Willowbrook High School celebrated its homecoming last week. The week’s spe cial 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 at tempting to score a run during Friday’s game at Downers Grove South. Rugg tried to score from second base on a single by sophomore Katelyn Cox in the top of the second inning, when the game was tied at 2-2. Downers Grove South’s catcher tagged Rugg out at home plate for the third out of the inning. The Mustangs went on to defeat the Warriors 7-3 in the West Suburban Gold Conference contest. Wil
ing west onto Highridge Road and into the school’s north parking lot. Willowbrook’s marching band are pictured along the parade route. The also included several of the Warriors’ fall athletic teams, as well as
The Village of Villa Park observed Arbor Day by planting an Autumn Blaze Maple tree at Lufkin Park on Friday, April 25. The Villa Park Environmental Concerns Commission purchased the tree, which was planted near the park’s playground. National Arbor Day is celebrated on the last Friday in April. The village officials (pictured left to right) at the planting ceremony included: Marc McLaughlin (director of community and economic development), Brian Roche (superintendent of parks, buildings and grounds), Village Trustee Jorge Cordova, Rich Salerno (deputy director of public works), Michelle House (deputy director of community and economic development), Village Trustee/President-Elect Kevin Patrick, Village Manager Matthew Harline, Village President Nick Cuzzone, Robert Wagner (Villa Park Environmental Concerns Commission chair) and Joe Amore (Villa Park Environmental Concerns Commission member). The National Arbor Day Foundation has recognized Villa Park with Tree City USA designation for 40 straight years. To receive that recognition, a community must have a tree board or department, a tree care ordinance, a comprehensive community forestry program and an Arbor Day observance. Another photo shows (left to right) Patrick, Cordova, Cuzzone, Harline and Wagner putting a finishing touch on the tree planting.
lowbrook rebounded from Friday’s loss to post an 11-2 win in Saturday’s Hinsdale Central. The Warriors bashed three home runs in the second urday’s non-conference battle against the Red Devils of the West Conference. Senior Annemarie Knudtson, freshman Isabella Dugo Kayleigh Dennison provided the home runs. Dennison (No. 5) is background of the above photo. For more about the Warriors, see
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 ceremony that began at 9 a.m. The others participated in the ceremony at 11 a.m. The photo shows members of the Willowbrook Senior
Villa Park Village Village President-Elect) Nick Cuzzone and Leslie Allison-Seei—chair of the Villa Park Commission. Arbor Day is observed on the last Friday of each April. The National Arbor has recognized Villa Park with Tree City USA designation for 36 straight years. To receive tion, a community must have a tree board or department, a tree-care ordinance, a comprehensive
the COVID-19 year’s observance included a reading of the names of the Post 2801 members
That list included World War II veteran Charles “Sid” Bergh, who served as the
of the post’s annual Memorial Day service for several years. A
Lombard man accused of fleeing from police/crashing into another vehicle
DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and Villa Park Deputy Chief of Police
Daniel McCann announced earlier this week that Judge Louis Aranda granted the state’s motion to deny pre-trial release for a Lombard man accused of crashing into another vehicle after fleeing from police at a high rate of speed.
Andres Galvez, 37, appeared in court on Sunday, April 27, and was charged with two counts of aggravated fleeing and eluding a police officer (one Class 3 felony and one Class 4 felony) and more than a dozen misdemeanor and petty
traffic offenses, including reckless driving and driving with a revoked license.
Andres Galvez
Galvez is currently out on $150,000 bond for possession with intent to deliver cocaine (Class X felony) and aggravated fleeing and eluding, which was set three days prior to the state’s adoption of the Pre-Trial Fairness Act.
On Friday, April 25, at about 11:49 p.m., Villa Park Police Department officers attempted to conduct a traffic
stop near Route 83 and Riverside Drive on a vehicle for allegedly speeding. It is alleged that when the officer activated his emergency lights and siren, the vehicle, later determined to be driven by Galvez, accelerated at a high rate of speed away from the officer and disobeyed the red light at Riverside Drive and Route 83. It is further alleged that as Galvez drove southbound on Route 83 near Butterfield Road, he was paced in excess of 104 mph as he fled from the officer. It is alleged that Galvez drove around a parked Oak Brook squad car, disobeyed the red light at Route
83 and 31st Street, and crashed into a vehicle occupied by three teenage girls, causing the airbags to deploy.
Paramedics treated the victims on scene with no serious injuries reported. Galvez was taken into custody at that time.
“The allegations that while out on bond, Mr. Galvez not only sped away from officers, but then crashed his car into an occupied vehicle with enough force to deploy that vehicle’s airbags, are outrageous,” Berlin said. “I want to remind motorists that in DuPage County we will not tolerate this type of alleged
behavior that puts not only the accused at risk, but also the officers involved as well as the motoring public. As I’ve said in the past but bears repeating, if you hear sirens and see lights behind you, pull over. Do not attempt to outrun the police as you will not be successful and will be arrested, charged and prosecuted. We are all thankful the victims in the car Mr. Galvez allegedly crashed into were not seriously injured. I thank the Villa Park Police Department for their work on this case and for their continued efforts in keeping our roads safe for everyone as well as the Oak
Brook Police Department for their assistance.”
“In Villa Park, we take any situation that endangers public safety extremely seriously,” McCann said. “Reckless driving and fleeing from police continue to be a serious problem. I thank our officers involved in this situation for their commitment and proactive efforts. I also thank the Oak Brook Police Department who assisted in the apprehension of this defendant for their efforts.”
Galvez’s next court appearance is scheduled for May 27 in front of Judge Brian Telander.
State reports first measles case in southern Illinois
More than 800 cases have been confirmed in 25 jurisdictions around the U.S.
By Beth Hundsdorfer CAPITOL NEWS ILLINOIS
The Illinois Department of Public Health confirmed April 22 the first case of measles in the state.
The measles diagnosis involving an adult in far southern Illinois was confirmed through laboratory testing, according to a press release sent out by IDPH.
This is the only IDPH-confirmed case in the state.
“This is not considered an outbreak at this time. IDPH will update the public should there be any notable develop-
ments,” the release stated.
IDPH is working to identify potential locations of exposure, including the clinic in southern Illinois where the patient sought care, to see whether any other patients were exposed. Health workers were wearing masks and “are considered immune,” the release said.
There have been no reported cases of measles since an outbreak in Chicago in early 2024 that resulted in 67 cases.
The Centers for Disease Control reports 800 confirmed cases in 25 jurisdictions:
Coming events
GPS program May 6
On Tuesday, May 6, the GPS Parent Series will present “Everyday Principles to Grow Happy, Healthy and Smart Young Children” with child development authority Dr. Ronald Ferguson at noon and 7 p.m. via Zoom. Visit GPSparentseries.org for information and the links to these webinars. Ferguson will teach families to provide just enough support to foster learning and help children begin to accomplish tasks they have trouble doing on their
own. He will discuss how to maximize love; manage stress; encourage communication; facilitate movement and play; and lay the foundation for executive function and self-regulation skills. Continuing professional development units are available for this program. To be placed on a reminder list for GPS events or submit a question in advance, contact Gilda Ross, Glenbard District 87 student and community projects coordinator, at gilda_ross@glenbard.org or 630-942-7668.
Alaska, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York City, New York State, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, and Washington. Those numbers have been updated, according to the CDC website.
IDPH has been monitoring an outbreak in New Mexico and Texas that has resulted in three deaths, including two children.
“The first reported cases of measles in Illinois in 2025 is a reminder to our Illinois residents that this disease can be prevented with up-to-date vaccinations,” IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra said. “With hundreds of cases being reported nationally, we have been working closely with our local public health and health care partners to prepare for any potential meals cases in Illinois.”
Two doses of measles/ mumps/rubella vaccine are 97 percent effective in preventing measles, Vohra said.
Measles symptoms may take from seven to 21 days to emerge and include rash, high fever, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes. Anyone exposed and not immune to measles should notify their local health department if they become symptomatic.
Those with measles symptoms should contact their health care provider by phone or email before going to their office, urgent care or hospital emergency room so special arrangements can be made to prevent further transmission.
IDPH unveiled a Measles
Outbreak Simulator Dashboard to allow the public to find out the vaccination rate of schools so they can determine the risk of a child being exposed to measles if a case is introduced in their school. Vaccination rates have dropped since the COVID-19 pandemic. The current secretary of the federal Health and Human Services Department, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., has been on record as being opposed to vaccines, which health officials fear has influenced some parents to not have their children vaccinated.
Illinois Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton announces U.S. Senate campaign
Stratton first Democrat to announce intention to fill retiring Sen. Dick Durbin’s seat
By Ben Szalinski CAPITOL NEWS ILLINOIS
Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton is the first Democrat to step into what is expected to be a crowded race to fill Sen. Dick Durbin’s Senate seat.
Stratton launched her campaign April 23 in a video just one day after Durbin announced he will not seek reelection for a seat he has held since 1997.
“As Donald Trump and Elon Musk continue their relentless attack on Americans, we need new voices in Washington who will stand firm and fight fiercely to move us forward and protect the values we hold dear,” Stratton said in a statement.
Stratton has quickly risen through the ranks in Illinois politics. After serving one term in the Illinois House, Gov. JB Pritzker tapped her to be his running mate during the 2018 campaign. She took over as lieutenant governor alongside Pritzker in 2019, and the pair were reelected in 2022.
Stratton has notably appeared alongside Pritzker at more events in recent months.
In her announcement video, she highlighted the accomplishments of Pritzker’s administration.
“(Republicans) like to talk. We’ve actually gotten things done,” Stratton said.
Pritzker, who has endorsed Stratton along with U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth, praised Stratton during an unrelated news conference.
“She is truly one of the most accomplished people that’s ever held the job of lieutenant governor,” Pritzker said. “She’s done so much as a partner in governance in the state. As you know, I think very highly of her.”
Stratton, 59, who hails from Chicago’s Bronzeville neighborhood, said her path to become a candidate for U.S. Senate isn’t “typical.” She said she wanted to enter politics after being the primary caregiver for her mother, who battled Alzheimer’s disease.
“ She is truly one of the most accomplished people that’s ever held the job of lieutenant governor.”
– Gov. JB Pritzker
Stratton won an expensive race for the Illinois House in 2016, defeating incumbent Democratic Rep. Ken Dunkin, who sometimes sided with Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner during the state’s two-year budget impasse that began in 2015.
Stratton’s professional background includes working as director of the University of Illinois Chicago’s Center for Public Safety and Justice.
But especially in recent months, Stratton has sought to raise her own profile in state politics. She launched the Level Up federal political action committee in January, giving her a financial mechanism to influence federal campaigns or support her own run for office. The committee had not reported any fundraising as of April 23.
Durbin, 80, announced last week that he will retire when his term ends in 2027 after 44 years in Congress, including the last two decades as the Democratic whip in the Senate.
Durbin told WBEZ-FM radio in Chicago that “at least a dozen” candidates have expressed interest in his seat.
“We are also fortunate to have a strong Democratic bench ready to serve,” Durbin said. “We need them now more than ever.”
Stratton has followed in Pritzker’s shadow as the governor has received accolades from Democrats for raising the minimum wage to $15, banning assault weapons and shoring up abortion protections after Roe v. Wade was struck down in 2022.
New members of the Villa Park Police Department
The Villa Park Police Department held a swearing-in ceremony last week for two new members—Francisco Silva (left) and Ryan Masciopinto (right). Officer Silva has been with the department part-time since July 2024 while also working at DuPage County Animal Control. He is now a full-time member of the Villa Park Police Department. Officer Masciopinto has been serving as a full-time community service officer with the Glendale Heights Police Department since July 2023. He will begin attending the police academy next week. Once he graduates in August, he will officially join the Villa Park Police Department as a full-time officer.
The Villa Park Parks and Recreation Department is hiring lifeguards for Jefferson Pool for the 2025 summer season.
Villa Park is hiring lifeguards for Jefferson Pool this summer professional certification, which includes first aid/CPR/ AED training, costs $50 and includes a free uniform. Contact Program Supervisor Sue Earl at searl@invillapark.com or 630-391-3834 for additional information.
Get paid starting at $15.50 per hour to work outside, build leadership skills, and join a fun, flexible team. Lifeguards must be at least 15 years old, or turn 15 by June. American Red Cross
To learn more, or to complete an application, visit https://www.invillapark. com/1052/Lifeguards.
Oakbrook Terrace Lions Club holds its annual pasta dinner this Saturday, May 3
The Oakbrook Terrace
Lions Club will host its 34th annual pasta dinner this Saturday, May 3. The dinner will take place from 4:30 to 7 p.m. at the Salvation Army Hall, 1S425 Summit Ave., Oakbrook Terrace.
The dinner will include salad, bread and butter, pasta, meatballs and sausage, along with refreshments.
The cost is $10 for adults and $5 for children between ages 5-12. Admission is free for children younger than 5 years old. Tickets will be available at the door. Tickets can also be purchased from local Lions Club members. Proceeds will benefit local charities, groups and members of the community.
Not in our state: Illinois urgently calls on residents to help stop hate
Illinois has faced an alarming surge in hate and extremism, following national trends. Hate crimes have skyrocketed 125 percent statewide since 2021, with bias based on race, religion, sexual orientation, and gender identity driving over 95 percent of incidents.
Now, the Illinois Department of Human Rights (IDHR) and Illinois Commission on Discrimination and Hate Crimes (CDHC) urgently call on all residents to report acts of hate through the Help Stop Hate initiative—a safe, confidential service that provides support and resources.
“At this moment in time, when some are influencing or condoning hateful violence and rhetoric, we are encouraging Illinoisans to take action by reporting all acts of hate,” said Gov. JB Pritzker. “Help Stop Hate not only empowers impacted individuals to break the cycle of silence and seek
All-you-can-eat breakfast at St. Alexander Hall this Sunday, May 4
The Knights of Columbus-Fr. John Barrett Council #8365 is sponsoring a dine-in, all-you-can-eat breakfast this Sunday, May 4, at St. Alexander Hall, 230 S. Cornell Ave., Villa Park.
The breakfast will run from 7:30 a.m. until noon. The cost is $15 per person.
specialized support, but it also helps us foster a safer, more inclusive Illinois.”
“The surge in vitriol, violence and hate-fueled acts in Illinois is truly distressing. It’s incumbent upon every Illinoisan to make it clear: hate has no home in Illinois,” said Lieutenant Gov. Juliana Stratton. “Help Stop Hate is a vital tool to empower our communities by encouraging people to speak up, report what they see, and stand together against intolerance in all its forms.”
Since its launch, Help Stop Hate has emerged as a vital lifeline for survivors, offering immediate relief through anonymous reporting, trauma-informed care, and connections to services—such as legal aid—to fill gaps where traditional systems fall short. The service is a statewide priority that supports targeted individuals while informing new policies for confronting hate. Still, the state faces significant challenges with underreported acts of hate, which limits the ability to prevent and respond to hate effectively. Progress hinges on support from every Illinoisan.
To further drive awareness and action, IDHR and CDHC have launched a statewide, multilingual advertising campaign. IDHR and CDHC are also partnering with local organizations and municipalities across Illinois to help stop hate. These partners include the City of Moline, the City of Urbana, the City of Champaign, and Not in Our Town
Bloomington-Normal.
Acts of hate are defined as those that target people based on their actual or perceived race, creed, color, religion, ancestry, gender, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, citizenship, immigration status, or national origin. Hate incidents are categorized into hate crimes, bias-motivated civil rights violations, and hateful, but legal expressions.
Help Stop Hate allows Illinoisans to report acts of hate safely and anonymously, with no affiliation to law enforcement or immigration authorities. Personal information will only be shared with law enforcement if legally required and will never be shared with immigration agencies.
Illinoisans can report online to Help Stop Hate anytime in seven languages: English, Spanish, Polish, Mandarin, Tagalog, Arabic or Hindi. The phone line is open between noon and 9 p.m. CT, Monday to Friday, to English and Spanish speakers. Additional translation services are arranged as needed. Online and helpline specialists are equipped to provide resources and referrals to social service agencies for support with physical and mental health, trauma-informed care, advocacy, and more.
Victims or witnesses can report acts of hate online anytime at ILStopHate.org or over the phone at 877-458HATE (4283) between noon-9 p.m. CT weekdays.
Path cleanup in Villa Park
The Illinois Prairie Path Corporation, in partnership with the Friends of the Great Western Trails, several municipalities, DuPage County, and other organizations, held its annual cleanup event on Saturday morning, April 26. Volunteers in Villa Park gathered near the pavilion along the Illinois Prairie Path, just west of Villa Avenue, before spreading out to gather litter from the village’s portions of the Illinois Prairie Path and the Great Western Trail. The event’s volunteers, pictured (left to right) at the end of the cleanup, included: Kate Troc, Michelle McDonald DeTomaso, Mary Brunner-Hintze, Tom Weir and Michelle Petry. Brunner-Hintze is the chair of the Villa Park Community FUN (Focus on Unifying Neighbors) Commission. McDonald DeTomaso is a commission member.
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Opinion
Slices of life
Something, a feeling, in the air
Picture this:
You are with a friend and they get a phone call. You do your best to ignore the conversation – even the one side you can hear. Your friend ends the phone call and without them saying a word, you know something is wrong.
Or this:
You are with a group of friends. The air is happy and jovial. But then another couple joins the group and the atmosphere changes because something about their energy or their posture lets everyone know they are fighting—even though no harsh words have been said. No one is supposed to feel their angst.
Yet everyone does.
There is something in the air—intangible, yet palpable—that has changed in accordance with the couple’s discord, as it did with your friend after their phone conversation. It can’t be seen or even heard, but it is there. The air has changed and everyone in the room feels it. Knows it, without knowing it.
We sense things we don’t quite understand, but know to be true.
Negativity creates a palpable change in the air—as though the negative emotions are being thrown outward, pelting us with their power.
Except we all know that isn’t possible. Unless it is.
There are so many things we don’t see.
There are so many things we don’t see and don’t understand.
There are so many things we don’t see and don’t understand that impact us all the time.
And for the most part, this defies definition.
How can there be something that is invisible, without sound or anything perceptible to the senses that nonetheless is palpable to everyone in the room?
We’ve all felt it, in one way or another, at one time or another.
The air changes in response to negativity. We can’t feel it in a way that we can physically describe, but
By JILL PERTLER Columnist
we can feel it in ways that are nonetheless real. And if everyone in the room feels the same change in atmosphere, doesn’t that prove the legitimacy of its existence?
Negative energy emitted when there is a conflict is somehow perceptible. I don’t know how to explain it, but I know that it is. And in that, I’d like to take this conversation in another direction.
If negative emotions emit something that we can sense, logic leads us to the conclusion that positive emotions could have the same effect.
If we can sense negativity in the air, it’s only logical that we can also sense positivity. And here’s where things get really exciting: not only can we sense it, we can create it.
There’s some power right there. Power of the superhuman variety, in my humble opinion.
You can create positivity by being positive yourself. In return, you can feed off the positivity of others. It’s a hypothesis that’s both simple and profound.
Imagine if it could be true. Wouldn’t that be awesome? Wouldn’t it solve some of life’s problems—or at least make them easier to bear?
I figure there’s no harm in trying. We’ve got everything to gain and nothing to lose. (Well, except the negativity, and I don’t think any of us would mind losing that.)
If you could make someone’s day just a little bit better just by being positive, wouldn’t that be a habit worth cultivating?
I know I’m going to try
Jill Pertler is an awardwinning syndicated columnist, published playwright and author. Don’t miss a slice; follow the Slices of Life page on Facebook.
Illinois
is not safe from
superbugs;
here’s how we fight back
By John Conrad Researchers
at the University of Illinois Chicago are testing a new antibiotic that could revolutionize our fight against drugresistant bacteria.
The breakthrough could make it 100 million times more difficult for infectious microbes to transform into killer superbugs. Yet this laboratory research may never translate into new medicines that save lives.
Antimicrobial resistance gets little media attention, but the statistics around the issue are startling. Between now and 2050, antibiotic resistance is forecast to contribute to nearly 170 million global deaths. That’s almost 14 times the population of Illinois. Here in Illinois, drugresistant pathogens aren’t just on the doorstep; they’re in the house. Our state accounts for 15% of all U.S.
cases of a deadly fungal superbug that’s increasingly difficult to treat. In 2017, Illinois had just 11 cases of a deadly microbe known as C. auris. In 2022 alone, we had 276 cases.
Absent novel medicines, the crisis will only deepen. According to the CDC, infections spiked for six of seven high-priority superbugs over the last several years. New data projects that superbugs could cost the global economy $1 trillion by 2030 if we don’t course-correct.
But a blockage in antibiotic development is keeping new treatments from reaching patients.
The cost to develop a new antibiotic routinely exceeds $1 billion, but annual sales often struggle to reach $100 million. Why?
Because over the years, medical professionals have recognized that overuse of antibiotics contributes to resistance, so effective treatments should be used only when absolutely necessary.
This gap between development costs and limited revenues has created a graveyard of small biotech companies. Since 2013, the FDA has approved 10 antibiotics from small companies. Nearly all of those developers have faced financial ruin.
Unless we find a way to reverse these trends, we could enter an era of medicine without protection against deadly infections. Common medical conditions, like minor cuts or urinary tract infections, could become untreatable and life-threatening. Routine surgeries, from C-sections to joint replacements, could become too risky to perform.
Preventing this outcome requires rethinking how we incentivize antibiotic development. One proposed solution, the PASTEUR Act, would establish a subscription-like model for antimicrobial medicines.
Under PASTEUR, the federal government would enter into financial contracts
with developers in exchange for access to newly developed antimicrobials. This would provide developers the chance to earn a predictable return on their investment. This policy change could ignite a wave of research and investment in a critical yet struggling sector.
For a state like Illinois, with its strong research institutions and growing biotech sector, an antibiotic development renaissance could translate into hundreds of jobs, increased investment, and a stronger economy.
Every moment we delay, more companies could abandon antibiotic development, and more lives will be lost to drugresistant infections.
The choice is stark: fix the market for antimicrobials, or face a future where common infections become deadly threats.
John Conrad is president and CEO of the Illinois Biotechnology Innovation Organization (iBIO).
Casten releases statement on Sen. Dick Durbin’s retirement
U.S. Rep. Sean Casten of Illinois 6th Congressional District, which includes part of Lombard, released the following statement regarding Sen. Dick Durbin’s announcement that he will not seek re-election:
“Senator Dick Durbin’s career of public service is a gold standard for anyone who
holds or aspires to hold public office. He has been a model and a mentor. A model in his actions, where he has always led with intellect and humility. And a mentor to all of us learning how to do the job he has done so well.
“When I was first was running in 2018, he told me that I should never judge how pol-
iticians behave if they don’t have any political capital to spend—but that I could learn a lot about politicians by how they choose to spend the political capital they have. It’s always struck me as quintessentially Durbin. Humble, in its insistence that we not rush to judgment. But insightful for understand-
ing how others will—and should—judge us. It’s the kind of advice that makes you better at your job, just as it pushes you to be better still. May we all live up to that standard.
“The Congress, Illinois, and the country are a better place because of his service.
Thank you, Senator Durbin.”
Where did the village get their 40 percent number in terms of nonresidents buying groceries? So that means only 60 percent of the people in Lombard; is that correct? Where do they go? Maybe they’re getting a better deal someplace else.
Editor’s note: Your inquiry was forwarded to village of Lombard, which provided the following response:
“The estimate that approximately 30-40% of grocery purchases in our community are made by non-residents is based on data from a 2024 study. To clarify, this does not mean that only 60% of residents shop locally. Rather, it means that of all grocery purchases made in Lombard, an estimated 30-40%, are made by non-residents.
“This is important because the grocery tax helps bring revenue from outside our community. About 40% of the village’s grocery tax revenue, or roughly $520,000 out of $1.3 million annually is estimated to come from non-Lombardians. That money helps support village services and infrastructure, which helps reduce the financial burden that would otherwise fall more heavily on local property taxes.”
* * *
Village of Lombard, what is with the permanently installed commercial sign at the corner of Ash and Grace? It is against city code and needs to be removed; no variance is
allowed for this kind of permanent sign. Property values go in the toilet if this happens in neighborhoods.
Editor’s note: Following is a response from Village of Lombard officials: “Village staff has reviewed the sign located on the property at the corner of Ash Street and Grace Street. Based on the current Lombard Sign Ordinance, this type of sign, which advertises a kitchen contracting business, is classified as a development sign.
“Development signs are allowed on single-family residential properties when active construction or remodeling work is taking place. These signs are typically used to identify the contractor, architect or other professionals involved in the work being done. The ordinance permits one development sign per property while work is ongoing.
“If you have any further questions or concerns, please contact the Community Development Department at (630) 620-5750 or email communitydevelopment@villageoflombard. org.” * * *
After reading that state Rep. Terra Costa Howard received what she perceived to be a death threat because of a homeschool bill she sponsored, I am guessing that it came from some far-right wing-nut. Just goes to show that both parties have extreme elements that are so far out on the fringes as to be potentially dangerous.
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I expect more restraint than this from my conservative brethren; not like the radical looting, burning things up and even attempting to kill the president that have come from the far left. Whether or not one agrees with Costa Howard, what happened to civil debate, or even protesting through “civil” disobedience?
A senator acquaintance from another district informed me about—you guessed it—another tax that took effect in January: sales tax on renting a golf cart, golf clubs; wheelchairs, oxygen tanks; and modems for your home internet, to name a few. Keyword, sales. Opposing the tax, his question was, why pay sales tax on something you are renting, not buying? I also just heard that our gas tax is going up in July; at over 48 cents a gallon, Illinois has the second-highest gas tax behind California, according to news reports. And a “mileage” tax has also been proposed. Like the Beatles sang: “If you drive a car, I’ll tax the street; if you try to sit, I’ll tax your seat; if you get too cold, I’ll tax the heat; if you take a walk, I’ll tax your feet.” If there was a way to tax the air we breathe, the Democrats would find a way. In DuPage, our legislators are all Democrats. When are we going to speak up, speak out, protest (non-violently), do anything necessary to get their attention that this is unacceptable? Next election, send a message if this doesn’t stop.
* * *
The person who said proper placement of mulch around trees was right. If you lay it out like a “volcano,” it could destroy part of the tree bark/ trunk. Experts have repeatedly said to lay it out more like a “doughnut,” with the mulch closer to ground level. Don’t take our word for it; you can always reach out to the DuPage County U of I Extension for advice, too.
* * *
Snatching people off the street and sending them to unknown detention centers with no charges, cause or warrant. That describes Nazi Germany and any country the Germans controlled during World War
II. And yes, the Trump administration is doing that here in our country. Thanks to all the millions of our fellow citizens for protesting in every state; we must protest before it’s too late. The co-president is going back to his car company that is on the rocks—not the other electric car companies, just his—check the numbers! The health of every one of us is at stake with all the cuts to the health administration, and now they have stopped food testing for diseases and are also stopping the testing of milk. Do you drink milk? Now we need to be concerned about what we and our kids drink regularly to keep healthy. This is not a Democratic or Republican comment; it is the truth and we all need to be concerned no matter who you voted for. I guess we won’t have to deal with a recession or worse a depression, since Trump has no legal authority to fire the fed chief.
* * *
We are in a political revolution, in a Civil War, caused mostly by uninformed voters and lack of common sense. If we don’t have respect for a president and each other, how can we expect our adversaries to take our advice? Accent the positive and eliminate the negative to move America forward. Labeling and name-calling needs to end. Thank you.
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Trump is following the plan of Viktor Orbán, the Hungarian dictator. He is destroying our government. As a nation we need to protest and resist these attempted dictatorial actions. To this end our representatives, both Democrats and Republicans, need to stand up to Trump. Call them and make your voice heard.
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Hey Speak Out, hey Lombardian. Another Thursday gone by, another non-delivery of our paper. I don’t think we’ve gotten our paper on time for the last four months. Just wondering if this is a distribution problem or postal service problem. Any answer would be appreciated. For a paper that keeps on charging us more to have 50 percent advertisements now, I’d like it
Coming events
Plum Library programs Weather and Storm Chasing 101 Monday, May 5, at 6 p.m. Join Storm Science to explore the fundamentals of extreme weather. Discover the world of storm chasing and local climatology with examples from previous tornado occurrences. Plus, learn about severe weather safety and preparedness and participate in a Q&A session. Register at helenplum.org or by calling (630) 627-0316.
to be on time. Anyway, thank you for all you do. Thanks for letting us lunatics rant every week and I hope everyone is good out there, and has a good week. Thanks. Bye.
Editor’s note: The paper is delivered to the Lombard Post Office labeled and sorted by routes on Wednesday mornings as periodical mail. Newspaper periodical mail has traditionally been made the day after it has been delivered to the local post office. If you would like to call us at 630-834-8244 and give us your address, or email it to lombardian@rvpublishing.com, we will contact the Lombard Post Office regarding your delivery.
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Hooray for the Supreme Court, appeals courts and district courts for upholding our Constitution and its laws. Only they can prevent this president from becoming a dictator; his cabinet and Congressional supporters are enabling him.
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Hi. I’m calling about the person who assumes that somebody who’s wearing a backpack in the store is there to shoplift. If I had a backpack in my car and I was going to the store, I certainly wouldn’t leave it in the car, because then somebody would probably break into the car and therefore it is necessary to take it into the store. Don’t assume all people are trying to steal just because they have a backpack. And it’s not wise to get out of the car, put the backpack in the trunk. You never know who’s watching and then they break into the trunk. I give the people credit who don’t leave them in the car—where some people leave their purses, their backpacks, their computers in the car and what happens? They get stolen. The person who took their backpack into the store was using their head. Thank you. Bye.
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As an American I welcome all people to the United States of America who come here legally. I do not welcome people who come here and chant “death to Americans.” They do not have the rights of our Constitution because they are
not American. They have no forefathers who fought here and made this country great. They have no rights, no freedom of speech. In regard to our attorney general here in Illinois, Mr. Kwame Raoul, maybe if he wants to fight Trump why didn’t he just fight the crime in Chicago first and get rid of the Safety Act?
The Democrats hate Trump so much they have forgotten about America and Americans. Take care of our American veterans, our homeless and our elderly. They’re the ones who need the help. Take care. God bless to all.
The Democratic half of the government told us last year we all need an electric car to save the world. Global warming was a big deal. This year they are burning and destroying the electric cars. It’s the same party that says men can have babies. Are there any common sense Democrats left? If there are they should stand up and be heard. * * *
The woke leftist daughter of the thankfully former vice presidential candidate, Tim Walz, is a real piece of work. I see where she apparently compared Jesus Christ to Kilmar Abrego Garcia, the Salvadoran illegal alleged by immigration officials to have ties to the violent MS13 gang. She said, quote, “If Trump had been alive when Jesus was walking the Earth, he would have deported him too for being a gang member.”
What an asinine comment! * * *
I love how regressive leftist Democrats are so gung-ho about upholding the rule of law when it comes to certain illegals they believe are unjustly being deported. These are the same Democrats who sat on their hands and didn’t say a word when Biden allowed millions of illegals to cross the border for four years. This, in my opinion, is the worst infringement of the rule of law in this country’s history. I guess those here illegally are somehow exempt from the rule of law in the eyes of Democrats, even though Democrats keep insisting no one is above the law.
Studio 411 Craft Supply Swap Saturday, May 10, from noon to 3 p.m. Find supplies for your next craft project at Studio 411’s craft swap. Bring your gently used or unused supplies on the day of entry and bring home some new-toyou supplies. No registration required. For more details, visit helenplum.org.
Lilac Time events with the historical society Lilac Time Festival Official
Dates: May 3-May 18. For more information about the festival visit https://www.lombardlilactime.com.
Tour Schedule: Tours run May 1–May 17, with no tours on Sundays (except Mother’s Day, May 11), no tours on Mondays, and no tours on Sunday, May 18 (Lilac Parade Day). The public tour begins daily at 11 a.m., weather permitting. Tour starting point and parking: All tours begin at the Carriage House, located at 23
W. Maple St. Free parking is available in the lot adjacent to the Carriage House. Tickets: Tours are $9 Per Adult and $5 Per Children. Advance registration is recommended at www. lombardhistory.org/lilac-time.
Group tours and school visits are also available by reservation. For more information or to book a group tour, contact the Lombard Historical Society at (630) 629-1885, visit lombardhistory.org, or email education@lombardhistory.org.
Madison, Hammerschmidt schools
host event to benefit military personnel
VFW Post 5815 to partner with the schools
By Jane Charmelo for The indePendenT
The annual 5K fundraiser with Madison and Hammerschmidt elementary schools (District 44) will be held Saturday, May 10, with this year’s theme being “Stars & Spikes: Miles for the Military.”
Hammerschmidt Principal Dave Danielski related that the event is in its eighth year, and this year, “We partnered with our local VFW 5815 and will be honoring the U.S. Military, both active members and veterans.”
The event will be held at Madison Elementary School, 150 W. Madison St., Lombard. Race-day registration opens at 7:30 a.m. up until 8:30 a.m., with a pre-race ceremony at 8:45 to honor members of the U.S. Military.
The 5K run begins at 9 a.m. and a 1-mile Fun Run begins at roughly 10 a.m., with a post-race party at
10:30 a.m.
There will also be live music, bounce houses, face painters and food trucks; and the base camp will be filled with students, teachers and families from Madison and Hammerschmidt.
According to Danielski, a portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Midwest Shelter for Homeless Veterans Hero Homes Project, which provides housing and services for U.S. veterans.
Lombard VFW Lilac Post 5815 Commander Tom Zilla explained that the VFW met with the principals from the two schools to offer ideas for donations to veteran-related organizations, and the principals chose the Midwest Shelter for Homeless Veterans Hero Homes project.
“We will be donating nearly all of our proceeds to the Hero Homes project. The small amount that is not donated will be used to keep registration costs as low as
Showing Lombard pride
possible next year to help ensure that all of our families, especially our students, have the opportunity to participate in our event,” Danielski said.
He noted of the Lombard VFW that they have played “an integral role in our planning process this year. While the foundation of our event has been built throughout the years, the VFW has had a vital role in helping guide us through the veteran and military aspect of our event.”
“From partnering us with the Midwest Shelter for Homeless Veterans to helping us design our base camp, as well as provide guidance on how to appropriately and respectfully honor our veterans, our partnership with the VFW has been meaningful,” he added.
Zilla said the Lombard Auxiliary and members of other VFWs will also be volunteering for the event, calling it “a joint effort … a
VFW day of service.”
“We are excited to join this partnership in aiding the Midwest Shelter for Homeless Veterans, project of Hero Homes. All veterans have made sacrifices for this country’s freedoms and we all need help those veterans that now need our help,” he said.
For the 5K event, adults 19 and over are $30, children 18 and under are $10 and free for U.S. Military personnel.
For the Fun Run, adults 19 and over are $15, children 18 and under are $10 and free for U.S. Military personnel.
If your family requires financial assistance, please contact Madison: Mrs. Seagraves (mseagraves@sd44. org); or Hammerschmidt: Danielski (ddanielski@sd44. org).
To sign up, visit sites. google.com/sd44.org/starsspikes-5k/home or runsignup.com/Race/IL/Lombard/ MilesfortheMilitary.
District One Trustee Brian LaVaque (above left - far left) organized a clean-up day Saturday, April 19, in downtown Lombard, along Park Avenue, St. Charles Road and Michael McGuire Drive. He said there were about 16 volunteers, whose efforts brought in roughly eight large bags of garbage. LaVaque said he wanted residents to take pride in their village and raise awareness of the need to keep our streets and sidewalks clean and inviting. In another picture (above right), Margot and Leo LaVaque were among the youngest residents to participate.
Meet ‘Saugeana’
This week’s feature is Saugeana (Syringa xchinensis). It is named for Pierre Sauge, a florist and originator of the cultivar. This lilac grows to 1012 feet tall and has a 5-10 foot spread. It blooms midseason, is quite fragrant and has pinkish-purple blossoms. This cultivar and 18 others are for sale on Thursday, May 8, at the area’s largest lilac sale in Lombard, in Lilacia Park near the Metra station from noon until 7 pm or sold out. You may choose from 19 different lilacs of varying sizes. Colors of the blooms range from deep violet, magenta and lilac to pink, blue and white. Proceeds support the Lombard Garden Club’s scholarship program, community beautification projects and educational outreach about the environment and gardening in our region. You may view color photos of the lilacs at www.lombardgardenclub.org.
Glen–Ellyn Wheaton Chorale begins fifth decade of concerts on May 9 and 10
“Awesome.” “Exquisite.” “We went away singing!” These are among the many audience accolades regularly received by Glen–Ellyn Wheaton Chorale—which will be presenting its annual spring concert Mother’s Day weekend on Friday, May 9 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, May 10 at 3 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church of Glen Ellyn.
This much-beloved 60-voice choir has been performing in the western suburbs for over 40 years—and is known for its mix of audience-pleasing song selections and musical excellence. This year’s event is titled “A Time and Place for Us” and will include selections from Bernstein’s timeless “West Side Story,” along with vibrant works by Bob Dylan, Paul John Rudoi and Thad Fiscella, Blake Morgan, Gjeilo, Forrest, and Wilberg. Conducted by their acclaimed musical director Jennifer Whiting, the choir will also perform a new piece “Hymn to Time,” by local composer, Lee Kesselman.
The concert theme of “time and place” is a fitting nod to the choir’s recent journey to find new locations for rehears-
ing and performing.
This auditioned choir has members from across the area, so after losing their long-standing Wheaton venue, they researched 55 suburban sites, finally landing on locations in Glen Ellyn and Elmhurst.
Interestingly, the Glen Ellyn Main Street Recreation Center—their new rehearsal home—was the site of group’s very first rehearsal space in 1985, directed by founding member Dr. Ramona Wis.
The concerts on May 9 and 10 will be performed at the First United Methodist Church in Glen Ellyn, recognized for its acoustic excellence. Located in downtown Glen Ellyn, it’s convenient to many local restaurants for those wanting to extend their outing or celebrate a mom they bring along!
Tickets for “A Time and Place for Us”—a musical celebration of home, belonging, and peace—may be easily purchased online at gewchorale.org. (If tickets do not sell out online, they will also be available for purchase at the door.) The First United Methodist Church is at 424 Forest Avenue, one block south of the Glen Ellyn train station.
Jane Charmelo PhoTos Rock Valley Publishing
submiTTed PhoTo Rock Valley Publishing
Pioneering Women: The Peck Women and Their Legacy
New exhibit at the Sheldon Peck Homestead
The Lombard Historical Society (LHS) has announced the latest temporary exhibit at the Sheldon Peck Homestead, Pioneering Women: The Peck Women and Their Legacy.
The exhibit is now open at the Sheldon Peck Homestead, 355 E Parkside Ave. in Lombard and runs through Nov. 29.
This is a free event, but RSVPs are appreciated as light refreshments will be provided. For more information about this event, or the Lombard Historical Society, visit lombardhistory.org, email info@lombardhistory.org, or phone 630-629-1885.
While the homestead bears Sheldon Peck’s name, it was the women of the family who shaped it into a true home—a place of warmth, resilience, and community.
This exhibit explores the lives of Harriet Cory Peck,
her daughters Martha, Susan, and Abigail, and her granddaughter Alyce, highlighting their contributions to society as artists, educators, healers, historians, and homemakers.
From Harriet’s strength in managing the farm, raising children, and supporting abolitionist efforts, to the artistic and social legacies carried forward by her daughters and a granddaughter (who became the family historian), the women of the Peck family left an enduring legacy.
Through unseen photographs and artifacts, this exhibit brings their often unheard or overshadowed stories to life, revealing the heart of the Homestead and the values that continue to inspire today.
The Sheldon Peck Homestead is open Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays from noon to 4 p.m. RSVP at LombardHistory.org. For more information about hours, membership, and volunteer opportunities, visit lombardhistory.org, email info@lombardhistory.org, or call 630-629-1885.
Coming events
Twig ‘n’ Bloom Garden Club Plant Sale May 17
The Twig ‘n’ Bloom Garden Club is hosting a Plant Sale Saturday, May 17, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. rain or shine, at 450
Obituaries
SANDRA HOLEMEYER, 69
Sandra Holemeyer, age 69, of Glendale Heights, formerly a longtime Lombardian, passed away April 20, 2025. Funeral services were held Thursday, April 24. Info: www.brustfuneralhome.com or 888-629-0094.
ADELINE RICHARDS, 87
Adeline “Addie” Richards, age 87, of Lombard, passed away April 24, 2025.
Addie was the dear wife of the late Robert Richards; loving mom of Ray (Stacy) Pecora, Bob (Lorna) Pecora, Ron (Holly) Pecora, Rick (Dawn) Pecora and the late Robert (Darlene) Richards, Bev (Greg) Reinke and Gene (Cyndi) Richards; grandma and great-grandma of many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; loving aunt to many nieces and nephews; sister of the late Larry Zygadlo, Bernadette (the late Joe) Reid, Loretta (Chip) Meyer and the late Cynthia Zygadlo. Addie was a long-time
N. Elizabeth St., Lombard.
Growin’ Green Garden Market May 3
SCARCE, 800 S. Rohlwing Road (Rte. 53), Addison, is
member of St. John’s Ev. Lutheran Church in Lombard. She was also a member of the VFW Auxiliary in Warrenville.
Addie ran a daycare for 30 years, where she was the wonderful daycare mother to 37 children. Addie loved her family dearly.
A Visitation will be held on Friday, May 2, 2025, from 3:00 PM until 8:00 PM at Brust Funeral Home, 135 S. Main Street, Lombard. Lying-in-state Saturday, May 3, from 9:00 AM until the time of the Funeral Service at 9:30 AM at St. John’s Ev. Lutheran Church, 215 S. Lincoln St., Lombard. Entombment will follow at Mt. Emblem Cemetery, Elmhurst.
In lieu of flowers, donations to Covenant Living at Windsor Park, 124 Windsor Park Drive, Carol Stream, IL 60188, Attn: Director of Philanthropy. Please write “Hospice” in the memo line of your check, or if you give online, you can choose “Covenant Living at Windsor Park Undesignated” and type in Hospice in the designation field. Info: www. brustfuneralhome.com or 888-629-0094.
hosting a Growin’ Green Garden Market Saturday, May 3, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Look for eco-friendly garden supplies, games/toys, fun jewelry, garden tool sharpening, native plants and advice to help you grow green. For more information or to order compost or seedlings, visit www.scarce. org/growin-green.
Stanger competition concert May 10
The Elmhurst Symphony Orchestra proudly announces its Stanger Young Artist Competition Concert, titled “Rising Stars of Stanger,” set to take place on Saturday, May 10, at 2 p.m. at Elmhurst Christian Reformed Church. This family-friendly event, suitable for ages 8 and up, promises an afternoon of extraordinary musical talent and excitement. For all event tickets, firsttime visitor guides, FAQs, and further concert details, please visit www.ElmhurstSymphony.org or call the Elmhurst Symphony office at 630-941-0202, M-F 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Festival of Lights May 6
In the tradition of Elmhurst University’s popular Festival of Lessons and Carols, the Festival of Lights welcomes the campus and community for an interfaith candlelight gathering that will feature music, song and text from different faith traditions. “We are the Light of the World: The 3rd Annual Festival of Lights” begins at 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 6, in Ham-
merschmidt Memorial Chapel (190 Prospect Ave., Elmhurst, elmhurst.edu/campusmap). Admission is free and all are welcome. For more information, email the Office of the Chaplain at hscottm@elmhurst.edu.
New Horizons Band free concert May 10
The New Horizons Band of DuPage will perform well known selections and audience favorites. The concert will include the New Horizons Concert Band, Brass Choir, German Band, Jazz Band and Woodwind Consort. New Horizons consist of musicians from Chicago and the surrounding suburbs under the direction of Maryann Flock. Light refreshments will follow the concert. This year’s concert will be held at: Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 1310 Shepherd Drive, Naperville, at 3 p.m. Saturday, May 10. Admission is free – donations accepted.
Guardian Corps of America food drive
Guardian Corps of America (GCA) Operation EDDA Homeless Persons Survival Movement needs volunteers for the upcoming spring and summer months. GCA is organizing an important Campaign food drive to help save homeless U.S. Military veterans in the greater Chicago area. If interested, contact GCA at info@usaguardian. org. (Ask for our list of supplies when you reply to this email).
Harriet Peck
SUBMITTED PHOTOS Rock Valley Publishing Susan, Martha and Abbie Peck
Court grants state’s motion to detain pre-trial man charged with aggravated criminal sexual abuse of a minor
Joseph Simmons
DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and West Chicago Chief of Police Colin Fleury announced last week that Judge Joshua Dieden has granted the state’s motion to detain a West Chicago man accused of sexually abusing a minor female in early April.
Joseph Simmons, 26, appeared in First Appearance Court and was charged with two counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse, a Class 2 felony. Simmons, a registered sex offender, is currently on probation for three separate offenses and on pre-trial release for burglary.
On April 7, the victim, a 16-year-old female from Chicago, was found alone at a West Chicago gas station after she had not been home for three days. After authorities spoke with the victim, it is alleged that on Friday,
April 4, the victim had taken the train from her home to West Chicago to meet with Simmons, whom she had met in November 2024, in Chicago.
It is alleged that weekend, the victim wanted to return home, but Simmons would not allow her to leave his residence and instead took her cellular phone and forced the girl to perform oral sex on him.
On April 7, Simmons took the girl to the train station and then back to another West Chicago residence. While at the residence, Simmons fled the scene.
Following an investigation into the matter, West Chicago police officers located Simmons in a car that had been reported stolen. It is alleged that when officers found Simmons, he attempted to flee the police on foot by climbing over a barbed wire fence but was unsuccessful and apprehended at that time.
Simmons’ next court appearance is scheduled for May 19 in front of Judge Mia McPherson.
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.
April 21
A complainant in the 400 block of N. Addison reported a subject took their PlayStation without permission.
April 20
Fabian S. Dawkins, 31 (homeless), was charged with retail theft/possessing displayed merchandise not exceeding $300 and violation of pre-trial release at a store in the 900 block of S. Route 83 at 9:51 p.m.
Matthew J. Janiszewski, 35, of Lombard, was charged with DUI in the 100 block of S. Myrtle at 2:53 a.m.
April 19
Alex C. Machado, 29, of Villa Park, was issued a citation for possession of open liquor in a public place in the
Groundbreaking at Albright Middle School
300 block of N. Ardmore at 5:52 p.m.
A 55-year-old Elmhurst man and a 50-year-old Woodridge woman were charged with two counts of domestic battery at a bar in the 300 block of E. Kenilworth at 12:27 a.m.
April 18
A complainant in the 500 block of S. Yale reported a subject was harassing them via phone. The subject was advised to cease contact with the complainant.
April 17
A complainant in the 1000 block of N. Villa reported that a subject was causing a disturbance. The subject was issued a no-trespass warning.
April 16
Keara D. Hall, 29, of Wheaton, was charged with DUI and transportation or possession of open alcohol by a driver near S. Ardmore and E. Monroe at 2:19 a.m.
Identity theft, fraud
According to information provided by the Villa Park Police Department, police reported three incidents of identity theft or fraud in the village between April 16 and April 21.
Salt Creek School District 48 held groundbreaking ceremonies last week to mark the start of renovations at its three schools, including Albright Middle School at 1110 S. Villa Ave., Villa Park. Pictured (left to right) at the groundbreaking outside of the school are: Villa Park Chief of Police Michael Rivas, Villa Park Public Works Director Michael Guerra, Michelle House—Villa Park’s deputy director of community development, Villa Park director of community development Marc McLaughlin, Villa Park Village Manager Matthew Harline, Villa Park Village President Nick Cuzzone, Villa Park Trustee/President-Elect Kevin Patrick and Salt Creek School District 48 Superintendent of Schools Amy Zaher. The school district held separate groundbreaking ceremonies last week at its other two schools—Stella May Swartz Elementary School in Oakbrook Terrace and Salt Creek Primary School in Elmhurst.
Glowiak Hilton announces funding to support school libraries
State Sen. Suzy Glowiak
Hilton announced seven local school districts will receive state grants to purchase books, technology and other materials.
“Libraries unlock a world of creativity and new ideas,” said Glowiak Hilton (D-Western Springs). “This funding will help schools expand their collections with the latest books and technology, giving
students the resources they need to learn and thrive.”
More than $1.3 million was awarded to 2,484 Illinois public school libraries through the Secretary of State’s School District Library Grant Program. Resources and services supported through the grants include library books, e-books, audiobooks, periodicals, multilingual materials, technology and programs.
The following school districts serving students in Glowiak Hilton’s district received a total of $17,400:
• Hinsdale Community Consolidated School District 181: $2,631
• Elmhurst Community Unit School District 205: $7,063
• Marquardt School District 15: $1,988
• Salt Creek School District
48: $850
• School District 45, DuPage County: $2,607
• Maercker School District 60: $1,166
• Westmont Community Unit School District 201: $1,094
The grants, awarded once each fiscal year, will support school library services for over 1 million K-12 students across the state.
The DuPage County Health Department recognized National Infant Immunization Week last week. It is proud to join health partners nationwide in raising awareness about the vital role vaccines play in protecting babies and young children. Vaccines are one of the most effective tools we have to prevent serious illnesses during a child’s earliest and most vulnerable years. Diseases like whooping cough (pertussis), chickenpox, measles, mumps, and rubella can cause severe complications in young chil-
dren—but thanks to vaccines, many of these threats are now preventable. “Routine childhood immunizations help build a strong foundation for a lifetime of health,” said Adam Forker, executive director, DuPage County Health Department. “By choosing to vaccinate on schedule, families are taking an important step in protecting their children and the broader community.”
Vaccination is a shared responsibility between families, healthcare professionals, and public health officials. DCHD encourages parents
and caregivers to stay on top of well child visits and talk to their doctor about the recommended immunization schedule.
Vaccinating children on time—particularly by age two—helps ensure they are protected before they’re exposed to potentially life-threatening diseases. To support families, DCHD offers childhood immunizations through the Vaccines for Children (VFC) Program, which provides vaccines at no cost to eligible children who are uninsured, underinsured, or enrolled in
Medicaid. The goal is simple: make sure every child has access to life-saving immunizations, regardless of their family’s ability to pay. Families can learn more about immunization services by contacting DCHD at 630682 7400 or visiting https:// www.dupagehealth.org/334/ Immunizations. To find other VFC providers, visit http:// vfc.illinois.gov/search/. It is always better to prevent a disease than to treat one after it occurs.
Vaccination is a safe and effective way to help keep your family healthy.
Montini Catholic president and principal attend 2025 Lassca Conference in California
Montini Catholic President
Kevin Beirne and Principal Chris Tiritilli recently attended the 2025 LASSCA (Lasallian Association of Secondary
School Chief Administrators) Conference in Anaheim, Calif. The LASSCA Conference provides a platform for Lasal-
lian school leaders to collaborate, share best practices, and discuss the latest innovations in teaching, technology, and scholarship.
This year’s event focused on the Lasallian mission and explored ways to integrate new approaches into education.
One of the conference highlights was the keynote address by Dan Fitzpatrick, author of “The AI Classroom: The Ultimate Guide to Artificial Intelligence in Education.”
Fitzpatrick delved into the potential of artificial intelligence to enhance classroom learning, offering valuable insights for educators seeking to incorporate AI into their teaching practices.
A keynote session one day featured Dr. Sarah Wannemuehler, director of clinical practice and associate professor at the University of Southern Indiana.
Wannemuehler presented real legal cases and provided crucial resources for school leaders to update and improve their school handbooks. Her session was an essential resource for administrators navigating legal challenges in education.
“We are grateful for the opportunity to attend these keynote sessions, which provided invaluable insights on both technology and legal issues in education,” said Beirne. “The information shared will help us adapt to the evolving educational landscape and ensure that Montini Catholic remains
Legislature kills bill that would have expanded resentencing for youth offenders
By Ben Szalinski CAPITOL NEWS ILLINOIS
The Illinois House shot down legislation April 10 that would have allowed some people incarcerated for crimes they committed when they were under 21 to become eligible for release.
In a rare rebuke of a Democrat-sponsored bill, a bipartisan coalition of lawmakers voted against House Bill 3332, causing the bill to fail on a 49-51 vote. Bills require 60 votes to pass the House, and numerous Democrats voted against the bill or skipped the vote. The bill was declared “lost,” meaning it cannot be recalled later.
The bill would have allowed people sentenced for crimes they committed when they were under 21 to be eligible for a parole hearing after serving 10 years in prison. Those sentenced for murder would be eligible for parole after serving 20 years, while those sentenced for murdering a victim who was under 18 years would be eligible for parole after serving 30 years.
“This bill would create a pathway for people sentenced as children and young adults to show that they have been
rehabilitated and potentially return home and give back to their communities,” bill sponsor Rep. Theresa Mah, D-Chicago, told the House. Mah declined to comment on the bill’s failure.
Gov. JB Pritzker signed a law in 2023 that makes anyone sentenced to life in prison while they were under 21 eligible for release after serving 40 years behind bars—but only for people sentenced after June 1, 2019. Mah’s bill aimed to make that law retroactive and provide an opportunity for parole for all people incarcerated for crimes they committed before they were 21.
Illinois previously became one of the first states to abolish parole for crimes committed after 1978. Anyone sentenced for crimes committed between 1979 and early 2019 is not eligible for parole, but state law provides other mechanisms that allow people to have their sentence reduced, such as for good behavior in prison.
Mah’s bill immediately drew heavy criticism from Republicans who objected to creating a path to freedom for people convicted of vi-
olent crimes. Rep. Patrick Windhorst, R-Metropolis, argued that people serving decades-long sentences for convictions before they turned 21 are likely in prison for murder or major sex crimes.
“With respect to victims, we need to give them finality in the criminal justice system,” Windhorst said. “They should not be having to come back to court to relive the loss they suffered either being a victim of crime or the family of a victim of a murder. There needs to be finality, and we should not be reducing sentences for murderers and those guilty of criminal sexual account.”
Rep. John Cabello, R-Machesney Park, who works for the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office, recalled serious crimes he investigated in his law enforcement career.
“Murder is brutal. It is final for one person; it’s a lifetime for their family,” Cabello said. “We can’t allow this yet.”
Mah attempted to ease concerns of her Republican colleagues, stating that the bill would merely create an opportunity for someone to receive a parole hearing and
at the forefront of academic excellence.”
“The LASSCA Conference gave us the chance to connect with other Lasallian leaders and learn from experts in var-
ious fields. We’re excited to bring back practical strategies to continue enhancing our school environment and providing the best experience for our students.”
would not guarantee anyone will be given a hearing or released from prison.
“It’s not an automatic resentencing or a release,” Mah said. “All these cases come up for review by a judge. The victim’s families are also included in that process.”
Progressive Democrats voiced support for the bill even as many others in their party voted against it or skipped the vote.
“These are people who have spent decades working to be better in the most unimaginable and heinous situations you could dream of, locked behind bars still committed to reforming themselves,” said. Rep. Will Guzzardi, D-Chicago.
Mah argued that studies show youth offenders have lower rates of recidivism, and the legislation would give people in prison a reason to rehabilitate themselves.
“This is essentially a way to create fairness in our system that provides incentive for rehabilitation,” Mah said.
Similar legislation has also failed to gain traction in Springfield. A bipartisan bill in the Senate in 2023 stalled after passing committee.
SUBMITTED PHOTO Rock Valley Publishing
From left to right: Montini Catholic Principal Chris Tiritilli, Brother Michael Fehrenbach, FSC of Christian Brothers of the Midwest District and Montini President Kevin Beirne.
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. McCarthy acolyte Roy
5. Ancient Korean chiefdoms
10. Not soft
14. Jai __, sport
15. Philosophy
16. Do what you’re told
17. Gaffe
18. Widely known and esteemed
19. Amusement park attraction
20. Popular comic strip Viking
22. Usually has a lid
23. American sportscaster
24. Lung fibrosis
27. General’s assistant (abbr.)
30. Pouch
31. Upset
32. Partner to hem
35. Astronomy unit of distance
37. Witch
38. Gradually disappear
39. Regions
40. Possesses
41. Body parts
42. A way to comprehend
43. Defraud
44. Sandwich type
45. Expression of disappointment
46. Popular Dodge truck model
47. The 17th letter of the Greek alphabet
48. Soviet Socialist Republic
49. Songs to a beloved
52. Custom
55. Partner to cheese
56. West Indies trees
60. Member of a Semitic people
61. Plant that originated vegetatively
63. Squandered one’s money
64. Ethiopian river
65. Excessive fluid
accumulation in tissues
66. Acquire by one’s efforts
67. Irish goddess
68. Hungarian village
69. Cereal grasses
CLUES DOWN
1. Currency
2. Ceramic jar
3. Reagan’s Secretary of State
4. God worshipped in Kanesh
5. One thousand cubic feet (abbr.)
6. Semitic
7. About blood
8. Benign tumors
9. Move one’s head
10. Hours (Spanish)
11. Hebrew calendar month
12. Advise someone
13. Colors clothes
21. The sun does it
23. Concealed
25. City of Angels hoops team (abbr.)
26. Droop
27. Away from one another
28. Challenges
29. A harsh scraping sound
32. Attaches to a wall
33. Capital of Ethiopia: __ Ababa
34. German river
36. Disappointed
37. Star Wars character Solo
38. Supervises flying
40. Not mass-produced
41. Nonsense
43. Automobile
44. Hogshead (abbr.)
46. Soak in water
47. Flower cluster
49. Romanian city
50. A parent is often one
51. Fencing sword
52. Body part
53. Region
54. Farm building
57. Ali’s surname at birth
58. Waxy bird beak covering
59. Stiff bristles
61. VCR button
62. Small amount
Pritzker balances messaging as some Dems encourage party to avoid LGBTQ issues
Newsom, Emanuel argue the party is focusing too much on ‘bathroom’ issues
By Ben Szalinski CAPITOL NEWS ILLINOIS
When Gov. JB Pritzker tells audiences how he became interested in politics, it often starts with stories about his mother.
As a child growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area, Pritzker often shares, he’d attend marches, rallies and protests with his mother in support of abortion, women’s rights and LGBTQ issues. Those experiences, Pritzker says, set the foundation for many of his progressive beliefs.
“I’m living proof that introducing your kids to the gay agenda might result in them growing up to be governor,” Pritzker told a crowd at a Human Rights Campaign event in Los Angeles in March.
Pritzker has made supporting LGBTQ rights a regular part of his platform as governor, including speaking at dinner events for the HRC and Equality Illinois in recent months. He’s set to speak to the New Hampshire Democratic Party on Sunday – one of the first Democratic presidential primary states.
But some Democrats, who are often named as possible 2028 Democratic presidential candidates alongside Pritzker, think the party needs to talk less about LGBTQ issues such as transgender athletes.
“We weren’t good on the kitchen table issues; we weren’t really good on the family room — the only room we really did well on in the house was the bathroom,” former ambassador to Japan and
former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel said on a podcast with California Gov. Gavin Newsom last week. “We not only look like we were on the cultural periphery, we look like that’s what was front and center for us.”
Newsom, who is also a second term governor like Pritzker, ignited a controversy among Democrats earlier this year when, in a separate podcast interview with conservative activist Charlie Kirk, broke from his party and voiced opposition to transgender women competing in women’s sports.
“I think it’s an issue of fairness. I completely agree with you on that … It’s deeply unfair,” Newsom told Kirk.
Speaking in Newsom’s state last month at the HRC event, Pritzker avoided criticizing the California governor, instead focusing on what he describes as the Trump administration’s attack on individual rights. He warned Trump’s executive actions targeting transgender people in the military and in sports could one day lead to orders targeting marriage licenses for same-sex couples.
“I won’t let hope be a blindfold and I won’t continue to advocate that we wage conventional political fights when what we really need is to become street fighters,” Pritzker said in Los Angeles.
The HRC dinner was another example of Pritzker introducing himself to audiences outside Illinois, but he told reporters at a recent news conference in
Springfield that people shouldn’t draw conclusions about his remarks.
“I gave a speech about what I believe,” Pritzker said. “It wasn’t aimed at anybody. It wasn’t about creating a lane. These are things that I’ve said here in the state of Illinois. I repeated them in another venue. I’m perfectly happy about that. To the extent that people see it as a lane, that’s their view.”
Pritzker’s views are mainstream in the Democrat Party, University of Illinois Springfield political science professor Jason Pierceson said, who specializes on the politics of gender and sexuality. He said it’s Newsom and Emanuel who are trying to carve a more contrarian lane.
“I think it’s less that Pritzker is carving out a lane than about embracing trans rights and LGBTQ rights,” he said in an interview.
While Pritzker has not joined Newsom and Emanuel’s calls to avoid focusing on transgender issues, he has also suggested that Democrats make economic issues their top priority.
“Here’s where Democrats have to be honest with ourselves: Donald Trump didn’t just ride into power on the backs of oligarchs who wanted tax cuts so badly they were willing to throw a record stock market into the toilet for them,” Pritzker said at an event last month at the Center for American Progress in Washington, D.C. “No, a number of Americans, 49.8 percent, went to the ballot box agreeing with Democrat positions
on the issues most important to their lives, and they picked the other guy.”
Gallup polling from September 2024 shows the economy was the top issue for voters going into the election, with 52 percent calling it “extremely important.” At the bottom of the 22 issues polled: transgender rights, with 18 percent of voters calling it “extremely important” and 36 percent saying it was “not important.”
“There’s a lot of intensity by activists, particularly on the right against trans rights, but I’m not sure that translates into votes for the median voter or the independent voter,” Pierceson said.
Pierceson said transgender rights get a lot of attention in campaigns, but voters aren’t making final decisions based only on the issue. That could mean Newsom and Emanuel are calling for an overcorrection to the Democrat platform.
“There’s a tendency I think in the professional political class to overestimate the conservatism of voters and to always argue that the most conversative position will be the most politically potent and powerful position,” Pierceson said.
Pritzker was confronted with polling data on LGBTQ issues during his first FOX News interview as governor early last month. The March FOX News poll showed 68 percent of respondents favor President Donald Trump’s executive order attempting to ban transgender women from women’s sports, and 54 percent support federal policy that recognizes only
two genders. Pritzker brushed aside the poll.
“You can go issue by issue and you can ask a question whether people support this issue or that,” he told the FOX News host. “Here’s what people really care about: They care about their health care, they care about their affordability, they care about the kitchen table issues that really matter every day.”
Asked by a reporter last week about his response on FOX News, Pritzker said, “We’ve got to stand up for people’s civil rights. It is vile and inhumane to go after the smallest minority and attack them as if it’s something that is OK in this country.” But he pivoted back to Trump’s tariff policy and said affordability issues “are the ones that affect them in their homes every day.”
Pierceson said it’s too soon to know what the top issues in the next two election cycles will be, but the economy will likely be one of them. He also said rather than abandon LGBTQ issues in campaigns, Democrats should reframe the issue of transgender rights, adding he doesn’t expect most of the party to follow Newsom’s and Emanuel’s position. “I think one of the things moving forward to think about is can Democrats move away from the athletic issue to a broader narrative about discrimination and maltreatment that maybe ties into some immigration issues and other arbitrary decisions made by the Trump administration,” Pierceson said.
Dr. Kelly talks straight about sciatica
Are you suffering from back pain or sciatica? Then it’s likely your biggest problem is pain. But there’s another major problem: bad information. To end sciatica misery you must have the right information. Pay close attention because local doctor Kelly Synowiec-Moroney DC is going to destroy sciatica myths and give you the facts.
MYTH: Sciatica will just “go away” with some rest.
FACT: If you are dealing with back pain, buttock pain or leg pain, then you must seek help from a doctor who is knowledgeable in sciatica immediately. Left untreated, sciatica can lead to permanent nerve damage - and lifelong pain.
MYTH: Pain is the only problem associated with sciatica.
FACT: In severe cases, sciatica can lead to the inability to control your bowels or bladder - leading to embarrassing situations.
MYTH: You must take pain medications to deal with sciatica.
FACT: Drugs like muscle relaxants, pain killers, narcotics, antidepressants, and anti-seizure medications have serious potential side-effects and do not cure the root cause of sciatica.
MYTH: “I must have done something wrong to get sciatica.”
FACT: Physical work or simply sitting at a desk for long periods can lead to sciatica. Accidents and trauma can also be the culprits. Pregnancy can cause
sciatica. Sciatica can affect anyone - including superfit celebrities like Tiger Woods, Sylvester Stallone, and British Olympic medallist Ian Wynne.
MYTH: Stop exercising and get several weeks of bed rest to overcome sciatica.
FACT: Staying active can help to relieve sciatic pain and prevent the pain getting worse. Staying inactive in bed could be the worst advice - based on a recent study in the Netherlands.
MYTH: Sciatica requires surgery.
FACT: NO! There’s been a huge breakthrough in the treatment of sciatica and lower back pain. It’s a new procedure called Non-Surgical ReConstructive Spinal Care. The excellent results from this treatment have been published in major medical journals. Success rates are up to 88%.
MYTH: “There’s nothing anyone can really do. I’m just stuck with this for the rest of my life.”
FACT: With the correct treatment from a healthcare professional who specialises in sciatica, you can find relief from the core cause - and the symptoms.
MYTH: Getting Sciatica properly diagnosed is expensive.
FACT: Not true. We are currently offering an initial consultation right here in Elmhurst for Just $79.
We have helped over 2,637 patients find relief from agonising back pain and sciatica. We are one of the first places to use Non-Surgical Re-
Constructive Spinal Care.
This procedure does not require a hospital stay. The focus is on finding - and correcting - the original cause of the back pain and sciatica.
According to Dr. Kelly, “We use a combination of ultra-advanced technology, not found elsewhere in the region, for precisely diagnosing the cause of your low back pain and sciatica. This means superior long-term results for most people.”
Because the treatment is non-surgical, safe, and easy, most patients report an almost immediate relief from their back pain.
Patient Jeff P. from Berwyn wrote, “My back pain was unbearable but the worst thing was the searing burning pain I felt in my buttock and leg... my wife insisted I see doctor Dr. Kelly. I’m 95% better in just a couple of weeks.”
Take the Next Step - END the Suffering... Initial Consultation Just $79
Call 630-941-8733 to schedule your appointment. Mention this article (CODE: IND43SCS12)
Only 100 reader consultations are available at this exclusively discounted rate.
Call her office now and get a full initial consultation to pinpoint the cause of your problem for just $79.
You can even call on the weekend as there is always a staff member ready to assist you. During the week they are very busy, so if they don’t pick up straight away do leave a message.
‘I’ve done this my way’:
Sen. Dick Durbin reflects on decision to retire
Outgoing senator doesn’t plan to endorse in Democratic primary, for now
By Ben Szalinski CAPITOL NEWS ILLINOIS
Standing on his backyard deck April 24—the same place where he declared his 1996 candidacy for U.S. Senate—Illinois’ senior Sen. Dick Durbin reflected on his decision to retire after four decades in Congress.
“I’ve done this my way, making decisions based on family needs and personal needs, and what I thought would serve our state well,” Durbin told reporters with a crowd of staff, family and friends listening in the background.
Durbin, a Springfield Democrat who was born in East St. Louis, announced Wednesday he will retire from the Senate when his term ends in 2027 following 44 years in Congress. He has been the No. 2 ranking Democrat in the Senate since taking over as caucus whip in 2005 and chaired the powerful Senate Judiciary Committee during the Biden administration.
years, and then you’re going to serve six years. So are you ready to make an eightyear commitment? That’s the truth and reality of the United States Senate. I didn’t think at this point it was the right thing to do.”
There’s still more he wants to accomplish as a legislator, Durbin said, despite being in the minority party in Congress. He said Trump’s second administration made his decision more difficult.
“The madder I got about what Trump is doing to this country and to the Constitution, the more I wanted to serve and not step aside,” Durbin said.
to push Congress to pass the DREAM Act, he doesn’t believe it will move forward during his final years with Trump at the helm.
Durbin’s retirement is expected to open the door for a dozen or more Illinois Democrats to throw their hat into a 2026 Democratic primary. Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton, a Chicago Democrat, became the first person to launch a Senate campaign April 24.
Durbin, 80, would be 88 at the end of another term if he won in the 2026 election. Durbin said he still feels up to the job today, but that may not be the case by the time another term would end in 2033.
Durbin is one of six senators who are at least 80 years old. The age of the nation’s leaders became a key issue early in the 2024 presidential election after a poor debate performance by former President Joe Biden, who was 81 at the time. President Donald Trump is 78.
Durbin said he doesn’t believe age has ever gotten in the way of his job.
“I had to project forward,” Durbin said. “The campaign’s going to last two
Durbin didn’t express any regrets about the job, noting that on a personal level, he flew home from Washington, D.C., every weekend of his career. But in the legislature, Durbin has long sponsored the DREAM Act—an initiative to create a pathway to citizenship for immigrants who came to the U.S. as children and could be subject to deportation. Durbin has unsuccessfully pushed the bill for more than 20 years.
“The first time I’d ever met Donald Trump, he had just been sworn in as president. I was at a luncheon and walked up to him and said, ‘I want to talk to you about the DREAM Act,’” Durbin recalled. “He said, ‘You don’t have to say another word. You’re talking about those young kids? I’ll take care of them.’ ”
The DREAM Act was a basis for DACA, short for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, which was established in 2012 under President Barack Obama. Trump tried to phase out the program during his first term. Durbin said that while he continues
“I’m not planning on endorsing any particular candidate,” Durbin said. “I hope I don’t have to but I’m not ruling out the possibility in an extreme case. I just think it’s up to the voters, the Democratic voters, to make this choice moving forward.”
He acknowledged talking with Stratton and other candidates about running for office, chiefly that no one interested in running for Senate wanted to run against Durbin in a primary.
Durbin represents an old breed in Illinois politics of influential downstate Democrats. He succeeded his mentor, the late former Sen. Paul Simon, who was also a downstate Democrat. Sen. Tammy Duckworth, a Democrat from Hoffman Estates in Cook County, will become the state’s senior senator in 2027.
The Democratic nominee for Durbin’s seat could be from the Chicago area. Durbin said the state’s next senator must represent the interests of the whole state.
“Work the entire state. Discover downstate if you don’t know it,” Durbin said. “Discover the suburbs, the surrounding counties and Cook County, the city of Chicago … that’s been one of the real blessings of this job.”
FUN RUN FUN RUN FUN RUN
Our Story Our Story
The inaugural Dan Gibbons Twilight Trot, a 5K fun run, will take place May 31, 2025 at 6:30 pm. This event, a sister run to our beloved Turkey Trot, aims to address hunger and basic needs year-round, with a focus on the summer months.
“We recognize that hunger and basic needs don’t disappear after the holiday season,” says Dan Gibbons.
“We want to give a mid-year boost to these four vital Elmhurst nonprofit organizations”. (See below)
“We’re calling on the entire community to join us,” Gibbons said.
“Every step taken and every dollar raised will make a real difference in the lives of our neighbors in need.”
Race Day: Saturday, May 31, 2025
Start Time: 6:30 pm
Start Line: Arlington Avenue & South Street
Reminiscing …
Two notable Lombard residents (left to right), Marymae Meyer and Marguerite Micken, got together recently to talk about their respective volunteer service to the Lilac Village over the years. Micken recently retired from the Community Promotion and Tourism Committee, after serving for 19 years; was a Lilac Parade grand marshal in 2023; and was a past president of the Lombard Lions Club. She was the former longtime sales manager at the Lombardian newspaper, where she also had a column called “On the Beat,” highlighting local businesses. Meyer, who also was a parade grand marshal (in 2011), is noted for inventorying the Lilacia Park lilac collection—creating the first official “mapping” and database; and she brought to Lombard, and chaired, the 2011 International Lilac Society Convention. Meyer also was a Team Lombard organizer for the “Race for the Cure” breast cancer fundraiser, and people might recognize her as “Mrs. Claus” (over 10 years); she has also been seen as the “Easter Bunny” for four years.
Duckworth endorses Lt. Gov. Stratton for U.S. Senate seat to replace Durbin
Stratton secures endorsements from state’s top 2 Dems before other candidates join race
By Ben Szalinski CAPITOL NEWS ILLINOIS
U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth endorsed Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton on Monday in the 2026 Democratic primary for Illinois’ open seat to replace longtime Sen. Dick Durbin.
Duckworth’s endorsement comes after Gov. JB Pritzker endorsed Stratton on April 25, one day after she entered the Senate contest. With no other Democratic candidates announcing campaigns for the 2026 primary by Monday morning, Stratton secured the endorsement of two of the state’s top Democrats before fielding any competition.
“Juliana has not only proven to be an experienced and effective Lieutenant Governor—she’s demonstrated time and again that she truly understands and cares for working people,” Duckworth said in a statement. “Their struggles are her struggles. Their wins are her wins.”
Duckworth, a Democrat from Hoffman Estates, will take over as the state’s se-
nior senator in January 2027 after Durbin’s term ends, as he announced last week he plans to retire. An Army veteran who earned a Purple Heart while serving in Iraq, Duckworth was elected to the Senate in 2016.
“Her many years spent in public service, along with her experience as a mom to four daughters and a caregiver to her own mother, have given her the tenacity, grit and perspective to be a true advocate on behalf of working families,” Duckworth said of Stratton.
Durbin told reporters at his Springfield home last week that he will likely not make any endorsements in the primary.
Stratton secured Pritzker’s endorsement April 25. The two have spent the last six years leading Illinois following two successful elections.
Pritzker praised Stratton as a “champion for women’s rights, for job creation, for rural families, for farmers, for criminal justice, for early childhood education,” and credited the lieutenant governor as having played
an integral role in his administration.
Asked whether his endorsement tamps down a competitive race for Durbin’s seat, Pritzker said, “Anybody who wants to run should run. But I’m telling you this is the person whose best able to serve with integrity, with honor.”
Stratton, of Chicago, has quickly risen through the ranks of Illinois politics after first being elected as a state representative in 2016. She was elected lieutenant governor two years later as Pritzker’s running mate during the 2018 campaign. It’s still unclear whether other Democrats will announce they are joining Stratton in the primary as whoever enters the race will go in knowing they won’t be endorsed by two of the state’s leading Democrats.
U.S. Reps. Lauren Underwood, of Naperville, Raja Krishnamoorthi, of Schaumburg, Robin Kelly, of Matteson, and state Treasurer Mike Frerichs, of Chicago, all have said they are considering entering the race.
JANE CHARMELO PHOTO Rock Valley Publishing
Sports
Rams suffer first conference loss
Broncos shut out Saint Viator
The Glenbard East baseball team moved its Upstate Eight Conference record to 7-0 with last week’s pair of victories over Glenbard South. The Rams beat the Raiders 11-5 in an April 21 contest in Lombard. One day later, Glenbard East rallied to defeat Glenbard South 5-4 in Glen Ellyn. The Rams fell to 7-1 in conference play following their eight-inning loss to South Elgin in Lombard on April 24. The visiting Storm edged Glenbard East 3-2 in that contest. Glenbard East completed its week with Saturday’s 3-0 non-conference home loss to Plainfield Central. The Rams’ overall season record stood at 10-7 after Saturday’s game. Junior Josh Ziemer, junior Justin Kay, senior Paulie Steiskal and senior Horacio Solis contributed two hits each for Glenbard East in the team’s April 21 win in Lombard. Senior Ryan Frano provided one hit and two runs batted in for the Rams, who scored six runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to break a 5-5 tie. Senior Brian Kud pitched one and two-third innings in relief and earned the victory. Ziemer pitched a scoreless seventh inning to close out the win. Glenbard East trailed Glenbard South 4-3 after six innings of the April 22 battle in Glen Ellyn. Ziemer doubled to drive in the run that tied the score at 4-4. Senior Devin Kraft singled later in the inning to drive in senior Corey Marshall with what turned out to be the winning run. Ziemer went 2-for-4 with two RBIs in the one-run victory. Senior Connor Peckham went 2-for-4 with one RBI. Junior Lucas Calderin pitched three innings in relief and earned the win for the Rams. He allowed two runs and two hits. He struck out two batters and didn’t issue any walks. Frano pitched the first four innings for Glenbard East and recorded nine strikeouts in the April 22 victory. Junior Jayden Phistry and junior Nile Anderson (No. 17 - top) were the Rams’ pitchers in last week’s eight-inning loss to South Elgin. Phistry pitched the first six innings and allowed one earned run while striking out eight batters. Anderson gave up one run, one hit and one walk in two innings. He recorded a pair of strikeouts. Ziemer (No. 20 - above) went 3-for-4 in the Rams’ loss to South Elgin.
The Montini Catholic baseball team raised its season record to 11-7 with last week’s victories over Riverside Brookfield and Saint Viator. The Broncos posted an 8-5 win at Riverside Brookfield on April 21. Three days later, Montini defeated Saint Viator 7-0 in Lombard. Senior Max Bell, senior Nick Sheeran and sophomore Johnny Louise provided two hits each for the Broncos in last week’s triumph over Riverside Brookfield. Junior Nick Kois pitched the first four innings of the game for Montini. Kois, who earned the victory against the Bulldogs, allowed four runs, four hits and four walks. He recorded four strikeouts. Junior Robert Sansone took the mound to pitch the last three innings for the Broncos. Sansone allowed one run, three hits and no walks. He struck out two batters. Montini junior Blake Heyer (No. 12 - above) pitched the first four innings of last week’s contest against Saint Viator. Heyer allowed one hit and two walks. He recorded five strikeouts. Saint Viator picked up its only hit of the day with a single off of Heyer in the fourth inning. Seniors Matteo Barrett, Chris Zayed and James Fitzpatrick pitched one hitless inning each for the Broncos to complete the shutout victory on April 24. Junior Quin Paprockas of Montini launched a three-run home run in the bottom of the first inning to give his team an early 3-0 lead over Saint Viator. Paprockas went 2-for-4 and drove in four runs in the game.
Rams lose to Hornets
Glenbard East’s girls soccer team faced Hinsdale South in last week’s non-conference match in Lombard. The visiting Hornets defeated the Rams 2-1 in the April 24 contest. Glenbard East’s overall season record dropped to 2-7-2 with the loss. Hinsdale South took a 1-0 lead when it scored a goal with 29:30 left in the first half. Junior Nora Opila (No. 9 - right) of the Rams scored a goal with 4:52 remaining in the first half to even the score at 1-1. Opila scored the goal with an assist from senior Makenna Gibbons, who kicked the ball about 40 yards downfield. Opila then won a battle with the Hornets’ goalkeeper for control of the ball and delivered the matchtying goal. Hinsdale South scored what turned out to be the winning goal in the opening minute of the second half. The Hornets delivered that goal with 39:02 left in the match.
Chris Fox photos Rock Valley Publishing
Chris Fox photo Rock Valley Publishing
Chris
submitted photo Rock Valley Publishing
Montini foursome earns relay victory
The Montini Catholic girls track and field team’s foursome of (left to right) junior Sydney Gertsen, senior Naomy Gonzalez, senior Annalee DeFeo and junior Ashlynn Lindt delivered a first-place performance in the 4 x 400-meter relay race at the recent Raider Invitational at Glenbard South High School in Glen Ellyn. The four Broncos completed the race in a winning time of 4 minutes, 22.97 seconds. Gertsen also won an individual title at the invitational with her first-place effort in the 800-meter run, which she finished in 2 minutes, 23.72 seconds. Lindt placed second in the 800-meter run with her time of 2 minutes, 28.49 seconds. Montini’s quartet of senior Julia Gergen, Gonzalez, junior Aliana Hrdina and senior Camryn Amouzou completed the invite’s 4 x 200-meter relay in a second-place time of 1 minute, 55.45 seconds. Montini sophomore Brooke D’Amico secured a second-place finish in the triple jump at the invite. D’Amico traveled 32 feet, 3¾ inches in her best jump of the competition.
Broncos lose to the Knights
The Montini Catholic girls soccer team faced IC Catholic Prep in last week’s match in Lombard. The visiting Knights defeated the Broncos 3-0. IC Catholic Prep held a 2-0 halftime lead in the April 24 contest. The Knights added one more goal in the second half. Montini senior Maggie Nielsen (No. 2) is pictured before she collided with IC Catholic Prep junior goalkeeper Lillianna Costa during the second half. The Broncos’ overall season record dropped to 4-5 after their loss to the Knights. Earlier this week, Montini faced Willowbrook in a battle of area schools in Villa Park.
A winning week for Broncos
The Montini Catholic softball team won two straight games last week to improve its overall season record to 13-8. The Broncos defeated Waubonsie Valley 5-2 in Lombard on April 22. Two days later, Montini demolished St. Edward 24-1 in Elgin. Sophomore Aubry Raffen (pictured below) of the Broncos hit a solo home run in last week’s contest against Waubonsie Valley. Raffen’s homer evened the score at 1-1 in the bottom of the third inning. Montini scored four runs in the bottom of the fourth inning to take a 5-1 lead. Sophomore Cedona Barrett pitched the first six innings of the April 22 game for the Broncos and earned the victory. Barrett allowed 10 hits and two earned runs. She recorded five strikeouts and allowed one walk. Freshman Cameron Fox (pictured above) relieved Barrett during the top of the seventh inning, with Montini holding its 5-2 lead. Fox entered the circle with two runners on base and no outs. She recorded three straight outs, closing the victory with two straight strikeouts. Montini bashed five home runs in last week’s three-inning runaway win at St. Edward. Senior Ariana Macias drilled two home runs for the Broncos. Raffen, senior Kat Filkowski and sophomore Bridget Ryan delivered one home run each.
Chris Fox photos Rock Valley Publishing
Chris Fox photo Rock Valley Publishing
Warriors sweep the Blazers
The Willowbrook baseball team swept a threegame West Suburban Gold Conference series against Addison Trail last week. The Warriors’ busy schedule last week also included a loss to Downers Grove South in the third game of a conference series. Willowbrook finished the week with Saturday’s 6-4 non-conference victory at York. The Warriors’ overall season record stood at 14-6 after that win. Willowbrook opened its series against Addison Trail with an 11-1 five-inning win in Villa Park on April 21. The Warriors won a wild 19-13 slugfest in Addison on April 22. Willowbrook completed its sweep of the Blazers with an 11-2 home victory on April 24. The Warriors suffered an 11-5 conference loss at Downers Grove South on April 23. That contest was originally scheduled to be played during the previous week, but was rained out. The Mustangs won two of three games in the series with Willowbrook. Junior Jake Bonino went 2-for-3 and drove in two runs in the Warriors’ April 21 win over the Blazers. Senior Nathan Mulholland went 1-for-1 and drove in three runs for Willowbrook. Junior Noah Edison pitched a five-inning complete game to record a win for the Warriors in the series opener against Addison Trail. Edison allowed seven hits and no walks while recording four strikeouts. Willowbrook senior Jesus Torres went 2-for-3 with two home runs and seven runs batted in during his team’s 19-13 win in Addison on April 22. Torres hit a three-run homer in the first inning and bashed a grand slam in the fourth inning. Senior Ryan Bannon, senior Sam Marrese and junior Alek Ramey also hit home runs for the Warriors during their 19-run eruption. Downers Grove South scored eight runs in the third inning of its April 23 win over Willowbrook. Torres (top left), Bannon (No. 20 - left) and Ramey (top right) are pictured during that game. Ramey is shown while connecting for a two-run single against the Mustangs. Sophomore Michael Garner pitched a seven-inning complete game for the Warriors in their win over the Blazers on April 24. Garner struck out eight batters while allowing five hits and one walk. Willowbrook raised its conference record to 8-2 when it completed its series sweep of Addison Trail. Edison pitched five innings and earned the win in Saturday’s victory at York. Bonino belted a three-run home run in the second inning to give the Warriors a 4-0 lead.
Illinois communitybased foster homes face insurance ‘crisis’
Ballooning costs, dwindling coverage pose threat to Illinois foster children, advocates say
By Jade Aubrey and UIS Public Affairs Reporting (PAR)
Insurance companies are reducing the scope of coverage for some community foster agencies in Illinois, leading to higher costs, diminished coverage and fewer options for agencies who say a continuance of the trend could lead to closures.
If the situation worsens, some foster agencies warn they will have to shut down, sending children in their facilities back under the care of the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, an agency advocates say doesn’t have the capacity to handle an influx of foster children.
In Illinois, DCFS contracts with community-based foster agencies in order to house and provide services for children in state care. The department reported that the state had about 20,000 foster children in 2024, with more than 4,000 of them in the care of community-based foster or group homes.
These agencies are licensed by DCFS and must have many types of insurance to operate, including liability insurance, which protects them against claims resulting in injuries or damage to property.
If a person sues DCFS and seeks damages, the highest amount they can receive in damages is capped at $2 million—which the state recently extended to foster parents. Lawsuits against community-based agencies, however, do not have a cap. And in recent years, many agencies have faced lawsuits resulting in large payouts or settlements.
In 2018, the father of a 2-year-old boy who died after Lutheran Social Services of Illinois placed him back in the care of his mother sued the foster agency, seeking $45 million in damages.
LSSI placed Lavandis Hudson back in his mother’s care in late 2010. Around six months later, he was rushed to the hospital with severe injuries, where he ultimately died.
The Chicago Tribune reported that a medical examiner ruled Hudson’s death “a homicide caused by multiple blunt-force injuries resulting from child abuse.” Hudson’s mother was charged with first-degree murder in 2012 but has not yet faced trial.
A jury awarded $45 million in damages, although the payout was ultimately about half that due to a deal struck by both parties late in the trial, according to the Tribune.
Other similar lawsuits against foster agencies have resulted in large payouts across the country, even in instances where agencies have denied wrongdoing and claimed negative outcomes were beyond their control. In turn, insurance companies that provide liability coverage for the agencies are taking monetary hit after hit—and raising premium prices or reducing their offerings in response.
The insurers say the risk is too high to continue to insure foster agencies. After a case in California was settled in December for $15 million, Nonprofits Insurance Alliance of California, the main liability insurance provider in the state, announced it would not renew any agency plans and pulled out of California entirely.
Now, that organization is sounding alarm bells as it begins to scale back coverage in other states, including Illinois.
Andrea Durbin, CEO of the Illinois Collaboration on Youth, said in an interview that the crisis is a “very complicated issue.”
“I think people who have been harmed should have opportunities to recover from that harm,” she said. “The complexity of it is, how do you make sure that people get the kind of restitution that they’re entitled to without also completely undermining the community-based infrastructure that serves kids and families today?”
Reduction of coverage
In an interview with Capitol News Illinois, Pamela Davis, the founder, president and CEO of Nonprofits Insurance Alliance, or NIA, said the organization had never previously done a mass nonrenewal like the one in California. She said insurance companies are struggling to distinguish low-risk foster agencies from high-risk ones, since agencies who are doing a “good job” and those who are doing a “bad job” are getting sued the same.
In Illinois, NIA scaled back
CHRIS FOX PHOTOS Rock Valley Publishing
its coverage by placing $1 million limits on the coverage that protects agencies against claims for physical or sexual abuse, known as Improper Sexual Conduct and Physical Abuse, or ISCPA, coverage. This means that if a foster agency is sued for sexual or physical abuse, NIA will only cover up to $1 million of the settlement— even as many lawsuits are being settled for much more.
Usually, insurance companies offer umbrella coverage beyond the company’s limit. But NIA is also no longer providing umbrella coverage for ISCPA coverage or social services professionals coverage, which protects the agencies’ social workers if they’re sued for misconduct.
The company has also significantly increased the cost of ISCPA coverage, the effects of which were felt by The Center for Youth and Family Solutions—an Illinois provider of child welfare, behavioral health and youth services – which is insured by NIA.
The Center is one of the largest foster agencies in the state, serving more than 1,200 foster children across 37 counties in Illinois. Its CEO, Patrick Phelan, said the total cost for the agency’s professional liability insurance in 2019 was a little more than $45,000. When his agency renewed its insurance earlier this year with NIA, the cost was more than $1 million.
“These costs are going up to the point where, at over $1 million, I could hire 22 family support workers,” Phelan said.
“I could go out and hire 22 more people if I was back at my 2019 rates. The impact of this on families is becoming just incredible.”
Phelan said he had to lay off staff and cut additional services in order to pay the insurance bill.
“There are minimums in our contracts that we have to staff positions at, and we’ve always been staffed far higher than the ratios that are demanded by the state contracts,” Phelan said. “But we’re getting closer to being back towards the actual levels. We’re just ultimately worried that the services we provide to our kids and families are going to suffer.”
As costs have increased, Phelan said the agency experienced a decrease in coverage.
“There’s really only two insurers left in Illinois who are offering coverage and neither of them will write a new policy,” Phelan said. “So, if our insurer decides they’re not going to renew us next March, we don’t
have the opportunity to go out in the traditional market and find any other insurance. There’s just this huge risk of not being insured going forward.”
Durbin said some agencies simply can’t afford this increase, and since traditional carriers are also not taking any new clients, foster agencies aren’t able to drop their coverage in search of lower rates elsewhere.
“Whether it’s affordable or not is almost completely out of the question at this point because there’s fewer and fewer insurers who are willing to even be in the marketplace,” Durbin said.
In a statement provided to Capitol News Illinois, DCFS called the crisis a “national issue”, saying that “while DCFS is aware of some providers who have received notices of non-renewal for their current insurance, DCFS is not aware of any providers who have been unable to subsequently obtain liability insurance, albeit at a higher cost before their current policy ends.”
Durbin said although it’s “technically correct” to say that no agencies have been unable to find insurance, she’s aware of four that have been dropped by traditional insurance carriers like NIA.
She said these agencies were then forced to get insurance through excess and surplus lines, which is a market that sells insurance to cover things traditional insurance companies have deemed high-risk and won’t cover.
“It’s much more expensive for less coverage and just a lower quality kind of insurance product and so it’s a different risk pool,” she said. “So instead of going with the sort of traditional insurers, now you’re in this very high-risk market that’s much more expensive.”
Potential legislation
Illinois lawmakers have filed legislation aiming to curb this crisis, although it hasn’t gained traction this session. Senate Bill 1696, sponsored by Sen. Laura Fine, D-Glenview, and House Bill 3138, sponsored by Rep. Suzanne Ness, D-Crystal Lake, have been described by advocates as “short-term” solutions.
The bills would give agencies immunity from civil liability for two years unless the agency engages in “willful and wanton conduct,” defined as deliberate intention to cause harm, or unintentional harm due to “utter indifference to or conscious disregard” for a child’s safety. The bills would also create a task force to develop and recommend a permanent
solution to lawmakers by the end of 2026.
Joseph Monahan—a trained social worker, founder of a Chicago law firm and a member of the Board of Directors at Preferra, a liability insurance company for over 100,000 behavioral health professionals—called the proposal a “start.”
He said some lawyers and advocates take issue with the legislation’s proposed immunity for agencies because they believe it would stop children who have been harmed from receiving “adequate compensation.” One solution some have offered, he said, is to move lawsuits against foster agencies under the jurisdiction of the Illinois Court of Claims, which he said would simply be a more “arduous process” for foster children to have to navigate.
Monahan also took issue with the bill’s proposal of a task force, saying the problem is well documented and arguing for more direct action.
Phelan said although advocates have a good grasp on the issue, he believes bringing everyone to the table to brainstorm a solution via a task force is worthwhile.
A national issue
Davis, the CEO of Nonprofits Insurance Alliance, said the company is also scaling back coverage in Pennsylvania and Florida while Monahan said agencies and advocates in New York and Nebraska are also raising concerns. That’s why advocates are calling for a federal solution.
igated against,” Phelan said. “And they’re not seeing that, I think, our demise will ultimately leave them with nobody to sue.”
Illinois Trial Lawyers Association President Sara Salger said she “doesn’t know” if there’s been an uptick in the cases of abuse, but that the recent cases with large damage payouts have resulted from “awful cases” of foster children being abused.
“These are the most vulnerable group of people, so to put the solution on the backs of kids who have been abused or raped or, worst case scenario murdered, cannot be the solution,” she said.
“It’s an insurance problem and it should have an insurance solution.”
She said she doesn’t agree that the solution to the issue is to indemnify foster agencies.
“There’s just been some awful cases that have resulted in these larger verdicts, but in those situations, the
solution shouldn’t be not to hold people accountable for the harm they’re doing to foster children,” Salger said.
In Print and Online
Durbin said her organization has met with advocates in Illinois, other states, and Congress in an attempt to organize advocates on a national level.
Phelan said U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood, R-Ill., visited The Center’s headquarters in Peoria recently to tour the facility. But Phelan said “the number one topic” on his agenda was to discuss the crisis.
“We were sharing these challenges with him, really hoping that we can help and trying to get some interaction on a federal solution to the problem,” Phelan said.
Although advocates agree that children who are harmed should receive compensation for their experiences, they say the fact that foster agencies don’t have damage caps puts a “target on their back” that some lawyers take advantage of.
“A lot of the opposition is coming from the Trial Lawyers Association, who have recognized us as a source of organizations that can be lit-
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Bensenville School District 2 seeks sealed bids for the removal of an underground storage tank.
See the Owner’s website at www. bsd2.org/bids to obtain project specifications and to see the bid requirements and all other information. A site visit will be held at 10:00 am local time on Friday, May 9, 2025, at Mohawk Park, 917 Hillside Drive, Bensenville, Illinois.
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NOTICE IS HERBEY GIVEN That at 9:00am on April 22,2025 a sale will be held at 60 E Hill St Villa Park Il 60181 to sell the following articles to enforce a Mechanics Lien existing Under laws of the State of Illinois against such articles of the labor/towing services, skill, or material expanded upon a storage furnishing for such article at the request of the following des-
ignated person, unless such article at the requested of the receipt of the notice. Owner Micah Alexander Leach 0N680 Courtney Lane Winfield, IL 60190 and Lienholder Santander Consumer Usa Inc PO BOX 961288 Forth Worth, Tx 76161 and Mariner Finance Florida Inc 8211 Town Center Dr Baltimore , MD 21236 Lien amount 1,145.00 for further information regarding this sale you may contact Argeniz Vasquez 312/543/47/64
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On May 14, 2025 at 8:30 a.m., a meeting conducted by Villa Park School District 45 will take place at 255 W. Vermont St., Villa Park, IL. The purpose of the meeting will be to discuss the district’s plans for providing special education services to students with disabilities who attend private schools or home schools within the boundaries of District 45 for the 2025-2026 school year. If you are the parent of a home-schooled or privately placed student who has been or may be identified with a disability within the boundaries of School District 45, you are urged to attend. Please RSVP whether you will be attending or not to Linette Miceli at lmiceli@d45.org by May 9, 2025. If you have further questions pertaining to this meeting, please contact Diana Brown at 630-516-7700.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and Official Seal at my office in Wheaton, Illinois, this 21ST day of APRIL, A.D. 2025. Jean Kaczmarek DuPage County Clerk (Published in The Lombardian May 1, 8 & 15, 2025) 470941
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delivering a petition to terminate to the Circuit Court Clerk. Claims against the estate may be filed in the Office of CANDICE ADAMS, Circuit Court Clerk, 505 N. County Farm Road, Wheaton, Illinois, or with the representative or both on or before October 20, 2025, any claim not filed within that period is barred. Copies of a claim filed with the Circuit Court Clerk must be mailed or delivered to the representative and to the attorney, if any, within 10 days after it has been filed with the Circuit Court Clerk.
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NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING
On May 14, 2025 at 8:30 a.m., a meeting conducted by Villa Park School District 45 will take place at 255 W. Vermont St., Villa Park, IL. The purpose of the meeting will be to discuss the district’s plans for providing special education services to students with disabilities who attend private schools or home schools within the boundaries of District 45 for the 2025-2026 school year. If you are the parent
of a home-schooled or privately placed student who has been or may be identified with a disability within the boundaries of School District 45, you are urged to attend. Please RSVP whether you will be attending or not to Linette Miceli at lmiceli@d45.org by May 9, 2025. If you have further questions pertaining to this meeting, please contact Diana Brown at 630-516-7700.
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NOTICE CERTIFICATE NO. 79675 was filed in the office of the County Clerk of DuPage County on APRIL 7, 2025, wherein the business firm of LIFESORT HOME, 0N326 COTTONWOOD DRIVE, WHEATON, IL 60187 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:
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