WCP-8-13-2015

YOUR NEW WEST CHICAGO PRESS | ALSO SERVING WARRENVILLE AND WINFIELD

Graue Mill and St. James Farm to get face-lifts

LAST HURRAH

By NATHAN LURZ nlurz@shawmedia.com The Forest Preserve District of DuPage County is planning to invest thousands of dollars to revamp a pair of its historic buildings in the coming months.

Both St. James Farm in Winfield and Graue Mill in Oak Brook will be getting a construction face-lift.

Kevin Horsfall, the district’s director of planning, said the Graue Mill project will be the bigger of the two, coming in around half a million dollars.

“Over the years, flooding at Salt Creek has taken a minor toll on the building, so we want to make it a more resilient structure in the future against flooding to make sure the mill can be appreciated by future generations,” he said.

Horsfall said it would be the first major work done to the 163-year-old building since the 1940s and ’50s. It had been hit hard by flooding, including more than four feet of water in its basement during the 2013 floods.

Rus Strahan, vice president for the board of directors for the mill and head miller, said the repairs not only would help stabilize its basement and floors but would get the actual mill back up and running for the first time in three years.

Summer camp wraps up as summer vacation comes to a close PAGE 3

Sylvia Cherney of West Chicago spends her free time playing with Legos on Aug. 7 during WEGO Summer Camp at the ARC Center.

See FACE-LIFTS, page 4

Erica Benson - ebenson@shawmedia.com

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Vol. 113 No. 22 | CD | WCP

WCP Suburban Life • mysuburbanlife.com • Thursday, August 13, 2015 • CD

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County Board hires firm to look at care facility West Chicago Suburban Life is the successor publication to the West Chicago Press.

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MADE IN THE U.S.A.

By NATHAN LURZ nlurz@shawmedia.com While it weighs what to do with the county fairgrounds, the DuPage County Board also will be taking a look at the future operation of the DuPage Convalescent Center in Wheaton.

On Aug. 11, the board approved a $99,500 contract to nonprofit management consultant Center for Governmental Research to present options to manage the care facility as it faces a future of dwindling Medicaid payments and government subsidies.

Board member Bob Larsen, who chairs the county Health and Human Services Committee, said the future of the center long had been a topic of discussion.

The committee decided to do a comprehensive look when the county upped its level of direct subsidy last year from $2.4 million to $3 million annually.

“That shows the numbers aren’t trending the way we’d like them to, despite the best efforts of everyone,” Larsen said. “It’s been an ongoing discussion on how can we best maintain the dust of the facility, maintain the

News to your phone Visit http://shawurl.com/texts to sign up for news and weather text alerts from Suburban Life. quality of the care that we provide in a model that makes sense for taxpayers.”

Larsen rebuffed questions from board member Liz Chaplin – the lone nay vote – that suggested the goal of the study was to privatize or close the Convalescent Center. Larsen said he and the committee were interested in solving its financial problems and maintaining services.

Ultimately, he said the committee hoped to keep intact the center’s core mission of caring for DuPage County residents who don’t have any other option because of poverty.

However, the declining Medicaid reimbursements that help pay for the care of those individuals have been a heavy financial burden, according to center administrator Jennifer Ulmer.

“The shortfall comes from the nature of the population we serve – be-

tween 75 and 85 percent of our residents get some form of Medicaid,” she said. “The reimbursements are lower than the costs.”

Larsen said the shortfall could cost upwards of $1 million next year alone.

Ulmer said the center had tried to be creative in the way it raised money, including operating the cafeterias at the county courthouse and administration building as well as through its foundation, but was still coming up short.

Larsen said the Center for Governmental Research had the expertise to take a more comprehensive outside look at the center and come up with solutions. He anticipated a preliminary report coming by the end of the year.

Ulmer said she had been involved throughout the conversation to hire the firm, and said any suggestions would be welcome and taken into consideration.

“I think the step the board took today shows the solid opinion of the chairman and the board that they value the Convalescent Center and value it as one of the more important assets in the county,” she said.

Plenty still to do despite summer season winding down Did this summer’s weather leave you wanting more? After a long winter and slow-blooming spring, summer was held to very high expectations; but it was short of high temperatures.

Back to school is just around the corner, summer camps are wrapping up, vacations have passed and it feels like the fun is over.

Before the excitement and frenzy of a new fall schedule gets to you, take some time and enjoy what’s left of summer. A stroll or bike ride along the beautiful trails in Reed Keppler Park, or a fun doggy play date at

COMMUNITY VOICE Lily Medina Wiggly Field may be the perfect way to wind down after a long day of work.

If you are looking for family fun but have a busy weekly schedule, the West Chicago Park District can help you stretch your summer fun and budget just a little longer! Turtle Splash Water Park is offering an endof-season weekend pass starting Aug.

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For just $20, the end-of-season weekend pass can grant you admission for up to five weekends. If you were to visit once a weekend at our regular admission rates, you would pay $40. That is more than 50 percent savings.

See SUMMER, page 15

3 NEWS |

Last chance for summer camp fun WEST CHICAGO – Local children are getting their last glimpses of summer before school starts again.

Children with the West Chicago Park District Camp Keppler summer camp got to enjoy some activities Aug. 7 at the Turtle Splash Water Park.

This week wraps up festivities for the summer camps. West Chicago Elementary School District 33 students are back in session in less than two weeks.

RIGHT: Zachary Hulme of West Chicago enjoys the water slide Aug. 7 during West Chicago Park District’s Camp Keppler summer camp at the Turtle Splash Water Park.

ABOVE: Amina Robles plays in the sandbox during the Camp Keppler Summer Camp at the Turtle Splash Water Park.

LEFT: Children, including Mejhai Warsaw of West Chicago, spend their free time playing bingo during West Chicago Park District’s Camp Keppler Summer Camp at ARC Center.

Photos by Erica Benson ebenson@shawmedia.com

CD • Thursday, August 13, 2015 • mysuburbanlife.com • Suburban Life

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• FACE-LIFTS

Continued from page 1 Cornmeal grinding represents not only a revenue stream for the mill, he said, but a major attraction as well.

“Guests, young people especially – we let them actually push the button that starts the big mill,” he said. “They always get a thrill to see the stone turning.”

Currently, the mill runs its cornmeal grinding operation with a temporary electric grinder that takes longer – only 50 pounds per hour compared with the original’s 400 – and creates more dust, meaning staff can only operate it at select times.

Strahan said the mill will close early this year – after Labor Day – before reopening in April 2016.

“It’s a bridge between today and yesteryear,” he said.

“Our job is to teach young people how their ancestors lived, and what life was like for their great-grandparents in the same area, but a different era.”

Horsfall said the Board of Trustees also approved an $89,000 contract on July 28 to do a preliminary design to ren-

of several buildings eventually opened up to the public, Horsfall said.

Architecture firm Cordogan Clark and Associates Inc. will look at the more than 13,000-square-foot arena to assess what renovations must be done to the property while the district works on bringing water and sewer to the entire farm. The process also will include an open house to solicit feedback on what the public would like to see from the work.

Horsfall said the district anticipated about $2.1 million for a full renovation.

District President Joe Cantore expressed a positive outlook on the farm’s future during the July 28 meeting.

“I don’t know how many times in the last four months that I’ve heard that St. James Farm is just getting better and better,” he said.

Mark Busch - mbusch@shawmedia.com Horsfall said it was the Visitors check out the mill wheel at Graue Mill in Oak Brook on Aug. 11. The Mill is scheduled for repairs by first step in the process of rehabbing both the mill and St. the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County.

James Farm, and said the disovate the St. James Farm in- amenities and activities on the is only used to exercise horses trict would present future opdoor arena. property. Most buildings are from Danada Equestrian Cen- tions to the board and public.

As part of the board’s mas- not up to code and do not have ter during the winter and as a To stay up-to-date on the ter plan for the farm, the dis- running water or bathrooms staff support building. projects, visit dupageforest. trict aimed to provide more – including the arena, which The arena will be the first com and grauemill.org.

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POLICE REPORTS

630-668-4102

HEATON B OW L

Information in Police Reports is West Geneva Street. obtained from the West Chicago Police Department. Individuals in Police Reports Theft who have been charged with a crime • Motor vehicle parts were stolen at 8 a.m. have not been proven guilty in court.

Aug. 1 in the 500 block of Sherman Street.

Gary at Geneva Roads, Wheaton

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• Miscellaneous items were stolen from a table at 1:30 a.m. July 31 in the 100 Domestic battery was reported at 6:59 block of North Oak Street. p.m. Aug. 1 in the 500 block of Main Street.

• Money was stolen from a locker at 5 p.m. July 27 in the 200 block of West Domestic trouble National Street.

A boyfriend and girlfriend were arguing at 3:18 a.m. July 29 in the 100 block of See POLICE, page 12

Battery

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Q:

Planting a garden that supports pollinators can be a very rewarding task and you don’t have to have a large garden to make a difference. The Monarch butterfly has experienced a rapid decline in recent years and if homeowners across the country start planting “Monarch Waystations”, we can help the survival of the species.

If you are looking to attract Monarchs there is one plant that you must include in your garden planning: milkweed. Monarch butterfly caterpillars are picky eaters and adult Monarch females lay their eggs on milkweed as it is the only plant larvae will eat!

In this area, there are a number of plants you can add to your landscaping which will attract Monarchs, as well as other butterflies, bees, moths and even hummingbirds. Many flowers – especially native plants – are a great source of nectar for adult Monarchs.

Choose a spot that receives at least six hours of sun a day, which is required by most butterfly-loving plants. When selecting milkweed, be sure you choose one that appropriate for this area. This includes Common, Swamp, and Whorled milkweed or the vibrant orange Butterfly Weed.

In order to attract adult butterflies, add a mix of annuals and perennials that bloom throughout the growing season. For example, you may want to include allium or chives (early season), along with bee balm or black-eyed susan for the mid-season, and aster or sedum (late season).

Many of these plants can be picked up at your local nursery and specialty nurseries carry native plants and have knowledgeable staff to www.geparks.org help answer questions.

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How do I attract Monarch butterflies to my garden?

Pharmacy Anything new about Probiotics?

Well, perhaps it’s a bit technical but my bacteriologist mentors Dave Sullivan and Bob Deibel found relationships between pH (an acid measurement index) in various regions in the GI tract influence the amount of toxins made by factors of 10 times.

This could be why some patients respond so differently.

Our Synbiotic Therapy (95% FOS and Florajen3) helps the Bob Listecki, Pharmacist creation of the short chain fatty acids that would keep the pH in the healthier range. So this is another component than just competitive space competition for the benefits of probiotics.

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* WCP Suburban Life • mysuburbanlife.com • Thursday, August 13, 2015 • CD

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By NATHAN LURZ The College of DuPage Board of Trustees will be considering some big steps forward in addressing some of its biggest controversies – including replacing the man who brought much of the attention.

The board released the agenda for its special board meeting at 6 p.m. Aug. 13.

The agenda listed a number of big items.

Notably, the board will vote on establishing a search committee to replace embattled President Robert Breuder, who is on administrative leave after a number of state and federal investigations and has been the subject of public scorn after a nearly $763,000 buyout.

The Illinois Attorney General also released an opinion July 24 stating a 2011 contract extension for Breuder violated the Open Meetings Act by not providing adequate public notice.

The opinion has led to questions as to whether that would mean the college may be able to simply fire Breuder be-

fore his March 2016 ouster.

Board Chairwoman Kathy Hamilton said the board wanted to start the long process of a presidential search as soon as possible but also said the Attorney General opinion reminded everyone the “Breuder era is coming to an end” and the board still wanted to get the buyout money back.

The board also will vote on closing the controversial Waterleaf restaurant to transition it to an educational facility.

The restaurant’s poor finances and frequent and expensed use by trustees also became a focal point for criticism.

Hamilton said the board also would be briefed on a summary of issues raised by the investment reports the board received before the new board leadership coming to power.

She previously has said the reports helped allow Thomas Glaser, senior vice president of administration and treasurer, and Lynn Sapyta, assistant vice president of financial affairs and controller – both on administrative leave – to break board investment policy.

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Microsoft’s Bernie Goulet (from left), an employee with the Microsoft store in Chicago; Elizabeth Higgins, senior director of programs for the People’s Resource Center; Megan Wright, a Microsoft store employee; and Debbie Lunger, an employee with the PRC, receive Microsoft products to be used at future events.

The PRC was selected by Microsoft as a Chicagoland Named Charities, the center announced in a news release. As the selected charity, PRC was invited to join the festivities at the Microsoft Chicago store’s Windows 10 launch July 29.

7

CD • Thursday, August 13, 2015 • mysuburbanlife.com • Suburban Life

nlurz@shawmedia.com

Microsoft supports People’s Resource Center

NEWS |

COD to vote on establishing presidential search committee

Suburban Life • mysuburbanlife.com • Thursday, August 13, 2015 • CD

| NEWS

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Ex-County Board member Renfro dies at age 83

Q & A with the Hearing Doctor Reduced Tolerance to Noises

Q: I am bothered by ordinary noises, they

seem too loud while other people don’t seem bothered by them. I also have trouble understanding people.

What’s going on?

A: It appears you are

experiences a reduced tolerance to loud sounds.

People who suffer from Dr. Terri Lightbody reduced tolerance to (630) 580-5777 sound often find ordinary noises to be too loud. This condition is typically associated with a hearing loss.

When a person experiences hearing loss, which usually comes on gradually over time, a window called the dynamic range becomes smaller and smaller. The dynamic range consists of a floor and ceiling. The floor represents the quietest sound level one can hear. The ceiling represents the loudest sound one can tolerate before it becomes uncomfortably loud. A person with normal range of hearing has a very low floor and very high ceiling. For the person with hearing loss, the floor (quietest sound) is raised, meaning quiet sounds have to become louder in order to be heard.

By MATT LA LUZ

uncomfortably loud sound) drops, creating a smaller window of dynamic range. When the ceiling drops – a reduced tolerance to loud sounds occurs. Reduced tolerance to loud sounds is a common indicator of hearing loss.

mlaluz@shawmedia.com

I am often asked how will hearing aids help in this situation – wouldn’t the hearing aids just make everything louder? The answer is no.

Hearing aids don’t make everything loud. They are frequency-specific, programmed to enhance the frequencies the person has difficulty hearing. They have built-in compression and peak clipping systems in hearing aids that are designed to limit the loudness of loud sounds and maintain audibility of soft, quiet sounds.

Factors that affect the dynamic range include chronic noise exposure, one time loud noises such as an explosion, aging, Meinere’s disease, certain medications, head injury, and length of time hearing loss has existed without treatment.

I recommend that you have a comprehensive hearing evaluation by an Audiologist to determine the state of your hearing and if treatment is necessary.

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GLEN ELLYN – Former DuPage County Board member and longtime Glen Ellyn resident R. Lloyd Renfro died July 15 after complications stemming from intestinal cancer, his son said. He was 83.

Lloyd Renfro was a resident of Glen Ellyn for more than 50 years.

He served on the DuPage County Board for 14 years.

He had a dedication to the communities he lived in.

R. Lloyd “It was something Renfro that was very prevalent in my family,” said his son, Chip Renfro.

Chip Renfro said that not only did his father serve on the DuPage County Board, but Lloyd Renfro’s wife, Phyllis Renfro, served on the Glen Ellyn Village Board for four years and both his sons served on various boards and committees for the village of Glen Ellyn. Phyllis Renfro died in 2000, Chip Renfro said.

DuPage County Treasurer Gwen Henry had the opportunity to work with Lloyd Renfro starting in 1992. She said she and Renfro were on the Solid Waste Committee when she was mayor of Wheaton.

Henry said Renfro also was involved with public works as well as the finance committee during his time as a DuPage County Board member.

“He served people well beyond his district,” Henry said. “He looked out for the whole county.”

Robert Lloyd Renfro was born in Eau Claire, Wis., and grew up in Spencer, Iowa, and Kewanee before moving to Glen Ellyn in 1948 and attending Glenbard West High School, Chip Renfro said.

Lloyd Renfro attended one year of college at Monmouth College. After attending college for a short time, he entered the Marines during the Korean War and was stationed at Camp Pendleton in California.

Upon returning from the Marines, Renfro helped to run a tire business with his father and uncle based out of La Grange called Renfro Tire. In 1956 the business moved out of La Grange and into downtown Wheaton.

A second location was developed in Elmhurst. The family relocated the business in 1962 to 1705 College Ave. in Wheaton, where it is run by Chip

See RENFRO, page 14

DuPage County Board honors late McBride with dedication Ten months after his death, the DuPage County Board is ensuring a late member will be remembered for years to come.

The board formally dedicated its caucus room to Jerome “JR” McBride during its Aug. 11 meeting. McBride died Oct. 24, 2014, after a battle with cancer.

Business owner Karyn Romano, a Glen Ellyn resident, assumed the District 4 seat Dec. 9, 2014.

Chairman Dan Cronin said the

room would serve as a perfect way to honor the “friend and beloved County Board member.”

“I think everybody pretty much [knows] JR McBride had a profound impact on our board,” he said. “I think his most powerful tool was his sense of humor and his desire to talk and collaborate and find common ground. ...

We think it’s very fitting.”

McBride, a Glen Ellyn resident and insurance agent, began serving on the board in 2006 following the death of John Noel. McBride served as chairman of the Emergency Telephone Service Board. He also served on the Ju-

• POLICE

July 27 in the 1000 block of Tara Lane.

By NATHAN LURZ nlurz@shawmedia.com

Continued from page 6 Burglary

Two weed trimmers and two leaf blowers were stolen from a vehicle at 8 a.m. July 27 in the 100 block of Neltnor Boulevard.

Harassment

• Harassment was reported at 6:59 p.m.

Aug. 1 in the 900 block of North Neltnor Boulevard.

• Harassment was reported at 5:46 p.m.

dicial and Public Safety, Legislative, Public Transit and Technology committees.

His attendance at board meetings became infrequent after he had brain surgery in 2011 to remove a tumor, his fourth operation in 11 years.

McBride also was a member of the DuPage Community Board for Metropolitan Family Services and was involved with Misericordia Heart of Mercy in Chicago, Outreach Community Ministries, Rotary Club, the DuPage Chapter of the American Cancer Society and the Glenbard West High School Booster Club.

Cronin was joined by several of McBride’s family members, including his wife Becky, several of his five children and his siblings.

Becky McBride said she appreciated the gesture and knew her late husband would as well.

She told the board she hoped his appearance when they walked into the room for hard political conversations “warms your heart and reminds you of the lightheartedness of all of this and his sense of humor and his ability to connect, communicate, build bridges with people and I hope it makes those conversations easier to do.”

of Andrus Drive.

• The rear window of a vehicle was Fraud shattered at 7 p.m. July 27 in the 500 • An unauthorized PayPal account was block of Lincoln Avenue. opened at 1 p.m. July 28 in the 700 block • A vehicle was scratched with a key of Kenwood Avenue. at 7 p.m. July 27 in the 100 block of West • Credit card fraud was reported at 8 a.m. Washington Street.

July 28 in the 2700 block of Briargate Court. • A house was egged at 7 p.m. July 27 in • Fraud was reported at 9:15 a.m. July the 700 block of Hampton Course Drive.

27 in the 100 block of Roosevelt Road.

• Two vehicles had windows broken at 3:45 a.m. July 27 in the 500 block of East Property damage Pomeroy Street.

• A mailbox was knocked off its post • The rear passenger window of a vehiat 10:49 p.m. July 28 in the 2900 block cle was shattered at 2:30 a.m. July 27 in

the 600 block of Lincoln Avenue.

• Jeremy Dehaeseleer, 26, of the 400 block of Ann Street, West Chicago, was charged at 10:46 p.m. July 22 with criminal damage to a motor vehicle at Ann and Joliet streets.

Warrant arrest

Neira Pena, 32, of the 800 block of Burr Oaks Drive, West Chicago, was arrested at 9:35 p.m. Aug. 1 on a warrant and charged with driving without a license and suspended registration at Main Street and Neltnor Boulevard.

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14

• RENFRO

| NEWS

Continued from page 8

WCP Suburban Life • mysuburbanlife.com • Thursday, August 13, 2015 • CD

Renfro and goes by the name Renfro Auto Center.

Lloyd Renfro won a four-year seat on the DuPage County Board in 1982, and won re-election in 1986. He was elected to a two-year term in 1990 and a four-year term on the board in 1992. He lost his seat on the board in 1996.

Renfro’s character is what made him an important and respected member of the community, according to his son.

“Everybody that knew him knew that he was fair and honest,” Chip Renfro said. “That’s the best thing everyone ever told me.”

Lloyd Renfro is survived by two sons, Chip and Rob; one sister, Joyce O’Conner; two brothers, Larry and Charley; and three grandchildren.

Private services were held for family and friends.

Public Notice of Draft NPDES Permit Public Notice Number: FRB:11061201.bah Public Notice is hereby given by Illinois E.P.A., Division of Water Pollution Control, Permit Section, 1021 N. Grand Ave. East, P.O. Box 19276, Springfield, IL 627949276 (herein Agency) that a draft National Pollutant Discharge System NPDES Permit Number IL0023469 has been prepared under 40CFR 124.6(d) for City of West Chicago, 475 Main Street, West Chicago, Illinois 60185 for discharge into West Branch of DuPage River from West Chicago Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant, 725 Dayton Avenue, West Chicago, Illinois 60185 (DuPage County).

This facility provides treatment of wastewater generated within its service area.

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The application, draft permit, and other documents are available for inspection and may be copied at the Agency between 9:30 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. A Fact Sheet containing more detailed information is available at no charge. For further information call the Public Notice Clerk at 217-7820610. Interested persons are invited to submit written comments on the draft permit to the Agency at the above address. The NPDES Permit and Public Notice numbers must appear on each comment page. All comments received by the Agency not later than 30 days from the date of this publication shall be considered in making the final decision regarding permit issuance.

Any interested person may submit written request for a public hearing on the draft permit, stating their name and address, the nature of the issues proposed to be raised and the evidence proposed to be presented with regard to these issues in the hearing. Such requests must be received by the Agency not later than 30 days form the date of this publication.

If written comments and/or requests indicate a significant degree of interest in the draft permit, the permittee authority may, at its discretion, hold a public hearing. Public notice will be given 30 days before any public hearing. adno=S0255838

Most obituaries appear online. To leave a message of condolence in the online guest book, go to obituaries. mysuburbanlife.com

Gov. Bruce Rauner has signed a bill allowing terminally ill people to try experimental drugs that may aid their condition, according to a news release from Senate Republicans.

The Right to Try Act was sponsored by state Sen. Michael Connelly, R-Wheaton, and state Rep. Greg Harris, R-Chicago, and gives terminal

EDUCATION NOTES HONOR ROLLS

West Chicago Community High School, semester 2 HONOR ROLL JUNIORS: Karen Amaro-Heredia, Bianca Antonio, Rigoberto Avalos-Hurtado, Luis Avelar, Nicole Baranowski, Symantha Berzynski, Christopher Bibbs, Lourdes Blanco, Alexandra Brouwer, Kevin Buh, Alonso Cardiel, Jordan Caskey, Dylan Cejna, Cesar Cholula, Joshua Conlon, Luis Correa-Cabral, Leydi Cortes, Bailey Crenshaw, Tyler Danial, Kyle Davis, William Diep,

• SUMMER

Continued from page 2 Turtle Splash Water Park is located at 129 W. National St., and hours of operation are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Passes are sold at the ARC Center, 201 W. National St., West Chicago, and at we-goparks.org.

End this summer season with a splash and come have a turtle-riffic time!

What better way to end the summer season and get

patients, including those with HIV, ALS and cancer, access to clinical-trial medical treatments and medications.

Typically, the federal Food and Drug Administration has a five-year trial period for testing such products, delaying possible treatment options. The bill originally passed the Senate 53-0 in May. “We are excited that Gov. Rauner has signed this critical piece of legislation to

help terminally ill patients and their families,” Connelly said in a statement. “Terminally ill patients now will have access to experimental drugs to help end their debilitating health conditions. This legislation was negotiated in good faith by both sides of the aisle and is a great example of what can happen when we leave partisan differences at the door in order to craft good public policy.”

Namarta Disawar, Alec Dolan, Brad Domingo, Kaitlin Driscoll, Erik Eslava, Ryan Fini, Michael Fitzgerald, Emmanuella Fox, Miguel Garcia, Isabel Garcia, Lizbeth Garcia, Mayra Garcia, Taylor Gardner, William Gill, Jessica Gomez, Azucena Gonzalez, Marcelina Gonzalez, Jesus Gonzalez, Salvador Gonzalez, Lourdes Gonzalez, George Gonzalez, Thomas Gotsch, Kyle Gravit, Joshua Guercio, Curtis Gulbro, Ryan Hancock, Agustina Hernandez, Veronica Katarzynski, Clifford Kim, Kayla Koenig, Juan Luna, Giselle Maldonado,

Kathryn Malinowski, Mary Malone, Anthony Martin, Jesus Martinez, Michelle Martinez, Lauren May, Estefania Mejia, Briseyda Melchor, Laura Mendoza, Samantha Michiels, Itzel Morales, Jesus Moreno, Shruti Naik, Gabriela Navejas, Travis Nguyen, Anna Nolazco, Kyle Olson, Trang Ong, Brandon Orengo, Alondra Padilla, Meera Patel, Brittany Pauling, Kyle Paup, Isabel Perez, Brenda Perez, William Perez, Tyler Pilon, Katziri Quiroz-Montenegro, Ulises Reyes,

moving than with the West Chicago Park District’s first Family Backyard Challenge.

Families will participate as teams in kooky challenges that are sure to have families wet, slimed and rolling on the ground with laughter. Come out and play from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 26 at Pioneer Park, 429 Forest Ave. The fee is $20 per family for up to four family members and $5 for each additional family member. No skills are necessary to participate in this summer bash.

Whether you decide to wrap up your summer with a walk, a splash or a bash, know that you can always count on your local Park District to make the most out of every season.

For information, contact the West Chicago Park District at 630-231-9474 or info@ we-goparks.org. Like us at www.facebook.com/WestChicagoParks.

See EDUCATION, page 16

Lily Medina is the public relations coordinator for the West Chicago Park District.

WCP

ph s, and Dave, who were her pride and joy. Carol was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran Church.

She loved God and his creation. She worshiped and was very involved at First Baptist Church, Wheaton, and Seventh Day Adventist Church, Glen Ellyn.

Any hardships she may have suffered never shrouded her perpetual faith, good will, bighearted gestures of love and generosity, and her care for other people. She had locks of golden hair which mirrored the sunshine, warmth and love she had. Carol was a friend to all. Everyone at the Convalescent Center knew Carol by name and valued her gentle, helpful spirit. She was a treasured member of that community where she is deeply missed by residents and staff alike.

Carol is survived by her 97-year old mother, Doris, of Warrenville, IL; her younger brothers, James (JoAnn) of Beaverton, OR, and Paul (Susan) of Wheaton, IL; her two nephews, William Brinkman (Cambridge, MA), and David Brinkman (Wheaton, IL); nine cousins and numerous friends, including Francine, her “Benihana Buddy”.

She was preceded in death by her father, Herbert, in 1986; and all 12 of her aunts and uncles.

Funeral services were held Saturday, August 8, 2015, at First Baptist Church, 1310 N. Main Street, Wheaton, IL 60187, (630) 6650330, with visitation from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. at the church, followed by the service at 11:00 a.m. Burial private at Oak Ridge Cemetery, Hillside, IL. Memorial gifts may be sent to The Salvation Army National Headquarters, P.O. Box 269, Alexandria, VA 22314, www.salvationarmyusa.org.

Arrangements by Leonard Memorial Home, Glen Ellyn, IL, (630) 469-0032, www.leonardmemorialhome.com.

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Send information to obits@ mysuburbanlife.com or call 866-817-3278.

Rauner signs Connelly’s Right to Try bill 15

CD • Thursday, August 13, 2015 • mysuburbanlife.com • Suburban Life

Carol Dianne Brinkman, Wheaton, IL, age 68, passed away at 4:50a.m. on Friday, July 31, 2015, at the DuPage Convalescent Center, Wheaton, IL as the apparent result of kidney failure.

Carol's parents, Herbert and Doris (Prieb), married after Herb returned from Persia and the Russian front where he served during World War II. Carol, their first of three children and only daughter, was born in Geneva, IL in 1946. Carol grew up in Warrenville, IL near the areas where her ancestors had lived for 175 years.

Carol attended Holmes School in Warrenville through 8th grade, and graduated in the top echelon of her Wheaton High School Class of 1964.

Carol was a student at Illinois State University at Normal for one year, but transferred to and graduated from the Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago which she thought would be a more suitable place to challenge her mathematical and intellectual abilities. After college, Carol readily accepted a job offer from Raytheon in Boston, MA but became ill within a short time. She returned to Illinois and ultimately began a long career with AT&T and its successors. She excelled in many computer languages and was a valued employee and colleague throughout her entire career, earning advancements and awards.

About 15 years ago, Carol became very ill and was unable to work or live on her own any more. She moved to the DuPage Convalescent Center in year 2000 where she was able to live comfortably, actively and relatively independently for the rest of her life. Carol was a very creative and artistic woman who made many ceramic, painted, wooden and woven works of art at the Convalescent Center. She volunteered in the Donka computer lab and served on the Resident Council. She entered prize-winning vegetables and flowers, arts and crafts each year at the DuPage County Fair and consistently won prizes for her ventures in every area. To top off her awards, Carol received a beautiful trophy this year for scoring a perfect 300 on the Wii virtual bowling game!

Carol had her dad's sense of humor - droll and dry - delivered with a hearty smile. She had the spirit of adventure. She traveled to Europe, Egypt, Mexico and many destinations in the U.S. She was also an incredibly loving and doting “Aunt Carol” to her nephews, Bill

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WCP Suburban Life • mysuburbanlife.com • Thursday, August 13, 2015 • CD

| EDUCATION

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• EDUCATION

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| SPORTS

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SPORTS

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Contact Sports Editor Jason Rossi, jrossi@shawmedia.com or 630-427-6271

AT HOME IN THE SUBURBS

College athletic conferences find convenience in headquarters in Midwest

By JASON ROSSI jrossi@shawmedia.com The Big Ten Conference’s headquarters in Rosemont are hard to miss from I-294.

The conference’s prominent logo sits on the side of a building facing the highway from the east and is just across the highway from O’Hare International Airport.

However, the Midwest’s biggest, most news-grabbing conference isn’t the only one based in Chicago’s suburbs.

The Summit League, a Division I conference which claims Western Illinois as the only in-state member, is headquartered in a mixed-use office building on Butterfield Road in Elmhurst. The College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin, a Division III league which includes Elmhurst College, Wheaton College and North Central College among its eight members, is based in Naperville.

So what drew these leagues to base themselves in Chicago’s suburbs?

For the CCIW, it was a matter of convenience. The league moved its office to the campus of North Central College in Naperville in 2002, the same year that Chris Martin took over as commissioner of the league. The previous commissioner was a long-time athletic administrator at Millikin University and the league was based out of that school’s Decatur home until the move.

Martin said the North Central campus in downtown Naperville has been a great host.

“The office was moved to Naperville for two reasons – being close to Chicago and because it is centrally located,” Martin said. “All of the CCIW schools are within easy driving distance. We host nearly all of the conference meetings at North Central. … I don’t think it’s any surprise that our office resides in the area since the CCIW schools recruit heavily in the area.”

The Big Ten has a history of being located in the Chicago suburbs. The conference was founded in Chicago in 1896 and has maintained its roots near-

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Tom Douple is commissioner of The Summit League, an NCAA Division I athletic conference based in Elmhurst. The nine-team league includes schools in seven states. by. The conference had a home in Schaumburg for 18 years before moving closer to O’Hare to a location in Park Ridge in 1991. In 2013, the league moved to its new headquarters in Rosemont, which is a short drive just southwest of the Park Ridge building.

The reason for that move, as explained by Deputy Commissioner Brad Traviolia, was largely because they had outgrown the Park Ridge space.

“We just needed to expand so we looked at options of leasing space and buying existing buildings and came across an opportunity to build a new headquarters in Rosemont,” Traviolia said.

The new MB Financial Park at Rosemont, which includes the Big Ten’s headquarters, features hotels, restau-

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rants and bars, providing guests a good place to visit.

“It’s the biggest market of Big Ten alumni in the country. We were able to attract and attain a very solid workforce with Chicago and Chicagoland being the backdrop, and with O’Hare being so close it’s easy to be a hub,” Traviolia said. “We have meetings and it’s easy to host them with all the accommodations here for them.”

Given that the conference wanted to remain in the Chicago area and had enjoyed being close to O’Hare already, the number of potential locations seemed narrow. Traviolia said the factors included being able to handle the growth of the staff and improving the meeting experience for guests.

“It’s a neat opportunity with Rose-

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mont,” Traviolia said. “They had to reinvent what this area was and it serves very well with the proximity to hotels and restaurants. ... It’s worked out really nice for us.”

The market size and having two major airports was also a draw for other leagues.

The Summit League was founded in 1982 and at one time included schools such as UIC and Valparaiso as members. The league has gone through some changes – it was once known as the Mid-Continent Conference and membership has fluctuated slightly over the years – but moving the headquarters out of Elmhurst was never a consideration.

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