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Law Enforcement Hockey Classic held to support Honor Flight Chicago

The Law Enforcement Hockey Classic took place on March 1 at The Edge Ice Arena in Bensenville, and it was a spectacular success, benefiting Honor Flight Chicago.

Funds raised from this event will contribute towards furthering Honor Flight Chicago’s mission of recognizing senior war veterans with a journey to Washington D.C.

Village President Frank DeSimone kicked off the event by welcoming the crowd to the game while joined by emcee Rick Hall of Throwback 100.3 and featured a rousing performance of our National Anthem by celebrated soloist Wayne Messmer.

“The Village of Bensenville is grateful to all attendees for joining in this exciting evening of sportsmanship, philanthro-

py, and remembrance,” said Village President Frank DeSimone. Team FBI Chicago won the game 7-0, breaking the streak by Chicago Police Hockey.

In addition to the thrilling hockey action, attendees enjoyed fun games like ChuckA-Puck, explored the silent auction, and took part in a dedicated family fun area with activities for all ages.

The Law Enforcement

Hockey Classic is one of Honor Flight Chicago’s largest fundraisers. Honor Flight Chicago is a not-for-profit organization committed to honoring senior war veterans by flying them to Washington D.C. for a day of honor at no cost to them.

Over 11,000 veterans have been honored through this organization. For more information about Honor Flight Chicago, visit honorflightchicago.org or call 773-227-8387.

Park district to hold Veterans Park renovation information session

In advance of the Bensenville Park District’s planned renovation of Veterans Park, the district will host a community information session in conjunction with its board meeting, 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 19, at the Deer Grove Leisure Center, 1000 W. Wood St. in Bensenville.

The session will provide res-

idents an opportunity to engage directly with park district leadership, ask questions and offer feedback on the renovation.

The district announced the renovation in 2024, indicating that the Veterans Park project would include a dog park, complete with signage, fence repair, gate installation, pet waste stations, shelters and landscape improvements.

Additionally, the project will include building maintenance and infrastructure improvements as well as updates to the Bensenville Railroad Museum, including, but not limited to, ADA access. For a listing of current, past and future park district projects and improvements, visit BvilleParks.org/2-0.

Bensenville. The classic benefited Honor Flight Chicago.

Attention movie fans in and around Bensenville.

The Bensenville Short Film Festival returns to Bensenville’s newly renovated Center Theater at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 20.

The fourth annual festival in the unique series promises to be the most exciting yet, with a wide variety of films including documentaries, comedies, dramas, animations and more.

Selected films will be screened on festival night, with awards presented by the festival producers, the Bensenville Arts Council. Bensenville Village President Frank DeSimone is scheduled to once again serve as the festival’s host.

In addition to the large number of

films received from across the U.S., many from Chicago and Bensenville, this year’s submissions includes works from international filmmakers in Croatia, Germany, Canada, France, India, the UK, China, Switzerland, Egypt, South Korea, Turkey, and Finland.

The Bensenville Arts Council’s goal is to bring and broaden the arts experience for all citizens of the village with live music, public art, school programs, and other exciting and educational events. Tickets for the festival are $10 and may be purchased in advance or, if available, at the door.

More information, including advance ticket sales, are available at: bensenvillearts.com/filmfest.

Renowned vocalist Wayne Messmer is shown above

Remembering ‘The Don of Sports’ Bowling team keeps Don Figarelli’s

legacy rolling by wearing specially designed shirts to honor his memory

By Mike Sandrolini Staff reporter

In Addison, Don Figarelli was better known by his moniker, “The Don of Sports.” And for good reason.

Figarelli touched many lives in his hometown of Addison, mainly through his involvement in sports—coaching youth teams, participating in various sports himself, and even hosting sports-related media programs.

During his senior years, Figarelli regularly competed in the Illinois Senior Games, and routinely won medals in his age group in various sports such as swimming, basketball (free-throw shooting), tennis, golf, bowling, and track.

Anyone who has regularly tuned in to Addison Community Television over the years no doubt has watched, “The Addison Sports Special,” a popular monthly program which he hosted. Figarelli featured teams, coaches and athletes from schools and sports leagues in Addison.

Additionally, Figarelli once had a monthly hourlong sports podcast, and once hosted a Saturday morning

radio sports program called— you guessed it— “The Don of Sports” on what was then WJJG-AM 530 for 10 years until 2011.

Of the many sports in which Figarelli participated, he was particularly passionate about bowling. He bowled for many years at Stardust Bowl in Addison as part of the Don of Sports team that he sponsored and which still competes in the Thursday Night Tradesman League—a USBC certified league.

Figarelli had continued to bowl with the team up until a few years ago, but he remained its sponsor. He turned the team over to one of his teammates, Brooks Robinson Jr., who currently is the team’s captain.

Robinson’s and Figarelli’s friendship dates back over 50 years. The Don of Sports just so happened to be Robinson’s Little League baseball coach.

“When I was 7 or 8, he would pick me up from my mom’s house for baseball,” Robinson recalls. “I asked him, ‘Why did you pick me up?’ He said, ‘Well, you were one of my better players.’ ”

Decades later, Figarelli put the full-court press on Robinson to join the Don of Sports bowling team.

“After years of trying to get me to bowl on his team, he succeeded,” Robinson said of joining forces with the Don of Sports. They bowled together for around 10 years.

“He’s the nicest man I’ve ever met,” said Robinson, who noted that Figarelli started the bowling program for kids at Stardust Bowl in the 1970s. “Bowling with him was an honor.”

Sadly, Figarelli passed away last summer at age 90, but friends and family have made sure his legacy lives on.

Shortly after Figarelli’s passing, Robinson approached his family with the idea of honoring The Don of Sports by having a specially designed shirt made that he and members of the team would wear during the 2024-25 season—and beyond.

The shirts have each team member’s first name on the front. On the back of the shirts is the Don of Sports

See DON, Page 9

The Don of Sports bowling team, which competes in the Thursday Night Tradesman League at Stardust Bowl in Addison, is wearing specially designed shirts to honor Don Figarelli, who passed away last summer. Figarelli was the team’s sponsor and bowled on the team for several years. Team members, are, above - left to right: Tim Dumas, John Owen, Brooks Robinson Jr., Rick Long and

Attention Advertisers and readers

Rock Valley Publishing now has front page advertising available in the Elmhurst Independent, Addison Independent, Bensenville Independent, Lombardian, Villa Park Review and more than 30 other newspapers serving northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin. Front page advertising is available in combination with a full page advertisement. For further details, call an advertising representative at 630-834-8244.

Tito Velazquez.

mike Sandrolini and Submitted photoS Rock Valley Publishing

Village board approves tourism grants

One request prompted committee discussion

By Jane Charmelo LombArdIAN StAff rEPortEr

The Lombard Village Board of Trustees on Thursday, March 4, approved a number of Local Tourism Grant applications.

• A request for $10,000 from the Prairie State Cycling Series, plus village services, to cover expenses related to fees associated with the July 22 Lombard Cycling Classic, as part of the Chicago Grit Bicycle Racing Series (formerly the Intelligentsia Cup).

• A request for $4,075 for the Lombard Historical Society Food Truck Social to cover the costs of entertainment on Sept. 6, including a stilt walker/juggler, live bands, face painting and a bubble artist.

• A request for $10,000 from the Lombard Area Chamber of Commerce and Industry for $10,000 to cover the costs of village services and Waste Management for the Oct. 19 Spooktacular.

• A request from the Lombard Area Chamber of Com-

merce and Industry for $2,000 plus village services to cover the costs of blocking off South Park Avenue between St. Charles Road and Michael McGuire Drive and the costs of patio heaters and street decorations during the Candy Cane Lane Holiday Market on Dec. 6.

The request covers expenses related to police overtime, additional security, tenting needs, fencing, etc.

Each of the requests was recommended to the board for approval by the Community Promotion and Tourism Committee, and grant funds come from the Hotel/Motel Tax coffers.

The board separately approved a grant request for $19,000 from the Lombard Junior Women’s Club for the Lombard Brew Fest, scheduled for July 19.

District Three Trustee Bernie Dudek, chair of the Community Promotion and Tourism Committee, prefaced the separate action by saying,

“This whole issue became a little more complicated, I think, than it needs to be, so I just want to provide a little context.”

He said the grant request was presented to the committee in early February, “and after much discussion amongst the committee it was decided to recommend approving a lesser amount [$17,500] than requested and that motion was approved and forwarded for tonight’s vote.”

He thanked the committee for its “vigorous conversation and debate regarding this,” commenting that the committee members took their fiscal responsibility seriously, and adding that he initially planned to vote against the ($19,000) request “as a show of solidarity with my committee,” but changed his mind after subsequent discussions. He made a motion to approve the original request, calling it “fair and reasonable.”

Protect your family: change your clocks, change your batteries

As residents adjust to “springing” forward and moving their clocks up one hour for daylight saving time, the Lombard Fire Department encourages residents to change the batteries in their smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors.

“Moving your clocks forward for daylight saving time is an excellent reminder to check your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms,” said Lombard Fire Marshal and Bureau Chief Perry Johnson. “The simple act of changing the batteries in these devices could save your life and the lives of your loved ones.”

Worn-out or missing batteries is the most commonly cited reason for non-working smoke alarms. However, changing smoke alarm batteries at least once a year, testing those alarms, and reminding others to do the same is the simplest and most effective

way to reduce tragic fire injuries or deaths.

To help make sure all smoke alarms have working batteries, based on the type of smoke alarm, follow the smoke alarm safety tips below:

• Smoke alarms with non-replaceable 10-year batteries are designed to remain effective for up to 10 years. If the alarm chirps, warning that the battery is low, replace the entire smoke alarm right away.

• Smoke alarms with any other type of battery need a new battery at least once a year. If that alarm chirps, warning the battery is low, replace the battery right away.

• This year, consider replacing removable battery-operated smoke alarms with units that have built-in/ sealed batteries. The batteries in these units will not need to be changed for the life of the smoke alarm, which is 10

Masonic Lodge No. 1098 hosts youth bowling event

years.

Residents should be aware of the Illinois Smoke Alarm Law to help keep their homes safe. Since 1988, all homes in Illinois have been required to have smoke alarms. As of Jan. 1, 2023, any home still using smoke alarms with removable batteries must replace them with new alarms that have 10year sealed batteries.

However, homes built after 1988 that already have hardwired smoke alarms are exempt. Homes with wireless integrated alarms that use radio frequency, Wi-Fi, or other wireless technology are also exempt. Keeping your smoke alarms up to date is an important step in protecting your home and family.

For more fire prevention information and resources, visit www.villageoflombard. org/204/Fire-Prevention-Public-Education or call 630-6205750.

Members of Lombard Masonic Lodge No. 1098 hosted its annual youth bowling event, which was held on Sunday, Feb. 16, at the Lisle Lanes bowling alley, located at 4920 Lincoln Ave., Lisle. This has continued to be a successful event with growing support from the local Masonic and business communities. Youth groups— DeMolay, Rainbow Girls and Jobs Daughters— were well represented; and combined with their families and friends from around the state, there were approximately 150 people in attendance. All enjoyed pizza, soda and prizes that were provided throughout the day, which only enhanced the great fellowship between the youth groups. The lodge has enjoyed hosting this event for over 10 years, and it would like to extend its appreciation to all the volunteers and sponsors that continue to make this and other community initiatives possible. Lombard Lodge No. 1098 is a fraternal organization dedicated to charitable activities, fellowship, and providing a positive impact through various events and programs for the betterment of the communities in which we live. For more information, visit its website at Lombard1098.com – Faith, Hope & Charity.

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Opinion

Slices of life

Signs and the things we can’t see

One of the most bittersweet moments in life is when you have good news and no one to call.

I have lots of people to call about lots of things. But certain pieces of good news, require certain people.

And, for me, those people are no longer here.

I can talk to them. I can tell them my news, but I can’t call them on the phone because they no longer require physical entities like phones, or bodies.

Today was one of those days.

I had some good news. But it was a certain sort of good news. Not the kind you share with just anyone. It was the kind you share with your mom, or your husband.

Neither was available for conversation, unfortunately.

So I contemplated my favorable situation and wished they were here to share my excitement.

And then I smelled cigarette smoke. (My mom was a smoker.) I whispered, “Hi, mom.”

All day long birds kept flying in weird patterns above my head and in front of me—uncannily close. I smiled and acknowledged my husband, “I see what you’re doing.”

And I took both for what they were: signs.

Some of you reading this may not believe in signs. I lived much of my life not knowing for sure, but certainly not being on the receiving end of them.

And then, here I am.

Watching birds do weird things. Smelling cigarette smoke when no one’s been smoking around me.

If you don’t believe, if you haven’t cause to believe, consider yourself fortunate.

I only know what I know Believe what I believe (unapologetically).

I also, consider myself fortunate. Maybe even more so than many others. Here’s why:

By JILL PERTLER Columnist

I have been put into a place in this life where I have to believe—to have faith—in things I can’t necessarily see.

And faith is a wondrous thing.

It provides peace amongst discord. It provides love amongst hate. It provides light amongst darkness. It provides joy amongst sadness. It provides healing amongst hurt. It provides trust amongst uncertainty. It provides hope amongst despair.

It provides a platform bigger than oneself. It provides a knowledge that none of us is in this alone.

Because we aren’t. And that is a beautiful thought. We all feel alone sometimes. I know I do and I have great faith that I am not alone. Still, despite that faith, sometimes aloneness creeps in and I feel separated from the world. Most often this occurs when I am struggling or when I have something especially good to share (and no one to share it with).

Like today.

And then the birds put on a show for me. And I smell cigarette smoke.

And I know—I believe— without a doubt that there are things we don’t see with our eyes that nonetheless are as real as everything we do see.

For me, that is faith.

And I am very, very glad and grateful for it – and for the love that’s helped me know it.

Jill Pertler is an awardwinning syndicated columnist, published playwright and author. Don’t miss a slice; follow the Slices of Life page on Facebook.

Joining fellow Illinois leaders in standing up for Medicaid

By U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi I recently joined with Gov. JB Pritzker, U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, and a dozen other members of the Illinois delegation in Chicago to voice our unwavering commitment to defending Medicaid against attempts by President Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress to cut the health care program.

More than 3.4 million Illinoisans—a fourth of the state’s population—rely on Medicaid for access to health care, including 1.4 million children.

In our district alone, 158,000 of our neighbors, including 78,000 children, depend on Medicaid.

Republicans passed a budget resolution paving the way for draconian cuts to Medicaid.

During the press conference, I spoke about a man named Jonathan, a 23-year-old living with autism who reached out to my office asking for us to defend Medicaid. Millions of Americans like Jonathan rely on Medicaid for health insurance as well as related support services that allow them to participate in our workforce and contribute to our communities while living rewarding lives.

However, without proper funding for this program, people like Jonathan would lose that access, decreasing their quality of life and forcing patients and their families into unthinkable situations on how to pay for or go without treatment.

The budget is not just numbers on a line; federal funding impacts millions of Illinoisans, and I’m ready to fight like hell to defend these programs.

Calling on President Trump to tackle high grocery prices

Last week, I participated in an Oversight Committee hearing in which I called out the Trump Administration for its inaction in addressing the rising costs of groceries, President Trump’s baseless attacks on the city of Chicago, and Republican plans to gut Medicaid.

I asked the four mayors who testified, including Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, if the high costs of groceries were a major concern for them and their cities, as the price of a dozen eggs has increased by nearly two dollars, or 27 percent, since the day before President Trump was inaugurated.

At the current rate, a dozen eggs will soon be more expensive than a magazine for an AK-47 assault rifle. This crisis demands action by the president, and it’s not clear how high prices will climb before he responds.

I also spoke out against the attacks on the city and people of Chicago. Over the years, Chicago has become a frequent target for President Trump and Congressional Republicans, with the president calling the city “worse than Afghanistan.” As a proud voice for tens of thousands of our neighbors who live or work in the heart of the heartland, we Illinoisans don’t take kindly to baseless insults and low blows aimed at Chicago and its residents.

During my question line, I pointed out that Chicago, home to the largest rail hub in the U.S. and the most interconnected airport in North America—O’Hare International—has seen $20 billion in new quantum technology investments in recent years. It also boasts the second-largest

number of Fortune 500 companies in the country, has been ranked the top city for company relocations for 13 consecutive years, and has earned the title of the best big city in America for eight straight years by Conde Nast.

I will always stand up for our city, our state, and our residents and always put their best interests first and foremost.

My reaction to President Trump’s troubling meeting with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy

On Feb. 28, President Donald Trump met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the Oval Office to discuss the ongoing war in Ukraine.

The meeting should have been a reaffirmation of commitment to stand with the Ukrainian people. Instead, however, President Trump openly attacked President Zelenskyy and appeared to parrot Russian talking points only to subsequently freeze all American aid to Ukraine.

To see an American president side with Russia over our democratic allies was shocking, and the move undercuts trust among U.S. allies, partners, and friends around the world, including in Taiwan, who face growing hostilities from the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

The American people support standing with our allies and democratic partners, not only out of our commitment to our values but also out of the recognition that Americans are safer when our security commitments are trusted by our friends and feared by our adversaries.

Raja Krishnamoorthi represents the 8th Congressional District of Illinois, which includes part of Addison, Wood Dale and Bensenville.

Yeah, hi. This is Villa Park calling regarding George Benes, the plumbing inspector for Villa Park, just wondering why he is our plumbing inspector. He also owns Midland Construction and Plumbing. I would think that’s a conflict of interest. Did he come out and do the inspections and then turn around and end up getting all the work? Thank you.

Your inquiry was forwarded to Village of Villa Park officials, who responded: “The plumbing inspector position is part-time, and the village has ethics policies in place to prevent any conflicts of interest. If any potential conflict of interest arises, a different inspector will be assigned to perform the work. We also recommend that residents obtain multiple estimates before proceeding with any work. If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact our Public Works Department at 630834-8505. Thank you.”

* * *

I read that the state’s auditor general uncovered “mismanagement” in the taxpayer-funded health care program for illegal immigrants here. According to the report, “Auditors found more than 6,000 enrollees listed as ‘undocumented’ who actually had Social Security numbers, raising concerns about the state’s failure to properly verify eligibility.” The report also states: “The audit also uncovered massive cost overruns, with some age groups seeing expenditures nearly 300 percent higher than orig-

inally projected. The most extreme overrun occurred in the 42-54 age group, where costs nearly tripled the budgeted amount. These budget failures highlight a significant lapse in fiscal planning, burdening Illinois taxpayers with the excess.” When are the Democrats in charge going to stop spending our taxpayer dollars on illegal residents and focus on those who need the help more? These people get free health care, etc., while I barely qualified for much-needed LIHEAP (energy bill) assistance, because the bar was set so high. I agree with the report: “Senate Bill 1699 would require detailed annual reports on all taxpayer-funded programs for migrants, including healthcare, housing, legal aid, and other services. These reports would provide transparency on expenditures, appropriations, recipients, and contracts, and would be made publicly available online.”

* * *

I see that Judge Dieden finally held an alleged criminal without bail. This person also led police on a chase like some of the others he had let go without having to post bail, but this person had a loaded firearm. One doesn’t have to be in possession of a firearm or knife to be violent. These high-speed chases are just as violent, and I think should be a non-bail offense because of the potentially deadly consequences to the innocent people driving on the streets. This uptick in criminals coming to our area has increased exponentially and I think it is because easy

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 630-629-TALK 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.

in, easy out on the highways, Route 83, North Avenue, Butterfield and Roosevelt roads, etc. Our malls have become targets for these criminals.

* * *

We just went to a wonderful program at the Maple Street Chapel about Paul Revere; he mentioned that no one is doing anything about the 250th anniversary of the U.S. next year. Is something being planned? Or will we still be a country next July?

* * *

This is Lombard calling. I have two words: Impeach Trump.

* * *

I am reading about cutting Medicaid benefits both nationally and in Illinois. I have very mixed feelings about it after having a family member who truly needed the medical coverage after losing a job. However, on the other side of it, I think of all the money, our tax dollars, being spent in Illinois on health care for illegal immigrants. In addition, I have to wonder how much Medicaid fraud is going on that needs to be analyzed and fixed, whether it be medical providers or individuals who play the system to get free Medicaid. As it is, the Medicaid system is sub-par in that individuals on Medicaid have very limited options for quality medical care. Apparently most medical providers are not very charitable in accepting Medicaid recipients because it is not profitable. Alas, I remember a time when going into medicine was about helping people, not just becoming rich.

* * *

Hello. I have read in Speak Out that someone is upset with some people still had their Christmas displays and lights in their yard in February. Here’s an idea. Put a tall flagpole in your yard and wave the American flag. In general, we Americans lack patriotism. Have a good day.

* * *

What a shock. According to an audit, JB Pritzker’s administration vastly underestimated the cost and popularity of a pair of health insurance programs for immigrants who are not citizens that has ended up costing the state $1.6 billion since the initiative began in 2020. This welfare for non-citizens cost five times what Pritzker had projected while creating the program. I won’t hold my breath waiting for a Capitol News Illinois (Pritzker PR Agency) story on this debacle.

* * *

Yeah, to the person on Feb. 27 who called in about Trump going to the sporting events and Googled how much it cost, well, I Googled the same thing; the exact same thing, $20 million for both the Super Bowl and the Daytona. The only other

thing I found out, just the flyover that he did at Daytona cost $25,000 in jet fuel. You know, if Trump is trying to cut government expenses he should start with himself. When I go to sporting events I have to pay for it out of my pocket and Trump should pay for these events out of his packet and take his own plane there. You know it just wasted that $40 million in government money to go to sporting events Trump should put his money where his mouth is. He’s an idiot, I tell you. Thank you.

* * *

Okay, it’s time to impeach Musk. Get him out of there. Send him back to Canada or send him back to South Africa. And take Trump with you.

* * *

For Trump to attend the Super Bowl it cost $95,238 per minute for his three-anda-half hour attendance. The estimated total cost was $20 million. As a taxpayers is this where we want our hardearned money to go?

* * *

To all the doomsday Trump haters, I say, let our president be president. He will make mistakes; then criticize. He will do good and great things; then praise him. Because of the Trump tariff proposal Hyundai is preparing to build a plant in Indiana, not Mexico. On the Social Security front it was discovered that foreign elements have been receiving illicit Social Security money. That will stop. It has been announced that Taiwan semiconductors will invest $100 billion in the United States over next four years. Okay where are the cheers? All we have to do is watch, be quiet and listen.

* * *

There was a laughable comment in the Feb. 20 Speak Out from someone who claimed, “We have had to cancel our family trip this summer to Washington, D.C., as Trump is closing nearly everything that we would like to visit.” First, this sounds like a form letter from a leftist organization. Second, it’s interesting how they claim that Trump is closing nearly everything a family might visit on a summer trip, but don’t mention a single place that is closing. What tourist spots in Washington, D.C. are closing?

* * *

Trump met with the Ukraine president; what a terrible, immature, unprofessional, juvenile leader Trump is! I am embarrassed to be an American, and no I am not leaving the country. I served many years in our military and did not ever expect to see a U.S. president support the criminal Russian leader Putin and turn down help to a country that would help defend us if we needed it. It’s called

NATO, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Now Trump wants us out of it— and then none of Europe is obligated to help defend the U.S.—and if we lose to China or the Russians, our lives will never be good again. I am so glad we are already hearing impeachment rumors as this time Republicans will, hopefully, see the light and know that Trump is up to nothing good for any of us.

* * * Lombard here. I ask all Illinois voters to please remember at election time that every Illinois democrat voted against keeping men and boys out of women’s and girls’ sports. How can any parent or grandparent vote for these people?

* * *

I am disappointed in my Congressman, Sean Casten. We have seen the reports on government waste, including studies on kittens getting motion sickness, Sesame Street in Iraq, bearded ladies ice skating. If Congress controls the purse strings in the U.S., did Rep. Casten vote to approve each of these expenditures? Or did Congress allocate funds for different departments and the bureaucrats, unelected, in Washington, D.C., decide how to spend the money Congress gave them? If it is the latter, then Rep. Casten should be very upset about government waste. He has not made a single comment about wasting our tax dollars. But yet, he boycotts the State of the Union address because he doesn’t like the Speaker or the President. I expect more from our elected officials in Washington, D.C. My message to Rep. Casten is do what you were elected to do and grow up!

* * *

This is in response to the caller mentioning Trump’s executive order to make English the official language of the United States. They said the left would be happier if he made German the official language instead. Don’t be ridiculous. If anything, Trump will make Russian the official language instead. Bye now.

* * * I voted for Donald Trump, but that doesn’t mean I blindly follow him. I couldn’t disagree more with the tariffs he’s imposed, especially against Canada. I don’t understand his obsession with tariffs. I think these tariffs are going to be a disaster. He even admitted in his speech to Congress that the tariffs will cause, quote, “A little disturbance.” A little? The Dow Jones dropped 1,200 points in two days! One of the main reasons I voted for Trump is because I wanted relief from the inflation that went out of control under sleepy Joe Biden, the worst president in my lifetime. I can’t afford to pay even higher prices at the grocery store or for other items if these tariffs take hold. What also saddens me is a new poll I saw that says 50 percent of Canadians now view the U.S. as either unfriendly or an enemy. I have yet to hear any of these Trump Kool-Aid drinkers on conservative talk radio or anyone on Fox News who thinks Trump can do no wrong explain to me exactly how these tariffs are going to benefit average Americans. * * *

After watching the shameless and disgraceful behavior many Democrats exhibited during Trump’s speech, I’m convinced these sour-pusses need psychiatric treatment for Trump Derangement Syndrome. They acted like spoiled, whiny brats, and kept holding up silly signs throughout his speech. They couldn’t even clap when Trump introduced a 13-yearold brain cancer survivor who originally had five months to live and made him an honorary Secret Service agent because he wants to go into law enforcement. I love how some of them brought federal employees who have just lost their jobs to the speech as their guests. Do you think any of them would have brought someone with them who had just lost their job in the private sector? Of course not! It’s just another example of phony regressive leftist symbolism.

Coming event

GPS program March 19

On Wednesday, March 19, the GPS Parent Series: Navigating Healthy Families will present “From Struggles to Success: Foster Goal Setting, Responsibility and Compromise” with Bryan Pearlman at noon and 7 p.m. via Zoom. Go to the GPS Parent Series website for information and the links to these webinars. Pearlman will share strategies for overcoming adversity, fostering social skills, instilling responsibility, understanding trauma history and setting goals. Through the

use of real-life stories, current research and hands-on approaches, participants will learn evidence-based tools for school improvement, self-care and teenage empowerment. Continuing professional development units are available for this program. Visit gpsparentseries.org and 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.

Coming events

DuPage Monarch

Project: Pollinator

Blitz March 15

10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Mayslake Peabody Estate, 1717 31st St., Oak Brook. Want to know how you can help pollinators right in your own backyard? Hear from a variety of speakers, local vendors, hands-on crafts and prize

Obituaries

GLORIA ROSE

D’AMBROSIA, 82

Gloria Rose D’Ambrosia, nee Shurba, age 82, of Lombard.

Beloved wife of Dominic D’Ambrosia; loving mother of Daniel (Janice)

D’Ambrosia, Sally (Terry) Hayduck, Dominic E. (Kinzie Thomas) D’Ambrosia, and Jacqueline D’Ambrosia; devoted grandmother of Janelle (Ryan Lunenfeld)

D’Ambrosia, Tyler

D’Ambrosia, Sara Hayduck, Matthew Hayduck, Zoe D’Ambrosia, Hunter (Clinton Raye) Easterday, and Morgan Easterday; fond sister-in-law of Julie Shurba, and preceded in death by her siblings and in-laws: Mary Lou (Michael), Chuck (Mary), Tony (Dolly), Louis, Dominica “Mickie” (Philip), Dom (Judy), Hank, and JoAnn (James); aunt of many nieces and nephews. She will be remembered by

giveaways. Visit SCARCE’s booth to learn about upcoming events and activities. Visit scarce.org for more information.

GPS program in Spanish March 20

On Thursday, March 20, B-PAC: Glenbard Bilingual Parent Advisory Council

and the GPS Parent Series in Spanish will present “Helping Your Child Flourish and Find Purpose in Challenging Times” with Mario Guzmán at 6 p.m. at Glenside Public Library, 25 E. Fullerton Avenue in Glendale Heights. Guzmán will present strategies to show children affection and joy balanced

with boundaries and consequences. Participants will learn tools needed to grow connections with their child during a time when they still need adults but act like they don’t. Guzmán will also explain how to make the shift to a supporting role rather than lead role to ensure a close relationship with young people

throughout their adult years. This program will be presented in Spanish only. For further information, contact Luz Luna at luz_luna@glenbard.org or 630-942-7447. 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.

club is charitable service to the Lombard area, state of Illinois and to support the projects of the General Federation of Women’s Club. For more information about the meeting or the club, go to info@lombardserviceleague.org or call 630-9880625.

Village Vocal Chords program

those she worked with in data entry at Central DuPage Hospital for 22 years.

Visitation Friday, March 14, 3-8 PM at Knollcrest Funeral Home, 1500 S. Meyers (3 Blks S. of Roosevelt) Lombard, IL 60148. Prayers Saturday, March 15, 9:15 AM from the funeral home to Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 114 S. Elizabeth St. Lombard. Mass 10 AM. Interment Queen of Heaven Cemetery. Memorials to American Cancer Society are appreciated. Funeral info: 630-932-1500 or www. knollcrest.net.

DARLENE MAYDELL (FULTON) FRITZ, 93

Darlene Maydell (Fulton) Fritz of Lombard, Illinois, passed away peacefully on March 1, 2025, at the age of 93. She was born July 15, 1931, on the family farm of her grandparents in rural

Randolph County near Sparta, Illinois, to the late Dean and Bessie Fulton.

Darlene was preceded in death by her husband Bob (Robert Douglas Fritz), a Korean War Veteran, whom she married on February 14, 1953, after meeting on a blind date on New Year’s Eve in 1951. Also, preceding her in death are her brothers Lee and Paul Fulton.

Darlene enjoyed knitting, sewing, reading and volunteering in her Lexington Square community and at her former home in Mount Dora, Florida, as a Pink Lady at the Waterman Hospital in Tavares, Florida. She loved spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren and great-

grandchildren.

Darlene is survived by her daughters, Lyn (John) Costopoulos, Susan (Jim) Marseille, Jean (Chuck) MacKay and Becky (Bill) Renk; along with her three grandchildren Nick (Krystal) Costopoulos, Sarah (Jeff) Sinitean and Alex Marseille; and three great-grandchildren Shay, Jackson and Graham Sinitean.

A private memorial service will be held.

MELISSA STRELKA

After a long battle with cancer, Melissa ‘Missy’ Strelka passed away on March 1, 2025, at her home in Streamwood. Funeral services were held on Tuesday March 11, from at Brust Funeral Home, 135 S. Main St., Lombard. Info: www. brustfuneralhome.com or 888-629-0094.

Lombard Service League to meet March

13

The members and guests of Lombard Service League are looking forward their next meeting on March 13 and to hearing about “What’s New in Lombard” presented by Bill Heniff, director of Community Development for the Village of Lombard. Bill will give the members updates on new constructions, new businesses and changes that continually improve Lombard. He will also show us how to access the village story boards to stay current on what is happening right from your own home. The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. at TownPlace Suites, 655 E. 22nd St., Lombard. This meeting is open to the public for anyone who wishes to attend. The objective of the

March 23

Village Vocal Chords Sunday March 23, at the Maple Street Chapel, 200 S. Main St., the corner of Main and Maple, with parking available in the lots on west Maple Street.

Admission is $20. To order tickets or for more information, visit MapleStreetChapel.Org, where you can pay using PayPal or print a mail-in order form and mail in a check payable to “Maple Street Chapel” to Ken Bohl, 213 W. Ash St., Lombard IL 60148-2505. Tickets will also be available at the door for check or cash payment only.

Village Vocal Chords is a women’s barbershop chorus, chartered with the international organization of Harmony, Inc. They will present a program of four-part a cappella harmony in the barbershop style.

out& about

Want more plants? Try propagation

U of I Extension horticulture educator offers tips for beginners

If you want to add to your collection of plants, or maybe want a cutting from a relative’s houseplant as a keepsake, propagation may be a cost-effective and easy solution.

University of Illinois Extension horticulture educator

Brittnay Haag has put together a beginner’s guide to propagation, and she related that the timing right now is perfect.

“March, April, spring is a perfect time to do plant propagation,” she said, adding that there are a number of steps to take—and a variety of methods with which to achieve the desired results.

Following is a synopsis of her tips:

Preparation

In her guide, Haag said the first step before propagating is to use sterilized tools and containers, and also, “Before starting, make sure any propagated plant material is healthy and free of pests and disease.”

“A high-quality potting mix will provide adequate moisture-holding capacity and good drainage without allowing cuttings to dry out or rot,” Haag emphasized as another part of the preparation process.

Making cuttings

When asked about rooting cuttings in potting mix or water, she responded that “A lot of our plants root well in

water,” but creating cuttings in potting mix can work with some plants as long as there is enough moisture.

“You can also propagate in perlite,” she mentioned, but added, “The best bet is going to be water or wet potting soil.”

Haag said it is important to change the water every three to five days.

She noted that cuttings are taken with a healthy 3- to 5-inch shoot with four to six leaves, cutting just below a leaf node or where the leaf is attached to the stem.

Then, remove any flowers or buds, along with the bottom two to four leaves. She suggested in the guide taking several cuttings “to increase the chance of one rooting and growing into a viable plant,” adding, “Most houseplants can be propagated by tip cuttings, including snake plants, croton, peperomia, pothos and philodendron.”

Haag said begonias and African violets are typically propagated by leaf cuttings: “Using a sharp knife, slice horizontally across the main leaf vein and then lay the cutting flat on the soil with the vein side down. Roots will develop at the cut point along the vein.”

Her instructions call for covering the container with clear plastic (wrap) to increase the humidity while the plant is forming roots, and she said that the rooting media

Affordable health screenings coming to Elmhurst March 19

Residents living in and around Elmhurst can learn about their risk for cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, diabetes, and other chronic, serious conditions with affordable screenings by Life Line Screening. Clarion Inn Hotel will host this community event on Wednesday, March 19. The site is located at 933 S Riverside Drive in Elmhurst.

Screenings can check for:

• The level of plaque buildup in your arteries, related to risk for cardiovascular disease, stroke and overall vascular health.

• HDL and LDL cholesterol levels

Diabetes risk

• Kidney and thyroid function, and more Screenings are affordable and convenient. Free parking is also available.

Special package pricing starts at $159, but consultants will work with you to create a package that is right for you based on your age and risk factors. Call 1-877-2371287 or visit our website at www.lifelinescreening.com. Pre-registration is required.

Propagation is a simple and cost-effective way to grow or add houseplants, and spring is a good time to get started, according to the University of Illinois Extension horticulture educator Brittnay Haag.

should never be allowed to dry out.

The cuttings should be placed in bright indirect light, and the cover removed once roots develop. Haag also said cuttings can be dipped in a rooting hormone powder before they are planted, to improve root development.

A more challenging method, she said in the guide, is layering or rooting a new plant while it is still attached to the “parent” plant, and “grafting or growing a plant shoot with desirable characteristics on a strong rootstock. Division is the easiest method of propagation, achieved by removing naturally produced offsets or shoots from the parent plant.”

“Some plants are going to be harder to propagate than others,” Haag narrated, such as the ZZ plant, in which “the roots take a really long time to grow.”

Why propagate?

She suggests “cutting back plants that are overgrown,” which not only will give you more plants, but will produce “bigger plants quicker versus seed.”

Some people “want to preserve a special plant,” Haag said, adding, “I’ve heard a lot of stories” about making cut-

tings from a relative’s plant as a keepsake.

“This is super cool; a clone of the parent plant,” she added.

Outdoor plants, patents

Haag said the guide focuses on indoor plants, but plants such as the coleus, geranium, begonia and polka dot plant are examples of outdoor plants that can be propagated.

Haag did caution that “There are some plants that are patented … so do not propagate.”

A plant will typically be labeled as patented on the container, she said, or you can look up the information at www.ams.usda.gov/services/ plant-variety-protection. It’s about “being aware of it and respecting it,” Haag commented.

When asked if horticulture educators such as herself experiment with best propagation practices, Haag responded that for one, U of I Extension Master Gardeners* she works with enjoy swapping cuttings, and for herself, “I have tried growing plants through different propagation methods. It is fun to test it out.”

For more information, you can also visit https://extension.illinois.edu/houseplants.

edu/MGHelpline or call the

JENNA BRAASCH PHOTO

Thank you, KFC

VFW Post 7446 in Addison would like to thank Mika Alexander, owner/manager of KFC in Elmhurst and her crew for donating 35 pieces of chicken for VFW members for its Christmas dinner. Alexander (left) is shown here with VFW Post 7446 fundraiser Mike Soda.

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

Feb. 17

A 54-year-old St. Charles man was charged with two counts of domestic battery in the 300 block of Fairbank at 2:47 p.m.

Feb. 16

Onecimo Ibarra Ibarra, 51, of Franklin Park, was charged with DUI, improper lane usage and no insurance near Lake and Chestnut at 11:15 p.m.

Feb. 14

Eliza Dziegielewska, 22, of Mount Prospect, was charged with improper lane usage, a traffic control violation and two counts of DUI in the 2400

DCHD promotes measles prevention, vaccination for a healthy community

In response to the recent measles outbreaks across multiple states, the DuPage County Health Department (DCHD) is reminding residents of the importance of measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccination, particularly if families are traveling for spring break.

Measles is highly contagious and can spread quickly, especially in areas with lower vaccination rates.

The best defense is vaccination, which has been proven safe and highly effective.

At this time, there are no known cases of measles in DuPage County. However, measles is highly contagious, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirms that two doses of the MMR vaccine provide 97 percent immunity (one dose is about 93 percent effective), reducing the risk of infection, illness, and helping to prevent outbreaks.

According to the Illinois

Department of Public Health (IDPH), 96 percent of DuPage-area school children were vaccinated against measles as of the 2023-24 school year, providing strong community protection. However, there has been a slight decrease over the past 10 years, from a county-wide protection level of 97.5 percent during the 2014-15 school year. Of concern, measles cases can still emerge due to travel-related exposures and varying levels of vaccination coverage across DuPage County.

“It is essential to check your vaccination status to ensure you are protected,” said Adam Forker, executive director, DuPage County Health Department. “The MMR vaccine is the best way to safeguard yourself, your loved ones, and the community from measles.”

Your doctor’s office or your child’s doctor’s office is usually the best place to receive recommended vaccines. Vac-

Giannoulias announces launch of Electronic Lien and Titling ELT Program in Illinois will reduce customer wait times

For the first time in Illinois, the Secretary of State’s office is making Electronic Lien and Titling (ELT) available when purchasing a vehicle from a participating dealer, Secretary Alexi Giannoulias announced.

block of W. Lake at 12:55 a.m.

Brian L. Lobermier, 48, of Villa Park, was charged with battery at 5 p.m.

Feb. 13

Tremel N.P. Thompkins, 34, of Glendale Heights, was charged with theft at 11:30 a.m.

Feb. 12

Marcos M. Marin-Rodriguez, 26, of Carol Stream, was charged with forgery at 10:20 a.m.

Bensenville

March 4, 7:44 a.m. in the 700 block of Golf Lane, an officer met with a complainant who stated multiple boxes of cigarette-rolling papers were stolen from one of the shipping containers in the lot overnight. The incident is under investigation. BEPC2500158 March 3, 5:05 p.m., officers responded to a crash at York and Thorndale. Gerardo V. Garcia Mendoza, 36, of Bensenville, was arrested for DUI. He was transported to the station for processing, issued complaints, a court date and released on a pre-trial release. BEPC2500149

Illinois joins 25 other states that have active ELT programs. This new program allows vehicle titles to be processed, stored and released digitally, eliminating the need for arduous paperwork, physical document mailing or in-person visits to a DMV facility.

“An electronic lien and titling program will make the process of buying a car significantly faster, more convenient and more secure than the paper system. What used to take months can be done with a few clicks, dramatically reducing the ‘Time Tax’ customers were forced to pay when titling a vehicle,” said Giannoulias. “Implementing new technology strategically enables our office to create efficiencies and benefit consumers. These investments are crucial to providing convenience, but more importantly security, for our customers and their data.”

The Illinois General Assembly first approved ELT in 2000 but outdated technology delayed full implementation. Upon taking office in 2023, Giannoulias made modernization a top priority and created the infrastructure to allow for ELT to launch.

ELT allows an individual

cines may also be available at pharmacies and community health clinics.

Use Vaccines.gov to find a location near you, then call or visit their website to make an appointment.

In addition, DCHD provides the MMR vaccine to eligible children through the Vaccines for Children (VFC) program. This program serves children who are uninsured, underinsured, or Medicaid-eligible.

To find additional providers offering vaccines through the VFC program, visit: Find VFC Providers in Illinois

Most individuals do not require an additional booster. Those born before 1957 are generally considered natural-

• Fischer

ly immune, and individuals vaccinated between 1957 and 1968 are also protected by the original live vaccine. However, residents unsure of their immunity should consult with a healthcare provider and may also check this CDC information on protection against measles

Anyone experiencing symptoms of measles, such as fever, rash, cough, or runny nose, should contact a healthcare provider before visiting a medical facility to prevent potential exposure to others.

For more information, visit the CDC website at www.cdc. gov/measles/index.html or the DCHD website at https:// www.dupagehealth.org/776/ Measles.

(Continued from page 3)

cabin, circa 1837. The main museum space and farm shop are housed in the historic 1919 American foursquare farmhouse.

Entry to the grounds of the property is free and open to the public from dawn to dusk daily. The farmhouse is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and admission is free. The farm also facilitates programs through

the Bensenville Park District program guide, a 4-H Club for ages 8-18, farm summer camp and the sale of farm produce including honey, eggs, meat and seasonal vegetables. The main goal of the Fischer Farm is to interpret this beautiful property as a historic site and to engage the community in the support of agriculture and sustainability.

purchasing a vehicle at a dealership to complete an online title application that determines whether the lender has opted in for ELT. If they have, an electronic copy of the paperwork is sent to the Secretary of State for review, and a third-party vendor stores the electronic record until it is time to release the title.

Instead of customers waiting for lienholders to search through physical title records that may be stored for years, lienholders can now mark the title as paid, and the Secretary of State will send the released title to the owner.

The ELT system also reduces the potential for fraud by preventing “title-washing” and fraudulent lien releases when applying for a new title. These practices can prove devastating to customers who unknowingly purchase a stolen vehicle and to lienholders that are unaware of titles being fraudulently released.

The Secretary of State’s office does not charge for this service, but some ELT service providers may charge fees to participating lienholders.

The first phase of the Illinois ELT program is focused on transitioning new titles to the electronic format. Future phases of the program may allow lienholders to convert existing paper titles to electronic format and enable vehicle owners to hold their titles electronically on their phones.

Education meeting.

Lesley Diaz (pictured at right, with Addison Trail Principal Jack Andrews) has been named as Addison Trail’s February recipient of 88’s Best recognition for her outstanding service work. Diaz, a senior, was recognized during the Feb. 24 District 88 Board of

Illinois bill aims to add more oversight of homeschooling

Costa-Howard sponsors legislation that would

By Molly Parker and Beth Hundsdorfer

CAPITOL NEWS ILLINOIS

A new Illinois bill aims to add some oversight of families who homeschool their children, a response to concerns that the state does little to ensure these students receive an education and are protected from harm.

The measure, known as the Homeschool Act, comes after an investigation by Capitol News Illinois and ProPublica last year found that Illinois is among a small number of states that place virtually no rules on parents who homeschool their children. Parents don’t have to register with any state agency or school district, and authorities cannot compel them to track attendance, demonstrate their teaching methods or show student progress.

Under the new bill, families would be required to tell their school districts when they decide to homeschool their children, and the parents or guardians would need to have a high school diploma or equivalent. If education authorities have concerns that children are receiving inadequate schooling, they could require parents to share evidence of teaching materials and student work.

State Rep. Terra Costa

• Don

Howard, D Glen Ellyn, who is sponsoring the legislation, said she began meeting with education and child welfare officials in response to the news organizations’ investigation, which detailed how some parents claimed to be removing their children from school to homeschool but then failed to educate them.

The investigation documented the case of L.J., a 9-year-old whose parents decided to homeschool him after he missed so much school that he faced the prospect of repeating third grade. He told child welfare authorities that he was beaten and denied food for several years while out of public school and that he received almost no education. In December 2022, on L.J.’s 11th birthday, the state took custody of him and his younger siblings; soon after, he was enrolled in public school.

“We need to know that children exist,” said Costa Howard, vice chair of the Illinois House’s child welfare committee. The legislation is more urgent because the number of homeschooled children has grown since the pandemic began, she said. “Illinois has zero regulations regarding homeschooling—we are not the norm at all.”

The most recent numbers

(Continued from page 2)

team name, while just below the collar, it says, “R.I.P. Don.”

Figarelli’s son, John Figarelli, and his daughter, Teri Brown, were thrilled to hear that the team wanted to wear these shirts to honor his memory.

“He (Robinson) thought about the shirts because my Dad always sponsored them,” Teri said. “He asked us if we would continue that, and we said of course.

“He had a lot of ties in Addison and he just loved coming here (to Stardust Bowl),” Teri added. “He helped start the bowling program here with the little kids; it was just his passion.”

“I thought it was a great tribute to Dad. He’s always been a big sponsor of the bowlers, but it’s really special the uniforms that the guys put together in honor of the Don of Sports,” said John Figarelli, who founded the Addison-based National Fitness Hall of Fame Museum and Institute in 2004.

His father also was actively involved in the Hall of Fame Museum and Institute, which honors fitness professionals and promotes health and fitness.

“It’s sad to see your Dad go,” John said, “but he passed

require families to tell their public school districts if they are homeschooling

available at the time of the news organizations’ investigation showed nearly 4,500 children were recorded as withdrawn from public school for homeschooling in 2022— a number that had doubled over a decade. But there is no way to determine the precise number of students who are homeschooled in Illinois, because the state doesn’t require parents to register.

The bill would require the state to collect data on homeschooling families. Regional Offices of Education would gather the information, and the state board would compile an annual report with details on the number, grade level and gender of homeschooled students within each region.

Homeschool families and advocates said they will fight the measure, which they argue would infringe on parental rights. Past proposals to increase oversight also have met swift resistance. The sponsor of a 2011 bill that would have required homeschool registration withdrew it after hundreds of people protested at the Illinois State Capitol. In 2019, a different lawmaker abandoned her bill after similar opposition to rules that would have required curriculum reviews and inspections by child welfare officials.

(away) the way he wanted, not suffering, quickly, he was doing stuff up until the end. Everyone he sponsored, the teammates, his bowlers, he loved them. He was bowling up until a few years ago with the team, and then he just continued to support the guys and he loved what they’re doing. And they, in turn, love him.”

This year’s Don of Sports bowling team—consisting of Robinson, John Owen, Tim

Dumas, Tito Velazquez and Rick Long, along with substitutes Gabby Duprey and Phil Reth—would love to win the championship of the Thursday Night Tradesman League doubles division.

Last year, the team finished third.

“Before he passed away, I told him we’re going to win this for you, Don,” Robinson said. “We want to win the whole thing.”

The Home School Legal Defense Association, which describes itself as a Christian organization that advocates for homeschool freedom, said it plans to host virtual meetings to educate families on the bill and ways they can lobby against it.

Kathy Wentz of the Illinois Homeschool Association, which is against homeschool regulations, said she is concerned about the provision that would allow the state to review education materials, called a “portfolio review” in the legislation. She said visits from education officials could be disruptive to teaching.

“There is nothing in this bill to protect a family’s time so they can actually homeschool without interruptions,” Wentz said. She pointed to a 1950 Illinois Supreme Court ruling establishing that homeschooling qualified as a form of private education and that the schools were not required

to register students with the state.

The bill would require all private schools to register with the state.

The Capitol News Illinois and ProPublica investigation found that it’s all but impossible for education officials to intervene when parents claim they are homeschooling. The state’s child welfare agency, the Department of Children and Family Services, doesn’t investigate schooling matters.

Under the proposed law, if the department has concerns about a family that says it is homeschooling, the agency could request that education officials conduct a more thorough investigation of the child’s schooling. The new law would then allow education officials to check whether the family notified its district about its decision to homeschool and compel parents to turn over homeschool materials for review.

Coming events

Program on Barbie at Helen Plum Library March 19

Ruth Handler: The Story Behind Her Dream Doll Creation, Barbie Wednesday, March 19, at 7 p.m. Step back in time with storyteller Lynn Rymarz as she portrays Ruth Handler, the creator of the Barbie doll. Discover the beginnings of Barbie from inspiration to creation as well as Ruth’s own beginnings. Bring your own Barbie to share and reminisce. Register at helen-

plum.org or by calling (630) 627-0316.

Volunteer training at Lombard Historical Society

The Lombard Historical Society (LHS) invites prospective volunteers to attend the Victorian Cottage Volunteer Training on March 22, at 1:30 p.m. in the Carriage House, located at 23 W. Maple St. in Lombard. Tour guides lead 45- to 60-minute tours on Wednesday, Friday,

Attention

Advertisers

Rock Valley Publishing now has front page advertising available in the Elmhurst Independent, Addison Independent, Bensenville Independent, Lombardian, Villa Park Review and more than 30 other newspapers serving northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin.

Front page advertising is available in combination with full page advertisement.

For further details, call your advertising representative today:

Debbie Hamilton: 630.834-8355

Brenda Garcia: 630.834-4450

Kate McCarty: 630.834-8244

Betty Jesensky: 630.834-8244

The increased oversight also aims to help reduce truancy and protect homeschooled students who lose daily contact with teachers and others who are mandated to report abuse and neglect, said Costa Howard, whose district includes Lombard. Some truancy officials said that under existing law they have no recourse to compel attendance or review what students are learning at home when a family says they are homeschooling.

Jonah Stewart, research director for the Coalition for Responsible Home Education, a national organization of homeschool alumni that advocates for homeschooling regulation, said the lack of oversight in Illinois puts children at risk.

“This bill is a commonsense measure and is critical not only to address educational neglect but also child safety,” Stewart said.

and Saturday afternoons from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., March through December. This role is ideal for anyone who enjoys working with the public and speaking in front of groups. No prior experience is required—training is provided. Volunteers must be at least 16 years old. For more information about this event or the Lombard Historical Society, please visit lombardhistory.org, email info@ lombardhistory.org, or call 630-629-1885.

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. Unsheared sheep

5. Rock TV channel

8. Streetcar

12. Concerning

14. Expression of recognition

15. Greek goddess of youth

16. An iPad is one

18. Adult beverage

19. Manning and Wallach are two

20. Makes a petty verbal attack

21. Tyrion Lannister’s nickname

22. Pointed ends of pens

23. Wristwatches

26. Body part

30. Made a mistake

31. Adjusted

32. Turkish honorific title

33. Yell

34. Historic Alabama city

39. Cub

42. Type of sea bass dish

44. To call (archaic)

46. Unfortunate

47. Separate oneself from others

49. Hero sandwiches

50. Former OSS

51. Open spaces in a forest

56. Innermost brain membranes

57. Fortune

58. Hunting expedition

59. Doomed queen Boleyn

60. Peyton’s little brother

61. Type of wrap

62. Scottish tax

63. Soviet Socialist Republic

64. An increase in price or value

CLUES DOWN

1. Works of body art

2. Abba __, Israeli politician

3. A desert in Asia

4. Eat greedily

5. Doomed French queen

6. Beat

7. One who survives on blood

8. As a consequence

9. Counted on

10. Acquired Brain Injury

Behavior Science

11. Unclean

13. One who does not drink

17. Wild ox of the Malay

Archipelago

24. __ student, learns healing

25. Bacterial skin infection

26. Expresses surprise

27. What one says on a wedding day

28. Crony

29. Where you entered the world (abbr.)

35. Unit of length

36. Side that is sheltered from

the wind

37. More (Spanish)

38. Autonomic nervous system

40. Violent troublemakers, originally in Paris

41. Statements that something is untrue

42. Greek alphabet letter

43. Suspends from above

44. Popular types of cigars

45. Girls

47. U.S. philosopher and logician

48. Nocturnal hoofed animal

49. Relaxing spaces

52. From a distance

53. Form of Persian

54. Amounts of time

55. Trigonometric function

Answers

Worship Services Directory

St. Timothy Evangelical Lutheran Church

547 N. Main St., Lombard, IL 60148 630-627-2435

Sunday Worship at 10:15 am

Lent and Easter Services at 7 p.m.

“The Crucial Hours”

Second Lenten Service March 9, 2022

Sunday School & Bible Study 9 am Ladies Bible Fellowship Mondays at 6:30 pm Midweek Lenten Services Wednesdays at 7 pm Saturday, March 22, Game Night at 4 pm

Rev. David Ernest “Satan Has Asked to Sift All of You” Jerusalem Lutheran, Morton Grove Matthew 27:15-26

Everyone is Welcome!

Third Lenten Service

All services are live streamed. Watch on our website or on Facebook. sainttimothy.org

March 16, 2022

Rev. Paul Spaude “What to Remember When Your are St. Matthews, Niles Seized with Remorse” Matthew 27:3-4

Fourth Lenten Service

March 23, 2022

779 S. York Street Elmhurst, IL 630-834 -6700 www.visitationparish.org

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

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

Daily Masses: Monday—Friday: 6:15 and 8:15 AM Saturday: 8:15 AM

Confessions: Saturday: 3-3:45PM

Confessions: Saturday: 3-3:45PM

Adoration: Available in Our Lady Mother of the Eucharist Chapel 24/7

Adoration: Available in Our Lady Mother of the Eucharist Chapel 24/7

Rev. Jonathan Bergemann “I Will Keep the Passover” Good Shepherd, Downers Grove Matthew 26:18

Welcome to ST. PIUS X CATHOLIC COMMUNITY Diocese of Joliet

Fifth Lenten Service

SUNDAY MASS SCHEDULE

March 30, 2022

SATURDAY: 5:00 PM (VIGIL MASS) 7:00 PM (ESPAÑOL)

Rev. Tom Nicholson “They Bound Him” Resurrection, Aurora John 18:12

SUNDAY: 8:00 AM & 10:00 AM

WEEKDAY MASS SCHEDULE

Sixth Lenten Service April 6, 2022

MONDAY - FRIDAY & FIRST SATURDAY: 8:30 AM FRIDAYS OF LENT: RECONCILIATION 5:30 PM

Rev. Phil Schupmann “The Semblance of Legality” Resurrection, Aurora Luke 22:66

STATIONS OF THE CROSS 6:00 PM SIMPLE SUPPER 6:30 PM VIA CRUCIS 7:00 PM SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION ( ENGLISH & ESPAÑOL)

SATURDAY: 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM OR BY APPOINTMENT Parish Office: 1025 E. Madison Street - (630) 627-4526 - www.stpiuslombard.org

Maundy Thursday Communion 7 p.m., April 14

Good Friday Tenebrae 7 p.m., April 15

Easter Sunrise 6:30 a.m., April 17

Easter Breakfast 8 a.m., April 17

Easter Festival 10:15 a.m., April 17

Join us at the corner of Spring and Vallette 314 W. Vallette Street Elmhurst, IL 630-832-8457 www.epiphanyelmhurst.org

All are Welcome! Worship with us Saturdays 5:30 pm Sundays 9:30 am

Sunday services are live streamed on our website

Victorian Cottage volunteer tour guide training takes place

March 22

The Lombard Historical Society (LHS) invites prospective volunteers to attend the Victorian Cottage volunteer informational meeting and training session on Saturday, March 22 at 1:30 p.m. in the Carriage House, located at 23 W. Maple St. in Lombard. For more information about this event or the Lombard Historical Society, visit lombardhistory.org, email info@lombardhistory.org, or call 630-629-1885.Join a tradition over 50 years strong and help share Lombard’s history. Tour guides lead 45- to 60-minute tours on Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday afternoons from 1-4 p.m. March through December. Tours explore what life was like for a middle-class family in Lombard at the turn of the century. This role is ideal for anyone who enjoys working with the public and speaking in front of groups. No prior experience is required— training is provided. Volunteers must be at least 16 years old. To RSVP or for more details, contact Rae Slowik at Education@LombardHistory.org.

Go with a good neighbor

Pritzker wants Illinois to be latest state to ban cellphones in classroom

Limits already are in place in some Illinois school districts

By Ben Szalinski Capitol news illinois

Are cellphones a useful tool or a distraction in the classroom? According to Gov. JB Pritzker, they’re a distraction, and he has proposed banning them during classroom instruction.

Pritzker proposed legislation during his State of the State speech in February that would call for banning cellphones during classroom learning time. However, his proposal would not ban cellphones in school entirely, meaning students may still be allowed to use their devices between classes. Private schools would not be included in the ban.

“In conversations with educators from around the state, there is one thing most commonly cited as an impediment to classroom learning: cellphones,” Pritzker said at a news conference last week in Champaign.

Some of Illinois’ largest school districts already have adopted their own limits on cellphones in their classrooms, including Springfield, Peoria and Champaign.

“We want our students’ phones turned off so their minds can be fully engaged in learning,” Champaign Unit 4 School District Superintendent Sheila Boozer said.

“ since every student is provided with a Chromebook for schoolwork, a cellphone is not really necessary for their learning.”

– Champaign Unit

4 School District

Superintendent Sheila Boozer

student performance but on overall health and well-being,” Pritzker said. “Bullying goes down while grade point averages and Advanced Placement test scores goes up.”

Pritzker’s proposal would include several exemptions to such a ban, including in the event of an emergency, when a teacher allows students to use wireless devices for educational purposes or when a doctor requires a student to have or use their phone for medical reasons.

definitely don’t like it.”

Eight states enacted some type of limit on cellphones in schools last year, Stateline reported last month. This year, Illinois is one of 13 states where legislation has been proposed to limit cellphones in schools.

A 2023 Pew Research poll of public school teachers found 72 percent of high school educators believe cellphone distractions are a “major problem” in their classroom. But 60 percent of high schools teachers said it is also difficult to enforce cellphone policies. Bans on cellphones during class time are generally popular among U.S. adults. While 53 percent do not support banning phones in schools for the entire day, 68 percent support banning them during class, according to a 2024 Pew poll

The Champaign district implemented cellphone limits beginning last fall and said the response from parents and teachers has been positive.

At some recent school shootings, such as in Uvalde, Texas, students made critical 911 calls. Rep. Patrick Sheehan, R-Lockport, who is a Plainfield police officer, told Capitol News Illinois its important students can access a cellphone in emergencies.

“Since every student is provided with a Chromebook for schoolwork, a cellphone is not really necessary for their learning,” Boozer said.

“The kids having these devices to be able to call 911 dispatch so that they can get to the police officers, it cuts down on the response time and completely saves lives,” Sheehan said.

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THANK YOU TO THE ELMHURST CHAMBER OF COMMERCE FOR NAMING OUR AGENCY THE 2025 ELMHURST BUSINESS OF THE YEAR!

THANK YOU TO THE ELMHURST CHAMBER OF COMMERCE FOR NAMING OUR AGENCY THE 2025 ELMHURST BUSINESS OF THE YEAR!

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Schools would be required to come up with their own guidelines for securely storing the phones during instructional time. Pritzker’s plan would also prohibit students from being fined or punished by a law enforcement officer for violating a no-cellphone policy.

Sheehan said it’s important students have a distraction-free environment, but he cautioned against schools enacting a policy that could lock phones away from students.

“Study after study has demonstrated the benefits of a ban in classroom use of cellphones, not just on

“Taking away the cellphones and putting them in some sort of lock or away from the student, as a parent I don’t like it,” Sheehan said. “And as a police officer, I

LAND AUCTION

The Twangtown Paramours, an award-winning soulful folk/Americana duo from Nashville, comprised of husband-and-wife MaryBeth Zamer and Mike T. Lewis, will be making their debut on the Maple Street Concerts stage (200 S. Main St.) at 7 p.m. Saturday, March 22. Lilli Kuzma, radio host of WDCB’s Folk Festival radio show, will be the guest emcee to introduce these performers. The Twangtown Paramours have garnered wide acclaim as three-time Kerrville New Folk Finalists, and are winners of Texas’s Wildflower Contest. Lead singer Mary Beth Zamer used to sing background vocals for Eva Cassidy. Writer, producer, and guitar player, Mike Lewis is the author of a No. 1 platinum-selling hit in Korea and sometimes plays upright bass for Jimmie Dale Gilmore. Chicago singer-songwriter Naomi Ashley opens the show. She captivates audiences with her diverse range of songs. Seamlessly navigating Americana, classic country, folk, blues, and rock, her lyrically layered compositions charm with humor and a poignant understanding of the human experience. Her latest album, “Love Bug,” was released in February of 2024. Advance tickets are $21.25 online (with processing fee). Presales end at noon on the day of show. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Door sales are cash or check only, pending availability. All sales are final, no refunds or exchanges. For more information, visit: www.maplestreetconcerts.org.

Legislative revenue estimate more than $700 million lower than Pritzker’s proposed budget

Forecasters predict revenue growth in current fiscal year will miss the

By Ben Szalinski CAPITOL NEWS ILLINOIS

Lawmakers’ projections for revenues in the coming year aren’t as high as Gov. JB Pritzker’s, raising questions about how much money will be available during this year’s budget negotiations. The General Assembly’s bipartisan Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability released a new fiscal year 2026 revenue projection Tuesday that is $737 million short of the proposal Pritzker introduced last month.

“At this point with all the uncertainty that’s been talked about, it’s best to have more of a cautious approach,”

COGFA Revenue Manager

Eric Noggle said at the commission’s meeting last week.

COGFA is projecting $54.2 billion in revenue for the fiscal year beginning July 1, which is $1.2 billion less than Pritzker’s proposed $55.5 billion revenue plan.

However, the governor’s plan calls for a series of revenue adjustments that close the predicted gap between his office and COGFA down

to $737 million.

The Trump Administration is on a path of cutting federal spending, including money that gets passed to the states for programs, and imposing tariffs on trade partners that experts say could cause prices and inflation to rise.

“The Governor’s Office of Management and Budget team always uses the most up-to-date data available to us in our forecasts from outside firms like S&P,” a spokesperson for Pritzker said in a statement. “As COFGA itself says in the report, the Trump Administration and Republicans in Congress are imposing tariffs as a tax on working families, giving tax cuts to the wealthiest Americans, and mishandling geopolitical relations that are creating national economic uncertainties and impacting other projections.”

Republicans argued Pritzker relied on “fuzzy math” to avoid making spending cuts.

“This means he and his Democratic allies will either have to cut spending, increase taxes or both,” Sen. Don DeWitte, R-St. Charles,

a member of COGFA, said in a statement. “It is time for the governor to take a break from the national stage and focus on the dire financial situation he has created by irresponsible spending in our state.”

COGFA is also projecting a more conservative estimate about the current fiscal year. The commission expects Illinois to finish FY 2025 with $53.6 billion of revenue, which would be $333 million more than lawmakers budgeted. However, that estimate is $286 million less than GOMB’s estimated $53.9 billion for FY 2025.

“The Commission is not as optimistic in its projections for some of the economically-tied resources such as the sales tax and the income taxes,” COGFA’s report said. “At this time, the Commission feels that a more cautious approach is warranted given the economic uncertainties related to the current volatile geopolitical climate, potential tariffs, changes in the federal workforce, and outcomes of other potential policy changes at the federal level.”

Strong income tax returns are providing the state with a boost this year. Personal income tax receipts are projected to be 4.6 percent higher for FY 2025 than what lawmakers budgeted. That’s helping to make up for the lackluster performance of corporate income taxes, which COGFA projects will end the year 12 percent lower than expected. Sales taxes are also expected to end the year 3.3 percent lower than expected.

GOMB Director Alexis Sturm told a House committee last week April income tax receipts could provide a boost this year.

“Our focus really needs to be on how much income tax is going to perform” heading into FY26, Noggle said, because Illinois’ revenue structure is dependent on income taxes meeting expectations.

But COGFA officials also warned there is a tremendous amount of uncertainty in the economy that could change revenue projections, and the commission could revisit es-

THE REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES FOR YORK TOWNSHIP ELECTION

timates in May before lawmakers push a budget out the door by May 31.

S&P Global’s new February baseline forecast projects real GDP growth of 2 percent, lower than previous estimates, and rising unemployment in 2025 and 2026, according to the report.

COGFA Chief Economist Ben Varner said last week that President Donald

mark

Trump’s newest tariffs are also slightly higher than S&P included in their modeling. The governor’s $55.2 billion budget is based on a December S&P Global forecast that projected stable economic growth and took into account some of Trump’s proposed economic policies, including tariffs and tax cut extensions, Sturm said recently.

VOTE FOR AN EXPERIENCED TEAM WITH A PROVEN RECORD YOU CAN TRUST

JOHN W. VALLE SUPERVISOR

GEORGE T. BENES

ELLEN PICKER GREER TRUSTEE

Dear Residents,

I am strongly committed to serving with energy and integrity to build upon the experience I bring to the Mayor’s office. I am proud that we have had balanced budgets and have maintained a AAA bond rating in the 14 years I have served on the City Council. For 2023 taxes (paid in 2024), only two of 35 DuPage County municipalities had a total tax rate less than Elmhurst. Throughout my tenure, I have made safety a top priority as Elmhurst was recently recognized as the 8th safest suburb in the United States. I have worked to create vibrant successful business districts, including a downtown that is the envy of many municipalities. I want to continue to lead the City Council to keep Elmhurst moving forward.

Sincerely, Mayor Scott Levin

EARLY VOTING BEGINS

March 17, 2025

ELECTION DAY APRIL 1, 2025

(For many, April 1st is spring break. Vote early!)

WITH MAYOR LEVIN WE HAVE:

• Achieved and maintained AAA bond rating

• Balanced budgets with no deficit spending

• One of the lowest retail/commercial vacancy rates in DuPage

• Excellent City Services

• One of the safest cities in the USA

• Maintained the high quality of the Police and Fire Departments

• Enhanced senior programs and outreach

• Expanded community outreach through a redesigned website, Elmhurst Connect and Elmhurst Alerts

• Increased economic development and planning efforts to increase sales tax revenues, to keep our downtown thriving and preserve the character of our neighborhoods

• Updated the City and Downtown Master Plan

• Collaborated among taxing bodies to reduce costs and eliminate duplication

Sports

State champions! Broncos peak at the perfect time

Montini completes its post-season run with 50-44 win over Saint Ignatius in Normal

Montini Catholic High School’s girls basketball team won the IHSA Class 3A state title on Saturday evening in Normal. The Broncos defeated Saint Ignatius 50-44 in the championship game at Illinois State University’s CEFCU Arena.

Montini, which closed its 2024-25 campaign with seven post-season victories, completed its season with an overall record of 27-10. Saint Ignatius ended its season with a 32-5 record.

The Broncos concluded their championship run by earning three hard-fought wins in a six-day span. On Monday, March 3, Montini beat Grayslake Central 51-45 in a Class 3A super-sectional at the Forest View Educational Center in Arlington Heights. With that victory, the Broncos advanced to the Class 3A state semifinals in Normal for the second straight season.

One year ago, Montini lost to Lincoln (the eventual Class 3A state champion) in a semifinal matchup in Normal. The Broncos then beat Hinsdale South in the third-place contest.

Montini faced the Raiders of Quincy’s Notre Dame High School in last week’s semifinal matchup in Normal. The Broncos prevailed in the March 6 semifinal, beating the Raiders 50-41.

The Broncos opened their post-season run by earning two decisive wins to claim the title at the Elmwood Park Regional. Montini continued its run by beating Trinity and DePaul College Prep to win the championship at the DePaul College Prep Sectional in Chicago.

Montini delivered strong finishes to pull out victories in all three of last week’s post-season battles.

In the super-sectional against Grayslake Central, the Broncos held a 13-6 lead after one quarter. The lead grew to 24-8 during the second quarter. Montini owned a 26-15 advantage at halftime. The Broncos seemed to be in control of the game, but the Rams sank three 3-point shots early in the third quarter to cut Montini’s lead to 26-24.

Another 3-point basket from Grayslake Central evened the score at 29-29 with nearly three minutes left in the third quarter. About one minute later, the Rams scored an inside basket to take a 31-29 lead.

The game was deadlocked at 31-31 at the end of the third

The Montini Catholic girls basketball team won the IHSA Class 3A state championship on Saturday evening at CEFCU

in Normal. The Broncos defeated Saint Ignatius 50-44 in the title contest. Montini lost a regular-season meeting against Saint Ignatius, dropping a 57-48 decision to the Wolfpack in Chicago on Jan. 14. Senior Nikki Kerstein (No. 1) made 12 of 13 free-throw attempts and scored a team-leading 21 points for the Broncos in Saturday’s championship game. “We lost to them [the Wolfpack] earlier in the season, so we wanted to get our revenge,” said Kerstein, who is pictured (below right) after receiving her individual medal. (All of Montini’s players and coaches received individual medals after Saturday’s victory.) Kerstein briefly left the game after falling hard on her elbow in the middle of the fourth quarter. She quickly returned to action after spending a short time on the sideline. Senior Peyton Farrell (No. 24 - below middle) made four of five shots from the free-throw line and provided 12 points for the Broncos in the championship game. Senior Audrey Kinney (No. 22) is pictured (below left) while driving for a basket that gave the Broncos a 43-42 lead with about two minutes to play. Kinney scored four points in Saturday’s victory.

quarter.

Montini senior Nikki Kerstein scored a basket to give her team a 33-31 lead over Grayslake Central with about 6:20 to play. Senior Natalie Gartlan of the Broncos drained a 3-point shot about one minute later to raise the lead to 36-31.

Senior Peyton Farrell scored a basket to boost Montini’s lead to 40-33 with less than three minutes to play. Seconds later, Gartlan delivered a steal and a basket to push the lead to 42-33. The Broncos’ lead reached

10 points during the game’s final minute. Grayslake Central made two 3-point shots in the closing 30 seconds to narrow the final score. Kerstein made 10 of 11 free-throw attempts and scored a team-leading 21 points in Montini’s super-sectional win. Gartlan provided 15 points in the victory. Farrell and senior Audrey Kinney supplied six points each. Senior Lily Spanos added two points with a driving layup that extended the Broncos’ lead to 38-33 in the middle of the fourth quarter. Senior

Lauren Mellish contributed one point with a second-quarter free throw.

Montini’s March 6 semifinal contest against Quincy’s Notre Dame High School was tied at 10-10 after one quarter. The Raiders led the Broncos 19-18 at halftime. Montini owned a 32-31 lead at the end of the third quarter.

A layup from Gartlan gave Montini a 38-33 lead with about 3:40 left in the semifinal battle. Kerstein scored to raise the Broncos’ lead to 40-33, but the Raiders made a 3-point shot to cut the lead

to 40-36 with about two minutes remaining. Notre Dame scored a basket to slice the lead to 41-38 with 1:55 to play. One free throw from Kerstein and two free throws from Lily Spanos helped Montini to a 44-38 lead. The Raiders drained a 3-point shot to drop Montini’s lead to 4441 with one minute on the clock. The Broncos closed the game with a 6-0 run that included a basket from Kinney, two free throws from Kerstein and a basket from Farrell. Kerstein made four shots

from 3-point range and poured in a team-leading 27 points for the Broncos in their March 6 semifinal win. She also grabbed eight rebounds. Farrell provided 11 points and 10 rebounds. Kinney and Gartlan added six and four points, respectively. Lily Spanos contributed two points with her pair of free throws in the fourth quarter.

Washington defeated Notre Dame 60-51 in the Class 3A third-place game, which took place on Friday. Notre Dame ended its season with a 33-4 record, while Washington posted a record of 35-3.

The Broncos were familiar with their opponent in Saturday’s Class 3A championship game. Montini and Saint Ignatius tangled in a regular-season matchup on the Wolfpack’s home court in Chicago on Jan. 14. Saint Ignatius prevailed 57-48 in that contest. The Wolfpack led the Broncos 17-3 after one quarter of the Jan. 14 meeting.

“We know Saint Ignatius well; they’re in our conference [the Girls Catholic Athletic Conference], said Montini head coach Shannon See BRONCOS, Page 19

Chris Fox photos Rock Valley Publishing

Arena

Rams’ post-season run ends with loss to Glenbard West

Hilltoppers’ potent squad pulls away to 65-47

The Glenbard East boys basketball team’s 2024-25 season ended with last week’s 65-47 loss to Glenbard West in a semifinal game at the IHSA Class 4A St. Charles East Sectional.

The Rams finished their season with an overall record of 22-11.

Glenbard West went on to win the sectional title in St. Charles. The Hilltoppers defeated Geneva 50-33 in Friday’s sectional final to advance to this week’s super-sectional against Evanston in Hoffman Estates. The winner of that March 10 battle qualified for this week’s Class 4A state semifinals in Champaign.

Glenbard West was the No. 1 seed in the St. Charles East Sectional. Glenbard East was the sectional’s No. 4 seed. The Rams advanced to the sectional’s semifinal round after winning the Lake Park Regional. Glenbard West moved on to the sectional after narrowly winning the Addison Trail Regional. The Hilltoppers beat Addison Trail 74-73 in double overtime to win the regional final on Feb. 28.

The Rams led Glenbard West 12-10 after one quarter of the March 4 sectional semifinal. The Hilltoppers built a 26-19 lead by halftime. Glenbard West opened the second half with an 8-0 run that extended its lead to 34-19. Glenbard East

• Broncos

trimmed the Hilltoppers’ lead to 46-38 by the end of the third quarter.

“We found an offensive rhythm in the third quarter, but we couldn’t make a dent into the lead,” said Glenbard East coach Eric Kelly after last week’s loss. “They [the Hilltoppers] have good players over there. We just couldn’t get stops in the third quarter.”

Glenbard West’s athletic lineup delivered a 12-0 run at the start of the fourth quarter to push the lead to 58-38.

Juniors Danny Snyder and Sam Walton scored 13 points each for the Rams in the team’s season-ending loss to the Hilltoppers. Snyder sank three shots from 3-point range. He connected on a pair of 3-point attempts in the first quarter and added one more long-range basket in the third quarter.

Junior Jacob Marynowski provided eight points for the Rams. Junior Michael Nee, who made one 3-point shot, added six points. Senior Devin Kraft contributed four points, while junior Norman Loechel scored three points with a 3-point basket late in the fourth quarter.

Last week’s meeting between Glenbard East and Glenbard West marked the teams’ second meeting of the season. The Rams and Hilltoppers also squared off during the season-opening District 87 Tournament in

(Continued from page 18)

Spanos after Saturday’s victory. “We knew it [the title contest] was going to be a tough game. They battled. We battled.”

The Broncos led Saint Ignatius 15-12 after one quarter of Saturday night’s championship game. Montini raised its lead to 25-18 by halftime. Kerstein scored a basket in the opening seconds of the third quarter to extend the lead to 27-18. The Wolfpack cut the Broncos’ lead to 3230 with about 3:20 left in the third quarter. Kerstein was fouled while attempting a 3-point shot at the end of the third quarter. She went to the free-throw line with no time on the clock and sank all three attempts to give the Broncos a 40-34 lead with eight minutes to play.

Montini played most of the championship game without Gartlan, who excelled at the beginning of the contest by scoring seven of her team’s first 13 points with three baskets, including a 3-point field goal. Gartlan suffered a knee injury late in the first quarter. She went back in the game

November. Glenbard West beat the Rams 59-45 in that contest, which took place on the Hilltoppers’ home court in Glen Ellyn on Nov. 26.

Kelly noted that four of the Rams’ five starters from this year’s team will return for the 2025-26 season. He said the team will be setting big goals for that campaign.

“Next year is definitely the year we’re looking to make a run at state,” said Kelly. “We have one of the best players in the area in Michael Nee, and then another kid who’s really good in Danny Snyder, and we have a couple of [other] kids who have really put in a lot of work. Jacob Marynowski just started playing basketball in seventh grade. It’s going to be real fun to see his progress over the next couple of months.”

The Rams’ 2024-25 season included plenty of highlights. The team went 11-1 in the Upstate Eight Conference’s East Division to share the division title with Riverside Brookfield. Winning the Lake Park Regional title on Feb. 28 marked the program’s first regional championship since 2020.

“It takes a certain amount of ability and hard work to get here,” said Kelly after the sectional loss to Glenbard West in St. Charles. “And all the work we did put in— we’re going to have to put in twice as much to get past this. We wanted [this sea-

victory; Rams finish season with 22-11 record

son] to win 20 games, win the conference, get to sectionals. But now those goals need to get amped up. Let’s get downstate. Let’s win 25 games. Let’s go undefeated in conference. We’ve got to set higher goals for next year.”

Glenbard East’s boys basketball team completed its season with a 65-47 loss to Glenbard West in a March 4 semifinal game at the IHSA Class 4A St. Charles East Sectional. The Rams finished their season with a 22-11 record. Glenbard West moved on to Friday’s sectional final and posted a 50-33 win over Geneva to advance to this week’s super-sectional game against Evanston in Hoffman Estates. Juniors Danny Snyder (No. 3 - above left) and Sam Walton (No. 24 - above right) scored 13 points each for the Rams in last week’s loss to the Hilltoppers. Glenbard East went 11-1 in the Upstate Eight Conference’s East Division during the 2024-25 season to share the division title with Riverside Brookfield. The Rams opened the post-season with two straight victories to win the title at the Class 4A Lake Park Regional and claim the program’s first regional championship since 2020.

a short time later, but quickly hobbled off the court and spent the rest of the contest cheering on her teammates from the sideline.

“It did not go the way we thought it was going to go today, with Natalie getting hurt,” stated Shannon Spanos, who went on to praise the Montini players for their determination. “But they grind and they stay together, and that’s who they’ve been all year. They’ve been battle-tested all year. They proved themselves today. I’m just so happy for them and their journey, and what they’ve accomplished.”

Montini scored only one point during the first six minutes of the fourth quarter of Saturday’s title contest. Saint Ignatius whittled away at the Broncos’ lead during the quarter and scored a basket to take a 42-41 lead—its first lead since its 7-4 advantage in the first quarter—with 3:07 to play. The Wolfpack was fouled on the go-ahead basket, but missed the ensuing free throw.

“Basketball is a game of

runs,” said Shannon Spanos in her post-game comments. “They went on a run. We kept our composure.”

Montini regained the lead when Kinney drove for a basket that put the Broncos ahead 43-42 with about two minutes to play. Kinney’s key basket began a 9-2 closing run that included five free throws from Kerstein and two free throws from Farrell.

Montini led the Wolfpack 45-42 when senior Reganne Reardon of Saint Ignatius drove to the basket and made a shot with 47 seconds to play. Reardon was called for a charge, and the basket did not count. Junior Sophie Maquet of the Broncos took the charge.

Kerstein made 12 of 13 attempts from the free-throw line and scored a team-high 21 points in Saturday’s championship contest. Farrell, who made four of five free-throw attempts, supplied 12 points. Gartlan, who made all three of her shots from the field before she was injured, contributed seven points. Kinney and Lily Spanos provided four points

each. Spanos made two of three free-throw attempts for the Broncos, who converted 18 of 21 shots from the freethrow line. Mellish scored two points with a first-quarter layup.

“I would say we were definitely under the radar,” said Kerstein after Saturday’s triumph. “We started off [the season] as a top-ranked team in 3A. We kind of dropped down a little bit. We had some tough losses. We were also playing the best competition in the state. I definitely think we were the underdogs in this situation. Everyone kind of counted us out, but I think we used that to our advantage. We used it as motivation, and it fueled us.”

Reardon scored a team-leading 20 points for Saint Ignatius in the championship game. The Wolfpack made 11 of 16 free-throw attempts.

After the final buzzer sounded, the Broncos took in the joy of winning a state title. There were hugs, tears, and interactions with Montini’s boisterous student section,

along with individual trips to the medal stand and accepting the first-place trophy.

“Having played them [the Wolfpack] before, we knew what kind of team they were,” said Shannon Spanos. “We had to come out strong, which we did tonight. Having that experience, where we have seen them, definitely helped us. To be honest, all the pressure was on them. They had beaten us. They have a higher ranking than us. We just peaked at the right time. You want to peak in the playoffs. That’s when we did peak, especially defensively.”

The Montini girls basketball program has now won five IHSA Class 3A state titles. The Broncos won three straight championships in 2010, 2011 and 2012, and delivered another first-place finish in 2014. This is the first title for Shannon Spanos—a 1999 Montini graduate—who just completed her fifth season as the Broncos’ head coach.

Kerstein concluded a spectacular two-year stint at Montini with Saturday’s victory. As a sophomore, she helped

Deerfield to a fourth-place finish in the IHSA Class 3A tournament. She transferred to Montini after her sophomore year and helped the Broncos to their third-place finish in 2024 before leading the team to the state title in her senior season.

Kerstein, who will continue her academic and basketball careers at the University of Missouri, was named to the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association (IBCA) 2025 Class 3A Girls All-State First Team. Farrell was a Second-Team selection, while Lily Spanos was named to the Special Mention Team.

Kerstein, who reached the 2,000-point milestone in her varsity high school career, emphasized that winning the state title trumped all of her individual accolades.

“It’s the top thing,” said Kerstein after Saturday’s victory and trophy presentation. “I don’t really care about the 2,000 points and the all-state stuff. I just wanted a state championship, and I got it.”

Chris Fox photos Rock Valley Publishing

Broncos conclude season with a loss in sectional final

Playing on its home court, Christ the King beats Montini 44-28 in sectional final in Chicago; after game, DeMong informs Broncos he is leaving the program

The Montini Catholic boys basketball team’s season ended with Friday’s 44-28 loss to Chicago’s Christ the King School in the championship game of the IHSA Class 2A Christ the King Sectional.

The Broncos finished their 2024-25 season with a record of 21-12.

Montini advanced to Friday night’s sectional final with its 52-46 victory over Chicago’s Clark High School in a March 5 sectional semifinal at Christ the King.

After winning a sectional title on its home court on Friday, Christ the King advanced to this week’s IHSA super-sectional against Rock Falls in Sterling. The winner of that March 10 contest earned a berth in the Class 2A state semifinals, which

take place today—Thursday, March 13—in Champaign.

Montini led the Eagles of Clark High School 13-8 after one quarter of last week’s sectional semifinal. The Broncos held a 29-21 halftime lead. Montini’s lead stood at 39-30 at the end of the third quarter, but a surge of 8-2 by Clark reduced the Broncos’ lead to 41-38 in the fourth quarter.

Senior Dillon Bagley delivered a basket to extend Montini’s lead to 43-38. After Clark made a free throw, senior Jack Barrett of the Broncos scored to raise the lead to 45-39.

An inside basket from junior Angelo DeSensi—which was assisted by Bagley—gave Montini a 47-39 lead with about 3:25 left in the game.

Senior Drew Church provided

a basket to give the Broncos a 49-42 advantage with about 2:35 remaining.

The Eagles made two free throws with 28.7 seconds to play to trim Montini’s lead to 49-46. Barrett then made one free throw with 24.7 seconds to play. Senior Max Bell of the Broncos scored the final points of the game when he made two free throws with 11.2 seconds remaining.

Bell, who made a pair of 3-point shots in the second quarter, scored a team-high 14 points for the Broncos in their March 5 victory in the sectional semifinal. Bagley scored 12 points, while Barrett supplied seven points. Church contributed six points, while junior Robert Sansone provided five points. DeSensi added four points. Senior Jake

Second-place finishers

Maquet scored two points with a second-quarter basket. Juniors Colt Ashton and Henry Herold scored one point each.

Christ the King led Montini 7-4 after one quarter of Friday’s sectional final. The Gladiators led the Broncos 14-9 at halftime.

Church drained a 3-point shot to trim Christ the King’s lead to 14-12 early in the third quarter. Church drained another 3-point attempt later in the quarter to cut the Gladiators’ lead to 18-15.

Church’s two long-range shots provided Montini’s only six points of the third quarter. Christ the King led the Broncos 22-15 with eight minutes to play.

After making two 3-point shots in the third quarter,

Church connected on two more 3-point attempts in the fourth quarter. He made a long-range shot to cut the Gladiators’ lead to 26-23 with about 4:45 left in the game. Christ the King then scored six straight points to take a 32-23 lead. Church netted a 3-point shot to reduce the lead to 32-26 with about 2:20 remaining.

Sansone made two free throws to drop the Gladiators’ lead to 34-28 with 2:11 to play. Christ the King finished the game with a 10-0 run. That closing run included three dunks that delighted the Gladiators’ boisterous supporters.

Church scored a team-high 12 points in Friday’s loss with his four 3-point field goals in the second half. Sansone,

who made one 3-point shot, provided nine points. Bell, who made a 3-point shot to cut Christ the King’s lead to 26-20 with about 6:05 to play, added five points. DeSensi scored two points.

After Friday’s season-ending loss, Montini head coach Adam DeMong informed the team that he would be leaving the program to pursue greater opportunities in his professional career. DeMong guided the Broncos to four straight regional titles in his five seasons as the program’s head coach.

Montini ended a 39-year drought when it won the first of those four straight regional championships in 2022. Before 2022, the Broncos’ boys basketball program won its last regional title in 1983.

The IHSA girls wrestling individual state tournament took place Feb. 28-March 1 at Grossinger Motors Arena in Bloomington. Glenbard East junior Nadiia Shymkiv (above) earned a second-place finish in the tournament’s 105-pound level. Shymkiv won three matches in Bloomington to advance to that level’s championship match. Shymkiv lost a 10-5 decision in the title contest. She finished her season with a record of 35-2. Montini Catholic senior Kat Bell (right) advanced to the firstplace match in the individual state tournament’s 100-pound level. Like Shymkiv, Bell won three straight matches in Bloomington to advance to a championship match. Bell lost the title contest and finished her season with a 39-6 record. Glenbard East sophomore Maria Green also competed in the state tournament. Wrestling in the 135-pound division, Green lost her first match in Bloomington. She then earned a victory in the consolation round before finishing the event with a loss. Green completed her season with a 36-8 record.

Warriors/Blazers open season

The Willowbrook/Addison Trail co-op boys gymnastics team opened its 2025 season by competing in the 2025 Vic Lesch Invitational at Glenbard East High School on March 6. Glenbard West won the team title in the five-team invitational with its score of 102.3. Willowbrook/Addison Trail (95.05) placed second, while Glenbard North (81.8) finished third. Glenbard South delivered a fourth-place total of 74.75, while Glenbard East (27.75) finished fifth. Only two gymnasts from each team competed in each event at the invitational. Willowbrook senior Daniel Javier posted first-place scores in two individual events and placed third in the all-around standings. Javier delivered his first-place performances in the vault (9.45) and in floor exercises (9.1).

He earned second-place honors on the parallel bars (8.35) and placed fourth on the still rings (7.95), fifth on the horizontal bar (7.2) and sixth on the pommel horse (7.0).

His all-around total of 49.05 placed third, behind a pair of Glenbard West gymnasts. Willowbrook junior Jae Newman finished in a tie for first on the horizontal bar (8.2). Newman placed third on the still rings (8.15), tied for third on the vault (8.8), finished fourth in floor exercises (8.45), and earned seventh on the parallel bars (5.0). Willowbrook senior Jacob Seremak finished in a tie for fourth on the pommel horse (7.4).

Javier (center) and Newman (far left) are pictured during the awards presentation for the invite’s top five finishers in floor exercises. This is the first year in which the Willowbrook and Addison Trail teams have combined to form one co-op team.

Jim izzo photos Rock Valley Publishing

Chris Fox photo Rock Valley Publishing

Trump administration ends reimbursements for Illinois food

USDA funds are part of nearly $2 billion being withheld from Illinois, Pritzker says

By Ben Szalinski Capitol news illinois

The Trump administration has stopped reimbursing Illinois for a program designed to help farmers and supply fresh food to Illinois food banks.

The Illinois Department of Agriculture announced last week that changes to federal funding mean Illinois is missing reimbursements for costs for the Local Food Purchase Assistance Program, or LFPA, and can no longer run the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Program, or RFSI.

The state agency said the federal U.S. Department of Agriculture has told states it will not reimburse them for any costs for the programs dating back to when Trump took office on Jan. 20.

LFPA, which funds the Il-

linois-EATS program, uses federal funding to buy fresh products from farmers at a fair market value, then distributes the food to communities via food pantries and other similar programs designed to help people in need for no additional cost. All the food produced as part of Illinois’ program comes from socially disadvantaged farmers, including those the federal government defines as “new farmers.”

More than 170 farmers have supplied food to 883 locations in Illinois through Illinois-EATS.

Brenda Stewart, a farm owner in Pembroke Township in Kankakee County, received grant funding through the state. She told Capitol News Illinois she is most worried about the people who depend on her farm and the

grant program to eat healthy.

“We’re still going to grow our food, we’re still going to provide what we can to our community, but not on the scale they were able to receive,” Stewart said.

Pembroke Township has no grocery store and many residents are on food stamps, Stewart said. She said ILEATS and her farm provide many of the residents one of their only avenues for fresh and healthy food.

The USDA approved $43 million for Illinois to carry out the program for several years, but the state is still missing $17.8 million, according to the Illinois Department of Agriculture. The state and USDA announced a partnership for the program in 2022.

The state has also not received $6.5 million for the

RFSI grant program. The program is designed to improve capacity for food processors and distributors and improve access to better distribution markets. The state has established a grant program based on funding from the federal government and was in the process of selecting winners.

There was no explanation for why reimbursements submitted after Jan. 19 were stopped, according to the state, and reimbursement claims have been returned.

USDA did not return a request for comment.

“That program made the difference, and I would say to Elon Musk and President Trump, this is saving lives. This is teaching our babies how to eat fresh vegetables and how it helps their medical conditions,” Stewart said.

News that the two pro-

Ed Stevenson named 2024 Illinois PGA Executive of the Year

Award recognizes leadership in golf, environmental stewardship, and community impact

The Illinois Professional Golfers’ Association has named the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County’s director of golf, Ed Stevenson, as the 2024 Illinois PGA Executive of the Year, one of the association’s highest honors.

This prestigious annual award recognizes a PGA golf professional who has demonstrated exceptional leadership in managing multiple facilities, overseeing course operations, guiding allied golf associations, or holding an executive role within the industry. As one of the highest honors the Illinois PGA can bestow, recipients are distinguished by their outstanding qualities of leadership, vision, courage, strong moral character, and a significant record of service to both the association and the game of golf. Stevenson began his executive golf career in 2011 when he became director of golf for the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County’s three golf properties: The Preserve at Oak Meadows, Maple Meadows, and Green Meadows. Facing aging infrastructure, chronic flooding, and financial challenges, he saw an opportunity to trans-

form the courses into multifunctional assets aligned with the Forest Preserve District’s conservation mission. His visionary leadership redefined the sites as “golf preserves,” emphasizing their ecological and recreational value to the community.

In 2015, Stevenson led the ambitious transformation of The Preserve at Oak Meadows into an 18-hole public golf destination. The two-year project improved water quality in Salt Creek, restored habitats for wildlife, and increased the landscape’s capacity to hold an additional 20 million gallons of stormwater. These changes not only protected the course from damage but also addressed regional flooding issues. His leadership in the renovation earned multiple

accolades from both golf and environmental organizations alike, including Golf Digest’s “Green Star,” Golf Inc.’s “Renovation of the Year,” and the “Force of Nature Award” from Chicago Wilderness.

Stevenson’s leadership extends beyond environmental sustainability. His innovative strategies have also made the Forest Preserve District’s golf operations financially sustainable, paving the way for future projects, including the upcoming renovation of the Maple Meadows property anticipated during the 2025 and 2026 golf seasons.

Promoted to executive director of the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County in 2016, Stevenson simultaneously balanced the role of top executive along with his responsibilities as director of golf for five years. During his tenure, he guided the Forest Preserve District through challenges such as the pandemic while expanding golf’s reach by hosting prestigious events, including the Illinois Senior Open, Illinois Open qualifying rounds, and Drive, Chip & Putt competitions.

Stevenson currently serves in dual roles as the Forest Preserve District’s executive advisor and director of golf.

grams are on an indefinite hold comes a week after Gov. JB Pritzker and Illinois’ Democratic members of Congress sent a letter to the White House Office of Management and Budget asking why the Trump administration was withholding $1.9 billion from Illinois state agencies, nonprofits and businesses.

“These are federal funds that were passed by Congress, signed into law, and promised to Illinois,” the letter stated.

“State agencies, small businesses, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens across Illinois—including in rural communities—are still having trouble accessing allocated federal funding.”

A federal judge issued another ruling last week prohibiting the Trump administration from blocking distribution of federal funding.

The end of funding for the programs comes as Illinois farmers face new tariffs imposed on three of the state’s largest trading partners and retaliatory tariffs against American goods. Illinois farmers exported nearly $14 billion of agricultural products in 2023, according to the Illinois Farm Bureau.

“Illinois farmers’ products—from grains and feed, corn, soybeans, ethanol, beef, pork, and more—rely on access to foreign markets and will undoubtedly be impacted by these new tariffs either through increased prices or decreased market access,” Illinois Farm Bureau President Brian Duncan said in a statement. “This uncertainty coupled with an already struggling farm economy has farmers worried as we head into planting season.”

He remains actively involved with the Illinois PGA, serving on the Player Engagement and Finance committees and recently completed a two-year term as president of the Illinois Junior Golf Association.

“I’m honored to receive the Illinois PGA Executive of the Year Award,” Stevenson said. “Throughout my career, I’ve always believed golf courses can be powerful community assets—places where recreation, environmental stewardship, and personal history come together. I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished at The Preserve at Oak Meadows, Maple Meadows, and Green Meadows, and I look forward to continuing this work that blends the beauty of nature with the spirit of the game.”

According to the Illinois PGA, “Individuals honored with the PGA Golf Executive of the Year Award are held as a model PGA Professional.”. Stevenson’s career continues to serve as a model for blending environmental stewardship, historical reverence, and community connection— qualities that help enhance the experience for more than 100,000 visitors to the Forest Preserve District’s golf preserves each year.

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Ed Stevenson

Educators say low pay hinders teacher recruitment, retention efforts

‘Poor Working Conditions’ also cited

By Jordan Owens and Medill Illinois News Bureau

Increased pay for educators, better school conditions, mentoring and mental health support are key factors cited by educators that could help alleviate the critical ongoing teacher shortage in Illinois.

“Poor Working Conditions” are among the top three causes of the shortage, according to the 2024-2025 Illinois Educator Shortage Survey released Monday by the Illinois Association of Regional Superintendents of Schools, or IARSS. Limited applicants and issues related to salary and benefits are the other two.

Educators cited pay as one of those working conditions and argued that part of the solution must be to provide higher teacher salaries. The top three desired solutions

cited in the survey were improved state and federal support, providing incentives to educators and improving recruitment.

“All teachers across the state feel under-compensated, and that is a real point of pain,” said Dr. Rachel Mahmood, 2024 Illinois Teacher of the Year and an educator at Georgetown Elementary School in Aurora. “If you can afford to pay more, you’re going to draw people towards your districts.”

LaTesh Travis, assistant superintendent for human resources in Berkeley School District 87, highlights the competitive labor market in hiring teachers and how low pay leads to more teachers leaving or not wanting to work in lower-income and rural areas.

as deterring new hires: 2024-25 teacher shortage report

To have a more equal distribution of educators across the state, Travis said, Illinois would need to raise the minimum income for all teachers to $55,000, because it is a main factor deterring people from the education field.

“I would like to see teacher salaries have a minimum base increase,” Travis said. “How schools are funded is based on where you’re located, and some of us in the lower socioeconomic communities, we can’t pay what others pay.”

Last month, Gov. JB Pritzker proposed a new budget for the upcoming fiscal year that would increase K-12 funding by $300 million and boost higher education funding by 3% but would keep funding flat for the Early Childhood Block Grant program. The governor and lawmakers have

to agree on a spending plan by the end of May.

The authors of the Illinois Educator Shortage Survey concede the term “poor working conditions” is hard to define and, thus, hard to solve.

“I think the area that’s interesting is when people talk about working conditions, and we even talked about this a little bit last year, that potentially means something different to every teacher or to every district or to every (school) building,” said Gary Tipsord, executive director of IARSS.

“I don’t know that we’re in a good space to truly understand that yet, and I think that’s the place where we do need to continue to dig.”

Hoping to help improve teachers’ working conditions, Mahmood focuses on necessary discussions about why people came into the education field.

For example, Mahmood highlighted World Cafés, an inclusive dialog model that creates ideas and plans to enhance schools, as a tool she learned from working in the Indian Prairie Community Unit School District to format these discussions.

“The end goal of that is not only mutual empathy and understanding of each other’s stories and working on the culture and climate of our schools, it’s also showing teachers the role they have in

shaping a school’s culture of belonging, with the ultimate outcome of teachers feeling validated and valued in their fields,” Mahmood said.

As teacher of the year, Mahmood focuses on raising retention rates by showing the importance of sharing the stories of teachers across the state.

“Part of retaining educators is understanding why they came into the field and honoring their purpose and their mission for becoming a teacher. Making sure that they feel satisfied,” Mahmood said.

Those surveyed say other initiatives that need to be

See effortS, Page 26

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CERTIFICATE NO. 79630 was filed in the office of the County Clerk of DuPage County on FEBRUARY 14, 2025, wherein the business firm of RTW REALTY & DEVELOPMENT, 2100 W. WIESBROOK RD., WHEATON, IL 60189 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: Robert Woods, 2100 W. Wiesbrook Rd., Wheaton, IL 60189. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and Official Seal at my office in Wheaton, Illinois, this 14TH day of FEBRUARY, A.D. 2025. Jean Kaczmarek DuPage County Clerk (Published in The Lombardian Feb. 27, March 6, 13, 2025) 468247

CERTIFICATE NO. 79638 was filed in the office of the County Clerk of DuPage County on FEBRUARY 21, 2025 wherein the business firm of LIBERTY & JUSTICE TRIAL CONSULTANTS, 919 N. SCOTT STREET, WHEATON, IL 60187 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:

Susan L. Fagan, 919 N. Scott Street, Wheaton, 60187.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and Official Seal at my office in Wheaton, Illinois, this 21ST day of FEBRUARY, A.D. 2025. Jean Kaczmarek DuPage County Clerk (Published in The Lombardian March 6, 13, 20, 2025) 468463

CERTIFICATE NO. 79637 was filed in the office of the County Clerk of DuPage County on FEBRUARY 21, 2025 wherein the business firm of ROYAL PET, 1213 W. IRVING PARK RD., ITASCA, IL 60143 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: Stacy Keith, 326 N. LaLonde Ave., Lombard, IL 60148. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and Official Seal at my office in Wheaton, Illinois, this 21ST day of FEBRUARY, A.D. 2025. Jean Kaczmarek DuPage County Clerk (Published in The Lombardian March 6, 13, 20, 2025) 468654

LEGAL NOTICE/PUBLIC NOTICE

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a Special Meeting of the Community Development Commission of the Village of Bensenville, DuPage and Cook Counties, will be held on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, at 6:30 P.M, at which a Public Hearing will be held to review case No. 2025 – 07 to consider a request for: Amendment to a Planned Unit Development Municipal Code 10 – 4 – 4 *Regarding: Special Use Permit, Motor Vehicle Repair and/or Service Municipal Code 10 – 7 – 2 – 1 At 904 W Irving Park Road is an existing C-2 Commercial District. The Public Hearing will be held in the Village Board Room at Village Hall, 12. S. Center Street, Bensenville.

The Legal Description is as follows:

PARCEL 1: THE EAST 80 FEET (EXCEPT THE NORTH 250 FEET AND EXCEPT EASTVIEW APARTMENT PER DOCUMENT R72-70911) (MEASURED ALONG THE NORTH LINE) OF LOTS 5 IN OWNER’S ASSESSMENT PLAT OF PART OF SECTIONS 11 AND 14, TOWNSHIP 40 NORTH, RANGE 11 EAST OF THE THIRD PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN, ACCORDING TO THE PLAT THEREOF RECORDED MAY 11, 1917 AS DOCUMENT 129399, IN DUPAGE COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

PARCEL 2: THE NORTH 250 FEET OF THE EAST 80 FEET (EXCEPT EASTVIEW APARTMENTS PER DOCUMENT R7279811) (MEASURED ALONG THE NORTH LINE) OF LOT 5 OF THE OWNERS ASSESSMENT PLAT OF PART OF SECTION 11 AND 14, TOWNSHIP 41 NORTH, RANGE 11 EAST OF THE THIRD PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN, ACCORDING TO THE PLAT THEREOF RECORDED MAY 11, 1917 AS DOCUMENT 129399, IN DUPAGE COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

PARCEL 3: THE EAST 229 FEET (EXCEPT THE EAST 80 THEREOF) AND (EXCEPT EASTVIEW APARTMENT PER DOCUMENT R72-70911) OF LOT 5 IN OWNERS’ ASSESSMENT

PLAT OF PART OF SECTIONS 11 AND 14, TOWNSHIP 40 NORTH, RANGE 11 EAST OF THE THIRD PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN, ACCORDING TO THE PLAT THEREOF RECORDED MAY 11, 1917 AS DOCUMENT 129399, IN DUPAGE COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

PARCEL 4: THAT PART OF MAINSTREET (AS DEDICATED) OF EASTVIEW APARTMENT, BEING A SUBDIVISION OF THE EAST 229.0 FEET, AS MEASURED ALONG THE NORTH LINE THEREOF, OF LOT 5, EXCEPT THE NORTH 314.0 FEET THEREOF IN OWNERS ASSESSMENT PLAT OF PART OF SECTIONS 11, AND 14, TOWNSHIP 40 NORTH, RANGE 11 EAST OF THE THIRD PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN, ACCORDING TO THE PLAT THEREOF RECORDED MAY 11, 1917, AS 129399 IN DUPAGE COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

Commonly known as: 904 Irving Park Road, Bensenville.

Gem Car Wash LLC of 841 N York Road, Elmhurst, Illinois 60176 is the owner and the applicant for the subject property.

Any individual with a disability requiring a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in any public meeting held under the authority of the Village of Bensenville should contact the Village Clerk, Village of Bensenville, 12 S. Cen-

ter St., Bensenville, IL 60106, (630) 766-8200, at least three (3) days in advance of the meeting.

Applicants’ application and supporting documentation may be examined by any interested parties in the office of the Community and Economic Development Department, Monday through Friday, in the Village Hall, 12 South Center Street, Bensenville, IL 60106. All interested parties may attend the Public Hearing and be heard. Office of the Village Clerk Village of Bensenville (Published in the Addison Independent, Bensenville Independent & Villa Park Review March 13, 2025) 469094

LEGAL NOTICE/PUBLIC NOTICE

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a Meeting of the Community Development Commission of the Village of Bensenville, DuPage and Cook Counties, will be held on Tuesday, April 1, 2025, at 6:30 P.M, at which a Public Hearing will be held to review case No. 2025 – 08 to consider a request for:

Plat of Subdivision (Consolidation) Municipal Code 11 – 3 At 600-700 Devon is an existing I-2 General Industrial District. The Public Hearing will be held in the Village Board Room at Village Hall, 12. S. Center Street, Bensenville. The Legal Description is as follows:

PARCEL 1: LOT 2 (EXCEPTING FROM SAID LOT 2 THAT PART DESCRIBED AS BEGINNING AT THE NORTHWEST CORNER OF LOT 2 AFORESAID; THENCE SOUTHALONG THE WEST LINE THEREOF 11.48 FEET; THENCE NORTHEASTERLY TO A POINT ON THE NORTH LINE OF SAID LOT 2 THAT IS 10.66 FEET EAST OF THE POINT OF BEGINNING; THENCE WEST ALONG SAID NORTH LINE 10.66 FEET TO THE PLACE OF BEGINNING) IN BELL FUELS RESUBDIVISION, BEGIN A RESUBDIVISION IN THE EAST ½ OF THE NORTHEAST ¼ OF SECTION 2, TOWNSHIP 40 NORTH, RANGE 11, EAST OF THE THIRD PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN, ACCORDING TO THE PLAT OF SAID BELL FUELS RESUBDIVISION RECORDED OCTOBER 29, 1997 AS DOCUMENT R97-164754, IN DUPAGE COUNTY, ILLINOIS. PARCEL 2: LOTS 1M AND 1E IN DEVON-ELLIS RESUBDIVISION NO. 1, BEING A RESUBDIVISION IN THE WEST ½ OF THE NORTHEAST ¼ AND THE ESAT ½ OF THE NORTHWEST ¼ OF SECTION 2, TOWNSHIP 40 NORTH, RANGE 11, EAST OF THE THIRD PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN, ACCORDING TO THE PLAT THEREOF RECORDED SEPTEMBER 12, 1989 AS DOCUMENT R89-113563, IN DUPAGE COUNTY, ILLINOIS. PARCEL 3: NON-EXCLUSIVE EASEMENT FOR THE BENEFIT OF PARCEL 2 AS CREATED BY VACATION OF “EASEMENT FOR INGRESS AND EGRESS” AND DECLARATION OF EASEMENTS RECORDED JUNE 1, 1995 AS DOCUMENT R95-66368 AND CONSENT RECORDED DECEMBER 06, 2011 AS DOCUMENT R2011-148862 FOR INGRESS AND EGRESS OVER THE SOUTH 15 FEET OF LOT 1 IN BELL FUELS RESUBDIVISION RECORDED AS DOCUMENT R97-164754 AND THE NORTH 15 FEET LOTS 2, 3, 4 AND 5 IN DEVON-ELLIS RESUBDIVISION NO. 1 RE-

LEGAL NOTICES

CORDED AS DOCUMENT R89113563, IN DUPAGE COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

Commonly known as 600-700 Devon, Bensenville, Illinois 60106. Devon and Ellis LLC of 1100 Landmeier Road, Elk Grove Village, Illinois 60007 is the owner of the subject property and Gullo International Development Corporation of 1100 Landmeier Road, Elk Grove Village, Illinois 60007 is the applicant for the subject property.

Any individual with a disability requiring a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in any public meeting held under the authority of the Village of Bensenville should contact the Village Clerk, Village of Bensenville, 12 S. Center St., Bensenville, IL 60106, (630) 766-8200, at least three (3) days in advance of the meeting.

Applicant’s application and supporting documentation may be examined by any interested parties in the office of the Community and Economic Development Department, Monday through Friday, in the Village Hall, 12 South Center Street, Bensenville, IL 60106. All interested parties may attend the Public Hearing and be heard. A link for electronic viewing will be posted on the Village website at least 48 hours prior to the meeting date. Written comments mailed to the Village Hall, and online comments submitted on the Village website, will be accepted by the Community and Economic Development Department through April 1, 2025 until 5:00 PM.

Office of the Village Clerk Village of Bensenville (Published in the Addison Independent, Bensenville Independent & Villa Park Review March 13, 2025) 469095

LEGAL NOTICE/PUBLIC NOTICE

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a Special Meeting of the Community Development Commission of the Village of Bensenville, DuPage and Cook Counties, will be held on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, at 6:30 P.M, at which a Public Hearing will be held to review case No. 2025 – 09 to consider a request for:

Minimum Front Setback

Municipal Code Section 10-6-21-1C

Minimum Rear Setback

Municipal Code Section 10-6-21-1F

Maximum Number of Parking Spaces

Municipal Code Section 10-8-2B-6

Minimum Number of Short-Term

Bicycle Parking Spaces

Municipal Code Section 10-8-5-1

Minimum Number of Long-Term

Bicycle Parking Spaces

Municipal Code Section 10-8-5-1

Snow Storage

Municipal Code Section 10-8-6K

Street Tree Frequency

Municipal Code Section 10-9-4B-1

Tree Canopy Coverage

Municipal Code Section 10-9-5A

At 1100 Tower Lane is an existing I-2 General Industrial District. The Public Hearing will be held in the Village Board Room at Village Hall, 12. S. Center Street, Bensenville. The Legal Description is as follows:

PARCEL 1: THAT PART OF THE EAST ½ OF SECTION 3, TOWNSHIP 40 NORTH, RANGE 11, EAST OF THE THIRD PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN, DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS: COMMENCING AT THE SOUTHEAST CROERN OF LOT 32 IN ELK GROVE INDUSTRIAL PARK UNIT 13, BEING A

SUBDIVIDION IN THE SOUTH ½ OF SECTION 3, AFORESAID; THENCE NORTH 01 DEGREES

42 MINUTES 10 SECONDS EAST ALONG THE EAST LINE OF SAID LOT 32, 563.41 FEET TO A POINT FOR A POINT OF BEGINNING OF THE LAND HEREIN DESCRIBED; THENCE CONTINUING NORTH 01 DEGREES 42 MINUTES 10 SECONDS ESAT ALONG SAID LAST DESCRIBED LINE, BEING IDENTICAL WITH THE EAST LINE, AND SAID LINE EXTENDED, OF LOT 14 IN ELK GROVE INDUSTRIAL PARK UNIT 3, BEING A SUBDIVISION IN SAID SECTION 3, 395.87 FEET TO AN INTERSECTION WITH A LINE 846.0 FEET (AS MEASURED AT RIGHT ANGLES) SOUTH OF AND PARALLEL WITH SAID SOUTH LINE OF MARK STREET AS DEDICATED BY THE PLAT THEREOF RECORDED NOVEMBER 16, 1973 AS DCOUMENT R73-70972; THENCE DUE EAST ALONG SAID WEST LINE OF TOWER LANE, 274.73 FEET TO A PONT OF CURVATURE; THENCE CONTINUING SOUTHEASTERLY ALONG THE SOUTHWESTERLY LINE OF SAID TOWER LANE, BEING A CURVED LINE CONVEXED TO THE SOUTHWEST, HAVING A RADIUS OF 99.50 FEET AND BEING TANGENT TO SAID LAST DESCRIBED STRAIGHT LINE AT SAID LAST DESCRIBED POINT, AN ARC LENGTH OF 89.96 FEET; THENCE SOUTH 38 DEGREES 11 MINUTES 38 SECONDS WEST, 66.65 FEET; THENCE NORTH 88 DEGREES 17 MINUTES 50 SECONDS WEST 323.67 FEET TO THE POINT OF BEGINNING, IN DUPAGE COUNTY, ILLINOIS. PARCEL 2: THAT PART OF THE EAST ½ OF SECTION 3, TOWNSHIP 40 NORTH, RANGE 11, EAST OF THE THIRD PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN, DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS: COMMENCING AT THE SOUTHEAST CORNER OF LOT 32 IN ELK GROVE INDUSTRIAL PARK UNIT 13, BEING A SUBDIVISION IN THE SOUTH ½ OF SECTION 3, AFORESAID; THENCE NORTH 01 DEGREES 42 MINUTES 10 SECONDS EAST ALONG SAID LAST DESCRIBED LINE, BEING INDENTICAL WITH THE EAST LINE, AND SIAD LINE EXTENDED, OF LOT 14 IN ELK GROVE INDUSTRIAL PARK UNIT 3, BEING A SUBDIVISION IN SAID SECTION 3, 396.41 FEET; THENCE SOUTH 88 DEGREES 17 MINUTES 50 SECONDS EAST, 323.67 FEET; THENCE NORTH 38 DEGREES 11 MINUTES 38 SECONDS EAST, 66.65 FEET TO A POINT ON THE SOUTHWESTERLY LINE OF TOWER LANE AS DEDICATED BY PLAT RECORDED OCTOBER 11, 1977 AS DOCUMENT R77-92285; THENCE SOUTHEASTERLY ALONG THE SOUTHWESTERLY LINE OF SAID TOWER LANE, BEING A CURVED LINE CONVEXED TO THE SOUTWEST, HAVING A RADIUS OF 99.50 FEET, AN ARC LENGTH OF 43.36 FEET TO A POINT; THENCE SOUTH 38 DEGREES 11 MINUTES 38 SECONDS WEST, 79.76 FEET; THENCE SOUTH 01 DEGREES 42 MINUTES 10 SECONDS WEST, 379.60 FEET TO THE FUTURE NORTHERLY RIGHT OF WAY LINE OF THE ELGIN-O’HARE EXPRESSWAY, BEING A STRAIGHT LINE DRAWN FROM THE AFOREMENTIONED POINT OF BEGINNING TO A

POINT 280.0 FEET NORMALLY DISTANT NORTHEASTERLY OF THE EXISTING NORTHERLY LINE OF S.A ROUTE 26 (THORNDALE AVENUE0 AT A POINT ON SAID EXISTING NORTHERLY LINE, 275.0 FEET NORTHWESTERLY OF THE INTERSECTION OF SAID LINE WITH THE WEST LINE OF S.A ROUTE 83; THENCE NORTH 86 DEGREES 29 MINUTES 12 SECONDS WEST ALONG SAID FUTURE NORTHERLY RIGHT OF WAY LINE, 355.35 FEET TO THE POINT OF BEGINNING, IN DUPAGE COUNTY, ILLINOIS. PARCEL 3:

THAT PART OF THE EAST ½ OF SECTION 3, TOWNSHIP 40 NORTH, RANGE 11, EAST OF THE THIRD PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN, DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS: COMMENCING AT THE SOUTHEAST CORNER OF LOT 32 IN ELK GROVE INDUSTRIAL PARK UNIT 13, BEING A SUBDIVISION IN THE SOUTH ½ OF SECTION 3, AFORESAID; THENCE NORTH 01 DEGREES 42 MINUTES 10 SECONDS EAST ALONG THE EAST LINE OF SAID LOT 32, 167.00 FEET; THENCE SOUTH 86 DEGREES 29 MINUTES 12 SECONDS EAST ALONG THE NORHTERLY RIGHT OF WAY LINE OF THE ELGIN-O’HARE EXPRESSWAY AS DESCRIBED IN DOCUMENT R78-65382, BEING A STRIAGHT LINE DRAWN FROM SAID LAST DESCRIBED POINT TO A POINT HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AS POINT “A” BEING 280.00 FEET, NORMALLY DISTANT, NORTHEASTERLY OF THE EXISTING LINE OF S.A ROUTE 26 (THORNDALE AVENUE) AT A POINT ON SAID EXISTING NORTHERLY LINE, 275.00 FEET NORTHWESTERLY OF THE INTERSECTION OF SAID LINE WITH THE WEST LINE OF STATE ROUTE NO. 83, 355.35 FEET TO A POINT OF BEGINNIN GOF THE LAND HEREIN DESCRIBED; THENCE NORTH 01 DEGREES 42 MINUTES 10 SECONDS EAST, 379.60 FEET; THENCE NORTH 38 DEGREES 11 MINUTES 38 SECONDS EAST, 79.76 FEET TO THE SOUTHERLY LINE OF TOWER LANE AS DEDICATED BY PLAT RECORDED OCTOBER 11, 1977 AS DOCUMENT R77-92285; THENCE EASTERLY ALONG THE SOUTHERLY LINE OF SAID TOWER LANE, BEING A CURVED LINE CONVEX TO THE SOUTH AND HAVING A RADIUS OF 99.50 FEET, AN ARC DISTANCE OF 22.97 FEET TO A POINT OF TANGENCY; THENCE SOTUH 90 DEGREES 00 MINUTES 00 SECONDS EAST ALONG THE SOUTH LINE OF SAID TOWER LANE, 305.70 FEET TO A POINT OF CURVATUREL THENCE SOUTHEASTERLY ALONG THE SOUTHERLY LINE OF SAID TOWER LANE, BEING A CURVED LINE CONVEX TO THE NORTHEAST, HAVING A RADIUS OF 50.00 FEET AND BEING TANGENT TO SAID LAST DESCRIBED STRIAGHT LINE AT SAID LAST DESCRIBED POINT, AN ARC DISTANCE OF 79.28 FEET TO THE WEST LINE OF STATE ROUTE NO. 83, 365.00 FEET NORTHERLY OF THE INTERSECTION OF SAID LINE WITH THE EXISTING NORHTERLY LINE OF S.A ROUTE 26 (THORNDALE AVENUE); THENCE SOUTH 49 DEGREES 15 MINUTES 13 SECONDS WEST ALONG THE NORTHERLY RIGHT OF WAY OF ELGIN-O’HARE EXPRESSWAY, AS DESCRIBED IN SAID

DOCUMENT R78-65382, 66.38 FEET TO AN INTERSECTION WITH A LINE DRAWN FROM THE AFOREMENTIONED POINT “A” TO A POINT ON THE WEST LINE OF STATE ROUTE NO. 83, 315.00 FEET NORTHERLY OF THE INTERSECTION OF SAID WEST LINE WITH EXISTING NORHTERLY LINE OF S.A ROUTE 26 (THORNDALE AVENUE); THENCE NORTH 82 DEGREES 20 MINUTES 20 SECONDS WEST ALONG SAID LAST DESCRIBED FUTURE NORTHERLY RIGHT OF WAY LINE OF ELGIN-O’HARE EXPRESSWAY, 149.68 FEET TO THE AFOREMENTIONED POINT “A”; THENCE NORTH 86 DEGREES 29 MINUTES 12 SECONDS WEST ALONG SAID NORHTERLY RIGHT OF WAY LINE OF ELGIN-O’HARE EXPRESSWAY, 235.25 FEET TO THE POINT OF BEGINNING, IN DUPAGE COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

Parcel 1 Commonly Known As: 1100-1138 Tower Lane, Bensenville, Illinois

Parcel 2 Commonly Known As: 1050-1098 Tower Lane, Bensenville, Illinois

Parcel 3 Commonly Known As: 1000 Tower Lane, Bensenville, Illinois

Hamilton Partners of 300 Park Boulevard, Itasca, Illinois 60143 is the owner of the subject property and Morgan Harbour Construction of 7510 S Madison Street, Willowbrook, Illinois 60527 is the applicant for the subject property.

Any individual with a disability requiring a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in any public meeting held under the authority of the Village of Bensenville should contact the Village Clerk, Village of Bensenville, 12 S. Center St., Bensenville, IL 60106, (630) 766-8200, at least three (3) days in advance of the meeting. Applicants’ application and supporting documentation may be examined by any interested parties in the office of the Community and Economic Development Department, Monday through Friday, in the Village Hall, 12 South Center Street, Bensenville, IL 60106. All interested parties may attend the Public Hearing and be heard. Office of the Village Clerk Village of Bensenville (Published in the Addison Independent, Bensenville Independent & Villa Park Review March 13, 2025) 469096

NOTICE

CERTIFICATE NO. 79642 was filed in the office of the County Clerk of DuPage County on FEBRUARY 26, 2025 wherein the business firm of SUNSET GOLDENS, 1420 S. MONTEREY AVE., VILLA PARK, IL 60181was 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: Debra Szwandrok, 1420 S. Monterey Ave., Villa Park, IL 60181 Thomas Szwandrok, 1420 S. Monterey Ave., Villa Park, IL 60181. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and Official Seal at my office in Wheaton, Illinois, this 26TH day of FEBRUARY, A.D. 2025.

Jean Kaczmarek DuPage County Clerk (Published in the Addison Independent, Bensenville Independent & Villa Park Review March 13, 20, 27, 2025) 469103

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DISCLAIMER NOTICE This publication does not knowingly accept fraudulent or deceptive advertising. Readers are cautioned to thoroughly investigate all ads, especially those asking for money in advance.

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.

Household Items

EASTER LAMB MOLDS, antique cast aluminum, 2 sizes, large & small available. Call Jim for details. 630-832-3432

PUBLISHER’S NOTICE All real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Fair Housing Act which makes it illegal to advertise any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, disability, familiar/ status or national origin, or an intention to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination. Familial status includes children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians, pregnant women and people securing custody of children under 18. This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis. To complain of discrimination call HUD toll-free at 1-900-669-9777. The toll-free tele phone number for the hearing impaired is 1-800-927-9275. EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY

Business & Service DIRECTORY

Illinois Newspapers keeping you informed

• Efforts

taken on a statewide level are supporting and speaking about increased stress in educators and their mental health, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Robin Steans, president of Advance Illinois, an advocacy group focused on public education, says more mentorship opportunities for new teachers and education leaders would also help with teacher reten-

“This is a tight budget year, so (the Teacher Mentoring and Induction Program is) one of the programs that has been slated not to make that transition,” Steans said. “I think that is problematic because we lose a lot of teachers in those

I Taking You to Your Next !

first three years, and Teacher Mentoring and Induction has a real impact on that. It really increases the retention rate, and that is absolutely critical.”

It is essential to retain teachers and add more to the workforce to keep up with the growing number of students in K-12 grade levels. Survey respondents cited improving recruitment, providing incentives and more support for staff as the top three strategies to combat the shortage.

In her role for the Berkeley School District, Travis travels to universities in the state to recruit graduating college students to teach in the district.

“When I go to the career fairs, that’s an indicator for me of how many people are going into education,” said Travis.

She notes it is especially hard to find and recruit specialized teachers for students.

“There is a huge shortage in special education, bilingual education, math teachers and science teachers. I truly believe, over the years, special education is leading the pack,” said Travis.

With special education having the most unfilled positions of all specializations in teaching, according to the shortage survey, school districts are specifically feeling the effects of the shortage the most through this avenue. This academic year, 1,215 of these

positions were left unfilled.

This upcoming academic year, the Berkeley district is looking to introduce and bring in a cohort of special education teachers to help fill the vacancies in their schools. So far, 10 teachers looking for licensure endorsements have signed up.

Other strategies Travis says would help with recruitment include reaching out to middle and high school students through future teacher programs.

“I just hope that we can inspire and encourage more people to become teachers,” said Travis. “We have to partner (with schools) more and make a connection, helping the pipeline start early.”

With what is expected of teachers and the added tasks due to the shortage, Mahmood says the time and effort that goes into teaching sometimes go unnoticed. To recruit and improve working conditions, she emphasizes the importance of going into schools to ask what educators require to feel supported and acknowledging their reasons for coming into the field.

“Educators’ stories of why they came into teaching is super important,” Mahmood said. “I think that teachers that have a strong ‘why’ story, it grounds them through the tough years and the great years.”

From the Desk of

Bensenville

Village President Frank DeSimone

Dear Neighbor,

I am asking you to support the candidates of Building Bensenville Stronger. The candidates include me, Frank DeSimone for Village President, Nancy Quinn for Village Clerk and Ann Franz, McLane “Mac” Lomax, and Armando Perez for Village Trustees.

Together, we held the line on village property taxes, balanced our budgets, and reduced debt while investing $45 million dollars in our infrastructure. We eliminated annual vehicle sticker fees, expanded special events and constructed a new senior center. We will continue to provide free or reduced cost services to our residents that are 60 years or older, as they deserve to live in a community that respects their contributions and addresses their needs.

I am proud that we are a community of neighbors who care about our village and each other. To be able to respond to the concerns of residents more quickly, we are asking you to vote to change the current form of government back to what it was for over a hundred years. We are asking you to approve a change from the managerial form of government to the president-trustee form of government. You must vote “NO” on this referendum question to change the managerial form of government to the president-trustee form of government. This will make elected officials, like me and the trustees, directly accountable to you. This will ensure that Bensenville will become an even better place to live, raise a family and retire instead of a community where an unelected village manager decides our village’s future.

I would truly appreciate your vote for me and the other candidates of Building Bensenville Stronger, and a “NO” vote on each of the referendum questions.

Thank you for your support.

Sincerely,

Frank DeSimone