Graduation day at Willowbrook
The 14th annual Relay For Life of District 88 Youth took place at Willowbrook High School earlier this month. More than 200 students and community members attended the event, which raised over $24,700 for the American Cancer Society. The Relay For Life of District 88 Youth has collected more than $750,000 during the last 14 years. This year’s event, which took place March 8-9, featured a variety of activities and games for participants. There was also a luminaria to honor 80 people who are fighting cancer, or who have lost their battle with cancer. The relay began by celebrating cancer survivors, who walked the first lap around the track in Willowbrook’s field house. In Relay For Life events, participants take turns walking around a track or path, with the goal of having someone on the track at all times to symbolize the ongoing fight against cancer.
Homecoming parade
Freshman Lindsey Rugg of the Willowbrook softball team is pictured while at tempting to score a run during Friday’s game at Downers Grove South. Rugg tried to score from second base on a single by sophomore Katelyn Cox in the top of the second inning, when the game was tied at 2-2. Downers Grove South’s catcher tagged Rugg out at home plate for the third out of the inning. The Mustangs went on to defeat the Warriors 7-3 in the West Suburban Gold Conference contest. Wil
Willowbrook High School celebrated its homecoming last week. The week’s spe cial activities included Friday afternoon’s homecoming parade, which took place in hot and sunny conditions. The parade procession began near Park Boulevard and Ardmore Avenue. Parade participants marched south on Ardmore before turn
ing west onto Highridge Road and into the school’s north parking lot.
lowbrook rebounded from Friday’s loss to post an 11-2 win in Saturday’s Hinsdale Central. The Warriors bashed three home runs in the second urday’s non-conference battle against the Red Devils of the West Conference. Senior Annemarie Knudtson, freshman Isabella Dugo Kayleigh Dennison provided the home runs. Dennison (No. 5) is background of the above photo. For more about the Warriors, see
Arbor Day in Villa Park
Willowbrook High School’s Class of 2021 celebrated its commencement with two separate ceremonies in the school’s main gymnasium on Sunday morning. The en tire class includes over 470 students. About half of those students attended the ceremony that began at 9 a.m. The others participated in the ceremony at 11 a.m. The photo shows members of the Willowbrook Senior Choir
Willowbrook’s marching band are pictured along the parade route. The also included several of the Warriors’ fall athletic teams, as well as members
Park Environmental Concerns sion, Margaret Schiefer—a member of the Villa Park Environmental Concerns Commission, Village Trustee Cheryl Tucker, Villa Park Village President Albert Bulthuis, Villa Park Village Village President-Elect) Nick Cuzzone and Leslie Allison-Seei—chair of the Villa Park Commission. Arbor Day is observed on the last Friday of each April. The National Arbor has recognized Villa Park with Tree City USA designation for 36 straight years. To receive tion, a community must have a tree board or department, a tree-care ordinance, a comprehensive Federal judge sets trial date for State Sen. Tom Cullerton--Page
Villa Park Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 2801 held its Memorial Day service ing at Cortesi Veterans Memorial Park. Post Commander Jim Blankshain is pictured bowing Willowbrook High School students Lily Hendrickson and Anna Seelbach sound taps ceremony. The post’s 2020 Memorial Day event was canceled because of the COVID-19 year’s observance included a reading of the names of the Post 2801 members who have That list included World War II veteran Charles “Sid” Bergh, who served as the master of the post’s annual Memorial Day service for several years. A veteran of the U.S. Navy, October 2020. He was 94 years old. Bergh was the post’s last surviving World War II veteran.
Court grants state’s motion to detain pre-trial for two Elgin teens
DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and Elmhurst Chief of Police Michael McLean announced last week that Judge Joshua Dieden had granted the state’s motion to detain pre-trial two Elgin teenagers accused of leading police on a highspeed chase after shooting at
another vehicle. Christopher Martinez Mendoza, 19, appeared in court on March 10, and was charged with one count of aggravated discharge of a firearm – direction of an occupied vehicle (a Class 1 felony) and one count of aggravated unlawful use of a
weapon – no FOID (a Class 4 felony).
Martinez Mendoza’s co-defendant, Iban Pelayo, 19, also appeared in court on March 10, and was charged with one count of aggravated discharge of a firearm – direction of an occupied vehicle (a Class 1 felony) and one
‘Black and White’ Lilac Ball May 9
Tickets now available
The Lombard Chamber of Commerce cordially invites you to the most anticipated event of the year, the Lombard Lilac Ball 2025, honoring the Lilac Court, taking place on Friday, May 9, 2025, at the prestigious venue, The Carlisle, located at 435 E. Butterfield Road, Lombard, IL 60148.
For 2025 the theme will be “Black & White” where all attendees will dress in black and white attire with only the Lilac Ball Court dressing in color.
Prepare to indulge in an evening of sophistication and celebration as we kick off the festivities with a Wine
Bottle Pull and Cocktails at 5:30 p.m., followed by a sumptuous dinner at 7 p.m.
The night will continue with a raffle of many prizes, enchanting music, and dancing, promising an experience you won’t soon forget.
RSVP Information: Please RSVP by April 18 to secure your place at this unforgettable event. You can register on line at www.lombardchamber.com or email at info@ lombardchamber.com. Tickets are priced at $115 each.
“We are excited to celebrate the Lilac Court and welcome guests to the Lombard Black & White Lilac Ball 2025, where we will come together again for an evening of elegance, enter-
tainment, and community spirit,” said Rick Galfano, CEO and president of the Lombard Chamber of Commerce. “This event is an opportunity for all our community to gather, connect, and create lasting memories in support of our local businesses and organizations.”
The Lombard Lilac Ball remains a testament to the strength and unity of the Lombard community, showcasing its vibrant spirit and commitment to coming together in celebration.
Don’t miss your chance to be part of this extraordinary evening. Reserve your tickets today and join us for the Lombard Black & White Lilac Ball 2025.
count of aggravated fleeing and eluding (a Class 4 Felony).
In the early morning hours of March 9, the victims were driving on the off-ramp exiting I-290 onto Lake Street in Addison when a gray Hyundai Sonata allegedly approached them from behind, crossed onto the shoulder before merging back onto the off-ramp, causing the front driver’s side of the Sonata to strike the front passenger side of the victims’ car. The Sonata, allegedly driven by Pelayo, continued to drive away following the collision.
Following the collision, the victims followed the Sonata. It is alleged that while following the Sonata, the Sonata struck a mailbox near Stone Avenue and Ellsworth Avenue, but did not stop. It is further alleged that after striking the mailbox, the
Sonata slowed but did not stop. It is alleged that as the victims continued to follow the Sonata near Lake Street and Villa Avenue, Martinez Mendoza leaned out of the front passenger-side window and fired a handgun toward the victims’ car. The victims stopped following the Sonata at this time and immediately contacted police.
At approximately 1:06 a.m., an Elmhurst police officer on routine patrol received information that the suspected Sonata was detected in Elmhurst. The officer located the vehicle near the I-290 eastbound on-ramp from Lake Street and activated his emergency lights and siren. It is alleged that instead of stopping, Pelayo rapidly accelerated away from the officer, ultimately reaching speeds of about 115 mph on I-290.
The Sonata subsequently
crashed on the exit ramp to St. Charles Road off I-290, with the vehicle becoming airborne and rolling before landing on its tires. It is alleged that Pelayo attempted to drive away before being stopped by authorities. Pelayo was taken into custody at this time.
It is alleged that Martinez Mendoza exited the car and fled. He was apprehended approximately 10 minutes later. When searching the Sonata, authorities recovered two live 9mm rounds. Authorities also found a Polymer 80, or ghost gun, as well as 9mm magazine loaded with 10 rounds, in a culvert where Martinez Mendoza allegedly threw the gun as he fled. Martinez Mendoza’s next court appearance is scheduled for April 7. Pelayo’s next court appearance is scheduled for March 24.
Fire department responds to house fire on Harrison Road
On Tuesday, March 11, at approximately 5:24 a.m., the Lombard Fire Department responded to a house fire initially reported at Madison and Charlotte streets, later corrected to Harrison Road and Charlotte Street.
Lombard police arrived on the scene and confirmed a heavy fire at the back of a single-story, single-family home. Officers ensured the homeowner and their cat were safely evacuated before firefighters arrived.
The first Lombard Fire Department crews arrived on scene at 5:28 a.m. and quickly deployed multiple hose lines to put out the fire.
A large volume of fire, fueled by a nearby propane tank, had rapidly spread across the back of the home. As firefighters worked to put out the flames outside, the truck company used ladders to access the roof and cut two ventilation holes to release smoke and heat. Meanwhile, crews inside moved hose lines through the home, extinguishing fire that had spread to the basement and attic.
Firefighters conducted thorough searches of the home, confirming no additional occupants were inside. The fire was declared under control at 6:03 a.m.
ComEd and Nicor crews were called to the scene to secure utilities. The Lombard Fire Investigation Unit is conducting an investigation into the cause of the fire. There were no reported injuries to civilians or firefighters. However, due to the extent of the damage, the home was left uninhabitable, with losses estimated to exceed $100,000.
The Lombard Fire Department received mutual aid from the Elmhurst and Villa Park fire departments, as well as the Addison and York Center fire protection districts. Lombard police provided traffic and crowd control during the incident. For more information or inquiries, contact Deputy Chief George Hyland at 630620-5736.
Candidate profiles for Village Trustee
Profiles for Village President, District 45 School Board candidates to be published in March 27 issue
Editor’s note: The Villa Park Review asked each Village Trustee candidate who will be on the April 1 ballot to complete a profile. The profiles are designed to give readers an overview on each candidate’s background, and provide insight with regard to how they would address certain issues pertaining to the village they believe are important.
Profiles of candidates who are running to serve as Villa Park Village President and to serve on the District 45 School Board will appear in the March 27 issue.
The Villa Park Review will not be endorsing referenda or any candidates in any local or county-wide races, nor will it be publishing profiles of candidates running in uncontested village-wide races.
Steve De La Rosa
Office
sought: Villa Park Village Trustee
Occupation: Retired food manufacturing supervisor— Fortune 500 companies Chiquita Brands/Fresh Express/M & M Mars Ice Cream. Twenty-year board member of the Citizen Advocacy Center of Elmhurst.
Education: South Suburban Jr College, College of DuPage, North Central College
Family: Married, wife’s name is Marcia; three children, six grandchildren
Previous elected offices held: Two-term Villa Park Library Board Trustee; elected Democratic Precinct Committeeperson
Website or social media address: Facebook: Steve De La Rosa for Villa Park Trustee
Email address: 8sdelarosa1@gmail.com
Why are you running to serve as a Villa Park village trustee, whether it’s for the first time or whether you are seeking reelection?
Civic participation and engagement has been front and center my entire life. My public civic life includes volunteering to secure the 18-year-old vote in Illinois, supporting the rights of immigrants to achieve citizenship, and advocating for citizens to understand municipal budgets and how they can affect change.
My personal history of sharing the use of civic tools like the Illinois Freedom of information Act and Illinois Open Meetings Act have empowered many in dealing with local municipalities. I wish to continue to advocate at the municipal level to help our local community grow
and prosper.
What do you believe are two to three major issues facing Villa Park, and what would you do to resolve these issues, if elected to the village board?
1.) Taking care of village employees: I believe our village employees are the front-line face and represent and demonstrate what kind of village we represent to the public. How we provide for them individually and for their families must be a budget priority. Our village must look to become more creative in its use of non-budget impacting incentives to retain the Villa Park workforce in all of its departments.
2.) Communicating village budgets to residents: Villa Park’s revenue stream through its taxing and licensing and fees powers has never been clearly and consistently shown for its residents. Residents need to know what the income side is for our village as well as all of our liabilities. Providing this financial information on a quarterly public basis will show residents and employees the capacity of the village to sustain and service its obligations. All revenue sources should be shown in these quarterly reports. Villa Park has retail stores and restaurants, liquor and gambling and recreational marijuana, gun and ammunition sales, local gas tax and food and other types of retail vendors generating income. What do these businesses cost the village in terms of licensing and enforcement of village codes? How can the village utilize these revenue streams to its economic advantage?
3.) Planning for the future: Villa Park needs a dynamic capital planning program for all of our village’s various departments to enable our village to continue to be a destination for people who want to live and work in DuPage County. Our village has shown how to have a comprehensive plan to improve sewer lines and streets. Strong infrastructure drives development and improves the quality of our village life. Our village is moving to utilize vertical space on its public properties and our residential areas must always be considered when development is planned side-by-side with established residential areas. We must continue to plan for how we will support that effort.
John ‘J.P.’ Hochbaum
Office sought: Villa Park Village Trustee
Occupation: Quality Assurance Engineer
Education: Bachelors in computer science
Family: Wife (Julia), two kids (Magnolia and Azalea)
None Previous elected offices held: None
Website or social media address: jp4vp.com
Email address: jphoc13@ gmail.com
Why are you running to serve as a Villa Park Village Trustee, whether it’s for the first time or whether you are seeking reelection?
For the past three years I have been volunteering on the economics and development commission and have been frustrated with the lack of progress the village has made in this area. I believe with my experience and expertise I can help the village become more attractive for businesses, and find alternate funding for projects.
What do you believe are two or three major issues facing Villa Park, and what would you do to resolve these issues, if elected as a trustee?
The three main issues I would like to address in the next four years would be improving the economic conditions, getting a handle on the gambling machines issue, and to improve the family atmosphere of the village.
With a strain from a lack of tax revenues that the village faces, it is difficult to have money to fund street repairs, maintain or rebuild parks, and various other needs the village faces. I plan on being proactive in making the village a more attractive place for businesses to open and to help pave the way for the village’s comprehensive plan that will allow for more business traffic to become permanent.
The people in Villa Park have spoken, and the majority of residents are done with adding more gambling machines. While they have been great for sales revenue for businesses and the village, they have their limits and the village has reached a point where we need a plan to prevent more gambling machines from popping up.
As a father of two kids, I made the decision to move to Villa Park because of its proximity to the bike paths and friendly biking atmosphere. With that being said I think the village can do better at adding more parks, and to calm traffic in certain areas so that parents can feel better about their kids biking all over Villa Park. When elected, I plan to do my best to move the above initiatives forward, among nu-
merous other initiatives I have, like a food truck festival and a farmer’s market.
Tina Konstatos Office sought: Villa Park Village Trustee
Occu-
pation: Co-owner and Operator of Repairs Plus Motorsports, Inc.
Education: High school graduate; business classes in customer service, legal and bankruptcy departments
Family: Married with six kids and five grandkids
Previous elected offices held: Vice president and president of District 4 PTA
Social media: https:// www.facebook.com/profile. php?id=61572021569290
Email address: tinakonstatos@gmail.com
Why are you running for Villa Park Trustee, whether it’s for the first time or whether you are seeking re-election?
I am running to serve as a Villa Park Village Trustee for the first time because over the last 15 years of being a resident and small business owner I have seen many things within our village that could be improved, and instead of complaining about it, I have decided to “roll up my sleeves and help by getting involved first hand.” I think my combination of skills, experiences as a business owner, my willingness to listen and speak up for the residents’ concerns, and the dedication I have shown by attending all the meetings, makes me a great candidate.
What do you believe are two or three major issues facing Villa Park, and what would you do to resolve these issues, if elected to the village board?
A big issue Villa Park is facing is communication between residents and the village as a whole. I will strive to implement a more structured communication and response system with accountability to have village staff and residents work together towards a more unified community. Homeowners feel it’s a battle when attempting repairs or remodeling and permits. I will work alongside the board members and village staff to help make permit regulations, ordinances and fees more homeowner friendly to understand, as well as a system that will assure minor repairs or remodeled items that do not require an inspection receive a permit fee to be paid by residents.
I will give suggestions and work with the Development Department on new business-
es large and small to open in Villa Park, while continuing to work on applying for grants and funding to help lessen the burden on our residents.
Safety is priority and I will assure that both our fire and police departments are fully staffed and with the best available equipment. This will allow them to continue providing the safest of environments for our community.
John ‘Jack’ Kozar
Office sought: Villa Park Village Trustee
Occupation: Attorney, real estate broker
Education: Undergraduate degree in Business Management from National Lewis University; Juris Doctorate from John Marshall Law School
Family: Married to Karen; 11-week-old puppy, Daisy; two Quacker Parrots, Louie and Charlie.
Previously elected offices held: Currently a Village of Villa Park Trustee
Website: “villaparktrustee. com”
Email address: Jack@villaparktrustee.com
John “Jack” Kozar
Why are you running to serve as a Villa Park Village Trustee, whether it’s for the first time or whether you are seeking reelection?
If reelected, I will continue the positive progress made in the past almost four years I have served as trustee. I will continue to champion transparency, equal treatment of our residents, customer service in government, and assure the Board and our residents get accurate legal advice and factual information. I serve, in part, as a check on our legal counsel. As the previous owner of FUEL and Crème in town, I saw firsthand how badly our businesses have been treated and how difficult our permitting was. Together with our board, I have made substantial progress in fixing these issues.
What do you believe are two or three major issues facing Villa Park, and what would you do to resolve these issues, if elected as a trustee?
Major issues:
1.) Legal counsel that works for all the board and residents, not just as an advocate for our President and Manager. My education and career as an attorney allow me a unique perspective as a Trustee on our Board. I have worked and will continue to work as a check on our legal
Your Hometown Newspaper
240 N. West Avenue Elmhurst, IL 60126
Main Phone 630-834-8244 Fax 630-834-0900
The Villa Park Review is published every Thursday by Rock Valley Publishing, LLC, 240 N. West Avenue, Elmhurst, IL 60126.
Display Advertising: 630-834-8355
Classified Advertising: 630-834-8244 News: 630-834-8244
General Information: 630-834-8244
E-mail:
Advertising Department: ads1@rvpublishing.com News Department: CFox@rvpublishing.com
Classified Department: Classifieds@rvpublishing.com
Administration: Chris Fox News Coordinator
Debra Hamilton Advertising Director Pete Cruger Publisher Advertising: Brenda Garcia Kate McCarty
Subscriptions:
The Villa Park Review is mailed to the 60181 zip code areas for $45.00 yearly. Out-of-area mail subscriptions are $50.00 yearly. -For home delivery information call 630-834-8244.
Reprints:
Content appearing in the Villa Park Review may not be reprinted without permission of the publisher or editor. Requests should be directed to Independent@rvpublishing.com or 630-834-8244.
Postmaster: Please send address changes to: THE VILLA PARK REVIEW 240 N. West
Elmhurst, IL 60126
Slices of life
A berry by any other name … lots of names
What’s in a name?
Well apparently a lot. Or, apparently nothing. When it comes to berries, it depends on which berry to which you refer.
Recently I unexpectedly dove down a rabbit hole—a berry, berry big rabbit hole. I was researching topics for another column and somehow berries crept into my periphery. A cavernous hole opened up and like a seed ready to be planted, down I went.
And during my descent, my berry reality, as I knew it, changed in an instant.
Here’s a simple request for you: Name a berry.
I played this game myself. My first choice was the very obvious strawberry.
Strawberries are berries. It’s in their name, isn’t that right? Well no, and yes. Strawberries are called berries, but apparently they are only masquerading as
By Jill Pertler Columnist
such. They are actually aggregate fruits—which in simple terms means a lot of little fruits grouped together to form one large entity.
A fruit—yes, but a berry— no.
A strawberry, by definition, is not a berry.
Wipe me up from the floor right now.
It makes one wonder: what else in this world isn’t what it seems?
But I digress from the much more important topic of berries.
As with too many things in this life, it all comes down to reproductive organs. In this case, the organs in question
Casten: Continuing resolution serves only to embolden Musk, Trump
U.S. Rep. Sean Casten of Illinois 6th Congressional District, which includes parts of Lombard, released the following statement regarding the House Republican appropriations resolution passed by the House last week:
“While I am eager to vote for a government funding bill that keeps the government open through the end of the fiscal year and protects Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid, the continuing resolution passed by the House today does nothing of the sort. Instead, it harmfully slashes federal funding for veterans, seniors, and families in my community.
“Since January 20th, thanks to Donald Trump and Elon Musk, we have effectively been in an illegal government shutdown.
“Musk has unlawfully ordered the closure of federal agencies like the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, USAID, and soon the Department of Education. He has canceled government grants and contracts and stopped Congressionally appropriated funds to projects in my district. I have heard from many local mayors, religious and community centers, non-profits, and small businesses who cannot access funding previously promised to them by the federal government, all due to Donald Trump and Elon Musk.
“The appropriations resolution brought forth by House Republicans is a disaster for the American people. Among other things, it cuts funding for health care for veterans who were exposed to Agent Orange and toxic burn pits. It makes it easier for foreign adversaries to build up their nuclear weapons arsenal. It slashes funding for rural broadband, election security, and disease research.
“The resolution passed by the House serves only to further empower Donald Trump and Elon Musk, which is why I voted No.”
are ovaries.
Berries, by definition, come from one ovary on the plant; aggregate fruits come from multiple ovaries on a single flower. Strawberry plants contain an overly ambitious number of ovaries, making them decidedly aggregate.
Now you know
Don’t worry if you’re not a botanist. I don’t think many of us are.
Along with strawberries, other berry imposters include raspberries and blackberries. I like to think of them as cluster-fruits. I’m not sure anyone will get that joke, but I know my late husband would, so I have to include it.
It’s not known how all these non-berries ever became berries (in name only) but at this point I wouldn’t feel comfortable calling them something
more botanically correct like strawfruit, raspfruit or blackfruit. Despite the wrongevity in terms, they’ll always be berries to me.
To further confuse the already confused (like me) despite the straw, blue and rasp imposters, other fruits with berries in their names are actual berries. Blueberries and cranberries fall into this category. They are what they claim to be, and I appreciate that.
I haven’t even touched on the weirdest of the weird in this berry fiasco. Buckle up because here we go.
Blueberries fit nicely in your curled palm. They are an anomaly. Some berries you can’t even hold in one hand.
Take melons, for example – water, musk and honeydew. All berries! And exceedingly difficult to lose after purchase
at the grocery store.
Let’s take this fruity circus one step further. Pumpkins. Squash. Cucumbers.
Berries.
Bell peppers. Poblano papers. Jalapeños—berries. Tomatoes--berries. Bananas—also berries.
Oranges, grapes, pineapple and kiwi – all berries.
It almost makes you wonder which fruits (and even some fruits also known as vegetables) aren’t berries.
Well, besides strawberries.
And it almost makes you wonder if it matters whether strawberries call themselves berries, but don’t qualify, by definition.
I’m sure it matters on some level—in botany terms or something like that.
But in the bigger picture, it doesn’t really matter what we call something, or label someone, or name it.
All my life, I’ve loved strawberries. And in that time, I’ve believed and thought them to be berries. Now I know the truth. Strawberries (damned liars) are not berries. But you know what? They aren’t made of straw, either. In that they are double liars, which in essence is a double negative, which in essence makes a positive. So maybe they are strawberries after all. Or maybe not. Or maybe it doesn’t matter what we call them. They are still sweet. They are still good. And I still like to eat them.
I think I’ll leave it at that.
Jill Pertler is an awardwinning syndicated columnist, published playwright and author. Don’t miss a slice; follow the Slices of Life page on Facebook.
Krishnamoorthi denounces Trump Administration plan to eliminate half of the Department of Education workforce
Last week, U.S. Rep Raja Krishnamoorthi of Illinois’ 8th Congressional District, which includes parts of Addison, Bensenville and Wood Dale, issued the following statement in response to the Department of Education’s announcement
that it would be eliminating half of its workforce as President Trump reportedly pursues plans to eliminate the entire agency:
“As a product of great public schools, I know firsthand just how important they are for working fami-
lies, and the Trump Administration’s reckless attempt to slash the Department of Education’s workforce by 50 percent would gut essential programs that help students of all backgrounds build a brighter future for themselves and our entire country.
“Weakening our education system not only shortchanges our children but also undermines our workforce and economy at a time when our global competitors are investing more—not less—in education.”
e
Hi, Lombard calling.
There was that devastating house fire last week and I’m just wondering if there’s anywhere that we can make donations. Does the family need anything, any items donated, any money donated? We, the public, can do something for the people displaced by the house fire. Thank you.
* * * If there’s ever a state that could use its own Department of Government Efficiency, it’s this one. The budget has ballooned from $39 billion to $55 billion since JB Pritzker has been governor. Also, I found out Illinois will have the nation’s highest state and local taxes on residents this year. (source: WalletHub). If Pritzker spent as much time finding ways to lower the tax burden on us and getting this state’s fiscal house in order as he does comparing Trump to Hitler and the Third Reich, I might have a little more respect for him instead of none at all.
* * *
Since these schools seem to be off for every holiday under the sun, I’m shocked they didn’t have St. Patrick’s Day off, too.
* * *
Lombard here. I just wanted to give a shout out to the Jewel on Main Street in Lombard. On Saturday, they handed out tulips to all the ladies for International Women’s Day. They gave one to me and one to my 3-year-old daughter. It was just a really sweet surprise. Kudos to Jewel!
* * *
speak OUT
Call 630629TALK
There is a very interesting, and scary, report that describes how to destroy a government from within. Trump is following the instructions perfectly. You eliminate services, cut the size of the military, anger the friendly countries who would support you in any time of conflict, become friends with another aggressor, raise prices so the citizens cannot afford a decent living, use direct orders to fun every aspect of government, breaking laws of every kind, and running the country with direct orders and avoiding congressional procedures. The sad thing is that Trump said he wanted to be “king” and that he would do this; and people voted for him. You get what you voted for. Can’t wait for the midterm elections to take over the House and Senate and also remove a couple Supreme Court judges, too.
What a waste of time and resources holding a redesign contest for the state flag. Nearly 385,000 votes were received and 165,000 votes, or 43 percent, were cast for the current Illinois state flag, which received more votes than the next five top designs combined, according to the Tribune. Technically, flag for flag, it was a majority vote, but looking at it as a whole, 57 percent of the people who voted wanted something different. Personally, I see no reason to have done this in the first place. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. It was a Democratic senator who proposed a bill that led to the
How Speak Out works
• Speak Out is a forum in which readers can express their opinion anonymously concerning local, state, national and international topics. Each call is limited to 200 words whether the caller calls 630-629-TALK or emails their opinion to speakout@rvpublishing.com.
• The views expressed by callers are their own.
• All calls are checked by four editors. If a consensus of editors believes a particular call is deemed to be in poor taste, erroneous, inaccurate, libelous, doesn’t make sense, or if claims stated in a call cannot be verified, the call will not be published.
• With regard to calls of a political nature, it is not possible to have an equal balance of calls with liberal and conservative viewpoints during any given week. The editors of Speak Out don’t have control of who calls in, what their political leanings happen to be, and the topic(s) they want to discuss.
• If you have further questions about Speak Out, email: news1@rvpublishing.com.
contest, so why should I be surprised?
* * *
I see that Trump is practically eliminating funding for food bank programs in Illinois. The Northern Illinois Food Bank will surely be hit hard, which will trickle down to local food pantries that receive food from the food bank. And also with Medicaid, there are some people who rely on that for at least the minimum of health care, and the qualifications for it are already pretty stiff, leaving some people to fall through the cracks to qualify for any assistance. I say start with looking at fraud; waste, as in duplication of services; then trimming the fat, meaning agency administrators, which like any other government entity—think villages and schools—is top heavy.
* * *
Our governor wants to limit cell phones in the classroom. I get that, since the students have whatever tablet or device our taxes are paying for. However, isn’t that why we have a department of education in Illinois? I don’t think the governor should be telling the school systems how to do their job. If he wants to propose the idea to the state education agency, fine, but then leave it up to the education professionals to oversee what goes on in the classroom. While some legislation is good for Illinois, the Democrats seem so eager to stick their nose into every aspect of state business to find something to legislate.
Rep. Krishnamoorthi, in his weekly diatribe (March 13), said egg prices have increased significantly “since the day before President Trump was inaugurated.” He said soon eggs will cost more than a magazine for an AK-47, a ridiculous and inappropriate comparison, then said, “This crisis demands action by the president and it’s not clear how high prices will climb before he responds.” So Trump is responsible for the bird flu? He should urge the CDC or USDA into action to find solutions, for sure; and let’s also blame him for the measles outbreaks while we’re at it. I mostly blame the stores selling eggs. I know, supply and demand, but if they paid less for eggs when they
were cheaper, jacking up the price now, to me, is like price gouging. Gas stations do it as well. Retailers have said they raise prices like that “in anticipation” of more rising costs, but that is speculation. Prices could also come down. One store a few weeks ago had eggs for $3.49 a dozen, which is still high compared to pre-COVID, while another was charging nearly $5. So, we, as consumers, need to pay attention to who is doing this, and be prepared to call out those retailers.
* * *
This is not the Donald Trump I voted for, maniacally bulldozing anything in his path. I voted for the Trump I remember from his first presidency, and also as a vote against the Democratic regime that would have put Kamala Harris in charge. But, I think if the Democrats hadn’t been so free-wheeling with spending our tax dollars, there would not have been a need to make so many cuts to trim the deficit. All that said, Republicans in power, and voters, need to get this man under control because some of the cuts are hurting those who need help the most. Here’s as thought: Ask the voters what they would like to see cut back or eliminated.
* * *
Everything is great in Illinois? No need for property tax reform, billion dollar deficits, illegal immigrants, homelessness, etc. The biggest issue now, according to Rep. Barbara Hernandez (D-Aurora), is declawing cats. Thank heavens the Illinois House has passed this bill and now the Senate can spend days debating the issue. This issue affects less than 21 percent of Illinois households but is worthy of time in the legislature? At least the government in Illinois isn’t just wasting time and they are tackling very important issues. Thank you.
* * *
This is in response to the March 13 issue of Speak Out contributor regarding his disappointment in Congressman Casten for not addressing any support for our government’s efforts to reduce fraud, waste and basically misuse of our tax dollars. Mr./Ms. contributor, please consider the source of your disappointment, This is Casten. This is a person who has a collar around his neck
being led around by House Minority Leader Jeffries on a leash. This is a person voluntarily held captive by the party line, with no independent backbone of his own. This a person from whom many of us out here in Speak Out land are still waiting to hear his reasoning behind his and his other self-bloviating colleague, Rep. Krishnamoorthi about why they voted against the Laken Riley Act, which fortunately passed. They both have been challenged several times to use this media outlet to explain their votes, as they usually use this paper to extoll their “accomplishments,” but with no response from either. Folks, we deserve answers regarding this despicable voting record on this act. We need to keep the pressure on and demand a response. Casten’s office has never responded to my requests for clarity.
* * *
Lombard calling. Could someone please tell me how a non-valid telephone number can call my house? I’m tired of getting phone calls from robotic calls or whatever and I’d like to know how I can stop it. Thank you very much. Have a good day.
Editor’s note: You can visit www.donotcall.gov to be put on the Do Not Call Registry—although charities, political groups, debt collectors and surveys may still be able to call you. The site also as an FAQ section.
* * *
With all the propaganda merchants these days, we need to decide if we want to be an American patriot or a plain occupant who happens to live here.
* * *
I read this a while back but I think it’s more true than ever today. If MAGA was around 70 years ago we would still have polio today. Bye now.
* * *
The news media today doesn’t seem to correlate the measles outbreak and a recent overflow of illegal immigrants. For every action there is a reaction. Sometimes good and sometimes bad.
* * *
The economy Trump inherited from Biden was on the upswing; the markets were positive and inflation was declining. Now jobless claims are in-
creasing, the market is wavering and inflation is rising with a recession on the horizon, Is Trump concerned about the majority of people living in the United States or is he only worried about giving tax cuts to the rich?
* * *
Donald John Trump has gone back to Florida on six of the seven weekends since his inauguration. The reason? To play golf. President Trump takes the Marine One helicopter to the air base. He then takes the Air Force One 747 to Florida. In addition, Air Force One flies the bulletproof limo to the Florida airport in a separate cargo plane. President Trump has a large motorcade from the Florida airport to the golf course. Extra security is needed for each of his golf outings. Cost to the taxpayers? So far, about $18 million for six weekends of golf! Maybe Elon Musk is cutting government waste in the wrong place.
The Democrat establishment needs to let the public know about what it has accomplished in the last four years, instead of blaming Trump for everything he does. So far the party is being run by the far left the loudest mouths, with no positive action.
*
Anybody wonder about the measles outbreak in Texas and its proximity to the Mexican border? Nearly a year ago (April) it was reported that measles was on the rise in that country. And it doesn’t seem that their authorities, or our past administration, care that it is being brought over here.
* * *
For all the flack Trump and Elon Musk are getting from Democrats and regressive leftists for cutting federal employees, confronting obvious fiscal waste, fraud and abuse and runaway government spending, I pose this question—especially to the blowhards in Congress around here like Sean Casten. What are your solutions? More spending and whining? I have yet to hear one Democrat say we need to reduce federal spending, and cut waste, fraud and abuse, and offer proposals as to how to go about doing that. If there is one, please let me know and I’ll support them.
Lombard Garden Club to meet March 28
The Lombard Garden Club is pleased to announce a program on “The Long Blooming Perennial Garden” with presenter Dolly Foster on Friday, March 28.
She will provide practical advice on how to fine tune a
new or mature garden. Foster will explain how to extend the life of your garden by adding plants that bloom at the beginning as well as end of the growing season.
The program will be held at 1 p.m. at the Lombard Com-
munity Building, 433 E. St. Charles Road in Lombard. There is no charge and the public is welcome to attend.
The Lombard Garden Club is an award-winning 99-yearold organization that promotes an interest in gardening and the beautification of the landscape in our community. The Club welcomes fellow gardeners who enjoy learning opportunities and the company of others. Please check the club’s website for details at www.lombardgardenclub.org.
Hundreds rally at the Capitol to oppose homeschool bill
Opponents say bill is a slippery slope to more regulation
By Beth Hundsdorfer and Molly Parker CaPiTol news illinois
Hundreds rallied at the Capitol in Springfield March 6 to voice their opposition to a bill that would require oversight of families who homeschool their children, a response to concerns that the state offers no restrictions on homeschooling families.
The bill, called the Homeschool Act, would require families to notify their local school districts if they decide to homeschool their children. Parents could also be required to provide authorities with teaching materials and completed work to document instruction is taking place if there is a concern that homeschooled children are not receiving an education.
Homeschoolers have thwarted previous legislative attempts to regulate them, using grassroots events such as the annual Illinois Christian Home Educators’ Cherry Pie Day. This year, in addition to delivering cherry pies to legislators’ offices, homeschool proponents voiced their opposition to the bill, rallying on the Capitol lawn.
Tia Noriega, of Chicago, attended the rally to oppose the bill. She’s homeschooling her children instead of sending them to Chicago Public Schools.
“I’m from the city. We’re inner city. We’re right in the middle of, like, some crazy neighborhoods in Chicago,” Noriega said. “It’s hard enough to raise your family in a big city, but as homeschoolers, there is a community. We have support because my children are still really young. I hope to keep that community strong, to be able to raise them with like-minded people. So, I hope this bill doesn’t get passed.”
The bill would not prevent homeschooling. Rep. Terra Costa Howard, a Democrat from Glen Ellyn who sponsored the bill, said it would extend minimal requirements to ensure children are educated and safe. Parents would only be compelled to show evidence of schooling if educational authorities received concerns of truancy.
Several Republicans in the Illinois House, however, said it would put unnecessary and burdensome restrictions on
homeschooling families.
“Illinois has plenty of challenges. We all know that. It’s not a secret. We watch the news, but homeschooling is, frankly, not one of those challenges. It’s not a problem, it’s a solution. It’s an answer to so many public-school challenges that Illinois families face,” Rep. Travis Weaver said during a news conference Thursday. “Over-regulating homeschool families is bad, but the future of this bill is even worse because the more we over-regulate homeschooling, the more homeschooling will slip and look more and more like our struggling public schools.”
Currently, homeschool parents are not required to register with their local school districts or any state agency. They are not required to use any prescribed curriculum, test for progress and proficiency or track attendance. Homeschooling parents need not have a high school diploma to instruct their kids at home. Illinois’ rules for homeschoolers are among the least restrictive in the nation, according to the Home School Legal Defense Association.
In a news investigation last year, Capitol News Illinois and ProPublica found that parents can claim homeschooling to avoid any consequences for truancy. Truancy officers told reporters the lack of regulation made it more difficult to get truant kids back into school and hold parents accountable.
While the number of homeschooled children is growing, determining the number of children who are educated at home is difficult, as registration is not required. The bill would also require data collection from each Regional Office of Education across Illinois for the first time on the number, grade and age of homeschooled children in their regions.
The number of schoolaged children enrolled in public schools has dropped by 127,000 since 2020, outpacing declines in population, according to a study by Advance Illinois, an educational policy and advocacy organization.
St. Pius X Council of Catholic Women undertakes project to help needy women
The St. Pius X Council of Catholic Women has been working on a unique project to benefit the St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry at St. Pius. Specifically, it has been collecting feminine products and making packages that will be distributed to needy women. A total of 77 packages were assembled, and will be distributed by the St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry, which requested them. The St. Pius X Council of Catholic Women has been donating food items over the years to the St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry, and also has done work with a variety of groups, including The Outreach House, the Waterleaf Women’s Center and Caring Network.
Advocating for pollinators
A number of conservation groups and vendors held a Pollinator Blitz on Saturday, March 15, at the Mayslake Peabody Estate in Oak Brook to focus attention on how we can assist pollinators. Above left, Jan Smith of Carol Stream (who has a park named after her for creating gardens and planting trees and shrubs for the Carol Stream Park District) shows the concrete garden steppingstones that she sells, with 100 percent of the profit going to charity. Kay McKeen, founder of SCARCE (School and Community Assistance for Recycling and Composting Education, scarce.org), talks to a visitor about her organization’s efforts to reduce waste through reuse and recycling. Above right, (left to right) are Cathy Streett from the Darien Garden Club and Lonnie
former Lombard resident and founder of the DuPage Monarch Project (dupagemonarchs.com).
Jane Charmelo PhoTos Rock Valley Publishing
Morris,
Lily Cary at Medill Illinois News Bureau contributed to this report.
submiTTed PhoTo Rock Valley Publishing
Lombard police blotter
INFORMATION TAKEN FROM LOMBARD POLICE FILES
The Lombard Police Department recently reported the following arrests and citations. Persons charged with domestic battery are not named in order to protect the privacy of victims. Readers are reminded that an arrest does not constitute a conviction, and that subjects are considered innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law. Juveniles age 17 or younger are not named.
Assault, battery
March 3
A complainant at a store in the Yorktown Shopping Center reported that his adult daughter told him an unknown subject described as a black male battered her in an insulting or provoking manner while she was in a store at the shopping center.
Criminal damage
March 5
Joshua L. Smith, 32, of Glendale Heights, was charged with criminal damage to property, aggravated assault and disorderly conduct near N. Main and E. North at 10:55 a.m.
A victim at Public Storage, 880 E. Roosevelt, advised that his silver 2010 Cadillac CTS was damaged by a subject, who denied damaging his vehicle and advised she was trying to get her belongings out of his vehicle.
Domestic battery, disorderly conduct, domestic incident, dispute, disturbance
March 5
A student at Glenbard East High School, 1014 S. Main, was found to be in possession of a switchblade.
DUI, DUI-drugs, transportation of open alcohol, possession of open alcohol
March 7
David Chaves, 38, of Aurora, was charged with DUI and driving too fast for conditions near E. Roosevelt and S. Meyers at 6:39 p.m.
Carlos Daniel Ruiz Garcia, 25, of Villa Park, was issued a citation for possession of open alcohol in the 200 block of W. Roosevelt at 2:46 a.m.
March 5
Charlene Masterson, 60, of Lombard, was charged with DUI in the 1-100 block of W. Roosevelt at 12:55 a.m.
Harassment, threats
March 7
A complainant at Walgreens, 225 E. Roosevelt, reported that a subject threatened to shoot the pharmacists. An officer called the subject, who said he was joking and he was frustrated with his health conditions. The subject was
Coming events
Villa Park Library ‘Grim Readers’ book club
Join the Villa Park Public Library on Monday, March 24 at 7 p.m. for Grim Readers, a monthly book club. Come and discuss “Fever Dream” by Samantha Schweblin. Registration is required. For more information, visit the library’s website at www. vppl.info or call 630-8341164
Rep. Diane BlairSherlock hosts staff from Duckworth’s Office
Do you need help with a federal agency? State Rep. Blair-Sherlock’s office will be hosting staff from U.S. Sen. Duckworth’s office to answer your questions. This is a unique opportunity for you to get answers about taxes, student loans, veteran benefits, immigration, Social Security benefits and more. Friday, March 31, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 28 S. Villa Ave., Villa Park, IL 60181.
Lilac Ball sponsorship and tickets Sponsorship and ticket
advised that he was trespassed from the store.
March 6
A caller in the 1200 block of Saint James Place advised at 4:14 p.m. that a friend arrived in a blue vehicle and was outside the door yelling. An officer checked for the subject and the vehicle, with no results.
March 4
A victim in the 1000 block of S. Lewis reported that she won a civil lawsuit against a subject, who recently called her employer to talk about her character. An officer called the subject and advised him to have no further contact with the victim or her place of employment.
A complainant/employee at York Center School, 895 14th, requested an officer be present during bus dropoff and pickup times due to a parent threatening a bus driver.
March 3
A juvenile at a school in the 1500 block of S. Main made a bomb threat to another student. The incident was investigated by the police department in Orland Park, where the juvenile lives. A school resource officer was notified.
Identity theft, fraud
According to information
provided by the Lombard Police Department, police reported six incidents of identity theft or fraud between March 3 and March 7.
Retail theft
The Lombard Police Department reported the following incidents of retail theft or attempted retail theft that took place in the village between March 3 and March 7: Jewel-Osco, 1177 S. Main, at 2:03 p.m. March 3; and at Target, 60 Yorktown, at 2:56 p.m. March 3.
March 5
Isrroal Sanchez Avendano, 49, of Downers Grove, was charged with retail theft at JCPenney, 175 Yorktown, at 1:41 p.m.
March 3
Saparov Orzamyrat, 28, and Nypkalyl Alibekovna, 25, both of Harwood Heights, were charged with retail theft at JCPenney, 175 Yorktown, at 6:40 p.m.
Norma Saldana, 56, of Cicero, was issued a citation for retail theft at Von Maur, 145 Yorktown, at 12:20 p.m.
Suspicious incident
March 7
A complainant in the 2700 block of E. Technology advised at 10:48 p.m. of three subjects described as white
males hanging around his vehicle and acting suspicious. The area was checked, with no results.
March 6
A complainant in the 200 block of E. Sunset advised at 12:45 p.m. that a subject described as a black male was asking for a package. That subject left in a BMW.
March 3
A complainant in the 2000 block of S. Highland advised she is concerned that her friend may want to harm her. An officer advised the complainant on how to obtain an order of protection.
Theft, burglary, attempted theft or burglary, forgery, deceptive practice, obstruction, robbery
March 4
A victim in the 800 block of W. Foxworth reported at 11:27 a.m. that someone stole his new credit card, which had been delivered.
A victim at Public Storage, 880 E. Roosevelt, reported that she believes her ex-boyfriend stole her pistol from her storage unit. An officer called the ex-boyfriend, who denied taking the gun.
March 3
A victim in the 2100 block
of S. Finley reported that an unknown person stole her iPad charger.
Violation of order of protection
March 4
Owen Hosack, 18, of Lombard, was charged with violation of an order of protection in the 800 block of S. Norbury at 10:14 p.m.
Warrant arrest
March 7
Police said Servando Bustos, 42, of Glen Ellyn, was transported to the Lombard Police Department, processed on a warrant and taken to the DuPage County Jail.
Police said Jasmine Gresham, 25, of Chicago, was transported from Chicago to the Lombard Police Department, processed on a warrant and released on bond.
March 6
Police said Shakiya Horne, 24, of Lombard, was issued a citation for speeding near W. Roosevelt and S. Lincoln at 11:32 p.m. and picked up by the Bloomingdale Police Department for a warrant.
March 3
Police said Donte Summers, 36, of Villa Park, was arrested on a failure to appear warrant in the 2100 block of S. Finley at 2:35 p.m.
sales are now open for the 2025 Lilac Ball. Visit the Lombard Chamber at www. lombardchamber.com for details.
Village Vocal Chords program March 23
Village Vocal Chords Sunday March 23, at the Maple Street Chapel, 200 S. Main St., the corner of Main and Maple, with parking available in the lots on west Maple Street. Admission is $20. To order tickets or for more information, visit MapleStreetChapel.Org, where you can pay using PayPal or print a mail-in order form. Tickets will also be available at the door for check or cash payment only. Village Vocal Chords is a women’s barbershop chorus, chartered with the international organization of Harmony, Inc. They will present a program of fourpart a cappella harmony in the barbershop style.
Plum Library programs
ZAZZ Jazz Sunday, March 23, at 2 p.m. Local fa-
vorite ZAZZ is a jazz combo that melds sounds and genres to create exciting energy and incredible music. ZAZZ will highlight jazz favorites as well as music by female artists honor of Women’s History Month. Register at helenplum.org or by calling (630) 627-0316.
“9to5: The Story of a Movement” Virtual Screening Friday, March 21-Sunday, March 23. Discover the story of the 1970s 9-to-5 movement and the fight for workplace equity. Watch the award-winning documentary “9to5” from home. Register at helenplum.org to receive the viewing link. Presented by Illinois Libraries Present.
GPS program March 25
On Tuesday, March 25, the GPS Parent Series: Navigating Healthy Families will host psychologist and author Dr. Mary Ann Little in a presentation titled “Childhood Narcissism: Raising Unselfish, Unentitled and Kind Kids in an All-About-Me World.” She will make two presentations: at noon and 7
p.m. via Zoom. Dr. Little will explain how selfish, entitled behavior can take root in a child and will outline how to stop it. She will share tools to nurture a child’s healthy, realistic self-concept and create a positive model of love and relationships. Visit GPSparentseries.org for information and the links to these webinars. To be placed on a reminder list for GPS events or submit a question in advance, contact Gilda Ross, Glenbard District 87 student and community projects coordinator, at gilda_ross@glenbard.org or 630-942-7668.
U of I Extension
Gardeners Corner online
Current and past issues are available at go.illinois. edu/GardenersCorner. See the spring issue topics and throwback seasonal features.
Multi-chamber luncheon
April 3
Join the Lombard Chamber for an exclusive multi-chamber event. The Lombard Chamber and 16 other area chambers invite you to an informative and timely discussion featuring keynote speaker Anna Paulson, executive vice president, director of Research, and Executive Committee member at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago. Visit lombardchamber.com for details.
SCARCE open house
March 28
Curious about everything SCARCE does to help people and the planet? Join a free behind-the-scenes tour to see how we reuse, recycle, and educate. Tours will start at the following times: starting at 9:30, 10, 10:30, or 11 a.m.; starting at 1:30, 2, 2:30, or 3 p.m. Visit scarce.org for details.
American Heritage Concert
April 6
American Heritage Concert Sunday, April 6, at 3 p.m. The 23rd annual American Heritage Concert with its 21-member orchestra will present “Frozen, Billy Joel, and All That Jazz”, highlighted by music from “Frozen.” Also on the program are a Duke Ellington medley, “The Best of Billy Joel,” music from “On the Town” and Morton Gould’s “Pavanne.” Veterans in the audience will be recognized in The Armed Forces Salute. Admission is $25. To order tickets or for more information, visit MapleStreetChapel.Org, where you can pay using PayPal. Tickets will also be available at the door for check or cash payment only. The chapel is located at 200 S. Main St., at the corner of Main and Maple, with parking available in the lots on west Maple Street.
Police Reports
The Villa Park Police Department recently reported the following arrests and citations. Readers are reminded that an arrest does not constitute a conviction, and that suspects are considered innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law. Persons charged with domestic battery are not named in order to protect the privacy of victims. Juveniles age 17 or younger are not named.
• Profiles
March 11
Tirnell T. Anderson, 38, of Oakbrook Terrace, was charged with phone harassment on the above date for an incident that allegedly occurred March 4.
March 10
Jose Uriel Araujo Ramirez, 24, of Chicago, was charged with two counts of DUI and improper lane usage near N. Indiana and E. North at 12:57 a.m.
March 9
Jenyca R. Biggus, 21, of Glen Ellyn, was charged with criminal damage to property at a hotel in the 1-100 block of W. Roosevelt at 11:56 p.m.
Sarah A. Bryant, 47, of Villa Park, was charged with battery causing bodily harm at a bar in the 300 block of E. Kenilworth at 12:13 a.m., while Joseph Robert Palumbo, 26, of Lombard, was charged with two counts of battery causing bodi-
ly harm, two counts of aggravated assault—use of a deadly weapon and criminal damage to property at the same bar at 1:16 a.m.
A complainant at a store in the 1-100 block of E. North reported at 9:17 p.m. that a suspect removed merchandise from display shelves and left without paying.
March 8
Jorge Cardona Alexander,
24, of Cocoa, Florida, was charged with obstructing identification and obstructing an officer, firefighter or correctional employee at a bar in the 300 block of E. Kenilworth at 11:49 p.m.
A complainant at a bar in the 300 block of E. Kenilworth reported at 5:30 p.m. that several subjects battered each other.
March 6
A complainant at a restaurant in the 200 block of E. North reported they are getting emails that are harassing in nature.
A complainant at a motorcycle dealership in the 100 block of W. North reported at 10 a.m. they are missing several license plates.
(Continued from page 3)
counsel. I have specialized knowledge of Contract Law, Litigation, and Labor Law I bring these skills to our board and lend perspective to legal related issues that our board is tasked to make decisions on.
2.) Villa Park deserves a manager that focuses on managing our village and stays out of the politics. I believe that it is no longer necessary or beneficial to have our manager live in town. Proximity and ability to get to Villa Park is important but living and working in town causes challenges that can allow our manager to lose focus and perspective on the actual task of managing. In the past year we have lost several important staff members. Employee surveys show that morale is declining. This is a serious issue and is caused, in part, by distracted managerial leadership.
3.) Our finances are disorganized and inefficient. We are spending carelessly and wasting our residents’ money. We need better fiscal responsibility, which includes a full-time Finance Director that is a staff employee and not a temporary worker. We need a Finance Director that is committed to a long and successful career with our village. It is the responsibility of the manager to hire such a director. Lastly, we must pay off and stop putting our village in debt. We must spend within our means and not put the burden of financial mismanagement on the future of our Villa Park residents.
Deepasriya Kumar
Office
sought: Villa Park Village Trustee
Occu-
pation: Professor of Economics
Education:
Ph.D. in Managerial Economics and Strategy from Kellogg Business School, Northwestern University; Masters in Statistics from University of Chicago; Bachelors in Mathematics and Economics at the University of Illinois at Chicago.
Website: www.kumarforvptrustee.com
Email address: trusteeku-
mar@invillapark.com
Why are you running for Villa Park Trustee, whether it’s for the first time or whether you are seeking re-election?
Villa Park has flourished during my 4 years on the board as trustee, with changes in management, the opening of the new “Villa Park Recreation Center,” improvements at Lufkin Park, upgrades in communication technology and approval of a fiveyear strategic plan along with a more detailed comprehensive plan; however, work remains. An aging Jefferson pool structure, rising pension costs, increased personnel needs, unfinished large developments, and road referendum projects remain. As a fiscally responsible, socially conscious, data-driven economics professor, mother, and 45-year resident of Villa Park, I believe that I am the best candidate for addressing the village’s challenges.
What do you believe are two or three major issues facing Villa Park, and what would you do to resolve these issues, if elected to the village board?
The village has three major issues: aging buildings, a single community pool built in 1966, and multiple outstanding roadwork projects. Addressing these issues can be tricky given the burgeoning pension burdens we face. A multipronged approach that looks both at village revenue and spending is essential to sustain our village finances.
From the revenue perspective, the village needs to concentrate on family friendly economic development along our major thoroughfares. Concerted village outreach is essential to filling in the commercial gaps. As the liaison on the Economic Development Commission, I have enabled our commission’s outreach efforts, pushing for surveying of current businesses and connecting “new business” interests to available funding sources. Moreover, sustaining current businesses is only possible with TIF funding for upgrades and creative village-wide marketing campaigns such as “Villa Park Restaurant Week.”
To address building infrastructure expenses, spacing out village construction projects, diverting and earmarking
certain funds, and “careful” bidding and contracting processes are all necessary. It is crucial that village construction projects and service provider contracts include long-term accountability measures to aid in sustainability.
Funding the pool will require increasing long-term accumulation of special taxes, development of TIF district 6, community fundraising, and application for grants. The village should not rule out joint ventures with either our school districts or neighboring towns as possible options to mitigate some new pool-related costs.
Even though most roads from the 2014 referendum have either been completed or are through Phase1 engineering, external funding issues have led to a lag in full resolution. Pursuing this funding and completing these projects should be our number one priority, especially in an economy of increasing costs. Installation of sidewalks at the same time will lead to long-term savings for pedestrian infrastructure.
Voting for me will keep Villa Park growing towards a brighter future.
Greg Macek
Office sought: Villa Park Village Trustee
Occupation: Associate Director, Web and Digital Operations at The Community Solution Education System
Education: Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from North Central College. Currently pursuing a Certificate in Organizational Leadership from The Chicago School (expected completion date: summer 2025).
Previous elected offices held: None
Website or social media address: https://gregmacek4vp. com
Email address: gregmacek4vp@gmail.com
Why are you running to serve as a Villa Park Village Trustee, whether it’s for the first time or whether you are
seeking reelection?
I became very interested and invested in the village’s work on the Comprehensive Plan and outlining how we’re going to lay the groundwork for the next 20 years, from economic development to housing to transit and more. I believe my years of leadership experience in my professional career and on my church leadership team, along with my level-headed approach to all challenges, will be a valuable asset on the board. This is my first time running for village trustee.
What do you believe are two or three major issues facing Villa Park, and what would you do to resolve these issues, if elected as a trustee?
Creating and maintaining an environment for businesses to thrive is what every town strives for. Villa Park has a few commercial corridors people think of, primarily along North Avenue, St. Charles Road, and Roosevelt Road. St. Charles Road runs through the heart of the village and has a mix of businesses and some open storefronts. While its current layout is convenient for cars, it doesn’t foster as welcoming of an environment for people who want to walk or bike along that road or businesses that want to attract non-drivers. A long-term strategy to reimagine how that corridor could look and function by a combination of projects, included proposed road diets, improved pedestrian friendly infrastructure, and beautification efforts of the street such as adding greenery would do wonders for the village.
The other similar but separate issue is the building up of a couple districts, as described in the Comprehensive Plan (still in draft status as of March 2025), where Villa Park has these vibrant neighborhoods with mixed-use developments combining commercial, residential, and public spaces that allow for more walking or reliance on transit like our Metra station or future Pace bus service. Other suburbs have been successfully densifying their core downtowns by their train stations. I believe Villa Park needs to do the same and soon.
A complainant in the 200 block of N. Michigan reported that a suspect damaged their lawn. The suspect was issued a citation.
March 7
Basel Saed Alawi, 26, of Chicago, was charged with retail theft for two separate incidents at a store in the 1-100 block of E. North. Police said Alawi was arrested on the above date for retail thefts that allegedly took place at the store occurred on Feb. 15 and Feb. 27.
A complainant in the 1-100 block of W. Ridge reported a suspicious vehicle parked in front of their residence and flashed its headlights.
March 5
Dorena Y. Williams, 33, of Berkeley, was charged with retail theft at a store in the 900 block of S. Route 83 at 1:31 p.m.
A 43-year-old Villa Park man was charged with domestic battery in the 700 block of W. Sunset at 10:55 p.m.
Villa Park Environmental Concerns Commission accepting nominations for the 2024 Green Champion Award
Nominations are due this Friday, March 21
The Villa Park Environmental Concerns Commission advises the village president and board of trustees on matters relating to the preservation, protection and improvement of the environment, including the quality of land, air and water.
In 2016, the commission created its Green Champion Award program to recognize any outstanding environmental achievements of individuals, groups, organizations or companies in Villa Park. The annual certificate will be presented in one of the following nine categories.
• Energy efficiency
• Renewable energy
• Conservation of natural resources
• Recycling programs and use of recycled content products
• Green produce use and use of recycled content materials
• Water conservation
• Transportation
• Outreach and education
• Other innovation projects and programs
How do I nominate a deserving candidate?
You can submit an online nomination form by accessing the Village of Villa Park website and searching for Green Champion Award or using the link on the Commission’s web page. When accessing the online form, use the username
public@villaparkvillage. com and password “public”.
A print version nomination form is also available at: http://www.invillapark.com/ DocumentCenter/View/6355/ GreenChampion-AwardNomination-Form and may be submitted to the Village of Villa Park Environmental Concerns Commission by email at EnvironmentalConcerns@invillapark.com or to the Village of Villa Park (Attn: Environmental Concerns Commission) 20 S. Ardmore, Ave., Villa Park, IL 60181.
Nominations are accepted for residential and non-residential properties in Villa Park and may be submitted by property owners, business owners and by others who feel a project or site deserves recognition.
Nomination forms will be kept on file for future consideration for a period of no more than two years from the date of submission.
Nominations are due by March 21, for consideration by the Environmental Concerns Commission for the previous year’s award. In most instances, the award will be presented by the commission at a Village Board meeting that is closest to Earth Day, April 22.
For more information, contact commission chair Bob Wagner at 630-484-8856.
American Heritage Concert to be held April 6
The 2025 Variety Program Series at the Maple Street Chapel includes the upcoming American Heritage Concert on Sunday, April 6, starting at 3 p.m. at the Maple Street Chapel, 200 S. Main St., Lombard. This has been an annual concert since 2021, featuring 24 professional musicians. Over the years, it has featured popular music and light classics, and has premiered a few original compositions. This year’s program, “Frozen, Billy Joel, and All That Jazz,” will be highlighted by music from “Frozen.” Also on the program are a Duke Ellington medley, The Best of Billy Joel, music from “On the Town,” and Morton Gould’s “Pavanne.” Veterans in the audience will be recognized in The Armed Forces Salute. Admission is $25. To order tickets or for more information, visit MapleStreetChapel.Org, where you can pay using PayPal or print a mail-in order form and mail in a check payable to “Maple Street Chapel” to Ken Bohl, 213 West Ash St., Lombard IL 60148-2505. Tickets will also be available at the door for check or cash payment only. Parking will be available in the lots on West Maple Street.
Partisan politics infiltrating non-partisan local Illinois elections
By Ben Szalinski and Bridgette Fox
CaPitOl newS illinOiS
It’s been just four months since the last election concluded, but another election is on the horizon in Illinois: the April 1 elections for school boards and municipal offices.
Though municipal and school board races in Illinois are nonpartisan, voters may see many of the same political themes that were hallmarks of races during the 2024 presidential election cycle. The Democratic Party of Illinois is applying many of the same tactics it uses in partisan elections to this year’s local races.
“We as the Democratic Party of Illinois should be defending Democratic values in every single election in nonpartisan and partisan elections alike, because all of these local offices have jurisdiction over super critical controls and we think our party has the best platform for governance,” Democratic Party of Illinois Executive Director Ben Hardin said.
The 2025 local elections are the second time that Illinois Democrats are getting involved in nonpartisan races. After recruiting more than 1,000 prospective candidates last year, the state party is supporting 270 candidates for a variety of local offices in all areas of the state.
The party trained the candidates and attached them to “coaches” experienced in running Democratic campaigns. Candidates will also be supported by a six-figure advertising campaign by DPI in the coming weeks.
“I think our voters welcome the information,” Hardin said. “They want to know, and they need to know, who the aligned candidates are.”
It’s also part of the party’s strategy to be more active year-round.
“This is how the party operates now,” Hardin said. “We are not going back to closing up shop after an even-year midterm or presidential election, lying dormant for 18 months and then coming alive again for the next even-year general election.”
Hardin acknowledged there could be some voter fatigue after November’s presidential election, but he stressed that’s why the party wants to make Democratic voters aware an election is approaching.
“These local offices, if we allow them to be uncontested, especially with the Trump administration in office, you know with our lack of control of the wheels of power in D.C., we could allow our state to start slipping to the right at the local level,” Hardin said. For example, DPI is getting
involved in the mayoral race in Aurora, Illinois’ second-largest city, where incumbent Mayor Richard Irvin and Aurora Ald. John Laesch face off.
The election is the first since Irvin’s unsuccessful campaign for governor as a Republican in 2022. Hardin said that’s made Irvin an easy target for a partisan campaign.
“We’re treating Aurora like the rest of our program across the state,” Hardin said. “In Au-
rora, you’ve got an executive of the city who is a Republican.”
As a candidate for governor, Irvin faced numerous questions about his Republican credentials. He often avoided answering any questions about President Donald Trump or his position on abortion as he faced accusations from opponents that he wasn’t conservative enough. Irvin later co-hosted a Black Republicans
event at the Republican National Convention last year.
DPI is running a direct mail program this month targeting Irvin. It also plans to reach Democratic voters in Aurora
through other mail and digital outreach advertising to let voters know which candidates in the city the party supports.
See PoliticS, Page 14
PUZZLE Page
SUDOKU
Fun by the Numbers
Like puzzles? Then you’ll love sudoku. This mind-bending puzzle will have you hooked from the moment you square off, so sharpen your pencil and put your sudoku savvy to the test! Here’s How It Works: Sudoku puzzles are formatted as a 9x9 grid, broken down into nine 3x3 boxes. To solve a sudoku, the numbers 1 through 9 must fill each row, column and box. Each number can appear only once in each row, column and box. You can figure out the order in which the numbers will appear by using the numeric clues already provided in the boxes. The more numbers you name, the easier it gets to solve the puzzle!
CLUES ACROSS
1. Take heed
5. One’s superior
9. Prepped meat
11. Tighten anew
13. Type of textile fiber
15. Animalistic
16. When you hope to get somewhere
17. Offender
19. Former NYC mayor Ed
21. Type of cryptocurrency
22. Mauna __, Hawaiian volcano
23. Herring-like fish
25. Popular PBS program
26. Congressman (abbr.)
27. Flightless Australian birds
29. Defrosted
31. Prior Yankee sensation
Kevin
33. Nasal mucus
34. Some are southern
36. A place to construct
38. Popular beer brand
39. Shouts of farewell
41. Network of nerves
43. Make a mistake
44. Showed old movie
46. Body parts
48. A divisor
52. Congressional investigatory body
53. Papers
54. Most unnatural
56. Judge the worth of something
57. Makes sounds while sleeping
58. Which
59. Hungarian Violinist
CLUES DOWN
1. Pages
2. Head pain
3. A loud utterance
4. Large brown seaweed
5. Hulu’s chef Carmine
6. Greek mountain
7. Made final
8. Bar
9. Tai subgroup
10. What you eat
11. Teaches again
12. Small constellation
14. Type of berry
15. Cows fattened for meat
18. A way to hoof it
20. Exaggerated a role
24. About two
26. Long upholstered seat
28. What employees earn
30. Fiber from a coconut husk
32. Digits
34. Polish by rubbing
35. Liquid body substances
37. Furniture with open shelves
38. Edible part of a chicken
40. Satisfy
42. Tool used to remove
43. Icelandic poems
45. Swiss village
47. Drunks
49. Evergreen plant genus
50. Light precipitation
51. Ribosomal ribonucleic acid
55. An informal debt instrument
Republican bills aim to assist Illinois in its battle against fentanyl
The bills have attracted bipartisan support
By Jade Aubrey and UIS Public Affairs Reporting
Illinois Republican senators have filed bills that would combat the state’s fentanyl crisis and further punish major possessors of the drug.
One bill would reclassify a fentanyl overdose as a “poison,” while another would consider major fentanyl possessors a threat to public safety.
According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, Illinois experienced 3,261 fatal opioid-related drug overdoses in 2022, and 2,855 in 2023.
“There’s not one simple area that it affects. It’s everyone,” Sen. Sally Turner, R-Beason, said. “If you don’t know someone that’s been tainted with fentanyl, you will.”
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that can be up to 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says fentanyl accounts for a major portion of all fatal and nonfatal overdoses in the U.S.
It’s usually added to other types of drugs to increase potency, making the laceddrug cheaper, more powerful, addictive and dangerous.
“A packet of sugar that you get at the restaurant, that’s about 2 milligrams,” Turner said. “If you compare that to 2 milligrams of fentanyl, that little packet could kill 500 people. So
think about that. That’s how important this is.”
Turner and Sen. Sue Rezin, R-Morris, announced their sponsorship of the four fentanyl-related bills during a recent news conference with McLean County Coroner Kathleen Yoder in the Statehouse.
“The vast majority of time in these deaths, fentanyl is not something someone chooses to use intentionally,” Rezin said. “It’s something they take when it’s laced in other pills or products. Families are losing loved ones, not because of addiction, because they are unknowingly being poisoned right now.”
Rezin championed Senate Bill 1283, which would change the official language of IDPH for a fentanyl-related death from an “overdose” to a “poisoning.”
“When we treat fentanyl deaths as overdoses, we minimize the impact that this drug has on the victims,” Rezin said. “As legislators, it’s our responsibility to ensure that people who die from this poison are recognized as victims, not just another overdose statistic.”
Rep. La Shawn Ford, D-Chicago, said in an interview he is supportive of Rezin’s bill and is filing and sponsoring a duplicate bill in the House.
“It’s clear that fentanyl is poisonous, and people die from it,” he said. “And many times, people that die from the fentanyl overdose, they’re not intending to die, but they get a fatal dose, just like a fatal dose of any poison, and therefore it should be registered as a poison.”
Rezin is also pushing Senate Bill 113, which
“A packet of sugar that you get at the restaurant, that’s about 2 milligrams. If you compare that to 2 milligrams of fentanyl, that little packet could kill 500 people.”
— Sen. Sally Turner, R-Beason
would require someone charged with handling 15 grams or more of substances containing fentanyl to prove that they do not pose a threat to public safety to be granted pretrial release.
“This shifts the burden away from prosecutors and judges and makes clear that the safety of our communities come first,” she said.
Neither of Rezin’s bills have been assigned to a committee; however, Ford said he agreed with Rezin that such people are a threat to public safety and planned to talk with the senators further about the bill. His main concern is if judges can already do this under the Safe-T Act
Will Narcan continue to be the solution?
Naloxone—often referred to as its brand name, Narcan—is an over-the-counter
medication as either a nasal spray or injection, and often is used to reverse opioid overdoses.
In 2010, Illinois passed the Good Samaritan Law, which allows non-medical personnel to administer Narcan to a person experiencing an opioid or heroin overdose. The law’s enactment led to the creation of the Drug Overdose and Prevention Program, which enabled the Illinois Department of Human Services to provide organizations with Narcan, for free, to be dispersed within communities in the state.
A CDC report from late 2024 disclosed that, like Illinois, fentanyl-related overdose deaths decreased from 2022 to 2023 – the first nation-wide decrease since 2018.
The Pritzker Administration recently released a
statement that reported an 8.3 percent decrease in total drug overdose deaths in Illinois in 2023. Synthetic opioid-related deaths also dropped by 9.5 percent.
The statement noted that “several factors likely contributed to this decline, including sustained efforts to increase naloxone distribution throughout the state.”
“What this tells me is that Narcan works and that it saves lives,” Ford said.
“That’s why we have to make sure that we do everything we can to get Narcan out there.”
But Turner and Rezin weren’t so optimistic.
“I mean, great, we’ve had a decrease in fentanyl deaths,” Rezin said. “But considering where we want to, where we need to be, we’re nowhere near being able to take a victory lap.”
Yoder, the McLean Coun-
ty coroner, reported that fentanyl has recently been mixed with new substances, like benzodiazepine and xylazine, often called tranq. These are substances that Narcan can’t reverse.
“This sad reality means that Naloxone alone cannot solve this problem,” Yoder said. “We need a holistic approach that includes keeping these dangerous drugs off the street and holding those trafficking these drugs accountable in order to safeguard their unwitting victims.”
Turner agreed.
“Yoder mentioned that now there’s different forms of fentanyl that are coming out,” she said. “I think we’re going to see more death because of Narcan doesn’t work on everything. I think she’s told us that maybe we’re going to see that in the future.”
Worship Services Directory
St. Timothy Evangelical Lutheran Church
547 N. Main St., Lombard, IL 60148 630-627-2435
Sunday Worship at 10:15 am
Lent and Easter Services at 7 p.m.
“The Crucial Hours”
Second Lenten Service March 9, 2022
Sunday School & Bible Study 9 am Ladies Bible Fellowship Mondays at 6:30 pm Midweek Lenten Services Wednesdays at 7 pm Saturday, March 22, Game Night at 4 pm
Rev. David Ernest “Satan Has Asked to Sift All of You” Jerusalem Lutheran, Morton Grove Matthew 27:15-26
Everyone is Welcome!
Third Lenten Service
All services are live streamed. Watch on our website or on Facebook. sainttimothy.org
March 16, 2022
Rev. Paul Spaude “What to Remember When Your are St. Matthews, Niles Seized with Remorse” Matthew 27:3-4
Fourth Lenten Service
March 23, 2022
Weekend Masses: Saturday: 4 PM (Vigil) Sunday: 7:30, 9:30 & 11:30 AM and 6 PM
Weekend Masses: Saturday: 4 PM (Vigil) Sunday: 7:30, 9:30 & 11:30 AM and 6 PM
Daily Masses: Monday Friday: 6:15 and 8:15 AM Saturday: 8:15 AM
Daily Masses: Monday—Friday: 6:15 and 8:15 AM Saturday: 8:15 AM
Confessions: Saturday: 3-3:45PM
Confessions: Saturday: 3-3:45PM
779 S. York Street
Elmhurst, IL
779 S. York Street Elmhurst, IL 630-834 -6700 www.visitationparish.org
630-834 -6700 www.visitationparish.org
Adoration: Available in Our Lady Mother of the Eucharist Chapel 24/7
Adoration: Available in Our Lady Mother of the Eucharist Chapel 24/7
Rev. Jonathan Bergemann “I Will Keep the Passover” Good Shepherd, Downers Grove Matthew 26:18
Welcome to ST. PIUS X CATHOLIC COMMUNITY Diocese of Joliet
Fifth Lenten Service
SUNDAY MASS SCHEDULE
March 30, 2022
SATURDAY: 5:00 PM (VIGIL MASS) 7:00 PM (ESPAÑOL)
Rev. Tom Nicholson “They Bound Him” Resurrection, Aurora John 18:12
SUNDAY: 8:00 AM & 10:00 AM
WEEKDAY MASS SCHEDULE
Sixth Lenten Service April 6, 2022
MONDAY - FRIDAY & FIRST SATURDAY: 8:30 AM FRIDAYS OF LENT: RECONCILIATION 5:30 PM
Rev. Phil Schupmann “The Semblance of Legality” Resurrection, Aurora Luke 22:66
STATIONS OF THE CROSS 6:00 PM SIMPLE SUPPER 6:30 PM VIA CRUCIS 7:00 PM SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION ( ENGLISH & ESPAÑOL)
SATURDAY: 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM OR BY APPOINTMENT Parish Office: 1025 E. Madison Street - (630) 627-4526 - www.stpiuslombard.org
Maundy Thursday Communion 7 p.m., April 14
Good Friday Tenebrae 7 p.m., April 15
Easter Sunrise 6:30 a.m., April 17
Easter Breakfast 8 a.m., April 17
Easter Festival 10:15 a.m., April 17
Join us at the corner of Spring and Vallette 314 W. Vallette Street Elmhurst, IL 630-832-8457 www.epiphanyelmhurst.org
All are Welcome! Worship with us Saturdays 5:30 pm Sundays 9:30 am
Sunday services are live streamed on our website
• Politics
(Continued from page 9)
Irvin’s campaign did not respond to a request for comment.
Illinois State Board of Elections records show DPI also used its resources to support Peoria Mayor Rita Ali and Calumet City Mayor Thaddeus Jones, who is also a Democratic state representative, during primary elections in February.
A full accounting of the party’s spending on municipal elections won’t be available until mid-April when reports are due to the state election authority.
Conservative influence
Jim Rule, chairman of the Tazewell County Republican Central Committee, said his group doesn’t normally get involved in “consolidated-type elections” like the Morton School Board, which has five candidates running for election—but this year is different.
Four of those candidates are affiliated with Republican groups despite school board elections being nonpartisan.
In Illinois, political parties and individuals can still support and endorse any candidates they wish.
Rule said his committee vetted and backs the four Republican-aligned candidates.
“It’s important to get the right people in office,” Rule said. “Look, we’ve all heard the phrase ‘all good govern-
ment starts locally,’ and this is a classic example of that. School boards are so, so vitally critical to have the right people on them for our kids.”
The four GOP candidates are backed by the Citizens for Morton Schools political action committee, which did not reply to a request for comment.
Rep. Bill Hauter, R-Morton, is also involved in the race. He has donated $1,000 to the group as of March 5, according to the State Board of Elections, while his campaign has provided $2,000 worth of consulting.
“I am supportive of four great candidates for Morton School Board in my hometown,” Hauter said in a statement. “They are great candidates who each have their own unique qualifications that can help Morton students, parents, teachers and taxpayers. This will be a statement election for our community.”
Rule said one of the main goals of Tazewell Republicans this election cycle is defeating Dr. Ashley Fischer, a pediatrician running for the Morton School Board whom Hauter called “too radical for the people and schools of Morton.”
Fischer said she’s an anti-bullying advocate, which includes respecting all aspects of students’ identities like race, gender and sexuality.
“We want to send a message, not only to the residents of
Morton, but to the community around us,” Rule said. “That this is something that—this woke agenda—is something that we need to rid ourselves of, and it has no place in the school system, especially with young kids.”
Fischer said Republicans are trying to scare voters.
“They’re basically stoking hot button topics to get a fear response out of parents, to try to get them to vote against me out of fear,” Fischer said. “I have never once brought up any policy to do with transgender children, except that I think no child should be bullied in the school, regardless of their race, orientation, medical conditions, anything. They are in that group. I don’t think any child should be bullied. That is my stance.”
Fischer also criticized Republicans for their online rhetoric, which she said promotes hate.
Fischer’s advocacy has also been scrutinized by Moms for Liberty, a right-wing group that advocates for conservative curricula in schools, such as by opposing LGBTQ lessons.
Virg Cihla, chair of the Tazewell County chapter of Moms for Liberty, said his group does not endorse any candidates.
The Illinois Republican Party did not reply to request for comment about their involvement in any April 1 elections.
SKILLS SCHOOL
• Fridays or Saturdays
• 8 week session
• Grades PreK-4
• Practice 1x a week
• Sundays 3 vs 3
• Grades K-4
• Register online APRIL THRU MAY
• Boys & Girls
• Born in 2019 - 2008
Broncos celebrate their state title
Montini Catholic High School honored its girls basketball team during last week’s assembly in the school’s gymnasium. The Broncos won the IHSA Class 3A state championship in Normal on Saturday, March 8. Montini defeated the Saint Ignatius Wolfpack 50-44 in the title contest at CEFCU Arena on the campus of Illinois State
University. Shannon Spanos—the team’s head coach and a 1999 Montini graduate— is pictured (below left) while holding the championship trophy as the Broncos were introduced at the March 12 assembly. Montini’s girls basketball program has now won five IHSA Class 3A state championships (2010, 2011, 2012, 2014 and 2025).
Huber finishes her collegiate career
Lauren Huber of Lombard finished her decorated four-year career with the Illinois Wesleyan University women’s basketball team last week. The Titans completed their season with Friday’s 63-43 loss to the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh in the Sweet Sixteen round of the NCAA Division III Tournament. The game was played on Illinois Wesleyan’s home court at the Shirk Center in Bloomington. The University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh went on to beat Baldwin Wallace (Ohio) 60-53 in Saturday’s quarterfinal-round game in Bloomington to advance to the NCAA Division III Tournament’s “Final Four,” which will be contested this week at Roanoke College in Salem, Virginia. Huber, a 2021 Glenbard East graduate, led Illinois Wesleyan’s team to a 28-2 record during its 2024-25 season. After winning the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) regular-season championship with a 15-1 record, the Titans won the conference’s tournament title. Illinois Wesleyan’s program last swept the regular-season and CCIW Tournament titles in 2018. Huber started all 30 of the team’s games during her senior season. She scored 15 points per game and earned All-CCIW honors for the fourth straight season. Huber became the first player in the program’s history to receive First Team All-CCIW honors four times. During the Titans’ Feb. 22 victory at Augustana College, Huber broke the Illinois Wesleyan women’s program’s all-time scoring record, surpassing Traci Butler’s mark of 1,632 points. Butler played for the Titans from 1992 to 1996. Huber set the Glenbard East program’s all-time scoring record during her 2021 senior season, which was shortened due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Glenbard East’s Catey Carney surpassed Huber’s career scoring record with the Rams during the 2023-24 season. Last week, Huber was named as one of the 10 finalists for the Jostens Trophy Award, which recognizes the most outstanding men’s and women’s Division III basketball players.
Chris Fox photos Rock Valley Publishing
Standout Broncos
Nine Montini Catholic wresters were place-winners during the recent IHSA individual state meets. Pictured left to right are: (front row) sophomore Isaac Mayora, senior Kat Bell, sophomore Mikey Malizzio and sophomore Allen Woo; (back row) junior Santino Tenuta, senior Jaxon Lane, sophomore Gavin Ericson-Staton, junior Kam Luif and freshman Erik Klichurov. Woo and Luif won individual titles at the IHSA Class 2A individual state meet, which took place Feb. 20-22 in Champaign. Woo won the 113-pound championship this year to claim his second straight title. He won the Class 2A 106-pound championship during his freshman season. Woo is pictured on top of the medal stand after this year’s triumph. Luif captured the title in the 138-pound level at this year’s Class 2A individual state meet. He is pictured with Montini coach Mike Bukovsky after his championship effort. Malizzio delivered a second-place finish in the meet’s 120-pound weight class. Tenuta placed second in the 165-pound level. Klichurov landed in third place in the 106-pound division. Mayora finished fourth in the 132-pound weight class. Ericson-Staton placed fifth in the 285-pound level. Lane battled to a sixth-place finish in the 190-pound division. Bell competed in the IHSA girls wrestling individual state tournament, which took place Feb. 28-March 1 in Bloomington. Competing in the 100-pound level, she won three straight matches in Bloomington to advance to the championship match. Bell lost the title contest and completed her season with a 39-6 record. The Montini boys team captured the third-place trophy at the IHSA Class 2A dual team state finals, which concluded on March 1 in Bloomington. The Broncos finished their season with a 27-4 record in dual meets.
Talented Warriors
The Willowbrook/Addison Trail co-op boys gymnastics team competed in Saturday’s 12-team John Burkel/John Cress Invite at Niles West High School in Skokie. The Warriors/Blazers finished second in the invite’s team standings with their total of 141.40. Glenbard West won the event’s team championship with its score of 143.35. Willowbrook senior Daniel Javier won the first-place medal on the parallel bars at Saturday’s meet with a performance that received a score of 9.55. Javier is pictured during his parallel bars routine at his team’s season-opening meet at Glenbard East earlier this month. In addition to winning the title on the parallel bars at Saturday’s meet, Javier delivered another first-place finish on the vault (9.5). He placed second in floor exercises (9.3) and claimed fifth on the horizontal bar (8.25). Javier finished 10th on both the still rings (7.8) and the pommel horse (7.3). He placed fourth in the invite’s all-around standings with his total of 51.7. Willowbrook junior Jae Newman finished sixth in the all-around competition with his score of 48.0. Newman finished third on both the vault (9.0) and the horizontal bar (8.5). He tied for fourth in floor exercises (9.1) and finished seventh on the still rings (8.1). Newman is shown during his performance on the horizontal bar at the Willowbrook/ Addison Trail team’s recent meet at Glenbard East. Willowbrook senior Jacob Seremak earned a fifth-place score of 7.9 on the pommel horse at Saturday’s invite.
submitted photos Rock Valley Publishing
Chris Fox File photos Rock Valley Publishing
Illinois schools turn to retirees, substitutes, outsourcing, state grants to combat prolonged teacher shortage
Capitol news illinois
From hiring retired educators to adjusting class offerings, Illinois schools are relying on a variety of shortterm, innovative measures to cope with a prolonged and critical statewide teacher shortage.
The most recent survey of education leaders from the Illinois Association of Regional Superintendents of Schools, or IARSS, shows overall shortage percentages similar to pre-pandemic levels, yet school districts are still struggling to ease less-than-optimal student-teacher ratios.
“For our school districts throughout the state, (the teacher shortage) is not universally created everywhere. It looks different in every place, but I think everybody believes—or at least feels like—it’s a challenge,” said Gary Tipsord, IARSS Executive Director. “So let’s accept that as a reality, and then that will allow us to best solve this sustainably.”.
This is the eighth year the IARSS has partnered with Goshen Consulting to produce the report.
Of more than 750 schools surveyed this year, 87 percent said they have a “minor, serious or very serious (shortage) problem.” The report also found that 91 percent of schools said they struggle to hire substitute teachers, while 65 percent said more than half of teacher candidates don’t have the proper credentials for the teaching positions they’re applying to.
“I think the biggest impact that (the shortage) has is on teacher morale. If there aren’t enough people to do all of the jobs, then those of us who are committed and dedicated to what we do automatically do more,” said Gretchen Weiss, a special education teacher at Macomb Middle School in West Central Illinois.
Illinois had roughly 140,000 teachers for the 2023-2024 school year, according to a report by the Illinois State Board of Education. This number has grown every year since the implementation of Evidence-Based Funding, or EBF, in 2018. The student-teacher ratio was 17:1 in 2024 at both the elementary and high school levels, a steady decrease from roughly 19:1 in 2016.
The IARSS 2024-25 teacher shortage survey found that while alternative teaching methods helped districts see an increase in the number of educators, the shortage
persists due to a lack of new teachers entering the profession.
School leaders surveyed said a limited applicant pool, compensation issues and “poor working conditions” are among the main causes of the shortage, though Tipsord said the term “working conditions” is broad and its meaning can vary from one respondent to another.
“When people talk about working conditions … that potentially means something different to every teacher or every district or every building,” Tipsord said. “I don’t know that we’re in a good space to truly understand that yet, and I think that’s the place where we need to continue to dig.”
Pandemic
In 2020, Illinois schools, like others across the country, were hit with temporary school closures due to the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Rachael Mahmood, a teacher at Georgetown Elementary School in Aurora and the 2024 Illinois Teacher of the Year, noted that students and teachers alike struggled with the effects of an upsurge in online learning.
“I missed my students being in the classroom, and I missed all the community of a classroom, so I was ready to return,” Mahmood said.
In the 2020-2021 academic year, administrators saw a spike in unfilled positions or low-quality hires. Budget and health concerns due to the pandemic in school districts caused a decrease in the number of educators working in K-12 schools. Though the shortage seemed to improve the following year, it has proved to be a continuing issue with shortages rising between 2022-2024.
Because of the pandemic, school districts in the state are working to return shortage rates back to pre-pandemic levels. In 2018, 85 percent of education leaders reported “a major or a minor issue” in filling teaching positions. This number grew by 3 percent in 2019.
To help relieve issues caused by the pandemic, schools across the country received an infusion of federal money called Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds. Illinois saw this money distributed in three rounds over the last five years through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act; the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supple-
mental Appropriations Act; and the American Rescue Plan (ARP ESSER). About $7.7 million of the $8 million funds were spent, with final ESSER dollars being allocated to schools in September of this school year.
“I think what is going to be very interesting is after this year, all those ESSER dollars will have expired unless they get an extension through March of 2026,” said Tipsord. “But as those have expired, what’s the landscape? And will data next year—raw data next year— look worse?”
Alternative measures
About 3,864 positions are left unfilled this school year at a vacancy rate of 2.8 percent, a decrease from 4,096 positions last year, or 3 percent.
For the 2024-2025 school year, Illinois schools filled 6,117 teaching positions with innovative alternative measures like using retired teachers, going virtual, modifying class offerings and utilizing third-party vendors to find educators. Many of those positions were in areas such as bilingual or special education, early childhood and
elementary education.
At Macomb Middle School, these measures include having two Leading, Educating and Partnering in Schools, or LEAP, advocates and a “paperwork day” for special education teachers.
LEAP advocates are the school’s support staff who help with school attendance, academics and student well-being, according to the Macomb Regional Office of Education’s website. A paperwork day is when teachers take time off from school to complete an Individualized Educational Plan (IEP) outlining the special education students’ academic goals and deficits for the school year.
Weiss said in addition to teaching, she also writes IEPs for 14 of her students.
“The district hires a sub for me, and I find a quiet workspace in the building, and I can work on paperwork,” Weiss said. “That speaks to my district’s commitment to work-life balance… That’s something that my district does very well in terms of taking care to make sure that teachers have the support they need.”
This year, school districts hired about 1,440 substitute
teachers, including some retired teachers. To accommodate those retirees, many downstate school districts increased the number of days retired educators can work as substitutes without affecting their retirement benefits. Of the schools surveyed, 86 percent said this measure helped with the shortage.
“We do have one retiree that’s helping us with a math vacancy right now,” said Travis. “She just retired, and she signed up right away to be a substitute. We reached out to her, and she said, ‘Absolutely,’ because she’s familiar with the curriculum and the students.”
Policy recommendations
Increasing state funding for K-12 schools, investing in teacher and school leadership and helping support staff become educators are some of the recommendations school leaders mentioned in the survey as possible ways to ease the shortage crisis.
Fifty-nine percent of school leaders said EBF money allowed districts to add additional staff, while others said the teacher vacancy grants and career and technical education pathway
grants can also help ease the crisis.
EBF is a school funding formula lawmakers adopted in 2017 that seeks to reduce funding gaps in the state by sending more resources to the most underfunded districts. CTE programs prepare students for high-skill, in-demand occupations like engineering or culinary arts.
In his February State of the State address, Gov. JB Pritzker reiterated Illinois’ ongoing support for K-12 education funding, including a $350 million increase in EBF and a $1.3 million increase in CTE programs. This brings the total EBF funds to $8.9 billion since the program was enacted in 2017.
Pritzker also proposed continued funding of $45 million for the Teacher Vacancy Grant Pilot Program.
“We are recipients of the teacher vacancy program. I should say that has helped us retain teachers because we were able to offer some signing bonuses for hard-tofill positions,” said LaTesh Travis, Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources at Berkeley School District 87.
See Shortage, Page 23
submitted photo Rock Valley Publishing
Montini Catholic students and faculty welcomed over 70 seventh-graders to “Be a Bronco for a Day” at the school’s annual 7th Grade Step-Up Day. Seventh-graders are paired with a student host with similar interests and are able to attend classes, meet teachers, enjoy lunch and experience the energy of “Bronco Pride” firsthand. Above: freshman Abbey Rachubinski of Lombard hosted cousin Anne and brother Ben.
Feds pull grant funding from Illinois fair housing orgs
By Lily Carey and Medill Illinois News Bureau
John Petruszak opened his email Feb. 27 to find a message he called “shocking”: the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development had rescinded two grants it had awarded to his advocacy organization, the South Suburban Housing Center.
The grants, which represent 37 percent of the center’s budget, hadn’t been rescinded through any misstep by the organization. Rather, at the order of the Trump administration’s newly established Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, the grant was being terminated because it “no longer effectuates the program goals or agency priorities,” the letter read.
The message came as a surprise to Petruszak, the center’s executive director. Fair housing organizations like his offer legal services and support to anyone facing discrimination in the housing market on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, familial status or disability, receiving hundreds of complaints each year. In 2023, private fair housing nonprofits across the country handled over 75 percent of all housing discrimination complaints
“Fair housing is really a fundamental right,” Petruszak said. “It’s a check and balance on the housing market, just like democracy is a check and balance on our governing systems.”
But a drastic reduction in these organizations’ capacity or a mass shuttering of fair housing nonprofits could leave renters and prospective homebuyers with fewer avenues for justice if they face discrimination from landlords, real estate agents or neighbors.
Petruszak said the South Suburban Housing Center will have to cut its housing enforcement team down from five full-time staffers to one or fewer. The Homewood-based organization typically investigates up to 250 complaints each year but won’t be able to keep up with this demand after these cuts are made, he said.
“All of our work is about justice, and it’s not about one group, it’s for everybody,” Voz said. “We’re on the side of the law, so we are not a political group.”
The 1968 Fair Housing
Act outlawed discrimination in any housing-related transactions. According to HUD, the law also requires that “all federal programs relating to housing and urban development be administered in a manner that affirmatively furthers fair housing.”
“This is something that has continued for decades upon decades, including under the last Trump administration,” said Emily Coffey, director of equitable development and housing for the Chicago Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights. “It’s shocking, at this stage, that the administration would sidestep the longstanding bipartisan appropriation of this funding.”
The lack of federal grant funding, which many fair housing groups have depended on for over 30 years, could be an “existential
threat” for advocates and renters alike, Voz said. The Chicago area has a well-documented history of redlining, the practice of withholding financial services or loans from people who live in neighborhoods with higher numbers of racial minorities.
While the south suburbs, where Petruszak’s work is based, were once heavily redlined, shifts to affordable housing policies in Chicago led many Black residents to move to the area from the city in the late 20th century. That history continues to impact the area’s housing market today, making fair housing work “essential,” Petruszak said.
“There’s a great deal of historical documentation of discriminatory practices in the housing market that led to the south suburbs chang-
ing from a predominantly white area in the 1970s and 80s, to a predominantly Black area by 2000,” he said. “It’s an area where monitoring for discrimination in housing is most crucial, because of the historical nature of this discrimination.”
Though the federal grants to the South Suburban Housing Center represent more than a third of its overall budget, they funded 92 percent of its housing enforcement and education programs annually. The two grants that were terminated amounted to $550,000 combined.
See funding, Page 23
of the newspaper can be read on a computer, laptop or tablet. For an eSubscription, visit rockvalleyenews.com or call 627-7010.
Court grants state’s motion to detain pre-trial a Hanover Park man
accused of pepper-spraying a DuPage County Sheriff’s Deputy
DuPage County State’s
Attorney Robert Berlin and DuPage County Sheriff James Mendrick announced last week that Judge Joshua Dieden granted the state’s motion to deny pre-trial release for a Hanover Park man accused of pepper spraying a DuPage County Sheriff’s Deputy.
Leobejildo Torres, 58, appeared in court on Friday, March 14, and was charged with one count of aggravated battery to a police officer
– great bodily harm (a Class 1 felony), one count of aggravated battery to a police officer (a Class 2 felony), one count of aggravated assault on a police officer (a Class 4 felony) and one misdemeanor count of attempted aggravated assault on a police officer.
On Thursday, March 13, at approximately 11:22 a.m., deputies with the DuPage County Sheriff’s Office responded to a residence under construction on Cloverdale Road in unincorporated Roselle for a call of an individual taking materials from the construction site.
Following an investigation into the matter, it is alleged that Torres was at the property, taking items without the owner’s permission. It is further alleged that the own-
er of the property confronted Torres and called the police, at which time Torres fled the property with the items. A short time later, deputies located Torres at a nearby gas station. It is alleged that Torres fled on foot from officers at the gas station.
It is further alleged that during the foot pursuit, as one of the deputies tried to grab him, Torres pulled out a canister of pepper spray and discharged it about the face of the deputy, causing him to fall to the ground. The dep-
uty sustained major injuries, including a ruptured patellar tendon of both knees and dislocated kneecaps. It is alleged that Torres continued to flee on foot and unsuccessfully discharged pepper spray at two additional deputies before being apprehended. Torres was found to be in possession of two canisters of pepper spray when deputies took him into custody. Torres’ next court appearance is scheduled for April 7, in front of Judge Daniel Guerin.
DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and Naperville Chief of Police Jason Arres announced on Saturday, March 15, that Judge Anthony Coco granted the state’s motion to detain a Chicago man accused of attempting to grab a police officer’s gun after leading police on a high-speed chase.
Devante Gunn, 32, appeared in court on March 15, and was charged with one count of attempting to disarm a peace officer (a Class 3 felony), one count of aggravated unlawful use of a weapon – no
FOID (a Class 4 felony), one count of aggravated fleeing and eluding a peace officer (a Class 4 Felony) and four counts of misdemeanor resisting a police officer.
It is alleged that while speaking to the driver, later identified as Gunn, Gunn put the car into drive and fled the scene, causing a tire to pop. The officers pursued the defendant as he turned northbound on to Fairway Drive, where they were joined by a fully marked squad car. Gunn allegedly reached speeds of approximately 68 mph in a 30mph zone while fleeing from police.
On Friday, March 14, at approximately 11:20 p.m., Naperville police officers observed a dark colored sedan with suspended registration plates turning onto North Aurora Road near Route 59. The officers activated their emergency lights and conducted a traffic stop. During the stop, one officer spoke with the driver, while a second officer placed spike strips under a rear tire.
It is further alleged that Gunn entered the parking lot of an apartment complex, where he exited the car and fled on foot. It is alleged that when officers attempted to take Gunn into custody following a brief foot pursuit, Gunn resisted, and officers had to deploy multiple Taser strikes to take him into custody.
It is alleged that when officers took Gunn into custody, they found a loaded Springfield Armory XD 9mm handgun, with a round in the chamber, in his waistband. It is further alleged that as officers took Gunn into custody, he reached toward and grabbed at an officer’s holstered firearm, but the officer was successful in preventing Gunn was from retrieving the weapon.
Gunn’s next court date is scheduled for March 31, in front of Judge Joseph Bugos.
Open Communities’ canceled grants amounted to 25 percent of its annual budget, according to Voz. The group, based in the northern suburbs of Cook County, dedicates these resources to investigating landlords accused of discrimination and filing human rights complaints. One of its lawsuits, filed in the U.S. District Court of Northern Illinois in 2023 helped prevent landlords from using artificial intelligence to reject rental applications.
The Chicago Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights saw a three-year grant rescinded two years into its implementation, Coffey said. The grant comprised approximately 15 percent of the group’s annual budget. The group focuses primarily on filing law
said. In Illinois, the Human Rights Act, passed in 1979, prohibits discrimination in housing and real estate against the same seven federally protected classes. The Illinois Department of Human Rights also helps intervene in instances of housing discrimination. However, IDHR has struggled to keep up with the number of discrimination cases it has received over the past two years.
A 2022 expansion to the Illinois Human Rights Act added source of income as a class protected against housing discrimination. When this expansion took effect in 2023, IDHR began to see a “steady increase” in complaints, according to agency spokesperson Addie Shrodes.
It can sometimes take a few
staff to its fair housing division this week and is hoping to support private fair housing organizations in any way possible.
Petruszak said it’s the responsibility of the state government to step up and assist fair housing groups impacted by funding losses.
“We’re not talking about a great deal of money—to the government, the FHIP grant is like a grain of sand in the Saharan desert,” he said.
For Coffey, though, it seems unlikely that the state would be able to fill the gap created by the federal government’s decision to rescind these grants.
“The state budgetary landscape is just as decimated by what’s happening at the federal level,” Coffey said. “But without having access to lawyers to
• Shortage
(Continued from page 20)
Launched in the 2023-2024 academic year, the teacher vacancy grant allowed districts to fill educator positions and offer money for education training. For the Berkeley School District, Travis says they were able to offer signing bonuses for math, special education and bilingual teachers.
Though the state has pledged its support for education funding over the past couple of years, some say there is still room for improvement.
“We understand that this budget, although compassionate, still has a long way to go when it comes to really being able to close gaps. Illinois has committed to education, and I think that has to be
part of (the budget) as well,” said Jelani Saadiq, director of government relations with Advance Illinois, a nonprofit agency that promotes public education in Illinois.
Aside from funding, the report proposed more support for shortage research—to better understand what is working to ease shortages—and the implementation of Illinois Vision 2030, a five-year policy framework for state legislators and education officials to better support K-12 public education.
One of the framework’s focuses is on attracting and retaining high-quality educators through marketing campaigns, strengthening educator pathway programs and improving educators’
experience. Vision 2030 also advocates for grow-your-own programs that encourage local high school students to consider careers in education.
Mahmood said one other way to keep teachers in the workforce is through leadership, though balancing a professional’s “natural desire” to be promoted and their sense of duty can be challenging.
“Every teacher is a leader—they lead classrooms, they’re in charge of little people and they’re making all these decisions as a leader. But are we treating them as leaders?” Mahmood said.
“Teaching is the only job where going up means going out of the classroom, and we need great teachers to choose to stay in the classroom.”
Business & Service
Classifieds
Announcements
CLASSIFIED IN-COLUMN ADS cannot be credited or refunded after the ad has been placed. Ads canceled before deadline will be removed from the paper as a service to our customers, but no credit or refund will be issued to your account.
DISCLAIMER NOTICE This publication does not knowingly accept fraudulent or deceptive advertising. Readers are cautioned to thoroughly investigate all ads, especially those asking for money in advance.
Burial Needs
7 CEMETERY PLOTS Willing to sell as a group or individually. Located at Roselawn Memory Gardens 3045 WI-67, Lake Geneva, WI 53147. This is a private sale. Contact Randy, the seller at randy@slpublishers.com.
Household Items
EASTER LAMB MOLDS, antique cast aluminum, 2 sizes, large & small available. Call Jim for details. 630-832-3432
Other Real Estate
PUBLISHER’S NOTICE All real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Fair Housing Act which makes it illegal to advertise any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, disability, familiar/ status or national origin, or an intention to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination. Familial status includes children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians, pregnant women and people securing custody of children under 18. This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis. To complain of discrimination call HUD toll-free at 1-900-669-9777. The toll-free tele phone number for the hearing impaired is 1-800-927-9275. EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY
Business & Service DIRECTORY
NOTICE
CERTIFICATE NO. 79642 was filed in the office of the County Clerk of DuPage County on FEBRUARY 26, 2025 wherein the business firm of SUNSET GOLDENS, 1420 S. MONTEREY AVE., VILLA PARK, IL 60181was registered; that the true or real name or names of the person or persons owning the business, with their respective post office address(es), is/are as follows:
Debra Szwandrok, 1420 S. Monterey Ave., Villa Park, IL 60181
Thomas Szwandrok, 1420 S. Monterey Ave., Villa Park, IL 60181.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and Official Seal at my office in Wheaton, Illinois, this 26TH day of FEBRUARY, A.D. 2025.
Jean Kaczmarek
DuPage County Clerk
(Published in the Addison Independent, Bensenville Independent & Villa Park Review March 13, 20, 27, 2025) 469103
NOTICE
CERTIFICATE NO. 79648 was filed in the office of the County Clerk of DuPage County on March 11, 2025, wherein the business firm of ONE GRAZEY LADY, 448 S. EUCLID AVENUE, VILLA PARK, IL 60181 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: Catherine G. Doyle, 448 S. Euclid Avenue, Villa Park, IL 60181.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and Official Seal at my office in Wheaton, Illinois, this 11TH day of MARCH, A.D. 2025.
Jean Kaczmarek
DuPage County Clerk
(Published in the Addison Independent, Bensenville Independent & Villa Park Review March 20, 27, April 3, 2025) 469383
ANNUAL TOWN MEETING
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN
To the legal voters, residents of the Town of Addison in the County of DuPage and State of Illinois, that the Annual Town Meeting of said
Town will take place on
Tuesday, April 8, 2025, 7:00 p.m.
401 N. Addison Rd. Event Center Addison, IL
For the transaction of the miscellaneous business of said town, and after a Moderator having been elected, will proceed to hear, and consider reports of officers, and decide on such measures as may, in pursuance of law, come before the meeting; and specially to consider and decide the following.
I. Call To Order
II. Pledge of Allegiance
III. Qualification of Voters
IV. Election & Swearing in Of Moderator
V. Approval of Minutes of Annual Town Meeting of April 9, 2024
VI. Reading of Expenditures from All Funds for Fiscal Year 6-1-2024 to 5-31-2025
VII. New Business
Resolution to delegate to the Township Board for a period of 12 months the power to purchase, sell or lease township property and to authorize the Township Board to specify any such property.
VIII. Unfinished Business
IX. Notice of Next Annual Town Meeting April 7, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. Or After
X. Public Comment
XI. Adjournment
BY:
Pamela Joy Moretti Town Clerk
Dated: March 12, 2025
(Published in the Addison Independent, Bensenville Independent & Villa Park Review March 20, 2025) 469319
ANNUAL TOWN MEETING
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN
To the legal voters, residents of the TOWNSHIP OF YORK in the County of DuPage and the State of Illinois, that the ANNUAL TOWN MEETING of said Township will take place on:
TUESDAY, APRIL 8, 2025 being the second Tuesday of said
LEGAL NOTICES
month at the hour of 7:00 O’clock
P.M. at
York Township Hall
1502 S. Meyers Road, Lombard for the transaction of the miscellaneous business of the said town; and after a Moderator having been elected, will proceed to hear and consider reports of officers, and decide on such measures as may, in pursuance of law, come before the meeting; and especially to consider and decide the following:
THE ANNUAL TOWN MEETING OF THE TOWN OF YORK APRIL 8, 2025
AGENDA
1. Call to Order
2. Invocation
3. Pledge of Allegiance
4. Welcome and Introduction by Anthony Cuzzone, Town Clerk
5. Call for Nomination of Moderator
a. Closing of Nominations
b. Election of Moderator
c. Oath of Moderator
6. Approval of Minutes of the a. Annual Town Meeting of April 9, 2024
7. Supervisor’s Statement of Financial Affairs
a. Fiscal Year 2024/2025
8. Resolution of Electors: Authority to Sell or Lease Property
9. Public Comment (limit to 3 minutes)
10. Announcement of Next Annual Town Meeting on April 14, 2026 at 7:00 p.m.
11. Benediction
12. Adjournment
Anthony Cuzzone Town Clerk
(Published in the Elmhurst Independent, Addison Independent, Bensenville Independent, Villa Park Review and Lombardian March 20, 2025)
469330
NOTICE
CERTIFICATE NO. 79638 was filed in the office of the County Clerk of DuPage County on FEBRUARY 21, 2025 wherein the business firm of LIBERTY & JUSTICE TRIAL CONSULTANTS, 919 N. SCOTT STREET, WHEATON, IL 60187
was registered; that the true or real name or names of the person or persons owning the business, with their respective post office address(es), is/are as follows: Susan L. Fagan, 919 N. Scott Street, Wheaton, 60187.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and Official Seal at my office in Wheaton, Illinois, this 21ST day of FEBRUARY, A.D. 2025. Jean Kaczmarek DuPage County Clerk (Published in The Lombardian March 6, 13, 20, 2025) 468463
NOTICE
CERTIFICATE NO. 79637 was filed in the office of the County Clerk of DuPage County on FEBRUARY 21, 2025 wherein the business firm of ROYAL PET, 1213 W. IRVING PARK RD., ITASCA, IL 60143 was registered; that the true or real name or names of the person or persons owning the business, with their respective post office address(es), is/are as follows: Stacy Keith, 326 N. LaLonde Ave., Lombard, IL 60148.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and Official Seal at my office in Wheaton, Illinois, this 21ST day of FEBRUARY, A.D. 2025.
Jean Kaczmarek DuPage County Clerk (Published in The Lombardian March 6, 13, 20, 2025) 468654
NOTICE
CERTIFICATE NO. 79645 was filed in the office of the County Clerk of DuPage County on MARCH 10, 2025, wherein the business firm of HAIR LOUNGE BY LUCIA, 930 ROOSEVELT ROAD SUITE 105, GLEN ELLYN, IL 60137 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: Lucia Sanchez, 1178 Harbor Ct., Glendale Heights, IL 60139.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and Official Seal at my office in Wheaton, Illinois, this 10TH day of MARCH, A.D. 2025.
Jean Kaczmarek DuPage County Clerk (Published in The Lombardian March 20, 27, April 3, 2025) 469138
NOTICE
CERTIFICATE NO. 79644 was filed in the office of the County Clerk of DuPage Coun ty on MARCH 7, 2025 wherein the business firm of ENVISION ABUNDANCE MASSAGE THERAPY, 3549 MULLIGAN DRIVE, WOODRIDGE, IL 60517 was registered; that the true or real name or names of the per son or persons owning the busi
ness, with their respective post office address(es), is/are as follows:
Tondrea T. Dent, 3549 Mulligan Drive, Woodridge, IL 60517.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and Official Seal at my office in Wheaton, Illinois, this 7TH day of MARCH, A.D. 2025. Jean Kaczmarek DuPage County Clerk (Published in The Lombardian March 20, 27, April 3, 2025) 469139
ANNUAL TOWN MEETING
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN
To the legal voters, residents of the TOWNSHIP OF YORK in the County of DuPage and the State of Illinois, that the ANNUAL TOWN MEETING of said Township will take place on:
TUESDAY, APRIL 8, 2025 being the second Tuesday of said month at the hour of 7:00 O’clock P.M. at York Township Hall
1502 S. Meyers Road, Lombard for the transaction of the miscellaneous business of the said town; and after a Moderator having been elected, will proceed to hear and consider reports of officers, and decide on such measures as may, in pursuance of law, come before the meeting; and especially to consider and decide the following:
THE ANNUAL TOWN MEETING OF THE TOWN OF YORK APRIL 8, 2025
AGENDA
1. Call to Order
2. Invocation
3. Pledge of Allegiance
4. Welcome and Introduction by Anthony Cuzzone, Town Clerk
5. Call for Nomination of Moderator
a. Closing of Nominations
b. Election of Moderator
c. Oath of Moderator
6. Approval of Minutes of the a. Annual Town Meeting of April 9, 2024
7. Supervisor’s Statement of Financial Affairs
a. Fiscal Year 2024/2025
8. Resolution of Electors: Authority to Sell or Lease Property
9. Public Comment (limit to 3 minutes)
10. Announcement of Next Annual Town Meeting on April 14, 2026 at 7:00 p.m.
11. Benediction
12. Adjournment
Anthony Cuzzone
NOTICE
CERTIFICATE NO. 79637 was filed in the office of the County Clerk of DuPage County on FEBRUARY 21, 2025 wherein the business firm of ROYAL PET, 1213 W. IRVING PARK RD., ITASCA, IL 60143 was registered; that the true or real name or names of the person or persons owning the business, with their respective post office address(es), is/are as follows: Stacy Keith, 326 N. LaLonde Ave., Lombard, IL 60148. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and Official Seal at my office in Wheaton, Illinois, this 21ST day of FEBRUARY, A.D. 2025. Jean Kaczmarek DuPage County Clerk
(Published in The Lombardian March 6, 13, 20, 2025) 468654
2025-2027 FIRE HYDRANT SANDBLAST AND PAINT PROGRAM
BID DUE: By Wednesday, April 09, 2025 at 9:00 a.m.
PROJECT NAME: 2025-2027 Fire Hydrant Sandblast & Paint Program
PROJECT LOCATION: Village of Bensenville and La Grange Park, Illinois
March 20, 2025
Notice is hereby given that the Village of Bensenville and La Grange Park is seeking Bids from qualified firms to establish a contractual agreement for the 20252027 Fire Hydrant Sandblast & Paint Program. The Bids shall be sent to:
Village of Bensenville Office of the Village Clerk 12 South Center Street Bensenville, IL 60106
The Village of Bensenville will accept Sealed Bids until 9:00 a.m. local time on Wednesday, April 09, 2025. The Bid must be in a sealed opaque envelope plainly marked 2025-2027 Fire Hydrant Sandblast & Paint Program. The forms can be found at www.bensenville.il.us under “Business.” The packet can also be picked up at the Public Works Department, 717 E Jefferson Street, Bensenville, IL 60106. Detailed information may be obtained by contacting Amanda Segreti at 630350-3435 or via email at asegreti@ bensenville.il.us.
All Bids require a Bid Bond, or Certified or Cashier’s Check made payable to the Village of Bensenville for not less than five percent (5%) of the base Bid amount.
The Village Board reserves the right to reject any and all Bids or
(Published in the Addison Independent, Bensenville Independent & Villa Park Review March 20, 2025) 469459
Village President Frank DeSimone and Building Bensenville Stronger
Proven Leadership with Real Results
OFFICIAL SAMPLE BALLOT
TAKE
Village of Bensenville
Frank DeSimone Village President
Nancy Quinn Village Clerk
VOTE FOR 3
Ann Franz Village Trustee
McLane “Mac” Lomax Trustee
Armando Perez Village Trustee
Bensenville Park District
VOTE FOR 2
For Park Commissioner
John Tornabene
Kory Smith
Bensenville Fire District
VOTE FOR 5
Fire Trustee
Douglas M. Eltman
Jerome “Jerry” Budnik
Nicholas Panicola Sr.
John J. Samme
Jack Alden
Bensenville Elementary School District 2
VOTE FOR 2
School Board Member
Maria Cristina Reyes
Milton Mercado Jr.
Bensenville Referendums
Vote NO Retain the managerial form of municipal government?
Vote NO Impose a one percent local grocery sales tax?
Vote NO Continue to charge a fee to license a domestic pet?
Proven
STRONG FISCAL MANAGEMENT
• Held the Line on Village Property Taxes
• Eliminated Annual Vehicle Sticker Fees
• Continue to Reduce Debt and Upgraded Credit Rating
INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS
• $ 45 Million in Infrastructure Improvements Including $11 Million in Grant Funds
• Street Light Program and More Trees
• Upgrades to Water Distribution System and Flood Mitigation Program
STRONG COMMUNITY
• Safer Neighborhoods and Advanced Crime Fighting Technology
• Expanded Special Events and Programs
• New Senior Center and Lowered Age to 60 to Qualify for Senior Benefits and Programs
TUESDAY or Vote Early March 17 - March 31
Bensenville Police Department 345 E. Green St., Training Room
Frank