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Celebrating IL Top 10 athletes from Illinois SEE PAGE 4
SPORTS
Part II Continued look back at 2017 in sports SEE PAGE 7
BUSINESS Dave Says Lesson learned, don’t co-sign for a loan SEE PAGE 11
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TOP LOCAL STORIES OF 2017 Here, the second in a two-part series that chronicles what kept people talking in the county in 2017:
HENRY PUFFER GIRL SCOUTS WINS NATIONAL GRANT TO CREATE EDIBLE GARDEN A little rain didn’t deter Henry Puffer Girl Scout Troop 51266 and their community partners from planting an organic edible garden during “The Big Dig” event at their school on May 20. Troop 51266, which comprises fourth graders, won a $3,000 Grants for Gardens national grant from Annie’s Foods, an organic food chain. Henry Puffer was the only Illinois school to receive this grant this year. The girls partnered with Downers Grove Organic Gardeners, Bros@Work and all Henry Puffer Girl Scout troops to hold “The Big Dig.” More than 40 volunteers attended the event. “I am incredibly proud of Henry Puffer Girl Scout Troop 51266,” said Henry Puffer Principal Todd McDaniel. “From applying for the garden grant, to collaborating on the garden, these girls, their troop leaders and our community partners all exhibited tenacity toward helping the greater good.” The Girl Scouts used their grant funding to build three 3’x9’ raised beds, a 2’x5’ herb garden, several pots, a compost bin, tool shed and fencing. They also installed a rain barrel irrigation system, which will catch recycled rainwater from the school roof and use it to water the garden.
WOODRIDGE VOTES FOR SEVERAL AGREEMENTS The Woodridge Village Board of Trustees approved June 1 a first amendment to a license agreement, originally authorized last spring to allow Sigecom use of the Village’s right-of-way. Board action allows Sigecom to extend the installation, construction, location, operation and maintenance of telecommunication facilities along 183rd Street and Heritage Parkway. Such a measure allows for service to Verizon cellular towers and is similar to the work completed in 2015 by Woodridge School District 68 to connect their various school facilities. To access the right-of-way, Sigecom was required to secure a 10-year license agreement with Woodridge. That agreement stipulates that Sigecom is to pay fees in compliance with the Village’s right-of-way ordinance to put the right-of-way to use. The Village is to be paid an annual fee in the amount of $3,000, with that installment increasing by three percent every year thereafter. Additional installations within Village limits will require authorization by other entities, including the Illinois Department of Transportation, DuPage County, Illinois State Toll Highway Authority and ComEd property. With the approval of the first amendment in a 5-0 vote,
Sigecom is to pay $847.42 to account for the prorated amount of the new annual fee for the current year, minus the amount credited for previous overpayment. Trustee Kay Page abstained from the vote.
DNA SOLVES 1999 COLD CASE OF LISLE SEXUAL ASSAULT In June Roberto Noyola-Espinal, 41, of Texas, was found guilty of forcing his way into a woman’s home and sexually assaulting her in 1999. Judge Robert Miller delivered his verdict in the case following a four-day-long bench trial. In all, Miller found Noyola-Espinal guilty of six counts of Aggravated Criminal Sexual Assault, Class X Felonies and one count of Home Invasion, also a Class X Felony. On February 7, 1999, Noyola-Espinal approached the then 63-year-old victim’s apartment in Lisle and knocked on her patio door. Thinking it was a friend of hers, the woman began to open the door. Once she realized she did not know the person knocking on the door, the woman attempted to close the door. NoyolaEspinal forced the door open however, and entered the apartment. Once inside the apartment, Noyola-Espinal physically and sexually assaulted the woman. After Noyola-Espinal left, the victim then went to her neighbor’s home and called the police. Following an investigation into the incident led by the Lisle Police Department, a DNA profile of the suspect was entered into the federal Combined DNA Index System (CODIS). The investigation of the assault continued throughout the years. In October, 2013, a CODIS hit on the DNA collected at the scene of the crime implicated Noyola-Espinal. On February 27, 2014, Noyola-Espinal was extradited from his home in Texas, where he had fled after committing the assault, and returned to DuPage County to face the charges. In December Loyola -Espinal was sentenced to 100 years in the in the Illinois Department of Corrections. He must serve 85 percent of his sentence before being eligible for parole.
ANNUAL ROTARY GROVEFEST SUPPORTS DOWNERS GROVE SCHOLARSHIPS, ORGANIZATIONS Rotary GroveFest returned June 22-25 to Downers Grove to offer food, fun and live entertainment. The event, founded in 2009, brings four days of entertainment and family-friendly activities to area residents. “They can expect a wide variety of food vendors, as well as local businesses, a beer garden, car show—that we’re very proud of—and just a lot of fun,” said Lisa Rasin, the festival’s chairwoman. “It’s a great community event.” Typically, the festival draws an estimated 20,000 people. “This is our eighth year, we’ve tripled since the first,” Rasin said. “It started in the parking to the Village of Downers Grove.” Festivities now take place in downtown Downers Grove and feature 60 food and business booths and nightly musical acts. The support of the many generous donors and sponsors makes the festival possible, Rasin said. “The community is supportive,” Rasin said. “We have many sponsors and volunteers. We have several volunteer organizations that donate their time. It’s full circle. At the end of the festival, we make a donation to the organizations.” In 2016, the Rotary Club donated to 27 nonprofit volunteer organizations.
MAIN STREET TRAIN STATION IMPROVEMENTS CONSIDERED The Village of Downers Grove’s historic Main Street train station could have upgrades in its future. Downers Grove officials reviewed an intergovernmental agreement with Metra and a contract for rehabilitation of flooring for the commuter station at their June 13 meeting. “The Village was approached by Metra who has some available capital funding for commuter capital type projects—projects that were the
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CONTINUED highest priority and assisted us in providing commuter services and projects that could be completed this year,” said Nan Newlon, director of public works. “The Village is responsible for operating and maintaining the station through a long-term lease with the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad, and in reviewing this with building operations staff, it was determined that the flooring, here, at the station was of the highest priority of all the projects related to this building.” The Village is to approach the project through a design build contract with F. H. Paschen S. N. Nielsen Associates in the amount of $224,981.59. The award, if authorized, is to include fixed prices and performance standards that were bid through the City of Naperville in a job order pricing contract.
SAM’S CLUB CLOSED JUNE 30 After 24 years at 7300 Woodward Ave., in Woodridge, Sam’s Club, the membership-only bulk retailer is permanently closing June 30. The approximately 140 employees were told of the closing June 21. According to published reports employees are being provided severance pay and relocation to other stores. Sam’s Club, founded in 1983, is owned and operated by Walmart. The closing will leave 32 Sam’s Club locations in Illinois: Romeoville, Naperville, Montgomery, Hodgkins, Joliet, Tinley Park, Northlake, Addison, Batavia, Cicero, Evergreen Park, Matteson, Streamwood, Des Plaines, Elgin, Evanston, Wheeling, Vernon Hills and Calumet City.
IMMANUEL YOUTH FOR CHRIST PREPARE FOR MISSION TRIP Immanuel Youth for Christ, the high school student ministry at Immanuel Lutheran Church, is preparing for its week-long Blue Workcamp. Members of IYC are traveling out of state from July 22 to 29 to repair homes in Frederick, Md. As part of their preparations, they held a carwash fundraiser June 24 at the church, 5211 Carpenter Street, Downers Grove “[The Workcamp will be] an amazing mountaintop experience,” David Thompson, a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church. “It’s something that everyone enjoys.” Typically, between 50 and 60 people go on the mission trip, with the destination changing from year to year. “All we have to do is raise enough money to get our kids there, and they handle everything else, which just makes it so much easier for us to participate and
be part of helping other people,” David said. The kids are not required to go through any formal training beforehand, David said. “A lot of the training that we get is there, when we go to the Workcamp,” he said. “Most of the kids, if they’ve never done a Workcamp before, they’ll go there for the first time and they’ll be like, ‘Oh, like, oh, my gosh. I don’t know what to do.’ There are adults in their group that will tell what to do and how to get acclimated; so then the next Workcamp they’re actually really prepared.” The trip costs each child $300, with the church will picking up the remaining traveling expenses.
FEDERAL, STATE CUTS TO MEALS ON WHEELS COULD IMPACT DUPAGE COUNT Y The impact of federal and state cuts to Meals on Wheels, if passed, could be devastating, officials told the Bugle. President Donald Trump presented a proposed budget in May that could cut spending toward the program for seniors; and it could bring concerns to local social services already losing state funding. “It would be devastating not only for Downers Grove, but also the county, the state and the country,” said Mary Lynn Krolak, executive director of DuPage County Senior Citizens Council. “The levels of funding had flat-lined the last 15 years. The amount stays the same, though costs increase. If funds were cut, it would devastate us. We are hoping for no cuts to the [U.S.] Department of Health and Human Services.” Downers Grove Township Supervisor Mark Thoman agreed. “It would have an impact,” he said. “Meals on Wheels makes deliveries to over 380 residents [in Downers Grove Township.] Each stop consists of more than one resident.” The program, however, does more than deliver meals, Thoman said. A stable of volunteers work to obtain physical and mental assessments of the seniors they serve, as well as an assessment of the household. “They will make suggestions if they note any issues,” Thoman said. “They can help connect them with services.” This budget cycle, the State of Illinois shorted the Township by more than
$210,000, Thoman said.
WOODRIDGE APPOINTS VILLAGE ADMINISTRATOR On July 20, the Woodridge mayor and Village Board appointed Al Stonitsch as the next village administrator of the Village of Woodridge. Stonitsch comes to Woodridge from the Village of Glen Ellyn, where he has served as assistant village manager for more than four years. Stonitsch has spent the last 17 years working in local government, including previously serving the Village of Glenview for nearly 13 years. Most recently, as the assistant village manager in Glen Ellyn, he was responsible for the Village’s facilities maintenance, human resources, information technology, communications and senior services divisions within the Village Manager’s Office. During Stonitsch’s tenure in Glen Ellyn, he also served as a key member of the village’s design/build team for the new Glen Ellyn Police station facility and Civic Center space needs analysis. “Being selected to be the next village administrator for Woodridge is a great thrill and a tremendous honor,” stated Stonitsch. “Woodridge has always had a great reputation for being a top tier community in which to live and raise a family, and to open and expand one’s business. I’m truly looking forward to getting to know the community and Village staff, and working with the senior management team to achieve the goals and priorities of Mayor Cunningham and the Village Board.”
DOWNERS GROVE BEVERAGE TAX APPROVED Residents and non-residents traveling in and around Downers Grove will find a 1-percent beverage tax applied to the cost of alcohol, packaged liquor and non-alcoholic beverages for immediate consumption beginning Jan. 1. Downers Grove officials in attendance at July 18 meeting agreed 5-1 to create a 1-percent beverage tax to capture lost revenues and voted 1-5 to help reject an amendment establishing a 1.5-percent tax. The measure, as approved, will be due for review toward the conclusion of the
2018 calendar year, at which point the council will again need to weigh the cost of creating the tax. “This is all about replacing lost revenue,” Mayor Martin Tully said. “This is clearly to fill a whole that’s been created by declining sales tax because of … shifts in the economy and market trends, which take more and more dollars away from our community through Internet sales and changing trends in basically how people live and how they will continue to live in the future.” Tully stressed that it’s important for the Village to find a way to recapture lost dollars. “There were other options that were considered that would’ve done that such as raising the property tax levy and other things that were considered, but they were viewed by this council to be far less attractive,” he said.
CLASSIC CAR SHOW REVS UP FANS FOR ANOTHER SUMMER Summer was in full swing, and the live tunes of the alternative jazz quintet, Zazz, filled Main Street from Maple Avenue to Franklin Street as the latest installment of the 25th annual Downtown Downers Grove Summer Nights Classic Car Show rolled through on Aug. 4 “For the public, it’s great. They’ll just come down here, and they’ll look,” said Bob Markert, the car show’s chairman. “The Village likes the idea… It’s a nice activity, as I like to call it. It’s inexpensive entertainment. They don’t pay. In a cruise, you don’t pay. The cars, they just come and go.” On a typical night, the event brings in between 200 and 300 vehicles. “It’s the grand daddy of the cruises of this area, the Chicago area,” Markert said. Often, hotdog and hamburger restaurants hold cruise nights for people to enjoy. “This show has been listed in some of the car magazines as one of the Top 10 in the country, and that’s versus shows, not just cruises,” Markert said. “We were the first ones to start [the event] in this area.”
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GUEST COLUMN
Top 10 athletes from Illinois Special thanks to the Chicago Sun-Times for this week’s story. Illinois has produced many outstanding and game-changing athletes, so it’s a tough job to create any top 10 list. The Illinois Press Association and Illinois Associated Press Media Editors enlisted longtime Chicago Sun-Times sports reporter Mark Potash for the job. Here is his list of the top 10 athletes from Illinois. 1. RED GRANGE, WHEATON The early days of professional football were not pretty or promising — obviously not televised but also casually recognized. The Bears and Cardinals were relegated to secondary pages of the sports sections in Chicago, with college football dominant and even high school football more prominent. All things considered, no player from Illinois has had more impact on a sport than Red Grange. He was a four-sport star at Wheaton High School who scored 75 touchdowns. He became a superstar as a three-time All-American at Illinois who famously rose to the occasion of the big game when he scored four touchdowns in the first quarter against Michigan in 1924 at newly dedicated Memorial Stadium — a 95-yard return of the opening kickoff, plus runs of 67, 56 and 44 yards. In those days he was a larger-than-life star, his No. 77 was almost as famous as he was. 2. DICK BUTKUS, CHICAGO The greatest tribute to Dick Butkus’s fabulous NFL career is that as time passes and the linebacker position evolves arguably more than any in football — bigger, faster, greater athletes with triple-digit career sack numbers — his stature continues to grow. The former Vocational High School and University of Illinois star still is No. 3 in most linebacker rankings. Some still say he’s the greatest linebacker to play the game. He was named to the All-Pro team five times and the Pro Bowl eight times. In 119 NFL games, he had 22 interceptions and 27 fumble recoveries. And the ferocity with which he played was real. Buffone, who played next to Butkus for seven years, often recalled looking at a frothing Butkus on the field and thinking, “I’m glad he’s on my side.”
BUGLENEWSPAPERS.COM facebook.com/thebuglenewspapers twitter.com/buglenewspapers instagram.com/buglenewspapers EDITOR’S NOTE: The opinions expressed in guest columns, editorial cartoons and letters to the editor belong to the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the The Bugle or its staff.
3. GEORGE MIKAN, JOLIET At 6-10, George Mikan was the first superstar of professional basketball — the first big-man who could run the floor and dominate at the rim on both ends. His impact forced three rules changes:
goaltending, widening of the lane and the 24-second clock. When he played with the Minneapolis Lakers in 1949, the marquee at Madison Square Garden said it all: “GEO MIKAN V/S KNICKS.” An awkward, un-athletic prospect from Quigley Prep/ Joliet Catholic, Mikan flourished under Ray Meyer’s tutelage at DePaul, becoming a three-time All-American and two-time Player of the Year in college. He won seven professional league championships, including one with the Chicago American Gears of the fledgling National Basketball League and six with the Lakers. 4. ISIAH THOMAS, CHICAGO The epitome of the head-strong, will-to-win Chicago point guard, Isiah Thomas parlayed his innate skills and determination into superstardom and championships. A west side native, he took St. Joseph High School in Westchester from anonymity to second place in the Class AA state tournament in 1979. He led Indiana to the NCAA title in 1981 and was the spark plug on the Pistons’ back-to-back NBA titles in 1989 and 1990. Thomas was a 12-time NBA all-star and was inducted into the Naismith Hall of Fame in 2000. 5. JACKIE JOYNER-KERSEE, EAST ST. LOUIS A basketball and track star at East St. Louis Lincoln and UCLA, Jackie JoynerKersee made her biggest mark in international track competitions, particularly the Olympics, where she won six medals in four different Olympics — including a silver medal in the heptathlon in 1984 in Los Angeles and gold in the heptathlon in 1988 in Seoul and 1992 in Barcelona. She was named the greatest female athlete of all time by Sports Illustrated for Women in 1990. 6. OTTO GRAHAM, WAUKEGAN The Big Ten Player of the Year at Northwestern — where he also played basketball and baseball — in 1943, Otto Graham became a prolific quarterback and one of the great leaders of pro football history. He won seven league titles with Paul Brown’s Cleveland Browns in the old All-American Football Conference (1946-49) and NFL (1950, 1954 and 1955) and three NFL Most Valuable Player awards (1951, 1953, 1955). 7. RAY NITSCHKE, MAYWOOD A rough-and-tough, fierce competitor from Proviso High School, Ray Nitschke was a third-round draft pick by the Packers out of Illinois who was at the right
place at the right time — becoming an intimidating force as the leader of the great Packer defenses in the Vince Lombardi era. Nitschke won five NFL championships with the Packers, including the first two Super Bowls. He was the MVP of the 1962 championship game. 8. JIMMY CONNORS, BELLEVILLE The “Brash Basher of Belleville,” as tennis guru Bud Collins called him, the East St. Louis native was a gritty, gutty, unconventional player and non-conformist who is credited with sparking a re-birth in American tennis in the early 1970s. Jimmy Connors won eight Grand Slam titles, a record 109 singles titles and was ranked No. 1 in the world for 268 weeks, including a then-record 160 straight from 1974-77. In 1974 at age 22, Connors went 99-4 and won 15 tournaments, including three Grand Slam events — the Australian Open, U.S. Open and Wimbledon. He was barred from the French Open (the second leg) because of a contract with the World Team Tennis, costing him a chance to win the Grand Slam. 9. LOU BOUDREAU, HARVEY A Hall of Fame shortstop with the Cleveland Indians, Lou Boudreau had one of the greatest baseball seasons of all-time as player/manager in 1948. He won the American League batting title (.355) and MVP award and led the Indians to the World Series championship — the only title the Indians have won since 1920. Great knack for leadership, Boudreau won a state title in basketball as a sophomore at Thornton and Big Ten titles as team captain in basketball and baseball at Illinois. 10. BONNIE BLAIR, CHAMPAIGN Bonnie Blair won five gold medals at three different Olympic Games, capped by a dominating performance in 1994 at Lillehammer, when she won the 500-meters (by 0.36 seconds) and 1,000 meters (by a record-1.38 seconds) by wide margins. She was the first American to win an event (the 500-meters) in three consecutive Olympics. She won the Sullivan Award as the best amateur athlete in the U.S. in 1992. Chicago Sun-Times sports writer Mark Potash can be reached at mpotash@suntimes.com and on Twitter at @MarkPotash. Editor’s note: The weekly Illinois Bicentennial series is brought to you by the Illinois Associated Press Media Editors and Illinois Press Association. More than 20 newspapers are creating stories about the state’s history, places and key moments in advance of the Bicentennial on Dec. 3, 2018. Stories published up to this date can be found at 200illinois.com.
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CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3 Markert said the key difference between many events of this type and the Downers Grove car show comes down to the street atmosphere created in the downtown area. “People come and go as they please, and it’s just [popular,]” he said. “It’s a nice place for guys to show cars.”
WALGREENS GETS APPROVAL FOR 63RD STREET LOCATION Village officials reviewed a series of measures Aug. 16 to advance construction for the property located at 2001 63rd St. The matter was last discussed at an April 1 public meeting, at which point commissioners raised questions for the material that would be used to construct the pharmacy. Commissioner Nicole Walus said there are reasons to continue to have concern with the request. “I am worried about the durability and the aesthetics of the EIFS that is used mainly on the entire building,” she said. Improvements to the site include building a new 14,490-square-foot Walgreens and drive-thru with 66 parking spaces. It further entails several measures to address concerns for traffic. The Village wants the building of the pharmacy to serve as a catalyst for future development in the Meadowbrook Shopping Center. “My concern is that we’re settling here for the bare minimum,” Walus said. “I’m not looking to completely kill this [proposal.] What I would like to do is refine it.” Walus wanted the council to table the matter until Sept. 12 to allow the petitioner to have time to make changes to the proposal. The proposed plans currently align with the Village’s Comprehensive Plan and zoning codes.
FARMER’S MARKET RETURNS TO DOWNTOWN DOWNERS GROVE The Downtown Downers Grove Market attracted a plethora of vendors Aug. 26 with farmers from Elwood to Bensenville that offer a selection of produce from sweet corn to raspberries. The weekly event runs every Saturday through Oct. 21 at the Downers Grove Main Street Train Station south parking lot, right off Burlington Avenue. “I think people have come to know that when they come to this market, they’re going to get vendors that [offer] mostly homemade stuff and they’re going to get
WESTMONT HIGH PRINCIPAL A FINALIST FOR NATIONAL PRINCIPAL OF THE YEAR Westmont High School Principal Jack Baldermann has been selected as one of three finalists for the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP)’s 2018 National Principal of the Year award. Baldermann is the first high school principal from Illinois to be named as a finalist for this national honor. After interviews in September in Washington, D.C., the National High School Principal of the Year will be announced in October. If Baldermann is chosen, he will be the first principal selected from Illinois in the 25-year history of the award. The National Principal of the Year program recognizes outstanding middle level and high school principals, who have succeeded in providing high-quality learning opportunities for students, as well as demonstrating exemplary contributions to the profession. “Every student is sacred,” Baldermann said. “Our work is not to be easy. Our work is too challenging and too important to work in isolation, and our collective determination, effort and talents can overcome any challenge. We do not meet students halfway; we meet them wherever they are and find a way to support them to succeed. Saying this means something, but living it and getting everyone to follow through together on making this happen is what I am most proud of as a principal.”
DOWNERS GROVE LIBRARY TRUSTEE DISMISSED OVER COMMENTS The Downers Grove Village Council took action Sept. 5 to remove a member of the Village’s library board after coming under fire recently for using a public meeting to air his views: disapproving of individuals who identify as LGBTQ or people of color. In a 6-0 vote, Downers Grove officials decided to remove Art Jaros from his seat as trustee. Commissioner William Waldack was absent.
FAMILIES FLOCK TO WOODRIDGE FOR INDIAN SUMMER FESTIVAL The first days of autumn arrived, and with it, came a plethora of fall family fun put on by Woodridge Park District. Crowds flocked to the annual Indian Summer Festival held Sept. 24 at
Castaldo Park. The event is meant to serve as a kick-off celebration for Woodridge Park District fall programming. “We’re very proud of the event,” said Amanda Nichols, who organized the festival. “Most events nowadays aren’t free to the community, and [Indian Summer Festival] is a completely free event where people can come out.” Festival-goers trekked the grounds at Castaldo Park to find hayrides, trackless train rides and a pumpkin moon jump. “It’s getting into fall and the scarecrow season and Halloween,” Nichols said. Typically, Indian Summer Festival draws in between 1,200 and 1,500 people.
WOMAN’S SEARCH LEADS TO NEW BOOK ANIMAL ASSISTED THERAPY FOR ALZHEIMER’S With over 10 years of experience as an Animal Assisted Therapy Team, and faced with a mom diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, Pam Osbourne searched high and low for a book that could shed light on what impact the former might have on the latter. But she found nothing. “I decided that since my dog Rufus and I had experienced so much joy working with my mom and her friends at the memory care unit at Villa St. Benedict in Lisle, Illinois, I would write the book that I was unable to find,” said Osbourne. The result is “Connections, Animal Assisted Therapy for Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias” (ADRD), a practical guide for healthcare professionals, Animal Assisted Therapy teams, caregivers, families, friends, etc. who are dedicated to helping those with ADRD reconnect with the world. Available on Amazon.com and the Publisher’s Website, in paperback. Hardbound and e-book editions will be available soon.
DOWNERS GROVE GOLF CLUB HONORED FOR ENVIRONMENTAL EXCELLENCE Downers Grove Golf Club has achieved designation as a “Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary” through the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf Courses. Jeff Pozen, golf course superintendent, led the effort to obtain sanctuary designation on the property and is being recognized for Environmental Stewardship by Audubon International. Downers Grove Golf Club is one of 54 golf courses in Illinois and one of 912 in the world to hold the title of Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary. “Downers Grove Golf Club has shown a strong commitment to its environmental program. They are to be commended for their efforts to provide a sanctuary for wildlife on the golf course property,” said Christine Kane, executive director at Audubon International.
PACE APPROVES FIRST MAJOR FARE HIKE IN
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SIX YEARS The PACE suburban bus transit agency’s Board of Directors voted unanimously to approve a budget that included the first major fare hike since 2009. Whether they’re using regular routes, premium routes, dial-a-ride services or paratransit services, riders will have to pay more per ride and per transfer. The cost of PACE and PACE /CTA passes remains the same. As previously reported by the Bugle, the fare increase is one of several steps the transit agency is taking to make up for funding shortfall. Agency spokesperson Maggie DalySkogsbakken told this newspaper that, while PACE understood that fare increase could hurt riders, especially paratransit riders, it was important for the transit agency to maintain its services and keep its capital projects on track. Without it, she said, PACE’s ridership might suffer in the long run. On Jan. 1, 2018, the cash fares for regular routes will go up from $2 to $2.25, while Ventra card fares will go up from $1.57 to $2. The increase will be more dramatic for premium routes, going up from $4 to $4.50. Premium routes include commuter shuttles, a summer shuttle service to Six Flags Great America, and routes that link riders to Wrigley Field, Soldier Field and Guaranteed Rate Field on game days. Express shuttle routes 755 and 855 serve Plainfield, while routes 850 and 851 serve Bolingbrook. Route 768 and Route 775 provide express service to Soldier Field and Guaranteed Rate Field from Bolingbrook. For the first time in recent history, the cost of transferring between routes will increase as well. The regular transfers will increase from $0.25 to $0.30. The transfers between buses serving Joliet will remain free. The surcharges for transfers between local and premium routes will increase as well. Riders playing one-time fares currently have to pay $2.50, while riders with all passes except the 30-day Premium Pace/CTA Pass have to pay $2.25 per ride. In the beginning of 2018, those surcharges will go up $2.80 and $2.50, respectfully. The call-and-ride services, such as the one in West Joliet, have the same fares as regular routes, so they will go up as well. The ADA paratransit services, which severe both the City of Chicago and suburban six-county region, will also see increases, from $3 to $3.25. PACE Board of Directors approved the budget during its Nov. 8 meeting.
OLSEN FILES FOR REELECTION IN HOUSE DISTRICT 81 State Representative David S. Olsen (R-Downers Grove) filed his nominating paperwork with the State Board of Elections Monday, Nov. 27, to run for a second full two-year term in the Illinois General Assembly. “This is just the first step in our team effort to continue to effectively represent the people of the 81st District in Springfield,” said Olsen, who previously served as Downers Grove Mayor Pro Tem and College of DuPage Vice Chairman. “I’m excited to keep working to serve local residents and push for further reform in State government.”
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TAKE 5
FOR WHEN YOU NEED 5 MINUTES FOR YOURSELF! THURSDAY, JANUARY 4, 2018 | BUGLENEWSPAPERS.COM
ARIES
MARCH 21 TO APRIL 20
During the week ahead, you can develop a worthy New Year’s resolution that is built on an inspiring idea or fantasy. You will have ample energy to put your plans into motion, but must be methodical in the execution.
GEMINI
M AY 2 2 T O J U N E 2 1
You might possess loads of ambition but may hesitate to take necessary steps because you are afraid of making a mistake. In the week ahead don’t hesitate to give your best effort, as practice makes perfect.
LEO
J U LY 2 3 T O A U G U S T 2 1
Finding ways to become more efficient and organized might be at the top of your “to do” list in the week ahead. Although you may be disappointed in someone, or something, you will learn a valuable lesson.
ACROSS 1 LINE AT THE SUPERMARKET 9 TAPERING PART 14 FREEZER BAR WITH SIR ISAAC LIME AND ALEXANDER THE GRAPE FLAVORS 15 ALEICHEM WHO CREATED TEVYE 16 IT’S AIRTIGHT 18 SHORT AND SWEET 19 SEA LION, E.G. 20 GALE-N CARGO 21 ETYM. 22 BASE ADDRESS 24 CONFESSION STARTER 26 “JUST __” 29 LIGHT CARRIER 35 TEXT ENDING IN PANAMA? 36 EVICTION CONSEQUENCE 37 INVESTMENT IN A RELATIONSHIP 38 MEDICARE CARD FIG. 39 GO DOWN 40 __ BANOS, CALIFORNIA 41 SPRING TIME 44 COURSES FOR COLL. CREDIT 47 TEACHERS’ LOUNGE 52 BERKSHIRE ATTRACTION FOR RACE FANS 54 RETIRE 56 CHARGE 57 MAE WEST’S FINAL FILM 58 LACERATIONS 59 GET SMASHED
DOWN 1 __ VOCE 2 REMAINING 3 UNBORN, AFTER “IN” 4 FIRES (UP) 5 ALGONQUIAN LANGUAGE
6 CREDIT FIG. 7 CREDIT CARD COME-ON 8 FISHING TOOL 9 SARDINE COUSIN 10 D.C. IN-CROWD 11 “__ AWAKE AT NIGHT”: “PRETTY BOY” LYRIC 12 NAME ON THE 1984 ALBUM “MY KIND OF COUNTRY” 13 __ SINCLAIR, PROTAGONIST OF HESSE’S “DEMIAN” 15 “THE OFFICE” STAR 17 RECORD HOLDER? 21 BE AFFECTED BY GRAVITY 22 FRENCH GOVERNING GROUP 23 QOM INHABITANTS 25 BANKBOOK ID 26 MARRYIN’ SAM PRESIDED OVER HIS WEDDING 27 WORD ON THE STREET 28 BIG NAME IN
BACKPACKS 29 PETS 30 MUSLIM CLERICS 31 STRIPS FOR BRUNCH 32 NURSERY ITEM 33 BITE WITH UN APERITIVO 34 WILLIE OF “EIGHT IS ENOUGH” 42 ALL-NIGHT BAR? 43 JFK LIBRARY ARCHITECT 44 LESS THAN RIGHT? 45 __ ALEGRE, BRAZIL 46 REMBRANDT CONTEMPORARY 47 BLEMISH 48 HARMONY 49 SHARP BRAND INTRODUCED IN 1977 50 LOU GEHRIG’S NUMBER 51 STIR 52 ON THE SUBJECT OF 53 ACRONYMOUS WWII GUN 55 PINK-SLIP
LIBRA
SEPTEMBER 24 TO OCTOBER 23
Harness your energies and use them wisely in the week ahead. Follow through on an inspiring thought, whether it comes through a friend or mentor or from reading material, but keep a tight rein on your wallet.
SAGITTARIUS
NOVEMBER 23 TO DECEMBER 22
Ringing out the old might have more significance for you than for others. Saturn is no longer in your sign, so you will find you have more freedom to plan for the year ahead as this first week of the year unfolds.
AQUARIUS
JANUARY 21 TO FEBRUARY 19
You may enjoy a series of magical moments in the week ahead because you know how to make a great impression on others. Use your networking skills to make new contacts and widen your sphere of influence.
SUDOKU
TAURUS
A P R I L 2 1 T O M AY 2 1
Enjoy the best of both worlds in the week to come. You can enjoy being spoiled and pamper a loved one, too. You may gain knowledge or discover information that gives you the upper hand in a delicate situation.
CANCER
J U N E 2 2 T O J U LY 2 2
The week to come could cause you to question whether you are being thrifty or miserly. You will know that money is well-spent if it makes someone happy. A new person might not be what he or she seems.
VIRGO
AUGUST 22 TO SEPTEMBER 23
If you’re feeling like you’re not doing what you’re supposed to be doing maybe it is time to organize your visions of success into a priority list. This week develop your ambitions and make some sensible resolutions.
SCORPIO
OCTOBER 24 TO NOVEMBER 22
An eagerness to take risks might be at odds with shrewd business tactics during the upcoming week. Focus your enthusiasm instead on making a good impression on the people you meet at social gatherings.
CAPRICORN
DECEMBER 23 TO JANUARY 20
In the week ahead change the word “me” into “we.” You might think that your wants and needs are the most important, but other people count just as much. Focus on ways to include your loved ones in your plans.
PISCES
FEBRUARY 20 TO MARCH 20
Get ready to go out on the town. This is the day to celebrate new beginnings with those in your social circle. You are in good standing with your loved ones and will be able to make new friends in the week ahead.
JUMBLE
Tribune Content Agency, LLC. 2018
PREVIOUS PUZZLE’S ANSWERS
PREVIOUS PUZZLE’S ANSWERS
PREVIOUS PUZZLE’S ANSWERS
JUMBLES:
• WINDY • DRIFT • SLEEPY • VIABLE
ANSWER:
THE HAWK SAW THE WHOLE INCIDENT, THANKS TO HER -- BIRD’S-EYE VIEW
THURSDAY, JANUARY 4, 2018 | BUGLENEWSPAPERS.COM
PAGE 7
YEAR IN REVIEW: PART II
TOP STORIES
OF 2017 A continued look back at the year in sports from July until December
JOLTIN’ JOE It is often difficult for baseball players from small schools to grab the attention of the top colleges and professional scouts. That was never the case for Joe Donovan. Sure, his brother Charlie paved a road for Joe, but the younger Donovan hit that road like a runaway 18-wheeler. As a freshman, he was the starting catcher on a Westmont team that placed fourth in the state in Class 2A and he spent the next three seasons assaulting the Sentinel record books – ending his career holding 20 career records. He holds the mark for team wins (97), games played (145), runs scored (205), hits (210), extra base hits (99), home runs (36), grand slams (4), RBI (154) and slugging percentage (.891). This season, Donovan batted .523 with a .628 on base percentage and a 1.171 slugging percentage – all Westmont single season records. For all of that, Joe Donovan is the first-ever recipient of Voyager Media’s Charlie Donovan Player of the Year Award. This season is the first year the award is named after Charlie Donovan, who was a three-time Voyager Media Player of the Year and died in November of 2015. It will continue to bear his name going forward. Donovan headed to the University of Michigan, however, he
was drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the 33rd round of the MLB Draft.
STARS SHINE Last summer, Joliet was the epicenter of the Frontier League as the Slammers hosted the annual league All Star game and corresponding events. The activities included everything from a golf outing at Mistwood Golf Club to a beer fest to a replica of the Collins Street prison as a giveaway to fans. The highlight of the week was the game in which the Slammers and the East won 4-1 over the West. Bralin Jackson of the Washington Wild Things went 2 for 4 with a pair of RBI and earned the game’s Most Valuable Player award. The day before the game, Jeff Gardner of the Evansville Otters won the home run derby with his 14th homer of the round and 41st of the evening. Gardner entered the break leading the Frontier League with 13 total home runs. Inducted were: Chase Burch – he played for the Traverse City Beach Bums from 2010-13. He finished his Frontier League career with .283 batting average, 68 home runs, and 235 RBI and helped the Beach Bums to the 2010 Frontier League Championship Series; Travis Garcia, who played for the Ohio Valley Redcoats (2005), Chillicothe SEE YIR PAGE 8
FILE PHOTO
Benet’s Devin Petersen was the Voyager Media Defensive Player of the Year.
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TWITTER: For up -to-the-minute coverage of upcoming local sport events going on in your area, follow @VoyagerSport
SPORTS
THURSDAY, JANUARY 4, 2018 | BUGLENEWSPAPERS.COM
FILE PHOTO
Downers Grove North won the cross country state title. YIR FROM PAGE 7 Paints (2006-08). He was the 2007 league Most Valuable Player and posted a Frontier League career .304 batting average, 57 home runs and 275 RBI. He paced Chillicothe to the 2006 Championship Series; Gator McBride, who played for the Chillicothe Paints (1998-99). In 1998 he led the Paints to the Championship Series. He batted .423 with 27 home runs and 111 RBI in 108 Frontier League games before signing with the Boston Red Sox; Pete Pirman, who played for the Evansville Otters (2002), Richmond Roosters (2003) and Kalamazoo Kings (2004-06). The 2005 Most Valuable Player led Kalamazoo to its only Frontier League title. He is tied for the single season record with 100 RBI in 2005 and posted a .300 batting average with 47 home runs and 247 RBI in his Frontier League career. Joining the players was Special Contributor Steve Sturgill. He was the first president of the Frontier League and one of the original league owners, running the Portsmouth Explorers in 1993 and 1994. He is the only person other than Bill Lee to have his signature stamped on the Frontier League baseball.
STATE CHAMPS At the IHSA 3A boys cross country championships, a much anticipated dual between the top two teams in the state - Downers Grove North and Neuqua Valley never materialized.
On a foggy, overcast day, North easily won their first state title, placing their five scoring runners in the top 27, to easily outdistance the Wildcats 73-149. North took control of the race early with all five runners up front from the start. It never changed the remainder of the race and the Trojans reversed the placing from a year ago when Neuqua beat the Trojans. It was only the second boys title in school history, following the 2004 8A football title. The Trojans only had a 17 second split between their top five runners, with four earning AllState honors by placing in the top 25. Jacob Ridderhoff lead the Trojans with an eighth place finish (14:36) over the three-mile course and was followed closely by fellow seniors Nick Chudzik in 19th (14:44) and Miles Christensen in 21st (14:46). Junior Jack Roberts was 22nd (14:47) and senior Sam McColl finished 27th (14:53) to secure the title.
ROCKY TOPS ALL-AREA When it comes to Minooka volleyball, there is no name that is more prominent than Perinar. And, as the final of the five siblings — that all are, or have, played volleyball at the DivisionI level — senior Rocky Perinar just may have saved the best for last. This season, the youngest Perinar posted 351 kills, 90 blocks, 230 digs and 22 aces. She was named to the All-Southwest Prairie Conference team and helped
the Indians to a second-straight IHSA Class 4A second-place trophy. For her accomplishments, Perinar has been named the 2017 Voyager Media Player
FOOTBALL POY Benet Academy advanced to the IHSA Class 7A state semifinal game for the second-straight season this year and after suffering injuries on the offensive side of the football all season, it was the defense that really stepped up and helped carry the Redwings. The Benet defense allowed only 17.5 points per game this season, including five games holing teams to less than 14 points and a pair of shutouts – including a blanking of No. 1 seed Rockton Hononegah on the playoffs. At the center of that defense was senior Devin Petersen, who posted 167 tackles on the season, including 54 solo tackles. He had 12 tackles for loss, two sacks, four forced fumbles and one interception. For his efforts, Petersen is the 2017 Voyager Media Defensive Player of the Year. OFFENSIVE POY When Maine South fell to eventual Class 8A state champions Lincoln-Way East in the state semifinals this season, it stopped the Hawks from defending its state title – this year in Huskie Stadium in DeKalb at Northern Illinois University. For senior running back Fotis Kokosioulis, the loss only de-
layed him getting on Brigham Field by a few months. The 5-foot-9, 173-pound running back has committed to play for Northern Illinois next season. This year he put up 1,626 yards on 182 carries and 24 touchdowns and never fumbled the football. He tacked on 31 receptions for 350 yards and five scores. For his efforts, Kokosioulis is the 2017 Voyager Media Offensive Player of the Year. He is an Illinois High School
Football Coaches Association All-State selection for Class 8A, was the CSL South Offensive Player of the Year, is nominated for the Academic All-State team with a 3.54/4 GPA and is a candidate for the Illinois Gatorade Player of the Year. For his career, Kokosioulis passed 2009 Voyager Media Player of the Year Matt Perez for school records with 3,952 yards rushing and 58 touchdowns as well as racking up 6,351 all-purpose yards and 73 total scores.
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COLUMN >> DAVE SAYS
Lesson learned, don’t co-sign for a loan Sorry, but you guys will have to pay something to make this go away DEAR DAVE, My wife co-signed on a loan for an old boyfriend five or six years ago. Now, a collection agency is after her for the remaining $5,000. We make about $90,000 a year combined, and our attorney recommended we file Chapter 7 bankruptcy. The idea of filing bankruptcy scares me. Is there a better way to handle this? JEFFERY DEAR JEFFERY, Your attorney doesn’t sound very bright. A bankruptcy stays on your record for years. It’s just plain stupid to consider trashing your financial life over $5,000. This collector bought the loan for pennies on the dollar. It’s an old debt, and that means there are very low expectations for collection. At the same time, your wife did cosign for the loan. If you have the money, and you can pay it off without hurting yourselves financially, do it. That’s the right thing, both morally and legally. If you don’t have that kind of cash on hand, try haggling with them. See if you can get them to agree to settle for $2,500. Remember to get this agreement in writing before you send them a dime, and do not give them access to your bank account. Chances are they’ll threaten to sue and all that stuff, but my guess is you can work out something on an old loan like this. It may take a couple of weeks and a little patience, but that’s a small price to pay if it saves you $2,500. Sorry, but you guys will have to pay something to make this go away. And I hope it teaches you both a valuable lesson — never co-
sign on a loan! —DAVE DEAR DAVE, What do you think about online investing apps, and the way they allow you to jump in and out of stocks for really low fees? ANONYMOUS DEAR ANONYMOUS, I don’t think about them, and I don’t use them. And I don’t play single stocks — period. There’s a ton of research out there showing that people who play individual stocks on their own — or with their broker, or with a golfing buddy — see a rate of return of about seven percent on average. You can make anywhere from 10 to 14 percent, on average, with good growth stock mutual funds. I could probably play single stocks more intelligently than most
people, but why? If the average is noticeably less than I’m seeing with my mutual funds, why bother going there? Plus, with a mutual fund portfolio, you’ve got someone who does this kind of thing for a living managing and researching your investments for you in your best interest. I don’t have an app on my phone that lets me trade stocks, nor do I plan on getting one. There’s nothing wrong with apps, in general, but I’ll never recommend jumping in and out of single stocks as a method of investing. —DAVE
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