Students from Elmhurst schools take part in VFW Post 2801’s essay competitions
Villa Park Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 2801 recently held its 2024-25 Patriot’s Pen and Voice of Democracy essay competitions. The two competitions, which are conducted by VFW posts across the nation, encouraged students to express their views on an annual patriotic theme. The Patriot’s Pen contest is open to students in grades 6-8, while the Voice of Democracy contest is open to high school students. The 2024-25 theme for the Patriot’s Pen program was “My Voice in America’s Democracy?” The 2024-25 theme for the Voice of Democracy event was “Is America Today Our Forefathers’ Vision?” Earlier this month, Post 2801 welcomed the students who entered its recent essay competitions. The photo shows five of the six students who finished first, second and third in the two essay competitions.
Pictured left to right are: Sophia Kamenica—a freshman at York High School, who placed third in the Voice of Democracy contest; Lilly Kay Sherman of Sandburg Middle School in Elmhurst, who won first-place honors in the Patriot’s Pen contest; Sadie E. Ohm of Immanuel Lutheran School in Elmhurst, who placed second in the Patriot’s Pen contest; Carson J. Burnham, also of Immanuel Lutheran School, who placed third in the Patriot’s Pen contest; and Mario Palermo Jr., a senior at Montini Catholic High School, who received the second-place award in the Voice of Democracy contest. Not pictured is Vivien Johnson, who attends Timothy Christian High School in Elmhurst. She won the first-place award in the post’s Voice of Democracy contest.
Elmhurst Panhellenic Foundation issues applications for 2025 scholarships for Elmhurst women’s education
What: The Elmhurst Panhellenic Foundation is granting college scholarships to deserving young Elmhurst women. Funds were raised at “An EerieSistable Evening,” a primary annual fundraiser to benefit Elmhurst Panhellenic Foundation scholarships to benefit Elmhurst women’s education.
When: Applications are due on Friday, March 7 and are available at elmhurstpanhellenic.com with all qualifications and instructions included.
Who: The Elmhurst Panhellenic Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization dedicated to providing educational scholarships to deserv-
SUBMITTED PHOTO Elmhurst Independent
District 205 salutes its School Resource Officers
National School Resource Officer Appreciation Day is celebrated on Feb. 15 of each year. Elmhurst Community Unit School District 205 thanked its School Resource Officers (SROs)—Wesley Hoye (left) and Joan Velez (right) of the Elmhurst Police Department—in a social media post on Feb. 15. “Today, we recognize and thank our incredible School Resource Officers, Velez and Hoye, for their dedication to keeping our schools safe and building positive relationships with students,” noted the district’s post.
ing young Elmhurst women.
Since 1931, it has awarded over $448,500 in scholarships. The Elmhurst Panhellenic Association provides opportunity for service and social interaction among alumnae of National Panhellenic Conference (NPC) sororities.
Its most important philanthropy is support of the Elmhurst Panhellenic Foundation.
The Elmhurst Panhellenic Foundation is also members of the NPC.
Kathleen Sullivan, Foundation president, can be reached at 630-4616475 or via email at epfpresident@ elmhurstpanhellenic.com.
Why: Support of the annual fund-
raiser enables The Elmhurst Panhellenic Foundation to continue to award educational scholarships to deserving young women and help them pursue their dreams of higher education.
In April 2024, the organization granted $5,000 in scholarships to three local young women
For whom: The Elmhurst Panhellenic Foundation grants higher education scholarships to local Elmhurst women based upon financial need, academic excellence, extracurricular participation, merit and service. Scholarships are not contingent upon association with a sorority or fraternity.
Applications are made available through the guidance counselor’s office at each Elmhurst high school and the financial aid offices of local colleges or through Elmhurst Panhellenic at scholarships@elmhurstpanhellenic.com or its website: elmhurstpanhellenic.com. Elmhurst Panhellenic was organized in 1931. Any alumnae of National Panhellenic sororities are eligible to join Elmhurst Panhellenic. Regular meetings are held on the second Thursday of each month. Activities include guest speakers, social outings, service opportunities, scholarship efforts, and more.
Levin and McLean invite city residents to attend tonight’s event at the Elmhurst Police Department
Elmhurst Mayor Scott Levin and Elmhurst Chief of Police Michael McLean invite residents to an event that will take place tonight—Thursday, Feb. 20—at Elmhurst’s police station. Building tours begin at 5:30 p.m. at
Obituary
DR. JOHN J. SIMONAITIS, JR., 90
Dr. John J. Simonaitis, Jr., age 90 of Elmhurst, USAF Veteran, longtime physician with Elmhurst Hospital, passed peacefully in his sleep on February 13, 2025.
Beloved husband of 65 years to Grace A., nee Gozder; loving father of seven children: Mary (Thomas Jr) Sanders, Ann (Jim Yarbrough) LeRose, Susan M., John III., Alice (Steve) Miller, Diane and William (Kathleen) Simonaitis; cherished grandfather of Claude (Emily) LeRose, Cathy (Slaton) Hoffner, David Nelson, Kate Sanders, Patrick
the police station, which is located at 125 E. First Street. A presentation will begin at 6:30 p.m.
“This is your opportunity to learn more about the police station project, ask questions, and share your
Simonaitis, Ruth (Scott) Moore, Bennett (Jordan) Sanders, Carly, John, Parker and William Simonaitis, Luke Sanders, Tyler and Nicholas Miller; devoted great-grandfather of Graham and Hudson LeRose, Henry and Harrison Hoffner, Elliott Sanders and baby Sanders due soon. Predeceased by his parents Dr. John J. Sr. and Catherine, nee Jonikas, Simonaitis, dear brother of the late Katie (the late Bob) Crean, Leonarda Simonaitis, Anne (the late Joe) Cappuzzello, and the late Joe (the late Rita) Simonaitis.
John enjoyed traveling the world with his beloved wife, sailing Egret on Lake Michigan with friends and family, engaging in interesting conversations with family members as well as strangers, and watching the
thoughts,” noted the Elmhurst Police Department in its invitation to city residents to attend tonight’s event. “All residents are welcome. Let’s come together to discuss the future of public safety in Elmhurst!”
seasons change when slipping away with Grace to their place in Galena for restful breaks. He was dearly loved and will be forever cherished. Visitation Thursday, February 20, 2025, 3:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Gibbons Funeral Home, 134 South York Road, Elmhurst.
Friends and family will meet Friday, February 21, 2025 for a Mass of Christian Burial, 11:00 a.m. at Visitation Catholic Church, 779 South York Road, Elmhurst. Interment Private. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 6704, Hagerstown, MD 21741. For funeral information please call 630-832-0018 or www.gibbonsfuneralhome.com.
February is National Children’s Dental Health Month.
Did you know that dental-related ailments are responsible for the loss of more than 50 million school hours each year? That’s right. Thousands of children miss school every year because of some dentalrelated ailment. Fortunately, many of these ailments can be prevented through good oral care.
This National Children’s Dental Health Month, make your child’s smile a priority. Take them to the dentist regularly and teach them to care for their teeth properly.
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The Elmhurst Independent print version is mailed to residents in the 60126 zip code with a paid donation. See inside this issue for an order form. Out-of-area mail subscriptions are $45.00 yearly. Single copies are also available at more than 80 newsstand locations in Elmhurst. For home delivery information call 630.834-8244.
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Students from Elmhurst schools take part in VFW Post 2801’s essay competitions
Villa Park Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 2801 recently held its 2024-25 Patriot’s Pen and Voice of Democracy essay competitions. The two competitions encouraged students to express their views on an annual patriotic theme. Earlier this month, the post welcomed the students who submitted essays in the 2024-25 Patriot’s Pen and Voice of Democracy contests, along with some of their teachers. A majority of the students who entered Post 2801’s contest attend Elmhurst schools.
DuPage County recognizes 211 Day
DuPage County celebrated 211 Day, recognizing the three-digit phone number that has helped assist residents for the last two years.
The DuPage County Board voted to proclaim Feb. 11 as 211 Day in DuPage County to endorse the value of the helpline to our community’s residents and to raise awareness about the free service. 211 DuPage is a confidential 24-hour information and referral helpline that connects residents to health and human services.
211 DuPage has helped more than 15,700 residents receive assistance for immediate and long-term challenges. Throughout 2024, trained call specialists connected roughly 8,650 people to locally available services, including help with rent, food, utility bills, senior programs, caregiver support, and health care.
More than 4,100 residents sought assistance for utility payments, more than 2,100 callers requested help for their rent, and roughly 650 people got referrals to food pantries.
Services that can be provided to residents include mental health services, addiction support and rehabilitation, crisis counseling, supplemental food programs, shelter, affordable housing options, employment, financial assistance, senior programs, transportation, and more.
Residents can call 211 anytime, or text their ZIP code to TXT211 or 898211 to get referrals to assistance available near them. Individuals seeking help may also visit the website at 211dupage.gov to find available services nearby 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Elmhurst Artists’ Guild announces winners of Joyful Notions exhibit
The Elmhurst Artists’ Guild is proud to announce the winners of the 2025 Joyful Notions exhibit, which is open to the public through Friday, Feb. 21, at the Elmhurst Art Museum, 150 S. Cottage Hill Ave. The exhibition featured a diverse range of art from talented local artists. The Best of Show award went to Jennifer Myers (left) for her painting, “Bright Side.” Myers is pictured with guest judge Marie Gnesda (right), who presented the awards that recognized the talent and creativity displayed in this year’s exhibition. The Elmhurst Artists’ Guild extends its heartfelt congratulations to the winners and to all of the participants in the Joyful Notions exhibit.
DEBRA VACCARO PHOTO Elmhurst Independent
CHRIS FOX PHOTO Elmhurst Independent
Man charged with threatening
Illinois state representative
DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and Illinois State Police Director Brendan Kelly announced last week that a Downers Grove man has been charged with threatening Illinois State Rep. Anne Stava-Murray after allegedly leaving threatening phone messages for her in November 2024.
On Feb. 7, 2025, Judge Alex McGimpsey issued an arrest warrant for William Dzadon, 71, who has been charged with two counts of threatening a public official, a Class 3 Felony. On Feb. 11, Dzadon turned himself in to the Illinois State Police and was released on personal recognizance the same day.
According to the felony complaint, which was filed with the Court on Feb. 7, 2024, on Nov. 13, 2024, at approximately 6:22 p.m., Dzadon allegedly “knowingly delivered to AMS-M, a state representative in the Illinois House of Representatives … a telephone voicemail containing a threat stating “Quit filling my mailbox with your f***ing b******t every other day you buck-toothed, ugly b**** and now you’re gonna start f***ing harassing me on the telephone. F*** you. I’ll come to your f***ing office and f***ing blow you up.” The complaint further alleges that approximately four minutes later, Dzadon left a second message in which he stated “Where do you live? Let me know so I can f***ing return the favor to you.”
Dzadon’s next court appearance is scheduled for March 19 for arraignment in front of Judge Mia McPherson.
Nearly 1,000 counterfeit driver’s licenses confiscated at O’Hare international mail facility
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the International Mail Facility at O’Hare International Airport confiscated 984 counterfeit driver’s licenses from Jan. 21-Jan. 26.
With the spring semester under way at many colleges, CBP has seen an uptick in these counterfeit documents. Officers inspecting packages found these IDs concealed within laptop chargers, inside plastic mirrors, and within necklace/jewelry boxes. Counterfeit documents are fake documents that have the appearance of legal documentation but are not issued by a legitimate organization or government agency and are not recognized in the United States as official travel or identification instruments. Counterfeit documents, such as these driver’s licenses, can be used as a means for college students who have not yet turned the age of 21, to enter a bar or business that sells and serves alcohol. Unfortunately, these students put themselves at great risk when purchasing these fake documents.
“Counterfeit driver’s licenses are used by young adults who have not yet reached the legal drinking age,” said LaFonda D. Sutton-Burke, director, field operations, Chicago Field Office. “CBP’s interception of these IDs significantly reduces the chances for alcohol to be purchased by underage individuals and hopefully reduces the consequences of their actions, including deadly accidents.”
Only two companies have authorization by the U.S. Department of State to print international driver’s licenses in the United States: The American Automobile Association (AAA) or American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA). The IDs were deemed counterfeit based upon the lack of fine line detail, and exhibit features that are not consistent with the document type.
According to Sutton-Burke, the reasoning for buying fake IDs has evolved from teenagers trying to get into bars to more nefarious activity.
“Producing these documents with-
out proper authorization and oversight is illegal, and the story doesn’t stop there. Fake documents are associated with identity theft and human trafficking, and the revenue generated from their sales is known to fund organized crime. Our officers and specialists are trained to recognize a spectrum of fake identification, and their hard work protects innocent civilians around the world.”
CBP officers coordinate identification findings with CBP’s Fraudulent Document Analysis Unit, Homeland Security Investigations, and other federal partners to combat any illicit activity. Visit CBP’s YouTube channel to learn more about how CBP’s Office of Field Operations secures our nation’s borders.
CBP routinely conducts inspection operations on arriving and departing international flights and intercepts narcotics, weapons, currency, prohibited agriculture products, counterfeit goods, and other illicit items at our nation’s 328 international ports of entry.
Elmhurst Police Department announces Super Bowl Weekend DUI enforcement results
The Elmhurst Police Department announced last week it made five DUI (driving under the influence) arrests as part of its grant-funded “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” traffic enforcement campaign during Super Bowl Weekend (Feb. 7-9).
According to the police department, those five arrests included:
• Friday, Feb. 7, at 4:06 p.m.—a 57-year-old Bolingbrook man was
arrested at North Avenue and York Street for DUI, possession of a controlled substance, resisting a peace officer, illegal transportation of alcohol, driving without insurance and parking on the roadway.
• Saturday, Feb. 8, at 2:08 a.m.—a 48-year-old Addison man was arrested at Lake Street and Grand Avenue for DUI, driving without insurance and improper lane usage.
• Sunday, Feb. 9, at 12:19 a.m.—a 47-year-old Chicago man was arrested at North Avenue and Melrose Avenue for DUI and speeding.
• Sunday, Feb. 9, at 2:10 a.m.—a 43-year-old Bellwood man was arrested at North Avenue and Clinton Avenue for DUI, speeding, improper lane usage, improperly tinted windows and illegal transportation of alcohol.
• Sunday, Feb. 9, at 4:59 a.m.—a 33-year-old Maywood woman was arrested at Lake Street and Grand Avenue for DUI, driving without insurance, improper stopping on the roadway and improper lighting.
“Just the weekend prior, on Feb. 3, an intoxicated driver on North Avenue critically injured another motorist in a head-on collision,” noted Elmhurst Chief of Police Michael
McLean in a statement announcing the Super Bowl Weekend arrests.
“The Elmhurst Police Department takes drunk driving seriously and arrests impaired motorists to keep our streets safe.”
The “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” traffic safety campaign is funded through grants administered by the Illinois Department of Transportation.
Homeowners urged to avoid property fraud alert services that charge money
DuPage County Recorder of Deeds
Elizabeth Chaplin is reminding residents that her office provides a free service for homeowners to receive automated alerts any time a document is filed affecting their property, and to be wary of advertisements or mailers that attempt to resell government services for higher prices.
“I was watching a financial news
channel recently and saw a commercial selling a property fraud alert service that we offer for free, and I wanted to make sure residents are aware that they don’t have to pay for this valuable service,” said Chaplin.
DuPage County’s free property fraud alert system scans recordings in real time, and if a document is filed against a property on the sub-
scriber list, the homeowner, or their attorney, will receive a phone call, email or text message.
By providing these free alerts in real time, residents can become aware of potentially fraudulent documents such as fake liens or forged deed transfers. By the time that many victims find out about fraud on their property, the scammer has encum-
Hanover Park man found guilty of attempted murder
DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin announced last week that Judge Joseph Bugos has found Reco Murry, 27, formerly of Hanover Park, guilty of shooting at a female motorist in the summer of 2022.
Judge Bugos rendered his verdict this morning following a two-daylong bench trial which concluded on Jan. 20.
On Aug. 22, 2022, Murry appeared in Bond Court in front of Judge Margaret O’Connell who denied bond. He has been held in custody at the DuPage County Jail since that time. In all, Judge Bugos found Murry guilty of two counts of attempted murder (Class X Felony) and two counts of aggravated discharge of a firearm (Class 1 felony).
On Aug. 21, 2022, at approximately 2:30 a.m., the victim was in her vehicle stopped at a red light at Lake Street and Ontarioville
Road in Hanover Park when Murry pulled up behind her. When the light turned green, Murry immediately began honking at the victim and tailgated her.
The victim pulled over to let Murry pass. Shortly after passing the victim, Murry stopped at which time the victim attempted to continue driving past Murry. As the victim attempted to pass Murry, the two vehicles were involved in a minor traffic crash.
When the victim stepped out of her car to exchange information, Murry began yelling at her, pulled out a handgun and fired two shots at her. The victim ran back to her car and drove away with Murry following her. It is alleged that Murry caught up to the victim at a red light at the intersection of County Farm Road and Lake Street and fired four more rounds at the victim’s vehicle.
It is alleged that the victim then
drove to the Hanover Park Police Department and circled the parking lot with Murry still following her. Officers with the Hanover Park Police Department took Murry into custody at this time.
Through the course of their investigation officers found a 9mm Taurus handgun from under the driver’s seat of Murry’s vehicle. Authorities also recovered a total of six shell casings from the two locations as well as five bullet cartridges from the victim’s vehicle.
Additionally, the victim’s vehicle was found to have multiple bullet holes and a shattered passenger side window. The victim was uninjured. Murry’s next court appearance is scheduled for March 31 for return of the pre-sentence report.
He faces a penalty of between 26 to 50 years in the Illinois Department of corrections to be served at 85 percent.
bered it and disappeared with the stolen funds.
Because the state of Illinois maintains an open recording system where no authorization is needed to file against any property, scammers can anonymously mail in fraudulent land transfers that must, by law, be recorded by the office.
A free property fraud alert is one way that County Recorders can help residents stay ahead of potential fraud.
“Whether it’s an ad in the mail telling you that you need to pay $200 for a copy of your deed or someone reselling a free government service, residents should always check with their local government office before engaging with these companies,” said Chaplin.
To sign up for the office’s free fraud alert, find your property identification number from your property tax bill and visit PropertyFraudAlert. com, or call (630) 407-6500.
William Dzadon
Police beat
The Elmhurst Police Department recently reported the following arrests and citations. Persons charged with domestic battery are not named in order to protect the privacy of victims. Readers are reminded that an arrest does not constitute a conviction, and that subjects are considered innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law. Juveniles age 17 or younger are not named.
Assault, battery
Feb. 12
Robert King, 54, of Elmhurst, was issued citations for battery and assault, and was issued a no-trespass notice in the 300 block of E. Church at 7:48 a.m. Police said an officer responded for a neighbor dispute over placement of garbage cans. According to police, the victim related the suspect aggressively approached him, grabbed his arm and used offensive language towards him.
A 27-year-old Northlake man was charged with two counts of domestic battery, aggravated DUI, criminal trespass to a vehicle, failure to reduce speed to avoid a crash, leaving the scene of a property damage accident and driving while license suspended in the 600 block of W. North at 6 a.m. Police said that subsequent to the report of a domestic battery, the suspect took the victim’s car, striking a gas pump, and fled the scene.
Feb. 8
Jennifer L. Jepson, 46, of Elmhurst was issued a citation for disorderly conduct in the 100 block of E. Butterfield at 12:22 p.m. Police said a reporting officer made contact with the suspect, who admitted to throwing coffee on a victim’s vehicle because of a dispute over a parking space.
Javier Cano Rodriguez, 36, of Maywood, was issued citations for disorderly conduct, improper lane usage, improper window tinting and no insurance near Butterfield and Prospect at 7:51 a.m.
DUI, consumption of alcohol by a minor, illegal possession of alcohol
Feb. 9
Veronica K. Marin Pinero, 33, of Maywood, was charged with DUI, possession of open alcohol, improper lighting and improper stopping in a roadway subsequent to a traffic stop near Grand and Lake at 5:35 a.m.
Jermain Richardson, 43, of Bellwood, was charged with DUI, improper window tinting, improper lane usage, speeding and possession of open alcohol by a driver subsequent to a traffic stop near North and Clinton at 2:10 a.m. Wilfredo J. Rivera, 47, of Chicago, was charged with DUI and speeding subsequent to a traffic stop near North and Melrose at 12:38 a.m.
Feb. 8
Anthony G. De Sensi, 48, of Addison, was charged with DUI, no insurance and improper lane usage subsequent to at traffic stop near Lake and Grand at 2:08 a.m.
Feb. 7
Miguel A. Quevedo, 57, of Bolingbrook,
was charged with DUI, possession of a controlled substance, resisting an officer, illegal parking where prohibited, possession of open alcohol by a driver and no insurance near York and North at 4:06 p.m.
Fleeing, eluding
According to information provided last week by the Elmhurst Police Department, police reported one incident of fleeing and eluding during which the driver of a vehicle fled the scene after being stopped for a traffic stop by police.
Identity theft, fraud
According to information provided by the Elmhurst Police Department, police reported seven incidents of identity theft or fraud.
Possession of cannabis in a vehicle
According to information provided by the Elmhurst Police Department, police reported one incident of possession of cannabis by either the driver of a vehicle or a passenger: Nicholas J. Podsada, 39, of Melrose Park, near Grand and York at 11:17 a.m. Feb. 8.
Suspicious incident
Feb. 7
Police said officers responded to the 200 block of S. West at 9:22 a.m. for the report of a robbery. It was determined there was no robbery at the reported address. The resident related that he suspected it was a fraudulent call from his neighbor.
Police said officers responded to a business in the 100 block of N. York at 7:05 p.m. for the report of a suspect attempting to make a purchase using a fraudulent $50 bill. The transaction was declined and the suspect left the area. The area was checked for the suspect with no results.
Feb. 11
While on patrol at a gas station in the 300 block of W. Grand at 5:11 a.m., the reporting officer observed the business appeared to have been broken into. Upon arrival, officers observed damage to the east service bay doors and it was later determined a vehicle was stolen. The vehicle was entered into LEADS. Police said that subsequent to an abandoned auto at an auto dealership in the 500 block of
W. Grand, an officer learned the vehicle was stolen from the business overnight. The vehicle was towed to the police station for further investigation.
Feb. 10
A complainant at a gas station in the 200 block of E. Butterfield reported a suspect pumped gas and left without paying. The suspect was located, stated she thought she paid, returned to the business, and paid for the gas.
Feb. 8
Lucas Kesilis, 21, of Vernon Hills, was issued a citation for unlawful display of registration subsequent to a traffic stop near York and I-290 at 12:03 a.m.
Feb. 7
A reporting officer spoke with the complainant who relayed that an Amazon package was set to be delivered to her address. The complainant did not receive her package and contacted Amazon.
Feb. 5-Feb. 6
A victim in the 200 block of N. Addison reported unknown person(s) broke into his vehicle and removed two phone charging cords from the center console sometime between the above dates.
Feb. 5
Emily Engelberg, 25, and Wayne Raddatz, 41, both of Cicero, were charged with retail theft at a store in the 100 block of S. Route 83 at 5:17 p.m. Police said a complainant reported the suspects entered the store and attempted to remove merchandise without paying. When confronted by employees, one of the suspects allegedly dropped one of the two shoes and left the business in a vehicle.
A reporting officer responded to a delayed forgery report at a store in the 100 block of E.
First at 11:30 a.m. The complainant stated an unknown suspect paid with two counterfeit $100 bills during a transaction at the business. A victim in the 100 block of S. Route 83 told police that an unknown person(s) stole his Apple iPhone 16.
Warrant arrest
Feb. 9
Police said that subsequent to a check on well-being at 11:45 p.m. in the 500 block of W. Grand for a subject that had gone missing, Shareeka L. McCoy, 32, of Shannon, Miss., was located and found to have an out of state warrant out of Mississippi. McCoy was taken into custody, processed on the warrant and transported to the DuPage County Jail.
Feb. 8
Police said that subsequent to a traffic stop near North and Route 83 at 10:46 p.m., Steven G. Esparza, 38, of Bensenville, a passenger in a vehicle, was found to have a valid failure to appear warrant out of DuPage County. He also was charged with no seat belt.
Feb. 7
Police said Justin R. De Simone, 50, of Elmwood Park, came into the police station and turned himself in on a valid warrant out of DuPage County.
Feb. 6
Police said that subsequent to a trespass call in the 600 block of W. North, Donald J. Bigham, 68, of Las Vegas, Nevada, was found to have violated a previous no trespass notice and to have a valid warrant for trespassing out of DuPage County. The suspect was placed under arrest, transported to the station, processed on the warrant, charged with criminal trespass to a building and was and transported to the DuPage County Jail.
Court denies state’s motion to detain two Ohio
men accused of stealing more than $135,000 worth of jewelry from Lombard jewelry store
DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and Lombard Deputy Chief of Police Joe Grage announced last week that the court has denied the state’s motion to detain two out-ofstate men accused of breaking into and stealing more than $135,000 worth of merchandise from the Rogers & Hollands Jewelers, located at 203 Yorktown Mall, Lombard.
Julius Alls, 51, and Demondre Butler, 28, both of Columbus, Ohio, appeared at First Appearance Court, and were each charged with one count of theft—$100,0000-$500,000 (Class 1 felony), one count of burglary (Class 2 felony) and one count of possession of burglary tools (Class 4 felony).
In his pre-trial release order, Judge Dieden noted “If the General Assembly intended burglaries and thefts from jewelry stores of this nature and value to be detainable, they would have stated so.”
On Feb. 13 at approximately 8:56 p.m., Lombard police officers were dispatched to Rogers & Hollands Jewelers after receiving information that two individuals, later identified as the defendants, were inside the store approximately two hours after it had closed.
Following an investigation into the matter, it is alleged that Alls and Butler used a crowbar to pry open a security gate at the store. It is further alleged that once inside the store, the defendants stole approximately $137.205.45 worth of merchandise from the display cases.
When processing the scene, officers located a crowbar in the backseat of the Volvo as well as a bag of jewelry allegedly thrown from the defendants’ vehicle near Roosevelt Road and Stewart Avenue, approximately 200 feet from where the vehicle was initially observed by officers.
“As I have said before, burglary and retail theft are not victimless crimes,” Berlin said.
“Shoppers, employers, employees, business owners and entire communities ultimately bear the cost in the form of higher prices, lost revenue and wages, reduced local economic investment and a lost sense of security. I thank the Lombard Police Department for their work on this case and for their ongoing efforts in keeping our retail establishments safe for employees and patrons.”
“I would like to recognize our patrol officers and detectives for some fantastic professional police work that led to the apprehension of the individuals involved and the recovery of the property stolen in this incident,” Grage said.
The next court date for both defendants is scheduled for March 10 in front of Judge Ann Celine O’Hallaren Walsh.
It is alleged that while in the store, Alls noticed a security officer and yelled “We gotta go!” at which time both suspects fled the scene on foot, ultimately getting into a silver Volvo. Nearby officers located the Volvo at Highland Avenue and Roosevelt Road and observed the license plate was covered by a towel. Officers subsequently conducted a traffic stop and took the defendants into custody without incident.
Viewpoint
Defending Medicaid, SNAP and other critical programs
By U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi
On Feb. 11, I participated in my first hearing as Ranking Member of the Oversight Subcommittee on Health Care and Financial Services, using my platform to push back at attempts to slash federal funding for critical social assistance programs like Medicaid, public housing, and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), our country’s leading anti-hunger program.
other adversaries abroad—it also boosts our economy here at home. Often overlooked, USAID contributes directly to the U.S. economy through contracts, procurements, and grants to domestic partners. In fact, USAID has funded at least $200 million in projects to date here in Illinois, supporting Illinois workers and businesses as we strengthen our
national security through efforts abroad as well.
The Equality Illinois gala and my reappointment as vice-chair of the Equality Caucus
During the weekend of Feb. 8-9, I was thrilled to join the Equality Illinois Gala in Chicago with local, state, and federal leaders as we
celebrated the approaching 10year anniversary of Obergefell v. Hodges, the Supreme Court ruling that legalized marriage equality in 2015.
I am also proud to announce my reappointment as a Vice-Chair of the Congressional Equality Caucus, which advocates for the protection and expansion of LGBTQ+ rights for Illinoisans and
all Americans. I remain committed to working with my colleagues in the Equality Caucus to keep fighting anti-LGBTQ+ hate and discrimination in all forms.
Raja Krishnamoorthi represents the 8 th Congressional District of Illinois, which includes part of Addison, Wood Dale and Bensenville.
These programs, on which more than 700,000 Illinoisans and tens of millions of Americans depend, are deeply personal to me. After my family arrived in the United States when I was just a few months old, we fell on hard times and required social safety net programs to sustain ourselves. These programs gave us the opportunity to work our way into the American Dream of a middleclass life.
Today, my father is a professor emeritus at Bradley University in Peoria, my brother is a doctor, and I have the privilege to serve as your member of Congress in Washington.
USAID’s importance for protecting our security and countering the CCP
Last week, I wrote an op-ed for Newsweek on the importance of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) for countering the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) influence around the world.
Fundamentally, USAID is our ground game against the expansive Belt and Road Initiative— Beijing’s “deal of the century” that leaves countries in debt with lowquality results. USAID provides needed alternatives to Chinese lending, contributing exponentially to development and national security through such initiatives as countering the proliferation of CCP spyware in consumer devices, preventing CCP espionage of undersea cable traffic, and helping independent consortiums win contracts for critical minerals, preventing them from falling into the hands of CCP-controlled firms and the People’s Liberation Army (PLA).
You only have to look at world autocrats’ praise of Trump’s attack on USAID to see how dangerous shutting it down is by ceding global leadership and soft power to our adversaries.
Former Russian President and Putin puppet Dmitry Medvedev wrote on X, “Smart move by @ elonmusk, trying to plug USAID’s Deep Throat.”
But USAID is not only critical to competing with the CCP and
Viewpoint
Slices of life
Dream big, it’s worth it
Dreams and goals—I think it’s safe to say we all have both. And that’s wonderful, and necessary. Because what would life be without dreams and goals?
In a word: hollow
I used to set very specific goals for myself. I used to dream of what I wanted to accomplish with those goals. I set goals that were substantial and significant. In that I was proud and happy with myself. I was being proactive and moving forward.
I will earn more money. I will acquire a bigger house. I will buy a better car. I will lose weight. I will adopt a new exercise routine. I will feed my family healthier meals with food cooked from scratch. I will go on a big vacation. I will be better about helping the kids with homework. I will publish this column in more papers than I did last year.
I’ve heard of people doing this same type of thing with a “vision board,” where they post actual images of the goals they want to achieve—the logic being that if you see it, you will be more likely to create it.
I never had a vision board, but I certainly envisioned the goals I hoped to achieve.
And in many ways, it worked. Over the years I’ve been successful in meeting many of my goals. Which is good. Except for one thing.
I’ve come to believe I was approaching the whole goal thing all wrong. I don’t want to point any fingers, but when it comes to dreams and goals, I think many of us are missing the mark.
For most of my life—for decades—I focused my goals on the world around me: my income, the size of my house, luxury vacations and the newness of my car. I thought those things proved success and would lead to happiness, and (honestly) they often did.
But they never, ever should have been the focus of my goals or my dreams.
Because goals and dreams are so much bigger than things.
Therein lies the lesson. Therein lies the awesomeness of goals and dreams.
Don’t dream of a new house or a better job. Dream bigger.
When you dreamt of that big house and bigger job, what were you desiring, really? What were they supposed to bring into your life?
Don’t dream of things. Dream of a state of mind, because in the long run, it doesn’t matter what you have.
What matters is how you feel.
Let that sentence steep for a moment because it is huge.
Is someone living in a glasswalled house overlooking spectacular views of the ocean automatically happier and more fulfilled than someone living in a trailer park on a busy street on the wrong side of the tracks in some crowded urban city?
We all know the answer.
Happiness isn’t contingent on environment or the things we spend so much time and energy attempting to acquire. Happiness comes from somewhere beyond mere things. And deep down we all realize this. When setting goals—when living your life—think about what brings you joy. What brings you peace. What makes you feel loved. Seek that. Pursue that.
And understand that despite what the world is telling you, despite what other people tell you about all the possessions they have that they claim make them happy, none of it matters unless it matters to you.
If a bigger house truly brings you joy, then seek it to your full potential. But if not, stop.
Just stop and find your joy. Find your peace.
When you have those two entities—truly encompass them and hold them in your heart—you will understand that nothing else matters. When you have peace and joy you have something much, much bigger than anything this physical world will ever give you.
And here’s the really cool part. When you have peace and joy, you somehow stop thinking about all the extraneous noise beyond that and it’s exactly then that all the other “stuff” seems to fall into place. Almost like that was the plan all along.
Jill Pertler is an award-winning syndicated columnist, published playwright and author. Don’t miss a slice; follow the Slices of Life page on Facebook.
State Rep. Marti Deuter, D-Elmhurst, recently supported a series of House Resolutions objecting to early White House actions, including opposition to new tariffs from President Donald Trump expected to raise costs on Illinois families and blanket pardons for Jan. 6 rioters.
“These decisions coming out of Washington are extreme, and I’m deeply concerned that they will hurt families here in Illinois,” Deuter said. “Our state has significant, multi-billion-dollar business relationships with Canada and Mexico, and high tariffs could potentially cost jobs while increasing prices on gas, groceries and other essential items. Families are the ones who will pay the price, which is why we should pursue an alternative economic approach that better uplifts Illinois residents and businesses.”
Deuter sponsored and supported House Resolution
119, which calls upon Trump to abandon his plans to impose tariffs that are expected to cause unnecessary economic instability and raise costs on local families. She also backed House Resolution 118, which condemns the pardons of Jan. 6 conspirators and criminals convicted of attacking police at our nation’s Capitol.
“It’s inappropriate to issue broad pardons for individuals who recklessly assaulted police,” Deuter said.
“This is a politically motivated decision that circumvents reasonable consequences, and I’m concerned by the precedent it sets. We should be prioritizing our first responders, not those who engaged in harm against them.”
House Resolution 118 and House Resolution 119 both passed the House. For more information, contact Office@RepMartiDeuter.com.
Democrats applaud removal of Henry Hyde’s name from courthouse
The DuPage County Board voted 10-5 last week to remove the late Congressman Henry Hyde’s name from the county courthouse. Democrats, and supporters of abortion rights applauded the decision. Democratic Party of DuPage County Chair Reid McCollum: “The name Henry Hyde is synonymous with The Hyde Amendment,
which restricts access to abortion care, especially for the most vulnerable women. Removing his name from a courthouse will not restore the rights or assuage the fear of millions of women, but it’s the right thing to do.”
Sarah Garza Resnick, Personal PAC president and CEO: “Henry Hyde’s racist legacy has impacted
Letters to the editor
Elmhurst resident supports re-election of Mayor Scott Levin
I write to support the reelection of our mayor, Scott Levin. In the 44 years I have lived in our town I have come to know and work with many of Elmhurst’s mayors. I find Scott to be one of the best leaders this town has ever had. He brings qualities to the job—integrity, experience, involvement in the community—that make him highly qualified to continue to lead our city. He has helped maintain Elmhurst as a financially sound, vibrant and growing community, one people are eager to move to and raise their families. He takes a calm and reasoned approach to issues that arise and can tackle problems without a political agenda, using only what’s best for Elmhurst as his guide.
We need a steady hand guiding our town and I firmly believe Scott Levin can provide that leadership. I strongly encourage folks to vote for Scott in the April 1 election.
Jon Baker, Elmhurst
Residents support their friend—Mayor Scott Levin—in the upcoming election
Our friend, Mayor Scott Levin, is running for reelection and we proudly support him. We’ve been residents for 35 years and have known Scott for 20+ years and have watched him make a positive difference for Elmhurst, first as alderman and now as mayor.
It’s not often that someone comes along who truly
millions of abortion patients. We’re encouraged by the DuPage County Board’s actions, and we continue to push for the full repeal of the Hyde Amendment. We are grateful to Chair Deb Conroy for championing this important resolution.” Editor’s note: Personal PAC is a Chicago-based abortion rights organization.
defines what public service really means and who has the background and experience to deliver results. Mayor Scott Levin is such a person. He is knowledgeable, helpful, and eager to continue keeping Elmhurst a thriving city.
Join us in supporting Mayor Scott Levin for reelection. We hope Elmhurst will have a strong turnout for this mayoral and school board election on April 1. Early voting at Elmhurst City Hall opens March 17. Stay informed and make a difference by voting locally. Sincerely,
Pete and Geri Sorrentino, Elmhurst
Removing Henry Hyde’s name from the DuPage County Courthouse
Using Henry Hyde’s opposition to abortion as an excuse, DuPage County Board Chair, Democrat Deb Conroy, and her Democratic majority in the DuPage County Board voted along party lines to remove Hyde’s name from the DuPage County Courthouse.
This action has a strange ring to it, if it’s applied anywhere else. A case in point: U.S. Presidents Martin Van Buren and Andrew Jackson were founders of today’s Democratic Party. Both were slave owners and utilized their enslaved people to work in the White House. In view of the foregoing, should the DuPage County Board vote on a resolution to remove the names of Van Buren and Jackson from streets, schools and other public places in DuPage County?
Emil Haddad, Elmhurst
As Chicago strengthens immigrant protections, downstate officials split on sanctuary laws
Illinois counties, cities leverage local laws to guide immigration policy
By Lily Carey and Medill Illinois News Bureau
As the Trump administration has begun enacting mass deportations in recent weeks, activists and public officials in Chicago have been scaling up protections for immigrants.
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker have both vowed to leverage state law to limit such arrests, leading the Trump administration to sue the state, Cook County and Chicago last week over their respective sanctuary laws.
The state’s TRUST Act, enacted in 2017, prevents local authorities from assisting Immigration and Customs Enforcement with civil immigration enforcement or asking people about their immigration status.
But beyond the Chicago area, the landscape of local immigration laws is more mixed, and some lawmakers in downstate Illinois are trying to block those protections.
In 2023 and 2024, over a dozen Illinois counties and cities passed non-sanctuary laws or resolutions, explicitly stating that they don’t intend to welcome undocumented immigrants—and many of these municipalities are doubling down on their non-sanctuary approach in the wake of President Donald Trump’s push for mass deportations.
“We had a clear mandate from our voters that they wanted us to react with the more ‘Trump way’ of handling these immigration is-
sues,” Drew Muffler, chairman of the Grundy County Board, said in an interview. “We didn’t want to find ourselves financially on the hook to have to provide accommodations (for incoming migrants).”
Grundy County was the first municipality in the state to enact a non-sanctuary ordinance in December 2023. Muffler said the move was sparked by voter feedback on a 2020 referendum, where 64% of county residents said they preferred a more conservative approach to immigration law.
Like Grundy County, the counties that have enacted non-sanctuary laws did so when Texas Gov. Greg Abbott began sending buses of migrants to Illinois. Local officials hoped to send a message that they wouldn’t welcome these buses after some began dropping migrants off in the suburbs with no warning, rather than a dropoff site in Chicago.
But with the TRUST Act in place statewide, non-sanctuary resolutions in Grundy County and throughout the state have little legal power, even in the wake of Trump’s changes to federal immigration policy.
“People have been asking, what is Grundy County going to do with the new facts on the table? And obviously we leaned on the sheriff for that question, and his answer is very simple: we have to, as of right now, follow the TRUST Act,” Muffler said.
Under this law, state and local
police are legally not allowed to assist ICE in federal civil immigration enforcement, as long as they don’t prevent federal forces from doing their job. It applies to the entire state, even in communities that align more closely with Trump’s approach to immigration law.
“Counties or cities or villages where, say, the local government may not be so inclined to resist immigration enforcement, they still cannot participate in immigration enforcement activities,” Fred Tsao, senior policy counsel from the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights, said in an interview.
In the first few weeks of the Trump administration, this issue has mainly impacted the greater Chicago area, where the immigrant population is much higher.
According to the ACLU of Illinois, there had been about 1,000 arrests nationally as of Feb. 7, with about 100 of these taking place in Chicago and its suburbs. The ACLU and local law enforcement officials told Capitol News Illinois that they aren’t aware of any ICE arrests outside the Chicago area.
Still, partisan opposition to the TRUST Act has become louder in Springfield. In January, Republican lawmakers introduced a bill that would overturn the TRUST Act, requiring local law enforcement to comply with ICE if necessary.
“It’s my view that public safety is
at greater risk when you restrict the ability for federal and state authorities to communicate with one another,” Sen. Andrew Chesney, R-Freeport, lead sponsor of the Immigration Enforcement Act, told Capitol News Illinois. “We have a responsibility to make sure that people are here legally, and that those that are not are quickly removed.”
The Democratic supermajority in the state legislature—led by Senate President Don Harmon, D-Oak Park, and House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch, D-Hillside, both of whom supported the TRUST Act in 2017— is unlikely to support any challenge to the sanctuary law, Tsao said. The Immigration Enforcement Act is sponsored by three Republican senators and has yet to gain Democratic backing.
The strongest local sanctuary laws in the state are mostly in the greater Chicago area, in towns like Skokie, Berwyn and Oak Park. In Evanston, the city council recently signed off on additional protections for the city’s sanctuary ordinance. It includes several additional protections for immigrants and city data on residents’ immigration statuses, making it “perhaps one of the strongest (sanctuary laws) in the entire country,” Tsao said.
“By taking these steps, the City of Evanston aims to uphold its values of community trust and safety while ensuring every resident has the op-
portunity to thrive,” the city said in a statement. “Together, we are building a vibrant, inclusive community for all.”
A handful of other municipalities in downstate Illinois have joined Chicago and some suburbs in their push for sanctuary laws. In 2017 and 2018, cities such as Normal and Urbana enacted local ordinances declaring that their communities welcomed immigrants. These came in response to stricter immigration policies during Trump’s first term. In Normal, which has had a Welcoming Community Ordinance since 2018, Police Chief Stephen Petrilli said the police department’s policy is to comply with the TRUST Act during any interactions with ICE and not to ask individuals about their immigration status during routine investigations.
Petrilli said his office has seen an influx of questions about immigration policy in the weeks since mass deportations began in Chicago.
“We’ve held several meetings with different community stakeholders,” Petrilli said. “We’re really just assuring the public that we are adhering to the state law.”
Lily Carey is a graduate student in journalism with Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism, Media, Integrated Marketing Communications, and a Fellow in its Medill Illinois News Bureau working in partnership with Capitol News Illinois.
Worship Services Directory
St. Timothy Evangelical Lutheran Church
547 N. Main St., Lombard, IL 60148 630-627-2435
Lent and Easter Services at 7 p.m.
Sunday Worship at 10:15 am Sunday School & Bible Study 9 am Ladies Bible Fellowship Mondays at 6:30 pm
“The Crucial Hours”
Community Calendar
Recurring on Sundays
Elmhurst Model Railroad Club Sunday open house. From 1-4 p.m. every Sunday at the Elmhurst Model Railroad Club, 111 E. First St., and visit the club’s three operating model railroad layouts. For more information, call 630-530-9584 or email: emrrc@comcast.net.
Thursday, Feb. 20
Artist talk with Jeanine Hill- Soldner. From 7-9 p.m. presented free by the Elmhurst Art Museum, 150 Cottage Hill Ave., Representational artist, Jeanine Hill-Soldner will give an artist talk at the Elmhurst Artists’ Guild meeting in February.
For more information, visit: www.elmhurstartistsguild.org.
Friday, Feb. 21 through March 2
Restaurant Week. Recurring daily at the Elmhurst City Centre, don’t miss out on Restaurant Week. It’s your chance to discover exciting new dishes and savor exclusive specials at your favorite restaurants. Treat yourself to a culinary adventure.
For more information, visit elmhurstcitycentre.com.
Saturday, Feb. 22
Second Lenten Service March 9, 2022
Rev. David Ernest “Satan Has Asked to Sift All of You” Jerusalem Lutheran, Morton Grove Matthew 27:15-26
Wednesday Service at 7pm Adult Bible Study Wednesdays after Service Saturday, February 22, Game Night at 4 pm
Third Lenten Service March 16, 2022
Everyone is Welcome!
Rev. Paul Spaude “What to Remember When Your are St. Matthews, Niles Seized with Remorse” Matthew 27:3-4
All services are live streamed. Watch on our website or on Facebook. sainttimothy.org
Fourth Lenten Service March 23, 2022
Rev. Jonathan Bergemann “I Will Keep the Passover”
779 S. York Street Elmhurst, IL 630-834 -6700 www.visitationparish.org
Weekend Masses: Saturday: 4 PM (Vigil) Sunday: 7:30, 9:30 & 11:30 AM and 6 PM
Daily Masses: Monday—Friday: 6:15 and 8:15 AM Saturday: 8:15 AM
Confessions: Saturday: 3-3:45PM
Adoration:
Available in Our Lady Mother of the Eucharist Chapel 24/7
Winter reading retreat. From 10 a.m.-4 p.m. presented free by the Elmhurst Public Library, join the library for a getaway to celebrate all things reading. Stay for a while and read a few chapters while enjoying comfy seating and hot beverages. Then, share with others what you’ve been reading. The retreat will be held at the Gathering Room. Retreat: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Book-themed crafts will be held from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. in the lobby. Trading titles sessions will be held from 11:30 a.m.-noon and 2:303 p.m., both at the Gathering Room. No registration required. For more information, call 630-279-8696 or email: reference@elmlib.org.
Tuesday, Feb. 25
Civics and Artificial Intelligence. From 7-8:30 p.m. presented by the Elmhurst Public Library, learn a little more about how AI technology works, how it impacts civics and the news, and how you can navigate this new information landscape. Live in-person and on Zoom. The program is free, but registration required. For more information, call 630-279-8696 or email: reference@elmlib.org.
Wednesday, Feb. 26
Cook-along. Pierogis and Kolaczkis. From 7-8 p.m. presented free by the Elmhurst Public Library, get ready for Fat Tuesday with tried and true recipes for Polish classics. Chef Kristyn Slick will guide you through the steps of making Pierogis and Kolaczkis as you follow along at home. An ingredients list will be provided before the event. Live on Zoom. Register to receive the information to join. For more information, call 630-279-8696 or email: reference@elmlib.org.
Saturday, March 1
Medley of Melodies. Starting at 7 p.m. and presented by the Elmhurst Choral Union at the First United Methodist Church, 232 S. York St., join singers from Elmhurst Choral union for a friendly evening in a casual setting. Enjoy selections in from musical theater, classical and folk styles. Free reception following the concert. Freewill donations will support ECU. For more information, visit: https://elmhurstchoralunion.org/Hearts for the Arts.
Now through Feb. 28
Organic seedlings sale at First Congregational UCC. It’s never too early to start thinking about your spring garden. The First Congregational United Church of Christ’s 11th annual Organic Seedlings Sale is under way. Preorders for certified organic vegetable, herb and annual flower seedlings will be taken through Feb. 28. (Note the early deadline.) Seedlings can be ordered by going to the church’s website: https://elmhurstucc.org/store. Seedlings will be available for pick up at the church’s Green Garden Fair from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, May 10. The church is located at 235 S. Kenilworth Ave. in Elmhurst.
Elmhurst History Museum
Info: elmhursthistory.org.
Elmhurst Art Museum
Info: 630-834-0202 or visit elmhurstartmuseum.org.
Robotic-assisted knee replacement enables nurse to resume traveling – and climb a mountain
After Darlene Day’s husband passed away in 2018, she embraced traveling as a way to fill the void in her life.
The retired nurse went to Paris in 2019, and although her arthritic left knee made walking difficult, she enjoyed the trip enough to make plans to travel next to South Africa.
But the COVID-19 pandemic caused that trip to be canceled, and while she waited for the pandemic to subside, her knee pain worsened. Cortisone shots helped her manage the pain for a while but gradually became less effective. “I was having a hard time, especially going up steps,” said Day, who has two adult children and two grandchildren. “I knew I wanted to travel, and in order to travel, I knew I had to get my knee replaced.”
With the help of a friend and fellow nurse, Day connected with Andrew Ehmke, D.O., a board-certified, fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon specializing in minimally invasive robotic-assisted knee and hip replacement surgery at the Center for Advanced Joint Replacement (CAJR) on the campus of UChicago Medicine AdventHealth La Grange.
After meeting with Day and confirming she needed a knee replacement, Ehmke replaced her knee in August 2022 with the help of a Mako® robotic-arm assisted surgery system. She went home the next
day after starting physical therapy at the hospital. She then had physical therapy three days a week for about a month. At that point, “I felt pretty good,” Day said. “The pain was manageable. I didn’t stay on the pain-killing medication long. Tylenol® was good enough.” About six weeks after her surgery, she was walking normally without any pain.
Reaching a peak
Eager to travel again, Day flew to Florida in November 2022 to celebrate a friend’s birthday. “I couldn’t believe I went to the beach, and I was walking in the sand,” she said. When an opportunity to travel to South Africa arose again in 2023, Day signed up without hesitation. “I said, `I’m going to go. I didn’t get this knee fixed just for nothing,’’’ she recalled. Day, 71, not only took the trip, but also climbed to the top of Table Mountain, which overlooks Cape Town and Table Bay from an elevation of more than 3,500 feet. “They take you in a gondola to a flat part of the mountain, but then you have to hike up farther to get to the top,” she said. “I said to myself, `I don’t believe God let me have this knee not to go.’ So I went and made it to the top. I was very proud of myself.”
Standing at the top of the mountain was an emotional experience. “I said, `My eyes have seen the glory,’’’ she said. “The view was beautiful. I
had never seen anything like it. I just thanked God.”
Helping patients get lives back Ehmke began performing robotic-assisted knee and hip replacement surgeries in 2015. He now has performed more than 1,000 and believes so strongly in their effectiveness that he does not perform traditional open knee and hip replacement surgeries.
Mimicking patient’s natural knee
When compared with open surgeries, robotic-assisted surgeries offer multiple benefits, including a smaller incision, less time in surgery, greater surgical precision, reduced pain, faster recoveries, and joint replacements that fit better and feel more natural, Ehmke said.
His knee-replacement surgeries usually take about an hour, and most of his patients return home the day of their surgery and feel normal again about six weeks later. “Even before six weeks, my patients are highly functional,” Ehmke said. “They’re usually driving again after two to three weeks.” By contrast, traditional open knee replacement surgeries take twice as long and require hospital stays of two to three days, followed by about three months of recovery, he said.
See KNEE, Page 13
Darlene Day preparing to make the ascent of Table Mountain in South Africa after undergoing a robotic-assisted knee replacement at UChicago Medicine AdventHealth in La Grange.
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PHOTO Elmhurst Independent
IDPH celebrates American Heart Month in February
The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is announcing a monthlong focus on heart health during American Heart Month in February.
The annual observance serves as a reminder to the public about the dangers of cardiovascular disease and the resources that are available to help people maintain heart health.
Gov. JB Pritzker and Lieutenant Gov. Juliana Stratton joined IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra in urging the public to be aware of, and to take care of, their heart health.
“Heart disease remains the number one cause of death both nationally and right here in Illinois,” said Vohra. “But heart disease can be preventable when we are aware of our own personal risk factors. The first step in prevention is identifying what can make your heart unhealthy, such as untreated high blood pressure, high
cholesterol, and high levels of stress. Next, create a heart-healthy action plan. Finally, schedule a check-up with your medical provider and take control of your heart health today.”
“Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in Illinois and across the country, but many risk factors are preventable,” said Pritzker. “This Heart Health Month, take charge of your well-being and schedule a screening, make heart-healthy choices, and encourage your loved ones to do the same. If you need support, the Illinois Department of Public Health has great resources to help you stay on top of your heart health. A little prevention today can lead to a healthier tomorrow.”
IDPH social media channels will also be busy during the month, with frequent messaging about heart disease risks and prevention strategies, including:
No Frills Fun Run is Sunday, Feb. 23 in Elmhurst
No Frills Fun Run is an annual charitable run that was started in 2012 by two moms in Elmhurst. Each year, one local family in need is selected to receive 100% of the proceeds from all the funds raised across various fundraising events, the race registration and the after race party with raffle baskets and silent auction items.
The run itself is exactly as its name implies... “no frills”. It’s usually cold (and sometimes snowy) outside but the incredible hearts of
• Knee
this community’s runners, sponsors and volunteers make this one of the warmest events in town. The race takes place on the Prairie Path with a start and finish at York and the Prairie Path. The course option is a 5K distance, you can complete it twice for a 10K. You can also choose to run or walk a mile if that’s more your speed. What matters more than the distance is your participation and support. For further information, visit nofrillsfunrun.org.
(Continued from page 12)
“Where robotic-assisted surgery really shines compared with open surgeries is that once the patient has recovered and returned to their full activities, their new knee mimics their natural knee so much better,” Ehmke said. “It feels more natural and more comfortable and allows the patient to do more rigorous activities on the knee. Because it fits comfortably and smoothly, it’s going to last longer.”
Using robot as a surgical tool
Before surgery, Ehmke uses a CT scan of a patient’s knee to create a 3D virtual model of the knee. He studies the model, evaluating the patient’s bone structure, disease severity, joint alignment and surrounding bone and tissue, and creates a customized surgery plan based on the patient’s unique anatomy. “I can plan out exactly what size parts I’ll use to fit them perfectly and how I can position them to recreate their specific anatomy,” he said.
The 3D model and surgical plan are loaded into the robot and displayed during surgery, enabling Ehmke to follow his plan with great precision, making fine-tuning adjustments as necessary. “Using the robot, we can make adjustments in one-millimeter increments, which is impossible to do with the naked eye,” he said. “The precision of the robot allows me to be a much better surgeon because
I can fine-tune the knee in ways I never could before. That produces a more comfortable, natural fit for the patient.”
Planning the surgery in advance shortens operating time because “I don’t have to stop and think about what step comes next,” Ehmke said. “I can just execute the plan with robotic precision.” He also credits CAJR’s specially trained surgical staff for the efficiency and success of his surgeries. “Our team is very experienced,” he said, noting that CAJR handles more than 3,000 joint-replacement surgeries a year.
Ehmke emphasized that his surgeries are not automated. “I control them 100 percent,” he said. “The robot is a tool I use in surgery, not something that does the surgery for me.”
For example, although a saw is attached to the robotic arm to cut bone during surgery, Ehmke moves the saw himself, making precision cuts based on his surgical plan. “I can stop it whenever I want, and the robot prevents it from going outside our pre-programmed zones, so it only removes the bone we want to remove to make the implants fit perfectly,” he said.
For more information about knee and hip replacement and the Center for Advanced Joint Replacement, please visit Ortho-pedic Care | UChicago Medicine AdventHealth.
“
Heart disease remains the number one cause of death both nationally and right here in Illinois and across the country, but many risk factors are preventable.”
• The benefits of regular checkups and frequent monitoring of blood pressure and cholesterol levels;
• The symptoms of a heart attack;
• The heart benefits of adequate sleep, proper diet, physical activity, and giving up smoking;
• And more.
You can connect with IDPH social media on Facebook, X, Instagram, Bluesky, Threads, and LinkedIn.
IDPH has also made radio pub-
–Gov. JB Pritzker
lic service announcements on heart health available once again to radio stations across the state.
Additional information about heart health can also be found on the IDPH website at Heart Disease
For Jimi Olaghere, sickle cell disease once meant a life of limitations, sudden pain episodes and frequent hospitalizations. Today, thanks to groundbreaking gene therapy and blood donors, he is reaching new heights.
“I don’t think I would have had the opportunity to have a gene-editing transplant without blood donations,” said Olaghere.
Complications of Sickle Cell disease
Prior to gene therapy, Olaghere’s life was consumed by severe health complications caused by sickle cell disease – the most common genetic blood disease in the U.S.
He experienced acute chest syndrome, pneumonia, avascular necrosis, lung damage, and more. Once, he suffered cardiac arrest due to not receiving a preventative blood transfusion before a minor surgery.
“Sickle cell was like a dream killer for me,” said Olaghere. “I like to equate it to a succession of time bombs in terms of what it feels like living with sickle cell and having all these complications.”
Newfound hope
In 2019, hope appeared when Olaghere discovered a news article detailing how gene therapy could be
used to boost fetal hemoglobin production in patients with sickle cell disease, potentially reducing symptoms.
Inspired to have a better quality of life, Olaghere signed up to participate in a CRISPR gene-editing clinical trial under the care of Dr. Haydar Frangoul at Sarah Cannon Research Institute.
“When we went with Dr. Frangoul’s team, it was like when Dorothy goes into Oz and all of a sudden everything turns from black and white to color,” said Amanda Olaghere, Jimi Olaghere’s wife.
“To finally have somebody listening to us and hearing us...it was a relief to know that while we were fighting our fight in the dark, somebody else was doing good work behind the scenes,” she added.
For a year, Olaghere underwent the gene therapy process. Before treatment, he had bi-weekly red blood cell exchanges – a non-surgical procedure that replaces abnormal red blood cells with healthy ones from blood donors – to keep him well throughout the trial.
During the first phase, in which his blood stem cells were collected and sent to a lab for genetic editing, he had whole blood transfusions after each collection.
Post chemotherapy, patients may
need platelet donations to increase their platelet levels before getting the edited stem cells.
“I received about 20 to 30 units of blood in total,” said Jimi Olaghere, who has had over 200 blood transfusions throughout the course of his life.
Since he completed gene therapy, Jimi Olaghere’s life has transformed. He no longer experiences sickle cell pain crises requiring transfusions. His energy has skyrocketed, allowing him to manage work and family life in ways he never imagined.
He and his wife now have three children and have transitioned from a life of “Netflix and chill” to one filled with swim lessons, travel, and constant activity.
Recently, Jimi Olaghere hiked a 14,000-foot mountain in Colorado, preparing to climb Mount Kilimanjaro to raise awareness for sickle cell disease.
“It kind of feels like I’m living my dream, but at the same time I’m still able to go after things I’ve always dreamed of that I haven’t been able to attain because of my disease,” he explained.
“What I would say to the blood donors who helped Jimi through this process is ‘we could not be here without you,’” said Amanda Olaghere. “Our story is your story.”
What you can do
Blood and platelet donations are vital for people with sickle disease getting gene therapies and stem cell transplants as well as those in need of regular blood transfusions to alleviate pain and help manage their disease.
A patient undergoing gene therapy for sickle cell disease may need as many as 50 units of blood and up to 25 units of platelets.
To schedule a blood donation appointment, visit RedCrossBlood. org/OurBlood or call 1-800-REDCROSS (1-800-733-2767).
CATERING DRIVE-THRU
NAPS Elmhurst Independent
Jimi Olaghere and his wife, Amanda, are grateful for blood donors who helped save his life and enabled him to complete gene therapy to treat his sickle cell disease.
Fitness classes worth considering
Taking place indoors makes them ideal this time of the year
Ask people what their top New Year’s resolution is each year and they’re likely to say something along the lines of “lose weight” or “get fit.”
That is why area gyms run specials throughout the month of January as they seek to attract new people intent on improving their overall health. Too often these resolutions are a distant memory by the ides of March.
Despite repeatedly hearing about how important diet and exercise can be for personal health, and even despite the same resolutions made at the start of every year, a recent survey from Healthy People 2020, an initiative of the Department of Health and Human Services, found only 24 percent of Americans 18 and older met current aerobic physical activity and muscle-strengthening guidelines.
Among those who exercise regularly, a study published in the International Journal of Liberal Arts and Social Science found women tend to exercise more than men and have different exercise habits and motivation to exercise.
Women were apt to exercise to control weight, while men do so to improve fitness level. As women find more time for exercise, they may be drawn to the various classes available that can help them meet their exercise goals.
Barre classes
Barre classes are inspired by ballet and work on the ballet bar. They are designed to help participants develop a lean and long dancer’s body.
The classes may be low-intensity or vigorous, depending on the instructor. They certainly will be leg-heavy with a lot of squat or plié type maneuvers.
Zumba
Zumba is a danced-based class that incorporates dance styles from around the world but tends to feature a notable concentration of Latin moves.
The music is full of energy, and instructors engage the classes with fancy footwork that feels more like visiting a dance club than a workout studio.
cular dividends. Stationary bikes line workout rooms, and the instructor varies the pace and intensity to simulate various real-world conditions.
Circuit classes
Circuit classes feature short intervals at various stations or machines. Participants move around the circuit in predetermined periods of time to complete the exercises.
High intensity Interval Training (HIIT)
HIIT stands for high intensity interval training. HIIT features short bursts (anywhere from 30 seconds to 3 minutes) of cardiovascular exercises that are designed to work at intense levels with recovery, but not rest periods.
This keeps the heart pumping and is designed to boost metabolism. Plus, the workouts are short, so time-crunched people don’t have to devote as much time to the gym each day.
Aerial fitness
Those who have been to the circus may have been amazed at the aerial artistry of being twisted and suspended in silk. Aerial fitness classes blend elements of this performance art with gymnastics and yoga.
Cycling
Riding a bicycle pays enormous cardiovas-
Exercise classes come in many forms and can motivate women to fully commit to their fitness goals.
As people find – or make – more time for exercise, they may be drawn to the various classes available that can help them meet their exercise goals. This is the perfect time of year to give some new classes a try as they’re offered.
Many health conditions linked to alcohol use
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Alcohol is one of the most widely consumed beverages across the globe. According to the World Health Organization, alcohol is a psychoactive substance that is a nervous system depressant. Alcohol contains dependence-producing properties, which means there is the risk for addiction.
Although alcohol has been widely used in many cultures for centuries, overconsumption of alcohol can cause various diseases. In fact, the WHO says alcohol is a casual factor in more than 200 diseases, injuries and other health conditions.
• Immune system disruption: The NIH says alcohol can interfere with multiple aspects of the immune response; the result can be decreased protection against infection.
• GERD: Drinking alcohol can cause an increased risk of gastrointestinal reflux disease.
• Various cancers: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicate alcohol can lead to cancers of the breast, mouth, throat, esophagus, voice box, liver, colon, and rectum.
• Mental health issues: Alcohol usage can exacerbate existing mental health issues, such as depression and anxiety, or potentially lead to them.
The jury is still out regarding just how harmful alcohol can be. There are some who believe that light drinking poses little risk, and it was once believed there were some benefits to enjoying a drink once in a while, such as a lower risk for heart disease or diabetes.
• Cardiovascular disease: The Mayo Clinic warns that heavy drinking can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, such as high blood pressure and stroke.
Today, many experts are rethinking those assertions.
The Mayo Clinic says current research on alcohol suggests drinking in any amount carries a health risk. While the risk may be low for moderate intake, the risk escalates as the number of drinks go up.
Here are some health conditions tied to alcohol usage.
• Pregnancy complications: Women are urged to avoid alcohol while pregnant because drinking may cause the unborn baby to suffer brain damage or be born with fetal alcohol syndrome.
• Alcohol poisoning: Alcohol poisoning is an acute condition of heavy binge drinking. This illness can cause brain damage, seizures and hypothermia, all of which can lead to death.
• Alcohol use disorders: The CDC warns that drinking can eventually lead to dependence on alcohol and the development of alcohol use disorder, which is the term now used in place of alcoholism or alcohol dependence.
• Liver disease: The National Institutes of Health says 90 percent of absorbed alcohol is metabolized in the liver, so it is extensively exposed not only to alcohol, but toxic alcohol metabolites. Hepatitis, which is inflammation of the liver, is one alcohol-related liver disease. ALD is a major contributor to morbidity in the United States and around the world.
• Brain changes: Excessive alcohol consumption may cause irreversible brain damage depending on how much a person drinks, says the Alcohol Rehab Guide.
Many health professionals warn that drinking more than one alcoholic beverage per day for women and two for men, is considered moderate drinking, can lead to health complications. Currently the sentiments are there is no safe amount of alcohol, and people may want to consider avoiding it entirely in the name of good health.
METRO CREATIVE Elmhurst Independent
Illinois lawmakers react to Madigan corruption verdict
Longest-serving legislative leader in U.S. history found guilty on 10 charges
By Ben Szalinski and Peter Hancock CAPITOL NEWS ILLINOIS
Illinois lawmakers voiced a wide range of reactions last week following former House Speaker Michael Madigan’s conviction on multiple federal corruption charges.
Republicans, who have long complained about his style of leadership, amplified their call for broader ethics reform in the Capitol while Democrats tried to put the Madigan era behind them and shift their focus to the future.
“We all knew this day was coming,” House Republican Leader Tony McCombie, R-Savanna, said at a virtual news conference.
Madigan, the longest serving legislative leader in U.S. history, was convicted of bribery and conspiracy. Most of the counts for which he was convicted related to him allegedly seeking favors, such as no-work contracts for his allies, from officials at utility giant Commonwealth Edison in exchange for his support for favorable legislation. After being convicted on 10 charges, Madigan was found not guilty on seven others, while the jury deadlocked on the six remaining charges shared by him and his co-defendant, former lobbyist Mike McClain.
Madigan was sometimes known to be a thorn in Illinois governors’ sides. Former Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner once claimed “I am not in charge,” when talking about Madigan. But Madigan wasn’t a major barrier to Gov. JB Pritzker, who only served two years alongside the now-convicted ex-speaker.
“The Madigan verdict by a jury of everyday Illinoisans is an important message to anyone in government—or those thinking about public service—that if you choose corruption you will be found out, and you will be punished,” Pritzker said in a statement.
House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch, D-Hillside, ascended to the speakership in January 2021 after Madigan lost support from enough House Democrats to doom his reelection bid. According to the Tribune, Madigan called Welch after it was clear he lost support to ask if he would want to become speaker.
Welch had protected Madigan in the year prior after Republicans sought to oust him from office for “conduct unbecoming of a legislator” via a special House investigating committee.
The House GOP launched that effort after ComEd was charged with handing out favors to Madigan allies in an attempt to gain support from Madigan on legislation. But Welch, who was appointed by Madigan’s majority leader to chair the committee, voted with two fellow Democrats to shut down the investigation, calling it a “sham show trial.” Republicans accused him of protecting Madigan from discipline more than a year before he was charged with crimes related to his relationship with ComEd.
“I have always believed that a court of law was the place for this to be all sorted out,” Welch said in a statement. “Today’s outcome leaves me with great appreciation and respect for our legal system. Investigators, prosecutors, and a jury of Illinoisans did their job.”
Welch, who began his third term as speaker in January, said House Democrats are now
“ The Madigan verdict by a jury of everyday Illinoisans is an important message to anyone in government—or those thinking about public service—that if you choose corruption you will be found out, and you will be punished.”
– Gov. JB Pritzker
“focused on delivering for working people.”
Rep. Ryan Spain, R-Peoria, who helped initiate the committee to investigate Madigan, criticized Welch’s leadership of the committee at a news conference.
“Our efforts could have put a stop to this situation many years ago if we had cooperation from the majority party to support ethics reform and to investigate the pattern of corruption that has now been on full display for Speaker Mike Madigan,” Spain said.
Democrats shift focus
Madigan was also the longtime chair of the Democratic Party of Illinois. As party chair, he was able to direct campaign contributions to help Democrats win their races and grow a majority in the Illinois House, a majority that has remained intact since the mid-1990s.
Democratic Party of Illinois Chair Lisa Hernandez said in a statement her “focus has been on building a more transparent, accountable, and people-focused party” since she took over in 2022 after U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly succeed Madigan in 2021.
“Public service is a responsibility, not a privilege, and those who break the public trust must be held accountable, no matter who they are,” Hernandez said.
Republican party leaders said Democrats are not absolved of their ties to their former party chair as many can credit their electoral victories to Madigan.
“Make no mistake: nearly every Democrat in Illinois has benefitted from Madigan’s corruption in some way, and they have all been willing to sell their souls for hefty donations and the support of the political machine Madigan built,” Illinois Republican Party Chair Kathy Salvi said in a statement.
Rep. Kelly Cassidy, D-Chicago, had been outspoken in the final years of Madigan’s tenure about the handling of sexual harassment issues in the Democratic Party of Illinois and bullying in the House. Her name came up early in the trial as prosecutors dug into the inner workings of the House and Madigan’s circle.
“That there will be some measure of accountability for the decades of abuse of power and corruption is critically important and will have implications for our state government for generations,” Cassidy said in a statement. “Particularly in a moment when our federal
government has been subsumed by blatantly corrupt forces, we need our state government to be trustworthy to the public and focused on the will of the people, not self-interest.”
Cassidy was one of 19 House Democrats who put the final nail in the coffin of Madigan’s speakership in 2021 by opposing his reelection as speaker, ultimately forcing him to bow out of the race and, shortly after, resign from the House. The group opposed Madigan’s handling of harassment allegations and shared concerns about a possibly corrupt relationship between Madigan and ComEd.
Rep. Ann Williams, D-Chicago, briefly challenged Madigan for the speakership in 2021.
“It’s clear we have unequivocally moved away from the practices of the past, which put politics before people,” Williams said in a statement to Capitol News Illinois. “It is time to put this chapter behind us as we face incredibly difficult challenges as a state and nation.”
Senate President Don Harmon, D-Oak Park, said the “verdict is a sobering reminder that our work is never finished.”
“The jury’s verdict closes a long, disturbing chapter in Illinois’ history,” Harmon said in
a statement. “It’s a stark reminder that corruption, abuse of power and manipulation of public policy for personal gain can never be tolerated. We cannot be effective if people don’t trust us.”
Republicans call for reform
House Republicans said Madigan’s legacy continues to live on in the House rules, which govern how the House operates.
“The issue at the heart of the ComEd scandal here and these convictions had to do with the unchecked ability of Mike Madigan to decide whether or not a bill would be considered for a vote by the House,” Spain said. Republicans want changes to the House rules to make it easier for members to influence which bills get called for votes. They also argued more ethics reform is needed, such as providing more power to the legislative inspector general and enacting more restrictions to make it harder for a legislator to resign their office and immediately become a lobbyist.
“We cannot afford to have federal prosecutors continue to enforce our weak ethics laws, regardless of what Speaker Welch feels,” McCombie said.
Pritzker signs ‘Karina’s law’ to remove guns from domestic violence situations
By Ben Szalinski CAPITOL NEWS ILLINOIS
Bill named for Chicago woman killed after receiving order of protection
Karina Gonzalez and her 15-yearold daughter Daniela were shot and killed on Fourth of July weekend in 2023 at their Chicago home, allegedly by her husband.
After more than a year of negotiations, Gov. JB Pritzker signed a bill in her honor last week that is designed to remove guns from domestic violence situations.
“As I look forward towards the future, I hope that the future survivors won’t have to suffer as much as our family and countless others have had to at the hands of abusers,” said Manny Alvarez, Gonzalez’s surviving son, at a news conference in Chicago.
House Bill 4144, also known as Karina’s Law, clarifies that local law enforcement must temporarily remove guns from a person who has
an order of protection against them when the alleged victim successfully seeks firearm removal as a remedy in court.
Current law allows people asking a court for an order of protection to request a “firearm remedy” that would lead to law enforcement removing guns from the alleged abuser’s possession. Karina’s Law closes the loophole that made it unclear who was responsible for removing
the gun from the situation.
Under the law, the person who seeks an order of protection can also ask the court to issue a search warrant that will allow local law enforcement to seize firearms from the alleged abuser. The petitioner or state’s attorney must demonstrate probable cause that the alleged abuser poses an immediate threat to the petitioner. Law enforcement would then be required to execute the warrant within 96 hours of it being issued.
“Taking lethal weapons from those who have already done harm and are an immediate and present danger to do further harm is simply common sense,” Pritzker said.
issue, and now we have, and we’ve done it in a matter that is effective and constitutional,” Senate President Don Harmon, D-Oak Park, said.
Though the bill received bipartisan support, some gun rights groups and Republican lawmakers expressed concerns the bill undermines due process afforded to people accused of crimes. They argued taking guns away from a person with an order of protection against them assumes guilt on criminal charges and violates their constitutional rights. Orders of protection are filed in civil court.
Guns and domestic abuse are a deadly recipe, said Amanda Pyron, CEO of The Network, an advocacy group that focuses on preventing domestic violence. Between 2019 and 2023, Illinois saw a 63 percent increase in gun-related domestic violence deaths.
“An emergency order of protection is often the first step out of a violent relationship,” Pyron said. “It can also be the most dangerous step. This is the time that a survivor faces the most risk because it’s also the time that the abusive partner realizes he’s losing control.”
Supporters of the law said they hope closing the loophole will make it safer for victims when they seek a court’s intervention.
“Karina’s Law will protect survivors of domestic violence and give them comfort—the comfort of knowing that their abuser will not have easy access to firearms,” Pritzker said.
The nation’s high court upheld a federal law last June that prohibits people with domestic violence-related restraining orders from having guns. Though Karina’s Law had previously passed through the House last spring, senators delayed action while waiting for the decision.
“I was relieved when the court gave us far more elbow room than I would have expected to tackle this
“This policy sends a clear message to those living through trauma and the terror of domestic violence,” Rep. Maura Hirschauer, D-Batavia, said. “Here in Illinois, we see you. You have the absolute right to leave your abuser and we will do our best to keep you and your family safe. And most importantly, here in Illinois, we value your life and the life of your families more than we value your abuser’s gun.”
Illinois law enforcement organizations also had concerns about their ability to carry out the law, including where police agencies would store the confiscated firearms and the logistics of carrying out search warrants against alleged abusers.
Law enforcement organizations and lawmakers came to an agreement over those logistics. If a victim has not made any reports of domestic violence to police within the last three months, police will have 48 hours to research the situation behind the order of protection and make any changes to the search warrant. Warrants then must be executed within 96 hours of any changes.
The person who has an order of protection against them will also be able to petition the court to have the gun transferred to another person who can lawfully possess a firearm.
Maralea Negron, director of policy for The Network, said this is designed to help smaller sheriff’s offices that don’t have capacity to store guns.
Elmhurst Public Library programs
Friday, Feb. 21 - 2-4 p.m.
Friday Features: “It Ends with Us”
Enjoy an afternoon at the movies.
Find each week’s featured film at elmlib.org/Friday.
No registration required.
Saturday, Feb. 22
10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Winter Reading Retreat
Join us for a cozy getaway to celebrate all things reading! Stay for a while and read a few chapters while enjoying comfy seating and hot beverages. Then, share with others what you’ve been reading.
No registration required.
Saturday, Feb. 22
10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Canasta: Open Play
Join us for a friendly game of Canasta every week. Prior experience is required.
Live in-person. No registration required.
Monday, Feb. 24 - 7-8:15 p.m.
For Mystery Lovers
Join us for a mystery book chat! Read a mystery of your choice to talk about with other mystery lovers in the group.
Live in-person and on Zoom. Registration required.
Monday, Feb. 24 - 7-8 p.m.
The New Skills of the Workforce
Employers are seeking candidates with greater power skills in this new area of the workforce. Learn the top ten skills and how to write a resume to reflect your skills, brand your abilities, and interview better in-person and virtually.
Live on Zoom. Register to receive the information to join.
Tuesday, Feb. 25 - 7-8:30 p.m. Civics and Artificial Intelligence
Live in-person and on Zoom. Registration required.
Sport S
York boys basketball team goes toe to toe with Glenbard West and Downers North Stepanich hits for 20; Dukes wrap up conference season this week
By Mike Miazga CORRESPONDENT
The York boys basketball team came up just short in a pair of hotly contested West Suburban Conference Silver Division games recently. The Dukes lost to both Glenbard West and Downers Grove North by a combined 10 points. West and North are two of the top three teams in the WSC Silver (West is second and North third behind league front-runner Hinsdale Central) and sport a combined 43-12 record.
In a 39-36 loss to Glenbard West, York had an opportunity to take the
lead with under 20 seconds left but did not convert. “It was a back-andforth game,” York coach Mike Dunn said. “It was a great effort. We were right there in getting over the hump and beating a quality team.”
Against West, Hunter Stepanich led the Dukes with 20 points. York made 92 defensive plays in Dunn’s scoring system, led by Eddy Sica with 30. “Hunter played very well, altering shots at the rim and rebounding,” Dunn said. York also dropped a 48-41 WSC Silver game to Downers Grove North. Stepanich led York with 14
points, while Connor Fitzgerald added 12 points. The Dukes made 71 defensive plays, led by Stepanich with 16. “Downers was a very competitive game,” Dunn said. “We were tied 29-29 going into the fourth and they went on an 11-2 run and we never recovered. The kids have been playing their hearts out and they did so against two very good teams. Both games against Glenbard and Downers we were a possession here and a possession there away.”
York started the week 13-16 overall and 3-8 in WSC Silver action. The Dukes finished conference play
Veselovsky qualifies for the state meet
York’s girls gymnastics team competed in Friday’s IHSA sectional at Glenbard West High School. The Dukes finished fourth in the team standings of the sectional with their total score of 139.175. Wheaton Warrenville South (142.525) won the team title at the six-team sectional. York sophomore Melania Veselovsky finished second in the sectional’s all-around competition with her score of 36.15. Veselovsky’s all-around total included her first-place score of 9.3 on the vault. One photo (above left) from the sectional shows Veselovsky approaching the vault. Another photo (above right) shows her during her routine in floor exercises, which earned a score of 9.15 to tie for third place in that event. Veselovsky also tied for third on the uneven bars (9.1). She finished in a tie for 12th in the sectional’s balance beam competition (8.6). Veselovsky will compete in this week’s IHSA state meet, which will take place this Friday and Saturday at Palatine High School. The top five finishers in each individual event and the all-around competition at the sectional automatically qualified for the state meet. Veselovsky earned state-meet berths in the vault, floor exercises, uneven bars, and in the all-around competition. York’s sectional lineup also included senior Hayley Schiltz, freshman Lily Zmrhal and senior Mia Carone. Schiltz delivered a seventh-place score of 34.45 in the sectional’s all-around standings. Zmrhal (34.425) finished eighth in the all-around competition at Glenbard West, while Carone (34.15) tied for ninth. Sophomore Magdalen Munoz and freshman Kate Evers also represented the Dukes at Friday’s Glenbard West Sectional.
earlier this week against that same Downers North team at home in Elmhurst. “We want to be playing very competitive teams going into the regional,” Dunn said. “This only makes us better.”
Dunn lauded the recent play of Fitzgerald and Stepanich, in particular. “Connor has been solid for us all year,” he said. “Hunter Stepanich has been really good the last two weeks.”
York is the No. 6 seed in the Class 4A St. Charles East sectional. The Dukes open postseason play on Wednesday, Feb. 26 at 7:30 p.m. against No. 11 sectional seed Whea-
ton North at the Class 4A Proviso West regional. If York wins that game it would play for the Proviso West regional title Friday, Feb. 28 at 7 p.m., against either No. 3 Wheaton-Warrenville South or No. 13 and host Proviso West.
Top sectional seeds at St. Charles East include Glenbard West (1), Geneva (2), Wheaton-South (3), Glenbard East (4), Proviso East (5) and York (6). “We’ll take that seed,” Dunn said. “The effort is there. These kids play with their hearts. They know they have to make one more winning play.”
IC Catholic Prep girls basketball team defeats St. Edward in overtime
Hilgart sinks 13 of 15 free throws in 23-point outing against Chicago Latin
By Mike Miazga CORRESPONDENT
The IC Catholic Prep girls basketball team got its money’s worth in a pair of recent non-conference games.
The Knights defeated Elgin St. Edward 53-44 in overtime and then dropped a double-overtime game to Chicago Latin School.
In the win over St. Edward, ICCP trailed 28-22 at halftime, but outscored the Green Wave 10-8 in the third quarter and 9-5 in the fourth quarter to force the extra session.
Mary Kate Hilgart led the Knights with 14 points and seven rebounds. Libby Phillips added 12 points and 12 rebounds in recording a double-double. Maura Grogan added 12 points, seven rebounds and three assists.
“This was one of our better games in a long time and arguably all year,” IC Catholic Prep coach Todd Fisher said. “We played two really good teams last week. We made a little adjustment with St. Edward to limit their best kids. The kids did really well with those halftime adjustments.” ICCP sank 19 of 29 foul shots in the game, while St. Edward was 4-for-12. “We did a very good job attacking the basket all night,” Fisher noted.
In a 62-58 loss to Latin in two overtimes, the Knights trailed 14-6 after one and were down 24-18 at intermission. “We had a real nice third and fourth quarter,” the coach explained.
Hilgart led the Knights with 23 points, eight rebounds, two steals and one block. Graziella Narcisi added 12 points and 10 rebounds for a
double-double and also had three assists and three steals. Phillips also joined the double-double club with 11 points and 12 rebounds to go with three steals. “It was another good game,” Fisher said. “Both teams played well. Our strength in this game was getting to the basket.”
In this contest, ICCP sank 24 of 29 free throws, while Latin was 9-for20. “These were two good games to end the year against two very good and quality opponent going into the postseason,” Fisher said.
Fisher was pleased with ICCP’s aggressiveness in getting to the rim in those two contests. “The last two games the free throws were up there,” Fisher said.
“That’s kind of been our strength. When the outside isn’t falling, our strength has been getting to the basket.” In fact, Hilgart sank 13 of 15 free throws against Latin and hit 9-for-12 from the line against St. Edward. “That’s been another strength of hers,” Fisher said.
The split put ICCP at 15-14 heading into the Class 2A postseason. The Knights opened their own Class 2A ICCP regional earlier in the week against Chicago Our Lady of Tepeyac. If the Knights won that game, they will face either Timothy Christian or Chicago Acero-Soto for the ICCP regional title Friday with a spot in next week’s Class 2A Lisle sectional on the line. The Knights are the No. 2 seed in one Lisle sub-sectional, while Timothy is the No. 3 seed. An ICCP-Timothy rematch would be the third time the two squads have battled this season (ICCP won both previous meetings).
CHRIS FOX PHOTOS Elmhurst Independent
Timothy Christian girls basketball team goes 3-1
By Mike Miazga CORRESPONDENT
The Timothy Christian girls basketball team concluded the regular season on a solid 3-1 run. The Trojans recorded wins against Chesterton Academy of the Holy Family (Indiana), Wheaton Academy and Calumet Christian and dropped a Chicagoland Christian Conference contest to Chicago Hope Academy.
“It was good to get three wins in four games,” Timothy Christian coach Jill Groenewold said. “A month ago, we were in games and not winning games. We are finally figuring out how to stay ahead and how to finish strong and follow through on the game plan. We are starting strong and finishing strong. That’s a good thing to see going into regionals.”
In a close 47-45 non-conference
win over Chesterton, Timothy trailed 15-11 after the first quarter and 24-19 at halftime. Timothy outscored Chesterton 18-16 in the third quarter and 10-5 in the fourth quarter. Sami Drye and Sienna Azzinaro each scored 16 points to lead the way for the Trojans. Maria Pozdol-Niego added nine points. Drye and Azzinaro each hit three 3-pointers. Elisabeth Van Den Berg pulled in 18 rebounds, while Azzinaro had 10 rebounds. PozdolNiego had six assists and five rebounds to go with nine steals. Van Den Berg and Annika Lemkuil each had three steals.
In a 52-30 CCC loss to Hope Academy, the Trojans trailed 15-7 after the first quarter and 27-15 at halftime. Van Den Berg led Timothy with 11 points, while Drye had six points and hit two 3-pointers. Van Den Berg
IC Catholic Prep boys
By Mike Miazga CORRESPONDENT
The IC Catholic Prep boys basketball team opened plenty of eyes recently with a Chicago Catholic League crossover win against Wilmette Loyola Academy, a Class 4A team that sported a 22-8 record heading into this week. The Knights were 56-50 winners against Loyola. Andrew Hill had 16 points and 10 rebounds in the game, while Makai Mandley had 15 points and seven deflections. Jordan Hall added 14 points, while Danny Fromelt had
seven assists.
U12 baseball action
Anthony Bucolo fires a pitch during a recent U12 baseball
“Loyola is one of the best teams in 4A. It was a really good win for the program,” IC Catholic Prep coach TJ Tyrrell said. “We did a really good job of controlling the pace of the game. We wanted to slow the game down and take away some of their shooters and make other players beat us. It was back and forth, and we stretched the lead in the fourth and did a good job of knocking down free throws to come away with the win.”
had six rebounds, while Drye had four rebounds. In a 55-32 win over Wheaton Academy, Pozdol-Niego scored 17 points, while Van Den Berg had 15 points and Azzinaro had eight points and hit two 3-pointers. Van Den Berg had nine rebounds, while PozdolNiego had six rebounds and five assists. Lemkuil had seven steals, while Drye had three steals.
Timothy closed out the regular season with a 59-49 win over Calumet Christian. Timothy trailed 15-11 after the first quarter but used a 14-9 second quarter to take a 25-24 lead into halftime. Timothy outscored Calumet 16-12 in the third quarter and 18-13 in the fourth quarter.
Van Den Berg scored 22 points on 10 of 13 shooting from the field. Drye added 17 points, while Pozdol-Niego had eight points and Azzinaro had six points. Drye hit three 3-pointers and was 6-for-7 from the foul line. Van Den Berg also had seven rebounds and four assists. Drye had five re-
bounds, while Pozdol-Niego had seven assists. Drye had six steals. Timothy finished the regular season 16-12 overall and 2-5 in CCC play.
“Offensively we are still struggling a little bit to score consistently,” Groenewold said. “Our defense helps us a lot with trying to beat the other team down and score as quick as we can. We’re doing a better job of pushing the ball down and seeing if we can get a mismatch or drop it into Els (Van Den Berg). We are doing a really nice job of sharing the ball and we’re looking for other people. Our defense has been a staple all year. It feels good to be competitive and now we are finishing off these competitive games. We’re also injury free, which is always a blessing at this time of the year.”
Timothy continues to get key play from the likes of Van Den Berg, Pozdol-Niego, Azzinaro and Drye.
“Els continues to pull down double-doubles. She scores 11 and grabs 11,” Groenewold said. “Maria has
season
been looking to score more and has been doing a nice job of getting us into our offense. Sienna has been hitting much better from the outside, which is big at this time of the year. And Sami is a three-year starter and holds down what we need her to do. She talks everybody through everything, and that is what a senior captain does this time of the year.”
Timothy, the No. 3 seed in one sub-sectional of the Lisle sectional, opened Class 2A regional play earlier this week against Chicago Acero-Soto (No. 7 seed) in the IC Catholic Prep regional.
If the Trojans won that game, they will play for the regional title Friday against either host ICCP (No. 2 seed) or Chicago Our Lady of Tepeyac (No. 10).
A game against ICCP would be the third time this season the two Elmhurst schools will meet. ICCP won the previous two meetings (36-32 and 52-41 in games that took place 13 days apart in December).
Filosa, a senior on the York girls basketball team, recently went over the 1,000 career-point barrier for her career, while Stepanich was lauded for his continued strong play in York’s
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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. Tropical Asian plant
5. Yankees’ slugger Judge
10. Helps to preserve food
12. Plant disease
14. One who predicts
16. Equally
18. Burundian franc
19. Pouch
20. Arizona city
22. Surround
23. Hard, heavy timber
25. Witnessed
26. They __
27. French river
28. A way to drink
30. Small constellation
31. Peruse a written work
33. Type of hound
35. Plant of the goosefoot
family
37. Evade or escape
38. A way to confine
40. Volcanic crater
41. Weekday
42. Women’s service organization (abbr.)
44. Local area network
45. Sensory receptor
48. Posted
50. Tibetan pastry
52. Licensed for Wall Street
53. Very willing
55. Golf score
56. Consume
57. Touchdown
58. Tends to remind
63. In a way, smoothed
65. Poke holes in the ground
66. Herbaceous plants
67. Taiwanese river
CLUES DOWN
1. Body art
2. Boxing’s GOAT
3. Film for posterity (abbr.)
4. Prayer
5. Calculating machine
6. Keyboard key
7. Outburst
8. Man-eating giants
9. New Hampshire
10. Type of sword
11. Counting
13. Pants style
15. Political action committee
17. U.S. government legislative branch
18. Civil Rights Act component
21. Contractors take one
23. Spanish soldier
24. A person’s brother or sister
27. Expressed pleasure
29. Song of praise
32. Shock treatment
34. Patti Hearst’s captors
35. Counteract
36. Goes over again
39. Popular Dodge truck
40. Male adult
43. A part of a river where the current is very fast
44. Rope used to lasso
46. Become less intense
47. Subway rodent
49. Lead alloy
51. Japanese honorific title
54. Advise someone
59. Famous NYC museum
60. Ocean
61. Cathode-ray tube
62. Cologne
64. It starts with these
• Basketball
(Continued from page 23)
Tyrrell noted news of the win traveled quickly in local coaching circles. “It was cool that other high school coaches were congratulating the team on the win,” he said. “That was cool to see that with that level of a win. It was humbling.”
After a 72-44 win over Providence St. Mel to close out the regular season, the Knights are 24-7 and fin-
ished tied for second in the Chicago Catholic League White Division with a 6-2 mark. Burbank St. Laurence won the White Division title — running the table at 8-0 in the nine-team circuit. “It’s been a very good regular season,” Tyrrell said.
The Knights closed the regular season with a 5-1 mark in their last six games. The only blip during that
span was a 64-48 loss to Montini in Catholic White action. “Montini was a disappointing loss, but we learned a lot from it,” Tyrrell noted. “The loss may have hurt our playoff seeding. We got a No. 4 seed, which was surprising with the season we have put together. But we are ready and looking forward to going down any path. We’re excited for the playoffs ahead.”
IC Catholic Prep’s other losses have come to four teams ranked in the top 10 in the most recent Associated Press Class 3A state poll — Chicago DePaul College Prep (1), Chicago Brother Rice (2), St. Laurence (3) and Chicago Mt. Carmel (9) — as well as Chicago St. Ignatius (received votes in the most recent Class 4A Associated Press poll) and Niles Northridge Prep.
During that recent six-game run, ICCP also defeated Chicago St. Francis de Sales 72-45, Johnsburg 68-43 and Aurora Central Catholic 52-44, in addition to the big win over Loyola and the league loss to Montini. In the five games against St.
Francis de Sales, Montini, Loyola, Johnsburg and ACC, Hill averaged 21 points and nine rebounds, while Mandley was at 14 points and Jordan Hall averaged eight points.
Against Providence St. Mel, the Knights honored seniors Hill, Hall, Luke Wojcik, Mandley, Fromelt, Matthew Sloan, Joe McDonough and Will Bryk.
“We recognized a big group of seniors,” Tyrrell said. “The cool thing in that game was everybody scored, and the seniors got a win on senior night.
The Knights open Class 2A postseason play Wednesday Feb. 26 at 7:30 p.m. against town neighbor Timothy Christian, the No. 6 seed in one sub-sectional. The winner of that game faces either top-seed Montini, No. 11 seed Chicago Noble/RoweClark or No. 10 seed Chicago Academy on Friday, Feb. 28 at Montini for the regional title and a spot in the Class 2A Chicago Christ the King sectional.
ICCP defeated Timothy twice this year by scores of 47-46 and 59-45.
The Knights are in search of their first regional title since 2018 and fourth under veteran coach Tyrrell.
NOTICE CERTIFICATE NO. 79616 was filed in the office of the County Clerk of DuPage County on January 24, 2025, wherein the business firm of Your Journey NRG, LOCATED AT 201 S. MONTEREY AVE., ELMHURST, IL 60126 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: NAME OF PERSON(S) MICHELE COUZENS, HOME ADDRESS 201 S. MONTEREY AVE., ELMHURST, IL 60126. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and Official Seal at my office in Wheaton, Illinois, this 24TH day of January, A.D. 2025.
JEAN KACZMAREK Jean Kaczmarek DuPage County Clerk (OFFICIAL SEAL) (Published in The Elmhurst Independent Feb. 6, 13, & 20, 2025) 467417
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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.
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Never Known to Fail
Oh, most beautiful flower of Mt. Carmel, fruitful vine, splendor of heaven, blessed mother of the Son of God.
Immaculate Virgin, assist me in my necessity. Oh Star of the Sea, help me and show me, herein you are my mother.
Oh, Holy Mary, Mother of God, Queen of Heaven and Earth! I humbly beseech you from the bottom of my heart to answer me in this necessity. There are none that can withstand your power. Oh, show me herein you are my mother.
Oh, Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee (3x). Holy Mother, I place this cause in your hands (3xs). Sweet Mother, I place this cause in your hands (3x). Holy Spirit, you who solve all problems, light all roads so that I can attain my goal, you who gave me divine gift to forgive and forget all evil against me, and that in all instances in my life you are with me. I want in this short prayer to thank you for all things as you confirm once again that I never want to be separated from you in eternal glory.
Thank you for your mercy towards me and mine.
The person must say this prayer 3 consecutive days, after 3 days the request will be granted.
This prayer must be published after the favor is granted. A.S.K. 467158
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