VPR110724

at Willowbrook

A fun day in Villa Park

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’s Class of 2021 celebrated its commencement with two separate ceremonies in the school’s main gymnasium on Sunday morning. The entire class includes over 470 students. About half of those students attended the

Willowbrook High School celebrated its homecoming last week. The week’s special 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-

Villa Park’s Villa Avenue Business District held a pre-Halloween event on the afternoon of Saturday, Oct. 26. Participating businesses welcomed trick-or-treaters from 1 to 3 p.m. The celebration also included a costume contest (from 3 to 4 p.m.—with prizes for winners in multiple age groups) at Cortesi Veterans Memorial Park. Detective Eric Haimann and Sergeant Jesus Landa (wearing a hat) of the Villa Park Police Department posed for photos with several trick-or-treaters at the event. Those trick-or-treaters were also able to get an up-close look at one of the police department’s vehicles.

lowbrook rebounded from Friday’s loss to post an 11-2 win in Saturday’s game at Hinsdale Central. The Warriors bashed three home runs in the second inning of Sat urday’s non-conference battle against the Red Devils of the West Suburban Silver Conference. Senior Annemarie Knudtson, freshman Isabella Dugo and sophomore Kayleigh Dennison provided the home runs. Dennison (No. 5) is pictured in the background of the above photo. For more about the Warriors, see page 14.

Arbor Day in Villa Park

ceremony that began at 9 a.m. The others participated in the ceremony that started at 11 a.m. The photo shows members of the Willowbrook Senior Choir performing during the day’s first service. For more photos, see Page 4.

ing west onto Highridge Road and into the school’s north parking lot. Members of Willowbrook’s marching band are pictured along the parade route. The participants also included several of the Warriors’ fall athletic teams, as well as members of the Villa Park Warriors Football and Cheer program.

Third Ave., are: Villa Park Village Trustee Christine Murphy, Justin Shlensky—chair of the Villa Park Environmental Concerns Commission, Margaret Schiefer—a member of the Villa Park Environmental Concerns Commission, Villa Park Village Trustee Cheryl Tucker, Villa Park Village President Albert Bulthuis, Villa Park Village Trustee (and Village President-Elect) Nick Cuzzone and Leslie Allison-Seei—chair of the Villa Park Community Pride Commission. Arbor Day is observed on the last Friday of each April. The National Arbor Day Foundation has recognized Villa Park with Tree City USA designation for 36 straight years. To receive that recognition, a community must have a tree board or department, a tree-care ordinance, a comprehensive community forestry program and an Arbor Day observance.

Federal judge sets trial date for State Sen. Tom Cullerton--Page 4

Villa Park Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 2801 held its Memorial Day service on Monday morning at Cortesi Veterans Memorial Park. Post Commander Jim Blankshain is pictured bowing his head as Willowbrook High School students Lily Hendrickson and Anna Seelbach sound taps at the end of the ceremony. The post’s 2020 Memorial Day event was canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. This year’s observance included a reading of the names of the Post 2801 members who have recently died. That list included World War II veteran Charles “Sid” Bergh, who served as the master of ceremonies of the post’s annual Memorial Day service for several years. A veteran of the U.S. Navy, Bergh died in October 2020. He was 94 years old. Bergh was the post’s last surviving World War II veteran.

By the numbers: Unions lead the way on funding state elections in Illinois

With no statewide campaigns, Pritzker steps back on donations

By Andrew Adams Capitol News illiNois

This year in Illinois, there are no statewide elections. There are no fights over a Supreme Court seat. There are no constitutional amendments. At the Statehouse, more than half of general election races are uncontested.

And yet, political campaigns in Illinois raised about $600 million in itemized individual contributions, according to a Capitol News Illinois analysis of state campaign finance data. Accounting for loans, transfers between political committees and other contributions, more than $1 billion changed hands among Illinois’ political organizations between Nov. 9, 2022, and Oct. 15, 2024—the final required disclosure deadline before the election.

In total, campaigns have spent at least $633 million in this election cycle, according to state board data. About two-thirds of that, or $418 million, was spent on direct campaign expenses like advertising, events and paying campaign staff, with the rest going to loans and to other campaigns.

State campaign committees for 2024 candidates—the organizations that pay for General Assembly and judicial campaigns—took in about $223.7 million between the previous election and Oct. 15 in the form of direct donations, transfers between committees and inkind donations. The rest went to political parties and local campaigns.

Democratic candidates this cycle took in about $4.90 for every $1 that Republicans received in direct support, in-kind donations and transfers. About one-third of that support to candidates of both parties came from organized labor groups and unions.

Republicans share many of the same

donors but receive less support from unions and have fewer large donors overall.

This campaign cycle represents a departure from what had become the norm in many Illinois elections over the past decade. A few wealthy donors have long dominated campaign finance, but this cycle, fewer billionaires are making major donations.

The independently wealthy former Gov. Bruce Rauner made waves in 2014 when he put millions of his own dollars into his run against Democratic incumbent Pat Quinn.

Rauner lost his reelection bid in 2018 to current Gov. JB Pritzker. Between the two of them, they raised more than $250 million that cycle, making the race one of the most expensive state elections in U.S. history.

Billionaires Ken Griffin and Dick and Elizabeth Uihlein supported Rauner in both of his campaigns and continued to put hundreds of millions of dollars into elections after Pritzker took office.

But the Uihlein family has only given about $1.3 million to state candidates this cycle. Griffin moved to Florida and has mostly stayed out of Illinois politics.

And Pritzker – still the largest individual contributor in state campaigns – has given about $25 million this cycle. That’s just under one-sixth of what he spent when he ran for governor in 2022 and just under one-third of what he spent in 2020 when he backed an ultimately doomed campaign to remove the flat income tax provision from the state constitution.

Who’s writing checks

Half of itemized contributions to state candidates this cycle passed through just 28 organizations via direct funding, transfers and in-kind donations. A total of $67.4 million came from 15 groups affiliated with

organized labor through donations and transfers between political committees. Four political committees associated with the Democratic Party also transferred $25.2 million between themselves and to candidates in races around the state. Other major groups include advocacy organizations, trade groups and committees affiliated with Republican party leadership.

Unions generally raise political money through contributions from their members to dedicated funds, but tracking where the Democratic Party gets its funding is trickier.

House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch rose to power in 2021 after the ouster of Michael Madigan and oversees a 78-seat supermajority in the Illinois House. While Welch doesn’t chair the Democratic Party of Illinois—a key funding source that his now-indicted predecessor used to exert control over his caucus—the current speaker does control three political committees. The two highest funded of those are his personal campaign committee and “Democrats for the Illinois House.”

Using these two committees, Welch has moved $11 million around through transfers and contributions to allies in his party in this election cycle.

The party itself, chaired by Rep. Elizabeth “Lisa” Hernandez, is the largest single funder of state campaigns outside of labor organizations, having distributed $7.4 million to candidates and other committees at the state level.

Senate President Don Harmon, who presides over a 40-member supermajority, similarly chairs several political organizations – including his personal committee and “ISDF,” the Illinois Senate Democratic Fund. His personal campaign committee moved $2 million into ISDF in November, ahead of the primaries earlier this year. Other committees have reported $5.4 million coming from ISDF.

These five committees—which rep-

resent one-fifth of all itemized contributions to other state-level Democrats and collectively raised more than $120 million—are tightly associated with organized labor.

Of the money that doesn’t come from labor, the largest single donor in Democratic politics is Pritzker—who contributes through his personal campaign committee.

Behind him are a cadre of special interest groups and trade associations. Among the largest single donors are trade associations affiliated with nursing homes, assisted living businesses, Realtors, trial lawyers and alcohol distributors.

Republicans’ funding problem

At this year’s Republican National Convention, the newly seated chair of the Illinois GOP, Kathy Salvi, and House Minority Leader Tony McCombie both discussed the need to “outwork” Democrats who, even then, had a clear fundraising advantage.

But Republican state-level candidate committees still managed to raise $37 million of itemized contributions this cycle.

Despite stepping back their support, the Uihleins—who live in Wisconsin and built their fortune through the industrial supplier ULINE—are still among largest single donors to state-level Republican candidates.

Together, they donated around $1.3 million to state-level candidates this cycle, putting them as the sixth-largest funding source for Republican candidates – behind three party-affiliated committees and two committees affiliated with organized labor.

Those party-affiliated committees –the Illinois Republican Party, House Republican Organization and Senate Republican Victory Fund – represent about 16.5 percent of the itemized funding sources for state-level Republican candidates.

In turn, they get most of their fund-

ing from individual campaign committees—more than 55 percent of these three committees’ itemized contributions come from current, former or hopeful Republican lawmakers.

Senate Minority Leader John Curran also maintains his own campaign committee while McCombie has a campaign committee and is also affiliated with a PAC.

Excluding those already mentioned, Illinois Republicans’ top donors include many of the same groups as Democrats: trade associations representing nursing homes, Realtors and several organizations affiliated with organized labor.

Many advocacy organizations and companies donate to both parties. But they represent a larger share of the Republican fundraising pool than they do for Democrats. The Chicago police union, Ameren and its affiliated political committees, and the committee associated with the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association all split political contributions about evenly. Those three groups are all in the top 15 donors for Republicans, despite not breaking the top 40 for Democrats.

Republicans have far fewer large donors that send money exclusively to their side of the aisle. Among organizations and people that donated more than $1 million to candidates up for election in 2024, 83.9 percent of them gave at least 80 percent of their money to Democrats.

Democrats’ advantage

In this year’s Illinois House races, there are 60 contested seats. In 34 of those races, a Democrat holds at least a 10-to-1 advantage in itemized contributions over their Republican opponents this election cycle—with one incumbent Democrat holding a roughly 105-to-1 advantage. A Democrat also holds a significant advantage over an

See FUNDING, Page 5

Election results available on DuPage County website

Results from Tuesday’s elections could not be published in time for this week’s paper due to press deadlines. They will be published in next week’s issue. However, DuPage County has been posting updated election results online since Tuesday night. The website address is: www.dupagecounty.gov/elections/election_results.php

On Sunday, Nov. 3, the Elmhurst Police Department provided information about an incident that took place early that morning.

“At approximately 5 a.m., Berkeley police were pursuing two vehicles suspected of burglarizing a vape shop in their town,” noted a statement from the Elmhurst Police Department. “One vehicle drove off the street and collided with a residential home at the intersection of Vallette Street and Parkside Avenue.”

According to the police department’s statement, one juvenile suspect was taken into custody nearby

after he ran from the vehicle. No one in the home was injured.

“The vehicle was found to be a freshly stolen car from another suburb,” related the police department’s update about the incident.

“The second vehicle was a white Kia Sportage SUV and was last seen leaving Elmhurst eastbound on St. Charles Road at I-290, back toward Berkeley,” added the statement. “No additional suspects are at large in Elmhurst and the juvenile suspect is in the custody of the Berkeley Police Department. Elmhurst police are investigating the traffic crash scene.”

Court denies state’s motion to detain pre-trial man accused of shooting another man in the chest

Gun allegedly used in shooting capable of firing as a fully automatic weapon

DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and Naperville Chief of Police Jason Arres have announced that Judge Joshua Dieden denied the state’s motion to detain a Naperville man accused of shooting another man in the chest.

Jermaine Badie, 18, appeared in First Appearance Court and was charged with one count of aggravated battery—discharge machine gun and one count of unlawful possession of a machine gun. Both offenses are Class X felonies.

If found guilty, Badie faces a potential sentence of between 12 to 45 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections. As a condition of his pre-trial release, Badie will be subject to GPS electronic monitoring.

On Oct. 28 at approximately 8:48 p.m., the Naperville Police Department received a 911 call for a possible gunshot victim in the 100 block of Testa Drive.

Upon their arrival, officers found the victim, lying on his back with blood on his chest and in the sur-

rounding grass, suffering from an apparent gunshot to his chest.

He was immediately transported to a local hospital for medical attention. Following further investigation into the shooting, it is alleged that Badie and several other individuals were in the 100 block of Testa Drive when a fight broke out between the victim and another individual.

It is alleged that after the fight was over, Badie pulled out a black and silver Glock with a 30-round extended magazine and shot the victim in

the chest. It is further alleged that following the shooting, Badie fled the scene. He was found nearby by Naperville police officers a short time later.

The bullet allegedly fired by Badie entered through the victim’s chest, a couple inches to the right of his heart, and exited through his back, striking one of his lungs.

Badie’s next court appearance is scheduled for Nov. 25, for arraignment in front of Judge Ann Celine O’Hallaren Walsh.

Toys for Tots’ Stuff the Truck event for less fortunate children to be held this Sunday, Nov. 10

Join Toys for Tots and the U.S. Marine Corps on its 249th birthday for the second annual Stuff the Truck event to be held from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 10, at the Villa Park Target store, located at 50 E. North Ave. Stop by Target and pick up a toy or two to help

“stuff the truck” that will benefit less fortunate children during the holidays. For more information, go online and visit: https://dupage-il. toysfortots.org. The photos here are from last year’s event.

Willowbrook presents its fall musical—’The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee’—Nov. 14-16

The Willowbrook High School theater department will present its fall musical—“The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee”—next week. There will be performances of the musical on Thursday, Nov. 14, Friday, Nov. 15 and Saturday, Nov. 16. Each presentation will begin at 7 p.m. in the school’s Doris E. White Auditorium.

The musical comedy follows a group of six adolescent children as they vie for the spelling championship of a lifetime.

Senior senior Sophia Merchant (who plays Vice Principal Douglas Panch) and junior Caitlyn Burkeen (who plays Rona Lisa Peretti) said audience members can expect a show that’s “immersive and intriguing”—

and they might even join the cast up on stage!

The cast members stated that each performance is different, as the storyline varies, depending on audience participation.

Tickets cost $10 for those 13 and older and $5 for children 12 and younger. Admission is free for those with a District 88 student ID or a District 88 Senior Gold Card. Family passes will not be accepted.

Tickets will be on sale at the box office, which will open 30 minutes before each performance. Tickets can be ordered online at https://www. dupage88.net/site/page/15745.

The Kiwanis Club of Villa Park will hold a spaghetti dinner fundraiser before the performance of Friday

For more information about the musical, contact director Regina Wathier at rwathier@dupage88.net.

For more information about the spaghetti dinner, visit kiwanisclubofvillapark.com.

night, Nov. 15. The dinner will take place from 5 to 6:45 p.m. at Willowbrook. Tickets for the dinner (tickets for the play are sold separately) are $10 for adults, $7 for teenagers and $5 for children 6-12. Kids 5 and under can eat for free. The spaghetti dinner at Willowbrook will include a gift card fundraiser at 6 p.m.

VFW Post 2801 holds its Veterans Day ceremony at 11 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 11

Villa Park Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 2801 will hold its annual Veterans Day ceremony on Monday, Nov. 11, beginning at 11 a.m. (doors open at 10:30 a.m.) The post is located at 39 E. St. Charles Road.

Monday’s service to honor the nation’s veterans is open to the public.

The event will feature multiple speakers and a tribute video. A catered lunch and refreshments will be served after the ceremony.

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SUBMITTED PHOTOS Rock Valley Publishing

Opinion

Slices of life

Wanting more

Life is pretty good for me right now, but I wake most mornings yearning for more.

Not more in things, but more in purpose. More in positive change for my world. More in feeling I am doing something substantial during my time on this planet.

It got me to wondering. Is this normal? Is it the human condition?

I experienced a great loss four years ago, and for much of the time after, I’ve wished I could go back to the way it was. I wished for the before, because the before felt like more.

But back then, I probably didn’t see it as more. I probably saw it as the everyday, and I may have taken it for granted. I may have even longed for more.

Then I lost what I had and saw it as the more.

I think we all yearn for more, in one way or another. But.

Maybe what we already have is more. Maybe it is the more we will look back at longingly in the future.

I had that thought this morning, as I woke up wondering about all the whats and whys of life.

What does this mean? Where is that going? Why me? What if? Why not me?

What could be better?

And then it dawned on me. Maybe I was asking the wrong questions. What is good right now? How close is peace? What freedoms do I appreciate? Did I smile yesterday? Did I laugh?

Do I need more? Am I already living it?

The word “appreciation” is a bit overused right now, but it’s importance can’t be underscored or over-rated.

Appreciating what we have, in each day, in each moment is monumental to mental health. There are always things that could be going better; always things that are going wrong; always

By JILL PERTLER Columnist

things that could go wrong in the future. Always things to worry about.

Living with hope, in the moment, choosing joy, is a choice. Sometimes it is a difficult choice, because the default is literally pounding on our door. But it is a choice nonetheless.

I’ve found that sometimes, during the most difficult times of life, we can be sad, or bored, or scared or overwhelmed.

I’ve found that sometimes, during the best times of life, we can be sad, or bored, or scared or overwhelmed. If this is true, the same must be so for joy and hope and peace and purposefulness.

You see where I’m going here?

We choose: sadness or joy, angst or peace, bored or purposeful.

But then, wherein comes the more?

Why do I still want more? Is that wrong?

In a word, no. I don’t think so. It’s never wrong to aspire to more. To dive deeper. To surge further. To take it up one more step, or even two.

Even in bliss and peace and joy we can want more. We can reach for more. We can yearn for more.

That isn’t wrong. It is making the most of this life.

And that, my friends, is precisely what we all are supposed to do. Never stop reaching. Never stop searching.

As for me? I wish you more - in whatever scenario that means to you—in the truest sense of the word.

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

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Reducing prescription drug prices and preventing local pharmacy closures

By U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi

On Oct. 29, I had the opportunity to testify in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee during a field hearing in Chicago on how to lower prescription drug costs for all Americans.

During my testimony, I spoke about the role Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) have played in driving up the costs of prescription drugs and their squeezing of local and independent pharmacies. These practices have also allowed PBMs to target independent pharmacies, undermining them by imposing measures like direct and indirect remuneration (DIR) fees that leave local stores struggling to get by. Practices like these have resulted in 73 percent of Illinois counties experiencing pharmacy deserts, forcing patients to travel longer distances for their medication. In 2024 alone, more than 2,000 local and independent pharmacies across the country have closed due to these pressures.

During my time in Congress, I have made reducing prescription drug prices and taking on PBMs a priority. That’s why I have introduced several bipartisan pieces of legislation that aim to rein in their power and put the needs of patients first. I am grateful to Chairman Dick Durbin for holding this field hearing to allow me to shed more light on the power of PBMs, and I am committed to working with my colleagues in the House and Senate to pass meaningful PBM reform that will help independent pharmacies and lower the cost of prescription drugs for Illinoisans and

all Americans.

Securing the future of regional transportation across our region and Illinois

Recently, I met with state and local officials in Bloomington-Normal to discuss the future of regional transportation across our state.

During our meetings, we spoke about the $95 million in federal funding allocated for Illinois following the passage of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. A portion of that funding will be used to improve and update facilities and service along the Chicago-St. Louis Amtrak rail corridor, which will benefit both commuters and casual riders.

Communities across our district and the Chicago suburbs benefit every day from Amtrak, commuter rail lines, and other regional public transit that allow workers to live outside the city. I believe that the rest of the state should also have that option, and it’s time we invest in regional transit across Illinois.

The Bloomington-Normal station serves 200,000 passengers annually, making it the second busiest Amtrak station by volume in the state, trailing only Chicago. I am committed to working with local, state, and federal officials to make sure public transit services throughout Illinois are invested in and improved upon.

My discussion with local labor and educational leaders on CTE funding

I recently traveled to John A. Logan College in Cartersville and Southwestern Illinois College in Belleville to host two roundtable discussions on the importance of career and technical education (CTE) with local labor and educational

leaders.

This was a continuation of meetings I held in our district, and both events featured conversations on how best to continue to grow our state’s economy through investment and funding into CTE programs, as well as discussions on how best to help graduates from community colleges succeed in the future.

CTE programs, workforce development opportunities, and job training have been priorities for me since entering Congress because a ticket to the middle class should not require a four-year college degree. That is why I wrote Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act, which increased funding for CTE programs across the country by $1.3 billion annually, and why I am meeting with local education, business, and labor leaders as we prepare to reauthorize the law next year.

Honoring veterans of the Vietnam War

On. Oct. 30, I was honored to join with Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 5036 in St. Charles to present veterans of the U.S. military with lapel pins in commemoration of the upcoming 50th year anniversary of the end of American involvement in the Vietnam War.

As that anniversary approaches, it is more important than ever to honor and thank those who risked their own safety to fight for our country. The debt of gratitude our nation owes these veterans is immeasurable, and it is essential that we continue to recognize and honor their service.

Raja Krishnamoorthi represents the 8th Congressional District of Illinois, which includes part of Addison, Wood Dale and Bensenville.

Regarding the new homes that are to be built south of Roosevelt and west of Westmore-Meyers, wouldn’t the zoning have to be commercial if you have more than one family in a house? A house with seven bedrooms seems excessive today for one single family. That sounds like it’s going to house more than one family which then would be considered a commercial dwelling, such as an apartment duplex, etc.; hoping this helps refine that property because it’s not looking good for the Lombard community.

Editor’s note: Bill Heniff, Community Development director, explained that the Pinnacle at Meyers homes are zoned “as a single-family development,” adding that if someone such as an older parent, college-age, adult child or other family member moves in, etc., “They could live there and it is still a [single] family unit.”

He—and also Pinnacle developer Ahmed Khan—have repeatedly emphasized that while the single-family homes may have up to seven bedrooms, they are designed for five bedrooms and it is up to the individual owner how to use the extra two rooms.

“These are not multiple-family dwellings so they don’t need multiple-family zoning,” Heniff said.

“The seven bedrooms you keep hearing about, it’s actually five bedrooms,” Khan said at a previous board meeting. “The two are optional if you build out the basement.”

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It has gotten to be that I look forward to reading the police blotter almost more than Speak Out, wondering what strange or odd incident(s) will be reported. Earlier this year there were two reports of “activities” in different parks, a report that someone thought his or her beverage had been spiked with oil, people giving each other dirty looks, someone staring at someone in the grocery store or at a house, etc. I shake my head, though, at the multiple incidents where people report being threatened with extortion over “pictures” sent to another person. Um, I am guessing those are not photos of

a person in their Sunday best? Here’s a concept: Don’t take pictures you wouldn’t want your grandma to see.

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To the person who said we are “affected minimally” by national politics, I get that you want people to focus on local elections and legislators. That is true, and we need to be heard here at the municipal, township and county level at the very minimum, but to say we are affected minimally by national politics? Please rethink that comment.

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This is in response to the woman who wrote a letter to the editor trying to make comparisons between Donald Trump and Hitler (Oct. 31 issue). Nice try! I needed a good laugh. The next thing she will tell us is that Melania Trump is the second coming of Eva Braun. I’ve voted for Trump more than once. I’m not under his spell. I don’t wear a MAGA cap. I’ve never been to a Trump rally and never wanted to go to one. Trump often acts like a fourth-grade bully, is rude, self-absorbed and doesn’t know when to keep his big mouth shut. So why have I voted for Trump? Simple. I think Trump’s policies are far better for this country than the regressive policies of leftist socialists who have taken over the Democratic Party and are ruining this country—just like the Democrats are ruining Illinois. * * *

Lombard is hosting a public safety open house to promote new police and fire facilities. A new police station is needed, the current building was built in 1977, not 1974, when the department had 35 officers; that number is now doubled. The village states a central location is needed for the police department. Let’s hope that doesn’t mean on Roosevelt Road or Yorktown. The village had a third fire station on Westmore. The village board in the 1970s did not have the vision to foresee that Lombard might expand and be in need of all three stations. The building of the third fire station is the cheap part. It is the staffing and equipment that will cost. They had one chief, one deputy chief and six lieutenants. Now it has one chief, two deputy chiefs, three battalion chiefs,

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one fire marshal and 12 lieutenants and almost the same number of firefighters, the guys that do the work. A previous village board in the 1990s spent $2 million on brick paver sidewalks. The current board decided that wasn’t smart and spent $2 million to redo them to concrete. Let us hope the current board has the vision to do the right thing on the current issues.

Editor’s note: The following information was submitted by the Village of Lombard: “To clarify, the Village does not plan to increase staff levels with the addition of a third fire station. Instead, the plan involves relocating the Tower Ladder, an ambulance and a Battalion Commander to the new central station, with the staffing per day as follows: 3 personnel for the Tower Ladder, 2 personnel for the ambulance, and 1 person for the Battalion Commander. This move would help improve response times in the central area of town for more efficient service.”

“Additional project details are also available on the Village’s website at www.villageoflombard.org/ publicsafetyproject.”

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The election may or may not be decided by the time this comes out. I will abide by the outcome, as I don’t intend to listen to either of the two candidates on TV or the radio, because they are both irritating. Trump because he bloviates and distorts truths, and Harris because she flip-flops around like a fish on a beach so much that I don’t know what she believes in, and I don’t want to listen to her cackling, whiny voice. She has said she will do so many things for this country, but I want to know exactly how she intends to execute her plans. I have yet to get a solid answer to that one. Either way, may God bless this country: We, the people, must quit throwing barbs at one another and instead, unify to stay strong and hold this country up.

* * *

Interesting that someone would ask “what’s going on in this town,” referring to the closing of three 7-Eleven stores. That would be a corporate decision having nothing to do with Lombard itself. Get a clue.

* * *

I’ve noticed around Villa Park that there is extensive public sidewalk restoration being done around town. I applaud that. Just wondering if/when there is a plan to rehab my public walk in front of my home. What are the intentions and time frame to re-do my and my neighbors’ walks? My public walk and others on the block have serious issues of risen and sunken slabs posing genuine trip hazards for the walking public. I live at far west Vermont Street, Villa Park; please respond with an outline of a program. Thank you.

Editor’s note: It is suggested that you contact public works directly, at 630-834-8505, to get information about your specific location, or you can visit invillapark. com/1159/2024-Sidewalk-Program, which has a question and answer (FAQ) sheet on the village’s sidewalk program.

* * *

Instead of some callers making so many derogatory comments about President Trump, let’s take a personal look at reality in Lombard over the

last four years. How many businesses have closed around here, causing many job losses? Then there are the small businesses declaring bankruptcies due to the high cost of supplies, shipping and employment. There are also those who lost their jobs only to be replaced by undocumented immigrants for cheaper labor. Of course, prices continue to go up so we afford less. Gas-guzzling SUVs are everywhere; are we ready to give them up to save the environment? Homelessness is rampant. I could go on. But stop and think; I know I have been affected by all of these. Can anyone else relate? I am surprised how unaware people are of the gradual decline happening to us. We are not better off than we were four years ago.

* * *

This is for the Lombard Police and the Villa Park Police. I have seen this on the Eisenhower where people make the shoulder a fourth lane. I’m letting the Lombard and Villa Park police know there are people at 7 a.m. who are making the middle turning lane— the lane that separates eastbound and westbound traffic on St. Charles—into a driving lane. It has happened at least twice on my way to work going eastbound on St. Charles where someone has decided to drive down the median as a third lane going eastbound. Please be aware of this, Lombard and Villa Park Police Thank you.

* * *

This response is specifically to letter writer Gail Tanzer from Lombard in her letter (Oct. 31 issue), making a connection to Adolf Hitler and the brown shirts with Donald Trump. I have to admit, I’m near a PhD. academic myself, but what a far reach this is and what a despicable link and so un-American at the same time. I hate to say this Gail, but people are absolutely sick of the divisiveness. This link with a democratically elected candidate, garnering almost 80 million votes, is just what the Democratic Party is. Unfortunately, now for them, people are no longer going along to get along. Just because you say something, Gail, it doesn’t mean it’s the truth. You should be ashamed of that inferred connection that you have made. There are a lot of American people, men and women, who have served this country and who support Donald Trump; and to connect them with Hitler, obviously you might have written about Germany at the time, but you sure don’t represent the American spirit of sacrifice.

* * *

Thank you so much to whoever put the nice new black top at the Prairie Path on Finley Road. It really has made a difference for us avid bike riders. Much, much, much appreciated. Thank you.

* * *

How would the world be if we acted like it was Halloween, hurrying to open the door to relatives, neighbors and strangers, ready to give even before we’re asked? What if each person woke up excited about the day, full of imagination, knowing whom he/she admires and ready to walk a mile and someone else’s shoes? What if each person knew that any door lit by a porch light had a community-minded, friendly, generous person behind it? How would the world be if an unlit porch light only meant no one was home? May we should keep the spirit

of Halloween in our hearts all year. * * *

I found it interesting a few days before the election that Kamala Harris, if she’s elected, promised to be a president for all Americans, including those who didn’t vote for her. This after she and Biden and the Democrats spent the entire campaign trashing Donald Trump, calling him unhinged and a fascist and comparing him to Hitler. Sorry, but I don’t believe her for one second. Her promise falls on deaf ears with me.

• Funding

(Continued from page 2)

independent candidate in the 87th District.

In 14 House races, Democrats hold a smaller fundraising advantage, while Republicans hold the advantage in 11 of them. Republicans have a 10-to-1 advantage in five of the races in which they hold the fundraising lead. Incumbents of both parties have the fundraising advantage in all but four House races. In all four of those, the Democratic challenger has the fundraising advantage. In the one open House race to replace Democratic Rep. Lance Yednock, the Democrat has just under a 2-to-1 lead in itemized contributions.

On the Senate side, there are 13 contested the incumbent leading in 12 of them. The other contested seat is an open one, in which the Democratic candidate now holds a large fundraising advantage after beating out a better funded incumbent during the primary.

How we reported this These figures are based on data reported by political campaigns to the Illinois State Board of Elections. We found at least two errors that resulted in fundraising totals being off by millions of dollars. Both of those were corrected by the committees, but the state board’s underlying data was never updated. It’s possible, and perhaps likely, that other errors exist within the state’s data that no one caught. Some candidates who file disclosures on paper also face a possible undercount of their expenses due to how the board reports data. This likely only affects a few thousand dollars’ worth of fundraising but is still important to remember.

On top of that, committees report donations with a wide variety of names for their donors. One committee reported receiving funds from “J.B. FOR GOVERNO” and another reported a donation from “JB for Gov.” In order to count these contributions as both coming from the committee called “JB for Governor,” we used natural language processing and clustering algorithms to do a first pass at sorting the names into groups and hand-reviewed every name to make sure the changes we made make sense.

Because there were 350,000 individual donations this cycle from over 36,000 entities, we checked a random sampling of our data and found that 99.5 percent of the changes we made were correct with a 3 percent margin of error and 99 percent confidence. We also hand-checked that all the committees named in the story were correctly coded.

We stand by our approach, but you should keep in mind that for Illinois races, even the best campaign finance data can be messy and imperfect.

out& about Jane Charmelo

Muriel Anderson to share the stage with Chicago folk duo

Steve Dawson and Diane Christiansen to perform at her annual hometown concert

It’s now going on 33 years that Muriel Anderson has been performing in her hometown of Downers Grove—a tradition that brings her back each year for the Thanksgiving holiday.

And, each year the renowned harp guitarist adds a new dimension to her concerts, whether in the form of a new CD, a book, a game or a special guest performer.

This year, Anderson is featuring the Chicago-scene folk duo of Steve Dawson and Diane Christiansen. When asked how she chose this musical duo, Anderson related that she learned about them when she was a guest on WGN Radio’s “Steve and Johnnie Show.”

The radio hosts, Anderson continued, described them as “a really fun and talented duo.”

Last year, Anderson introduced a new CD, “Sailing Dreams,” and this year, she said she will revisit some of those songs, describing them as being “inspired by sailing trips” with fiancé Bryan Allen.

Also new this year is a CD compilation of 21 different harp guitarists from the U.S. and Europe— with a theme of clouds and aptly named “Clouds”—and Anderson said she has written a medley of songs based on the style of traditional Japanese melodies.

Additionally, without giving anything away, Allen will also be performing at this concert, she mentioned.

“ i t’s always a festive occasion and everyone comes out smiling.”

– Muriel Anderson

Anderson has roots in Lombard, having studied guitar with Anne Jones at the Jones School of Folk Music in Lombard.

She went on to become the first woman to win the National Fingerstyle Guitar Championship and was featured on the cover of Classical Guitar Magazine in 2017, and has performed with such notable musicians as Les Paul, Chet Atkins, Victor Wooten and the Nashville Chamber Orchestra, to name a few.

Her 1989 “Heartstrings” CD traveled with the astronauts on the space shuttle, and her 2014 CD “Nightlight Daylight” was named one of the top 10 CDs of the decade by Guitar Player Magazine Anderson also created the non-profit Music for Life Alliance* to enable young people to participate in music education.

Anderson is known for infusing her concerts with toe-tapping rhythms, but also interwoven is lighthearted humor.

When asked how that fits in with her unique music, she didn’t hesitate to emphasize that humor is

Woman charged with burglary/retail theft from Naperville Home Depot

DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and Naperville Chief of Police Jason Arres have announced that charges have been filed against a Naperville woman accused of stealing more than $1,600 worth of merchandise from the Naperville Home Depot located in the 2900 block of Audrey Avenue.

Florence Twu, 41, appeared in First Appearance Court and was charged with one count of burglary (Class 2 felony) and one count of retail theft (Class 3 felony).

Twu is presently on pre-trial release for allegedly stealing more than $300 worth of merchandise including cosmetics, self-care products and office supplies from the Naperville Walmart and Nordstrom Rack stores, both located on 75th Street in Naperville on June 20. At her most recent hearing, Twu was released on the new charges as required by law. Following that hearing, the state filed a petition to revoke Twu’s pre-trial release on her previous case, which Judge Mia McPherson granted.

On Oct. 29 at approximately 6:06 p.m., Naperville police officers responded to the Home Depot regarding a retail theft. Following an investigation into the matter, it is alleged that Twu entered the Home Depot, placed more than 50 items valued at approximately $1,630, including home repair items, tools and clothing in her backpack and a shopping cart and then left the store without paying for the merchandise.

It is further alleged that when a loss prevention officer confronted Twu, she left the shopping cart behind and ran with her backpack to her car, where she was apprehended by Naperville police officers in the parking lot.

Twu’s next court date is scheduled for Nov. 25, for arraignment in front of Judge Mia McPherson.

“an extension of who I am,” then elaborated that while in college at DePaul University, she studied mandolin under Kenneth “Jethro” Burns (of Homer and Jethro fame).

Of her interactions with Burns, the musician reflected how, “I think that helped develop [her sense of humor].”

Additionally, she shared that Burns happened to be the brother-in-law of Atkins (they married twins)—which is how she became acquainted with the famous guitarist.

Anderson said she looks forward

to returning home and performing for family, friends, repeat audiences and new attendees, and sees her after-Thanksgiving concerts as a kind of “transition between the holiday season(s) … to bring a lot of joy.”

“It’s always a festive occasion and everyone comes out smiling,” she concluded modestly.

The concert will be held at 8 p.m. (CST) Saturday, Nov. 30, both online and live at the First Congregational Church UCC, 1047 Curtiss St., Downers Grove.

In-person tickets are $28 and include refreshments and the traditional home-baked goods “by my extended family,” and a chance to win a new Eastman guitar, courtesy of Tobias Music in Downers Grove.

Live-stream tickets are $18 and include a chance to win the Eastman guitar.

Tickets are available at murielanderson.com/dg.

*Also as part of the tradition, a portion of the ticket proceeds will be earmarked for Anderson’s Music for Life Alliance charity.

Photo courtesy of Gail White Rock Valley Publishing

Harp guitarist Muriel Anderson is returning to her hometown on Saturday, Nov. 30, for her 33rd annual after-Thanksgiving concert. This year’s guests

the performing duo of Diane Christiansen and Steve Dawson.

Saturday shopping at Christmas Mart

The annual Lombard Christmas Mart was held this year on Saturday, Nov. 2, with a number of churches participating—including Calvary Episcopal Church, Lombard Bible Church, First Church of Lombard UCC, First United Methodist Church and St. John’s Lutheran Church. Also participating was the Lombard Historical Society, where (top right, left to right) Executive Director Alison Costanzo and Education and Collections Manager Rae Slowik, along with volunteers, were on-hand to greet shoppers. In one photo, Soapy Roads of Lombard co-owner and soap maker Joe Bingaman is pictured (above) with some of his products at Calvary Episcopal Church. In another photo (below), shoppers were checking out the bargains at St. John’s Lutheran Church rummage sale.

Coming events

St. Pius X Craft/Vendor Fair

Nov. 9

St. Pius X Craft /Vendor Fair Saturday, Nov. 9, 1025 E. Madison St., Lombard, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

‘Mollie’s War’ with Cyndee Schaffer at LHS Nov. 9

The Lombard Historical Society presents Cyndee Schaffer and Mollie’s War Saturday, Nov. 9, from 2-3 p.m. Why did an average American woman become a WAC during World War II and place herself in peril? Cyndee uses excerpts from her mother’s letters written home

during WWII to provide a romantic yet frightful glimpse into the life of a woman in uniform during this crucial time in history. This event is free but space is limited and requires tickets which are available at lombardhistory.org. For more information, check the website (lombardhistory.org), email info@lombardhistory.org, or phone 630-629-1885.

Chamber Pop-Up lunch Nov. 8

Pop Up Lunch - Penn Station –Friday, Nov. 8. Penn Station East Coast Subs, 801 E. Butterfield Road, Lombard, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Visit

lombardchamber.com for information.

Village of Lombard blood drive Nov. 12

The fall Village of Lombard blood drive is being held Tuesday, Nov. 12, in the Versiti coach parked by the lower level near Von Maur from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.; and at First Church of Lombard, 220 S. Main St., Lombard, from 1:30-7 p.m. Walk-ins are welcome but appointments are appreciated. Bring a photo ID. Call 800-7TO-GIVE or visit www.versiti. org/IL to schedule.

Jane Charmelo PhoTos Rock Valley Publishing

Old Globe vintage shop hosts ribbon-cutting, one-year anniversary

The Old Globe vintage shop of Villa Park, located at 338 S. Ardmore Ave., recently hosted a riibbon cutting and one-year anniversary celebration. Old Globe deals in old globes, maps, signs and vintage goods of all sorts. It is a great addition to Villa Park’s historic Ardmore district shops. Old Globe is owned by Lisa Von Roenn and John S. Duda (and Fuzzy, the shop dog). Standing in front of the store cutting

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.

Oct. 29

A complainant at a pharmacy in the 200 block of E. Roosevelt reported that a suspect removed items from display shelves and left without paying.

A complainant at a store in the 1-100 block of E. North reported that a suspect removed items from display shelves and left without paying.

Oct. 28

Eduardo Belli Polito, 22, of Bolingbrook, was charged with two counts of DUI, transportation

of open alcohol by a driver, driving too fast for conditions or failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident near W. St. Charles and N. Harvard at 1:43 a.m.

Police said Christian D. Wallaby, 20, of Chicago, was charged with an in-jurisdiction warrant at 7:19 a.m.

Oct. 27

Peter J. Vicicondi, 30, of Elgin, was charged with violating pretrial release in the 400 block of N. Douglas at 9:34 p.m.

A complainant at a store in the 200 block of E. North reported at 3:02 p.m. that an unknown suspect removed their purse from their shopping cart.

A complainant in the 100 block of S. Yale reported at 3:11 p.m. that a suspect entered their home and removed property.

A complainant in the 100 block of S. Ardmore reported at 5:18 p.m. that a suspect is harassing them via phone.

Oct. 26

Kendrick T. Archibald, 36, of Chicago, was charged with retail theft in the 200 block of E. Roosevelt at 7:09 p.m.

Carlos E. Medina-Silva, 44 (homeless), was charged with retail theft at a store in the 1-100 block of E. North at 12:18 p.m.

Oct. 25

A complainant at the Metra station at 349 N. Ardmore reported at 4:52 a.m. that a subject was causing a disturbance. The subject was issued a trespass warning.

Oct. 24

A complainant at a store in the

1-100 block of E. North reported at 4:50 p.m. that a suspect removed items from display shelves and left without paying.

A complainant in the 1200 block of Ovaltine reported their vehicle was stolen.

A complainant in the 600 block of W. James reported at 10:56 p.m. that packages were stolen from their front steps.

Oct. 23

A complainant in the 200 block of E. Division reported that a suspect battered them.

Complainants at a fitness center in the 300 block of W. North reported at 5:32 p.m. and 5:34 p.m. that an

unknown suspect removed the locks from their lockers and removed items.

A complainant in the 1-100 block of E. Euclid reported at 6:21 p.m. that a suspect battered them.

A suspect was issued a citation for open liquor in a public place near E. Vermont and N. Ardmore at 9:23 p.m.

Identity theft, fraud

According to information provided by the Villa Park Police Department, police reported one incident of identity theft or fraud in the village between Oct. 23 and Oct. 29.

Giannoulias launches distracted driver effort

Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias has announced his office is spearheading a multi-faceted campaign to raise awareness about the dangers of distracted driving.

Corridors throughout the state.

According to NHTSA data, drivers 15-34 are most likely to be distracted at the time of fatal crashes.

The Willowbrook High School Parent Organization (WPO) will hold its annual craft fair from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. this Saturday, Nov. 9. The event will take place in the field house at the school, which is located at 1250 S. Ardmore Ave., Villa Park.

Admission is $5 for adults. Admission is free for children 12 and younger. Proceeds from the craft fair

will support the WPO scholarship program for graduating Willowbrook students.

For more information, contact Anne Goodhart at wbhscraftfair@ gmail.com, or text/call 630-7796774.

For more information about the WPO, go to https://bit.ly/ WBHSWPO.

The office’s “One Road. One Focus” campaign—specifically geared toward educating teen drivers about the consequences of distracted driving—includes a new requirement for teens to watch a video that details the consequences of dangerous driving behaviors during their learner’s permit phase before they receive their driver’s license.

The office is also partnering with Illinois State Police (ISP) and Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) to identify areas prone to crashes and designate them as Distracted Driver

“Decisions made behind the wheel impact all road users, whether that’s other drivers, passengers, pedestrians, bicyclists or the families waiting at home for their loved one’s safe arrival,” Giannoulias said. “The mentality of valuing a text message over lives is completely unacceptable. We’re committed to changing behaviors to make Illinois roads safer and to save lives.”

Giannoulias is partnering with Brenda Protz, a Springfield woman who lost her 14-year-old daughter Jenna in a distracted driving incident that also took the lives of three others, including her daughter’s best friend

and her paternal grandparents. A young driver, charged with aggravated use of an electronic communications device and improper lane usage, crossed a median causing the crash.

“Distracted driving is a nationwide epidemic. My daughter Jenna and her friend Holly were only 14 when their lives ended,” Protz said.

The office is also working with stakeholders, including IDOT, ISP and road safety advocates like Chicago-based Bike Lane Uprising.

“Every year, ISP troopers issue thousands of citations and warnings for distracted driving. Despite this, our troopers still respond to hundreds of crashes, many the result of distracted driving,” said ISP Director Brendan F. Kelly.

the ribbon are, above right, from left to right: Len Loverher (Villa Park Chamber of Commerce), Kyle Schnettler (executive director of the Villa Park Chamber of Commerce), Lisa Von Roenn, John S. Duda, Rae Rupp-Srch (Vice President of the Villa Park Chamber of Commerce) Nick Cuzzone (Villa Park Village President) and Jeff Stulgin (Villa Park Chamber of Commerce).

SUBMITTED

Maple Street Concerts in Lombard welcomes Carrie Elkin and Danny Schmidt with Wild Ponies Nov. 16

Maple Street Concerts welcomes back, as a co-bill, Nashville-based musical duos and close friends; folk/ singer-songwriters and Americana/ country-roots performers Carrie Elkin and Danny Schmidt, and Wild Ponies.

The concert takes place at the historic Maple Street Chapel, 200 S Main St., Lombard on Saturday Nov. 16 at 7 p.m.

Carrie Elkin and Danny Schmidt— Elkin and Schmidt are a rare breed with both a real-life romantic and artistic-musical partnership.

Elkin is best known for her incredibly soulful and dynamic vocals, which have drawn favorable comparisons to Patty Griffin at her most powerful, and Nanci Griffith at her most intimate. And Schmidt, named to the Chicago Tribune’s list of the “50 Most Significant Songwriters in the Last 50 Years,” is best known for his riveting poetic lyrics, which have drawn favorable comparisons to Leonard Cohen and Townes Van Zandt for their depth and complexity.

Together, their respective strengths merge into a much greater whole, a performance of great energy and spirit, and one that audiences seem to be able to connect with at once: emotionally, spiritually and intellectually. (Danny last played solo at Maple Street in 2017. Danny and Carrie played together in 2013.)

“Getting to play Maple Street Concerts as part of the 40th anniversary season is a thrill and an honor for us,” said Danny. “It’s an honor be-

cause Maple Street has the gravity of being one of the country’s great institutions for singer/songwriter music, and playing in that chapel, you can feel that you’re a part of a larger heritage. And it’s a thrill because Doug and Telisha (of Wild Ponies) are like family to me and Carrie, and getting to share the stage together will have the levity and joy of a family talent show,”

Wild Ponies—Based in Nashville but rooted in their southwest Virginia origins, Doug and Telisha Williams have dedicated the last 20 years to building their musical careers as Wild Ponies. Partners in love and music, they deliver a dynamic blend of country, roots, folk, and Americana. Whether performing with just Doug’s acoustic guitar and Telisha’s upright bass or rocking out with a full band, Wild Ponies creates an inclusive and engaging experience.

Their sixth album, “Dreamers,” (August 2024 on No Evil Records), is the result of all their living, loving, and dreaming.

Produced by singer-songwriter Brandy Zdan and featuring several notable collaborations, “Dreamers” is Wild Ponies’ most ambitious record yet. Its 11 songs explore life beyond the traditional nuclear family and detail the joys and challenges of their experiences as a queer, poly-amorous family navigating fertility treatments and becoming foster parents in Tennessee.

These dreams have manifested songs in musical gallops and emo-

tional wallops. (Wild Ponies performed as Doug and Telisha Williams at Maple Street in May 2012.)

• Advance tickets are $21.25 on-

line (with processing fee) and presales end at noon on the day of show.

Door sales are cash or check only, pending availability. All sales are fi-

nal—no refunds or exchanges. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. For more information, visit: http://www.maplestreetconcerts.org

Court grants state’s motion to detain Cicero man charged with escape from courtroom deputy following court appearance

DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and DuPage County Sheriff James Mendrick announced on Saturday, Nov. 2, that Judge Robert Douglas has granted the state’s motion to detain pre-trial a Cicero man charged with escaping from a DuPage County Sheriff’s Deputy following his Nov. 1 appearance in court on a charge of aggravated possession of a stolen motor vehicle, a Class 1 felony.

Javier Barajas, 23, appeared in court on Nov. 2, and was charged with one count of escape from a peace officer (a Class 2 felony) and one count of resisting or obstructing a peace officer–causing injury (a Class 4 felony).

On May 23, 2024, Barajas was charged with non-detainable aggravated possession of a stolen motor vehicle and detainable aggravated fleeing and eluding, a Class 4 felony. At his court hearing, Judge Joshua Dieden denied the state’s motion to detain him pre-trial.

On Oct. 29, while on pre-trial release, Barajas was charged with five counts of aggravated possession of a stolen motor vehicle over $25,000, a Class 1 felony. He appeared in court on Oct. 30, and he was released pre-trial as the charges against him are not detainable under the law.

The same day, the state filed a motion to revoke Barajas’ pre-trial release for allegedly violating the conditions of his pre-trial release on the first case. The following day,

Barajas appeared in court, where Judge Joseph Bugos granted the state’s motion to detain him. After Barajas’ pre-trial release was revoked, he was taken into custody by a sheriff’s deputy.

It is alleged that while the deputy was completing paperwork, Barajas slipped out of his handcuffs and quickly walked out of the courtroom.

It is alleged that after exiting the courtroom, Barajas ran down the hallway and escalators and eventually made it to the lobby of the courthouse. It is further alleged that once in the lobby, Barajas attempted to run back up the escalator, but was apprehended by multiple dep -

uties.

It is alleged that Barajas resisted arrest and refused to place his hands behind his back and that during a struggle to arrest him, a sheriff’s deputy sprained his left knee and ankle.

“These are the challenges that we deal with every day due to the Safe-T-Act,” Mendrick said. “We will continue to keep DuPage County safe no matter what legislation is passed. I only hope that my deputies do not get injured while continually having to re-arrest the same people.”

Barajas’ next court date is scheduled for Nov. 25, for arraignment in front of Judge Bugos.

Your link to the weekly newspaper will be emailed to you every Thursday. The digital version of the newspaper can be read on a computer, laptop or tablet. For an eSubscription, visit rockvalleyenews.com or call 627-7010.

submitted photo Rock Valley Publishing Carrie Elkin and Danny Schmidt (left) and Wild Ponies (right).

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. Absence of effort

5. Preserve a dead body

11. Gratitude

14. The act of coming together again

15. Simpler

18. Visionaries

19. Large, fish-eating bird

21. Indicates near

23. Former CIA agent and critic

24. Icelandic poems

28. Pop

29. “Hammer” is one

30. Senses of self-importance

32. Thyrotrophic hormone

33. Not around

35. Electronic data processing

36. Licenses and passports are two types

39. Snakelike fish

41. Air Force

42. Popular computers

44. Of a withered nature

46. Wings

47. Used in combination

49. Laid back

52. Jeweled headdress

56. In slow tempo

58. __ Falls

60. Assertions made again

62. Periods of history

63. Hyphen

CLUES DOWN

1. Body part

2. Mimics

3. Expel large quantities rapidly

4. Sea eagle

5. A type of subdivision

6. Variety of Chinese

7. Mr. T’s name on “The A-Team”

8. Consumed

9. Chinese dynasty

10. NFL great Randy

12. Ireland

13. Palm trees with creeping

roots

16. Fungal disease

17. Impressionable persons

20. Affirmative! (slang)

22. Instinctive part of the mind

25. “The First State”

26. A way to develop

27. Fraternities

29. Woman (French)

31. Sunscreen rating

34. Beer

36. Spiritual leader

37. Indigo bush

38. Burn with a hot liquid

40. Junior’s father

43. Ray-finned fishes

45. Morning

48. Line passing side to side through the center (abbr.)

50. Double curve

51. A small bundle of straw or hay

53. Got older

54. Crater on Mars

55. Humanities

57. Relating to the ears

58. “To the __ degree…”

59. Residue of a burned product

61. It cools a home

Coming events

Elmhurst Symphony concert Nov. 10

The Elmhurst Symphony Orchestra announces an unforgettable concert featuring the timeless masterpieces of Beethoven and Brahms, with a special performance by renowned violinist Rachel Barton Pine. Join us on Nov.10, at 3 p.m. at Elmhurst Christian Reformed Church, 149 W. Brush Hill Road, Elmhurst. For tickets and more information, please visit ElmhurstSymphony.org or call the ESA office at 630-9410202 (Monday through Friday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.). To hear the concert pieces ahead of time visit ElmhurstSymphony.org

Radio Players West: ‘Those Were The Days’ Nov. 17

On Sunday, Nov. 17, at 2 p.m., come to the Villa Park Public Library to experience the laughter, intrigue and dramatic endings from the great writing of the Golden Age of Radio. Enjoy “The Adventures of Philip

Marlow,” “The Life of Riley,” and Stan Freberg again or for the very first time. Each show is based on original scripts, with original music and with a Foley artist creating live sound effects. Registration is required. For more information, visit the library’s website at www.vppl. info or call 630-834-1164.

Costa Howard collecting for Lombard toy drive

The office of state Rep. Terra Costa Howard is collecting new toys (unwrapped), sports equipment, formula, wipes and diapers to donate to the Lombard Fire Department’s 23rd annual Toy Drive from now through Dec. 13.

Donations will benefit Toy Express and Teen Parent Connection. To schedule a time to drop off donations or a porch pick-up, you can email reptch42@gmail.com or call 630-812-9292. For more information, visit www.villageoflombard. org//CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=851.

Notice of Proposed Property Tax Increase for Bensenville Elementary School District 2.

I. A public hearing to approve a proposed property tax levy increase for Bensenville Elementary School District 2 for the year 2024 will be held on November 20, 2024, at 6:30 p.m. at the Educational Administration Center, 210 S. Church Road in Bensenville.

Any person desiring to appear at the public hearing and present testimony to the taxing district may contact Ms. Cindy Snyder, Clerk of the Board, at the District office, 210 S. Church Road, Bensenville, Illinois 60106 or by calling 630-766-5940 x1108.

II. The corporate and special purpose property taxes extended or abated for 2023 were $32,672,975.94.

The proposed corporate and special purpose property taxes to be levied for 2024 are $34,527,000. This represents a 5.67 percent increase over the previous year.

III. The property taxes extended for debt service and public building commission leases for 2023 were $316,608.27.

The estimated property taxes to be levied for debt service and public building commission leases for 2024 are $312,180. This represents a 1.4 percent decrease over the previous year.

IV. The total property taxes extended or abated for 2023 were $32,989,584.21.

The estimated total property taxes to be levied for 2024 are $34,839,180. This represents a 5.61 percent increase over the previous year.

(Published in the Addison Independent, Bensenville Independent & Villa Park Review November 7, 2024) 463740

GPS program Nov. 14

The GPS Parent Series: Navigating Healthy Families will present “Over the Influence: Why Social Media Is Toxic for Teens and How to Limit its Impact” with author Kara Alaimo at noon and 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 14, via Zoom. Alaimo will demonstrate how social media may be affecting every aspect of our lives —from relationships and parenting to physical and mental wellbeing. She will reveal why much of the content we find

in our feeds is designed to hold us back. She will also explain how false news reports are crafted to prey on a person’s vulnerabilities. Alaimo will discuss the subtle and not-so-subtle disinformation found online and share strategies for how we can use the platforms to empower ourselves and others for good. Go to www. 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 ad-

vance, contact Gilda Ross, Glenbard District 87 student and community projects coordinator, at gilda_ross@ glenbard.org or 630-942-7668.

Little Orphan Annie Radio Play Nov. 16

Join the Lombard Historical Society Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024 at 2 p.m. for this free event. Space is limited registration is required. Visit lombardhistory.org for more information.

YOU’RE INVITED TO DINE & DISCOVER

Thursday, November 14th 11:30-1:30 pm

Enjoy a complimentary lunch & refreshments, meet new friends, and discover what 55+ Active Adult Overture Yorktown’s community has to offer!

Whether you’re an elite athlete or simply enjoy being active, Dr. Hur will accurately diagnose and treat your unique condition, helping relieve pain and restore function to your foot and ankle.

• Minimally invasive foot and ankle surgery

• Total ankle arthroplasty

• Deformity correction

• Sports-related injuries

• Fracture care

Schedule an appointment in Joliet, Westchester, or Chicago.

HELPFUL TIP:

State unveils ‘Help Stop Hate’ program in response to rising hate crimes

By Amalia Huot-Marchand MEDILL ILLINOIS NEWS BUREAU FOR CAPITOL NEWS ILLINOIS

With global tensions and an intensely partisan presidential campaign fueling division among Americans, Illinois is launching the Help Stop Hate program to combat the severe increase in hate crime throughout the state.

“We are here today to officially launch Help Stop Hate, a new resource that will help protect and empower victims and witnesses to incidents of hate through a free, confidential and multilingual service,” Gov. JB Pritzker said at a Chicago news conference last week.

According to the Council on American-Islamic Relations’ Chicago branch, there has been a 196 percent increase in anti-Muslim hate crimes in Chicago since the Hamas attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. The Anti-Defamation League reports a 379 percent increase in antisemitic incidents since 2019 in Illinois.

“As governor of this great state, as a person, and as someone who has stood up against hate throughout my life, I am horrified by this trend. Horrified,” Pritzker said.

This program was announced as hate crime incidents are at a record high since the FBI began collecting the data in 1991. As a recent example, an Orthodox Jewish man was shot Oct. 26 while entering a synagogue in West Rogers Park that weekend.

Although the crime is still being investigated, the governor said he fears antisemitism is at play. On Oct. 14, 2023, a 6-year-old Palestinian-American boy, Wadea Al-Fayoume, was stabbed to death by his landlord in a suspected hate crime.

“Please understand that at this moment, there are people gleefully working to empower our ugliest traits—bigotry, exclusion, vitriol,

suspicion—all in the name of pure, unfettered hate,” Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton said.

The Illinois Department of Human Rights and the state’s Commission on Discrimination and Hate Crimes oversee the program. It allows people who have experienced hate crimes to go to IlStopHate.org or call 877-458-HATE and talk about the incident. They will be directed to a specialized resource based on the nature of the crime.

They can, for example, speak to professionals from their own communities, acquire help dealing with trauma or connect with resources that can provide additional safety measures. The victim can also report the crime to state or local police, who will investigate further.

The program will be funded by a $1.3 million grant over three years from the U.S. Department of Justice and through the IDHR’s general funding. This assures Help Stop Hate will be a long-term resource, officials said.

According to Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul, the multifaceted approach will also support data collection on hate-motivated crimes, which are severely underreported. Officials said data is inconsistent because some victims are reluctant to report hate crimes for various reasons.

Often, victims see hate crime as a part of daily life; they fear their concerns will be dismissed by law enforcement; or, as Stratton said, they don’t trust the systems currently in place.

Amalia Huot-Marchand is a graduate student in journalism with Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism, Media, Integrated Marketing Communications, and a Fellow in its Medill Illinois News Bureau working in partnership with Capitol News Illinois.

Coming events

Helen Plum Library programs

Finish Your Debut Novel Wednesday, Nov. 20, at 6. p.m. Author Sierra Kay will show participants how to unlock the secrets of completing their debut novel. Learn about novel writing including planning, outlining, and setting realistic goals. Register at helenplum.org or by calling 630-627-0316.

NaNoWriMo Write-In Friday, Nov. 22, from 4-8 p.m. Join fellow writers for dedicated, quiet writing time to work toward your National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) goals, whether you’re working on the next Great American Novel or just getting started. Writers are welcome to come and go any time during the write-in. Light refreshments will be served.

GPS film screening Nov. 13

The GPS Parent Series: Navigat-

ing Healthy Families will host an evening with Best Buddies with a film screening of “Saving Superman” at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 13, at Glenbard West, 670 Crescent Blvd. in Glen Ellyn. Go to the GPS Parent Series website for information. Jonathan, also known as Superman, lives in a suburb of Chicago. He has a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder and is well-known for his heroic actions. He is a revered member of the community and has been a staple in their Fourth of July parade for nearly 30 years. When Jonathan faced the possibility of his living conditions changing when his building had a new owner, the townspeople started a fund-raiser to save his home. To be placed on a reminder list for GPS events or submit a question in advance, contact Gilda Ross, Glenbard District 87 student and for more information.

Lombard Garden Club meeting Nov. 8

Marcy Lautanen-Raleigh will speak on “The Curative Powers of Tea” at the Nov. 8 meeting, 1 p.m. at the Lombard Community Building, 433 E. St. Charles Road, Lombard. Marcy is the owner of Backyard Patch Herbs. Marcy will discuss the difference between black tea and herb tea as well as what herbs make good tea. Learn how to formulate your own teas and the various medicinal properties discovered throughout time of various plants. Various teas, cooking blends and dry soup mixes will be available for sale. These are full of flavor but are also free from pesky preservatives and nasty chemicals. There is no charge and the public is welcome to attend. Visit www.lombardgardenclub.org for information.

Single Mothers Support Group to meet Nov. 17

SHE Single Mothers Support Group Monthly Event on Sunday,

Nov. 17, 12:15 p.m. at Elmhurst Christian Reformed Church, 149 W. Brush Hill Road. We offer a complimentary lunch for all who attend, free child care (ages infants to 12 years). Guest speaker will be Juni Felix, the host of “Middays with Juni Feliz” on Moody radio. RSVP to elmhurstcrc. org/she.

Lombard Service League meets Nov. 14

In celebration of Veterans Day, Lombard Service League will feature Fran Jensen from the VFW Lilac Post 5815 Auxiliary to share with our members and guests their mission and the work that they do. Fran will be speaking at TownePlace Suites, 455 East 22nd St. in Lombard. The business meeting begins at 7 p.m. and the program will follow. As a show of patriotism, members and guests are encouraged to wear red, white and blue to the meeting. The main focus of business for the meeting will be reporting on the final details and

collecting ticket money for the Lombard Service League annual fundraising luncheon which will be held on Dec. 1 at The Carlisle Banquets in Lombard. Guests are welcome to attend all meetings. For more information please go to www.lombardserviceleague.org or call 630-988-0625.

Holiday Fair at Christ the King Nov. 16-17

Join Christ the King Church, Parish Life Center, 1501 Main St., Lombard, for “Once Upon A Holiday Fair,” on Saturday, Nov. 16, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Sunday, Nov.17, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Come prepared to shop our fantastic array of craft items, household decorations and don’t forget to check out the children’s table. The smells from our bake sale will lure you over to a vast display of homemade goods from breads to pies and everything in between. Don’t forget to mark the dates on your calendar. Sponsored by Christ the King CCW.

Worship Services Directory

St. Timothy Evangelical Lutheran Church

547 N. Main St., Lombard, IL 60148 630-627-2435 Lent and Easter Services at 7 p.m. “The Crucial Hours”

Sunday Worship at 10:15 am Sunday School & Bible Study 9 am

Second Lenten Service March 9, 2022

Ladies Bible Fellowship Mondays at 6:30 pm Wednesday Service at 7pm

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

Third Lenten Service

March 16, 2022

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

Adult Bible Study Wednesdays after Service Everyone is Welcome! All services are live streamed. Watch on our website or on Facebook. sainttimothy.org 463300

Fourth Lenten Service

March 23, 2022

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

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

Fifth Lenten Service March 30, 2022

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

Sixth Lenten Service

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

April 6, 2022

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

Confessions: Saturday: 3-3:45PM

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

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

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

Sports

Rams kick off the post-season with an easy win

Four first-quarter touchdowns set the stage for a 49-0 triumph; Glenbard East will face Stevenson in this week’s second-round game in Lombard

The Glenbard East football team sailed into the second round of the IHSA Class 8A playoffs following Friday’s 49-0 victory over Curie Metropolitan High School of Chicago in a first-round contest in Lombard.

The Rams earned their eighth straight win and raised their overall season record to 9-1 with their post-season triumph over the Condors, who ended their season with a 5-5 record. Glenbard East will play another home game in this week’s second-round battle against another 9-1 team—the Stevenson Patriots. The game will begin at 7 p.m. this Friday in Lombard.

Stevenson beat Sandburg 31-14 in a first-round matchup in Lincolnshire.

“We want to stay together,” said Glenbard East coach John Walters after Friday’s resounding playoff victory over Curie. “We enjoy each other. We enjoy playing football and practicing and doing all the little things, so this is just another week for us to stay together and play ball.”

The winner of this week’s second-round matchup in Lombard will advance to the Class 8A quarterfinals and square off against Lincoln-Way East or Minooka. Lincoln-Way East, which improved to 10-0 with a firstround victory, opened the playoffs as the No. 1 seed in the 32-team Class 8A playoff field. Glenbard East is the No. 8 seed. Stevenson is the No. 9 seed.

The Rams scored four touchdowns in the first quarter of Friday’s game against Curie to build a 28-0 lead after 12 minutes of play. Glenbard East, which scored two defensive touchdowns in the opening quarter, added one more touchdown in the second quarter to raise its lead to 35-0 by halftime. The Rams

scored on the first play of the second half to trigger a running clock for the rest of the game.

A few plays after receiving the opening kickoff, the Condors turned the ball over. Glenbard East junior Orlando Hoye intercepted a Curie pass, and the Rams began their first offensive drive at Curie’s 26yard line. Glenbard East scored a few plays later when senior Valentino Heredia delivered a 9-yard touchdown run. Sophomore Moises Velazquez then made the first of his seven extra-point kicks of the game to give the Rams a 7-0 lead with about nine minutes left in the first quarter.

The Rams scored a defensive touchdown about two minutes later, when senior Teryn Hatter intercepted a Curie pass and raced 18 yards into the end zone for a touchdown.

Curie’s third offensive series ended with a short punt to its own 29-yard line.

The Rams soon scored on a 21yard touchdown pass from junior Michael Nee to senior Amonte Cook. The extra-point kick pushed Glenbard East’s lead to 21-0 with about two minutes remaining in the opening quarter.

On the next play from scrimmage, Curie fumbled the ball. Glenbard East senior Stevyn Fox picked the loose ball up off the turf and ran 21 yards for a touchdown— the Rams’ second touchdown in a 14-second span. The extra-point kick from Velazquez extended the Rams’ lead to 28-0 with 1:40 left in the first quarter.

Nee launched an 11-yard touchdown pass to senior Chris Renford early in the second quarter to help lift Glenbard East to its 35-0 halftime lead. On the second-half kickoff, Hatter fielded the ball at the CHRIS

Rock Valley Publishing Glenbard East’s football team opened the IHSA Class 8A post-season with Friday’s 49-0 win over Chicago’s Curie Metropolitan High School. The Rams scored four first-quarter touchdowns to take an early 28-0 lead over the Condors in the first-round playoff game in Lombard. Glenbard East owned a 35-0 lead at halftime. On the second-half kickoff, senior Teryn Hatter of the Rams fielded the kick and lateraled the ball to senior Amonte Cook, who caught the ball at Glenbard East’s 17-yard line. Cook (No. 1) then ran 83 yards for a touchdown to give the Rams a 41-0 lead. Cook is pictured (above left) during the touchdown return. One more photo from Friday’s game shows senior Max Salek (No. 8 - above right) preparing to throw a touchdown pass to junior Nathan Kud later in the third quarter. The Rams, who have won eight straight games, improved their 2024 season record to 9-1 with their win over the Condors. Glenbard East will face Stevenson (9-1) in this Friday’s Class 8A second-round playoff game in Lombard.

Rams’ 25-yard line. He then threw a lateral to Cook, who caught the ball around the 17-yard line. Cook darted to his left and headed down the field and into the end zone on his 83-yard return. Velazquez added the extra-point kick to boost the Rams’ lead to 42-0 with 11:43 left in the third quarter. The lead of at least 40 points generated a running clock for the rest of the game, which was played in clear and chilly weather.

“Amonte is electric,” said Walters. “I don’t think there’s a kid in our program who doesn’t know that. They just like getting him the ball and watching him run, like everyone else does.”

Glenbard East scored its seventh and final touchdown of the night on a 16-yard pass from senior Max Salek to junior Nathan Kud with about five minutes to play in the third quarter.

Broncos coast to a 49-0 first-round win

Montini will meet Byron this Saturday in Lombard

The Montini Catholic football team rolled to a 49-0 victory over Chicago’s North Lawndale Charter School in Saturday’s IHSA Class 3A first-round playoff game.

The Broncos owned a 28-0 lead over the Phoenix after one quarter of Saturday afternoon’s post-season contest at Knute Rockne Stadium in Chicago. The Broncos’ lead grew to 35-0 by halftime.

Montini earned its sixth straight win and improved its 2024 season record to 8-2 with its first-round victory. North Lawndale ended its season with a 7-3 record.

The Broncos will face undefeated Byron (10-0) in this Saturday’s second-round showdown, which will kick off at 1 p.m.

in Lombard. One year ago, Byron edged Montini 26-20 in the semifinal round of the Class 3A playoffs. After winning that game in Lombard, the Tigers went on to win the state championship and complete their 2023 season with a perfect 14-0 record.

“Obviously we have a lot of respect for a very good Byron team, and look forward to a rematch with them on Saturday,” stated Montini coach Mike Bukovsky after the Broncos’ first-round win.

“We are anticipating a very physical game, and we know we are going to need our best effort.”

Sophomore quarterback Israel Abrams threw two touchdown passes in the first six

minutes of Saturday’s post-season game in Chicago. Abrams connected with junior Nico Castaldo on a 23-yard touchdown pass in the opening quarter. Senior Santino Florio delivered the Broncos’ other first-quarter touchdown catch with a 34-yard reception.

Abrams completed four of five pass attempts for 70 yards and two touchdowns in Saturday’s win. He headed to the sideline early in the second quarter after the Broncos had established a comfortable lead.

Montini added to its first-half lead with three more touchdowns, including Florio’s 50-yard punt return into the end zone. Senior Max Bell intercepted a Phoenix pass and raced 80 yards for a defensive touchdown

in the first half. Senior Jeremiah Peterson provided a touchdown run in the opening half to help the Broncos raise their lead to 35-0 by halftime. Peterson provided 102 rushing yards and one touchdown on just five attempts in Saturday’s win.

Montini senior JoJo James added a touchdown run with about five minutes left in the third quarter to help the Broncos raise their lead to 42-0. The lead of at least 40 points triggered a running clock for the rest of the game.

Junior Chris Juda scored Montini’s final touchdown of the game on a 100-yard interception return.

Burst of 12 straight points helps Broncos win regional title

Montini

The Montini Catholic girls volleyball team won an IHSA regional title in entertaining fashion last week.

The Broncos captured the plaque at the IHSA Class 3A Hinsdale South Regional by beating the regional host in a competitive three-game battle on Halloween night.

Montini won the first game of the Oct. 31 regional final. The Hornets then won the second game to force a decisive third game. Hinsdale South held an 11-8 lead in that third game, but the Broncos unleashed a 12-0 run to build a 20-11 lead on their way to a 25-20, 19-25, 25-18 victory.

After winning a point on Hinsdale South’s serve to cut the Hornets’ lead to 11-9 in the third game, Montini senior Izzie Evenson delivered serves for the rest of the Broncos’ 12-0 run.

“It’s a big step forward for us as a program,” said Montini coach Erik Vogt shortly after the Broncos accepted the plaque for winning the regional title. “It was really nice to see our seniors take leadership roles in big moments.”

Montini raised its overall season record to 15-20 with its win over Hinsdale South in the regional final. The Broncos advanced to this week’s sectional at Saint Laurence High School in Burbank. Earlier this week, Montini faced Saint Laurence in sectional semifinal. The winner of that match will face Lemont or Kaneland in tonight’s sectional final. The sectional champion will earn a berth in the Nov. 11 super-sectional at Hinsdale South. The super-sectional winner will qualify for the IHSA state semifinals in Normal.

Before last week’s victory over the Hornets, Montini’s girls volleyball program had not won a regional title since 2021, when the Broncos rolled all the way to the IHSA Class 2A state championship. Two of Montini’s current seniors—Evenson and Sienna Skarda—were members of

reels off 12 straight points in decisive third game against Hinsdale South; run lifts Broncos to first regional championship since 2021

that title-winning team as freshmen. After claiming the program’s first state title in 2021, the Broncos lost a Class 2A regional final in 2022. One year ago, Montini lost a Class 3A regional final on its home court.

“We’ve really been in kind of a challenging rut for the past couple of years,” stated Vogt. “Ever since our state win, we’ve been trying to figure out how to get in these kind of matches and win again. This group is in a position where they want to win right now. Hopefully we can keep pushing and see how far we go.”

Montini freshman Micaela Haggerty bashed eight kills in last week’s regional final. She provided four of those kills during the third game. Junior Francesca Lorenzo delivered seven kills. Skarda contributed five kills and three blocks. Sophomore Moira Quirk also supplied five kills and three blocks for the Broncos. Freshman Saniyah Abrams pounded five kills, while Evenson drilled four kills.

The Broncos opened the 2024 post-season with a 25-8, 25-10 win over Chicago’s John Hancock College Preparatory High School in a regional semifinal match at Hinsdale South on Oct. 29.

The Montini Catholic girls volleyball team won an IHSA Class 3A regional title last week. The Broncos defeated Hinsdale South 25-20, 19-25, 25-18 in a regional final on the Hornets’ home court on Oct. 31. The Montini program had not won a regional title since 2021, when the Broncos won the IHSA Class 2A state championship. Montini trailed Hinsdale South 11-8 in the third game of the regional final. The Broncos then won 12 straight points to take a 20-11 lead over the Hornets. Montini senior Izzie Evenson (No. 10 - top left) served during the last 11 points of her team’s 12-point surge. Another photo (right) shows sophomores Madison Goetz (No. 6) and Sophie Maquet (No. 7) celebrating after the Broncos completed their win over Hinsdale South. With its win at the regional, Montini advanced to this week’s Class 3A Saint Laurence Sectional in Burbank.

Broncos’ girls and boys teams will run in Peoria this weekend

Both squads advance to state meet with third-place finishes at Lisle

The Montini Catholic girls and boys cross-country teams competed in Saturday’s IHSA Class 1A Lisle Sectional. Both Montini teams delivered third-place finishes in the sectional to qualify for this week’s state-meet races in Peoria.

The top six teams in the Lisle Sectional’s girls and boys races qualified for their respective events at the Class 1A state meet, which will take place this Saturday at Peoria’s Detweiller Park.

The Latin School of Chicago won the team title in the sectional’s girls competition with its score of 65. Herscher and Montini both posted team scores of 143. Herscher claimed second after winning the tiebreaker— the finish of each team’s sixth-fastest sectional runner.

Herscher’s sixth-fastest sectional runner finished in 66th place, while Montini’s sixth-fastest competitor finished 88th. IC Catholic Prep (154) placed fourth, while Regina Dominican (157) and Aurora Central Cath-

olic (166) finished fifth and sixth in the sectional’s girls competition, which featured 17 teams.

Junior Sydney Gertsen posted the Montini girls team’s best finishing time in Saturday’s 5-kilometer (3.1mile) race. Gertsen completed the race in a third-place time of 18 minutes, 33 seconds flat.

Westmont junior Kyla Babb won the sectional’s individual title. She finished the race in 17 minutes, 37.90 seconds. Senior Mia Kotler of the Latin School (17:52) finished second.

Junior Ashlynn Lindt of the Broncos finished the sectional race in a seventh-place time of 19:15. Senior Annalee DeFeo (21:30.30) placed 32nd for the Broncos. Freshmen Gia Csoke (22:44.50; 61st) and Kayli Gergen (22:45.50; 64th) completed Montini’s scoring lineup at the sectional. Sophomore Rosie Callaghan (23:58; 88th) and freshman Amelia Sherman (24:08.70; 90th) also represented the Broncos at the sectional

at Lisle Community Park, which sits next to Lisle High School.

Ferris produces a fantastic finish to win the individual title in the boys race

Montini senior Nolan Ferris summoned a strong closing surge to win the individual title in the Lisle Sectional’s boys race. Ferris finished the 5-kilometer (3.1-mile) race in 16 minutes, 6.30 seconds.

He edged out Johnsburg freshman Grady Smith (16:06:60) by threetenths of a second. Junior Peter Kipp (16:07.70) of Northridge Prep of Niles finished third, about one second behind Smith.

Ferris is one of five 2024 individual sectional champions in the Class 1A boys level. The state’s four other sectionals in that level also took place on Saturday.

The girls race at the Lisle Sectional started at 11 a.m. The boys race began at noon. Both races took place

Sectional

in pleasant conditions—clear skies, light winds and a temperature of about 60 degrees Fahrenheit.

Sophomore Nino Pesola of the Broncos posted a fifth-place time of 16:24.10 in the boys race. Sophomore Adriel Garcia (17:05.40; 16th), senior Conor Kaefer (17:09.80; 22nd) and sophomore Gavin Conway (17:18.60; 27th) completed Montini’s scoring lineup.

Junior Sean Buckley (17:31.50; 34th) and sophomore Graham Reiser (18:24.40; 54th) were also part of the Broncos’ sectional contingent.

Aurora Central Catholic’s boys team won the sectional title in Lisle with its score of 42. Northridge Prep of Niles placed second with its total of 57, while Montini (67) finished third.

Elgin’s Harvest Christian Academy (129), Herscher (142) and Cullom’s Tri-Point High School (170) also earned state-meet berths by finishing among the top six teams in the 18-team sectional.

Chris Fox photos Rock Valley Publishing

Chris Fox photo Rock Valley Publishing Senior Nolan Ferris (No. 731) of the Montini Catholic boys cross-country team won the individual title at Saturday’s IHSA Class 1A Lisle Sectional. Ferris outraced two other competitors in the final stretch of the 5-kilometer (3.1-mile) race. He edged the second-place finisher by three-tenths of a second.

Warriors pound Hononegah 40-21 in first-round playoff battle

Willowbrook avenges last year’s 44-0 playoff loss to Indians

One year ago, the Willowbrook football team ended its season with a 44-0 loss to Rockton’s Hononegah High School in an IHSA Class 7A second-round playoff game in Rockton.

On Friday night, the Warriors traveled to Rockton and returned the favor, beating the Indians 40-21 in a Class 7A first-round playoff game.

Willowbrook earned its sixth straight win with Friday’s triumph and improved its overall season record to 7-3. The Warriors will continue their 2024 season with a home playoff game—this Friday’s second-round contest against Saint Rita (8-2). The game will begin at 7 p.m. in Villa Park.

Willowbrook’s opening drive, which included a 26-yard pass from junior quarterback Jahonise Reed to senior Charlie Siegler, ended with a 1-yard touchdown run by senior Aidan Kuehl on a fourth-and-goal play. Senior Dean Romano added the extra-point kick to give the Warriors a 7-0 lead with about eight minutes left in the first quarter.

Hononegah fumbled the ball on its first offensive play. Willowbrook senior Josh Puknaitis recovered the fumble at the Indians’ 23-yard line. A short time later, Romano kicked a 32-yard field goal to push the Warriors’ lead to 10-0 in the middle of the first quarter.

Willowbrook jumped all over Hononegah (8-2) in the first quarter of Friday’s first-round meeting in Rockton. The Warriors led the Indians 17-0 at the end of the first quarter. Willowbrook’s lead grew to 27-7 by halftime.

After a Hononegah punt, Willowbrook began its next offensive drive at the Indians’ 45-yard line. Reed completed passes to Siegler and senior Jordan Pate on that drive before connecting with senior KJ Rhodes on a 21-yard touchdown pass. Romano’s extra-point kick raised Willowbrook’s lead to 17-0 with 2:57 remaining in the first quarter.

Hononegah’s offense drove the ball inside the Warriors’ 20-yard line late in the first quarter. That drive ended with the Indians missing a 40yard field-goal attempt early in the second quarter.

Willowbrook extended its lead when junior Otis Powell intercepted a Hononegah pass and raced 25 yards for a touchdown with about eight minutes left in the second quarter. Romano’s extra-point kick after Powell’s “pick-six” play moved the Warriors’ lead to 24-0.

Romano’s second field goal of the game—a 37-yard kick—moved Willowbrook’s lead to 27-0 with about five minutes left in the second quarter. Hononegah scored its first points of the night on a 64-yard touchdown pass with about 40 seconds left in the first half. The extra-point kick trimmed Willowbrook’s lead to 27-7 just before halftime.

Hononegah’s 8-yard touchdown run cut the Warriors’ lead to 27-13 with 9:35 to play in the third quarter. The Indians missed the ensuing extra-point kick.

Willowbrook’s offense responded with a 60-yard touchdown drive that ended with Reed’s 7-yard touchdown pass to Rhodes. Romano’s extra-point kick gave the Warriors a 34-13 lead with 7:32 left in the third quarter.

The Indians scored a touchdown on a short run with 8:21 to play in the game. Hononegah added a twopoint conversion pass to trim Willowbrook’s lead to 34-21.

Romano helped the Warriors seal their victory by making a pair of field-goal kicks in the closing minutes. He made a 43-yard kick with 5:44 remaining to move Willowbrook’s lead to 37-21. Romano’s fourth field goal of the game—a 27yard kick—closed out the scoring with 2:51 to play.

Willowbrook’s football team opened the IHSA Class 7A post-season with Friday night’s 40-21 victory over Rockton’s Hononegah High School in Rockton. The same two programs squared off in a second-round contest in last year’s Class 7A playoffs. Hononegah beat the Warriors 44-0 in that contest, which took place in Rockton on a Saturday afternoon. Willowbrook owned a 17-0 lead after one quarter of Friday night’s game. The Warriors’ lead grew to 27-7 by halftime. One photo from Friday’s action shows Willowbrook junior quarterback Jahonise Reed (top left), who threw two touchdown passes to senior KJ Rhodes in the game. Another photo shows senior Dean Romano (No. 97 - above), who made four field-goal kicks for the Warriors during their victory in Rockton. Senior Troy Wisner is the holder on Romano’s field-goal and extra-point kicks. Willowbrook earned its sixth straight win and improved its 2024 season record to 7-3 with Friday’s victory. The Warriors will battle Saint Rita (8-2) in this week’s Class 7A second-round game in Villa Park. The game will begin this Friday at 7 p.m.

Sectional champion

Senior Amelie Ojeda (No. 2351) of the Willowbrook girls cross-country team raises her arms in victory as she crosses the finish line at Saturday’s IHSA Class 3A sectional at Katherine Legge Memorial Park in Hinsdale. Ojeda won the individual title at the sectional. She completed the 2.9-mile sectional race in a first-place time of 16 minutes, 35.58 seconds. One week earlier, on Oct. 26, Ojeda won the individual title at the Class 3A Lyons Township Regional. With Saturday’s victory in Hinsdale, Ojeda became the first Willowbrook girls cross-country runner to win an individual sectional title. Ojeda will compete in this weekend’s IHSA Class 3A girls state meet at Peoria’s Detweiller Park. She

Joe Pearson PHotos Rock Valley Publishing

Joe Pearson PHoto Rock Valley Publishing

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in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis. To complain of discrimination call HUD tollfree at 1-900-669-9777. The toll-free tele phone number for the hearing impaired is 1-800-927-9275. EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY

Broncos head to the state meet

Montini Catholic’s girls cross-country team will compete in this week’s IHSA Class 1A girls state meet in Peoria’s Detweiller Park. The Broncos earned their berth in the state meet with their thirdplace finish in the team standings of Saturday’s IHSA Class 1A Lisle Sectional. The top six teams in the sectional’s 17-team competition qualified for the state meet, which takes place this Saturday at Detweiller Park in Peoria. Junior Sydney Gertsen (No. 724 - above left) delivered Montini’s best finish at the sectional. She completed the 5-kilometer (3.1-mile) race in a third-place time of 18 minutes, 33 seconds. Junior Ashlynn Lindt (No. 725 - above right) of the Broncos ran to a seventh-place finish. She covered the course in 19 minutes, 15 seconds.

Sectional surge

The Broncos’ sectional lineup for the Montini Catholic boys cross-country team included senior Conor Kaefer (No. 734), who earned a 22nd-place finish. Montini’s boys finished third in the team standings of the 18-team sectional. The top six teams at the sectional qualified for this week’s IHSA Class 1A boys state meet at Detweiller Park in Peoria.

Two Rams will run in Peoria

Freshman Teigan O’Donnell (left) of Glenbard East’s girls cross-country team and junior Mason Hephner (right) of the Rams’ boys cross-country team qualified for their respective IHSA Class 3A state meets with their performances in Saturday’s sectional races at Katherine Legge Memorial Park in Hinsdale. O’Donnell finished 24th in the sectional’s girls race. Hephner ran to a 23rd-place finish in the boys race. The top 10 individual finishers in each sectional race who weren’t members of state-qualifying teams earned individual state-meet berths. The IHSA Class 3A girls and boys state meets will take place this Saturday at Detweiller Park in Peoria.

LEGAL NOTICES

NOTICE CERTIFICATE NO. 79543 was filed in the office of the County Clerk of DuPage County on OCTOBER 29, 2024, wherein the business firm of GLAMOUR NAILS, 128 W. ROOSEVELT ROAD, 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:

Hoa Nguyen, 267 Shorewood Drive, Glendale Heights, IL 60139.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and Official Seal at my office in Wheaton, Illinois, this 29TH day of OCTOBER, A.D. 2024.

Jean Kaczmarek DuPage County Clerk

(Published in the Addison Independent, Bensenville Independent & Villa Park Review Nov. 7, 14 & 21, 2024) 463796

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

PUBLICATION NOTICE OF COURT DATE FOR REQUEST FOR NAME CHANGE

Request of: William Marvin Brown Case Number 2024MR000662

There will be a court date on my Request to change my name from William Marvin Brown to the new name of William Marvin Krown. The court date will be held: 11/27/2024 at 9:00 at 505 N. County Farm Road, Wheaton, IL in

Answers

Courtroom 2007.

/s William Marvin Brown Dated 10/29/2024

Candice Adams Clerk of the Circuit Court 8085-947650

(Published in The Lombardian Nov. 7, 14 & 21, 2024) 463954

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

PUBLICATION NOTICE OF COURT DATE FOR REQUEST FOR NAME CHANGE

Request of: Karoline Rose Klump Case Number 2024MR000662

There will be a court date on my Request to change my name from Karoline Rose Klump to the new name of Karoline Rose Krown. The court date will be held: 11/27/2024 at 9:00 at 505 N. County Farm Road, Wheaton, IL in Courtroom 2007.

/s Karoline Rose Klump Dated 10/29/2024

Candice Adams Clerk of the Circuit Court 8085-947651

(Published in The Lombardian Nov. 7, 14 & 21, 2024) 463945

CHRIS FOX PHOTO Rock Valley Publishing

CHRIS FOX PHOTOS Rock Valley Publishing

SUBMITTED PHOTO Rock Valley Publishing

Fine Furniture Refinishing, Reupholstery, and Restoration

We may not beat everyone’s price, but will certainly meet & exceed your expectations!

NEW LOCATION ~ 101 ANNIVERSARY

November 11th to November 29th

Hours: 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday to Friday or by appointment

Dear Esteemed Clients

We are still in business after 101 years, We welcome you all to our grand re-opening as we moved into my nephew and Godson’s “State of the Art” furniture manufacturing factory at 2150 Madison Street, Bellwood. It’s good to be back in Bellwood! If you want thousands of items made they can certainly do it for you with extreme precision. If you need refinishing, repairs, or reupholstering we are still here to serve you! We also continue our amazing and highly recommended restoration of church pews in any of your places of worship. We have sold all of our carved wood upholstered living room sets and bedroom sets. However we still have our original complete dining room sets as well as living room coffee and end table sets at liquidation pricing along with our Capdimonte centerpieces and giftware. The dining and table sets are all carved wood furniture made in our factory. Our main goal is to liquidate the balance of our inventory and focus on refinishing, repairs, reupholstery and complete furniture restoration.

We truly hope to see you soon and say hello! All our best from the new expanded Montalbano family!

Best,

THE MONTALBANO FAMILY

P.S. We are located 3 blocks east of 25th Avenue and 2 blocks south of Washington Blvd.

The entrance to the parking lot is by the l0 foot tall rock sign.

“Welcome to Bellwood”

MONTALBANO, INC.

2150 Madison Street

Bellwood, IL 60104 USA

Phone: (708) 409-5100

website: www.montalbanofurniture.com

e-mail: info@montalbanofurniture.com

• Furniture

• Refinishing

• Reupholstering

• Repairs

• Restored Antiques