VPR082224

Kids check out a variety of vehicles

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 Villa Park Parks and Recreation Department held its annual Big Rigs and Kids event on Saturday morning in the lot north of Cortesi Veterans Memorial Park. The free event gave children a chance to get an up-close look at several special vehicles, including some of the vehicles used by the village’s police, fire and public works departments. Saturday’s function also included face painting, as well as entertainment from magician and balloon artist Gary Kantor.

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

Pritzker signs law allowing digital driver’s licenses among hundreds of other bills

Official state mushroom, fluorescent light bulb ban among other laws signed

By Andrew Adams CAPITOL NEWS ILLINOIS

Gov. JB Pritzker on Aug. 12

signed a measure designating the “giant puffball” as the state’s mushroom after signing hundreds of bills on Friday, completing action on legislation sent to him by lawmakers this spring.

Pritzker has now signed more than 460 bills without issuing any vetoes. Below is a recap of some of the more than 260 bills he signed Aug. 9.

Human remains chain of custody

A Carlinville funeral home director sparked outrage when the public learned he had for years mishandled human remains. At least 80 families were given the wrong remains

Senate Bill 2643, which passed unanimously in May, tightens regulations on the “chain of custody” for human remains handled by funeral home directors and lays out requirements for identifying remains.

“Families who lost loved ones experienced what no one ever thought was possible – receiving the wrong remains,” bill sponsor Sen. Doris Turner, D-Springfield, said in a news release. “It’s past time that we hold bad actors accountable.”

Digital driver’s licenses

House Bill 4592 lays out regulations for the secretary of state to offer

Illinois residents the option to have a digital version of their driver’s license or state ID.

The cards would be issued “in addition to, and not instead of” a physical ID, under the law, which takes effect in 2025. The law allows agencies and private entities to choose if they want to accept electronic IDs in place of physical ones, but “upon request by law enforcement, a credential holder must provide the credential holder’s physical credential.”

“Other states already have mobile driver’s licenses and ID cards, and this bill gives our residents the same ability to have a mobile card if they want one, while still providing them with the option of a traditional physical card,” bill sponsor Rep. Kam Buckner, D-Chicago, said in a news release.

Despite some concern during legislative debate over potential privacy issues with the technology, the measure passed unanimously in May.

Higher education changes

Several measures signed on Friday outline changes to higher education.

Senate Bill 462 bans public colleges and universities in the state from considering an applicant’s relation to any past, current or prospective donors during the application process. It also bars those schools from considering an applicant’s “leg-

acy status,” or whether they are related to former students.

Senate Bill 3081 requires public universities to provide information about transfer fee waivers to students transferring in from a public community college. It also encourages those universities to automatically waive transfer fees for low-income students.

A third measure is aimed at lowering tuition costs for noncitizen Illinois residents. Senate Bill 461 requires public universities to charge in-state tuition for Illinois residents who attended an Illinois high school for at least 2 years or who graduated from an Illinois high school. It also would require universities to offer in-state tuition rates to some students who attended a high school, any college or university or a combination thereof for a combined three years.

The measure passed 73-40 in the House and 42-16 in the Senate.

Exoneree benefits

Senate Bill 3771 allows the spouse or child of someone who was wrongfully convicted of a crime and later exonerated to access their state-funded benefits. This includes covering up to four years of educational costs. “Wrongful convictions impact not only the individual, but also their families and loved ones. It is imperative that we look for ways to support

them as well,” said bill sponsor Sen. Ram Villivalam, D-Chicago.

The measure passed 71-38 in the House with one member voting present and 45-11 in the Senate.

Illinois courts have overturned more convictions than any other state in the country, but the state lags behind in compensating those exonerees, offering about $15,000 per year they were wrongfully imprisoned for up to 14 years. Other states offer higher payouts, such as Connecticut which offers $281,566 per year.

Single-use plastics in hotels

Under Senate Bill 2960, hotels will no longer be allowed to offer their patrons single-use plastic soap and shampoo bottles.

The industry has been voluntarily moving away from single-use plastics and the legislation had the backing of the state’s hotel association. Large hotels with 50 or more rooms would have until July 1, 2025, to comply with the law, while smaller hotels would be given an additional year.

The measure passed 73-40 in the House and 42-17 in the Senate.

Opioid laws

Several measures signed into law last week are aimed at reducing the harms of the opioid epidemic.

Senate Bill 3350 creates a state

program to distribute fentanyl test strips. The strips allow people to test whether a drug contains fentanyl, a potent opioid. Unknown fentanyl ingestion contributes to many cases of overdose.

House Bill 4942 requires coroners to notify law enforcement when they find suspiciously high levels of fentanyl during an autopsy. Currently, hospitals are required to notify coroners of unexplained fentanyl-related deaths, but not law enforcement.

Another measure, Senate Bill 3779, allows social workers to carry and administer opioid antagonists such as naloxone, which is commonly known by the brand name Narcan. These drugs can reverse an opioid overdose if administered in a timely manner.

“Social workers have the experience and work closely with individuals at risk, which makes them essential in combating this crisis,” bill sponsor Sen. Karina Villa, D-West Chicago, said in a statement.

House Bill 5028 allows the state to provide opioid antagonists at state agencies and shields employees from liability if they administer the medication.

“Jordan’s law,” contained in Senate Bill 3137, requires prompt notification of deaths in drug rehabilitation

See BILLS, Page 7

Pritzker signs executive order for strategic plan on aging Illinoisans

By Hannah Meisel and Andrew Adams

Administration doubles down on tech industries in 5-year plan for business growth

CAPITOL NEWS ILLINOIS

Gov. JB Pritzker last week kicked off a decade-long process to address the needs of aging Illinoisans, signing an executive order to hire a chief planning officer within the state’s Department on Aging.

With the U.S. Census Bureau estimating that approximately one quarter of Illinois’ population expected to be 60 or older by 2030, the chief planning officer will oversee the creation of a 10-year strategic

plan “with the goal of strengthening Illinois as an aging-friendly state,” according to the executive order.

Pritzker’s office did not indicate who might fill that role, but after the position is filled, the clock will start ticking toward a December 2025 deadline to deliver a comprehensive plan to the governor and the General Assembly that could eventually be turned into policy.

In his second term as governor, Pritzker has proposed more state investments in areas like child care and preschool, but he has not yet

DuPage County Sheriff’s Office to hold citizens police academy this fall 12-week program features Tuesday-night classes from Sept. 24 to Dec. 17

The DuPage County Sheriff’s Office is proud to announce its 2024 Fall Citizens Police Academy (CPA). The 12-week program will run from Sept. 24 to Dec. 17, with classes every Tuesday from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the Sheriff’s Office.

The CPA offers a unique opportunity to explore the DuPage County Sheriff’s Office, providing hands-on experiences with the DuPage County Jail, the crime laboratory, and the county court system.

Enrollment will be capped at 22 participants.

Applications can be found online at: dupagesheriff.org/ citizenPoliceAcademy

For more information, or to register, call Cpl. Kermend at 630-4072368, or the Community Resource Unit at 630-407-2173.

launched any large-scale efforts to address the growing needs of caretaking for elder adults, especially as the Baby Boomer generation ages.

“We know that it’s not just about supporting aging adults, but also being mindful of caretaker needs and the complex needs of individuals with disabilities, and this plan will ensure no one is left behind,” the governor said in a statement announcing the executive order.

For more than two decades, the state has operated the Illinois Caregiver Support Program, which offers resources to those taking care of elderly parents, neighbors and grandparents—along with grandparents who are raising their grandchildren. But the program is small and not well-known.

Past governors’ administrations have made two-year plans on aging, which continued under Pritzker as Illinois is currently on the state’s fifth such plan. Under the 10-year plan, the state’s chief planning officer is asked to coordinate across agencies including the Departments of Corrections, Insurance and Housing.

Business development plan

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity published a five-year plan last week, outlining how it hopes to attract and

retain businesses in the state.

At the plan’s center is a strategy to invest in six industries that will receive “prioritized support,” capital investment and job training. They are life science, quantum computing, clean energy production, advanced manufacturing, next generation agriculture and transportation.

Some of these industries, including agriculture, have long been staples of the state’s economy. Others, like clean energy and quantum computing, have become policy priorities for the Pritzker administration in recent years.

In the last two years, the state has given just over $1 billion in tax incentives to companies in the supply chain for electric vehicles and clean energy production through the Reimagining Energy and Vehicles program.

In July, the state awarded a $92 million tax incentive to quantum technology company PsiQuantum Manufacturing under the Illinois Chips for Real Opportunity Act, the first agreement of its kind.

Deals brokered through those programs are often part of larger packages of tax breaks, statebacked loans and other incentives. The governor’s office estimated PsiQuantum’s total incentives package was worth $200 million.

The five-year plan was put together by DCEO in “consistent collaboration and consultation” with Intersect Illinois, a nonprofit economic development agency founded eight years ago with backing from then-Gov. Bruce Rauner.

Intersect is a major player in “Team Illinois,” an informal coalition of business groups and government officials that lobbies companies to set up shop in Illinois.

The group, which has so far operated on a somewhat ad hoc basis, consists of the governor’s office, DCEO, Intersect, trade associations, public utilities and other groups, according to the department’s five-year plan.

DCEO’s plan also said it is formalizing the process these groups use to court new business developments, hoping to operate as a “unified front” for attracting investment.

The plan also lays out several proposed “areas for improvement” to state policy on business incentives. These include expanding the incentive program available to advanced manufacturers like vehicle and electronic manufacturers, granting regional economic development officials the ability to establish geographic “enterprise zones” that provide tax breaks, and further extending a tax credit for research and development.

Court grants state’s motion to

detain Chicago man charged with fleeing from police/burglary at Clarendon Hills Jewel-Osco

At time of arrest, accused was on probation in two separate cases for stealing from Elmhurst, Lombard businesses

DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and Oak Brook Chief of Police Brian Strockis have announced that Judge Bryan Chapman granted the state’s motion to detain pre-trial a Chicago man currently on probation for two separate cases who is now accused of fleeing from police after allegedly stealing more than $300 worth of alcohol from a Clarendon Hills Jewel-Osco store.

Michael Howard, 43, appeared in First Appearance Court and was charged with one count of burglary (Class 2 felony), two counts of retail theft (Class 3 felony) and one count of aggravated fleeing and eluding a police officer (Class 4 felony). Howard is currently on probation for stealing 26 bottles of liquor from an Elmhurst Jewel-Osco store on March 15, and for aggravated fleeing and

eluding and stealing $837.82 worth of alcohol from a Lombard Mariano’s grocery store on April 17.

On Aug. 9 at approximately 6:30 p.m., Oak Brook Police officers observed a black Toyota Camry traveling northbound on Route 83 at 16th Street that was allegedly involved in a retail theft from the Clarendon Hills Jewel-Osco located in the 300 block of Holmes Avenue.

Officers attempted to conduct a traffic stop at Route 83 and St. Charles Road, but the Toyota Camry, allegedly driven by Howard, immediately increased its speed. Officers activated their emergency lights and sirens and began pursuit.

It is alleged that during the pursuit, Howard drove in and out of traffic and weaved between other vehicles on the roadway while traveling at approximately 76 mph. After a brief time, the pursuit was terminated due

to officer and public safety concerns. A short time later, Howard was allegedly located again on I-290.

At that time, Berkeley police officers activated their emergency lights and sirens and began to follow Howard. It is further alleged that as Howard again attempted to flee, he drove into oncoming traffic and struck a Lexus head on. It is alleged that after the crash, Howard, attempted to flee on foot, but was taken into custody a short time later. It is alleged that authorities located proceeds from the retail theft at the Jewel inside Howard’s vehicle.

According to the state’s Petition to Detain filed against Howard, he “did not believe police should chase him across town boundaries.”

“It is alleged that while on probation for two separate cases involving burglary and retail theft, both in DuPage County within the past five months, Mr. Howard was at it again, this time stealing more than three hundred dollars’ worth of alcohol from a Jewel grocery store,” Berlin said. “While criminals do not

A new addition to the police department

recognize town boundaries, law enforcement in DuPage County enjoys an outstanding relationship with our surrounding communities and, with their assistance, will pursue anyone accused of breaking the law until they are taken into custody. We are all thankful that no one was seriously injured as a result of Mr. Howard’s alleged actions. I commend the Oak Brook Police Department for their efforts and good judgment on this case as well as for their continued efforts in protecting the residents of DuPage County. I thank the Berkeley Police Department for their work in taking the accused into custody.”

“This arrest illustrates the exceptional working relationship Oak Brook has with surrounding jurisdictions,” Strockis said. “I’d like to thank all the officers involved in this incident and I’m grateful that no one was seriously injured due to the reckless actions of the offender.”

Howard’s next court appearance is scheduled for Aug. 26, for arraignment in front of Judge Mia McPherson.

Officer Neil McMahon was sworn in as a new full-time member of the Villa Park Police Department last week. Villa Park Village Clerk Hosanna Korynecky administered the swearing-in during the Aug. 12 village board meeting. McMahon has 15 years of experience in law enforcement, including time with the Broadview Police Department and various security roles. He is a certified fire and rifle instructor, Taser instructor, field training officer, traffic crash investigator, truck enforcement officer, drone pilot, and has extensive training in de-escalation and cultural awareness. Pictured (above left) at the board meeting (left to right) are: Officer Simons, Detective Haimann, Officer Campos, McMahon, Sergeant Pagan, Deputy Chief McCann, Officer Martinez, Chief Rivas and Officer Molenda.

Village provides information about oak leaf itch mites

The 2024 cicada emergence might be over, but some residents may be noticing a recent uptick in oak leaf itch mites, which tend to proliferate following cicada events. These mites, often found in cicada egg nests, are known for causing itchy, pimple-like rashes.

The Village of Villa Park advised village residents last week that the recurrence of these mites is once again a concern following this year’s Brood XIII event. According to the village’s

announcement, these tiny, reddish-tan mites are especially prevalent in late summer and fall, when their numbers peak.

“You may be exposed to these mite bites while doing any activity, like hiking or sitting, under trees that have been infested, including oak trees and anywhere cicada egg nests were made,” the village’s announcement noted. “Cicadas lay their eggs in tree branches, creating an environment that is ideal for mites to thrive and

multiply, as they feed on these eggs.”

To prevent bites, avoid sitting under oak trees and steer clear of areas showing visible mite activity. If bitten, relief can be found with anti-itch creams or antihistamines. For severe symptoms or signs of infection, seek medical advice.

If exposed, it’s advisable to bathe promptly, as standard bug sprays are ineffective against these mites. Mite bites typically appear 10 to 16 hours after exposure and may cause itching,

rashes, and bumps. Although uncomfortable, these bites usually resolve on their own. Over-the-counter anti-itch creams can help alleviate discomfort.

To minimize risk, cover as much skin as possible, especially around the neck and shoulders, and avoid areas with significant cicada egg-laying activity.

The mites can be encountered while hiking or sitting under infested trees, including oak trees, and may also be carried by the wind.

Go native at fall tree and shrub sale; Online ordering offered while supplies last

Shop a wide selection of native trees and shrubs at the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County’s annual fall native tree and shrub sale

The online-only sale will feature 44 different species of native trees and shrubs, including three species new to the sale. All were grown locally from seed within 100 miles of DuPage County. Orders can be picked up Friday, Sept. 20, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Saturday, Sept. 21, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at St. James Farm in Warrenville. Gardeners must order trees and shrubs in advance; there is no shopping during the pickup times. Orders will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis while

supplies last and are subject to nursery availability. Fall is the best time of year to plant native trees and shrubs because it gives them an extra growing season before the stress of summer. There’s no need to worry about young native trees surviving winter, either, because they go dormant, which is the plant equivalent of hibernation. There are many benefits to planting native trees and shrubs. For example, they’re better equipped than nonnative species to handle Illinois weather and don’t require fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, or watering once established.

Coordinator

Debra Hamilton

Advertising Director

Pete Cruger

Publisher

Advertising: Brenda Garcia Kate McCarty

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Michael Howard

SUBMITTED PHOTOS Rock Valley Publishing

Opinion

Slices of life

What if …

When my kids were little, they often came to me with “what ifs.”

What if the school bus starts to fly?

What if we ate dessert first?

What if God never invented rabbits? Or ice cream? Or trees? Or bikes? Or the rain?

What if my hair turned into spaghetti noodles?

What if all the grass turned purple?

What if broccoli tasted like candy and candy tasted like broccoli?

What if the person we see in the mirror isn’t the same as the person everyone else sees?

Attending to these what ifs often proved difficult because they were, for the most part, unanswerable and not based in reality. Spaghetti noodle hair? Purple grass? A mirror that reflects the real you?

I still hadn’t figured out what to make for supper or how I was going to make it to parent-teacher conferences by 7:30.

Those were the what ifs on my mind at the time.

Still, I did my best to attend to my kids’ questions, while (if I am honest) sometimes admonishing them that mommy didn’t have time for what ifs right now

As much as I loved their creativity and free-thinking, all their what ifs, while imaginative and even sometimes fun, were a challenge for a busy mom.

Until now.

Listen closely while I contradict all I tried to teach my kids over the years with my very own set of what ifs. Because you know what I’ve learned over the years? Maybe the questions we ask ourselves, even if they are silly or a drain on time, sometimes lead to bigger thoughts and bigger things than we ever thought possible.

What if what ifs aren’t necessarily unnecessary, but beneficial? What if they can provide a whole new perspective on things?

Let’s start there. And then:

What if every mistake we make is an opportunity to learn something new?

What if every detour we encounter provides the chance to explore new scenery?

What if every goodbye opened the door for a new hello?

What if you understood that your past doesn’t need to define your future?

By JILL PERTLER Columnist

What if all the bumps in the road helped you to hone your maneuverability?

What if a setback was seen as simply a chance to regroup, rethink and re-align?

What if you completely failed at half of everything you did? And what if you choose to focus the other 50 percent?

What if failure was necessary to bring you to the doorway for what was next?

What if failure was only a word, and didn’t impact your hopes for the future at all?

What if failure could only lead to something better?

What if every sunset came with the promise of a sunrise?

What if death was merely a rebirth?

What if everything really did happen for a reason?

What if we had complete trust in the universe?

What if we had complete trust in ourselves?

What if we dared eat dessert first?

What if we looked in the mirror and knew, for sure, that the person looking back was the face that other people see?

What if none of this is true?

What if all of it is?

My kids used to posit me with what ifs and I felt I was a bit above that stage in life. How silly I was. How much I have learned from them over the years.

When we are children, we have most of it figured out, and then most of us listen to the grownups and forget the truth of what it really means to question and to explore. If you’ve forgotten, do your best to remember. Pursue the what ifs.

Keep asking. Keep thinking. Keep wondering. What if?

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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State now has blueprint for K-12 schools to teach dangers of overdose

Public health groups commend new guides but say there was a ‘lack of opportunities’ for collaboration

By Dilpreet Raju CAPITOL NEWS ILLINOIS

Illinois public schools wishing to teach their students about the dangers of overdoses and substance use disorder now have a blueprint to do so from the state.

The Illinois State Board of Education published the resource guides in accordance with a law passed in 2023. While a school’s use of any of the state’s resource guides is voluntary, some public health advocates consider the creation of the guides a step in the right direction. Administrators and educators can download ageappropriate presentations, lesson plans or fact sheets.

Various courses developed by universities, nonprofits and federal agencies provide options for curricula about what prescription drugs are, the science of drug interactions, harm reduction, and how to manage medication alongside mental health struggles. Complexity increases with age; high school resources include lessons on different classes of drugs.

Some links connect to materials or videos from the National Institute on Drug Abuse and a “virtual field trip” produced by the Drug Enforcement Administration One resource referenced multiple

times in the guides, Generation RX, was developed in part by Cardinal Health, a pharmaceutical distributor who paid out part of a $26 billion settlement with 45 states, including Illinois, in 2022.

Overdose remains a leading cause of accidental death in the state and across the country, something not lost on the various public health organizations that supported the legislation to create the guides. The Illinois Harm Reduction and Recovery Coalition, an advocacy network of organizations and individuals dedicated to harm reduction, released a statement praising ISBE and the Department of Human Services for their work but said there was a “lack of opportunities” for more involvement from community members.

During 2022—the most recent year with comparable data—more than 3,800 people died of an overdose in Illinois, while almost 1,800 were killed by firearms, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

That same year, more than 1,250 people in Illinois died due to a traffic accident, according to the Illinois Department of Transportation.

The law requiring the guides passed the House and the Senate

unanimously. It’s known as Louie’s Law in honor of Louie Miceli, who died of an overdose in 2012 at 24 years old.

Felicia Miceli, Louie’s mother, said he was first exposed to opioids at age 17 following a high school football injury.

“We know this guidance will equip communities with vital information, tools, and resources,” Miceli said in a news release for the coalition. “But only if they know about it and have an implementation plan.”

The Illinois Harm Reduction and Recovery Coalition and the LTM Heroin Awareness and Support Foundation—which Miceli started in honor of her son—released a statement celebrating the “first-ofits-kind” guides but also said the process could have benefitted from including more perspectives while crafting various guides.

“The organizations are concerned about the lack of opportunities for broader stakeholder involvement in the guidelines’ development, including the primary target audiences (and) marginalized groups,” the release reads.

Last year, 30 teenagers in Cook County died due to drug toxicity, according to the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office

Regarding the crosswalk issue with the person in Speak Out who was talking about Main Street and the Prairie Path. Yes, it’s a crosswalk. They should hit the signal that signals that they’re going to cross but it’s a crosswalk so if they’re attempting to cross the street, yes, it is a law. They should hit the visual signal. However, they didn’t. Bottom line: it’s professional courtesy or just a human courtesy to let them across the street. Maybe you’re driving too close to the person in front of you. Maybe pay attention a little more next time. It is a law and yes, they should hit the signal. I was a police officer for seven years. And yeah, this is my input; maybe don’t tailgate people, too. Take care.

* * *

I guess we in District 87 should consider ourselves lucky that we only have to pay $183 million as a result of the April referendum. I read that the Indian Prairie School District is going to ask for $420 million, but they put a spin on it that it would be “tax neutral” because residents are already paying off previous bonds. That’s like saying, “I just paid off my car, so I will buy another one because I am already budgeting for a payment every month,” even though the new payment would likely be higher. How about saving the taxpayers that money and not keep spending on our dime?

* * *

Despite Roe v. Wade being overturned in 2022, the number of abortions nationwide shot up to over 1 million (1,026,690) in 2023 for the first time since 2012 (1,011,000). I bet the pro-abortion extremists in this state that include Gov. JB Pritzker and the state representatives and senators around here who vote in lockstep with him on abortion love

seeing these numbers. I noticed the story on Page 2 (Aug. 15 issue) that said Pritzker signed a bill safeguarding various reproductive rights for residents and visitors of Illinois. Good thing Pritzker signed this bill because now we can all sleep well at night knowing that Illinois will remain the undisputed abortion capital of the Midwest. Notice who doesn’t have any rights in all of this? The unborn child.

* * *

Now if this isn’t woke, I don’t know what is. Legislation is aimed at replacing the word “offender,” as in criminal, with the term “justice-impacted individual.” This defies any logical explanation to me. I get that formerly incarcerated or convicted criminals—I mean justice-impacted individuals—will have a harder time getting a job, a place to live, etc., but this is a thinly-veiled way of reframing the description of a criminal. Will employers, creditors, landlords really fall for this nonsense?

* * *

I sure hope the Republicans are better-behaved during the Democratic convention than the Democrats have been. For being a party of “tolerance,” the far left says one thing and does another. They have no tolerance when it comes to anyone having a different viewpoint, and they get people riled up; think riots, burning buildings and vehicles, looting, etc., which, when added up, totally overshadow the Jan. 6, 2021, stampede on the Capitol. So Republicans, get your message across by keeping your cool, protesting peacefully. And stop the finger-pointing, which is the wave on which the Democrats ride.

* * *

I read that we are selling $20 billion in arms to Israel. I am concerned about us getting involved in the Is-

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• With regard to calls of a political nature, it is not possible to have an equal balance of calls with liberal and conservative viewpoints during any given week. The editors of Speak Out don’t have control of who calls in, what their political leanings happen to be, and the topic(s) they want to discuss.

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rael/Hamas and Russia/Ukraine conflicts to the extent we are taking sides by supplying arms and monetary aid to either side; worrying what the other side will do to retaliate. I am all for supplying humanitarian aid, though. But the big question is, what will we do with that $20 billion? Probably turn around and use it to supply the illegal migrants with all the aid and necessities that our own citizens don’t get. Now Hamas is saying it is waiting for the U.S. to help mediate a negotiation with Palestine and Israel. Why are we always the world’s police and facilitator?

* * *

I feel bad for the kids who have started school already. Getting out in May, it is still generally not warm enough to go swimming on vacation, and returning in mid-August reduces the time left to go on vacation, and with some classrooms not air conditioned, it is still hot. I remember the days of starting after Labor Day and getting out in June. That was the perfect summer.

* * *

Lombard calling the proud military family rep who has law enforcement in the family. So do I. And our two vice presidential candidates do as well. One is very respectful as he should be while the other guy denigrates his opponent, as Trump has always done to our military. The military men and women he worked with don’t support him. He said of McCain, I like guys who weren’t captured; he called dead soldiers suckers and losers. He allowed the Jan. 6 officers who were protecting

our Congress to continue the assault for hours and did nothing. You can’t be serious when you say that Democrats are America-hating socialists and military-haters. Biden was at the D-Day ceremonies and showed the world American pride and respect. Look closer at what Trump has said and done. Military people especially should be putting their votes elsewhere, or not at all.

* * *

Hi Lombard here. This message is for the GOP and lying MAGAs that keep spreading the lies that Democrats are buying the votes of illegal immigrants. Illegal immigrants cannot vote. Please make a note of it. So long.

* * *

If black lives matter, why don’t the Democrats straighten out Chicago? *

Think about what’s happening in our world today under Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. Think about the way things were under Donald Trump. Think about what’s happening in the Middle East right now. Are you ready for your children to be drafted? If Kamala Harris gets voted in, get ready for your children to be drafted to fight World War III. Wake up, people. We’re right there on the edge.

Hi, this is a response for the person who sent Trump said he was not a Christian. Check YouTube; Pastor Greg Laurie talked with him, and he and Trump bowed his head and prayed with him. Then we see on there Trump says Jesus Christ is more famous than him, because

someone said oh, you’re the most famous person in the world. Trump responded. No, I’m not. It’s Jesus Christ. So we know that this was a wake-up call with that gunshot that clipped his ear. He is very thankful, and he knows God prevented him from dying that day; that he sent an angel to help him. Thank you. *

When a driver forgets to turn his or her lights on after dusk, other people flash theirs to make them aware of the fact. As the weather is still suitable the days are getting shorter. More and more people are now in the roadway wearing dark clothes with no lights or reflective devices to make their presence known. We can’t expect our already overworked law enforcement to give them a warning ticket. The best solution is for drivers to flash their lights and give them a sound with your horn. It may change some people and wake them up before they get run over.

I heard JB Pritzker say on a news program that during his speech at the Democratic National Convention, he was going to tell people how they ought to know about the great state of Illinois. I doubt he’ll tell people about the high property and gas taxes here, the over $400 billion in pension liabilities and how businesses and people are leaving this state. He also won’t tell people how a number of businesses in the city of Chicago’s business district boarded up out of fear of possible unrest during the convention. Illinois is quite a Shangri-La under your leadership, JB!

Lombard’s Cruise Nights and Summer Concert Series ends season

Saturday with 7th Heaven concert

The Village of Lombard will host its last concert of the 2024 Cruise Nights and Summer Concert season, brought to you by Tommy’s Express Car Wash, this Saturday, Aug. 24.

The concert will feature 7 th Heaven, a popular pop/rock band from 6-9 p.m.

To safely accommodate the anticipated large crowd size, the concert stage will be located just west of the St. Charles Road and Main Street intersection.

Beginning at 3 p.m., St. Charles Road will be closed to through traffic from Elizabeth Street to Main Street, with a complete closure at S. Lincoln Ave. to Main Street. One-way traffic will be in place on St. Charles Road from Elizabeth Street to S. Lincoln Ave. and on S. Lincoln Ave. towards Michael McGuire Drive. Refer to the event layout map on the village website for details.

Free games, face painting and balloon twisting will be available in the Kids’ Corner area, sponsored by Kelly Stetler Real Estate and Bloom Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics, from 6-9 p.m. Popcorn and waters will be available for purchase from the Lombard Citizen Police Academy Alumni Association, with all profits benefitting Lombard’s Shop-With-A-Cop program.

Cruise car parking has been significantly reduced for the event and cruisers are advised to plan ahead. Those attending may begin parking in designated areas after 4 p.m.

Concert attendees are encouraged to use the available commuter parking lots and may begin to set up chairs after 4 p.m. Port-o-let bathrooms will

be available at designated areas throughout the concert area.

Concert goers, age 21 or older with proper identification, will be able to purchase alcohol from participating licensed businesses for consumption outdoors within the defined concert area. No outside alcohol will be permitted.

The village would like to thank its generous sponsors for making the 2024 event season possible. Our Presenting Sponsor, Tommy’s Express Car Wash, and Kids’ Corner sponsors, Kelly Stetler Real Estate | Compass and Bloom Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics, along with our Corporate Sponsors, BrightLife Chiropractic & Wellness, Brust Funeral Home, Christopher B. Burke Engineering, Cassidy Tire & Service | 1914 Custom 4x4, ComEd, Dana Walden, Get More with Damore, Keeley’s Plumbing, Klein, Thorpe, and Jenkins, Lombard Bank & Trust, Lombard Moose Lodge 2350, Office of state Sen. Laura Ellman, Prescient Solutions and Sport Clips Haircuts, have all contributed to support this year’s upcoming events.

The concert is subject to weather conditions, and there will not be an alternate location or rainout date. Any updates related to the concert event will be made on the Village of Lombard’s website and social media pages.

For additional event information, visit villageoflombard.org/cruisenights . For event updates follow the Lombard Cruise Nights Facebook page at facebook.com/ lombardcruisenights

Let’s party, Victorian style

The Lombard Historical Society held a Victorian garden party on Saturday, Aug. 17, at 23 W. Maple St.; although due to intermittent rain, the “garden” part of the party was held inside the Carriage House. Among the activities was making a mini flower arrangement known as a “tussie mussie,” (above) and guests enjoyed the music of cellist Ryan Carney (right). Carney will be appearing with the Noah Gabriel Trio on Friday, Aug. 30, at 7 p.m. (visit lombardhistory.org for more information and to purchase tickets). Also pictured are (top - left to right) historical society Museum Assistant Caitlyn Dixon, Executive Director Alison Costanzo, volunteer Margie Navolio, volunteer Laura Dubberke, volunteer Alison Werr, Education and Collections Manager Rae Slowik and volunteer Quinn McIntosh.

This Labor Day, remember: Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over

Lombard Police Department stepping up traffic safety campaign

The Lombard Police Department will kick off a traffic safety campaign to reduce impaired driving and other hazardous driving behaviors, such as distracted driving and failure to use seat belts.

With powerful messages like “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over,”

“If You Feel Different, You Drive Different,” “Drive High Get a DUI” and “Click It or Ticket,” this high-visibility enforcement initiative is under way and continues through the early morning hours of Sept. 3,

including Labor Day weekend.

“We want our community to understand the importance of making smart decisions behind the wheel, on Labor Day and every day,” said Sgt. Tom Balsitis. “While our goal is voluntary compliance, drivers should expect strict enforcement of all traffic laws on Lombard roads every day.”

As celebrations take place, it is important to designate a sober driver and ensure that friends or family members do not drive while impaired by alcohol, cannabis, or oth-

er substances. Even a small amount of an impairing substance can affect judgment and reaction times, making driving unsafe.

In addition to targeting impaired drivers, Lombard Police will be stepping up seat belt enforcement, emphasizing the importance of wearing seat belts.

Whether traveling across town or across the country, in the front seat or back, it is crucial to wear a seat belt and ensure that all passengers are also buckled up.

on Maple Concert this Friday

The Lombard Historical Society (LHS) presents Bach+Beethoven in concert as part of the Music on Maple Concert series Friday at 7 p.m. Please bring a chair. This is a free outdoor concert. Tickets are suggested and available on the website LombardHistory.org. For more information about this event, or the Lombard Historical Society, visit lombardhistory.org, email info@lombardhistory.org, or phone 630-629-1885. Meet the Bach and Beethoven Experience but you can call them BBE. They’ve been around Chicago since 2009. They wanted to play some cool music on some awesome instruments that you don’t see every day.

B+B aims to shatter expectations of classical music concerts. Music should serve a story and be people-centric, so they try to build a personal connection between our audience and our artists through stories, music of all kinds (classical, folk, original music, and beyond), and an interactive experience.

This concert will be in the William J. Mueller Gazebo at 23 W. Maple St. in Lombard. Tickets are suggested and available on the website: LombardHistory.org. This program was funded in part by the DuPage Community Foundation.

The Outreach House reaches a milestone: two years under one roof

The Outreach House’s reason for being is simple—to provide compassionate and effective assistance to individuals and families with dignity and without judgment.

The Outreach House guests, donors, volunteers and staff are coming together to celebrate the two-year anniversary of bringing their four programs under one roof and offering community support to our neighbors in need at their new location in Lombard.

Serving many local DuPage communities—York Township, Glendale Heights and Addison—in just two years services have increased to meet the growing need more than doubling the number of households being served. The Outreach House is now:

-Serving more than 500 households each week in our Food Pantry

-Distributing an average of 22,000 diapers each month through our First Things First program

The Lombard Police Department is collaborating with the Illinois State Police and local law enforcement agencies across Illinois to support this statewide effort.

The Illinois “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over,” “If You Feel Different, You Drive Different,” “Drive High Get a DUI” and “Click It or Ticket” campaigns are administered by the Illinois Department of Transportation with federal dollars from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

-Providing clothing to over 500 families each month through our Clothes Closet program

The organization invites its guests, donors, volunteers and communities to come celebrate with them at 805 S. Main St., Suite A, Lombard, on Thursday, Aug. 22, from 4:00 to 7:00 PM. Light refreshments will be served.

For more information or to donate, contact Catherine Lynott, executive director, at director@theoutreachouse.org or 630-693-0185.

Jane Charmelo PhoTos Rock Valley Publishing

Coming events

GPS program Aug. 26

The GPS Parent Series: Navigating Healthy Families will host Amy Cuddy in an online program titled “Presence: Using Body Language and the Mind to Boost Confidence, Performance Under Stress and Social Bravery.” Cuddy is a social psychologist, bestselling author and keynote speaker who focuses on presence and performance under stress, the causes and outcomes of feeling powerful vs. powerless, nonverbal behaviors, the delicate balance of projecting trustworthiness and strength and most recently, the psychology of bullying, by-standing, and social bravery. The webinar will be held at noon and 7 p.m. Monday, Aug. 26, via Zoom.

• Bills

Go to the GPS Parent Series website for information and the links to these webinars. Please share information about this event with friends and relatives. To be placed on a reminder list for GPS events or submit a question in advance, contact Gilda Ross, Glenbard District 87 student and community projects coordinator, at gilda_ross@glenbard.org or 630942-7668.

Lombard Farmers Market

Visit the Lombard Farmers Market on Tuesday, Aug. 27, from 3-7 p.m. in downtown Lombard on the corner of S. Park Avenue and W. St. Charles Road. Enjoy music from pop rock artist, Allison Phillips, sponsored by

(Continued from page 2)

facilities. The law was crafted in response to a story of a man who died while undergoing rehab and whose family was not immediately notified.

“It is heartbreaking to lose a loved one, and it is unconscionable that there would be a delay in notification,” bill sponsor Sen. Laura Fine, D-Glenview, said in a statement.

All five measures were passed unanimously this spring.

Light bulb ban, more

House Bill 2363 bans the sale of screw- or bayonet-base compact fluorescent bulbs after Jan. 1, 2026. It also bans pin-base and linear fluorescent bulbs after Jan. 1, 2027.

The law’s stated goal is to reduce pollution and health risks associated with mercury in these types of bulbs. It passed 73-37 in the House and 3719 in the Senate.

Senate Bill 3501 will require new types of lighting fixtures at Illinois Department of Natural Resources facilities. These standards are aimed at reducing light pollution.

“Light pollution is not as often discussed as other forms of environmental contamination, but excess artificial light poses serious health threats to animals, insects and humans,” said Sen. Laura Ellman, D-Naperville, said in a statement.

That measure passed 71-39 in the House and unanimously in the Senate.

Local

journalism initiatives

A measure backed by former journalist Sen. Steve Stadelman, D-Rockford, is designed to aid local journalism.

Senate Bill 3592 creates a state-funded scholarship to journalism students planning to work in Illinois for at least two years after they graduate. While that measure did not receive funding in the fiscal year 2025 budget, lawmakers did allocate $5 million for a tax credit program for news outlets beginning in 2025 and claimable the following year. It provides $15,000 per employee for certain newsrooms and another $10,000 for new hire.

SB 3592 also requires a news publisher to notify employees, the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, its county government, and any Illinois nonprofit “in the business of buying local news organizations” within 120 days prior to a potential sale.

JL Vintage Odds and Ends. Shop seasonal fruits, vegetables, bread, treats for your pet and other handcrafted goods. Grab a bite to eat at one of our downtown restaurants. 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.

GPS program Aug. 28

The GPS Parent Series: Navigating Healthy Families will present “Solutions for Fear, Worry and Anxiety in Young Children” with child and adolescent psychologist Ann-Louise Lockhart at noon and

7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 28, via Zoom. Lockhart is a pediatric psychologist, parent coach and author. She writes on parenting, childhood diagnoses, and executive functioning and works closely with school personnel on issues dealing with childhood anxiety and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Go to the GPS Parent Series website for information and the links to these webinars. Please share information about these events with friends and relatives. To be placed on a reminder list for GPS events or submit a question in advance, contact Gilda Ross, Glenbard District 87 student and community projects coordina-

Obituary

KENT E. RADTKE, 73

The measure passed 73-39 in the House, with one person voting present, and 43-16 in the Senate.

Battery storage and disposal

Senate Bill 3481 requires facilities that store electric vehicle batteries to register with the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency by February 2026. The state’s Pollution Control Board would set the regulations for the proper storage of EV batteries.

The bill passed 77-35 in the House and 44-15 in the Senate.

Senate Bill 3686 requires battery producers and importers to implement an IEPA-approved battery stewardship plan starting in 2026. Retailers would be encouraged—but not required—to serve as collection facilities. This law applies to “medium format” batteries, which include certain batteries based on their weight and watt-hours.

That measure passed 77-35 in the House and 45-14 in the Senate.

New AI regulations

House Bill 4623 clarifies that Illinois’ child pornography laws apply to images and videos created using artificial intelligence.

House Bill 4762 and House Bill 4875 grant protections to performers and other individuals from the wrongful use of AI replicas and render certain contracts unenforceable if AI is misused. All three measures passed unanimously earlier this year.

South suburban airport

House Bill 5496 would allow the Illinois Department of Transportation to accept unsolicited bids for an airport in Will County. The project, which has been discussed for decades, has gained new interest in recent years as proponents have shifted to pushing for a cargo-only airport as opposed to a passenger airport.

It passed 72-35 in the House and 49-2 in the Senate.

Youth vaping regulations

Senate Bill 2662 bans the marketing of e-cigarettes in a way that would make them seem like commonplace objects, such as a pen.

“This law will prohibit tobacco companies from pulling the wool over the eyes of educators and guardians whose job it is to keep kids safe,” bill sponsor Sen. Julie Morri-

son, D-Lake Forest, said in a statement.

Another measure, Senate Bill 3098, bans the sale of e-cigarettes to people under 21 years of age through online stores.

Lending discrimination study

Senate Bill 3235 calls on the Illinois Commission on Equity and Inclusion to conduct a study to identify geographic areas of the state where there are significant racial or ethnic disparities in access to lending and other financial services.

The bill is a follow-up to the 2021 Illinois Community Reinvestment Act, which requires state-regulated institutions to make loans, credit and other financial services available in all parts of the communities they serve.

The commission will report its findings to the General Assembly and secretary of the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. Lawmakers appropriated $250,000 to fund the study.

Affordable health screenings coming to Lombard Sept. 6

Residents living in and around Lombard can learn about their risk for cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, diabetes and other chronic, serious conditions with affordable screenings by Life Line Screening.

Holy Trinity Lutheran Church will host this community event on Sept. 6. The site is located at 350 E. Madison St. in Lombard.

Screenings can check for:

• The level of plaque buildup in your arteries, related to risk for cardiovascular disease, stroke and overall vascular health.

• HDL and LDL Cholesterol levels

• Diabetes risk

• Kidney and thyroid function, and more

Screenings are affordable and convenient. Free parking is also available.

Special package pricing starts at $159, but consultants will work with you to create a package that is right for you based on your age and risk factors. Call 1-877-237-1287 or visit our website at www.lifelinescreening.com. Pre-registration is required.

tor, at gilda_ross@glenbard.org or 630-942-7668.

Plum Library programs

Genealogy Club Monday, Aug. 26, at 7 p.m. Join us for a roundtable discussion to share your research findings, hear success stories from other members, and seek solutions to brick walls. Register at helenplum. org or by calling (630) 627-0316. Drop-In Sewing Craft Saturday, Aug. 31, from 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Stop by 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.

Kent E. Radtke, age 73, of Lombard, passed away Aug. 11, 2024, at Good Samaritan Hospital.

Funeral Prayers were held Tuesday, Aug. 20, from Brust Funeral

Home then to Mass at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 114 S. Elizabeth St., Lombard. Interment was at Queen of Heaven Cemetery, Hillside. Info: www.brustfuneralhome.com or 888-629-0094.

Village seeking nominees for its 2024 Senior Man and Woman of the Year awards

The Village of Lombard has announced that nominations are now open for the 19th annual Senior of the Year Awards. These awards celebrate the dedication and impact of seniors in the community who volunteer or go above and beyond to make Lombard a better place. Residents are encouraged to nominate seniors who have demonstrated a commitment to serving others. To be eligible, nominees must be 65 years of age or older and reside within the incorporated limits of Lombard.

Nominations should include a brief statement (50 words or less) highlighting why the nominee deserves recognition, along with a short biography.

“Each year, the Senior of the Year Awards give us the opportunity to recognize and thank seniors in our community who are making a difference—no matter how big or small,” said Trustee Dan Militello, chair of the Community Relations Committee. “It only takes a few minutes to nominate a neighbor, friend, or family member that has contributed to making Lombard such a great place to live, and we look forward to recognizing their contributions.”

All nominations must be received by 4:30 p.m., Friday, Sept. 6, for consideration. The Community Relations Committee will vote for the winner on Monday, Sept. 9. Nominees and winners will be notified and announced publicly.

Nominations can be submitted by mail to Village of Lombard, Attention: “Senior of the Year,” 255 E. Wilson, Lombard, IL, 60148, or via email at communications@villageoflombard.org.

‘OrderAhead’ at food banks

OrderAhead is an online ordering tool from Feeding America. Four Northern Illinois Food Bank member agencies have started their distributions using the OrderAhead website. Their programs were developed with the support of the Northern Illinois Food Bank Innovation Team and Feeding America. Participating agencies in DuPage County include the Aurora Area Interfaith Food Pantry, 1110 Jericho Road, Aurora; and Neighbor Food Pantries—Family in Faith Church Food Pantry, 1480 Bloomingdale Road, Glendale Heights. Feeding America is the nation’s largest domestic hunger-relief organization, comprised of 200 food banks, 21 statewide food bank associations, and over 60,000 agency partners, including food pantries and meal programs. These efforts collectively provide critical food assistance to millions of people annually. Only seven Feeding America network members and affiliates, including Northern Illinois Food Bank, received the 2024 Network Celebrations Award for their outstanding contributions.

Mobile driver’s license

and

ID legislation signed into law

Legislation enabling Illinois residents to start using mobile driver’s licenses and state IDs was signed into law today by Gov. JB Pritzker, Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias announced.

The bill is part of Giannoulias’ commitment to modernizing the office, while getting up to speed with other states that already have secure mobile driver’s license and state ID programs in place.

HB 4592 was sponsored by state Rep. Kam Buckner (26th District-Chicago) and state Sen. Michael Hastings (19th District-Frankfort). Giannoulias’ office is hoping to make mobile IDs available next year, but only after rigorous testing requirements are implemented and the highest standards of security are ensured.

“Whether it’s offering more services online or introducing products like mobile driver’s licenses and identification cards, we want to leverage new, secure technology to create efficiencies that better serve Illinoisians,” said Giannoulias, whose office pushed for the

Man sentenced to 7 years for shooting at ex-girlfriend’s vehicle

bill. “We’re excited to reach a point where we can implement mobile IDs in a manner that ensures our roads are safe and that the privacy of Illinoisans is protected, while still providing law enforcement, businesses and medical professionals, which rely on physical driver’s licenses and identification cards, the information they require.”

“Other states already have mobile driver’s licenses and ID cards, and this bill gives our residents the same ability to have a mobile card if they want one, while still providing them with the option of a traditional physical card,” Buckner said. “We can keep folks safe while providing them with the convenience and benefit of modern technology.”

“Mobile driver’s licenses and ID cards provide our residents with the option to protect their personal information,” Hastings said. “There is no reason age verification should require residents to disclose sensitive information such as their address when we have the technology available for mobile cards that allow for selective information disclosure.”

DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin has announced that a former Carol Stream man accused of firing a handgun at a vehicle occupied by his ex-girlfriend and another individual has been sentenced to seven years in the Illinois Department of Corrections.

Dejonte Parks, 27, appeared at a sentencing hearing in front of Judge Daniel Guerin, who handed down the sentence.

On May 6, 2022, Parks appeared in bond court where Judge Guerin set bond at $250,000 with 10 percent to apply. He has remained in custody at the DuPage County Jail since that time.

On May 14 of this year, Parks entered a guilty plea to one count of aggravated discharge of a firearm, a Class 1 felony.

On May 4, 2022, at approximately 9:11 p.m., officers with the Wheaton

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.

Aug. 13

A complainant in the 200 block of W. Division reported that a suspect was harassing them via telephone.

A complainant in the 200 block of S. Yale reported at 10:59 p.m. that a suspect took items from their home while completing construction work.

Aug. 12

A complainant at a pharmacy in the 200 block of E. Roosevelt reported a suspect removed merchandise from display shelves and left without paying. The suspect was located and issued a trespass warning after later paying for the items.

A complainant at a bar in the 300 block of E. Kenilworth reported at 10:55 p.m. that a suspect battered them.

Aug. 11

Isaac Flores Bautista, 41, of Steger, was charged with DUI near E. North and N. Ellsworth at 12:11 a.m.

A 29-year-old Villa Park woman was charged with two counts of domestic battery in the 1300 block of S. Villa at 3:59 a.m.

A 29-year-old Chicago man was charged with two counts of domestic battery at a gas station in the 200 block of E. Roosevelt at 4:45 a.m.

Aug. 9

Police said Anthony Y. Jordan, 32, of Lynwood, had an in-jurisdiction warrant in the 1-100 block of S. Ar-

“ This type of behavior will most certainly not be tolerated in DuPage County and for his actions, Mr. Parks now finds himself facing a seven-year sentence in the Illinois Department of Corrections.”

– Robert Berlin

Police Department responded to a call of shots fired in the area of the 700 block of N. Wheaton Ave.

Following an investigation into the matter, authorities learned that the victims’ vehicle was driving southbound on Schmale Road when Parks pulled up next to them and displayed a gun.

As the victims continued driving, Parks followed them to Wheaton Av-

dmore.

A complainant in the 1500 block of S. Ardmore reported that a suspect who had been blocked keeps contacting them. The suspect was advised to cease further contact.

Aug. 8

Tamera R. Allen, 26, of Chicago, was arrested and charged with burglary/retail theft/false representation or ownership value exceeding $300 on the above date for an alleged incident that occurred at a clothing store in the 100 block of W. Roosevelt on July 10.

Mayre I. Arzola, 41 of Stone Park, was arrested and charged on the above date with theft for an alleged incident that occurred at a store in the 900 block of S. Route 83 on June 26.

Phillip Breckler, 37, of Elmhurst, was arrested and charged with violation of pretrial release—victim family/household member on the above date for an alleged incident that occurred on July 15.

A complainant in the 400 block of N. Douglas reported at 1:03 a.m. that a suspect battered them and then took their laptop.

A 30-year-old Villa Park man was charged with theft and two counts of domestic battery in the 400 block of N. Douglas at 3:54 a.m.

A complainant in the 200 block of E. Division reported their tires were flattened sometime overnight.

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

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

A complainant in the 300 block of S. Princeton reported at 9:58 p.m. that a suspect battered them. The complainant did not want to sign complaints.

enue, where he fired multiple rounds toward the vehicle, striking it once in the driver-side wheel well.

Following the shooting, Parks fled the area. Parks was taken into custody from his home the following day without incident.

“The complete and utter disregard for public safety Mr. Parks displayed by opening fire at an occupied vehicle is alarming,” Berlin said. “His actions put not only the occupants of the vehicle at great risk, but also put an entire residential neighborhood in danger. Thankfully no one in the vehicle was harmed and no stray bullets found their way into a home or struck an innocent pedestrian. This type of behavior will most certainly not be tolerated in DuPage County and for his actions, Mr. Parks now finds himself facing a seven-year sentence in the Illinois Department of Corrections.” Parks will be required to serve 85 percent of his sentence before being eligible for parole. He will receive credit for time served in the DuPage County Jail from May 5, 2022, through Aug. 14, 2024.

Aug. 7

Paris W. Minge, 29, of Villa Park, was charged with resisting a police officer, firefighter or correctional employee in the 300 block of N. Princeton at 2 a.m.

A complainant in the 1600 block of S. Michigan reported at 5:45 p.m. that a suspect battered them. The complainant did not want to sign complaints.

A complainant at a store in the 900 block of S. Route 83 reported at 7:05 p.m. that suspects removed merchandise from display shelves and left without paying.

July 31

A complainant at a store in the 900 block of S. Route 83 reported at 9:07 p.m. that a suspect removed merchandise from display shelves and left without paying.

Identity theft, fraud

According to information provided by the Villa Park Police Department, police reported three incidents of identity theft or fraud.

• Sale

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They also provide greater soil stability and food and habitat for native wildlife, including pollinators. Native oaks are especially beneficial additions to the landscape because they’re a keystone species, meaning many other plants and animals rely on them for food and shelter.

The sale will feature seven species of oaks, including bur, chinquapin, northern pin, red, shingle, swamp white, and white.

All proceeds from the sale will go to support educational programming at the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County.

Dejonte Parks

With new federal waiver, Illinois expanding Medicaid to nonmedical services

By Peter Hancock CAPITOL NEWS ILLINOIS

Many people enrolled in the state’s Medicaid program will soon be eligible to receive a host of nonmedical services that could improve their overall health, including housing and nutrition assistance, violence prevention services, and services to help them transition out of incarceration.

Government-funded health program will cover ‘social determinants of health’ well as temporary housing before and after hospitalization. It does not, however, cover construction costs for brick-and-mortar projects or services for people who are “not lawfully present in the United States or are undocumented.”

Under a new policy that the Biden administration launched last year, state Medicaid programs can now apply for federal waivers to cover what many people call “social determinants of health”—the conditions in which people live that can have a direct impact on their health care needs.

The federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services approved Illinois’ application for such a waiver July 2. It extends through June 30, 2029, and may be extended beyond that. At the same time, CMS also approved a five-year extension of another waiver originally approved in 2018 that allows coverage of substance use disorder treatment for individuals in mental institutions.

“You’ve heard the expression, ‘An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.’ Well, that’s what this waiver means for Illinoisans all across our state,” Gov. JB Pritzker said at a recent news conference announcing the waiver approval.

“With this extension, we can build on the demonstrated success of programs that meet these needs—housing support, food and nutrition services, employment assistance, community reintegration, while developing and piloting new

Coming event

solutions to ensure that we’re meeting the needs of all Illinoisans,” he added.

Medicaid is a publicly funded health insurance program primarily for poor people that is jointly funded by states and the federal government. It was launched in 1965 alongside Medicare, the federally funded health care program for seniors.

For years, the federal government has allowed, and even encouraged, states to innovate with their Medicaid programs by granting them short-term waivers from standard Medicaid rules. This allows them to try out experimental, pilot or demonstration projects designed to better serve the health care needs of the Medicaid population.

The waivers are authorized under Section 1115 of the Social Security Act and thus are known as “1115 waivers.”

New services

The new waiver adds three new categories of services that will be covered under the Illinois Medicaid program for individuals who qualify. But state officials estimate it will take at least a year to get the new services up and running.

The first and most far-reaching of those covers “health-related social needs ,” or HRSN services. That includes such things as housing and food assistance for Medicaid enrollees who either have or are at risk of developing costly chronic health conditions and who have a documented need for such services.

The waiver covers expenses such as first month’s rent, moving expenses and utility hookups, as

Thursday Wine Down with Lombard Camber Aug. 29

Thursday Wine Down – Aug. 29, at Noon Whistle Brewing Co., 800 E. Roosevelt Road, Lombard. Be a part of another fun filled “Wine Down” at Noon Whistle Brewing this month. Pay your own drink tab convenience, with Noon Whistle providing the appetizers. Visit lombardchamber.com for information and to register.

A second new category covers violence prevention and intervention services for Medicaid recipients who either have been victims of violence in the past, are currently experiencing violence, or are at risk of experiencing violence in the future.

Elizabeth Whitehorn, director of the Department of Healthcare and Family Services, said Illinois is the first state in the nation to receive approval for covering violence prevention and intervention under an 1115 waiver.

The waiver allows for reimbursement of a wide range of services for those who qualify, such as psychotherapy, grief counseling, mindfulness and relaxation-based treatments, art therapy, life skills training, and crisis intervention.

Finally, the new waiver authorizes Illinois to provide specific health-related services to incarcerated individuals for 90 days immediately before their expected release. That includes case management to assess their physical, behavioral, and health-related social needs. It also includes ensuring they have a 30-day supply of their prescription medications, along with any medical equipment or supplies they may need immediately upon their release.

As a condition of that waiver, Illinois will be required to provide Medicaid enrollment support for individuals entering a correctional facility, and it will only be allowed

to suspend—not terminate—the Medicaid benefits of anyone already enrolled in the program once they enter the institution.

Expanding Medicaid’s mission

In the nearly 60 years since its inception, the Medicaid program in the United States has undergone many changes and grown exponentially. But its core function has always been that of a publicly funded health insurance program, paying the cost of health care services for its members, the bulk of whom are children, young mothers and low-income seniors.

In 2021, according to CMS, Medicaid paid for about 41 percent of all childbirths in the United States. The National Institutes of Health estimates Medicaid pays for the care of about 62 percent of all nursing home residents.

In Illinois, Medicaid covers about 4 million individuals, with a total cost in the current fiscal year of nearly $27 billion, including both state and federal funds.

The new 1115 waivers, however, represent a fundamental change in Medicaid’s core function, moving it beyond the role of paying reimbursements for medical services into the role of funding a broader array of nonmedical social services.

State officials said they do not have an estimate of how much the new services will cost.

But Illinois Medicaid Director Kelly Cunningham said in an interview the new services covered under the waiver are still consistent with Medicaid’s original purpose.

“The heart of the Medicaid program is ensuring equity across the population we serve,” she said.

“What we have learned, and what many other states have learned, particularly coming out of the COVID pandemic, is that what individuals need to be successful and healthy isn’t just health-related services. They need access—through transportation and through housing support and through food and nutrition—access to those types of services to really help them stay healthy.”

Cunningham said that in crafting the new policies covered under the waiver, IDHFS worked closely with the General Assembly, and specifically its Medicaid working group, an informal group made up of members from both parties and both chambers that meets privately to discuss and develop state health care policy.

State Rep. Robyn Gabel, D-Evanston, a cochair of the working group, said at the news conference in July she fully endorsed the new policy.

“Illinois is taking a truly transformative step in addressing the root causes of health disparities,” she said. “Our health is not only our medical care, but it is the sum of all our experiences, our jobs, our homes. So in caring for some of the most vulnerable populations, we need to account for issues from housing, to food insecurity, to transition from incarceration.”

But Sen. Dave Syverson, R-Cherry Valley, the leading Senate Republican on the working group, questioned during a separate interview whether the state needs to set up new programs within its Medicaid system to provide services that are already being provided through other agencies.

See MEDICAID, Page 15

DuPAGE DESTINATIONS

Can’t-miss events in and around DuPage County

Editor’s note: If you have information on an event in Addison, Bensenville, Elmhurst, Lombard and Villa Park taking place that you would like us to consider listing here, please email that information to: news1@rvpublishing.com.

Ongoing

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. 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.

Now through Sept. 29

French Market

Elmhurst

Recurring weekly on Sundays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., experience the charm and flavors of the Elmhurst French Market. This vibrant market will showcase an array of local artisan foods and goods. Located at the municipal lot at 180 W. Park, right at the corner of Park and Prospect. For more information, visit: bensidounusa.com/elmhurst.

Now through Oct. 1 Farmer’s Market Lombard

From 3 to 7 p.m. Tuesdays in downtown Lombard, 20 E. St. Charles Road, join us 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

Farmer’s Market

Elmhurst

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.

Now through Dec. 21

Leapin’ Lizards: 100 Years of Orphan Annie Lombard

Recurring weekly on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday at the Lombard Historical Society, 23 W. Maple St., “Little Orphan Annie” is turning 100 years old. While the character is well known, most people don’t know that the comic was created in Harold Gray’s home (that is still standing today) and is still one of the most iconic and enduring comic strips of all time. “Leapin’ Lizards! A Hundred Years of Little Orphan Annie” is the newest exhibit at the Lombard Historical Society that honors Gray and is a tribute to the enduring power of storytelling, the magic of comic art, and the nostalgia of a bygone era. For more information, visit: www.lombardhistory.org.

Now through Jan. 5, 2025

Rafael Blanco exhibit Elmhurst

Starting Saturday, Sept. 7, The Elmhurst Art Museum is celebrating 10 years of public art by artist Rafael Blanco, co-creator of Elmhurst’s own Be Bold mural with an exhibit that will run through Jan. 5, 2025. This exhibition will introduce those who attend to Blanco’s artistic journey through visual works in progress, video of Blanco’s process, and large-scale new work transforming the museum’s galleries into its own urban landscape, filled with color, texture, and the serendipity of discovering public art in the wild. Born in Spain and based in Aurora, Blanco’s work is deeply influenced by his immigrant experience and the beauty of embracing a new country while maintaining one’s own identity. After a decade painting ‘in the wild,’ his works now breathe color and life into urban spaces from California to Maryland, with Illinois murals in Elmhurst, Aurora, Roseville and Rockford. For more information on the exhibit, visit: https://elmhurstartmuseum.org.

Saturday, Aug. 24

Pet adoption fundraiser Lombard

Recurring weekly on Wednesday from 7 a.m.

Come out and make a special connection with a four-legged friend from Starfish Animal Rescue. Enjoy a hot dog, chips and a drink, and take advantage of our specialized vendors for all your pet’s needs. All proceeds will be donated to Starfish Animal Rescue. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Lexington Square of Lombard, 555 Foxworth Blvd., Lombard. Call 630-629-2900 for more information.

See more events on page 11

Can’t-miss events in and around DuPage County

Monday, Aug. 26

Using genealogy newsletters for research Lombard

Starting at 7 p.m., join the Plum Library Genealogy Club for a roundtable discussion to share your research findings, hear success stories from other members and seek solutions to brick walls. This program will be in-person and held in the Conference Room (2nd floor). Registration required. Visit www.helenplum.org/ event/using-genealogy-newsletters-research-56870 to register.

Thursday, Aug. 29

Summer Concerts in the Park Villa Park

Starting at 6:30 p.m. at Cortesi Veterans Memorial Park, 318 E. Kenilworth Ave., Howard and the White Boys take the stage. Howard and the White Boys are a contemporary blues band based in Chicago, a city steeped in blues history and where Howard and the White Boys have honed their chops since their inception in 1988. They have established a reputation as one of the city’s favorite attractions and made regular appearances at Buddy Guy’s Legends. Concessions are open at 6 p.m. For more information, visit: www.invillapark.com.

Sunday, Sept. 1

“Cue for the Cause” Elmhurst

From 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., the Elmhurst Walk-In Assistance Network (EWAN) will hold its annual “Cue for the Cause” fundraiser at York and Vallette streets. Competitors roll up their sleeves and roll out their grills to see who can deliver the winning barbecue. While teams work to prove they are the masters of the backyard grill, attendees at this family friendly event cheer them on, enjoy live music, raffles, entertainment, good food

and drink. For more information, visit: www.elmhurstwalkin.org/cue.

Thursday, Sept. 5-

Sunday, Sept. 8

Fall community yard sale

Bensenville

Residents are encouraged to clean up and cash in by holding household yard sales the extended weekend of Thursday, Sept. 5 through Sunday, Sept. 8. To host a yard sale, residents must complete a yard sale application and obtain a free permit. Completed yard sale applications can be dropped off at Village Hall or emailed to: permits@bensenville.il.us. Applications are available on the village’s website at https://bit.ly/3eJwc76.

Friday, Sept. 6-

Saturday, Sept. 7

Rock the Block Party

Elmhurst

From 4 to 11 p.m. both days at the Elmhurst City Centre, 109 W. First St., Elmhurst’s annual Rock the Block Party is back. Enjoy a two-day festival full of bands, food, drinks, free family fun zone, and so much more! Free Family Fun Zone will be open on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Come meet your neighbors and friends in Downtown Elmhurst! Headliners include: Friday: Hello Weekend and Rod Tuffcurls and The Bench Press. Saturday: ARRA and Sixteen Candles. For more information, visit: https://elmhurstcitycentre. com.

Saturday, Sept. 14

Elmhurst Craft Beer Fest

Elmhurst

From 2-6 p.m., the Elmhurst Heritage Foundation (EHF) will host the ninth annual Elmhurst Craft Beer Fest on the grounds of the Elmhurst History Museum. Proceeds support the Museum as well as the Churchville

One-Room Schoolhouse. Enjoy craft brews, meads, ciders, seltzers and music. General admission tickets are $45; designated driver tickets are $20. For more information, visit: elmhurstcraftbeerfest.com.

Food Truck Social Lombard

From 5 to 9 p.m. at the Lombard Historical Society, 23 W. Maple St., this event is in its third year running and will feature eight food trucks each offering a diverse selection of cuisine to satisfy all tastes, along with a beer

garden featuring local brews for your enjoyment. This outdoor event will take place on pavement with limited grassy areas. On-site seating will be provided, and guests are welcome to bring their folding chairs. Admission: general $7, early eater $12, children 12-and-under: free. For more information, visit: www.lombardhistory. org/annual-food-truck-social.

Saturday, Oct. 5 Brewfest 2024 Villa Park From 2-5:30 p.m. at Cortesi

Veterans Memorial Park, 318 E. Kenilworth Ave., join us for the seventh annual Villa Park Brewfest! This event is a celebration of great craft beer and the cool people that enjoy it. Featuring exceptional beers from local and regional craft breweries as well as tasty food truck cuisine. This is an age 21+ event. No one under the age of 21 will be allowed entrance, including designated drivers. For more information and ticket prices, visit: www.facebook.com/villaparkgovernment.

Worship Services Directory

Gather with us for weekend worship!

Saturdays 5 p.m.

Sundays 8:30 and 11 a.m.

Education Hour between services at 9:45 a.m.

142 E. Third St. Elmhurst, IL

ImmanuelElmhurst.org 630-832-1649

Handicapped accessible and hearing loop enabled

779 S. York Street

Elmhurst, IL

630-834 -6700 www.visitationparish.org

St. Timothy Evangelical

Lutheran Church

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

Lent and Easter Services at 7 p.m.

“The Crucial Hours”

Lombard resident one of two Montini Catholic Mother Teresa Award recipients from Class of 2024

Sunday Worship at 10:15 am Sunday School & Bible Study 9 am Saturday, August 24 Game Night at 4 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

Everyone is Welcome!

Third Lenten Service March 16, 2022

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

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

Fourth Lenten Service March 23, 2022

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

Weekend Masses:

Fifth Lenten Service March 30, 2022

Montini Catholic High School congratulates the Mother Teresa Award for Campus Ministry recipients from its Class of 2024. The recipients, Dominic Catalano of Lombard (left) and Skye Houston (right), were informed of the honor during the Lasallian college preparatory high school’s Founder’s Day Ceremony. “Our Mother Teresa Awards for Campus Ministry are awarded each year to two students who have demonstrated outstanding service and dedication to the Campus Ministry program and the spiritual life at Montini,” said school President Kevin Beirne. Both recipients dedicated their senior year to being student leaders of Montini’s Peer Ministry program which seeks to enrich the faith life of Montini Catholic by allowing for more student centered choice and engagement in retreats, small groups, prayer and volunteer experiences. Mother Teresa was the founder of the Order of the Missionaries of Charity, a Roman Catholic congregation of women dedicated to helping the poor. Considered one of the 20th century’s greatest humanitarians, she was canonized as Saint Teresa of Calcutta in 2016. Standing between Dominic and Skye is Montini campus minister Michael Blanchette.

Coming events

Historical society concert Aug. 23

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

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

Daily Masses:

Sixth Lenten Service April 6, 2022

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

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

Confessions: Saturday: 3-3:45PM

Maundy Thursday Communion 7 p.m., April 14

Good Friday Tenebrae 7 p.m., April 15

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

Adoration:

The Lombard Historical Society (LHS) is pleased to present Bach + Beethoven in Concert as part of the Music on Maple Concert series Friday, Aug. 23, at 7 p.m. Please bring a chair. This is a free outdoor concert. Tickets are suggested and available on the website LombardHistory. org. For more information about this event, or the Lombard Historical Society, please visit lombardhistory. org, email info@lombardhistory.org, or phone 630-629-1885.

GPS program

Aug. 27

healthy gaming boundaries. Kanojia will explain the neurological and psychological reasons that children get sucked in. He will share communication strategies for reaching young people who have developed a serious gaming habit. Go to the GPS Parent Series website for information and the links to these webinars.

Please share information about this event with friends and relatives. To be placed on a reminder list for GPS events or submit a question in advance, contact Gilda Ross, Glenbard District 87 student and community projects coordinator, at gilda_ross@ glenbard.org or 630-942-7668.

Summer outdoor yoga Aug. 24

Easter Breakfast 8 a.m., April 17

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

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

The GPS Parent Series: Navigating Healthy Families will present “How to Raise a Healthy Gamer: Navigate Power Struggles and Build Better Screen Habits to Transform Your Relationship With Your Kid.” This program will be presented by an expert on video game psychology, Alok Kanojia, M.D. The presentations will be held at noon and 7 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 27, via Zoom. This program will provide tips for setting, enforcing and troubleshooting

Summer Outdoor Yoga Saturday, Aug. 24, 10-11 a.m. at 23 W. Maple St.

Join the Lombard Historical Society for rejuvenating yoga sessions at the Lombard Historical Society, led by the experienced and knowledgeable Dr. Doris from Jade Orchid Wellness. The cost is $10 for members and $15 for non-members. Visit lombardhistory.org for details.

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. Microgram

4. After B

7. Everything

8. An unfortunate development

10. Coat with sticky substance

12. Cylinder of tobacco for smoking

13. Minimum interval take off

14. Yuck!

16. NBA sensation Jeremy

17. Where some rockers work

19. Midway between northeast and east

20. Snake-like fishes

21. Groups of homes

25. Swiss river

26. Useful towel

27. “The Wire” character “Moreland”

29. Oafish creature

30. A major division of geological time

31. Bird-like Chinese dinosaur

32. Sporting events

39. Body part

41. Clerical vestment

42. Shows data

43. Some are “special”

44. Expression of disappointment

45. Students’ rights document (abbr.)

46. Vacation locale Costa __

48. Pop singer

49. Distract outside a city

50. Mark Wahlberg comedy

51. Coniferous tree

52. Midway between south and southeast

CLUES DOWN

1. Lunatic

2. Actress Danes

3. Buttock muscles

4. The 22nd letter of the Greek alphabet

5. Popular 70s rockers

6. Electronic communication

8. Trigraph

9. Sea eagles

11. Low-pitched, resonant sound

14. Northeastern US university (abbr.)

15. Home of the Bulldogs

18. Exclamation of surprise

19. Make a mistake

20. Advantage 22. Monkeys love them

23. Wood

24. Paddle

27. Past participle of be

28. Tall, rounded vase

ADVERTISEMENT

STEAL TRANSACTION YARD

29. Device manufacturers

31. Financial institution (abbr.)

32. Paper product

33. A type

34. Atomic #43

35. Red Hot Chili Peppers’ drummer

36. Behaviors

37. Decays

38. Walked confidently

39. Voice (Italian)

40. Class of adhesives

44. Bar bill

47. One-time aerospace firm

Answers on page 16

Sports

Firebirds’ U-19 girls team places second in national event

Team wins a regional title in South Dakota to qualify for national tournament; Firebirds lose national final in a penalty-kick shootout

The Firebirds Soccer Club’s U-19 girls team earned a second-place finish in its level at the US Youth Soccer (USYS) National Presidents Cup, which took place last month in Wichita, Kansas.

The Firebirds’ U-19 girls team, which included several players from Glenbard East High School, Willowbrook High School and Montini Catholic High School, began its journey to the national tournament with a second-place finish in the Illinois Presidents Cup. The team suffered a 1-0 loss in the championship match of the state event. With that second-place showing, the Firebirds earned a wild-card berth into the USYS Midwest Presidents Cup, which took place in June in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

The Firebirds went undefeated in South Dakota, winning the title at the Midwest Presidents Cup and qualifying for the national event in Wichita. The Firebirds won their first two matches at the national tournament and earned a tie in their third match of the competition. That 2-0-1 performance earned the team a berth in the national final in Wichita.

The Firebirds faced the EPIC Soccer Club (from West Virginia) in the Presidents Cup title contest on July 15. The two teams were tied at 2-2 at the end of regulation, forcing a penalty-kick shootout. The EPIC Soccer Club prevailed in the shootout to win the national title.

The Firebirds did not lose a match in regulation during the tournaments in South Dakota and Kansas. The team played a total of nine matches at the two events, scoring 23 goals while allowing only four goals in those nine contests.

The U-19 team’s second-place finish at the tournament in Wichita marked the Firebirds program’s best showing in a USYS national competition.

The team consisted of nine girls

The Firebirds Soccer Club’s U-19 girls team battled to a second-place finish in its level at the US Youth Soccer (USYS)

Cup, which took place last month in Wichita, Kansas. The team included several players from Glenbard East High School, Willowbrook High School and Montini Catholic High School. The Firebirds advanced to the national tournament after winning the championship at the Midwest Presidents Cup in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The Firebirds lost the title contest in Wichita in a penalty-kick shootout on July 15. Members of the team (pictured left to right) are: (front row) Karly Harkness, Jamie Quirk (Glenbard East), Jolee Washington, Julia Bereta (Glenbard East), Payton Brose (Willowbrook), Emily Coral, Michaela Quinn, Maggie Quinn, Cleo Glenzinski (Glenbard East), Samantha Rozmus and Avery Lucatorto (Montini Catholic); (back row) head coach Adam Hewitt, Lauren Price (Glenbard South, Class of 2024), Naomy Gonzalez (Montini Catholic), Halie Ahrens (Willowbrook), Alexandra Jonaitis, Ciara Johnson (Glenbard East, Class of 2024), Maya Reinheimer (Glenbard East, Class of 2024), team manager Scott Rozmus and assistant coach Lee Rowbotham.

who graduated from high school in 2024. Six of those girls, including 2024 Glenbard East graduates Ciara Johnson and Maya Reinheimer will play collegiate soccer this fall. Johnson is playing at Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa. Reinheimer is playing at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville.

The team’s younger players will be looking to compete in next year’s USYS tournament.

Glenbard East introduces its fall athletic teams at this Friday’s Red and Black Athletic Community Night

Evening features brief scrimmages and exhibitions, along with a parade of the Rams’ fall teams

Glenbard East High School invites its students, families, friends and alumni to its 8th Annual Red and Black Athletic Community Night, which takes place this Friday, Aug. 23.

The event, which will feature brief scrimmages and exhibitions from the Rams’ fall athletic teams, begins at 4:30 p.m.

Glenbard East’s varsity cheer and varsity dance teams will perform in the school’s stadium at approximately 5:35 p.m. At that same time, the Rams’ varsity girls volleyball team will conduct a scrimmage in the main gymnasium.

The Rams’ marching band will enter the stadium at about 6:25 p.m.

The band’s performance will include “The Star-Spangled Banner” and Glenbard East’s fight song. The school’s varsity boys soccer team will then conduct a scrimmage on the stadium field.

As the varsity boys soccer scrimmage begins, there will be a parade of several of the Rams’ other fall sports teams on the stadium track.

Willowbrook Athletic Hall of Fame induction banquet takes place Sept. 19

Founded in 2010, Willowbrook High School’s Athletic Hall of Fame celebrates the athletic and personal successes of standout Willowbrook student-athletes, coaches and contributors. A screening committee comprised of current and former coaches, staff members, Athletic Booster Club members and community representatives selects the Willowbrook Warriors who are inducted each year.

Willowbrook recently announced that its Athletic Hall of Fame celebration will now take place during the fall season, instead of the winter season, to coincide with the school’s homecoming festivities.

This year’s Athletic Hall of Fame Induction Banquet will take place on Thursday, Sept. 19, at The Carlisle,

435 E. Butterfield Road, Lombard. The event will begin with a social gathering starting at 6 p.m. The banquet and presentation will start at 6:30 p.m.

Tickets cost $65 each. To buy tickets, visit https://dupage88.revtrak. net/-donations-and-fundraisers/wbhsathletic-hall-of-fame/.

The Willowbrook Athletic Hall of Fame’s fall Class of 2024 inductees are:

• Charlie Klein (Outstanding contributor—Super fan, Class of 1969)

• The 1973 baseball team (IHSA state tournament semifinalist)

• Mike Hoerdeman (Boys soccer coach, 1987-2004; Girls soccer coach, 1993-2004)

• George Thoreson (Football, Basketball, Baseball—Class of 1970)

• Kim Hockett McNamara (Volleyball, Basketball, Track and Field, Badminton, Softball—Class of 1976)

• Dom Battaglia (Football, Baseball—Class of 2013)

• Matt Rowland (Wrestling—IHSA Class 3A individual state champion; 170-pound level—Class of 2016)

The fall 2024 inductees will also be recognized on Friday, Sept. 20, during the homecoming pep assembly, homecoming parade, pre-game dinner and at halftime of the Warriors’ varsity football team’s homecoming game against Downers Grove South. For more information, contact Willowbrook athletic director Ed Sullivan at 630-530-3406, or at esullivan@dupage88.net.

Willowbrook holds its Silver and Blue Community Night celebration this Friday

Willowbrook High School invites all of its students, parents/guardians, alumni, staff, community members and friends to celebrate the start of the 2024-25 school year by attending the school’s eighth Silver and Blue Community Night. The event takes place this Friday, Aug. 23, in the school’s stadium.

Gates will open at 5:30 p.m., and

activities will start at 6 p.m. The evening will feature a showcase of the school’s fall athletic teams and extracurricular activities. Admission is free. Concessions will be available to buy.

“The Silver and Blue Community Night is an opportunity to welcome and thank all Willowbrook stakeholders for their support and partnership

in building positive futures for students,” noted last week’s release from District 88. “This event is a time to come together to enjoy an evening of fun, fellowship and Warrior Pride!” For more information about Friday’s event, contact District 88 Director of Community Relations Dani Brink at 630-530-3989, or at dbrink@ dupage88.net.

submitted photo Rock Valley Publishing

National Presidents

Judge orders prison officials to relocate Stateville population by Sept. 30

By Hannah Meisel Capitol News illiNois

Department

A federal judge is ordering Gov. JB Pritzker’s administration to move the vast majority of those incarcerated at Stateville Correctional Center near Joliet out of the aging prison by the end of September, citing health and safety concerns posed by the facility.

The Illinois Department of Corrections had previously stated its intention to close Stateville as early as September as part of a larger plan to rebuild it along with another prison. U.S. District Judge Andrea Wood’s edict puts a Sept. 30 deadline on those efforts.

The judge’s order, filed Aug. 9, is the latest in an 11-year-old legal battle over dirty and dangerous conditions at Stateville. While settlement talks have been ongoing since 2015, Pritzker in March announced a plan to rebuild

Stateville, along with closing and rebuilding Logan Correctional Center in Lincoln. The decision was sparked by a state-commissioned report published last year identifying them – along with Pontiac Correctional Center—as nearly “inoperable.”

of Corrections had already been planning to close dilapidated facility has determined that its resources would be better spent on building a new facility rather than attempting to repair Stateville’s outdated facilities.” The order does not apply to the roughly two-dozen residents of the facility’s medical ward.

But in June, 51-year-old Michael Broadway died inside Stateville on a day inmates “reported excessive heat and poor ventilation,” according to attorneys representing those incarcerated in the nearly 100-year-old prison. And late last month, those attorneys filed a motion asking Wood to intervene in the efforts to move the inmates.

“Right now, there’s over 420 residents at Stateville who are at risk of dire injury due to the structural vulnerabilities, degradation and deterioration of those buildings that put them at risk of serious physical injury or even

death,” attorney Heather Lewis Donnell of Chicago-based firm Loevy & Loevy said at a news conference announcing the motion in July.

“We also know that every condition at Stateville—the water, the excessive temperatures, heat and cold, the vermin, the birds – are all exacerbated and compounded when the structure is not secure and when it is vulnerable,” she added

In her order Aug. 9, Wood agreed to the motion and noted that IDOC officials “do not dispute that those who are incarcerated at Stateville face a risk of harm from falling concrete as a result of the deteriorated masonry walls, ceilings, steel beams, and window lintels” in the prison’s general housing units.

Those conditions, she wrote in her order, “will remain unrepaired for the foreseeable future because the State

Sangamon County sheriff says he’ll retire by end of month in wake of Massey shooting

Campbell had faced increasing pressure from Pritzker, others

By Beth Hundsdorfer

Capitol News illiNois

A little over a month after the shooting death of Sonya Massey by a sheriff’s deputy, Sangamon County Sheriff Jack Campbell on Aug. 9 announced his retirement, effective no later than Aug. 31.

His announcement comes amid intense pressure to resign, including from Gov. JB Pritzker on Aug. 8.

The Massey shooting raised questions regarding the hiring of Deputy Sean Grayson, who worked at six departments around central Illinois in four years.

Grayson shot Massey on July 6 after she called 911 to report a prowler. Massey was unarmed and in her kitchen when a dispute over a pot of boiling water resulted in Grayson firing three shots, including a fatal shot that killed Massey.

“The tragic death of Sonya Massey has been a heartbreaking event for our community,” Campbell said in a statement released. “My deepest condolences go out to her family and friends. Since the incident, I have been proactive and transparent, working tirelessly to present all of the facts to the public. I have committed to making changes to our standards and collaborating with other units of government on ways to prevent incidents like this in the future.”

Campbell had not met with the Massey family, an omission that Pritzker called “inexcusable” on Aug. 8.

“Rather than waiting for others to propose reform of the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office, Sheriff Campbell should have taken his leadership

• Medicaid

role more seriously. When we met with Sonya Massey’s family, we heard their pleas and made a commitment to support them in working for justice,” Pritzker said.

Campbell, in his statement, continued to blame Grayson alone for Massey’s shooting. He alluded to threats against his and his family’s lives and threats against other sheriff’s deputies.

“The one person truly responsible for this act is in jail, and I believe justice will be served through the legal process,” Campbell said in the statement.

Campbell, a Republican, was first elected in 2018.

He hired Grayson in 2023, and has said that he had no knowledge of Grayson’s previous trouble at the Logan County Sheriff’s Office. Previous concerns

Last month, the Logan County Sheriff’s Office released a 2 ½ hour recording of a disciplinary meeting with Grayson and his superiors.

During that meeting, Grayson was questioned about his accuracy and integrity in reports, including a report regarding a high-speed pursuit, and insubordination. Grayson did not terminate the pursuit after being ordered to stop by his supervisor.

In his application for the Sangamon County position, Grayson gave a reference at the Logan County Sheriff’s Office, but, according to his personnel file, no one talked to his director supervisor or the chief deputy regarding his job performance. The file shows that Sangamon County only interviewed one Logan County employee during its

(Continued from page 9)

“If programs were the answer, Illinois should have some of the best outcomes in the country,” he said. “Because we have so many programs that deal with each one of those social determinants, whether it’s housing, violence prevention. We have so many programs. The issue is, why are we getting the poor results that we’re getting with all

these hundreds, maybe thousands of programs that we have throughout Illinois.”

Cunningham, however, noted that the federal waiver specifically prohibits the use of Medicaid funds to duplicate existing services.

“What we’re trying to do is to offer services to the Medicaid population that will help actually

The state budget for the fiscal year that began July 1 included $900 million for the plan to close and rebuild Stateville and Logan.

In an emailed statement, IDOC spokesperson Naomi Puzzello reiterated that prison officials would not begin to wind down operations at Stateville until at least mid-September. Though IDOC has not yet provided details on the plan to transfer the roughly 550 men currently incarcerated at Stateville, Puzzello noted the department’s “anticipated timeline for transfers is in line with the order issued by the court.”

After a state oversight panel skipped an advisory vote on the prison closure plans in June, Pritzker indicated more specific plans would be made public in the future, though that still hasn’t happened.

It’s still unknown whether Logan Correctional Center will be rebuilt on its current grounds in Lincoln, between Springfield and Bloomington-Normal—or if, as the governor has floated, it will ultimately move 141 miles northeast to Stateville’s campus in Crest Hill near Joliet. Either way, IDOC officials say Logan will remain open as long as possible during the roughly three years it will take to rebuild the facility, no matter where that may be.

background check process, an investigator whose name was provided by Grayson.

Six months after that disciplinary meeting, Campbell hired Grayson, who was engaged to the daughter of one of his longtime deputies, Scott Butterfield.

A little more than a year into his tenure with Sangamon County, Campbell fired Grayson, citing the criminal charges against him in the Massey case, and his refusal to cooperate with Illinois State Police who were investigating the shooting—a violation of department policy.

Grayson appeared in court on Friday afternoon to renew his efforts for release pending his trial. He cited his need for cancer treatment and personal safety concerns as reasons for his release. His attorneys further stated that he was not a threat to the community as he no longer served as an armed police officer.

The judge disagreed and found Grayson should be held until trial.

Campbell’s retirement announcement came just before the hearing began, ending a 30-year law enforcement career.

“While it is painful to say goodbye, I do so knowing I have fulfilled my duties and served to the best of my ability,” Campbell wrote in his retirement announcement. “I want to express my deepest gratitude to the citizens who have supported me throughout the years. I am forever grateful for the opportunity I had, for the people I met and for this Office that I love.”

He signed the statement simply, “Jack.”

improve their health and improve their outcomes,” she said. “And the services we’re offering are really specifically defined—housing tenancy support, helping people learn to be a good tenant, how to search for housing, how to negotiate a lease—those specific services are what we are looking to cover in the Medicaid program.”

Pritzker’s plans to demolish and rebuild Stateville and Logan are hotly contested by AFSCME Council 31, the state’s largest public employee union, which represents most prison workers in Illinois. In a series of public hearings on the proposed closures this spring, AFSCME members and community leaders objected to IDOC’s blueprint—particularly balking at the lack of details in the administration’s plans.

But any efforts on AFSCME’s part to slow to Stateville’s closure are now weakened by the judge’s order with just seven weeks until Sept. 30. Still, the union indicated it wasn’t done fighting the plan.

“The closure of Stateville would cause immense disruption to the state prison system, its employees, individuals in custody and their families,” AFSCME Council 31 said in a statement. “We are examining all options to prevent that disruption in response to this precipitous ruling.”

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LEGAL NOTICES

NOTICE CERTIFICATE NO. 79488 was filed in the office of the County Clerk of DuPage County on JULY 30, 2024 wherein the business firm of PATT’S CREATION’S 4 YOU, 2822 EASTON STREET, DOWNERS GROVE, IL 60515 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: Patricia Bass, 2822 Easton Street, Downers Grove, IL 60515. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and Official Seal at my office in Wheaton, Illinois, this 30TH day of JULY, A.D. 2024. Jean Kaczmarek DuPage County Clerk (Published in The Lombardian Aug. 8, 15 & 22, 2024) 459436

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: Kalyn Terese Konrath Case Number 2024MR000485

There will be a court date on my Request to change my name from Kalyn Terese Konrath to the new name of Kalyn Terese Rattin. The court date will be held: SEPTEMBER 27, 2024 at 9:00 a.m at 505 N. County Farm Road, Wheaton, IL in Courtroom 2005.

/s/ Kalyn Terese Konrath Dated August 5, 2024 Candice Adams Clerk of the Circuit Court 8085-945387 (Published in The Lombardian Aug. 15, 22 & 29, 2024) 459693

VILLAGE OF LOMBARD NOTICE TO BIDDERS FOR

ANNUAL SIDEWALK SNOW AND ICE REMOVAL CONTRACT

right to reject any or all bids and to waive all technicalities or to accept the proposal deemed most advantageous to the Village.

Elizabeth Brezinski Village Clerk

(Published in The Lombardian Aug. 22, 2024) 459983

Invitation to Bid

Sealed bids for the following material will be opened and publicly read aloud at exactly 9:30 AM on Friday, September 6, 2024 at the Lombard Park District Administrative Offices at 227 W. Parkside Ave., Lombard, Illinois, 60148:

Printing of 2025 Quarterly Activity Guide (Winter 2025, Spring 2025, Summer 2025, and Autumn 2025)

All bids must be returned and identified on the outside of the sealed envelope as to bidder and type of bid submitted. Kindly mark the envelope for this bid process as:

“Sealed Bid for Printing of Lombard Park District 2025 Activity Guides”

Specifications may be obtained, at no cost, at the Administrative Offices, 227 W. Parkside Ave., Lombard, Illinois, from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday, or via email at nkondraschow@ lombardparks.com. No bids shall be withdrawn after the bid opening for a period of sixty (60) days without the written consent of the Board of Park Commissioners.

The Lombard Park District may reject any and all bids on any basis without disclosure of a reason. The failure to make such a disclosure shall not result in the accrual of any right, claim, or cause of action by any unsuccessful bidder against the Lombard Park District.

The Village of Lombard is now accepting sealed bid proposals for Annual SIDEWALK SNOW AND ICE REMOVAL Contract.

The Bid Opening will be held at 9:30 AM, on Friday, September 6, 2024, at 1051 Hammerschmidt Av. Public Works, Conference Room.

Bid proposals must be received prior to 9:30 AM, Friday, September 6, 2024 at the Public Works Administration Building, 1051 Hammerschmidt Av., Lombard, Illinois, 60148, marked “Attention: Tom Ellis, Sidewalk Snow and Ice Removal Bid” and at that time publicly opened and read aloud. Each proposal should be placed in a sealed envelope. Only sealed bids will be accepted.

Bid specifications and specific instructions to bidders may be obtained from the Public Works Department All questions concerning the bid document or specifications must be submitted in writing to the Operation Superintendent. A written response will then be provided to all known bidders and made available to the public. No interpretations, clarifications or addenda will be issued after the fourth day prior to the scheduled bid opening.

The Village of Lombard reserves the

Nicole Kondraschow Marketing & Communications Manager Lombard Park District (630) 953- 7300

(Published in The Lombardian Aug. 22, 2024)

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: Emily Jean Decker Case Number

There will be a court date on my Request to change my name from Emily Jean Decker to the new name of Oliver Jean Decker. The court date will be held: OCTOBER 13, 2024 at 9:00 a.m at 505 N. County Farm Road, Wheaton, IL in Courtroom 2007.

/s/ Emily Jean Decker Dated August 12, 2024 Candice Adams Clerk of the Circuit Court 8085-945764

(Published in The Lombardian Aug. 22, 29 & Sept. 5, 2024) 460111

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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.

Pets

FOR SALE: 10 WEEK OLD BLACK LABRADOR RETRIEVER PUPPIES, have 2 vaccines; $650 ea. Looking for good forever homes. 708-770-7620

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! Asking $10,500. Located near Rockford. Call 815-520-0997.

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

Never Known to Fail

Oh, most beautiful flower of Mt. Carmel, fruitful vine, splendor of heaven, blessed mother of the Son of God.

Immaculate Virgin, assist me in my necessity. Oh Star of the Sea, help me and show me, herein you are my mother.

Help Wanted

103 PINE ST., ELMHURST, Thursday, 8/22, Friday, 8/23 & Saturday, 8/24, 9am-5pm. LOTS of holiday collectibles, vintage furniture, glassware & much more... too much to list!

Business & Service

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.

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