EI061324

Hundreds

Traffic control signage coming to Armitage, Van Auken

More discussion about ‘yield’ signs; would stop signs be more effective?

By Dee Longfellow FOR THE ELMHURST INDEPENDENT

Following a request from several residents and a subsequent meeting with area aldermen, the City’s Public Affairs and Safety (PAS) Committee placed a recommendation before the City Council at its Monday, June 3 meeting recommending traffic control signage at the intersection of Van Auken Street and Armitage Avenue. Research into the matter led to a report of accident data for the past five years. According to City

staff, data shows that there have been four “correctable” crashes at the intersection in the past 3½ years, including three in the past 11 months. All of the accidents involved a vehicle which police said did not observe the existing westbound and eastbound yield signs.

The PAS Committee report noted that in early 2023, another Committee report that had been approved by the full Council recommended as a policy that all yield signage in general be replaced with stop signs throughout the City.

“That policy was not meant to create change immediately, but rather provide guidance as the City rolled out the Neighborhood Traffic Study program throughout the entire City,” the report read. “After that [earlier] report was approved by Council, the City decided it would only change yield signs to stop signs as part of the Neighborhood Traffic Study or if the [intersection was otherwise deemed unsafe].”

More RRFBs coming

The Public Affairs & Safety (PAS) Committee also proposed the installation of more Rapid Rectangular Flashing Beacons or RRFBs, as traffic control devices. These devices use flashing

yellow lights to warn motorists of pedestrians or a crosswalk. There are already four in the City at 1) South York and the Prairie Path; 2) Butterfield and Cedar Avenue; 3) Butterfield and Euclid; 4) North York Street and Wrightwood.

The Committee considers the following Priority #1 locations for the additional RRFBs: 1) York Street and Van Buren; 2) Spring Road and Harrison Street; 3) York and Church streets; 4) St. Charles Road and Arlington Avenue.

Others will be added as the budget allows. There is $50,000 in the 2024 budget for pedestrian safety improvements, and future years also include $50,000 annually.

This image of the area surrounding the intersection of

Street and Armitage Avenue illustrates the location of the current traffic lights, stop signs and

signs (which are yellow triangles). The City may switch all yield signs to stop signs as the traffic studies progress.

Notice to our readers

Mail delivery of the Elmhurst Independent will be changing starting the week of June 24. To receive the Elmhurst Independent print version by mail in Elmhurst for one year, make a donation in any amount. If you think the Independent is worth 50¢ an issue, it would be $26.00; 75¢ an issue - $39.00 or $1 an issue - $52.00. You won’t get a tote bag, T-shirt, coffee mug or CD of Lawrence Welk’s Greatest Hits. But you will get the satisfaction of knowing that you have helped to support your favorite newspaper.

An order form is inside this issue of the Independent to start or continue mail home delivery. Readers that have made a donation in the last year will continue to receive the newspaper by mail for up to one year at no charge.

The Independent will still be available free of charge at more than 80 newsstand locations within Elmhurst every Thursday. Readers can also sign up for a free eSubscription to the digital version of the Independent at RockValleyEnews.com. A weekly link will be sent to you and the paper can be read on a computer, laptop or tablet.

If you would like to order the Elmhurst Independent by phone, please call 630.834-8244.

CITY OF ELMHURST PHOTO Elmhurst Independent

Auken

Your Hometown Newspaper Locally owned and operated

240 N. West Avenue Elmhurst, IL. 60126

Main Phone 630.834-8244

Fax 630.834-0900

Visit us at: TheElmhurstIndependent.com

The Elmhurst Independent USPS#022-607 is published every Thursday by Rock Valley Publishing, LLC, 240 N. West Avenue, Elmhurst, IL. 60126. Periodical Postage Paid at Elmhurst, IL.

Display Advertising:

630.834-8355

Classified Advertising: 630.834-8244 News: 630.834-8244

General Information: 630.834-8244

E-mail:

Advertising Department: ads1@rvpublishing.com

News Department: Independent@rvpublishing.com

Classified Department: Classifieds@rvpublishing.com

Administration: Dee Longfellow News Coordinator

Debra Hamilton Advertising Director

Pete Cruger Publisher

Advertising: Brenda Garcia

Subscriptions:

The Elmhurst Independent is mailed at no charge by request to residents in the 60126 zip code area. Out-of-area mail subscriptions are $29.95 yearly. Single copies are also available at more than 80 newsstand locations in Elmhurst. For home delivery information call 630.834-8244.

Reprints:

Content appearing in the Elmhurst Independent may not be reprinted without permission of the publisher or editor. Requests should be directed to Independent@rvpublishing.com or 630.834-8244.

Postmaster: Please send address changes to:

THE ELMHURST INDEPENDENT

240 N. West Avenue, Elmhurst, IL. 60126

Office Hours: Monday-Friday 11am-3pm

Scenes from the Elmhurst Cycling Classic 2024

DANIEL KUROWSKI PHOTOS Elmhurst Independent

Council Capsules

City Hall

By Dee Longfellow FOR THE ELMHURST INDEPENDENT

Here are some of the actions that took place during the Elmhurst City Council meeting of Monday, June 3:

• At the beginning of the meeting, Mayor Scott Levin gave the oath of office to promote two firefighters. The first was Jace Weaver, who has

been with the Elmhurst Fire Department since 2017. He was promoted to Fire Lieutenant. The second firefighter to garner a promotion was Michael Heusing, who took the oath to become Battalion Chief of the Elmhurst Fire Department. Heusing came to Elmhurst in 2000, was promoted to lieutenant in 2017 and has been in the training unit since 2013.

• Levin conducted a special presentation of the Elmhurst Commis-

sion on Youth, especially to honor the Commission’s Youth Advisory Committee. Still in its first year, the seven members of the Youth Committee will be taking on a bigger role in the upcoming year, the mayor said.

• During public forum, several people spoke up to urge the City to take a stand and call for a ceasefire in Gaza. The group is urging all surrounding communities to do the

First UMC to host Juneteenth Commemoration

By Dee Longfellow

Guests include Circuit Court Judge Porter, social justice partners, more proceeds will be donated to the Black College Fund of the United Methodist Church, which supports 11 historically black colleges and universities. For more information, call 630-8342440 or visit umcelmhurst.org.

The public is invited to the First United Methodist Church of Elmhurst at 232 S. York St. for its annual Juneteenth Commemorative Celebration on Sunday, June 23 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Held annually, this year’s event is not to be missed with Circuit Court Judge Chantelle Porter from the 18th Judicial Circuit Court of DuPage County as a special guest speaker, along with social justice partners, vendors and information about advocacy organizations. The Elmhurst League of Women Voters will be there in case you need to register to vote.

Felicia Mayden, head pastry chef at the Ace Hotel Chicago is on the schedule as well.

Musical entertainment will be provided by the Evon Sams Jazz Combo and by bass/baritone vocalist Vince Wallace, accompanied by Richard Stultz. There will also be food and family-friendly children’s activities.

Officially known as Juneteenth National Independence Day, Juneteenth is a federal holiday in the U.S., typically celebrated annually on June 19 to commemorate the ending of slavery in the United States.

On June 19, 1865, a Union Army general arrived in Texas with 2,000 soldiers and informed more than 250,000 enslaved black Americans that slavery had been abolished following the conclusion of the Civil War. This event took place almost three years after President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation and three months of Lincoln’s assassination.

“This event started in 2020 after the George Floyd murder,” said Lisa Rogers, who is coordinating the event for the First UMC of Elmhurst. She noted that the United Methodist Church (UMC) has recognized that racism is incompatible with Christian teaching and has set a goal to put measures into place to fight against it by educating its members and the public.

As one of those measures, the Northern Illinois Conference (NIC), of which the First UMC of Elmhurst is a part, has established an anti-racism task force. The Elmhurst church has formed its own initiative called the Anti-racism Awareness and Learning Path team (AALP). “Our church’s anti-racism team came out of the work of the NIC anti-racism task force,” Rogers said. “We have done many events, including our annual Juneteenth event, to raise awareness about the issue of systemic racism and its extremely negative consequences.”

The event is free to attend, although donations are graciously accepted. All

same. One speaker was a professor at Elmhurst University.

• Dannee Polomsky was appointed to the Elmhurst Public Arts Commission. Polomsky is a former alderman who represented the 3rd Ward.

• Jackelyn Lopez-Barrera and Eric Pulia were appointed to the Elmhurst Veterans Commission.

• Trent Grossman was appointed to the City’s Commission on Youth.

• Jennifer Vince has been reappointed to the Elmhurst Senior Commission.

• Conditional-use permits were approved for an outdoor theatre and Planned Unit Development (PUD)

with site development allowances.

• There was a report by the Public Affairs & Safety (PAS) Committee about the installation of Rapid Rectangular Flashing Beacons, or RRFBs, which are a traffic control device at pedestrian crosswalks that use flashing yellow lights to warn motorists of pedestrians or a crosswalk.

• Another report of the PAS Committee about the evaluation for the intersection at Van Auken Street and Armitage Avenue. (See related story on Page 2.)

• The next City Council meeting is scheduled for Monday, June 17.

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.

Battery

June 5

A victim in the 400 block of N. Oaklawn told police at 9 p.m. that after playing soccer at a local park, the unknown suspects he was playing with battered him.

Criminal damage, trespass to property

June 2

Daniel Kelly, 20, of Lombard; Mateusz Piszcaek, 20, of Glendale Heights; and Manuel Cuello, 19, of South Elgin, were issued citations for trespassing at the Addison Parking Deck at 11:20 p.m. Police said that subsequent to an extra patrol of the Addison Parking Deck, the subjects were found to be trespassing on the seventh floor.

May 30

Michael Loftus, 47, of Elmhurst, and Jeff Heavrin, 48, of Downers Grove, were issued citations for befouling property in the 400 block of Fair at 7:05 p.m. Police said a Uber driver reported two intoxicated subjects were refusing to exit his vehicle. The complainant reported that at one point, both subjects exited and urinated outside of his vehicle.

Identity theft, fraud

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

Suspicious incident

June 3

John C. Cada, 53, of Villa Park, was charged with public indecency and served with a trespass notice from the Elmhurst Public Library at 3:12 p.m. Police said Cada was observed masturbating inside his vehicle within public view.

Domestic battery, domestic incident, disorderly conduct, disturbance, dispute

June 5

Police said officers responded to the 100 block of E. North at 10:33 p.m. for the report of a dispute. The victim told police the suspect had grabbed him and choked him. Officers attempted to make contact with the suspect, with no results. An arrest warrant was issued for the suspect.

June 4

A 39-year-old Elmhurst man was charged with domestic battery in the 200 block of E. Third at 6:59 a.m. Police said that subsequent to a report for a verbal domestic, the victim related a verbal argument turned physical when the suspect grabbed her upper arms and pushed her.

June 1

Martel A. Holiday, 40, of Chicago, was issued a citation for disorderly conduct-be-

fouling property in the 100 block of W. First at 1:09 p.m. Police said Holiday admitted to urinating in public.

May 31

An officer responded to a gas station in the 200 block of E. Butterfield for a panic alarm. A complainant alleged the suspect made threats towards him. The reporting officer contacted the suspect, who related the complainant was the one who threatened him. Due to conflicting statements, neither party was cited.

DUI, DUI-drugs, transportation of open alcohol, possession of open alcohol, consumption of alcohol by a minor

June 3

Andrija Vujanac, 34, of Chicago, was charged with DUI, and disorderly conduct-befouling property in the 300 block of W. St. Charles at 2:40 a.m. Police said a reporting officer conducted a traffic stop after observing Vijanac exit a vehicle to urinate in the roadway.

June 2

Elizabeth Ambrogi, 49, of Elmhurst, was charged with DUI and making an improper turn following a traffic stop near Route 83 and North at 12:34 a.m.

Alex M. Meza, 21, of Chicago, was charged with DUI and improper lane usage near Route 83 and St. Charles at 3:19 a.m.

Antwionne Watson, 49, of Elmhurst, was charged with DUI, disobeying a stop sign, improper lane usage and no insurance subsequent to a traffic stop near Vallette and York at 12:51 a.m.

June 1

Police said that subsequent to a loud party complaint in the 100 block of S. Lawndale, it was learned that an underage drinking party was being hosted by the homeowner. The homeowner, Jeffrey Smith, 59, of Elmhurst, was issued a citation for selling or giving alcohol to a minor under 21 and hosting an underage party where alcohol was consumed by minors.

Steven Sulita, 46, of Elmhurst, was charged with DUI, improper lane usage, damage to city property and no insurance in the 300 block of W. Second at 2:03 a.m.

May 31

William E. Knight Jr., 41, of Woodstock, was charged with unlawful possession of a controlled substance and two counts of DUIdrugs in the 100 block of E. St. Charles at 11:39 p.m.

Tomas Vaicekonis, 53, of Elk Grove Village, was charged with DUI, possession of open al-

cohol and improper lane usage near Route 83 and St. Charles at 8:30 p.m.

Possession of cannabis in a vehicle

According to information provided last week by the Elmhurst Police Department, police reported one incident of possession of cannabis by either the driver of a vehicle or a passenger: Aliyah G. Beltran, 24, of Villa Park, near West and St. Charles at 12:22 a.m. June 4.

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

June 5

Police said that subsequent to a call for a suspect paying with counterfeit money at a restaurant in the 100 block of E. Butterfield, the suspects’ vehicle was located and the suspects were found to be in possession of counterfeit bills. John Atkins Jr., 20, of Chicago, was charged with two counts of forgery, while Omar Walker, 19, and Joseph Porter, 25, both of Chicago, were both charged with forgery.

June 4

Police said that subsequent to an investigative stop of a vehicle near Berteau and North at 2:21 p.m., , a passenger in the vehicle, Patrick McDonagh, 27, of Elmhurst, was found to have active warrants from Cook County and the Northbrook Police Department. According to police, McDonagh also was found to be in possession of a fictitious identification. McDonagh was charged with possession of fictitious identification and was released to the Northbrook Police Department on the warrants.

June 3

A complainant/employee at a convenience store in the 100 block of E. First told police she received a call from an unknown suspect(s) who identified himself as the convenience store’s tech support. The suspect texted gift card barcodes to the complainant’s personal phone number. The complainant/employee was instructed to scan the barcodes and do a cash transaction, and complied.

May 31

A victim told police that an unknown person stole his iPhone 15 while it was left unattended in a fitness center’s basketball court in the 600 block of N. York.

A reporting officer responded to a store in the 300 block of S. Route 83 for the report of a delayed retail theft. A complainant related that an unknown suspect stole two electric bicycles.

Judge grants state’s motion to detain second of two Elmhurst teens accused of carving swastikas into

DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and Elmhurst Chief of Police Michael McLean recently announced that Judge Demetrios Panoushis granted the state’s motion to detain an Elmhurst juvenile accused of carving swastikas into an elementary school’s playground equipment last month.

The juvenile, who is one of two individuals charged in the case, will remain in custody until at least his next court appearance.

On May 25, co-defendant Christopher Jackson, 18, appeared at First Appearance Court, where Judge Kenton Skarin granted the state’s motion to detain him pre-trial.

The juvenile is charged with one count of hate crime—school property (Class 3 felony), one count of criminal damage to government supported property (Class 3 felony) and one count of misdemeanor disorderly conduct.

Jackson is charged with one count of hate crime—school property (Class 3 felony), one count of criminal damage to government supported property (Class 3 felony) and one count of criminal damage to property (Class 4 felony).

On May 20, Elmhurst police officers re-

playground equipment

sponded to Edison Elementary School, 246 Fair Ave., for a report of criminal damage to property.

Upon their arrival, officers observed multiple swastikas and Nazi phrases carved into plastic playground equipment.

Following an investigation into the matter, it is alleged that the juvenile and Jackson carved the swastikas and phrases into the equipment with a knife. Damage to the playground equipment is estimated at approximately $4,471.36.

“I find it very disturbing that two teens, one of whom is a juvenile, are accused of hate crimes for allegedly defacing school property with offensive symbols and phrases,” Berlin said. “As I said before, DuPage County is an extremely welcoming community to all, but we most certainly do not welcome the type of behavior alleged in this case. I thank Elmhurst Community Unit School District 205 for bringing this matter to the attention of authorities and I commend the Elmhurst Police Department for their quick identification of the defendants.”

The juvenile’s next court appearance is scheduled for June 21.

Sheriff’s office alerts residents of scam callers

Scammers reportedly demand gift cards to clear a bogus arrest warrant

The DuPage County Sheriff’s Office is warning residents that individuals posing as DuPage County Sheriff’s Deputies are calling county residents.

“These scammers claim there is an arrest warrant against you and demand gift cards to clear it up,” noted a statement from the sheriff’s office. “This is a scam. The DuPage County Sheriff’s Office will never ask for money over the phone.”

If you receive a call like this, do not provide any personal information or payment, advised the sheriff’s office. Instead, immediately contact your local police department. If you live in unincorporated DuPage County, call 630-407-2400.

“Stay alert and protect yourself from fraud,” related the statement from the sheriff’s office. “Share this information to help keep our community safe.”

Villa Park man accused of leaving the scene after striking 13-year-old bicyclist with his vehicle

DuPage County State’s Attorney

Robert Berlin and Villa Park Chief of Police Michael Rivas announced last week that Judge Joshua Dieden denied the state’s motion to detain pre-trial a Villa Park man accused of fleeing the scene after he struck a bicyclist with his vehicle.

Joel Lazaro, 50, appeared at First Appearance Court and is charged with one count of failure to report an accident involving personal injury (Class 2 felony) and one count

of leaving the scene of an accident resulting in personal injury or death (Class 4 felony).

On June 3, at approximately 7:07 p.m., Villa Park police officers responded to a call of a hit and run involving a vehicle and a bicyclist near Elm Street and Princeton Avenue.

Following an investigation into the matter, it is alleged that the bicyclist, a 13-year-old boy, was on his bike crossing the intersection at Elm and Princeton when a black 2013 Toyota Venza, allegedly driven by Lazaro, went through the intersection and struck the boy. It is alleged that Lazaro dragged the boy approximately 25 feet before the boy became dislodged

from the vehicle. It is further alleged that after striking the boy, Lazaro drove away without checking on the boy’s condition. Through their investigation, authorities identified Lazaro as the suspected driver of the Toyota. At approximately 9:26 p.m., officers with the Villa Park Police Department went to Lazaro’s home, where they allegedly observed the Toyota Venza in the driveway with apparent signs of being involved in an accident on the front side of the vehicle.

Lazaro was taken into custody without incident at that time. The boy was transported to a local hospital for medical attention for non-life-threat-

ening injuries.

“It is alleged that after striking a young boy on a bike with his vehicle, Mr. Lazaro fled instead of remaining at the scene to aid his victim,” Berlin said. “What I find particularly disturbing about this case is the allegation that hours later, after Mr. Lazaro had time to consider the situation, he still never called police or attempted to alert anyone to the crash. I thank the Villa Park Police Department for their swift response to this incident and fine police work that led to the apprehension of the defendant.”

“The alleged actions of the accused are reprehensible.” Rivas said.

“When a driver of a motor vehicle

strikes anything on the roadway, that driver has an obligation to stop and report the incident. In this case, the accused allegedly knew he struck a bicyclist, a 13-year-old boy, and sped away from the scene without offering aid or information. The accused also had time to reflect on his actions and contact police. Villa Park officers located the vehicle and conducted a thorough investigation.

“We thank the Villa Park officers and investigators for their hard work in bringing the accused to justice.” Lazaro’s next court appearance is scheduled for July 1, for arraignment in front of Judge Margaret O’Connell.

Camp I Am Me will be held at YMCA Camp Duncan in

For the past 33 years, Camp I Am Me by Illinois Fire Safety Alliance has helped young burn survivors throughout Illinois by providing a place of acceptance and healing at its yearly Summer Camp held at YMCA Camp Duncan in Ingleside. This year’s camp will be held from June 16 to June 22.

Camp I Am Me’s signature Summer Camp program offers a diverse range of activities for campers aged 8-20, in addition to specialized therapeutic sessions and support groups that allow them to say, “I am me,” despite any physical or emotional scars resulting from a burn injury.

In this non-judgmental environment, survivors feel more comfortable sharing their experiences with others who have had similar experiences. The campers enjoy activities like wall climbing, horseback riding, fishing, a high ropes course, a talent show, crafts, and more, that bring them together to be supportive of one another.

Kelly McElligott, the Camp I Am Me president and Burn Outreach

coordinator at Loyola Medicine in Maywood, said, “Due to a generous network of sponsors, donors, and volunteers, we are able to offer this unique and empowering experience free of charge to survivors of burn injuries due to fire, electricity, chemicals and even scalding water. We invite anyone who wants to support our mission to get involved with this special journey of healing.”

Summer Camp’s ultimate goal is to help burn survivors rebuild their self-esteem and confidence, which is why more than a third of its volunteers are survivors who previously attended camp as young people. Over the last three-plus decades, Summer Camp has positively impacted hundreds of lives, as evidenced by campers and volunteers returning year after year.

“It’s truly heartwarming to see how camp can positively impact these young people. It provides them with a strong support system filled with people who understand their experiences, which can change their lives for the better – both emotional-

DuPagePads reaching new heights to end homelessness

DuPagePads is reaching new heights to end homelessness on Sept. 8 with The Great Descent—an innovative fundraising event hosted in partnership with Over the Edge.

The event will see 100 participants rappel 12 stories down the side of Hotel Arista located in the heart of the CityGate dining and entertainment campus in Naperville.

Each participant must raise a minimum of $1,000 in donations for DuPagePads to be eligible to rappel.

Charity Challenge: The Great Descent is a day-long event, which runs from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Hotel Arista. Family, friends, and spectators are invited to come down and support participants all day long.

Chuck Manginelli, event committee chair, said he is eager to bring the community together for such an exciting event for an even more important cause to life.

“As committee chair for this exciting new event, and a board member of DuPagePads, I have been continually impressed by our innovative solutions to end homelessness and creative ways to involve the community in our mission!”, he said. “This new charitable challenge is one of only three available

in Illinois and is going to be something to remember as a great way to demonstrate what we can do together as a community when we strive for new heights together. We hope you will join us as one of the 92 brave neighbors stepping off the roof of Hotel Arista and helping to end homelessness here at home.”

Only two organizations in the Chicago area will host the rappelling fundraiser in 2024 making this unique way to support DuPagePads something to remember for supporters. If you have questions about special accommodations, sponsorship opportunities and more, reach out to Carrie Flick at cflick@dupagepads.org Event registration is now open. Register today at https://www.givesignup.org/dupagepadsthegreatdescent Over the Edge is a special events company that provides signature events for non-profit organizations across Canada and the United States.

Over The Edge and its team of certified rope access technicians have helped raise over $100 million with non-profit partners, hosted over 1,000 rappelling events, and maintained a spotless safety record through its 10 years of operation.

ly and psychologically,” said Philip Zaleski, Camp I Am Me executive director.

Ingleside

The Summer Camp sees volunteers from Illinois’ fire service and medical community, educators, and individuals from the private sector. The camp aims to maintain a oneto-one volunteer to camper ratio. Although Camp I Am Me has met its volunteer needs for this year’s Summer Camp, there are other ways to get involved in the organization’s mission, which can be found at campiamme.org/get-involved. For more information about Summer Camp and other burn injury survivor support programs, as well as fire safety and burn prevention resources provided by Camp I Am Me, visit campiamme.org.

NOTICE TO OUR READERS

The Elmhurst Independent delivery will be changing starting the week of June 24

Receiving the weekly Elmhurst Independent is as easy as 1-2-3.

1. To receive the Elmhurst Independent mailed print version for one year, make a donation in any amount. IF YOU THINK THE INDEPENDENT IS WORTH 50¢ an issue, it would be $26.00; 75¢ an issue - $39.00 or $1 an issue - $52.00. You won’t get a tote bag, T-shirt, coffee mug or CD of Lawrence Welk’s Greatest Hits. But you will get the satisfaction of knowing that you have helped to support your favorite newspaper.

2. Pick up a free copy of the Elmhurst Independent print version at any one of more than 80 newsstand locations in Elmhurst every Thursday

3. Sign up for a free weekly eSubscription that can be read on a computer, laptop or tablet. Your link will be emailed to you every week. Sign up at today at: RockValleyEnews. com

 Please sign me up for weekly mail home delivery of the Elmhurst Independent print version for one year. Enclosed is my donation. Readers that have made a donation in the last year will continue to receive the Elmhurst Independent by mail at no charge for up to 12 months.

Joel Lazaro

Viewpoint

Analysis: Democrats tap gaming cash cow to help fill state budget gap

Taxes to increase on sports betting, video gambling

By Hannah Meisel CAPITOL NEWS ILLINOIS

In order to boost infrastructure spending and avoid a projected fiscal cliff facing the state in the next couple of years, Democrats who control state government are betting on two of its most rapidly growing revenue sources: sports wagering and video gambling.

The industries—both legalized within the last 15 years—have developed into two of the most robust markets in the nation; Illinois’ sportsbooks collectively have the fourth-largest handle among all states, while Illinois’ video gambling industry is by far the largest of any state.

When proposing his budget plan in February, Pritzker suggested increasing taxes only on sports betting. But despite pushback from some Democrats – and the sportsbooks’ massive spend on lobbying to kill the tax hike – the governor got above and beyond what he’d requested from the legal gambling industry, even as some of his other proposed new revenues were left on the cutting room floor in the final weeks of the General Assembly’s spring legislative session.

In the end, Illinois’ growing video gambling industry will see a 1 percentage point tax hike that’s estimated to bring in another $35 million next year for infrastructure projects. Meanwhile, the state’s burgeoning sports betting industry will see a more substantial increase in taxes from a flat 15 percent rate to a graduated structure ranging from 20 percent on the lowest-earning sportsbooks to 40 percent for the highest earners.

The change is projected to generate an extra $200 million, which will be directed to the state’s General Revenue Fund, Illinois’ main discretionary spending account. Those promised windfalls would bolster already sizeable sources of revenue for the state. In the fiscal year that ended June 30, 2023, Illinois netted $142 million in taxes from sportsbooks, while video gambling terminals in bars, restaurants and dedicated gaming cafes generated $814 million.

Taken together, the two made up almost half of the near-$2 billion the state took in from all forms of wagering last fiscal year, which also includes growing revenues from the

state lottery and casinos.

Organized labor, a top funder and ally for Democrats, balked at the plan to deposit the extra tax dollars from sportsbooks into GRF instead of dedicating it to infrastructure projects, where current sports betting revenues are directed. And major sportsbook operators threatened to stop advertising or even withdraw from the state as the legislature’s scheduled adjournment date drew near last week.

But Pritzker was undeterred, pointing consistently to East Coast states like New York and three others, which have all implemented tax rates over 50 percent on their online sportsbook operators. Before the tax hike’s passage last month, the governor brushed off opposition, saying the sportsbooks “have made literally tens of millions of dollars from the state of Illinois,” later noting that the major sportsbooks subject to the highest taxes in the new graduated structure “don’t reside in the state of Illinois.”

“Our focus was on asking... companies that can pay more to pay more,” he said after the tax increase’s passage last week. “And indeed, we kept the tax on sportsbooks lower than the top states in that arena.”

In pushing the tax hikes through the General Assembly, the governor and legislative Democrats are making a bet that sports betting and video gambling companies need Illinois as much – or more – than Illinois needs their tax revenue.

Sports betting

Under the new tax revenue package, sports betting revenues going forward will be split between the state’s General Revenue Fund (58 percent) and Capital Projects Fund (42 percent).

Pritzker’s office predicts the graduated structure will bring in the same $200 million extra for GRF that increasing the flat tax would have. Sportsbooks’ new tax rates will depend on their annual revenues.

• Earnings below $30 million annually will be taxed at 20 percent.

• Earnings between $30 million and $50 million annually will be taxed at 25 percent.

• Earnings between $50 million and $100 million annually will be taxed at 30 percent.

Slices of life

Dating after 50 - Part 1

No one plans to date after 50, but you never know the details life will hand you: divorce, death of a spouse, boredom, aloneness—it all leads to one thing.

You find yourself being half of a couple in a couple’s world.

Such a conundrum. You were once half the age of 50 and probably a couple, now you are twice as old and twice as alone—or at least it feels that way; it’s the hand you’ve been dealt.

Dating at 20 is one thing. It is beautiful. You are beautiful and the people around you (and willing to date you) are equally beautiful.

You all wear the magical cloak of youth, and that cloak is dazzling and vivid—nothing short of spectacular. It is healthy. It has a headful of hair and a six-pack of abs. Your body literally exudes glitter.

Then, time passes. The years go by and take with then the newness of youth, not to mention the glitter. Aging happens. Gravity happens. Baldness happens. Weight gain happens. Wrinkles happen. Aches and pains happen. Suddenly, but not so suddenly you aren’t thirtysomething anymore. You aren’t even forty-something.

Welcome to life.

As an added insult, you look to the seat beside yourself and find your ride has died or at least left the vehicle, bringing a whole new meaning to the term “empty nester.”

And you find yourself

By JILL PERTLER Columnist

contemplating that dreaded word: Dating.

Dating in your teens and 20s is flashy and bright. It is exciting! It is the norm. Everyone is doing it, so hop on board!

Dating after 50 isn’t quite what it was 30 or so years prior. To start with, the dynamics have changed. Oh, hell, everything has changed. Well, except for you. You remain a youthful example of glittery goodness—even at age 59 (or so).

Full disclosure here: I am not an expert on dating. I have’t been on a date in more than 35 years. I definitely don’t have the resume or expertise to give dating advice, but I can make observations.

I’ve compiled a list of the differences between dating in your 20s versus dating after 50. There were so many variables, I couldn’t fit them all into one column, so here’s a start. Part two is forthcoming.

During the 20s: He’s got a fancy new car!

After 50: He’s got a fancy new golf cart!

20s: You look forward to creating a future together.

After 50: You look forward to an early bird dinner together.

20s: You look for someone with a nice package of good qualities.

After 50: You look for someone with a nice retirement package.

20s: You hope for a partner who forgets about your flaws.

After 50: You hope for a partner who can remember what happened yesterday.

20s: You appreciate someone who can roll stiff joints.

After 50: You appreciate someone who doesn’t have stiff joints.

20s: You hope to find someone who is passionate about their career.

After 50: You hope to find someone who is passionate about pickleball.

Dating after 50, in some ways, is more complex than decades earlier. It involves grown kids and maybe even grand babies. There are exspouses and dead ones. Money affluence or shortfalls. Mortgages, second homes and retirement plans. Travel histories and hopes. Viewpoints on religion, politics, fine wine, sail boats, tattoos, pick-up trucks, convertibles and Harleys. And, at it’s best, love, which is a feeling and a way of life that never grows old.

At least I hope not.

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

AAUW Elmhurst Area Branch celebrates its 85th anniversary

(American

a recycling project, where it collects books that are no longer needed, sells them at reasonable prices, and gives the proceeds of the sale to women through local scholarships and for projects that improve education and gender equity. In addition to its used book sale,

the AAUW Elmhurst Area Branch has done so much more for the community. Here are a few highlights:

• Chartered in 1938, AAUW quickly became action oriented. The branch opened the Children’s Exchange Shop in 1943 as a community service project to meet wartime shortages of nursery and children’s equipment, furniture, toys and clothing during World War II. After successfully maintaining the shop for two years, it was sold and the profits ($1,896) were donated to the community.

• In 1948 the education committee of AAUW studied community recreation and concluded that a recreational organization was needed in Elmhurst. This impetus led to the establishment of the Elmhurst YMCA.

• To meet the need for pre-school education in the community in 1959, the Elmhurst Branch founded Buttons and Bows Cooperative Nursery School.

• In 1970 a study group topic, We the People, led to active support for the development of the Illinois Prairie Path. The path received a National Trailways designation.

• Building on research and information learned in a branch study group, “This Beleaguered Earth,” members advocated for a recycling program in Elmhurst. Once the program was established in 1970, members publicized it in the community and provided volunteer staff.

• In celebration of the U.S. Bicentennial, the Elmhurst Branch pub-

with a certificate highlighting the branch’s achievements in communications and external relations, programs, and governance and sustainability.

lished an 88-page booklet of local history titled, “Elmhurst Origin of Names – Streets, Schools, Parks, and Landmarks” in 1976.

• In 1979 Elmhurst Branch members worked with School District 205 to provide special education testing for all three, four, and five-year-old children in the district. The branch received a commendation, as well as gratitude from District 205 administration.

• To educate and raise awareness, the branch worked with the SubSee AAUW, Page 13

SUBMITTED PHOTO Elmhurst Independent

The American Association of University Women (AAUW) Elmhurst Area Branch recently celebrated its 85th anniversary with a luncheon at River Forest Country Club. State AAUW President Donna Jean Simon (right) presented Elmhurst Area AAUW Branch President Moira Murray (left)

Community calendar

Pick of the week: Thursday, June 20

Petty Cash to perform

From 6:30-8:30 p.m., all are invited to Music at the Gazebo on Spring Road by the Prairie Path, where the Spring Road Business Assn. welcomes Petty Cash, Chicago’s ultimate Tom Petty and Johnny Cash cover band. Bring a picnic, lawn chair or blanket and sing along and dance. NOTE: This takes place on Park District property—no alcoholic beverages. Info: SpringRoad.com/our-events.

Saturday, June 15

• Pints in Elmhurst is hosting a preevent ticket sale for the Elmhurst Craft Beer Fest coming to the grounds of the Elmhurst History Museum on Saturday, Sept. 14. Stop in and get your ticket or pick one up to give dad on Father’s Day. Info: elmhurstcraftbeerfest. com.

Obituaries

• From 1-4 p.m., the Elmhurst Art Museum presents Family Day Monster Creations with artist Dave Pryor. Come view all the monster drawings submitted by more than 300 schoolaged children for the public art installation. Then create your own unique

monster through a hands-on activity. Info: elmhurstartmuseum.org.

Friday, June 21

At 2 p.m. at the Elmhurst Public Library, the Elmhurst History Museum will offer the screening of the film A League of Their Own. View the popular 1992 film starring Tom Hanks and Geena Davis that chronicles the lives of women breaking ground as players in the All-American Professional Girls Baseball League. Rated PG. Run time: 2 hrs. 8 mins. Free. No reservation required.

Friday, June 21 and Saturday, June 22

from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. NO clothing, shoes or upholstered furniture. Info: bethel-ucc.org.

Sunday, June 23

• From 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., the First United Methodist Church of Elmhurst at 232 So. York will host its annual Juneteenth Commemorative Celebration. Circuit Court Judge Chantelle Porter will be guest speaker, with music by Evon Sams and vocalist Vince Wallace, accompanied by Richard Stultz. Family fun, food; free to attend but donations accepted to the Black College Fund of the UMC. Info: 630-834-2440.

Monday, June 24

From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., in the Education Center of the Elmhurst History Museum, kids and their caregivers are invited to drop in and play games, make a craft, and explore the exhibits. Appropriate for elementary school age children accompanied by an adult. No registration required.

Sunday, July 9

From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., the Elmhurst Garden Club presents “An Afternoon in The Garden,” the annual Walk & Faire featuring the Grand Gardens Boutique in Wilder Park. For tickets and info, visit elmhurstgardenclub.org.

ELIZABETH L. WALTER, 97 Elizabeth “Betty” L. Walter, age 97, passed away peacefully June 5, 2024. Beloved wife of the late Virlyn. Loving mother of Steven (Janis), Donald, and Russell (Rosemary). Cherished grandmother of Laura (Judd) Leppert, Karen (Reverend Wesley) Dickson, Sara (Jimmie) Roy, Susie Walter (Abraham), and great-grandmother of Amanda Leppert, Emily Leppert, Natalie Leppert, Faith Wells, Hunter Roy, Lanie Wells, and Sophia Walter. Betty was an avid gardener, an accomplished miniaturist and friend to all.

A Visitation will be held from 4-8 p.m. on Thursday, June 13, 2024, at Elmhurst Community Funeral Home – THE AHLGRIM CHAPEL, 567 S. Spring Rd., Elmhurst, IL 60126. A Funeral Service will be at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, June 14, 2024, at the funeral home. Interment Chapel Hill Gardens West, Oakbrook Terrace, IL. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Hinsdale Humane Society, 21 Salt Creek Lane, Hinsdale, IL 60521, https://www.hinsdalehumanesociety.org/, would be appreciated.

• AAUW

CHARLES DRESSANDER,

85

Charles Dressander, 85, of Elmhurst, Illinois, previously of Juneau, Alaska, passed away peacefully with his wife Rosemarie at his side. He was predeceased by his two daughters Sheri Dressander and Dana Ruff. He was proud of his grandson Chad Dressander (Karah) of Franklin, Tennessee, and Rosemarie’s children and grandchildren. Chuck proudly served four years as a Marine, teaching ground aviation. A pleasure pilot in his retirement, he earned his instrument rating at age seventy. He was employed as a technician for the Xerox Corporation in Tennessee, Montana, and Alaska. A fine athlete in his youth Chuck was a star football player who also excelled in swimming, softball, basketball, and track. A keen marksman, he preferred to hunt with bow and arrow. Besides adventurous hobbies like raising horses and parachuting out of airplanes, he was a fine musician. He played the accordion, piano, and organ.

He and Rosemarie enjoyed a twenty five year retirement with a cottage in Wisconsin and travel to Australia, New Zealand, various countries in Central and South America, Italy, France, and Ireland. Family and friends enjoyed his stories of camping in the Yukon, flying around hurricanes and so much more. His wife said she knew she wouldn’t ever be bored by Chuck and she never has been.

(Continued from page 10)

stance Abuse Committee of District 205 to sponsor a Community Intervention Workshop in 1989.

• In 1993, the AAUW Elmhurst Area Branch sponsored the “Yes I Can” seminar for junior high school girls to encourage their interest in math and science.

• In 2009 “Dare to Dream Get Educated/Atrévete a Soñar: Educate!”—the first conference for Hispanic middle school girls and their mothers—took place at Elmhurst College. It was attended by over 200 girls and their mothers.

• Since 2011, the Half the Sky Study Group has donated over $9,852. to help women around the world by providing them Kiva business loans, paying for educational opportunities, and helping with medical needs.

• In 2020 the AAUW Elmhurst

Area Branch applied for and received legal 501(c)(3) status and was incorporated as a not-for-profit corporation. The branch is now the AAUW Elmhurst Area Branch, NFP.

While this is a short list of what the branch has accomplished in the past, it is still a very active group. In addition to regular meetings, members also participate in the Half the Sky and book discussion groups. Both groups meet monthly. To learn more about the AAUW Elmhurst Area Branch, go to its website at www.aauwelmhurst.org. You will find information about its July used book sale.

As the summer progresses, check out the site for the branch’s 20242025 programs, most of which are at the Elmhurst Public Library. New members are always welcome.

From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Bethel United Church of Christ will hold its annual indoor rummage sale at 315 E. St. Charles Rd. Find housewares, linens, books, toys, electronics, tools, jewelry, collectibles and more. Ample parking and church is fully accessible. Proceeds benefit the Shoe Fund for needy children in District 205 schools. Donations may be dropped off June 17-19

• Led by Barrister Dave Oberg, the Old Tyme Base Ball Game returns to the Elmhurst University Mall in front of Hammerschmidt Chapel, with pregame events at 1 p.m. followed by the game at 2 p.m. Come see the University’s “Gown” team take on the “Town” team, led by Mayor Scott Levin. Bring a picnic, lawn chair, or blanket and enjoy an afternoon of old-school family fun. Huzzah! Free.

Thursday, July 25

GreenMan Theatre, the Elmhurst History Museum and the Elmhurst Public Library present a presentation called “Stories from the Home Front 1941-45.” Delve into the untold history and stories of those who supported the war effort from Elmhurst and beyond. Info: elmhurstpubliclibrary.libcal.com/Home Front.

Worship Services Directory

St. Timothy Evangelical

Lutheran Church

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

Sunday Worship at 10:15 am

Lent and Easter Services at 7 p.m.

“The Crucial Hours”

Second Lenten Service

Sunday School & Bible Study 9 am Wednesday Service at 7 pm

March 9, 2022

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

Adult Bible Study after Wednesday Service Saturday, June 22 Game Night at 4 pm

Third Lenten Service

Everyone is Welcome!

March 16, 2022

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

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

Fourth Lenten Service

March 23, 2022

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

Fifth Lenten Service

Sixth Lenten Service

March 30, 2022

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

April 6, 2022

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

Visitation Catholic Church

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

Weekend Masses: Saturday: 4 PM (Vigil) Sunday: 7:30, 9:30 & 11:30 AM and 6 PM

Maundy Thursday Communion 7 p.m., April 14

Good Friday Tenebrae 7 p.m., April 15

Confessions: Saturday: 3�3:45PM Sunday: 5�5:45 PM

Adoration:

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

Easter Breakfast 8 a.m., April 17

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

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

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

Sport S

IC Catholic Prep boys 400 relay team places fifth at state Eason

By Mike Miazga CORRESPONDENT

qualifies for state in four events; Kemph, Gildea compete at girls state

The IC Catholic Prep boys 400 relay team had its cake and ate it too at the recent Class 1A state finals meet in Charleston. The 400-relay team of Aiden Rosa, Tony Dewald, Jordan Hall and Elijah Eason ran a school-record 42.83 in the preliminary round and then came back in the finals to finish fifth in the state with a time of 43.22 and earn state medals.

The Knights ran the relay without standout Evan Smith, who was hampered by a leg injury the tail-end of the season. “If you would have told me at any point during the season our 4-by-1 would take fifth in state without Evan Smith, I wouldn’t have believed you,” IC Catholic Prep coach Bob Cronin said. “Aiden, Jordan and Elijah were steady all year, and Tony Dewald stepped in as an alternate and was outstanding. I am so proud of that group and what they accomplished under trying circumstances.”

Cronin explained the plan in Charleston was to run the relays in prelims without Smith and then wait to see if he was healthy enough to run in the finals. Rosa, Dewald, Hall and Eason ran that school-record 42.83 in prelims and placed sixth heading into the finals. In the 100, Cronin said Smith thought his leg was healthy, “but soon into the race he knew it was less than that,” he said. Smith ran a strong 10.95, “but he knew his season was over as he limped through the finish,” Cronin said.

Eason ran a personal record of 11.00 in the 100. Smith did not compete in the 200 at state due to his injury. Hall competed in the long jump and logged a mark of 18-8.

In the 800 relay prelims the same group of Rosa, Dewald, Hall and Eason ran 1:31.08 to sneak into the finals in ninth place. Eason, exhausted from the previous races, Cronin noted, ran 52.68 in the 400. In the 800 relay finals, ICCP finished ninth, its same seed, with a time of 1:32.48.

“I am so proud of our all-state track athletes Aiden Rosa, Tony Dewald, Jordan Hall and Elijah Eason,” Cronin said. “They gave their all when we needed it most. They made their school community and their families proud in true Knight fashion.”

Earlier in Class 1A Seneca sectional competition, Smith competed in the 100 and 200. He won the 100 with a time of 11.08 and won the 200 in 22.91. “Evan struggled the last few weeks of the season with a hamstring pull,” Cronin said. “He was able to compete at the sectional, albeit slower than his standards. He won the 200 but slowed down the last 50 meters so as to not reinjure his leg.”

Eason, a senior, took second in the 100 with a time of 11.09, giving ICCP first- and second place scoring points

IC Catholic Prep’s Kiely Kemph competed in the 400 run at the recent Class 1A state finals track and field meet in Charleston where she ran a personal record 1:00.84 and took 15th.

well moving forward in her career,” Cronin said. “Kiely and Gracie will be leaders for our team next season, and both are hard workers from great families, so the program is in great shape moving forward.”

At the Class 1A Seneca sectional, Kemph won the sectional title in the 400 with a time of 1:01.71. Kemph, a junior, qualified for state last year as the second-place finisher at the sectional. Gildea punched her first state ticket by running 12:23.62 in the 3,200 at Seneca.

The Knights were fourth in the 800 relay in 2:02.58 with Cook, Angela Kostrzeski, Van Koughnet and Bigane. Kemph took second in the 400 with a time of 1:01.68, while Brandt was sixth in 1:07.63. Lily Fisher was eighth in the 1,600 with a time of 6:51.25. ICCP was fifth in the 1,600 relay with a time of 4:33.78 with Cook, Van Koughnet, Brandt and Kemph.

in the event. Cronin decided to keep Smith out of the spring relays, “counting on his squad to be able to qualify even without him,” he said. In the 400 relay at the sectional, ICCP won the event in 43.79 with Rosa, Dewald, Hall and then Eason anchoring the quartet.

The same group took second in the 800 relay, running 1:32.33, nearly three seconds slower than with Smith (the indoor champion in the 60- and 200-meter dashes), but good enough to advance to state. Eason qualified for state in his fourth event, taking second in the 400 in 51.45. Hall also earned

his state berth in the long jump after a mark of 20-8 1/2.

IC Catholic Prep girls track

At the Class 1A girls track and field state finals at Eastern Illinois University in Charleston, Kiely Kemph finished 15th in the prelims of the 400 with a personal record of 1:00.84. “Kiely came in at 18th and finished 15th running a PR, so that’s a great way to finish the season,” Cronin said. Sophomore Grace Gildea ran 12:12.28 in the 3,200 at state. “Gracie was battling a bum ankle, but her experience at the state meet will serve her

The Knights also competed in their first Girls Catholic Athletic Conference White Division meet hosted by Loyola Academy in Wilmette. The Knights took second in the 400 relay with a time of 53.62 with Lizzie Cook, Megan Van Koughnet, Mae Bigane and Kemph. Gildea took third in the 3,200 run with a time of 13:10.48. Ellie Tardiff took ninth in the 100 hurdles with a time of 22.01.

Van Koughnet was fourth in the 100 with a time of 13.69. Sophomore Chole Brandt took fifth in the 800 at 2:41.40, while junior Caitlin Johnson was seventh at 2:44.15.

Sophomore Janny Techamontreekul tied for 12th in the high jump with a mark of 1.27 meters. Bigane was seventh in the long jump at 4.08 meters, while Tardiff was 10th with a mark of 3.57 meters. Natalie Denekas was fourth in the triple jump with a mark of 8.02 meters. Sophomore Gabby Velecela was fifth in the shot put with a mark of 7.00 meters. Karina Alba was seventh at 6.35 meters. Velecela was fifth in the discus with a mark of 19.71 meters.

The Knights finished fifth in the GCAC White with 65.5 points and finished 12th overall among all GCAC teams.

SUBMITTED PHOTOS Elmhurst Independent

IC Catholic Prep’s Gracie Gildea competed in the 3,200 run at the recent Class 1A girls track and field state finals in Charleston.

From left: IC Catholic Prep’s Aiden Rosa, Tony Dewald, Jordan Hall and Elijah Eason took fifth in the state in the Class 1A 400 relay. The quartet also placed ninth in the 800 relay in Charleston at Eastern Illinois University.

From left: IC Catholic Prep’s Madison McMahon (assistant coach), Bob Cronin (head coach), Aiden Rosa, Tony Dewald, Jordan Hall, Elijah Eason, Evan Smith and Joe Hughes (assistant coach) at the Class 1A boys state track and field finals meet at Eastern Illinois University in Charleston.

IC Catholic Prep graduate

Leslie headed to Le Moyne

Will play volleyball for Division II school

By Mike Miazga CORRESPONDENT

Recent IC Catholic Prep gradu

ate Bella Leslie wanted to head east for college.

Her landing spot ended up being at NCAA Division II Le Moyne College where the former Knights volleyball and soccer standout will continue her volleyball career at the Syracuse, New York school as a libero.

Students create art exhibit at Park Place of Elmhurst

Park Place of Elmhurst hosts countless intergenerational programs annually.

Members of Immaculate Conception Catholic Prep’s Class of 2024 recently participated in a three-month long “Discipleship Through Service” class, spending a total of 60 hours at Park Place of Elmhurst. These students were instrumental in providing technology support, socialization, and completing a unique art exhibit. “I C

was very supportive on and off the court. It made it a really good environment to be in. Coach (Kerrigan) was great. I have known her for a while. When I was little, I did all the little kids camps, and her daughter was in my brother’s grade at IC.”

Cicadas” was a fun project to get everyone excited about the 17-year brood that has emerged in the area. One photo (above left) shows Park Place resident Michael Harrington standing in front of one of the “I C Cicadas” exhibit pieces. Another photo (above right) shows Immaculate Conception Catholic Prep students standing with their exhibit at Park Place.

– Bella Leslie

Time running out to net and protect young plants from cicada-related damage

By Dilpreet Raju CAPITOL NEWS ILLINOIS

“All of the schools I was looking at were on the East Coast,” Leslie told the Independent last week. “I visited Le Moyne and really liked it. It reminded me of high school because it was a small school, and in a smaller school you will know a lot more faces than if I would have gone to a bigger school. The campus there is really pretty. It sits on a big hill and the scenery around it is great. Everything is pretty close together. They have very nice facilities. The volleyball program has good workout facilities and a nice locker room. I liked how modern it was.”

Leslie said she will miss plenty about IC Catholic Prep. “I will miss how close knit of a community it was,” she said. “I knew everybody at the school. It will be weird going on campus and not knowing all the faces. I’ll miss those close connections with the coaches and teachers. It will be weird for the first year or so.”

Insect researchers are also seeking help from ‘civilian scientists’ to document cicadas statewide

While Illinois’ dual emergence of periodical cicada broods is harmless to people and animals, young trees may sustain serious damage if not protected by mid-June, experts at The Morton Arboretum said.

Leslie plans on studying nursing at Le Moyne. “They have a good nursing program,” she said. “As far as what kind of a nurse I want to be, I’m not quite sure yet.”

Leslie played volleyball and girls soccer at IC Catholic Prep all four years. She was a center-midfielder on the Knights soccer team.

This is the first co-emergence of these two broods since 1803, researcher Katie Dana from the Illinois Natural History Survey told Capitol News Illinois, making it a truly oncein-a-lifetime event.

Although each brood will appear in 2037 and 2041, respectively, the 221-year-long cycle means the next

time both broods emerge at the same time will happen in 2245.

“I’ve heard reports of billions, I’ve heard reports of trillions and honestly, I think it’s somewhere in between those two,” she said of the number of cicadas that will emerge. “But that’s also a huge range.”

Leslie’s volleyball journey started in the fifth grade, the first year she could play the sport at IC Grade School. She’s been playing club volleyball since seventh grade, most recently with the Chicago Elite group that practices out of Scores in Willow Springs and Montini High School in Lombard.

By Mike Miazga CORRESPONDENT

“I’m really excited to be able to play volleyball in college,” she said. “It gives me something to do.

That’s why researchers from the INHS are seeking the public’s help to photograph and record the 13- and 17-year-old cicadas they see with ecology apps such as iNaturalist or Cicada Safari.

Dana said she is “trying to engage with citizen scientists” to help track the broods.

Leslie said pandemic life hasn’t been overly exciting, though her club volleyball team has started practicing again. “We have been practicing two or three times a week,” she said. “We are going to be starting tournaments again. Before that I haven’t been doing anything because senior soccer season and the club volleyball season were cancelled. We were supposed to go to a few club volleyball qualifiers in Grand Rapids and Louisville. This summer, we have some tournaments planned over the next few weekends. They are little tournaments with all of the local clubs. Nothing large and really local. Other than that, I have been trying to work out a lot and stay in shape. I’ve been running a lot, so I got into that. I try and run every day.”

and Jack Lawton pitched in relief.

been cancelled due to the pandemic. “I will probably leave Aug. 10-11 because it’s a far drive,” she said. “We had Zoom call with the team recently and they said they should have an answer about our season in the next 7-10 days. They talked about three scenarios and what could happen like if we start the season and someone gets sick and we have to stop and go. That’s one of the reasons why they are looking at moving the season to the spring. Right now the plan is to have a season, but we won’t know until the next 7-10 days.”

“If you look back at like 2011 or 2007, when these broods last emerged, there (are) a lot of gaps in the mapping,” she said. “Because it is really hard to get on the ground across the huge range that these broods are going to be out.”

According to the Morton Arboretum website, scientists estimate that in a forested area, there can be up to 1.5 million cicadas per acre.

The website said the presence of cicadas will last about four to six weeks. An individual cicada dies after three to four weeks. As the cicadas decay, there will be an odor of decaying cicadas for a couple of weeks.

York baseball team finishes fourth at state Dukes bring home hardware for second year in a row

Another year and another state trophy for the York baseball team. The Dukes recently finished fourth at the Class 4A state baseball finals held in Joliet at Duly-Health Park. It was York’s second top-four state finish in as many seasons. The Dukes also took fourth in 2023.

Leslie said she is scheduled to report to Le Moyne in the Aug. 1215 timeframe, but noted preseason volleyball activities already have

• Stopka (Continued from page 18)

They lost to West Chicago on think an own goal in the last five minutes. That was against the state champs in the sectional finals. That’s a hell of a season if you ask me.”

York finished its season with a 3111 mark after a 6-1 loss to Edwardsville in the Class 4A third-place game. Edwardsville led 2-0 after three innings and York cut it to 2-1 in the top of the fifth only to have Edwardsville come back and score three in the fifth and one in the sixth to pull away.

Leadoff hitter Chris Danko went 2-for-3 with an RBI and a walk. Nico Ruggieri went 1-for-3, while Noah Jones went 1-for-2. One of Danko’s hits was a double. He also stole a base. York was limited to four hits and walked five times. Noah Hughes took the loss. He went 3 innings and struck out two while allowing two earned runs. Danko, Jack Bodach

Stopka will teach Spanish at York. He taught Spanish and one math class at St. Pat’s. “My philosophy is I am more of a players’ coach,” he said. “I have been a big Liverpool soccer supporter ever since 2015 when Jurgen Klopp came over and he’s known as a players’ coach. He’s kind of my coaching idol. I want to related to the players and form bonds with them. am more light-hearted and smiling. I like to have fun and joke with the kids. The goal is understanding where each player can be successful and the provide the best way possible to convey the knowledge they need at the position they play. I am not big

huge rah-rah person. I’m a little bit more of an individual players’ coach. I will pull kids to the side at practice and games and teach them.”

York started play in Joliet with a tough 1-0 loss to eventual Class 4A state-champion Hoffman Estates Conant in a game that saw both teams combine for only five hits and no errors. Josh Fleming and Drew Gami each had a hit for York. Marco Giorno was hit by a pitch. Ryan Sloan was the tough-luck loser in his final start for the Dukes. He went six innings and allowed only three hits, while striking out eight and walking one. He threw 61 of 88 pitches for strikes and faced only four batters over the minimum. Conant pitcher Franklin Kirchner allowed two hits over seven innings and struck out seven while walking three. He threw 60 of 97 pitches for strikes and faced six batters over the minimum in the game.

York advanced to Joliet after defeating McHenry in the Class 4A Kane County Cougars supersectional at Northwestern Medicine Field in Geneva. In the win against McHenry, York pounded out 10 hits and erased a 2-1 early deficit with a five-run out-

Stopka noted York has been doing conditioning drills and said the plan as of earlier last week was to start summer camp pending District 205 approval. “I have probably been able to meet 60 to 70 percent of the players so far,” he said. “If it does get approved that would be the start of our contact days with four days a week for three weeks straight. And even though the IHSA waived the blackout dates before the school year, we won’t take advantage of that. I’m pretty sure families have plans to do things before school starts. I’m the new guy and I’m not going to say you can’t go with your family. Go do it and enjoy it. This is a crazy and

But if all systems are a go, Leslie can’t wait to take her skills as a libero to the next level with the Dolphins. “I feel like being a libero you have to be really quick and that is typically what I am good at. I have really good reaction time,” she said. “I like diving on the floor and saving balls. It’s a really good feeling when you make a save. The position fits my personality, too. You have to be the loudest one on the court. I have a loud personality. You have to be pretty loud if you want to be a libero. I think I match that description.”

burst in the fourth inning. York extended the lead to 8-1 heading into the bottom of the sixth inning.

Danko went 2-for-3 with a run scored, a walk and two RBI. Ruggieri went 1-for-4 with a run scored and an RBI. Fleming was 2-for-4 with a run scored and an RBI. Owen Chael went 1-for-3 with a run scored and two walks. Gami (one walk), Hughes, Austin Grzywa (one run scored) and Girono (one run scored) each had a hit. Eight different York players had at least one hit. Fleming, Giorno and Chael each hit a double, while Danko tripled. Ruggieri had a sacrifice fly and a stolen base. Danko was the winning pitcher. He pitched 5 2/3 innings and struck out three. Lawton and Sloan each pitched an inning with Sloan striking out the side in the seventh inning.

ble and transparent and communicate with everybody.”

As far as the future, Stopka wants York competing at a high level on a consistent basis. “The short-term goal is to restock and build up the team,” he said. “A large portion of last year’s team was seniors, especially the starting 11. We have to make sure the now juniors are up to the speed of the varsity level and are ready to contribute. We want to keep that pipeline going with the younger groups of players. We want to make sure we are not only competitive, but that we are competing for regionals, sectionals and supersectionals. It starts for me with this junior class that is coming in. We want them ready to go and setting the standard for these other classes that come in so they can also contribute right off

proudly presents

YORK HIGH SCHOOL PLAYER OF THE WEEK YORK BASEBALL TEAM

Hats off to the York baseball team, which finished fourth in

York is now 56-26-1 over the last two seasons and has won Class 4A sectional titles in a row. This was York’s fourth appearance in the state finals tournament. The 1960 and 1993 teams won state titles.

York won 30-plus games and also won a sectional title for a third year in a row.

CHRIS FOX PHOTO Elmhurst Independent

Anthony Bucolo fires a pitch during a recent U12 baseball game.

Class 4A for a second year in a row. The Dukes defeated McHenry 9-5 in the supersectional round (final 8 teams) and then lost to Conant 1-0 in the state semifinals and 6-1 to Edwardsville in the Class 4A state third-place game in Joliet.

SUBMITTED PHOTO Elmhurst Independent Spencer Campbell, plant clinic manager at the Morton Arboretum, answers questions about cicadas in front of a netted tree. Campbell emphasized it is important to choose proper material when netting trees vulnerable to cicadas.

SUBMITTED PHOTOS Elmhurst Independent

Classifieds

(630) 834-8244

Announcements

CLASSIFIED IN-COLUMN ADS cannot be credited or refunded after the ad has been placed. Ads canceled before deadline will be removed from the paper as a service to our customers, but no credit or refund will be issued to your account.

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

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.

Misc. For Sale

CHAR BROIL OUTDOOR

GRILL FOR SALE. On/off switch with 4 burners, easy propane access, like new. Estate sale item. $75 or best offer. 760-774-7744

Personals

LOOKING FOR A COMPANION

60+ year old woman looking for a male companion who is interested in going out to dinner, concerts, shows, movies, etc. If interested, please call 630-782-1006

Campers and RVs

1994 WINNEBAGO WARRIOR 22’ V8 454 engine, 97,200 miles. Newer tires, new battery, new sub floor and flooring. Rooftop A/C works great. Rust free, runs good and ready for travel! Some updates have been done to the interior, but still needs some minor finishing. Asking $11,500. Located near Rockford. Call 815520-0997.

Estate Sales

103 PINE ST., ELMHURST, Thursday, 6/13, Friday, 6/14 & Saturday, 6/15, 9am-5pm. lots of vintage, collectibles, furniture and much more! Too much to list!

104 W. DIVISION, VILLA PARK, Friday, 6/14, 9am-3pm & Saturday, 6/15, 10am-3pm, vintage furniture, vehicles, collectibles, h’hold, kitchen, garage, garden & much more!

Elmhurst Garage Sales

708 S. MITCHELL AVE., ESTATE SALE, FRIDAY, 6/14, 8am4pm. Household items, antiques and much more!

Olmec Trails: Culture and Legacy

The work of 33 artists recreates Ancient Mexican Culture throughout DuPage County

One installation is featured on Spring Road and the Prairie Path in Elmhurst.

Mexican Cultural Center DuPage (MCCD) in coordination with Meztli Mexico and in partnership with the College of DuPage Public Art Project (COD) and the DuPage Convention & Visitors Bureau (DCVB) presents an exciting new project: “Olmec Trails: Culture and Legacy.” This new outdoor exhibit featuring 33 large, brightly colored, hand-painted renditions of iconic Mesoamerican sculptures will be displayed July through October 2024 predominantly throughout suburban Chicago’s DuPage County in an expansive exhibition highlighting the culture of the ancient Olmec civilization in a fresh and accessible way.

To celebrate the exhibition, a free “Olmec Family Fiesta” celebration will be held at COD’s McAninch Arts Center’s (MAC) Lakeside Pavilion, 425 Fawell Blvd., Sunday, June 30, 2-6 p.m. This family friendly event featuring live music by Mari-

achi Monumental, folkloric dance by Ballet Folklorico Quetzalcoatl, salsa dance lessons, face painting, food vendors and more is sponsored by College of DuPage Foundation. Attendees will have the opportunity to view the Olmec sculptures installed at COD and immerse themselves in the educational and informational display in the MAC lobby containing information on locations and artists and the mystery of the legendary Olmec people. More information is available at OlmecTrails.com.

The colossal stone heads, crafted by the Olmecs between 1400 BCE to 400 BCE, originated in the southern part of Veracruz, Mexico, the cultural heart of this early Mesoamerican civilization. Each multi-ton sculpture, sculpted from a single stone using primitive tools, reflected the Olmecs’ artistic prowess and their significant influence on subsequent Mesoamerican cultures. Today, these iconic heads are celebrated globally as prime examples of pre-Columbian art and adorn various museums and public spaces. Notably, the Olmecs, Mesoamerica’s earliest civilization, left enduring legacies, including the precursor to sports like basketball and soccer. “Olmec Trails” pays tribute to the indigenous roots of Mexi-

Thiems Grant recipients

Last month, members of the Foundation 205 Board of Directors surprised educators across District 205 with 24 Thiems Grant Awards totaling nearly $175,000. Established in 1990 and named in honor of former District 205 Superintendent Russell Thiems, the grants seek to support ideas for innovative educational projects in District 205 schools. Over the past 35 years, Foundation 205 has awarded over $2.6 million in grants across the district. This year’s grants covered every building in District 205. One photo from the May 14 grant presentations shows (left

Madison

Education Center Principal Susan Kondrat and Katie Delaney, a teacher at Madison Early Childhood Education Center.

can heritage as well as brings attention to the importance of public art by showcasing the immense talent and creativity of 33 contemporary artists from across North America.

Installations will be located throughout DuPage County and beyond. Those in DuPage County include 10 installations located on the walking paths of College of DuPage; five at St. James Farm in Warrenville, Ill.; four at Mayslake Peabody Estate in Oak Brook, Ill.; three at Fullersburg Woods in Oak Brook, Ill.; and one in the following locations: Naperville’s downtown and 95 St. Public Libraries; Great Western Prairie Path in Elmhurst, Ill.; Glen Ellyn Prairie Path in Glen Ellyn, Ill.; Kline Creek Farm, West Chicago Public Library, West Chicago Park District and Kruse House in the City of West Chicago, Ill.; plus a location to be announced. Installations outside of DuPage County include the Gail Borden Public Library in Elgin, Ill. and the National Museum of Mexican Art in Chicago. The latter is in honor of Carlos Tortolero, the museum’s President Emeritus and Founder, and the inspiration behind the project. Support for “Olmec Trails: Culture and Legacy” is provided in part by the Mexican Cultural Center DuPage, College of DuPage, the DuPage Convention & Visitors Bureau, the Illinois Office of Tourism and the National Museum of Mexican Art. Artist support is provided in part by Meztli Mexico and the Mexican Cultural Arts Alliance.

• Gaming

Olmec Trails: Culture and Legacy is a new outdoor exhibit featuring large, brightly colored, hand-painted renditions of iconic Mesoamerican sculptures. The Elmhurst Public Arts Commission would like to thank The Schiller Team with @ Properties for their generous donation in bringing one of the installations to Elmhurst. The sculpture is located on Spring Road and the Illinois Prairie Path.

The Elmhurst Public Arts Commission would like to thank The Schiller Team with @ Properties for their generous donation in bringing one of the installations to Elmhurst which will be located on Spring Road and the Illinois Prairie Path.

(Continued from page 8)

• Earnings between $100 million and $200 million will be taxed at 35 percent.

• Earnings above $200 million will be taxed at 40 percent.

The final plan marks an evolution from Pritzker’s February proposal, which sought to increase the state’s current 15 percent tax on sports betting operators to 35 percent.

But not all Democrats were on board with the governor’s idea, with some expressing concerns about overleveraging a nascent industry, which has threatened to stop advertising or even operating in Illinois if the tax hike is passed.

A nationwide industry group dubbed the Sports Betting Alliance, which represents both big players and emerging sportsbooks, launched a campaign against the tax increase that generated more than 56,000 emails and calls to the governor’s office and lawmakers, according to a representative for the group. Last month, sportsbook giant FanDuel pushed alerts to its Illinois users via its app, urging them to take similar action.

“This tax hike will mean worse products, worse promotions, and inevitably, worse odds for Illinois customers—not to mention provide a massive leg up to dangerous, unregulated and illegal offshore sportsbooks who pay no taxes and adhere to none of Illinois’ sports betting regulations,” Sports Betting Alliance President Jeremy Kudon said in a statement.

The sportsbooks contend that they earn only a small amount of every dollar wagered, as the rest is paid out in winnings. From that small amount, they say, everything from payroll to marketing must be paid—including taxes.

Sportsbooks claim taxing them more could backfire as they may decide to spend their marketing dollars in other states, and without special promotions to entice the casual and occasional bettors, those users could drop off entirely.

In House floor debate over the revenue package that contained the sports betting tax hike, state Rep. Will Guzzardi, D-Chicago, said the reach of the sportsbooks was drilled into him while watching the NBA playoffs.

“It seems like every other commercial I see is from one of

these sportsbooks, and they’ve got celebrities and they’re buying up all these timeslots,” he said. “I guess I’m hard-pressed to think of DraftKings and FanDuel as small mom-and-pop Main Street Illinois businesses that are struggling to get by.”

Like in many other states, DraftKings and FanDuel have cornered roughly three-quarters of Illinois’ sports betting market. Their ability to do so was aided by unforeseen circumstances created by the COVID-19 pandemic.

LEGAL NOTICES

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE EIGHTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT DU PAGE COUNTY, ILLINOIS

PUBLICATION NOTICE OF COURT

DATE FOR REQUEST FOR NAME CHANGE (ADULT NAME CHANGE)

CURRENT LEGAL NAME: MARK ANTHONY JOHNSON

Case Number: 2024MR000309

My current name is: MARK ANTHONY JOHNSON. I wish my name to be changed to: ANGELUS GLO. The court date for the Request I filed is scheduled on: JULY 18, 2024 at 9:00 a.m. at 505 N. County Farm Road, Wheaton, IL, DuPage County, in Courtroom #2005.

/s/ Mark Johnson

Dated: 5/23/2024

Candice Adams Clerk of the Circuit Court 10587-942996

(Published in The Elmhurst Independent June 6, 13 & 20, 2024) 456410

NOTICE

CERTIFICATE NO. 79448 was filed in the office of the County Clerk of DuPage County on JUNE 4, 2024, wherein the business firm of JMB ELMHURST CONSULTING LOCATED AT P.O. BOX 166, ELMHURST, IL 60126 was registered; that the true or real name or names of the person or persons owning the business, with their respective post office address(es), is/are as follows: NAME OF PERSON(S) JOHN M. BROGAN, HOME ADDRESS 874 S. PARKSIDE AVE., ELMHURST, IL 60126. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and Official Seal at my office in Wheaton, Illinois, this 4TH day of JUNE, A.D. 2024. JEAN KACZMAREK Jean Kaczmarek DuPage County Clerk (OFFICIAL SEAL) (Published in The Elmhurst Independent June 13, 20 & 27, 2024) 456866

SUBMITTED PHOTOS Elmhurst Independent

to right)

Early Childhood

Well over sixty years, Pedersen Ryberg has provided meaningful and proven options with total respect in keeping with traditional values - whether a traditional funeral, traditional cremation, flameless cremation, or memorial service. We strive to maintain family wishes with uncompromised quality and value, and guide families in creating a way to remember loved ones.