Bugle Newspapers 8-6-20

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claar retires as mayor of bolingbrook by mark GreGory editorial director

@Hear_The_Beard mark@buglenewspapers.com “This is it,” Bolingbrook Mayor Roger C. Claar said to the large crowd gathered to see him off at his final board meeting after serving the village for nearly 34 years - 33 years, 8 months and 7 days to be exact.

Claar gave his final address to the board and residents from center stage of the Bolingbrook Performing Arts Center, where the meeting was relocated to in order to accommodate the amount of people that showed up to the event - which was maybe the first mayoral farewell ever given under a disco ball.

Claar cited his family, wife Pat, as well as his daughter Lindsey, sonin-law Trevor and granddaughter Samantha, who drove in from California for the meeting, as the reason for his retirement.

“My wife Pat has put up with many, many nights with me being out doing mayoral things and political things and I come home at 10 p.m. and some nights later and it has not been easy – in fact sometimes it has been very, very difficult,” Claar said. “My daughter, Lindsey too put up with a lot. I was not home much when she grew up and I feel bad about that. I can’t unwind the clock, but I can certainly stop the clock and go forward with her beautiful daughter Samantha

Joy. I have to move on. I want to spend time with them doing things they want to do because they have spent time watching me do what I want to do.”

Claar was elected village trustee in October of 1979 and served in that role until he was appointed mayor in 1986 to fill a vacancy.

He was subsequently elected to the office in 1987 and nine times after, winning his final election in 2017.

He announced at the state of the village address in January that he would not be running for reelection and decided to retire early and have his seat filled by a sitting member of the current village board.

“It is time,” Claar said. “I am going to be 75 in November. Most people have been retired for years at 75. Between mayor and trustee and police and fire commissioner, I have been involved in village government 40 of the 55-year history of this village. I have seen changes – in fact, I have been part of a lot of those changes. I have been proud to be mayor of a community that has been named multiple times

by Money Magazine as one of the top communities in the United States to live in. Naperville and Bolingbrook are the only two communities on that list consistently when it comes out every two years - and we were ahead of Naperville one year, which I got a kick out of.

But, that is a great honor. It means people across this country recognize us.”

Claar talked about a lot of the accomplishments of the village, especially the diversity of the community and schools.

“I want to thank the 76,000 residents that have elected me to office,” he said. “I am really proud of that because the town has grown and the diversity we have, issues come up and we have survived all that and I have been reelected.”

He is also proud of the village that was built on his watch, more than doubling in size.

“When I became mayor, you couldn’t even build a house because the sewer plants were at capacity and we were prohibited by the Illinois EPA to build even one house. We got that resolved with help of Gov. Jim Thompson, the state and many others. We had 35,000 people, now we have 76,000 and growing and we will probably top out at about 85,000 or 90,000,”

Claar said. “We had flooding in the community, we had no retail and now we have the Promenade Mall.

Our water sucked - we had water that was orange coming out of the faucet and nearly every home had a water softener, which aren’t needed anymore. Now we have Lake Michigan water... and yeah, it is a little pricey, but it costs money

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house democrats calling for madigan’s resignation speaker issues statement refusing to step down

by Jerry noWIckI capital news Illinois

Cracks are beginning to show in Michael Madigan’s hold over the House Democratic caucus that he has led as Speaker for all but two years since 1983.

Three more members of that caucus called for Madigan to resign this week, at least as House Speaker and chair of the state’s Democratic Party. They join another Democratic representative and three senators—all women— and a number of high-profile Republicans in calling for Madigan’s resignation from at least one of his leadership positions.

A Madigan spokesperson initially declined to comment Thursday afternoon on Capitol News Illinois’ questions as to whether the speaker was considering the request. But, later Thursday night, the spokesperson released a statement on behalf of Madigan after he reportedly spent much of the day calling Democratic caucus members.

“I understand that the last couple of weeks have been difficult for our caucus and party, and I have had many candid conversations with members of the Democratic caucus on this matter. The feedback is positive and demonstrates continued support for me and my leadership roles,” Madigan said in the statement. “I have no plans to resign. I have never made a legislative decision with improper motives and any claim otherwise is unfounded. I will continue to lead the effort to defeat Donald Trump,

expand the Illinois congressional delegation and the majorities in the Illinois House and Senate.”

The latest calls for the Speaker’s resignation come nearly two weeks after he was implicated in a bribery scheme relating to utility giant Commonwealth Edison. In a court document, ComEd admitted to handing out benefits such as lobbying jobs and subcontracts to close associates of the Illinois House Speaker in an effort to gain support for legislation benefitting the company.

Madigan has not been charged with any crime and has denied wrongdoing.

Rep. Anne Stava-Murray, a Naperville Democrat, was the only member of the House Democratic caucus who had called for his resignation before this week. She was also the only Democrat who did not vote for Madigan as speaker at the beginning of this session of the General Assembly.

This week, Reps. Terra Costa

Howard, D-Glen Ellyn, and Stephanie Kifowit, D-Oswego, added their names to the growing list seeking Madigan’s resignation.

Others have called for the Speaker to resign if the allegations in the ComEd court document are true.

Howard, in a statement Wednesday, called for Madigan’s resignation as Speaker and party chair.

“The sworn statements in the U.S. Attorney’s agreement with Commonwealth Edison detail a years-long scheme of payoffs and bribery involving many of Speaker Madigan’s closest allies. Even if he was not directly involved in this scheme, these accusations clearly demonstrate that the Speaker’s leadership has failed,” she said in the statement. “Speaker Madigan has a duty to recognize that these allegations have cast a deep shadow on the reputation of our House.

He must take action now to avoid inflicting further damage on the members of the House and the Democratic Party.”

While she said Madigan has not been charged and is entitled to “the presumption of innocence and due process,” his ties to the investigation “make it impossible for Rep. Madigan to continue in his leadership roles.”

“I hope he will do the honorable thing and step down,” she said.

On Thursday morning, Kifowit tweeted that she “electronically delivered” a letter to the speaker requesting he step down.

“I write this letter as a legislator who voted for you for Speaker in the past,” Kifowit wrote. “The reality is that each time, the vote I made for you was carefully considered. I voted with the view that you would respect and honor the leadership position of the Speaker of the House.”

But, in light of the ComEd document, Kifowit said it was clear that Madigan – or at least those he empowered in his inner circle – “did not hold the respect and dignity of the institution of the Illinois State

House and the General Assembly as a whole.”

“The actions described in the U.S. Attorney’s deferred prosecution agreement by ComEd show that you have compromised the integrity of the office of Speaker of the House and undermined the public trust,” she said. “…Therefore, I demand you to do the right thing and step down immediately as Speaker of the House. In the event that you do not, and if you choose to seek nomination to this position again, I will vote against said nomination and will not vote for you should your nomination be successful.”

Hours after Kifowit’s letter, Rep. Kelly Cassidy, D-Chicago, joined her colleagues in calling for the Speaker to resign from his leadership roles.

“I have long been an outspoken critic of Speaker Madigan, but I have always stopped short of call-

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‘MADIGAN’ from page 4 ing for his resignation, deferring to many of my colleagues’ concerns about due process,” she said in a statement. “…As a leader on criminal justice reform, I feel strongly about the principles of innocent until proven guilty and the right to due process. I also believe leadership must be held to a higher standard, and it is clear that the constant drip of corruption stories will interfere with our ability to advance a progressive agenda.

Whether these investigations ultimately implicate him or continue to pick away at his inner circle, the damage is done.”

Earlier in the week, prominent Democratic Sen. Heather Steans, of Chicago, called on Madigan to resign those two positions as well.

“Some will argue that the Speaker is innocent until charges are filed and he’s proven guilty. But those are not the standards that should apply to his leadership role.

Serving as Speaker is not a right; it’s a privilege. A leader’s actions must avoid even the perception of wrongdoing. Speaker Madigan repeatedly has violated that trust,” she wrote in a statement.

Sen. Melinda Bush, D-Grayslake, called for his resignation to both those positions and as a member of the General Assem-

bly shortly after the ComEd news broke as well.

Sen. Iris Martinez, D-Chicago, has called for Madigan’s resignation as party chairman.

Republicans have been steadily beating the drum on the ethics issue since the news broke, with Illinois House Republican Leader Jim

Durkin taking a stronger stance Thursday than he had previously.

“After reviewing the facts contained in the ComEd deferred prosecution agreement, it is abundantly clear that Michael J. Madigan is unable to execute his responsibilities as Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives

and as state representative for the 22nd House District,” Durkin said in a statement. “I call for the immediate resignation of Speaker Madigan from the Illinois House of Representatives, and will be filing a resolution to have the House Chamber vote on a new Speaker immediately.”

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‘mayor’ from page 2 to pipe water from Lake Michigan to Bolingbrook, but we are working on that price with the lawsuit with Illinois American (Water) and I think we will be successful.

“We virtually had no infrastructure. The most expensive home in town was $150,000 or $160,000 and now we are going to have homes over $1 million and $2 million.”

Not only does Claar leave as the longest serving mayor in village history, but he may as well be the last full time mayor of Bolingbrook.

Prior to accepting his resignation from office, the trustees approved a change that will make the Mayor of Bolingbrook a part-time position at the salary of $35,000.

Along with this, the board approved the appointment of two current city employees, Public Safety Director Ken Teppel and

Director Public Services and Development Lucas Rickelman as coCity Administrators.

Claar, who served the first portion of his stint as mayor in a parttime role, said returning to that will allow all residents a chance to run for the office of mayor and not have to leave a career to do so.

“Everyone should have the opportunity to run if they would like to be mayor if they would like to,” Claar said. “The need for a fulltime mayor was hot and heavy in 2003. With the growth we were having at the time, the demands on a part-time mayor were insurmountable. Now, we are almost built out and full-time co-administrators can more than handle it.”

Taking his place Just two days after his final meeting, Bolingbrook Village Trustee Mary Alexander-Basta was named

the new acting mayor during a special meeting of the Village Board.

Basta was nominated by Deputy Mayor Michael Lawler and approved by a unanimous vote of the board.

Basta will serve as full time mayor during the unexpired term, howeverm she will accept the newlyoutlined part-time pay until April, 2021.

“I am honored to be completing the remaining term of Mayor Roger C. Claar and humbled to be chosen by the residents of Bolingbrook,” Basta said.

The 2018 Female Citizen of the Year, Basta was sworn in on her

20th wedding anniversary.

Basta has her choice to remain as a seated Trustee and remain a voting member of the board or resign and appoint someone to her vacant seat.

In the case she remains a voting Trustee, a vote would fail if the board came to a 3-3 tie because there would be no tie-breaking vote from the mayor.

Basta did not make her decision at the meeting.

As far as a run for mayor in April, Basta said, “I will always do what is in the best interest of Bolinbrook and will evaluate any future candidacy for this office.”

Mary Alexander-Basta

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real estate IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION Plaintiff, -v.SYDNEY J JOHNSON A/K/A SYDNEY JANELLE JOHNSON, ILLINOIS HOUSING DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY, GOLDEN COURT CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION, UNKNOWN HEIRS AND LEGATEES OF DOROTHY J JOHNSON A/K/A DOROTHY JOHNSON, UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NON-RECORD CLAIMANTS, JOHN LYDON, SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DECEASED MORTGAGOR, DOROTHY J JOHNSON Defendants 19 CH 05430 2061 WEST FARGO AVENUE #A CHICAGO, IL 60645 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on January 8, 2020, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on September 11, 2020, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker Drive, CHICAGO, IL, 60606, sell at a public sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 2061 WEST FARGO AVENUE #A, CHICAGO, IL 60645 Property Index No. 11-30-315-024-1027 The real estate is improved with a yellow brick, three story condominium with no garage.

Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation.

No third party checks will be accepted.

The balance, including the Judicial Sale fee for the Abandoned Residential Property

real estate Municipality Relief Fund, which is calculated on residential real estate at the rate of $1 for each $1,000 or fraction thereof of the amount paid by the purchaser not to exceed $300, in certified funds/or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. No fee shall be paid by the mortgagee acquiring the residential real estate pursuant to its credit bid at the sale or by any mortgagee, judgment creditor, or other lienor acquiring the residential real estate whose rights in and to the residential real estate arose prior to the sale. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in “AS IS” condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court.

Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a Certificate of Sale that will entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale.

The property will NOT be open for inspection and plaintiff makes no representation as to the condition of the property. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information.

If this property is a condominium unit, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, other than a mortgagee, shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(1) and (g)(4). If this property is a condominium unit which is part of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g-1).

IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOME-

real estate OWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW. You will need a photo identification issued by a government agency (driver’s license, passport, etc.) in order to gain entry into our building and the foreclosure sale room in Cook County and the same identification for sales held at other county venues where The Judicial Sales Corporation conducts foreclosure sales.

MCCALLA RAYMER LEIBERT PIERCE, LLC Plaintiff’s Attorneys, One North Dearborn Street, Suite 1200, Chicago, IL, 60602. Tel No. (312) 346-9088.

THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236-SALE You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day status report of pending sales.

MCCALLA RAYMER LEIBERT PIERCE, LLC One North Dearborn Street, Suite 1200 Chicago IL, 60602 312-346-9088 E-Mail: pleadings@mccalla.com Attorney File No. 264087 Attorney ARDC No. 61256 Attorney Code. 61256 Case Number: 19 CH 05430 TJSC#: 40-198 NOTE: Pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, you are advised that Plaintiff’s attorney is deemed to be a debt collector attempting to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose.

Case # 19 CH 05430 I3151951 Published 7/30, 8/5, 8/12

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deadline for cl assifieds: friday at 11 a .m.

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Wednesday, AUGUST 5, 2020 | buglenewspapers.com

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