Willowbrook wins the District 88 Bowl
Arbor Day
in
Villa Park
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 at 11 a.m. The photo shows members of the Willowbrook Senior Choir performing during the day’s first service. For more photos, see Page 4.
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. WilKayleigh Dennison provided the home runs. Dennison (No. 5) is pictured in the background of the above photo. For more about the Warriors, see page 14.
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Memorial Day in Villa Park
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The Willowbrook football team retained possession of the District 88 Bowl Trophy following its 39-28 victory over Addison Trail on Friday night in Villa Park. The Warriors improved their 2024 season record to 1-2 with their win over their District 88 rival. The Blazers dropped to 2-1 with the loss. Willowbrook’s players and cheerleaders are pictured after Friday’s game. Willowbrook’s football program has now won nine straight meetings in its annual clash against Addison Trail. The Blazers last beat the Warriors in 2015, when they claimed a 28-26 victory in Villa Park. Willowbrook will play its homecoming game this Friday. The Warriors will battle Downers Grove South.
sion, Margaret Schiefer—a member of the Villa Park Environmental Concerns Commission, Villa Park Village Trustee Cheryl Tucker, Villa Park Village President Albert Bulthuis, Villa Park Village Trustee (and Village President-Elect) Nick Cuzzone and Leslie Allison-Seei—chair of the Villa Park Community Pride Commission. Arbor Day is observed on the last Friday of each April. The National Arbor Day Foundation has recognized Villa Park with Tree City USA designation for 36 straight years. To receive that recogni-
kdrury@atproperties.com
Villa Park Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 2801 held its Memorial Day service on Monday morning at Cortesi Veterans Memorial Park. Post Commander Jim Blankshain is pictured bowing his head as Willowbrook High School students Lily Hendrickson and Anna Seelbach sound taps at the end of the ceremony. The post’s 2020 Memorial Day event was canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. This year’s observance included a reading of the names of the Post 2801 members who have recently died. That list included World War II veteran Charles “Sid” Bergh, who served as the master of ceremonies of the post’s annual Memorial Day service for several years. A veteran of the U.S. Navy, Bergh died in October 2020. He was 94 years old. Bergh was the post’s last surviving World War II veteran.
CHRIS FOX PHOTO Villa Park Review
CHRIS FOX PHOTO Villa Park Review
Court grants state’s motion to deny pre-trial release for school bus driver accused of aggravated DUI in Lombard
DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and Lombard Chief of Police Tom Wirsing have announced that Judge Joshua Dieden granted the state’s motion to deny pre-trial release for a Naperville woman accused of crashing a school bus that transports special needs children.
Lauren Williams, 34, appeared at First Appearance Court and was charged with one count of aggravated DUI—school bus driver (Class 4 felony) and one count of driving too fast for conditions or failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident.
On Sept. 9 at approximately 12:50 p.m., The Lombard Police Department received a call for a crash involving a school bus that transports special needs children and an in-ground junction box in the 300 block of W. St. Charles Road.
Upon their arrival, officers found Williams, later identified as the driver of the bus, seated in the driver’s seat of the bus, talking on her phone. Following an investigation into the matter, it is alleged that after Williams had dropped off the last of her passengers, she drove off the road, over a curb and struck the in-ground junction box.
It is further alleged that after the crash, Williams drove the bus to a nearby Walgreens parking lot, where officers found her. At the time of the crash, only Williams and an aide to the children were on the bus.
It is further alleged that when speaking with Williams, officers observed signs of impairment including slow/delayed speech, droopy eyelids and trouble keeping her eyes open. Williams was taken into custody at this time.
“The allegations that Ms. Williams was under the influence of an intoxicating substance while she was driving a school bus full of children are disturbing,” Berlin said. “The type of behavior alleged in this case that put the lives of the children on the bus, as well as those of the motoring public in danger will not be tolerated in DuPage County. Thankfully, there were no children aboard the bus at the time of the crash and Ms. Williams’ alleged actions did not harm anyone. I thank the Lombard Police Department for their work on this case.”
“I want to thank the Lombard police officers for their hard work,” Wirsing said. “I would also like to thank DuPage County State’s Attorney Bob Berlin and his staff for their efforts as well.”
Williams’ next court appearance is scheduled Oct. 7 for arraignment in front of Judge Margaret O’Connell.
Villa Park man sentenced to 70 years for stabbing his girlfriend to death in 2021
Offender pled guilty to first-degree murder earlier this year
DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin announced last week that a former Villa Park man had been sentenced to 70 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections for the murder of Esmeralda DeLuna, 24, his live-in girlfriend and mother of their three children.
Marco-Antonio Rubio, 29, appeared at his sentencing hearing on Sept. 11, in front of Judge Ann Celine O’Hallaren Walsh, who handed down the sentence. On March 5, 2024, Rubio entered a blind plea of guilty to one count of first-degree murder. He appeared in bond court on May 21, 2021, where bond was set bond at $3 million with 10 percent to apply. He has remained in custody since that time at the DuPage County Jail.
On May 19, 2021, at approximately 9:25 p.m., Villa Park police officers responded to a call of a disturbance in the 300 block of N. Princeton Avenue. Upon their arrival, officers knocked on the door and heard crying coming from inside. Officers entered the residence and located two
female children between 3 and 6 years old and a male child approximately 1 year old. Officers also found a trail of blood in the living room that led to the victim lying in the kitchen with an eightinch butcher knife in her leg and stab wounds to her torso.
Additionally, authorities learned that that on May 19, 2021, Rubio violated that order of protection and went to the Princeton address.
Once at the home, Rubio broke in and stabbed DeLuna multiple times in the torso and in one of her legs.
Following the murder, Rubio fled the scene. He was taken into custody early the following morning while walking in Villa Park.
The victim, later identified as Esmeralda DeLuna, was transported to a local hospital, where she was pronounced deceased early the following morning.
Following an investigation into the murder, authorities learned that on May 7, 2021, Rubio was served with an order of protection against him—with Esmeralda DeLuna named as the petitioner—that required him to move out of the Villa Park home on Princeton Avenue.
“On May 19, 2021, three young children, lost their mother, Esmeralda DeLuna, to domestic violence,” Berlin said. “Yesterday afternoon, the children’s father, Marco Rubio, received a 70-year sentence in the Illinois Department of Corrections for her brutal murder. While what essentially amounts to a life sentence behind bars cannot erase the vicious murder of a loving mother, perhaps Esmeralda’s surviving family and friends can find some measure of solace knowing justice was delivered in Esmeralda’s name.”
Rubio will be required to serve 100 percent of his sentence before being eligible for parole.
14-year-old Glendale Heights juvenile accused of bringing loaded gun to Glenbard East High School
DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and Lombard Chief of Police Tom Wirsing have announced that Judge Demetrios Panoushis has ordered that a Glendale Heights juvenile accused of bringing a loaded gun to Glenbard East High School will be held in custody until at least his next court appearance.
The juvenile, a 14-year-old male, is charged with one count of unlawful use of a weapon in a school (Class 3 felony) and one count of possession of a firearm by a minor (Class 4 felony).
On Sept. 10, at approximately 2:15 p.m., a student at Glenbard East notified a security officer that he found a loaded 9mm handgun in a boys’ bathroom. Through the course of their investigation into the matter, Lombard police officers traced the gun to an address in Glendale Heights, later determined to be the juvenile’s home. The juvenile, who is a student at Glenbard East, was interviewed and taken into custody a short time later.
“I would like to commend the student who did the right thing and brought this matter to the attention of authorities,” Berlin said. “With the school year just beginning, I want to make one thing perfectly clear, DuPage County law enforcement, school personnel and our residents have zero tolerance for the type of behavior alleged in this case. Furthermore, any threats of violence, or perceived threat of violence, will be taken extremely seriously, fully investigated and, if charges are warranted, prosecuted.
“I thank the Lombard Police Department as well as the Glendale Heights Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms and the Cook County Sheriff’s Office as well as authorities at Glenbard East High School for bringing this matter to our attention for prosecution.”
“The Lombard Police Department would like to thank the Glendale Heights Police Department, the
Cook County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms for their assistance in this investigation,” Wirsing said. “A quick and thorough response from school administrators and law enforcement led to an apprehension and subsequent charges of the student. I would like to thank DuPage County State’s Attorney Bob Berlin and his staff for their assistance.”
The juvenile’s next court appearance was scheduled for Sept. 16, for a status hearing.
On Sept. 12, two days after the handgun was found in a bathroom at the school, Glenbard East Principal Antoine Anderson informed parents about another incident at the school.
“Today we learned that a visitor to Glenbard East remarked they have a license to carry a concealed firearm,” stated Anderson.
“After the individual left campus, out of an abundance of caution this information was shared with administration. We immediately notified local law enforcement.”
According to Anderson, Lombard police met with the subject who had visited the school and learned that the subject had a gun in their vehicle when it was parked at the school. Anderson stated that police subsequently charged the subject.
“No one was injured, and there was never a threat made to the school,” related Anderson in his Sept. 12 message.
“I know that this situation is particularly difficult to hear about, given the incident on campus earlier this week,” added Anderson. “Any reports of this magnitude are taken very seriously. We are focused on the safety of students and staff.”
Marco-Antonio Rubio
Lauren Williams
Steuerle Chapel breaks ground on new building
New facility expected to open in the summer of 2025
Since 1954, the landmark funeral home, first built by Lou Steuerle, has been an iconic presence on the corner of Ardmore and Highland avenues in Villa Park.
For generations, Steuerle has been known as the place with the heart and intention of serving Villa Park families; and certainly, a place the Garden Village could call its own.
Ownership families have changed over time, with Hank Ebeling of Villa Park continuing the legacy and carrying the Steuerle brand: a reputation of caring and comfort. The original building at Highland and Ardmore has seen many changes, as has the village.
Now with that same heart and intention, the Knollcrest family in Lombard have become the owners and stewards of the Steuerle legacy
to the next generation, building a new, up-to-date, functional facility to address the changing needs and desires of Villa Park families and nearby communities who also proudly call Steuerle their hometown funeral home.
Built on the same Steuerle property, the new building will face Park Boulevard, with a beautiful view of the Rugaard Gazebo on the historic Illinois Prairie Path.
Just as the original building was very reflective of the 1950s era Villa Park, the new building will reflect much of the most recent architecture in the village.
Steuerle is proud to offer the Villa Park community a new building with the features and amenities that today’s families are seeking.
Steuerle continues to celebrate a proud past and a flourishing future, with the anticipated opening of the new building in the summer of 2025.
For more information about Steuerle, visit SteuerleFH.com.
SUBMITTED PHOTOS Rock Valley Publishing
Shown here is an architect’s rendering of the new Steuerle building. Breaking ground for the new Steuerle facility, pictured left to right, are Eric Shoesmith (funeral director), Robert Van Staalduinen (owner and Knollcrest founder), Elaine Van Staalduinen, Joshua Van Staalduinen (funeral director and director of technology), Becky Schrader (chief of operations and Knollcrest office manager), and Holly Stammis (director of marketing and finances).
St. Alexander’s to hold its Crafters’ Holiday and Bake Sale on Sept. 28
St. Alexander’s Council of Catholic Women (CCW) is holding its annual Crafters’ Holiday and Bake Sale on Saturday, Sept. 28, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the St. Alexander Parish Hall, located at 230 S. Cornell Ave., Villa Park.
There are items for everyone, for the home, for gifts, for fun, for the holidays. There will also be a bake sale with homemade goodies. Additionally, there will be an all-day concession area, featuring lunch items and homemade soup.
There is ample parking, and admission is free.
Giannoulias opens state flag redesign contest
Illinoisans can submit designs online or via mail until Oct. 18
Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias announced today that the Illinois Flag Commission will begin accepting public submissions for a new state flag design beginning Tuesday, Sept. 3.
The commission will accept design ideas for consideration from the public – online or via mail – until Oct. 18. The commission also plans to work with schools and local libraries to inform Illinoisans about the process and encourage residents to take part.
The commission was created in 2023 after Senate Bill 1818, sponsored by State Senator Doris Turner (48th District—Springfield) and State Representative Kam Buckner (26th District—Chicago) was signed into law.
“I’m excited to see the creativity of Illinois residents and how they display their passion for our great state,” said Giannoulias whose office is responsible for chairing the commission. “The symbols that represent and unify our state are important and this presents an excellent opportunity to engage Illinoisans and showcase their pride.”
“History is living, breathing and ever-evolving,” said Turner. “We need
to ensure government is evolving with the times so people are engaged and a part of what is going on across the state. To start the conversation, I led the initiative to create the Illinois Flag Commission, which is tasked with deciding whether the current state flag should be replaced with a redesigned state flag. We need a flag that truly represents Illinois—a state with a strong workforce, an agriculture champion and so much more.”
“Our flag embodies the rich tapestry of Illinois—from the mighty Mississippi to the shores of Lake Michigan. It reflects our history, our people, and the spirit of our state,” said Buckner. “A new design presents a unique opportunity to honor our heritage while showcasing the evolving story of Illinois.”
The commission will select 10 designs based on how they reflect the identity of Illinois and will host an online public survey for residents to vote on their favorites or to keep the current flag. Voting will begin Jan. 1 and last around two months.
Some general guidance for submissions includes:
• Design elements can include natural features of the state, history and culture of the state.
• No limit on flag shape or ratio but designs may be edited by the commission.
• No limit on colors but recommended less than three colors for clarity of design.
• Participants can visit www.ilsos. gov and upload online or submit their design via mail addressed to Illinois Flag Commission, Howlett Building, Room 476, 501 S. Second St., Springfield, IL 62756.
• Participants are required to provide their first and last name, address, email address and phone number. They are also required to explain their relationship to Illinois and provide a description of their flag entry (each category limited to 500 characters).
• To upload an image, the file will need to be 5 MB or less and in PNG, GIF, or JPG format.
• There should be no watermarks or frames around the image.
• By submitting a design to the Commission, the designer is authorizing the Commission and the State of Illinois to take ownership of the design.
• Persons under 18 may submit designs if submitted in coordination with a parent/ guardian, teacher or adult mentor.
• Designs cannot be copied from other designs or use existing logos or copyrighted materials; however, the design can include elements or reproductions of the State Seal or any prior
Illinois State flag.
• Designs cannot be AI generated.
• Submissions are limited to three per person.
• Submissions from outside the United States, i.e. military bases, need to be made by regular mail.
After public feedback, the commission will report its findings to the Illinois General Assembly, whose members will vote on whether to adopt a new flag or retain the current flag design.
The bill allows for the commission to evaluate if a new state flag would better represent the state’s diversity of urban, suburban and rural communities and inspire renewed state pride among Illinoisans.
The commission is chaired by David Joens, Director of the Illinois State Archives, on behalf of the Secretary of State. Its members also include:
• Three members appointed by the governor.
• Four members each appointed by the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Senate Minority Leader and the House Minority Leader.
• A representative from the State Superintendent of Education and one from the Board of the Illinois State Museum will also be commission members.
Content appearing in the Villa Park Review may not be reprinted without permission of the publisher or editor. Requests should be directed to Independent@rvpublishing.com or 630.834-8244.
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Program’s aim: Make LGBTQ+ seniors safe in Illinois when seeking help
By Carolyn Austin
A new state-funded program will help older Illinoisans feel more comfortable and more confident they can openly and safely be who they are, at a time when violence and abuse are growing.
OUTSafe: The LGBTQ+ Older Adult Violence Prevention Training Program is a partnership between the state and agencies serving seniors across Illinois to extend a warmer welcome to LGBTQ+ seniors by helping service providers better understand and meet their needs as they age.
They point to examples like one central Illinois man, who struggled as he moved into a long-term care facility.
“When he moved into that community, he had to go back in the closet for fear of retaliation or discrimination,” said my colleague, Scott Linde, one of the OUTSafe training program’s developers. “And he lived there for six years as a straight man. And thank goodness his daughter bought a duplex and she let him move in on the other side. So he escaped that.”
He’s far from alone.
The U.S. Department of Justice reports hate crimes based on sexual orientation in Illinois increased by almost seven times from 2020 to 2022, and hate crimes based on gender identity increased by more than four times during that period. Nearly 5 percent of Illinois’ population is LGBTQ+, but exact numbers on the senior population is unclear because many fear they will be treated
differently as they leave their homes for assisted care. Emotional abuse, financial exploitation, and physical abuse are among the most common concerns.
OUTSafe aims to take the issue head on. The program was developed by our organization, AgeLinc, the Area Agency on Aging for Lincolnland serving central Illinois, and a number of partners who serve LGBTQ+ seniors. A state grant through the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority was championed by state Sen. Doris Turner, D-Springfield.
OUTSafe offers free competency and sensitivity training to law enforcement, health care, social service, and other providers who engage with LGBTQ+ seniors. They learn about the most appropriate way to address terms and language unique to the community, and how to provide assurances these older adults will be safe, supported and respected when they are seeking help.
The training is intended to be an introductory course on violence prevention and cultural competency, and we are reaching out statewide now to agencies that might be interested in helping us train hundreds of workers in the coming months.
Our goal is simple, because we know embracing and supporting LGBTQ+ seniors is easier today than in the past. But we must be clear: It might be easier, yet it is not easy. They have very understandable fear and anxiety about what comes next when they are out.
We hope the training helps raise
Slices of life Fact check the political facts
We all have our views and viewpoints. It’s easy to expand on those views with quips and comments that sound inventive, innovative and downright clever.
It’s amazing, actually, how easy it is to come out against something or someone, especially when you don’t agree with their viewpoints, political stance or even appearance.
We all see the world from our own lens. That’s okay.
It’s so much more than okay. And here in the United States, the ability to view the country from our own lens is what makes this land great.
We take it for granted, but we shouldn’t. The freedoms we have to disagree, criticize and even ridicule one another are privileges people living in other places don’t necessarily know.
Being a U.S. citizen is coveted by many.
I sometimes forget this. I was born in what I consider to be the best country in the world. I too-often take this fact for granted. But I shouldn’t.
By JILL PERTLER Slices of Life
When we have opinions and we long to share them with others, it can feel right, sincere, educational and so very powerful to post memes because if they are on point with your point, they must be true.
Plus, they are ready-made. No graphic design skills needed. No effort on our part. You just find a handy picture with words attached and post it.
No fact-checking needed, of course. Why would the truth (your truth, my truth) lie?
What could possibly be wrong with that?
public awareness of the unique needs of LGBTQ+ seniors, so they no longer have to feel victimized or invisible like the central Illinois man who was part of our local PrideLinc group before he felt pressured to be someone he is not. We cannot sit silently any longer.
We encourage anyone interested in our training to learn more at: https:// agelinc.org/lgbt-support/.
Carolyn Austin is CEO of AgeLinc (Area Agency on Aging for Lincolnland) in Springfield.
Especially right now, in the midst of our current political situation, which is filled with discord, distress and distrust. And opinions. So many, many opinions.
Or at least two of them. The right and the wrong. Am I right?
And with our polarized opinions come those clever memes, which unfortunately often have no basis in facts—on both sides. Please remember that. I am talking about both sides here.
This column isn’t about politics; it’s about civility and honesty and truth.
And memes.
Letter to the Editor
Affordable new housing needed for the middle class
I am writing in regard to the recent housing developments being discussed by the village president and village board. Regretfully, I didn’t know about the last meeting on Sept. 5.
From reading the Lombardian, I gather that there is a lot of discussion about the proposed Pinnacle development on Meyers Road that will probably contain homes valued at $1.5 million.
If I understand the issues involved, some residents are unhappy that there will not be enough green space there and that the seven-bedroom situation could lead to too many people inhabiting the area.
I guess my concern is different. I would love to live in one of the duplexes that was originally
proposed. We, the middle class, need small homes on one level. I say this partly as a senior who is finding the stairs difficult to climb and who does not want to go to a retirement home. But I also say this partly on behalf of younger people who have told me that they are unhappy that the only choices for new housing are now the three-story ones like at Yorktown and the Woodmore development. Going up and down three flights of stairs is inconvenient for anyone. So, I am saying that I would like to see duplexes built for a reasonable price all on one floor instead of the new developments in Lombard with million-dollar homes.
Gail Tanzer Lombard
Probably nearly everything. But beyond that, good question. It’s a question I’ve asked publicly recently. It’s a question I’ve actually put into action, by questioning people on social media about their sources and the entirety of facts behind a meme.
It’s been eye opening. Turns out some people posting memes don’t take lightly to being questioned or fact-checked. For that I am truly sorry. I do not want to cause angst in anyone’s life, but right now, at this time in history, I feel the facts might just be pretty darn important. And if you don’t have the time to check your facts, or you don’t care to check your facts, or you don’t feel your facts need any checking, please pause. Please check. Even if you are absolutely certain right is on your side, still check.
Do your homework. Play the devil’s advocate and make sure whatever your are posting is verifiably true. It will only strengthen your overall argument.
It will make us all better, but better yet, it will help us all in the long run. This is a certifiable fact, according to 100 percent of Americans polled in a recent poll (which was one, because I simply polled myself.)
You see how statistics can be manipulated? I hope this has you smiling. Even more so, I hope it has you thinking.
All the best from me to you during this divided political season. And big hugs. Always, always big hugs. We can never have too many.
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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I read that the Helen Plum Library received a grant ($66,000) from the Secretary of State. Congratulations, perhaps now they can find a way (operating budget) to eradicate the weeds at the Maple Street site prior to turning over the property to the Park District. When I sold my house, I accepted the responsibility to rectify a few issues prior to the closing.
Editor’s note: Following is a response from Helen Plum Library officials: “Work is ongoing at the former Library site on Maple Street. Throughout the duration of the project, representatives from the Park and Library continue to regularly communicate regarding the construction progress and look forward to the project completion and subsequent property transfer.”
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I receive mail several times a week from organizations that say Lombard Police (reply) Lombard Fire Department (reply). They want money but not one of them is addressed on the return envelope to Illinois. How much does Lombard receive from any of this money that I would send in? I usually don’t send anything, but just wondering. Thank you.
Editor’s note: the following is a response from the Village of Lombard: “Thank you for bringing this matter to our attention. The Lombard Police Department and Lombard Fire Department do not engage in any fundraising through mail solicitations.
“Any organizations using the names of our public safety departments to request donations are not affiliated with or endorsed by the village. We strongly encourage recipients of such requests to contact the Lombard Police Department to file a police report, allowing us to investigate further.”
these school shootings have common elements: a student being bullied or harassed, difficult home life, feeling isolated or friendless, lack of getting help with academics, etc. As time-consuming as it may be, calling all school personnel to keep a watch over your students and offer help when you think it is needed. See something, say something.
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claim to be saving democracy are not doing that for us or our future generations to come with their giveaways and promises to the people. * * *
they really need to start taking it seriously and also holding the parents accountable. Thank you.
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Congratulations to the (Route) 53 bridge reconstruction project. A really great job, as opposed to the North Avenue over I-355 project. Amazing how they put the same dips and bumps into the reconstruction. What a waste of our tax dollars. To Public Works—how about some action on street line painting.
Editor’s note: The following information was provided by the Village of Lombard: “The referenced projects were performed by and for the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT). Please contact IDOT Region 1 at (847) 705-4401 with any questions or comments. As for the pavement markings, the Village has an annual program that addresses markings. If you have specific areas of concern, please contact Lombard Public Works at (630) 620-5740, and we will address them as part of our ongoing efforts.”
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I feel so much better now, now that I know that JD Vance is worried about aliens eating our childless cat ladies. Thank goodness.
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So JD Vance said that school shootings are a “fact of life.” Maybe he could have framed that differently, but he is not wrong. These days, it comes as no surprise when these school shootings happen, ever since Columbine. Just recently a gun was found at Glenbard East. There is no certainty with how its use was intended, but the fact remains the student was allowed into the building with it. Maybe instead of fancy sports fields and cafeterias, the district should spend money on metal detectors. Sad as that may be to say, it might make a student think twice about bringing a weapon to school. And then there’s the mental health factor, as many of
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• Speak Out is a forum in which readers can express their opinion anonymously concerning local, state, national and international topics. Each call is limited to 200 words whether the caller calls 630-629TALK or emails their opinion to speakout@rvpublishing.com.
• The views expressed by callers are their own.
• All calls are checked by four editors. If a consensus of editors believes a particular call is deemed to be in poor taste, erroneous, inaccurate, libelous, doesn’t make sense, or if claims stated in a call cannot be verified, the call will not be published.
• With regard to calls of a political nature, it is not possible to have an equal balance of calls with liberal and conservative viewpoints during any given week. The editors of Speak Out don’t have control of who calls in, what their political leanings happen to be, and the topic(s) they want to discuss.
• If you have further questions about Speak Out, email: news1@ rvpublishing.com. e
This is a new one on me. There is a new spiritual movement called “eco-chaplains,” who are helping people deal with their grief over climate change. According to one article, spiritual leaders are being trained to help people with the “grief, anxiety and burnout” they are experiencing over the climate and environment. This includes one-onone counseling, support groups and online grief circles. None of which I take issue with, nor am I making light of how people feel about the environment, mind you, but just as teachers have been forced into a paradigm shift in the classroom—what and how they teach—now clergy are being asked to take on a whole new dimension of spirituality. Again, no issue there per se, and I care about the planet, but I have to wonder if this is a new mental health category that will end up in the next edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM).
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Inflation is transitory. The border is secure. So are our elections. The economy is doing great. Crime is down. COVID did not come from a Chinese lab. If you get the COVID vaccine, you won’t get COVID. The story about Hunter Biden’s laptop was Russian disinformation. Mentally, Joe Biden is sharp as a tack! These are a few of the messages that Democrats and their allies in the media have been pushing for the last few years. Wake up, people!
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Democracy is a government that is controlled for the people, by the people who are elected to make decisions for their best interest and future. The Democrats in power who
I’m curious about how Speak Out works because it says that it’s concerning local, state, national and international topics in the Lombardian. Why wouldn’t it just be related to Lombard topics? Otherwise, wouldn’t it be called the Local, State, National and International Gazette Anyway, let’s go back to things having to do with Lombard. There are at least eight that have to do with the Democrats and the Republicans going back and forth with each other. Let’s truly try to stick to Lombardian issues. As a longtime Lombardian, I read a few weeks ago somebody asking about the clock that was in the downtown section by the old bank, across from Babcock’s. Why did they remove the clock? I’m curious as well and I see in the editor’s note it says when local issues come up the editors contact the Lombard governmental agency. Well, perhaps you could call them and find out why they took the clock out. They can still put a clock in the archway that’s there now; Village of Lombard sign on one side, clock on the other side. Bring back the clock. And keep it to Lombard issues. Thank you.
I think it’s quite obvious that Vice President Harris is a DEI candidate for president of the United States. It’s time to start emphasizing merit and excellence in our country. Enough is enough; equity as she wants is ad nauseam. Thank you.
Good morning, Lombard. I hope all of the different schools in our districts around here are paying attention to the Georgia shooting and realizing that when there’s bullying going around in schools they need to really address it. The school administrations tell you that they are on top of it and they manage it, but the different families around in my neighborhoods say the schools don’t really take it seriously, and I think
Yes, Vice President Harris is a breath of fresh air for the Democratic Party after a president with cognitive problems. The real question is, what are the policies our party is going to push for if she is elected? It doesn’t look like anything specific is being addressed to make life better for us Americans. Kamala talks about our southern border but she hasn’t done anything for her last three-and-a-half years in office. It’s hard to solve a problem when you are part of it. *
When are we going to start screening everyone when they go into the schools? Backpack checks, metal detectors if that’s what it takes; you know in some of the inner-city schools, that’s what they do. Maybe that’s what we need to do. It’s become a way of life. We’re not going to get rid of these guns that are doing all this damage. *
I’m all for the United States providing military aid to Ukraine to defend themselves from the war Putin started. I feel bad for the destruction, the suffering and the deaths Ukraine has suffered at the hands of Putin. But I’m really getting tired of this Ukrainian President Zelenskyy. I swear he wants a wider war that will get us directly involved.
I used to watch ABC World News Tonight with David Muir, but not anymore. Not once did Muir and the other moderator from ABC interrupt Kamala Harris or fact-check her during the entire debate. Muir and the other moderator showed their true colors that night. They certainly were not objective journalists interested in fairness. *
If Taylor Swift is endorsing Kamala Harris for president, well, that settles it for me. I’m a mere peasant, so who am I to go against the wishes and recommendations of a billionaire entertainment diva?
Casten introduces legislation requiring the EPA to report emissions caused by U.S. fossil fuel exports
U.S. Rep. Sean Casten of Illinois Sixth Congressional District— which includes parts of Lombard— recently introduced the Exported Carbon Emissions Report Act, legislation to require the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to regularly publish a summary for each of the previous 10 years of total emissions of carbon dioxide and methane related to United States fossil fuel exports.
“When we talk about the carbon footprint of the United States, we rarely have the full picture,” said Casten. “The Exported Carbon Emissions Report Act helps fill in the rest of the story on the U.S. contribution to global warming pollution, ensuring we know the impacts of the fossil fuel—like liquified natural gas—that we export across the globe.”
In 2022, U.S. greenhouse gas emissions totaled 14 trillion pounds of carbon dioxide equivalents—a 3 percent decrease since 1990, after a high of 15.2 percent above 1990
levels in 2007.
This apparent decline in U.S. emissions, however, leaves out an important fact—the increase in carbon emissions effectively exported from the United States to other countries, including in the form of fossil fuels like liquified natural gas.
Since natural gas consists primarily of methane, a pollutant with over 80 times the global warming potential of carbon dioxide, and methane leakage is endemic not only in the United States, but around the world, U.S. LNG exports represent a significant fraction of the U.S. contribution to global warming pollution.
The Exported Carbon Emissions Report Act will require the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), within 180 days of enactment and annually thereafter, to publish a summary for each of the previous ten years of the total emissions of carbon dioxide and methane that are released:
• Within the boundaries of the
United States that are the result of the extraction, processing, transportation, combustion and other use of fossil fuels; and;
• Outside the boundaries of the United States that are the result of leakage and combustion of fossil fuels produced or refined in the United States and subsequently exported from the United States. The Act will require the EPA, in implementing this bill, to:
• Use the best available scientific information, including information collected through direct monitoring and measurement, and disclosures of emissions by other national and subnational governments;
• Be informed by established international standards, including the Greenhouse Gas Protocol of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development and the World Resources Institute; and
• Consult with the Energy Information Administration and the International Energy Agency in implementing this Act.
That is one ‘Big Boy’!
Spectators lined the Union Pacific rail line in Lombard, Villa Park and Elmhurst on Monday morning, Sept. 9, as the “Big Boy” 4014 locomotive came chugging through Lombard. According to the Union Pacific Railroad, the first of 25 Big Boys was delivered in 1941 and they operated for 20 years. The 14-wheel locomotive was coal-fed (this one was converted to No. 5 oil), was 132 feet long and weighed 1.2 million pounds. In addition to the operational Big Boy that is “on tour”—which was restored over a “multi-year process” and returned to service in 2019 (when it also went through Lombard, Villa Park and Elmhurst)—there are seven others on display at museums in Missouri, Texas, Nebraska, Colorado, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Wyoming. One of the spectators, Jason St.Germain, has a unique perspective: When he found out what was happening, he decided to get a glimpse of the mammoth locomotive as it passed through town. “I had never heard of it,” St.Germain related, adding that he is originally from southern Louisiana and “We don’t really have trains. We have a lot of boats down there.” The eight-week “Heartland of America Tour,” which began this past August in Wyoming and is passing through nine other states, will end in late October.
Faith United holds church picnic
Faith United Methodist Church, 815 S. Finley Road, Lombard, held its inaugural church picnic on Saturday, Sept. 14, where the smell of burgers cooking on the grill wafted through the air, as did the sounds of the Rev. Dave Price and his band, Pastor Dave and the Trustees— which included (left to right front row) John Rothenberger and Steve Zeitz, and (back row) Rev. Price. In addition to members of Faith United and Price’s other church, First United Methodist Church in Glen Ellyn (www.geumc.org), congregant Paul Galuszka (left) invited several visitors from a Methodist church in Oak Lawn to share the fellowship and fun. Outreach Coordinator Jean Jackson was pleased with the turnout, saying folks from many churches attended, so “We met lots of new people.” She also described the event as “Uniting … a coming together,” adding, “It was just amazing, the love and the caring that was there.” Visit www.faithlombard.org or find them on www.facebook.com/faithumclombard.
Giannoulias announces digital wallet payments at DMVs
Illinois customers now have convenient, secure Tap to Pay option
DMVs throughout Illinois are now accepting contactless payments as part of the Secretary of State’s push to modernize technology and offer more convenient service for customers, Secretary Alexi Giannoulias announced today.
“Allowing for digital wallet payments like Apple, Google and Samsung Pay reinforces our steadfast commitment to improving the customer experience at the DMV by leveraging new technology,” Giannoulias said. “Adopting digital wallets increases the accessibility and ease of purchase customers already enjoy at stores and restaurants they visit.” Reports show that more than half
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District 87 online survey as search for
superintendent begins
Glenbard District 87 has begun the search for its next superintendent. Superintendent David Larson, who has been Glenbard superintendent since 2012, will retire from the district at the end of the 2024-25 school year. Glenbard is working with BWP & Associates, an educational leadership search firm, to assist in the superintendent search process.
Take online survey
The Glenbard District 87 Board of Education is interested in input about the desired qualities, experience and characteristics of the next superintendent. BWP & Associates developed an online survey about the next superintendent. Glenbard families, students, staff and community members are invited to take the survey at glenbard87.org/superintendent-search. The survey will be available from now until Sept. 21.
Findings from the survey and community forum will be included in a leadership profile that will be reported to the Board of Education when it meets at 7 p.m. Oct. 14 in the District 87 Administrative Center, 596 Crescent Blvd. in Glen Ellyn. Board members are focused on identifying the strongest candidate pool and ultimately hiring the best person to lead District 87 in the future. The board anticipates approving a contract with the next superintendent before the 2024 calendar yearend. The next superintendent will begin on July 1, 2025.
Jason st.Germain PHotos Rock Valley Publishing
Jane CHarmelo PHotos Rock Valley Publishing
Supreme Court hears cases pertaining to detention under the SAFE-T Act
Two incarcerated individuals push for release under new law
By Peter Hancock Capitol News illiNois
The Illinois Supreme Court heard arguments Sept. 10 in a pair of cases that test the authority of local courts to hold criminal suspects behind bars while they await trial.
The cases come almost one year to the day after the court allowed a new law abolishing the use of cash bail in Illinois to take effect.
That law, known as the Pretrial Fairness Act, was part of the broader SAFE-T Act criminal justice reform package that state lawmakers passed in 2021 amid racial unrest that erupted nationwide following the killing of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police the previous summer.
Under the PFA, most criminal defendants are allowed to remain free pending trial, subject to conditions that courts may impose. But the decision to hold other defendants in jail pending trial is based on factors such as the danger the individual poses to the community and the risk that they will flee justice, rather than their ability to pay a cash bond.
The law was originally supposed to take effect Jan. 1, 2023, but the Supreme Court delayed its implementation while it considered a constitutional challenge filed by state’s attorneys and sheriffs in more than 60 counties.
On July 18, 2023, the court rejected those challenges in a 5-2 decision and cleared the way for the law to take effect 60 days later, on Sept. 18.
The first appeal the court heard Sept. 10 centered on the new law’s early implementation. It involved a Chicago man who was charged with attempted murder and jailed
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of all Americans use contactless payment for everyday purchases from groceries to gas. The widespread adoption is attributed to people wanting a contactless payment method during the pandemic and the increased security offered by the technology.
Near-field communication (NFC) is safer than using a traditional credit card with a magnetic strip or chip due to the use of end-to-end encryption to ensure maximum fraud protection.
“Illinois residents can rest assured that their payment and personal information is safe when they visit the DMV,” Giannoulias said. “The security surrounding the payment and the speed at which it is processed leaves no room for fraudsters to steal information.”
Customers may now use their digital wallets to pay at all 150 Illinois DMV locations across Illinois as well as the Secretary of State’s Business Services and Index departments.
just before the new law took effect, but who later petitioned for release once cash bail officially ended.
Damarco Watkins-Romaine is accused firing more than a dozen shots into a vehicle on a freeway in November 2022, hitting the female driver five times. According to published reports, he was first arrested in January 2023 and was released pending DNA and fingerprint analysis.
That analysis later tied Watkins-Romaine directly to the vehicle from which the shots were fired. He turned himself in to police on Aug. 31 and a judge set his bond at $350,000. He was also ordered to surrender his Firearm Owner’s Identification card, along with any firearms in his possession. The court also ordered that if he did post bond, he would be subject to electronic monitoring.
Watkins-Romaine did not post bond. But in December 2023, he petitioned for release under the PFA, arguing the evidence against him was weak, that he did not pose a danger to other individuals, and that any threat he did pose could be mitigated by imposing conditions such as electronic monitoring.
Prosecutors argued against his release. Citing standards spelled out in the PFA, they said there was substantial evidence Watkins-Romaine was the shooter, that he posed a real and present danger to other individuals, and no conditions could be attached to his release that would mitigate that threat.
The circuit court judge agreed and ordered Watkins-Romaine to remain in jail. But the 1st District Court of Appeals reversed that decision, saying he should be released.
Arguing before the Supreme Court Tuesday, Watkins-Romaine’s
attorney James DiQuattro said the conditions for Watkins-Romaine’s release were decided at the original bail hearing and the only condition his client failed to meet was the posting of a cash bond, a requirement that had since been abolished. Therefore, he said, the only issue at the second hearing in December should have been the other conditions for his release.
But Assistant Attorney General Jeremy Sawyer argued that the PFA put an entirely new process in place. Once Watkins-Romaine petitioned for release under terms of the new law, he said, prosecutors responded properly by demonstrating continued detention was justified under the standards of the new law.
According to Cook County Jail records, Watkins-Romaine remains in custody awaiting trial.
Release with conditions
The second case the court heard Tuesday concerned Christian Mikolaitis, 19, of Elwood, who was arrested in December 2023 and charged with attempted first-degree murder and aggravated battery with a deadly weapon for allegedly stabbing another individual during a drug deal.
Prosecutors filed a petition to hold Mikolaitis pending trial, arguing that he continued to pose a real and present danger to the victim. But they did not make an argument as to why conditions of release could not mitigate the risk he posed.
Mikolaitis’ attorney argued that he should be released on conditions, including electronic monitoring. They also informed the court he had been prescribed antipsychotic medication to treat his depression, anxiety and bipolar disorder.
The lower court ordered Mikolaitis to be held pending trial, finding he posed a threat to the victim and concluding there were no conditions it could attach to his release that would mitigate the threat.
On appeal, David Holland, of the State Appellate Defender’s Office, argued that under the law, the state carries a burden to prove that pretrial release would be unsafe—that there are no conditions of release available to mitigate the threat posed by the defendant. And if the state is allowed to avoid that responsibility by not even addressing the question in court, he said, the new law would be no different than the old bail law.
“Our legislature did not contemplate a detention hearing where the state can stand mute on the very element of proof that differentiates the old bail statute from the new,”
he said.
But Assistant Attorney General Mitchell Ness, arguing for the state, said there was plenty of evidence on the record to satisfy all the elements of the new law’s standards for pretrial detention, and it should not matter whether that evidence came from prosecutors or some other source.
“And considering the evidence, the trial court, in its oral ruling and in its written ruling, indicated that it had considered the most stringent condition of release possible – that is home confinement – and said that he simply could not come to the conclusion that the defendant would abide by even the most stringent condition of release possible,” he said.
The court is expected to announce its decision in both cases sometime in the coming months.
Notice of Proposed Property Tax Increase for the Village of Lombard
I. A public hearing to approve a proposed property tax levy increase for the Village of Lombard for 2024 will be held on October 3, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. at the Lombard Village Hall, Village Board Room, 255 E. Wilson Avenue, Lombard, Illinois 60148.
Any person desiring to appear at the public hearing and present testimony to the taxing district may contact Timothy Sexton, Director of Finance, Village of Lombard, 255 E. Wilson Avenue, Lombard, Illinois 60148; phone number (630) 620-5700.
II. The corporate and special purpose property taxes extended or abated for 2023, were $11,668,280.
The proposed corporate and special purpose property taxes to be levied for 2024 are $12,429,110. This represents a 6.52% increase over the previous year.
III. The property taxes extended for debt service and public building commission leases for 2023 were $5,645.
The estimated property taxes to be levied for debt service and public building commission leases for 2024 are $5,000. This represents a 0.00% increase over the previous year.
IV. The total property taxes extended or abated for 2023 were $11,668,280.
The estimated total property taxes to be levied for 2024 are $12,429,110. This represents a 6.52% increase over the previous year.
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.
Sept. 10
Ernest D. Fahr, 38, of Cuauhtémoc, Chihuahua, Mexico, was charged with theft of lost or mislaid property at a store in the 900 block of S. Route 83 at 10:38 p.m.
A complainant at a pharmacy in the 200 block of E. Roosevelt reported at 6:26 a.m. that a suspect was upset with a clerk. While leaving the store, the suspect knocked displayed merchandise over, damaging it.
A complainant at a pharmacy in the 200 block of E. Roosevelt reported at 10:37 a.m. that an unknown suspect removed items from a display shelf and left with the merchandise without paying.
A complainant near W. North and N. Addison reported a road rage incident during which a suspect exited their vehicle and punched the complainant’s window the left the scene. An investigation is ongoing.
Sept. 9
A cab driver in the 100 block of W. Roosevelt reported at 10:49 a.m. that after driving a subject to several ATMs to get cash for ride, the subject eventually fled on foot and did not pay the cab fare.
A suspect at a liquor store in the 100 block of W. North removed six bottles of alcohol from the display shelf and left the store with the merchandise without paying.
A suspect at a store in the 300 block of S. Ardmore removed a bottle of alcohol from the display shelf and left the store with the item without paying.
Sept. 7
Griselda Fabian Urquiza, 35, of Villa Park, was charged with battery causing bodily harm at a restaurant in the 300 block of W. North at 2:30 a.m.
Darrell L. Gardner, 47 (transient), was charged with retail theft and two counts of obstructing identification at
a store in the 900 block of S. Route 83 at 9:38 p.m.
A complainant at a store in the 1-100 block of E. St. Charles reported at 11:32 p.m. that an unknown suspect removed merchandise from display shelves and left the store with the items without paying for them.
A victim at a store in the 900 block of S. Route 83 was battered by an unknown suspect at 4:59 p.m. The suspect then fled from officers at a high rate of speed.
A complainant in the 400 block of W. St. Charles reported at 6:27 p.m. of finding a child without supervision running toward Addison Road. The child’s family was located and reunited with the child.
A complainant at a store in the 200 block of W. North reported finding a suspicious package containing white powder.
Sept. 6
A complainant in the 1000 block of S. Route 83 reported at 3:33 p.m. that an unknown suspect broke a window on an unoccupied building.
Sept. 5
Police said Alexander D. Charlie-Allen, 33, of Aurora, and Donyonna G. Stokes, 27, of Joliet, were arrested on failure to appear warrants in the 800 block of S. Ardmore at 9 p.m. and transported to the DuPage County Jail.
A complainant near E. North and N. Villa reported at 8:16 p.m. that an unknown suspect was driving erratically, following him and cutting him off. The suspect then exited their car and yelled at the complainant.
Sept. 4
A victim in the 100 block of W. North was attacked by three suspects with baseball bats at 9:40 p.m. An investigation is pending.
A complainant in the 100 block of W. Roosevelt reported that a subject struck their vehicle and left without leaving information.
A complainant in the 300 block of N. Iowa reported they were threatened by a suspect at 7:09 p.m.
Identity theft, fraud
According to information provided by the Villa Park Police Department, police reported one incident of identity theft or fraud between Sept. 4 and Sept. 10.
Villa Park Fire Department receives Blackstone grill from Ace Hardware
Last week, in celebration of Ace Cares Week and Patriot’s Day, 200 leaders from Ace Hardware Corporation’s Oak Brook headquarters rolled up their sleeves to fully assemble and donate 40 Blackstone grills to fire departments in the western suburbs. These grills were delivered to various fire departments throughout the week including the Villa Park Fire Department. Members of the fire department are shown here with Ace Hardware staff and the department’s new grill. “It’s not every day that we receive such a generous and thoughtful gift,” said Villa Park Fire Chief Steven Stapleton. “This Blackstone grill will certainly bring our team together, whether it’s for a hot meal between calls or a moment of downtime after a long shift. We’re grateful to Ace Hardware for supporting us in this special way.” Shown here, from left to right, are Ace Hardware employee Steve Gaza, Fire Department Lieutenant Todd Gutzmer, Ace Hardware employee Mike Kuruc, firefighter Denise Easton, Fire Chief Steve Stapleton, firefighter Joshua Rousseau and firefighter Jeff Brown.
Great Prairie Trail CROP Hunger Walk takes place Oct. 6
The Great Prairie Trail CROP Hunger Walk has been a tradition in Lombard for more than 40 years. This year the 3-mile walk will kick off at First Church of Lombard, 220 S. Main St., at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 6.
Teams of walkers from local churches and community organizations will follow a route along the Prairie Path and Great Western Trail to raise awareness about the need for food assistance around the world and right here in our own communities.
Funds raised will benefit Church World Service for their work in developing countries where people can
walk up to six miles a day to get food and water. Here is DuPage County one in 10 people face food-insecurity and funds will benefit Disciples Food Pantry, Villa Park; The Outreach House, Lombard; Community Table, Lombard; United Community Concerns Association, Elmhurst; and Food for the Soul Food Pantry, Addison.
Thank you to our sponsors: ACE Hardware, Lombard; Brust Funeral Home; Christian Church of Villa Park; Community Presbyterian Church, Lombard; Culvers, Lombard; Dairy Queen, Lombard; Episcopal Church of Our Savior, Elmhurst; First Church of Lom-
bard; Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Lombard; Organize By Margaret; Prairie Path Realty; Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Addison; St. Peters UCC, Elmhurst; Thrivent.
In 2023 100 walkers raised over $27,000 and we hope to meet or exceed that this year.
The event is family friendly with a bounce house, games and a raffle for all walkers.
To create or join a team or make a donation please visit: www.crophungerwalk.org/lombardil.
More information available from Great Prairie Trail CROP Hunger Walk coordinator Hester Bury at hesterbury@gmail.com.
Never forget
The Villa Park Fire Department held its annual Patriot Day ceremony on Sept. 11, in commemoration of the 23rd anniversary of the terrorist attacks that killed nearly 3,000 people, including more than 340 firefighters and paramedics, and more than 70 law enforcement officers. Villa Park Fire Chief Steve Stapleton led last week’s ceremony at Station 81, 1440 S. Ardmore Ave. The event included remarks from several speakers, including Villa Park Village President Nick Cuzzone, State Rep. Diane Blair-Sherlock and Villa Park Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 2801 Commander Jim Blankshain. The Willowbrook High School Choir is pictured while performing “The Star-Spangled Banner” at the event, with Stapleton in the foreground.
Villa Park Deputy Fire Chief Brandon Mitsuka recited the Firefighters Prayer near the end of the service. Villa Park Chief of Police Michael Rivas then recited another prayer in honor of police officers. The service concluded with a moment of silence, followed by the sounding of taps by Vince DiVincenzo.
SUBMITTED PHOTO Rock Valley Publishing
Coming events
Woodturning program at Villa Park Library
Join Mark Dreyer and the Villa Park Public Library on Monday, Sept. 23, at 6:30 p.m. to experience the world of woodturning and handmade pens. Learn about the different materials available to the pen maker, from wood and acrylics, to embedded objects, to heirloom keepsakes. This will be a very interactive demonstration, so be prepared to have some fun. Registration is required. For more information, please visit our website at www.vppl.info, or call 630834-1164.
Cat Guardians bake sale, open house Sept. 21-22
Cat Guardians, 932 E. St. Charles Road, Lombard, will be hosting an open house and bake sale from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 21-22. Cat Guardians is a cageless shelter for cats. For over 30 years, it has matched abandoned and stray street cats with loving families, and pro-vided a permanent home for cats that have not been adopted due to age, medical conditions or socialization issues. Cat Guardians is funded entirely by donations and staffed entirely by dedicated volunteers. For more information on the open house and bake sale, call 630-543-3395 or email: info@catguardians.org.
St. Alexander Crafter’s Holiday and Bake Sale
St Alexander’s CCW is holding its annual Crafters’ Holiday and Bake Sale on Saturday, Sept. 28, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Parish Hall, 230 S. Cornell, Villa Park. There are items for everyone— for the home, for gifts, for fun, for the holidays. There’s even a bake sale with delicious homemade good -
ies. Additionally, there will be an all-day concession area featuring lunch items and homemade soups. There is ample parking and admission is free.
GPS program Sept. 24
The GPS Parent Series: Navigating Healthy Families will present “Far From the Tree: The Many Ways of Unconditional Love and Acceptance” with professor Andrew Solomon at noon and 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 24, via Zoom. Solomon is a writer, lecturer and a professor of psychiatry at Columbia University Medical Center and Yale University and explores how people who love each other sometimes struggle to accept one another. 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 coordinator, at gilda_ross@glenbard.org or 630-942-7668.
Plum Library programs
Genealogy: History of Chicagoland in Maps Monday, Sept. 23, at 7 p.m. Join the Smith Family Archive for a history of Chicagoland in maps. The Smith Family Archive houses hundreds of thousands of handcrafted historical maps and plats of the Chicago metropolitan area and beyond, dating back to the early 1800s. Travel through time to learn how and why land was originally divided and sold and discover some of their most interesting projects, including boundary disputes from their historical archive. Register at helenokum.org or by calling (630) 627-0316.
Fiber Arts Group Thursday, Sept. 26, at 6 p.m. Fiber art crafters including cross stitchers, knitters, and crocheters are invited to join this drop-in social group to work on individual projects or learn from their peers. No registration required.
GCA fundraiser Sept. 26
Visit the Portillo’s on North
Avenue in Villa Park on Sept. 26, and support the Guardian Corps of America mission to help homeless veterans living on the streets in the greater Chicagoland area, with proceeds generated from sales.
Program on raising chickens at Villa Park Library
Considering raising chickens in your backyard? Wanting more in -
formation for those who already have them? Get answers to your questions at the Villa Park Public Library on Thursday, Sept. 26, at 5 p.m. Learn how to find local laws, how to choose and raise chicks, and how to care for adult birds. For more information, visit the library’s website at www.vppl.info or call 630-834-1164.
Worship Services Directory
547 N. Main St., Lombard, IL 60148 630-627-2435
Sunday Worship at 10:15 am
Lent and Easter Services at 7 p.m.
“The Crucial Hours”
Second Lenten Service
Sunday School & Bible Study 9 am Wednesday Service at 7pm
March 9, 2022
Rev. David Ernest “Satan Has Asked to Sift All of You” Jerusalem Lutheran, Morton Grove Matthew 27:15-26
Adult Bible Study Wednesdays after Service Saturday, September 28, Game Night at 4 pm
Third Lenten Service
March 16, 2022
Rev. Paul Spaude “What to Remember When Your are St. Matthews, Niles Seized with Remorse” Matthew 27:3-4
Everyone is Welcome! All services are live streamed. Watch on our website or on Facebook. sainttimothy.org 460153
Fourth Lenten Service March 23, 2022
Rev. Jonathan Bergemann “I Will Keep the Passover” Good Shepherd, Downers Grove Matthew 26:18
Fifth Lenten Service
March 30, 2022
Rev. Tom Nicholson “They Bound Him” Resurrection, Aurora John 18:12
Weekend Masses: Saturday: 4 PM (Vigil) Sunday: 7:30, 9:30 & 11:30 AM and 6 PM
Sixth Lenten Service
Daily Masses: Monday—Friday: 6:15 and 8:15 AM Saturday: 8:15 AM
April 6, 2022
Rev. Phil Schupmann “The Semblance of Legality” Resurrection, Aurora Luke 22:66
Confessions: Saturday: 3-3:45PM
Maundy Thursday Communion 7 p.m., April 14
Good Friday Tenebrae 7 p.m., April 15 Easter Sunrise 6:30 a.m., April 17 Easter Breakfast 8 a.m., April 17
Easter Festival 10:15 a.m., April 17
Adoration: Available in Our Lady Mother of the Eucharist Chapel 24/7
Federal judge rejects Illinois’ bid to end court oversight of disability programs
By Molly Parker and Beth Hundsdorfer
Capitol News illiNois
A federal judge Sept. 6 denied Illinois’ request to end court oversight of its disability services.
Judge Sharon Johnson Coleman, with the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, agreed with legal advocates who argued that the state still hasn’t met its decade-old promises to help people with intellectual and developmental disabilities live outside large institutions.
The ruling stems from a legal settlement that established court oversight of the Illinois Department of Human Services’ programs in 2011.
Known as the Ligas consent decree, it followed a 2005 lawsuit accusing Illinois of failing to support people who wanted to live in community settings — whether with family, in their own homes, or in small group homes. The lawsuit claimed Illinois violated a 1999 U.S. Supreme Court ruling, which mandated that states provide options for care in integrated community settings.
Illinois has long been an outlier in the number of people and the amount of money it puts into maintaining large state-run and private institutions that house people in hospital-like settings. And over the past two years, Capitol News Illinois and ProPublica have
exposed severe conditions, including extreme abuse and life-threatening neglect, in the state’s seven developmental centers.
Some residents and their caregivers have sought to leave these facilities but told reporters they’ve been unable to find suitable group home placements due to a shortage of options that meet their specific medical and behavioral needs.
In a court filing late last year, the state argued that it had substantially increased funding for community-based care and, as a result, saw the number of people served in family homes and group homes increase from 13,500 in 2011 to over 23,000 in 2023. The state also said it had raised pay for workers who assist with daily tasks like eating and bathing in community settings and had reduced wait times for services, especially for those in crisis.
In late May, Ronnie Cohn, an independent monitor in the case, told the judge in a court filing that referenced the news organizations’ reporting that she believed it was crucial to maintain oversight. She argued that a lack of crisis support and specialty services had contributed to the state inappropriately placing people in state-operated developmental centers.
Once there, she said people struggled to return to the community in a timely manner because of additional state failures to help people identify new community placements and develop independent living skills that would ease the transition. In a prior
court filing, Equip for Equality, the plaintiffs’ attorney, made similar arguments and also expressed alarm about safety issues inside the facilities.
In her ruling, Coleman acknowledged that while the state had made “significant progress” since 2011 in expanding community-based services, it had not fully met the mandates of the consent decree. Her one-page decision denying the state’s request to end oversight did not provide specific opinions on these issues but indicated that they will remain the focus in future proceedings.
A spokesperson for the Illinois Department of Human Services said the agency is reviewing the order to determine next steps.
“We are proud of the significant progress that has been made by our administration to date, and we remain committed to ensuring that individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities have the opportunity to live in the least restrictive setting of their choosing,” the spokesperson said.
Equip for Equality praised the judge’s ruling, saying more work still is needed.
“People with these disabilities have a right to live fully independent lives in the community,” Zena Naiditch, Equip for Equality’s president and chief executive, said in a statement.
“Sadly, Illinois is a national leader in placing people with disabilities in institutions, relying on antiquated, discriminatory service systems.”
Heidi Dalenberg, interim legal director at the ACLU of Illinois, which filed the original lawsuit nearly 20 years ago, also welcomed the ruling. She said in a statement that thousands of people in Illinois are still trapped in institutional care against their wishes.
“It has been clear for years that the key to solving this problem is for Illinois to invest its energy in building a strong network of community-based resources,” Dalenberg said.
Samantha Alloway, executive director for The Arc of Illinois and the mother of a 9-year-old who is on the autism spectrum, said she worries about continued care for her son in the event she could no longer provide it. She expressed relief that the court will maintain oversight and continue to hold IDHS accountable.
“We give credit to the Pritzker administration who has invested more in people with developmental disabilities than any administration in history, but while we are grateful for the unprecedented support of this administration, there is still so much to do,” Alloway said.
Alloway said she hopes IDHS will use this time to “aim higher” and grow community services to allow continuity of services for people with developmental disabilities as they and their caregivers age.
“This can be a time to plan as people move from home-based services to community-based services so we aren’t just going from one crisis to another,” Alloway said.
‘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.
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. Wrest
5. Russian river
10. Grupo Montparnasse founder
12. One who quits prematurely
14. Related to the nature of being
16. Early multimedia
18. Indigenous Tibetan religion
19. Tease
20. J.M. __, Irish dramatist
22. Pounds per square inch
23. Surrendered
25. Notable Dallas Cowboy Leon
26. Dash
27. Man who behaves
dishonorably
28. British Air Aces
30. Data executive
31. Spiritual leader
33. Flower cluster
35. Of the cheek
37. Tears down
38. Uncoordinated
40. Touches lightly
41. Soak
42. Founder of Babism
44. Not good
45. Inches per minute (abbr.)
48. Type of casino game
50. Skills assessments for adults
52. Check
53. Gives a job
55. Fifth note of a major scale
56. Small, faint constellation
57. Thou
58. Reduce
63. Another recording
65. Removes for good
66. Jill and Catherine are two
67. Cruise
CLUES DOWN
1. Greenwich Time
2. Metropolis
3. Complete
4. Scheduled
5. One who obeys
6. Resinlike substance secreted by certain lac insects
7. Days (Spanish)
8. Unsaturated hydrocarbon radical
9. Region of the U.S. (abbr.)
10. Tributary of the Alabama River
11. One who eliminates
13. Ballroom music
15. Officer in the Book of Mormon
17. Denies
18. Barrels per day (abbr.)
21. Make vital
23. Former NFLer Newton
24. Kashmiri tribe
27. Indigenous S. American person
29. Capacitance unit
32. MLB great Scherzer
34. Taxi
35. Boggy
36. Artist’s workroom
39. Feline
40. Prosecutors
43. Freshwater perches
44. Young ladies
46. Whittles
47. Licensed for Wall Street
49. Type of gene
51. Express displeasure
54. Fly high
59. Norwegian krone
60. Investment account
61. Chinese surname
62. Language
64. By the way (abbr.)
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Sports Rams move to 2-1 after crushing Bartlett 47-14
Cook’s three first-half TD receptions help Glenbard East to a 26-0 halftime lead; Rams will play their homecoming game this Friday
The Glenbard East football team improved its season record to 2-1 with Friday’s 47-14 victory over Bartlett in Lombard.
The Rams led the visiting Hawks (0-3) 14-0 after one quarter and 26-0 at halftime. Glenbard East raised its lead to 47-7 with about eight minutes left in the third quarter. The lead of at least 40 points caused a running clock for the rest of the game.
The Rams scored on their first offensive play from scrimmage in Friday’s contest, which took place in warm weather. Bartlett’s opening possession ended with a punt. Glenbard East’s offense then took the field with the ball on the 50-yard line. On the first play of the drive, junior quarterback Michael Nee fired a short pass to senior Amonte Cook, who broke tackles and headed down the sideline for a 50-yard touchdown reception. Sophomore Moises Velazquez added the extra-point kick to give the Rams a 7-0 lead with 10:13 left in the first quarter.
Senior Chris Renford caught a short pass from Nee and eluded Bartlett defenders for a 40-yard touchdown re-
ception with less than one minute to play in the opening quarter. Velazquez made the extra-point kick to boost the Rams’ lead to 14-0.
Cook turned another short reception into another long touchdown—a 79-yard connection—with about nine minutes remaining in the second quarter.
Late in the first half, junior Muhammad Musleh made a 39-yard reception for Glenbard East. On the next play, Nee completed a 7-yard touchdown pass to Cook to extend the Rams’ advantage to 26-0 with 27 seconds left in the half.
Glenbard East senior Valentino Heredia fielded the second-half kickoff and delivered a 68-yard return to the Hawks’ 22-yard line. Heredia completed the ensuing drive with a 5-yard touchdown run to push his team’s lead to 32-0.
Bartlett scored its first points of the season on a 41-yard touchdown pass with about nine minutes left in the third quarter. The Hawks, who opened their season with a 17-0 loss to Glenbard North and a 31-0 loss to Lake Park, added the extra-point kick to trim the Rams’ lead to 32-7.
Junior Kedrick Dennis of Glenbard East broke a 70-yard touchdown run on his team’s next offensive play. Senior Max Salek completed a twopoint pass to junior Nathan Kud on the conversion attempt to boost the Rams’ lead to 40-7.
Bartlett fumbled the ensuing kickoff. Senior Stevyn Fox of the Rams recovered the fumble at Bartlett’s 15yard line to set up Glenbard East’s last touchdown of the evening—a 12-yard run by Dennis with 7:49 to play in the third quarter. Velazquez gave the Rams their 40-point lead when he converted the extra-point kick to push the lead to 47-7.
Bartlett scored its second and final touchdown of the game on a 45-yard touchdown pass with four minutes left in the third quarter.
Nee completed nine of 12 pass attempts for 257 yards and four touchdowns. Cook made four receptions for 138 yards and three touchdowns. Dennis rushed six times for 122 yards and two touchdowns.
Glenbard East will open its Upstate Eight Conference East Division schedule when it plays its homecoming game against Elmwood Park (0-3) this Friday in Lombard. The Tigers fell to 0-3 following their 54-36 loss to Fenton on Friday.
The Rams will complete their regular season with six straight games against their division opponents. Glenbard East should overpower its next four opponents—Elmwood Park, Ridgewood, Fenton and West Chicago. The Rams will face Glenbard South in a division battle in Glen Ellyn on Oct. 18. Glenbard East will finish its regular season with a division game at Riverside-Brookfield on Oct. 25.
A new sport at Glenbard East
Glenbard East High School’s flag football program made its varsity debut last week. The Rams’ varsity team played its inaugural game against Glenbard West on Sept. 9 in Lombard. The Hilltoppers defeated Glenbard East 38-6. The Rams scored their only touchdown on a short pass from sophomore Ally Amrhein to senior Brissa Sarabia in the second half. Sarabia (No. 2) is pictured as she crosses the goal line on her touchdown reception. Earlier this year, the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) announced that girls flag football would debut as an IHSA state series in the fall of 2024. The inaugural state tournament will take place at Willowbrook High School next month (Oct. 18-19).
Glenbard East football team raised
to 2-1 with Friday’s dominant 47-14 victory over Bartlett in Lombard. The Rams led Bartlett 14-0 after one quarter and a 26-0 at halftime. Senior Amonte Cook (No. 1) is pictured while racing to the end zone for a 50-yard touchdown on the Rams’ first offensive play of the game. Cook hauled in four receptions for 138 yards and three touchdowns in Friday’s win over the Hawks. Another photo shows senior Chris Renford scoring the Rams’ second touchdown of the night on a 40-yard touchdown reception late in the first quarter. Junior quarterback Michael Nee completed nine of 12 passes for 257 yards and four touchdowns in the Rams’ win over Bartlett (0-3). Glenbard East’s lead swelled to 47-7 with about eight minutes left in the third quarter. The 40-point lead triggered a running clock for the rest of the game. Glenbard East will play its homecoming game this Friday. The Rams will face Elmwood Park (0-3) in an Upstate Eight Conference East Division contest.
Broncos slip to 2-1 after losing at Marist
Montini will square off against Fenwick this Friday
The Montini Catholic football team suffered its first loss of the season on Friday night, when it dropped a 21-6 decision to Marist High School in Chicago.
The Broncos fell to 2-1, while Marist lifted its record to 3-0.
The RedHawks scored the first points of Friday’s game on a 22-yard touchdown pass in the final minute of the first half. Marist added the extra-point kick on its way to a 7-0 halftime lead.
The RedHawks added to their lead when they scored a touchdown with about three minutes left in the third quarter. Marist extended its lead to
21-0 in the last minute of the third quarter.
The Broncos scored their only points of the night on a 10-yard touchdown pass from sophomore Israel Abrams to senior Santino Florio with 8:26 left in the game. Florio made five receptions for 30 yards during the contest.
Montini will open Chicago Catholic League (CCL) White Division play with this Friday’s game against Fenwick (2-1) at Triton College’s stadium in River Grove. After opening their season with two straight wins, the Friars fell to 2-1 following last week’s 14-13 loss at Joliet Catholic.
Chris Fox photos Rock Valley Publishing
The
its 2024 record
Chris Fox photos Rock Valley Publishing
Rams vs. Raiders
Glenbard East’s girls volleyball team dropped a narrow decision to Glenbard South in last week’s match in Lombard. The visiting Raiders defeated the Rams 25-21, 26-24 in the Sept. 10 match. Senior Grace Johnson (pictured) recorded nine kills and two aces for Glenbard East during the contest. Junior Natalie Slusher amassed 17 assists for the Rams, while sophomore Belle McDermott contributed four kills and six digs. Junior Nora Opila supplied five digs and two aces. Glenbard East’s overall season record dropped to 3-12 following its loss at Wheaton North on Sept. 12. The Falcons beat the Rams 25-18, 25-10. Glenbard East’s schedule this week includes matches against Addison Trail and York. The Rams will conclude the week by competing in an invitational at Glenbard West that takes place this Friday and Saturday.
The Broncos run in Peoria
The Montini Catholic girls and boys cross-country teams competed in Saturday’s First to the Finish Invitational at Detweiller Park in Peoria. Junior Sydney Gertsen of the Broncos ran to a fifth-place finish in the Class 1A girls race, which included more than 400 contestants. Gertsen completed the 3-mile race in 17 minutes, 32.1 seconds. Montini junior Ashlynn Lindt (18:27.90) finished in 21st place. Senior Nolan Ferris of the Broncos delivered a fifth-place finish in the 3-mile Class 1A boys race, which he completed in 15 minutes, 22.1 seconds. Montini sophomore Nino Pesola (15:43.30) posted a 14th-place finish in the race, which featured more than 600 competitors. Pictured (left to right) on Saturday are Gertsen, Ferris, Pesola and Lindt. The IHSA boys and girls state cross-country meets will take place at Detweiller Park on Nov. 9.
Two Rams win individual titles
Chris Fox photos
Rock Valley Publishing Glenbard East’s girls and boys cross-country teams competed in Saturday morning’s Royal/Cadet Invitational at Marmion Academy in Aurora. A pair of Rams ran to first-place finishes in the event’s two varsity races. Senior Elena Kosorog (No. 820) of Glenbard East claimed the individual championship in the 3-mile girls race, which she completed in a first-place time of 18 minutes, 47.4 seconds. Junior Mason Hephner (No. 802) raced to a victory in the 3-mile boys race, which he finished in a winning time of 15 minutes, 58 seconds. Glenbard East’s girls turned in a fifth-place effort in the team standings of the seven-team girls competition. The Rams posted a third-place finish in the nine-team boys event. Glenbard East freshman Teigan O’Donnell (20:01.70) earned an 11th-place finish in the individual standings of the girls race, which included 73 finishers. Junior Kathleen Nevels (21:32.60; 29th), sophomore Evelynne Barry (22:34.50; 39th) and senior Jocelyn CieloGrande (23:38.10; 53rd) rounded out the Glenbard East girls team’s scoring lineup in Aurora. Senior Leo Contreras (17:03; 12th) was the Rams’ second-fastest runner in Saturday’s boys race, which included 105 finishers. Senior Miles DePhillips (17:31.70; 20th), sophomore Alexander Hernandez (18:02.97; 24th) and senior Emmett Cross (18:31.05; 33rd) completed Saturday’s scoring lineup for Glenbard East’s boys team. Oak Park and River Forest (50 points) won the team championship in the girls event, edging second-place Hoffman Estates (52 points). Geneva (37 points) narrowly prevailed over second-place Lincoln-Way East (38 points) in the boys event, while Glenbard East (89 points) wound up in third place.
Rams earn two ties
The Glenbard East boys soccer team played three matches last week. The Rams began the week by battling Glenbard South to a 1-1 tie in an Upstate Eight Conference East Division contest in Lombard on Sept. 10. Sophomore Ryan Kummer (No. 19) gave Glenbard East a 1-0 lead when he headed the ball into the net with less than 26 minutes to play in the second half. Senior Emilio Reyna assisted the goal with a crossing pass from near the sideline. The visiting Raiders scored the tying goal with less than 11 minutes remaining. The Rams moved to 0-3-1 with their tie against Glenbard South. Glenbard East played to another 1-1 tie in its next match—a Sept. 12 contest at Glenbard North. Once again, both teams scored their goals in the second half. Sophomore Charlie Gidcumb scored the Rams’ goal with an assist from senior Reean Dialektakos. Glenbard East ended its week with Saturday’s 3-1 loss at Downers Grove South. The contest was scoreless at halftime. Junior Charlie Cooper scored Glenbard East’s goal in Saturday’s match. Junior Edgar Garcia assisted Cooper’s goal. The Rams’ overall record stood at 0-4-2 at the end of the week. Glenbard East opened its season with a 6-1 loss at West Aurora on Aug. 29. The Rams fell to 0-2 after their 3-1 loss at Glenbard West on Aug. 31. Sophomore Johan Oliveros scored the Rams’ goal against the Hilltoppers with an assist from sophomore Kevin Ramirez. Glenbard East fell to 0-3 after a 2-0 home loss to Wheaton Warrenville South on Sept. 7.
Chris Fox photo Rock Valley Publishing
Chris Fox photo Rock Valley Publishing
Warriors earn their first win of the season by beating the Blazers in the District 88 Bowl
Kuehl and Leo lead a potent running attack in Willowbrook’s ninth straight triumph over Addison Trail; Warriors will play their homecoming game against DG South this Friday
The Willowbrook football team secured its first victory of the season when it defeated Addison Trail 39-28 in Friday’s renewal of the District 88 Bowl in Villa Park.
The Warriors improved to 1-2 overall and 1-0 in West Suburban Gold Conference action with Friday’s win. The Blazers slid to 2-1 overall and 0-1 in conference play.
Willowbrook has now won nine straight District 88 Bowl battles
against Addison Trail. The Blazers haven’t beaten the Warriors since they posted a narrow 28-26 win in Villa Park on Sept. 11, 2015.
Addison Trail provided an explosive start to Friday’s contest by scoring on the first play from scrimmage—an 80-yard touchdown pass from junior quarterback Nico Dill to senior Raja Corhn. Junior Noah Cruz made the extra-point kick to give the Blazers a 7-0 lead just 14
seconds into the game.
Willowbrook, which utilized an effective hurry-up offense against Addison Trail, responded with a 65-yard touchdown drive that ended with a 1-yard run across the goal line by senior Aidan Kuehl. The Warriors initially planned to try an extra-point kick after the touchdown, but a penalty on the Blazers enticed Willowbrook to try a twopoint conversion run. Kuehl raced into the end zone on the run to give the Warriors an 8-7 lead with about six minutes left in the first quarter.
The Blazers regained the lead on Dill’s 4-yard touchdown run on a fourth-and-goal play early in the second quarter. The extra-point kick raised Addison Trail’s lead to 14-8.
Kuehl’s 8-yard touchdown run tied the score at 14-14. Senior Dean Romano converted the extra-point kick to give the Warriors a 15-14 lead with less than eight minutes to play in the first half.
East and Glenbard North. Leo noted after Friday’s victory that he has been working extremely hard in practice. That effort likely led to more carries against Addison Trail.
“It feels good to have the hard work pay off,” said Leo, who teamed with Kuehl and the Warriors’ offensive line to batter the Blazers with a punishing ground attack. Willowbrook gained about 300 rushing yards during Friday’s win.
The Blazers’ next drive ended when senior Micah Lewis of the Warriors intercepted a tipped pass near the line of scrimmage. The Willowbrook offense began its ensuing drive at Addison Trail’s 21yard line. The short drive ended with Kuehl’s third touchdown run of the night—a 3-yard burst. Romano tacked on the extra-point kick to hike the Warriors’ lead to 29-14 with 2:35 remaining in the first half.
the Warriors’ advantage to 39-28. Willowbrook’s offense ran out the clock on the following drive.
The Warriors then gathered around the District 88 Bowl Trophy, which will remain in their possession for at least one more year.
No team wants to start its season with two straight losses, but an 0-2 start doesn’t necessarily ruin a team’s season. The Warriors’ 2021 team began its season with two straight losses, but won six of its next seven games to close the regular season with a 6-3 record. The Warriors then won two playoff games to advance to the quarterfinal round of the IHSA Class 7A playoffs. Willowbrook’s 2021 season ended with a loss to Wheaton North (the eventual 2021 Class 7A state champion) in the quarterfinal round.
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An interception by Willowbrook senior KJ Rhodes set up the Warriors’ next touchdown. Rhodes intercepted the ball at his own 45yard line and made a 24-yard return to the Blazers’ 31-yard line. Willowbrook’s offense needed only two plays to convert the turnover into points. Junior Anthony Leo of the Warriors ran for a 6-yard gain on the first play of the drive. On the next play, Leo delivered a 25-yard touchdown run. Romano’s kick raised Willowbrook’s lead to 22-14 with about six minutes left in the opening half.
Leo, who is playing in his first varsity season, had only a few carries in the Warriors’ first two games of the season—losses to Glenbard
Kuehl supplied his fourth touchdown run of the evening on a 1-yard plunge with about four minutes to play in the third quarter. Romano’s extra-point kick pushed the Warriors’ lead to 36-14.
Dill and Corhn connected on a 35-yard touchdown pass with a little more than one minute left in the third quarter. The Blazers failed to complete a conversion pass, leaving Willowbrook’s lead at 36-20.
Romano closed out the Warriors’ scoring for the night when he kicked a 23-yard field goal with 7:03 left in the game. Addison Trail junior Giovanni Ortiz scored the game’s final touchdown on a 1-yard run with less than four minutes to play. Dill completed a two-point conversion pass to Ortiz to reduce
“The record doesn’t define who we are; 0-2 doesn’t define us,” said Leo. “We’re going to be sharper coming up.”
“We didn’t play terribly,” stated Willowbrook coach Nick Hildreth while talking about the start of the team’s 2024 season. “We didn’t execute and finish, and we had no real rhythm in those first couple of weeks.”
Willowbrook will play its homecoming game against conference rival Downers Grove South (1-2) this Friday in Villa Park. The Mustangs will open their conference season when they face the Warriors. After beginning its season with a 33-15 win over Metea Valley, Downers Grove South suffered a 42-0 loss to Downers Grove North. The Mustangs slipped to 1-2 after Friday’s 54-21 loss at York.
Warriors defeat Blazers
Willowbrook’s football team prevailed in the annual District 88 Bowl on Friday night, beating Addison Trail 39-28 in a West Suburban Gold Conference game in Villa Park. The Warriors’ football program has now won nine straight meetings in the battle with its District 88 rival. Addison Trail hasn’t beaten Willowbrook on the football field since 2015. Senior Aidan Kuehl (No. 7) scored four rushing touchdowns for the Warriors during Friday’s victory. Willowbrook junior Anthony Leo (No. 22) joined Kuehl to form a potent rushing tandem against the Blazers. Leo contributed a 25-yard touchdown run during the second quarter. The Warriors, who led Addison Trail 29-14 at halftime, improved to 1-2 with their win over the Blazers. Willowbrook will play its homecoming game this Friday, when it will face Downers Grove South in a conference contest.
Chris Fox photos Rock Valley Publishing
NOTICE
CERTIFICATE NO. 79508 was
the office of the County Clerk of DuPage County on AUGUST 29, 2024, wherein the business firm of READING RUNWAY, 15W221 LEXINGTON STREET, ELMHURST, IL 60126 was registered; that the true or real name or names of the person or persons owning the business, with their respective post office address(es), is/are as follows: Natalie Tyrrell, 15W221 Lexington Street, Elmhurst, iL 60126. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and Official Seal at my office in Wheaton, Illinois, this 29TH day of AUGUST, A.D. 2024. Jean Kaczmarek DuPage County Clerk (Published in The Lombardian Sept. 12, 19 & 26, 2024) 461135
NOTICE OPEN HOUSE PUBLIC INFORMATION MEETING FINLEY ROAD SHARED-USE PATH AND SIDEWALK 22ND STREET TO WILSON AVENUE
Thursday, September 26, 2024 5:00 P.M. TO 7:00 P.M.
TO BE HELD AT: Lombard Village Hall – Community Room (ADA Accessible) 255 East Wilson Avenue Lombard, IL 60148
The Village of Lombard will host a Public Information Meeting concerning the proposed shared-use path along Finley Road from 22nd Street to Wilson Ave-
nue. The scope of work is anticipated to consist of the construction of an 8-foot wide shared-use path, sidewalk, and pedestrian & bicyclist accommodations throughout the project limits.
All persons interested in this project are invited to attend this meeting. This will be an open house format and will adhere to the National Environmental Policy Act as well as the Illinois Department of Transportation’s public involvement policy. Exhibits showing the proposed improvements, including areas of anticipated additional right-of-way, will be on display. Village representatives and the Village’s consultants will be present to receive input, provide information, and answer questions. Comments, that will be entered into the project record, may be completed at the meeting or submitted via mail or email, no later than October 10, 2024.
Persons planning to attend the meeting who are in need of special accommodations, such as sign language interpreter or other similar assistance, must notify the Village by September 20, 2024. The meeting room is ADA accessible. For more information, special accommodations, or to submit a comment, please contact:
Mike Barbier, P.E., PTOE Village of Lombard – Public Works 255 E. Wilson Avenue, Lombard, IL 60148
BarbierM@VillageofLombard.org (630) 620-5740
(Published in The Lombardian Sept. 5 & 19, 2024) 460826
LEGAL NOTICES
Highland Avenue, Main Street, and Madison Street
Thursday, September 26, 2024 5:00 P.M. TO 7:00 P.M.
TO BE HELD AT:
Lombard Village Hall – Community Room (ADA Accessible)
255 East Wilson Avenue Lombard, IL 60148
The Village of Lombard will host a Public Information Meeting concerning the proposed pedestrian network improvements at the following locations:
1. Highland Avenue – Janata Blvd. to Majestic Dr.
2. Highland Avenue at South Yorktown Entrance
3. Main Street - 16th St. to 17th St., and
4. Madison Street - Edgewood Ave. to east of Chase Ave.
The scope of work is anticipated to consist of the construction of new sidewalk, pedestrian crossings, and pedestrian accommodations throughout the project limits.
All persons interested in this project are
invited to attend this meeting. This will be an open house format and will adhere to the National Environmental Policy Act as well as the Illinois Department of Transportation’s public involvement policy. Exhibits showing the proposed improvements, including areas of anticipated additional right-of-way, will be on display. Village representatives and the Village’s consultants will be present to receive input, provide information, and answer questions. Comments, that will be entered into the project record, may be completed at the meeting or submitted via mail or email, no later than October 10, 2024.
Persons planning to attend the meeting
who are in need of special accommodations, such as sign language interpreter or other similar assistance, must notify the Village by September 20, 2024. The meeting room is ADA accessible. For more information, special accommodations, or to submit a comment, please contact:
Mike Barbier, P.E., PTOE
Village of Lombard – Public Works
255 E. Wilson Avenue, Lombard, IL 60148
BarbierM@VillageofLombard.org (630) 620-5740
(Published in The Lombardian Sept. 5 & 19, 2024) 460825
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the Sea, help me and show me, herein you are my mother.
Oh, Holy Mary, Mother of God, Queen of Heaven and Earth! I humbly beseech you from the bottom of my heart to answer me in this necessity. There are none that can withstand your power. Oh, show me herein you are my mother. Oh, Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee (3x). Holy Mother, I place this cause in your hands (3xs). Sweet Mother, I place this cause in your hands (3x). Holy Spirit, you who solve all problems, light all roads so that I can attain my goal, you who gave me divine gift to forgive and forget all evil against me, and that in all instances in my life you are with me. I want in this short prayer to thank you for all things as you confirm once again that I never want to be separated from you in eternal glory.
Thank you for your mercy towards me and mine.
The person must say this prayer 3 consecutive days, after 3 days the request will be granted.
This prayer must be published after the favor is granted. A.S.
