commerce Commission, in conjunction with Operation Lifesaver, strives every day to educate the public on the dangers associated with rail transportation. Walking on railroad tracks is not only dangerous, but also illegal. Illinois law states,”No person may walk, ride, drive or be upon or along the right- of- way or rail yard of a rail carrier within the state, other than at a public crossing. Violators may be subject to a $150.00 fine.” (ILCS 18C-7503) OLI is a non-profit, public education program with hundreds of transportation safety and law enforcement partners, 50 state programs and more than 3,500
volunteers who are dedicated to ending tragedy on the tracks throughout North America. Those volunteers provide over 10,000 safety presentations annually, teaching drivers education students, professional drivers and school bus operators to “Look, Listen & Live!” at highway-rail grade crossings and to “Stay Off! Stay Away! Stay Alive!” when it comes to railroad tracks and property. I urge anyone interested in learning more about railroad safety to visit the ICC (www.icc.illinois.gov) or Operation Lifesaver (www.oli.org) websites for additional information. Very truly yours, michael e. stead rail safety Program administrator
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education
JTHS to hold public forum on students with disabilities A public forum conducted by the Illinois State Board of Education Division of Special Education Services will be held from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Monday, April 20, in the Board Room of the JTHS Administrative Center, at 300 Caterpillar Drive, Joliet. The forum is part of the ISBE focused monitoring review regarding educational placement decisions for students with disabilities. JTHS families of students who have an IEP or disability are invited to share their experiences about the process of determining the educational placement for their child. The ISBE
team leader will lead the public forum along with a parent member from the focused monitoring team who has the experience of also being the parent of a child with a disability. The purpose of focused monitoring is to investigate compliance with federal and state special education laws and regulations.Thismonitoringprocess additionally seeks to ensure that the district is following appropriate procedures in making educational placement decisions for students with disabilities. Educational placement is the location where a
student with a disability receives his/her education. The meeting agenda includes: An explanation of how the district is selected for focused monitoring by ISBE and what the process includes, and a discussion will occur on how the district collaborates with parents on determining the educational placement, the location where a student with a disability receives his/her education. All information gathered during the focused monitoring forum is confidential, and those who contribute information remain anonymous.
FOR WHEN YOU WANT TO TAKE 5 MINUTES FOR YOURSELF Wedn esday, apri l 1, 2015 | bug leneW spapers.com
Aries
MARCh 21 TO ApRIL 20
It’s sweet to be neat. Take pride in your possessions and let them shine. Get your shoes polished and spiff up your wardrobe, too. Material ambition will be in the air as the week unfolds.
gemini
M Ay 2 2 T O J u N E 2 1
The words with the most impact are often delivered in the quietest voice. You won’t need to whisper to get your way, but there’s no need to shout. Make striking statements without sounding strident in the week to come.
leo
J u Ly 2 3 T O A u g u S T 2 1
There’s no time like the present. Come to an agreement, make crucial decisions, or put plans into motion as early in the week as possible. You could find that people aren’t as cooperative or easygoing as usual by the end of the week.
Across 1 LEAfhOppER RELATIVE 7 2002 MAN bOOkER pRIzE-WINNINg NOVEL 15 OATh 16 ShOW Of CONfIDENCE 17 EVICT 18 ACCOuNTINg CONCERNS 19 AD INfINITuM? 21 hAVINg A DARk COMpLEXION 22 CLIppER TARgET 24 “pERMIT ME VOyAgE” pOET 25 DISh pREpARED hOT AND SERVED COLD 29 ONES, E.g.: AbbR. 31 fONDA’S “My DARLINg CLEMENTINE” ROLE 33 SETTINg fOR ThE 2001 fILM “NO MAN’S LAND” 36 LIkE SINghA bEER 38 CORRECTION 39 ASTRONOMICAL SCALES 40 TREMENDOuS SpANS 41 OLyMpIC huRDLER JONES 42 INEXpLICAbLE, IN A WAy 44 STOp WEARINg DOWN? 46 fA fOLLOWER 47 “I DON’T CARE If yOu __ AgAIN”: ThE CARS LyRIC 48 COAL CONTAINER 50 ShOWED gRIEf 52 MR. pEAbODy’S bOy 55 CONIC SECTION 60 bALANCE ShEET ITEMS 62 MAkE LESS MuSTy 63 LIkE SOME DECALS 64 EASIER TO SEE, pERhApS 65 IT’S NOT ChARgED 66 CAkEWALk
Down 1 kVETCh 2 2011 bEST NEW ARTIST gRAMMy WINNER bON __ 3 pARTINg AID 4 TApS AbSENTEE, pOSSIbLy 5 RENAISSANCE STANDOuT 6 hAL fOSTER’S QuEEN Of ThE MISTy ISLES 7 AuThOR yuTANg 8 REfREShINg TREATS 9 ISLAMIC RuLINg 10 puT bEhIND bARS 11 SNEAkER INSERTS 12 ShORT-TERM RESIDENCE, uSuALLy 13 SubSTANCE 14 fAR fROM SubSTANTIAL 20 huMMINgbIRD ATTRACTORS 23 LIkE SOME huMOR 25 gENESIS SON 26 gENESIS CITy 27 “SONg bASED ON A LETTER,” pER MCCARTNEy 28 bIgOTED 30 bALL pARk fRANkS
OWNER 32 2011 AbC ShOW WITh MuLTIpLE pILOTS 34 ThE TALLEST ONE IS NEARLy 16,000 fEET hIgh 35 TOOk Off 37 EMERALD __ 43 STATISTICAL ANOMALy 45 buILDINg MATERIAL 49 NITA Of EARLy fILMDOM 51 bACkup 52 __ DOCTOR 53 hOppINg gAME? 54 __ CARROT: CRAyOLA COLOR 56 REQuIEM TITLE WORD 57 pLANT’S STOMA, E.g. 58 1956 CRISIS SITE 59 fRENCh 101 WORD 61 __-CAT
librA
SEpTEMbER 24 TO OCTObER 23
Put business plans on the back burner. Your instincts about the way to make money or get ahead could be out of kilter. You’ll be better off spending time with family members or pursuing home-based hobbies in the week ahead.
sAgittArius
NOVEMbER 23 TO DECEMbER 22
Do it once, but do it right. Getting everything in apple pie order takes more time, but ensures you do things right the first time. Your willingness to be thorough may mean some people could consider you a slowpoke in the week ahead.
AquArius
JANuARy 21 TO fEbRuARy 19
Ask and you will receive. If you need to apply some elbow grease, don’t hesitate to ask someone to hand you the can. Ask for advice, request cooperation or achieve a happy compromise in the first half of the week.
Sudoku
tAurus
A p R I L 2 1 T O M Ay 2 1
A passion for peace is your copilot. Sometimes it’s best to hand over the controls to someone else or delegate authority to achieve success. Have faith that others will honorably keep their end of a bargain in the week ahead.
cAncer
J u N E 2 2 T O J u Ly 2 2
Each moment gives you a chance to develop momentum. As this week kicks off, you find you have the ability to make wise decisions about values, possessions and finances. Once you set your ideas into motion, they stay in motion.
virgo
AuguST 22 TO SEpTEMbER 23
Let’s be practical. Leave intricate wheeling and dealing to the pros in the week ahead. Ignore brief enthusiasms and sudden brainstorms. Your best bet is to get in touch with relatives or ask for advice from trusted advisors.
scorpio
OCTObER 24 TO NOVEMbER 22
Choose when to go fly a kite. Relationships will be buoyed up by the prevailing winds unless you allow them to be dragged down by ambition and materialism. Pay attention to which way the wind is blowing this week.
cApricorn
DECEMbER 23 TO JANuARy 20
Take it in all in stride. Your career aspirations might conflict with the needs of family members or vice versa in the week to come. You shouldn’t feel that sacrificing one for the other is necessary to reach your primary goals.
pisces
fEbRuARy 20 TO MARCh 20
The most important decisions are often delivered in the faintest whisper. Keep your ears on full alert as the week unfolds. You might learn of something that could have a decided impact on your future success.
Jumble
Tribune Content Agency, LLC. 2015
PreviouS Puzzle’S anSwerS
PreviouS Puzzle’S anSwerS
PreviouS Puzzle’S anSwerS
Jumbles:
• TWICE • EXCEL • DISARM • CONVEX
Answer:
WhEN ThE hEALTh CLub RAISED ITS RATES, ThE MEMbERS WERE -- “EXERCISED”
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Page 10 | Wed n e sd ay, A p r i l 1 , 2 0 1 5 | b u g len ewspa per s. c om
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 1, 2015
page 11
>> inside: bolingbrooK’s niXon tabbed as poy page 13 prentiSS niXon
ALL-AREA hOOPs
trio HONORED Gillespie, Butler, Jackson named to Voyager Media all-area squad
Here are the members of the 2015 Voyager Media All-Area boys basketball team.
First team colin Bonnett The lone returning starter from Benet’s Class 4A 2013-14 state runner-up club, Bonnett stepped right up and took over as the team’s leader this season, averaging 17 points, 4.2 assists and four rebounds. Bonnett was part of teams that won 27, 25 and 22 games, respectively, in each of his varsity seasons. “We put a lot on him as far as responsibility (this season) and he came through,” said Benet coach Gene Heidkamp. “I think he had an excellent season and was a big part of helping our team be successful.”
aaron JorDan The University of Illinoisbound senior averaged 19 points per game for Plainfield East. Also had 4.3 rebounds per game, more than 50 assists and 35 steals for the regional champs. “Aaron has been the face of the program for the last three years,” East coach Branden Adkins said. “All attention has been on him because of his ability as a player. What is great about Aaron is his competitiveness to win as a team and not his only personal stats. He knew that his ability and hard work was going to be able to get him where he wants to get to
which is the University of Illinois. When it was time to prepare for a game or game time it was all about trying to find a way to win. If he knew that he needed to be the scorer that night it was he went out to do. If it was being a distributor or rebounder that is what he went out to do. He made his teammates better through these types of actions.”
Joe mooney The ESCC Player of the Year averaged 19 points per game this season despite being the focus of constant attention from opposing defenses. The senior guard could be counted on for a clutch basket down the stretch, whether it be taking it to the hole or swishing a three-pointer. “He’s going to be tough to replace,” said Notre Dame coach Tom Les, who noted Mooney has several NCAA Division I and multiple Division II offers on the table.” He handled the ball quite a bit under pressure for us. He had a very good year.”
Prentiss niXon Voyager Media Player of the Year averaged 16.5 points, 3.4 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game. The Colorado State University recruit was named first team All-State as picked by the Illinois Basketball Coaches’ Association. pHoto By mArK gregory
see all-area | page 12
minooka’s Joe Butler is a member of the Voyager media All-Area second team.
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Wednesday, Apri l 1, 2015 | bug lenewspapers.com all-area | from page 11
TREVOR STUMPE Plainfield North senior averaged 23 points, six rebounds, 3.3 assists and 2.1 steals per game, while leading the Tigers to the Southwest Prairie Conference championship. “He was conference MVP and team MVP,” North coach Bob Krahulik said. “He can score in any way, penetrating, shooting or at the free throw line. He is a very good off the ball defender, which is why he averaged two steals per game. Trevor meant so much to this team this year because he had so many responsibilities, such as handling all pressure and making shots when we needed them, plus he was our leading rebounder. Trevor will be missed immensely because you don’t get too many players that are as skilled as him.”
Second team AMMAR BECAR Notre Dame’s 6-6 junior has a thick frame that enables him to bang inside for points and rebounds, yet he can handle the ball on the perimeter and hit a three-pointer. Becar, who averaged 17 points and nine rebounds, will again be a goto player next season for the Dons, who gave state champion Stevenson its toughest game in the postseason.
JOE BUTLER Minooka junior averaged 16.2 points, 7.1 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game. Butler shot 50 percent from the field and 80 percent from the free throw line.
He was an all-Southwest P r a i r i e Conference player and was all tournament team at the WJOL Thanksgiving tournament, the York Holiday tournament and the Galesburg MLK tournament. “Joe was the heart and soul of our basketball team,” said Minooka coach Scott Tanaka. “His toughness led to our first regional championship game in 15 years and our first fourstraight 15-plus winning seasons since 1955.”
JALEN JACKSON Junior from Joliet Catholic A c a d e m y averaged 18.5 points per game. He tallied 47 steals on the season, hit 72 three pointers and shot 80 percent from the free throw line. Was the leading scorer in the East Suburban Catholic Conference and was named to the all-conference team. Jackson paced the Hilltoppers to their first season above .500 since 1982. “All of his stats are good, but what Jalen does that sets him aside from other kids and makes him all-area is the fact that he gets better every month, every week, every day,” said JCA coach Joe Gura. “He really works at his game. Everyone knows he can shoot, but he is religious about
see all-area | page 14
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Boys hoops POY
Nixon tabbed Voyager Media’s top player By Mark Gregory sports reporter
mark@buglenewspapers.com @Hear_The_Beard
If you went back and pulled tape on Bolingbrook coach Rob Brost talking about his senior standout Prentiss Nixon, the quote you would hear over and over again is, “It’s Prentiss being Prentiss.” So, what does being Prentiss mean? It means 16.5 points, 3.4 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game. It means the leader of the team that placed third in state, the first Bolingbrook team to ever place. It means first team All-State as picked by the Illinois Basketball Coaches’ Association. And now, it means the 2015Voyager Media Player of the Year. “He is a special, special player and a special, special kid,” Brost said of Nixon. “The maturity he has shown over the last year has taken his game to a new level. He has grown in composure and in the way he handles
things on and off the floor.” Sure, that maturity was evident when he stepped up and put his team on his back, averaging 31 points against Plainfield East and Neuqua Valley in the sectionals, but was maybe most apparent in the third place game against Geneva, when Nixon was shoved to the floor by Loudon Love-Vollbrecht late in the fourth quarter. “That was on the biggest stage in the last game of the season,” Brost said. “The team followed his lead – when he didn’t react, they didn’t react.” Reacting the right way has been something Nixon has done since he first arrived at Bolingbrook. “There was so much pressure on him as a freshman with the way basketball is and all the hype,” Brost said. “He handled that even as a freshman with a level of maturity you don’t find in many high school kids. You can credit his parents on that because he is hearing the right things at home. This year, he faced a box and
one, triangle and two. He was facing defenses that were totally designed to take him out of the game. That is when you have to be totally mature and he showed that.” With his play and success, Nixon has placed himself among the Raider elite as he leaves Illinois to play next season at Colorado State University. “He is the face of the program at this point,” Brost said.“When Ben (Moore) graduated, everyone wondered what we were going to do. Well, here was Prentiss as a sophomore and he stepped right in there. He is the hardest working player in the program since I have been there. I would get to school at 6:30 a.m. and on my way to my office, I would see him in the gym, he is not just shooting driveway jumpers, he would have a sweat going, even on game days. “It has been a pleasure to coach him and it has been a pleasure to be around him and I have said proud about a million times since Saturday night, but I am just so proud in the person he has become.”
PHOTO by mark gregory
Bolingbrook’s Prentiss Nixon is the Voyager Media Player of the Year.
TWITTER: For up -to-the-minute coverage of upcoming local sport events going on in your area, follow @VoyagerSport
14 all-area | from page 12 ball handling and working out and getting stronger, rebounding. His work ethic is outstanding and that is what makes his. When I put him in the starting lineup as a freshman, we were at rock bottom and we were looking at a foundation and he has done a wonderful job of being one of those building blocks to get JCA basketball back to respectability.
Wednesday, Apri l 1, 2015 | bug lenewspapers.com “There is also not a nicer, more humble kid. He just goes about his business in his own quiet way.”
JORDON KEDROWSKI Perhaps the best pure shooter in the West Suburban Silver, Kedrowski, a senior who transferred from Neuqua Valley, proved he could find an open teammate, too. He averaged
nearly 13 points and 4.7 assists per contest, and shot over 45 percent from the arc. “He had a breakout year,” said Downers North coach Jim Thomas. “He shot the ball and assisted the ball and logged the most minutes on our team. He was good from beginning to end and we counted on him. He had some really big games for us in the conference.”
GEORGE SARGEANT The 6-7 senior went about his business quietly but effectively for Maine South. This year he averaged over 15.5 points and nearly seven rebounds per game and hit 67 percent of his fieldgoal attempts. He’s the school’s all-time leader in field-goal percentage (65.1) and surpassed 1,000 career points (1,148).
THIRD TEAM JON ARENAS Maine South’s steady junior wasn’t afraid to go to the hoop if the Hawks needed a bucket, and he displayed good range from the outside as well. But Arenas also was an effective defender who set a single-season school record with 80 steals this winter. “He came into his own in January of last year and kept building his confidence,” said Lavorato. “He plays with great flow and determination, and is able to create shots.”
KEVIN KRIEGER A junior from Plainfield North, Krieger averaged 13 points, five rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.2 steals per game. “He is extremely athletic with very good basketball skills,”
Krahulik said. “He can shoot the three and has developed a little mid range pull-up. He was our second leading rebounder and shot -blocker. When Trevor had off games, he was the one who picked up the slack for the team. He set a school record with 22 dunks this season. Kevin meant so much because teams had to worry about him, not just Trevor. If teams focused on Trevor too much, Kevin had big games and he is going to have many more next year.”
EZEKA OMEKE
assists per game. He was tabbed as an All-State Fourth Team selection from the Illinois Basketball Coaches’ Association. “He has improved so much. He has a chance to be a special player at the next level,” Brost said. “He has a skill set that is hard to find. He can play both guard spots, can really shoot it and is sneaky athletic. He is a very complete player and understands the game really well.”
FOURTH TEAM MATT CAPPELLETTI
The rugged 6-4 Maine East senior power forward averaged a double-double this season (13 points, 12 rebounds) and was a four-year varsity performer for coach Dave Genis. One of his better games occurred in the regional semifinals versus Stevenson when he tallied 19 points and grabbed 11 rebounds.
Romeoville junior forward led the team in scoring, averaging more than 10 points per game for the Spartans. Was also among the team leaders in steals, rebounds, steals, three-pointers and free throw percentage.
SHANE RITTER
Like his teammate, George Sargeant, deMarigny was a threeyear starter and four-year varsity player, and helped the Hawks win 81 games during his career. The senior point guard leaves as the school’s all-time leader in assists (428) and three-pointers (113). This year, he also snapped Maine South’s all-time mark for assists in a single season (212)—a record which stood since 1979.
Plainfield South senior led the team with 14.3 points per game and 3.87 rebounds per game. Added 54 steals and 70 threepointers to also lead the team. “Shane was a great asset to our team,” South coach Tim Boe said. “He led by example and is a great player. As a coaching staff, we couldn’t ask for anything more from anyone on our team. He will be missed, but we know there were 10 juniors in the gym taking notes on his method of operation and how that transfers in the games.”
BRODRIC THOMAS Bolingbrook senior averaged 11.5 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.8
CALEB deMARIGNY
JERRY GILLESPIE Joliet Central senior averaged 14.4 points, 3.4 assists, 2.7 steals and 2.1 rebounds per game.
see all-area | page 16
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bowling
St. Francis places third in NAIA Women shine in just second year of program By Scott Taylor sports editor
staylor@enterprisepublications.com @Taylor_Sports
ARLINGTON HEIGHTS - It is rare that such a new program has such an experienced leader but that was the case for the University of St. Francis women’s bowling team. Despite being in just its second year of competition, the Saints were led by senior Caitlin Hoffman, a transfer from Robert Morris UniversityChicago. Hoffman, a Lockport alum has bowled anchor throughout the season and earned NAIA
Second team All-America honors. Over, the weekend, Hoffman and her fellow local contingent took third place in their first appearance at NAIA Nationals at Arlington Lanes, where Hoffman was named to the alltournament team. “These girls have surpassed my expectations,” Hoffman said. “I didn’t know what to expect with this team with it being a second year team, but we worked together and it worked out.” St. Francis was the No. 2 seed for the double elimination tournament after 24 Baker
games Friday, finishing with 4,432, trailing just the University of Pikeville by 28 pins. After a five-game loss to No. 15 seed Aquinas College to open play Saturday, the Saints responded with a thrilling tiebreak win over LindenwoodBelleville. They then rolled past Grand View and Marian to advance to Sunday. They topped St. Ambrose in five games to open the morning and then beat Webber International in four before falling to Robert Morris in the consolation final. “We worked our way from the bottom to the top in the tournament and we kept fighting,” Hoffman said. “We knew we had to start strong
today because if we lost, we were out.” Joining Hoffman on the squad were Morgan Flaherty of New Lenox, Courtney Fowler of Lockport, Sarah Klawitter, Sara Michalowicz of Homer Glen, Lauren and Nicole Troha of Lockport and Taylor Wilmoth of Plainfield. “It was a crazy experience,” Flaherty said. “We had our senior Caitlin Hoffman who really helped us this year and I’m glad we could make it this far for her. It was probably one of the best tournaments we’ve had all year together.” The Saints will be back in action at the USBC Intercollegiate Team Championships April 1518 in Wichita, Kansas.
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Wednesday, Apri l 1, 2015 | bug lenewspapers.com
baseball
WJOL Tournament this week By Mark Gregory sports reporter
mark@buglenewspapers.com @Hear_The_Beard
The 2015 Don Ladas Memorial WJOL Baseball Tournament will kick off the spring season when it hosts eight of the area teams before Easter this season. Like always, all teams will conclude play with a game at Silver Cross Field in downtown Joliet, the home of the Joliet Slammers. The games at Silver Cross will begin with the seventh-place game at noon on Saturday, April 4 and run through to the championship game at 7:30 p.m. Last year, that game featured
all-area | from page 14 “He had great numbers and his contributions were not always seen on the stat sheet,” said Central coach Jeff Corcoran. “He carried us while we were dealing with injuries and suspensions.”
ELYJAH GOSS Plainfield East junior post contributed 10 points and 7.6 rebounds per game, while shooting better than 60 percent form the floor. “Elyjah is a real force around the rim,” Adkins said. “With his
Minooka and Joliet Catholic Academy, as the Indians claimed the title in a 1-0, 10-inning thriller that saw several players expected to return this season play key roles in the game. JCA pitcher Drake Fellows threw a two-hit shutout through seven innings, striking out nine without a walk. The win went to Minooka’s Joe Butler who, like Fellows, will return to the diamond after a successful season on the basketball court. The Indians open the tournament at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 2 at home against Providence Catholic in the first game of the tournament. Joliet Catholic is the other host
school and the Hilltoppers host Lockport to open the tournament at 4 p.m. The opening game at JCA is Joliet Central against Plainfield Central, while the 4 p.m. game at Minooka is Lincoln-Way West against Joliet West. The second round of games start at 9 a.m. at both Minooka and JCA, with the losers going to Silver Cross for round three. The winners of Thursday play at the two host sites at 11:30 a.m. with the winners and losers playing at Silver Cross later that night. Admission for each session is $3 for adults, $2 for students grades K-12 and free for senior citizens.
length and vertical ability he is very difficult to guard and keep off the glass. He also has the ability to hit the 15-footer. He was our leader in field goal percentage and rebounds. He also had a number of double-doubles which going into next year will need to be his average. He really stepped up for us at times and created a lot of highlight pieces. “Next year expectations will be high for him.”
9.3 points and 6.3 rebounds per game for the third-place Raiders. Torres was special mention All State and will play next season at University of Wisconsin-Green Bay. “His potential is still through the roof,” Brost said. “I am proud of how he finished the season because there was a part in the season where he needed to go harder for longer and especially the last third of the season, he really did that.” - Compiled by Voyager Media staff
Julian Torres The Bolingbrook senior tallied
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mAINE EAsT
q & a with local athletes
FEATURING
hoW oFten are you on tWitter? i’m on there every day.
i have around 452 followers.
iS there anyone in Particular you liKe to FolloW? i follow Dwight Howard; he’s my favorite (nBA) player because we both play the same position. i’ve been watching him since he’s been with the magic. hoW Many FolloWerS Do you haVe?
what is your favorite spring high school sport?
ezeka omeke Basketball
What Do you liKe to Do While you’re on tWitter? I just like to look at stuff. any Funny or intereSting tWitter StorieS? One friend of my goes on twitter and he re-tweets a bunch of weird stuff. we (he and some friends) were going through his page one day and we saw it and we just started busting him.
soFtball baseball
50% 25% otHer
tracK
Jim fuller @nhrJimfullere
0%
25%
Do you think the cubs did the right thing by starting Kris Bryant in the minors?
yes no
@Ap_top25: frank Kaminsky leads Ap Allamerica team.
“15 assists in 1st 2 ncAA tournament games for #UConn’s Morgan Tuck. Not bad for a post player, actually it would be good for a guard” patricK maccoon @patricK maccoon “ariel Massengale: “We gave us five more minutes. our coaching staff and players were very confident going into overtime.” Shimmy gray-miller @Shimmy33 “meanwhile Jewell loyd’s mom and all of irish nation can rest easy. Baby girl & nD will make it to tampa unscathed.”
News about local businesses in your community
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Wednesday, apri l 1, 2015 | bug leneW spapers.com
TRANsPORTATION
u.S. 30 work starts this week Will continue through summer 2017
The Illinois Department of Transportation announced that reconstruction work will begin along a two- mile segment of U.S. 30 (Lincoln Highway) beginning, as early as, Wednesday, April 1. Utility companies will begin with relocation of their facilities to make way for an improved drainage system and a wider roadway. Between I-55 and Renwick Road, the typical section will be a five-lane highway. Some of the intersections will
From ear to ear Violet sontag-amezcua, 4, throws treats to the spectators from the Karen’s Pet Grooming float during the Wish Upon a star easter Parade. (Photo by John Patsch)
have additional turn lanes. From Renwick Road to Illinois 59, a three-lane section will be built. Widening of side roads Interstate 55 west frontage road, Lily Cache Road and Renwick Road will accommodate intersection improvements. During the work, lanes will be shifted along U.S. 30 between I-55 and Illinois 59. There will be several stages of construction that will change traffic patterns. In addition, from July 8, 2015, to Nov. 20, 2015, a detour will be in place between Renwick Road and Illinois 59. Limited access for
local residences and commercial properties will be allowed. The project is expected to be completed by summer 2017. Motorists can expect delays and should allow extra time for trips through this area. Drivers are urged to pay close attention to flaggers and signs in the work zones, obey the posted speed limits and be on the alert for workers and equipment. Find details on other construction projects in IDOT’s District 1 at http://goo.gl/ upgvZu. Updates on the impacts to traffic are available at www. travelmidwest.com.
W e d n e s d ay, Apr i l 1 , 2 0 1 5 | b ug le ne ws pa pe r s .co m Business & Private Party Classified Ads: $16 per week, 20 words or less. Weddings, Births & Engagements: Black & White - $25, Color - $35. Obituaries: $35.
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Wednesday, Apri l 1, 2015 | joli etbug le.com council | from page 3 collaboratively with others to get things accomplished. “I have learned the concept of working as a team,” Powell said. Powell said he would like to work with the city, “because the city has been good to me.” “I want to make sure that we as a people come togetherbusinessesandgovernment are working hand in hand.” Brett Gould, an administrator for Lockport Township High School and commissioner for Joliet Park District, said he has the experience and record to make Joliet a better and safer community. Citing his experience on the park district board for 12 years, with four terms as president, he is proud of the great things they have accomplished with a balanced budget. “I have experience with dealing with a lot of people and having to get a lot of things done to run an effective organization,” Gould said. Passing a referendum during these times helped put even more people to work, he said.
District 3 Ray Polikaitis has been an accountant for over 20 years, has had his own accounting firm and holds an MBA in finance.
“I think I have the requisite, understanding and ability to deal with the financial issues that face the city of Joliet,” he said. As a resident of the far west part of the city in Kendall County, Polikaitis said residents in District 3 feel alienated. After talking to voters, he believes they want a proactive council member willing to interact with them, and to find out what their views, feelings and concerns are. While candidates differ in their ideas on how to approach the issues facing the city, Polikaitis said he intends to be out representing the people of his district during the entire term of office. Councilman John Gerl has lived in Joliet all his life, went to Joliet schools, graduated from Lewis University, and has been practicing CPA for 20 years. When elected four years ago, said Gerl, the city was in pretty poor shape. After taking a good look at the budget and making a lot of cuts, it has been balanced ever since. Since he was elected, Gerl said, Joliet has had had half million dollars in economic development in the city, has created 9,000 jobs and cut the unemployment rate in half.
District 4 James Foster said he is a second
Brett Gould District 2 candidate
Ray Polikaitis District 3 candidate
John Gerl District 3 candidate
James Foster District 4 candidate
Terry Morris District 5 candidate
Bettye Gavin District 4 candidate
generation, life-long resident of District 4. He is a union electrical contractor and was a vice president of a daycare business for 12 years. The things he grew to love in his business are managing money, balancing budgets, setting goals,
getting them accomplished and “keeping a watchful eye out for unforeseen conditions,” he said. He pointed to the over-budget transportation center and water treatment plant in Joliet. With a background in marketing, candidate Angel Guzman feels he can market the city in a better way and reach out to job creators. It’s one of the things that motivated Guzman to run for city council District 4 is ripe for development, with a lot of open land, he said. To let businesses know the city is serious about attracting them, Joliet needs to maintain its infrastructure. Guzman pointed to neighborhoods that don’t have sidewalks and some with dirt roads. “If you are a businessman or business woman and you notice a dirt road, you are not going to want to invest in that area,” Guzman said. There is a crime problem in District 4, he added, so it’s also important to have the police department fully staffed. Bettye Gavin is Executive Director at Forest Park Community Center. Her passion is a good quality of life for all residents. She was appointed to a vacant seat on the council eight months ago, which gave her the opportunity to bring the voice of District 4 to the table. Gavin said it’s time for District 4 to rise up from
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the ashes. “It’s going to take great leadership, fiscal responsibility and good community involvement to make that happen.” Three keys for Gavin are safer neighborhoods for residents and to attract businesses, better infrastructure and community service. District 4 candidate Phillip Petrakos did not attend.
District 5 Councilman Terry Morris, owner of Minor-Morris Funeral Home in Joliet, was elected to his seat four years ago. He has lived in District 5 for 25 years and has seen a lot of changes with the crime situation in the 1990s, he said. He said the city has moved forward in the last four years. He believes the business community has “a very important part, and we need to listen to your concerns.” Morris said he’s been accused of not saying much, but believes he needs to be a good listener as a councilman, “and that’s what I’ve done the last four years.” “It’s going to take the whole community, to listen to everyone’s concerns and bring all that together,” he said. District 5 candidate Leonard Thompson Jr. did not attend.
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