lowbrook rebounded from Friday’s loss to post an 11-2 win in Saturday’s game at Hinsdale Central. The Warriors bashed three home runs in the second inning of Sat
Willowbrook High School’s Class of 2021 celebrated its commencement with two separate ceremonies in the school’s main gymnasium on Sunday morning. The en tire class includes over 470 students. About half of those students attended the
Willowbrook High School celebrated its homecoming last week. The week’s special activities included Friday afternoon’s homecoming parade, which took place in hot and sunny conditions. The parade procession began near Park Boulevard and Ardmore Avenue. Parade participants marched south on Ardmore before turn-
Freshman Lindsey Rugg of the Willowbrook softball team is pictured while attempting to score a run during Friday’s game at Downers Grove South. Rugg tried to score from second base on a single by sophomore Katelyn Cox in the top of the second inning, when the game was tied at 2-2. Downers Grove South’s catcher tagged Rugg out at home plate for the third out of the inning. The Mustangs went on to defeat the Warriors 7-3 in the West Suburban Gold Conference contest. Wil
ing west onto Highridge Road and into the school’s north parking lot. Members of Willowbrook’s marching band are pictured along the parade route. The participants also included several of the Warriors’ fall athletic teams, as well as members of the Villa Park Warriors Football and Cheer program.
Great Prairie Trail CROP Hunger Walk takes place Oct. 6
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 Lombard; 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
See CROP, Page 7
A year after end of cash bail, early research shows impact less than many hoped or feared Jail populations down, no change in failure to appear rate, analysis shows
By Peter Hancock CAPITOL NEWS ILLINOIS
One year after Illinois became the first state in the nation to eliminate the use of cash bail, the impact on the state’s criminal justice system appears to have been far less dramatic than people on either side of the debate had predicted.
That, at least, is the early indication from an analysis of data being monitored by the Center for Criminal Justice at Loyola University in Chicago.
“Jail populations did go down a bit, but nowhere near as much as some people were predicting, and the research suggests that the rate at which people are being released from jail pretrial likely hasn’t changed dramatically,” David Olson, a co-director of the
center, said during a recent interview.
“What’s changing is that the means of release are changing,” he added. “People don’t have to post the money, and rather than being released in a few days when they come up with the money, they’re being released in a day or two.”
The law to end cash bail in Illinois passed the General Assembly during a special lame duck session in January 2021. Known as the Pretrial Fairness Act, it was part of a broader criminal justice reform package known as the SAFE-T Act that was backed by the Legislative Black Caucus.
Those measures passed during a period of social unrest that followed the
See BAIL , Page 7
Warriors face the Blazers in annual Dig Pink match
Shift in DMV facility hours announced
Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias announced a change in DMV facility operating hours across the state next week to align with higher customer demand in the morning.
Beginning this week, Illinois DMV locations will be open to customers Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., a half an hour earlier than the previous hours of 8 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Facilities that offer services on Saturday will also change hours from 8 a.m.-12:30 p.m. to 7:30 a.m. to noon on Saturdays.
Main Phone 630.834-8244 Fax 630.834-0900
The Villa Park Review is published every Thursday by Rock Valley Publishing, LLC, 240 N. West Avenue, Elmhurst, IL. 60126.
The Willowbrook and Addison Trail girls volleyball teams squared off last week during District 88’s annual Dig Pink match. The event is part of the district’s annual Go Pink or Go Home initiative, which raises money for breast cancer awareness and research. Breast cancer survivors in attendance were announced before the varsity match, and the Willowbrook and Addison Trail student-athletes presented each survivor with a pink carnation. Raffle items and baked goods were available to buy. The event raised $1,375 to benefit the American Cancer Society. Willowbrook defeated the Blazers 25-12, 25-9 in last week’s Dig Pink battle, which took place in Villa Park on Sept. 17. Willowbrook sophomore Maggie Hurley (No. 14) is pictured (left) during the introduction of the starting lineups.
DuPage County to offer energy assistance beginning Oct. 1
DuPage County will provide energy assistance funds to help income-eligible households with their natural gas, propane, electric bills, and furnace repairs beginning next month.
The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) offers one-time help to income-eligible homeowners and renters. This can help pay energy bills or restore shut off energy services. LIHEAP customers of Nicor Gas will also get a monthly discount on their natural gas bills through the new Low-Income Discount Rates.
DuPage County Community Services will start taking applications Oct. 1 for adults aged 60 or older, individuals with disabilities, families with children under the age of 5, and households that have had their utilities disconnected or have received a disconnection notice. Residents can make an in-person appointment starting Sept. 17 by calling Community Services at (630) 407-6500 or (800) 942-9412. Appointments will begin on Oct. 1. All other income-eligible households can apply starting Nov. 1.
To qualify, household income must be at or below 200 percent of the fed-
eral poverty level. Income limits can be found online at www.dupagecounty.gov/liheap. To apply, you will need to provide:
• Proof of household income from the past 30 days.
• Social Security Numbers (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers (ITIN) for all household members (you can still apply if you don’t have an SSN or ITIN).
• A copy of your current heat and electric bills within the last 30 days.
• If you rent, a copy of your rental agreement that shows utilities are included, the rent amount, and your landlord’s contact info.
• Other documents may be needed based on your situation.
Applications will be accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis through Aug. 15, 2025, or until the funding runs out. Applications will be accepted at DuPage County Community Services, 421 N. County Farm Road, Wheaton, and at the following offices:
• Access DuPage/DuPage Health Coalition—511 Thornhill Drive, Unit C, Carol Stream; (630) 510-8720
• Loaves & Fishes—1871 High Grove Lane, Naperville; (630) 3553663
• Naperville Township—139 Water St., Naperville; (630) 355-2444
• People’s Resource Center—201 S. Naperville Road, Wheaton; (630) 682-5402
• Wayne Township—27W031 North Ave., West Chicago; (630) 2317140
• West Suburban Community Pantry—6809 Hobson Valley Drive, #118, Woodridge; (630) 512-9921
• Winfield Township—130 Arbor Ave., West Chicago; (630) 231-3573
• Milton Township—1492 N. Main St., Wheaton; (630) 653-5220
• York Township—1052 S. Meyers Road, Lombard; (630) 627-3354 For more information, visit www. dupagecounty.gov/liheap or liheapillinois.com
Senior facilities located in Addison, Bridgeview, Calumet Park, Evanston and Westchester will remain the same 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Friday. The Roscoe Express DMV will stay open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday-Friday and the Orland Township DMV hours will remain 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Friday.
“Since Day One, our priority has been to provide the best possible DMV experience and service to our customers,” Giannoulias said.
“We listened to feedback and analyzed the data to determine when our customers need us most. As a result, we’re adjusting our hours to align our operations with their busy schedules so they can conveniently access services without disrupting their routine.”
A data-driven analysis revealed customer demand is generally higher in the morning than in the early evening. By opening facilities earlier, the office aims to enhance service accessibility while reducing wait times.
The new facility hours will be implemented at most, but not all, Illinois DMV facilities. To check facility hours, make an appointment or apply for online services, customers are encouraged to visit www.ilsos. gov.
Lombard hours: Monday-Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday, 7:30 a.m. to noon.
Debra Hamilton Advertising Director Pete Cruger Publisher Advertising: Brenda Garcia Kate McCarty
Subscriptions:
The Villa Park Review is mailed to the 60181 zip code areas for $45.00 yearly. Out-of-area mail subscriptions are $50.00 yearly. For home delivery information call 630.834-8244.
Reprints:
Content appearing in the Villa Park Review may not be reprinted without permission of the publisher or editor. Requests should be directed to Independent@rvpublishing.com or 630.834-8244.
St. Alexander’s Council of Catholic Women (CCW) is holding its annual Crafters’ Holiday and Bake Sale this 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 will be 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 allday concession area, featuring lunch items and homemade soup. There is ample parking, and admission is free.
Postmaster: Please send address changes to: THE VILLA PARK REVIEW
240 N. West Avenue, Elmhurst, IL. 60126
Office Hours: Monday-Friday 11am-3pm
CHRIS FOX PHOTOS Rock Valley Publishing
Opinion
Slices of life
Guard your thoughts
“A quiet mind makes way for the soul to speak.”--Me
The mind is an abundant entity - spewing, spawning, spilling, speaking, squeaking, splaying, spraying, saying, replaying, spouting, sprouting, shouting, rerouting, doubting and outing our thoughts, often in ways that seem beyond our control.
Just today, I was about to run to the store, but thought about something I wanted to do beforehand. Then I rinsed out my coffee cup and my mind had already moved onto a whole new topic and I’d forgotten what task, exactly, I needed to do before leaving.
Perplexing.
You might say my thoughts got away from me.
It happens quite often. All the time. Especially at night and in the wee hours of the morning. I fight against it but it is a constant battle.
It’s almost as if my mind has a mind of its own. It’s working against me - or maybe for me. Or with me.
Or maybe a little of all three. I’m guessing none of you reading this can relate to this phenomenonwritten with a wry sense of sarcasm.
All of you, surely, are always and totally in control of every one of your thoughts. They are orderly and they make sense. You never think of pink cotton candy when you are supposed to be considering whether to put orange or yellow cheese sauce atop the green broccoli. Your thoughts are always on point. I wish I could say the same.
The mind is a curious thing. It is part of you, but it seems to operate on its own.
The rest of your physical body doesn’t operate under these terms. Your arms carry the grocery bags home from the store. When you have an itch on the tip of your nose, your fingers scratch that exact spot. Your legs walk, one foot in front of the other to get you from point A to point B.
But your mind? It wanders wherever it wants to go.
That’s why awareness is so important. Your mind will tell you things that, in all honesty, it shouldn’t. It will tell you people don’t like you. Or that you aren’t good enough, or nice enough or whatever enough. It will tell you to judge others for their ugly T-shirt or ugly hair or ugly car. It will lead in you places that are scary, threatening and dire. Your mind accentuates your faults. It dwells upon your weaknesses. It forces you
By JILL PERTLER Slices of Life
into dark corners. Your mind will tell you things that are not true.
This doesn’t always happen. But it can, and it often does when you least expect it. When you aren’t aware.
Your thoughts are valuable. They are precious. They are priceless. They can sway off course and go off track without your ever noticing. And they can affect you in the most significant of ways.
That is why it is important to guard them. To guard your thoughts. To protect them like they are a treasured possession, because they are.
You are your thoughts. It seems so simple, but negative thoughts breed negative actions and negative feelings. Positive thoughts have the opposite effect.
It may sound easy to choose positive thoughts. But remember, the mind has a mind of its own.
Choosing our thoughts is a minute by minute, moment by moment endeavor. It is never-ending. 24/7. Even in your sleep.
But you know what? Thoughts can become habits. And habits become easier with time.
Recognizing a negative thought is the first step into turning away from it and finding a positive one.
The more you turn negative into positive, the more natural it will become. Say the positive out loud (even a whisper will do) if that makes it easier at first. Soon it won’t take any thought at all.
Practice guarding your thoughts, and soon that guard duty won’t seem so intensive. Soon it will come naturally.
Negativity is all around us, waiting to pounce and it may seem overwhelming at times. One of the most valuable possessions we have to fight against any negativity is our own thoughts. Guard yours like the treasure they are and you will find the peace within that has been waiting patiently..
Then your mind will only wonder one thing:
What took me so long?
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.
The end of money bond is facilitating a public health approach to substance use
By Jen Nagel-Fischer
As we mark the anniversary of Illinois’ landmark Pretrial Fairness Act, it’s essential to recognize how this transformative legislation advances racial equity, especially for black and brown communities disproportionately impacted by money bond, incarceration, and the criminalization of drugs.
For years, the legal system has targeted these communities, trapping individuals in pretrial detention simply because they couldn’t afford bail. Money bond has been a key driver of racial disparities, with black and brown individuals disproportionately incarcerated at staggering rates for minor offenses compared to white individuals. The Pretrial Fairness Act disrupts this pattern, providing muchneeded reform.
By eliminating money bonds, the Pretrial Fairness Act removes a barrier that kept thousands—most of whom had not yet been convicted of a crime—detained for months or years simply due to lacking financial resources to pay a money bond. This reform isn’t just about economic justice; it’s a victory for racial justice, keeping families together and preserving livelihoods in communities long devastated by over-policing and mass incarceration.
Pretrial reform is especially crucial for people who use drugs, many of whom are black and brown. Jails have served as makeshift treatment centers, though they are anything but therapeutic. People in jail are eight times more likely to use drugs than the general population, yet less likely to receive proper care. Forced withdrawal and lack of access to medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) make incarceration deadly, particularly for people who use opioids. These individuals are at a much higher risk of fatal overdose upon release, a cycle that disproportionately harms black and brown people.
In fact, drug overdose is the leading cause of death among those recently released from prison. A study found that people recently released from
state prison are 129 times more likely to die from an overdose than those in the general public. For those incarcerated who use opioids, the risk is even higher. These tragic outcomes reveal how jails exacerbate, rather than alleviate, the dangers of drug use. And in Illinois, where sheriffs state there are staffing shortages in facilities like Lake County’s correctional division are already severe, providing even minimal care is a challenge, let alone comprehensive treatment.
Critics argue that pretrial release prevents people from getting the help they need, suggesting that incarceration is the best way to force mandatory abstinence or treatment. However, research shows that compulsory treatment fails to produce lasting results. A 2016 meta-analysis found that mandating abstinencebased treatment does not significantly reduce drug use or crime. In fact, it often leads to worse outcomes, including increased rates of fatal overdose following release.
Jails are dehumanizing environments, isolating individuals from the support they need to heal. Forcing mandatory abstinence in such settings doesn’t address the underlying trauma and social conditions that drive drug use. Instead, people need voluntary access to communitybased care, which is why the Pretrial Fairness Act—and its companion, the Pretrial Success Act—is so vital.
The Pretrial Success Act represents a crucial investment in voluntary, community-based services for people who use drugs and those with mental health conditions. Rather than subjecting individuals to the dehumanization of incarceration, the Success Act allows for comprehensive care in a community setting by providing wraparound services such as transportation, housing, and childcare. These life-stabilizing resources are key to promoting long-term recovery and stability, particularly for those already marginalized by systemic racism and economic inequality.
This holistic approach acknowledges that true equity cannot be achieved through punishment
and incarceration. For too long, black and brown individuals have borne the brunt of prohibitionist drug policies, facing harsher penalties and less access to care than their white counterparts. The Pretrial Fairness Act, combined with investments in community health, offers a new path forward—one that centers harm reduction and public health over criminalization.
Yet, the work is far from over. While Illinois has taken a crucial step, we must continue expanding behavioral health services, overdose prevention programs, and harm reduction initiatives that prioritize those most impacted by the criminal legal system. The state’s investment in these services is a model for other states to follow.
As we move into the second year of the Pretrial Fairness Act, our focus must remain on saving lives and addressing the systemic inequities that continue to harm black and brown communities. The elimination of money bond is just the beginning. To achieve real justice, we must continue advocating for lifesaving reforms that invest in people, not punishment. Justice demands we dismantle systems that criminalize poverty and perpetuate racial disparities. The Pretrial Fairness Act is a critical first step toward creating a more equitable legal system—one that values human dignity and prioritizes health and safety over incarceration.
Jen Nagel-Fischer, R-CPRS, IL-CRSS, is a person with lived and living experience and is the founder and executive director of The Porchlight Collective SAP, which serves hundreds of program participants monthly in the greater St. Louis Metro East area. They are an experienced independent consultant, grassroots advocate, and subject matter expert in integrating culturally responsive and trauma informed harm reduction models. Jen has served as an expert reviewer for UNAIDS, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, and the US Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
speak OUT
Lombard, please take a look at the intersection of Washington and Westmore. When going east on Washington there is no way to see if any traffic is coming from the north; the iron fence has so much growth on it. It’s OK in the winter, but now you cannot see through it. Even westbound has growth blocking the north view now. Even though east/west may have the green light, that doesn’t mean you don’t have to look with so many people running red lights. I really hope you correct this soon before it’s too late for someone. Thanks.
Editor’s note: The following information was submitted by Lombard officials: “Your concern has been forwarded to the Community Development Code Enforcement Division for review. For a quicker response to similar issues in the future, you may contact the Code Enforcement Division directly at (630) 620-5757 or submit your concerns using the Village’s SeeClickFix online reporting system on the app or the Village website at www.villageoflombard. org/seeclickfix.”
Hi Lombard. This is a rider of the Illinois Prairie Path. I was wondering with all of the blacktop road repair and redoing that is just fantastic around the village, if there is any extra blacktop, they could maybe put some at the sides of the Finley bridge. There are deep, deep ruts in there where people’s bikes have caught, you know the tires, and I would really appreciate if that could be smoothed out just by a real thin coating. Thank you very much.
Editor’s note: Your comments were referred to Lombard officials, who responded: “Maintenance of the Illinois Prairie Path and its bridges falls under the jurisdiction of the DuPage County Department of Transportation. We have forwarded your concern to the county
for consideration.” * * *
This is regarding the story about the 14-year-old student at Glenbard East High School who was accused of bringing a loaded gun to the school (Sept. 19 issue). I find it troubling that I’ve seen no comments on this incident by the District 87 superintendent. Or if he did comment on it, I missed it. I’ve seen his column in this paper. Instead of telling us in his columns how great things are at District 87, why doesn’t he provide more details on what happened, and what steps the district is taking to ensure students, teachers and staff are safe so that, God forbid, a shooting doesn’t happen at Glenbard East, Glenbard South, Glenbard North or Glenbard West?
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I agree with many others that a gated development does not represent Lombard. And yes, the board members are right that people can have a gate on their property, so it would be hard to dictate that the developer cannot have them. However, the ones I have seen are for a single driveway, although it looks very odd. But this is for a whole housing development, and the implication leaves a bad taste in my mouth. I might expect it in Oak Brook or Hinsdale, but in this case, it almost seems that they want to plop all these houses right under the longtime neighbors’ noses, at the same time sending a message to those same neighbors: Don’t cut through our block.
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Winfield is protesting the idea of a TIF district because they may “lose” tax dollars when the “overage” of taxes is poured back into improving the proposed business district; at least that is my understanding of how TIF districts work. But my way of thinking is that, for one, it is money they won’t lose because they never had it, and also, if that money goes back into improving
How Speak Out works
• Speak Out is a forum in which readers can express their opinion anonymously concerning local, state, national and international topics. Each call is limited to 200 words whether the caller calls 630-629TALK 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.
businesses, those businesses generate sales taxes, which will benefit the whole community. Just like the school districts around the proposed Bears stadium development have all but put a stop to that project, they are griping about money they never had. The development could potentially bring in lots of revenue. I call it greed, especially when Illinois still does not live up to the state constitution to fund the “preponderance” of what is supposed to be a free education. When will the school districts turn to the state to own up, and not continually the taxpayers, whose property tax bills are already sucking the life out of us with the education taxes? And to their credit, I don’t think I recall our Lombard school districts ever complaining when there has been a new TIF district.
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A recent commenter in Speak Out (Aug. 22) claimed that “illegal immigrants cannot vote.” What an ignorant statement. What’s to stop non-citizens from voting? Democrats are pushing driver’s licenses and voter registration forms for illegal immigrants. Democrats also fight against common sense proposals like photo ID and signature verification. By the way, we could fill this entire page with reports about voter fraud.
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Gee, why do I not hear Democrats shouting for gun control after the newest apparent assassination attempt against former President Trump? Every time there is a school, mall or any other shooting, they are so quick to call for more gun control, but nary a pundit seems to have called for more gun control after the two assassination attempts. Chicago has some of the strictest gun laws, but look at how that’s working out for them. How about enforcing the gun laws on the books, with no lenience?
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To the contributor of “Here he goes again”; bringing up the twice impeached (both times by partisan committee members, including Cheney and Kinzinger) on both times unsubstantiated and politically popular leftist charges, Trump’s “convictions”
Obituaries
JAMES M. BEGALE, 73
James M. Begale “Bubba,” age 73, of Lombard.
Beloved husband of Mary Ann, nee Majewski; loving father of Meghan (Jeffrey) Zirzow, Mark (Betina Yanez) Begale, Moira Begale, Michael (Jeffrey Ferrell) Begale, and Matthew Begale; devoted grandfather of Ethan, Eliza, and Mateo Begale; fond brother of William (the late Laura) Begale and the late Thomas Begale; brother-in-law of James and John Majewski; uncle of Joseph and John Begale, Jacqueline Panek, and the late James Majewski.
Services were held Sunday, September 22nd, 3-8PM at Knollcrest Funeral Home, 1500 S. Meyers Road, Lombard.
MICHAEL P. MOST
Michael P. Most, longtime Lombardian, passed away at his home surrounded by his family.
Mike was born to Edmund and Pauline Most on July 16th, 1947. Mike would go on to work at
of some already and others soon to be overturned by appeal due to gross improper procedure of law. Well, I would think Trump has the right to change his mind on issues, (re-flop on Florida abortion issue) just as I believe Harris has the right to change her mind on hers. Additionally, and it has been fact-checked and proven wrong, Trump never mocked military vets who were killed or captured, and the surviving vets know this, and that is one reason of many why most vets support the former president. He was the only presidential official to attend the wreath laying ceremony at Arlington (and he was invited to do so by the Afghanistan 13 families), as Biden had beach time to attend to, and Harris was likewise too busy to attend. No wonder that the Afghanistan 13 families publicly berated, derided and condemned Vice President Harris for her participation in the failure of the haphazard withdrawal and eventual murder of 13 of America’s finest.
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Hi, I just finished reading the last three issues of Villa Park and Lombard. Half of them spoke their feelings of the election. All Harris does is talk about Trump. What else can she do for us? No one knows because she hasn’t said anything that’s worth listening to. We are in big trouble, and that’s just the U.S. What about the foreign countries? How in one week can she receive all that money and Democrats supporting her? Sounds fishy and corrupt, which I am sure is what happened. She never finished what Biden told her to do. How can she help us? She can’t; she will be controlled by the Democratic Party not herself. She has to forget Trump and worry about herself and what she can do for the people. The White House should change their name to Senior Citizens Living. They both went to the clown college; she smiles and laughs and he dances. She just talked to Oprah and said she has a gun and will use it.
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To the caller/contributor who remarked about Trump and Project 2025 (Sept. 12 issue of Speak Out). Have you read this report? I have (900+
Plentywood Farm restaurant. There he would meet Patricia Lauten. They started dating and later got married.
Mike was the loving father of Stacey Dotson, Aaron (Carolyn) Dotson, Michael C. (Melanie) Most, and Ryan (Carolyn) Most. Caring grandpa of Jacob (Taylor) Dotson, Aaron P. Dotson, Katie Dotson, Kenna Most, and Myles Most. Great grandpa of Darien Dotson and Kynlee Dotson. Brother of Gary Most, Nancy (Steve) Cole and Patty Husslein.
You could always count on Mike to give you a smile. He liked cracking jokes and making folks laugh. He had an infectious personality, often making new friends around town. Mike was willing to lend a helping hand to those in need.
Mike served our nation in the United States Army during Vietnam. He was proud to serve his country. Later, Mike became involved with
pages), so according to your words, I have a right to refute your words. Project 2025 was authored by the Heritage Foundation. Yes, Trump has ties to members of the authors, as the Foundation is a conservative think tank (if you can wrap your brain around what a think tank actually is, it is not pre-law or proposed law or political influencing). I do not agree with everything in the document, but I do agree with much of it. Trump will not be referencing, enacting or relying on Project 2025 in his policies when elected president. Just more Democratic rhetoric, which I guess folks like you automatically swallow. He’s smart enough to enact his own ideas, but I can’t say the same for Harris, who has no definitive policies, as revealed in the debate, only “plans” (remember John Kerry’s “plans”?) which are never laid out in plain sight, only talked about. What are these plans? I have a good idea what they may be, and it doesn’t bode well for working Americans.
For the misinformed writer/caller saying Trump will be a “dictator” (Sept. 12 issue Speak Out). It is well known that Trump has said he will be a dictator on “day one,” which clearly means he’ll undo Biden’s catastrophic executive orders affecting our economy (shutting down the Keystone Pipeline, etc.), then revert to the normalcy of presidential duties thereafter. Again, dictator on day one. I support that. He will just be reversing Biden’s destructive orders/policies of executive orders. The U.S. Constitution will never support a dictatorship, as is stated in several of its articles. If you have no faith in our Constitution, then you probably should move out of the country.
While Russia continues the war in Ukraine, China continues to threaten to take over Taiwan, North Korea tests new ballistic missiles and the war in Gaza continues, what’s our big military announcement? We commissioned the first gender-neutral submarine. That’s quite a deterrent. Putin, President Xi, Kim Jong Un and the terrorists and mullahs throughout the Middle East must be rolling on the floor laughing.
the Villa Park VFW, volunteering and bartending there. He enjoyed the company there.
He was known for driving his segway through Lombard with his friend, Dusty Bird, on his shoulder. Mike was a parishioner at Christ the King Catholic Church in Lombard. Funeral Services are pending at Brust Funeral Home, 135 S. Main Street, Lombard. Donations in Mike’s name can be made to Cat Guardians, where Mike would volunteer (932 E St Charles Rd, Lombard, IL 60148 https://catguardians.org/). Info www. brustfuneralhome.com or 888-6290094.
ROGER H. NELSON
Roger H. Nelson, of Lombard, passed away at home on Sept.18, 2024.
A Funeral service was held on Thursday, Sept. 26, at 9:30 a.m. at Brust Funeral Home. Interment followed at Forest Hill Cemetery, Glen Ellyn. Info: www.brustfuneralhome. com or call 888-629-0094.
killing of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police the previous summer. But the push to reform the cash bond system in Illinois had begun years earlier.
In 2017, the Illinois Supreme Court formed a Commission on Pretrial Practices, charging it with studying and making recommendations about comprehensive pretrial reform. That commission issued a report in April 2020, a full month before Floyd’s murder.
In that report, the commission noted there was already a “growing national movement” underway focused on eliminating cash bail as a means of securing a defendant’s appearance in court because it resulted in people being detained in jail, sometimes for lengthy periods of time while awaiting trial, solely because of their inability to pay a cash bond.
The report called for a new pretrial system in which only people charged with specific violent offenses would be held while awaiting trial. It further recommended detention only if prosecutors could show they posed an “unmanageable level of risk” that they would commit more offenses while on release and that no conditions or set of conditions could be attached to their release that would mitigate that risk.
The law passed the General Assembly on Jan. 13, 2021. Gov. JB Pritzker signed it into law Feb. 22, prompting a flurry of lawsuits in circuit courts throughout the state by county sheriffs and state’s attorneys who challenged its constitutionality.
In December 2022, Pritzker signed an amendment to the original law that clarified which individuals and what crimes would be eligible for detention.
Then, just before the law was set to go into effect later that month, the Supreme Court put it on hold while it considered those challenges. But in a 5-2 ruling in July 2023, the court rejected those challenges, upheld the law as constitutional, and cleared the way for it to go into effect 60 days later, on Sept. 18, 2023.
In advance of the one-year anniversary of the new law, the Center for Criminal Justice released preliminary data from its ongoing effort to monitor the law’s impact.
One of the first things researchers noticed, Olson said, is that detention hearings now take considerably more time than they used to. In urban counties that handle large numbers of criminal cases, he said, the median length of a detention hearing went from four minutes before the law took effect to 16 minutes under the new rules.
Researchers also noticed a change in the issues discussed during those hearings. Prior to the new law, Olson said, most of the discussion centered on the offense being charged and the defendant’s criminal history. But since the new law went into effect, he said there is more focus on the strength of the evidence against the defendant as well as the risk the defendant poses to other individuals.
Also, he said, judges have begun providing more specific, detailed explanations for their decisions about whether to hold a defendant or place conditions on their release.
“Part of that is likely because this is a new law,” he said. “There are a lot of legal challenges on individual cases as to whether or not the person should have
been detained, and it’s likely the judges are trying to establish a clear record for those subsequent appeals. But part of it is also that the expectations of what is considered during the decision to detain are much more clearly articulated in the law, and the judge is likely trying to ensure that they kind of touch on all those things that have to be considered.”
But one issue that no longer comes up during detention hearings, he said, is money.
“Prior to the law going into effect, statewide about $140 million each year was paid by defendants in the form of posting money to secure their pretrial release,” he said. “No longer are they posting money to secure their pretrial release. So, $140 million is now remaining in the community.”
Meanwhile, Olson said, the research so far has not shown any significant change in the percentage of people who fail to appear for subsequent court hearings. Prior to the new law, he said, the failure-to-appear rate hovered around 17 percent, and since the law took effect it has been “statistically very similar,” at about 15 percent.
In addition, he said, the research so far has not documented any increase in crime as a result of defendants being released without posting bond.
“We can’t say whether it’s had an impact on crime,” Olson said. “But what we can say is, during the first six months of 2023 compared to the first
• CROP
six months of 2024, crime is not up in Illinois. It’s not up in Chicago. It’s not up in other urban areas. It’s not up in rural areas. It’s not up for violent crime. It’s not up for property crime.”
Olson emphasized that the findings so far are only preliminary because the law is still new and many of the most serious criminal cases that have been filed in the last year are still working their way through the court system.
But he said the research so far does appear to indicate that the basic theory behind the old cash bail system – that requiring someone to post a bond was necessary to protect public safety and secure a defendant’s later appearance in court – was fundamentally flawed.
“There’s plenty of empirical evidence that suggests that people posting money isn’t what guaranteed them showing up to court,” he said. “And part of it is to recognize where the money that they are posting comes from. It’s usually not the defendant’s money. It’s their family’s money.”
He noted money used to post bail was often never returned to the defendant under the previous system.
“And also the threat of losing your money if you don’t show up—for many defendants, they realize that they’re not going to see that money ever again, that if they’re convicted, that money is going to be used to pay fines and fees, all of which can still be imposed by the by the court,” he said.
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$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.
More information available from Great Prairie Trail CROP Hunger Walk coordinator Hester Bury at hesterbury@gmail.com.
Church of Lombard, 220 S. Main St., at 1
ly-friendly with a bounce house,
Pictured (left to right) are CROP Walk Coordinator Hester Bury (The Outreach House), Lew Mantels (Community Presbyterian Church), Corinne Flemm (First Church of Lombard UCC) and Betty Prorak (Christian Church of Villa Park). Contact Bury at hesterbury@gmail. com for more information. See photo on Page 1.
Coming events
GPS program Sept. 30
The GPS Parent Series: Navigating Healthy Families will host Dr. Edward Hallowell in a presentation titled “Driven to Distraction: The New Science to Shift from Deficits to Strengths – ADHD & More.” The program will be presented at noon and 7 p.m. Monday, Sept. 30, via Zoom. Go to the GPS Parent Series website for information and the links to these webinars. Please share information about this event with friends and relatives. To be placed on a reminder list for GPS events or submit a question in advance, contact Gilda Ross, Glenbard District 87 student and community projects coordinator, at gilda_ross@glenbard.org or 630942-7668.
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 goodies. Additionally, there will be an all-day concession area featuring lunch items and homemade soups. There is ample parking and admission is free.
Villa Park Library program
Jim “Harpdog” Hellen and Earl “da pearl” Rosen invite you to join them at the Villa Park Public Library on Saturday, Sept. 28, at 2 p.m. as they present an entertaining and educational program about the Chicago blues, its origin and its history. Both Jim and Earl are both accomplished blues musicians, educators and performance coaches who will give a new insight into the importance of this musical style. Registration is required. For more information, visit the library’s website at www.vppl. info, or call 630-834-1164.
Secretary of State warns Illinoisans of high-tech financial scams
Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias is issuing a warning to Illinois residents that scammers are leveraging new sophisticated technology to gain access to personal information and financial accounts.
“Artificial intelligence (AI) has made it more difficult for people to determine if requests coming from an email, text, phone call or even a video message are legitimate,” Giannoulias said. “Voice cloning and deepfake videos, used to fraudulently gain access and trust, are becoming more prevalent. Our Securities Department has been tasked with educating and protecting investors against these advanced scam attempts.”
The Illinois Secretary of State regulates the securities and investment advisory industries in Illinois and pursues an enforcement program designed to protect Illinois investors from those engaged in unlawful investment-related activities. The office is planning to conduct a series of public meetings later this fall to provide more details on how to detect deceptive scams and how to avoid them.
The advanced technology available allows scammers to broaden the threat posed beyond those who are unaware or vulnerable. Even the most cautious consumers are at risk of financial losses from enhanced AI-powered fraud attempts aimed
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. 17
Tony Morgan, 44, of Chicago, was charged with retail theft and contributing to the delinquency of a minor; Tyrone Meeks, 45, and Keyana Meeks, 25, both of Chicago, were charged with burglary and contributing to the delinquency of a minor; and Robyn Binion, 20, of Chicago, was charged with burglary, contributing to the delinquency of a minor and battery at a pharmacy in the 200 block of E. Roosevelt at 11:51 p.m.
A complainant reported at 3:35 p.m. that she was followed by a former co-worker from her place of employment in Lombard to the Villa Park Police Department.
A complainant at a liquor store in the 500 block of W. St. Charles reported that a suspect stole a bottle of liquor.
A complainant in the 1-100 block of W. Central reported at 9:07 p.m. that an unknown suspect forced entry into the building and stole money.
Sept. 16
John A. Clark, 27, of Hinsdale, was charged with DUI and no insurance in the 1-100 block of E. St. Charles at 6:51 p.m.
A complainant in the 1-100 block
at luring victims by promising quick profits with no risk.
“Financial scams can be as damaging emotionally as they are economically because of the betrayal of trust and feelings of embarrassment,” said Securities Department Director Chet Taylor. “Not only have I witnessed people falling victim to these types of scams, but I hear stories everyday of people who have had their lives completely altered because they trusted the wrong person.”
Giannoulias is raising awareness about these scams and encouraging the public to approach these requests with a healthy amount of skepticism so they can avoid giving out their personal identifiable information (PII), losing money or inadvertently squandering their life savings. The most prolific scams include:
• Deepfakes. Criminals have used AI to send dupe emails for several years, but recently have begun creating audio and video messages that impersonate real people to commit fraud. The visual and/or auditory likeness of senior bank officials, investment firm employees, government officials and even family members have been generated to deceive people into sending money to fraudulent accounts.
• Romance scams. Perpetrators connect with the victim through social media or a dating app to slowly
build a relationship through repeated virtual interactions before making emotional appeals for money.
• Ponzi schemes. Criminals create fake investments involving large numbers of investors—commonly with digital currency. The perpetrator typically creates fake account statements showing investments but when new funding dries up, the scheme collapses.
• Affinity scams. Scammers seek to gain the trust of a group of people they claim to be part of, such as a religious group or an ethnic group, and then exploit that trust by selling fraudulent investments. Investing itself comes with risks, but there are a few simple steps prospective investors can take:
• Validate identities. E-mails, texts, phone calls and video messages can be used to manufacture identities to more easily gain access to personal or financial information. Prospective investors should always validate the sender’s identity and their claims of representing an organization or company. They should also ask questions that have answers that are not publicly available.
• Check their record. Prospective investors can make sure the person offering an investment opportunity is licensed by visiting BrokerCheck or Investment Adviser Public Disclosure to check their license status and
disciplinary record.
• Avoid untrusted sources. Clicking on links or opening attachments from suspicious or untrusted sources should always be avoided. Before clicking on a link, it is recommended that the user hovers over the URL or website address to determine if it is a legitimate link. If a person receives a call requesting money or personal information, they should ask to call back and take time to confirm the caller’s legitimacy. It is recommended that individuals call the claimed source’s trusted number, especially if it differs from the number that called them to request information.
• Protect digital/social media accounts. All individuals should
strengthen their control over their accounts by boosting security settings, creating strong login credentials and protecting devices with anti-virus software.
• Trust your gut. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. All individuals should be wary of unsolicited sources that promise easy money.
• Report scams. Individuals can report scams to the Illinois Secretary of State’s Securities Division by calling 800-628-7937 or visiting www.ilsos. gov/departments/securities. The office will investigate the report and bring cases against those responsible for frauds, scams and other bad business practices.
of S. Monterey reported receiving harassing messages through a social messaging app.
Sept. 15
A complainant at a store in the 1-100 block of E. North reported at 9:13 p.m. that an unknown suspect removed an espresso machine from a display shelf and left with the item without paying for it.
Sept. 14
A complainant at a store in the 300 block of W. North reported at 12:27 p.m. that an unknown suspect stole a battery-powered scooter that had been left unsecured and unattended while the complainant was shopping.
A complainant at a store in the 900 block of S. Route 83 reported at 1:43 p.m. that a subject used the complainant’s Link card to purchase food, and then withdrew cash from the account.
Sept. 13
Jaris A. McCullum, 24, homeless, was charged with battery/disorderly conduct in the 300 block of N. Iowa at 3:14 a.m.
A subject in the 400 block of W. Division entered an unoccupied vehicle that was parked in a parking lot and stole sunglasses and a key.
A complainant at a business in the 100 block of W. Roosevelt reported at 1:12 p.m. that a victim came into the business with injuries, which were reportedly the result of a domestic battery that occurred at a home in Plainfield.
Two subjects at a restaurant in the 300 block of E. St. Charles at 10:37 p.m. damaged a wall during a physical altercation. Police were contacted
and the subjects fled.
A complainant in the 900 block of W. North reported at 11:25 p.m. they were battered by a subject.
Sept. 12
Two female juveniles, ages 14 and 15, respectively, were charged with battery/mob action at Willowbrook High School, 1250 S. Ardmore, at 1:56 p.m. Both juveniles were released to a parent.
Sept. 11
Ernesto Reyes, 21, of Villa Park, was charged with trespass to a residence—knowing one or more persons are present in the 400 block of W. Division. Police said Reyes was arrested on the above date for the alleged incident that occurred Aug. 20.
A complainant in the 200 block of E. Terry reported at 6:49 p.m. they are being harassed and threatened via messages sent to their Xbox. Additionally, a subject ordered pizza delivered to the residence unpaid on two occasions.
A complainant near S. Oakland and E. St. Charles reported at 7:42 p.m. that while driving west on St. Charles, a subject in a vehicle in the next lane threw a fountain drink cup filled with liquid at the complainant’s vehicle.
A subject at a store in the 200 block of W. Roosevelt removed an amplifier from a display shelf and left with the item without paying.
Identity theft, fraud
According to information provided by the Villa Park Police Department, police reported one incident of identity theft or fraud between Sept. 11 and Sept. 17.
Montini Catholic seniors gathered for a special Commissioning Mass and dinner Wednesday evening, Sept. 18. “Senior Commissioning Mass is the first opportunity for our new seniors to step up as leaders of our student body,” said Montini’s senior class moderator, Student Activities Director and teacher, Eric Brechtel. Rev. Jeff Stoneberg of Christ the King Parish in Lombard presided at the Mass. Shown here from left to right are Montini seniors Joseph Urizar (left) and Henry Dawson (right), both from Villa Park.
Pictured (left to right) are: Villa Park officers Stavroula Kappos, Cassandra Martinez, Elizabeth Gonzalez, Elsa Franco and Sonia Bregman.
SUBMITTED PHOTO Rock Valley Publishing
Seniors celebrate leadership at special Mass
SUBMITTED PHOTO Rock Valley Publishing
Women in blue
The Villa Park Police Department recognized its female members on National Police Woman Day (Sept. 12). “We recognize our women in blue for their exceptional service and leadership in law enforcement,” noted a police department statement. “Their bravery and resilience serve as an inspiration for future officers.”
Feel Great About Your Smile!
We make major dental work easy, comfortable and affordable for today’s seniors. Come in today for a consultation, and let us put a smile on your face!
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. Unequaled
5. __-fi (slang)
8. Synthetic resin
11. Chadic language Bura-__
13. Influential come Election
Day
14. Bucket
15. European river
16. Earn a perfect score
17. Horizontal passage
18. Barely sufficient
20. Dekaliter
21. Goo Goo Dolls hit
22. Australian city
25. Female servants
30. Plumbing fixtures
31. Tooth caregiver
32. Book of Esther antagonist
33. Say aloud
38. Thyrotrophic hormone
41. Absolute
43. Untimely
45. Area or neighborhood
47. Juicy fruit
49. Expresses distaste, disapproval
50. S. American rodents
55. Swedish rock group
56. Influential American president
57. Volume
59. Begged
60. Resinlike substance secreted by certain lac insects
61. Spiritual leader of a Jewish congregation
62. Good friend
63. Body part
64. Tableland
CLUES DOWN
1. Barrels per day (abbr.)
2. Body parts
3. Invests in little enterprises
4. Rock legend Turner
5. Dug into
6. Laughed
7. Northern European nation
8. San Diego ballplayer
9. Eight
10. Substitutes (abbr.)
12. Moved swiftly on foot
14. Compensated
19. Volcano in the Philippines
23. Speak ill of
24. One who publishes
25. Expression of bafflement
26. Macaws
27. Matchstick game
28. We all have our own
29. Divinatory
34. Explosive
35. Follows sigma
36. Sea eagle
37. Type of bread
39. Bit used with a set of reins
40. Time away from work
41. Parts per thousand (abbr.)
42. Lots on your plate (abbr.)
44. Actor Brosnan
45. It’s part of packaging
46. Towards the oral region
47. Public Theater creator Joseph
48. Ancient Syrian city
51. Swiss river
52. Mollusk
53. A French abbot
54. Hoagies
58. Not present (slang)
You must bring your colored�in pumpkin to the Elmhurst Lions Club Pumpkin Patch, at Wild Meadows Trace Park, 511 S York St, Elmhurst, between South ST and Vallette, Deliver it into designated, secured mailbox located by the Lion ’s paybox.
and the 20th
DuPAGE DESTINATIONS
& Entertainment Guide to the Western Suburbs
Haunted houses in and around DuPage County; visit them … if you dare
13th Floor Haunted House—5050 River Road, Schiller Park. Open on selected nights through Nov. 9. Premium valet parking is offered by One Spot O’Hare Airport Parking, located at 9500 River St, Schiller Park, right next to the haunted house. For more information, visit: https://13thfloorchicago.com.
Basement of the Dead and Shattered 3D Haunted House Aurora Takes place in a 121-year-old building that will give you the chills. Open now through Nov. 6. Purchasing tickets online will guarantee you entry and will be cheaper than buying at the door. For more information, call 630-896-2466 or visit: https://basementofthedead.com/.
Disturbia Haunted House Chicago—1213 Butterfield Road, Downers Grove. Open now through Nov. 3. Free parking, restrooms/porta potties onsite, food/concessions, gift shop/souvenirs, special events
and a “hi-tech” attraction. You will not be touched. You are encouraged to purchase tickets online. For more information, times and ticket prices, visit; https://hauntedhousedisturbia. com/.
Evil Intentions 45W050 Beith Road, Maple Park—Open from Oct. 4 through Nov. 2 at 7 p.m. Evil Intentions Haunted House has moved from Elgin and has snagged its insidious roots in the grounds of Forsaken Hollow in Maple Park near Routes 47 and 64. For more information and ticket prices, visit: https://eihaunt. com
HellsGate Haunted House—3101 Canal Street, Lockport. Open now through Nov. 2. Parking located at 301 W. 2nd St., Lockport. Buses shuttle to/from there. You must park here! HellsGate is a multi-level mansion deep in the woods. General admis-
See HAUNTED HOUSES, Page 15
Maple Street Concerts welcome back Celtic American roots band RUNA on Oct.
Maple Street Concer ts welcomes back innovative, awardwinning, five-piece Celtic Roots Music RUNA. The concert takes place at the historic Maple Street Chapel, 200 S Main St., Lombard on Saturday Oct. 5 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $25. RUNA performed at Maple Street Concerts in 2017 to a sold-out audience. Celebrating 15 years together, this Celtic-American Roots music “supergroup” continues to push the boundaries of Irish folk music into the Americana and roots music formats. Interweaving the haunting melodies and exuberant tunes of Ireland and Scotland with the lush harmonies and intoxicating rhythms of jazz, bluegrass, flamenco, and blues, they offer a thrilling and redefining take on traditional music. RUNA creates the backbone of its signature roots sound from the diverse musical backgrounds and geographical origins of its individually established band members. RUNA consists of vocalist and step-dancer, Shannon Lambert-Ryan of Philadelphia; GRAMMY-nominated, Dublin-born guitarist; Fionán de Barra; Cheryl Prashker of Canada on percussion; Jake James of New York on the fiddle; and Tom Fitzgerald of Canada on mandolin and vocals. “We are super excited to present RUNA again,” said Melissa Dagenhart, concert booker for the series, “They are lively, engaging, fun, and their musicianship is of the highest caliber.” Advance tickets are $26.50 online (with processing fee), and pre-sales end at noon on the day of show. Door sales are cash or check only, pending availability. All sales are final-no refunds or exchanges. For more information, visit: www.maplestreetconcerts.org.
DuPage Desitnations
Your Dining & Entertainment Guide to the Western Suburbs
• Haunted houses
mission: $40 plus fees online; $45 plus fees on site. For times, ticket prices and more information, visit: www.hellsgate.com.
Hayride of Horror/Curse of the Bayou—199 E. Woods Drive (Dellwood Park), Lockport. Open from 7-10 p.m. Oct. 4-5, 11-12, 18-20 and 25-27 Admission: From $15. For more information visit: www.lockportpark. org/HayrideOfHorror/curseofthebayou.
Massacre Haunted House—299 Montgomery Road, Montgomery. Open now through Nov. 2. Newly renovated every year and ready to deliver the scares, The Massacre offers over 30,000 square feet of sheer nightmares for your enjoyment. General admission: $34.99. Fast pass: $49.99. For tickets and more information, visit: https://fearthemassacre.com/.
Midnight Terror Haunted House—5520 W. 111th St., Oak Lawn, located on the north side of 111th across the street from Chapel Hill Garden South Cemetery in Oak Lawn. Midnight Terror’s expansive playground progresses throughout 26,000 square feet. Open now through Nov. 3 and Nov. 8-9 (clown takeover) starting at 7 p.m. For tickets and more information, visit: https://midnightterrorhauntedhouse.com/.
Nightmare on Chicago Street, Elgin—From 6-11 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19, The City of Elgin is gearing up for another unforgettable Nightmare on Chicago Street. Presented by the Zombie Defense Initiative, this year’s event promises an experience like no other. Special guest: MeTV’s Svengoolie. This event is for adults 17-and-older. Those under 17 are admitted with, and must remain with, a parent or guard-
(Continued from page 14)
ian at all times. For more information, visit: www.nightmareonchicagostreet. com.
Silverwood Screams—461 Silverwood Court, Winfield. Open at dusk until 10 p.m. now through Oct. 31. Do you have the courage to enter Silverwood Court and confront the horrors that await you? For tickets and more information, visit: www.illinoishauntedhouses.com/halloween/ silverwood-screams-il.html.
Terror Roulete—The Arboretum of South Barrington at the corners of Route 59 and 72, just north of I-90. Open now through Oct. 31 at 6:45 p.m. This is a terrifying encounter where thrill-seekers willingly surrender themselves to the sadistic whims of fate. A twisted game of fear, where boundaries are shattered, and nightmares become an unsettling reality. For more information and tickets, visit: https://terrorroulette.com.
The Old Joliet Haunted Prison—401 Woodruff Road, Joliet. Open now on selected nights through Nov. 2 at 7 p.m. The Old Joliet Haunted Prison is Chicago’s only haunt inside a real abandoned prison. Ticket prices start at $29.99. For more information, visit: https://hauntedprison.com
Undead Acres—3450 W. Crete Monee Road, Monee (Santa Fe Landscaping & Nursery): Open every Friday, Saturday and Sunday through Nov. 2. Join us on a zombie hunting safari, wielding your trusty paintball gun against the legions of undead. Will you survive? Admission: $30 per person credit; $25 per person cash includes 80 paintballs, gun rental and unlimited compressed air. For more information, visit: www.undeadacres.com.
Worship Services Directory
779 S. York Street Elmhurst, IL 630-834 -6700 www.visitationparish.org
St. Timothy Evangelical Lutheran Church 547 N. Main St., Lombard, IL 60148 630-627-2435
Sunday Worship at 10:15 am
Lent and Easter Services at 7 p.m.
Sunday School & Bible Study 9 am Wednesday Service at 7pm
“The Crucial Hours”
Second Lenten Service March 9, 2022
Rev. David Ernest “Satan Has Asked to Sift All of You” Jerusalem Lutheran, Morton Grove Matthew 27:15-26
Adult Bible Study 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
Weekend Masses: Saturday: 4 PM (Vigil) Sunday: 7:30, 9:30 & 11:30 AM and 6 PM
March 30, 2022
Rev. Tom Nicholson “They Bound Him” Resurrection, Aurora John 18:12
Sixth Lenten Service April 6, 2022
Rev. Phil Schupmann “The Semblance of Legality” Resurrection, Aurora Luke 22:66
Daily Masses: Monday—Friday: 6:15 and 8:15 AM Saturday: 8:15 AM
Confessions: Saturday: 3-3:45PM
Maundy Thursday Communion 7 p.m., April 14
Good Friday Tenebrae 7 p.m., April 15
Easter Sunrise 6:30 a.m., April 17
Easter Breakfast 8 a.m., April 17
Adoration: Available in Our Lady Mother of the Eucharist Chapel 24/7
Easter Festival 10:15 a.m., April 17
LEGAL NOTICES
VILLAGE OF BENSENVILLE ANNUAL TREASURER’S REPORT FOR THE 12 MONTH FISCAL YEAR JANUARY 1, 2023 – DECEMBER 31, 2023
Pursuant to 30 ILCS 15/1 of the State Statutes, the following is a statement of receipts and disbursements and a summary of operations of the funds of the Village of Bensenville for the 12-month fiscal year January 1, 2023 through December 31, 2023
VILLAGE OF BENSENVILLE PAYROLL DISBURSEMENTS JANUARY 1, 2023 THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2023
SON-LEE, ALYSSA L; MORTLEY, ANTHONY; HERFF, KIMBERLY; JUAREZ, JESSICA D; RODRIGUEZ, UBALDO; BUSH, KIMBERLY; TESSLER, DONALD; VANDENBRANDEN, STEVEN G; SKURSKI, STEPHEN; ZAGER, BASIL; BROOKS, TYRONE; HAMPTON, MARIA; POWERS, EDILIA; LEHMAN, THOMAS C; MILLER, ALAN; ARQUETTE, NICHOLAS; BARAN, CAROL L; THORPE, THOMAS; PULASKI, MONIKA; MLYNEK, KARINA A; DACIC, JOVANA;ENGLISH, VINCENT W; ALLER, KEITH; ZAPOTOCZNY, RAFAL; ACKERMAN, JOSEPH M; NORRIS, CHAD; ARTMAN, ANTHONY; GAERLAN, COLIN; CZERWIN, LOUIS; DUSZA, CHRISTOPHER; BERANEK, MICHAEL J Employees Who Received Compensation Between $75,000 and $99,999.99: LUSTRO, JOHN J; WILLIAMSEN, COREY R; D’AQUILA, SUSAN; CONTRERAS, CLAUDIA; SCHULTZ, DONALD H; PHELAN, BRIAN; JACKSON, JOHN; TRUJILLO, RODRIGO; KRAJEWSKI, ADAM; BARBA, JACK J; MARTIN, WILLIAM; HERFF, RONALD; MCMANUS, JULIE; KOWALCZYK, CHRISTOPHER; BENNETT, TERRY; GREB, GREGORY; TARNACKI, THOMAS; ATKINS, NATHANIEL T; PIETRASZEK, ANDRZEJ; LUCHT, LISA; LYNAUGH, JOSEPH; WRONKIEWICZ, THADDEUS J; LAVINE, CHRISTOPHER R; MIRANDOLA, CARMEN C; PALUMBO, FRANK; KNEIFEL, DAVID V; RIBANDO, MARY F; SUMNER, ANTHONY; LEYVA, MARISOL; SZABELSKI, RYAN; TYSON, JASON
Employees Who Received Compensation Between $100,000 and $124,999.99: GUEST, SHARON M; ORTIZ, JUAN M; KADLEC, ADAM; HARGETT, BRADLEY; SWAYNE, MARK; SMITH, VINCE; HEPPERT, CHRISTOPHER L; REYNOLDS, BRANDON R; NAVARRO, JOSE D; JONES, CHRISTOPHER; STEPHENS, DEXTER A; PALASIEWICZ, MICHAEL; VALOIS, ALISON; FINNER, TODD B; LABUZ, WALTER; SCANLAN, PATRICK; LA PORTE, RICHARD J; BANKS, KEVIN M; MATHEW, LIBU; MACZKO, JEFFREY
Employees Who Received Compensation over $125,000: LANPHIER, ERIK; LARSON, MICHAEL C; POZSGAY, KURTIS; CASILLAS, KRISTIAN; CHA, AARON; MELONE, JOSEPH; FLYNN, SEAN; HERRERA, SAUL; SANBORN, DOUGLAS C; DAVIES, ANDERSON; SWANSON, BRADLEY; PTAK, MICHAEL T; ZODROW, ERIC S; WILSON, JULIANN M; DOOLEY, BRIAN P; SCHULZE, DANIEL J; CARACCI, JOSEPH M; SUMMERS, EVAN
VILLAGE OF BENSENVILLE VENDOR DISBURSEMENTS JANUARY 1, 2023 THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2023
BLOOZE BROTHERS BAND $2,500.00; RITE-WAY COMPLIANCE GROUP LLC
$3,089.00; CONSERV FS $3,100.12; FACTORY MOTOR PARTS $3,177.50; LEYVA, MARISOL (E) $3,182.94; MILLER INDUSTRIAL, LLC $3,207.84; AQUALAB WATER TREATMENT, INC.
$3,226.50; US PLUMBING & HEATING SUPPLY CO INC $3,291.06; ADDISON BUILDING MATERIAL, CO. $3,295.96; ILLINOIS COMMUNICATIONS SALES INC $3,308.00; UNIVERSAL FILM EXCHANGES $3,327.47; ADVANCE AUTO PARTS $3,337.08; ULINE $3,380.92; SCOT DECAL COMPANY $3,395.00; SUMMERS, EVAN K. (E) $3,400.50; ASSURANCE FIRE & SAFETY, INC. $3,423.30; 7TH HEAVEN BAND, LLC $3,500.00; DUPAGE CO. CHILDREN’S CENTER $3,500.00; MURRAY H WEINER $3,500.00; ALADTEC, INC. $3,534.00; CENTRAL SOD FARMS, INC. $3,550.80; BUSINESS STORAGE, INC. $3,559.00; THE STEVENS GROUP $3,560.00; ARCO MECHANICAL EQUIPMENT SALES $3,564.00; REINKE PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES, P.C. $3,600.00; H&H ELECTRIC CO. $3,644.53; SMG SECURITY SYSTEMS, INC. $3,717.55; FULTON SIREN SERVICES $3,798.36; AED PROFESSIONALS $3,811.00; JOHNSTON, GARY $3,859.38; AMERIGAS PROPANE LP $3,885.62; UNDERGROUND PIPE & VALVE CO. $3,894.00; FERRELLGAS $3,901.32; AMERICAN ENGLISH $4,000.00; GEM CAR WASH $4,089.00; LEADSONLINE LLC $4,151.00; JULIE INC $4,175.34; CONSOLIDATED FLOORING OF CHICAGO LLC $4,245.60; INTERSTATE BILLING SERVICE, INC. $4,249.94; RUSSO POWER EQUIPMENT $4,345.31; FULLIFE SAFETY LLC $4,433.73; GSM ENGINEERED FABRICS LLC $4,459.68; POLICE LAW INSTITUTE, INC $4,480.00; PHYSICIANS IMMEDIATE CARE CHICAGO LLC $4,484.00; NORTH EAST MULTI-REGIONAL TRAINING, INC $4,485.00; LUCHT, LISA $4,493.07; ROCK VALLEY PUBLISHING, LLC $4,544.71; WINCAN, LLC $4,545.00; BENSENVILLE PARK DISTRICT $4,556.25; HD SUPPLY WHITE CAP
$4,570.24; SERVICE SANITATION, INC. $4,593.75; COMMISSION ON ACCREDITATION FOR $4,595.00; OVERHEAD DOOR OF LAKE & MCHENRY COUNTIES $4,609.51; GASAWAY DISTRIBUTORS, INC. $4,661.00; EVERMORE LIFTING GEAR $4,692.00; GREAT LAKES COCA-COLA DISTRIBUTION, LLC $4,761.77; ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE $4,798.00; K-TECH SPECIALTY COATING, INC $4,810.48; CARDINAL FENCE & SUPPLY, INC.
$4,823.74; COMMON CENTS EMS SUPPLY LLC $4,855.00; JOSEPH CARACCI (E) $4,856.47; CHIQUITA FOOD MARKET BENSENVILLE INC. $4,927.44; TRANSYSTEMS CORPORATION
$5,000.00; WALT DISNEY STUDIOS MOTION PICTURES $5,010.03; VERMEER-ILLINOIS, INC. $5,040.88; RONCO INDUSTRIAL SUPPLY COMPANY
Employees Who Received Compensation Between $25,000 and $49,999.99: RIVERA, MARIA D; DE SIMONE, FRANK; CRUZ, MARIA J; RILEY, STEPHEN; SANTOYO, BELEN; CASTELLANOS, ALISSON; MOZURAITIS, MARIUS; PASSIALIS, ROSANNE; MUI, BRANDON; BELLISSIMO, BRUNO; PANOS, JOANNIS; DREISBACH, DANIEL; KELLY, ASHLEY N
Employees Who Received Compensation Between $50,000 and $74,999.99: MUNOZ, NATHANIEL; VAN ALLEN, NINA L; BUENO, SONIA; ARNE-
$2,500.00; SIMPLY BRIAN PRODUCTIONS, LLC $2,500.00; AUTOMATIC BUILDING CONTROLS, LLC $2,520.00; MAYEKAWA USA $2,521.53; SAUBER MFG. CO. $2,524.55; LIVING WATERS ARTISTRY $2,542.50; CARMEN SALINAS $2,550.00; ILLINOIS PHLEBOTOMY SERVICES, LLC $2,550.00; JACK DOHENY COMPANIES INC $2,574.75; GREAT LAKE THEATRE SERVICE, LTD
$2,625.00; PERMIDT ENGINEERING LIMITED $2,625.00; KUHLMAN INCORPORATED $2,638.00; CED $2,694.07; LEACH ENTERPRISES, INC. $2,733.44; DTN, LLC $2,736.00; HACH COMPANY
$2,798.91; SB FRIEDMAN DEVELOPMENT ADVISORS, LLC $2,825.00; DLT SOLUTIONS LLC $2,884.94; SAFEGUARD WATERPROOFING $2,964.08; CARMEN MIRANDOLA (E) $2,972.58; DISPLAY SALES $2,996.82; BENSENVILLE ARTS COUNCIL $3,000.00; CONNER, KEVIN $3,000.00; SARAH’S PONY RIDES INC $3,025.00; THOMPSON RENTAL STATION, INC. $3,030.88; RED WING BUSINESS ADVANTAGE ACCOUNT $3,034.34; KOMLINE-SANDERSON ENGINEERING CORPORATION $3,042.42; TK ELEVATOR $3,053.76; JEFFERY MACZKO (E) $3,054.15; APWA
$5,070.77; SPORTSFIELDS, INC
$5,147.86; BRIGHT DIRECTIONS
$5,200.00; CONRAD POLYGRAPH, INC. $5,302.50; JORSON & CARLSON CO, INC. $5,306.08; PROSAFETY $5,316.20; GIS CONSORTIUM $5,334.00; THE BREWER COMPANY $5,455.17; KUSTOM SIGNALS, INC $5,645.32; WEST CENTRAL MUNICIPAL CONFERENCE
$5,650.00; VASILIKI LETSOS $5,822.50; RITEWAY PEST CONTROL, INC. $5,825.00; OZINGA MATERIALS, INC.
$5,908.25; CORDOGIANNES ENTERPRISES $6,000.00; CIVICPLUS $6,010.91; OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY $6,101.12; SITEONE LANDSCAPE SUPPLY, LLC
$6,119.55; BARRICADE LITES OF IL., INC. $6,136.50; ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION $6,174.84; DUPAGE TOPSOIL, INC. $6,190.00; ATLAS BOBCAT, LLC $6,203.31; WALKER PROCESS EQUIPMENT $6,208.84; INNOVATIVE DATA SOLUTIONS, INC. $6,237.12; CELLEBRITE, INC. $6,395.00; MONTY’S BANQUETS $6,495.00; METROPOLITAN EMERGENCY RESPONSE & INVESTIGATION $6,500.00; CHRIST PANOS FOODS CORPORATION
Coming events
Lombard Farmers Market
The Lombard Farmers Market will end the season with its last market on Tuesday, Oct. 1, from 3-7 p.m. in downtown Lombard on the corner of S. Park Ave. and W. St. Charles Rd.
Enjoy music from singer/songwriter True Adkins, sponsored by JL Vintage Odds and Ends. Shop seasonal fruits, vegetables, bread, treats for your pet and other handcrafted goods. Grab a bite to eat at one of our downtown restaurants. The Lombard Farmers Market is brought to you by the Lombard Area Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Thanks for a great season, Lombard.
Shred event Sept. 28
Shred your confidential documents, donate paper goods to The Outreach House on Sept. 28. If you have a filing cabinet overflowing with outdated personal records, state Rep. Terra Costa Howard is joining forces with State Sen. Laura Ellman to host a Shred Event and Paper Products Drive on Saturday, Sept. 28, from 9 a.m. to noon at Lombard Village Hall, 255 E. Wilson Ave. They are asking “shredders” to bring along donations of some essential household paper products, such as toilet paper and paper towels (new and in the original wrapping, of course.) Donations will benefit The Outreach House in Lombard. For more information, you can email reptch42@ gmail.com or 630-812-9292.
LEGAL NOTICES
MECHANIC’S LIEN NOTICE
This notice is to enforce a Mechanic’s Lien pursuant to Chapter 770 ILCS 45/1 et seq., and 901 et seq., against: Kmiecik Justin T for the following vehicle, 1989 BMW 750IL VIN number WBAGC8315K3056541, for the amount owed of $16,490.00. A sale will be held at Windy Auto Sales, 865 Fairway Dr., Bensenville, IL 60106 after October 11, 2024, unless redeemed by owner within 30 days of the date of the first publication of this notice.
(Published in the Addison Independent, Bensenville Independent & Villa Park Review Sept. 26, Oct. 3, 10 & 17, 2024) 461697
NOTICE
CERTIFICATE NO. 79508 was filed in 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
$6,657.65; TRU-GREEN
$6,681.75; FLOW-TECHNICS, INC.
$6,730.00; NAMEONANYTHING.COM
$6,739.48; ASTROBLAST, INC.
$6,755.00; DUPAGE CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU
in
Addison Independent, Bensenville Independent & Villa Park Review Sept. 26, 2024) 461614
$6,843.95; FRANCE MEDIA, INC.
$6,800.00; AQUAJOY SPA AND POOL, INC.
$6,850.00; BODY MASTERS
$6,960.03; LA GRANGE CRANE SERVICE INC
$6,994.00; HAYES COMMERCIAL LLC
$7,000.00; CONSTRUCTION & GEOTECHNICAL MATERIAL TESTING, INC.
$7,145.00; TEMPERATURE EQUIPMENT CORP
$7,189.70; NAPA AUTO PARTS $7,415.70; BATTERY SERVICE CORPORATION
$7,457.73; TRAFFIC CONTROL CORPORATION
$7,475.00; JIM JOLLY SALES INC
$7,505.13; NEUCO, INC.
$7,637.49; WATER WELL SOLUTIONS ILLINOIS LLC
$7,640.00; MORDUE MOVING & STORAGE INC
$7,649.37; AQUA PURE ENTERPRISES, INC.
$7,867.35; THOMAS A. MOLLOY, LTD.
$17,963.26; ARROW ROAD CONSTRUCTION, CO. $17,998.91; LAUREL JELONEK $18,112.50; NET ASSETS CORPORATION $18,162.00; STATE DISBURSEMENT UNIT $18,301.62; DUPAGE METROPOLITAN ENFORCEMNT GRP $18,720.00; PANORAMIC LANDSCAPING $18,925.00; DIVERSIFIED AUDIO GROUP, INC. $19,600.00; INNOVATIVE UNDERGROUND LLC
$20,000.00; CDS OFFICE TECHNOLOGIES $20,852.09; PACE SUBURBAN BUS DIVISION OF THE REGIONAL
$21,284.59; MDS TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
$21,345.00; STAPLES CONTRACT & COMMERCIAL INC $21,388.20; EDWARD R. KIRBY & ASSOCIATES, INC.
$21,823.85; WENTWORTH TIREBENSENVILLE $21,953.85; UMB BANK, F/B/O PLANMEMBER $22,129.38; AFSCME $22,178.90; LANER MUCHIN, LTD $22,507.18; THE SHAKE GUYS LLC
$23,153.56; MCGINTY BROS. INC
$23,308.31; PEERLESS NETWORK, INC
$8,029.52; GRANICUS
$7,960.00; NORTHERN LIGHTS DISPLAY LLC
$8,268.00; CINTAS
$8,372.81; AMS MECHANICAL SYSTEMS, INC.
$8,404.75; PRECISE DIGITAL PRINTING INC
$8,470.50; ONSOLVE, LLC
$8,500.94; TOUGH OUTLET
$8,640.00; DPS EQUIPMENT SERVICES, INC.
$8,650.00; R.N.O.W., INC
$8,670.54; ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF EMPLOYMENT SECURITY $8,698.00; THE DAVEY TREE EXPERT COMPANY
$8,820.00; U.S. UPFITTERS / INLAD
$8,840.28; THOMSON REUTERS - WEST
$8,862.81; HARD ROCK CONCRETE CUTTERS, INC.
$9,223.01; ENERGENECS, INC.
$9,258.27; DUPAGE COUNTY RECORDER $9,613.00; BENSE VILLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DISTRICT 2 $9,824.66; JOHN NERI CONSTRUCTION CO., INC.
$9,950.00; DAILY HERALD
$10,101.32; TRANSCHICAGO TRUCK GROUP
$10,209.95; GREAT LAKES DISTRIBUTING INC $10,256.50; GEIB INDUSTRIES, INC. $10,340.88; TWIN SUPPLIES LTD
$10,592.00; AFLAC $10,634.52; WEST SIDE TRACTOR SALES CO $10,647.35; GOLD MEDAL-CHICAGO $10,703.46; JGH TECHNOLOGIES
$10,989.22; DUPAGE COUNTY COLLECTOR $11,008.06; ACS ENTERPRISES, INC. $11,089.80; BARBA, JACK (E) $11,135.53; CONSULTING ENGINEERING INC
$11,600.00; METROPOLITAN INDUSTRIES, INC.
$11,657.59; MID-STATES ORGANIZED CRIME INFORMATION CTR $11,700.00; MWM CONSULTING GROUP, INC. $11,700.00; AUSTIN MEADE FINANCIAL LTD $11,725.00; BECKER ARENA PRODUCTS, INC.
$12,012.86; DUPAGE RIVER/SALT CREEK WORKGROUP
$12,067.00; O’REILLY AUTO PARTS
$12,599.11; MOTOROLA SOLUTIONS
$12,647.00; THE CINCINNATI LIFE INSURANCE CO $12,750.92; DUPAGE MAYORS AND MANAGERS $12,918.74; GREEN STREET GRILLE $12,928.80; AMERICAN CONSERVATION & BILLING SOLUTIONS, INC. $12,935.00; MUNICIPAL SYSTEMS, LLC $13,077.00; LARRY ROESCH VOLKSWAGEN $13,095.64; MCMASTER-CARR $13,184.36; SINNOTT TREE SERVICE INC
$13,445.00; ANDERSON LOCK CO. $13,490.25; HERSHEY CREAMERY COMPANY
$14,803.52; LAI, LTD. $14,993.27; C&C POWER, INC. $15,200.00; GRAINGER
$15,267.65; A-SPECIAL ELECTRIC SERVICE & SUPPLY $15,275.43; FLOCK SAFETY $15,350.00; SUPERIOR ROAD STRIPING $15,395.45; WESTMORE SUPPLY CO, INC. $15,406.24; ILLINOIS TENT RENTALS $15,472.75; EXCEL SCREEN PRINTING AND EMBROIDERY, INC. $15,474.42; APGN, INC. $15,691.21; MENARDS $15,761.43; METROPOLITAN ALLIANCE POLICE
$16,245.00; GONZALES COMPANIES, LLC $16,506.51; ACTIVE NETWORK, LLC $16,713.20; WAREHOUSE DIRECT, INC. $16,766.63; ILLINOIS STATE POLICE $16,833.00; KEMCO MANUFACTURING LLC $16,851.64; S & G THOR CORPORATION $17,300.00; GRAYBAR ELECTRIC COMPANY $17,390.07; MEADE, INC. $17,727.98; T-MOBILE
$23,392.78; SOLENIS, LLC $23,915.99; THOMAS HERRERA LANDSCAPING
$24,340.00; BEST QUALITY FACILITY SERVICES, LLC $25,045.00; GROVE MASONRY MAINTENANCE INC
$25,200.00; ALEXANDER CHEMICAL CORP. $25,727.85; EX-STINK PLUMBING & SEWER $26,809.00; STANDARD EQUIPMENT CO. $26,811.13; QUADIENT FINANCE USA, INC. $27,352.28; TRAFFIC CONTROL & PROTECTION
$27,549.25; ST. AUBIN NURSERY & LANDSCAPING $28,300.00; RMC MECHANICAL SERVICES $28,747.55; ROWELL CHEMICAL CORPORATION
$29,705.50; USABLUEBOOK $29,825.75; STRAND ASSOCIATES, INC. $30,066.24; TOSCAS LAW GROUP LLC $30,900.00; BENSENVILLE POSTMASTER; $31,752.23; AYRE PRODUCTIONS
$33,852.00; RAY O’HERRON CO, INC.
$33,963.58; STEINER ELECTRIC COMPANY $34,182.50; UNIVAR USA INC
$36,178.00; CLARKE ENVIRONMENTAL MOSQUITO MAN $37,240.00; THIRD MILLENNIUM ASSOCIATES, INC. $38,194.30; VIAN CONSTRUCTION CO., INC. $38,950.00; PAYLOCITY
$39,245.67; MARC KRESMERY CONSTRUCTION LLC $39,770.00; DUPAGE COUNTY TREASURER $41,055.97; MAREN RONAN, LTD $42,000.00; GOVHR USA, LLC $43,904.92; WESTBROOK STRATEGIC CONSULTANTS
$45,000.00; COMCAST $45,146.40; ZIEBELL WATER SERVICE $46,117.48; MARQUARDT & BELMONTE P.C.
$46,251.23; JAMES J BENES & ASSOCIATES, INC. $46,380.13; TERRY’S FORD OF PEOTONE, INC $46,653.00; CDW GOVERNMENT, INC. $46,791.71; MIAND INC $48,500.00; CARTEGRAPH SYSTEMS, INC. $48,618.85; NORTHEAST DUPAGE FAMILY & YOUTH SERVICES, INC. $48,722.00; GW & ASSOCIATES PC $49,000.00; KNAPHEIDE-EQUIPMENT CO CHICAGO $49,806.28; WINKLER’S TREE & LANDSCAPING, INC $50,136.90; RES PUBLICA GROUP $52,000.00; B & F CONSTRUCTION CODE SERVICES, INC $54,073.00; VERIZON WIRELESS $57,380.68; VILLAGE OF ITASCA $58,112.04; ENGINEERING RESOURCE
ASSOCIATES, INC. $66,334.52; NICOR $69,656.83; THORNTONS, INC. $72,279.02; CITY OF WOOD DALE $73,443.27; SUBURBAN LABORATORIES INC. $73,971.73; THOMAS INTERIOR SYSTEMS, INC $77,295.49; TRIA ARCHITECTURE INC $77,622.87; COMPASS MINERALS AMERICA, INC.
$79,907.26; MONTANA & WELCH, LLC
$82,803.26; HENDERSON PRODUCTS, INC. $85,673.09; CORE & MAIN LP $91,722.56; EDWIN HANCOCK ENGINEERING, CO. $92,967.75; JOE RIZZA FORD OF ORLAND PARK $94,510.52; HR GREEN, INC. $94,582.40; HEY AND ASSOCIATES INC $94,964.09; MUNICIPAL GIS PARTNERS, INC. $95,820.45; GLOBE CONSTRUCTION, INC.
$97,142.50; DAHME MECHANICAL INDUSTRIES, INC. $98,086.00; STEWART SPREADING, INC. $108,794.20; MESIROW INSURANCE SERVICES, INC.
$108,830.00; L A R LAWN & GROUNDS CORP $111,670.04; AL PIEMONTE FORD SALES, INC. $113,306.00; BAXTER & WOODMAN $116,997.91; THOMAS ENGINEERING GROUP LLC $127,598.26; CLIMATE BY DESIGN INTERNATIONAL INC $127,683.00; TYLER TECHNOLOGIES, INC. $130,908.43; COMMONWEALTH EDISON $135,050.23; BLA, INC. $137,704.40; CHARLES EQUIPMENT ENERGY SYSTEMS, LLC $143,139.13; UTILITY SERVICE COMPANY, INC. $159,366.00; GERARDI SEWER & WATER CO $160,565.04; 7 LAYER SOLUTIONS. INC. $161,155.00; JEWEL FOOD STORE $171,166.29; GREELEY AND HANSEN, LLC $174,020.38; CIVILTECH ENGINEERING, INC. $188,888.89; BROTHERS ASPHALT PAVING, INC $197,225.54; XYLEM WATER SOLUTIONS U.S.A., INC. $199,785.10; CAPITALONE, NA $205,429.66; CHARLES TAYLOR TPA LLC $211,862.75; AL WARREN OIL CO, INC. $223,456.84; ROESCH FORD $224,346.42; GRAND SUBARU $224,836.61; ENGINEERING ENTERPRISES, INC. $241,503.69; AVI SYSTEMS $249,598.08; CHRISTOPHER B BURKE ENGINEERING, LTD. $260,473.91; VILLAGE OF ADDISON $274,827.20; EMPIRE CONSTRUCTION COMPANY $276,434.50; TIDWELL CONSTRUCTION LTD $316,780.00; EVERLAST BLACKTOP INC $348,113.25; HOERR CONSTRUCTION, INC. $394,632.34; INDEPENDENT MECHANICAL INDUSTRIES, INC $439,491.45; MISSIONSQUARE RETIREMENT $442,143.54; FIRST SECURE COMMUNITY BANK $461,244.46; ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE $473,084.04; U.S. CELLULAR CORPORATION $490,000.00; MIDWEST SPORT AND TURF SYSTEMS LLC $535,440.00; IL. MUNICIPAL RETIREMENT FUND $677,964.16; ILLINOIS COUNTIES RISK MANAGEMENT $773,393.68; ACQUA CONTRACTORS CORP $960,838.17; REPUBLIC SERVICES $974,257.26; CONSTELLATION ENERGY SERVICES
$1,055,887.41; R W DUNTEMAN COMPANY $1,160,234.08; BUILDERS PAVING, LLC $1,245,838.30; ILLINOIS ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY $2,115,616.34; MILLENNIUM CONTRACTING CO $2,202,308.78; RP ADMIN $2,234,348.47; OLD SECOND BANK $2,267,048.35; DUPAGE WATER COMMISSION $2,555,921.69; VILLAGE OF BENSENVILLE $3,026,910.81; THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON $4,818,719.76
CERTIFICATION
I, the undersigned, being the Treasurer of the Village of Bensenville, DuPage and Cook Counties, Illinois hereby certify, subscribe and swear that the foregoing are true and correct statements for: (1) all monies received, (2) all monies paid out (where the total paid during the fiscal year is in excess of $2,500 except for compensation for personal services, which are listed by category), and (3) operations for all funds (summary) as excerpted from the annual financial report, all for the twelve (12) month fiscal year January 1, 2023 through December 31, 2023.
Lisa Banovetz – Treasurer VILLAGE OF BENSENVILLE
I Corey Williamsen, Deputy Village Clerk, Village of Bensenville, Counties of DuPage and Cook, State of Illinois, do hereby certify that the foregoing is a true and correct copy of the original thereof, which is on file in the Office of the Village Clerk.
IN WITNESS THEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the Village of Bensenville this 26th day of September 2024.
Corey Williamsen – Deputy
Clerk VILLAGE OF BENSENVILLE (SEAL)
Sports
Rams overpower Elmwood Park 65-13
Glenbard East scores nine touchdowns and a safety during a dominant win in its homecoming game
Glenbard East’s football team moved to 3-1 after Friday’s 65-13 win over Elmwood Park in Lombard.
Playing in their homecoming game in warm and pleasant conditions, the Rams scored seven first-half touchdowns and built a 51-13 halftime lead against the overmatched Tigers (0-4).
Friday’s contest marked Glenbard East’s first game in the newly formed Upstate Eight Conference East Division. The division includes seven teams. The Rams will finish their 2024 regular season with five more division games, including this Friday’s meeting at Ridgewood (3-1 overall) in Norridge. The Rebels fell to 3-1 after last week’s 43-35 home loss to West Chicago.
Glenbard East scored three touchdowns in a three-minute span to take a 21-0 lead over Elmwood Park by the end of the first quarter. The Rams scored their first touchdown of the night on a 54-yard pass from junior quarterback Michael Nee to senior Amonte Cook. Sophomore Moises Velazquez then made the first of his nine extra-point kicks during the game to give Glenbard East a 7-0 lead with about three minutes left in the opening quarter.
Elmwood Park fumbled the ensuing kickoff; junior Randy Garcia of the Rams recovered the ball at the Tigers’ 30-yard line. Moments later, Nee completed a 12-yard touchdown pass to senior Chris Renford.
Nee and Renford connected on a
46-yard touchdown pass with 14.2 seconds remaining in the first quarter.
Elmwood Park scored on an 82-yard touchdown pass early in the second quarter. The Rams responded with a 35-yard touchdown run by junior Kedrick Dennis. Senior Valentino Heredia scored Glenbard East’s next touchdown on an 11-yard run in the middle of the second quarter. Velazquez added the extra-point kick to raise the Rams’ lead to 35-7.
Elmwood Park scored its second touchdown of the game on a 60-yard pass with less than three minutes to play in the second quarter. The Rams then blocked the extra-point kick.
Dennis delivered a 3-yard touchdown run with 41.4 seconds left in the first half. Seconds later, Glenbard East senior Nick Payne sacked Elmwood Park’s quarterback in the end zone for a safety to raise the lead to 44-13. The Rams then received a kick from the Tigers. Glenbard East junior Lucas Freese returned that kick to the Elmwood Park 12-yard line with 8.5 seconds left in the half. Heredia then found the end zone on a 1-yard touchdown run with 1.6 seconds remaining in the half. The extra-point kick helped the Rams to a 51-13 halftime lead.
Shortly after the smoke cleared from Friday night’s halftime fireworks presentation, senior Stevyn Fox returned the second-half kickoff 75 yards for a touchdown to boost Glenbard East’s lead to 57-13. The extra-point kick pushed the lead to 58-13. The lead
Broncos slide to 2-2 after their 14-10 loss to Fenwick
Montini will play its homecoming
The Montini Catholic football team lost 14-10 to Fenwick in Friday’s Chicago Catholic League (CCL) White Division game at Fenwick’s home venue—Triton College in River Grove.
The Broncos, who opened their season with two straight wins, fell to 2-2 overall after Friday’s loss to the Friars. Fenwick raised its overall record to 3-1.
Montini began its CCL White Division schedule with Friday’s game. Two other teams (Carmel and St. Laurence) join the Broncos and Fenwick in the four-team division. Montini will face Carmel on Oct. 4 in Lombard. The Broncos will complete their regular season with an Oct. 25 home game against St. Laurence.
Senior Max Bell of Montini intercepted a Fenwick pass in the middle of the first quarter and nearly returned the ball into the end zone. Bell made the interception near the Friars’ 45-yard line and raced toward the goal line. He almost made it into the end zone before he was tackled by a Fenwick player. The officials ruled Bell down at the Friars’ 1-yard line.
of at least 40 points produced a running clock for the rest of the game.
Senior Max Salek scored the Rams’ final touchdown of the night on a 1-yard run late in the third quarter.
Nee completed 10 of 13 pass attempts for 213 yards and three touchdowns on Friday. Freese made four receptions for 58 yards. Cook had two receptions for 73 yards and one touchdown, while Renford made two catches for 58 yards and two touchdowns.
Heredia carried the ball six times for 82 yards and two touchdowns. Dennis rushed for 70 yards and two touchdowns on four carries.
Glenbard East’s football team improved to 3-1 with Friday night’s 65-13 victory over Elmwood Park in Lombard. Playing their homecoming game, the Rams scored seven first-half touchdowns and built a 51-13 halftime lead. In addition to scoring seven touchdowns in the first half, Glenbard East picked up two points on a second-quarter safety when senior Nick Payne sacked the Tigers’ quarterback in the end zone. Payne (No. 33) is pictured (above) while celebrating the play as junior Sam Walton (No. 91) makes the signal for a safety.
Another photo (above left) from Friday’s game shows Glenbard East junior Kedrick Dennis (No. 15) during his 35-yard touchdown run in the second quarter. Dennis rushed for 70 yards and two touchdowns in the Rams’ win over Elmwood Park.
Broncos in action
game this Friday
On the next play, Montini senior JoJo James delivered a 1-yard touchdown run to give the Broncos the lead. Senior Owen Berberich added the extra-point kick to push Montini’s lead to 7-0.
Fenwick scored on a 25-yard touchdown pass with about six minutes left in the second quarter. The Friars made the ensuing extra-point kick to even the score at 7-7.
Fenwick took its first lead of the night on an 8-yard touchdown pass in the closing seconds of the first half. The extra-point kick helped the Friars to a 14-7 halftime lead.
Berberich provided the only points of the second half when he kicked a 28-yard field goal on the final play of the third quarter to reduce Fenwick’s lead to four points with 12 minutes to play.
The Broncos will play their 2024 homecoming game this Friday, when they will face Marmion Academy in Lombard. The Cadets improved to 3-1 following last week’s 13-6 win over Chicago’s De La Salle Institute.
All five of Montini’s remaining regular-season opponents will enter Week No. 5 with winning records.
The Montini Catholic girls volleyball program held its annual Volley for a Cure event to raise money for breast cancer research during last week’s home match against Fenwick. The Broncos defeated Fenwick 25-22, 25-14 in the Sept. 17 contest, which was played in front of a large audience, including local grade-school students who were invited to participate in the event. Team members and their families sold baked goods, t-shirts and other goodies at last week’s match to raise funds for the National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF), which was founded in 1991 by breast cancer survivor Janelle Hail. The NBCF continues to grow every year to help more and more women around the world by educating them about breast cancer and providing free mammograms to women in need. Two days after beating Fenwick, the Broncos traveled to Villa Park to face Willowbrook. After losing the opening game against the Warriors, Montini won the second game to force a decisive third game. Both teams played well during the back-and-forth third game. Willowbrook prevailed in the contest between neighborhood rivals, pulling out a 25-20, 17-25, 25-23 win. The Broncos’ overall season record fell to 5-9 following their loss to Willowbrook on Sept. 19. Montini junior Francesca Lorenzo pounded nine kills and made four blocks in the three-game battle with the Warriors. Seniors Izzie Evenson (No. 10 - below) and Sienna Skarda (No. 15 - far right) provided eight kills each for the Broncos. “I think we’re trending in the right direction,” said Montini coach Erik Vogt after the match. “Our underclassmen are starting to learn how to compete at this level, and our upperclassmen are really stepping up. They’re really pushing the kids in the gym. We’ve had some really good days in practice.” Montini’s schedule this week includes matches against St. Francis and Hinsdale South.
Chris Fox photos Rock Valley Publishing
Homecoming at Glenbard East
The members of Glenbard East’s 2024 homecoming court were introduced during halftime of Friday night’s varsity football game against Elmwood Park. This year’s homecoming court at the school includes seniors Jonas Ong and Audrey Beales
Mustangs rally to beat Willowbrook 18-16
Warriors held a 10-0 halftime lead, but DG South scores three second-half TDs to earn the victory
The Willowbrook football team suffered a heartbreaking loss in its homecoming game on Friday night, falling 18-16 to Downers Grove South in a West Suburban Gold Conference battle in Villa Park.
The Warriors dropped to 1-3 overall and 1-1 in conference play. Downers Grove South improved to 2-2 overall and 1-0 in conference action.
Willowbrook’s annual clash with the Mustangs has served as the unofficial conference championship game in recent years. In 2021, the Warriors won the conference title with a 6-0 West Suburban Gold mark, while Downers Grove South went 5-1 in conference action. In that year’s meeting, Willowbrook beat the Mustangs 34-7 in Villa Park (on Sept. 17, 2021). That result marked Downers Grove South’s last conference loss.
The Mustangs finished their 2021 West Suburban Gold season with five straight wins. In both the 2022 and 2023 seasons, Downers Grove South won the conference title with a 6-0 record. Willowbrook posted a 5-1 conference record in 2022,
losing only to the Mustangs. The Warriors turned in another 5-1 conference record in 2023. Once again, their only West Suburban Gold loss came against the Mustangs.
Downers Grove South’s program won its 18th straight conference game when it rallied to prevail at Willowbrook on Friday.
The Warriors led the Mustangs 10-0 through one half of Friday’s meeting, which took place in warm conditions. Willowbrook senior Dean Romano gave his team a 3-0 lead when he kicked a 47-yard field goal with about five minutes left in the first quarter.
Near the end of the first quarter, senior KJ Rhodes of the Warriors intercepted a long Downers Grove South pass near the Willowbrook goal line. The Warriors’ offense then took the field and began its drive at its own 1-yard line.
Willowbrook’s drive continued into the second quarter, and ended with senior Jordan Pate’s 85-yard touchdown reception from junior quarterback Jahonise Reed. Pate caught Reed’s pass near the War-
riors’ 40-yard line. After a Mustang defender fell down, Pate had an open path to the end zone. He sprinted down the middle of the field for the touchdown, which delighted Willowbrook’s spirited crowd.
Romano made the ensuing extra-point kick to give the Warriors a 10-0 lead.
The Mustangs advanced the ball inside Willowbrook’s 5-yard line in the closing seconds of the first half. The Warriors delivered a defensive stop on the final play of the half— driving a running play backwards for a 5-yard loss.
The Mustangs scored their first touchdown of the game after forcing Willowbrook to punt from poor field position. Downers Grove South fielded the punt near the Warriors’ 35-yard line and returned the ball to Willowbrook’s 17-yard line. Moments later, the Mustangs delivered a 1-yard touchdown run on the final play of the third quarter. Downers Grove South missed the extra-point kick, which left Willowbrook’s lead at 10-6.
A 59-yard pass in the fourth quar-
ter set up the Mustangs’ next touchdown—a 10-yard touchdown pass on a fourth-and-10 play. Downers Grove South then tried and failed a two-point conversion pass and held a 12-10 lead with less than eight minutes left in the game.
Downers Grove South raised its lead to 18-10 on a 54-yard touchdown run with less than five minutes to play. The Mustangs missed the ensuring extra-point kick.
A 20-yard pass from Reed to Rhodes on a fourth-and-seven play kept the Warriors’ next offensive drive alive. A short time later, Reed threw a 20-yard touchdown pass to Pate, who caught the ball in the end zone with 2:24 to play.
The Warriors then tried a twopoint conversion run that would have tied the score, but the Mustangs made a tackle in the backfield to maintain their 18-16 lead.
Willowbrook’s ensuing onside kick went out of bounds. The Mustangs could not secure a first down on their subsequent drive and punted the ball away with about 1:20 to play. After the ball hit the turf on the
punt, it bounced and hit a Willowbrook player in the back as he was sprinting off the field. The Mustangs recovered the ball and ran out the clock.
“I told them that they’re probably two handfuls of plays away from being 4-0,” said Willowbrook coach Nick Hildreth in stating what he told the Warriors after Friday’s loss. “But a lack of execution in spots puts us in a situation where we’re 1-3.”
Willowbrook opened its 2024 season with close losses to Glenbard East and Glenbard North before defeating Addison Trail on Sept. 13.
“All their goals are still in front of them,” added Hildreth while looking to the team’s final five games of the regular season, all of which are winnable contests for Willowbrook.
“There are things we’ve got to clean up.”
The Warriors’ season continues with this Friday’s conference game at Hinsdale South (2-2 overall and 1-1 in the conference). The Hornets fell to 2-2 after losing 28-21 in Friday’s conference contest against Addison Trail.
(above left); juniors Angel Martinez and Anahi Gonzalez (above right); sophomores Maria Green and Neil Garcines (below left); and freshmen Leighten Stephenson and Elijah Cardona (below right).
Chris Fox photos Rock Valley Publishing
A tough loss for the Warriors
Willowbrook’s football team lost its homecoming game on Friday night, dropping an 18-16 decision to Downers Grove South in Villa Park. The Warriors led the visiting Mustangs 10-0 at halftime of the West Suburban Gold Conference game. Downers Grove South scored 18 unanswered points in the second half to take an 18-10 lead. Willowbrook cut the Mustangs’ lead to 18-16 on senior Jordan Pate’s 20-yard touchdown reception with 2:24 left in the game. The Warriors were unable to convert a subsequent two-point conversion run that could have evened the score. Pate (No. 12) is pictured during his fourth-quarter touchdown catch from junior quarterback Jahonise Reed. Pate scored his team’s first touchdown of the contest on an 85-yard reception in the second quarter. Willowbrook dropped to 1-3 overall and 1-1 in conference action after its loss to the Mustangs. Downers Grove South won the 2022 and 2023 conference titles with perfect 6-0 West Suburban Gold records in each season. With Friday’s victory, the Mustangs earned their 18th consecutive conference win.
A good week for the Warriors
Willowbrook’s girls volleyball team raised its 2024 season record to 14-3 with a pair of home victories last week. The Warriors beat Addison Trail 25-12, 25-9 in a West Suburban Gold Conference match in Villa Park on Sept. 17. Two days later, Willowbrook edged Montini Catholic 25-20, 17-25, 25-23 in an exciting non-conference contest. Senior Hannah Kenny of the Warriors provided eight kills, six assists and four digs in last week’s win over the Blazers. Willowbrook junior Kendall Norton contributed 10 assists, six digs and two aces against Addison Trail. The Warriors raised their conference record to 2-0 with last week’s win over the Blazers. Kenny (No. 6) supplied 10 kills, 13 assists and eight digs in the Sept. 19 battle against Montini. Norton piled up nine assists, five digs and two aces against the Broncos. Willowbrook senior Wendy Pollak bashed seven kills in the three-game victory, while senior Lily Javier delivered five kills, six digs and two aces. Senior Giada Crocetti and sophomore Melanie Marinier added eight digs each for the Warriors, while junior Julia Amin tallied three kills, three blocks and two digs. The Warriors’ season continues with this week’s matches against Morton and Hinsdale Central.
Winning touchdown
Willowbrook’s flag football team rallied from a 21-6 deficit to defeat Taft High School 27-21 in a Sept. 17 contest in Villa Park.
Willowbrook senior Bella Giannotti broke a 21-21 tie when she scored a touchdown with about 35 seconds to play.
Giannotti is pictured as she crosses the goal line for what turned out to be the game-winning touchdown.
Apair of aces
Two members of Montini Catholic’s boys golf team shot holesin-one last week. Junior Charlie Paciga (above left), a Villa Park resident, made a hole-in-one on the par-3 eighth hole during the Broncos’ Sept. 17 dual meet against DePaul College Prep at Heritage Oaks Golf Club in Northbrook. Two days later, Montini junior Liam O’Dea (above right) made a hole-in-one on the par-3 third hole of the 18-hole course at the Village Links of Glen Ellyn.
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