MAY 14-15, 2025 • VOL. 64 ISSUE 27
Oakton College Baseball Qualifies
Oakton College won the District III Tournament Championship at Triton College, May 9-10. Submitted by Oakton College
The Oakton College baseball team is headed back to the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division III World Series after capturing the District III Tournament Championship, May 9-10. The Owls defeated Region 12 champion Owens Community
College (Perrysburg, Ohio) to secure their place among the nation’s top eight teams. The district tournament began on Friday with a commanding 16–6 win for Oakton in Game 1, ending early due to the 10-run rule. After a tough 11-inning loss in Game 2, the Owls regrouped for Saturday’s
decisive Game 3. Oakton erupted with six runs in the first inning and never looked back, clinching a 7–2 victory and the district title.
“There were some nerves,” Smith shared. “But once we stepped onto the field, they went away. Everybody just trusted each other.”
Freshman Kyle Smith (Zeeland, Mich.) delivered a standout performance on the mound to improve to 3–0 for the season.
Smith, who splits time between the outfield and pitching, described the win as “an unreal feeling.” “I knew we could do it, but when
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it happens, it’s just something you dream of,” said Smith. Head coach Bill Fratto praised the team’s resilience and chemistry. “We’re proud of this team. They are very talented. I knew from the SEE BASEBALL PAGE 4
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Ventura measure to create rewilding strategies, revitalize ecosystems across Illinois SPRINGFIELD – To support ongoing efforts in protecting and revitalizing local landscapes and ecosystems, State Senator Rachel Ventura and State Representative Anna Moeller spearheaded legislation to create new rewilding strategies by giving the Illinois Department of Natural Resources more authority to implement conservation tactics. “Over the last few decades, countless species of wild animals and plant life have been reduced significantly or completely lost to human activity,” said Ventura (D-Joliet). “By creating a holistic rewilding strategy for the state, we can see landscapes restored to their previous state — a major win for the environment and their local ecosystems.” House Bill 2726 grants the Illinois Department of Natural Resources to implement rewilding as a conservation strategy. This could include the restoration of
land or waterways to its natural state, the reintroduction of native species — particularly apex predators and keystone species — and the restoration of ecological processes as defined by state-specific baselines. “Rewilding” means to restore an area of land to its natural uncultivated state. This term is used especially with reference to the reintroduction of species of wild animals that have been driven out of an area or exterminated by human interference. “Illinois’ varied and vibrant ecosystems and natural resources are treasures that have too often been altered or even destroyed without reckoning with the cost to the environment, animal species and our own society,” said Moeller (D-Elgin). “That’s why rewilding is so important. It preserves that which might otherwise be lost—and may even restore that which has been lost. Removing roadblocks to enable better environmen-
State Senator Rachel Ventura speaking on the Senate floor. Submitted by State Senator Rachel Ventura
tal stewardship helps us build a brighter future for Illinois.” If passed, Illinois would be the
first state to explicitly pass legislation on rewilding, advancing efforts to preserve and protect species. House Bill 2726
passed the Senate Environment and Conservation Committee Thursday and heads to the Senate for further action.
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NEWS CONTINUED Continued From Page 1 BASEBALL
beginning they had what it takes to get back to the World Series, and they’ve proven it.” This marks Oakton’s first NJCAA World Series appearance since 2021. The Owls won the national championship in 2018 and made consecutive appearances through 2021.
The team will travel to Auburn, N.Y, later this week, with its seed and first-round opponent to be announced Tuesday, May 20. “We’ve been here before and know what to expect,” coach Fratto added. “The goal is to play hard, one game at a time, and bring another title home to Oakton.” For Smith and his teammates, the focus now shifts to preparation.
“I’m sticking to my daily reps, eating right, and doing a lot of stretching and prayer,” said Smith. “We’re practicing hard as a team. If we pitch well, hit well, and execute our game plan, I think we can go all the way. I thank God every day for this opportunity.” “Oakton baseball is back on the map,” said coach Fratto. “We’re proud of where we are, and even more excited about what’s ahead.”
To schedule an interview with coach Fratto and players, please contact Ewa Lyczewska, Oakton’s communications manager (elyczewska@oakton.edu, 847.635.1810).
Freshman Kyle Smith (Zeeland, Mich.) is an Oakton Owls pitcher and outfielder. Submitted by Oakton College
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BUSINESS AND REAL ESTATE LEGAL NOTICE
LEGAL NOTICE Notice is hereby given that a public hearing will be held by the Village of Niles Planning and Zoning Board on Monday, June 2, 2025, at 6:00 P.M. in the Council Chambers of the Niles Municipal Building, 1000 Civic Center Drive, Niles Illinois, to hear the following matter(s): 25-ZP-06 Olabayode Oluwole of 7042 N Milwaukee Ave, Niles, IL 60714 is requesting approval of a Special Use Permit per Village of Niles Zoning Ordinance Appendix B Section 8.2(A) for a ‘Reception Facility’ at 7030-7040 N Milwaukee Ave, Niles, IL 60714. PIN #: 10-31-101-036-0000, 10-31-101-025-0000, 10-31-101-026-0000 & 10-31-101-031-0000 25-ZP-07 Olabayode Oluwole of 7042 N Milwaukee Ave, Niles, IL 60714 is requesting approval of three Variations from Village of Niles Zoning Ordinance Appendix B to allow for a ‘Reception Facility’ at 70307040 N Milwaukee Ave, Niles, IL 60714: A Variation from Section 10.4 to provide 126 parking spaces where 143 are required. A Variation from Section 10.3(D)(1) to allow for a parking lot with a gravel surface A Variation from Section 10.3 to allow for a tandem parking configuration for the proposed valet parking lot. PIN #: 10-31-101-036-0000, 10-31-101-025-0000, 10-31-101-026-0000 & 10-31-101-031-0000 25-ZP-16 Suvdaa Lkhagvsuren of 10405 Dearlove Rd, Glenview, IL 60714 is requesting approval of a Variation from Village of Niles Zoning Ordinance Appendix B Section 10.4(A) to allow for 2 parking spaces where 6 are required for a proposed Specialty Food Service business at 8111 N Milwaukee Ave, Niles, IL 60714. Pin #: 09-24-411-050-0000 25-ZP-17 Valerie Joy Rix-Baruch of 6957 N Overhill Ave, Chicago, IL 60631 is requesting approval of a Special Use of a Special Use Permit per Village of Niles Zoning Ordinance Appendix B Section 8.2(A) for a ‘Massage Services Establishment’ at 7400 Waukegan Rd, Unit 213, Niles, IL 60714. PIN #: 10-30-301-037-0000, 10-30-301-045-0000 & 10-30-301-045-0000 25-ZP-18 Halle Properties LLC, dba Discount Tire, 20255 N Scottsdale Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85255, is requesting approval of a Special Use Permit as required by Village of Niles Zoning Ordinance Appendix B Section 8.2(A) to allow ‘Vehicle Repair – Minor’ at 5970 W Touhy Ave, Niles, IL 60714. PIN #: 10-29-402-024-0000 25-ZP-19 Halle Properties LLC, dba Discount Tire, 20255 N Scottsdale Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85255, is requesting approval of a Variation from Village of Niles Zoning Ordinance Appendix B Section 6.4(A) to allow parking in the required front yard setback at a proposed tire repair business at 5970 W Touhy Ave, Niles, IL 60714. PIN #: 10-29-402-024-0000 All persons interested should attend and will be given an opportunity to be heard. For additional information regarding the above case(s) or should any individual need auxiliary aid or service, such as sign language interpreter or materials in alternative formats, please contact the Village of Niles Community Development Department at 847-588-8077. Published May 15, 2025
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Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Allison Markovic, from Joliet, Illinois, watches over the flight crew to ensure their safety and to be ready to respond to any emergency during flight operations on the aft missile deck of the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Curtis Wilbur (DDG 54) in the South China Sea, May 6, 2025. Curtis Wilbur, assigned to the Nimitz Carrier Strike Group, is underway in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations on a scheduled deployment, demonstrating the U.S. Navy’s unwavering commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific. Submitted by U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Mark Bergado
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