Niles 1-16-20

Ja nuary 16 , 2 0 2 0 vol . 6 4 i ss u e 12

# Bugl e n e w s your Comm u n i t y. your ne ws . in thi s i ssu e e vents

Calendar Events Upcoming events in your area see Page 4

sP orts

Hot start

Notre Dame off to a fast start this season see Page 5

Bu si ness

Dave Says Dave Ramsey’s Column see Page 4

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your Communit y. your news. thursday, January 16, 2020 | BuglenewsPaPers.Com

loCal news

Harer Pool repairs will go to referendum $11 million increase to be up for vote in march

COURTESY OF MORTON GROVE PARK DISTRICT

a referendum for repairs at harer Pool will be on the ballot in march.

After a structural assessment in 2017 identified Morton Grove’s Harrer Pool as aged beyond repair, the Park District conducted community-wide opinion research, including a survey, five town halls and two open board meetings, which revealed the community overwhelmingly did not wish to close the pool, but instead replace it.

If funding is approved, the updated pool would include a 50-meter, 6-lane heated lap pool, a separate spray pad and activity pool for children, a separate slide and diving area, improved concessions, a new bath house, and a party room.

The new pool will also allow the Park District to make programming available it hasn’t been able to offer

more info

≠ The approximate cost to Morton Grove residents would be $2.63 a month, or $31.57 per year per every $100,000 of home value. Those with homestead or senior exemptions will pay less than those without exemptions. The referendum will be on the upcoming March 17 ballot. previously, such as additional swim lessons, classes for seniors, swim team, and an extended season with an increase in hours of operation.

To accomplish these improvements, the Park District board passed a resolution to ask residents to consider a referendum for $11 million via a rate increase over a 20-year period.

The approximate cost to Morton Grove residents would be $2.63 a month, or $31.57 per year per every $100,000 of home value. Those with homestead or senior exemptions will pay less than those without exemptions. The referendum will be on the upcoming March 17 ballot.

“We pride ourselves on our transparent relationship with our community as well as our financially conservative approach to the management of our parks, facilities and programs,” said Jeff Wait, Executive Director of the Morton Grove Park District.

“We have taken several measures over the years to decrease costs for the Park District overall, but resources are still not enough to fund this project.

The pool replacement option chosen by our residents is very cost-effective, and we anticipate future operating costs of Harrer Pool to decrease.”

If voters opt to pass the funding measure, the Park District anticipates groundbreaking on a replacement for Harrer Pool could happen in early fall of 2020 with the pool opening to the public in summer of 2021. If the measure doesn’t pass, officials say the pool is unlikely to reopen anytime in the foreseeable future.

“Harrer Pool has been a part of our community since 1962, and it’s clear from their feedback that our residents wish for it to remain a part of Morton Grove for generations to come,” said Paul Minx, President of the Morton Grove Park District Board of Commissioners. “Throughout this process we have engaged and listened to the community, and we’re happy to work toward protecting something that’s so near and dear to their hearts.”

Residents can ask questions and access more information about the referendum at https://mortongroveparks.com/harrer-pool-referendum/.

They are also encouraged to follow the Morton Grove Park District on Facebook and Twitter to stay updated on the latest developments.

CatholiC sChools week

mary, seat of wisdom to host open house Private tours are also available by appointment Prospective families will have an opportunity to tour our school, meet our teachers, talk with Administration, and apply for the new school year. Can't make it? Call the school office to schedule a private tour!

Visitors please enter Door #16 (back of the school bulding) and check in at the school office.

oPen house and Private tour registration ≠ Friday, January 10, 2020 9:00 - 10:30 AM ≠ Wednesday, January 15, 2020 6:30 8:00 PM

Catholic schools week ≠ Sunday, January 26, 2020 10:30 AM - 1:00 PM ≠ Wednesday, January 29, 2020 9:00 10:30 AM

loCation & Parking 1352 S. Clifton Avenue, Park Ridge Visitors to Mary, Seat of Wisdom should enter the main entrance on Clifton Avenue, located in the back of the school. Enter Door #19.

The school parking lot located on Clifton Avenue is unavailable for parking when school is in session.

Street parking is available on Granville and also on Clifton Avenue.

An additional parking lot is located at the northeast corner of Granville and Cumberland.

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loCal news

Rep. Stephens addresses graffiti issue on noise abatement walls during the construction process, crews will be working to remove graffiti to best of their ability as weather permits state representative Brad stephens (20th district)issued this statement regarding the kennedy expressway graffiti: “My office has received numerous emails and phone calls concerning the graffiti on the noise abatement walls currently under construction along Kennedy Expressway near Cumberland and Canfield. I have been working with the Illinois De-

volunteers needed for Boards and Commissions The City is currently accepting applications from individuals who would like to serve on one of the following Commissions: Appearance (must be a licensed architect); O’Hare Airport; Farmers Market; Historic Preservation.

You are encouraged to review information about the various Boards and Commission.

Please visit our website at www. parkridge.us. In the upper right corner “SEARCH” field, enter “Boards and Commissions.” While one lists the members and vacancies, the other describes the duties and meeting frequency. The Municipal Code provides more in depth information. Interested individuals should complete an application for Boards & Commissions and return it to Deputy Clerk Peterson at cpeterso@parkridge. us no later than January 20.

You will be contacted by the City to come in for a brief 10-15 minute interview on a Monday evening between 6pm and 7 pm to meet with the Mayor’s Advisory Board. Each candidate that is recommended for appointment will be required to complete a non-fingerprint type background

partment of Transportation (IDOT) and advocating for the removal of the graffiti from the vandalized walls.

Graffiti removal must be completed during warmer days because when the temperatures dip to near freezing levels the graffiti removal equipment will not work. This makes graffiti removal more difficult during winter months. However, during the construction process, crews will be work-

check, as required by Municipal Code. Final appointment is made by the Elected Officials at a City Council meeting. Thank you for your interest in serving the City of Park Ridge. Many times it has been said that the volunteers are the backbone of our community.

The City is extremely grateful for those who have chosen to serve.

Please call Deputy Clerk Peterson with any questions at 847-3185464.

director of student services plans coffee chats Do you have a question about District 64’s student services? Are there any concerns you want to tell us about?

Beginning in January, Dr. Lea Anne Frost, District 64’s Director of Student Services, will host a monthly coffee for parents to express their concerns, ask questions, or discuss any matters related to the Student Services Department. Please feel free to attend all or part of these meetings.

The times and dates for the coffees are: 8 to 10 a.m. on Thursday, January 16 at the Franklin School conference room, 2401 Manor Lane, Park Ridge.

8 to 10 a.m. on Monday, February 3 in the Roosevelt School conference room, 1001 South Fairview Avenue, Park Ridge.

3 to 5 p.m. on Tuesday, March 10 in the Emerson Middle School conference room, 8108 North Cumberland Avenue, Niles.

8 to 10 a.m. on Wednesday, April 22 in the Carpenter Elemen-

graffiti clean-up is only a short-term solution. as a long-term solution, vines will be installed on both sides of the wall. this should not only improve the aesthetic of the wall but will also deter vandalism. ing to remove graffiti to the best of their ability as weather permits. IDOT has communicated that it will ensure ALL the graffiti would be removed after the installation of the walls is completed.

Graffiti clean-up is only a shortterm solution. As a long-term solu-

tary School conference room, 300 North Hamlin Avenue, Park Ridge.

3 to 5 p.m. on Tuesday, May 19 in the Washington Elementary School conference room, 1500 Stewart Avenue, Park Ridge.

new illinois Cannabis law and the forest Preserves The Illinois state law legalizing recreational cannabis starting January 1, 2020 does not allow for consumption of cannabis (also known as marijuana, pot or weed) in public. Smoking or consuming cannabis flower, concentrates and infused products is prohibited in the Forest Preserves. Anyone caught consuming cannabis in the Forest Preserves will be cited and may be subject to administrative or criminal penalties.

You may possess cannabis in the Forest Preserves, subject to the Illinois recreational cannabis possession limits.

Anyone in violation of the Illinois recreational cannabis possession limits will be cited and may be subject to administrative or criminal penalties (unless they possess a valid Illinois medical cannabis registry identification card or a similar form of patient identification from another state where medical cannabis is legal).

The legal age for cannabis consumption and possession in Illinois is 21 years old.

Anyone under 21 years old and in possession of any amount of cannabis will be cited and subject to administrative or criminal penalties (with medical registration exemptions). Anyone under

tion, vines will be installed on both sides of the wall. This should not only improve the aesthetic of the wall but will also deter vandalism. Additionally, I am looking into legislation to prevent vandalism.

If residents see new graffiti, they can contact my office so we can re-

State Representative Brad Stephens (20th District) port the vandalism to IDOT and advocated for its removal.”

18 years old will have a parent or guardian notified of the citation.

847-635-6821 or email StateRepMoylan@gmail.com.

moylan announces energy utility Bill Clinic

murphy offers free admission to Chicago museums

Rep. Marty Moylan, D-Des Plaines, will host a free utility bill clinic for residents in collaboration with the Citizen’s Utility Board (CUB) on Thursday, Jan. 23 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Des Plaines Public Library, located at 1501 Ellinwood Ave. in Des Plaines.

“CUB does a terrific job informing people of all their options and ways to save money on a wide variety of bills,” Moylan said. “I want to bring this service to our community because residents deserve to know ways they can keep more money in their pockets.”

CUB will have experts available to review copies of residents’ utility bills such as electric, water, gas, phone, cable and internet.

They will help identify unnecessary charges and recommend tips and strategies to cut down on costs. This clinic is free and open to the public. To reserve your spot, please call CUB at 312-263-4282 ext. 111 or email events@citizensutilityboard.org using the subject line, “Des Plaines 1/23”. Walk-ins are also welcome.

“People use these critical services every single day and deserve to have them available at a fair price,” Moylan said. “There isn’t any reason they should be losing extra money out of their hard earned paychecks to get them.”

For more information about this event please contact Moylan’s full-time constituent office at

Resource Card Signup Drive FlyerSPRINGFIELD – To encourage residents to take advantage of the Constituent Education Resource Card program, State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) is hosting a sign-up drive on Jan. 30 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Elk Grove Village Public Library, located at 1001 Wellington Ave. in Elk Grove Village.

At the event, members of the public are invited to sign up for a date and location to use the card, which grants free general admission to over a dozen Chicago-area museums.

“This card makes it possible for anyone in the district to access the fantastic educational resources that Chicago has to offer,” said Murphy. “I want to help as many people as possible take advantage of this cost-saving opportunity.”

Museums in the Park, a coalition of Chicago museums, sponsors the program in collaboration with the State of Illinois. The card provides free entry for up to four people at 15 Chicago-area institutions, including the Lincoln Park Zoo, the Adler Planetarium and the Shedd Aquarium.

Any resident of the 28th District may reserve the card on a firstcome, first-served basis. The card may be checked out from Murphy’s office in Des Plaines the day before use and must be returned the following day.

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Calendar

uPComing events in your area thursday, January 16, 2020 | BuglenewsPaPers.Com

JANUARY 15 ROMEOVILLE artist guild. 4-6 p.m. Romeoville Branch White Oak Library District. Come join us for some social drawing time!

Bring your own paper and favorite pens or pencils and we’ll talk about drawing, share our drawings, try some baroque techniques, or just spend some quiet time doodling together. Registration is preferred, but walk-ins will be accepted.

For ages 16 and plus. Registration is required due to limited space. If you are not able to attend, please inform us 24 hours in advance so we can offer your spot to someone else. No shows may be waitlisted for future programs.

JANUARY 17 PLAINFIELD sarah Jayne lane. 10:30-11:30 a.m.

Plainfield Public Library District. Get ready for a rocking-good time at this interactive, family-friendly concert.

Register each adult and each child attending.

JANUARY 18 LISLE league of women voters: voter registration drive!. 2-4:30 p.m.

Lisle Library District. Kick off the New Year as a registered voter. The League of Women Voters of Downers Grove, Woodridge, and Lisle, in partnership with the Lisle Library District, will offer voter registration.

JANUARY 18 WOODRIDGE featured artist reCePtion - mary yeZek. 2-4 p.m. Woodridge Public Library. Members of the community are welcome to meet Mary Yezek and to discuss her artistic methods used to create collages at a reception in the lobby of the Woodridge Public Library on Saturday, January 18 between 2 and 4 p.m.

JANUARY 18 BOLINGBROOK winter Carnival 2020. 7-10 p.m.

Fountaindale Public Library. Don’t miss our exciting after-hours celebration to kick off our 50th anniversary. Enjoy games, prizes, snacks, laser tag, and meet Anna & Elsa and much more. All ages are welcome to this event.

JANUARY 20 PLAINFIELD Canvas art for kids. 1:30-2:15 p.m.

Plainfield Public Library District. For Ages 6 to 9. Design your own piece of modern art. Use tape and paint to create a canvas masterpiece.

Column >> dave says

Dave Says: Keep your dignity and work your way out dear dave: My wife and I will both turn 30 next month. We have two young children, and we make a little over $85,000 combined. The problem is we have about $70,000 in debt. Some of it is credit card debt, but nearly $50,000 is in two car loans. Her mom and dad have offered to let us move in with them, so

we can save up money and start getting a better handle on our finances, but we’re not sure how we feel about this. What’s your advice?

dear Justin:

Justin

You’ve got a ridiculous amount of money wrapped up in those cars. I’d sell the stupid things, get into a couple

of little beaters, and start living on a budget and paying down debt.

In your situation, the only scenario where I’d even consider taking the inlaws up on their offer is one where the stay is for a very short, agreed-upon period of time. They’d have to be absolutely wonderful people, too, and everyone involved would need to know

their boundaries. But you guys can get out of debt pretty fast if you’ll just lose the cars. You could even save a little money on the side while you were paying down debt, and buy a better car as soon as the debt was gone. You might love your cars so much that you’re unwilling to make the sacrifice. Not me.

I’d rather keep my dignity intact, and

work my way out of the mess I created!

dave Dave Ramsey is CEO of Ramsey Solutions. He has authored seven best-selling books, including The Total Money Makeover. The Dave Ramsey Show is heard by more than 16 million listeners each week on 600 radio stations and multiple digital platforms.

Follow Dave on the web at daveramsey.com and on Twitter at @DaveRamsey.

Page 5

thursday, January 16, 2020 | BuglenewsPaPers.Com

BASKETBALL SOCCER CROSS COUNTRY FOOTBALL SOCCER TENNIS BASEBALL SOFTBALL VOLLEYBALL TRACK & FIELD SWIMMING CHEERLEADING DANCE Bowling BasketBall

dons on a

roll

notre dame take down fenwick, st. viator in a week of east suburban Catholic Conference play By drake skleBa for the Bugle

@BugleNewspapers sweditor@buglenewspapers.com

After taking apart state-ranked Fenwick 58-45 on Tuesday in Niles, the Enterprise Newspapers No.1 ranked boys basketball team, Notre Dame, hosted St. Viator (115, 2-1) on Friday night. Before a huge and raucous crowd, the Dons returned to East Suburban Catholic Conference action.

As they did against Fenwick on Tuesday, the vaunted Dons’ defense shut down the high-scoring Lion offense Friday.

The Dons (17-2, 3-0), behind Troy D’Amico (14 points, five rebounds, two blocked shots), Anthony Sayles (10 points, seven rebounds, three steals) and the Flying Frenchman Louis Lesmond (16 points, nine rebounds, four 3’s) ran over the Lions 59-42.

With the win the Lions stay atop the ESCC. The Dons entered the game in a three-way tie with St. Pat’s (12-3, 2-0) and Nazareth (611, 2-0).

The scary part for the ESCC, and the rest of the state of Illinois, is the Notre Dame trio are all just juniors.

Sayles and D’Amico each scored eight first-half points leading the Dons to a 31-14 halftime lead.

The first two minutes of the third quarter of ND games will be forever known as ‘Louis Lesmond Time.’

Lesmond, as he has done on numerous occasions this season,

went on a personal 8-2 run in the first 98 seconds of the third quarter as he buried back-to-back three pointers and scored inside to give the Dons a 39-16 lead with 6:22 left in the third quarter.

D’Amico was a tower of strength inside, scoring 14 points inside and shutting down the Lions inside game with his great defense and shot-blocking ability.

“We all came out and did what we had to do to get the big win,” D’Amico said. “We all took turns at taking over the game, which is what we do. We played great defense and Louis can get hot so fast.

It’s so much fun to watch him do his thing.”

Lesmond just missed a doubledouble. with his 16 point, nine rebound night. With only one of his signature rim-rattling dunks, he went outside and hit four shots, from beyond the arc.

“Once again we did everything we had to do to come away with the win,” Lesmond said. “My teammates always find me and put me in great position to score. I don’t know why it happens always at the start of the third quarter but I just start hitting all of my shots.”

Sayles scored eight of his 10 points in the first half along with D’Amico to give the Dons the huge first-half lead. Sayles also hauled down seven rebounds.

“We shared the ball, shot the ball well and played exceptional defense,” Sayles said. “All of my

see ‘dons’ Page 7

louis lesmond and notre dame have started the season off fast.

PHOTO BY MATT EVANS/FOR THE BUGLE

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feature

Bolingbrook Suggs to be honored March 14 suggs is top african-american male high school scholar-athlete for the midwest region

By BoB narang for the Bugle

@BugleNewspapers sweditor@buglenewspapers.com

Bolingbrook senior Devyn Suggs is rapidly carving his own memorable legacy.

Hailing from a family of athletes, Suggs signed a letter-of-intent to play quarterback at Yale on Dec. 21.

In late December, the National Alliance of African-American Athletes selected Suggs as the top African-American Male High School

Scholar-Athlete for the Midwest Region for 2020.

Suggs and the other regional honorees will be honored on March 14 at the Crystal City Hilton in Arlington, VA. “I’m beyond grateful to receive an award like this,” Suggs said. “I hold success in academics very close to me. My dad raised me and my sister to value academic excellence. I’m very blessed to receive an award of this magnitude. I’m proud of my work and had a lot of people around me that helped

me.”

Suggs endured a rigorous process to earn the honor.

He had to fill out an extensive application that included an essay and detailed information of his daily academic and athletic life.

Suggs said he spent nearly a week on his application, but didn’t hear about his award until a few months later.

Suggs, a dual-threat quarterback, led Bolingbrook to an 8-4 record this season and has a 3.8 grade-point-average.

“I was surprised and it’s kind of shocking and humbling to receive this kind of award,” he said.

“Growing up, academics was very important in our household. We all took it seriously. My mom and dad instilled in us how important it was. To receive an award, outside of athletics, that recognizes my work as a student is very gratifying.

There will be a day when football ends, and academics will open up many more opportunities for me.”

Family is a key part of Suggs’ life — and success.

At 6-foot-5 and 210 pounds, Suggs is an imposing and physical player on the football field.

But there was a time in his life when Suggs was more known for being the son of NFL and Ball State

star safety Shafer Suggs — and the little brother of former Homewood-Flossmoor and Duke standout guard Faith Suggs.

Shafer Suggs, a member of the Mid-American Conference Hall of Fame, played five years in the NFL (1976-80) for the New York Jets and Cincinnati Bengals.

Faith Suggs had a standout career at Duke (2015-19). Shafer Suggs is slated to say a few words about his son’s award in a Bolingbrook board meeting leading up to Martin Luther King Day. “I’m really proud of Devyn,”

see ‘suggs’ Page 7

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Business & Private Party Classified Ads: $21 per week, 20 words or less. Weddings, Births & Engagements: Black & White - $45, Color - $55. Obituaries: start at $45.

‘suggs’ from page 7 Shafer Suggs said. “To watch him grow through this years, and watch him observe Faith and navigate his own recruiting process and earn this award is special.”

Devyn Suggs’ path from younger sibling to star recruit, though, was not an easy one.

His mother, Susan Hoster-Suggs, passed away due to melanoma cancer on October 9, 2011. She was 44.

At the time, Devyn was just 10 years old.

He endured a rough few years, being forced to navigate his early teen years without the aid of his loving and supportive mother.

Meanwhile, Shafer Suggs, then 58 years old, had to raise two young teens through a difficult time amid a busy academic and athletic schedule.

“Devyn and Faith have always had a really close connection,”

‘dons’ from page 5 success I owe, as always, to my teammates. We are team here at ND.” The always reliable senior Jason Bergstrom scored five points, grabbed three rebounds and joined D’Amico’s block-party with a shot rejection.

Enterprise Newspapers All-Area football selection and ND point-

Shafer said. “It’s been truly amazing to watch them navigate the last eight or nine years together.

Their mother would be so unbelievably proud of both of them, and would be so proud to watch him achieve this milestone and all these awards.

“We had to endure a lot, to be able to get through that rough time was helped because we are very spiritual people. We have all supported each other. We have been through some storms and endured them together. It was rough, just unimaginable what we went through. But our family was able to rise above those adversities because of our faith, our love and by working hard.”

Devyn Suggs, no longer the little one in the family, credited his father and sister for guiding him through a difficult process of his life and help set him for athletic and academic success.

“I’m very blessed to have such

a wonderful family,” he said. “I’ve had many people in my life help me, from coaches, my dad and sister and friends and family to guide me to this point of my life. My dad’s experiences in life and being able to show me what important really helped me. My sister has been a very good aid helping me and guiding me by showing me the proper way to about things.”

Faith Suggs, now the director of basketball operations for the women’s basketball team at Long Island University, said she’s excited to watch her younger brother follow in the family’s footsteps in college.

“It’s so special to see Devyn achieve so much,” Faith Suggs said. “His life has been the definition of overcoming adversity. I admire him every day for how he carries himself, and from the way he has always worked hard in the classroom is what I’m most proud of. I’m so excited for his next four years at Yale.”

guard Jimmy Murphy also scored five points along with his three assists. Don sixth-man Mac Ross, as he always does, came off the bench to spark the Dons with five points.

The largest cheers of the night from the Notre Dame student section were for junior guard Jake DeFranza and senior Brian Pitts.

In the last minute of the game, DeFranza buried a three-pointer from Park Ridge and soon after,

Pitts sent a Lion shot attempt flying out of bounds. The crowd went wild.

“Anytime you play an ESCC rival, we know we will be in for a grudge match,” Notre Dame coach Kevin Clancy said. “With both us of us at 2-0, the game was an important early-season ESCC battle. I am so proud of the way we played defense tonight. We did to St. Viator exactly what we did to Fenwick on Tuesday.”

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