Bugle Newspapers 10-15-20

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Will COunTy

pandemic can t stop Crest hill native from singing By maRK gRegORy editorial director

@Hear_The_Beard mark@buglenewspapers.com

While the COVID-19 pandemic forced many people around the world to sing the blues, it has made Arbender Robinson sing just about anything else.

A veteran of musical theater and Crest Hill native, Robinson has entertained social media followers with songs ranging from Broadway to the Beatles to Barry Manilow.

In what he calls his ‘Early Morning Vocals,’ Robinson sings a new song every day and posts them to his Facebook and Instagram accounts for no other reason than to make people smile and feel better about the day.

And if anyone is curious about the early morning part, there is rarely any sunlight coming through the window when he performs.

“It has kind of turned into its own thing,” Robinson said. “I started just doing it because I was bored and it was something to do and it was fun.

Then, I made a commitment to doing this until things get somewhat back to normal. There are so many people that literally say that they start their morning listening to me wake up at the crack of dawn and sing a song.”

Robinson is nearing his 150th online performance, which he records every Monday through Friday.

“People make suggestions and each one leads to something else,” he said. “There have been a few songs I have picked for personal reasons, but mostly they are what people throw out.”

Music and singing are not hobbies to Robinson.

The Lockport Township High School graduate, he made his Broadway debut in the Tony Award winning production of Hairspray.

He was in the original cast of Disney’s The Little Mermaid as well as Disney’s The Lion King — Broadway’s all time highest grossing show.

Robinson was the first African American to play Marius on Broadway in Les Misérables and at the time

of the COVID-19 lockdown was in The Book Of Mormon on Broadway.

Yet, after all he has accomplished with music and theater, he said he is enjoying singing songs fresh out of bed in front of his computer.

“Because I do this for a living, there are times I forget how much fun it is,” Robinson said “It is cool now to dive into music just for fun and I am getting a whole new appreciation for it.

This is the complete opposite of work.

“In the beginning, I told myself, it’s a pandemic. It is a crappy situation for every human all over the world. I could be angry, I could be sad, I could take it personally, but there is nothing I can do to change the fact that we are fighting a pandemic. Music is universal, it talks to everyone and I like making music.”

Robinson said it is also his way to contribute in an positive way to social media — which has gotten away from attracted users in the first place.

“It is cool because I put that one thing out there into the universe and that one thing feeds positive energy for the rest of the day,” he said. “To see people share to other people or see people that maybe I haven’t seen since elementary school and reaching out and making comments — it took the social media back to where it was before it became this scary place of judgment and cancelling.

Even my father, who is not a social media person at all, to see comment cracks me up. He throws out suggestions, too.”

Robinson said that some of the older requests he has had thrown at him have been his favorite to sing.

“Someone challenged me to sings all songs about going back to school and there was a Chuck Berry song called School Days that was really fun and then all the throwback songs like James Brown — I had forgot those songs were even valid,” he said. “They are fun. This is a tiny thing that I can put out there that seems to be making a big impact. I will keep doing this until I have to go back to work or until there are no songs left.”

While he enjoys singing in his liv-

ing room, outside deck or his Disney decorated office, Robinson is looking forward to getting back to work — if for nothing else than a return of his income.

“Everything that I have done for income has all revolved around the entertainment. I had multiple streams of income, but all were in the same industry and that industry just said goodbye overnight,” he said. “I was on the Board of Trustees at Viterbo University where I did my undergrad and now we are doing everything virtual. It

has been tricky.”

He is also aware that when he does go back to work, the industry may look different than the way he left it — but that actually excites him.

“If we go back in history and we go back and look at storytelling, it always took something drastic like the dark ages or a war or a pandemic to really cause art and literature into a new realm — for new artists to emerge, for new stories to come out, and we have always learned about this from history books,” he said. “Now, we are in a

pandemic and the way that we decide to tell stories and the kind of stories that we tell are going to change drastically and we are going to be part of that. For me, as an artist, it is exciting because I get to be what could potentially be a new renaissance of art and creative literature. Not many living people can say they were alive when some kind of huge resurgence of art.”

To watch Robinson’s ‘Early Morning Vocal’ performances, follow him on Facebook at Arbender Robinson or on Instagram at @Arbender2

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Will COunTy

Campaigning or cooperating in Crest hill? mayor Ray soliman questioned about phone calls to residents. Was he helping or campaigning?

By maRK gRegORy editorial director

@Hear_The_Beard mark@buglenewspapers.com Things got heated at the end of the Crest Hill city council work session Monday at city hall.

Just before moving to executive session to discuss selling the current building when the new one is built, City Clerk Vicki Hackney, who announced last week that she will not seek re-election, questioned Mayor Ray Soliman about phone calls he was making to residents that have incorrectly filled out the forms for a property tax rebate and leaving his personal cell

phone number on voice mails — suggesting Soliman was doing so to help his bid for re-election.

When asked, Soliman admitted to leaving his personal cell number, which he says is a city-issued phone.

“Ashli (Motyka, Finance Supervisor) came to me and said that they were overloaded with people turning in [with the wrong corresponding information] — they said they needed help and I said I would take ones with property tax bills.

“I will do anything that I have done over the last 12 years. If any-

one asks me for help, I will help them out. They are getting a courtesy call from me and I am telling them to call back because I don’t want them to think it is a scam call.

If I don’t answer, it says, ‘this is the mayor.”

City Treasurer Glen Conklin questioned that explanation.

“If you are talking about legitimacy as far as you not wanting them to think it is a prank call, then why would not leave the city hall number? That can be looked up very easily,” Conklin said. “I can put [this is the mayor] on my message, too. A published city hall number makes more sense than a personal cell number.”

Outside of possible campaigning, the questions of why the calls were made at all when according to the online form, directions are given and residents are informed that failure to correctly complete the form may result in the rebate being denied — and if they are being made, why are they made by the mayor, not by city staff.

“There are six people in the office, they can handle it,” said Ward 1 Alderman John Vershay.

Hackney agreed.

“This is the finance office’s job. and there is staff in the clerk’s office that would be more than happy to call, but it was my understanding that last year no one was

haCKney

sOliman

called and it was test run — this year the process was, you turn in your form with property tax bill,” she said. “I want everyone to get the rebate, but if we didn’t call last year, why are we calling this year?

Were any other political candidates offered to assist?”

Soliman, who has been on the city council since 1993 and mayor since 2009, again denied the calls were a form of campaigning for reelection.

“I think we have a duty to provide a service here,” he said in response to Hackney. “I am doing it as the mayor to help them out and if you disagree, so be it.”

While no formal resolve was given, City Administrator Heather McGuire defended Soliman making phone calls, but said she would instruct staff members that they are the only ones to make calls.

“It is appropriate for staff members to call if we are going to make an effort to make sure everyone is getting a property tax rebate check and the mayor, for all intents and purposes, is a treated as a quasi staff member,” she said. “He is the liquor commissioner, he is in [city hall] day to day and he signs off on a lot of communications — so the clerk, mayor and treasurer all have a different relationship with the city than the aldermen do. I do not want to comment on a campaign issue. The mayor is not prohibited from doing any city business just because it is an election year.”

“I was not part of the initial discussion, I became aware of [the calls]. I am happy to have just the office staff do it and keep all elected officials out of it.”

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OBiTuaRy gilBeRTsOn Edward Alvin Gilbertson, age 82, a resident of Joliet, IL and a former longtime resident of Plainfield, IL, passed away Tuesday, October 6, 2020 at Amita Holy Family Medical Center of Des Plaines, IL. Edward is survived by his loving children, Kristin (Rob) Trizna of Channahon, IL, Cynthia (Mike) Winterstein of Rothbury, MI, and Eric Gilbertson of Zephyrhills, FL,; his cherished grandchildren, Jael Waddick, Anna, Scott, and Jake Trizna, Nicole Piper, Kayla Murray, Brandon Winterstein, Caleb Gilbertson and nine great-grandchildren; and brother of Roger (the late Sharon) Gilbertson of Morris, IL. He was preceded in death by his parents, Alvin and Geordenia Gilbertson; his loving wife, Judith A. Gilbertson, wedded for 54 years; and his son, Perry Gilbertson; and his grandchild Cody Gilbertson.

Ed will forever be remembered as a loving husband, father and grandfather, who will forever be remembered as the anchor of the family.

For those who would like to leave a lasting tribute to Edward life, memorial contributions may be directed to Heart of a Veteran,

823 Beaumont Drive, Naperville, IL 60540, USA 331-444-2983. All services will be private.

Overman-Jones Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 15219 s. Joliet Rd., Plainfield, IL 60544 was entrusted with arrangements. For information please call 815/436-9221 or visit www.overman-jones.com

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eduCaTiOn

university of st. Francis freezes tuition and housing After eliminating most student fees in 2019, the University of St. Francis (USF) has frozen all tuition and housing prices at the current level until fall of 2022.

“In the face of COVID-19’s disruptions to families, Illinois, and the wider economy we wanted to hold university costs the same this year.

By freezing tuition, USF can make planning for college easier and increase the value of our offerings to students,” USF President Arvid C. Johnson, Ph.D., said.

USF announced the move in an email to all current students and applicants today. “The university will not raise undergraduate or graduate tuition and will hold housing and food costs at the same level. We recognize the pressure felt by all of our students and their families,” Johnson said.

The tuition and housing rate freeze applies to in-state and out-ofstate students, Johnson added. “Our

campus has been a place where talented students live and learn in a safe environment. We have had no on-campus transmission of COVID-19 and our faculty, students, and staff continue to work together to maintain a healthy campus,” he said.

“2020 has been a challenging year unlike any other,” said USF Vice President for Admissions Eric Wignall. “High school students are feeling isolated and uncertain about the future. Freezing our tuition, room, and board costs provides some stability for planning an educational path for the students and their families.”

The university, with three campuses in Joliet and one in Albuquerque, New Mexico, was set to celebrate its centennial this year as the pandemic struck. With no in-person celebrations allowed to mark the occasion, the school was still able to complete two new campus projects,

including the creation of an openair seating area and a welcoming gateway that features a statue of Saint Francis of Assisi.

The successful re-opening of campus, Wignall said, was made possible largely because of a comprehensive, campus-wide planning effort.

“Our faculty and staff all truly stepped up. They created plans to re-open campus this fall with all new safety and health measures in place. They redesigned courses to be available to students in online and socially distant classroom environments. And we created a series of online open house and campus visit opportunities for students who can’t travel,” he said.

“Freezing our tuition in place is just one more step to make sure students understand the value of earning a degree from St. Francis,” Wignall added.

The tuition and housing price freezes are the latest in the university’s efforts to make a USF education attainable for as many students as possible. USF launched several initiatives in 2020, including a Will County Access scholarship for local

high school graduates with high financial need, scholarship programs in the sciences, and a new degree program in economics. For more information on these programs or to learn more about registration, visit stfrancis.edu/admissions-aid.

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sTaTe neWs

How to safely celebrate Halloween during a pandemic After all the things people avoided through the summer — sitting towel-to-towel on a sunny beach, vacations, concerts, visiting extended family — it seems unfair to now have to avoid the usual fun of Halloween.

But with the virus that causes COVID-19 circulating, it’s just not safe to crowd into a cramped haunted house and scream with friends.

The same is true for big indoor parties — basically anyplace large groups of people will be spending time indoors talking, laughing and shouting isn’t safe during the pandemic.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently released guidelines for safe holiday celebrations, and listed these Halloween activities as higher-risk for spreading viruses: • Participating in traditional trick-or-treating where treats are handed to children who go door to door • Having trunk-or-treat where treats are handed out from trunks of cars lined up in large parking lots • Attending crowded costume parties held indoors • Going to an indoor haunted house where people may be crowded together and screaming • Going on hayrides or tractor rides with people who are not in your household • Using alcohol or drugs, which can cloud judgement and increase risky behaviors • Traveling to a rural fall festival in a different community if you are

coming from an area with community spread of COVID-19 But all is not lost. There are ways to do fun Halloween things (including trick-or-treating) in a safe way: • Have a Halloween party at home. Decorate to the hilt and let kids stay up to watch a Halloween movie with some special treats.

• Carve pumpkins. Roast the seeds, too.

• Try alternatives to trick-ortreating, such as a glow-in-thedark egg hunt, hanging packages of candy on a tree or fence to be “picked,” or setting up a table in the front yard laden with individual cups filled with candy for trickor-treaters to take.

• Participate in an outdoor Halloween parade and show off your costume.

• “Boo” someone! Leave a bag of treats or a pumpkin on a friend’s doorstep after dark, ring the bell and run.

• Set up a Halloween scavenger hunt in and around the house for the people in your household.

If Halloween plans include a party or taking the kids trick-ortreating, remember these important safety guidelines: • Maintain physical distance from people outside your household.

• Don’t substitute a costume mask for a cloth mask. Unless the costume mask is made of two or more layers of fabric and fits snugly around your mouth and nose, wear a cloth mask instead.

Don’t wear a cloth mask under a costume mask, as this may make it

hard to breathe.

• Frequently wash hands with soap and water for 20 seconds. If soap and water isn’t available, use hand sanitizer.

• If an individual has COVID-19

or has been exposed to someone with a confirmed case of COVID-19, they should not participate in in-person activities or hand out candy to trick-or-treaters.

• nOutdoor celebrations are

safer than indoor, particularly enclosed, poorly ventilated spaces.

For more information, visit www.EEHealth.org/coronavirus.

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sTaTe neWs

Durkin calls on Democrats to demand Madigan answer questions By peTeR hanCOCK

Capitol News Illinois

The top Republican in the Illinois House on Thursday called for Democrats, including Gov. JB Pritzker, to either demand that Democratic House Speaker Michael Madigan answer questions before a Special Investigating Committee or resign immediately.

During a virtual news conference, Minority Leader Jim Durkin, of Western Springs, openly accused the investigating committee’s chairman, Hillside Democrat Emanuel “Chris” Welch, of deliberately stalling the investigation until after the Nov. 3 election, a move that Republicans warn could thwart the entire investigation.

“There is one person who is in charge, and that is Gov. Pritzker, and he is the leader of the state Democratic Party,” Durkin said.

“Today I call on him to immediately demand those answers he has been requesting from Speaker Madigan or demand that he resign immediately.”

Durkin is one of three House Republicans who filed a petition calling for the investigation after Madigan was implicated in a bribery scheme involving utility giant Commonwealth Edison. In a deferred prosecution agreement filed in federal court in July, ComEd officials admitted that, over a nineyear period, they awarded no-

work jobs and lobbying contracts to Madigan’s close associates in order to curry his favor for legislation that benefitted the company.

Republicans argue that Welch, by postponing any further hearings until after the election, has put the investigating committee under a severe time constraint.

That’s because under House rules, all committees are automatically dissolved when the General Assembly adjourns its biennial session, which is currently scheduled to happen in January.

That means Republicans would have to petition again for a new committee after lawmakers convene in January for the start of the 102nd General Assembly if they want the investigation to continue.

Welch has said he postponed further hearings because he did not want the investigation to be used as “political theater” leading up to the election. As evidence of that, he pointed to the fact that two Republican committee members – Reps. Deanne Mazzochi of Elmhurst and Grant Wehrli of Naperville – called out their Democratic challengers in a news conference this week, demanding they state publicly whether or not they would vote for Madigan for another term as speaker if they are elected.

But Durkin responded Thursday by insisting the investigation is not political.

“This isn’t politics. This is one of the most serious scandals that we’ve ever experienced in Illinois, and it’s just going to get larger,” he said. “It has nothing to do with politics. And it’s unfortunate that the Democrats look at this as politics.”

Madigan himself has not been charged in the bribery scheme and he has denied any wrongdoing. On Friday, Sept. 25, he issued a letter saying he would not testify before the investigating committee, again asserting that all he did was recommend some people for jobs at the company.

Days later, on Sept. 30, Pritzker said during a virtual news conference that he thought Madigan should testify.

“I strongly believe that the speaker should take any opportunity, and this is one, to present answers to the questions that I think all of us have,” Pritzker said.

The governor’s spokesperson later issued a statement saying, “As the Governor has said, he strongly believes the Speaker should answer questions and that any opportunity to answer questions is one the Speaker should take.

That being said, there is a legislative process underway and as a co-equal branch of government, members of the General Assembly have used this process before and they are capable of managing it on their own.”

In addition to delaying any further hearings until after the election, Republicans have also complained that Welch is stalling the process by requesting what they call a “data dump” from ComEd, including records of all communications between the company and state officials – including former governors – over the past 10 years.

Republicans say the request could take months to fulfill, and Durkin called it “a fishing expedition” that was irrelevant to the work of the special committee.

“The committee’s charge is to investigate Speaker Madigan in his role with the deferred prosecution agreement,” Durkin said.

“Going back decades to look into communications between a utility and legislative leaders and governors serves no purpose when the purpose of the committee is to

determine whether or not Speaker Madigan has maligned the integrity of the chamber and if he’s committed conduct that’s unbecoming of a member of the House of Representatives.”

Welch issued a statement late Thursday saying Durkin’s “only goal is political theater” and urging the leader to “put the political performances aside and let our investigation take its course.”

“While Leader Durkin grandstands to prop up his politically vulnerable members, the committee is taking productive steps in the process he initiated,” he said in the statement. “Democratic and Republican counsel for the committee is working with ComEd to secure the documents both sides have requested.”

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Legal Notices

WEDNEsday, OCTOBER 14, 2020 | PAGE 16

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Wednesday, OCTOBER 14, 2020 | buglenewspapers.com

Phone: 1515.436.2431 >> Mon. - Fri. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. FAX: 1515.439.25415 email: classifieds@enterprisepublications.com IN PERSON: Enterprise Publications >> 231556 Andrew Rd. >> Plainfield, IL

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