Niles 2-27-20

F e bruary 2 7, 2 0 2 0 vo l . 6 4 I ss u e 18

# 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

on a high note

Maine East senior ends her career in style see page 5

bu sI ness

Dave says Dave Ramsey’s Column see page 3

nIlesbugle.com

news

your communIt y. your news. thursday, February 27, 2020 | buglenewspapers.com

local news

murphy calls for property tax relief after gov. s budget address I was disappointed that the proposal did not include solutions to address the skyrocketing cost of property taxes.

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n response to Gov. JB Pritzker’s budget address today, State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) issued the following statement: “I’m thrilled to see that Gov. Pritzker has committed to put Illinois on the path to financial recovery by outlining a stable, functional budget for the second year in a row.

“I agree with the governor that investments in economic development and our higher education system should be top priorities—however, I was disappointed that the proposal did not include solutions to address the skyrocketing cost of property taxes.

“In the next few months, I look forward to working with the governor and my fellow lawmakers to negotiate a budget that implements the recommendations of the Property Tax Relief Task Force and extends a helping hand to struggling Illinois families.”

photo coUrtesy oF state senator LaUra mUrphy (D-Des pLaines)

I agree with the governor that investments in economic development and our higher education system should be top priorities however, I was disappointed that the proposal did not include solutions to address the skyrocketing cost of property taxes, says murphy.

local news

northwest highway resurfacing

Schakowsky calls for methods to protect users from sex offenders on dating apps early voting Information for 2020 presidential primary election

call to action in response to reports of sexual violence from users meeting through match group services

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ashington, DC - Today, Representatives Jan Schakowsky (IL-09) and Annie Kuster (NH-02) led a letter, signed by 11 Members of the Energy and Commerce Committee, to Match Group President Shar Dubey calling on the company to check users against sex offender registries and disclose its efforts to respond to reports of sexual violence that were a result of users meeting through Match Group services.

“Consumers should feel safe using services like Tinder, Match.com, OKCupid and other similar sites, and it’s critical that these companies have strong terms of service that they can and will enforce,” said Rep. Schakowsky, who chairs the Consumer Protection and Commerce Subcom-

mittee. “This means that dating platforms, like those owned by Match Group, must be doing everything in their power to ensure the safety of their users. This means vigilant enforcement of terms of service that empower consumers in any online marketplace.

I hope the Match.com group will take swift action to reduce the risk of sexual and dating violence against their users.”

“Congress has the responsibility to consider whether online dating platforms are doing their part to keep Americans safe,” said Rep. Kuster. “I am concerned that Match Group’s failure to check users against sex offender registries jeopardizes the well-being of the millions of Americans who use dating apps. As the founder and co-

JAN SCHAKOWSKY (IL-09) chair of the Bipartisan Task Force to End Sexual Violence, I am committed to supporting survivors and preventing sexual and dating violence. We cannot effectively address this issue without ensuring that those who use dating apps can do so safely.”

Match Group owns Match.com, Tinder, Hinge, Plenty of Fish, OkCupid and several other online dating platforms. Currently, Match Group does not conduct basic checks of all users against sex offender registries on Tinder, Hinge, Plenty of Fish, and Ok Cupid.

Early voting for the March 17 Presidential Primary Election will be available at the Des Plaines Library seven days a week from March 2 to March 16. Dates and times for early voting are available on the Cook County Clerk’s website at cookcountyclerk.com/service/earlyvoting-locations. The Clerk’s website also includes important information about voters registration, polling places, ways to vote, how to become an Election Judge and more.

Beginning March 2, 2020 through October 31, 2020 the Illinois Department of Transportation will be resurfacing Northwest Highway from City Limits to City Limits through Park Ridge. At this time Road Construction signs are planned to be placed on February 24, 2020 all along Northwest Highway. Work to be performed includes resurfacing, striping, selected replacement of curb and gutter, and upgrading of ADA ramps at all intersections.

Johnson Paving will be performing the work for IDOT. Please call the Public Works Department at 847-318-5227 with any questions.

good luck to athletes competing at state Niles North bowler Kaiilina Lainez qualified for the State

see ‘brIeFs’ page 3

stay I nFo r med w I th leg a l lI stI ng s

legal lIstIngs

thursday, February 27, 2020 | buglenewspapers.com

plan ahead, but don’t prepay

dave ramsey answers questions related to funeral planning and extended warranties

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION PINGORA LOAN SERVICING, LLC Plaintiff, -v.-

dear dave, My husband passed away last year at just 45 years old. We always tried to be careful with our money, and we were in good enough shape financially that I paid for his funeral with cash. A few days ago, I started getting letters from the funeral homes in town encouraging me to pre-pay for my own funeral. I’m 42, and in very good health, so is this a good idea?

dear Janet,

Janet

My advice is to preplan, not prepay.

Unfortunately, you learned first-hand how hard it is to make important decisions in the middle of that kind of grief.

Many times, people are so emotional when they face these kinds of things that they make bad decisions. That’s why pre-planning, and making decisions ahead of time, is a really good move.

Now, here’s why it’s never a good idea to prepay for this kind of thing. If you

‘brIeFs’ From page 2 Bowling Tournament. She finished first at the State Regional, in the Top Five at the Sectionals this past weekend at Zion Benton, and will now compete for the State Title on February 21 and 22 in Rockford. Congratulations to Kaiilina and Coaches Rich Lee and Becky Tuecke. Go Kaiilina.

Niles North gymnast Avery Byrd qualified for the State Gymnastics Tournament on February 13 at Mundelein High School. After earning a trip to Sectionals in the All Around, Avery qualified for State in the Bars.

She competes on February 21 at Palatine High School. Coaches are Jacqueline Sanchez, Tori Chung-Swanson and Lindsey Smiegowski. Go for it, Avery.

summer course books available The course books for District 64’s Worlds of Wonder Summer School program are now available on our website.

Registration for the program opens at noon on Tuesday, March 3. Students completing grades K-3 will be offered classes at Field Elementary School, while students completing grades 4-7 will be offered classes at Emerson Middle School.

Sessions are from June 15 to July 2

real estate

real estate

column >> dave says

live to an average age, for what you’d prepay today at your age, you could invest the amount and be self-insured.

You’d have a ton of money sitting there when the time comes.

Events like this make you realize the need for proper planning, but don’t ever pre-pay for them. God bless you, Janet.

I’m so sorry you’re going through this.

dear dave,

dave

I have an emergency fund equal to six months of expenses. Considering this, would you consider an extended home warranty to be a waste of money?

dear ami,

ami

My advice to have an emergency fund of three to six months of expenses, sitting in a good money market account with check writing privileges, is designed to cover the unexpected things that life will throw at you. The cash, combined with the easy access that kind of account allows, will make it

and from July 6 to July 23. For more information, visit our WOW page.

healing point wellness celebrates with a ribbon cutting On February 20, Healing Point Wellness Center in Park Ridge celebrated with a ribbon cutting. An array of appetizers, networking opportunities and delightful wine flowed throughout the evening as Mayor Marty Maloney cut the traditional red ribbon.

Visit 422 N. Northwest Hwy for all of your wellness needs.

state’s attorney kimberly Foxx moves to vacate additional tainted convictions tied to Former chicago police sergeant Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx announced today that the office moved to vacate the wrongful convictions for an additional 12 individuals as part of the office’s ongoing review of the misconduct of corrupt former Chicago Police Sergeant Ronald Watts.

Since SA Foxx took office in December 2016, the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office (CCSAO) has moved

dave says by dave ramsey

@DaveRamsey daveramsey.com

ALNAIR C DINGLASAN, JUMELINE L DINGLASAN Defendants

THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION

2018-CH-03840

One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236-SALE

SKOKIE, IL 60076

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.

to vacate a total of 94 cases involving former Sergeant Watts.

The CCSAO’s Conviction Integrity Unit (CIU), tasked with investigating and addressing claims of wrongful convictions, is reviewing these cases after a pattern of misconduct by Watts was uncovered which has significantly impacted the confidence in the initial arrests and validity of the convictions.

“I am extremely proud of the work of our Conviction Integrity Unit and this office as we seek to do justice, restore trust, and address the historic inequities of Cook County’s criminal justice system,” said Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx. “As many of these arrests and convictions occurred nearly two decades ago, a thorough analysis was required. However, it is always the right time to do the right thing and never too late to deliver justice for those who have been stigmatized and traumatized by the unlawful actions of those entrusted to protect the community.”

Today prosecutors formally presented the motions at the Leighton Criminal Courts Building in Chicago to Cook County Judge Leroy K. Martin, Jr., who granted the motions and vacated thirteen convictions of twelve individuals.

In 2017, the Foxx administration initiated court action regarding cases involving Watts when 18 individuals had convictions vacated.

You will need a photo identification issued by a government agency (driver’s license, passport, etc.) in order to gain entry into our building and the foreclosure sale room in Cook County and the same identification for sales held at other county venues where The Judicial Sales Corporation conducts foreclosure sales.

MCCALLA RAYMER LEIBERT PIERCE, LLC Plaintiff’s Attorneys, One North Dearborn Street, Suite 1200, Chicago, IL, 60602.

Tel No. (312) 346-9088.

8122 KENTON AVENUE

quick and easy to take care of things in the event of a financial emergency.

Extended warranties, of any kind, are not a good deal and I don’t recommend them. You’re better off to self-insure against things breaking down, and put what would have been profit for the extended warranty company in your own pocket!

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NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on December 23, 2019, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on March 24, 2020, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker Drive, CHICAGO, IL, 60606, sell at a public sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 8122 KENTON AVENUE, SKOKIE, IL 60076

You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day status report of pending sales.

MCCALLA RAYMER LEIBERT PIERCE, LLC One North Dearborn Street, Suite 1200 Chicago IL, 60602 312-346-9088 E-Mail: pleadings@mccalla.com Attorney File No. 268667 Attorney ARDC No. 61256

Property Index No. 10-22-320-051-0000

Attorney Code. 61256

The real estate is improved with a red brick, single family home with an attached garage.

Case Number: 2018-CH-03840

Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation. No third party checks will be accepted. The balance, including the Judicial Sale fee for the Abandoned Residential Property Municipality Relief Fund, which is calculated on residential real estate at the rate of $1 for each $1,000 or fraction thereof of the amount paid by the purchaser not to exceed $300, in certified funds/or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. No fee shall be paid by the mortgagee acquiring the residential real estate pursuant to its credit bid at the sale or by any mortgagee, judgment creditor, or other lienor acquiring the residential real estate whose rights in and to the residential real estate arose prior to the sale.

The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in “AS IS” condition.

The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court.

Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a Certificate of Sale that will entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale.

The property will NOT be open for inspection and plaintiff makes no representation as to the condition of the property. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information.

If this property is a condominium unit, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, other than a mortgagee, shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(1) and (g)(4). If this property is a condominium unit which is part of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g-1).

IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW.

TJSC#: 39-8225 NOTE: Pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, you are advised that Plaintiff’s attorney is deemed to be a debt collector attempting to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose.

Case # 2018-CH-03840 I3145556 Published 2/20, 2/27, 3/5

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calendar

upcomIng events In your area thursday, February 27, 2020 | buglenewspapers.com

FEBRUARY 28 WOODRIDGE FIX-It clInIc: stuFFed anImal hospItal.

2:30-4:30 p.m. Woodridge Public Library.

Teddy Bear hurt his paw? Plush buddy lost her stuffing? Time for a check-up at the stuffed animal hospital. Library doctors will consult on a stuffed animal’s health, recommend treatment, and provide sewing supplies & instruction to help repair the injured animal.

FEBRUARY 29 SHOREWOOD leap year party. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. ShorewoodTroy Library. Come celebrate Leap Day in the Children’s Dept. Leap around from one activity to the next as we celebrate a day that only comes once every four years! No registration needed, stop in anytime from 9-4.

MARCH 3 PLAINFIELD green vIllage program: the bIggest lIttle Farm documentary. 7 p.m. at the Plainfield Public Library District. The 2020 Green Village Series continues on Tuesday, March 3 at 7 p.m., at the Plainfield Library.

This environmentally conscious documentary explores a couple’s quest to make their dream of living on a fully sustainable farm come true. Register online.

MARCH 7 LOCKPORT pancakes and paJamas story tIme. 11 a.m.-12 p.m. Lockport Branch White Oak Library District. Wear your pajamas to this fun Saturday morning story time. This program is perfect for the whole family to do together. We will read stories, sing songs, make a craft, and serve pancakes. Please register in advance.

MARCH 11 CREST HILL messy art For tots. 4:30-6 p.m. Crest Hill Branch White Oak Library District. Let’s get messy at the library! Messy Art for Tots allows for children ages 3 to 6 to experience open-ended, creative exploration of art. All children are encouraged to get messy and focus on exploring their creative minds through paint, paper, and more. Messy play clothes are recommended to wear. Ages 3-6. 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.

MARCH 10 BOLINGBROOK open mIc showcase nIght. 7-8 p.m. Fountaindale Public Library. Showcase your acoustic music, poetry, dance, artwork, photography and even short films. Each performer will have up to seven minutes, and signup is first come, first served. Ages 18 and older.

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2018

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thursday, February 27, 2020 | buglenewspapers.com

BASKETBALL SOCCER CROSS COUNTRY FOOTBALL SOCCER TENNIS BASEBALL SOFTBALL VOLLEYBALL TRACK & FIELD SWIMMING CHEERLEADING DANCE bowlIng gymnastIcs

to new

heIghts

maine east’s afroditi baltsas has raised the bar for demon gymnastics with her showing at state by matt le cren For the bugle

@BugleNewspapers sweditor@buglenewspapers.com Before the arrival of Afroditi Baltsas, the Maine East girls gymnastics program was an afterthought, one of the lowest rated teams in the state.

Four years later, that is no longer true.

Baltsas capped an impressive high school career on Friday at the state meet at Palatine.

In her second appearance at state, the senior finished 29th in the allaround with a 35.75 total, which included 9.225 on vault, 9.2 on uneven bars, 8.75 on balance beam and 8.4 on floor exercise.

That performance ended a prep career in which Baltsas transformed the Demons into a serious program and the school gave Baltsas countless warm memories. “(Representing Maine East) means everything,” Baltsas said. “These past four years have been the highlight of my gymnastics career by far.

“My team has gotten me to where I’ve been and definitely my coach (Neil Adamson) has made the biggest impact on me. I loved everything that I did the past four years.”

Baltsas wasn’t sure what she was getting into when she joined the Demons as a freshman. That was understandable considering the team averaged less than 100 points the year before (the top teams in the state eclipse 140).

“When I first came to Maine East I kind of thought of it as not that great of an athletic school,” Baltsas said. “I

was on the fence about doing gymnastics, but I think the reason that I have competed the past four years is all because of Maine East gymnastics.”

That is music to the ears of Adamson, a Maine East graduate who has coached the boys gymnastics team for the past 10 years and the girls for six. He is resigning so he can focus on his full-time gig working in the movie industry. “(Baltsas’ accomplishments) have definitely gotten more awareness of the sport and of the team in this school and in the grade schools and junior high, which has been really good,” Adamson said. “I think the effects of that are going to be seen more down the road then right away, but even (now), a lot of the freshmen and sophomores that are on the team, they don’t know a team that’s without her.”

The Demons have improved dramatically in recent years. Their average score has risen from 99.6 in 2015-16 to 123.35 this season, and their high score was 130.65 this winter compared to 106.55 four years ago.

While an elite gymnast like Baltsas cannot be replaced, Maine East will return the rest of its regional lineup, which includes junior all-arounders Caitlin Urban and Yulia Shiskevic as well as four event specialists in junior Cydaney Whyte, sophomores Ariel Aguilera and Gabriela Petrova and freshman Megan Espinoza.

“Their perspective on our team is so much drastically different than

see ‘east ’ page 6

afroditi baltsas competed at the state finals for maine east.

photo by Derek Johnson/maine east gymnastics

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6 sports

Thursday, February 27, 2020 | buglenewspapers.com

Afroditi Baltsas finished 18th in the state in the balance beam. ‘east ’ from page 5 the girls on the teams of the past,” Adamson said. “Because when I started coaching for the girls program, the mentality was very much, ‘Well, we lose, so we’ll just have fun.’

“Now the mentality is ‘We can compete.’ Sometimes it’s a long shot, but a lot of times we can edge past some opponents.

“This season most of the teams that we lost to, the scores were super close.

We can fight.

“So having (Baltsas) gave some legitimacy when we started and then I’ve been fortunate as a coach to be able to have a bunch of other girls that have also come in with experience.”

As for Baltsas, her final meet was a mixed experience. She came into state ranked third on beam, which is her best event, though not her favor-

photo by Derek Johnson/maine east gymnastics

ite.

Always rock-steady on an apparatus that foils even the best gymnasts some of the time, Baltsas fell off on Friday and finished 18th with an 8.75.

Had she not fallen, Baltsas would have advanced to Saturday’s event finals. The top 10 individuals in Friday’s prelims make the finals, where the top five earn medals.

“It was a hard day,” Baltsas said. “I was really looking forward to beam.

“I felt like all the outside pressure kind of got to me and I was really thinking about staying confident and comfortable. But it’s been a good season so I’m happy with how everything went.”

Adamson was happiest with Baltsas’ showing on uneven bars, where her 9.225 would have tied her for 13th place had she qualified individually on that event. Baltsas, who had never

advanced past regionals on bars until this year, barely missed the cut at sectionals on that event.

“The bars is the one that she’s always wanted but it’s always been just out of reach, even though she enjoyed it,” Adamson said. “Even though she’s the best on beam, she has more fun on bars. At least she had a chance this year.”

So now Baltsas, an aspiring pharmacist who has been on the high honor roll throughout her high school tenure, will put the sport she has enjoyed since first grade in her rearview mirror with no regrets.

“I was just an energetic kid,” Baltsas said. “My parents decided to put me in some classes and it just went from there.

“I love gymnastics. It’s definitely taught me to trust myself and to be confident. That’s been a big thing.”

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