The 19th Elmhurst Running Club 4 on the 4th is one week away. Elmhurst’s kickoff to the Fourth of July weekend is drawing a large field that includes runners and walkers from 15 states, and even one competitor from the United Kingdom.
The 2024 event on Thursday, July 4, which stages on Prospect Avenue be-
tween Elmhurst University and Wilder Park, includes a 4-mile race starting at 7:15 a.m. and a kids (ages 5-12) 1-kilometer race beginning at 8:20 a.m.
More than 1,200 participants are expected.
Lured by a fast and fun course through neighborhoods and the City Centre, the 4 on the 4th draws runners
of all abilities from Elmhurst and beyond. Racing this year are two-time defending champion Tim Hird of Naperville and 2022 women’s champion Jane Bareikis of Crestwood.
Registration is open and will be available through race morning, but race director Bob Richards advises participants who have not registered to
Elmhurst’s 4 on the 4th race attracts a big field
do it now at www.4on4th.run.
Huzzah! Olde Tyme Base Ball returns
At the Olde Tyme Base Ball game held at Elmhurst University on Sunday, June 23, representatives from the “A League of Our Own” World War II Girls Baseball Living History League came to the event, wearing authentic uniforms from the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League (AAGPBL). Pictured are (from left): Barrister
“We really encourage registration as early as possible,” Richards said.
Pre-race day packet pickup will be at Fleet Feet Elmhurst, 124 E. Schiller, on Saturday, June 29, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Wednesday, July 3, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Late packet pickup and registration will be available race
More than 1,200 participants expected for the July 4 event; early registration is encouraged
morning at Elmhurst University, starting at 5:45 a.m.
“It will be a fun morning and a great way to begin the Fourth of July celebration,” Richards said. “But get those registrations done sooner, not later.” For more information, or to register for the 4 on the 4th, visit www.4on4th. run (ending in .run, not .com).
“The Right Honorable Dandy” Dave Oberg, Rebecca Tulloch, Gabby Meeks, Joy Hyznyz and Chantale Shea. Hyznyz shared that when she was five years old, she was told she couldn’t play baseball because she was a girl, so she proved them wrong! Story and more photos on page 13.
DEE LONGFELLOW PHOTO Elmhurst Independent
Teenager who was on pretrial release for vehicular hijacking in Cook County
charged with armed robbery in Elmhurst
Health screenings by Life Line coming to Elmhurst on Tuesday, July 2
• HDL and LDL cholesterol levels
• Diabetes risk
Isaiah Roach
DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and Elmhurst Chief of Police Michael McLean announced last week that Judge Joshua Dieden granted the state’s motion to deny pre-trial release for a Morton Grove teenager accused of robbing a man at gunpoint and taking his vehicle in downtown Elmhurst.
Isaiah Roach, 19, appeared in First Appearance Court on Friday, June 21, and was charged with one count of armed robbery, (Class X felony), one count of possession of a stolen motor vehicle (Class 2 felony) and one count of theft (Class 2 felony).
At approximately 10:30 p.m. on June 19, Roach allegedly met the victim in Elmhurst after responding to an ad the victim had placed on Facebook Marketplace to sell his car for $14,000.
After meeting the victim outside the lobby of the Elmhurst police station, it is alleged the victim and Roach decided to conduct the transaction inside a nearby grocery store where there were security cameras.
Once inside the grocery store, Roach allegedly reached into his waistband, displayed a black handgun, and told the victim, “Give me the keys if you ever want to see your family again.”
The victim then threw his key fob at Roach, ran to the store’s customer service desk and called 911. It is alleged that Roach drove off in the victim’s car, which the victim had parked in the police station parking lot. Evanston police officers subsequently located the victim’s car at a gas station in Evanston, where they allegedly observed Roach pumping gas.
It is alleged that Roach then fled on foot, but Evanston police were able to take him into custody. Roach allegedly had the victim’s key fob in his pocket when he was arrested.
The Elmhurst Police Department stated that its license plate reader network alerted investigators the stolen vehicle had left the police station.
That license plate reader network then spotted the vehicle in Evanston a short time later. The Elmhurst Police Department thanked the Evanston Police Department for locating the vehicle and taking Roach into custody.
Roach is currently on pretrial release for vehicular hijacking in Cook County.
“It is alleged that while on pretrial release for a forcible felony, Mr. Roach thumbed his nose at the criminal justice system and committed another violent crime,” Berlin said. “In DuPage County we have zero tolerance for the type of armed violence as alleged in this case and we will prosecute this case to the fullest extent of the law. I commend the Elmhurst Police Department for their outstanding work investigating this case and I thank the Evanston Police Department for their assistance in apprehending the alleged offender.”
“Citizens participating in online exchanges should heed the warning signs of a dangerous deal,” McLean said.
“Any buyer or seller who is unwilling to come into a police station for a valuable transaction and instead asks to meet elsewhere late at night should be met with suspicion. Don’t agree to a dangerous situation.”
Roach’s next court appearance is scheduled for July 15, for arraignment in front of Judge Ann Celine O’Hallaren Walsh.
Residents living in and around the Elmhurst area can learn about their risk for cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, diabetes and other chronic, serious conditions with affordable screenings by Life Line Screening.
American Legion THB Post 187, located at 310 W. Butterfield Road, Elmhurst, will host this community event on Tuesday, July 2.
Screenings can check for:
• The level of plaque buildup in your arteries related to the risk for cardiovascular disease, stroke and overall vascular health.
Council Capsules
Here’s what’s going on at Elmhurst City Hall
By Dee Longfellow FOR THE ELMHURST INDEPENDENT
At the Elmhurst City Council meeting on Monday, June 17, the following actions took place:
• Desiree Chen-Menichini and Sarah Diamond were re-appointed to the City of Elmhurst and Elmhurst University Commission. Both terms will end in 2027.
• A temporary use liquor license was approved for the Elmhurst Heritage Foundation Craft Beer Fest to be held on Saturday, Sept. 14.
• Based on a recommendation of the Public Affairs and Safety (PAS) Committee, Council approved the installation of the traffic control signage at the Michigan Street and Gladys Avenue intersection. Stop signs are to be added to the northbound and southbound approaches, creating an all-way stop control intersection.
City staff reported that the intersection had been experiencing about one accident per year over the past four years. Three of the four crashes involved an eastbound vehicle striking a north/south car.
The staff report said the existing site distance restriction at the northwest corner, which could be contributing to the eastbound vehicle crashes. The
Community Bank of
• Kidney and thyroid function, and more Screenings are affordable and convenient. Free parking is also available.
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Preregistration is required.
report said it is believed the area experiences a high number of cut-through traffic from a nearby shopping center.
• Construction bids for the building of the Elmhurst History Museum’s public performance space were rejected because all three bids were well above the amount the City has specified in the budget. The museum was awarded a grant in the amount of $698,500 from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources to develop a small, outdoor public performance space on the museum’s campus at 120 E. Park Ave.
The lowest bid was received from Construction Inc. in Lombard, but its bid was $857,732. Because the bids were significantly more than the budgeted amount, City staff recommended rejecting the bids and go about a rebidding process with revised construction dates for late fall after the Craft Beer Fest.
• In a separate measure, council approved a conditional use permit for the construction of the outdoor theater on the grounds of the Elmhurst History Museum, as well as a conditional use permit for a Planned Unit Development (PUD) with site development allowance for the property at 120 E. Park Ave.
• The purchase of 2,500 tons of rock salt was approved in the amount of $73.90 per ton, not to exceed a total of $240,175. This will be used in the
2024-25 winter season.
• A recommendation of the Public Works and Buildings (PWB) Committee was approved for a bid submitted by PCSI in the amount of $156,912 for a custodial maintenance contract for the City’s parking decks and pedestrian tunnels for the period of 2024-27.
Facilities maintained under this contract will include the parking decks of Addison, Adelaide, Hahn, Larch, Schiller, and the pedestrian tunnels at North and Myrtle, at North and Emroy, and at the Elmhurst Metra station.
• There was a Majority Report and a Minority Report from the Finance, Council Affairs and Administrative Services (FCAAS) Committee about the Municipal Electric Aggregation Program Renewal. The Majority Report, signed by FCAAS Chair, Alderman Noel P. Talluto (4th Ward), and Aldermen Chris Jensen (3rd) and James Nudera (5th) for the City to enter into a two-year agreement with MC2 for the ComEd match electric aggregation program.
The Minority Report was submitted by Alderman Rex Irby (7th) and suggested the City Council allow the existing one-year contract with MCSquared to expire and allow the automatic transfer of accounts back to standard ComEd service. Ultimately, the Majority Report prevailed.
• The next City Council meeting is scheduled for Monday, July 1.
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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.
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THE ELMHURST INDEPENDENT
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Office Hours: Monday-Friday 11am-3pm
Congressman Jesus ‘Chuy’ Garcia offers federal update
Admits we have ‘one of the least-productive Congresses so far in modern history’
By Dee Longfellow FOR THE ELMHURST INDEPENDENT
At the City Council meeting held on Monday, June 17, U.S. Congressman Jesus “Chuy” Garcia (4th Congressional District) gave an update on his role in Washington, D.C.
He began by introducing himself and giving his background, which includes obtaining a master ’s degree in Urban Planning, which he said is serving him well in Washington.
“Those early college years set the foundation for public service, social justice, inclusivity, and building coalitions across many lines that have historically divided us as ways to now bring us together,” he said. “In Congress, I am continuing to fight for a more just society, and for me, that means creating safe, affordable, accessible communities where families can thrive and raise their children, fighting corporate greed, and improving wages and workers’ rights.
“Re-envisioning the immigration system rooted in compassion and opportunity, and of course, working from my own experience as an immigrant.”
The congressman stressed that
Obituaries
KAYE JANIEN LAWRENCE, 86
Kaye Janien Lawrence (nee Taylor), age 86 passed away peacefully at home on Monday, June 17th, 2024.
Kaye was born on March 30, 1938 to Ralph and Eugenia Taylor in Napoleon, Ohio. In 1959, she married Ralph Lawrence and moved to Elmhurst, Illinois where they have lived for over 60 years. Kaye was an active member of Yorkfield Presbyterian Church. Kaye was a registered nurse who started out in pediatrics and ended her career in geriatric care. She was a nurse for several years for District 205 Schools. Kaye enjoyed music and played drums and saxophone in her early years. Kaye was an avid seamstress and enjoyed making matching holiday dresses for her 4 granddaughters. She enjoyed sitting on the deck of their lake home in Wisconsin reading a book. She also was a pet lover and had several cats and dogs in her life.
Kaye is survived by her husband of 65 years, Ralph; her son Roger (Jacki) and daughter Janien (Peter) Balgemann; her 5 grandchildren, Timothy (Lauren Doyle) Balgemann, Lauren Balgemann, Elizabeth (Mark) Cellini, Ally (Clint) Buechler and Cate (Kyle) Redden; 9 great-grandchildren, Betsy, William, Bella Rose, Reed, Simon, Eleanora, Madison, Simon and Marcella and several nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents and two brothers, Bill and Tim.
Visitation was held at Yorkfield Presbyterian Church, 1099 South York St. Elmhurst, Illinois on Saturday, June 22nd. Burial was private.
Donations can be made to the Yorkfield Presbyterian Church Kitchen Fund, (630) 833-6600.
Arrangements in care of Elmhurst Community Funeral Home – THE AHLGRIM CHAPEL. For information (630) 834-3515 or www.ElmhurstFH.com.
“ [The 118th Congress] has been one of the least-productive Congresses so far in modern history.”
– U.S. Rep. Jesus “Chuy” Garcia
he is working on protecting and expanding access to the health care, including reproductive healthcare; increasing equitable access to quality education and canceling student debt; addressing climate concerns and holding polluters accountable; and pushing for funds for flood mitigation and lead pipe removal and replacement.
Garcia also talked about a $35 cap on the cost of insulin for Medicare and that Congress is looking for a way to lower drug prices on at least ten other common medications.
As a member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee in Washington, Garcia said he was
JAMES VAN PETTEN, 88
James Van Petten, 88, resident of Elmhurst since 1976, passed away peacefully on June 21, 2024, after a courageous battle with cancer, surrounded by his family.
Jim is survived by his loving children, Sheri (Frank) Mordini, Karen –Peachie (John) Gilpin, Heidi (James) Van Petten, Tina (Chris) Lake, Jim (Stephanie) Van Petten; brothers-inlaw, Frank Vacek and Tim Vacek; sister-in-law, Gerry Vacek; grandchildren, Jessa (Rich) Mordini-Finley, Natalie, Sophia, and Francesca Mordini, Brad (Ashley) Gilpin, Alex Gilpin, Conor Laughlin, Devin, Cameron, and Lily Van Petten; great-granddaughter, Addison Pittman; and many nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Stacy and Letha (née Lash); his lovely bride, Ruth Helen (née Vacek); his brother, Tom Van Petten, his sister, Carol (Wayne) Keding, brother, Ray Van Petten; brothers-in-law, Tom Vacek, George Powers, sister-in-law, Linda Powers; and grandsons, Daniel Gilpin and Aidan Laughlin; nephew, John Van Petten.
Jim was faced with tremendous adversity in life, which made him the person that he was and that we all know him to be. His life motto was “The main objective in life is to get to Heaven.”
Jim was born in Oak Park, Illinois. At the young age of five, he was paralyzed by polio and was told he was not going to walk again. His grandmother and grandfather cared for him during this time, praying the daily novena to Mary and reading to him for hours while he lay in bed. A true miracle occurred 6 months later, and
especially proud of being part of the negotiation of two historic bills—one is, the Infrastructure and Jobs Act (IIJA), a $1.2 trillion investment in safety, repairs, climate resilience and workforce development, of which at least $17 billion is coming to Illinois for infrastructure and transportation.
“The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) is an investment in clean energy, including up to $14,000 per household in tax credits,” he said. “See my staff for details.”
When the floor was opened for questions, Alderman Guido Nardini (6th Ward) pointed out that many of Garcia’s reported accomplishments seemed to be things the 117th Congress did but it is now the 118th Congress.
“We’ve seen the clown-show impeachment of [DHS Secretary Alejandro] Mayorkas, of Biden, of Attorney General Garland, what can the federal government do for us in Elmhurst?” Nardini said. “I hear you talking about lead pipes and a lot of stuff that’s local, but I don’t see that in the 118th Congress.”
“The current majority has such a thin margin and consequently, it is a very loud and aggressive caucus, it
he was able to walk again with daily therapy.
At the age of ten, his mother died, and he was sent to boarding school with his brother Tom, separated from their sister, a very excruciating and tough time for him and his siblings as they mourned the loss of their young mother.
Jim attended Fenwick High School and graduated a proud Friar in 1953. He graduated with his bachelor’s degree from the University of Notre Dame in 1958, one of his most valued accomplishments. Anyone who knows Jim truly understood his great love for Notre Dame.
At the age of 25, mesmerized by her beauty, he met his bride-to-be, Ruth. They were engaged within six weeks and married six months later. Knowing the commitment, sacrifice, and courage it would take to care for Ruth’s family, he was committed to care and provide for all!
He feverishly worked to obtain his CPA license, worked at Babson Brothers in Oak Brook, IL as Treasurer and Controller, and retired at 55.
He held meaningful and long-lasting relationships with whomever he met. He had a significant connection with people immediately, encouraging all and giving unconditionally. He impacted many people’s lives as a coach, player, mentor, and friend, which gave him tremendous satisfaction and meaning in his life. Ironically, Jim was the one who felt incredibly blessed by these relationships.
Our family referred to him as the Legend, his story will go on forever. Go Irish!
A visitation will be from 2 – 8 p.m. on Friday, June 28th at Elmhurst Community Funeral Home – THE AHLGRIM CHAPEL, 567 S. Spring Road, Elmhurst. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, June 29th at Visitation Catholic
threatens the Speaker [of the House], and the ability to engage in more bipartisan efforts on issues that the Americans care about,” Garcia replied.
“But other than the impeachment of Secretary Mayorkas, we did manage to pass a bipartisan budget without too many severe casualties. We were successful at agreeing on community projects, even though they were reduced and the scope is narrow, it’s almost impossible to receive funding as they have in previous Congresses.
“A lot of time has been spent hashing out political differences and they are proving to be difficult, as you know. [Those political differences] are going to be critical upcoming presidential and congressional races.
“But it has been one of the least-productive Congresses so far in modern history.”
Garcia urged people to sign up for his newsletter or find him on social media.
The congressman can be contacted at chuygarcia.house.gov/contact.
His west suburban district office is located in Melrose Park and can be reached at 773-342-0774.
Church, 779 S. York Road, Elmhurst. In lieu of flowers and in remembrance of Jim Van Petten’s life, the family asks that charitable donations to be made to Lambs Farm at Lambsfarm.org/ways-to-give/ make-a-donation or Ray Graham Association at RayGraham.org/donate For information, 630-834-3515 or www.elmhurstfh.com.
Elmhurst Public Library programs
Friday, June 28 2-4 p.m.
Friday Features: Walk the Line
Enjoy an afternoon at the movies. Find each week’s featured film at elmlib.org/Friday. No registration required.
Saturday, June 29 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, June 30 2-4 p.m.
Artist Drop-in: Shannon Downey
Join artist Shannon Downey to learn about craftivism, embroidery, and giving new life to recycled or inherited projects. Plus, hear how Shannon found an unfinished quilt at an estate sale, and, in honor of the original artist, worked with 150 artists from across the country to finish Rita’s Quilt, which will be displayed at the event.
Live in-person. No registration required.
This year’s Elmhurst Memorial Hospital (EMH) Foundation Teen Volunteer Scholarship winners are pictured with hospital leaders. Pictured left to right are: Susan Tyburski, executive director, EMH Foundation; Valerie Cahill, chair, EMH Foundation Scholarship Committee; John Bobier, Glenbard East High School; Elise Tague, York High School; Julianne Kania, York High School; and Judy Jameson, Volunteer Services supervisor, EMH. The three scholarship winners received $2,000 each.
Emerald ash borer continues to spread through Illinois
While much of Illinois has been focused on the emergence of periodical cicadas in the summer of 2024, another insect is buzzing about that is more than a nuisance; it’s a threat to ash trees everywhere.
In June, the small metallic green adult emerald ash borers are flying around looking for ash trees to lay their eggs in.
But you may not always see them because they spend most of their time in the upper canopy of ash trees. Once hatched, the larvae will tunnel around under the bark, eventually killing the tree.
University of Illinois Extension staff have been monitoring the spread and impact of the invasive emerald ash borer since it first arrived in the Chicago area in 2006 and are available to help homeowners and municipalities identify infestations and decide on a course of action.
While northern and central parts of the state have already experienced the initial wave of ash tree deaths from infestations, Forestry Extension and Research Specialist Chris Evans says 14 years after the beetle’s arrival, trees in southern and western Illinois are still being affected.
“The loss of so many ash trees over the last 10 to 15 years due to the emerald ash borer has already changed so much about the landscape across the Midwest, in both cities and forests,” said Evans. “The death of mature ash trees has left a void in our forests, parks, and backyards, and it is still spreading across Illinois. Now is the time of year when the leaves are fully developed for the summer, and you can see the impact on ash trees that have thinning canopy and branches that have died back.”
The emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis) is an invasive beetle responsible for the death of an estimated 250 million ash trees across North America. Ash trees make up 20 percent to 50 percent of the urban forest in some cities, and their loss impacts property values, human health, home energy costs, and much more. In forests, the loss of ash trees makes the ecosystem more vulnerable to other invasive species, reduces food and habitat for wildlife, and prevents timber harvest. Emerald ash borer larvae eat a thin layer of tissue
under the bark, and the resulting labyrinth of tunnels prevents the tree from absorbing nutrients and water. Most infested trees die in two to five years. The beetle is a weak flyer, so the insect’s rapid spread in the U.S. since its arrival in Michigan in 2002 is tied to people transporting them by moving logs and firewood.
Signs of an emerald ash borer infestation include dieback on the top of an ash tree and many small leafy shoots sprouting from the trunk. Woodpeckers often feed on the larvae and leave ragged holes and broken pieces of bark. Another sign is the presence of D-shaped exit holes in the tree trunk that adults leave when they emerge.
Efforts are under way to breed trees that are resistant to the insects and to release wasps that are natural predators of the beetles. A common treatment option is the application of insecticide, either annually or every two to three years. This does not fully remove the insects, but it does protect the tree from a large, potentially fatal infestation. Often, the most costeffective management option is to remove a tree.
Homeowners and municipalities can connect with their local Illinois Extension offices at go.illinois.edu/ ExtensionOffice for consultations to help identify ash trees and emerald ash borer infestations, and to discuss options.
Extension also has a free online course for homeowners and municipalities that covers ash tree identification, the life cycle of the emerald ash borer, signs of an infested tree, and treatment or removal options. The course is available in English at go.illinois. edu/EABCourse and in Spanish at go.illinois.edu/ BEFcurso. More information about the emerald ash borer is also available on Extension’s website at go.illinois.edu/EAB.
The Extension forestry team conducts research projects, maintains demonstration sites, and teaches courses at University of Illinois. They also administer the Illinois Big Tree Program and the new Citizen Big Tree Inspector initiative. The program is part of the university’s department of natural resources and environmental sciences. Explore more about Extension forestry resources at extension.illinois.edu/forestry.
EMH Foundation awards $6,000 in scholarships to teen volunteers
The Elmhurst Memorial Hospital (EMH) Foundation has awarded $6,000 in Teen Volunteer Health Profession Scholarships to three area high school students who volunteer at Endeavor Health Elmhurst Hospital and plan to pursue careers in a health-related field.
Each of the recipients received $2,000 through the foundation’s Teen Volunteer Health Profession Scholarship program. Funds for this year’s scholarships were raised through the Foundation’s annual Reindeer Route Housewalk.
Recipients, their high schools and planned areas of study/occupation:
• John Bobier, Glenbard East
(Lombard), pediatric dentistry
• Julianne Kania, York (Elmhurst), physical therapy
• Elise Tague, York (Elmhurst), nursing Elmhurst Hospital teen volunteers must meet a rigorous set of criteria to qualify for a scholarship, including scholastic achievements, accumulated hours of volunteer service in the hospital, strong performance evaluations from the Volunteer Department, community service and pursuit of a career in a health-related field. For more information about the EMH Foundation and upcoming events, visit www.emhfoundation. org/events or call 331-221-0388.
District 205 Board meeting summary
By Chris Fox ELMHURST INDEPENDENT
The Elmhurst Community Unit School District 205 Board held a regular meeting on June 18 at the District 205 Center, 162 S. York St.
All seven board members attended the meeting.
There were no public comments during the meeting.
Near the end of the meeting, board members voted unanimously to approve the 2024-2027 collective bargaining agreement between District 205 and the Elmhurst Teachers Council.
Before the vote, board president Athena Arvanitis read a brief statement.
“This process began six months ago and is a good example of the quality leadership living throughout our district,” said Arvanitis.
“The school board, working in partnership with the superintendent and the administration, collaborated with the Elmhurst Teachers Council to develop a contract that represents the priorities and interests of both parties, while focusing on what is needed to meet the district’s long-term goals as outlined by our strategic plan, and including student growth, strong financial stewardship and maintaining and attracting a high quality staff.
Thank you to those leaders, both administrative and representative of the teachers council, whose ef -
forts led to this outcome.”
After Arvanitis read the statement, board member Jim Collins asked if the administration could outline the contract’s financial impact to the district over the next three years. Collins noted that teachers’ salaries account for more than half of the district’s annual budget.
Christopher Whelton, the district’s assistant superintendent of finance and operations, responded that the district’s salary schedule for the current year was about $59.3 million. He said that over the three years, that figure would rise by 3.4 percent in the first year, 3 percent in the second year and 2.9 percent in the third year. Those increases, he said, would raise the district’s salary schedule to $62.7 million in the first year of the new agreement, $65.9 million in the second year and $69.1 million in the third year. Whelton added that there are savings in the new collective bargaining agreement from planned retirements that are scheduled. He stated there are about $1 million in savings from planned retirements in each of the first two years of the agreement. According to Whelton, in the third year of the agreement, planned retirements will save the district about $1.6 million. Whelton said that health insur-
See BOARD, Page 8
Thank you to all my customers for supporting me for the past 14 years. I look forward to serving you from my new location:
SUBMITTED PHOTO Elmhurst Independent
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
June 17
Stacey Hasil, 61, of Elmhurst, was charged with battery in the 300 block of W. North at 9:09 p.m. Police said a victim related she asked Hasil for a rent decrease, and an argument ensued. During the argument, Hasil allegedly shoulder-checked the victim.
Dorothy V. Stevens, 32, of Mount Prospect, was charged with four counts of battery, as well as DUI, driving while license suspended and no insurance near North and Myrtle at 7:26 p.m. Police said Stevens exited the vehicle and was observed yelling at the male passenger in the vehicle. The suspect allegedly battered the responding officers on the scene.
Criminal damage, trespass to property
June 19
Sava Cejic, 55, of Johnson City, New York, was issued a citation for trespass to private property at a business in the 600 block of N. Larch at 7:50 p.m. Police said Cejic later returned to the business from which he was trespassed at 4:48 a.m. He was charged with criminal trespass to land and disorderly conduct.
Police said a victim in the 800 block of S. Hawthorne related that after leaving his residence for the night due to a disagreement with his spouse, he returned in the morning and was locked out of the house. The reporting officer made contact with the suspect, who admitted to slapping the victim.
June 17
A victim at a hotel in the 900 block of S. Riverside told police at 1:29 a.m. he ordered an Uber to pick him up after finding out that a suspect had given her phone number to another man. The suspect pushed the victim to stop him from getting into a car. No injuries were observed on either party. The incident was documented and family shelter service was notified.
June 15
A victim in the 100 block of W. Diversey told police at 3:58 a.m. that subsequent to a verbal argument, the suspect struck her in the head. The reporting officer attempted to contact the suspect with no results.
A complainant in the 300 block of S. Kenilworth told police that two unknown suspects banged on her front door and threw a yard sign towards the front door.
Fleeing, eluding
According to information provided last week by the Elmhurst Police Department, police reported two incidents of fleeing and eluding during which the driver of a vehicle fled the scene after being stopped for a traf -
fic stop by police.
DUI, DUI-drugs, transportation of open alcohol, possession of open alcohol, consumption of alcohol by a minor
June 16
Alexander Enrique Lameda, 32, of Chicago, was charged with aggravated DUI-no valid driver’s license, DUI, aggravated fleeing and eluding, no valid license/permit, improper lane usage, failure to yield to an emergency vehicle, disobeying a traffic control device, illegal transportation of open alcohol, use of unsafe tires and driving without insurance subsequent to an attempted traffic stop near York and I-290 at 2:08 a.m. Police said Lameda fled from officers who attempted to make a traffic stop. He eventually stopped due to a flat tire. Lameda was transported to the DuPage County Jail.
Ginger G. Juarez, 35, of Glendale Heights, was charged with DUI, two counts of improper lane usage and an improper turn near North and West at 4:21 a.m.
June 15
Jose Luiz Morales Policar, 35, of Elmhurst, was charged with DUI, failure to report an accident to police and failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident in the 900 block of N. Virginia at 3:42 a.m. Subsequent to a hit-and-run incident, police reportedly located Policar in his parked vehicle, asleep behind the wheel.
Harassment, threats
June 19
A victim in the 100 block of N. Richard told police he received several threatening text messages from an unknown suspect demanding money for unpaid services.
June 9-June 13
A victim in the 200 block of W. Kimbell told police that he was asked by the suspect to modify other employees’ work hours. The victim refused to do so and the suspect reportedly started harassing him via telephone.
Identity theft, fraud
According to information provided by the Elmhurst Police Department, police reported one incident of identity theft or fraud.
Possession of
cannabis in a vehicle
According to information provided last week by the Elmhurst Police Department, police reported three incidents of possession of
cannabis by either the driver of a vehicle or a passenger: Marcell Neely, 24, of Homewood, near North and Walnut at 8:13 p.m. June 13; Perry Grimaldi Jr., 34, of Franklin Park, near Crestview and York at 9:06 p.m. June 15; Thomas Sullivan, 20, of Elmhurst, near Park and Myrtle at 11:38 p.m. June 15.
Possession of a controlled substance
June 15
Rogelio Ibarra, 45, of Joliet, was charged with speeding, driving while license suspended and unlawful possession of controlled substance subsequent to a traffic stop near Butterfield and Roosevelt at 11:06 a.m.
Suspicious incident
June 18
Cirilo Gonzalez, 61, of Stone Park, was charged with failure to register as a sex offender and improper lighting subsequent to a traffic stop in the 200 block of S. Route 83 at 12:01 a.m. Police said Gonzalez was found to be a non-compliant sex offender.
June 17
Police said that subsequent to a suspicious vehicle suspected to be involved in retail thefts, the reporting officer conducted a traffic stop at 4:27 p.m. after the passenger reportedly stole items from a pharmacy in Mundelein. That passenger was placed under arrest for retail theft and the other suspect, the driver, was arrested for unlawful possession of a controlled substance. Both suspects were taken into custody by the Mundelein Police Department.
March 11-June 14
A complainant in the 900 block of N. Oaklawn told police while on the roof of his building, he located two firearms. A responding officer observed a rusted Taurus pistol with an extended magazine and a rusty Polymer 80. The serial number on the Taurus came back through LEADS as stolen out of Detroit, and the Polymer 80 did not have a serial number.
police that two unknown suspects stole a metal planter and metal dolly from the back of his residence.
June 15
Police said an unknown person(s) stole two Adirondack chairs the victim had placed on the parkway of his residence in the 100 block of N. Elm while preparing for their block party.
June 14
Police said that while a reporting officer was on patrol near North and Maple at 6:34 p.m., the officer observed a vehicle that was reported stolen out of Schaumburg. A traffic stop was conducted and the suspects were found to be in possession of controlled substances. The suspects were taken into custody and transported to the police station. The suspects were released pending charges upon the return of lab results.
June 14
An unknown suspect(s) removed a victim’s solar-powered garden lights from her front walkway in the 400 block of E. Adams sometime between 11 p.m. on June 13 and 6 a.m. on June 14.
June 13
Police said that subsequent to a traffic stop near a store in the 600 block of N. York at 1 p.m., two suspects were found to be in possession of stolen merchandise. Roxanne Kovanda, 60, of Neillsville, Wisconsin, was also found to be in possession of a controlled substance and drug paraphernalia. Kovanda was charged with burglary, unlawful possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, retail theft and failure to wear a seat belt. Kovanda was transported to the DuPage County Jail. Darlene Grimsley, 58, of Chicago, was charged with retail theft, possession of stolen property and illegal transportation of open alcohol. Grimsley was released.
Warrant arrest
June
16
Police said that subsequent to a well-being call check at a church in the 800 block of N. Church at 9:27 p.m., Dean G. Malamis, 53, of Wheaton, was found to have a valid warrant out of DuPage County.
June 13
Police said Wilman Joan Torres-Valencia, 33, of Maywood, came into the Elmhurst Police Department to turn himself in on an active warrant out of the DuPage County Sheriff’s Office at 11:15 a.m.
Police conducting stepped-up traffic enforcement during the July 4 holiday period
As Independence Day approaches, the Elmhurst Police Department is gearing up for increased traffic enforcement to ensure the safety of all residents and motorists.
On June 21, the department’s officers began conducting increased traffic patrols in an effort to keep impaired drivers off the road and ticket unbuckled motorists.
The increased patrols will be in place through the early morning hours of July 8.
“It’s a straightforward message: If you’re behind the wheel, stay sober. Don’t drink, use marijuana, or consume any other impairing substances before or when driving,” said Elmhurst Chief of Police Michael McLean. “Our officers will be on
duty around the clock, dedicated to enforcing traffic laws and, most importantly, saving lives.”
Driving under the influence not only poses a grave risk to oneself but also endangers passengers and fellow road users. The financial and human costs of a DUI are immeasurable. The decision to avoid driving impaired is simple and could spare lives.
The traffic safety enforcement effort, including the “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over,” “Drive High Get a DUI,” and “Click It or Ticket” programs, is made possible through federal highway safety funds administered by the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT).
Man sentenced to 50 years for murder of his handicapped nephew
Dominick Taylor
DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert B. Berlin has announced last week that a Bloomingdale man accused of killing his nephew in 2020 has been sentenced to 50 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections.
Dominick Taylor, 54, appeared in court on June 20, when Judge Brian Telander handed down the sentence.
In 2020, Taylor was living with his wife and 43-year-old physically and mentally handicapped nephew, Damian B. Scott. Taylor was Scott’s primary caregiver. On April 26, 2020, Taylor’s
wife discovered Scott’s lifeless body in his bedroom of the home they all shared. She immediately called the Bloomingdale Police Department who initiated an investigation. It is alleged that in the early morning hours that day, Taylor, who was Scott’s full-time caretaker for more than a decade, strangled Scott to death in his bedroom.
It is further alleged that after killing Scott, who was blind and unable to walk, Taylor, without permission, withdrew cash from his wife’s bank account, turned off his cell phone and purchased a one-way Amtrak train ticket from Chicago to East Lansing, Michigan, without notifying his wife or family.
Scott was brought to Glen Oaks Medical Center where he was pro-
nounced dead. Following a postmortem examination performed by the DuPage County Coroner’s Office, a deep tissue hemorrhage around the victim’s hyoid bone was identified, which is consistent with manual strangulation. The exam also identified a healed fracture around the thyroid cartilage determined to be evidence of a prior strangulation.
On April 28, 2020, Taylor was taken into custody on a local warrant in Michigan. He refused extradition from Michigan and a Governor’s Warrant was approved. Taylor was brought to DuPage County and appeared in Bond Court on June 13, 2020, where Judge Robert Miller set bond in the amount of $2 million with 10 percent to apply in accor-
dance with a previously issued arrest warrant.
He has remained in custody at the DuPage County Jail since that time.
On Feb. 27, Taylor entered a plea of guilty to one count of first-degree murder.
“Domestic violence comes in many forms,” Berlin said. “What I find particularly disturbing in this case however, is the fact that as Damian’s caretaker, Mr. Taylor was responsible for the safety and wellbeing of Damian. His mission was to protect Damian’s life, not take it, as alleged in this case. I would like to thank DuPage County Coroner Dr. Richard Jorgensen and his office for their outstanding efforts in this case.”
DuPage County Coroner Richard
Jorgensen M.D. acknowledged the extraordinary work by Deputy Coroner Michael Hutchens and staff in the investigation of the death of Damian Scott. “In the course of a postmortem examination, Chief Forensic Pathologist Hilary McElligott M.D. used her extensive training and experience to identify signs of strangulation and alerted officials of her finding that this case was a homicide,” Jorgensen said. “Her work was instrumental in the subsequent arrest of Dominick Taylor. The DuPage County Coroner’s Office is fortunate to have such diligent and experienced professionals who serve the citizens of this county.”
Taylor will be required to serve 100 percent of his sentence.
Court grants state’s motions to detain two individuals charged over Juneteenth holiday with leading police on a high-speed chase
DuPage County State’s Attorney
Robert Berlin, Oak Brook Chief of Police Brian Strockis and Bloomingdale Director of Public Safety Frank Giammarese have announced that law enforcement in DuPage County continues their efforts to arrest, charge, and hold accountable anyone accused of attempting to flee from the police.
On Juneteenth (Wednesday, June 19), one defendant, from Chicago, appeared in court where Judge Christine Cody granted the state’s motion to detain the defendant pre-trial, and on June 20, Judge Cody granted the state’s motion to detain pre-trial a man, also from Chicago for fleeing from the police June 19.
The most recent arrests include:
• Isael Macedo-Mejia, 56, of Chicago, is accused of leading Oak Brook police on a high-speed chase on June 18 at approximately 8:50 p.m. It is alleged that Oak Brook police responded to a call of a retail theft at Macy’s in the Oak Brook mall.
Jisselle Lopez, 33, of Chicago, allegedly left Macy’s past the final point of sale without paying for $713 worth of merchandise. Lopez allegedly got into a vehicle driven by Macedo-Mejia, who was parked in the fire lane outside the store. An Oak Brook police officer in a marked
Villa Park Fire Department responds to structure fire on St. Charles Road
Firefighters from surrounding communities provide assistance
On Monday, June 17, at approximately 3:14 p.m., the Villa Park Fire Department responded to a reported structure fire at 33 W. St. Charles Road. Villa Park Engine 82 was unavailable due to a medical call. Engine 81 was also engaged in the medical call and experienced a delay of about five minutes before responding to the fire.
Elmhurst Engine 2, recently freed from a previous call at St. Charles Road and Route 83, was the first fire vehicle to arrive on the scene.
Firefighters arrived to find a fire on the roof near a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) unit and immediately began fire suppression efforts at the building, which is located on the south side of St. Charles Road at Princeton Avenue, just west of Ardmore Avenue.
According to the Villa Park Fire Department, multiple crews were assigned to both the interior of the building and the roof to ensure complete extinguishment of the fire.
The offices beneath the roof suffered minor water damage, but crews deployed tarps to prevent further damage.
The Villa Park Fire Department received assistance from firefighters from surrounding communities, including Addison, Lombard, Elmhurst and York Center. The Villa Park Police Department and Villa Park’s community development department also provided assistance.
The Villa Park Fire Department’s Fire Investigation Unit conducted an origin and cause investigation, which revealed that the fire was confined to the roofing membrane beneath and adjacent to a rooftop HVAC unit. The likely cause was smoldering materials that went unnoticed by the roofing contractor, who was using a “torch-down roofing” method earlier that day.
An area of approximately 4 feet by 8 feet of the roof, along with a gas pipe and an electrical breaker box on the HVAC unit, were damaged and require replacement.
The scene was then released to the building owner representative.
squad car activated his emergency oscillating red and blue lights and siren and attempted to pull Macedo-Mejia over.
Macedo-Mejia allegedly disobeyed three stop signs in the Oak Brook mall parking lot, drove over a curb, drove 70 mph in a posted 30 mph zone on Spring Road, and almost struck another Oak Brook police officer while driving in the wrong direction. It is further alleged Macedo-Mejia drove 82 mph near Roosevelt and York Road and continued to flee onto east bound I-290 where officers successfully deployed spike strips. Macedo-Mejia continued to drive on two flat tires and exited I-290 on Cicero Avenue. He was taken into custody at Cicero and Polk Street in Chicago.
Macedo-Mejia is charged with two counts of aggravated fleeing and eluding (Class 4 felony), one count of retail theft (Class 3 felony) and two traffic offenses. Macedo-Mejia’s next court date is scheduled for July 15 in front of Judge Joseph Bugos. Lopez is charged with one count of burglary (Class 2 felony) and one count of retail theft (Class 3 felony). She was released and has a court date of July 5 in front of Judge Mia McPherson.
• Kawon Gause, 25, of Chicago is accused of leading police on a highspeed chase reaching speeds of more than 70 mph on Army Trail Road in Bloomingdale before fleeing onto I-355.
On June 19 at approximately 2:22 p.m. Bloomingdale police responded to Amazon Fresh on Army Trail Road for a report of a retail theft in progress. It is alleged that Gause and an unknown male concealed more than $200 worth of merchandise in their pants and exited the store without paying.
Gause and the unknown male then fled the scene in a silver Infiniti. Bloomingdale officers located the Infiniti near Army Trail and Blooming-
“ This behavior unnecessarily puts the officers involved and thousands of innocent motorists at great risk and will simply not be tolerated. I urge everyone, if you hear sirens and see lights behind you, pull over. Do not attempt to flee, you will be unsuccessful.”
– Robert Berlin, DuPage County State’s Attorney
dale Road, activated their red and blue oscillating lights, and attempted to box the Infiniti in.
Gause, alleged to be the driver of the Infiniti, drove off at a high rate of speed and nearly struck a squad car. Gause allegedly drove in excess of 73 mph on Army Trail Road and proceeded onto I-355 South and continued driving into Chicago.
Officers were assisted in the chase by a Chicago Police/Cook County Sheriff helicopter, and Gause was taken into custody near 119th Street and Western Avenue in Blue Island.
When searching Gause’s car, officers allegedly found cannabis, not in an odor-proof container. Gause is charged with one count of aggravated fleeing and eluding (Class 4 felony), one count of retail theft (Class A misdemeanor), one count of resisting arrest (Class A misdemeanor) one count of possession of cannabis by driver (Class A misdemeanor) and two petty traffic offenses. Gause’s
next court date is scheduled July 15 for arraignment in front of Judge Joseph Bugos.
“DuPage County continues to experience an epidemic of people who attempt to flee from police instead of pulling over,” Berlin said. “With the arrival of summer and people out traveling more, law enforcement in DuPage County is determined to use every tool at our disposal, including helicopters and the assistance of neighboring jurisdictions to arrest, charge, and prosecute anyone who attempts to flee from police.
“This behavior unnecessarily puts the officers involved and thousands of innocent motorists at great risk and will simply not be tolerated. I urge everyone, if you hear sirens and see lights behind you, pull over. Do not attempt to flee, you will be unsuccessful. I thank the Oak Brook and Bloomingdale police departments for their efforts on these cases and for keeping our roads safe as well as the Chicago Police Department and Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart’s office for their air support.”
“This is yet another example that if you come to Oak Brook and DuPage County to commit a crime, we will use all of our tools and pursue you to get you in custody,” Strockis said.
“I’d like to recognize our officers for their continued vigilance to keep our community safe. I’d also like to thank State’s Attorney Bob Berlin and his team for their assistance and guidance in this case.”
“Fleeing from the police can easily injure our officers and places motorists in serious danger,” said Giammarese. “Our officers are determined to protect our community, and we will use every method available to pursue and arrest anyone who commits a crime in Bloomingdale. I would also like to thank DuPage County State’s Attorney Bob Berlin and his office for their partnership in holding the perpetrators of such dangerous crimes accountable.”
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• Board
ance was a big part of the new collective bargaining agreement. He noted that the district has recently seen significant claims in health insurance. Whelton stated that the district expects its health insurance costs to rise 5.9 percent during the first year of the new agreement. Health insurance costs are projected to rise 5.21 percent in the second year of the agreement, and 4.13 percent in the third year.
Collins asked Whelton if the district could afford the new collective bargaining agreement. Whelton said that the district will make every effort to try to keep expenditures in line with revenues, and to mitigate increases in health insurance premiums.
Board members then voted unanimously to approve the agreement with the Elmhurst Teachers Council.
Moments later, the board voted unanimously to approve 2024-25 salary increases for the district’s administrators, non-union support staff, non-union food service, miscellaneous hourly rates and starting hourly rates for food service and non-union support staff.
Shortly before the meeting concluded, board member Beth Hosler recognized Kathryn Schmitt, the district’s executive assistant to the superintendent for the last four years. Schmitt is retiring, and the June 18 board meeting was her last board meeting in her current role. Hosler thanked Schmitt for her work to make sure board meetings run smoothly. Hosler also thanked Schmitt for making sure the public has all of the information it needs regarding the district’s board meetings.
Board recognizes recent achievements of several district students
The board honored the achievements of numerous District 205 students during the June 18 meeting’s spotlight and recognition segment. Those honored included the
Slices of life
31 students from across the district who placed in the top 10 percent of the Noetic Learning Math Contest (NLMC) to earn National Honor Roll status. The NLMC provides a semi-annual contest in which students can engage in creative and challenging math problems tailored to their grade level.
The board also honored three fifth-grade students who entered the Immigration Writing Contest. Caroline Keslinke of Hawthorne Elementary School won first place for the Chicagoland Council and third place for the National Council. Samantha Hales of Field Elementary School won second-place honors in the contest, while Alessandra Pierucci Marquez of Field placed third in the contest.
The writing contest asked stu -
Viewpoint
dents to submit a written piece on one of two themes: “Why I Am Glad America is a Nation of Immigrants” and “What Does it Mean to be a Welcoming Nation?”
York athletes recognized for their excellence during the spring season
The board also honored the York High School baseball team, which recently won the fourth-place trophy in the IHSA Class 4A state tournament. The Dukes completed their 2024 season with a record of 31-11. York won regional, sectional and super-sectional titles to advance to the state semifinals in Joliet. The Dukes, whose season ended with a loss to Edwardsville in the Class 4A state tournament’s third-place game on June 8, also
won the fourth-place trophy at the 2023 IHSA Class 4A state competition.
The board recognized York’s boys volleyball team, which recently claimed the second-place trophy at the IHSA state tournament. The Dukes finished their 2024 season with a 37-5 record. York lost to Marist in the state tournament’s championship match, which took place on June 1 at Hoffman Estates High school.
The board also honored York senior Brady Golomb, who earned a fourth-place finish in the 1,600-meter run at the IHSA Class 3A state meet, which took place at Eastern Illinois University in May.
On May 25, Golomb completed the 1,600-meter final in a fourthplace time of 4 minutes, 15.11 sec -
onds.
Additionally, the board recognized the outstanding performances of nine York students who participated in the recent Special Olympics Illinois Summer Games in Bloomington-Normal.
The board also honored the York students who competed and excelled at the MathWorks Math Modeling Challenge (M3 Challenge) and the SkillsUSA Illinois State Competition.
The M3 Challenge is a mathematical modeling contest for high school students. The SkillsUSA event highlights the best high school talents in various technical and vocational fields.
The District 205 Board will hold its next regular meeting on Aug. 23.
Dating after 50—Part 2
I recently wrote a column about dating after a certain age—50 to be exact.
At the start, I planned on a brief column. How much could there be to write about such a dire subject? Turns out I was wrong. There are myriad factors to dating at any age, but especially after 50.
Remember dating? Most people dabbled in the sport during their teens and 20s. The lucky among us ended it there. We found our special someone and left the dating pool to the tadpoles.
But then, some of us—too many of us—are thrown back in, much later than we ever thought possible. Imagine dating three decades (or so) after you thought you’d put that chapter of your life behind you, and imagine the surprises and changes it might entail.
By JILL PERTLER Columnist
Imagine the humor, of dating (or attempting to do so) after 50. Again, I have no firsthand knowledge of this late-dating phenomenon. I’m only observing and assuming, which isn’t always prudent. You might want to close your eyes during the scariest parts because it isn’t always pretty. But it can be fun and maybe even funny.
The following are my further thoughts on the subject. I reserve the right to return with more (thoughts) in the future. It’s turned into a
subject that just keeps on giving. Too bad dating at any age can’t be more like that.
My thoughts, part two:
Dating in your 20s: You look for someone who is a good listener.
Dating after 50: You look for someone who is willing to wear their hearing aids so they are able to listen to you.
20s: It’s appealing when someone has a good head for business.
After 50: It’s appealing when someone has a good head of hair.
20s: You look for someone with the potential for wealth.
After 50: You look for someone with the potential for health.
20s: You covet tickets to the concert of the newest pop band.
After 50: You covet tickets to the concert of a classic rock band.
20s: You look for someone who
doesn’t cheat.
After 50: You look for someone who doesn’t cheat at gin rummy.
20s: Dating someone with wrinkled shirts makes them less attractive.
After 50: You realize wrinkled faces show character.
20s: You need furniture.
After 50: You need someone who needs the old furniture you no longer need.
20s: You seek someone who likes kids and spending their life around them.
After 50: You seek someone who likes grandkids and spending an occasional weekend around them.
20s: You enjoy a vacation that involves boozing.
After 50: You enjoy a vacation that involves cruising.
20s: Your ideal match is a golfer
with a low handicap.
After 50: Your ideal match is a golfer with no handicap. Dating after 50 involves baggage, and not just the kind you check at the airport before boarding your plane. While I’m no expert, and probably never will be, I do enjoy making observations. I’ve noticed definitive differences between dating in your youth versus dating, well, after that. The contrasts are humorous—laughable, even.
And what is life about if it doesn’t include laughter?
Well, that and pickleball, followed by an early-bird dinner.
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.
Community calendar
Pick of the week: 4 on the 4th race • Thursday, July 4
The 19th annual Elmhurst Running Club 4 on the 4th race will kick off the Fourth of July weekend by drawing as many as 1,200 runners and walkers. Come to Prospect Ave. between Elmhurst University and Wilder Park for the 4-mile race at 7:15 a.m. and the Kids (ages 5-12) 1K at 8:20 a.m. Registration is currently open and will be right up to the morning of the race. Pre-race packet pickup will be at Fleet Feet, 124 E. Schiller, on Saturday, June 29, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Wednesday, July 3, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Late packet pickup and registration will be available race morning at Elmhurst University, starting at 5:45 a.m. To register or for more information, visit 4on4th.run.
Thursday, July 11
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 Yuriy’s Klezmer Band and the Chorus of DuPage. Enjoy Eastern European folk music plus a capella singers. Bring a picnic, lawn chair or blanket and sing along and dance. NOTE: This event is held on Park District property – NO alcoholic beverages. Info: SpringRoad.com/ our-events.
Friday, July 12
Saturday, July 13
Sunday, July 14
Greenman Theatre Troup presents its annual 10-minute Play Festival “8 to the Bar 2024.” Performances begin at 7 p.m. each evening. Performances will take place at Chicago Dance Factory, 219 W. St. Charles Rd., Villa Park. Info: greenmantheatre.org.
Sunday, July 14
• 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.
• From 2 – 3 p.m. at the American Legion T.H.B. Post 187, 310 W. Butterfield Rd., presents Music of the 1940s, featuring The Irving Sisters, classically trained singers, as well as their three-piece band. This event relates to the “Victory at Home: 1941-1945,” currently at the Elmhurst History Museum. Operation Support Our Troops – America will be onsite collecting items to send to U.S. troops overseas. Tickets: $12 per person. For tickets and info, call 630-833-1457 or visit elmhursthistory.org.
Thursday, July 18
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 Karla & The Phat Cats. Enjoy their soulful renditions of pop and rock music, along with original songs. Bring a picnic, lawn chair or blanket and sing along and dance.
NOTE: This event is held on Park District property – NO alcoholic beverages allowed Info: SpringRoad. com/our-events.
Saturday, July 20
From 1-4 p.m., the Elmhurst Art Museum hosts Family Day featur-
airwaves, and reminding us all to ‘drink our Ovaltine.’ Commemorate a century of “Little Orphan Annie” and exploring how this timeless creation played a role in shaping the cultural landscape during wartime. Presented by the Lombard Historical Museum. Free to members, $5 for non-members. Info: elmhurst-
history.org.
Sunday, Sept. 1
From 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., the Elmhurst Walk-In Assistant Network (EWAN) will hold its annual “Cue for the Cause” fundraiser. Hold the date for this event which wraps up the end of summer.
Saturday, Sept. 14
From 2-6 p.m., the Elmhurst Heritage Foundation (EHF) will host the 9th Annual Elmhurst Craft Beer Fest on the grounds of the Elmhurst History Museum. Proceeds support the Museum as well as the Churchville One-Room Schoolhouse. Info: elmhurstcraftbeerfest.com.
ing a Donkey Hodie cast appearance with a puppet demo and workshop. At 1 p.m., watch a live-action puppet demonstration then enjoy a behindthe-scenes look at how it all comes together. With the museum’s mixed media supplies, guests will work together as a family to design their own puppet. Info: elmhurstartmuseum.org.
Monday, July 22
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. Info: elmhursthistory.org.
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. It ties In with the EHM’s current exhibition, Victory at Home: 1941-45 on display through Aug. 18. Attend live or via Zoom. Registration required. Info: elmhurstpubliclibrary. libcal.com/Home Front.
Thursday, Aug. 1
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. presents two acts. The students from Elmhurst School of Rock start the evening with their band, followed by The Sting Rays, who will close out the evening with music from the 50’s, 60’s, 70’s Rock ‘N Roll and some of today’s hits. Bring a picnic, lawn chair or blanket and sing along and dance. NOTE: This event is held on Park District property – NO alcoholic beverages. Info: SpringRoad.com/ our-events.
Sunday, Aug. 11
From 2-3 p.m., the Elmhurst History Museum presents “Little Orphan Annie: Politics in the Funny Pages” in the museum’s Education Center. Amidst the backdrop of World War II, comic strip creator and Lombardian Harold Gray utilized his “Little Orphan Annie” comic strips to depict Annie’s unwavering support for the home front. Annie was one of America’s darlings, gracing the comics and
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.
Sunday School & Bible Study 9 am
“The Crucial Hours”
Wednesday Service at 7 pm
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
Adult Bible Study after Wednesday Service
Saturday, July 27 Game Night at 4 pm
Everyone is Welcome!
Third Lenten Service 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 March 30, 2022
Rev. Tom Nicholson “They Bound Him” Resurrection, Aurora John 18:12
Sixth Lenten Service April 6, 2022
Rev. Phil Schupmann “The Semblance of Legality” Resurrection, Aurora Luke 22:66
Gather with us for weekend worship!
Maundy Thursday Communion 7 p.m., April 14
Good Friday Tenebrae 7 p.m., April 15
Easter Sunrise 6:30 a.m., April 17
5 p.m. Sundays 8:30 and 11 a.m. Education Hour between services at 9:45 a.m.
Easter Breakfast 8 a.m., April 17
Easter Festival 10:15 a.m., April 17
Weekend Masses: Saturday: 4 PM (Vigil) Sunday: 7:30, 9:30 & 11:30 AM and 6 PM
Daily Masses: Monday—Friday: 6:15 and 8:15 AM Saturday: 8:15 AM
Confessions: Saturday: 3-3:45PM
Real estate/Business
Elmhurst AAUW begins collecting donations for its annual used book sale
The Elmhurst Area Branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) has begun collecting donations of used books, CDs, LPs, and DVDs for its annual used book sale. Kai Ostermann (left), a student at Sandburg Middle School, and Andrea Hutchinson (right), a member of the AAUW Elmhurst Branch, are pictured while preparing for the book sale, which will be held July 11-14 at Sandburg Middle School, 345 E. St. Charles Road, Elmhurst. Collection barrels for donations are located at Sandburg Middle School, between 9 a.m. and noon; at the Elmhurst Public Library, 125 S. Prospect, and at the Elmhurst Park District’s Courts Plus, 186 S. West Avenue. Donations will be accepted until July 9. The AAUW Elmhurst Area Branch is a not-for-profit 501(c)3 organization. Proceeds from the sale of books are used to benefit local scholarships and national AAUW research and programs for women and girls. For more information, contact info@aauwelmhurst.org or call 630-832-4677.
Just weeks before Republican National Convention, Illinois GOP chair announces resignation
After 3½ years as ILGOP chair, Don Tracy cites intraparty fighting as reason for quitting
By Hannah Meisel CAPITOL NEWS ILLINOIS
Halfway through the 2024 election cycle and just a few weeks away from the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Illinois GOP Chair Don Tracy on June 19 announced his resignation as head of the state Republican Party.
Tracy, who’d held the job since February 2021, explained his resignation in a two-page letter that cited intraparty “power struggles.” He also said he is concerned about the direction the party is taking under the current membership of the Illinois Republican State Central Committee—a 17-person body that steers the ILGOP, with one member elected from each congressional district.
“In better days, Illinois Republicans came together after tough intra party elections,” Tracy wrote. “Now however, we have Republicans who would rather fight other Republicans than engage in the harder work of defeating incumbent Democrats by convincing swing voters to vote Re-
publican.”
Tracy was narrowly elected Illinois Republican Party chair in the wake of the 2020 election and Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection on the U.S. Capitol by those who sought to stop certification of the election for its winner, President Joe Biden, over former President Donald Trump. Even as Republicans publicly reckoned with the events of Jan. 6, hardline conservatives on the state central committee were pushing for a more ardent supporter of Trump and his politics than the previous chair, who was hand-picked by former Gov. Bruce Rauner.
Instead, the party got Tracy, another Rauner ally who served as chair of the Illinois Gaming Board during the one-term governor’s administration. Tracy had unsuccessfully run for lieutenant governor in 2010, and in 2002, he lost a bid for a state Senate seat—but as a Democrat.
Tracy’s electoral history, as well as his experience as an attorney and co-owner of his family’s food distribution business, fit the mold of previous ILGOP chairs in a state where fiscally conservative and socially moderate suburban Republicans for decades were a political powerhouse.
But as Republican politics have changed both nationally and in Illinois, Tracy’s run as party chair proved tumultuous.
In the 2022 election cycle, Tracy’s first at the helm, Republicans lost big at the state level despite picking up one seat in the state Senate.
Even so, Tracy survived a no-confidence vote last spring and was holding onto power until this week.
In his letter, Tracy cited “recent events,” including state central committee members earlier this week removing one of their own from his position as state party vice chair “without due process.” Tracy wrote the move “portends a direction of the State Party I am not comfortable with.”
According to reporting from the Chicago Tribune, Mark Shaw, a state central committee member from Illinois’ 10th Congressional District, was stripped of his title and removed from the party’s fundraising committee on June 17. The vote was a rebuke of his behavior at a state party convention last month where he allegedly voted as a delegate despite not being one, and challenged another Republican official to a fight, the paper reported.
SUBMITTED PHOTO Elmhurst Independent
Protect yourself: tick season safety tips for a healthy summer outdoors
As warmer weather arrives, DuPage County Health Department (DCHD) urges residents to protect themselves and their families against diseases spread by tick bites while enjoying outdoor activities.
Ticks are a threat year-round, but they are most active from April to September and live in grassy, brushy, or wooded areas, or on animals.
Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever and other tick-borne diseases can cause fever, headache, rashes, flu-like illness, and other symptoms that can be severe.
Check for ticks daily on children, pets, and yourself when returning from outdoors, even from your own yard. It’s especially important to check under the arms, in and around the ears, inside the belly button, behind the knees, between the legs, around the waist, and on the hairline and scalp. If you find a tick attached to your skin, safely remove the tick as soon as possible. Removing ticks
right away can lower the chance of illness.
How to remove a tick:
• Use clean, fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin’s surface as possible.
• Pull upward with steady, even pressure. Don’t twist or jerk the tick. If the mouth-parts break off and you cannot remove them easily with tweezers, leave them alone and let the skin heal.
• After removing the tick, clean the tweezers or tick removal tool with alcohol and thoroughly clean the bite area and your hands with rubbing alcohol or soap and water.
Never crush a tick with your fingers. Dispose of a live tick by either:
• Putting it in alcohol.
• Placing it in a sealed bag/container.
• Wrapping it tightly in tape.
• Flushing it down the toilet. If you develop a rash or fever within several weeks of removing a
tick, see your doctor. Tell the doctor about your recent tick bite, when the bite occurred, and where you most likely acquired the tick. Early treatment is vital.
To prevent tick bites and diseases, follow these essential tips:
• Know where to expect ticks.
• Use EPA-registered insect repel-
lents. Treat clothing and gear with permethrin.
• Treat dogs and cats for ticks as recommended by a veterinarian.
• Shower soon after being outdoors.
DuPage County residents with questions about ticks may call the Health Department at (630) 682-
7400. DCHD has tick removal kits available for residents at health department locations. Find a DCHD location near you at www.dupagehealth.org/Facilities. For additional information, go to Tick-Borne Diseases | DuPage County Health, IL and Illinois Tick Surveillance Map (arcgis.com).
Old Tyme Base Ball brings out ‘Towns’ and ‘Gowns’
Representatives from WWII Girls Baseball Living History attend
Barrister Dave Oberg tosses the bat between “Town” team captain—former mayor Steve Morley (center), and the “Gown” team captain, John Quigley, a university alum. It took two throws, but ultimately, the “Gowns” won “home field advantage,” and were allowed to be first at bat.
By Dee Longfellow FOR THE ELMHURST INDEPENDENT
Sunday, June 23 was a beautiful day for baseball on the Elmhurst University College Mall, where Elmhurst University staff and alumni (the Gown team) and City of Elmhurst staff and elected officials (the Town team) battled it out in this year’s “Town vs. Gown” old-fashioned baseball game, played by the wildly different rules of 1858.
As usual, decked in authentic 1850s garb, Dave Oberg from the Elmhurst History Museum served as “barrister,” or umpire, and did a fine job of not only calling the balls and strikes, but exchanging old-time banter with the players and the audience.
Representatives of “A League of Our Own” WWII Girls Baseball Living History League came to the event wearing their authentic uniforms from those days of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League.
Due to other commitments, Mayor Scott Levin and University President Dr. Troy VanAken were unable to be participate this year—they are usually the captains of the Town and Gown team, respectively. 4
elected officials,
WWII Girls Baseball League included local woman
Bensenville native, EU grad Audrey Wagner played for Kenosha Comets
By Dee Longfellow FOR THE ELMHURST INDEPENDENT
At the Olde Tyme Base Ball game held at Elmhurst University on Sunday, June 23, representatives from the “A League of Our Own” World War II Girls Baseball Living History League came to the event, wearing authentic uniforms from the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League (AAGPBL).
It came as a surprise to many of the spectators that one of the players with the Kenosha Comets was a local woman named Audrey Wagner, who was a resident of Bensenville and attended Elmhurst University.
Genevieve “Audrey” Wagner (19271984) was born in Bensenville and played for the Comets from 1943-49, beginning as a pitcher and then moving to outfielder. She was awarded Player of the Year in 1948 and was a two-time All-Star Team selection. Following the war, Audrey went on to play for National Girls Baseball League from 1943-53. After earning a degree from
Instead, this year’s “Town” team was led by former Mayor Steve “Tater” Morley, while John “No-Quit” Quigley, of the Elmhurst Chamber of Commerce and an Elmhurst University alum, served as captain of the “Gown” team.
Before the game, each player was invited to announce his own “nickname,” bringing up monikers like “The Mitten,” “Squints,” “Stonewall,” “Black Foot,” and many others.
If there was a prize for the best nicknames, it likely would be given to Scott “The Half-Italian Stallion” LaMorte and his son Luke “The Quarter-Italian Stallion.”
The “Town” team was down going into the seventh and final inning, but they rallied for five runs to tie the score in the bottom of the seventh. But the “Gowns” came back score again, ultimately winning the game 13-12. But just wait till next year!!
is Rebecca Tulloch from “A League of Our Own” WWII Girls Baseball Living History League, wearing an authentic uniform. At the table behind
Elmhurst College (now University), she went on to the University of Illinois to earn her medical degree.
Wagner is part of a permanent display at the Baseball Hall of Fame and was inducted posthumously into the Elmhurst Bluejay Backer Hall of Fame and the Fenton High School Alumni Wall of Fame.
Her stats include:
Nickname: “Audie”
Uniform: #14
Throws: Right
Bats: Right
Positions: Outfielder and pitcher
Best season: 1948
.312 batting average
56 runs batted in (RBI)
70 runs
53 stolen bases
.469 slugging average
For more information about “A League of Our Own WWII Girls Baseball Living History League,” visit ww2girlsbaseball. com.
DEE LONGFELLOW PHOTOS Elmhurst Independent
Barrister Dave Oberg (center, in hat) explains the rules used in 1858 and warns players that they shall be properly reprimanded for causing any infractions. On the right
Oberg is Ken Bartels, who was the announcer for the game.
This is the “Town” team, made up of Elmhurst City staff and
which lined up for the “Star Spangled Banner,” performed by Andrea Pokrefke (not pictured).
DuPAGE DESTINATIONS
Your Dining & Entertainment Guide to the Western Suburbs
Can’t-miss events in and around DuPage County
Editor’s note: If you have information on an event in DuPage County taking place that you would like us to consider listing here, please email that information to: news1@rvpublishing. com.
Fourth of July events
Bartlett: The Bartlett Fourth of July Committee invites you to celebrate at Apple Orchard Park from Thursday, July 4 through Sunday, July 7.
Fireworks will take place on Thursday, July 4, starting at 9:15 p.m. The Bartlett Lions Independence Day Parade will be on Saturday, July 6, stepping off from Bartlett Park at 10 a.m.
Bensenville: Bensenville’s LibertyFest Independence Day Parade steps off at 10 a.m. Thursday, July 4, starting at Village Hall, 12 S. Center St., and ending at 11:30 a.m. Following the parade, come out to Redmond Park for games, events, music and food until 10 p.m. Vendor items are available for cash purchase only.
Bolingbrook: The village will be celebrating Independence Day on Thursday, July 4 with the annual celebration and fireworks show at the Bolingbrook Golf Club. Access to the grounds starts at 3 p.m. There will be live bands performing at 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Fireworks start just after 9 p.m.
Burr Ridge: Fireworks at Walker Park Monday, July 3 starting at dusk. Food vendors selling snacks and non-alcoholic beverages will be at the park starting at 5:30 p.m. Parking passes for either the north and south lots can be purchased in advance for $20.
Carol Stream: The Independence Day Parade will take place at 10 a.m. Thursday, July 4. Later on, enjoy free, family friendly entertainment at the Ross Ferraro Town Center. Food concessions open at 6 p.m., and Hillbilly Rockstarz will be performing at 7 p.m. Stay after for the fireworks show at approximately 9:15 p.m.
Darien: The Darien Lion’s 4th of July parade starts at 9:30 a.m. It is celebrating its 53rd year. The parade route will follow the same path as 2023. Beginning at Jewel on Cass Avenue, proceeding north to 71st Street, east to Clarendon Hills Road, and then south to Hinsdale South High School.
Downers Grove: The village is excited to bring everyone together to celebrate the Independence Day Parade on Thursday, July 4, starting at 1 p.m. The parade steps off from Main Street and Grant Street at 1 p.m., traveling south on Main to Warren Avenue.
Elmhurst: The 19th annual Elmhurst Running Club’s 4 on the 4th four-mile race starts at 7:15 a.m. Thursday, July 4.
Kids 1K (for ages 5-12) starts at 8:20.
Glen Ellyn: The village’s Fourth of July parade steps off near Falwell and Lambert at noon Thursday, July 4. Lake Ellyn Park will be the site of the fireworks show, which starts at dusk. No blankets are allowed on Lake Ellyn Park until the park opens on July 4 at 6 a.m.
Hinsdale: Family Festival starting at 10 a.m. Thursday, July 4, at Burlington Park. There will be an arts and crafts fair, food vendors and kids activities. The Hat Guys will be playing from noon to 3 p.m. The parade starts at 10 a.m. at Sixth and Garfield streets.
Lisle: An Independence Day fireworks display is scheduled for Wednesday, July 3, beginning at 9:30 p.m. at Community Park. The show is expected to last approximately 25 minutes. There will be live bands starting at 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Lombard: The village will be hosting its fireworks display on Thursday, July 4 at Madison Meadow park. The fireworks show will begin at dusk, or when the sky is completely dark. In the event of unfavorable weather conditions, the display may be postponed or rescheduled.
Naperville: For the fourth year in a row, Naperville will host a free fireworks show in celebration of Independence Day at the Frontier Sports Complex, 3380 Cedar Glade Dr. Fireworks will begin at 9:30 p.m. on Thursday July 4. There is no charge for admission or parking. Those attending can watch from a field within the park or from their vehicles. The Naperville Salute takes place from Friday through Sunday, July 5 through 7. The Salute blends community, local entertainment, and family fun. The footprint will encompass Rotary Hill along the Riverwalk in downtown Naperville. For more information, visit: www.napervillesalute.org.
Oak Brook: The village’s Taste of Oak Brook takes place Wednesday, July 3. It is hosted at Village Sports Core Fields, 700 Oak Brook Road, and opens at 4 p.m., along with food and beverage service. The event concludes around 10 p.m., following the fireworks display. The event will feature live music from the nationally recognized 80s nostalgia band, Sixteen Candles, as well as the Modern Day Romeos.
Oak Brook Terrace: The city’s parade begins at noon, Thursday, July 4, starting from City Hall. The city picnic, which is open to residents and guests only, starts at 3 p.m. Wristbands must be purchased in advance. The fireworks begin at 9:30 p.m. at Terrace View Park.
Roselle: Roselle’s traditional free fireworks show returns on Wednesday, July 3 at Lake Park High School West Campus (500 W. Bryn Mawr Ave). Roselle’s 2024 celebration includes live music by Semple, as well as food trucks along Bryn Mawr starting at 7:30 p.m. Fireworks will begin at dusk.
Villa Park: The annual Independence Day Parade, hosted by VFW Post 2801, starts at 10 a.m. Thursday, July 4, going west on Central to Harvard, South on Harvard to Madison, East on Madison to Summit, North on Summit to Park, and West on Park to Ardmore for dispersal. This year’s team is “Reflections.”
Westmont: The annual Independence Day Celebration will be held at Ty Warner Park on Thursday, July 4, starting at 4 p.m. and concluding with fireworks, which typically begin at 9:30 p.m. There will be food trucks, concessions, games, beer and live music.
Wheaton: The city’s fireworks show will take place at Graf Park on Wednesday, July 3. There will be music, games, carnival rides and other activities starting at 5:30 p.m., with fireworks getting under way at 9 p.m. The parade will step off at 10 a.m. Thursday, July 4, in downtown Wheaton, starting at the intersection of Main Street and Wakeman Avenue.
Lemonade on a hot day
Hot and humid weather greeted the first day of summer solstice last Thursday, June 20, so friends Madelyn (holding sign) and Peyton set up shop on the northwest corner of Third and West streets in Elmhurst to give passers-by an opportunity to quench their thirsts. Their lemonade stand featured glasses of lemonade for $1 (small glass) and $1.50 (large glass). Customers also could grab snacks such as bags of Goldfish or white cheddar crackers for $2.50 per bag. The two 11-year-old fledgling entrepreneurs got plenty of business throughout the afternoon. Peyton plays youth soccer, so she is planning on using her share of the cash to help pay for that, while Madelyn is saving up for a new bike.
Now through Aug. 13
Summer Concert Series
Downers Grove
Recurring weekly, the free concerts are held Tuesday evenings at Fishel Park, 1036 Curtiss St., and will feature rock, country, blues, and oldies. Doors open and food and beverage sales begin at 6 p.m. The music takes place between 7 and 8:30 p.m. Bring your lawn chairs or blankets.
Now through Aug. 31
Cicadas on Parade
Glen Ellyn
Recurring daily throughout downtown Glen Ellyn through Aug.31, embrace the summer of the cicadas and visit downtown Glen Ellyn to see 25 hand-painted cicada art sculptures. These 18-inch cicada
sculptures are painted via local artist and storefront owners which will be placed in flowerpots, trees and windows throughout the downtown. For more information, visit: https:// downtownglenellyn.com/cicadas-on-parade.
Ongoing
Train Saturdays
DuPage County Historical Museum
Wheaton
The DuPage Society of Model Engineers operates the model railroad at the museum, 102 E. Wesley St., on the third and fifth Saturday of the month. The layout covers more than 2,000 feet of track and highlights some of DuPage County’s landmarks in a landscape full of surprises. Your
LEGAL NOTICES
family will love watching the trains run. See if you can spot Superman and the Batmobile. For more information, visit: https://dupagemuseum.org/calendar/category/train-saturdays.
North Suburban Carvers meetings
The North Suburban Carvers meet on the first and third Mondays of each month at the Wood Dale Public Library from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Anyone interested in carving, power carving, wood burning or special finishing techniques is welcome. North Suburban Carvers is a non-profit organization that promotes carving in the Chicago area. For more information, visit: northsurburbancarvers.com. org/calendar.aspx
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING ZONING AND PLANNING COMMISSION/ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
CASE NUMBER 24 P 07
Request for Conditional Use Permit and Variations
Notice is hereby given that the Elmhurst Zoning and Planning Commission/Zoning Board of Appeals will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, July 16, 2024 at 7:00 p.m., in the Elmhurst City Hall, 209 N. York Street, Elmhurst, Illinois. The purpose of this hearing is to consider a request for a Conditional Use Permit for an automobile service station and setback variations at the property commonly known as 654 & 668 West North Avenue, Elmhurst, Illinois for the purpose of expanding an existing automobile service station and adding diesel pumps on adjacent property.
Following is a legal description of the subject property:
LOTS 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7 AND 8 IN KAHN’S ASSESSMENT PLAT OF PART OF LOT 50 IN GRAUE’S WOODS SUBDIVISION, BEING A SUBDIVISION IN THE NORTHEAST QUARTER OF SECTION 3, TOWNSHIP 39 NORTH, RANGE 11, EAST OF THE THIRD PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN, ACCORDING TO SAID KAHN’S ASSESSMENT PLAT RECORDED APRIL 24, 1952 AS DOCUMENT 560024 (EXCEPTING THEREFORM THOSE PORTIONS TAKEN FOR NORTH AVENUE, AS SHOWN ON PLAT OF HIGHWAY RECORDED JULY 12, 1984 AS DOCUMENT NUMBER R1984054639), ALL IN DUPAGE COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
PINs: 06-03-201-021, 06-03-201-017, 0603-201-026
The common street addresses are 654 & 668 West North Avenue, Elmhurst, IL. The subject property is located within the C3 General Commercial District.
If you have any questions regarding this case, please contact the Community Development Department at 630-530-3121.
Any person who has a disability requiring a reasonable accommodation to participate in this meeting, should contact Emily Palm, ADA Compliance Officer, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., City of Elmhurst, 209 N. York Street, Elmhurst, IL 60126, call 630-530-3770 or email HR@elmhurst.org within a reasonable time before the meeting. Please provide as much notice as possible for sign language interpreting requests.
Eileen Franz, City Planner
(Published in The Elmhurst Independent June 27, 2024)
457773
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING ZONING AND PLANNING COMMISSION/ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
CASE NUMBER 24 P 10
Request for Conditional Use Permit for a Pylon Sign
Notice is hereby given that the Elmhurst Zoning and Planning Commission/Zoning Board of Appeals will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, July 16, 2024 at 7:00 p.m., in the Elmhurst City Hall, 209 N. York Street, Elmhurst, Illinois. The purpose of this hearing is to consider a request for an amended Conditional Use Permit for a Pylon Sign at the property commonly known as 880 N. York Street in Elmhurst, Illinois for the purpose of altering an existing pylon sign.
Following is a legal description of the subject property:
LOT 21 IN YORK GRAND ESTATES UNIT NUMBER ONE, BEING A SUBDIVISION OF PART OF THE SOUTHEAST QUARTER OF SECTION 26, TOWNSHIP 40 NORTH, RANGE 11, EAST OF THE THIRD PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN, ACCORDING TO THE PLAT THEREOF RECORDED JULY 23, 1941, AS DOCUMENT 426473, IN DUPAGE COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
PIN: 03-26-404-018
The common street address is 880 N. York Street, Elmhurst, IL. The subject property is located within the C3 General Commercial District.
NOTICE
CERTIFICATE NO. 79458 was filed in the office of the County Clerk of DuPage County on JUNE 17, 2024, wherein the business firm of LAW OFFICES GERSTNER & GERSTNER LOCATED AT PO BOX 1087, 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) AND HOME ADDRESS: MARY ANNE SPELLMAN, 175 S. KENMORE AVE., ELMHURST, IL 60126; MARY ANNE SPELLMAN GERSTNER, 175 S. KENMORE AVE, ELMHURST, IL 60126; MARY ANNE GERSTNER, 175 S. KENMORE AVE., ELMHURST, IL 60126. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and Official Seal at my office in Wheaton, Illinois, this 17TH day of JUNE, A.D. 2024.
JEAN KACZMAREK Jean Kaczmarek DuPage County Clerk (OFFICIAL SEAL) (Published in The Elmhurst Independent June 27, July 4 & 11, 2024) 457460
If you have any questions regarding this case, please contact the Community Development Department at 630-530-3121.
Any person who has a disability requiring a reasonable accommodation to participate in this meeting, should contact Emily Palm, ADA Compliance Officer, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., City of Elmhurst, 209 N. York Street, Elmhurst, IL 60126, call 630-530-3770 or email HR@elmhurst.org within a reasonable time before the meeting. Please provide as much notice as possible for sign language interpreting requests.
Eileen Franz, City Planner (Published in The Elmhurst Independent June 27, 2024) 457774
NOTICE
CERTIFICATE NO. 79460 was filed in the office of the County Clerk of DuPage County on JUNE 21, 2024, wherein the business firm of GRACEFUL BEATS BEAUTY LOCATED AT 205 E. BUTTERFIELD ROAD STE 261, 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) MYA WILLIAMS, HOME ADDRESS 260 E. BUTTERFIELD ROAD APT 405, ELMHURST, IL 60126. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and Official Seal at my office in Wheaton, Illinois, this 21ST day of JUNE, A.D. 2024.
JEAN KACZMAREK Jean Kaczmarek DuPage County Clerk (OFFICIAL SEAL)
(Published in The Elmhurst Independent June 27, July 4 & 11, 2024) 457746
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
MIKE SANDROLINI PHOTO Elmhurst Independent
LEGAL NOTICE
Dan Curran, City Treasurer
Dated June 21, 2024
The foregoing statement of Dan Curran City Treasurer, was filed with me this 21st day of June, 2024
Jackie Haddad-Tamer, City Clerk
CITY OF ELMHURST, ILLINOIS Treasurer’s Report For the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2023
2,1302,280,366-714,2579,953,7956,546,1371,320,998
Payroll Gross Earnings for Calendar Year 2023 Gross Earnings under $25,000 ALVESTAD, JOSTEIN D; ANDERSEN, TAMI L; ANDREUCCETTI, RITA; BARI, SOHA I; BARRE, MATTHEW W; BASTEDO, EMILY C; BECKER, CLARISSE R; BRAM, MICHAEL J; BRENNAN, JOHN F; BRENNAN, JOHN P; BRENNAN, MICHAEL J; BURGESS, RYAN J; BUTTWEILER, MARGARET C; CABRERA, ISABEL A; CAFFREY, DYLAN J; CAHILL, BRIAN P; CALLAHAN, KATHERINE B; CAMACI, STEFANIA M; CARILLO, ANTONIO P; CARRASCO, EMILY M; CASEY, PATRICK J; CASSIDY, RYAN J; CHLYSTEK, CAROL S; COOK, ALICE A; CORK, KEVIN A; COTE, JEROME W; COTTON, GRACE A; CURRAN, MARK D; DAENZER, DAVID P; DAMES III, ANTHONY; DAMES III, ANTHONY; DAVIDSON, ERIC A; DAVIS, DARRELL Q; DELURY, LOGAN P; DEUTER, MARTHA S; DEVER, COLETTE E; DEVITT, JERI-LYNN; DEWBRAY, JOHN M; DOUVALAKIS, NIKO D; DREWNO, JOSEPH M; DUFORT, RICHARD E; DUNN, ROBERT M; EVOY, PATRICK J; FICEK, SARAH C; FLICEK, PAUL A; GEIGER, JACKSON H; GENTILE, ROSALEE L; GISBURNE, MARY A; GROSSMAN, JANE LOUISEV; GUICHON, RONALD J; GUINAN, KATHRYN H; HADDAD JR, EMIL D; HANLEY, BRIAN T; HELM, RICHARD E; HILALI, NADIA; HILL, JACOB D; HOLBROOK, NICHOLAS W; HOLBROOKS, BILLY J; HOLLOWAY, DAVID J; HONQUEST, MICHAEL P; IARRAPINO, MICHAEL; ILIOPOULOS, CHRISTOPHERP; IRBY, REX K; JACKSON, SAMANTHA B; JENSEN, CHRISTOPHERR; JIJINA, DINA N; JIMENEZ, TRIXI C; JUNEMAN, MEGAN E; KAMMERER, JILL P; KAYS, ADAM S; KAYS, SETH S; KIRCHHOFF, LEAH R; KOHL, RYDER J; KOPEC, MICHAEL C; KRASTIN, PATRICK J; LAURINO, DEBORAH A; LEICK, JOCELYN E; LEPICKI, IZABELLA; LEVIN, SCOTT M; LEWANDOWSKI, COLIN S; LEWIS, AMBER M; LISOWSKI, TIMOTHY P; LOMBARDO, ROBERT J; MAIS-HAVLIR, PATRICIA A; MANTEUFEL, JENNIFER L; MARCHESE, HEIDI A; MARKHAM, REBECCA E; MARTORANA, GINO F; MASSA,
JAMES G; MAYS, GARETH V; MAZENKO, ANGELINA R; MCGOVERN, KEVIN A; MELLEMA, DUANE E; MENDEZ GONZALEZ, SOFIA; METZ, LIESEL R; MICELI, MARY; MOLINA, MARC A; MONDRAGON, YARIDZA; MULLINER, MARK A; MURRAY, AMANDA J; MUSIAL, SAMUEL S; NAPOLETANO, CATHERINE A; NARDINI, GUIDO D; NESTLINGER, CATHERINE A; NUDERA, JAMES A; NUNAMAKER, SUSANNE I; ODER, CAMERON C; OKEEFE, NOREEN P; O’KEEFE, OWEN M; O’KEEFFE, CATHERINE B; OLDIS-KRYCZKA, JENNIFER L; OLSEN, NICHOLAS J; ORICK, TRACEY L; PALUMBO, TARYN M; PARENT, ANDREA T; PARK, TINA L; PARKER, JAMES J; PAUL, TIMOTHY J; PAYNE, JILL E; PERNA, JOHN L; PLACZEK, CHRISTOPHERJ; POLOMSKY, DANNEE K; POPE, VIOLET R; PORTER, THERESA A; QUINLIVAN, SEAN M; RACIBOZYNSKI, CHRISTINA L; RAMIREZ, GIOVANNI C; RECKER, CAROLYN A; REITZEL, JACOB P; RENALDI, ROBERT H; REYNOLDS, STEVEN M; RIZZO, MATTHEW W; ROCHE, PATRICE H; ROCK, SHAIRA A; ROSENFELD, MARIS I; RUIZ, DAVID D; RUSSO, BRENTON T; RUSSO, NATHAN J; SACCO, DONNA M; SALEK, KYLE P; SEBASTIAN, JONATHAN W; SERRANO, ADRIAN M; SHAL, JOANNE E; SIEBER, CODY C; SIENKO, KAREN L; SIMMONS, JANYCE R; SKOLOZYNSKI, KELLY J; SLAGTER, AMY T; SOLKA, WILLIAM M; SPEERS, MICHAEL A; STARON, AUDREY R; STUART, CALLIE A; SUTPHEN, TYLER J; SZACIK, NATALIA M; TALLUTO, NOEL P; TAMER, JACQUELYN L; TARTAGLIA, PHILIP J; THOMAS, NIA; VANDERMOLEN, LISA A; VASQUEZ, DON; VELASCO, JOSE G; VEREMIS, JENNIFER; VILORIA, DYLAN; VOGEL, JOHN D; WATSON, LAUREN E; WEBB, ALAN S; WELFER, ETHAN D; WHELAN, DANIEL J; WILKINS, RICHARD A; WIND, CYMON B; YASDICK, JOHN L; ZAJAC, MICHAL P; ZARAGOZA, ANA P; ZULKOSKI, ANA L; 1,425,709.03 Gross Earnings $25,000 - $49,999 ANELLO, CARMELLA; BERTELS, ANN M; BIALECKI, EVA V; BOWMAN, CHRISTOPHERJ;
BREHM, ANNETTE M; BUDNIK, JEROME A; BURMEISTER, KIMBERLY G; CASTILLA, COURTNEY M; DEVINE, TRACY M; DOLCE, FIONA G; FABIANSKI, DALE; GIORDANO, SAMUEL A; HARTSAW, PAUL H; HAWN, CHRISTINA M; HERNANDEZ, DAGOBERTO C; JAFFE, NOLAN E; JENSEN, HEATHER E; KELLY, JOHN F; LAU, JEANNINE L; LEMONS, D’ANTRAE D; LERESCHE, LESLIE S; LOY, MADELINE M; MASON, RACHAEL K; MEIER, KEITH W; MILBRATH, SHARON K; MUSHARRAF, SYED J; NOVAK, DONALD A; O’REILLY, MARNIE P; ORTIZ, ALFREDO; PAVLIK, CAROL L; PELLICO, MARY T; POSHEK, HILARY L; RAMADORAI, MALINI V; RIGHTNOWAR, HAYLEY E; SHERLOCK, KEVIN C; SHINE, MATTHEW J; SMITH, JAMESON T; SOLDANO, CHRISTINA E; SUMILA, MARA J; TISCIA, NICOLE S; VAJDIK, ROBERT C; WALKER, DERRICK S; WHITE, BREANNE M; 1,519,955.57 Gross Earnings $50,000 - $74,999 ARTMAN, BRIDGET A; BASSO, WILLIAM A; BONE, BRIANNA N; BRODERICK, PAMELA L; BURG, CHRISTINE D; CHAMBERS, KERRI C; CRUZ, MARISELA; DETZNER, JEREMY P; DORSEY, CHARLOTTE A; DRYDEN, SHERRI L; FUNK, M EILEEN; GAMPERL, MATTHEW D; HOWELL, LYNNCHERIE; IGNATIUS, ELIZABETH M; JESKE, MARK A; KELLY, TIMOTHY J; KNYSCH, JACQUELINE P; KOCHICK, DAVID A; KRAUSFELDT, JANA L; LAYMAN, JEZ E; MALONEY-MURPHY, NUALA M; MERCADO, LIBCEL A; MOULIS, RICHARD S; MURPHY, ALYSSA K; PALACIOS, ISAIAH D; PARTIPILO, CATHY F; PEREZ, JOHN P; PETRUCCI, BARBARA A; PREUSS, ALEXANDER P; PRZYBYLSKI, JENNIFER L; RAGA, DENISE S; RAMIREZ PINEDA, ANGEL D; RINALDI, THOMAS J; RODRIGUEZ, JOSE L; RUSSO, BRENTON T; SANCHEZ, JOSE A; SAVICKAS, JONAS V; SCHLECHT, MOLLY P; SLAYTON, JEREMY W; SOTO, JUSTIN M; SPANROFF, ANGELA J; STRINGWELL, KATHERINE J; SUVA, CURTIS S; SWANSON, ANNE M; TWARAGOWSKI, DARLENE C; VAN DEVEER, DEVIN J; WALSH-ROCK, GLORIA
Gross Earnings $75,000 - $99,999 ASPAN, ALYSSA A; AUMANN, CHRISTOPHERF; AUTRY, PATRICK S; BEDNAREK, BRYAN J; BERGE, DANIEL I; BLANK, BRYAN A; BONK, NEIL D; BRANNSTROM, MATTHEW R; BRUMM, MICHAEL J; CARRINGTON, JAMI L; CIKOWSKI, PETER L; CLEMENTI, ANTHONY F; COTTON, WILLIAM G; COX, SARAH J; CRESSWELL, SAMANTHA D; DAUGHTREY, MICHAEL B; DEERINGER, ZACHARY W; DENNY, DAVID S; DHAMERS, JASON C; DIMATTEO, ANDREW J; DOHERTY, GREGORY J; DUPREY, ANTHONY J; EPERT, KOREY W; FAAS, MICHAEL J; FAFINSKI, RICHARD E; FERRELL, TIMOTHY W; FIORINI, BRIAN J; FISCHER, KIRK R; FOSS, DAVID D; FRIEDBERG, CORA A; GAL, JESSICA; GROCH, JOSEPH M; HASSLER, CHRISTOPHERJ; HICKS, GRANT T; HOEGLER, LOREL A; IDASEK, GREGORY E; JENSEN, NELS A; JOHNSON JR, LAWRENCE D; JOHNSON, CASEY R; KABAT, ALBERT J; KELLEY, ROBERT; KVETON, BRADLEY J; LEONARD, JOSHUA D; LUND, DANIEL P; MANNING, MATTHEW T; MARCELLO, JEFFREY D; MARCHINSKI, ROBERT R; MARROTTA, KYLE J; MCHALE, KYLE L; MEISZNER, JOHN W; MELONE, AMANDA J; MUELLERS, BERNARD M; MURRAY, WILLIAM D; NERISON, JOHN E; PARDO VEGA, GIOVANNI; PLOTZ, RICHARD; PLYMAN, MATTHEW S; PUETZ, TYLER S; PUKAEL, CARSON R; RHODES, DANIEL J; ROBINS, JOHN C; RODRIGUEZ, JOSE A; RUZICKA, SAMUEL T; RYBAK, WENDY L; SCHMIDT, DIANE J; SCHMITT, MICHAEL J; SHARP, JUSTIN E; SMITH, MARY E; SOCHACKI, ROBERT P; SPARKS, MICHAEL J; STENSON, RICHARD A; TAKEDA, TIMOTHY J; WALLI, THEODORE R; WANDERSEE, JESAIDA G; WEISS, KATHLEEN M; WISSBROECKER, JASON P;
LEGAL NOTICE
AUSTRIA, VICTOR P; BALDACCI, VIKTORIA S; BERECKIS, HEATHER A; BEYER, EDWARD W; BOHNERT, CHRISTOPHERL; BRENNAN, JOHN F; BRUKETTA, COLLEEN E; CESARIO, ALAN F; COLLIER, JOSHUA C; CZORNIAK, ANDRIJ P; DAMES III, ANTHONY; DAVIDSON, ERIC A; DRAGER, ROBERT C; DUFFY, JOSHUA J; DUFORT, CHRISTOPHERJ; EVOY, PATRICK J; FRANZ, EILEEN T; GIESEL, JASON M; GODEK, EUGENE A; GONET, AARON J; GROSSI, MICHAEL S; HAGSTROM, MICHEAL J; HICKENBOTTOM, DONTAE L; HOOVER, STEVEN H; HOYE, WESLEY A; IVANCEVIC, STOJANA; JACOBSMEYER, MATTHEW R; JAGIELO, JOHN M; JANITO, THOMAS C; JOHNSON, MARY C; KAMIENIARZ, ARTUR J; KAZARIAN, DENNIS S; KLING, DARREN; KNEBEL, JEFF A; KRUTOYARSKIY, ILYA; KUPER, QUENTIN T; LAFIN, KENNETH A; LANGE, SCOTT A; LAZIC, ANNA; LITHAS, JAMES P; LITWIN, MICHAEL L; LYNCH, ADAM Z; MAYER, RACHEL; MCNEELEY, THOMAS E; NIEVES, RICHARD A; PEDERSEN, BRIAN J; PENDERGAST, STEPHEN J; RICHARD, JACOB P; RIGERT, BRANDON M; RODRIGUEZ, MARICELA; SALEK, KYLE P; SCHREF, KASSONDRA L; SCHULZE, HEATHER A; SENNETT, JODI C; SMITH, ROBERT T; STENZEL, JOHN R; STOIKE, ARTHUR W; STOMSKI, TOMASZ; SUTPHEN, TYLER J; TAPELLA, THOMAS A; TUOMEY, JONATHAN T; WAZNY III, JOSEPH L; WEAVER, JACE A; WIEGELE, JACOB J; WIERZGAC, MITCHELL W; 7,550,893.18
Gross Earnings $125,000 and over ALMAGUER, VICTOR E; ALVESTAD, JOSTEIN D; ANASZEWICZ, WILLIAM J; BALICKI, STANLEY R; BILOTTA, KEVIN M; BISHOP, DANIEL D; BRUCKNER, BRENDAN P; BRUNS, RYAN M; BURRIS, PAUL D; CAMPBELL, JEREMY L; CAPPITELLI, BRANDT A; CARNEY, ZACHARY M; CORK, KEVIN A; CORRIGAN, DANIEL M; COYLE, CHRISTINA; CUZZONE, ANTHONY D; DJUKIC, DANIEL P; DUFORT, RICHARD E; ELIZALDE, LEO; ERICKSON, JAMES; GANDY, JAMES J; GIARRATANO, ANDREW D; GOLEBIOWSKI, ANDREW R; GRABOWSKI, JAMES A; GRYCZEWSKI, DAVID E; HAMBLIN, MICHAEL D; HARPER, MARY E; HAWKINS, CARL A; HEUSING, MICHAEL L; HIMPELMANN, MATTHEW J; HORNER, CHRISTOPHERR; JARRETTE, DORIAN Q; JOHNSON, KENT M; JORGENSEN, TIMOTHY L; KACZOROWSKI, BRETT T; KEFALOUKOS, ALEXANDER M; KLECKA, GARY S; KOPP, MICHAEL; KRANSBERGER, CHRISTOPHERD; KRAVETS, LAWRENCE A; KRUPNIK, ALEXANDER M; KUCERA, JEFFERY S; LAROCCO, CHARLES J; LISOWSKI, TIMOTHY P; MANDAT, STEVEN M; MCCOLLUM, MATTHEW R; MCGREW, KIMBERLY J; MCLEAN, MICHAEL S; NOYOLA, ARTURO; OBERG, DAVID M; O’CONNOR, JAMES G; OEFFLING JR, WILLIAM J; OSTREGA, JAMES S; PACEWIC, JOHN E; PALM, EMILY I; PARUSZKIEWICZ, LAWRENCE J; PLACZEK, CHRISTOPHERJ; POLI, ANTHONY J; REYNOLDS, STEVEN M; RIZZO, MATTHEW W; ROBERTSON, PAUL W; RUSSAVAGE, ZACHARY T; SCARLETT, ANDREW R; SCHMIDT, JOHN R; SCHWEIK, GUY E; SCISLOWICZ, MARCIN R; SOLKA, WILLIAM M; STEVENS, MARK J; STUMBAUGH, JASON R; TALASKI, STEVEN E; TIBERI, CORINA J; TORZA, DANIEL A; VALDEZ, VICTOR J; VELEZ, JOAN; VESTUTO, JASON A; VOGEL, JOHN D; WALDENMEYER, NICHOLAS D; WANDERER III, ROBERT T; WARDZALA, SCOTT G; WESTERING, TIMOTHY J; WHELAN, DANIEL J; 11,990,427.23; 32,491,784.08
City of Elmhurst
Accounts Payable Calendar Year 2023
Vendor Name Amount
289 THIRD LLC
2ND WIND EXERCISE
7
COMCAST HOLDINGS CORPORATION 28,306.18
COMMERCIAL TIRE SERVICES, INC. 42,795.56
COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT 502 3,753.00
COMPCOREPRO 8,000.00
COMPLETE WATER SOLUTIONS 6,401.18
COMPUTERIZED FLEET ANALYSIS, INC 17,480.00
CONCENTRIC INTEGRATION, LLC 155,785.04
CONST & GEOTECH MATL TESTG 30,965.00
CONSTELLATION NEW ENERGY, INC 482,194.56
COOK CASTLE ASSOCS LLC 15,877.00
CORE & MAIN LP 38,000.72
CORRECTIVE ASPHALT MATERIALS 262,777.68
CREATIVE PRODUCT SOURCING,INC-DARE 14,216.97
CRYSTAL MGMNT & MAINT 66,085.00 CUES INC 9,726.00
CUMMINS SALES AND SERVICE 16,184.25
CURRIE MOTORS 315,079.00
D L ZIMCO 3,249.00
DACRA ADJUDICATION SYSTEMS LLC 33,528.00
DAHME MECHANICAL INDUSTRIES, INC. 17,986.54
DANIEL SPISIAK 2,750.00
DATA AXLE, INC. 5,250.00
DAVID FROBEL 10,000.00
DAVID KING & ASSOCIATES, INC. 34,637.87
DELL MARKETING LP 99,483.71
DELTA SONIC CAR WASH SYSTEMS, INC. 3,443.00
DEMCO, INC 11,070.10
DENNIS & MARY LUBERTOZZI 2,700.00
DILIGENT CORP 17,000.00
DOC’S VICTORY PUB 2,600.00
DORNER PRODUCTS, LLC 2,508.00
DOROTHEA WEIR 3,825.50
DOUGLAS DYNAMICS, INC & SUBSIDAIRIES 4,103.94
DOYLE SIGNS, INC 3,980.00
DPIF3 IL 8 RIVERSIDE 65,431.32
DUKE’S ROOT CONTROL INC 5,600.00
DUPAGE CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU 2,500.00
DUPAGE COUNTY 80,705.56
DUPAGE COUNTY COLLECTOR 37,449.62
DUPAGE MATERIALS COMPANY, LLC 62,081.37
DUPAGE MAYORS AND MANAGERS CONFERENCE 30,600.70
DUPAGE PUBLIC SAFETY COMMUNICATIONS 1,261,207.71
DUPAGE RIVER/SALT CREEK WORKGROUP 153,187.00
DUPAGE SENIOR CITIZENS COUNCIL 45,670.00
DUPAGE TOPSOIL INC 13,640.00
DUPAGE WATER COMMISSION 7,794,367.70
DURATECH USA, INC 8,185.65
DXP ENTERPRISES, INC. 15,649.50
DYNAMIC IMAGING SYSTEMS, INC. 4,845.00
E J EQUIPMENT INC 616,405.59
EARTHWERKS LAND IMPROVEMENT & DEVELOPMENT CORP 94,648.62
EBSCO INFORMATION SERVICES 39,876.40
ECO CLEAN MAINT INC 170,503.88
ECOTALITY INC 11,343.76
EDWARD HOSPITAL 5,049.50
ELMHURST MEMORIAL HOSPITAL 16,111.28
ELMHURST AMERICAN LEGION 17,724.51
ELMHURST ART MUSEUM 43,000.00
ELMHURST CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 4,498.16
ELMHURST CHORAL UNION 4,500.00
ELMHURST CITY CENTRE 6,028.40
ELMHURST CITY CENTRE 883,914.89
ELMHURST COMMUNITY UNIT SD 205 114,400.20
ELMHURST PARK DISTRICT 3,813.52
ELMHURST POSTMASTER 68,982.32
ELMHURST SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA 20,000.00
ELMHURST UNIVERSITY 9,385.00
EMC FIRE EQPT MGMNT CO 36,518.00
EMERGENCY TELEPHONE SYSTEM BOARD OF DUPAGE COUNTY 3,739.00
RELATION INSURANCE SERVICES GREAT LAKES, INC. 37,701.00
REPAIR MASTERS INC. 7,163.80
REPUBLIC SERVICES #551 3,248,195.32
REVIZE LLC 18,050.00
REXEL USA, INC. 24,835.53
RICHARD CZUBA 4,250.00
RICHARD CZUBA 5,000.00
RICHARD KAYNE 36,480.00
RICOH USA, INC 4,791.68
RICOH USA, INC 10,401.00
RJN GROUP, INC. 63,045.53
ROADSAFE TRAFFIC SYSTEMS, INC. 4,320.00
ROBERT HALF INTERNATIONAL INC. 137,478.99
ROBERT J ERICKSON 3,100.00
ROCK VALLEY PUBLISHING, LLC 4,853.25
ROSSMAN ENTERPRISES, INC. 19,675.99
RPC SOLUTIONS LLC 3,512.20
RTM ENGINEERING CONSULTANTS LLC 4,920.00
RUSSO HARDWARE 3,060.39
RUSS’S PLUMBING & SEWER, INC 9,221.00
RYAN LLC 3,150.00
RYAN TRACY 34,048.50
SAFETY TRAINING PLUS 4,406.00
SAUCON TECHNOLOGIES, INC 5,556.23
SCHOLASTIC LIBRARY PUBLISHING 15,749.89
SCHROEDER & SCHROEDER INC 261,392.05
SCIENTEL SOLUTIONS LLC 31,117.00
SERVICE LIGHTING AND ELECTRICAL SUPPLIES 2,650.64
SERVICE PLUS, INC 15,487.00
SERVICE SPRING CO INC 7,896.87
SHERWIN-WILLIAMS CO 2,698.46
SICALCO LTD 9,157.58
SIEMENS INDUSTRY INC 21,559.27
SIEVERT ELECTRIC SERVICE & SALES COMPANY 3,136.73
SIKICH LLP 52,749.00
SIMON SAYS BOOKING 6,500.00
SIMPLEVIEW LLC 66,316.65
SKC CONSTRUCTION, INC 34,330.72
SKM, LLC 38,371.40
SLE TECHNOLOGIES, INC. 106,427.31
SLOAN PROPERTY MANAGEMENT LLC 56,106.62
SOLID IMPRESSIONS, INC 16,201.79
SOTO SEWER AND WATER INC 5,300.00
SPECIAL KIDS DAY 6,000.00
SPIKE STINGER INTERNATIONAL 4,000.00
SPRING ROAD BUSINESS ASSN 11,003.74
STANARD & ASSOCIATES INC 7,622.50
STANDARD EQUIPMENT COMPANY 6,308.51
STANTEC CONSULTING SERVICES INC 41,165.00
STAPLES 12,907.57
STATE OF ILLINOIS 170,109.29
STELLA MORTON 4,950.00
STENSTROM PROTANIC LLC 10,156.49
STEPHEN A LASER ASSOCIATES 3,600.00
STEWART SPREADING, INC 101,405.88
STORINO, RAMELLO & DURKIN 572,237.08
STRAND ASSOCIATES, INC. 5,000.00
STREICHER’S 20,516.74
SUBURBAN ACCENTS, INC 4,100.00
SUBURBAN BUILDING OFFICIALS CONFERENCE 2,700.00
SUBURBAN LABORATORIES INC 29,780.54
SUBURBAN TREE CONSORTIUM 363,865.85
SUBURBAN WELDING & STEEL, LLC 20,726.79
SUNBELT RENTALS, INC 3,441.84
SUNRISE COMMUNICATIONS, INC 5,450.00
SUNRISE ELECTRIC HOLDINGS
Lawmakers pass on oversight vote for Pritzker’s prison closure, rebuild plan
By Hannah Meisel and Dilpreet Raju CAPITOL NEWS ILLINOIS
For the last two decades, each time a governor has moved to close a large state-run facility like a prison or mental health center, a legislative oversight panel has voted on the plan.
That changed on June 14—at least for now—when only three lawmakers made it to Springfield for the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability’s scheduled vote on Gov. JB Pritzker’s plans to demolish and rebuild Stateville Correctional Center in Crest Hill and Logan Correctional Center in Lincoln. State Department of Corrections officials and the governor have indicated they’re strongly considering rebuilding Logan 140 miles northwest of its decadeslong home in central Illinois to the grounds of Stateville in Chicago’s southwest suburbs.
Without a quorum, the 12-member panel was unable to take an official vote on the matter within the timeline specified under law for reviewing facility closures. But COGFA’s Democratic co-chair, Sen. Dave Koehler of Peoria, had told reporters the previous evening that even if absences were not an issue, the Pritzker administration’s current plans for Stateville and Logan are so vague that “We don’t really know what we’re voting on.”
After the meeting June 14, Koehler told reporters the fact that COGFA failed to vote “doesn’t really change anything”—the governor’s office can move forward with a closure regardless.
The vote from the bipartisan panel would merely have been a recommendation; some governors have still gone ahead with closures even after the panel has voted to reject those plans.
But with the exception of a few instances where closure plans have been withdrawn before COGFA’s scheduled vote, the appointed members of the body have formally registered their positions on nearly three dozen proposed closures since 2005.
Despite not voting, the three members present at the June 14 meeting registered their criticisms anyway.
“This is really a concept and not a plan, in my estimation, because a plan has details,” Koehler said, though he spoke for the panel in saying he was supportive of the idea of “having new state-of-theart facilities” to replace the crumbling prisons. He added the commission would be willing to work with IDOC and the administration once more details of the plan are available.
Koehler’s Republican co-chair, Rep. C.D. Davidsmeyer of Murrayville, was far blunter in his appraisal of the Pritzker administration’s approach to the closure process.
“I think that we have a thought bubble more so than the written-down plan, right?” he said.
He blamed the governor for not working with COGFA—and accused him of either not having a plan or not being willing to divulge
it publicly.
“I think this is coming from the top, and they put their appointees and their Department (of Corrections) in a place to defend their idea,” Davidsmeyer said.
During an unrelated news con -
ference June 14, Pritzker insisted “the legislature is ultimately going to have a lot to say along the way” even without an advisory vote from COGFA.
Though he said some groups will inevitably be “disappointed with
whatever the final outcome ultimately will be,” he reiterated that the closure and rebuild plans are still taking shape.
“And it may be that changes might get made along the way, but no final decisions have been made,” he said.
IDOC officials testified in front of the legislative panel three times in the last several weeks, including at a pair of hearings in the prisons’
See LAWMAKERS, Page 21
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Sport S
York boys lacrosse team logs successful 2024 campaign
By Mike Miazga CORRESPONDENT
Dukes second in conference, played challenging schedule
The York boys lacrosse team’s 12-9 overall record doesn’t begin to tell the entire story of its 2024 season. Coach Tom Coyne pointed out eight of the team’s nine losses were to the state’s top seven-ranked teams. “We had a successful season with a deceptive record,” he said. “We played the hardest schedule in Illinois lacrosse.” York also finished second in the West Suburban Conference with a 4-1 mark, losing only to state-finalist Glenbard West.
In the IHSA postseason, York
downed Fremd 12-6 before losing to 8-6 to Glenbard West. Blake Rieger led the Dukes in scoring with 49 goals and 28 assists on his way to earning first-team all-conference honors as an attackman.
“Blake was a four-year starter and the leader of our offense,” Coyne said.
Goalie Jack Kevin also earned first-team all-WSC honors. Coyne called Kevin, a two-year starter and who saved 62 percent of shots at him this season, the most effective goaltender in the state.
“Jack is arguably the best goalie in York history,” Coyne said.
“Jack posted a 62 percent save percentage during the year, which is more impressive when figuring the difficult schedule we played.”
Coyne noted York had to replace “a historically talented 2023 graduating class with many freshmen and sophomores,” he said. The Dukes started three freshmen this season.
“We improved dramatically over the course of the season in all facets — on offense, defense and special teams (man-up and man-down),” he said.
Coyne said the strength of York this season was its defensive mid -
field unit and goaltending. That first defensive midfield grouping included Nathan Schlief, Evan Gaughan and Danny Wagner. That trio also made the all-WSC team.
The unit was augmented by Pat Batelli and Drew Richardson.
Coyne said York’s tough schedule led to a number of “heartbreaking, close losses,” he said. “In the final two weeks of the season, Jack Kevin and the defense led York during two one-goal losses to both state finalist Glenbard West and Lake Forest, showing how fine the line is between victory and defeat.”
Lake Forest defeated Glenbard
West 4-1 to win the IHSA boys lacrosse state championship recently at Hinsdale Central High School. Coyne also saw no slowdown from his team throughout the season. “We play an aggressive, full-court press ride, which is challenging and tiring,” he explained. “The effort and competitiveness of the group was impressive.”
York had a total of seven players earn all-WSC honors in Rieger and Kevin (both first-team selections), Gaughan, Schlief, Wagner, Braeden Bartlett and Bennett Jones. Rieger and Kevin also were nominated for all-state honors.
York boys’ water polo team places three on all-state teams
Dukes advanced to state quarterfinals,
won 25 games
By Mike Miazga CORRESPONDENT
The accolades have continued to pour in for the York boys water polo team. The Dukes, who advanced to the quarterfinals of the IHSA boys state water polo tournament, placed three players on the all-state first team, one on the second team and had five all-sectional selections.
Gavin Honken and Tim Jensen both were all-state first-team picks, as well as first-team all-sectional selections. Aiden Reedy was named second-team all-state and also was a first-team all-sectional pick. Martin Polomsky was an all-sectional second-team selection and Ethan Allen was third-team all-sectional for the Dukes.
U12 baseball action
Anthony Bucolo fires a pitch during a recent U12 baseball game.
York finished the season 25-8 overall and took second in the West Suburban Conference with a 4-1 mark. The Dukes downed Fenwick 13-5 to win a sectional title in a game that saw Honken score six
goals and Allen add three goals. Jensen finished with three assists. York then lost 9-8 to eventual state runner-up Stevenson in the state quarterfinals. “This was a loss for us, but considering all circumstances, the second half of that game was the best half any of my teams have played in my 17-year career,” York coach Brian Drumm said. York trailed 8-3 at halftime. “We had a tough second quarter,” Drumm noted. “We were expecting a back-and-forth game, so this was deflating for the team.”
York outscored Stevenson 5-1 in the second half. “We made some adjustments at half and controlled the rest of the game,” Drumm said. “The poise and focus this team showed as they fought until the final buzzer was unbelievable. The pride I have in this group is indescribable.”
On the season, Honken finished with 116 goals, while Jensen ended with 66 assists. Jensen also had 47 earned ejections. Reedy had 85 steals and made 235 saves. Drumm said the team’s man-up play steadily improved over the course of the
Meet
season. “We had some games in March where we were like 2-for-10, but we worked it every day and got to the point where we got very efficient at a lot of different looks when we had the man advantage,” he said.
Drumm added York benefited by the contributions of many beyond Honken’s obvious exploits. “Well, Gavin had been dominant all year as a pure scorer, and Tim Jensen’ shot exploded all year,” he said, “but we had others like Henry Nelson, Teddy Kamenica, Ethan Allen, Tommy Schroeder and Gabe Piper figure out how to score over the course of the season. When teams would double Gavin, we found that as the season went on, there were players willing to hit a shot from the outside.”
Center defender Martin Polomsky and goalie Aiden Reedy powered York’s strong defense.
“Our defense was centered around Martin, our center defender,” Drumm explained. “Martin was one of the top lockdown defenders in the state this season. Mostly, he guarded the other team’s center, but there were other times, if a team had a high-level player somewhere else
Brookfield
Honken and Jensen both earned all-state first-team honors after helping lead the York boys lacrosse team to a 25-8 record and an appearance in the state quarterfinals. Honken led the team with 116 goals, while Jensen had 66 assists. Goalie Aiden Reedy was an all-state second-team selection
junior female athlete of the year award. 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 total.
in the water, that we’d tell Martin to guard him, and the player was effectively taken out of the entire game.
“We also had one of the top goalies in Illinois in Aiden Reedy. He’s a leader who loved big games. Aiden was dominant at times. In our second-half comeback against Stevenson at state, Aiden gave up one goal in the entire half, which is unheard of.”
And now York has plenty of youthful firepower ready to return next season. “We are ecstatic about the youth in our team,” Drumm said. “We have a sophomore in Gabe Piper and two freshmen in Teddy Kamenica and Ethan Allen, who played most of the second half against Stevenson at state and stepped up huge. They played like seniors as actual fresh-soph players, and we get two and three more years of them. The future is very bright.”
York also got it done in the classroom with all five seniors — Schroeder, Panos Soupos, Reedy, Polomsky and Honken — earning all-West Suburban Conference all-academic honors.
Zoo’s new residents - koalas
First time in zoo’s 90-year history to have the species
The wait is over!
Brumby and Willum, two male koalas, arrived at Brookfield Zoo Chicago on June 10 and have been acclimating to their new home at the zoo’s Hamill Family Play Zoo. Now, the marsupials are ready to meet the public. Free with zoo admission, the habitat features both indoor and outdoor spaces, allowing guests to observe these charismatic marsupials, during regular zoo hours. Willum, who was born in March 2022 at San Diego Zoo, can be dis-
tinguished by his darker nose than Brumby’s, and he is the larger of the two. His name is Aboriginal meaning “hut.”
Brumby, who will be 2 years old in August, was also born at San Diego Zoo. He has a large pink spot on his nose. His name is also Aboriginal meaning “wild horse.” He got that name because when he was a joey, his mother would run around on the ground with him on her back. Since no Aboriginal translation for “jockey” was found “wild horse” was a close second.
As the first koalas to call the zoo home in its 90-year history, their arrival is an important part of Brookfield Zoo Chicago’s continued commitment to species conservation and environmental education. The koalas, who arrived at Brookfield Zoo Chicago accompanied by an animal care specialist from both zoos, are here through a loan partnership with San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance and San Diego Zoo’s Koala Education and Conservation Project. Brook-
See KOALAS, Page 21
CHRIS FOX PHOTO Elmhurst Independent
(Continued
Additionally, Tracy wrote that he was “concerned about the current infatuation” of some state central committee members “with certain individuals they call ‘grass roots’ leaders.”
One such self-proclaimed grassroots Republican, former state Sen. Darren Bailey, celebrated Tracy’s resignation on social media, calling it a “cleansing” of the state GOP.
“Fake Republicans got us into this mess,” wrote Bailey, who earlier this year lost a primary challenge to U.S. Rep. Mike Bost and unsuccessfully ran for governor in 2022. “Real Republicans standing firm will get us out!!!”
The state’s Democratic Party, which had its own leadership fight two years ago, took the opportunity to gloat about the “chaos” within the ILGOP, claiming Democrats are a “united party” ahead of the November election.
Democrats panned the state GOP as “defined by a litany of electoral disasters, constant infighting, meager fundraising, and a strict adherence to a losing set of anti-choice, anti-worker, pro-Trump policies.”
“While we don’t expect new leadership to change any of that, we do wish the best of luck to the inevitable MAGA extremist who will succeed Don Tracy as chair,” the party said.
Tracy’s letter indicated he would resign upon the election of a successor, “preferably no later than” July 19, the day after the RNC is scheduled to conclude.
• Koalas
• Lawmakers
current host communities. At those hearings, prison employees and local residents had the opportunity to air their concerns with the closure and rebuild plans.
Before both hearings last week, COGFA members and local state lawmakers were given the opportunity to tour both Stateville and Logan, which a 2023 state-commissioned report identified as among a handful of prisons with unlivable conditions caused by years of deferred maintenance by the state.
Reflecting on the tours during the June 14 meeting, Davidsmeyer said they were “very eye-opening,” but urged the Pritzker administration to keep Stateville, a men’s maximum-security prison, open during the rebuild process. IDOC officials last month said they may close Stateville as early as September but planned to keep Logan running during a rebuild.
“Stateville is beyond disrepair,” Davidsmeyer said. “I agree that we should continue to operate Stateville while we build. We should make Stateville a priority to rebuild right now, immediately. Put a rush on it.”
Logan, a multi-security women’s prison, currently houses more than 1,000 individuals. Formerly incarcerated women testified on Thursday that relocating the prison to the Stateville site would help the 40 percent of residents who are from the several counties that comprise the Chicagoland area.
But Logan employees balked at
(Continued from page 20)
field Zoo Chicago is one of only 11 accredited zoological facilities in North America, and the only in the Midwest, where the public has the opportunity to see and experience these unique and engaging animals.
“We are thrilled to have Willum and Brumby at Brookfield Zoo Chicago,” said Mark Wanner, associate vice president of animal care and conservation. “Many visiting will never have the opportunity to see koalas in their native land. We hope seeing them here at the zoo, guests will develop a respect and appreciation for them and wildlife around the world.”
Koalas, who prefer a solitary lifestyle, live in eucalypt forests, which are their home, shelter, and food source. These marsupials are one of only a few animals that eat eucalyptus leaves, which are highly poisonous to most other animals. They have two different types of teeth to help them eat the leaves—incisors at the front of their mouths, strip leaves off branches and their molars help cut and grind the leaves to make them more digestible.
Twice a week, the zoo will receive a rotation of several different species of fresh eucalyptus leaves for Brumby and Willum. Because of the leaves’ high level of toxicity, koalas have specialized gut bacteria that breaks down the poisonous leaves, extracting all water and nutrients.
This is why koalas spend most of their time—up to 18-22 hours a day—sleeping in trees conserving their energy.
“ Stateville is beyond disrepair. I agree that we should continue to operate Stateville while we build. We should make Stateville a priority to rebuild right now, immediately. Put a rush on it.”
– Darren Bailey, former state Senator
that idea, even citing an individual in custody with a life sentence and mental health issues who has been worried that a move north would mean she would never again see her mother, who is located downstate. The state’s only other women’s prison in Decatur is currently a minimum-security prison.
At the June 14 hearing, Sen. Don DeWitte, R-St. Charles, said he cannot support the plans with “so many unanswered questions.”
“To suggest that I’ve been disappointed with how this process has
played out would be an understatement,” he said.
IDOC officials contend the rebuilds are necessary considering an ongoing class action lawsuit filed in the Northern District of Illinois, and other court rulings the department says forced it to build new, safer facilities
Pritzker and his administration also echoed that sentiment – and included a $900 million line item for capital improvements at Stateville and Logan, which house about 1,500 individuals, in the upcoming
fiscal year budget. The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees union representing employees at both prisons agrees the prisons need to be rebuilt but disagrees with moving their jobs, along with individuals in custody, to other prisons while rebuilds happen.
Michael Newman, deputy director of AFSCME Council 31, said the union needs more answers.
“We’re not arguing that the statebuilt facility as it exists now is the right kind of facility for the longterm, what we’re talking about is how you get from here to there,” Newman said at a news conference ahead of Tuesday’s Joliet hearing. “Let’s do it in a rational, smart way to assure safety and the best conditions for both employees and incarcerated individuals.”
AFSCME says about 1,000 workers are directly threatened by potential closures at both facilities.
Jerry Nowicki contributed.
Although many refer to koalas as bears, there is no relation. According to several sources, the misnomer occurred when English-speaking settlers observed koalas in Australia and thought the animal resembled a small bear.
Koalas are more closely related to other marsupials (pouched mammals) like wombats and kangaroos, which can be seen at the zoo’s Australia House.
Koalas are listed as a “vulnerable” species by the International Union for Conservation and Nature (IUCN) in its native land of Australia. Found in Queensland, South Australia, Victoria, and New South Wales, the species faces several threats, including deforestation, fragmentation of its habitat for development, bushfires, disease, and drought.
Those interested in supporting the care of the koalas at Brookfield Zoo Chicago can contribute to the Animal Adoption program. For $35, a recipient receives the Friend Package, which includes a personalized certificate of adoption, a 5-inch x 7-inch color photograph of a koala, a fact sheet on the species, an Animal Adoption program decal, and an invitation to the exclusive 2024 Animal Adoption summer event.
A Plush Package is also available for $65 and includes all the benefits of the Friend Package as well as an adorable 12-inch plush koala and four free tickets to the Animal Adoption evening in 2024.
To purchase, visit brookfieldzoo. org/animaladoption.
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