Freshman Lindsey Rugg of the Willowbrook softball team is pictured while at tempting to score a run during Friday’s game at Downers Grove South. Rugg tried to score from second base on a single by sophomore Katelyn Cox in the top of the second inning, when the game was tied at 2-2. Downers Grove South’s catcher tagged Rugg out at home plate for the third out of the inning. The Mustangs went on to defeat the Warriors 7-3 in the West Suburban Gold Conference contest. Wil
The powerful line of storms that passed through northern Illinois on the evening of July 15 caused extensive tree damage in Villa Park. The photo from July 16 shows a large tree that was uprooted near Park Boulevard and Michigan Avenue. According to the National Weather Service Chicago, the derecho that passed through the region produced more than 20 confirmed tornadoes, including an EF-0 tornado in Villa Park. That tornado, which had peak winds estimated at 75 mph, had a path length of eight-tenths of a mile, a maximum width of 50 yards, and was on the ground for about one minute—from 9:29 to 9:30 p.m. The tornado’s path ran from near the area of Cornell and Kenilworth avenues, traveling northeast, past Villa and Wildwood avenues to the vicinity of St. Charles Road and Route 83. According to the National Weather Service, a derecho is “a widespread, long-lived windstorm that is associated with a band of rapidly moving showers or thunderstorms.”
Willowbrook High School’s Class of 2021 celebrated its commencement with two separate ceremonies in the school’s main gymnasium on Sunday morning. The en tire class includes over 470 students. About half of those students attended the
Lombard chamber’s new home
The Lombard Area Chamber of Commerce and Industry typically participates in ribbon-cuttings for new businesses, but on Wednesday, July 17, the chamber held one for itself at its new location, 145 S. Main St., Lombard—with chamber President and CEO Rick Galfano wielding the ceremonial scissors (above). In one photo - top right: (left to right) are Lombard’s Community Development Director Bill Heniff, chamber Treasurer John Hughes, Galfano, chamber board Chair Pam Lohman, chamber member Josie Jaworksi, chamber member Brooke Bingaman and chamber member Sheila Galfano. Galfano said the chamber was located at 10 Lilac Lane for roughly 18 years, where the office was about 700 square feet. The new location is about 1,000 square feet, according to Galfano. “It’s nice to be closer to downtown and for visitors,” he commented. “We’re very happy with how things are set up.” During the ribbon-cutting, Lohman thanked chamber members and visitors for attending the event, then exclaimed, “We’re really excited to be here!”
On party infighting, Illinois’ new GOP chair says ‘start calling those people out’
Incoming
leader’s advice comes after outgoing chair cited intraparty tension in resignation letter
By Hannah Meisel CAPITOL NEWS ILLINOIS
In the parlance of Washington D.C. Republican strategists, deepblue Illinois is sometimes referred to as an “orphan” state—along with other Democratic strongholds like California, New York and Hawaii.
In both 2016 and 2020, Donald Trump lost Illinois in the presidential election by 17 percentage points, while Republicans haven’t won a single statewide election in a decade.
And thanks in part to electoral maps drawn by Democrats who control the General Assembly, Democrats are in the superminority in the state legislature and Republicans only hold three of Illinois’ 17 congressional seats.
But amid promises to “make Illinois red again,” the Illinois GOP’s chair-elect Kathy Salvi invoked the analogy of parenting the beleaguered party in a speech to GOP delegates last week in Milwaukee for the Republican National Convention.
“Remember, I’m the mother of six children,” Salvi said, reiterating a well-worn line from her unsuccessful campaign for U.S. Senate in 2022. “Seven now—the Illinois Republican Party.”
Salvi, who officially assumed the party chair role on July 19 after the RNC wrapped up, was elected after outgoing chair Don Tracy last month announced his resignation citing Republican “infighting.”
Tracy has declined to elaborate on the party’s internal dynamics that led to his resignation—or how to fix them—and told Capitol News Illinois he’d let the letter “speak for itself.”
In the letter, he wrote: “In better days, Illinois Republicans came together after tough intra party elections. Now however, we have Republicans who would rather fight other Republicans than engage in the
harder work of defeating incumbent Democrats by convincing swing voters to vote Republican.”
But Salvi referenced the fissures in her address to the party at its daily RNC breakfast meeting July 17, recalling how she’d settle squabbles between her children when they were young.
“If each one of us looks at what we’re accountable for in our words and our actions—I think all of us here need to start calling those people out,” she said of those who might let disagreements interfere with the party’s ultimate goals.
“Listen, I love this party because sometimes we air our dirty laundry with one another and it gets into the press of these fine people,” she added, referring to reporters in the room. “But we need to say, ‘You know, let’s give that person the benefit of a new fresh day.’ And that’s how we will win elections here in Illinois.”
Salvi was not the only Republican figure who likened the state party to kin.
“We are a family. I love you,” House Republican Leader Tony McCombie, R-Savanna, told delegates as she addressed the breakfast. “Let’s not waste any more time debating our differences but concentrate on the Democrats where the(ir) policies are hurting Illinois.”
McCombie acknowledged Democrats will continue to outspend Republicans and said Illinois Democrats drew the “worst partisan gerrymandered map in the nation,” which makes GOP victories in the legislature an uphill battle. But she said she’s still optimistic Republicans can win five Illinois U.S. House seats in November.
And though McCombie has only been in her position as House minori-
JANE CHARMELO PHOTOS Rock Valley Publishing
Villa Park man charged with murdering his girlfriend
Subject reportedly stabbed the victim 12 times
DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and Villa Park Chief of Police Michael Rivas announced on Friday, July 19, that Judge Joshua Dieden had granted the state’s motion to deny pre-trial release for a Villa Park man charged with the murder of his girlfriend, 24-year-old Jessica Reyes of Villa Park, following a domestic altercation at his apartment.
Anthony Jimenez, 26, of the 1600 block of South Michigan Avenue, appeared in First Appearance Court on Friday and was charged with two counts of first-degree murder.
Reyes graduated from Willowbrook High School in 2018. According to a GoFundMe fundraiser organized to pay for her funeral expenses, Reyes served in the military for six years. As of Sunday, July 21, that fundraiser had raised more than $23,000.
On Wednesday, July 17, at approximately 10:50 a.m., Villa Park police officers responded to a call of a domestic disturbance at an apartment located in the 1600 block of South Michigan Avenue, just south of Roosevelt Road.
During the call, a male, later identified as Jimenez, allegedly informed authorities that he had stabbed his
Villa Park Fire Department responds to fire at local business
On Tuesday, July 16, at approximately 7:15 a.m., the Villa Park Fire Department responded to a smoke investigation at A.K. Mulch & Firewood, located at 631 E. Wildwood Ave.
Villa Park Engine 81 was the first unit on the scene and encountered a two-story commercial building with heavy smoke conditions. The officer of Engine 81 upgraded the alarm to a structure fire response, bringing in two additional engine companies, two aerial trucks, three medic units, one squad, and three additional fire chiefs.
Villa Park fire companies deployed a hose line to a second-floor office area and initiated an aggressive interior fire attack, while mutual-aid crews assisted in searching and ventilating the building. The fire was brought under control and contained to the second-floor office area in the northeast corner of the building. Occupants in the building at the time of the fire were able to self-evacuate before firefighters arrived.
Villa Park was assisted by the Lombard, Elmhurst and Oak Brook fire departments, as well as the Oakbrook Terrace and York Center fire protection districts and the Villa Park Police Department.
The Villa Park Fire Department’s Fire Investigation Unit (FIU), accompanied by the DuPage County Fire Investigation Task Force, conducted the origin and cause investigation.
The cause of the fire is undetermined pending further investigation.
girlfriend.
Upon their arrival, officers were met at the door by Jimenez, who appeared to have blood on his hands and chest. Jimenez was handcuffed and taken into custody at that time.
While searching the apartment, officers located Jessica Reyes in a back bedroom, bleeding on the floor. Officers immediately administered aid to Reyes until paramedics arrived and transported her to a local hospital. She was pronounced deceased at the hospital at approximately 11:26 a.m.
Following an investigation into the murder, it is alleged that Jimenez and Reyes were at the apartment together and got into a verbal altercation at approximately 8 a.m. It is alleged that after a short time, Reyes left the apartment, climbing down the third floor balcony to the parking lot as Jimenez would not let her leave the apartment and was blocking the door. It is alleged that Jimenez went to the parking lot and spoke with Reyes and after the argument had calmed down, Reyes and Jimenez went back to the apartment together.
It is further alleged that the argument ensued and that as Reyes began collecting her belongings, Jimenez pulled a knife from his pocket and stabbed Reyes in the side of her head. It is further alleged that as Reyes fought back, Jimenez continued to stab her a total of 12 times about her neck, face, arms, chest and hands. It is alleged that Jimenez only stopped stabbing Reyes when his mother entered the room.
“First and foremost, I offer my sincerest condolences to Jessica’s surviving family and friends on their loss and wish them strength as they
continue their lives without the love and support she once provided,” Berlin said. “The senseless and extremely violent end to a promising young woman’s life, as alleged in this case, will not be tolerated in DuPage County and will be met with the full force of the law. While the tragic reality is Jessica’s young life has been reduced to a statistic of domestic violence due to Mr. Jimenez’s alleged actions, my office intends to seek a full measure of justice in Jessica’s name. I commend the Villa Park Police Department for their professionalism on this very disturbing case. I thank the DuPage County Sheriff’s Office and DuPage County MERIT [Metropolitan Emergency Response and Investigations Team] for their assistance.”
“Domestic violence has no place in our society,” Rivas said. “The alleged actions of the accused are horrific. When the facts of the case are revealed, there is no doubt the accused should face the full force of our justice system. The victim, Jessica Reyes, was only 24 years old and had her life senselessly taken from her. Jessica deserves to have her name mentioned. We pray for her and her family. This crime should serve for all as a reminder to seek help if you are a victim of domestic violence. If you find yourself to be the aggressor in a domestic violence situation, we plead with you to please seek help as well. I commend the Villa Park police officers and investigators for their sensitivity, professionalism and thoroughness in handling a very tough call to duty. We would also like to thank the tremendous support we received from MERIT as well as the DuPage County Sheriff’s Office. Just as important,
A 26-year-old Villa Park man was charged with two counts of first-degree murder after he allegedly killed his girlfriend, 24-year-old Jessica Reyes (above right), last week. Anthony Jimenez (above left) was arrested at his apartment on the 1600 block of South Michigan Avenue on the morning of July 17. Jimenez reportedly called police after he stabbed Reyes 12 times in the apartment. Reyes was transported to a hospital, where she was pronounced dead later that morning. Reyes graduated from Willowbrook High School in 2018. According to a GoFundMe fundraiser organized to pay for her funeral expenses, Reyes served in the military for six years. The photo of Reyes is shown on the web page for the fundraiser. As of Sunday, July 21, that fundraiser had raised more than $23,000 in donations.
we would also like to thank DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and Assistant State’s Attorneys Helen Kapas and Grace Barsanti for their invaluable assistance with this case.”
Jimenez’s next court appearance is scheduled for Aug. 12, for arraignment in front of Judge Mia McPherson.
Northern Illinois Food Bank raises $446,500 for hunger relief
Over 600 guests in attendance
Northern Illinois Food Bank is thrilled to announce the 12th annual “A Taste That Matters” event, presented by Jewel-Osco, raised more than $446,500, which translates into over $3.5 million in essential resources for neighbors facing hunger. “A Taste That Matters” is one of the food bank’s flagship fundraisers, held this year at Drury Lane Theatre and Events in Oakbrook Terrace. More than 600 attendees enjoyed an extensive silent auction, open
bar, and food tastings from dozens of local chefs and vendors.
The evening featured remarks from Julie Yurko, president and CEO of Northern Illinois Food Bank; Mike Withers, president of Jewel-Osco; and Tom Hong, retail relations specialist at Northern Illinois Food Bank.
“Due to inflation and the rising cost of food, we are seeing more neighbors reaching out for help. We are doing everything possible to meet the demand but cannot do it alone. We are grateful for the generous support of our event sponsors, tasting partners, and guests.
Together we can make a difference in the lives of our neighbors so they can thrive,” said Maeven Sipes, chief philanthropy officer at Northern Illinois Food Bank.
Event sponsorships included Presenting Sponsor Jewel-Osco, Hunger Champion Sponsors Chilay Corp., PepsiCo, and Scooter Bay Sales, and Hunger Leader Sponsor Mondelez International.
View event photos at https://flic.kr/s/ aHBqjBsLRx. For more information about how to get involved, visit SolveHungerToday.org.
Illinois Food
philanthropy officer; LaDora
chief financial
McCarty
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Northern
Bank’s Executive Leadership team attends 12th annual “A Taste That Matters” fundraiser for hunger relief. Pictured from left are: Julie Yurko, president and CEO; Maeven Sipes, chief
Robinson-Locke, chief people officer; Chris White, chief operations officer; Melissa Kochan, executive administrative assistant; Jennifer Lamplough, chief impact officer; and Ron Hausner,
officer. Courtesy of Northern Illinois Food Bank.
Reactions from area, state politicians on Joe Biden dropping out of the 2024 presidential race
Editor’s note: These statements were released on Sunday.
On Monday, U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, Gov. JB Pritzker and U.S. Senators Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth announced they are endorsing Kamala Harris as the Democratic presidential nominee.
U.S. rep. raja Krishnamoorthi
President Biden’s policy achievements have already established his place as one of the most consequential presidents in American history. Through his decision today, Joe Biden has demonstrated the true and selfless nature of a life committed to putting the country, and his fellow Americans, first.”
U.S. rep. Sean Casten
President Joe Biden is among the most effective presidents in American history. Over the last four years, Congress has worked hand-in-hand with President Biden to pass the largest investment in climate action ever. Together, we passed a robust infrastructure bill to fix roads and bridges across Illinois. We passed the first gun violence prevention bill in decades. We expanded health coverage for veterans, with more than one million of them using the PACT Act to gain access to the care they need. We returned the United States to the pinnacle of global manufacturing through the CHIPS and Science Act.
More than anything else, President Biden restored the dignity of the Oval Office and reinforced American leadership abroad. We owe him our thanks and gratitude for his five decades of public service.
“The coming election is a referendum on the future of American democracy. The stakes of this election could not be higher. Donald Trump remains a twice-impeached convicted felon and adjudicated rapist who has promised to be a dictator on day one. Vice President Kamala Harris will beat him this November, and I’m proud to endorse her for President of the United States.”
Gov. JB Pritzker
President Joe Biden has dedicated his life in service to this nation, and its citizens are all the better for it. His is a storied political career culminating in one of the most accomplished and effective presidencies of our lifetime. As President of the United States he led us through a recovery from a devastating pandemic and shepherded our economy away from a recession to prosperity. He worked across the aisle to pass some of the most consequential legislation in decades to rebuild our roads and bridges while investing in the infrastructure
and jobs of the 21st century. Perhaps most consequentially, President Biden restored dignity to the Oval Office, bringing the statesmanship and honor that have been the hallmarks of his years of service, back to the White House.
As we extend our gratitude to President Biden and reflect on his many accomplishments, we must not ignore the threat posed by Donald Trump’s potential return to the White House. Donald Trump is a 34-time convicted felon, adjudicated to have committed sexual assault, a racist, homophobe and misogynist. Trump brags about taking away a woman’s right to choose, wants to rip healthcare away from tens of millions of people, proposes economic policies that will cost the middle class thousands of dollars a year, and threatens the fundamental American ideals we hold dear. I will work every day to ensure that he does not win in November.
U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin
Throughout his public career, Joe Biden always put country first. His four years as President made it clear that he was determined to put our country back on track and restore the soul of our nation. America will be forever grateful for all he has given to this country.
Now the Democratic Party must unite behind a candidate who can defeat Donald Trump and keep America moving in the right direction. I will do everything in my power to help that effort.”
U.S. Sen. tammy Duckworth
No one has done more for working Americans than Joe Biden—and so many of us owe him a debt of gratitude for everything he’s done to improve our country.
Over more than 50 years in public service, he’s built an unparalleled record of accomplishments. From helping write the Violence Against Women Act in the Senate to shepherding the Affordable Care Act into law as Vice President and from helping guide our nation out of a once-in-a-lifetime pandemic to overseeing historic wage and job growth during his Presidency, Joe Biden has always put our country first and worked to change so many aspects of our lives for the better. From the bottom of my heart, I thank him for his effective and successful leadership and for, once again, putting our country before himself. This difficult decision ensures that Democrats can focus on the goal that unites each and every one of us: defeating Donald Trump and preventing another four years of his destructive chaos and corruption.
Slices of life
Picture perfect
When my kids were babies, I took lots of photos—always hoping to get the one perfect shot. This was during the prehistoric, pre-digital age, when cameras required film and film required developing. You couldn’t take a million pictures and preview them on your screen. You had to send them away and pay to have them printed. One by one by one.
Back then, I couldn’t tell a megapixel from a winning lottery ticket, but I knew I’d be able to recognize the perfect shot when I saw it. Trouble was, after hundreds of developed photos, I still hadn’t seen it.
I burned through scores of 35 mm rolls, peering through the lens and giving thanks for the auto-flash feature. I paid attention to lighting and background. I even went through a black and white phase in the late 1990s and considered myself artistic for a month or two.
My babies had trouble cooperating with my photolistic tendencies. They squirmed and blinked and drooled and did the things normal kids do when their mom wants them to sit still and smile. My photos wound up offcenter. We were haunted by red eye.
I brought the kids to professional photographers and the results were the same. They looked in the wrong direction. They fussed when we tried to get them to lie on their tummies with their chubby fists tucked under their equally chubby chins. Despite my acrobatic contortions to amuse, they refused to smile. After half an hour I was sweating and exhausted. Having your baby’s photo taken is a workout.
We always left the studio with a few okay pictures, but not the perfect
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Letters are limited to 400 words If a letter exceeds 400 words, it will be sent back to the author to reduce the length of the letter. Authors must include their first and last name, the
By Jill Pertler Columnist
one. I gave thanks when nap time arrived. I was tired.
I continued to try (and try and try) hoping to get the perfect picture to include with our annual Christmas card. Just once. I didn’t think it was too much to ask.
Instead, I got photos of my kids scowling and picking their noses. There’s one of the three boys on Halloween where one son insisted on doing his silly face. There’s the two oldest, on the front porch, where big sister is practically smothering her little brother so all but the top of his head is covered.
One son, who was the happiest of babies, cried wholeheartedly every time we tried to take a group shot with the cousins. We’ve got a whole series of him bawling.
Another son used to smile so big that his eyes shut. That went on for a couple of years. My daughter was a somber baby who hardly ever cracked a grin in front of the camera. At least she wasn’t crying.
Somewhere right around baby number four I graduated to a digital camera with the ability to view thousands of pictures without ever having to print any. I figured my shot at the perfect shot increased to even odds.
In the dozen years since, I’ve taken many photos and have gotten
city or village in which they reside, and a phone number and email address where they can be reached in case of questions.
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better with practice. I don’t have problems with red eye anymore and I learned tricks to increase the odds that everyone is looking toward the camera. I’ve even taken some pretty good pictures using my phone. Over time, I became less zealous, but I still pursued the one perfect shot—which I never got.
Yesterday, I came upon a pile of old, forgotten photos in the basement and leafed through them. My son, now 19, sat as a baby in his older cousin’s lap. He was wailing. Another shot in black and white showed a baby girl, lying in serious contemplation on her daddy’s chest.
There was one of the kids splashing in a mud puddle, all dirty and wet. Another of the boys carrying dandelions they’d picked for me; the oldest is giving the youngest a piggyback. Their faces are obscured, but their skin is tan with a warm summer glow and the dandelions are held carefully in tight little fists.
At the time the photos were taken, I saw my daughter and sons doing what they normally did, looking simply like themselves. I was oblivious to their depth and meaning. Now, all these years later, it’s right there in front of me.
During the last two decades, I took thousands of photos, always hoping for the perfect shot I never quite managed to get. Now I look back at the photos and realize it’s true. I never got the one perfect picture. To the contrary, I got them all.
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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Editor’s note: Any Speak Out comments published here that address the possibility of Joe Biden dropping out of the 2024 presidential race were sent to Speak Out before Sunday’s announcement that Biden is dropping out of the race.
Does anyone have insight as to why the rectangular rapid flash beacons at the intersection of Main Street/Illinois Prairie Path are not operational?
Editor’s note: The following information was provided by the Village of Lombard: “The village has been working to have the Rapid Rectangular Flashing Beacons (RRFB)s at Main Street put back in service. However, equipment manufacturing delays and issues with ComEd’s electrical feed have caused the signals to remain inactive. The signals are expected to be operational in the next two weeks.”
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Hi Lombard calling. It’s 10:45, July 4th. My neighborhood sounds like a war zone. There are so many fireworks going on; you walk outside and you would swear there’s a forest fire it’s so smoky. This question is directed to the Lombard Police Department. I shouldn’t have to call and complain. It is illegal to shoot off fireworks in the state of Illinois. What are our police officers doing to enforce that law?
Editor’s note: The following is a response from the Village of Lombard: “The Lombard Police Department (LPD) is dedicated to ensuring the safety and well-being of our community, especially during holidays such as Independence Day when illegal fireworks activity can become an issue. On July 4th, LPD had increased patrols and officers monitoring
neighborhoods, ensuring the safety of drivers on roadways, and assisting with traffic control at the village’s fireworks event, all while continuing to respond to other 911 calls for assistance. Throughout the night, officers issued citations and confiscated illegal fireworks whenever possible. Approximately 20-25 pounds of illegal fireworks were seized and taken to DuPage County to be destroyed.
“Residents are encouraged to report any illegal fireworks activity. While it can be challenging to respond to every incident immediately due to the volume of calls, reports from residents help officers quickly locate and address these incidents.
“For any additional concerns, please contact the Lombard Police Department at 630-873-4400.”
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After hearing of the attempted assassination of Donald Trump, I immediately wondered how long it would take for someone to say the former president brought it on himself. It was mere hours. One of our U.S. representatives from Illinois commented in a radio interview that while it was a horrific act, it demonstrates why it is important to “avoid actions that provoke violence.” That is a direct quote. The following morning, a professor from Northwestern University being interviewed on TV mentioned Jan. 6, then followed with, “Violence has consequences.” Why am I not surprised?
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Biden and the Democrats have allowed millions of people from around the world to enter our country illegally. You’re fooling yourself if you think some of those people won’t vote in our elections. Senate Democrats just blocked the SAVE
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Act, which would have required all voters to show proof of U.S. citizenship in order to vote. Nearly every Democrat in the House, including Sean Casten and Raja Krishnamoorthi, voted against the SAVE Act. Will Casten and Krishnamoorthi provide one of their pablum-filled statements to this paper explaining why they want illegal aliens to vote in our elections?
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I thought Democrats were passionate about democracy. But they want to drop their duly-elected nominee for president in the 2024 election. Biden won the 2024 primaries and secured the delegates needed to earn the party’s nomination. Suddenly, Democrats are pushing to get him out of the race. Did they just discover he’s feeble and incompetent? No, they are worried that he’s going to lose, and take some congressional Democrats down with him. Of course, Democrats have no problem breaking rules to maintain their grip on power. It’s going to be an interesting few months. As part of a negotiated settlement, I wonder if Hunter is negotiating with rich Democrats to buy some of his “artwork” for a specific amount, maybe $25 million or more, to make the Bidens ride off into the sunset and retire to Delaware.
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To the person who was “struck” about “looking at Trump’s results and forgetting his personality” (July 11 Speak Out), well, put me in your naive category, and I’m proud to be there. Your comments of looking at the USA with tunnel vision, saying that “at a minimum, can you say he is not immoral or divisive?” Gee, I thought you were talking about Biden if you didn’t mention Trump’s name. Divisive? Why don’t you review Biden’s May 19 commencement speech at Morehouse College, or better yet, his State of the Union address and see how divisiveness is really defined? This president who promised unity during his 2020 campaign has done the polar opposite, pandering in his 50+ years historically political way to whatever group needs coddling at any given time, often attacking “white supremacists,” which is a mythological term in today’s society, used as a convenient cudgel for the race-baiting crowd. Yes, I don’t think Biden is a good example of democracy. Foreign powers are laughing at us, knowing this puppet’s infirmaries. Are you better off now than in 2019? Really ... wake up and face the facts.
I see the DuPage County Forest Preserve Board now wants to raise our property taxes. These taxing agencies must take turns each year of who is going to ask for more money. We had in increase by the library, then the schools and now it must be their time. If they want to save
Coming event
money, why not make it a volunteer board? The district spends more than $375,000 a year in salary and benefits for the seven board members! A board member receives $2,174 to go to a meeting? That’s $50,000 a year, plus most get health/dental insurance. That seems excessive.
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It’ll take more than one bullet fired to take down the bull moose named Trump, who I believe was protected by Divine Intervention on that fateful day. It is my firm belief that our Almighty interceded in that heinous act, when all the cards said that Trump should not have survived the attack. My heart goes out to the family of the courageous attendee who lost his life protecting his family. Intercession was necessary because our Almighty wants to preserve this Christian-Judeo-based republic to move forward. My heart and prayers go out to the family of the courageous attendee who lost his life protecting his family. I welcome any naysayers against my opinions.
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The mainstream media are not fact reporters. They are political activists. They have been telling the public for years Joe Biden is doing a good job, and he was on top of running the country. Now they are in a quandary with how to cover up their past, as it has been obvious to all of us the president is not mentally capable of holding the keys to the car or taking an order at a McDonald’s drive-up.
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Hello Lombard calling. We are 24 years into the new millennium and I have a pet peeve, and that is people who can’t pronounce the year right. It’s two, two-digit numbers. So right now it’s “twenty twenty-four,” not “two thousand twenty-four.” If you practice it, it’ll come naturally to you. Thank you.
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Hi, it would be so refreshing to see ads and new business promotions about Lombard in the Lombardian I really appreciate the paper, but we need local stuff. Thank you.
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This is Addison calling to let people know that St. Philip the Apostle Catholic School has openings in fifth to eighth grades. We have computer labs and smart boards and every room; talented, experienced faculty. We offer music, drama, art, band, choir, extracurricular activities, volleyball and basketball teams, Spanish classes for grades one to eight, before and after school care, and a new safety system. We have a wonderful school in case parents are looking for a school that does not teach things that they don’t want their children to learn. Thank you.
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I just read last week’s Speak Out, and it had to be a Democrat that asked this question: Why don’t they
bring the military in for the Democratic Convention in the city? I’m going to say no because when Trump was president, he offered the military and the National Guard to come in and take care of the shootings in the City of Chicago, but all the Democrats and liberals said no. So guess what? Now you’ve got your convention in the city, and that’s fine. But now you can see how bad you messed up the City of Chicago. We see how bad you messed up California. Now, these Democrats want the military in the city. No. So, tell you what, Democrats: stay in the city that you messed up. We’ll live in the suburbs. We’ll fight the crime. We’ll see something. We’ll say something, or do something. Thank you. Have a nice day.
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Sean Casten made this statement and I’ll quote it: “The court consistently fails to fulfill the will of the American people.” I’m only an ordinary American guy, but I believe Mr. Casten, the will of people is determined by legislation; (that’s) your job not the court. The court determines the legality of the law not the will of the people. I wish you’d stop undercutting the Supreme Court while trying to make political points.
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Summer in Lombard just doesn’t feel the same anymore without the Taste of Lombard and Germanfest to look forward to. And I bet some people won’t remember Italianfest at Christ the King Church from years ago. I like Cruise Nights, and park district and historical society outdoor programs, but I wish we had more and larger festivities, and I don’t mean carnivals and circuses.
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No matter how much someone might hate Donald Trump, to actually post something on social media saying it’s too bad the shooter missed or even joke about it, is absolutely disgusting! I read a story in USA Today about people being fired from their jobs for putting such posts on social media. Good! They should be fired! One person got killed in the assassination attempt and two others were hurt and hospitalized.
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Hey all you Democrats. You’re in a real bind. If Biden doesn’t run, you’re likely going to be stuck with Kamala Harris. Her approval ratings (37 percent) are as bad as Biden’s! This what you get when everything takes a back seat to diversity, equity and inclusion. In my opinion, Kamala Harris was a DEI pick, just like the White House press secretary. Both are bad at their jobs. If Biden doesn’t run, the Democrats will be forced to take Kamala Harris as their nominee. If she doesn’t get the nomination, all hell will break loose because a woman of color would be passed over. Have fun with this, Democrats.
Spay Illinois pet photo contest Through Aug. 16, pet owners are encouraged to submit photos of their favorite dogs and cats at the contest website and describe why their pet deserves to win. A $10 entry donation with each nomination supports the life-saving programs of Spay Illinois Pet Well Clinics. Voting will open on Aug. 17 and continue through Sept. 20. The six finalist dogs and cats will each receive a $100 gift certificate for services at the Spay Illinois Pet Well Clinics, as well as gift certificates and other prizes from Miskatonic Brewery. The grand prize-winning dog and cat will be announced in October, and the 2024 Ales for Tails Beer will be revealed at the Miskatonic Brewery Taproom with their photos on the labels. For a full list of rules, contest eligibility, prizes, and past winners’ portraits, please visit https://www.AlesforTails.net.
Area cleaning up after severe weather system strikes on July 15
The severe weather system that slammed northern Illinois and local communities July 15 produced severe thunderstorms, wind gusts of up to 75 mph in some areas, and tornadoes. At least 27 tornadoes in the Chicago region have been confirmed by the National Weather Service Chicago office—a new single-day record. An EF-0 tornado was confirmed from Glen Ellyn to Lombard, and another EF-0 tornado was confirmed in Villa Park. The path length of the tornado from Glen Ellyn to Lombard was 3.1 miles with a maximum width of 125 yards. It crossed Harding and Madison streets just east of Route 53 from Glen Ellyn in a northeast direction and had estimated peak winds of 85 mph. The tornado in Villa Park—with estimated peak winds of 75 mph, a path length of eight-tenths of a mile and a maximum width of 50 yards—traveled from Cornell Avenue just north of St. Alexander School, and then proceeded northeast past Villa Avenue to St. Charles Road. Downed tree limbs and branches scattered on streets, sidewalks and yards were commonplace across the area. There also were reports of trees being uprooted and roofs being blown off. The Village of Lombard said it determined that approximately 50 properties were impacted by the storm. A snapshot of the damage the storms and high winds produced could be found in the 500 block of S. Elizabeth St. in Lombard. (Top left) Roger Sullivan, who lives in this block, had half of the roof of his home peeled off by high winds. (Top right) An awning over his front door also was blown off by the wind. (Above) A tree in between his nextdoor neighbor’s house and another home was uprooted and fell on top of the roof of the next-door neighbor’s attached garage. Sullivan said he was talking to his daughter on the phone the night the storm when they heard two loud bangs. “She said, ‘That doesn’t sound good,’ ” Sullivan said. He said he put tarp over the roof, and is in the process of getting estimates to repair it. Another photo (Middle left) of a home in the 500 block of S. Main St. (located on the east side of the street, just north of Morningside Avenue) shows a large tree that cracked and fell onto the home, as well as the roof. According to the National Weather Service, this home was in the path of the tornado that went through Lombard. Located on the west side of Main Street across from this house is the Lombard Cemetery (bottom left), which sustained damage to a few trees and some fencing.
chris fox and mike sandrolini photos Rock Valley Publishing
Lombard police blotter
The Lombard Police Department recently reported the following arrests and citations. Persons charged with domestic battery are not named in order to protect the privacy of victims.
Readers are reminded that an arrest does not constitute a conviction, and that subjects are considered innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
Juveniles age 17 or younger are not named.
Assault, battery
July 9
A complainant at Bella Terra, 2100 S. Finley, reported a physical altercation between a subject and a victim. The complainant advised they are in the process of removing the subject from the facility.
July 7
Zachary Nickel, 30, of Island Lake, was charged with battery and violation of an order of protection in the 1-100 block of S. Park at 5:37 p.m.
A complainant in the 2700 block of Technology advised at 3:38 a.m. that she was possibly sexually assaulted. The complainant was evaluated by a medic and transported to a hospital.
Criminal damage, criminal trespassing
July 11
A complainant in the 500 block of E. Washington reported her neighbors shot a BB pellet at her garage. The parents of the juveniles were notified that their sons had caused the damage to the garage. The parents said they will make sure it does not occur again.
July 9
A complainant in the 2200 block of S. Main reported at 9:57 a.m. an unknown person shattered a glass door on the south side of the building. Officers were advised by the complainant and another witness that they have been having issues with a particular subject.
A complainant in the 2200 block of S. Main reported scratches on the hood of his black 2012 Toyota Highlander. Additionally, the front of the vehicle’s grill was smashed in.
July 8
A victim in the 100 block of E. Pleasant Lane reported that someone punctured tires on two of his cars. There was no suspect information.
A 21-year-old Lombard man was charged with domestic battery in the 100 block of W. View at 3:12 p.m.
July 8
Two juveniles in the 600 block of E. Madison reported that four juvenile boys threw fireworks at their door.
A 54-year-old Lombard woman was charged with domestic battery in the 2100 block of S. Finley at 5:52 p.m.
DUI
July 9
Antonio Brito, 64, of Chicago, was charged with DUI and improper lane usage near Butterfield and Highland at 2:02 a.m.
Harassment, threats
July 10
Complainants in the 400 block of E. Roosevelt advised at 11:44 p.m. that a subject had entered a business wanting to fight one of the complainants for sleeping with the victim. An officer spoke to the subject, who advised there would be no issues moving forward.
July 9
A victim in the 1100 block of E. Madison reported receiving threatening text messages from a subject. The victim was advised to obtain an order of protection.
A victim in the 2100 block of S. Finley reported a subject was posting messages on a mutual friend’s Facebook page. The victim also advised he has an unserved civil no-contact order against the subject.
July 8
A complainant at Zak’s Pizza, 931 S. Main, advised that a subject came into the business and made threats. Attempts to contact the subject or his family members were unsuccessful.
Identity theft, fraud, forgery
According to information provided by the Lombard Police Department, police reported five incidents of identity theft or fraud in which a victim’s identity was fraudulently used either to make charges on a credit card, open a business, bank or credit account, fraudulently deposit checks, alter a check, receive unemployment benefits—or a victim was convinced by a subject to deposit money into an account, send a check, or to buy gift cards.
Possession of a controlled substance, possession of cannabis
July 11
Jose Manuel Gomez-Camposeco, 32, of Oakbrook Terrace, was charged with possession of a controlled substance, two counts of DUI, DUI-drugs, speeding, improper lane usage and illegal transportation of alcohol near Roosevelt and Finley at 1:52 a.m.
Miguel Perez, 42, of Chicago, was issued citations for possession of cannabis by the driver and speeding near Butterfield and Fountain Square at 6:40 p.m.
Road rage
July 10
Suimonkul Mamatov, 36, of Chicago, was issued a citation for reckless driving in the 800 block of W. Foxworth at 8:17 p.m.
Suspicious incident
July 11
A complainant/employee at National University of Health Sciences, 200 E. Roosevelt, stated that two subjects were sleeping in a tent on school property. Both packed up
to leave and were given a trespass warning for the property.
July 10
A complainant in the 1300 block of S. Finley reported pry marks on his apartment door. No entry was gained.
July 8
A caller reported a subject described as a white male in the lot pulling on door handles. The area was checked and no subject was located in the area.
July 7
Police said a recently stolen Black Maserati Ghibli was recovered in a parking garage in the 2700 block of S. Highland at 12:53 a.m. with its hazard lights on and the alarm going off. An officer observed fingerprints and chip marks on the vehicle. While meeting with the car owner, a subject in a white Infiniti approached. Upon seeing multiple squad cars, the subject accelerated away.
An employee at Hyatt Place, 2340 S. Fountain Square, advised at 7:16 a.m. of an unknown subject described as a black male was roaming the hotel with alcohol. An officer located the intoxicated male, who refused medical help. The man was escorted off the property and an officer advised him that he was trespassed. The man understood and left the area.
A complainant in the 1300 block of S. Finley reported she just regained her memory of an incident at Helen Plum Library, 411 S. Main, from March 6 where a male battered her and her keys went missing.
An employee at Vibez Smoke Shop, 630 E. Roosevelt, reported that three subjects—two described as white males and the other described as a Hispanic male—took three vape devices and fled in a black Chrysler 300.
A complainant in the 600 block of E. Prairie reported that money started disappearing from a victim’s account after her death. They suspect someone who was helping the victim with finances could be involved.
July 9
A complainant in the 2200 block of S. Main reported two subjects and another person were using license plates registered to his business. The vehicle with the license plate had accrued a large amount of money in citations.
July 8
A complainant in the 700 block of S. Concord reported that someone stole a package off a neighbor’s porch.
A complainant in the 2200 block of S. Grace reported a ring and cash were stolen from her residence. She suspects one of the temporary care workers who have been in her home in the last few weeks.
July 7
A complainant in the 200 block of W. Taylor advised at 1:24 p.m. that lawn equipment and a plastic gas can were taken.
Retail theft
The Lombard Police Department reported the following incidents of retail theft or attempted retail theft that took place in the village between July 7 and July 11: Target, 60 Yorktown, at 8:44 p.m. July 7; and Lombard Liquors, 420 W. 22nd, at 7:13 p.m. July 9.
• Infighting
July 8
Tapan Sheth, 41, of Schaumburg, was issued a citation for retail theft and issued a trespass warning at JCPenney, 175 Yorktown, at 5:22 p.m.
Violation of an order of protection
July 9
Cynthia Abbott, 54, of Lombard, was charged with violation of an order of protection in the 2100 block of S. Finley at 2:28 p.m.
(Continued from page 2)
ty leader since January 2023, she told delegates she called Salvi to offer some wisdom she’s picked up in that time.
“I said, ‘This is going to be so hard. And you need to put people around you that are going to tell you no,’ ” McCombie said with a laugh.
Illinois Republican National Committeeman Richard Porter got a head start on following Salvi’s directive to call out bad behavior within the party. He confronted U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida on the convention floor in a moment that quickly went viral online.
In videos of the encounter, Gaetz appeared to be heckling former U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy as he was giving a television interview. Porter, who later told Capitol News Illinois that McCarthy is a longtime friend, told Gaetz to “shut up” and that he didn’t “have to be an a-----.” In response, Gaetz told Porter he didn’t know who he was.
“He was being a bully, you know? He was being a schoolyard bully,” Porter said of the moment a few hours later. “I just expressed myself to him that it was not the right kind of behavior. Especially at a time like this. This is all about unity.”
Porter, who will be term-limited
out of his as Illinois Republican national committeeman post after 10 years, also said he wasn’t surprised by Tracy’s resignation letter last month and said he was well aware of the party infighting that led to it. But he also acknowledged that a certain group of voters have been attracted to the infighting and said that part of the electorate isn’t inherently a threat to be managed.
“That streak in the party tends to think that I’m not enough like Gaetz,” he said. “And that’s okay. I’ll be me. And Matt can be him.” Salvi also indicated that she wasn’t outright condemning the politics of outrage, so long as it could be translated into winning elections for Republicans. She referred to stories told on the convention floor July 16, particularly of a mother who lost her children to fentanyl.
“These stories are real human stories...This is the pathos that we all feel and it’s what’s going to drive a very angry electorate to elect Donald J. Trump our next president ...” she said. “But anger does not win the day. Hope does, folks. And it’s the hope that we will deliver by bridging our differences with one another – many of you sitting in this very room, okay?”
Major cleanup
The severe weather that passed through Villa Park on the night of July 15 caused significant tree damage in the village. The high winds from the storm uprooted some large trees and sheared numerous limbs from other trees. According to the village, the most affected area in Villa Park was in the area bordered by Highland Avenue to the south, St. Charles Road to the north, Wisconsin Avenue to the west and Euclid Avenue to the east. One photo (above) shows a downed tree near Central Boulevard and Princeton Avenue. Another photo (top right) shows a downed tree near Central and Yale Avenue. One more photo (right) shows crews disposing of downed tree limbs on the 300 block of South Yale during the afternoon of July 16. The village advised residents to place all limbs in the parkway as soon as possible for pickup. “We appreciate everyone’s patience as it will take several days to remove all debris,” noted a statement from the village, which added, “Thank you to our public works and parks departments for working around the clock!”
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.
July 16
Mark Herrera, 36, of Villa Park, was charged with violation of an order of protection in the 400 block of S. Harvard at 9:48 p.m.
A complainant reported at 2:09 a.m. that an unknown suspect in the 100 block of S. Ardmore cut the wires on a generator and poured something into the gas tank.
An unknown suspect in the 200 block of E. Terry stole a vehicle that was parked in the driveway. The vehicle was later recovered unoccupied.
A complainant in the 1-100 block of E. Congress reported at 8:59 a.m. that an unknown suspect entered their unsecured vehicle and removed a wallet and a child’s birthday gift.
A complainant in the 1300 block of S. Monterey reported at 9:06 a.m. that an unknown suspect entered their unsecured vehicle and removed their backpack.
Two incidents of criminal trespass to vehicles were reported in the 500 block of E. Lane at 8:14 a.m. In
both incidents, a complainant reported that an unknown suspect entered their unsecured vehicle. Nothing was damaged, and nothing was reported missing from either vehicle.
Two incidents of criminal trespass to vehicles were reported in the 1300 block of S. Monterey at 8:40 and 8:56 a.m., respectively In both incidents, a complainant reported that an unknown suspect rummaged through their vehicle while it was parked unsecured in their driveway.
A complainant at a hotel in the 1-100 block of W. Roosevelt reported at 10:23 p.m. that a suspect stole $40 from them.
A complainant at a fitness center in the 300 block of W. North reported at 11:37 p.m. that their gym bag was stolen while they were working out.
July 15
A complainant in the 1200 block of S. Ardmore reported at 1:11 p.m. that an unknown suspect stole an electric scooter while it was parked sometime between 2:40 and 3:15 p.m. on July 10.
A complainant at a pharmacy in the 1-100 block of E. St. Charles reported at 8:45 p.m. that a suspect removed various items from display shelves and left without paying.
July 13
Darryl G. Foster, 57, of Villa Park, was charged with possession of a controlled substance in the 200 block of E. Roosevelt. The alleged incident occurred on March 22, and the sus-
pect was arrested on the above date. Nico A. Garza, 23, of Villa Park, was charged with obstructing identification, criminal trespassing and battery at a restaurant in the 1-100 block of W. Roosevelt at 6:56 a.m.
July 12
A complainant at a fitness center in the 300 block of W. North reported their lock was removed from their locker and their property was taken.
July 11
A complainant in the 300 block of S. Ardmore reported their vehicle was damaged and the vehicle’s gas cap was stolen.
July 10
Two suspects at a store in the 1-100 block of E. North—after being escorted to the service desk to purchase four iPads—were advised they could only purchase one iPad each. The suspects grabbed the four iPads and left the store without paying for the items.
A 36-year-old Villa Park man was charged with domestic battery in the 1-100 block of S. Monterey at 10:31 p.m.
A complainant in the 1-100 block of E. Highland reported at 10:24 p.m. that their vehicle was burglarized.
Identity theft, fraud
According to information provided by the Villa Park Police Department, police reported one incident of identity theft or fraud.
Bartlett man previously found guilty but mentally ill in the stabbing death of his 93-year-old mother sentenced to 27 years
Edward Mitzelfeld
DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin has announced that a former Bartlett man found guilty but mentally ill in the stabbing death of his mother in 2019 has been sentenced to 27 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections.
On April 12, Judge Daniel Guerin rendered his guilty but mentally ill verdict against Edward Mitzelfeld, 69, following a seven-day-long bench trial that concluded on March 22.
On May 31, 2019, facing five counts of first-degree murder, Mitzelfeld appeared in bond court where bond was set at $5 million with 10 percent to apply. He has remained in custody at the DuPage County Jail since that time.
On May 29, 2019, at approximately 5:23 p.m., officers with the Bartlett Police Department responded to a call at the home Mitzelfeld shared with his 93-year-old mother, Frances Kelly.
Upon their arrival, officers encountered Mitzelfeld in the front yard of the house with his hands raised. After entering the home, officers found Kelly lying face down on the kitchen floor in a pool of blood. Following an investigation into the murder, it was determined that Mitzelfeld and Kelly were in the kitchen together when Mitzelfeld stabbed Kelly numerous times in the back with a kitchen knife leaving stab wounds that severed her aorta and entered her lungs. After the murder, Mitzelfeld called 911.
“Judge Guerin sentenced Edward Mitzelfeld to 27 years behind bars, essentially a life sentence, for the stabbing death of his 93-year-old mother,” Berlin said. “This heartbreaking case has haunted the Mitzelfeld and Kelly families for the past five years and with the final chapter now written, I wish them strength as they continue their lives without the love, support and friendship Frances provided. It is my sincerest hope that perhaps with today’s sentencing, Frances’ surviving family and friends will find some measure of closure and keep her memory alive in their hearts for a long time to come.”
CHRIS FOX PHOTOS Rock Valley Publishing
After years of controversy, state pauses CO2 pipeline construction, for now
New law also lays out safety requirements for future carbon sequestration projects
By Andrew Adams CAPITOL NEWS ILLINOIS
New safety requirements for carbon dioxide pipelines as well as a temporary ban on their construction are now in effect after Gov. JB Pritzker last week signed a bill that passed the General Assembly earlier this year.
The law issues new regulations for carbon capture and sequestration, a technology used to take carbon dioxide pollution and store it deep underground. Sandstone formations in central Illinois are uniquely suited for gas storage, which has attracted national attention to the region as a possible hub for carbon dioxide storage.
“We are essentially attempting to refossilize fossil fuels—put them back under the ground and keep them from going into the air and contributing to global warming,” state Sen. Bill Cunningham, D-Chicago, said at a news conference. “That’s very important work.”
But some oppose the technology on environmental grounds while others say the pipelines used to transport carbon dioxide from where it’s produced to storage sites brings the risk of catastrophic – and potentially lethal – failure.
“There are a range of opinions within the environmental community on carbon capture technology,”
Christine Nannicelli of the Sierra Club Illinois chapter said during Thursday’s bill signing. “That said, there is overwhelming agreement within our broad coalition on the need to have critical safeguards in place.”
The legislation signed July 18, which was backed by the Sierra Club and other environmental groups, as well as business and organized labor groups, contains provisions that Nannicelli said are the “strongest carbon capture protections in the nation.” It would put a moratorium on the construction of new carbon capture sites until July 1, 2026, unless the U.S. Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration finalizes new safety rules before then.
It requires developers of carbon capture projects to obtain state permits that require safety monitoring during a project’s life cycle and for at least three decades after it finishes. It also requires that the projects result in a net reduction of greenhouse gases—satisfying some environmentalists who worry companies might end up contributing more pollution in building these projects than they would actually sequester.
Pritzker pitched the technology— and its regulation in Illinois—as a boon for the state’s economic development.
“This bill adds carbon capture to
“ This bill adds carbon capture to the growing list of new and burgeoning industries being built right here in our state.”
– Gov. JB Pritzker
the growing list of new and burgeoning industries being built right here in our state,” Pritzker said.
This mirrored comments from business leaders such as Chris Cuddy, an executive at ADM, the Illinois-based company that operates the oldest large-scale carbon sequestration project in the U.S.
“CCS is an enabler for job creation, innovation and economic growth and the more we do to support it, from this legislation to the building of critical infrastructure, the more this region and the state will benefit,” Cuddy said.
In the legislature, the bill drew bipartisan criticism, as well as bipartisan support.
Republicans in the Statehouse generally opposed the bill, with many noting that no Republicans
Lombard Fire Department responds to structure fire on E. Central Ave.
On Saturday, July 20, at approximately 9:17 a.m., the Lombard Fire Department responded to a reported fire involving a detached garage on the 200 block of E. Central Ave.
As the fire crews departed their respective stations, they observed a large column of heavy black smoke, indicating a significant fire. The first crew arrived on scene at 9:22 a.m. to find a fully engulfed detached garage, with fire extending to an adjacent detached garage and nearby overhead electric company transformers.
Firefighters rapidly deployed multiple hose lines to combat the fire and brought the fire under control within ten minutes of arrival. Their swift and coordinated response successfully contained the flames to the detached garages, preventing damage to adjacent residential structures. There were no injuries to residents or firefighters. The estimated damage is approximately $115,000. The Lombard Fire Investigations Unit is currently investigating the cause of the fire.
Lombard firefighters were assisted on the scene by Elmhurst, Oakbrook Terrace, Villa Park, Wheaton and York Center fire departments. The Lombard Police Department aided
were involved in the final negotiations around its details. That’s despite most carbon capture projects being located in rural areas which tend to vote for more conservative officials.
Multiple lawmakers also raised concerns over the potential risks to drinking water, notably the Mahomet Aquifer in central Illinois, the sole source of drinking water for hundreds of thousands of people around central Illinois.
“We based it on the science and the data and the modeling that we had access to,” Rep. Ann Williams, D-Chicago, said when asked about the aquifer. “So (we) felt very comfortable about how we were providing safeguards to drill, not just through the aquifer, but anywhere in the state of Illinois.”
While multiple projects have been proposed in Illinois, the largest— from companies Navigator CO2 and Wolf Carbon Solutions—were either
canceled or stalled in the face of opposition from landowners and regulators.
One smaller project, from Gibson City-based One Earth Energy, was under consideration for a permit from the Illinois Commerce Commission, but the company requested that the case be pulled in June in anticipation of the bill signing. An administrative judge formally suspended considerations in the case on June 10.
“While this legislation sets some new requirements for our planned carbon capture system in Ford and McLean counties, it creates a path forward for carbon capture here in Illinois,” Steve Kelly, president of One Earth Energy, said in a statement. “We’re committed to meeting those standards set by our elected officials and we’re excited to continue moving forward in this process.”
Kelly added that the company plans to file new paperwork with the ICC when the moratorium is lifted.
Transit heads again ask state for funding help, reject proposals for oversight reform
By Andrew Adams CAPITOL NEWS ILLINOIS
Despite some recovery since COVID, agencies face ‘fiscal cliff’ as pandemic funding runs dry
It was standing room only in a recent downtown Chicago committee hearing as activists, transit experts and lobbyists hung on the words of the region’s transit agency chiefs.
While the agencies are currently buoyed by pandemic-era funding and temporary allowances in state law, the agencies will face a cumulative annual budget gap of $730 million in operating costs beginning in 2026,
Public transit has become an increasingly contentious issue in Chicagoland as the Regional Transportation Authority—the funding body which oversees Pace suburban bus routes, Metra regional rail lines and the Chicago Transit Authority—has reported a looming “fiscal cliff” in 2026.
according to the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning.
“The preliminary analysis from our consultant shows that the fiscal cliff scenario, without state funding assistance, could wipe out 30 to 40 percent of the service in northeastern Illinois,” RTA Board Chair Kirk Dillard, a former state senator, said at the hearing.
Under that worst-case projection, the fiscal cliff would cause a $2.4 billion drop in regional GDP in the first year and impact up to 25,000 jobs. But Dillard painted a much rosier picture if the state increases its annual support for the transit agencies: $2.5 billion annual growth in GDP and the addition of 27,000 new jobs.
“You’ve got a choice to make,” he told lawmakers.
But some lawmakers in the General Assembly are unwilling to give carte blanche to the transit agencies, which have been criticized for service cuts, safety issues and poor workforce development since the early days of the pandemic.
Sen. Ram Villivalam, D-Chicago, the chair of the Senate Transportation Committee, called the hearing— the first in what will be a series meant to investigate possible improvements to public transit in Illinois.
He said there will be “no votes for funding” unless the general assembly and transit board first address service issues and governance reforms.
Earlier this year, Villivalam proposed legislation that would consolidate the four agencies into one organization.
This was in line with recommendations that the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning, or CMAP, pitched to Villivalam and other lawmakers late last year. These recommendations were given further credence in April when the Civic Fed-
eration, an influential Chicago think tank, proposed similar reforms.
Both proposals provided options for either combining the four agencies or giving the RTA, or a new oversight agency, more authority to control regional transit policy.
But the heads of the Chicagoland agencies balked at the idea of major reforms.
“We all want to do the best job we can,” Pace Executive Director Melinda Metzger told the committee. “I do not believe that combining us into one organization will make us better.”
Metzger said each agency has a board that includes local representation and that she believed “the needs of suburban areas will not be met as well as they’re met right now” if governed by a single agency.
CTA President Dorval Carter also defended the current system.
“The model that’s been set up for governance today didn’t come by accident,” Carter said. “It was a really hardly negotiated compromise between the need for accountability and the need for local control.”
Metra CEO James Derwinski also noted that many of the improvements that transit advocates seek are a funding issue, not an oversight one.
“If we adequately fund the system, the operators can do the right things,” he said.
Representatives of business groups spoke to lawmakers about transit’s economic impact, but they also mostly discussed the need for reform.
Jack Lavin, head of the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce, echoed Villivalam’s call to improve service and governance before providing agencies with new revenues. He urged caution around potentially increasing taxes and called sales tax increases and congestion taxes “job
and growth killers.”
Sen. Don DeWitte, R-St. Charles, the committee’s Republican spokesperson and former RTA board member, said he agreed with Lavin’s comments around taxes.
“I think we need to be very careful about putting additional burdens on taxpayers or riders within the RTA system,” DeWitte said.
But DeWitte also noted he hopes to further explore the idea of increasing state or federal funding, noting that the state contributes 17 percent of RTA’s revenues, while other states contribute significantly more to large transit systems. Philadelphia’s transit system gets half of its funding from the state of Pennsylvania, according to a CMAP analysis cited by DeWitte during discussion.
“That’s an area that I think we are woefully shy on,” DeWitte said.
Transit advocates also spoke to the need for governance reform. Micheál Podgers, a policy lead with the transit advocacy organization Better Streets Chicago, said he wasn’t surprised by the agency heads’ lack of enthusiasm for reform.
“I will say, though, I was heartened to hear that, overall, it seems they’re in favor of increasing investment in transit, even though certainly some of the more conservative speakers and conservative members of the Senate were a little bit tentative on increasing taxes,” Podgers said.
The hearing will be followed up with five additional hearings around Chicagoland and in Springfield in the coming weeks. The hearings, according to Villivalam, will inform some kind of proposal by lawmakers’ spring session next year.
“We definitely need to take action, I think, at least 9 to 12 months before the fiscal cliff of early 2026,” he told Capitol News Illinois.
Vegan Chili ........................ Cup $4 Bowl $7
3 Layer Vegan/Guten Free Cake ...........$7 (Lime and Mango flavored cake with Date and Almond Crust)
Leading nonprofits join Albertsons Companies Foundation to tackle summer hunger
The Albertsons Companies Foundation on June 12 announced the launch of a new collective effort focused on addressing childhood hunger this summer.
“Childhood hunger is a complex problem that requires partners from
By bringing together a coalition of leading nonprofit organizations, the first-of-its-kind initiative aims to drive awareness and boost participation in the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) new Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer for Children Program (Summer EBT), also known as SUN Bucks.
across the food system to come together and collaborate,” said Christy Duncan Anderson, president and executive director of Albertsons Companies Foundation. “Through the collective knowledge, expertise and extensive network of prominent nonprofits and the Albertsons
Companies Foundation, we aim to connect with a greater number of families than we could individually.”
For the millions of kids who rely on free or reduced-priced meals at school, summer can mean a lack of access to nutritious food. To help combat this, the USDA has launched Summer EBT, a new program available in 37 states, all five U.S. territories, and two tribes. The program will provide grocery benefits to low-income families with school-aged children during the summer months when school is out. Eligible families in participating states will receive $120 per eligible school-aged child to purchase groceries.
“We have advocated for the creation of a summer EBT program like SUN Bucks for more than a decade and we are thrilled that this program will be available to families facing food insecurity this summer,” said Claire Babineaux-Fontenot, CEO of Feeding America. “Working alongside people facing hunger and partners like Albertsons Companies Foundation, we will make a real impact on summer hunger and lay the groundwork for more states to participate next year.”
The Albertsons Companies Foundation’s Nourishing Neighbors program together with an Advisory Group of leading players across the food system will work together to ensure as many families as possible benefit from the program in this critical first year.
The Advisory Group is comprised of representatives from Feeding America®, Food Research
Coming events
& Action Center, Gift Card Bank, Hunger Free America, mRelief, No Kid Hungry, Partnership for a Healthier America, and WhyHunger.
This group reaches more than 200 foodbanks, 500 school districts and community organizations, and over 1500 partner organizations across the country.
“Summer is the hungriest time of the year for the millions of children who rely on school meals, and the rising costs of groceries means families are feeling the pinch even more,” added Anne Filipic, CEO of Share Our Strength, the organization behind the No Kid Hungry campaign. “We believe that by joining Albertsons Companies Foundation and their partners, together we can get one step closer to ensuring every single child in America has the food they need to grow up healthy and strong.”
Through a surround-sound approach designed to reach parents and caregivers online and in their communities, the initiative aims to ensure families have access to the information they need to learn how they can benefit from this new program.
In addition, the coalition launched a new website, SummerEBT.org, which gives families a simple, fast way to check if they are eligible and connect to their state sign-up site. For families that live in states that are not participating, the site directs them to other food resources, such as the USDA Summer Meals program, and enables them write to their elected representatives encouraging their state’s participation next summer.
Charles Peck exhibit to open July 27
Join us Saturday, July 27, noon to 4 p.m. at the Sheldon Peck Homestead to explore the life and works of Charles Peck, a true explorer, artist, and visionary. This exhibition features artwork on loan from the descendants of Susan Peck, the Goldin/Mertz Family, the Chicago History Museum, and the Art Institute of Chicago. The exhibition provides a unique glimpse into the legacy of a man who made significant contributions to both art and society. Visit lombardhistory.org for more information.
Plum Library programs
Drop-in Sewing Craft Saturday, July 27, from 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Drop into Studio 411 to check out the sewing machines and make a beginner-level project. A library staffer will be available to answer questions about the library’s sewing machines.
Summer Reading Party Wednesday, July 31, from 3-6 p.m. Drop-in event for families with children of all ages. Celebrate Summer Reading at the Library with fun games and cool treats from Kona Ice.
Lombard Farmers Market
Visit the Lombard Farmers Market on Tuesday, July 30, from 3-7 p.m. in downtown Lombard on the corner of S. Park Avenue and W. St. Charles Road. Enjoy live music from cellist and songwriter, Adela, sponsored by JL Vintage Odds and Ends. Shop seasonal fruits, vegetables, bread, treats for your pet and other handcrafted goods. The Lombard Farmers Market is brought to you by the Lombard Area Chamber of Commerce and Industry. For more information, including schedule changes, follow us on Facebook @LombardChamber.
Golf outing Aug. 10
Join Trinity Lutheran Church for its annual Jim Van Ewyk Memorial Golf Outing on Saturday, Aug. 10, at Sugar Creek Golf Course. Contact margaret@trinityvp.com for details.
DuPAGE DESTINATIONS
Can’t-miss events in and around DuPage County
Editor’s note: If you have information on an event in DuPage County taking place that you would like us to consider listing here, please email that information to: news1@rvpublishing.com
Ongoing
Train Saturdays
DuPage County Historical Museum
Wheaton
The DuPage Society of Model Engineers operates the model railroad at the museum, 102 E. Wesley St., on the third and fifth Saturday of the month. The layout covers more than 2,000 feet of track and highlights some of DuPage County’s landmarks in a landscape full of surprises. Your family will love watching the trains run. See if you can spot Superman and the Batmobile. For more information, visit: https://dupagemuseum.org/calendar/category/ train-saturdays.
North Suburban Carvers meetings
The North Suburban Carvers meet on the first and third Mondays of each month at the Wood Dale Public Library from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Anyone interested in carving, power carving, wood burning or special finishing techniques is welcome. North Suburban Carvers is a non-profit organization that promotes carving in the Chicago area. For more information, visit: northsurburbancarvers.com.org/calendar.aspx.
Now through Aug. 13
Summer Concert Series
Downers Grove
Recurring weekly, the free concerts are held Tuesday evenings at Fishel Park, 1036 Curtiss St., and will feature rock, country, blues, and oldies. Doors open and food and beverage sales begin at 6 p.m. The music takes place between 7 and 8:30 p.m. Bring your lawn chairs or blankets.
Now through Aug. 14
Music in the Park
Bensenville
From 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Wednesdays in downtown Bensenville, Bensenville restaurants will sell dinner and dessert items so families can enjoy a meal prior to each concert. The classic car cruise nights will start at 6:00 each night. Here are the remainder of the bands that will be performing: July 31—Anthem’s Grand Illusion (The Styx Concert); Aug. 7—Fuze Band (pop hits with a Latin groove); Aug. 14—Dancing Queen (a salute to Abba).
For more information, visit: www.bensenville. il.us/176/Music-in-thePark.
Now through Aug. 28
Movies on the Lawn
Oak Brook
Starting at 7 p.m. every Wednesday at Oakbrook Center, 100 Oakbrook Center, join us for a summer of outdoor cinema from timeless classics to family favorites to modern blockbusters. The movies are free. For more information, visit: www.oakbrookcenter.com/en/ events/movies-on-the-lawn.
Now through Aug. 29
Rock ‘N Wheels
Addison
From 6 to 10 p.m. Thursdays at Village Green, 1 Friendship Plaza, presented by the Village of Addison, two popular bands are featured. The Addison Historical Museum an Open House (6 to 8 p.m.) features a Craft & Vintage Fair. Classic car cruise night parking across Lake Street, at Green Meadow Shopping Center. For more information, visit: www. ithappensinaddison.com/events.
Summer Concert Series
Bolingbrook
From 7 to 9 p.m. Thursdays at The Promenade, 631 E. Boughton Road, Bring your chair and appetite! Each week, a Promenade restaurant will offer delicious food and drinks at the concert, which is free. The concert location within The Promenade will vary based on which restaurant is serving that day. For more information, visit: www.shoppingpromenade. com/event/Sunset-concert-series/2145583530.
Now through Aug. 31
Cicadas on Parade
Glen Ellyn
Recurring daily throughout downtown Glen Ellyn through Aug. 31, embrace the summer of the cicadas and visit downtown Glen Ellyn to see 25 hand-painted cicada art sculptures. These 18-inch cicada sculptures, which are painted by local artists and storefront owners, will be placed in flowerpots, trees and windows throughout the downtown. For more information, visit: https://downtownglenellyn.com/cicadas-on-parade.
Now through Sept. 17
Farmers Market
Naperville
From 3 to 7 p.m. Tuesdays at Naper Settlement Outdoor History Museum, 523 S. Webster St., The Naper Settlement Farmers Market offers an assortment of goods from mission-based, fair-trade, or local vendors, from coffee to candles, plus fresh produce, pottery, honey, and more on the picturesque grounds of Naper Settlement. For more information, visit: https://napersettlement.org/FarmersMarket.
Now through Oct. 1
Farmers Market
Lombard
From 3 to 7 p.m. Tuesdays in downtown Lombard, 20 E. St. Charles Road, join us
• Events
(Continued from page 14)
during the summer for Lombard Farmers Market. Get your farm fresh products. For more information, look up Lombard Farmers Market on Facebook.
Now through Oct. 30
Farmers Market
Elmhurst
Recurring weekly on Wednesday from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., the Elmhurst Farmers Market is one of Elmhurst’s great local markets and a family friendly must do event, popular with locals and visitors alike. Enjoy boutique style shopping every week in the York & Vallette Business District.
For more information, visit: https:// elmhurstfarmersmarket.com.
Thursday, July 24-
Sunday, July 28
2024 DuPage County Fair
Wheaton
The DuPage County Fair, held at the DuPage Events Center and Fairgrounds located at 2015 Manchester Road, is one of Wheaton’s highlighted community events. We love seeing all community members come together to enjoy quality time with their neighbors, friends, and family.
Admission: Adults ages 13 and up: $12; Seniors ages 62 and up: $8; Children ages 6-12: $8; Children 5 and under: Free; Active military personnel with ID: Free. For more information, visit: https://dupagecountyfair.org/dupage-county-fair.
Thursday, July 25Tuesday, July 30
Christmas in July
Wheaton
The countdown to Christmas is on … get into the holiday spirit early with Downtown Wheaton’s Christmas in July. Visit downtown Wheaton businesses for Christmas-themed sidewalk sales, limited-time discounts, holiday-inspired food and drink, holiday music and décor, and more. For more information, visit: www.downtownwheaton.com/christmas-in-july.
Friday, Aug. 2-Sunday, Aug. 4
Festa Italiana
Naperville
From 5 to 9 p.m. at Naper Settlement, Festa Italiana is back this summer. Channel your inner Italian and celebrate the music, food, culture, and spirit of Italy. This year, we will
Be part of the conversation about climate change in Illinois
Discover what climate change means for Illinois now and in the future, explore practical solutions in a free webinar from University of Illinois Extension.
Learn from Illinois State Climatologist Trent Ford how you can play a vital role in helping your community be healthier and more resilient to the effects of climate change.
The live webinar “What Illinois Residents Should Know About Climate Change” will be at 1 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 8. Sign up for free online.
For years, Illinois Extension’s Everyday Environment webinars have provided tools and recommendations to help people make small, positive changes in the world around them. Now, the series is growing to include an Everyday Environment podcast and blog that will dig into a new natural resources topic each fall and spring.
Along with expert guests from across the state, the team of natural
be offering pasta-making classes, grape stomping, and wine-making opportunities all weekend long. Partake in our meatball eating contest, play some bocce ball, or sip on your favorite vino and check out our art show.
Enjoy live music each night of Festa Italiana 2024 under the stars, browse our premium vendors and make memories with the whole fam-
ily in our carnival kids area! Benefits the Amici Club. Admission: $10. For more information, visit:www.facebook.com/ events/2768763089958547.
the Warrenville City Hall Complex, 28W701 Stafford Place, enjoy live music, beer and wine, delicious food, business booths, and fun for the entire family.
Illinois Newspapers
Keeping you informed
To know more, read public notices in today’s newspaper or go to
Friday, Aug. 2Saturday, Aug. 3
Summer Daze Warrenville
From 5 to 11 p.m. each day at
Presented by the Warrenville Park District.
Admission: free.
For more information, visit: www.warrenvilleparks. org/event/summer-daze-2.
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.
Sunday Worship at 10:15 am Sunday School & Bible Study 9 am
“The Crucial Hours”
Wednesday Service at 7 pm
Second Lenten Service March 9, 2022
Rev. David Ernest “Satan Has Asked to Sift All of You” Jerusalem Lutheran, Morton Grove Matthew 27:15-26
Adult Bible Study after Wednesday Service Saturday, July 27 Game Night at 4 pm
Everyone is Welcome!
Third Lenten Service March 16, 2022
Rev. Paul Spaude “What to Remember When Your are St. Matthews, Niles Seized with Remorse” Matthew 27:3-4
All services are live streamed. Watch on our website or on Facebook. sainttimothy.org
Fourth Lenten Service March 23, 2022
Rev. Jonathan Bergemann “I Will Keep the Passover” Good Shepherd, Downers Grove Matthew 26:18
Fifth Lenten Service
March 30, 2022
Rev. Tom Nicholson “They Bound Him” Resurrection, Aurora John 18:12
Sixth Lenten Service April 6, 2022
Rev. Phil Schupmann “The Semblance of Legality” Resurrection, Aurora Luke 22:66 Maundy Thursday Communion 7 p.m., April 14
Friday Tenebrae 7 p.m., April 15
Sunrise 6:30 a.m., April 17 Easter Breakfast 8 a.m., April 17 Easter Festival 10:15 a.m., April 17
Weekend Masses: Saturday: 4 PM (Vigil) Sunday: 7:30, 9:30 & 11:30 AM and 6 PM
Daily Masses: Monday—Friday: 6:15 and 8:15 AM Saturday: 8:15 AM
Confessions: Saturday: 3-3:45PM
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. Average damage per system (abbr.)
5. Lustful woodland gods (Greek mythology)
11. Colombian Town
12. Sour
16. A way to stuff
17. Former AL MVP Vaughn
18. Carried or transported
19. Cannot even fathom
24. Hammer is one
25. A way to separate
26. Not moving
27. Women’s service organization (abbr.)
28. German river
29. Quantitative fact
30. A person’s head
31. Process that produces ammonia
33. French modernist painter
34. Too much noise
38. Agree to a demand
39. One a line at right angles to a ship’s length
40. Employees
43. Ribosomal ribonucleic acid
44. Component of hemoglobin
45. Quick and skillful in movement
49. Passing trend
50. Part of the eye
51. One who acclaims
53. Deadly amount (abbr.)
54. Taste property
56. Genus of mosquitoes
58. Blood type
59. A group of countries in special alliance
60. Institute legal proceedings against
63. Shade of a color
64. Spoke
65. Work units
CLUES DOWN
1. Charge with a crime
2. Mended with yarn
North Atlantic flatfish
Boil at low temperature
Lapps of northern Scandinavia
Poisonous plant
Atomic #22
36 inches
Monetary unit of Russia
Type of gin
An alternative
Alone
15. A way to ooze
Publicity
American firm
Jewish calendar month
Popular sandwich
Comedian Cook
The NFL’s big game (abbr.)
Political action committee
Make a low, steady sound
Legendary sportscaster
One thousand cubic feet
36. Tear into two or more pieces 37. Supervises flying 38. Flying arm of the U.S. military (abbr.)
40. District in Peru 41. One died leaving a will
Morning 44. The world of the dead
Widen
46. Drink containing medicine
47. Celebrating 48. Secret encounters
50. A type of tag
Halfback 52. Modern tech 54. Monetary unit
55. Resigned to one’s sleeping chamber
57. Execute or perform 61. “The Golden State” 62. “The Beehive State” (abbr.)
Notice of Public Hearing, Intent to Issue Bonds and Right to File Petitions
Notice is hereby given that the Board of Trustees (the “Board”) of the Village of Bensenville, Cook and DuPage Counties, Illinois (the “Village”), will hold a public hearing on August 13, 2024 at 6:30 p.m.
The hearing will be held in the Village Hall Board Room located at 12 South Center Street, Bensenville, Illinois 60106. The purpose of the hearing will be to receive public comments on the proposal to sell general obligation alternate revenue bonds (the “Bonds”) in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed two million dollars
($2,000,000) to (i) finance and construct certain public capital improvements in the Sesame Street Special Service Area, including the full reconstruction of the roadway, installation of new curb gutters, installation of sidewalks, and installation of lighting for the purpose of benefiting the residents, property owners, visitors and other members of the public who utilize Sesame Street the area in accordance with the plans and specifications therefor and on file with the Village Clerk (the “Project”), and (ii) pay costs of issuance and expenses incident thereto, all for the benefit of the inhabitants of the Village.
The Village, as set forth in the Ordinance adopted July 16, 2024 (the “Ordinance”), intends to issue the Bonds to pay the costs of the Project. The revenue sources that will be pledged to the payment of principal of and interest on the Bonds will be (i) any portion of the ad valorem property taxes levied and collected in the Sesame Street SSA for the payment of bonds issued for the Sesame Street SSA for the payment of projects therein, and (ii) all collections of the simplified municipal telecommunications taxes imposed by the Village pursuant to the Simplified Municipal Telecommunications Tax Act as supplemented and amended, or substitute taxes as may be provided in the future (collectively, the “Pledged Revenues”). If the Pledged Revenues are not sufficient to pay interest on and principal of the Bonds, the Village will also levy ad valorem property taxes upon all taxable property in the Village without limitation as to rate or amount (the “Pledged Taxes”). A complete copy of the Ordinance follows this notice.
Notice is hereby given that a petition may be filed with the Village within thirty (30) days of publication of this notice and the Ordinance, signed by not less than 629 voters of the Village, said voters being equal to the greater of (i) 7.5% of the registered voters in the Village or (ii) 200 of those registered voters or 15% of those registered voters, whichever is less, requesting that the proposition to issue of the Bonds be submitted to the voters of the Village. If such petition is filed with the Village Clerk within thirty (30) days after the date of publication of this notice and the Ordinance, an election on the proposition to issue the Bonds shall be held on November 5, 2024. The Circuit Court may declare that an emergency referendum should be held prior to said election date pursuant to the provisions of Section 2A-1.4 of the Election Code of the State of Illinois, as amended. If no such petition is filed with the Village Clerk within said 30-day period, the Bonds shall be authorized to be issued.
By order of the President and Board of Trustees of the Village of Bensenville.
Dated this July 25, 2024
/s/ Nancy Quinn
Village Clerk, Village of Bensenville, Cook and DuPage Counties, Illinois
Ordinance No. 33-2024
An Ordinance Authorizing the Issuance of General Obligation Bonds (Alternate Revenue Source) of the Village of Bensenville, DuPage and Cook Counties, Illinois, in an Aggregate Principal Amount Not to Exceed $2,000,000.
Whereas, the Village of Bensenville, DuPage and Cook Counties, Illinois (the “Village”), is a duly organized and existing municipality operating under the provisions of the Illinois Municipal Code, as amended, and under the laws of the State of Illinois; and
Whereas, the Board of Trustees of the Village (the “Board”) has determined that it is advisable, necessary and in the best
LEGAL NOTICE
interests of the Village (i) to finance and construct certain public capital improvements in the Sesame Street Special Service Area, including the full reconstruction of the roadway, installation of new curb gutters, installation of sidewalks, and installation of lighting for the purpose of benefiting the residents, property owners, visitors and other members of the public who utilize Sesame Street the area in accordance with the plans and specifications therefor and on file with the Village Clerk (the “Project”), and (ii) to pay costs of issuance and expenses incident thereto, all for the benefit of the inhabitants of the Village; and
Whereas, the estimated cost of the Project, including engineering, legal, financial, bond discount, printing and publication costs, capitalized interest, and other expenses is $2,000,000; and there are insufficient funds on hand and lawfully available to pay such costs; and
Whereas, such costs are expected to be paid for from proceeds of alternate bonds authorized to be issued at this time pursuant to the Local Government Debt Reform Act of the State of Illinois, as amended (the “Act”); and
Whereas, it is necessary and in the best interest of the Village that the Village proceed with the Project, and in order to raise the funds required therefor it will be necessary for the Village to borrow an amount not to exceed $2,000,000, and in evidence thereof to issue alternate bonds in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $2,000,000, all in accordance with the Act; and
Whereas, the Village has previously adopted, approved and established the Sesame Street Special Service Area within the Village (the “Sesame Street SSA”); and
Whereas, the revenue sources that will be pledged to the payment of the principal and interest on the alternate bonds will be (i) any portion of the ad valorem property taxes levied and collected in the Sesame Street SSA for the payment of bonds issued for the Sesame Street SSA for the payment of projects therein, and (ii) all collections of the simplified municipal telecommunications taxes imposed by the Village pursuant to the Simplified Municipal Telecommunications Tax Act as supplemented and amended, or substitute taxes as may be provided in the future (collectively, the “Pledged Revenues”); and
Whereas, if the above-mentioned Pledged Revenues are insufficient to pay said alternate bonds, ad valorem property taxes upon all taxable property in the Village without limitation as to rate or amount are authorized to be extended to pay the principal of and interest on said alternate bonds;
Now, Therefore, Be It Ordained by the President and Board of Trustees of the Village of Bensenville, DuPage and Cook Counties, Illinois, as follows:
Section 1. Incorporation of Preambles
The Board hereby finds that all of the recitals contained in the preambles to this ordinance are full, true and correct and does incorporate them into this ordinance by this reference.
Section 2. Determination to Issue Bonds It is necessary and in the best interest of the Village to proceed with the Project in accordance with the preliminary plans and estimate of cost as previously approved by the Board, and that for that purpose alternate bonds of the Village are hereby authorized to be issued and sold from time to time in an aggregate amount of not to exceed $2,000,000 to be known as “General Obligation Bonds (Alternate Revenue Source), Series 2024 (Sesame Street SSA Project)” (or similar designation as appropriate) (the “Bonds”).
Section 3. Publication. This authorizing ordinance, together with a notice in the statutory form, shall be published in a newspaper of general circulation in the Village, and if no petition, signed by the greater of (i) 7.5% of the registered voters in the Village or (ii) 200 of those registered voters or 15% of those registered voters, whichever is less, (the notice published pursuant to this Section shall contain the specific number of voters required to sign a petition requesting that the issuance of the alternate bonds be submitted to referendum) asking that the issuance of the Bonds be submitted to refer-
endum, is filed with the Village Clerk within thirty (30) days after the date of the publication of this authorizing ordinance and notice, then the Bonds shall be authorized to be issued.
Section 4. Additional Ordinances. If no petition meeting the requirements of applicable law is filed during the petition period referred to above, then the Board may adopt additional ordinances or proceedings supplementing or amending this ordinance providing for the issuance and sale of the Bonds and prescribing all the details of the Bonds, so long as the maximum amount of the Bonds as set forth in this ordinance is not exceeded and there is no material change in the Project as described herein. Such additional ordinances or proceedings shall in all instances become effective immediately without publication or posting or any
further act or requirement. This authorizing ordinance, together with such additional ordinances or proceedings, shall constitute complete authority for the issuance of the Bonds under applicable law.
Section 5. Severability. If any section, paragraph or provision of this ordinance shall be held to be invalid or unenforceable for any reason, the invalidity or unenforceability of such section, paragraph or provision shall not affect any of the remaining provisions of this ordinance.
Section 6. Conflicting Ordinances. All ordinances, resolutions and parts thereof, in conflict herewith are hereby repealed.
Section 7. Effective Date. This ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after its adoption.
ADOPTED this 16th day of July, 2024, pursuant to a roll call vote as follows:
Yes. Please send the print version of the newspaper by mail at the
Yes. Please send me an eSubscription with a weekly email link for only $35 per year. Enclosed is my check for $35.
AYES: Carmona, Franz, Frey, Panicola, Perez
None
Lomax
by me this 16th day of July, 2024.
Bensenville
Storm damage in Villa Park
Giannoulias named co-chair of NASS’s Securities Committee
Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias has been appointed to serve as co-chair of the National Association of Secretaries of State’s (NASS) Securities Committee.
“
NASS and our members are a team. Choosing individual teammates to serve in these critical roles allows us to further strengthen our mutual understanding and knowledge on key issue areas relevant to the offices of secretaries of state.”
“It’s an honor to collaborate and serve alongside others representing secretary of state’s offices throughout the country,” said Giannoulias. “This is a great opportunity to learn from each other to ensure that we protect ordinary investors from scams and fraudulent activity while holding those accountable for their actions.”
– Steve Simon
“NASS and our members are a team. Choosing individual teammates to serve in these critical roles allows us to further strengthen our mutual understanding and knowledge on key issue areas relevant to the offices of secretaries of state,” said Steve Simon, NASS president and Minnesota secretary of state. “I look forward to working closely with each co-chair during my tenure as president.”
The Illinois Secretary of State’s Securities Department regulates the securities and investment advisory industries in Illinois and pursues an enforcement program designed to protect Illinois investors from those engaged in unlawful investment-related activities.
The department is responsible for regulating the state’s securities industry and protecting investors by ensuring compliance with the law and investigating any complaints of fraud or improper practices. It is working to modernize and streamline registration and enforcement operations while bolstering investor education.
Giannoulias will serve alongside New Hampshire Secretary of State David Scanlan. The pair will serve until the conclusion of the NASS 2025 Summer Conference.
CHRIS FOX PHOTOS Rock Valley Publishing
Improvements to Illinois State Fairgrounds continue with master plan
By Hannah Spangler
The Illinois Department of Agriculture, in collaboration with the Community Foundation for the Land of Lincoln, released a new master plan for the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield.
The multi-phase plan outlines a long-term vision for the fairgrounds, aiming to increase year-round events, attendance and revenue during the next decade.
“The Illinois State Fairgrounds draw hundreds of thousands of visitors from all around the world,” said Gov. JB Pritzker. “When combined with the $58.1 million we invested in repairs and improvements, this master plan not only creates a future-focused blueprint for continued growth and success, but it also ensures that the Illinois State Fairgrounds are among the best in the nation.”
Adding 139 new events and attracting 1.4 million attendees by the fifth year are key benchmarks for the plan. The year-five target is to increase operating revenue to $18.1 million and bring in $6.9 million in tax revenues.
Stakeholders expressed concerns about the condition of buildings, curb appeal and overall lack of investment. However, the master plan showed that as the right improvements are made, stakeholders remain optimistic about what the fairgrounds can be in the future.
“Outdated building designs and an inefficient site layout affect the potential for competing with other multi-purpose event venues or attracting large events,” the plan states. “Put simply, the Illinois State Fairgrounds is not competitive with its peers. A consistent long-term vision, as set forth in this master plan, will be key to future success.”
Overall, the plan prioritizes expanding staffing beyond the current 10 full-time employees, focusing on sales and marketing roles. Other goals were separated into three phases to balance more extensive projects with less expensive and agriculture-related projects.
Phase 1 new construction and renovations
• Grow the Route 66 attraction to attract year-round visitors
• Add livestock tie-out areas
• Increase the proximity and ac-
The master plan details a new “town square” south of the Midway that will enhance curb appeal and enhance the customer experience.
cess of parking to facilities
• Continue improvements to the exposition building
• Demolish the condemned Jr. Home Economics building
Phase 2 new construction and renovations
• Add a “Town Square” near Midway to boost aesthetics and navigability
• Increase street and plaza improvements
• Continue renovations to the Orr and Artisans buildings
Phase 3 new construction and renovations
• Develop an on-site hotel for over 200 guests
• Increase pedestrian connectivity through road and trail work
• Renovate the Illinois Building
No specific timeline was given for each phase.
The plan also includes a goal to add a 200,000-square-foot multi-purpose venue as a statement building on the fairgrounds. However, the venue is not currently included in the three phases.
Funding strategy
The plan underscores a need to establish a long-term funding source and recommends developing multiple areas to secure funding for continual improvements.
• Financing mechanisms like the state’s General Reserve and Capital Development Funds.
• Strengthen the Fair Foundation through growing sponsorships, partnerships and relationships.
• Taxing mechanisms such as land lease income and sales tax.
This story was distributed through a cooperative project between Illinois Farm Bureau and the Illinois Press Association. For more food and farming news, visit FarmWeekNow.com.
The master plan emerged from a partnership with IDOA and the Community Foundation’s local initiative, “The Next 10.” Launched in 2020, the initiative set in motion conversations surrounding the future of the Springfield area the important role of the fairgrounds all year.
Two men charged with hate crime for allegedly spray painting
‘Free Gaza’ over Israeli flag at Bloomingdale grocery store
DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and Director of Public Safety Frank Giammarese have announced that two men have been charged with hate crimes for allegedly spray painting “Free Gaza” on an Israeli flag at the Bloomingdale Woodman’s grocery store last month.
Tabshir Rizvi, 23, of Bloomingdale, and Mohammed Faroun, 22, of Hoffman Estates, have each been charged with two counts of hate crime, a Class 4 felony as well as misdemeanor charges of criminal damage to property and disorderly conduct.
It is alleged that the men selected a can of red spray paint and then walked to the international food aisle, climbed the shelving unit under the Israeli flag and spray painted “FREE GAZA” on the Israeli flag. It is alleged that the men then left the store.
“I find the charges against these two men extremely disturbing,” Berlin said.
ment for their quick identification of the defendants.”
It is alleged that on June 24 at approximately 11:25 p.m., two men, later identified as the defendants, entered the Woodman’s Food Market located at 1 Stratford Drive.
Following an investigation into the matter, Bloomindale police identified Rizvi and Faroun as suspects in the case. Faroun turned himself in to authorities on July 16, while Rizvi turned himself in July 7. Both men were released on personal recognizance.
“Hate crimes, such as alleged in this case, not only affect the intended target, but can also have a devastating effect on entire communities. As I have said before, DuPage County prides itself on being an extremely welcoming community to all and we will not tolerate any type of behavior based on hatred or prejudice. I thank management at Woodman’s Food Market for bringing this matter to the attention of law enforcement and I commend the Bloomingdale Police Depart -
“There is no place for hatred in our community,” Giammarese said.
“The alleged offenders took it upon themselves to interject their personal beliefs and impact the citizens of our great community. I agree that we have a welcoming community and want all people to live in a peaceful society, without alleged offenders spewing hatred and degrading an Israeli flag.”
The next court appearance for both men is scheduled Aug. 13 for arraignment in front of Judge Daniel Guerin.
Tabshir Rizvi Mohammed Faroun
SUBMITTED PHOTO Rock Valley Publishing
PUBLICATION NOTICE OF COURT DATE FOR REQUEST FOR NAME CHANGE
Request of: Jacquelyn Paige Peters Case Number 2024MR000401
There will be a court date on my Request to change from Jacquelyn Paige Peters to the new name Jacquelyn Cagney Peters. The court date will be held: September 17, 2024 at 9:00 a.m at 505 N. County Farm Road, Wheaton, IL in Courtroom 2007.
/s/ Jacquelyn Paige Peters
Dated July 1, 2024
Candice Adams Clerk of the Circuit Court 8085-944342
(Published in The Lombardian July 11, 18 & 25, 2024) 458257
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: Jacquelyn Paige Peters Case Number 2024MR000389
There will be a court date on my Request to change from Jacquelyn Paige Peters to the new name Jacquelyn Cagney Peters. The court date will be held: September 17, 2024 at 9:00 a.m at 505 N. County Farm Road, Wheaton, IL in Courtroom 2007.
/s/ Jacquelyn Paige Peters
Dated July 1, 2024
Candice Adams Clerk of the Circuit Court 8085-944342
(Published in The Lombardian July 18, 25, Aug. 1, 2024) 458645
LEGAL NOTICES
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
BE IT RESOLVED that notice is hereby given by the Board of Education of School District 44, in the County of DuPage, State of Illinois, that the budget of Lombard Elementary School District 44 for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2024 will be on file and conveniently available to public inspection at the Board of Education Office, 150 West Madison Street, Lombard, Illinois, in this school district from and after 8:00 am on the 14th day of August 2024. Notice is hereby given that a public hearing on said budget will be held at 6:00 pm on the 17th day of September 2024, at the Administration Center, 150 W. Madison St., Lombard, Illinois. Dated this 16th day of July 2024, Board of Education of School District No. 44 in the County of DuPage, State of Illinois.
By: Deb Iversen, Secretary Board of Education
(Published in The Lombardian July 25, 2024) 458797
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE EIGHTEENTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT DUPAGE COUNTY, WHEATON, ILLINOIS IN RE Kimberly Fonville Petitioner, VS.
Michael A Shotwell, Respondent.
Case Number 2024DN000280
DOMESTIC RELATIONS PUBLICATION
The requisite affidavit of publication having been file: NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN TO YOU Michael A Shotwell, Respondent in the above entitled suit that said suit has been commenced in the Circuit Court of DuPage County, Domestic Relations Division, 505 N County Farm Rd, Wheaton, IL 60187 by the said petitioner against you for DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE
and for other relief; that summons was duly issued out of the said Court against you as provided by law, and that the said suit is now pending. Now, therefore, unless Michael A Shotwell, the said above named respondent file your answer to said Complaint or otherwise make your appearance therein, on or before AUGUST 10, 2024 JUDGMENT FOR DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE may be entered against you at any time after that day and Judgment entered in accordance with the prayer of said petition. E-filing is now mandatory for documents in civil cases with limited exemptions. To e-file, you must first create an account with an e-filing service provider. Visit http://efile.illinoiscourts.gov/service-providers.htm to learn more and to select a service provider. If you need additional help or have trouble e-filing, visit http:// www.illinoiscourts.gov/FAQ/gethelp.asp.
Dated 7/2/2024
Candice Adams Clerk of the Circuit Court 8085-944365
(Published in The Lombardian July 11, 18 & 25, 2024) 458217
NOTICE
CERTIFICATE NO. 79465 was filed in the office of the County Clerk of DuPage County on JUNE 25, 2024 wherein the business firm of SCOOP OF GLEN ELLYN, 323 MARION AVE., GLEN ELLYN, IL 60137 was registered; that the true or real name or names of the person or persons owning the business, with their respective post office address(es), is/ are as follows: Anthony Holter, 323 Marion Ave., Glen Ellyn, IL 60137. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and Official Seal at my office in Wheaton, Illinois, this 25TH day of JUNE, A.D. 2024. Jean Kaczmarek DuPage County Clerk (Published in The Lombardian July 11, 18 & 25, 2024) 458215
Coming events
Villa Park Library programs
Come to the Villa Park Public Library on Monday, Aug. 5, at 7 p.m. to put your knowledge of musicals to the test at this special trivia event presented by Baig of Tricks Entertainment. Be prepared to be quizzed about all your favorite musical productions from the old classics to the new classics of today. This is a family program. All participants under age 12 should be accompanied by an adult.
Become a sushi master at the Villa Park Public Library on Wednesday, Aug. 7, at 7 p.m. In Sushi Go!, a fast-playing card game, the goal is to grab the best combination of sushi dishes as they whiz by. Score points for making the most maki rolls or for collecting a full set of sashimi. Dip your favorite nigiri in wasabi to triple its value. But be sure to leave room for dessert or else you’ll eat into your score!
Registration is required for these programs. For more information, visit the library’s website at www.vppl.info or call 630-834-1164.
Blood drive Aug. 6 at Plum Library
The Helen Plum Library is hosting a Versiti blood drive Aug. 6 in the Plum Meeting Rooms, 411 S. Main St., Lombard. Appointments are appreciated; walk-ins will be welcome. All attempting donors will be entered for a chance to win a two-night stay to Wilderness Resort. To schedule, go to www.versiti. org/IL, load the Versiti Donor app or call (800) 7TO-GIVE. A photo ID is required.
State law requires dental exams on all Illinois children in or entering Kindergarten, 2nd grade, 6th grade and 9th grade. Call today and schedule your child’s appointment.
Classifieds
Elmhurst Office (630) 834-8244
In-Print and Onlne at www.TheIndependentNewspapers.com
Announcements
CLASSIFIED IN-COLUMN ADS cannot be credited or refunded after the ad has been placed. Ads canceled before deadline will be removed from the paper as a service to our customers, but no credit or refund will be issued to your account.
DISCLAIMER NOTICE This publication does not knowingly accept fraudulent or deceptive advertising. Readers are cautioned to thoroughly investigate all ads, especially those asking for money in advance.
Burial Needs
7 CEMETERY PLOTS Willing to sell as a group or individually. Located at Roselawn Memory Gardens 3045 WI-67, Lake Geneva,
WI 53147. This is a private sale. Contact Randy, the seller at randy@slpublishers.com.
Music/ Instrumental
FOR SALE: USED JACKSON GUITAR For more information call 630-822-4534. Lombard area.
Campers and RVs
1994 WINNEBAGO WARRIOR 22’ V8 454 engine, 97,200 miles. Newer tires, new battery, new sub floor and flooring. Rooftop A/C works great. Rust free, runs good and ready for travel! Some updates have been done to the interior, but still needs some minor finishing. Asking $10,500. Located near Rockford. Call 815520-0997. For details on placing an ad in our Classified Section
NOTICE All real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Fair Housing Act which makes it illegal to advertise any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, disability, familiar/ status or national origin, or an intention to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination. Familial status includes children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians, pregnant women and people securing custody of children under 18. This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis. To complain of discrimination call HUD tollfree at 1-900-669-9777. The toll-free tele phone number for the hearing impaired is 1-800-927-9275. EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY
help me and show me, herein you are my mother.
Oh, Holy Mary, Mother of God, Queen of Heaven and Earth! I humbly beseech you from the bottom of my heart to answer me in this necessity. There are none that can withstand your power. Oh, show me herein you are my mother. Oh, Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee (3x). Holy Mother, I place this cause in your hands (3xs). Sweet Mother, I place this cause in your hands (3x). Holy Spirit, you who solve all problems, light all roads so that I can attain my goal, you who gave me divine gift to forgive and forget all evil against me, and that in all instances in my life you are with me. I want in this short prayer to thank you for all things as you confirm once again that I never want to be separated from you in eternal glory.
Thank you for your mercy towards me and mine.
The person must say this prayer 3 consecutive days, after 3 days the request will be granted.
This prayer must be published after the favor is granted. A.S.
