DECEMBER 17-18, 2025 • VOL. 65 ISSUE 7
More News online at Buglenewspapers.com Women’s basketball goes cold in loss to Lake County, 73-50 See: Page 3: ‘WOLVES’
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LOCAL NEWS PAGE 2 | DECEMBER 17-18, 2025 | BUGLENEWSPAPERS.COM
Chief Judge Beach Announces Major Restructuring of Juvenile Justice Leadership to Strengthen Outcomes for Youth Following months of intensive work by the Juvenile Transition Committee and its affiliated workgroups, Chief Judge Charles S. Beach II announced a series of actions designed to modernize and humanize the Circuit Court of Cook County’s Juvenile Justice System. During a meeting with committee members last week, Chief Judge Beach thanked the workgroups for their extensive analysis and recommendations, noting that juvenile justice reform remains a top priority for his new administration. “We want to create a humanized system that centers the young people who come before our courts,” said Chief Judge Beach. “I am particularly grateful to the youth who shared their experiences with us. Their voices will continue to play a critical role in shaping this work moving forward.”
Creation of a Director of Juvenile Services Position
Acting on the recommendations delivered by the committee, Chief Judge Beach announced the creation of a new director of juvenile services, a senior leadership position that will oversee the Juvenile Temporary Detention Center (JTDC) superintendent and the chief probation officer. The director will also work directly with juvenile court judges to improve coordination, accountability, and policy implementation across the system.
Redefined Leadership Roles at JTDC and Juvenile Probation In addition to creating the director position, the roles of both the JTDC superintendent and the chief probation officer will be redefined to support a more integrated approach to detention, supervision, and rehabilitation. Once the director is selected, they will lead the hiring process for both redefined roles.
Beach said this new structure will strengthen the alignment among the JTDC, Juvenile Probation and Court Services Department, and the judiciary, ensuring better communication and shared responsibility for youth outcomes.
Ongoing Opportunities for Engagement
Executive Search Committee to Launch
Once job descriptions for the director, JTDC superintendent, and chief probation officer are created and posted, the committee will welcome recommended candidates and community suggestions.
Immediately Chief Judge Beach will convene an executive search committee to identify high-quality candidates for the new director of juvenile services. Committee chairs and leadership are finalizing the membership of the search committee, and the roster will be announced in the coming days. The selected director will receive the full set of recommendations produced by the transition workgroups, including principles for reform, youth-voice integration strategies, policy proposals to reduce detention, operational restructuring guidance, and data-tracking needs.
Committee members and the public will have opportunities to share ideas and provide input as the search process moves forward.
Commitment to Continued Reform Chief Judge Beach emphasized that the actions announced today reflect the start of ongoing reform efforts, not the conclusion. “Our goal is not only to implement these recommendations, but to build a system that listens, adapts, and stays accountable to the youth and families it serves,” he said. “We are grateful for the insight, energy, and commitment of everyone who contributed to this process.”
HOLIDAY LOCAL NEWS TREATS
DECEMBER 17-18, 2025 | BUGLENEWSPAPERS.COM | PAGE 3
FROM PAGE 1: ‘WOLVES’
I-CASH Event to be Held at Will Women’s basketball County Office Building in Joliet goes cold in loss to Lake County, 73-50 The Illinois State Treasurer’s Office will be holding an I-CASH event at the Will County Office Building on Tuesday, December 16 to help Will County residents check if they are owed unclaimed property.
Submitted by Damien Dennis, Joliet Junior College It was a cold night shooting for the Wolves as Joliet Junior College women’s basketball fell to College of Lake County, 73-50, on the road Monday.
©2025 UCM-AH AH-1788_6X6
Na’Vayuh Junior led the Wolves (5-6) as she scored 13 points off the bench.
She added a pair of rebounds, a steal and an assists. Aniela Machalski contributed with 11 points, five rebounds, two assists and a steal. Up next, the Wolves travel to Coon Rapids, Minn. to face St. Cloud Technical College on Friday at 5 p.m.
The event is being hosted by Will County Auditor Duffy Blackburn in partnership with Will County Executive Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant and Will County Treasurer Tim Brophy. A representative from the State
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Treasurer’s Office will be on-hand from 9 AM until 12 PM and 1 PM until 4PM at 302 N. Chicago Street, Joliet, IL 60432.
everything from forgotten bank accounts and uncashed checks to insurance payments, stocks, and even the contents of safe deposit boxes.
I-CASH events help residents across Illinois locate and reclaim unclaimed property that is held by the Illinois State Treasurer’s Office.
The State Treasurer is holding more than five billion dollars in unclaimed funds for Illinoisans.
Since 2015, more than $2 billion in assets have been returned to Illinoisans. Unclaimed property can include
The State holds these lost funds until they are claimed by either the original owner or their heirs. Property is returned at no cost with the proper identification.
PAGE 4 | DECEMBER 17-18, 2025 | BUGLENEWSPAPERS.COM
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DECEMBER 17-18, 2025 | BUGLENEWSPAPERS.COM | PAGE 5
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PAGE 6 | DECEMBER 17-18, 2025 | BUGLENEWSPAPERS.COM
BUSINESS & REAL ESTATE
DECEMBER 17-18, 2025 | BUGLENEWSPAPERS.COM | PAGE 7
Signs of winter lawn damage Mother Nature can be harsh on a lawn, and it’s up to homeowners to nurse their lawns back to health after they endure the elements. That’s often the case when winter ends and homeowners uncover signs of damage to their lawns. Homeowners cannot begin to repair winter lawn damage until they learn to identify it, and the following are some telltale signs that winter took a harsh toll on a landscape. • Wilted grass: Many things can cause grass to wilt over the course of winter, so homeowners may have to put on their sleuth’s cap to determine why grass that was healthy as recently as late fall is now wilted as the spring bloom begins. Grass that’s adjacent to walkways and driveways might have wilted due to the application of de-icing solutions. Such products can prevent the formation of ice on driveways and walkways. However, when they’re tracked onto the grass by people or animals or blown there by winter winds, grass can wilt. A deep watering in spring can flush any lingering solution from the lawn.
In future winters, homeowners can be as careful as possible when applying de-icing solutions, making a concerted effort to avoid spreading any onto the grass and limited applications to areas of the driveway and walkways that are not close to the grass. • Brown patches: The National Association of Landscape Professionals notes that brown patches in a lawn often develop after heavy snowfall. Such patches tend to develop where large piles of shoveled snow were deposited, so homeowners can inspect alongside driveways and walkways. The NALP advises homeowners to rake away part of the brown patches first. If green tissue is emerging beneath, then the lawn will likely be fine in due time.
Mother Nature can be harsh on a lawn, and it’s up to homeowners to nurse their lawns back to health after they endure the elements.
However, if the area beneath is not green and surrounding areas are already turning green, homeowners may need to rake up dead tissue before applying topsoil to the affected spots. Once topsoil is spread, some grass seed can be spread and the grass should regain its green glory. • Gray or pink grass: Another indicator
of winter lawn damage linked to snow is gray or pink grass. The NALP reports that this is a byproduct of snow mold caused by lingering snow. Action may be unnecessary, as the NALP notes these circular patterns often go away on their own.
If not, raking the affected areas might be enough to get the lawn on the road to recovery.
lawn damage in areas where snowfall is significant during the coldest months of the year.
If the issue continues to linger after raking, a topsoil application and subsequent seeding may be necessary.
Homeowners concerned about their damaged lawns are urged to contact a local landscape professional to correct any issues that linger into spring.
These are three common signs of winter
FOOD: LOCAL CRAVE
Cake pops to light up kids’ eyes this holiday season There’s no denying Christmas Eve is a little more special in homes where kids are excited about an overnight visit from Santa Claus. Indeed, kids’ joy and enthusiasm helps to make the holiday season such a special time of year. Since kids add so much to the holidays, it makes sense to prepare something special for youngsters. Of course, treats such as these “Christmas Tree Cake Pops” from Lines+Angles also may appeal to festive adults.
Christmas Tree Cake Pops Makes 24 cake pops 1 3⁄4 1⁄2 1 1 1 31⁄2 24
box vanilla cake mix cup canola oil cup unsalted butter, softened cup confectioners’ sugar teaspoon vanilla extract teaspoon milk cups green candy melts cake pop sticks Icing dots Icing stars
1. Prepare cake according to package instructions, adding 3⁄4 cup canola oil to the cake mix before baking. 2. Once cake is cool to the touch, transfer to a large mixing bowl and break up into crumbs. Allow to cool completely. 3. In a medium bowl, add the butter, sugar, vanilla, and milk. Use an electric mixer and beat on medium speed for about 4 minutes until light and fluffy. 4. Add 3⁄4 of the frosting to the cake crumbs and mix until mixture can hold together well. Refrigerate for at least an hour. 5. Using your hands, shape the cake pop mixture into 24 conical shapes. 6. Melt the green candy melts. Dip one end of each of the cake pop sticks into the melted chocolate before inserting into the bottom of the cake pops. Dip each cake pop into
Since kids add so much to the holidays, it makes sense to prepare something special for youngsters.
the melted chocolate, making sure to cover completely, allowing excess to drip back into bowl.
7. Use a toothpick to create the textured look of the tree and decorate with the icing dots and stars before
standing upright to dry completely.
PAGE 8 | DECEMBER 17-18, 2025 | BUGLENEWSPAPERS.COM