EI041025

Elmhurst voters re-elect Mayor Scott Levin to another four-year term

Levin wins more than 70 percent of the vote in his campaign against former

Elmhurst Mayor Scott Levin won re-election to another four-year term last week. Levin defeated Mark Mulliner in the April 1 election. According to the unofficial results, Levin received 7,007 votes. Mulliner, who served on the Elmhurst City Council for 24 years (from 1999 to 2023), won 2,774 votes.

Levin received 71.64 of the vote in last week’s race, while Mulliner attracted 28.36 percent of the vote.

“Thank you for your support in helping to get me re-elected as mayor of Elmhurst,” stated Levin in a social media post on April 2. “I hope you agree that we ran a very positive, honest race. Throughout my campaign I focused on the three things I bring to the office: leadership, integrity and experience. What this meant to me was being able to lead our city through uncertain times, working together with all of our citizens, despite differing views and keeping Elmhurst a safe, thriving and family-friendly community.”

Four years ago, in the election of April 6, 2021, Levin won his first four-year term as mayor. Levin prevailed over two City Council members— Michael Bram and Mulliner—in 2021. Levin received

Elmhurst City Council member Mark Mulliner

3,420 votes, while Bram won 2,840 votes and Mulliner garnered 2,056 votes. William Caster picked up 22 write-in votes.

“As a candidate, every position I took and every decision I made was based solely on what was in the best interest of our city,” added Levin in his post-election statement last week. “As your mayor, I have, and will continue, to use that touchstone for everything I do. I am looking forward to working with our City Council to continue our efforts to ensure that Elmhurst remains a premier community to live in. Your confidence in my ability to continue this work, and lead our city, is greatly appreciated. Again, thank you for your support.”

Belanger, Baker and Virgil win four-year terms on the Elmhurst City Council

Levin also congratulated the city’s newly elected aldermen—Brian Belanger, Mike Baker and Dan Virgil. Additionally, he thanked the other aldermanic candidates—Bobby Fontana, Kevin Kirby and Adam Park, for “presenting themselves well and for running positive campaigns.”

See LEVIN, Page 4

Elmhurst Mayor Scott Levin won another four-year term last week. Levin, who was elected in 2021, defeated Mark Mulliner in this year’s race. According to the unofficial results from the April 1 election, Levin won 7,007 votes. Mulliner, who served as an alderman on the Elmhurst City Council from 1999 to 2023, received 2,774 votes. Levin is pictured with several current and future Elmhurst City Council members in a photo his campaign posted on social media on April 2. Pictured left to right are: Mike Baker, Dan Virgil, Emily Bastedo, Karen Sienko, Levin, Jennifer Veremis, Mike Brennan, Jacob Hill and Rex Irby. Baker (Ward 4) and Virgil (Ward 5) won seats on the Elmhurst City Council in last week’s election, and will join the board next month. Bastedo (Ward 6), Brennan (Ward 7) and Hill (Ward 2) were re-elected to the Elmhurst City Council last week. Sienko (Ward 2), Veremis (Ward 1) and Irby (Ward 7) are current Elmhurst City Council members whose four-year terms expire in 2027.

Results from the April 1 consolidated election

Editor’s note: The following is an unofficial list of local election results. The results are provided by the DuPage County Election Commission.

The unofficial winners of each race have an x in front of their name, or in front of the yes or no vote on a proposition.

A complete list of election results from throughout DuPage County can be found at:

https://www.dupageresults. gov/IL/DuPage/123485/ web.345435/#/summary

Elmhurst

Mayor (Vote for 1)

x-Scott M. Levin, 7,007 votes (71.64%)

Mark A. Mulliner, 2,774 (28.36%)

City Clerk

(Vote for 1)

x-Jackie Haddad-Tamer, 7,094 (100%)

City Treasurer (Vote for 1)

x-Dan Curran, 7,066 (100%)

Alderperson Ward One (Vote for 1)

x-Brian Belanger, 944 (100%)

Alderperson Ward Two (Vote for 1)

x-Jacob Hill, 893 (68.48%)

Kevin Kirby, 411 (31.52%)

Alderperson Ward Three (Vote for 1)

x-Chris Jensen, 791 (100%)

Alderperson Ward Four (Vote for 1)

x-Mike Baker, 993 (63.78%)

Free recital at Elmhurst University this Sunday, April 13

This Sunday, April 13, beginning at 7 p.m., 10 faculty members of the Elmhurst University Music Department will join together in a free showcase recital for Elmhurst music students and the greater Elmhurst community. The Spring Faculty Recital will be performed in the Buik Recital Hall inside the Irion Hall Music Building on the Elmhurst University campus. The faculty to be showcased include several esteemed faculty members, including Eleanor Bartsch (professor of violin), Marie Bennett (professor of flute), Benjamin Weber (professor of viola), Soyoung Kee (professor of piano), Andrew Marlin (professor of bassoon), Amali Premawardhana (professor of cello), Emma Sepmeier (professor of French horn), Josh Wirt (professor of tuba), Orchestra Director Taka Matsunaga, and Linda Camp (professor of piano), who will serve as accompanist for the recital. A new composition by Adjunct Professor of Music Theory and Composition Timothy McDunn will also be performed. All of these faculty members have either national or international reputations as performers, soloists and clinicians. A variety of solo repertoire and chamber music will be performed, including works by Caroline Shaw, Dmitri Shostakovich, Reena Esmail, Sergei Prokofiev and more. The Elmhurst University Music Department is pleased to present this concert, which is open to the public, with free admission. For further information, a map of the campus or more information about future performances, visit www.elmhurst.edu/music.

Bobby Fontana, 564 (36.22%)

Alderperson Ward Five (Vote for 1)

x-Daniel Virgil, 834 (58.65%)

Adam Park, 588 (41.35%)

Alderperson Ward Six (Vote for 1)

x-Emily Bastedo, 1,068 (100%)

Alderperson Ward Seven (Vote for 1)

x-Michael J. Brennan, 1,131 (100%)

Elmhurst Community Unit School District 205

Member of the Board of Education

To serve a full 4-year term (Vote for 3)

x-Nicole Slowinski, 6,426 (27.71%)

x-Brian Bresnahan, 6,189 (26.69%)

x-Athena Arvanitis, 5,706 (24.61%)

John S. Bishof III, 2,134 (9.20%)

Tom Chavez, 2,735 (11.79%)

Elmhurst Park District

Park Commissioner (Vote for 2)

x-Vince Spaeth, 5,384 (47.01%)

x-Claire Kubiesa, 6,068 (52.99%)

Addison Township

Township Supervisor (Vote for 1)

x-Bobby Hernandez Democrat, 5,007 (51.85%)

Dennis M. Reboletti Republican, 4,650 (48.15%)

Township Clerk (Vote for 1)

x-Maria Vesey Democrat, 5,028 (52.58%)

Pamela Joy Moretti Repub-

lican, 4,535 (47.42%)

Township Assessor (Vote for 1)

x-Christopher T. Kain Republican, 6,735 (100%)

Township Trustee (Vote for 4)

x-Max Ashrafi Democrat, 4,548 (13.14%)

x-Titus Dare Democrat, 4,383 (12.66%)

x-Joey Moore Democrat, 4,707 (13.60%)

x-Debbie Sandstrom Democrat, 4,940 (14.27%)

Diana Lynn Kosmach Republican, 4,038 (11.66 %)

Konstantinos “Gus” Leventis Republican, 4,007 (11.57%)

Matthew Joseph Lozich Republican, 3,897 (11.26%)

Donna C. Tovello Republican, 4,100 (11.84%)

York Township Township Supervisor (Vote for 1)

John W. Valle Republican, 10,221 (41.55%)

x-Timothy M. Murray Democrat, 14,378 (58.45%)

Township Clerk (Vote for 1)

Anthony “Tony” Cuzzone Republican, 10,227 (41.69%)

x-Gary Kleppe Democrat, 14,303 (58.31%)

Township Assessor (Vote for 1)

x-Anthony J. Pacilli Republican, 15,198 (100%)

Township Highway Commissioner

(Vote for 1)

George T. Benes Republican, 9,938 (41.66%)

x-James Kehring Democrat, 14,378 (59.13%)

Andrew Winton (l), Rate; Mark Martinello (c), CBE; John Nodan (r),

SUBMITTED PHOTO Elmhurst Independent

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• Levin

(Continued from front page)

Belanger, who was recently sworn into office after Marti Deuter left the Elmhurst City Council to serve in the Illinois State Legislature, ran unopposed in last week’s election to represent Ward 1. Incumbent Jacob Hill defeated Kirby in last week’s race to represent Ward 2. According to the unofficial results, Hill won 893 votes, while Kirby received 411 votes.

City Council member Chris Jensen ran unopposed to represent Ward 3. Baker defeated Fontana in the race for Ward 4 alderman. Baker won 993 votes, according to the unofficial results, while Fontana received 564 votes.

Virgil won last week’s race to represent Ward 5 on the City Council. Unofficially, Virgil received 834 votes, while Park earned 588 votes.

City Council members Emily Bastedo (Ward 6) and Michael Brennan (Ward 7) ran unopposed in last week’s election. City Clerk Jackie Haddad-Tamer and City Treasurer Dan Curran also ran unopposed

Slowinski, Bresnahan and Arvanitis win terms on the District 205 Board

Five candidates ran for three available seats in the Elmhurst Community Unit School District 205 Board in last week’s election. Nicole Slowinski, Brian Bresnahan and incumbent Athena Arvanitis won four-year terms on the board.

According to the unofficial results, Slowinski received 6,426 votes in last week’s election. Bresnahan won 6,189 votes. Arvanitis, who is currently the board’s president, won 5,706 votes. John Bishof III received 2,134 votes, while Tom Chavez attracted 2,735 votes.

Arvanitis won a second term on the seven-member board, while Slowinski and Bresnahan will be newcomers on the board. Current

board members Kara Caforio and Jim Collins did not seek re-election to the board in 2025.

Slowinski, Bresnahan and Arvanitis will join Kelly Asseff, Kelly Henry, Beth Hosler and Courtenae Trautmann on the seven-member board. The four-year terms of Asseff, Henry, Hosler and Trautmann expire in 2027.

Recycle political and other corrugated plastic and cardboard signs this Friday and Saturday

The DuPage County Environmental Committee is offering the opportunity to recycle political and other corrugated plastic and cardboard signs for recycling, at no cost, during its upcoming event.

The recycling event will be held at the DuPage County Complex, 421 N. County Farm Road, Wheaton, this Friday, April 11, from 3 to 5:30 p.m., and Saturday, April 12, from 9 a.m. to noon. Enter through the complex’s main entrance and follow the signage for the recycling event.

While there will be no cost for collecting the signs and metal stands, the stands must be separated from signs prior to dropping them off. Only corrugated plastic and cardboard signs will be accepted.

For more information, call 630-407-6767, email Recycle@ dupagecounty.gov or visit dupagecounty.gov/ recycling.

Obituary

William F. Murphy, 81 Elmhurst, IL native and Immaculate Conception Grade School alumnus, William F. Murphy, Jr., age 81, of Woodridge, IL died peacefully at home on March 30 after a life richly lived in service and kindness.

Beloved husband of Liz nee Campbell for over 58 years; wonderful father of Jennifer (Larry) Lawson, Lisa (Doug) Young, William III, Colleen (Tom) Bosch; proud grandfather of Jacob and William Lawson, Braden Murphy, Campbell Young, and Christopher and Michael Bosch. Cherished son of the late Dr. William and Agnes and his brother Timothy. Dear brother of Anne Schiller, Jane Wangler, Mary Hauert, Charles Murphy, and Peggy Grobe; dear relative of many brothers-in-law, sisters-inlaw, nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Bill spent many cherished years in his youth in Door County, Wisconsin, where he

• Election

Township Trustee (Vote for 4)

became a lifetime devotee of the Green Bay Packers. He graduated from Immaculate Conception grade school in Elmhurst, St. Bede Academy in Peru, Illinois, and St. Joseph’s College in Indiana. He received a Masters degree in Education Administration and Supervision from Roosevelt University. His career in education included five years in the Chicago public schools, five years as a principal in Woodridge, and 29 years as assistant superintendent for personnel in Woodridge School District 68.

His service in government included eight years as a trustee and the longestserving DuPage County mayor with thirty-two years as mayor in Woodridge. During Bill’s government service, he was president of the DuPage Mayor and Managers Conference, president of the Illinois Municipal League, Board member of the National League of Cities, Vice President of the Illinois International Port District, and Vice Chairman of the DuPage Water Commission. William also proudly served

(Continued from page 2)

cratic, 13,416 (14.75%)

Rae Rupp-Srch Republican, 8,902 (9.79%)

Jeffrey A. Mussatto Republican, 8,956 (9.85%)

Kevin P. O’Reilly Republican, 9,349 (10.28%)

Ellen Picker Greer Republican, 9,203 (10.12%)

x-Clement Joseph “Joe” Amore Democrat, 13,722 (15.09%)

x-Ilse Messner Democrat, 13,793 (15.17%)

x-Albert “Al” Rago Democrat, 13,596 (14.95%)

x-Engy Sutherland Demo-

Propositions

Addison Township Proposition whether the state of Illinois should be allowed to force unfunded mandates on local governments who may raise property taxes to cover the costs of those mandates.

Should the state of Illinois be allowed to force unfunded mandates on local governments who may raise property taxes to cover the costs of those mandates?

Yes-886 (9.39%)

as a charter founding board member of Giant Steps, an autism center for excellence in Liste. Upon his retirement from Woodridge School District 68, the Board of Education honored his service by renaming a school, the William F. Murphy Elementary School. The Village of Woodridge will also be naming the Village Hall in his honor.

Bill touched so many lives in his 55 years of service to the community of Woodridge, in the Woodridge school system, the government, both local, DuPage County, and the State of Illinois.

A memorial mass will be held on Monday, April 7 at 11 a.m. at St. Scholastica Parish, 7800 Janes Ave. in Woodridge.

Internment will be private at Holy Family Cemetery in Downers Grove. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be sent to St. Bede Academy, 24 W. US Hwy 6, Peru, Illinois 62354 or https://www.st-bede.com/ give-now or the William F. Murphy School, 7700 Larchwood Ln., Woodridge, IL 60517 are appreciated.

x-No-8,550 (90.61%)

Proposition whether the state of Illinois should create an independent citizens commission to draw fair and competitive federal and state redistricting maps, rather than allowing lawmakers to decide.

Should the state of Illinois create an independent citizens commission to draw fair and competitive federal and state redistricting maps, rather than allowing lawmakers to decide?

x-Yes-6,466 (69.26%)

No-2,870 (30.74%)

IC Catholic Prep students present ‘The Lethal Lecture’

The IC Catholic Prep theater department presented its spring play—“The Lethal Lecture”—at the school last month. The cast in the March 21-22 presentations included:

Elizabeth

Samantha

Gunnar Swift and Gabrielle Graham. Crew members included: Daniel Duffy, James Pechaus, Julia Duffy, Jade Ruiz-Diaz, James DeRose, and Sam Duffy.

Jasmine Villegas,

Perez,

Castillo, Milagros Torres, Joseph Costa,

GPS program explores how emotions, feelings impact our lives

Discussion to include the concept of ‘self-compassion’

By Jane Charmelo FOR THE ELMHURST

INDEPENDENT

Gilda Ross believes there currently is “a crisis of stress,” and that getting in touch with our feelings and emotions is one way to provide valuable information that can help us better understand our values in life.

It is fitting, then, that she chose Dr. Susan David for the Wednesday, April 16, GPS Parent Series* program to present “Emotional Agility: Skills to Navigate Change and Embrace Self-Compassion,” an expert who has been called one of the world’s leading

“management thinkers.”

David is an award-winning Harvard Medical School psychologist; a TED Talk presenter on the topic of emotional agility; a contributor to the New York Times, Washington Post and Wall Street Journal; has appeared on national radio and television; and is co-founder of the Institute of Coaching, a Harvard Medical School McLean affiliate.

She is the author of the best-selling book “Emotional Agility: Get Unstuck, Embrace Change and Thrive in Work and Life”; and is a sought-after advisor, with clients from the United Nations, Google, Microsoft and many other national and multinational organizations.

Ross, who is the Glenbard

High School District 87 student and community projects coordinator, described that David will discuss “how to manage your thoughts and feelings,” in order to develop “an appreciation of what you’re feeling, what’s impacting your values … in this fast-paced world.”

It’s also about “reframing stress a little bit,” she added. “Rather than avoiding feelings, acknowledging them as they come up.”

“Susan wants you to look for patterns,” Ross continued, that will contribute to developing emotional agility. “Label them, have some insight, accept feelings and [have] self-compassion.”

Once we process our feelings and emotions, we can

then ask, “How do I need to take action?” the coordinator posed.

David will be in conversation with Dr. Kristin Neff, considered by Ross and others to be a “thought leader,” and who is associate professor of Human Development and Culture in the Educational Psychology Department at the University of Texas at Austin.

She is a pioneer in the field of “self-compassion,” and is the author of several books, including “Self-Compassion: The Proven Power of Being Kind to Yourself,” and “Fierce Self-Compassion: How Women Can Harness Kindness to Speak Up, Claim Their Power and Thrive.”

Neff has developed a theory about, and created a scale to

Cantigny celebrates spring

Egg Hunt, Tulip Show, and Mother’s Day fun await visitors in April and May

Spring is a beautiful time to visit Cantigny and this year is no exception. Three upcoming events offer a special chance for friends, families, and garden lovers to embrace the charms of spring.

“Cantigny comes alive in spring when the gardens burst with color,” said Matt LaFond, executive director of Cantigny Park. “It’s a time when people are naturally drawn outside—to reconnect with nature and enjoy the season’s vibrance.”

Easter Egg Hunt and Brunch Buffet

Saturday and Sunday, April 12-13,10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free with parking: $16 per car.

This two-day event offers children an exciting chance to hunt for prizes at the fan-favorite Easter Egg Hunt in

the McCormick Allée. Eggs are replenished throughout the day. Kids may redeem five eggs for a prize (one per child) and families are encouraged to re-hide any extras for others to enjoy.

Visitors can also snap photos with Mr. and Mrs. Bunny, catch a showing of the popular movie, Hop (2011) in the Visitors Center Theater, and let kids decorate a ceramic puppy bank in the Medill Room ($5 while supplies last). Outdoor concessions will offer lunch fare, soft drinks, and a Bloody Mary and Mimosa bar for adults.

Inside Le Jardin, a brunch buffet featuring breakfast and lunch favorites will be served from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. No reservations required. Adults: $27, Ages 3-12: $17, Under 3: Free (plus tax).

Tulip Sip and Stroll

Saturday, April 26, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free with parking: $16 per car.

Cantigny’s tulips take center stage at this relaxed, self-guided garden stroll. Visitors can enjoy specialty cocktails available for purchase and take advantage of special photo ops throughout the gardens—perfect for capturing spring memories amid thousands of colorful blooms.

May Fest and Market

Saturday and Sunday, May 10-11, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free with parking: $21 per car.

Celebrate Mother’s Day weekend at a lively outdoor festival filled with music, shopping, and family-friendly fun. Pick up a special gift for mom at the Spring Market, featuring 30+ artisan vendors

inside the historic McCormick House. Visit the Beer Garden, which is opening this weekend for the 2025 season, to enjoy live music and lawn games.

Family activities include the Gnome Hunt, a scavenger hunt across Cantigny, plant crafts, and an inflatable play zone. Create your own micro-garden at The Terrarium Bar ($35, advance registration required), a hands-on experience to bring the magic of nature home. And don’t miss this once-per-year chance for a Greenhouse Tour ($25), an exciting opportunity to peek behind the scenes of Cantigny and preview what’s coming to the gardens this summer.

For more details, including menus, activity schedules, and online registration, visit Cantigny.org.

Elmhurst Symphony Orchestra to close 2024-25

season with ‘Brass Brilliance’

An evening of Gershwin, Perkinson, and Mussorgsky

The Elmhurst Symphony Orchestra will cap off its 2024-25 season with a performance on Saturday, May 3, at 7 p.m. at Elmhurst Christian Reformed Church, 149 W. Brush Hill Road.

The concert, conducted by Music Director Stephen Alltop, will feature a diverse program of vibrant, dynamic works that highlight a blend of American, African American, and Russian influences.

The evening will begin with a pre-concert talk at 5:45 p.m. to offer insight into the music and enhance the concert experience for attendees.

Program highlights:

George Gershwin—An American in Paris: Gershwin’s iconic musical depiction of Paris in the roaring 1920s, complete with honking taxis and jazz-inspired melodies. Coleridge-Taylor Perkinson—Sinfonietta for Strings (II and III): A powerful and captivating work by the influential African American composer.

George Gershwin—I Got Rhythm Variations: Featuring Sylvia Wang on piano, this dazzling piece will showcase Gershwin’s signature fusion of jazz and classical music. Modest Mussorgsky (orch.

Ravel)—Pictures at an Exhibition: An orchestral arrangement by Maurice Ravel of Mussorgsky’s beloved suite, bringing the evening to a close.

What’s interesting … Gershwin’s An American in Paris will open the concert with a lively tribute to the city of Paris in the jazz age, offering an exciting fusion of symphonic and jazz elements. The performance also highlights the works of African American composer Coleridge-Taylor Perkinson, adding depth and diversity to the program. Sylvia

measure, self-compassion, and has written numerous academic articles on the subject.

According to Ross, Neff basically poses the challenge: “If we would only talk to ourselves as we would talk to our best friend.”

She said the program will be “useful information for parents [and] useful for kids.”

“Emotional Agility” will take place virtually through Zoom on Wednesday, April 16, at noon and 7 p.m. Visit GPSparentseries.org for details.

To be placed on a reminder list for GPS events or submit a question in advance, contact Ross at gilda_ross@glenbard. org or 630-942-7668.

*Ross noted that what was launched in District 87 and originally called the Glenbard

Parent Series: Navigating Healthy Families, or GPS, is now referred to simply as the GPS Parent Series, because it is open to all interested individuals and families, no matter where they live, as the series has gained national recognition over the last 30 years.

GPS Parent Series is supported and/or sponsored by many organizations, foundations, community partners (such as libraries), the DuPage County Health Department and healthcare providers; and has partnered with well over 40 school districts—from as far away as East Moline School District 37 and Richmond-Burton District 157.

Many of the programs also offer continuing professional development units.

Wang will enchant the audience with Gershwin’s “I Got Rhythm” variations, showcasing her talent on the piano. The evening will conclude with a masterful performance of Mussorgsky’s “Pictures at an Exhibition,” orchestrated by Maurice Ravel, bringing the season to a bold and vibrant finale.

Ticket Information

For tickets, first-time visitor guides, FAQs, and further concert details, visit www. ElmhurstSymphony.org or call the Elmhurst Symphony office at 630-941-0202, M-F 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

THANK YOU TO THE ELMHURST CHAMBER OF COMMERCE FOR NAMING OUR AGENCY THE 2025 ELMHURST BUSINESS OF THE YEAR! Being a good neighbor means being there for my community. As your local State Farm® agent, I'm ready to help whenever you need me. Give me a call. Go with a good neighbor

THANK YOU TO THE ELMHURST CHAMBER OF COMMERCE FOR NAMING OUR AGENCY THE 2025 ELMHURST BUSINESS OF THE YEAR! Being a good neighbor means being there for my community. As your local State Farm® agent, I'm ready to help whenever you need me. Give me a call. Go with a

THANK YOU TO THE ELMHURST CHAMBER OF COMMERCE FOR NAMING OUR AGENCY THE 2025 ELMHURST BUSINESS OF THE YEAR! Being a good neighbor means being there for my community. As your local State Farm® agent, I'm ready to help whenever you need me. Give me a call.

Stolper Insurance Agency Inc

Stolper Insurance Agency Inc

Bus:

Bus:

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

March 28

Officers responded to the 800 block of N. York for the report of a subject with a knife. Upon arrival, the victim reported Rahkeem Asare, 32, of Wood Dale, allegedly had threatened to stab her with a knife. Asare was charged with aggravated assault and disorderly conduct.

March 27

John M. Sandstrom, 57, of Elmhurst, was charged with assault and disorderly conduct-damage to property in the 200 block of S. Route 83 at 7:59 p.m. Police said that subsequent to a call for a hit and run, the bicyclist, Sandstrom, claimed to have been hit by a car that had left the area. After further investigation, police said it was found that Sandstrom hit the mirror of a victim’s vehicle, breaking the mirror, and then lunged at the driver.

Criminal trespassing

March 31

Phillip V. Breckler, 37, of Elmhurst, was charged with criminal trespass to property in the 100 block of E. Butterfield at 12:50 p.m. Police said a complainant related that Breckler was in violation of his no-trespass notice.

March 28

A complainant in the 100 block of S. Prospect reported a suspect, who had been trespassed from the location, was inside the building. The suspect left the building prior to an officer’s arrival. Officers attempted to locate the suspect, with negative results.

Domestic battery, disorderly conduct, domestic issue

March 30

Police said a victim came to the police station and reported having a verbal argument with her intoxicated husband at their residence. The victim wanted her husband to leave the residence. Officers spoke with the suspect, who denied any argument or physical altercation. He refused to leave, but stated there would be no further issues if the victim returned.

March 27

A complainant at a bank in the 1000 block of S. York told police that a subject has been frequently observed on the property and that customers have complained. The complainant wanted the subject to be served with a no-trespass notice. An officer spoke with the subject and advised him not to return to the property. The subject was served with the no-trespass notice.

DUI, consumption of alcohol by a minor, illegal possession of alcohol

April 2

Brett M. Johnson, 45, of Carol Stream, was issued citations for transportation of open

alcohol by a driver and failure to signal subsequent to a traffic stop near Grand and Old Grand at 4:16 p.m.

March 31

Jesus J. Aguayo Ornelas, 43, of Bensenville, was issued a citation for possession of alcohol in public and was served a no-trespass notice at a restaurant in the 100 block of E. Butterfield at 9:49 a.m. Police said a complainant related Ornelas caused a disturbance, and that the complainant wished to have him served with a no-trespass notice. According to police, Ornelas was found to be in possession of open alcohol.

March 30

Megan L. Strance, 23, of Naperville, was charged with battery and possession of cannabis, while Brianna P. Carreno, 22, of Country Club Hills, was charged with DUI in the 900 block of S. York at 2:23 a.m. Police said that subsequent to a report of a fight, both suspects were located, placed under arrest, and transported to the police station.

March 29

Charles A. Nahumyk, 19, of Elmhurst, was charged with consumption of alcohol by a minor after a traffic stop near Addison and Second at 3:34 a.m.

Fleeing, eluding

According to information provided by the Elmhurst Police Department, police reported three incidents of fleeing and eluding during which a driver fled the scene after being stopped for a traffic stop by police.

Harassment, threats

March 31

A complainant in the 800 block of S. Kent told police she received threatening text messages from an unknown phone number.

Identity theft, fraud

According to information provided by the Elmhurst Police Department, police reported four incidents of identity theft or fraud.

Possession of cannabis in a vehicle

According to information provided by the Elmhurst Police Department, police reported three incidents of possession of cannabis by either the driver of a vehicle or a passenger: Masroor Ahmed, 25, of Lombard, near Route 83 and Riverside at 8:18 p.m.; Diamond S. Muhammad, 31, of West Dundee, near Lake and Grand at 8:21 p.m. March 30; and Christopher T. Payton, 29, of Chicago, near North and Route 83 at 10:17 p.m. March 30.

Suspicious incident

March 30

Police said officers responded to a disturbance call in the 300 block of Webster at 1:50 a.m. The residence was checked without any signs of struggle or any indications of an assault. The victim refused to speak with officers and took an Uber home.

March 27

A complainant in the 700 block of N. Van Auken told police at 8:46 a.m. that he had seen a subject, unclothed, standing in the doorway. The subject denied the allegation. Due to conflicting statements and no secondary witnesses, no arrests were made.

Theft, retail theft, burglary, attempted theft or burglary, forgery, deceptive practice, obstruction, robbery

April 2

Police said that subsequent to a call for a disturbance at a store in the 600 block of N. York, a complainant related that Marcos R. DeLeon-Garcia, 41, of Bensenville, attempted to steal merchandise from the store. According to police, an officer made contact with DeLeon-Garcia and two other suspects, and determined that DeLeon-Garcia removed several bottles of alcohol from the store and left without paying, while Daniel Lopez, 22, of Bensenville, was found to have two valid failure to appear warrants out of DuPage County. DeLeon-Garcia was charged with retail theft. Lopez and Asuscio Ramos-Lopez, 51 (residence not given), were charged with possession of open alcohol in public.

April 1

Police said officers responded to a business in the 200 block of E. Butterfield for a burglar alarm. Upon on officer’s arrival, it was observed that the business and four additional businesses were burglarized.

March 31

A victim in the 600 block of N. York told police that an unknown person(s) smashed the rear passenger-side window of her vehicle and stole her purse. While officers were on scene, they discovered two additional vehicles had been broken into and burglarized.

March 30

Kyle William Santiago, 24, of Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, was charged with retail theft and resisting arrest at a restaurant in the 100 block of E. Butterfield at 9 p.m. Police said a complainant reported the suspect entered the kitchen area, grabbed a bag of food and exited the restaurant without paying.

March 29

Joseph A. Savino, 42, of Lakemoor, Ill., was charged with possession of stolen motor vehicle and aggravated driving with a suspended license near I-290 and North at 4:37 a.m. According to police, while on patrol, a reporting officer observed a vehicle that had been reported stolen out of Fox Lake. The vehicle began to flee when an officer activated a tire deflation device with positive results. Savino reportedly exited his vehicle and fled, but was later apprehended by police.

Warrant arrest

April 1

Police said that subsequent to a traffic stop near Grand and County Line at 12:19 p.m., Darrius D. White, 43, of Maywood, was found to have a valid warrant for contempt of court from the Cook County Sheriff’s Office.

March 28

According to police, an Elmhurst officer assisted the Villa Park Police Department in the 1-100 block of S. Ardmore with conducting surveillance on a vehicle and suspect known to be involved in retail theft activity. Police said the suspect, Michael R. Evans, was taken into custody on an active original arrest warrant out of the Lake County Sheriff’s Office for retail theft and was turned over to the Villa Park Police Department.

Police locate and arrest man who allegedly fled from stolen vehicle

Subject reportedly exited vehicle near North and I-290; police arrested him later at First and Geneva streets

The Elmhurst Police Department announced last week the arrest of a 42-yearold convicted felon from Lakemoor, Illinois, after a search in east Elmhurst.

On Saturday, March 29, at approximately 4:50 a.m. Elmhurst police officers were alerted to a vehicle traveling in the vicinity that was reported stolen in Fox Lake approximately two hours earlier.

Officers spotted the stolen white Chevrolet Traverse SUV at the Shell gas station at 654 W. North Avenue, located at the intersection of North and Route 83. Officers observed the vehicle leave the gas station and drive east on North Avenue at a high rate of speed. Officers deployed a tire deflation device on North Avenue and the stolen vehicle entered the ramp for eastbound I-290.

The vehicle became disabled and came to a stop off the ramp. The driver ran from the scene through a wooded area into East End Park in Elmhurst.

Officers conducted a search of the area with a police K9 and public safety drone. Officers located a backpack in the park that was found to contain stolen property from a vehicle burglary in the northern suburbs that morning.

The Elmhurst Police Department issued an alert to the neighborhood advising residents of the search for the suspect. At approximately 8:20 a.m. officers located the suspect walking and took him into custody at First and Geneva streets.

The suspect, Joseph A. Savino, 42, of Lakemoor, Illinois, was transported to the Elmhurst Police Department.

Savino was found to be wanted for three no bond arrest warrants out of Lake, McHenry, and Cook counties.

In consultation with the DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Office, Savino was charged with possession of a stolen motor vehicle (a Class 2 felony) and felony driving while license revoked (Class 4 felony).

Savino was transported to the DuPage County Jail, and as of last week, remained in custody pending the out-of-county arrest warrants.

Joseph Savino

Police investigate overnight

burglaries in Elmhurst shopping center

Similar burglaries took place in the same time frame in Berkeley, Lombard, Oakbrook Terrace and Forest Park

The Elmhurst Police Department is actively investigating overnight burglaries that occurred in the early morning hours of Tuesday, April 1. The incidents took place at a shopping center located at the intersection of York Street and Butterfield Road. Preliminary reports indicated that four stores were burglarized, and that suspects unsuccessfully attempted to enter a fifth establishment during a five-minute time period.

On April 1, Elmhurst Police officers responded at 2:26 a.m. to an activated burglar alarm and discovered damaged glass doors to the businesses. Officers are working with business owners, re-

viewing surveillance footage, and collecting evidence. The Elmhurst Police Department announced later on April 1 it was looking for four male suspects, wearing masks and hoods, who are believed to have left the scene in a stolen red Kia sedan.

The Elmhurst Police Department is aware of similar burglaries to businesses in Berkeley, Lombard, Oakbrook Terrace, and Forest Park during the same time frame, and is coordinating its investigation with these agencies.

Anyone with information related to the incidents is urged to contact the Elmhurst Police Department at 630530-3050.

Pre-trial release denied for two men accused of firing a weapon at 2023 Juneteenth celebration in unincorporated Willowbrook

One of the suspects is a Villa Park resident

DuPage County Sheriff

James Mendrick and DuPage County State’s Attorney

Robert Berlin announced last week that Judge Joshua Dieden granted the state’s motion to deny pre-trial release for a Chicago man accused of firing a handgun at a Juneteenth celebration in unincorporated Willowbrook in 2023.

Fredrick Turner, 20, appeared in court on April 2, and was charged with two counts of aggravated discharge of a firearm (a Class 1 felony) and one count of aggravated unlawful possession of a weapon (a Class 4 felony).

A second man, Franshun Jordan, 24, of Villa Park, who is also accused of firing a handgun at the celebration, appeared in court recently.

Judge Neal Cerne granted the state’s motion to deny Jordan pre-trial release. Jordan is charged with two counts of aggravated discharge of a firearm (a Class 1 felony).

On June 18, 2023, at approximately 12:24 a.m., deputies with the DuPage County Sheriff’s Office were alerted to gunshots fired at a Juneteenth celebration in a strip mall parking lot near Kingery Highway and Honeysuckle Rose Lane in unincorporated Willowbrook. Upon their arrival, deputies learned that Reginald Meadows, 31, of Willowbrook, had been shot and killed, and that more than 20 individuals had been in-

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, April 10

Elmhurst Centre for Performing Arts inaugural Toasts & Tastes fundraising event. The Elmhurst Centre for Performing Arts (ECPA) is pleased to introduce Toasts & Tastes for ECPA—an exclusive wine-tasting event from 6-9 p.m. at Wilder Mansion. Guests will experience a curated selection of more than 100 wines from around the world, with sommeliers onsite to guide tastings and answer questions.

In partnership with Tannins Wine Bar & Boutique, this lively evening will offer an immersive experience, complete with live music, passed hors d’oeuvres, and food stations. Attendees will have the opportunity to place wine orders at the event, with special discounts available for volume purchases.

jured.

Following an investigation into the matter led by the DuPage County Sheriff’s Office, it is alleged that while in attendance at the Juneteenth celebration, Turner and Jordan were standing outside of a beauty supply store. It is alleged that at some point in time, Turner became agitated and began running toward the parking lot between cars. It is further alleged that Turner was chasing another individual when he began shooting not only at the individual but also into a dense crowd.

It is alleged that when the shooting began, Jordan ran into an alcove near the front of the beauty supply store. It is further alleged that Jordan emerged from the alcove, began running through the parking lot between cars, and then began shooting in the direction of people fleeing the scene both on foot and in cars. It is alleged that after the shooting, both men separately fled the scene.

On April 1, 2025, deputies with the DuPage County Sheriff’s Office took Turner into custody. On March 29, 2025, deputies with the DuPage County Sheriff’s Office took Jordan into custody. An investigation into the matter continues. Anyone with information is asked to contact the DuPage County Sheriff’s Office at 630-4072400.

or call 630-834-0202

Saturday, April 12

GreenMan Theatre yard sale and open house. From 10 a.m.-2 p.m. presented by Greenman Theatre at First United Methodist Church, 232 S. York St., as GreenMan Theatre downsizes for its move to new quarters, community members can visit and take a piece of theatre home with them. Props, furniture and costumes will be available. Donations are welcome and appreciated.

Sunday, April 13

Dogs of all sizes can hunt for treat-filled eggs. Registration is not required. Free to attend. All dogs must be kept on a non-retractable leash (maximum 6 feet), be current on all vaccinations, and visibly wear tags. No prong collars please. Dog must be accompanied by at least one person age 16-or-older. No registration required. For more information, visit: www.epd.org/ news/doggie-eggstravaganza.

District’s annual egg hunt. Join in a mad dash to collect prize-filled eggs and visit with the Easter Bunny. Adults must accompany children; don’t forget to bring your basket. For ages 2-10. Registration is required. Register at epd.org.

As ECPA works to establish a world-class performing arts venue in the western suburbs, fundraising events like Toasts & Tastes play a critical role in bringing this vision to life. Once built, the 26,000-squarefoot facility will host live theater, music, dance, comedy, and community events, transforming Elmhurst into a regional cultural hub.

Guests are encouraged to dress in business casual attire for an elegant yet relaxed evening. Tickets and sponsorship opportunities are available under the EVENTS tab at ECPA-elmhurst.org. This event is 21+.

Poetry workshop: What sustains us. From 5:30 to 8 p.m. presented by the Elmhurst Art Museum, 150 Cottage Hill Ave., in celebration of National Poetry Month and inspired by the spring exhibition, we invite community members to join us for an evening of enjoying and creating poetry that explores the intersection of who we are and the food that sustains us. Participants will listen to poems exploring relationships between food, culture, and identity. Next, Elmhurst University professor Dr. Ann Frank Wake will guide participants as they write their poems about a food that is meaningful to them. No writing experience is required. Price is $25 for nonmembers, $15 for members. For more information, visit: https://elmhurstartmuseum.org/events

McCormick House tour. From 1-2 p.m. presented by Elmhurst Art Museum, 150 Cottage Hill Ave., learn more about the unique history and design of Mies van der Rohe’s 1952 McCormick House. Tours are led by museum docents and are approximately one hour in length. Capacity is limited and spots sell out quickly, so advance tickets are recommended. Your ticket for the tour includes admission to the rest of the museum. Check-in at the front desk of the museum upon your arrival. You may view the museum exhibitions either before or after the tour. Price is $23 for nonmember tickets, which includes admission to the museum. Elmhurst Art Museum Members need to call 630834-0202, Ext. 10 or email: info@elmhurstartmuseum. org to obtain the discount code needed to redeem your free ticket.

Sunday, April 13

SHE Single Mothers Support Group. Beginning at 12:15 p.m. at Elmhurst Christian Reformed Church, 149 W. Brush Hill Road. We offer a complimentary lunch for all who attend, and free child care (infants-12 years old). Join other single mothers for a time of fun, fellowship and support. RSVP to elmhurstcrc.org/she.

Thursday, April 17

Flashlight Egg Hunt. From 8-8:30 p.m. presented by the Elmhurst Park District at Wilder Park, 175 S. Prospect, calling all egg-hunters ages 11-16. Grab your flashlight and join your friends in the frenzy as you search for candy filled eggs. No need to register; this event is free. For more information, visit: www.epd.org/news/ flashlight-teen-egg-hunt.

Saturday, April 19

Doggie Eggstravaganza From 11-11:30 a.m. presented by the Elmhurst Park District at Berens Park, 493 N. Oaklawn, celebrate spring with your four-legged friend at our Doggie Eggstravaganza when the egg hunt goes to the dogs!

Easter egg hunt on Spring Road. From 12:30-1:30 p.m. presented by the Spring Road Business Association at Wild Meadows Trace, 483 Spring Road, visit with the Easter Bunny starting at 12:30. Thousands of candy filled eggs will be scattered throughout the Wild Meadows Trace for an egg hunt that starts promptly at 1 p.m. Don’t be late because the eggs are gone in 60 seconds! There is time to meet and greet with the Easter Bunny before and after the egg hunt. For more information, visit: https:// springroad.com/our-events.

Egg hunt at Berens Park. Starting at 8 a.m. at Berens Park, 493 N. Oaklawn and presented free by the Elmhurst Park District, hop on over to the baseball fields at Berens Park this year for the Park

Saturday, May 10 Green Garden Fair at the First Congregational Church. From 9 a.m.-noon at 235 S. Kenilworth Ave., Elmhurst. Pick up pre-ordered, certified organic seedlings. Addition organic vegetable and herb seedlings, beautiful flower seedlings and bagged organic mushroom compost and potting mix will be available for purchase at the fair. Bring your garden tools, knives and scissors and Custom Edge Sharpening will sharpen them while you wait. Also, Prairie Wind Natives will be selling native plants. Learn how to live more sustainably from a variety of “green” exhibitors. For more information, visit the church website: https://elmhurstucc. org.

Elmhurst History Museum Info: elmhursthistory.org.

Elmhurst Art Museum Info: 630-834-0202 or visit elmhurstartmuseum.org.

Viewpoint

Slices of life

Dirt in the bedroom — a tragic love story

We all have portions of our lives that we’d rather not disclose to the public. In fact, most of us don’t have to go too far to realize what those things are. Because we already know— all too well.

Am I right?

So the discourse I’m about to write here is done so with a fair amount of discord. My heart is tugging at it’s own strings. Maybe honesty isn’t always the best policy. But then again, perhaps it will set me free.

I don’t know which adage to abide by, much less believe, so I’m going to go with my gut on this one and simply lay (or would it be lie?) the ugly truth right there on the line.

Forgive me for my transgressions, as I try to forgive myself. My dirty truth has to do with bedrooms, and the messiness of life.

But it’s not what you might be thinking; I’m not talking about that type of messiness.

I’m referring to the ceiling fan.

My story does include a component of love, which unfortunately doesn’t have anything to do with me at the moment. It has to do with the aforementioned ceiling fan. The spinning blades are currently having a torrid love affair with a thick and rather busty layer of dust.

It’s a provocative, dirty, unmentionable situation, but real. So very, very real.

The two of them—the ceiling fan and the dust— have become inseparable. Despite their differences they are literally drawn to

By JILL PERTLER Columnist

one another. The bond is undeniable. Each night they cavort in a dizzying dance overhead my bed.

I believe they are in love. Despite their differences. Despite the obstacles. Despite the risks.

Because love knows nothing of differences, obstacles or risks.

Love only understands love.

And when it is pure (albeit dirty) love is beautiful.

I’m not ready to profess the love between my ceiling fan and its dust-bride is beautiful, but I will say it is nonconforming and persistent.

I separate the two as best I can, because that is what a responsible and cleanlinessseeking homeowner does. But dust—bride that she is—will not be thwarted. She finds a way to return to her beloved fan blades and together the two circulate the ceiling morning and night, spinning to their own silent song. Twirling and swirling like only two lovebirds can. Their attraction to one another is magnetic—almost like it defies gravity. Like it is magic.

Which I guess love is, when it is truly meant to be.

Which brings me to the big, unanswered question: Is the love between my ceiling

fan and its dust bride meant to be? Is it part of the great plan—part of the world order? Is it something bigger than me—or even bigger than you?

That’s the million-dollar question and I’m not sure I have the answer. I do know that I have done my best— over the years and even decades—to keep my ceiling fan free from dust, and my efforts have been nothing if not in vain. No matter what I do, no matter how diligent I am, no matter all my best and very thrilling attempts to use the latest technology (or pillowcases) to keep my ceiling fan undustingly pristine – dust and blades continue to find one another, over and over and over again, in a deja vu that simply keeps repeating itself.

It’s like it was meant to be.

Sort of like true love.

And who am I to question something as big and large and wonderful as that? Besides, my bedroom has another issue, which I believe may be related (and multiplying).

The ceiling fan and its dust-bride have been consorting in ways I don’t want to imagine and in the process have created mini dust offspring. They reside under the bed, like little bunnies. I’d call it inconceivable, if I hadn’t witnessed it myself.

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

Elmhurst Fire Department to hold Junior Fire Academy Day event on April 26

Do you know a young adult interested in a career as a firefighter?

The Elmhurst Fire Department is hosting Junior Fire Academy Day event on Saturday, April 26. This unique learning experience is designed for young adults (ages 14-20) interested in

becoming a firefighter. The event will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Elmhurst Fire Department’s training facility at 910 N. Addison Ave. The day will include hands-on activities and demonstrations providing an opportunity to experience real-life

Costa Howard explains Illinois Homeschool Act

By State Rep. Terra Costa Howard

Parents have rights. Children have rights. As legislators, it’s our job to protect those rights in ways that are thoughtful, effective, and reasonable.

As vice-chair of the House Adoption and Child Welfare Committee, I introduced the Homeschool Act because I was deeply troubled by a recent investigation by Capitol News Illinois and ProPublica. Their investigative journalists found multiple cases of devastating abuse of children who had been pulled from school and kept isolated.

to protect children from being isolated in desperate situations.

Just as importantly, those declarations will protect homeschooling parents from nosy neighbors who want to know why kids are hunting pollinators in the back garden instead of sitting in a classroom. If someone makes a truancy report to the regional office, a quick check of the records will show that those children are being homeschooled.

school districts, either to access specialized services such as speech therapy or to include their children in team sports.

For others, the task of filing a piece of paper with their local school will not impose much of a burden— especially not when compared with the new protections it will provide, both for their own families and for children at risk of abuse.

scenarios and gain a better understanding of the fire service profession. Spaces are limited and registration is required. Registration will close on Wednesday, April 23. For more information, visit elmhurst.org/ juniorfireacademy.

After reading the articles, I did some checking and found that, unlike 38 other states, Illinois currently has no laws on the books to hold parents accountable when they take on the responsibility of educating their children at home. So I introduced HB2827, the Illinois Homeschool Act, which will put a few common-sense rules in place.

Under the Act, a parent will file a Homeschool Declaration Form with the local public school district, to be sent the Regional Office of Education, stating their intention to school their child at home. That declaration form will help

Under the Illinois Homeschool Act, parents also will be asked to maintain a simple portfolio showing their child’s schoolwork. These types of portfolios are already pretty standard for most homeschoolers because they help parents and children track academic progress. They also can be required for college admissions and scholarship applications, and they are crucial for students who shift from homeschooling to another educational environment.

I believe the majority of homeschooling parents take that responsibility seriously and provide their children with good, personalized educations. For those parents, this new law will have virtually no impact. Many are already connected with their local

It has been deeply upsetting to hear from constituents who have been targeted with misinformation about this bill—especially because that misinformation seems to be coming from politically motivated partisans who don’t really care about our children and their educations.

As the chief sponsor of the Homeschool Act, I am proud of this simple, common-sense bill. I believe it will respect and protect the rights of homeschooling families while helping to keep our most vulnerable children from falling through the cracks.

Terra

Howard represents the 42nd District, which includes most of Lombard and parts of Villa Park.

Costa

PUZZLE Page

SUDOKU

Fun by the Numbers

Like puzzles? Then you’ll love sudoku. This mind-bending puzzle will have you hooked from the moment you square off, so sharpen your pencil and put your sudoku savvy to the test! Here’s How It Works: Sudoku puzzles are formatted as a 9x9 grid, broken down into nine 3x3 boxes. To solve a sudoku, the numbers 1 through 9 must fill each row, column and box. Each number can appear only once in each row, column and box. You can figure out the order in which the numbers will appear by using the numeric clues already provided in the boxes. The more numbers you name, the easier it gets to solve the puzzle!

CLUES ACROSS

1. Garden tool

5. A way to preserve

11. Gratitude

14. Domestic sheep

15. Simpler

18. Cavities containing liquid

19. Large fish-eating bird

21. Ocular protection index

23. Phil __, former CIA

24. Icelandic poems

28. Pop

29. Device

30. Actor Rudd

32. A pituitary hormone

33. Focus on an object

35. Corpuscle count (abbr.)

36. Young women’s association

39. Not shallow

41. Doctor

42. Furniture

44. Hindu male religious teacher

46. Highly spiced stew

47. A way to communicate

49. Almost last

52. Astronomer Carl

56. Small horses

58. A slender tower with balconies

60. A disrespectful quality

62. Fully shaded inner regions

63. Short convulsive intake of breath

CLUES DOWN

1. Popular Sunday dinner option

2. Oil cartel

3. Agile

4. Greek goddess of discord

5. Genetically distinct variety

6. Indicates badly

7. Popular Mr. T character

8. Consumed

9. Chinese dynasty

10. NFL great Randy

12. Within

13. Palm trees

16. Fungal disease

17. Tall, slender-leaved plants

20. Affirmative! (slang)

22. A passport is one

25. Two outs in baseball (abbr.)

26. Swiss river

27. Deferential

29. Where a bachelor lives

31. Portable computer screen material

34. A crying noise of a bird

36. Sticky, amorphous

substance

37. Starchy dish of dried tubers

38. Type of acid

40. Partner to “Ma”

43. 16 ounces

45. The Bay State

48. A well-defined track or path

50. Substitution

51. Defined period

53. Group of toughs

54. Region

55. Famed Scottish Loch

57. Blood relation

58. Not around

59. Recipe measurement

61. Father to Junior

Glowiak Hilton works to protect consumers from price gouging after a disaster

Disasters take a physical, emotional and financial toll, which can be compounded by inflated prices of essential items during the recovery process.

To protect Illinoisans in a time of need, State Senator Suzy Glowiak Hilton is working to prevent price

gouging immediately following a disaster. “Tornados are common in Illinois—imagine one destroys your home and you go to the store to purchase diapers only to find the price has tripled. For some, that’s just not feasible,” said Glowiak Hilton (D-Western Springs).

“The affordability and availability of essential goods is vital for those rebuilding their lives.”

While 39 states have regulations against price gouging during disasters, Illinois limits its protections to excessive costs of petroleum products during market emergencies.

To further protect consumers, Senate Bill 1932 would prohibit unjustified price increases on essential goods and services in designated disaster areas for 45 days after the governor or U.S. president declares a state of emergency.

Under Glowiak Hilton’s

measure, a price increase of 20 percent or more during a disaster is considered unconscionably high, unless it can be attributed to increased costs on behalf of the seller. Items covered by the bill include building materials, food, medical and emergency supplies, and repair, storage

and transportation services.

“This isn’t only about enforcing fair pricing, it’s about restoring trust in our marketplace during times of crisis and holding predatory businesses accountable,” Glowiak Hilton added.

Senate Bill 1932 passed the Senate on Friday, April 4.

4 areas to watch when filing your last-minute tax return

With the April 15 tax deadline fast approaching, the rush to file federal and state tax returns is on, but racing through preparation might inadvertently raise some red flags with the IRS or Illinois Department of Revenue (IDOR). Here are four areas to watch when preparing and filing your tax returns.

Income

Most earned income is reported to both you and the government on the applicable tax forms, like W-2, 1099-B, 1099-DIV, 1099-INT, 1099K, 1099-MISC, 1099-NEC, 1099-R, and SSA-1099, among others.

If the income you report on your federal and state tax returns doesn’t match IRS and state records, you could find yourself receiving information requests or even facing fines.

To avoid issues, take your time to ensure all your income forms are accounted for before preparing your tax returns—and confirm the proper totals are entered accurately. Also, remember that there are no forms for some taxable income, like proceeds from renting out your vacation property, meaning you’re responsible for reporting that

income on your own. Keeping thorough records can help you avoid costly mistakes.

Investment sales

Selling an investment is generally a taxable event in the year of the sale. To determine your tax liability, you’ll need to know when you purchased the investment, how much you paid, when you sold it, and how much you sold it for.

Financial institutions are typically required to provide this information on Form 1099-B, but there are situations where you might be responsible for providing these

details yourself:

• Stocks (including real estate investment trusts) acquired before Jan. 1, 2011.

• Mutual funds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), and dividend reinvestment plans acquired before Jan. 1, 2012.

• Bonds, derivatives, and options acquired before Jan. 1, 2014.

• Cryptocurrency transactions, which often require self-reporting.

To avoid errors and potential IRS inquiries, maintain detailed records of all investment purchases and sales. Be sure to report all transactions

accurately, both those provided on tax forms and any you’re responsible for documenting.

Credits and deductions

The IRS and IDOR scrutinize tax credits and deductions to discourage abuse and unsupported claims. Consider charitable or other itemized deductions, for instance, which could be a red flag if they’re especially large, unusual, or lack documentation. It’s important to keep meticulous records that support any credits and deductions you claim on your tax returns.

Incorrect information

Simple mistakes can create big problems. A mistyped income figure, misspelled name, an incorrect Social Security number, outdated direct deposit information, or a missing signature can all cause problems and delays in processing your tax returns, including rejection.

Before filing, carefully review every field on your tax return for accuracy. Taking a few extra minutes to verify your information can help you avoid unnecessary headaches.

Know your deadlines

The final rush to file federal and state tax returns can be stressful, but missing deadlines can be costly. So, remember, for most taxpayers, the key deadlines are:

• April 15, 2025. This is the deadline to file your federal and state tax returns or request a six-month filing extension, as well as pay any taxes owed.

• Oct. 15, 2025. This is the deadline to file your federal and state tax returns if you requested a filing extension. Importantly, even if an extension is granted, any taxes owed must still be paid by April 15, 2025, to avoid penalties and interest.

For Illinois taxpayers, an approved federal filing extension automatically extends your Illinois tax filing deadline. However, if you owe Illinois state tax, you must submit Form IL-505-I, Automatic Extension Payment for Individuals, by April 15, 2025, to avoid late payment penalties and interest.

Taking a few extra minutes to review your tax returns can save you from costly mistakes. If in doubt, the Illinois CPA Society (ICPAS) reminds taxpayers that CPAs, certified public accountants, are ready to help.

CPAs are strategically positioned to prepare and file your tax returns and help manage your taxes and personal finances all year long. ICPAS’ free “Find a CPA” directory can help you find the trusted, strategic advisor that’s right for you based on location, types of services needed, and languages spoken. Find a CPA at www.icpas.org/findacpa.

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Students, women in trades advocate for more career and technical education

New study identifies unpaid internships, underrepresentation as barriers to entry

Argo Community High School sophomore Luciana Deir wants to go into construction after she graduates. Her classmate, Angelica Turza, wants to work in advertising and graphic design.

To get themselves on those paths, earlier this school year they tried to enroll in career and technical education, or CTE, classes at their school in Chicago’s southwest suburbs, even if it meant skipping lunch to fit these courses into their schedules.

“Are you sure you’d be interested in that?” was one of the things Deir said she had heard from the school’s academic counselors.

“Students are discouraged to take certain CTE classes—especially female (students)—in things like cars and autos … things that are seen as more masculine,” said Turza.

Deir agreed, adding she felt the discouragement from adults “takes away your potential.”

“Just because you’re a woman doesn’t mean you have less potential than a man,” she said.

Both enrolled in the CTE classes anyway. Then they took their concerns to the Capitol.

Deir and Turza were two of about 100 high school students from around the state who met with lawmakers in Springfield last month to call for more support and funding for CTE opportunities in high schools, vocational schools and career centers. The meetings were part of the 2025 AMPLIFY Conference by SkillsUSA Illinois, the Illinois chapter of a national nonprofit aimed at preparing students for careers in trade, technical and skilled service occupations.

They also called to attention the need for more equi-

table opportunities for women in the trades, thus encouraging more female participation in the field.

A recent statewide study by SkillsUSA Illinois found high school students now have more work-based learning opportunities like apprenticeships and CTE programs than when the state implemented a plan to increase CTE opportunities in 2019 spurred by a federal law. But the study also highlighted continued barriers to entry into the trades, including unpaid internships and minority-based disparities, such as low participation from female and non-white apprentices in certain fields, continue to be barriers to entry into the trades.

The study was a joint effort by SkillsUSA Illinois and the P-20 Research and Data Collaborative at Northern Illinois University to assess the workbased learning landscape for high school students. Eric Hill, executive director of SkillsUSA Illinois, said the study indicates that schoolbased programs could use more support.

“We need to find champions in our local districts and give those champions resources to be able to better expand opportunities to our students and give them more apprenticeship opportunities,” he said.

Illinois’ efforts have been bolstered since 2019 by the Illinois Works Jobs Programs Act, which was included in Illinois’ $45 billion infrastructure plan passed during Gov. JB Pritzker’s first year in office. It includes three key programs: An apprenticeship initiative that provides trades and construction opportunities; a pre-apprenticeship program that supports underrepresented talents in construction; and a bid credit program that encourages contractors to hire more apprentices from more diverse backgrounds.

The SkillsUSA Illinois study noted progress but also ongoing challenges. It found Illinois saw a roughly 28 percent increase in new apprentices from 2019 to 2024, growing from 6,475 to 9,041 apprentices over these five years.

ships, though the majority of them worked in unpaid roles, which can “disadvantage underrepresented groups, further exacerbating inequities,” according to the report.

cannot connect students to job opportunities if we’re not showing them the benefits of having a job—having a salary or having a livable wage.”

Minority participants also have a greater presence in lower-paying occupations like health care support, transportation and food preparation, the study found. Last year, 88 percent of health care support entrants were non-white. Eighty percent of all health care support entrants for 2024 were women.

The apprenticeship study also found roughly 40 percent of students at surveyed schools participated in intern-

Female participation, however, only accounted for 14 percent of new apprentices last year, though that figure represents a doubling from 7 percent in 2019. Though the population of female apprentices is growing, women still have the lowest rates of participation in construction as well as installation, maintenance and repair, the two largest occupation categories over the past five years, according to the study. The number of new non-white apprentices also grew from 26 percent in 2019 to 46 percent in 2024.

Hill said unpaid apprenticeships or internships can hinder students’ ability to pursue trades as a lifelong career, specifically those who are heads of household income earners.

“We’re asking them to give up the ability to have a paid wage to take an unpaid internship, and that is something that we have systematically got to get away from in the state of Illinois and across the country,” said Hill. “We

Organizations like the Illinois AFL-CIO and Illinois Building Trades Unions are working to increase female participation in apprenticeship programs and create pathways for long-term success in the trades.

These organizations have built sections within them dedicated to provide training, mentorship and advocacy for women pursuing careers in construction – dedicated to See TRADES, Page 22

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Candidates will have the opportunity to experience our hearing instruments through a 100% free trial*. If you’re satisfied with the improvement in your hearing and wish to keep them, you can do so at a tremendous savings.

Elmhurst Public Library programs

Friday, April 11 - 2-4 p.m.

Friday Features: “Wicked”

Enjoy an afternoon at the movies. Find each week’s featured film at elmlib.org/Friday. No registration required.

Saturday, April 12

10 a.m.-noon

Canasta: Open Play

Join us for a friendly game of Canasta every week. Prior experience is required. Live in-person. No registration required.

Sunday, April 13

Noon-1 p.m.

Family Sensory Hour

Children with special needs may use the Kids’ Library in a safe and welcoming environment before the library opens. Registration required.

Monday, April 14

7-8 p.m.

Severe Weather and Storm Chasing

Explore the fundamentals of extreme weather with Storm Science. Delve into local climatology, learn about previous tornado occurrences, and gain knowledge of severe weather safety and preparedness. Registration required.

Tuesday, April 15

1-3 p.m.

Bridge and Pinochle

Enjoy and afternoon of card games every week. Prior experience is required. No registration required.

Tuesday, April 15 - 2-3 p.m.

Coloring for Mindfulness

Choose from beautiful designs and become

Athletes of the Month

absorbed in the joy of coloring. Live in-person. No registration required.

Wednesday, April 16

10 a.m.-1 p.m.

American mahjong: open play

Gather every Wednesday for American mahjong, a game of skill, strategy, calculation, and a certain amount of chance. Live in-person. No registration required.

Thursday, April 17

10:30 a.m.-noon

Brick by Brick: Tracing Your Home’s History

Genealogist Tina Beaird provides strategies for researching the history of your home using government records, newspapers, phone directories, maps, and other resources. Live in-person and on Zoom. Registration required.

Thursday, April 17

7-8:30 p.m.

Wills, Trusts, and Estate Planning

Learn about wills, trusts, powers of attorney, probate, and guardianship. Live in-person and on Zoom. Registration required.

Friday, April 18

2-4 p.m.

Friday Features:

“The Art of Racing in the Rain”

Enjoy an afternoon at the movies. Find each week’s featured film at elmlib.org/Friday. No registration required.

Girls Basketball Team

We nominate the IC Catholic Prep Girls Basketball team as our athletes of the month. The team had an impressive season with a record of 18-15 and made it to sectional finals for a third time in four years! This team was led by Seniors Maura Grogan and Graziella Narcisi, Junior Mary Kate Hilgart and Freshman Libby Phillips. The ICCP Girls Basketball team ended the season as Regional Champions! Congratulations ladies on a fantastic job!!

Sport S Elmhurst Titans wrestling program excels at IKWF state tournament

Bryan Middle School’s Blust wins state title

By Mike Miazga CORRESPONDENT

The Elmhurst Titans wrestling program continues to soar to new heights. The Titans, in their seventh year with more than 80 youth wrestlers in first through eighth grades, recently competed in the Illinois Kids Wrestling Federation state championships in Peoria. The Titans broke program records this past season for most state qualifiers (6), most state place finishers (2), most state finalists (2) and had their first-ever state champion in Bryan Middle School eighth-grader Noah Blust. “You work with these kids season after season and to see them succeed at this level is unbelievable and beyond gratifying,” Titans coach Gary Walker said. Blust, in his second year of wrestling, recorded a pinfall win and a 5-0 victory to put him in the semifinals where he pinned his opponents. Blust won the state crown via a 14-3 score. “It’s simply amazing the fact this is only Noah’s second year wrestling. It makes his achievement even more impressive,” Walker said. “Noah’s path to the state championship was not a smooth one, but he remained coachable throughout the season and continued to develop and improve. His run at state was one of pure dominance. Nothing Noah accomplishes will surprise me. He is only going to get stronger and become a better technician.”

Liam Larma, Blust’s classmate at Bryan, is the program’s first-ever two-time state finalist and a six-year veteran of the Titans program.

“Loyalty is a great quality to have,” Walker noted. “We know Liam fell short, but Liam used last year’s loss to propel him into the wrestler he is now compared to then, and we have seen a huge difference. Liam will do the same moving forward, and I can’t wait to see him on the podium in the future, but this time it will be in Champaign

(site of the IHSA state finals). It’s been beyond a pleasure to be with Liam for all of the matches he has wrestled in his life. To walk with you in the Grand March in back-to-back years is a memory I will have forever.”

Sandburg Middle School seventh-grader Brenner Dolvig also had a strong run, losing to the state champion and the wrestler who took fourth in the state (in double overtime). “If Brenner wins that match, he’s on the podium,” Walker pointed out. “Brenner gives everything he has every match he wrestles. As a seventh grader this season, we have him for one more year before he’s on the mats for York. What a pure joy it is to have coached this tough kid over the past five years. He is a true wrestler. This was his second year qualifying for state and he gets the toughest draws every tournament and state was no exception.”

Churchville eighth-grader Stevie Gryglas became a quick study in the Titans program, Walker explained. “This is a crazy story,” he said. “Due to our awesome relationship with the Elmhurst Eagles (football team), Stevie’s football teammates and coaches got him to come out for wrestling, and he came out late. He’s in eighth grade and we always take a long-term view of our wrestlers, so we took him slow and competing in actual tournaments was not on the table. As the season progressed, Stevie fell more in love with wrestling. It helps that he’s extremely coachable, very strong and comes from a great family.”

Gryglas went to two tournaments before entering IKWF regionals. “Next thing you know, he took third at sectionals and qualified for state,” Walker said. “Stevie’s learning curve is very steep. York is getting a good one here because Stevie will continue to develop.”

Fifth-grader Niko Tatic was making his first state ap-

pearance, losing to one wrestler who took second in the state and another who placed seventh. “Niko’s feel for the sport is rare and I guarantee he will not only return to state, but stand on the podium,” Walker noted. “Niko is also the happiest, most social kid you will ever meet and a ton of fun to coach, but when the whistle blows, watch out.”

Fellow fifth-grader Richard Molina also enjoyed his first trip to the IKWF state this season. “Richard is the most mature fifth grader you will encounter,” Walker said. “Richard has been with us for four years and it has been great to help him grow as a wrestler and as a competitor, mentally and emotionally. The coaches have an inside joke about Richard where we tell each other, ‘You know, he’s only in fifth grade?’ We know next season he will take another jump in his development and continue to love to compete.”

Walker, an Elmhurst res-

ident and educator at nearby Willowbrook High School, said the Titans are a community-based program with athletes from Elmhurst and the surrounding area. “This is our seventh year and it’s been amazing,” he said. “It’s as simple as that.” Walker noted the program took a hit during the pandemic but has rocketed upward since then. “The growth has been great, but loyalty is more important,” he said. “Parents and kids stay with us. Our retention is very high, which can be rare in youth sports.”

Walker explained the secret sauce for the Titans lies with the program’s philosophy and the coaching staff. “I will stack up our philosophy and coaching staff up against super club programs,” he said. “The two things we preach the most on top of trying to build their mental toughness and emotional stability are the love of working hard and the

See TITANS, Page 16

SUBMITTED PHOTOS Elmhurst Independent Elmhurst TItans wrestlers Noah Blust (left) and Liam Larma, both eighth-graders at Bryan Middle School, are shown prior to their finals matches at the Illinois Kids Wrestling Federation state championships in Peoria.

Elmhurst Titans wrestlers Brenner Dolvig (left) and Richard Molina competed in the IKWF state championships at the Peoria Civic Center.

Bryan Middle School eighth-grader Noah Blust shows off his state-championship medal and bracket at the IKWF state championships in Peoria.

York softball team off to strong start

By Mike Miazga

CORRESPONDENT

The York softball team has taken full advantage of the barely acceptable spring weather since the season started in mid-March. The Dukes were 8-3 through their first 11 games, which included a 5-2 record during their recent spring break trip to Tennessee.

Kanouse strikes out 17 against Hinsdale South; Dukes 8-3 through first 11 games hits, two runs scored and four RBI. Kayla Winters scored two runs, while McNichols had two hits, including a home run and a triple, two runs scored and six RBI. Kanouse and Valentin each had a double. Demopoulos stole three bases. Lanciloti was the winning pitcher. She struck out six and allowed one hit.

During that spring break trip, York opened with a 10-0 win over the Atherton junior varsity. Gia Valentin and Maggie Demopoulos each had a double, while Ava Jordanof, Morgen Balfanz and Demopoulos each had two stolen bases. Alex ElEtr-Garofalo and Valentin each had two RBI. Balfanz was the winning pitcher. She struck out four and allowed one hit over four innings.

In a 6-0 loss to Madisonville-North Hopkins, Milo Folsom had a hit and a stolen base, while Emily McNichols also stole a base. York rebounded to notch a 12-2 win over Shelby Valley. Demopoulos had three hits, two runs scored and three RBI. Folsom scored two runs, while Lilly Burda had three hits, scored three runs and had an RBI. Balfanz had two RBI, while Valentin had two hits and two RBI. Myka Matykiewicz had two hits, two runs scored and an RBI, while Winters had a hit and an RBI, as did Taylor McMillen. Burda, Folsom and Matykiewicz each had a double, while Valentin and Burda each tripled. Demopoulos hit two home runs, while Winters

and Matykiewicz each homered as well.

In a 13-5 win over Mason County, York pounded out 15 more hits. Sarah Steinecker had a hit and two RBI, while Demopoulos had two hits, and two runs scored. Burda went 4-for5 with two runs scored and two RBI. Folsom had a hit and two RBI, while Valentin had three hits, three runs scored and an RBI.

Avery Kanouse, headed to Division III Tufts University next season, had a hit and an RBI, while McNichols had two hits, scored a run and drove in one. Kanouse doubled, while Steinecker had a triple. Valentin and Burda homered in the game. Matykiewicz pitched the first two innings and struck out three, while Sophia Lanciloti pitched the final 4 2/3 innings and struck out six to pick up the win.

In a 4-1 loss to Atherton, Burda had two hits, while ElEtr-Garofalo had a double, and Kanouse, Burda and Demopoulos each had a triple. Steinecker stole two bases. Kanouse struck out six and walked none in 5 1/3 innings of work.

The trip wrapped up with an 8-6 win over Pikeville. The Dukes had nine hits and scored three runs in the bottom of the sixth to take the lead for good. Folsom had two RBI, while Burda had two hits, two runs scored and an RBI. Kanouse had two hits, a run scored and an RBI. Valentin had two hits, a run scored and an RBI. Balfanz had two RBI. Burda homered in the game. McMillen started and struck out five in 3 2/3 innings, while Kanouse pitched the final 3 1/3 innings and fanned eight to pick up the victory.

Prior to spring break, York went 4-1 in five non-conference games. The season started with a 3-0 win over Hinsdale South. Nubia Toledo and Matykiewicz each had a hit. Kanouse was the winning pitcher. She struck out

U12 baseball action

Bucolo fires a pitch during a recent U12 baseball game.

York recorded a 17-0 win over Pike County Central. York pounded out 14 hits in the game. Demopoulos had three hits, two runs scored and an RBI. Matykiewicz had two hits, and two runs scored. Folsom had two hits, three runs scored, two walks and an RBI, while Avery Kanouse had two

Barr was the recipient of the 2019-2020 York Val Cothern junior female athlete of

Barr went over the 1,000-career kill threshold last fall for the Dukes girls volleyball team and still has a season to add to that

Kanouse, a senior pitcher headed to NCAA Division III Tufts University in Boston, struck out 17 of the 26 batters she faced in helping York record a 3-0 West Suburban Conference crossover win against Hinsdale South. Kanouse allowed only two hits.

17 of the 26 batters she faced and gave up two hits.

In a 7-5 loss to Conant, Steinecker had a hit and three RBI, while Burda had a hit and two RBI. Kanouse had two hits and scored a run. Kanouse, Folsom and Steinecker each doubled, while Burda hit a home run. Kanouse struck out six in four innings of relief and took the loss.

In a 14-0 win over Morton, York put up 11 runs in the second inning. Steinecker had two hits, and two runs scored, while Matykiewicz had two hits, a run scored and an RBI. Demopoulos had two hits and two RBI. Kanouse had a hit and an RBI, while Burda went 3-for-4 with two runs scored and two RBI. McNichols had a hit, two runs scored and three RBI. Folsom had a hit and an RBI. Kanouse, McNichols and Burda each had a double, while Matykiewicz had a triple. McNichols stole two bases.

In a 4-2 win over Leyden, York trailed 2-1 but scored single runs in the sixth and seventh to win it. Burda had two hits, while Kanouse had a hit and an RBI, as did ElEtr-Ga-

rofalo. Kanouse tripled, while Demopoulos hit a home run. Steinecker stole three bases, while Matykiewicz had two steals. Lanciloti struck out four in three innings, while Kanouse fanned seven in four innings to pick up the win in relief.

York also scored a 9-8 win over Montini. Steinecker had a hit and an RBI, while Demopoulos had two hits, two runs scored and an RBI. Burda had two hits and three RBI. Lanciloti had a hit and an RBI. Matykiewicz had two hits, a run scored and an RBI, while McNichols had a hit, a run scored, and an RBI and Folsom had two hits. Kanouse, Burda, Demopoulos and Matykiewicz each doubled, while Matykiewicz had a triple. Steinecker hit a home run. Demopoulos had two steals. Kanouse struck out five in 3 1/3 innings, while Lanciloti struck out three and allowed no runs in 3 2/3 innings of relief to earn the win.

York went 15-15 a year ago and finished third in the West Suburban Conference Silver Division with a 6-6 mark. Burda, a junior shortstop and threeyear varsity player, hit .464

with six homers and 20 RBI and a .956 fielding percentage, while sophomore third baseman Steinecker hit .353 with three homers and 17 RBI and had a .946 fielding percentage. Kanouse, a senior, hit .343 with four homers and 13 RBI and posted a 2.26 ERA on the mound in 120 innings of work. Demopoulos, a junior second baseman, hit .260 with 11 RBI, while Balfanz, a junior first baseman, hit .256 with 11 RBI last year.

Key newcomers to the team include sophomore outfielder Winters, junior outfielder McNichols, sophomore outfielder-pitcher Matykiewicz, her twin sister, Brin Matykiewicz (2B-3B), junior third baseman Valentin, sophomore catcher Folsom and sophomore catcher Chloe Pishkur.

Third-year coach Lisa Fraticola said a key strength for the Dukes this season will be the experience with their returning players and, “the attitude of expect nothing, earn everything,” she said. “The healthy competition we have with this group makes practices engaging and challenging.”

Timothy Christian girls soccer team off to 2-1-2 start

Drye leads team in scoring; Sophomore Schilf tops in goals scored in the early going

By Mike Miazga CORRESPONDENT

The Timothy Christian girls soccer team had some positive results during a fivegame stretch to start the 2025 season. The Trojans opened the season with a 7-0 non-conference win over Chicago Francis W. Parker School.

Timothy led 4-0 at halftime and scored three more goals in the second half. Sophomore Mia Schilf had two goals and one assist, while sophomore Mackenzie Laslo had two goals.

Senior Sami Drye had one goal and two assists, while sophomore Ella Becvar and freshman Lucy Wilgenburg each had a goal and sophomore Avery Croff had an assist. Junior Emily White and sophomore Sadie Tameling combined to make four saves in goal in notching the combined shutout.

• Titans

The Trojans then played to a 2-2 draw with crosstown neighbor IC Catholic Prep. Timothy led 2-0 at half time, but the Knights scored two goals in the second half. Schilf and Laslo each had a goal, while Drye had two assists. White made five saves in goal.

Timothy dropped a 5-0 decision to Wheaton St. Francis before rebounding to record a 3-1 win over Lake Park. In the Lake Park win, the Trojans led 2-1 at halftime and added a goal in the second half. Schilf had two goals, while Drye had a goal and an assist. Croff chipped in an assist. White made five saves in goal to earn the win.

The Trojans then went to a 2-2 draw with Glenbard South in Glen Ellyn. South led 1-0 at halftime, but Timothy outscored the Raiders 2-1 in the second half. Drye had two

(Continued from page 15)

love of personal development. Those are sort of our program’s founding principles.” Walker added the Titans conduct business differently, letting kids develop at their own pace. “That might sound cliché, but for us it really is not,” he said. “With youth wrestling, these tournaments are so hard. You have kids all over the map with strength

and years of experience. You could have a tough kid in his second year wrestling who might not be ready for tournaments. You have to pick and choose when they compete and what tournaments they compete in without going to one of these and getting destroyed. We let them develop at their own pace without getting thrown to the wolves and

goals, while White made five saves in goal.

Timothy is fresh off a 2024 season where it went 14-7 and finished 5-1 in Chicagoland Christian Conference play under coach Nate Drye, now in his second season at the helm.

Schilf is back after recording 11 goals and nine assists as a freshman, earning all-CCC honors and honorable-mention all-state accolades. She has five goals and one assist so far. Drye, who has four goals and five assists in the first five games, had six goals and nine assists last year and also was an all-CCC pick. Becvar had four goals and four assists as a freshman, while Croff had five goals and two assists as a ninth grader in her first varsity season. White is back after recording nine shutouts in goal. Wilgenburg, a freshman wing with good pace and skill, Nate Drye said, and freshman

it has benefited us. If I had to point to something, this probably is the No. 1 thing outside of the coaches, that keeps the retention rate as high as it is.”

Walker, who noted the Titans use York High School as their practice facility, also lauded the work of the Titans coaching staff. “We only have five or six day-to-day coaches, but we have other coaches

Brooklynn Bunn (midfielder), who had good speed and range, the coach added, are key newcomers to the team.

“The girls are working hard and getting better every day,” Drye said. “We hope to improve throughout the season and hopefully be playing our best soccer at the end of the year.” Drye said the Trojans hope to build off the team’s supersectional loss on penalty kicks a year ago. “The girls got a taste of getting close and hope to get back there this year,” he said. “We are hoping to use the disappointment to get farther this year.”

The Trojans have games scheduled this week against Chicago Latin School, Hinsdale South (away today) and Illinois Math and Science Academy (home Saturday at 10 a.m.) before opening CCC play April 15 at home against Elgin St. Edward.

that help out in other ways,” he said. “The coaches’ impact cannot be measured.”

Walker said Blust, Larma and Gryglas will be missed as they head off to York in the fall for their freshmen year.

“With Noah, Liam and Stevie, we will have a front row seat to their continued development as they move on to York,” he said.

CHRIS FOX PHOTO Elmhurst Independent

Anthony

Kanouse

Despite Trump order, Illinois won’t require voter proof of citizenship

April 1 elections were conducted under existing state, federal law

By Peter Hancock CAPITOL NEWS ILLINOIS

Illinois voters who casted ballots in the April 1 consolidated elections were not required to show proof of U.S. citizenship, despite an executive order issued by President Donald Trump.

On Tuesday, March 25, Trump issued an executive order directing federal agencies to implement and enforce a nationwide requirement that voters show documentary proof of U.S. citizenship when they register to vote.

Matt Dietrich, spokesman for the Illinois State Board of Elections, said in an email that under existing federal law, known as the National Voter Registration Act, voters only needed to sign a sworn statement on their voter registration application that they are a U.S. citizen.

He also said Illinois does not require voters to show any

type of photo ID at the polls. Among other things, Trump’s executive order directs the federal Election Assistance Commission to amend the federal voter registration form to include a space in which state or local officials are to record the type of citizenship document the applicant provides.

It also directs the commission to withhold federal election funds from states that refuse to accept federal registration forms containing the proof of citizenship information.

The executive order limits the types of acceptable documents to U.S. passports, state-issued driver’s licenses or identification cards that are compliant with the federal REAL ID Act, official military ID cards that indicate the applicant is a U.S. citizen, or a valid state or federal government-issued photo ID that indicates the applicant is a U.S.

citizen.

It also directs the Department of Homeland Security, in coordination with the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, to review each state’s publicly available voter registration list, alongside federal immigration databases and state records to determine whether they are consistent with federal requirements that prohibit noncitizens from voting.

David Becker, an election law expert and director of the nonprofit Center for Election Innovation and Research, said during a media briefing March 27 that he doubts the executive order will withstand an almost certain legal challenge because it goes beyond a president’s constitutional authority.

He pointed to Article I, Section 4 of the U.S. Constitution, which gives states the power to determine the time, places

Raoul challenges blocked public health funding as feds rescinds education dollars Trump administration claws back hundreds of millions from Illinois agencies

By Peter Hancock CAPITOL NEWS ILLINOIS

Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul joined another multistate lawsuit against the Trump administration, this time seeking to block the termination of nearly $12 billion worth of public health grants to states.

Raoul was part of a coalition of 24 state attorneys general and governors who filed the lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., for terminating the grants.

The Illinois Department of Public Health announced March 26 that HHS was pulling back $477 million in grant funding that previously had been approved for Illinois. That included $125 million that was earmarked to support laboratory operations in 97 local health departments as well as $324 million for future work to prevent and treat infectious diseases in Illinois.

The suit, filed in federal court in Rhode Island, argues that Congress appropriated those funds in various pandemic-related spending bills, and the administration’s decisions to terminate the grants violated the federal Administrative Procedures Act.

“Illinois and states across the nation rely on federal grants to provide state public health services that protect our children and residents from serious diseases or health crises,” Raoul said in a statement. “The abrupt termination of this funding that impacts millions of American lives is both callous and unlawful.”

Since the start of the second Trump administration in January, Raoul has joined numerous multistate lawsuits seeking to block various executive orders and policy initiatives. Those include Trump’s efforts to halt the recognition of birthright citizenship; to freeze the distribution of federal funds previously appropriated by Congress; to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education, and to terminate the employment of tens of thousands of federal employees.

U.S. Department of Education rescinds millions allocated to Illinois

The Illinois State Board of Education said last week the Trump administration has decided to “claw back” more than $77 million in federal pandemic relief funds that had previously been approved for Illinois but not yet spent.

and manner of holding elections, “but the Congress may at any time by Law make or alter such Regulations, except as to the Places of (choosing) Senators.”

“What we have here is an executive power grab, an attempt by the president of the United States to dictate to states how they run elections, to dictate to them how they should exercise the power that is granted to them by the Constitution and to bypass Congress in doing so,” he said.

Since Trump’s first election in 2016, when he won

the electoral vote but lost the popular vote to Democrat Hillary Clinton, Trump has repeated baseless claims that large numbers of noncitizens are voting illegally in U.S. elections.

Shortly after taking office for the first time in 2017, Trump formed the short-lived Presidential Advisory Commission on Election Integrity to review claims of voter fraud, improper registration and voter suppression. But the commission disbanded in less than a year amid a flurry of lawsuits and pushback from

states, including Illinois, over access to their voter registration lists.

Illinois law at that time prohibited the release of “any portion” of the state’s complete, centralized voter registration database to anyone other than state or local political committees or “a government entity for a governmental purpose.”

Dietrich said the state board has since begun making available to the public an abridged voter registration database that does not include voters’ complete home addresses.

Those funds represent the final portion of more than $7.8 billion in school-related pandemic relief funds allocated to Illinois. ISBE said in a statement that it made commitments to distribute those funds to various grantees, but some of the grantees had asked for and received extensions on the deadline to actually spend the funds, “to account for supply chain issues, staffing shortages, and other delays due to the pandemic.”

On March 28, however, ISBE said the federal agency revoked those extensions, effectively taking back any funds that had not yet been spent.

“This decision is a devastating blow to the students and schools that were relying on those approved funds to provide critical services,” State Superintendent of Education Tony Sanders said in a statement. “School districts depend on stability in funding to plan effectively and ensure continuity of services for students. The abrupt reversal of this extension disrupts stability and jeopardizes essential programs that support students’ learning recovery.”

The U.S. Department of Education did not immediately respond to a request for an explanation of its decision.

Worship Services Directory

For April 10th Issue

St. Timothy Evangelical Lutheran Church

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

Lent and Easter Services at 7 p.m.

“The Crucial Hours”

Holy Week and Easter Worship

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

Palm Sunday April 13 at 10:15am

Maundy Thursday Service April 17 at 7pm

Third Lenten Service March 16, 2022

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

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

Fourth Lenten Service March 23, 2022

Good Friday Tenebrae Service April 18 at 7pm Easter Festival Service April 20 at 10:15am

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

Fifth Lenten Service

HOLY WEEK SERVICES

Lenten Confessions Tuesday, April 15, from 5-8pm

Holy Thursday, April 17: Mass of the Lord’s Supper, 7 PM Night Prayer, 11:45 PM

March 30, 2022

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

Sunday Worship at 10:15 am Sunday School & Bible Study 9am Wednesday Service at 7pm

Sixth Lenten Service April 6, 2022

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

Ladies Bible Fellowship Mondays at 6:30pm Saturday, April 26 Game Night at 4pm Everyone is Welcome!

Maundy Thursday Communion 7 p.m., April 14

Good Friday, April 18

Celebration of the Passion, 3 PM Stations of the Cross, 7 PM

Holy Saturday, April 19

Easter Food Blessing, Noon Easter Vigil, 8:00 PM

Easter Sunday, April 20

Masses at: 7:30, 9:30 & 11:30 AM

Good Friday Tenebrae 7 p.m., April 15

All services are live streamed. SaintTimothy.org

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

Easter Breakfast 8 a.m., April 17

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

Confessions: Saturday: 3-3:45PM Adoration: Parish Center Chapel 24/7

Saturdays 5:00pm Sundays 8:30am & 11:00am

for Easter Sunday Worship 8:00am and 11:15am Traditional Worship with Holy Communion 9:30am Children and Family Worship with Holy Communion All are Welcome!

‘Right to Play’ bill that would affect high school athletes advances in House

By Peter Hancock CAPITOL NEWS ILLINOIS

Bill would allow students to compete on school and nonschool teams simultaneously said. “And so I just have issues with that overlap.”

A House committee recently advanced a bill that would give high school student athletes the right to participate in both school-sponsored teams and nonschool teams in the same sport at the same time, despite concerns that such a policy could create friction between coaches and jeopardize students’ safety.

House Bill 3037 would create the “Right to Play Act” in Illinois and override existing rules of the Illinois High School Association, which sets eligibility rules for student athletes and strictly regulates their ability to participate in nonschool programs.

Those rules generally prohibit students who participate on a school team from also participating on a nonschool team in the same sport during the high school sport’s season.

IHSA Executive Director Craig Anderson said in an interview that currently students may participate in as many as three outside contests or tournaments during the season, but

only if those events are sanctioned by the sport’s national governing body and the student receives permission from both their school and IHSA.

Rep. Janet Yang-Rohr, D-Naperville, the lead sponsor of the bill, told the committee that the rules have resulted in students being disqualified from competition over seemingly minor infractions.

“We have cross country runners who are running a charity race during the cross country season. IHSA found out and disqualified that runner for the rest of the season,” she told the House Education Policy Committee. “We have members of a high school pom squad in Will County. Members of that pom squad went to a dance competition, and IHSA found out and disqualified those dancers for the rest of the season.”

Libby Magnone, a junior at Carmel Catholic High School in Mundelein told lawmakers that during her first two years of high school she was prohibited under IHSA rules from playing soccer at her school

because she also played in the Girls Academy League, a program that sponsors tournaments that are eyed closely by college recruiters.

“The best soccer players across the state have to choose between having to forgo showcasing their talents to college coaches that recruit from these tournaments, or sitting out their high school season,” she said. “Issues like these disproportionately affect girls and young women because unlike football or basketball, college coaches and scouts rarely go to high school events.”

But Rep. Katie Stuart, D-Edwardsville, who serves on the committee, said the rules restricting participation on multiple programs exist for several reasons, including protecting the health and safety of student athletes.

“If there’s a kid in a concussion protocol, if there was an event that happened, maybe in a soccer game with one team or the other, I don’t know that that coach has to communicate with the other coach to make sure that the kid is rested,” she

Stuart said the policy change could also create friction between coaches, and put the students and their families in awkward positions, if both teams have games or activities scheduled on the same day.

“They’re in a spot,” she

said. “Their high school coach says, ‘If you don’t go to practice, you’re not playing the next 10 games,’ or whatever the typical thing is. And then you have a traveling coach who says, ‘Well, if you don’t show up for our practice, then you’re not playing.’ And then the kid has to choose. ‘Which

one do I not have an opportunity in?’ I think you’re going to have a lot of issues with that.”

The bill passed out of the Education Policy Committee on a 12-0 vote, with Stuart voting “present.” The measure will go next to the full House for consideration.

Chicago man accused of leading police on a 113 mph high-speed chase

DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin has announced that Judge Jeffrey MacKay has granted the state’s motion to deny pre-trial release for a Chicago man accused of leading police on a high-speed chase.

Kevin Culps, 28, appeared in First Appearance Court and was charged with one count of aggravated fleeing and eluding (Class 4 felony) and multiple misdemeanor and petty traffic offenses including driving while license revoked and obstructing identification.

On March 21 at approxi-

mately 2:18 a.m., Culps allegedly fled from officers after being pulled over for a suspended registration in Downers Grove. It is alleged that Culps ultimately made his way to I-88 where officers with the Oak Brook Police Department began pursuing him.

It is further alleged that on I-88 Culps reached speeds of approximately 113 mph near I-88 and Meyers Road. It is alleged that Culps entered eastbound I-290 where officers with the Berkeley Police Department successfully spike stripped his vehicle. It is fur-

Worship Services Directory

ther alleged that Culps exited the vehicle and, in his attempt to flee, jumped down a 20-foot wall into trees. He was taken into custody following a brief foot pursuit by officers with the Berkeley Police Department. When processing the scene, officers recovered a firearm along Culps’ path of flight. The firearm has been sent to the DuPage County Crime Lab for DNA analysis.

Culps’ next court appearance is scheduled for April 14 in front of Judge Daniel Guerin.

Welcome to ST. PIUS X CATHOLIC COMMUNITY Diocese of Joliet

SUNDAY MASS SCHEDULE

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

SUNDAY: 8:00 AM & 10:00 AM

WEEKDAY MASS SCHEDULE

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

STATIONS OF THE CROSS 6:00 PM

SIMPLE SUPPER 6:30 PM VIA CRUCIS 7:00 PM

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SATURDAY: 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM OR BY APPOINTMENT

Parish Office: 1025 E. Madison Street - (630) 627-4526 - www.stpiuslombard.org

Holy Thursday - April 17th

Morning Prayer: 8:00 a.m., Church Mass of the Lord’s Supper: 7:00 p.m., Sacred Heart Chapel (Adoration of the Eucharist will follow in the Church)

Night Prayer: 11:45 p.m., Church

Good Friday - April 18th

Morning Prayer: 8:00 a.m., Church

Stations of the Cross: Noon, Church Passion of the Lord: 3:00 p.m., Church A Day of Fast and Abstinence

132 Arthur St., Elmhurst, IL Church 130 Arthur St., Elmhurst Sacred Heart Chapel

Holy Saturday - April 19th

Morning Prayer: 8:00 a.m., Church Blessing of Easter Food: Noon, Church

Easter Vigil: 8:00 p.m., Church

Easter Sunday - April 20th

Mass: 7:30 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., Sacred Heart Chapel Mass: 9:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., Church

(Please

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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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Business & Service DIRECTORY

TEXTILE SUPPLY MANAGER

• Trades

(Continued from page 11)

increasing female representation in the trades. Despite making up nearly half of the workforce, women hold less than 5 percent of construction and building trade jobs, according to the Illinois AFL-CIO.

One way to close this gap is by exposing students, especially young women, to career opportunities in the trades early on in their schooling, according to Marisa Richards, director of outreach and engagement at Painters District Council No. 30, which covers nine local unions in the northern half of Illinois. Many unions are working to bridge this divide by partnering with high schools and middle schools to introduce students to various skilled trades before they enter the workforce.

first week of March, which also marked national Women in Construction Week and the start of Women’s History Month, more than 200 tradeswomen gathered at the Illinois Capitol

The event, which coincided with SkillsUSA Illinois’ 2025 AMPLIFY Conference, brought together labor leaders, policymakers and industry professionals to address these challenges. Speakers included the Illinois AFL-CIO President Tim Drea, legislators and a lineup of tradeswomen leaders sharing their experiences and advocating for systemic change.

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“The big push right now is also pre-apprenticeship— giving younger students, or people looking for a career change, the chance to test out different construction trades,” Richards said.

One major initiative toward these goals is the second annual “Tradeswomen Take Over Springfield,” an event advocating for policies that expand access for women in the trades. During the

LEGAL NOTICE

LEGAL NOTICE

On Tuesday, April 22, 2025, an in-person and virtual meeting conducted by DuPage High School District 88 will take place at the District Office (2 Friendship Plaza, Addison) and via Zoom at 8:00 am. The purpose of the meeting will be to discuss the District’s plan for providing special education services to students with identified disabilities who attend parentally placed private/parochial schools and home schools located within the District’s boundaries for the 2025-26 school year.

If you are a parent/guardian of a home-schooled student who has been or may be identified with a disability and you reside within the boundaries of DuPage High School District 88, you are encouraged to attend.

If you have further questions about this meeting and/or are interested in attending, please complete the survey at: https://forms.gle/ oaEsKAnAeTpmxQL17 or scan the QR Code:

(Published in the Elmhurst Independent, Addison Independent, Bensenville Independent & Villa Park Review March 27, April 10, 17, 2025) 469057

The tradeswomen also traveled to Springfield to lobby for House Resolution 161, which was non-binding but would technically express the official opinion and will of the Illinois House. It seeks to “affirm that the diversity of Illinois is its strength and that the workforce on publicly funded projects must reflect our state with work sites composed of those from diverse backgrounds, gender identities, races and experiences.”

The resolution, introduced by state Rep. Elizabeth “Lisa” Hernández, D-Cicero, who serves as chair of the Democratic Party of Illinois, also takes shots at President Donald Trump. It cites recent executive orders that “aim to reverse hard-won progress to diversity the workforce and will further entrench systemic occupational segregation, robbing women of economic security.”

HR 161 also claims the Trump administration has weakened entities like the National Labor Relations Board and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission so those agencies can no longer “ensure safe, respectful and harassment-free work sites that uphold workers’ rights.”

The resolution, which is awaiting a hearing in the House Labor and Commerce committee, is sponsored exclusively by Democrats, including House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch, D-Hillside, who signed on as a chief co-sponsor last month.

The proposed resolution also mentions that 64 percent of U.S. student loan debt is held by women, a fact that makes “apprenticeships a vital career pathway to economic stability as apprentices earn while they learn.”

“ The empowerment that students have in an organization like this is astounding. They grow so much from being in a position where they feel like their thoughts, their ideas and their voice matter. It’s the best choice I’ve ever made.”

–Tiffany Beard

The push for more funding and support for CTE programs goes hand in hand with broader efforts to ensure equitable access to the skilled trades, particularly for women.

Tiffany Beard, a technology education teacher and SkillsUSA advisor at Morton High School near Peoria, said she’s thankful SkillsUSA provides students and teachers alike a pathway to advocate for more exposure and support for a career path in trades.

“The empowerment that students have in an organization like this is astounding. They grow so much from being in a position where they feel like their thoughts, their ideas and their voice matter,” she said. “It’s the best choice I’ve ever made.”

Passionate trades students like Kinleigh Brummett also see the importance of skillsbased learning during the two-day AMPLIFY conference.

An audio/video production program student at the Capital Area Career Center in Springfield, Brummett said besides technical skills, students also learn workplace and personal skills like dressing professionally or speaking actively at job interviews through the SkillsUSA framework.

“That helps us in the future, not only in SkillsUSA and school, but also to help future jobs and things like that,” Brummett said.

“That’s why we’re here today … to find funding and more support for schools like this.”

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KNIGHT OF JEWELS

A KNIGHT AT THE DERBY

SPECIAL GUEST SPEAKER: DICK VITALE, COLLEGE BASKETBALL ANALYST, ABC SPORTS AND ESPN

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INSPIRED EVENING OF DINNER, DRINKS, AND A LIVE Q&A WITH SPECIAL GUEST, DICK VITALE!

SATURDAY, APRIL 26

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LIQUIDATION SALE

Monday, April 14th – Wednesday, April 30th

Factory and Warehouse Hours: Monday to Friday 7:00 am to 1:00 pm Saturday, April 19th and April 26th 9:00 am to 1:00 pm or by appointment

Dear Esteemed Clients We are still in business after 102 years, We welcome you all to my nephew and Godson’s “State of the Art” furniture manufacturing factory at 2150 Madison Street, Bellwood. We missed Bellwood! If you want thousands of items made they can certainly do it for you with extreme precision. If you need refinishing, repairs, or reupholstering we are still here to serve you! We also continue our amazing and highly recommended restoration of church pews in any of your places of worship.

We have sold all of our carved wood upholstered living room sets and bedroom sets. However we still have our original complete dining room sets as well as living room and occasional coffee and end table sets at liquidation pricing.

We are offering for this limited time only 10% OFF LABOR or 30% OFF FABRICS!

All of our Capodimonte centerpieces, giftware. And ceramics from Italy at liquidation pricing.

We are offering for this limited time only 60% to 80% OFF DINING ROOM SETS And 70% OFF ALL TABLES AND MISCELLANEOUS!

Our main goal is to liquidate the balance of our inventory and focus on refinishing, repairs, reupholstery and complete furniture restoration. We truly hope to see you soon and say hello! All our best from the new expanded Montalbano Family.

MONTALBANO, INC.

We are located 3 blocks east of 25th Avenue and 2 blocks south of Washington Blvd. The parking lot entrance door is by the large rock sign “Welcome to Bellwood” 2150 Madison Street | Bellwood, IL 60104 USA

Phone: 1-708-774-1946

website: www.montalbanofurniture.com e-mail: richard.montalbano@icloud.com