Niles 12-28-17

DECEMBER 28, 2017 VOL. 62 ISSUE 13

FORUM

Celebrating IL Quiet capital — The story of Illinois’ first state city SEE PAGE 4

SPORTS

First six months Look back at the top stories of early 2017 SEE PAGE 7

BUSINESS Dave Says Life insurance adult thing to do SEE PAGE 11

NEWS

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2017 | BUGLENEWSPAPERS.COM

TOP LOCAL STORIES OF 2017 It was a busy year in Niles, Morton Grove and Park Ridge, as residents saw incumbents prevail in local elections, minimum wage increases, and races for referenda slots. Here, the first in a two-part series that chronicles what kept people talking in 2017:

INCUMBENTS PREVAIL IN AREA MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS The governments of Niles, Morton Grove and Park Ridge ended the year in a similar shape as they stated -with two exceptions.

In Niles, incumbent trustees George Alpogianis, John Jekot and Danette Matyas ran without any opposition whatsover.

Incumbent mayor Andrew Przybylo did face a challenge from videographer Steven Yasell, who ran on the platform of doing more to reduce flooding, get public more engaged in the political process and encourage more art in Niles. Przybylo wound up winning by a large margin, 78.99 percent of the vote to Yasell’s 21.01.

Since then, the mayoral candidate stayed involved in politics.

He showed up at the number of government meetings in Niles and Morton Grove. And when activist Joe Makula worked to put his latest referendum on November 2018 ballot, Yasell was one of the petition circulators.

In Morton Grove, the incumbents from the Action Party, which has long been a major force in village politics, faced off against a full slate of challengers. But incumbent mayor Dan DiMaria defeated challenger Daniel J. Staackmann, getting 75.15 percent of the vote to Staackmann’s 24.85 percent.

In trustee races, whoever got the first, second and third highest voting totals won. Incumbent trustees Bill Grear

and Ed Ramos, as well as village clerk Connie Travis, secured the top three spots, defeating challengers Mark Albers, Jeannine Como and Mary White earned 838 votes. Incumbent trustee John Pietron retired.

In Park Ridge, Ald. Marty Maloney (7th) who served as an Acting Mayor after Mayor David Schmidt’s death in March 2015, ran to become a full-fledged mayor. He faced off against newcomer Lucas Fuksa. Maloney wound up getting nearly twice as many votes as his challenger.

While Maloney could have continued serving as alderman, he promised to resign from that seat if elected. He followed through on that promise, and Marty Joyce was eventually appointed to take his place.

As for the aldermenic races, Ald. Nicholas Millissis (2nd) ran unopposed. Ald. Marc Mazzuca (6th) wound up running unopposed after he successfully challenging opponent Patrick DeStefano’s nominating petitions. In the fourth ward, Roger Shubert scored a narrow win against challenger Jack Barnette, earning 606 votes to the later’s 449 votes.

But it was the third ward that saw a major upset. Incumbent trustee Rick Van Roeyen ran against then-incumbent Robert Wilkening in 2015 and lost, only to be appointed after Wilkening passed away three months later. This year, he faced off against Wilkening’s widow, Gail, as well as departing Park Ridge-Niles District 64 Board of Education member Vicki Lee and electrician Pasquale Laudando.

Wilkening wound up defeating Van Roeyen by a sizable margin, earning 50.46 percent of the vote, which amounted to 440 votes.

Van Roeyen was magnanimous in defeat.

During the swearing-in ceremony for the new aldermen, he brougth Wilkening flowers and wished her well.

NILES, MORTON GROVE, PARK RIDGE OPT OUT OF COOK COUNT Y MINIMUM WAGE INCREASE, SICK LEAVE The three municipalities within the Bugle’s coverage area chose to use their home rule

powers to opt out of Cook County’s minimum wage and paid sick leave ordinances.

In October 2016, as previously reported by the Bugle, the Cook County Board of Commissioners approved an ordinance that would gradually increase the minimum wage over the next three years from the current Illinois minimum wage of $8.25 an hour. On July 1, 2017, it will increase to $10 an hour. It will then increase to $11 an hour in July 2018, $12 an hour in July 2019 and $13 an hour in July 2020.

The county-paid sick leave ordinance, which the county board approved on Oct. 5, 2016, requires employers to give any employees that worked at least 80 hours within a 120 day period one hour of paid sick leave for every 40 hours worked. They may not earn more than 40 hours per year. Like the minimum wage ordinance, it will take effect on July 1, 2017, the same date as a similar City of Chicago ordinance takes effect.

Morton Grove, Niles and Park Ridge all have home rule powers, so they can opt out of certain county laws – including these two.

The Morton Grove Village Board cast the first opt-out vote during its May 8 meeting. The vote was unanimous, and none of the residents who spoke voiced any opinion on the ordinance one way or another. By contrast, the May 22 meeting, when the final vote was scheduled to take place, saw a large number of residents and members of community organizations outside the village urging the trustees not to opt out. The village board wound up tabling the final vote until June 12, only to vote unanimously the second time. The trustees who spoke on the issue said that they felt that, if a minimum wage is increased, it should be done on a state or federal level.

In Park Ridge, the city council asked for feedback from the Park Ridge Chamber of Commerce. It found that the businesses were split on the issue.

The ones located closer to Chicago were already paying higher wages to better compete with the city businesses, which raised their own wages in response to Chicago minimum wage increase.

The businesses closer to Des Plaines were more likely to support opting out. The council wound up supporting the later option, with the aldermen who spoke on the issue making a similar argument as their Morton Grove counterparts. Ald. Marc Mazzuca (6th), who chairs the council’s Finance & Budget Committee of the Whole, told the Bugle that the very fact that municipalities could opt out created an uneven playing field, and that, if the

INSTAGRAM: Readers, attending a game in your area? Take a photo and tag @buglenewspapers for a chance to be featured!

NEWS

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2017 | BUGLENEWSPAPERS.COM

3

SCHOOL NEWS >> DISTRICT 219

Board unanimously OKs tax levy New construction to feel brunt of hike not current property owners

BY IGOR STUDENKOV Bugle Staff @BugleNewspapers nweditor@buglenewspapers.com

The Niles Township High School District 219 Board of Education voted unanimously to approve next year’s tax levy during its Dec 19 meeting. While the levy itself is increased overall, enough of it was abated that existing property owners won’t have to pay about the same amount of as in 2017. The taxes on new construction, on the other hand, will be increased. As Dr. Eric Trimberger, the district’s Superintendent of Business, explained to the board, they want to capture as much of the tax revenue from new construction as possible while keeping their estimates conservative.

As previously reported by the Bugle, the amount the district is levying won’t necessarily be what the homeowners will actually have to pay. Like most Cook County school districts, District 219 is subject to Property Tax Extension Limitation Law tax caps. PTELL tax cap is set

using a complex formula that includes changes in the Consumer Price Index, Equalized Assessed Valuation, how many new properties came on to the tax rolls since the last tax year and how much the district collected in taxes the year before.

While the exact numbers won’t be available until next summer, Trimberger estimates that it would be able to get up to around $2.7 million more than this year thanks to the increase in Consumer Price Index, and around $2.6 million more from new construction. While the district is planning to take advantage of that, the board has also agreed to reduce the amount that would be levied for repayment of debts. Thanks to reduced debt obligations, it is able to reduce it by $1,147,002. The board also agreed to abate around $1.6 million.

As the result, Trimberger said, the levy for owners of existing properties will be the same as before. But the taxes on new construction will, in fact, be higher.

The district is planning to spend

around $109.9 million on regular educational expenses, $7 million on operations and maintenance and around $4.6 million on transportation. With the abatement taken into account, around $8,528,582 will be spent to pay off district debts.

The Board of Education gave the preliminary approval for the levy during its Oct. 17 meeting.

Because the district had to hold a public hearing on the levy no less than 30 days later, it didn’t take the final vote until Dec. 19 The Board of Education held the hearing at the beginning of the meeting. None of the residents in attendance commented. After a short overview of the levy, the board approved the levy by a unanimous vote.

Pact with Illinois Association of School Boards revised The Niles Township High School District 219 Board of Education voted unanimously to approve changes to an agreement governing how

CONTINUED ordinances were to pass, he would rather have them applied across the board.

In Niles, Mayor Andrew Przybylo didn’t put the opt-out motion on the village board agenda at all. Trustee George Alpogianis, who owns Morton Grove’s Kappy’s American Grill, put the motion on the agenda. Niles Chamber of Commerce and Industry supported it, arguing that the county ordinances would hurt the village’s sales tax base, since businesses would be more likely to move to a place where the cost of doing business is cheaper.

The village board voted on the ordinance on May 23. Unlike the other two municipalities, the vote was split, with trustees John Jekot and Danette Matyas voting against opting out.

After the vote, Przybylo proposed his own version of the two ordinances. It

mostly mirrored the county version, but it reduced the number of sick days from five to three, exempted employees ages 18 or under. During the meeting, he amended his own ordinance to also exempt businesses that have 25 employees or less.

Only Jekot and Matyas supported his ordinance, so it didn’t pass. The resolution to encourage the Illinois General Assembly to raise the minimum wage failed as well.

MAKULA, VILLAGE OF NILES FIGHT FOR REFERENDA SLOTS

the board members should behave According to the materials included in the board packet for the Dec. 19 meeting, in Dec. 4, 2016, the board agreed to follow a series of principles and procedures.

Among other things, it states that no board member spring some surprise on any fellow board member or the superintendent, that they shouldn’t communicate with district staff members directly in their capacity as board members and that, if communicating with staff as parents, they should be mindful of anything that might overstep what a regular parent would be able to do.

The agreement also emphasizes that the board members should use their district e-mail addresses for all district-related business, never use “reply all” function while writing as board members and never use email to share their private thoughts and opinions. This was primarily designed to address the fact that e-mails related to district-related business are subject to Freedom of Information Act requests.

Finally, the agreement emphasized that whatever is discussed during closed sessions needs to be

For the past few years, Niles activist Joe Makula attempted to advance a number of binding referenda. During November 2014 referendum, voters passed a referendum to take away Niles mayors’ power to fill trustee vacancies.

In late 2016, he attempted to put two referenda on the ballot. The first referendum would require voter approval any time Niles creates a “taxing district.”

The second referendum would require that at least two of the three referenda slots on the ballot be reserved for refereda launched by voters.

Niles business owner Jack Drexler objected to both referenda. The Niles Municipal Officers Electoral Board – which, in keeping with state law, is made up of the Niles mayor, the Niles Village clerk and the longest-serving trustee – considered the issue throughout January 2017. Because Makula sued her, Niles Village clerk Marlene Victorine recused herself from the proceedings.

On Jan. 26, the Electoral Board ruled against Makula on the grounds that petition circulators didn’t properly sign the petitions, putting printed names where signatures were supposed to go.

During the special June 13 meeting, the Village of Niles Board of trustees voted to place three advisory referenda on the March 20, 2018 ballot and three advisory referenda on the Nov. 6, 2018 ballot. Makula strongly objeted, noting

kept private and that board members should hold themselves accountable.

The revised agreement adds four new sections. First one deals with responding to residents concerns.

The board members are asked to refer resident to a superintendent or other staff member that is best equipped to address it, and that board members themselves don’t have any authority to address those concerns outside what they do as part of the board of education.

The second section focuses on treating each other with courtesy and respect, emphasizing that they should allow others to talk without interrupting them, stay on topic and avoid threats and personal attacks. The third section addressed situations where the majority of the board made a decision a board member disagreed with, emphasizing that, while they have a right to disagree, they should still abide by the will of the majority. The superintendent, the agreement emphasized, answers tot he board as a whole rather than any particular members, and no member has a right to speak on behalf of the entire board.

that this meant that citizens wouldn’t be able to place any referenda on the ballot until 2019.

But on Nov. 8, 2017, he filed a binding referendum for Nov. 6, 2018 ballot.

If passed, it would ensure that, if the village puts one referendum on the ballot, they wouldn’t be able to put any more referenda on the ballot for any election that’s more than 180 days away. The referendum would take effect on March 1, 2019.

Makula noted that, under the Illinois election code, a referendum can’t be placed on the ballot for any election that’s more than a year away. The Office of Cook County Clerk confirmed that, while the March 20 referenda made their way onto the ballot, the Nov. 6 referenda didn’t.

During the Nov. 28 meeting, the trustees voted to change that date on those referenda to “the next available election.”

That still leaves three March 20 advisory referenda. They will ask residents whether Niles should “encourage economic development through valid State of Illinois and Cook County economic development initiatives to promote low property taxes,” whether the village should modernize its Emergency Operations Center and whether the village should “incentivize senior affordable multi-resident housing developments.”

FORUM

4

CONTACT US

E DI TORI A L

GENERAL MANAGER V.P. Advertising & Marketing M I C H A E L J A M E S mjames@voyagermediaonline.com 815.436.2431 ext. 103 MANAGING EDITOR GRACE TUCKER gtucker@buglenewspapers.com 815.436.2431 ext. 110 SPORTS EDITOR MARK GREGORY mgregory@buglenewspapers.com 815.436.2431 ext. 115 STAFF REPORTERS LAURA KATAUSKAS katauskas@buglenewspapers.com MARNEY SIMON msimon@buglenewspapers.com

DE SIGN

EDITORIAL DEADLINES. Calendar & News: 3 p.m.

Monday, three weeks before date of publication. sweditor@buglenewspapers.com CREATIVE & PRODUCTION DIRECTOR ANDREW SAMAAN andrew@voyagermediastudios.com 815.436.2431 ext. 113 GRAPHIC DESIGNER SHELLEY HOLMGREN sholmgren@buglenewspapers.com

AD VE RTI SING

ADVERTISING & MARKETING DIRECTOR EILEEN CURLEY ecurley@buglenewspapers.com (815)-436-2431 ext. 112 SALES REPRESENTATIVES LESLIE PORTER lporter@buglenewspapers.com Bolingbrook, Romeoville, Downers Grove, Woodridge, Westmont, Lisle 815.436.2431 ext. 121 S H E R I L H O TA K slhotak@buglenewspapers.com Plainfield & Shorewood 815.436.2431 ext. 107 JAMES CICHOCKI jcichocki@buglenewspapers.com Joliet, Crest Hill, & Lockport 815.436.2431 ext. 114 TRACY GRANT tgrant@buglenewspapers.com Niles, Park Ridge, Morton Grove 815.436.2431 ext. 108 ADVERTISING DEADLINES: Space and copy deadlines for display and classified ads is at noon the Friday before date of insertion. Email classifieds@buglenewspapers. com | Legals, obituaries and happy ads are due at noon Friday. Email announcements@buglenewspapers.com.

Email Legals@buglenewspapers.com

ENTERPRISE NEWSPAPERS, INC.

A BO U T

23856 Andrew Road #104 Plainfield, IL 60585 Phone: (815) 436-2431 Fax: (815) 436-2592 MON - FRI: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

(USPS 177-160) Published By Enterprise Newspapers, Inc. 23856 W. Andrew Rd. #104, Plainfield, IL 60585 POSTMASTER: Send address corrections to P.O. Box 892, Plainfield, IL 60544.

OFFICE HOURS : Monday - Friday: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Published every Thursday at 23856 W. Andrew Rd., Plainfield, IL 60585.

Subscription rates: $25 per year within Will County and 60540, 60564, 60565, 60566 zip codes; $30 within Illinois; $50 per year elsewhere. Single copy 75 cents. Periodical postage paid at Plainfield, Illinois 60544 and additional mailing offices.

No part of The Enterprise, including advertisements, stories, photos or captions, may be reproduced without written permission from The Enterprise. Send requests to The Enterprise, P.O. Box 892, Plainfield, IL 60544. © 2017 Enterprise Newspapers, Inc.

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.

We want to hear from you! Send us your feedback at sweditor@buglenewspapers.com THURSDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2017 | BUGLENEWSPAPERS.COM

GUEST COLUMN

Quiet capital — The story of Illinois’ first state city

BY ISAAC SMITH Of the Southern Illinoisan On July 4, 1778, the bell rang and the battered people of Kaskaskia gathered.

They found themselves under new rule.

George Rogers Clark explained that the revolutionary government was not interested in changing their faith, but wanted to give them liberty.

The once British-occupied territory had been liberated by Clark, who was fighting for the Continental Army.

About four decades later, this small settlement flanked by the Mississippi River would be the home to Illinois’ first capital.

There is a lot to Kaskaskia’s story — a lot that wouldn’t be gleaned by a visit to the sparse island on what would seem to be the Missouri side of the Mississippi River. Emily Lyons, curator for the Randolph County Archives and Museum, said she has spent the last 20 years working to preserve the county’s history in an official capacity, but has spent her life immersed in it.

Lyons said her family can be traced in a direct line back to settlers who came to what was then the Kaskaskia peninsula in the 1700s — Lyons explained that the peninsula became an island after years of deforestation along the banks of the Mississippi, as well as soil erosion, created a perfect storm in April 1818 when an ice pack at a bend in the river finally caused what was left of the remaining ties to the mainland to gave way.

Lyons explained that Kaskaskia began as one building — in 1703, the Jesuits built a chapel. Not long after, a small population of native peoples and 12 French settlers called the place home.

By 1718, and several church buildings later, the chapel became a parish, the Immaculate Conception Church.

Lyons said the population grew, and, in 1725, Kaskaskia was incorporated by the French. She said Kaskaskia’s location on the Mississippi River made it ideal for shipping the agricultural goods being produced in the region, but most valuable perhaps were the furs being trapped and sent to the garment trade in Europe. She said over the course of its history, the once-bustling community

ISAAC SMITH, THE SOUTHERN

The Liberty Bell of the West was rung after Kaskaskia was captured from the British in 1778 by the Colonial Army. garnered the moniker of the Versailles of the West. In fact, the Liberty Bell of the West was gifted to the Kaskaskia’s Immaculate Conception in 1741 in recognition of its importance. The bell still sits among the scattered historic buildings left on the island.

Lyons said before being incorporated, the king of France had sent a military detachment to build what would be Fort De Chartres. This proved to be a valuable asset in the years and conflicts to come.

After the French and Indian War ended, in 1765, Britain took the fort. Lyons said because of poor conditions there, the British moved to Kaskaskia, which is where Clark found them during the Revolutionary War. Lyons said while Clark and his men, who took Kaskaskia without a drop of blood being shed, announced they were happy to let the residents live their lives as they chose, they would need to be supplied. She said the following winter was a hard one as many larders had been raided to help with the war effort.

Lyons said after the war ended, Kaskaskia was part of several different territories. First it was part of the Virginia Commonwealth after the Treaty of 1783.

Then it was in the Northwest Territory until it was part of the Indiana Territory in 1800. Finally, in 1809, Kaskaskia was part of the Illinois Territory.

When President James Monroe signed off on Illinois being admitted as the 21st state in the union in 1818, Kaskaskia was chosen as its first capital. But this didn’t last long. Within a few months of acquiring statehood, Vandalia, which was not even populated at the time, was chosen as the state’s new capital as many favored its more central location within the original 16 southern counties. The

first meeting of the second General Assembly was held at a newly constructed statehouse in 1820.

Though at one time home to a vibrant population, Kaskaskia Island now is home to an almost startling quiet. Fewer than 100 people call the island home, with miles (in some cases) between houses. The Liberty Bell of the West sits encased in a brick shrine and the Immaculate Conception Church, its final brick building, just a few yards away.

Yawning trees dot the grounds.

Lyons said while Kaskaskia is not the tourism hub of, say, Abraham Lincoln’s estate in the current state capital of Springfield, she is happy with things they way they are. She said many who still live on the island do so for a reason — it’s quiet. She said her biggest struggle as curator is getting people to see the value in history, as well as seeing the value in keeping historic buildings standing when possible.

“Sometimes the impression is new is better,” she said, noting the irony that many buildings that replace historic structures are often estimated to last only a few decades while those that come down have lasted centuries.

She said she always tries to explain the value in these historic places. And when she loses, she is not happy.

“It’s not a good feeling,” Lyons said of seeing pieces of her county’s history meet the wrecking ball.

Lyons said she wants to preserve her home’s history and wants to ensure the buildings and museums can be maintained. This has been no easy task, as budgets in Illinois have shrunk in recent decades. However, she said she has to strike a balance when it comes to Kaskaskia: The grounds and buildings need to be kept up and the history should be celebrated, but not at the expense of those who still call Illinois’ first capital their home.

“The rich and famous go off and buy islands so they can have a secluded place to live and we don’t have to do that,” Lyons said. “We have a secluded place.”

Isaac Smith of the Southern Illinoisan can be reached at isaac.smith@thesouthern. com. 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.

PAGE 5

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2017 | BUGLENEWSPAPERS.COM

YEAR IN REVIEW: THE FIRST HALF

A LOOK

BACK Looking back at the top stories during the first half of 2017

END OF AN ERA Niles West boys basketball coach Bob Williams announced his retirement from teaching and coaching at the end of this season, ending a career that began while still a junior in college and has witnessed him record 37 years in a classroom and on a bench, the last 26 years as a head varsity coach.

Williams joined Niles West eight years ago after resigning from Schaumburg where he had coached the previous 18 seasons.

And while his career as a head coach may be coming to an end, Williams is as focused as always on the 2016-17 version of the Wolves.

“I am not real good with that kind of thing,” he said. “I tend to focus more on the present and what we need to do and I am sure there will be a point I may regret that, but I am just focused on what we are doing here and now.

I feel a very strong responsibility to the players to do my very best and not take anything away from them. I don’t want to take away from the focus of this team, because there are kids coming to practice every day busting their butts getting ready and I want to do the same for them.

“In 2001 (at Schaumburg) we won the state championship and everyone kept asking me if I thought we would win the state championship and I said, ‘no,

but I thought we would win the next game.’ And that is kind of how I look at things.”

STATE BOWLING FINALS Notre Dame senior Connell Kelleher proved last year was no fluke after he repeated as AllState after taking sixth place Saturday at St. Clair Bowl.

In the first game after break, he rolled a 300 to solidify his spot in the top 12.

TIED AT THE TOP Maine South sophomore Caleigh Pistorius has been attending the girls gymnastics state meet for as long as she can remember.

For just as long, she’s wanted to take home a souvenir.

“She has been coming here since she was a baby,” her mother, Jennifer, said. “When she was little she always wanted to get a T-shirt or something.

“I said, ‘no, you’re going to get a state finals shirt when you earn it.’ So last year she got the shirt.”

Now Pistorius has something even better.

Pistorius became the first female state champion in program history – and just the second female gymnast to win a medal – when she tied for first on balance beam

STARS SHINE When the geographical teams were made for the Voyager Media Girls Basketball All-Star

FILE PHOTO

Maine South sophomore Caleigh Pistorius, left, tied with Maeve Murdock of New Trier for the gymnastics state title..

Shootout, the South team ended up with a bit of an advantage.

They pretty much all knew each other.

Led by 10 points from MVP Brooklyn Bachmann and a teamhigh 13 points from Jaianna Brooks, the South squad pulled away for a 64-43 victory on a funfilled final game for the all senior teams on Sunday, March 19 at the University of St. Francis in Joliet.

Katie Jaseckas, who helped lead Benet Academy to backto-back Class 4A state championships in 2015 and 16, led the North team and all scorers with 14 points. But the balance of the South team, which was made up of mostly members of the Southwest Prairie Conference and had 12 of 13 players score, won out.

No matter the outcome, it was a final opportunity to put on their high school uniforms for the players.

Bachmann had a variety of assists in the shootout game, to help net her the MVP. • About midway through the

second half of the Voyager Media Boys Basketball All-Star Shootout Bolingbrook’s Nana Akenten came to the scorers table and asked what the record for points was.

Well, fresh off helping to lead the Raiders to third place in the Class 3A State Tournament the day before, Akenten scored 22 points to help make sure the team scoring record was shattered.

His North group, however, fell short in 134-122 South win.

Joliet West’s Trevian Bell, the game MVP, scored a team-high 22 points and wowed the crowd with a series of slams as the South squad pulled away in the final few minutes for a victory.

Bell’s Joliet West teammate — Tabyous Casterberry tied him for team-high honors with 22 points, as the 256 points easily broke the combined points record, which was set last year in a 120-119 win

by Team Gregory - when the format was a little different.

Niles West’s Aaron Flowers scored a game-high 27 points

for the North team, which tied Bolingbrook graduate (‘13) and current SMU Mustang Ben Moore for the second most points ever scored in the nine years of the boys all-star game.

Both teams also surpassed the previous single team high for points, which was 121 by the North squad in 2013 game.

That was no surprise as the combined rosters included six members of the Class 3A/4A Illinois Basketball Coaches Association All-Staters.

Akenten led the way as the lone first teamer, while Bell, Benet’s Jack Nolan and Notre Dame’s Matt Stritzel were third teamers and Lemont’s PJ Pipes and Joliet Central’s Jose Grubbs were on the fourth team.

A feel-good award was presented before the game.

The Jeremy Izzo Character Award, which is named after the former Joliet Catholic Academy boys basketball coach, who passed away in 2010. This year’s award was presented to Lockport’s Matt Smietanski.

6

BUSINESS + REAL ESTATE

NEWS ABOUT LOCAL BUSINESSES IN YOUR COMMUNITY THURSDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2017 | BUGLENEWSPAPERS.COM

COLUMN >> DAVE SAYS

Life insurance not in the Baby Steps; but thing to do DEAR DAVE, I’ve noticed that the younger you are, the less expensive life insurance can be. I’m 32, and I’m still paying off my student loans. With this in mind, what’s the best age to get term life insurance, and what does it cover?

KALINA DEAR KALINA, Simply put, term life insurance covers death. Having student loans doesn’t really matter when it comes

L A N U Z A - ROJA S May Lanuza-Rojas nee Jones, August 5, 1922 - December 4, 2017, passed away at home after a long illness . She was a loving wife and mother, a doting grandmother and greatgrandmother; and the model of caring, intelligence, patience, tolerance, determination, and amity.

Daughter of Saunders Jones and Grace Blanton Jones, May was part of a close-knit, blended family. All of the Jones brood grew up during the Great Depression and learned to face adversity with calm determination and to embrace the fullness of life. She always treated others fairly and warmly and earned the respect and love of all those who came to know her. She never spoke ill of others.

She loved dancing and she excelled at card games; winning with equanimity and losing (though not often) with grace.

May retired from the US Postal Service after rising from Mail Sorter to Personnel Hearing Officer. Although not ethnically Filipino, she was active in the Filipino-American community and was honored as Mother of the Year and was twice elected President of the Ilucos Sur Club

to life insurance, either. If you have a family – or someone who is dependent on your income – you need 10 to 12 times your yearly income in a good, level term insurance policy. If you make $50,000 a year, that means you need a term life insurance policy with $500,000 to $600,000 worth of coverage. If you don’t have a family or dependents, I’d recommend a simple burial policy of $10,000 to $20,000 to cover any final expenses.

of Chicago. May survived cancer, other major ailments, a horrible car accident, and the passing of two husbands (Vincent Lanuza Sr. and Paul Rojas Sr.) but she never dwelt on any past sadness or disappointments, always retaining a positive outlook.

Of her beloved siblings, her sisters Hilda, Marie, Mary, and Opal all preceded her in death, as did her brother Fred. She is survived by her remaining brothers, Saunders “Buddy” (Mary) and Frank. She is also survived by her children Vincent (Suzanne), Dorothy, and Joseph; by her grandchildren Kenneth (Michelle), David (Hattie), Pamela (Wayne), and Alanna (Justin); by her great-grandchildren Kendra, Jennifer, Kaelyn, Sydney, Wyatt, Penelope, John, Benjamin, and Noelle; by her step-children Joyce (Gary), Tanya (Douglas), and Paul Jr.; and by nieces, nephews, and other extended family members too numerous to mention here but always in her heart.

Visitation was on December 12 at Skaja Terrace Funeral Home, 7812 N. Milwaukee Ave., Niles, IL. On December 13 friends gathered at the funeral home for the funeral procession to Saint Mary of the Woods Church at 7033 N Moselle Ave., Chicago, funeral Mass. Interment was at All Saints Cemetery. For more info call 847-966-7302 or www. skajafuneralhomes.com

Either of these would be very inexpensive for someone your age.

Keep in mind that life insurance becomes costlier as you get older. The reason? Statistically speaking, the older you are the more likely you are to die. It’s not a fun thought, but it’s the truth. Life insurance, or at least a burial policy if you’re single and have no dependents, isn’t one of the Baby Steps in my plan.

—DAVE

S Z E WC Edward J. Szewc, 93, passed away December 3, 2017. Devoted son of the late Joseph and Anna nee Rapacz. Loving brother of Ted (Bernadine) Szewc, Lorraine (the late Walter) Beusse and the late Leonard Szewc. Loving uncle of John Beusse, Wally (Marie) Beusse, Kathy (Thomas) Groves, Shari (Robert) Suennen, and the late Pamela Beusse. Proud great uncle of 13 and great great uncle of 8. Treasured Uncle Eddie to many cousins and friends. Visitation was December 15 at Skaja Terrace Funeral Home 7812 N. Milwaukee Ave. Niles. Funeral Mass was December 16 at St. John Brebeuf Church.

Interment St. Adalbert Cemetery. Eddie was a WWII Army Veteran, 359th Eng. Member of the Niles VFW Post and a CTA electrician.

In lieu of flowers memorials to Journey Care Hospice or to a charity of your choice.

Funeral Info. 847-966-7302 or www.skajafuneralhomes. com

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION PHH MORTGAGE CORPORATION Plaintiff, -v.PRABIR SEN, DALIA SEN, BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., VILLAGE OF GLENVIEW, AN ILLINOIS MUNICIPAL CORPORATION, UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NON-RECORD CLAIMANTS, UNKNOWN OCCUPANTS Defendants 15 CH 12603 18 WASHINGTON STREET Glenview, IL 60025 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on October 25, 2017, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on January 26, 2018, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker Drive, CHICAGO, IL, 60606, sell at public auction to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 18 WASHINGTON STREET, Glenview, IL 60025 Property Index No. 09-12-445-018-0000.

The real estate is improved with a single family residence.

The judgment amount was $76,351.72.

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 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 (HOMEOWNER), 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.

For information, contact The sales clerk, SHAPIRO KREISMAN & ASSOCIATES,

LLC, 2121 WAUKEGAN RD., SUITE 301, Bannockburn, IL 60015, (847) 2911717 For information call between the hours of 1pm - 3pm. Please refer to file number 15-076641.

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.

SHAPIRO KREISMAN & ASSOCIATES, LLC 2121 WAUKEGAN RD., SUITE 301 Bannockburn, IL 60015 (847) 291-1717 E-Mail: ILNotices@logs.com Attorney File No. 15-076641 Attorney Code. 42168 Case Number: 15 CH 12603 TJSC#: 37-9953 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.

I3067646 Published 12/14, 12/21, 12/28

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE FOR J.P. MORGAN MORTGAGE TRUST 2006-S2, MORTGAGE PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES; Plaintiff, vs.

KATHLEEN P. O’SULLIVAN AND JAMES O’SULLIVAN; MORTGAGE ELECTRONIC REGISTRATION SYSTEMS, INC AND CITIBANK, N.A.; Defendants, 16 CH 6384 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE is hereby given that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure entered in the above entitled cause, Intercounty Judicial Sales Corporation will on Friday, January 19, 2018, at the hour of 11 a.m. in their office at 120 West Madison Street, Suite 718A, Chicago, Illinois, sell to the highest bidder for cash, the following described mortgaged real estate: P.I.N. 12-01-131-008.

Commonly known as 113 GLENLAKE AVENUE, PARK RIDGE, IL 60068.

The mortgaged real estate is improved with a single family residence. If the subject mortgaged real estate is a unit of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by subsection (g-1) of Section 18.5 of the Condominium Property Act. Sale terms: 10% down by certified funds, balance within 24 hours, by certified funds. No refunds. The property will NOT be open for inspection.

For information call Mr. Ira T. Nevel at Plaintiff’s Attorney, Law Offices of Ira T. Nevel, 175 North Franklin Street, Chicago, Illinois 60606. (312) 357-1125.

Ref. No. 16-00952 INTERCOUNTY JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION Selling Officer, (312) 444-1122 I3070296 Published 12/14 , 12/21, 12/28

DEADLINE FOR CLASSIFIEDS: FRIDAY AT NOON THURSDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2017 | BUGLENEWSPAPERS.COM

BUSINESS & PRIVATE PARTY CLASSIFIED ADS: $16 PER WEEK, 20 WORDS OR LESS. WEDDINGS, BIRTHS & ENGAGEMENTS: BLACK & WHITE - $25, COLOR - $35. OBITUARIES: $35.

7

PHONE: 815.436.2431 WEB: buglenewspapers.com/classifieds EMAIL: classifieds@buglenewspapers.com

PAGE 8 | T H UR SDAY , DEC EMBER 28, 20 17 | BUGL ENEWSPAPERS.COM TA K E 5 M I N U T E S FOR YOURSELF!

ARIES

MARCH 21 TO APRIL 20

Ho-ho-home is where the heart is. Surround yourself with those whom you care about the most and enjoy the warmth of the holiday season together. There may be little to be gained from last minute shopping expeditions.

GEMINI

M AY 2 2 T O J U N E 2 1

Make sure the sleigh runs on schedule. Conflicting social obligations may create a brief period of turmoil, so you may need to set priorities to keep things running smoothly. Those around you make look to you for guidance.

LEO

J U LY 2 3 T O A U G U S T 2 1

Peace on earth, goodwill to man. Imbibing a little too much holiday spirit could cause some tempers to flare but you are the one who can diffuse things by spreading a little joy. Drive home the lesson that the best things in life are free.

ACROSS 1 “I LOVE LUCY” AIRER 4 SEARCH, IN A WAY 9 “I LOVE LUCY” ROLE 14 CAUCASIAN NATIVE 15 HAVENS 16 __ FOOTBALL 17 DETERGENT IN A RED CONTAINER 18 KIND OF CURL 19 MORE MIFFED 20 O 23 INCA __: PERUVIAN SOFT DRINK 24 TAXING PEOPLE? 25 MEET AT THE POKER TABLE 26 TWITTER FOLLOWER, USUALLY 28 HORSESHOESHAPED BOAT PART 32 O 37 GARDEN POND FISH 38 CROOK’S INVENTION 39 METEOR TAIL? 40 ANCIENT GREEK PHYSICIAN 42 AUTHOR DEIGHTON 43 O 46 ANGLES FOR IRON USERS 48 COURSE FOR NEWCOMERS: ABBR. 49 “... __ THE SET OF SUN”: “MACBETH” 50 SEVEN-FILM FRANCHISE 52 SMOOTH OVER 56 SITE OF CONFUSED ACTIVITY, AND A HINT TO 20-, 32AND 43-ACROSS 61 STOCKPILE 62 SPORTSCAST ANALYSIS 63 “RUMOUR __ IT”: 2011 ADELE HIT 64 FIRST SIGN

65 IN NEED OF CHANGE? 66 SPACEWALK INITIALS 67 BRIEF COPY? 68 SPOKE ABYSSINIAN? 69 “L.A. LAW” ACTRESS

DOWN 1 IT’S ALWAYS DATED 2 GRAND CANYON ANIMAL 3 SPIRAL-SHELLED CREATURE 4 VIEW FROM THE QILIAN MOUNTAINS 5 COMING DOWN 6 MUPPET IN A CAN 7 STRIPS OFF 8 “OUTSIDE THE LINES” AIRER 9 HIDDEN DVD FEATURES 10 GARDEN TOOL 11 SUB 12 U.S. DEPT. WITH A WINDMILL ON ITS SEAL 13 ESCAPADE 21 CLASSIC 20-ACROSS 22 GENESIS NAME 27 WAS SUPERVISED BY

28 R.E.M.’S “THE __ LOVE” 29 ST. WITH A PANHANDLE 30 “FARGO” DIRECTOR 31 WARMHEARTED 32 UNDISGUISED 33 TOAST TOPPING 34 WORD SEEN UNDER A DEER SILHOUETTE 35 YOUTUBE CLIPS, FOR SHORT 36 RR SCHEDULE LISTING 41 MORE CAPABLE 44 HUNGARIAN WINE REGION 45 WIDELY CRITICIZED 1985 PRODUCT INTRODUCTION 47 RUDE SORT 50 BEDROOM NOISE 51 WARMLY LIT 53 YEARNED 54 POLISHED 55 SAT PART THAT’S JUDGED 56 WIELDER OF MJÖLNIR 57 PERFECT 58 GRATING SOUND 59 SALT TOPIC 60 MORE THAN ANNOYED

LIBRA

SEPTEMBER 24 TO OCTOBER 23

Over the river and through the woods. Holiday outings could be a memorable source of adventure and fun. Joy and merriment will be contagious, and you won’t have to work very hard to create a festive atmosphere.

SAGITTARIUS

NOVEMBER 23 TO DECEMBER 22

A rolling stone gathers no mistletoe. Seeing all your holiday plans through may require you to stay in motion as if you rest you may just stall altogether. A close friend or loved one may finally provide a long-awaited answer.

AQUARIUS

JANUARY 21 TO FEBRUARY 19

Go with the flow. It may take a little effort to find your holiday spirit but once you get into the swing of things you’ll have a ball. Don’t be shy if you find yourself among new faces as you will most likely make fast friends.

SUDOKU

TAURUS

A P R I L 2 1 T O M AY 2 1

Remember to leave out the milk and cookies. The object of your affection will be sure to leave extravagant goodies in your stocking and show you how much they care. Romance may blossom to a new level tonight.

CANCER

J U N E 2 2 T O J U LY 2 2

Be a Scrooge ... after he was visited by the three ghosts, that is. You’ll find no greater satisfaction than giving to others and spreading good cheer. Remember that the cost of a gift is irrelevant as it is the thought that counts.

VIRGO

AUGUST 22 TO SEPTEMBER 23

Santa would get nowhere without his elves working behind the scenes. Take charge as it will be your planning and attention to detail that will make holiday festivities successful. Go out of your way to create a little magic.

SCORPIO

OCTOBER 24 TO NOVEMBER 22

Stick with the program. The hectic nature of the holidays may have everyone pulling in separate directions, so you may need to be the voice of reason. You may need to remind others that there are only so many hours in a day.

CAPRICORN

DECEMBER 23 TO JANUARY 20

Grin and bear it. While the holidays are about spending time with loved ones, certain relatives may be kind of a chore to endure. You may be genuinely surprised when the least likely person turns out to be your secret Santa.

PISCES

FEBRUARY 20 TO MARCH 20

Have it your way. Whether you want to attend a big holiday bash or spend an intimate evening with a special someone, it’s all up to you. Sometimes a comfortable silence with a loved one can say more than a deep conversation.

JUMBLE

Tribune Content Agency, LLC. 2017

PREVIOUS PUZZLE’S ANSWERS

PREVIOUS PUZZLE’S ANSWERS

PREVIOUS PUZZLE’S ANSWERS

JUMBLES:

• GRUNTT • OPERA • UNJUST • ENGULF

ANSWER:

WHEN HE ASKED HER IF SHE WANTED A NEW MINK COAT, SHE SAID -- “FUR” SURE