IDPH offers recommendations for avoiding respiratory viruses as seasonal illnesses increase
Winter surge in hospital admissions driven by flu;
The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) has announced that in line with the national trend, the state’s overall respiratory illness level has ticked up from moderate to high, driven by an expected early winter jump in hospital admissions.
IDPH’s Seasonal Respiratory Illness Dashboard indicates that emergency department (ED) visits for Acute Respiratory Illness topped 21 percent in the week ending Dec. 28, up from 17 percent the previous week.
During the same period, the number of ED visits for flu more than doubled to 6.2 percent from 3 percent while ED visits for COVID-19 were at 2 percent, up from 1.5 percent.
With respiratory illnesses on
the upswing last month, IDPH issued a health alert to hospitals and healthcare facilities recommending that they take note of local conditions and consider targeted steps to mitigate the circulation of seasonal illnesses. These could include visitor restrictions and source control through measures like masking.
“The new year has arrived, and Illinois is experiencing the expected winter surge in seasonal respiratory illnesses,” said IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra. “It is now more important than ever to use the many tools at our disposal to keep ourselves and our loved ones safe. The most effective tool remains vaccinations for flu, COVID-19, and RSV. It is not too late to get your vaccines, as the seasonal respirato-
IDPH
reminds public
it’s not too late to get flu, COVID-19 and RSV shots
ry season can extend late into the spring.
“Other effective tools to prevent exposure to respiratory illnesses include enhanced ventilation, good hand hygiene, and a well-fitting mask,” he continued. “These tools may be valuable to all our Illinois residents but are especially important for those most at risk including individuals over 65, individuals with chronic medical conditions, and individuals who are immunocompromised.”
Vohra recommended that anyone who is feeling symptoms of respiratory illness—such as a fever, runny nose, sore throat or cough—consider getting tested and treated early in the course of their illness, especially if they are at risk for serious illness or spreading it to someone who is at risk of serious illness.
Treatments for flu and COVID-19 are most effective when they are given early in the course of the illness. Those who are ill should avoid spreading germs to others by self-isolating (i.e. staying away from others when they are ill) or wearing a mask if unable to isolate.
For those who are unvaccinated, public health officials note that it’s not too late to get vaccinated. It takes about two weeks for vaccinations to provide their full level of protection. Getting shots now will offer protection through the cold and flu season that lasts into the spring.
Sadly, the IDPH Respiratory Illness Dashboard has recorded four pediatric deaths this season from flu, COVID-19 and RSV, providing
a stark reminder about the importance of vaccinations for children and of the risk of serious illness from these largely preventable seasonal illnesses.
IDPH has posted two helpful new FAQ documents on its website providing the latest guidance on vaccinations and how to get tested and treated for seasonal illnesses. In addition, the CDC has created a new Respiratory Illness Data Channel that provides nationwide county specific information that would be valuable for anyone planning to travel out of state.
The FDA and CDC have approved new vaccines for COVID-19 and flu as well as updated who can receive the RSV vaccines. The new COVID-19 vaccines and the new flu shots are recommended for everyone over the age of six months.
The RSV vaccine is recommended for everyone 75 years and older and those between 60-74 years who are at risk for serious illness
But if you got an RSV shot last winter, you do not need another at this time, according to the CDC. Those in the late stages of pregnancy are advised to get the RSV vaccine designed to protect newborns. Eligible newborns whose mothers have not received the RSV vaccine should receive nirsevimab between October and March.
For COVID-19, treatment must be prescribed by a healthcare provider and started within 5 to 7 days after symptoms appear. Treatment is strongly recommended for those who are over 65 or at higher risk for severe illness. Some Illinoisans
should be eligible to access free oral antivirals through the Paxcess and Merck Helps programs. Antiviral treatments for flu are most effective when given within 48 hours of starting to feel ill and are only available by prescription. Older adults, young children and those who are pregnant or have certain underlying conditions are at risk for complications and should contact a healthcare provider to be assessed for the need for treatment as soon as possible.
You can find locations that perform COVID-19 tests in person at no cost near you by using the testing locator for the federal ICATT (Increasing Community Access to Testing) program. In addition, the federal government resumed offering free COVID-19 tests to every household through the covidtests. gov website.
The new vaccines are widely available at pharmacies and through hospitals, and community health clinics. The major pharmacy chains allow you to make an appointment online to get a shot.
For help finding a provider of vaccines near you, go to www.vaccines.gov. Vaccine information is also available for Illinoisans who are uninsured or underinsured, and for children eligible for the Vaccines for Children program, through IDPH’s Vaccine Locator Dashboard
Adults without insurance can also check with their local health department for options or contact a free and charitable clinic or a community health center
Addison police host first ‘Chat with the Chiefs’ public meeting
Nearly 20 Addison residents gathered at the Addison Village Hall on Jan. 8 for the first “Chat with the Chiefs”—an interactive public meeting that allows community members to engage directly with the Addison Police Department and discuss local safety concerns, while also learning more about the department’s initiatives. During the event, Deputy Chief Jose Gonzalez (above left) and Deputy Chief Chris Weinbrenner provided insights into the department’s operations and answered questions from residents. Police Chief Roy Selvik (above right) also demonstrated the Stop Stick—a tire deflation device used in high-speed pursuits, showcasing the tools and strategies employed to enhance public safety. The Addison Police Department plans to host additional “Chat with the Chiefs” meetings throughout the year to continue fostering open dialogue with the community.
‘Winter Weather, Get it Together,’ plan ahead for snow and ice
With the days shorter and temperatures colder, the public is being reminded that it’s time for “Winter Weather, Get it Together.”
The Illinois Department of Transportation, Illinois State Police and Illinois Tollway are prepared for whatever snow-and-ice season has in store, but also are asking you to get ready for winter travel over the next few months.
“You don’t want to be caught by surprise and unprepared,” said Illinois Transportation Secretary Omer Osman. “Our team at IDOT spends the entire year getting ready for winter by bringing in extra help, stocking up on materials and making sure our equipment is ready to go. By doing your part now, we can ‘Get it together’ and make this the safest winter ever on Illinois roads.”
Now is the time to implement basic winter driving skills and prepare for even routine trips to take longer, even if temperatures happen to be above freezing during the day and roads appear clear. As part of the “Winter Weather – Get it Together” campaign, travelers are encouraged to follow these simple guidelines:
• Bookmark IDOT’s GettingAroundIllinois.com to check road conditions 24/7 before heading out. Get in the habit of monitoring weather forecasts.
• Do not travel during bad weather unless absolutely necessary. If you do have to drive, check the forecast and make sure someone is aware of your route. Familiarize yourself with public transportation and ridesharing options.
• Give yourself plenty of extra time. Slow down and increase the distance between other vehicles.
• Watch out for black ice. A road may appear clear, but can be treacherous.
• Be especially careful when approaching intersections, ramps, bridges and shaded areas that are prone to icing and can become extremely slick.
• Don’t crowd the plow. You might see them, but they might not see you. Also, road conditions are much better behind than in front of the plow. Any plow that’s hit is one less resource available to clear the roads.
• Prepare an emergency kit with jumper cables, flares or reflectors, windshield washer fluid, an ice scraper, traction material, blankets, non-perishable food and a first-aid kit.
• Always wear a seat belt. It’s the law in Illinois. And it’s your best defense in a crash.
Drop it and drive. Put down the mobile devices. This, too, is the law.
• Give them distance. Obey the Move Over law by slowing down and changing lanes when approaching ANY stopped vehicle.
-Carry a cell phone charger in case of emergency.
• Follow IDOT on Facebook and X to see how the agency is responding to winter weather throughout the state.
“Winter weather - snow, ice, freezing rain, arctic winds—always make driving more difficult and more dangerous,” said ISP Director Brendan F. Kelly. “Our troopers risk their lives on the roads helping motorists who have crashed or become stranded in the snow and ice. Help keep them, and yourself, safe by planning for extra drive time, slowing down, and moving over for emergency vehicles stopped to
Park District to host inaugural MLK Celebration with distinguished guest speaker
The Bensenville Park District invites the community to its inaugural Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration, 9 a.m. to noon, Monday, Jan. 20, at the Deer Grove Leisure Center Oak Room, 1000 W. Wood St., Bensenville.
The free, public event features a photo exhibit honoring Dr. King’s legacy as well as a keynote address by Judge Chantelle C. Porter, Circuit Court Judge for the 18th Judicial Circuit of DuPage County.
Judge Porter, appointed by the Illinois Supreme Court, has a distinguished career dedicated to representing children and families. Her extensive experience, according to her website, includes advocating for over 200 children in the foster care system at the Cook County Public Guardian’s office, supervising the Juvenile Division at the DuPage County Public Defender’s office and serving as a Guardian ad Litem in dependency court cases.
As a former partner at A. Traub & Associates, Judge Porter has been a leading advocate in family law, mentoring young lawyers and driving systemic changes in the juvenile justice system.
The Independent is published every Thursday by Rock Valley Publishing, LLC,
This winter, IDOT will have more than 1,800 trucks available for deployment to plow almost 45,000 lane miles of roads statewide, the equivalent of driving back and forth between New York City and Los Angeles eight times.
Last winter, IDOT crews spread more than 312,000 tons of salt statewide. This winter, salt domes are at capacity, with more than 542,000 tons on hand, a little more than twice the weight of Willis Tower.
The public is advised that snow-andice response times could be impacted due to an industry-wide shortage of workers with a commercial driver’s license, resulting in challenges in filling plow driver positions.
See PLAN, Page 8
“We are honored to have Judge Porter join us for this important event,” said Joseph C. Vallez, executive director of the Bensenville Park District. “Her dedication to justice and advocacy perfectly embodies Dr. King’s legacy, and we are excited to provide a platform for her to share her remarkable journey with our community.”
The MLK Celebration aims to honor Dr. King’s contributions to social justice and equality while fostering community unity and inspiring future generations. The event encourages community members of all ages to come together, reflect on Dr. King’s impact and celebrate the talents and creativity within Bensenville.
For more information about the MLK Celebration and other community events, visit BvilleParks.org or contact the Bensenville Park District at (630) 766-7015.
Puzzle enthusiasts invited to compete in Jan. 31 Resolution Riddle
Puzzle enthusiasts, it’s time to gather a team and put those problem-solving skills to the test.
Following the success of its initial “That’s Puzzling!” competition in November, the Bensenville Park District will host “The Resolution Riddle,” a community puzzle competition, at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 31, at the Deer Grove Leisure Center, located at 1000 W. Wood St. in Bensenville. Teams of three or four will compete head-to-head to complete a 500-piece puzzle in the shortest time. The event encourages community members of all ages to get involved in friendly competition,
teamwork and fun.
Prizes await the fastest team, so bring those A-games!
Participants must register as a team by Jan. 25 at the Deer Grove Leisure Center. The cost to participate is $45 per team.
Can’t participate in this event? The park district offers another chance at glory with “The Shamrock Quest,” 6:30 p.m. Friday, March 14.
Participants of all ages are invited to show off their talents. For more information about puzzle competitions and other community events, visit BvilleParks.org or call 630-766-7015.
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Opinion
Slices of life
Favorite time of the day
I woke up much too early this morning and I had trouble getting back to sleep, which could be troublesome to some.
But my covers were cozy. My pillow felt cool and comfortable under my head. There was a kitty nestled in close to me. I nuzzled in, knowing I’d go back to sleep at some point and thought:
“This might be my favorite time of day - waking up and knowing I can still take another few moments to cuddle and fall back asleep.”
After a couple hours of extra and wonderful sleep (which some might call an early morning nap), I woke again and it was still early. I thought about the things I wanted to accomplish during the upcoming day and was grateful for that purpose to my life and thought:
“This might be my favorite time of day - thinking about all the things I want to accomplish today.”
I prepped the morning coffee and did a little clean-up effort to the kitchen as I waited for it to brew. Coffee scent filled the air and I thought:
“This might be my favorite time of day—waiting for the morning coffee, and smelling it as it brews.”
I sat down to check morning emails and watch a bit of the news and thought:
“This quiet morning time might be my favorite time of the day. Time to check in with reality and contemplate the day at hand. Well, that and do the Wordle. Let’s not forget the Wordle.”
Next on the docket was a walk with a friend. This activity checked multiple boxes: exercise, conversation and solving all the problems of the world - all within the scope of about an hour.
As I chatted with my friend (let’s call her, ‘Nancy’) I through to myself, “This might must be my favorite time of the day, walking with a good friend.”
Next came lunch. Okay, there are no surprises here, are there. I’m pretty sure lunch qualifies as just about everyone’s favorite time of the day.
Well, except for nap time, which I wasn’t able to fit into the day in question, but naps are wonderful and
By JILL PERTLER Columnist
certainly contribute to a best time of day vibe. Any day that I get a nap is probably a pretty relaxed day and that makes it a good day.
After non-nap time my daughter (or son) called—take your pick. I’m always grateful to hear their voice. When they ask me for advice that’s only a bonus. When I get to talk to grand babies, it’s a double bonus.
Today was a double (and FaceTime) bonus and as I smiled seeing their faces and hearing their voices, I realized, “This is probably my one of my favorite times of day.”
After dinner (I’m skipping that because it’s right up there with lunch for the favorite time of day) I met a friend for a glass of wine. As we sat, chatting and sharing deep, philosophical thoughts (wine will do that to you) I thought to myself, “This is probably my favorite time of day, because…” (Well, you know the drill.)
The sun set, the moon rose and stars filled the night sky. I arrived home and looked upward, and felt at peace with the world. I inhaled deeply and thought, “This is definitely my favorite time of day.”
Night had descended. The day was done. It was late and time for bed. I laid my head on the cool and comfy pillow. My kitty found her spot beside me and quickly commenced purring. As I drifted of to sleep I was filled with happy memories of days gone by and thought, “This just might be my most favorite time of day.”
And it was.
They all were. They all are. And tomorrow they probably will be as well.
I hope the same, for you.
Jill Pertler is an award-winning syndicated columnist, published playwright and author. Don’t miss a slice; follow the Slices of Life page on Facebook.
Pharmacy benefit managers create crisis in patient care that demands immediate action
By Garth Reynolds
The pharmacy profession is under siege. Community pharmacies (independent and chain) are closing at an alarming rate, leaving countless communities without access to essential medications and care. The culprits behind this crisis are pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), whose opaque and predatory practices are decimating the very foundation of our health care system.
A recent Health Affairs study revealed that nearly 30 percent of U.S. pharmacies have closed since 2010, with closures disproportionately affecting rural, urban, and underserved communities. Illinois has seen this crisis firsthand (more than 80 pharmacy closures just in 2024), with closures leaving countless residents in “pharmacy deserts,” where access to medications, vaccinations, and chronic disease management is severely limited; particularly in minority neighborhoods, exacerbating health care disparities and leaving vulnerable populations stranded without necessary pharmaceutical services.
The situation is dire. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has intensified its investigation into PBM practices, acknowledging their anti-competitive behaviors that harm consumers and drive pharmacies out of business.
The Illinois Auditor General’s report provides a damning critique of PBM management of Medicaid dollars ($200 million in just 2 years), reveal-
ing waste, inefficiency, and inflated costs to taxpayers.
Attorney General Kwame Raoul has taken decisive action, filing lawsuits against PBMs for deceptive practices and antitrust violations (more than $100 million in settlements). These steps, while commendable, are insufficient to stem the tide of pharmacy closures and the resulting health care crisis.
Medicaid programs are particularly susceptible to PBM exploitation. Through a lack of transparency, PBMs siphon funds intended to support patients and providers, forcing pharmacies to operate at a loss for Medicaid prescriptions.
This financial strain leads to closures, leaving patients in underserved areas with fewer care options. Commercial insurance is not immune; PBMs leverage their market dominance to eliminate competition, prioritize their own services, and restrict patient choice.
Illinois stands at a pivotal moment. We must act decisively to halt this crisis:
Enforce transparency: Mandate full disclosure of PBM contracts, including pricing and rebate practices, to ensure accountability for taxpayer dollars and premiums.
Implement fair reimbursement: Ensure pharmacy reimbursement reflects the actual cost of medications, preventing PBM manipulation.
Expand state oversight: Empower the attorney general and the Departments of Healthcare and Family Services & Insurance to broaden investigations into PBM practices, and
Blair-Sherlock begins new term, emphasizes support
State Rep. Diane Blair-Sherlock, D-Villa Park, issued the following statement last week after the start of a new legislative term:
“This General Assembly will need to tackle serious challenges, and it’s critical that we do so in a human-centered way that reflects the priorities of working families. It starts with responsibly investing in our education system from early childhood through college, strengthening our public safety efforts and driving down costs for consumers.
“In recent years we’ve made
significant strides to improve our state’s fiscal standing—securing multiple credit rating upgrades, eliminating debt and positioning ourselves to better meet challenges as they arise. We must maintain this approach, and look to expand economic
authorize the auditor general to audit PBM contracts for commercial plans (e.g. State Employees Plans).
Support federal action: Advocate for federal reforms to restrict PBM abuses nationwide, ensuring consistent standards across state lines.
Protect independent pharmacies: Provide immediate financial relief and long-term policy support to preserve their vital role in communities.
The collapse of community pharmacies is a health care emergency.
Patients rely on their pharmacists for more than medications; they depend on us for guidance, education, and access to the health care system. Every pharmacy closure represents a loss for patients and communities.
As executive director of the Illinois Pharmacists Association, I urge state and federal leaders to address this crisis with the urgency it demands. PBMs must be held accountable, and pharmacies must be empowered to provide the care their patients need.
Our profession has stood strong through countless challenges, but the PBM crisis threatens to erode the foundation of pharmacist delivered patient-centered care. It is time to ensure that pharmacies are no longer treated as expendable casualties in a broken system but rather as vital partners in delivering healthcare to all.
Let’s act now—before another pharmacy closure reminds us of what we have lost.
Garth K. Reynolds, BSPharm, RPh, MBA, FAPhA, is a practicing community pharmacist and the executive director of the Illinois Pharmacists Association.
for working families
opportunities that will create and support jobs across Illinois.
“I’m also focused on what is happening in Washington, and the steps we may need to take in response. We’ve already seen extreme politicians take aim at reproductive freedoms and
essential health care access, and it’s critical that Illinois is ready to reinforce protections.
“This is going to be an impactful legislative session. I’m optimistic we can deliver great things for the people of this state, and I’m excited to get to work.”
Yes, Lombard is growing and getting new restaurants and more community events every year. However, the town needs more parking spaces. In the 1970s the village board considered a parking garage, which never amounted to anything. We need more in-town parking and the board needs to work on and develop it now. Thank you.
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My comment is that I really missed Christmas decorations on Main Street driving through town. I live in Lombard. Usually they’re up every year, the garland and the decorations on the lampposts. I know they put in a light display at the old library site, but that’s the Lombard Park District. I would like them to go back to putting decorations on Main Street. Thank you.
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Villa Park calling. Strat’s closed down and no longer will these people who glorify cars, these teen hoodlums, come and clog up North Avenue and be a mob of criminality and street hooliganism that we have seen for a decade, with these ridiculous car shows and the thugs it brought into our village. This is great news. And Villa Park will be less chaotic.
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Hey, Villa Park calling, and the unsafe conditions as mentioned by the Villa Park police along a stretch of North Avenue near that hot dog stand were once again chaotic. I can say that as a longtime Villa Park resident, this Strat’s has been nothing but trouble for the village. The unsafe driving conditions and criminality, traffic violations and reckless driving that this hot dog stand has brought, with its car shows, and immature patrons, has been shameful and a dark chapter of this village’s history.
Editor’s note: Strat’s Drive-Thru, located at 231 E. North Ave., Villa Park, closed on Dec. 22, after 25 years in business. Owner Strat Matsas opened the restaurant in Villa Park in 1999. His restaurant in Franklin Park was open from 1987 to 2009.
Villa Park Chief of Police Michael Rivas responded to these Speak Out calls: “Strat’s was an iconic destination. It was a beacon for many to come show off their vehicles and a place where many others came to view those vehicles. Where it became problematic for the police, the community, and area businesses was for several reasons: the unsafe driving acts of a few put the public’s safety at risk, the numerous loud revving of engines and burnouts created noise pollution, and the large crowds had nowhere to park but illegally in area businesses and residential streets.
“Over many years the Villa Park Police Department has had to allocate a large amount of resources to help keep people safe and keep the peace. These resources could have been better served for the rest of the village. The congestion alone would turn a major thoroughfare like North Avenue into a big parking lot. Ninety-nine percent of the people we dealt with were compliant and orderly. It was the one percent in attendance who showed no regard for laws or safety.”
“I have known Strat since I would go to his Strat’s in Franklin Park [which opened in 1987; the Villa Park location opened in 1999]. Many of the officers in Villa Park used to frequent his establishment. I know many of us wish him well and offer him congratulations for running a family-owned business for so long.”
How Speak Out works
• Speak Out is a forum in which readers can express their opinion anonymously concerning local, state, national and international topics. Each call is limited to 200 words whether the caller calls 630-629TALK or emails their opinion to speakout@rvpublishing.com.
• The views expressed by callers are their own.
• All calls are checked by four editors. If a consensus of editors believes a particular call is deemed to be in poor taste, erroneous, inaccurate, libelous, doesn’t make sense, or if claims stated in a call cannot be verified, the call will not be published.
• With regard to calls of a political nature, it is not possible to have an equal balance of calls with liberal and conservative viewpoints during any given week. The editors of Speak Out don’t have control of who calls in, what their political leanings happen to be, and the topic(s) they want to discuss.
• If you have further questions about Speak Out, email: news1@ rvpublishing.com.
* * *
Did you see the picture on the front page of the Chicago Tribune Friday (Jan. 10)? Everyone in the VIP section had their hand over their heart except Trump and Melania. Maybe because you have to have a heart to put a hand on it!
* * *
Someone in Speak Out called and made reference to a Speak Out I had a few weeks ago (Dec. 19 issue). In my Speak Out, I said I wasn’t surprised that Sean Casten isn’t going to Trump’s inauguration because he’s a regressive leftist. The caller wanted to remind me that Donald Trump didn’t attend Joe Biden’s inauguration. Yes, I’m aware he didn’t. Trump should have gone to Biden’s inauguration instead of being petty. Talk about not attending inaugurations, does the caller know that nearly 70 Democrats in Congress boycotted Trump’s inauguration in 2017? I think that’s being as petty as Trump.
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I read that a new bill will allow law enforcement to get training to interact with a person with ASD (autism spectrum disorder), and that is great news. However, I think it needs to expand to much more, like training to intervene with a person with schizophrenia or other mental health disorder, because the approach can be different for different situations. It may come across the wrong way here, but just like a diabetic might wear a medical alert bracelet, maybe a person with a mental health disorder or disability—who may be nonverbal or has trouble communicating—wearing a similar bracelet could help first responders intervene in a the most knowledgeable way. I think mental health disorders have a medical element anyway, so there should be no shame in alerting someone else to a medical condition.
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I was the one who called about the Blue Christmas and Longest Night services, my disappointment in not reading of any in and around Lombard. I see there was a response to that. I got my information from the Daily Herald, which often posts lo-
cal happenings, and none of those the caller mentioned were included. The caller said there were services listed on a funeral home website, and also a flyer; that would have been nice to know beforehand. Some of us don’t use the internet often, and if one doesn’t know to go looking for it, or where to look for it, that is of no help. Maybe in the future, houses of worship could send a blurb to the Lombardian and other newspapers to help spread the word about special services or events such as these (I only saw one listing about Christmas services), for those of us who get our local news from the papers such as yours. Just a suggestion for next year.
* * *
To the caller who said that hopefully the Democrats and liberals will “stop now,” some legislators have already said they won’t attend the inauguration. What a good way to start the new term. All during Biden’s tenure, the Democrats kept saying they needed the support of Republicans to help get the country back on track. But now that the tables have turned, their hypocrisy is showing. I predict there is no way the Democrats will help bridge the huge chasm between the aisles of both Congress and the Senate. By the same token, the Republicans need to be part of the solution in this tug of war to bring this country closer to some semblance of unity.
* * *
Some pundits in the media chose to waste ink on Melania Trump at Jimmy Carter’s funeral—even ripping on her for what she was wearing—instead of the true meaning of the day. It was also the anniversary of her mother’s death a year ago, so who wouldn’t look and feel somber, especially being at a funeral? What critics won’t do for a headline.
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Yes, the Bears had a generally lousy season but what an awesome way to end it all. Caleb Williams is a gutsy kid with great talent and given the right coaching staff, he can take this team a long way. Go Bears!
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Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson is a disgrace, but I thought it was
Costa Howard begins new term
Focusing on fiscal responsibility, economic development
State Rep. Terra Costa Howard, D-Glen Ellyn, who was sworn in to her fourth term in the Illinois House of Representatives on Jan. 8, will embark on this new session with a focus on increasing fiscal responsibility, promoting economic development, and protecting the rights of women and families throughout Illinois.
“As we embark on this new legislative session, all of us are keenly aware of the national political landscape and its likely impacts on the state of Illinois,” Costa Howard said. “This year more than ever, the members of the General Assembly must work together to keep our state government on a solid fiscal foun-
amusing to see that JB Pritzker has been keeping a running tally of how many times Johnson has called him in the last two years. Only twice. You mean he’s not bowing before the all-powerful billionaire governor? Get out the violins for JB.
I see our two local Congressmen, Raja Krishnamoorthi and Sean Casten, were among the Democrats who voted against the Laken Riley Act, named after the young woman brutally murdered by a scumbag who shouldn’t have been in this country in the first place. The bill passed 264-159 with bipartisan support, and 48 Democrats voted for it. The Senate voted to advance the Laken Riley Act by a vote of 84 to 9. Raja has a column in this paper. I’ve seen statements by Casten in this paper, too. Perhaps they would like to explain to us why they voted against this bill, but I doubt either of them will.
Coming events
Love and Laughs with Michelle Buteau at Villa Park, Helen Plum libraries
On Thursday, Jan. 23, at 7 p.m. Villa Park Public Library and Helen Plum Library, in partnership with Illinois Libraries Present, join comedian, actress, and producer Michelle Buteau in conversation with Greta Johnsen. Michelle is the creator/writer/star of the Netflix series “Survival of the Thickest,” inspired by her autobiographical book of essays of the same name. She is also the host of two popular reality competition shows - The Circle and Barbecue Showdown, and hosts the popular podcast, “Adulting.” Greta Johnsen is an interviewer, podcast host, and book person. She is loved as co-host of HBO’s “Official Game of Thrones” Podcast and hosted WBEZ’s “Nerdette” podcast for 11 years. Registration is required.
For more information, visit the library’s website at www.vppl.info or call 630-834-1164. Contact the Helen Plum Library at 630-627-0316 or helenplum.org.
dation while we defend the people of Illinois against any efforts to roll back reproductive freedoms or limit access to affordable health care.
“We’re heading toward difficult, complicated decisions that may have impacts on the people of this state for years to come,” Costa Howard went on to say. “Together, we must pledge to make fair, responsible choices and serve the priorities of our constituents and our communities.”
She added: “Every day, I am filled with gratitude for this opportunity to serve the people of the 42nd District. I deeply appreciate the support of our communities, and I am honored to bring their voices to Springfield.”
Genealogy club meeting Jan. 27
On Jan. 27 at 7 p.m., join the Helen Plum Library Genealogy Club for a roundtable discussion to share your research findings, hear success stories from other members and seek solutions to brick walls. This program will be in-person and held in the Conference Room (2nd floor). Registration required. Call 630-6270316 or visit helenplum.org.
Repair Fair at SCARCE Jan. 25
Repair Fair Saturday, Jan. 25, 9 a.m. to noon. This month’s Repair Fair includes experts in lamp repair, kitchen knife, handheld and garden tool sharpening and jewelry repairs as well as a seamstress doing simple fixes. Stop in and visit with all the experts sharing their knowledge in our classroom. Visit www.scarce. org/repair-fair for details.
out& about Jane Charmelo
Southland Park getting a makeover
Site improvements, new amenities part of the overall design
Southland Park is shaping up to take on a new, improved look, thanks to the Lombard Park District, with both upgrades and new features that the public has requested, according to Executive Director Joe McCann.
The 15.6-acre park, nestled between South Stewart Avenue to the west and South Grace Street to the east, will be seeing a new playground, improvements to the soccer field, expanded parking, access to a fishing pond, added pathways and more, he narrated.
McCann related that back in 2022, the park district applied for an Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development Grant from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, after hosting an open house “to share the master plan with residents and to get feedback.”
Known as an OSLAD Grant, the park district got $600,000 in 2023 to apply toward the $2.9 million project, which the director said “was within our current funds.”
Construction fencing went up in May 2024, and so far work has progressed to the point where completion is expected by this spring or early summer, with the exception of the improved soccer field.
McCann explained that the soccer field was seeded this past fall and an irrigation system installed, and he expects the field to remain closed until at least this coming fall, because “We just wanted to give it [the planted grass] additional growing seasons.”
A new playground was built to replace the old one that was on the northeast corner of Grace Street and Central Avenue, and is now located toward the west side of the park. It is fully ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) compliant.
McCann said that the old playground “was due for a renovation,” adding, “It was beyond its useful life.”
There is also a shelter adjacent to the playground.
Additional pathways have been added, including one that cuts through the park from one side to the other, and a new walkway leads toward the nearby pond, where there is a stone seating wall.
The park district is adding four pickleball courts with a small shelter nearby, and two bocce ball courts are also going to be available for visitors to enjoy.
One of things McCann is proud of is the parking expansion that is part of the project.
“We’ve doubled the size of the parking lot,” he said enthusiastically, adding that there will be 45 additional parking spaces.
Another part of the project he
Southland Park, bordered by South Stewart Avenue, East
is currently open, and other amenities are expected to be completed by the
or
beamed over is the renovation of the baseball field, describing how the plan includes improved spectator seating, new sideline fencing and new dugouts.
“The project is mostly completed,” he said.
Summing up the project, McCann stated: “Items awaiting completion include color coating of the pickleball courts, fence and netting work around the baseball field, parking lot striping, bocce courts, benches and signage,” adding that he expects to hold a ribbon cutting this summer.
McCann credited state Rep. Terra Costa Howard and state Sen. Suzy Glowiak Hilton for their initial letters of support and recommendation for the OSLAD grant, and said that state Sen. Laura Ellman has added her support.
“We look forward to more projects in the future,” he said. For more information, visit lombardparks.com.
McCann said that thanks to such grants, “We’re excited to be able to enhance our parks,” and for the public “it will be a huge benefit as well.”
Lombard Park district images Rock Valley Publishing
Central Avenue and South Grace Street, is getting a makeover. The playground
spring
early summer.
Coming events
Lombard Service League
‘Ladies Night Out’ Jan. 20 Lombard Service League will hold a “Ladies Night Out” at Billy Bricks Wood Fired Pizza, 2770 S. Highland Ave., in Lombard at 5:30 p.m. Members, guests and interested prospective members are welcome to join us for a fun evening of lively conversation and a wood fired pizza. Each person will pay for their own choice of food and beverage. Lombard Service League is affiliated with the General Federation of Women’s Clubs and the Illinois Federation of Women’s Clubs as part of the 5th/6th District. The mission of the club is to become informed on social issues, volun-
Obituaries
BETH A. BLISS, 55
Beth A. Bliss, age 55, of Lombard, passed away at home surrounded by her family.
Funeral services were held on Jan. 15, 2025, at Brust Funeral Home, 135 S. Main St., Lombard. Interment followed follow at Arlington Cemetery, Elmhurst. Info: www.brustfuneralhome.com or 888-629-0094.
E. CHARLES HOPPER, 79
E. Charles
“Chuck” Hopper, beloved husband, father, and grandfather, died on December 29, 2024, at age 79.
Born on April 12, 1945, in Jacksonville, IL, Chuck was a proud graduate of Jacksonville High School and recently attended his 60th high school reunion. Growing up in a small town, his interest in animals and nature began at an early age. As a child, he once had 13 beagles and kept a squirrel named Friend Lee as a pet.
Chuck’s lifelong fascination with nature led him to join Boy Scouts as a child, eventually earning his Eagle Scout rank. He continued his involvement in Scouts as an adult, serving as the Assistant Scoutmaster for a troop in Elmhurst. When his two sons were old enough to begin their own Scouting journey, he assisted with their troop, went on campouts, and helped both of his sons follow his path to earn their own Eagle Scout ranks. Chuck enjoyed exploring state and national parks, visiting 28 national parks.
Perhaps no hobby captured Chuck’s imagination more than amateur radio, or ham. Licensed in 1959 as part of an Advanced Electronics class, Chuck continued his involvement in ham radio for the rest of his life, eventually becoming president of the York Radio Club. As a mentor, he Elmered many new hams into the radio world (to Elmer is to help a new ham, and Chuck would have loved that you just learned some ham radio lingo). Chuck made an impressive 30,000 contacts with other ham radio operators in over 250 countries including Easter Island, the Vatican, and the International Space Station. Outside of his hobbies, Chuck earned bachelor’s and master’s de-
teer time and talent, donate funds, and engage with other women. For more information on the club or this event, please call 630-620-7797 or e-mail info@lombardserviceleague. org.
State Rep. Diane BlairSherlock to host several local events
Admire the artwork on display by North School students at her district office on Thursday, Jan. 16, from 4-6 p.m. If you are unable to attend the event, you are welcome to stop in our office at 28 S. Villa Ave., Villa Park, Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. through Jan. 31.
In anticipation of National Pop-
grees in history from Western Illinois University as well as a second master’s degree in education from Concordia University. After teaching social studies at Bryan Middle School in Elmhurst, he continued his career in public education as the assistant principal and a teacher at Sandburg Middle School, also in Elmhurst. But of all Chuck’s accomplishments, his proudest achievement was earning the title of grandfather. He enjoyed spending time outside with his four grandchildren, found the fun and humor in children’s shows and movies, and loved reading storybooks aloud.
Chuck will be remembered for his dry humor, vast curiosity and knowledge, and life lived in service to others.
Chuck is survived by his wife Bobbie, sons Mitch (Laura) and Tim (Jeannine), and his four grandchildren Dylan, Colin, Therese, Fiona; and brother Mitch (Ruth). He was preceded in death by his parents Do-
corn Day Friday, Jan. 17, stop by for some popcorn at her office from 1-3 p.m.
Blair-Sherlock and state Sen. Suzy Glowiak Hilton will host Coffee and Conversation on Saturday, Jan. 18, from 9:30-10:30 a.m. at Funky Java in Villa Park.
Enjoy a cup of coffee with your state representative and state senator for this opportunity to ask questions, express your concerns, and share ideas. We will be collecting personal hygiene products and toiletries for the Hands and Feet outreach located at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Villa Park, serving DuPage County residents.
For a full list of items needed, vis-
ris and Ed Hopper, and his cherished dogs Morgan and Moose.
Family and friends are invited to the First United Methodist Church of Lombard, 155 S. Main St., Lombard, IL on January 19, 2025, to celebrate Chuck’s life. A visitation will begin at 1:00 PM followed by a funeral at 2:00 PM.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in E. Charles Hopper’s name to either the American Radio Relay League Education and Technology Fund or the Naperville Area Humane Society.
HELEN C. SCOFIELD
Helen C. Scofield, nee Pump, of Lombard, died Jan. 5, at home. Funeral services were held Saturday, Jan. 11, at Brust Funeral Home, 135 S. Main St., Lombard. Interment was at Queen of Heaven Catholic Cemetery, Hillside.
Arrangements made by Brust Funeral Home, 135 S. Main St., Lombard.
Local service & great rates
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Brian Stolper, President 447 N York Street Elmhurst, IL 60126-2003
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it our website at repblair-sherlock. com.
If you have any questions, call our office at 630-415-3520 or email JaxWest.D46@gmail.com.
Righteous Kitchen fundraiser
A delicious way to support the Lombard Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association (LCPAAA). Order ready-made meals from Righteous Kitchen anytime between now and Jan. 25, and Righteous Kitchen will give 15% of the proceeds to the LCPAAA. Be sure to mention LCPAAA when you check out (for online orders, put LCPAAA in the notes at check out). Catering is NOT included in this offer. Righteous Kitchen is located at 390 E. St. Charles Road. Order online and pick-up later or shop for great meals in-store. HOURS: M: 11:30-6:30;
Tues.- Fri.: 10-6:30; Sat: 10-2:30.
GPS Parent Series in Urdu Jan. 23
On Thursday, Jan. 23, B-PAC: Glenbard Bilingual Parent Advisory Council and the GPS Parent Series in Urdu will present “Essentials of Positive Parenting” with Saleha Jawaid at 7 p.m. via Zoom. Jawaid is a certified alcohol and drug counselor and works as a DuPage Recovery Community Organization coordinator with Serenity House Counseling Services. She works on community initiatives to raise awareness and provides prevention education. Go to the GPS Parent Series website for information and the link to this webinar. This event will be presented in Urdu only. For further information, contact Viraj Dhebar at viraj_dhebar@glenbard.org or 630-942-7695.
Forest Preserve District of DuPage County earns AAA rating for bonds
The Forest Preserve District of DuPage County has earned an AAA rating from S&P Global Ratings for its series 2025 general obligation limited-tax bonds, ensuring funding for certified master plan projects without raising debt-servicing costs or increasing taxes.
S&P also affirmed its AAA rating on the District’s existing general obligation debt—the highest rating assigned by the credit-rating agency. The district has maintained this top-tier rating since 1997, consistently demonstrating strong financial stewardship and lead-
SUBMITTED PHOTO Rock Valley Publishing
Care bags donated
Recently, Corp. Jeremy Rimmer with the DuPage County Sheriff’s Office hand-delivered over 50 care bags created and donated by The Alex Project for residents in need experiencing homelessness. The care bags consisted of items such as hats, gloves and socks as well as small toiletries and food items. The Alex Project was started by Alex McCall, who was adopted from Russia in 2003 at 7 years old. Since spending the first seven years of his life in the orphanage he has always wanted to give back to those in need. When he was younger, he would give his lunch away to kids who were hungry at school, and as he grew up he would use his own money to buy toys and other items for kids in need. Seven years ago, he started creating care bags for the homeless and The Alex Project was born. Township Supervisor John W. Valle said, “I want to thank Alex McCall, founder of the Alex Project, and Corp. Jeremy Rimmer for this heartwarming community initiative. It is important that we take care of our fellow brothers and sisters who are experiencing hard times. The Alex Project is a wonderful example to inspire us all.” Pictured (left to right) are York Township Director of General Assistance Pamela Sarno and Rimmer. To learn more about The Alex Project, visit thealexproject.net.
• Fleeing
(Continued from front page)
exit, deflating the right rear tire of the vehicle, and fled the area.
It is alleged that Main continued to flee officers and at times drove on the wrong side of the road. It is alleged that at one point, Main slammed on her brakes, causing the trailing squad car to strike the back of her vehicle.
It is further alleged that Main again drove over spike strips, deflating the remaining three tires of the vehicle, yet continued to drive on four deflated tires until she crashed her vehicle into a raised cement median at 22nd Street and Butterfield Road.
It is alleged that after the crash,
ership.
The rating reflects several key factors, including the district’s outstanding financial management practices and the strength of DuPage County’s diverse and thriving economy. The recent passage of a voter-supported referendum to increase the district’s operational levy also underscores continued public trust and investment in natural resource preservation.
“The AAA rating highlights the district’s strong financial-management
practices, prudent reserve policies, and effective operations,” said Brian Kuszewski, interim director of Finance for the Forest Preserve District.
“It signals to the market that the district’s debt is low-risk, leading to lower borrowing costs and ultimately saving property taxpayers money over time.”
The S&P report cited the district’s proactive leadership, healthy reserves, operational flexibility, and substantial landfill fund resources as key factors in maintaining its strong credit profile.
“The ‘AAA’ rating reflects our view of the district’s deep and diverse economy coterminous with DuPage County, significant operational flexibility, and robust financial management, which have contributed to healthy reserves and liquidity,” the report stated.
For more information, including the full ratings report, visit the Forest Preserve District’s “Budgets and Financial Reports” page at www.dupageforest. org/about-us/transparency-portal/budgets-financial-reports.
Bensenville Park District to host inaugural pickleball
The Bensenville Park District invites pickleball enthusiasts to compete in its inaugural pickleball tournament, 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 2, at the Deer Grove Leisure Center Gymnasium, 1000 W. Wood St., Bensenville.
The event was previously published as taking place Feb. 1.
Open to players ages 18 and older, the tournament welcomes participants of all skill levels for a day of intense matches, friendly competition, and fun. Teams will battle it out for prizes awarded to the top three finishers,
Police Reports
The Addison and Bensenville police departments recently reported the following arrests and citations. Persons who are charged with domestic battery are not named in order to protect the victim’s privacy. Readers are reminded that an arrest does not constitute a conviction, and that suspects are considered innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law. Juveniles age 17-or-younger are not named.
Addison
Dec. 24
Diover Antonio Desantiago, 24, of Romeoville, was charged with failure to give aid or information, leaving the scene of an accident and driving while license revoked or suspended in the 500 block of N. Mill at 2:15 p.m.
Debra L. Sramek, 64, of Addison, was charged with DUI and failure to reduce speed near Army Trail and Lombard at 8:14 p.m.
Dec. 23
Volodymyr Hrytsenko, 36, of Lombard, was charged with two counts of DUI and parking where prohibited near Army Trail and Lombard at 5:12 a.m.
Dec. 22
Alexa E. Hill, 34, of Elburn, was charged with DUI and operating
making this a must-play event for pickleball lovers.
The registration fee is $25 per team. Participants are encouraged to sign up by Jan. 26 at the Deer Grove Leisure Center.
“This tournament is a fantastic opportunity for players to showcase their skills while enjoying the fastest-growing sport in the country,” said Recreation Supervisor Breana Aponte, noting the park district’s recent growth in pickleball lessons and participation.
The district offers two sessions of
windshield wipers without headlights in the 100 block of W. Lake at 4:05 a.m.
Adam Reyes, 36, of Addison, was charged with violation of an order of protection at 2:34 p.m.
Joanna Romero, 46, of Bartlett, was charged with forgery at 11:50 a.m.
Dec. 21
Sean M. Falcone, 34, of Addison, was charged with DUI-drugs, improper lane usage and driving while license revoked near Lake and Rohlwing at 6:46 a.m.
A 36-year-old Addison man was charged with two counts of domestic battery at 6:52 a.m.
Dec. 19
Adriene S. Hall, 34, of Addison, was charged with violation of bail bond/family member in the 600 block of N. Meadows at 6:05 p.m.
Bensenville
Jan. 8, 3:48 p.m. near Devon and Bay Drive, Marcelo Gallegos-Jaimes,49, of Morton Grove was arrested for possession of stolen auto, possession of stolen firearm, and no driver’s license. The suspect was transported to the station for processing, issued complaints a court date and then transported to the DuPage County Jail.
BEPC2500020
Jan. 5, 4:55 a.m. near Grand and
tournament Feb. 2
Adult Pickleball 101 lessons, 6-6:50 p.m. Mondays, Jan. 27-March 17 and March 24-May 19.
Classes focus on pickleball basics such as serving, forehand and backhand shots and court positioning. Players will also learn scoring and the rules of the game through drills and play time.
Fees are $50, $45 for in-district participants and include all equipment.
For more information about pickleball and other programs, visit BvilleParks.org or call (630) 766-7015.
Northwest avenues, police said Santos Jimy Cruz Domingo, 22 of Bensenville, was stopped for traffic violation and arrested for DUI. The suspect was transported to the station for processing, issued complaints a court date and released on a pre-trial release. BEPC2500012
Jan. 5, 3:36 p.m. in the 100 block of S. York, police said Jason P. McCambridge, 49, of Northlake, was arrested for retail theft and a Cook County warrant. The suspect was transported to the station for processing, issued complaints, a court date and then transported to the DuPage County Jail. BEPC2500015
Jan. 3, 2:21 a.m. near Route 83 and and 3rd Avenue, police said Daniel De La Paz, 24, of Chicago. was stopped for speeding and found to be DUI. The suspect was transported to the station for processing. BEPC2500008
Jan. 2, 8:29 p.m., police said a crash occurred at Irving and Marshall. Pasquale Marino, 60, of Addison, was arrested for two counts of DUI and other traffic violations. The suspect was transported to the police station for processing, issued complaints, a court date and released on a pre-trial release. BEPC2500006
Jan. 1, 10:18 AM, in the 1100 block of S. York, police said a delayed retail theft occurred at around noon. A suspect was identified and charges are pending. BEPC2500003
Main exited the vehicle and began to walk away. It is further alleged that when given commands to stop walking away, Main began running. She was taken into custody following a brief foot pursuit.
When searching the vehicle, officers allegedly found multiple pieces of mail with the names and addresses of residents on Timber Trails Drive as well as stolen mail with addresses in Mount Prospect, Arlington Heights and Bensenville.
The next court appearance for both defendants is scheduled for Feb. 3 in front of Judge Brian Telander.
• Plan
(Continued from page 8)
While hiring at IDOT continues for both temporary and permanent positions, staffing levels for the winter response team are down approximately 10 to 15 percent since the start of the pandemic. For information on job postings throughout the state, visit https://illinois.jobs2web.com.
“We’re keeping our customers safe this winter by quickly mobilizing our roadway crews and snowplows whenever winter storms strike and by rapidly responding to drivers who need
assistance while traveling on our system,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse. “Drivers who become stranded along our roads should dial *999 and then remain with their vehicles until help arrives. We’re asking our customers to help us keep them safe this winter by reducing their speed during severe weather and increasing their distance from other vehicles, especially plows and emergency vehicles.”
During winter storms, the Illinois
Tollway deploys a fleet of 196 snowplows to clear its 294 miles of roads and this year has stockpiled 112,000 tons of salt to help ensure that even during snowy winter weather its 1.6 million daily drivers can safely reach their destinations.
Tollway Trip Tweets provides real-time roadway incident information and pavement conditions via @94_294_Tollway, @I_90_Tollway, @I_88_Tollway, @I_355_Tollway and @IL_390_Tollway.
Care For Your Smile
PUZZLE Page
SUDOKU
Fun by the Numbers
Like puzzles? Then you’ll love sudoku. This mind-bending puzzle will have you hooked from the moment you square off, so sharpen your pencil and put your sudoku savvy to the test! Here’s How It Works: Sudoku puzzles are formatted as a 9x9 grid, broken down into nine 3x3 boxes. To solve a sudoku, the numbers 1 through 9 must fill each row, column and box. Each number can appear only once in each row, column and box. You can figure out the order in which the numbers will appear by using the numeric clues already provided in the boxes. The more numbers you name, the easier it gets to solve the puzzle!
CLUES ACROSS
1. This regulates cortisol production (abbr.)
5. People of northern Vietnam
8. Employee stock ownership plan
12. Regions
14. The center of a city
15. Hindu serpentine deity
16. Roared
18. Sun up in New York
19. “Sir” in Malaysian
20. Shrimp dish
21. Muckraker Tarbell
22. Apex
23. Harmonic effects
26. One of Babe Ruth’s nicknames
30. Groups in organic chemistry
31. More pleasant-tasting
32. Spring forward
33. Noted writer
34. Building occupied by monks
39. “The world’s most famous arena”
42. Colorless liquid hydrocarbon
44. Long or fast speech
46. Things you can eat
47. Substance in which magnetic moments are not aligned
49. Actor Idris
50. I (German)
51. Taxes
56. Indonesian island
57. Nuisance (slang)
58. Shawl
59. Digits
60. Moved on foot quickly
61. “For goodness __”
62. Facial body part
63. Russian river
64. Urinates
CLUES DOWN
1. Partner to “oohs”
2. Scaly water dweller
3. Pueblo people of New Mexico
4. Music producer Teo
5. Greek mythological goddess
6. Got together to discuss
7. Acquires
8. Involve
9. Some are tomato-based
10. Old Irish alphabets
11. A sheet of glass in a window or door
13. Blood poisoning
17. A moon of Saturn
24. Neither
25. Sums
26. They follow “A”
27. Satisfaction
28. People of southeastern Burma
29. Small amount
35. Guy (slang)
36. Sound unit
37. Midway between northeast and east
38. Affirmative
40. Almost at the top
41. Extremely slow
42. Pearl Jam’s debut album
43. Influential mid-century playwright
44. Martens
45. Approval
47. Dallas-adjacent Texas city
48. African nation
49. Dark brown or black
52. A place to get caught
53. Large-headed, elongated fish
54. Type of sword
55. Scottish tax or levy
New General Assembly sworn in as House, Senate take different tones
Lawmakers face potential budget shortfall as new legislative term begins
CAPITOL NEWS ILLINOIS
A new Illinois General Assembly was sworn in for the next two years last week, with the House and Senate ceremonies taking two starkly different tones.
The House inauguration ceremony, conducted in an auditorium on the University of Illinois Springfield campus, was at times boisterous, featuring speeches that were more politically divisive and sometimes led to jeering.
House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch, who was reelected to his third term leading the chamber, tried to strike a chord of unity as he exhorted his colleagues to work together to meet the challenges of what he called a unique moment in history.
“The urgency of this moment shows that unity is our power,” he said. “Members of the 104th General Assembly, let’s rise to meet this moment together. Let’s use this time and all that has been given to us to do the work and move Illinois forward. Winners do the work.”
But there was less talk about unity and cooperation from Republicans who spoke at the ceremony.
Rep. Steve Reick, R-Woodstock, spoke to nominate Republican Tony McCombie as speaker. He said he agreed that cooperation and compromise are needed to solve the state’s problems. But he also criticized “people on both ends of
the political spectrum” for pushing “ideas on which there is nothing resembling a social consensus.”
“What results are laws that offend the heart-felt beliefs of people whose voices are not being heard and toothless resolutions that call for us to separate this state from a world class city that’s being driven into the ground,” Reick said.
Meanwhile, McCombie, of Savanna, who was reelected to her second term as minority leader, used her speech to vent some of the frustration she and other Republicans have felt at being locked out of negotiations with majority party Democrats on major legislative issues.
“I, like many, were disappointed with our election outcomes and the ability for us to secure more Republican seats to bring some balance to the General Assembly,” she said. “However, this was not due to a lack of good candidates or hard work, but due to special interest in Illinois’ gerrymandered maps, the most outrageous maps in the nation.”
Senate inauguration
Senators from across Illinois were sworn in Jan. 8 in the newly renovated Senate chamber. The room had been closed for 2 ½ years while the Senate conducted busi-
See ASSEMBLY, Page 12
List your church and its worship schedule in our
Worship Services Section
Published Every Week in print and online in our 5 Hometown Newspapers located in Elmhurst, Lombard, Villa Park, Addison and Bensenville
For your church to take advantage of this special offer, please contact: Brenda Garcia at ads2@rvpublishing.com or 630-834-4450
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Worship
St. Timothy Evangelical Lutheran Church
547 N. Main St., Lombard, IL 60148 630-627-2435
Sunday Worship at 10:15 am Sunday School & Bible Study 9 am
Lent and Easter Services at 7 p.m.
“The Crucial Hours”
Second Lenten Service March 9, 2022
Ladies Bible Fellowship Mondays at 6:30 pm Wednesday Service at 7pm
Rev. David Ernest “Satan Has Asked to Sift All of You” Jerusalem Lutheran, Morton Grove Matthew 27:15-26
Adult Bible Study Wednesdays after Service Saturday, January 25, Game Night at 4 pm
Third Lenten Service March 16, 2022
Everyone is Welcome!
Rev. Paul Spaude “What to Remember When Your are St. Matthews, Niles Seized with Remorse” Matthew 27:3-4
All services are live streamed. Watch on our website or on Facebook. sainttimothy.org
Fourth Lenten Service March 23, 2022
Rev. Jonathan Bergemann “I Will Keep the Passover”
779 S. York Street Elmhurst, IL 630-834 -6700 www.visitationparish.org
Weekend Masses: Saturday: 4 PM (Vigil) Sunday: 7:30, 9:30 & 11:30 AM and 6 PM
Daily Masses: Monday—Friday: 6:15 and 8:15 AM Saturday: 8:15 AM
Confessions: Saturday: 3-3:45PM
Adoration: Available in Our Lady Mother of the Eucharist Chapel 24/7
ness in a modified auditorium in a separate building on the capitol complex.
Sen. Don Harmon, D-Oak Park, and Sen. John Curran, R-Downers Grove, were reelected by their colleagues to their positions of Senate president and Senate minority leader, respectively.
The mood in the chamber, where bipartisan engagement has been more common in recent years, was far more reserved than in the House.
“While they may not always see eye-to-eye, they share a mutual respect for each other, our caucus and the constituents that allow them to work together for the good of Illinois,” Sen. Sue Rezin, R-Morris, said of the two leaders in her nominating speech for Curran. “This calm dialogue may not be the exciting drama that you see in D.C.”
Harmon is beginning his fourth term as the chamber’s leader after being elected by his caucus in January 2020 and serving in the Senate since 2003. His 2020 opponent in that contest, Sen. Kimberly Lightford, D-Westchester, gave the nominating speech for Harmon, saying the suburban Democrat has proven to be an effective leader.
“In an era of deeply political division, Don stands apart through his remarkable ability to unite people,” Lightford said.
“ It’s easy to insulate ourselves with people who look, live and think like us.”
– Sen. John Curran, R-Downers Grove
Harmon’s acceptance speech had one overarching message: be kind. He asked senators to work across the aisle, including on behalf of their constituents who didn’t vote for them.
“Remember that your neighbors in this chamber are some of the only people in Illinois who can relate to what you’re going through,” Harmon said. “The Senate is an active laboratory for coalition-building. Forge those bonds and look out for one another.”
The messages from Harmon and Curran stood out in a week when the House has grabbed headlines for a caucus meeting that left a governor’s office staffer in tears while three of Welch’s senior staff members announced plans to resign.
Curran is beginning his second term as Senate minority leader after being elected by his caucus in 2023. A former Cook County prosecutor, Curran was elected to the Senate in 2016.
“It’s easy to insulate ourselves with people who look, live and think like us,” Curran said. “But if American democracy has taught us anything, it is that real progress comes from stepping outside of your comfort zone and building a coalition of different viewpoints to
craft policy for the greater good.”
Of the 59 Illinois senators, three sworn in Jan. 8 were non-incumbents: Graciela Guzmán, D-Chicago, Liandro Arellano, R-Dixon, and Chris Balkema, R-Channahon.
Pritzker on upcoming challenges
The 104th General Assembly has a lengthy to-do list, ranging from eliminating a projected $3.2 billion budget deficit to reforming transit in the Chicago area.
In a news conference following inauguration, Gov. JB Pritzker spoke about the budget challenges he faces this spring ahead of his late February budget address.
“When we talk about priorities, prioritizing the fiscal health of the state has been, you know, among the most important things that I’ve, I think, achieved and will continue to prioritize,” Pritzker said.
Pritzker also faces a reemerging challenge from his first term as governor: a Donald Trump presidency.
Pritzker said he has general concerns about Trump’s plans, particularly as they pertain to health care. But he is taking a wait-and-see approach before deciding specific actions to counter the Trump administration’s initiatives.
He noted Trump is often “unpredictable.”
“There’s not a specific thing that I can point to though because he hasn’t taken office yet,” Pritzker said, adding he’d remain “on guard” for what actions may be
needed in the future.
Capitol renovations
Last week’s inauguration also served as the reopening of the Illinois Senate chamber following renovations to the space that began over two years ago.
The north wing of the Illinois Capitol remains in the middle of an expansive $350 million renovation that began in 2022.
Much of the project on the interior of the Capitol is designed to restore the building to how it looked centuries ago. The building was constructed in the late 1800s in the decades after the Civil War and has undergone numerous renovations that have changed its appearance
Coming events
GPS program Jan. 22
and layout.
In the Senate specifically, construction included restoring the room’s original laylight and making safety upgrades. The stained glass laylight is designed to resemble the chamber’ original look before it was damaged by fire decades ago. Renovations also added more stalls to the women’s restroom to make it comparable to the men’s bathroom.
The project is also aimed at modernizing the capitol complex and includes construction of a new public entrance and visitor center on the north wing. The addition is also designed to improve security at the complex and funnel visitors in through a single space.
On Wednesday, Jan. 22, the GPS Parent Series: Navigating Healthy Families will present “The Breakthrough Years: A New Scientific Framework for Raising Thriving Teens” with child development authority Ellen Galinsky at noon and 7 p.m. via Zoom. Galinsky is an authority on work-life, youth voice, child-care, and parental development. Go to the GPS Parent Series website for information and the links to these webinars. To be placed on a reminder list for GPS events or submit a question in advance, contact Gilda Ross, Glenbard District 87 student and community projects coordinator, at gilda_ross@glenbard.org or 630-942-7668.
Winter reading program at Villa Park Library
This winter, you can Paws to Read with the Villa Park Public Library’s Winter Reading Program. Now through Friday, Feb. 28, track your reading to earn tickets for prize drawings. The library’s Adult and Youth winter reading programs offer something fun for all ages. Both programs are free, easy, and open to everyone. For more information, visit the library’s website at www. vppl.info or call 630-834-1164.
SOME BANKS CUT BRANCHES. WE GROW ROOTS
No ATM Fees
With select accounts. Use any ATM nationwide, and we’ll refund the fee!1
FREE Coin Counting3
We don’t charge you to turn your change into bills.
Platinum Adventures® Club4
From day trips to world travels, those 50+ years of age can join us for new friends and unique experiences.
Mortgages
We’re local, but we can help you get a home in all 50 states.
Safe Deposit Boxes2
While other banks are getting rid of this service, we still see the value.
Educational Seminars Retirement planning, college savings, building credit, and more.
Junior Savers Club®5
With our kids’ savings club, they’ll earn Treat Dollars for deposits and enjoy free events and activities all year long!
Wealth Management
We get to know you so we can help you make the most of your wealth.
The Doctors Are In!
UChicago Medicine AdventHealth Medical Group is pleased to announce the opening of our Lombard Primary Care office. Convenient, same-day and next-day appointments are now available, including telehealth video visits.
Schedule an appointment today by calling 630-819-5600. Medicare and most insurance plans accepted.
• Acute and chronic disease management
• Senior care
• Flu shots and immunizations
UChicago Medicine AdventHealth Medical Group Primary Care
• School and sports physicals
• Preventive medicine
• Men’s and women’s health
• Sick visits
Sheri L. Evans, DOCharles A. Friedl, DOJ. James Graziano,
Jesse Kulig, DOManjari Ranganathan, MD
Sports
Rams move to 6-0 in division action after edging Elmwood Park
Nee scores 18 points in victory over the Tigers
The Glenbard East boys basketball team raised its Upstate Eight Conference East Division record to 6-0 with last week’s 49-42 win over Elmwood Park in Lombard.
Four days after beating Elmwood Park, the Rams suffered a narrow 6258 loss in Saturday’s non-division game at Lincoln-Way Central. That loss moved Glenbard East’s overall season record to 8-7.
The Rams’ Jan. 7 game against Elmwood Park marked their first game of 2025, and their first division contest since their Dec. 20 home victory over Glenbard South. Glenbard East began its 2024-25 division season with a 72-53 win at Elmwood Park on Dec. 6. Last week’s rematch with the Tigers turned out to be a more competitive battle. The visiting Tigers led the Rams 16-14 after one quarter and 28-26 at halftime. Glenbard East held a 39-37 lead at the end of the third quarter.
Senior Devin Kraft made one of two free throws to give the Rams a 40-37 lead early in the fourth quarter. Senior Sam Walton scored an inside basket to extend the Rams’ lead to 42-37 with about 7:20 left in the game. Junior Danny Snyder assisted Walton’s basket.
The Tigers cut Glenbard East’s lead to 42-40, but a basket by Snyder gave the Rams a 44-40 advantage with 5:11 remaining. Junior Jacob Marynowski delivered an offensive
rebound and basket to extend Glenbard East’s lead to 46-40. Marynowski, who was fouled on his inside field goal, made the ensuing free throw to complete a 3-point play that pushed his team’s lead to 47-40 with 3:18 remaining.
Junior Michael Nee scored the Rams’ final two points of the contest when he made two free throws to raise the lead to 49-40 with 2:24 to play.
Nee sank two 3-point shots and scored a team-high 18 points for the Rams in last week’s home win over Elmwood Park. Snyder provided 11 points, while Marynowski contributed 10 points. Kraft supplied six points. Walton and junior Muhammad Musleh added two points each.
Nee delivered his 18-point output against the Tigers after missing his team’s previous three games. Nee took an inadvertent forearm to the face from an opponent during the second quarter of the Rams’ Dec. 26 game against St. Patrick at the Jack Tosh Holiday Classic. Nee left the game after suffering that injury in his team’s opening game at the tournament. He did not play in Glenbard East’s next three games in the holiday event. The Rams finished the tournament with a 74-52 win over Timothy Christian on Dec. 30. They resumed their season with their Jan. 7 home game against Elmwood Park.
Glenbard East coach Eric Kelly stated that the Rams can expect to face fierce competition during the rest of their division schedule.
“We’re undefeated [in the division], so every team is going to play
their best game of the season against us,” said Kelly after last week’s win over Elmwood Park. “Whatever we saw the first time around, the team is going to be five times better, so that means we’ve got to be better.”
The Rams led Lincoln-Way Central 31-27 at halftime of Saturday afternoon’s contest. Glenbard East held a 45-40 lead at the end of the third quarter, but Lincoln-Way Central rallied to overtake the Rams in the fourth quarter.
Nee scored a team-leading 21 points in Saturday’s loss. Snyder poured in 20 points.
The Rams are scheduled to play five games this week. Glenbard East played a division game at Riverside Brookfield earlier this week. The Rams will face West Chicago tonight—Thursday, Jan. 16—in a division contest in Lombard.
Broncos extend winning streak to six games
After easily beating St. Edward, Montini holds off St. Francis; Broncos raise their overall record to 11-6 with the two victories
The Montini Catholic boys basketball team ran its winning streak to six games with last week’s home victories over St. Edward and St. Francis.
The Broncos defeated St. Edward 56-33 in Lombard on Jan. 8. Two days later, Montini earned a 50-46 win over St. Francis.
The Broncos raised their overall season record to 11-6 with Friday’s victory over the Spartans.
Montini led St. Edward 10-4 after one quarter of last week’s contest. The Broncos extended their lead to 23-9 by halftime. Senior Drew Church, junior Robert Sansone and senior Max Bell drained one 3-point shot each to account for Montini’s first nine points of the third quarter. The Broncos owned a 40-18 lead with eight minutes to play.
Sansone made three shots from 3-point range and scored a teamhigh 14 points for Montini in its win over St. Edward.
Bell, who sank a pair of 3-point baskets, provided 10 points. Church, who scored three baskets in the first quarter before adding a
3-point field goal in the third quarter, contributed nine points. Junior Angelo DeSensi added six points. Junior Kenny Hines supplied five points, while juniors Colt Ashton and Michael Kavanagh scored four points each. Senior Jack Barrett and junior Henry Herold tacked on two points each.
Montini held a 17-6 lead over St. Francis after one quarter of Friday’s game. The Spartans cut the Broncos’ lead to 22-16 by halftime. Sansone was fouled while attempting a 3-point shot at the end of the third quarter. He made all three free throws to extend Montini’s lead to 39-28 with eight minutes left in the game.
The Spartans unleashed a 15-4 run to start the fourth quarter. St. Francis connected on a 3-point shot to complete that run and tie the score at 43-43 with 4:12 to play. Herold sank a corner 3-point shot to break the tie and give the Broncos a 46-43 lead with 2:42 on the clock.
Montini, which missed eight of 12 free-throw attempts during the fourth quarter, held a 47-43 lead
Glenbard East’s boys basketball team moved to 6-0 in Upstate Eight Conference East Division play following last week’s 49-42 victory over Elmwood Park in Lombard. Playing in their first game of 2025, the Rams held a slim 39-37 lead over the visiting Tigers at the end of the third quarter. Glenbard East opened the fourth quarter with a 10-3 run to raise its lead to 49-40. Junior Jacob Marynowski (No. 15) of the Rams is pictured (top left) while shooting and making a free throw to complete a 3-point play that extended Glenbard East’s lead to 47-40 with 3:18 left in the game. Marynowski scored 10 points in the Rams’ Jan. 7 victory over Elmwood Park. Another photo (above) from the contest shows junior Danny Snyder (No. 3), who scored 11 points for the Rams. Glenbard East junior Michael Nee scored a team-leading 18 points in the victory. Nee supplied a team-high 21 points in Glenbard East’s next game—a 62-58 loss at Lincoln-Way Central in Saturday afternoon’s non-division battle. That loss moved the Rams’ overall season record to 8-7.
Rams improve to 6-1 in division play with two road wins
with 30 seconds to play.
Moments after he stole a St. Francis inbounds pass, Sansone went to the foul line with 17.6 seconds left in the game. He made one of two free throws to give the Broncos a 48-43 lead. The Spartans made a 3-point shot with nine seconds to play to trim Montini’s lead to 48-46.
Sansone then made a pair of free throws with 7.3 seconds to play to help the Broncos seal their victory.
Sansone made two 3-point shots and scored a team-leading 20 points in Friday’s victory.
Bell provided eight points, while Church supplied seven points. Barrett contributed six points with a pair of 3-point baskets—one in the first quarter and one in the third quarter.
Herold also supplied six points with two 3-point field goals—one in the second quarter and one in the fourth quarter. DeSensi added three points with a second-quarter basket and a fourth-quarter free throw.
The Broncos’ season continues with this week’s games at Mount Carmel and St. Laurence.
The Glenbard East girls basketball team earned two Upstate Eight Conference East Division road wins last week to raise its division record to 6-1. The Rams crushed Elmwood Park 55-22 in a division game on Jan. 7. Three days later, Glenbard East outscored Riverside Brookfield 60-55 in another division contest.
The Rams lost a non-division road game on Jan. 9, when they dropped a 59-53 decision at South Elgin.
Glenbard East held an overall record of 11-10 and a division mark of 6-1 after Friday’s victory at Riverside Brookfield.
The Rams led Elmwood Park 12-2 after one quarter of last week’s division game. Glenbard East’s lead grew to 22-7 by halftime and 3614 at the end of the third quarter.
Senior Erin Brown and sophomore Lilly Carver scored 11 points each in the Jan. 7 victory over the Tigers. Junior Nora Opila and sophomore Teagan Murphy contributed nine points each. Sophomore Ally Amrhein provided five points, while senior Veronica Witt supplied four points. Senior Taylour Hodges, junior Kathleen Nevels and freshman Olivia Nee added two points each.
Glenbard East and Riverside Brookfield were tied at 15-15 after one quarter of Friday’s contest. The Rams trailed the Bulldogs 27-20 at halftime, but rallied to take a 40-36 lead by the end of the third quarter. After scoring 20 points in the third quarter, Glenbard East piled on 20 more points in the fourth quarter.
Brown scored a team-high 18 points in Friday’s win. Carver provided 13 points. Nee contributed nine points, seven of which came during the fourth quarter. Witt and Murphy scored eight points each. Hodges supplied four points.
Brown scored a team-leading 16 points in the Rams’ Jan. 9 loss at South Elgin.
Glenbard East’s schedule this week includes division games against West Chicago and Fenton, along with Saturday’s non-division battle against Waubonsie Valley. The Rams will square off against Fenton this Friday, Jan. 17, in Lombard.
Chris Fox photos Rock Valley Publishing
Warriors lose to York and Proviso East
Powell scores 30 points in Willowbrook’s conference loss to the Pirates
The Willowbrook boys basketball team’s overall season record fell to 5-10 following last week’s losses to York and Proviso East.
The Warriors lost 70-39 to York in Elmhurst on Jan. 7. Three days later, Willowbrook lost 74-61 to Proviso East in Friday’s West Suburban Gold Conference battle in Villa Park.
The Warriors’ conference record dropped to 1-1 after Friday’s loss to the Pirates.
Junior Otis Powell scored a
team-leading 14 points for the Warriors in last week’s loss to York. Junior Jaylen Griffin added 13 points.
Senior Mark Murrell and sophomore Michael Garner provided six and five points, respectively. Junior Degan Meyer scored one point.
The Dukes led Willowbrook 14-7 after one quarter and 35-30 at halftime. York outscored the Warriors 20-8 in the third quarter and 15-1 in the fourth quarter.
Powell poured in 30 points in Friday’s conference loss to Proviso
Blazers edge Warriors
East. Griffin contributed 11 points. Senior Filip Palutkiewicz provided six points, while senior Jaden Royal supplied five points. Murrell contributed three points with a 3-point basket in the first quarter. Garner, senior Jesus Gomez and junior Matthew Ciesinski scored two points each.
Proviso East led the Warriors 25-18 after one quarter, 45-29 at halftime and 54-40 at the end of the third quarter.
The Warriors’ schedule this
The Willowbrook and Addison Trail girls basketball teams faced off in Saturday evening’s West Suburban Gold Conference game in Villa Park. The visiting Blazers defeated the Warriors 50-46 in the contest, which featured an exciting fourth quarter. The two teams were tied at 15-15 at the end of the first quarter. The Blazers held a 27-21 halftime lead. Addison Trail’s lead grew to 34-23 during the third quarter, but the Warriors reduced the Blazers’ lead to 38-35 by the end of the quarter. Addison Trail scored a basket early in the fourth quarter to take a 40-35 lead, but Willowbrook senior Loralai McIntyre made a pair of shots from 3-point range to give the Warriors a 41-40 lead. McIntyre (No. 15 - above left) is pictured while launching the 3-point shot that gave Willowbrook its 41-40 advantage with 4:50 to play. Addison Trail quickly regained the lead, but senior Kristin Woods of the Warriors delivered a rebound and basket to put Willowbrook ahead 43-42. After making the first of two free throws to tie the game at 43-43, Addison Trail senior Erin Parker rebounded her own miss on the second attempt and scored a basket to give the Blazers a 45-43 lead with a little more than two minutes remaining. Willowbrook senior Kendall Medinger drained a 3-point shot to give the Warriors a 46-45 lead with about 1:18 to play. Senior Katelyn Ford of the Blazers scored a basket with 48 seconds remaining to give the Blazers a 47-46 lead. Ford made a pair of free throws with 16.3 seconds on the clock. Senior Maria Hernandez scored Addison Trail’s last point of the game when she made the second of two free throws with 1.7 seconds to play. Hernandez was intentionally fouled in the closing seconds, so the Blazers maintained possession after she made the free throw that completed Addison Trail’s 5-0 run to end the game. Parker (No. 33 - above right) scored a team-leading 15 points for the Blazers. Ford provided 14 points, while sophomore Arianna Hendrix contributed 10 points. Senior Emma Caniglia scored five points for Addison Trail. Hernandez and senior Vanessa Gonzalez supplied three points each. Senior Ayaani Gusman scored a team-high 14 points for the Warriors. McIntyre, who made three shots from 3-point range in the contest, added 13 points. Medinger scored seven points. Woods and sophomore Jada Langston provided five points each. Senior Madison Vega scored two points for the Warriors. Addison Trail improved to 7-13 overall and 3-4 in conference play with Saturday’s victory. Willowbrook fell to 4-15 overall and 1-6 in conference action.
week includes conference games against Downers Grove South and Addison Trail. Willowbrook will face the Blazers this Friday, Jan. 17, in Addison. The Warriors will
compete in Wheaton Warrenville South’s Martin Luther King Jr. holiday tournament, which begins on Saturday, Jan. 18, and continues through Monday, Jan. 20.
Warriors vs. Blazers
The Willowbrook girls gymnastics team faced Addison Trail in last week’s dual meet in Villa Park. The visiting Blazers defeated Willowbrook 128.7 to 125.7 in the Jan. 8 meet. Addison Trail junior Mia Trombatore won the meet’s all-around title with her score of 33.7. Trombatore delivered first-place finishes on the vault (8.8), uneven bars (8.25) and in floor exercises (9.0). She is pictured (above) while earning a third-place score of 7.65 for her routine on the balance beam. Willowbrook senior Naomi Campbell won the meet’s individual title on the balance beam with her first-place score of 8.0. Campbell, who is pictured (below left) during her performance on the balance beam, earned a third-place score of 8.6 in floor exercises. Willowbrook junior Kaia Capulong finished second in the all-around standings with her total of 31.65. Capulong secured a tie for second on the uneven bars (7.9). She is pictured (bottom left) as she began her routine on the uneven bars. Capulong also finished fourth on the balance beam (7.45). Addison Trail senior Olivia DeBeau posted a third-place all-around total of 31.45. DeBeau tied for second on the uneven bars (7.9). She tied for third on the vault (8.45) and placed fourth in floor exercises (8.4). Sophomore Mallory Yeazel of the Warriors finished fourth in the all-around standings (31.05). Yeazel tied for third on the vault (8.45) and tied for fifth on the uneven bars (7.5). Addison Trail freshman Natalia Jurowska finished second on the vault (8.5) and fourth on the uneven bars (7.8). Senior Angelina Rodriguez of the Blazers finished second on the balance beam (7.75). Willowbrook freshman Ella Paulsen turned in a secondplace score of 8.8 in floor exercises. One day after facing Addison Trail, Willowbrook outscored Morton 128.5 to 122.45 in a dual meet at Morton. Campbell delivered firstplace performances in floor exercises (8.95) and on the balance beam (8.9). Willowbrook sophomore Lilli Macias won the individual title on the vault (8.9). Yeazel tied for first in the all-around standings (31.8). She tied for second on both the vault (8.3) and in floor exercises (8.2). Yeazel placed third on the uneven bars (7.3) and fourth on the balance beam (8.0). Capulong finished second on the balance beam (8.6) and third in the all-around scoring (31.75). Paulsen placed second on the uneven bars (7.35), third on the balance beam (8.1) and fourth on the vault (8.25). She claimed fourth in the all-around standings (31.6).
Chris Fox photos Rock Valley Publishing
Chris Fox photos Rock Valley Publishing
Late comeback lifts Broncos to one-point win over Kankakee
Shannon Spanos earns her 100th victory as Montini’s head coach
The Montini Catholic girls basketball team rallied to earn a thrilling 47-46 victory over Kankakee in Lombard last week. The Broncos lost their next game, dropping a 58-42 decision to Loyola Academy in Saturday’s Girls Catholic Athletic Conference (GCAC) Red Division battle.
Montini fell to 12-6 overall and 3-1 in the GCAC Red Division following Saturday’s loss to the Ramblers in Lombard.
The Broncos led Kankakee 19-15 after one quarter of the Jan. 7 matchup. The visiting Kays owned a 24-23 halftime lead. Kankakee led Montini 38-37 at the end of the third quarter.
The Kays led the Broncos 44-39 with less than 90 seconds to play. Kankakee missed a pair of free throws with 1:26 on the clock. Moments later, Montini senior Lily Spanos drained a 3-point shot to cut the Kays’ lead to 44-42 with 1:13 to play.
Senior Nikki Kerstein of the Broncos deflected a pass on the Kays’ next possession. Montini senior Lauren Mellish then grabbed the loose ball. A few seconds later, senior Peyton Farrell buried a 3-point shot from the top of the key to give the Broncos a 45-44 lead with about one minute left in the game.
The Kays regained the lead when they made two free throws with 46.8 seconds to play. After Montini missed a shot, Kankakee grabbed a rebound. Mellish then stole a pass with about 25 seconds on the clock and passed the ball to Kerstein, who made an inside shot to give Montini a 47-46 lead with about 21 seconds remaining.
Senior Natalie Gartlan made a strong defensive play for the Broncos in the game’s closing moments by knocking the ball away from a Kankakee player with about six seconds to play. Mellish snared the loose ball. The Kays then fouled the Broncos with 3.9 seconds left. Kankakee committed another foul with 1.1 seconds remaining. The Broncos inbounded the ball one more time and ran out the clock.
The Broncos’ win over Kankakee marked the 100th victory of Montini head coach Shannon Spanos, who is in her fifth season. Spanos, who graduated from Montini in 1999 and was a standout member of its girls basketball program, has been the Broncos’ head coach since the 202021 season, which was shortened by the COVID-19 pandemic. That season didn’t begin until February 2021.
Kerstein sank a pair of 3-point shots against Kankakee and scored a team-leading 14 points in the Broncos’ one-point victory. Lily Spanos drained four shots from 3-point range and provided 12 points. Spanos made three of her 3-point field goals in the third quarter before delivering her critical 3-point basket late in the fourth quarter.
Gartlan scored seven points in Montini’s win over the Kays. Farrell
and senior Audrey Kinney contributed six points each. Mellish added two points with a first-quarter basket.
Loyola Academy built an early 11-2 lead over the Broncos in Saturday’s GCAC Red Division contest. Montini cut the Ramblers’ lead to 14-6 by the end of the first quarter. Loyola’s lead stood at 28-23 at halftime. Spanos sank three 3-point shots during the second quarter.
The Broncos evened the score at 32-32 and 34-34 during the third quarter. Loyola closed that quarter with a 9-2 run to take a 43-36 lead
with eight minutes to play.
Kinney scored a basket to cut Loyola’s lead to 50-42 with about 5:45 to play. The Ramblers then closed the game with an 8-0 run.
Farrell and Spanos scored 11 points each in Saturday’s loss. Kerstein and Gartlan supplied seven points each, while Kinney provided six points.
Montini’s schedule this week includes games at St. Ignatius and Providence Catholic, along with a home game against St. Francis on Saturday, Jan. 18.
Chris Fox photos Rock Valley Publishing Montini Catholic High School’s girls basketball team earned a 47-46 victory over Kankakee in Lombard last week. The Broncos trailed the visiting Kays 44-39 with less than 90 seconds to play in the Jan. 7 contest. Montini senior Lily Spanos connected on a 3-point shot to cut Kankakee’s lead to 44-42. Less than 15 seconds later, senior Peyton Farrell sank a 3-point shot to give the Broncos a 45-44 lead with about one minute to play. Kankakee regained the lead with about 45 seconds remaining, but Montini senior Nikki Kerstein scored what turned out to be the winning basket with about 21 seconds on the clock. Kerstein scored a team-leading 14 points in the game. Spanos (pictured above) made four shots from 3-point range to provide 12 points. Senior Natalie Gartlan contributed seven points. Farrell (No. 24right) and senior Audrey Kinney added six points each. Montini lost its next game, falling 58-42 to Loyola Academy in Saturday’s Girls Catholic Athletic Conference (GCAC) Red Division game in Lombard. The Broncos dropped to 12-6 overall and 3-1 in the GCAC Red Division after Saturday’s loss.
Giannoulias reveals 2024 rejected license plates
More than 300 plates denied for profanity, offensive language or illegibility
Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias’ office rejected more than 300 vanity and personalized license plates in 2024. The office received 60,537 requests for vanity and personalized plates last year, including the 335 that were denied because of their inflammatory or offensive nature or because they were difficult to read.
The rejected plate requests this year include: Hoktuah, Gyatt, Munch, Bichin, Jagweed, Badarse, Axehole, Illcutu, Hohohoe, Abadmf, Weenie, Duckoff, Shidded, Ugewang, and Thiccaf.
“Illinoisans consistently display a great deal of creativity when choosing their customized license plates, but the plates that hit the road must meet the standards of good taste and decency,” Giannoulias said. “Our team are well-versed in lecherous language and sneaky swearing, all of which are rejected and placed on our permanent prohibited list.”
The Secretary of State’s Office oversees the process that allows Illinoisans to request specific vanity or personalized license plates for their vehicles.
According to state law, the office has the authority to reject any application for personalized or vanity plates that “creates a connotation that is offensive to good taste and decency” as stated in Illinois’ Vehicle Code.
The office flags combinations of letters and numbers that can be construed as lewd or offensive, including expletives, racial epithets, sex and drug references and allusions to violence. In some cases, like Mwmwmwm or Ooqqoo, plates were rejected this year because they are difficult to read and could pose problems for law enforcement.
The Secretary of State’s office maintains an ever-growing rejection list, which currently stands at more than 8,015 license plate combinations.
Illinois vehicle owners pay an extra $94 for a new vanity plate, which contains all letters. They pay an extra $47 for a new personalized plate, which is a combination of letters and numbers. Currently, a total of 811,351 vehicles are registered in Illinois with vanity or personalized license plates to Illinoisans. Of this number, 294,324 are vanity plates and 531,035 of the plates are personalized plates.
Most Illinoisans use the office’s popular Pick-a-Plate feature on the website apps.ilsos.gov/pickaplate which allows the applicant to type in different combinations of letters, or letters and numbers, to see if they are available for purchase.
Public Works announces winter tree pruning locations
This winter, the Village of Lombard will be pruning parkway trees on the west side of town. The area is bordered by the Great Western Trail, Main Street and W. Central Avenue.
The pruning work will be carried out by Village personnel and a private tree maintenance firm contracted by the Village of Lombard. Trees will be pruned according to professional standards set forth within the tree care industry. The pruning is scheduled for completion by the end of April.
Trees will be pruned to a minimum height of 15 feet above the roadway to ensure safe clearance for vehicles and pedestrians, as well as to eliminate sight obstructions for signs. Additionally, limbs will be removed if they are broken, hanging, dead, structurally unsound, in contact with other limbs, interfering with utility lines or streetlights or interfering with other trees on private property.
Public safety is the village’s first priority, followed by tree health and aesthetics. Parkway trees have different maintenance requirements compared to decorative landscape trees and will be pruned accordingly.
Typically, no more than one-quarter of the live crown will be removed at one time. The amount to be removed will depend on the tree species, size, condition, and the time elapsed since the last pruning cycle. Village personnel will make this determination.
The village maintains a 6-year pruning cycle for trees greater than 6 inches in diameter and a 3-year cycle for trees less than 6 inches. A shorter pruning cycle means less live material needs to be removed each time, allowing the tree to maintain a more natural form, with growth directed upward and outward.
Throughout the year, the Village’s in-house forestry personnel will continue pruning other parkway trees.
This proactive pruning allows a gradual raising of the crown, correcting defects early in the tree’s life, and smaller pruning wounds that close more rapidly.
For more information, visit www. villageoflombard.org/treetrimming or contact the Public Works Department, Forestry Division, at publicworks@villageoflombard.org or at 630-620-5740.
LEGAL NOTICES
VILLAGE OF VILLA PARK ANNUAL TREASURER’S REPORT FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2023
REVENUE SUMMARY: CHARGES FOR SERVICES 14,151,830; LICENSES AND PERMITS 1,028,101; INTERGOVERNMENTAL 17,464,058; FINES AND FORFEITURES 1,168,754; TAXES 14,956,094; INVESTMENT INCOME 10,900,636; MISCELLANEOUS 8,610,523. TOTAL REVENUE: $68,391,561
$378.56 APPLIED CONCEPTS INC.
$264.00 APPLIED GEOSCIENCE INC
$5,100.00 APWA $1,146.00 AQUA PURE ENTERPRISES INC $35,110.38 ARLINGTON COMPUTER PRODUCTS
$20,499.00 ARROW ROAD CONSTRUCTION CO $687.38 ARTISTIC ENGRAVING $434.87 ASCAP $420.00 ASSOCIATED TECHNICAL SERVICES
$18,628.40 AVERY DENNISON CORP
$5,152.18 AXON ENTERPRISE INC
REVENUE: $68,391,561 TOTAL OTHER FINANCING SOURCES (USES): (17,944) EXPENDITURE SUMMARY:
TOTAL OTHER FINANCING SOURCES (USES): (17,944)
EXPENDITURE SUMMARY: 10-41 INCORPORATED $2,000.00 298A ROOSEVELT RD LLC $26,266.43 3D DESIGN STUDIO $83,771.00 4 LOGOZMANAGER INC $76.99 707 N ADDISON LLC
$179.58 911 TECH, INC $2,280.00 A & P GREASE TRAPPERS INC $675.00 A BEEP LLC $1,665.31 A LAMP CONCRETE CONTRACTORS INC
$300,914.37 A.J MAKA DISTRIBUTING LLC $488.00 AB BERG INC $130.00 ABBEY PAVING & SEALCOATING CO INC
$267,660.00 ABC PLUMBING $2,400.00 ABSOLUTE FIRE PROTECTION INC
ELINEUP LLC $600.00 ELMHURST BREWING COMPANY LLC $200.00 ELMHURST CHORAL UNION $200.00 ELMHURST OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH
$20,617.00 ELMHURST, CITY OF $6,180.00 EMERGENCY MEDICAL PRODUCTS INC $354.30 EMERGENCY TELEPHONE SYSTEM $1,510.00 EMPIRE ROOFING AND GUTTERS PCCL $110.00 ENVIRONMENTAL SYSTEMS RESEARCH $27,500.00 EQUIPMENT MANAGEMENT COMPANY $545.00
$6,934.10 BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD
$3,107,277.12 BMI
$693.00 BMO HARRIS EQUIPMENT FINANCE $511,262.10 BMO HARRIS MASTERCARD $576,872.35 BONE PROPERTIES LLC $82,188.46 BOSAK MOTORS OF MERRILLVILLE LLC
$41,751.25 BOUNCE HOUSES R US LLC
$8,472.15 BRAD MANNING FORD INC
$9,273.05 BRADFORD SYSTEMS CORPORATION $5,740.00 BRAGANCA LAW LLC $10,000.00 BROTHERS ASPHALT PAVING INC $42.00 BRUNNER-HINTZE, MARY $519.77 BS&A SOFWARE
$97,310.00 BSN SPORTS LLC $1,175.00 BUILDERS PAVING LLC $953,666.59 BURKE ENGINEERING LTD, CHRISTOPHER $195,682.58 C. E. RENTALS
$1,331.50 C.O.P.S AND F.I.R.E PERSONNEL $8,911.03 CARGILL INC $38,105.97
CASTLE CHEVROLET $36,102.00 CASTUS CORPORATION $1,200.00 CCVP
$39,871.00 DELTA SONIC CAR WASH SYSTEMS INC $145.94 DEMIRDJIAN, JOHN PAUL $23,600.00 DENNY DIAMOND INC $630.00 DEPENDABLE
PRINTING SERVICES
$712.00 DESIGNSPRING GROUP INC. $10,850.00 DETECTION SYSTEMS & SERVICE, INC. $1,305.00 DILEO’S CATERING
$670.00 DISCOVERY BENEFITS
$47,897.23 DLT SOLUTIONS LLC
$7,029.00 DOERING REPORTING INC
$19,749.00 DU-COMM $608,000.34 DUMEG $19,240.00 DUNTEMAN COMPANY, RW $1,149,797.48 DUO SAFETY LADDER CORP $67.06 DUPAGE CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU
$2,500.00 DUPAGE COUNTY $47,242.06 DUPAGE COUNTY ANIMAL SERVICES
$1,635.00 DUPAGE COUNTY CHIEFS OF POLICE ASSOC $1,100.00 DUPAGE COUNTY COLLECTOR $24,947.09 DUPAGE COUNTY FIRE CHIEFS $170.00
DUPAGE COUNTY RECORDER
ETP LABS INC $7,190.00 EXCEL LTD INC $2,282.30 F3 PLUMBING & MAINTENANCE LLC $1,537.50 FAMBRO MANAGEMENT LLC $1,773.00 FEDERAL RENT A FENCE INC $34,443.40 FICA MC FED WH EFTPS $2,820,080.84 FIRE UNION DUES $39,909.00 FIREGROUND
SUPPLY INC $9,505.58 FIRST ARRIVING IO INC $5,748.00 FIRST STUDENT INC. $5,163.40 FLOCK SAFETY
$16,500.00 FLOOR COVERINGS INTERNATIONAL $12,488.49 FLOW TECHNICS $37,490.47 FOREST AWARDS & ENGRAVING $64.29 FOSTER COACH SALES INC $70,407.00 FRONTLINE PUBLIC SAFETY SOLUTIONS $7,516.50 G.M. SMITH & SON REALTORS
$1,000.00 GARBE IRON WORKS INC
$34,597.00 GARDINER KOCH WEISBERG $64,906.60 GARVEY’S OFFICE PRODUCTS $2,172.82 GASTER, DOUGLAS G. $1,000.00 GASVODA & ASSOCIATES INC $18,159.60 GATE OPTIONS
FIRE PROTECTION DIST#1 $ 6,265.30 ADDISON ICE LLC $ 652.50 ADDISON PARK DISTRICT $ 1,780.80 ADVANCED WEIGHING SYSTEMS $ 16,060.34 AED AUTHORITY $ 2,236.00 AEP ENERGY $ 121,230.53 AFSCME UNION DUES $ 24,728.88 AIR ONE EQUIPMENT INC $ 60,034.86 AL WARREN OIL COMPANY INC $ 225,883.82 ALEXANDER CHEMICAL CORP $ 2,247.40 ALEXANDER EQUIPMENT CO $ 270.00 ALL STAR SPORTS INSTRUCTION INC $ 1,708.00 ALLIED GARAGE DOOR INC $ 16,140.44 AMALGAMATED BANK OF CHICAGO $ 1,000.00 AMAZON CAPITAL SERVICES $ 100.52 AMBER MECHANICAL CONTRACTORS INC $ 24,804.00 AMERICAN GRADING INC $ 370,861.00 AMERICAN LEAK DETECTION $ 500.00 AMERICAN PRINTING TECHNOLOGIES $ 43,390.03 AMERICAN RED CROSS $ 2,157.00 ANCEL GLINK DIAMOND BUSH $ 2,187.50 ANCHOR INDUSTRIES INC $ 10,317.50 ANDAX $ 378.56 APPLIED CONCEPTS INC. $ 264.00 APPLIED GEOSCIENCE INC $ 5,100.00 APWA $ 1,146.00 AQUA PURE ENTERPRISES INC $ 35,110.38 ARLINGTON COMPUTER PRODUCTS $ 20,499.00 ARROW ROAD CONSTRUCTION CO $ 687.38 ARTISTIC ENGRAVING $ 434.87 ASCAP $ 420.00 ASSOCIATED TECHNICAL SERVICES $ 18,628.40 AVERY DENNISON CORP $ 5,152.18 AXON ENTERPRISE INC $ 93,263.24 B & F CONSTRUCTION CODE SERVICES $ 8,235 .24 BACKFLOW SOLUTIONS INC $ 13,979.90 BATTERIES PLUS LLC $ 197.37 BCICAPITAL $ 62,872.30 BELL CARTAGE CORP. $ 56,677.95 BENCHMARK CONSTRUCTION CO $ 3,370,519.85 BEST TECHNOLOGY SYSTEMS INC $ 6,934.10 BLUE CROSS BLU E SHIELD $ 3,107,277.12 BMI $ 693.00 BMO HARRIS EQUIPMENT FINANCE $ 511,262.10
$2,000.00 CDM SMITH INC $94,482.29 CDS OFFICE TECHNOLOGIES
$46,026.21 CELLEBRITE INC $6,450.00 CENTRAL TURF & IRRIGATION
$106.17 CFA SOFTWARE INC $1,795.00 CHC WELLBEING $921.62 CHESS
SCHOLARS $190.50 CHICAGO METROPOLITAN AGENCY $825.11 CHLORINATING LTD INC $1,400.00 CIVIC SYSTEMS LLC $23,326.00 CIVICPLUS LLC $53,714.93 CIVILTECH ENGINEERING INC $933,312.61 CK AND THE GRAY $300.00 CLARKE ENVIRONMENTAL MOSQUITO $34,340.00 COLLEGE OF DU PAGE $1,643.00 COLLINS ENGINEERS INC $34,250.00 COMCAST $30,373.01 COMMAND CABINETS DIRECT LLC $2,499.00 COMMEG SYSTEMS INC $15,424.00 COMMON CENTS EMS SUPPLY LLC $77.75 COM-
$11,585.00 DUPAGE COUNTY SENIOR POLICE $125.00 DUPAGE HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT 88 $55,992.50 DUPAGE MATERIALS COMPANY LLC.
$48,032.03 MOTOR CYCLE CENTER INC $20,068.92 MOTOROLA SOLUTIONS INC $10,137.60 MUNICIPAL CLERKS OF DUPAGE CO $20.00 MUNICIPAL FLEET MANAGERS ASSOCIATION $50.00 MWM CONSULTING GROUP $17,000.00 MYERS, PAUL
$932.96 NATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION ASSOCIATION $1,727.50 NATIONAL PEN CO LLC $355.82 NATIONWIDE $357,096.31 NEDSRA $243,173.77 NETWORK CONSULTING GROUP LLC
$2,340.00 NEW JERSEY TREASURER-UNCLAIMED PROPERTY $63.95 NICOR GAS $58,059.00 NIPSTA. IL
$1,950.00 NORTH EAST MULTI-REGIONAL $13,975.00 NORTH STAR PLUMBING & SEWER $1,200.00 NORTHERN ILLINOIS POLICE ALARM SYSTEM $1,795.00 NORTHERN MICHIGAN K9 $250.00 NORTHWEST POLICE ACADEMY $75.00 NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY $8,800.00 NUTOYS LEISURE PRODUCTS $14,241.00 OAK BROOK PARK DISTRICT $5,787.50
O’HERRON CO INC, RAY $45,249.61
OKEH ELECTRIC COMPANY
$7,500.00
OLYMPIK SIGNS INC $90.00 ONE STOP PRO PLUMBING $1,200.00 ONESTI ENTERTAINMENT CORP $900.00 ONSOLVE LLC
$8,705.30 OTIS ELEVATOR CO $8,586.68 OTTOSEN DINOLFO
$18,138.50 P A CRIMSON FIRE RISK SERVICES $6,739.69 PADDOCK PUBLICATIONS $6,528.55 PARAMEDIC BILLING SERVICES $54,044.89 PARENT PETROLEUM INC. $1,128.60 PATTERSON ELECTRICAL SERVICES INC $200.00 PEAVEY CO, LYNN $5,214.00 PEERLESS FENCE GROUP $2,250.00 PEERLESS NETWORK $15,860.54 PIT STOP
$210.00 PITNEY BOWES $600.00 PITNEY BOWES GLOBAL FINANCIAL
$714.93 POSTAL SOURCE $309.95 POSTMASTER $1,589.28 POWER PLUMBING $1,200.00 PRECISE MRM LLC $9,433.59 PRIMERA ENGINEERS
LTD $19,433.75 PRO WINDOW WORKS
$2,305.00 PROCOM ENTERPRISES LTD
$1,152.00 PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT ACADEMY $1,895.00 PRO-FIRE SALES & SERVICE INC $205.00 PROSTAR SURFACES INC $11,340.00 PTM DOCUMENT SYSTEMS $147.00 QUALITY LIFT TRUCK SERVICE INC
$330.00 QUICKSCORES LLC $196.00 QUIK IMPRESSIONS GROUP $202.97 QUILL CORPORATION $1,161.78 QUINTERO, MATCO $40.00 RACK’M UP EQUIPMENT DISTRIBUTORS $769.15 RADOMIR, ARSENIC $20.58 RADON DETECTION SPECIALISTS $1,140.00 RAINOUT LINE $399.00 RCP SHELTERS INC $38,362.50 REACH MEDIA NETWORK $2,406.20 REGIONAL TRUCK EQUIPMENT $6,898.00 REPUBLIC BANK OF CHICAGO $719,873.22
LEGAL NOTICES LEGAL NOTICES
RICH BAMBOO INC $11,961.75 RJN GROUP INC $65,865.00 RJS GROUP INC
$1,298.00 ROADBOTICS, INC $10,960.00 ROADSAFE TRAFFIC SYSTEMS
$500.00 ROBBINS SCHWARTZ
$38,821.75 ROBERTSON, JOHN
$2,417.80 ROBINETTE DEMOLITION, INC. $11,610.72 ROCK ‘N’ KIDS INC
$909.50 ROCK VALLEY PUBLISHING LLC $630.00 ROJEK, ANGELA J $896.50
ROMANO LANDSCAPE $35,320.00 ROMEOVILLE FIRE ACADEMY, VILLAGE OF $16,715.00 RUNNION EQUIPMENT COMPANY $781.04 RUSH TRUCK CENTER CAROL STREAM $46,848.36 RUSSO’S POWER EQUIPMENT INC
$16,949.78 RUSS’S PLUMBING
$2,400.00 S & S WORLDWIDE INC
$30.83 SAFEBUILT ILLINOIS LLC
$6,620.13 SAFECHECKS $1,054.52 SAINT GENESIUS PRODUCTIONS INC
$5,465.70 SALT CREEK SANITARY DISTRICT $12,078.45 SAUTER, MATTHEW
$218,907.74 TREASURER, STATE OF ILLINOIS $34,171.88 TREASURER, STATE OF ILLINOIS $34,171.88 TRI-R SYSTEMS INC $14,360.00 TRI-STATE HYDRAULICS INC $1,295.00 TUMBLING TIMES INC $10,070.90 TURNOUTRENTAL LLC $5,217.19 ULTIMATE CLASSES AND PARTIES $189.00 UNCOMMON USA INC
$626.00 UNION PACIFIC RAILROAD CO $1,250.00 UNITED DISPATCH $6.00 UNIVERSITY OF ILLI-
NOIS $75.00 UPLAND DESIGN LTD
$12,684.97 US BANK $3,832,200.00 USA BLUEBOOK $1,325.84 UTILITY BILLING REFUNDS $10,864.88 V3 COMPANIES OF ILLINOIS $367,511.35 VALLEY ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS INC
ALIANO, CHRISTOPHER; ALMODOVAR, ELISE; BAUMANN, MATTHEW; CARBONARA, SIGITA; CASTEEL, VICTORIA; CONBOY, HARPER; COOK, NATHAN; DEPASQUE, EMMA; DION, LYNN T; GONZALEZ, FRANCISCO; GRABOWSKI, GERARD; HINRICHS, AVA; KUBISH, JAMES N; LEONE, TARA; MAGIERSKI, AVERY; MANZKE, JANELLE; MCCARTHY, JO.DONNA; MOLINARO, GABRIELLE; NEAL, AMARI; NOWACKI, CHRISTINA; PACHECO, LUIS; PAULSEN, JULIANNA M; RECKAMP, GRACE; ROUCKA, JACOB; RUIZ, SAVANNAH; SCHELTHOFF, SUSAN; TRINCO, MARY; YOUNG, JACOB. SALARY RANGE FROM $25,000 TO $49,999: BENES, GEORGE T; CRIMMINS, GERARD; HOLT, CODY; KUCERA, CARSON; SIMONS, NICHOLAS; WILKES, ERIC. SALARY RANGE FROM $50,000 TO $74,999: BOROWICK, JOSHUA; BROWN, RYAN; CAMPOBASSO, JACY; DOYLE, JOHN; FERGUSON, JEREME J; LATELLE, CHRISTOPHER; MAGNUSSEN, VALERIE; MALLO, LAUREN; MARCELLO, JAMES; MARTIN, KELSEY M; MUNSON, VIVIANA; ROUSSEAU, JOSHUA; WYMAN, JACK. SALARY RANGE FROM $75,000 TO $199,700: ALVAREZ, ALEJANDRO; ANDERSON, DANITA; AVELAR, MICHAEL C; BAIG, RANA; BANASZEWSKI, BART; BASTIAN, JOSEPH; BEKTESHI, ILIR; BLAKE, ANTHONY R; BOKSHA, PATRICIA S; BORYK, RICHARD; BREGMAN, SONIA; BROWN, JEFFERY; BRY, JANET E; CAMPOS, DENNIS; CARDENAS, ELIZABETH; CIHAK, JAMES J; CLAIRARDIN, BLAISE; COULTER, DANIEL T; CRUZ, CARLOS A; CZARNECKI, PAUL; DEEKE, JEFFREY; EARL, SUZANNE; EASTON, DENISE A; EASTON, LOUIS; ELGENESS, CATHRINE; FILLIPP, ANDREW; FLINT, CHADWICK S; FRAKES, CONNOR; FRIERI, MATTHEW F; FURTAK, JACOB T; GAROFALO, GIOVANNI ;GENTILE, JUDITH; GIAMMARINO, DONALD J; GOLA, GREGORY; GONZALEZ, ELIZABETH C; GONZALEZ, STEVEN; GROTTS, DONALD; GUBBINS, KELLI; GUIMOND, LORI A; GUTZMER, TODD; HAIMANN, ERIC M; HEIDEN, ALEX L; HESSEL, DALE; HRUBY, BRYAN W; JARZEMBOWSKI, JOSEPH; JESSEN, DENNIS; JOHNSON, BRIAN; JOHNSTON, ALYZZA; JUSK, ASHLEY; KARL, KRISTIN; KITCHING, KORDELL; KRUPICZOWICZ, JAMES M; KUBISH, TODD N; LANDA, JESUS; LANDGREBE, ERIC; LARSEN, ALEXANDER; LYONS, STEVEN; MAGNUSSEN, PETER A; MANTELS, KEVIN; MANTUCCA, RICHARD; MARTINEZ, CASSANDRA; MCCANN, DANIEL P; MCLAUGHLIN, MARC; MCVEY, SUZANNE; MITSUKA, BRANDON S; MOLENDA, STEPHEN; MORICLE, TIMOTHY S; MORRICE, BRIAN; NAROZNY, LAURA; OLSEN JR, JAMES R; PEREZ, ERNESTO; PEREZ, FERNANDO GUERRERO; PERKINS, ANTHONY; PETRANCOSTA, JOSEPH; PIETA, NICHOLAS R; PILLAR, KENNETH; POLLACK, KEVIN; RACANELLI, GINA M; REPOSH, FRANK; REYNOSO, MIGUEL; REYNOSO-ESPARZA, GERMAN; REYNOSO-ESPARZA, LUIS; RICHARDSON, DAVID M; RIVAS, MICHAEL R; ROCHE, BRIAN; ROL VEL; RUL, MATTEUSZ; RUIZ, PATRICIA; SALERNO, RICHARD M; SAMANIEGO, MARIO; SAUTER, MATTHEW; SAWYER, BRIAN; SCHEITLER, RODERICK W; SCHLEINZER, GLENN; SCHULTZ, DANIEL J; SETTLES, JULIE; SHOOK, ZANDRA; ST CLAIR, NATHANIEL; STAPLETON, STEVEN; TEMESVARY, BRANDON; VENCHUS, THOMAS; VOGT, MICHAEL; VOSKRESENSKI, VASSILI; WAGNER, CHERYL; WALSH JR, TIMOTHY J; WYSOGLAD, TRACI-LYN; YOUNG, JASON.
TOTAL SALARY: $15,045,509
(Published in the Addison Independent, Bensenville Independent & Villa Park Review Jan. 16, 2025) 466669
NOTICE
CERTIFICATE NO. 79594 was filed in the office of the County Clerk of DuPage County on December 23, 2024, wherein the business firm of Artistic Flooring, 1110 JUDSON ST., BENSENVILLE, IL 60106 was registered; that the true or real name or names of the person or persons owning the business, with their respective post office address(es), is/are as follows: PHILIP NIEMCZYK, 1110 JUDSON ST., BENSENVILLE, IL 60106. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and Official Seal at my office in Wheaton, Illinois, this 23RD day of December, A.D. 2024.
Jean Kaczmarek DuPage County Clerk
(Published in the Addison Independent, Bensenville Independent & Villa Park Review Jan. 2, 9, & 16, 2025) 466284
NOTICE
CERTIFICATE NO. 79597 was filed in the office of the County Clerk of DuPage County on DECEMBER 30, 2024 wherein the business firm of E & K, 1049 WESTMORE MEYERS RD UNIT 102, LOMBARD, IL 60148 was registered; that the true or real name or names of the person or persons owning the business, with their respective post office address(es), is/are as follows: Judith King, 1049 Westmore Meyers Rd Unit 102, Lombard, IL 60148.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and Official Seal at my office in Wheaton, Illinois, this 30TH day of DECEMBER, A.D. 2024.
Jean Kaczmarek DuPage County Clerk (Published in The Lombardian Jan. 16, 23 & 30, 2025) 466617
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA STATE OF ILLINOIS IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE EIGHTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT COUNTY OF DU PAGE IN RE THE ESTATE OF Emily Fallert
2024 PR 927 CASE NUMBER
Notice is given of the death of Emily Fallert whose address was 4925 Fairview Ave., Downers Grove, IL 60515. Letters of Office were issued on December 20, 2024 to Alan Fallert, 16 Earlwood Drive, Poughkeepsie, NY 12603, Independent Administrator whose attorney is James Reichardt. NOTICE TO HEIRS AND LEGATEES
The estate will be administered without Court Supervision, unless under section 28-4 of the Probate Act of 1975 (755 ILCS 5/28-4) any interested person may terminate independent administration at any time by mailing or delivering a petition to terminate to the Circuit Court Clerk.
Claims against the estate may be filed in the Office of CANDICE ADAMS, Circuit Court Clerk, 505 N. County Farm Road, Wheaton, Illinois, or with the representative or both on or before July 18, 2025, any claim not filed within that period is barred. Copies of a claim filed with the Circuit Court Clerk must be mailed or delivered to the representative and to the attorney, if any, within ten (10) days after it has been filed with the Circuit Clerk.
James Reichardt DuPage Attorney No.: 70005 Attorney For: Independent Administrator P.O. Box 14575 Chicago, IL 60614-8515
630-832-4800
Email: jim@jimreichardt.com
(Published in The Lombardian Jan. 9, 16 & 23, 2025) 466335
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Burial Needs
7 CEMETERY PLOTS Willing to sell as a group or individually. Located at Roselawn Memory Gardens 3045 WI-67, Lake Geneva, WI 53147. This is a private sale. Contact Randy, the seller at randy@slpublishers.com.
Never Known to Fail
Oh, most beautiful flower of Mt. Carmel, fruitful vine, splendor of heaven, blessed mother of the Son of God.
Immaculate Virgin, assist me in my necessity. Oh Star of the Sea, help me and show me, herein you are my mother.
Oh, Holy Mary, Mother of God, Queen of Heaven and Earth! I humbly beseech you from the bottom of my heart to answer me in this necessity. There are none that can withstand your power. Oh, show me herein you are my mother. Oh, Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee (3x). Holy Mother, I place this cause in your hands (3xs). Sweet Mother, I place this cause in your hands (3x). Holy Spirit, you who solve all problems, light all roads so that I can attain my goal, you who gave me divine gift to forgive and forget all evil against me, and that in all instances in my life you are with me. I want in this short prayer to thank you for all things as you confirm once again that I never want to be separated from you in eternal glory.
Thank you for your mercy towards me and mine.
The person must say this prayer 3 consecutive days, after 3 days the request will be granted.
This prayer must be published after the favor is granted. A.S.
free at 1-900-669-9777. The toll-free tele phone number for the hearing impaired is 1-800-927-9275. EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY
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Interested
Overwintering may cause damage or killing of potted plants
Perennial plants being overwintered in pots are subjected to much harsher conditions compared to those in the soil. Because of this, they can be damaged and killed. Fortunately, there are some steps to try to get these plants through the winter and enjoy them again come spring.
Why take time to protect potted perennial plants?
So, why take the time to protect potted perennial plants? Most plants’ roots are far less cold-hardy than their aboveground parts. Usually, this isn’t an issue because the soil will insulate the roots and protect them from extreme cold
LEGAL NOTICE
temperatures. While potted plants may be in a growing media, the amount of media is small and will get much colder than soil in a landscape.
Since potted plants’ roots are exposed to colder conditions than those in the ground, it’s a good idea to look for plants that will survive in a hardi-
LEGAL NOTICE
Invitation to Bid
York Township
State of Illinois, County of DuPage
The York Township Highway Department is seeking bids for its York Township 2025 Street Improvement Project.
Specifications, plans and contract documents shall be obtained at the York Township Highway Department Office, 19W475 Roosevelt Rd., Lombard, IL., between the hours of 8:00am. and 3:30pm, Monday through Friday. Documents will not be mailed out or emailed. A $50.00 (check or cash) charge will be made for the bid documents.
Proposals are to be mailed or hand-delivered in a sealed envelope clearly marked “YORK TOWNSHIP 2025 STREET IMPROVEMENT PROJECT
PROPOSAL – DO NOT OPEN,” and received by the York Township Highway Department office on or before 10:00am, local time on February 4, 2025 addressed to:
Dick Schroeder, Highway Commissioner York Township Highway Department 19W475 Roosevelt Road Lombard, IL 60148
All proposals received will be publicly opened and read at 10:00am on Tuesday, February 4, 2025, at the York Township Highway Department, 19W475 Roosevelt Rd., Lombard, IL.
The York Township Highway Department reserves the right to reject any or all bids, to waive irregularities in the bidding procedure or accept the bid that, in its opinion, will serve its best interest.
Any proposals received after the time specified will not be considered. For more information call (630) 627-2200 or email yorkhwy@comcast.net.
Dick Schroeder, Highway Commissioner Anthony Cuzzone, Town Clerk York Township
(Published in The Lombardian Jan. 16, 2025) 466765
ness lower than the zone they will grow in. The general rule is to select plants that will survive two zones cooler than where the plant will be growing. For example, central Illinois is zone 5 or 6. Therefore, for that location, consider a plant that is hardy to zone 3 or 4 if planning to overwinter it outdoors in a pot.
Overwintering perennial plants in pots
Explore a few steps that are best for hardy perennials. The following guidelines do not apply to non-hardy plants like geraniums, as those may need to be handled differently.
Before getting pots ready to overwinter, make sure the plants inside are well watered, and check throughout the winter. This is especially important for evergreens to help prevent winter burn. Even after above-ground growth has gone dormant for the year, the roots will continue to take up water. In addition to providing water to the plants, moist growing media will freeze slower than dry media, offering additional protection.
The most common way to overwinter potted perennials is by storing them indoors. Places like an unheated garage, shed, or cool/cold basement can be
Answers
In Print and Online Every
good locations to place potted perennials for the winter. Many perennials need a cold dormancy to properly bloom and grow, so if a garage or basement is too warm, temperatures should be between 20°F and 45°F; consider elsewhere.
A second option is to sink containers into the ground. By placing the pots in the ground, the surrounding soil can insulate the pot, providing protection from extremely cold temperatures and temperature fluctuations. Additionally, the pots and plants can be mulched to provide additional protection. Once the danger of a hard frost has passed, the pots can be removed from their holes.
Grouping pots together in a protected location. If digging a hole in the ground isn’t an option, or the pot is too large, try grouping pots. Look for an area that doesn’t receive strong winds or too much sunlight, such as the north or east side of a building.
Once the pots are clustered, mulch them heavily with straw, leaves, or wood mulch. Once growth resumes in the spring, remove the mulch and return the pots to their rightful place.
For more on overwintering potted plants, check out the Good Growing blog at extension.illinois.edu/blogs/ good-growing.
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