Sentinel 03-12-14

Wednesday, March 12, 2014

Vol. 19 No. 14

Voyager Media Publications • shorewoodsentinel.com

STaTE nEWS

GOP candidate Rauner promotes pension, workers comp reform ‘Self-made’ businessman has spent millions advertising his positions

By Bugle Staff

>> See the full story on page 5

BILL BRADY state senator 44tH dIstrIct

KIRK DILLARD state senator 24tH dIstrIct

DAN RUTHERFORD state treasurer

more info ...

FOR UPDATED COVERAGE ON THE ELECTIONS IN YOUR AREA, INCLUDING ELECTION NIGHT, FOLLOW OUR STAFF ON TWITTER:

“We need a collar coUnTY governor,” said dillard.

He lives in Hinsdale, a sUBUrB on THe Border oF cooK and dUpage coUnTies. “noT someone From raHm’s inner circle liKe raUner.”

NILES: Alex Hernandez @theavhernandez @NilesILNews DOWNER’S GROVE, WESTMONT & WOODRIDGE: Jonathan Samples @strikechords @DownersGrvBugle BOLINGBROOK & ROMEOVILLE: Laura Katauskas @lkatauskas @BolingbrookInfo @RomeovilleBugle JOLIET: @buglenewspapers Shorewood: @shorewoodnews PLAINFIELD: Megan Patsavas @MPatsavas @PlainfieldNews

Bruce Rauner describes himself as a “selfmade” businessman who worked in the investment field for over 30 years before announcing his desire to run for governor in 2013.

Rauner lives in Winnetka with his wife and six children. He has a degree in economics from Dartmouth College and later received an BRUCE RAUNER MBA from Harvard gop candIdate University.

While he was absent from the March 6 debate at Benedictine University, Rauner has spent millions advertising his positions.

The following are some key points from Rauner’s primary campaign:

On Employment: • Get rid of the Quinn-Madigan tax hikes and replace them with a comprehensive overhaul of the tax code that is fair to all taxpayers.

• Create Right-to-Work zones and allow local communities to decide whether workers must join a union in order to get a job.

• Enact tort reform and limit lawsuit abuse.

• Reform the workers’ compensation system to make Illinois competitive with neighboring states.

On Spending: • Reform the pension system so we can spend more money on priorities like >> see raUner | page 2

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THE BUGLE/SENTINEL MARCH 12, 2014

News

education, roads, and public safety.

home decreases.

• Overhaul the tax code so that is fair to all taxpayers.

• Cap the current system and move towards a defined contribution system.

On Taxes:

On the State Pension:

• Get rid of the Quinn-Madigan 67 percent income tax hike.

• Get rid of the Quinn-Madigan 45 percent corporate tax hike.

• Ensure your property taxes never go up if the value of your

• Ensure pay and benefits do not rise faster than the rate of inflation.

• Eliminate the ability of government employees to receive massive pay raises before they retire just to increase their pension.

On Government Reform

>> rogina, from page 1

• Push for term limits. No governor should be allowed to serve for more than eight years, and the legislature should be term limited as well.

• Allow state workers to choose if they want to join government employees union, instead of being forced to do so.

• Control spending to the limit the size of government in order to curb corruption.

On Education •

Create

a

competitive

educational system with more options to parents.

• Hold failing teachers accountable and regardless of tenure.

• Prioritize education spending for more quality teachers and classroom technology that directly benefits students.

News

THE BUGLE/SENTINEL MARCH 12, 2014

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16th Congressional District race

Kinzinger trying to hold off Tea Party Challenge District covers parts of Will County, DeKalb, Ford, Stark, and Winnebago counties

By Kris Stadalsky For the Bugle/Sentinel

Incumbent Adam Kinzinger will face off against Rockford Tea Party founder David Hale for the Republican nomination in the 16th Congressional District race.

The winner on March 18 will face Democratic political newcomer Randall Olsen, who is running unopposed now, in November.

Kinzinger ran for and won the 11th Congressional District race in 2010, beating incumbent Debbie Halvorson.

After redistricting, he decided to run for the 16th Congressional

District in 2012.

He beat out long-time incumbent U.S. Rep. Manzullo in the March primary of 2012.

Kinzinger is an Air Force pilot who served in Iraq and Afghanistan; he currently serves in the Air National Guard.

Two of Kinzinger’s top issues are energy and manufacturing.

By taking advantage of all U.S. energy resources, he believes more good-paying jobs will be created, utility costs will be lowered and reliance on volatile regions to meet our energy needs will be reduced.

“It’s time we fully utilized our nation’s abundant natural resources to create jobs here

Adam Kinzinger Incumbent

David Hale Rockford Tea Party founder

and provide Americans with more reliable and affordable energy,” Kinzinger said.

He also strongly believes in establishing an environment which incentivizes companies to build in the U.S. instead of overseas.

“This means making energy more affordable by expanding American energy production, enacting pro-growth tax reform,

eliminating government redtape and reforming workforce education programs,” he said.

Rockford Tea Party founder David Hale is a licensed registered nurse and a U.S. Army Veteran.

His top issues are jobs, government spending and health care. Getting control of government spending is a must in bringing jobs back to America, he said. Cutting the size and scope of government, making it more efficient, will enable reduced corporate taxes and close loopholes, Hale said.

Job-generating businesses from around the world will come to America to take advantage of lower corporate taxes and employing millions of people who will make up for the gap in government revenue, he said.

Fixing the damage from Obama care is going to take big, bold, fresh ideas, Hale said.

“As a registered nurse and health information consultant, and student of economics, I have solutions to bring to Congress,” said Hale.

Olsen is seeking the Democratic nomination for the 16th congressional district. He worked in the nuclear medicine industry until retirement in 2013 and served in the U.S. Air force for 20 years as a radiology and nuclear medicine tech.

The district covers part of Joliet, Shorewood and Channahon in Will County, as well as parts of DeKalb, Ford, Stark, and Winnebago counties, and all of Boone, Bureau, Grundy, Iroquois, LaSalle, Lee, Livingston, Ogle and Putnam counties.

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News

DistriCt 9

County strike hangover looms over Board race Negotiations actually split the entire board, Democrats and Republicans alike

By Nick Reiher Managing Editor

If you think all the hard feelings are over after last fall’s strike by Will County workers, you need only to look as far as the Democratic primary for Will County Board District 9, which covers the northwest side of Joliet and parts of Lockport Township, including Crest Hill and Fairmont.

A political newcomer with strong union ties is going against two incumbents, one of whom was especially visible during contentious negotiations with the union last year.

Lauren Staley-Ferry of Joliet is trying to knock off one of two Democratic incumbents on the board, longtime member Walter Adamic of Joliet and Diane Zigrossi of Crest Hill.

It’s a good bet Staley-Ferry, married to an IBEW Local 176 electrician employed by the City of Joliet and daughter-in-law of County Board Member Mark Ferry of Plainfield (who also lists a handful of union affiliations), is targeting Zigrossi, who was involved in the union negotiations as Democratic Caucus Chair and as chair of the Board’s Insurance and Personnel Committee.

In her campaign Working with response to the Bugle, the Center Staley-Ferry said she was for Economic “really disappointed to see Development the County Workers forced and business and to go on strike to support labor, we have their families.These people been able to serve us and protect us on promote jobs and a daily basis, and deserve to other beneficial AdAmic diAne zigroSSi be compensated properly.” lAuren StAley-ferry wAlter opportunities JolIet JolIet cRest HIll The negotiations actually throughout our split the entire board, Democrats the jobs and downtown Joliet County.A particular concern to my and Republicans alike. Some, like development. She also supports district is the Fairmont community.

Democratic leader Zigrossi, said the Illiana Tollway and the South Flooding, lack of sidewalks, and they wished they could do more Suburban Airport as potential job- other issues have plagued the area for the union workers, but there is creators. for too long. Grant funds were only so much burden the rest of Adamic, 52, is married and secured for new sidewalks with the taxpayers could take. So they works as a real estate investor. more walkways planned in the had to draw the line on what the He is a JCA grad and has degrees near future.” county could afford. from Joliet Junior College Adamic said the completion of Staley-Ferry,35,works for Capital and Aurora University, with BA the planned Interstate 55/ Weber One Financial, in the Partnership Business Administration. He has Road interchange improvements Operations Department. She is a served on the Will County Board would alleviate congestion, Joliet Catholic Academy graduate since 1988. improve safety, and encourage and is continuing her education Adamic chairs the board’s business development. at Rasmussen College. She Public Works and Transportation Zigrossi, 54, is married and a and husband Ed have one son, Committee and has had various retired banker. She is a graduate Matthew. leadership positions on the board of Joliet Central and the College Although a political newcomer, 2008-2012; Democrat Minority of St. Francis, and has served on she said she has been involved Leader. the Lockport Elementary School in many community service He said as a County Board/ District #91 Board, as a Lockport initiatives, including Make-A-Wish, Forest Preserve member, he has alderman and as a County Board Wish Upon A Star, and Habitat helped to address flooding and Member since 2008. for Humanity, where she is the sanitary problems, expanded She is Vice President of the Will relationship lead for Capital One green spaces and trails in our forest County Forest Preserve Employee and Windy City Habitat. preserves, modernized the Sunny Retirement Benefits Trust, ViceShe said the main countywide Hill Rehabilitation Center, and Chair of the Will County Woman’s issue is the state of the county supported stronger regulations of Caucus and a member - NACO facilities without taxing residents quarry dumping.

Human Services & Education more. She favors keeping the “All this was accomplished Committee.

County Seat in Joliet, as relocating while taking a fiscally conservative Zigrossi said she has continued would present an even greater approach to budgetary matters,” to take a fiscally responsible expense to the cost of improving he said. “Taxpayer dollars must stance as it comes to spending facilities and take away from be used wisely and efficiently. and allocation of taxpayer dollars.

“I clearly understand that we must continue to seek out ways to do more with less, and in doing so find balance in providing much needed county services to those having the greatest need,” she said.

“I have continued to aggressively encourage grant money be sought that has aided in funding the County’s Neighborhood Stabilization Programs, Health Department resources, roads and infrastructure improvements.“ “I encourage and support economic growth in our county and the creation of jobs, and therefore strengthening our outlook for the future.“ Zigrossi said she has been actively involved in the county’s role in the Fairmont Re-development Plan, which resulted in the addition of sidewalks in 2013, and recent funding having been secured to begin initial engineering studies to help remediate ongoing flooding issues.

“I consider myself to be a committed individual who is dedicated to public service and the residents I serve. My personal experience, having worked closely with many community organizations …”

Zigrossi also has served on the board of the Will-Grundy Center for independent Living since 2011, Vice Chair of the Accessible Cities Alliance and the Joliet Montessori School Board of Trustees.

The two winners on March 18 will face Republican Annette Parker of Crest Hill in November for the district’s two board spots.

News CoVer storY

GoP gubernatorial candidates use final debate to attack absent rauner Candidates shared brief moments of solidarity in middle of pot shots being taken at each other, incumbent Gov. Quinn

By Alex V. Hernandez Staff Reporter

Three of the four GOP candidates for governor spent their final debate before the March 18 primary attacking an absent Bruce Rauner.

State Senators Bill Brady, Kirk Dillard and state Treasurer Dan Rutherford attended the debate at St. Benedictine University in Lisle on March 6.At the debate’s outset moderators announced that Rauner, who was also slated to appear, would not be attending.

This turn of events led to the three present candidates sharing brief moments of solidarity in the middle of the pot shots they were taking at each other and incumbent Governor Pat Quinn.

With Rutherford saying that he, Dillard and Brady have all been out meeting people face to face while Rauner just uses money to drive his campaign.

“Would you hire someone to be head coach of Chicago Bears who never coached a little league team?” said Brady of Rauner’s political experience. He went on to say that just because Rauner, chairman of R8 Capital Partners, is willing to spend upwards of $6 million on his campaign doesn’t qualify him to be governor.

Dillard also chimed in by saying Rauner’s relationship to Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel made him a questionable Republican candidate. Both Rauner and Emmanuel’s campaign contributors overlap significantly, with billionaires Ken Griffin, Joseph Mansueto and Eric Lefkofsky among them.

“We need a collar county governor,” said Dillard. He lives in Hinsdale, a suburb on the border of Cook and DuPage counties.

“Not someone from Rahm’s inner circle like Rauner.”

However this proved to be a misstep as Brady took the opportunity to bring up Dillard’s perceived collusion with Democrats on state legislation.

These included Dillard’s

talking points g o p d e B At e Kirk Dillard State Senator

“We need a collar county governor.

Not someone from Rahm’s inner circle like Rauner,” said Dillard.

Dan rutherford State Treasurer

“We’ve not been good about reaching out to minority communities,” said Rutherford.

Bill Brady State Senator

“Would you hire someone to be head coach of Chicago Bears who never coached a little league team?” said Brady of Rauner’s political experience. support of laws that would require state lawmakers to carry the same standard health insurance benefits that citizens are now required to carry under Obamacare and his ties to Stuart Levine, key figure in the investigation that brought down former Democratic Gov. Rod Blagojevich.

Throughout the debate Rutherford spent most of his time stressing that he was the party’s moderate candidate. He even joked that the debate’s moderators placed his podium between Dillard and Brady to emphasize this.

However Rutherford ended up walking on eggshells when he was asked how he would win the female vote in Illinois.

He’s been in the middle a lawsuit brought on by a former top aid that alleges Rutherford sexually harassed him and made him do political work on state time. As recently as March 7 Rutherford hired three taxpayerfunded attorneys to represent him in the federal lawsuit.

He said he didn’t want to be “gender specific” in his answer and said the best thing he could do was make Illinois more proficient in continuous care services for seniors and the mentally ill.

Towards the end of the debate he repeatedly stressed that he was against discrimination of any type and felt the GOP had to reach out more non-white voters.

“We’ve not been good about reaching out to minority communities,” said Rutherford.

Saying that bringing the LGBQT, Hispanic and Asian communities into the GOP is something the party needed to prioritize thanks to the shifting demographics of the country and the state.

“I respect diversity of this state,” said Rutherford. “I’ve worked in countries where Christianity was a minority and Caucasians were a super minority.”

Brady, the GOP’s unsuccessful nominee for governor in 2010, also did some backpedaling during the debate and said that he would work with unions in the balanced interest for state. He said unions play a vital role in the state but said he would not “sell out” to them like he felt Dillard had.

Dillard has allied himself with the state’s American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees’ Council 31; the Illinois Education Association; and the Illinois Federation of Teachers unions to combat Rauner’s deep pockets during the primary.

To Brady’s remarks Dillard said comments that demonize union workers are disgraceful. He added that both Rauner and Brady’s comments and actions towards unions made them “unelectable.”

Rauner has targeted the state’s unions as a hallmark of his campaign, blaming them for the state’s financial woes. Meanwhile Brady has said Dillard’s vote in favor of the state’s landmark pension overhaul “sold out” Illinois taxpayers to union interests.

The controversial overhaul cut worker benefits and is estimated to save Illinois $145 billion over the next 30 years.

However as the March 18 primary draws near, Rauner’s personal wealth and the support he’s gotten from deep-pocketed donors has let him outspend his opponents in advertising across the state.

This increased media presence has allowed him to become the front-runner in poll data released on March 7.

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News Will CoUntY

County sheriff’s vacancy lures crowded field There are two candidates in the Republican primary and three in the Democratic primary

By Stewart Warren For the Bugle

It’s a crowded race this year for Will County Sheriff.

There are two candidates in the Republican primary and three in the Democratic primary, all of them law enforcement professionals with extensive experience in Will County.

They’re trying to win the seat that will be vacated by Sheriff Paul Kaupas, a Republican who decided not to seek a fourth term.

The winner of each race will go head-to-head in the November election.

Ken Kaupas, republican

managed properly or the department won’t be able to continue to provide the appropriate services to the public sector.

My other goals have to do with crime, the better use of manpower and the use of analytics, something that I learned and relied on heavily in my prior experience with the state police.

Crime is down, but we can continue to do better. Heroin deaths are down, and I hope the trend will continue; we have done a lot of programming in that area. The sheriff has partnered with other county agencies and social service programs to fight the drug problem.

Hometown: Shorewood Family: Married, two children Age: 54 Professional Experience: Police officer for 30 years.

Retired as a Deputy Chief of the Special Operations Bureau from District 5 State Police. Currently serves as the Deputy Chief of the Special Operations Bureau at the Will County Sheriff’s Department.

Community Involvement: Chairman of the Shorewood Police and Fire Commission.

Coached in the Troy Baseball Organization.

What are the relevant issues in this sheriff’s race?

Why did you decide to run for sheriff?

If elected, how would you streamline the department’s budget?

I have been with the sheriff’s department for more than three years, and in my capacity as deputy chief, I have seen how the department operates. There are challenges there, and I have the skill set and Ken KAupAS RePublIcan background to move it forward from where we are today.

The first goal has to do with stabilizing the department’s budget. The budget must be

I think in the Republican primary, one of the issues is the fact that I have not made promises. I have not proposed new programs; I know the sheriff’s office is not in a position to afford them. I do not support raising levies and tax rates. We have all been extended to the point where we cannot do more. When you have these budget issues, you must look at the core mission of the police department.

The sheriff must work handin-hand with the county board and the finance department.

The sheriff submits a budget every year, and for the last three years, the department has been underfunded in the basic line items of personal service.

This is what everyone makes by contract or fixed dollar amounts.

We are down 27 spots in the sheriff’s office, and the department has not sought to replace those positions.We have to look at the core missions: the

jail, civil processing and other departments.

During the next sheriff’s term, there will be 20 to 40 retirements. I think what we need to do is look very closely as each employee retires and determine if that person must be replaced or if we can continue to cut and streamline.

The department also must look at the possible consolidation of services with other agencies operating in the county.

Should the RTA tax be used to fund the sheriff’s department?

I believe it should be. The money can be used for public safety issues Would you support a public safety tax?

I am not a proponent of a public safety tax. I do not support raising our taxes. I would support alternatives that don’t initiate a new tax.

nick Ficarello, republican Hometown: Manhattan Township Family: Married, two children Age: 57 nicK ficArello Professional RePublIcan Experience: Retired deputy chief from the Will County Sheriff’s Department. Worked in special operations, investigations and at the Will County jail. Also worked as a part-time officer for the Posen police, and am a licensed private detective.

Graduate of the FBI National Academy; member of the FBI National Academy Graduate Association and of the International Association of Chiefs of Police.

Community Involvement: I am a member of the Joliet Moose lodge and the Illinois State Rifle Association.

Why did you decide to run for sheriff?

The citizens of Will County >> see SHeriff | Page 10

News state neWs

THE BUGLE/SENTINEL MARCH 12, 2014

7

Grogan, Cross vie for GOP nod in state treasurer race

Republican winner will face State Sen. Mike Frerichs in November general election

By Jonathan Samples Staff Reporter

DuPage County Auditor Bob Grogan and state Rep. Tom Cross, R-Oswego, will face off for the Republican nomination for state treasurer in the March 18 primary.

Grogan, a Downers Grove resident, is currently serving his second term as the auditor for DuPage County and is hoping his experience as a certified public accountant and fraud examiner will win him the favor of Republican voters.

BoB grogAn duPage county audItoR

rep. tom croSS R-oswego

“I am running because Illinois needs to elect people who are qualified to do the job,” Grogan said. “In Illinois’ history, we have never elected a CPA to the office of treasurer.”

Cross, 55, will rely on his legislative experience and legal background to woo voters.

Prior to his election to the state House in 1992, Cross worked for eight years in the Kendall County State’s

Attorney’s office.

He received his law degree from Cumberland School of Law in Alabama.

“As a member of the General Assembly, I saw firsthand how the decisions made by the Democrat leaders affect our state,” Cross said. “Taxpayers are now saddled with billions of dollars in unpaid bills, bond debt, pension liability and job-crushing taxes that has led to one of the highest unemployment rates in the country.

“The treasurer can make a difference in Illinois by getting engaged in the process with the General Assembly and Governor and work to get Illinois on better fiscal footing.”

Cross said balancing the

state’s budget is the first step in rebuilding the Illinois’ economy, and added that, if elected, he would expand the role of the treasurer’s office to include working on balancing the state’s budget.

“The Office of Treasurer is uniquely positioned on both sides of the accounting ledger for state finances,” he said.“This gives the office legal standing to enforce Article 8, Section 2 of the Illinois Constitution that requires a balanced budget.”

However, Grogan, 46, disagrees that balancing the budget is the responsibility of the state treasurer.

“A perennial problem in Illinois is office holders attempting to expand the reach of their offices,” he said.

“For anyone to imply that the treasurer’s office is somehow

responsible for balancing the state’s budget is both naïve and irresponsible.”

He said the treasurer can impact the budget by increasing returns on investments, reducing spending in the treasurer’s office and by using the bully pulpit available to the treasurer to promote fiscal responsibility.

Grogan said the main financial issue facing Illinois is excessive pension liabilities, which he said should be eliminated for all new hires.

New hires, according to Grogan, should come into a 401k program.

State Sen. Mike Frerichs, D-Champaign, is running unopposed in the primary.

He will face the winner of the Republican primary in the general election.

PlainFielD

Voting approaches for Park District referenda But not all commissioners were on board with the questions

By Megan Patsavas For The Enterprise

In the March 18 general primary, voters will be asked to weigh in on three, non-binding questions concerning the Plainfield Township Park District.

Topics include term limits, a new indoor recreational facility and permits for the park district’s dog parks.

During a November 2013 meeting, the board voted to put these questions on the ballot. However, the results of the referenda are not binding, meaning the board does not have to (and in some cases, may not be able to) take action. Instead, the purpose of the advisory referenda is to get the public’s opinion in the best way the park district thought possible, according to Director of Communications Doug Booth.

But not all commissioners supported putting these questions on the ballot in the first place.

Minority commissioner Larry Newton, who voted against each of the questions, called the current referenda a “cynical act” that he said seems to him a way of preventing a different type of referendum from being presented. Each political subdivision is limited to three referenda per election cycle.

One question on the primary ballot asks: “Should the Plainfield Township Park District impose term limits on the members of its park board so that they may serve no more than two six year terms?”

“That’s really an issue that I know has been big in the heart of President [Peter] Hurtado,” Booth said. “He is a fundamental believer in term limits, from federal on down.”

The director of communications added only one commissioner – Newton – would be affected by a two-term limit at the next election cycle. Newton was elected to the board in 2003, and again in 2009.

if we’re reAlly going to ASK people wHetHer tHey wAnt term limitS, i tHinK tHAt we need to ASK tHe next QueStion, [wHicH] iS: Are you willing to looK At recAll proviSionS?” - minoriTy Commissioner larry newTon

“If we’re really going to ask people whether they want term limits, I think that we need to ask the next question, [which] is: Are you willing to look at recall provisions?” Newton said.

Other questions he suggested include looking at additional requirements for people to hold office with the park district, and whether commissioners with limited experience or who are new to the board should hold positions of president and vice president.

“Those would be more appropriate types of questions to ask, but we’re blocked,” Newton said.

However, questions about term limits and potential questions

about recalls wouldn’t be able to be anything other than advisory under current Illinois law.

The second referendum on the ballot asks: “Should the Plainfield Township Park District investigate the purchase or construction of an indoor recreational facility?”

A new recreation center is something Booth said has been an issue for the district for years.

“Currently, this district rents space from different sources,” Booth said. “[For] our basketball program, we rent a lot of facilities from District 202 schools because we do not have the indoor basketball courts available of our own.That is one thing that might be included in a new center – a very large gym, along with meeting rooms… where classes might be held,” he added.

Booth noted the park district has heard suggestions about an indoor pool and other ideas, and that Renwick Community Park has been discussed as a location, but nothing is for sure.“Different people have different visions,” he said, adding the reason the question is on the ballot is to determine if residents think there is a need for an additional facility.

“It’s something the park district

has to keep the public wellinformed and on board [with] as that whole process moves forward,” Booth said.

But commissioner Mary Kay Ludemann, who did not agree with all of the referenda being put on the ballot, called the question about the new recreational facility “misleading.”

“The park district has planned for years to eventually build a facility at Renwick Community Park and was even saving money for that purpose,” Ludemann wrote in an email. “However, a new building is very costly and would require a referendum to accomplish.

The question on the ballot does not ask if voters would consider supporting a referendum for a new building,” she added.

The other park district referendum asks:“Should the use of the Plainfield Township Park District’s dog parks be regulated by permit?”

Presently, the district’s dog parks are open to anyone, selfpoliced and checked on by staff, according to Booth, though he said there have been complaints about people outside the areas >> see referendA | Page 8

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THE BUGLE/SENTINEL MARCH 12, 2014

News >> referenda, from page 7 the park district serves using the parks, and about residents without dogs not wanting to pay for it.

However,Booth acknowledged: “There are difficulties if people were to decide that the fee is the right way to go, the biggest one would be how do you police it?” He said some park districts have their own law enforcement departments, though Plainfield’s doesn’t.

But Newton said the referenda themselves were the wrong way to go about investigating these issues — topics he said haven’t been discussed by the board since they voted to put them on the ballot.

“Why are we clogging up the ballot with silly questions like this?” Newton asked, later noting: “There are other ways to get information.”

Newton listed the park district’s website, Facebook, survey/poll websites, targeted surveys, and phone surveys among other ways of trying to get the answers

the district is seeking.

Plainfield resident Rob Ayres posted a survey to website SurveyMonkey Feb. 25 with questions similar to those that make up the referenda. He said he did so to show the park district what kinds of tools are at their disposal, and plans on sharing the results at the March 4 park district board meeting.Ayres added the park board putting these questions on the ballot instead of starting a dialogue with the public seems to him another way the district is trying to block public participation.

A little more than a day after Ayres posted the survey it had about 170 responses. By March 3, when Ayres closed the survey, the number of responses increased to 407. Thirty-eight of those, which came from IP addresses that had already taken the survey, were deleted from the data set.

Of the remaining respondents, 82.38 percent voted against the issuance of permits for the district’s dog parks, 60.16 percent reported they do not want the commissioners to look into a

new community center, and 55.28 percent said they oppose term limits for park district commissioners.

But Booth maintained the best way to ask residents these questions is via the referenda.

“The park board really does want to hear from the public on these issues... People who want to have a serious dialogue about [the park’s] direction should really get out and vote and state your opinion,” Booth said.

Even if the referenda are non-binding, the director of communications said the park district wants to find out what the public thinks: “I think the board was trying to be proactive and actually gauge the public’s opinion on what they consider to be extremely important issues.”

The Plainfield Township Park District serves Kendall and Will counties, covering all of Plainfield Township, portions of Wheatland Township and Na-AuSay Township, including parts of Bolingbrook, Crest Hill, Joliet, Plainfield, Romeoville and some unincorporated areas.

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THE BUGLE/SENTINEL MARCH 12, 2014

9

ColUMn

join us for a dip … it’s a ball 6th annual ‘Men Who Cook’ competition to take place March 22 Well, Jillian and I are gonna try it again. We’re going for the gold at the sixth annual “Men Who Cook” competition.

We will be among some 50 amateur chefs cooking up our favorite recipes for hundreds of guests at the fundraiser to benefit the Will County Children’s Advocacy Center, a not-for-profit agency that helps children who are the victims of sexual and physical abuse.

We cooks will offer bite-size samples of our wares in each of four categories: appetizer, side dish, entrée and dessert.

I will once again be offering an Italian delicacy, bagna cauda, in the appetizer category.

I have come to learn that it is a very popular dish to serve on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve in some of the farm community.

At least that’s what Larry Walsh told me.

My boss, Michael Cleary, says he makes it the other way, with olive oil and without cream.

My way, with cream, butter, garlic and, yes, anchovies, is the

“wrong way,” he says.

I won’t argue with the Boss, but … I’ve had people sipping it straight instead of dunking bread or veggies.

All I know is I have run through 5 quarts of the stuff in a few hours as many of the 400 or so hungry munchers who come through dunk or sip as they pass by.

A good number come back again. Being a newspaper guy, we cooKS will offer Bite-Size SAmpleS of our wAreS in eAcH of four cAtegorieS: Appetizer, Side diSH, entrÉe And deSSert.

I don’t have enough friends to vote for me, so I haven’t even placed in the event. But I have fun.

Jillian? Oh, no. This former competitive figure skater gets TICKED. Last few years, we drive home from Mokena as I try to talk her down from the ledge.

Not everyone likes anchovies, as I tell her, even though you can barely taste it.

“We should make THIS next year,” she’ll say.

And I tell her, no, we’re gonna keep doing this one until we win. Why? It’s easy.

The first time I did this, I made pizza, and making enough for 400 bite-sized offerings nearly killed me. The year after, I baked Italian Easter bread.

Same thing.

Bagna cauda? Easy. Cream, butter, garlic, anchovies. Warm it up. Cut up some bread, open some baby carrots for the health nuts. And off you go.

The event will be held from 6-9 p.m. Saturday, March 22, at the Pipefitters Training Center Local 597, 10850 187th St., Mokena.

The cost is $40 per person; $75 per couple. The price is $10 for children between 6 and 12; kids 5 and under can attend for free.

It’s casual, and you guys can buy some adult beverages to wash it all down.

Tickets are available online at www.menwhocook.info, or they can be purchased at the door.

There might even be room for more cooks. Give a call at (815) 774-4565 to find out.

Either way, I hope Jillian and I hope to see you there. You will have a ball.

gUest ColUMn

Shorewood-Troy Library celebrates National Craft Month Events planned throughout March March is National Craft Month, and the Library has programs galore to jumpstart your craftiness!

For adults, we’re having a “Pinterest Party” Lock-in on Friday, March 28th, from 5 to 9 p.m. There will be four different craft stations to let you learn plenty of new craft ideas. A light dinner of sandwiches will be provided by the Library.

Attendees must be 18+, and preregistration is required. A $7 fee will be charged to ensure that enough crafting supplies will be available.

Adults also have the option of

coming to our monthly “Sit and Stitch” program. Participants bring in their own projects and have the chance to talk and work with others in our meeting room.

Tweens and Teens aren’t left out of the crafting fun, either.

Their crafting club is on the fourth Monday of every month at 6:30 p.m. April’s craft is even a tasty “Marshmallow Madness” club.Tweens will get to create and craft their own marshmallows, with a tasting session included.

Registration is included.

We know that kids also love to do crafts and have plenty of programs for them. One craft activity is “Rainbow Fairy Crafting,” with crafts based around the books. That is

scheduled for March 26th at 3:30 p.m. Pre-registration is required.

Don’t forget the Kids’ Crafting Club either! It’s the second Friday of every month at 4 p.m.

It’ll give kids a chance to create and explore.

You can register for all of these programs (and many more) at our website: www.shorewood. lib.il.us. Staff can also sign you up, if you call 815-725-1715. You can always stop in to the library too, and check out all of our craft books. We have tons of books that can get you started and give you ideas for almost any craft you can think of, from quilting to wood-working.

Happy crafting!

- Shorewood-Troy Library Staff

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THE BUGLE/SENTINEL MARCH 12, 2014

>> sheriff, from page 6 deserve new leadership at the sheriff’s office, someone with integrity and good moral character who is qualified and experienced in every aspect of the sheriff’s office. The sheriff should be able to lead and make Will County a safer place.

I am very interested in zerobased budgeting to address the problem of the budget.

I would also like to create a special victims unit to address serious crimes such as domestic violence, sex crimes, crimes involving children and the elderly and people who have special needs. Some of the existing detectives could be specially trained to handle these crimes.

I also would like to create a countywide radio emergency system such as the one used in Chicago. It would include a frequency that would be received by every police squad in the county area. When a serious crime happens, the police officer who is the nearest to the site of the crime might be a university police officer, for example. That would reduce response time during emergencies.

How would you handle the distribution of resources and manpower throughout the department?

If I were elected sheriff, I would spend the first 100 days working through initial changes and problems. During the next 100 days, I would spend 50 days in a patrol car without wearing a rank or an insignia.

Then I would work the next 50 days in the Will County jail as a correctional officer.

I would then be able to see the department from the bottom up and make manpower decisions. The only way to do a feasible manpower study is to get in the trenches and see what it takes.

Should the RTA tax be used to fund the sheriff’s department?

Yes. I would like it to be used for law enforcement, but I would like to discuss it with county board in the finance committee and see what is acceptable to everyone.

Would you support a public safety tax?

As a Republican, I don’t want to see taxes go up. I think there are other ways that can be utilized to offset some of the costs.

News

I would also like to use the federal drug asset seizure accounts to fund the department. There is $2.1 million in these accounts, and the money can be used to offset expenses that would typically be funded by the county board and the taxpayer.

the structure of the officers’ shifts in the patrol division and the Will County jail. They currently work eight-hour shifts, but most of the larger departments have gone to a 10- or 12-hour shift structure.

Then there would be twice the amount of manpower working patrols during the peak hours of the day, making it safer for Mike Kelley, the community.

Democrat I would also like to have our Hometown: Lockport drug unit form a partnership Family: Married, three children with the Cook County unit Age: 47 to work on the heroin Professional Experience: problem. In my office, we Will County Sheriff’s have charged the person Police Sergeant. Former who supplied a deceased executive board member person with heroin. If of ASFCME 2961, we can lock them up for former executive board dealing and contributing member of the FOP to a death, they would Mike Kelley Labor Council and a serve more time.

Democrat former executive board member of MAP 123.

Community Involvement: Former Lockport City alderman; and currently Lockport Township Board trustee. Former AYSO Soccer Coach, a former coach for the Homer Stallions Baseball and a former Lockport Boys Baseball coach. Member of St. Joseph’s Church in Lockport.

Why did you decide to run for sheriff?

What are the relevant issues in this sheriff’s race?

We have a social worker at the department who also is a substance abuse counselor, but she is not doing that type of work. She should be. The sheriff should provide some intervention, counseling and education to drug users. You cannot lock up every single drug user.

Quite a few coworkers in the sheriff’s department asked me to consider running. The department in the last four to six years has not progressed forward in any way. As far as personnel are concerned, we can’t catch up. We do not have the manpower we need. The morale in the department is one of the lowest I have seen my 25 years there, and it is based on the lack of progression throughout the department, the lack of manpower on the street and in the Will County jail. I want people to want to come to work.

With my experience on the city council and the township board, I can see both sides – the worker’s side and the administration’s side. I believe that will allow me to get things done.

If elected, how would you streamline the department’s budget?

If elected, what would your goals be?

Would you support a public safety tax?

The department currently stores its evidence in four locations throughout the county, and that is a huge security concern. I want to work on getting a new evidence facility where we can store everything under one roof.

I would also like to change

I do not want to increase the tax burden on our residents.

The only thing that would keep me open-minded about a public safety tax is the fact that residents do not shoulder the burden alone. It is not a property tax. Instead, anyone who makes a purchase in the

The first thing I would consider is the budget to see where every single dollar is going and determine why it is going there. I am sure there are some areas where we could trim costs to some extent. I don’t want to give up money in the budget, but I would like to rearrange it and put it back into police work and keeping the community safe. With my budget experience at the city council and the township, I would be able to track all spending and determine if it is necessary.

Should the RTA tax be used to fund the sheriff’s department?

Anything is a plus. It would help a lot of situations.

county would pay the tax – even if that person were not a resident.

Steve Egan, Democrat

its way to Chicago.

If elected, how would you streamline the department’s budget?

I

would

evaluate

the

Hometown: Joliet department’s programs Family: Three children to determine which were Age: 61 inefficient and not productive.

Professional Experience: And then I would go back to Former Joliet police the county board with a officer. Current streamlined department. lieutenant for the I could save thousands Will County Sheriff’s of dollars by cutting Police and shift inefficient programs. commander in charge I would not lay anyone of patrol. Formerly in off. If I eliminated an charge of the sheriff’s unnecessary job, I would Steve Egan department’s internal offer that worker a position Democrat affairs division. Also in another department undercover narcotics where staffing was agent with the Metropolitan Area needed.

Narcotics Squad.

Community Involvement: How would you handle the Former president of the Joliet distribution of resources and Lions Club, member of the Will manpower throughout the County Chapter of ABATE and department? parishioner at the Cathedral of I would turn the Crete St. Raymond.

Substation into an east side Why did you decide to run for sheriff?

In my 25 years at the sheriff’s department, it has gone downhill. The department has cut important programs such as DARE that should not have been cut. I believe we would bring the DARE program back to the schools to prevent drug problems later.

There also have been cuts to the TRIAD program throughout the county. TRIAD protects senior citizens by educating them about scam artists. The department’s canine program also was cut. If an elderly person with dementia wanders away from home, the department is forced to borrow a dog from another agency to search the cornfields. These programs need to be reinstated.

I would like to restructure the department to make it more efficient. There are police officers doing desk jobs that could be out on the street. I would like to expand services the services for the citizens.

In Joliet, a resident can walk into the police department at any time of day to make a traffic accident report. But the county’s services are offered Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.We are antiquated.

We are a 9-5 police department instead of a 24-7 department.

I also would introduce a heroin interdiction team that would be called HIT. Its officers would stop the flow of the drug through Will County while on

police station. Then people in that part of the county would have services closer to their home. The officers would be assigned there. I would also look at other areas of the county to find better locations for the sheriff’s services.

Should the RTA tax be used to fund the sheriff’s department?

Yes. We need to expand public safety for the citizen of Will County A small chunk of that money would help the department.

Would you support a public safety tax?

Yes. I would support one if it were a minimum amount to help us get by. I am a taxpayer myself, and I do not want to burden my fellow taxpayers.

Ed Bradley, Democrat Hometown: University Park Family: Two children Age: 60 Professional Experience: Currently University Park’s Police Chief. Retired Will County Sheriff’s Police Lieutenant.

Community Involvement: Member of the League of Women Voters and NOBLE; board member of the Unity CDC. Why did you decide to run for

Ed Bradley Democrat

>> see sheriff | page 12

News

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THE BUGLE/SENTINEL MARCH 12, 2014

11

Chamber Centennial Spotlight:

J.D. Brown & Co. Ken Pritz continues the 120-year legacy of first Joliet Pharmacy Editor’s Note: The Joliet Bugle is working with the Joliet Region Chamber of Commerce & Industry this year on promoting the chamber’s 100th Anniversary.

By Nick Reiher Managing Editor

Joliet was only a handful of years old when James Douglas Brown opened the first pharmacy in 1844 on Bluff Street, then the city’s main drag.

Some 120 years later, Ken Pritz was a 26-year-old pharmacist at J.D. Brown, which by then had moved to the corner of Jefferson and Joliet streets.

Every pharmacist in the area wanted to own J.D. Brown, Pritz remembered recently.

Sixteen doctors had offices in that building, he said, and the business had a tremendous reputation in the city and throughout the area.

Apparently, so did Pritz. After working at J.D. Brown only three years, Pritz got an offer from the owner, John Schlosser, great-

grandson of J.D. Brown. That started a 50-year family affair that continues to this day, with several of Pritz’s children and grandchildren now manning the shop in various ways.

As they reminisce in Ken’s cozy office at the store on Plainfield Road in Joliet, he and wife Carol share many joys and sorrows during the past half century. A few years after Ken took over the shop, Carol opened a little shop in the basement called The Gift Box. She had a ball with that for years, following the pharmacy/ medical supply store through its various moves downtown, to Plainfield and to Six Corners.

In a Plainfield strip mall on Illinois 59, she also had a kid’s clothes store next to Ken’s shop and The Gift Box. The Aug. 28, 1990, tornado wiped that out … and very nearly Ken and their youngest daughter Anne with it.

They already had lost the building at Jefferson and Joliet streets when a fire tore through the structure while they were on a cruise.They had to secretly

Everybody’s talking; no one’s listening. It’s the best sound How many people are lucky enough to work with their kids and grandkids every day?”

- carol pritz jump ship, which is illegal and stow away in the washroom in back of a plane to get back to town.

And since they couldn’t understand the ship-to-shore call, they weren’t exactly sure why they were doing all this.

Could have been one of the six kids in trouble. But it was the building. Luckily, they were able to save all the prescriptions and set up shop elsewhere.

Throughout the rears, they also have been at Six Corners, until the state needed 6 feet of their store for U.S. 30 widening.

So in 2002, they moved to the current building at 837 Plainfield Road. As the radio

PHOTO BY NICK REIHER

Carol and Ken Pritz in the office at J.D. Brown & Co. in Joliet, which their family has run for the past 50 years.

spot goes, you won’t find a candy aisle or really anything that doesn’t have to do with pharmacy or medical supplies.

Ken remembers a story told about Horace Brown, J.D.’s son, when Charles Walgreen brought his drugstore, and cafeteria lunch counter, to Joliet.

“The day Walgreen’s opened, Horace took out a full-page ad in the paper that said, ‘J.D. Brown, 100 years of pharmacy … and not one ham sandwich!’”

What you will see when you walk into J.D. Brown are friendly faces welcoming friends and those who soon will be. On one side is the pharmacy overseen by son Jim Pritz. On the other, the durable medical supply team, led by daughter Jill and son-in-law Dave Umek. In the middle are supplies for all types of medical needs, including inhalation medication and diabetic supplies.

Their drivers get to know customers so well, Ken and Carol say, customers might stretch out deliveries over the week to see them more often.

And while J.D. Brown doesn’t

offer bread, that doesn’t mean a driver may not pick up some for a longtime customer in need.

What you also won’t see at J.D. Brown is the other half of the family running the other half of the family business, the Jacob Henry Mansion and Victorian Ballroom. Susan Pritz-Bornhofen manages the business, and her sister, Jill, is the head chef.

The Pritzes picked up the sagging mansion 30 years ago and have transformed it into one of Joliet’s most hospitable locales for lunches, banquets and other gatherings.

For big decisions, or for Carol’s recent birthday, the whole clan will gather at the folks’ house for a “Pot Roast Meeting.” Ken said they actually will have pot roast, several, actually, and talk.

“Everybody’s talking; no one’s listening. It’s the best sound,” Carol said, adding that family is the best legacy she and Ken have fostered: “How many people are lucky enough to work with their kids and grandkids every day?”

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THE BUGLE/SENTINEL MARCH 12, 2014

>> Sheriff, from page 10

What are the relevant issues in this sheriff’s race?

sheriff?

Holding management accountable and more responsible. I am talking about things such as the criminal investing section and the millions that we are paying out in lawsuits because of mismanagement of cases. We need managers up there that also will be held accountable for that department.

In the jail,the issue is overtime.

I still have a desire to be a public servant. I still have a passion for righteousness, justice and positive change. I would bring fiscal accountability to the sheriff’s department. I would put together a financial team that would be responsible and held accountable for the spending.

News The jail is understaffed, and that is not only a financial problem, it is a safety issue for the people who work there. I also am concerned about the age of the department’s equipment.

unnecessary positions in the department.

If elected, how would you streamline the department’s budget?

It’s true that the eastern portion of the county is often shorted. There is a perception that there is no crime in that area. I have worked with nine deputies covering the whole county, and if that is what I would have to work with, I would not complain about it.

But I would go to the County Board to seek new funds while also holding managers

There are two sides to the sheriff department: law enforcement and business. On the business side, we need more staff at the jail. The sheriff must decide if it is better to offer a lot of overtime or to increase the size of the staff. To make that change, I would cut some

How would you handle the distribution of resources and manpower throughout the department?

accountable. I will also try to secure state and federal grants to fund the department.

Should the RTA tax be used to fund the sheriff’s department?

Yes, I do feel that it should be spent that way.

Would you support a public safety tax?

It makes me cringe to discuss it, but I would consider it. I do not want to raise taxes. That could hurt families. On the other hand, we can’t continue underfunding the sheriff’s department.

INSIDE: Joliet Catholic boys hoops wins regional title, page 15; Girls basketball statistics, page 17

www.buglenewspapers.com

THE BUGLE/SENTINEL MARCH 12, 2014

13

JCA second in state

By Mark Gregory Sports Reporter

NORMAL - Despite the tears and heartbreak of a 57-44 loss to Montini in the IHSA Class 3A state championship game, JCA senior Jasmine Lumpkin did something high school players often fail to do after an emotional loss – she understood the importance of what the Angels accomplished instead of lamenting on what they didn’t.

This year’s team was the lone Angels (28-3) basketball team to make it to the state final four.

“Being down here for my senior year with this group of girls, I wouldn’t have it any other way,” Lumpkin said. “I am just happy with what we accomplished this season. We came all the way down here, yeah, we fell short and it hurts really bad, but I am really proud of this team and I can’t take away the success we have had this year. We made history just coming down here.”

Lumpkin and the Angels

happened to catch the Broncos on a day where they seemingly could not miss from behind the three-point arc, connecting on 11 triples in the contest.

“They were hot today,” said sophomore Nicole Ekhomu. “I can’t believe that they were a better team than us, they were just hitting their shots.”

“They were the hotter team.

I felt like we could have played with them, but they just got hot,” Lumpkin said. “That could have went either way, When you are hot like that, there isn’t much you can do with that.”

It was JCA who used the three to grab a 13-12 lead after the first quarter, as freshman Jnaya Walker beat the first-period buzzer, but from there, the shooting belonged to Montini.

Even at the end of the first half, Ekhomu hit a triple to bring the Angels back from a sixpoint deficit and seemingly cut the lead to two at intermission, >> see STATE | page 14

Mark Gregory/Bugle Staff

Nicole Ekhomu led the Angels in scoring in both state games last weekend.

14

THE BUGLE/SENTINEL MARCH 12, 2014

>> STATE, FROM PAGE 13 however Montini sophomore Lea Kerstein connected on a heave at the horn to extend the lead back to five.

“We played hard,”Lumpkin said.

“It was just very frustrating.”

At the 4 minute, 53 second mark of the third quarter Montini increased its lead to 11-points, its largest lead of the game at the time, but the Angels were not done fighting.

Joliet Catholic Academy stormed back on a 9-0 run that cut the lead to two points, but then the Broncos did what they did all game – hit the three.

Montini freshman Kaylee Bambule, daughter of long-time

Romeoville boys basketball coach Jeff Bambule, buried the first of two Bronco three pointers from the left corner at the 2:01 mark. After a missed three attempt by JCA, Kelly Karlis hit one of her four threes, helping Montini build the lead back to eight heading into the fourth quarter.

“We got back in the game

and there looked like there was some hope, but they answered,” said Joliet Catholic Academy coach Ed Schodrof. “We knew they could shoot the ball, so we started out in the 1-3-1 (defense) and see if they were hot and then make the adjustment.

We did switch to man, we did >> see STATE | page 16

Sports

THE BUGLE/SENTINEL MARCH 12, 2014

15

Hilltoppers beat Plano for regional title

By Mark Gregory Sports Reporter

Given the recent history of Joliet area boys basketball teams, if a fan was asked to guess which team would be the lone regional champion this season, the answer would be easy, right?

Bolingbrook? Plainfield North?

Joliet Central? Any of those or a host of others would have been a legit prediction, but very few, if any, would have got the answer correct.

With a 68-55 win over Plano in the Class 3A Plano Regional, Joliet Catholic Academy became the lone area team to advance to a sectional semifinal.

“We are the lone boys survivor in the area, that is too cool,” said Joliet Catholic Academy coach Joe Gura. “All of these things, we have to present to the kids and present to the kids in the right

way because they are building blocks. Everybody else in our area has given up basketball for Lent and we are still playing. We have to present them with what they have accomplished.”

The Hilltoppers were led by 18 points each from Harold Davis and Colton Kolowski. The win was the first regional title for the Hillmen since the 1988 season.

Gura said not only is making history for the school an important step in the progress of the young Hilltoppers, which feature four sophomore starters, it is holding the regional plaque and cutting down the nets.

“When you have four sophomores starting, you have to have something tangible,” Gura said.“There is no substitute for victory. Cutting down the nets last night there was tears in >> see TITLE | page 18

Submitted Photo

Joliet Catholic won the Plano Regional title Friday.

16

THE BUGLE/SENTINEL MARCH 12, 2014

>> STATE, FROM PAGE 14 switch to diamond and we had some success with the full court pressure. We told the girls not to switch on the ball, we switched twice and they hit those two big

threes in the corner. You can’t do that against them. They are a very good team.They moved the ball so well, they found the open shooters.”

Ekhomu led the team with 14 points, while Lumpkin added

eight and Walker had seven The Angels will part ways with four seniors in Lumpkin, Christina Ekhomu,Alex Legg and Brittany Abington, but return a host of young players who now have the experience of a state

final under their belt.

“Everything will be OK,” Schodrof said.“I am proud of this team. There are probably 150 teams in 3A and to finish second isn’t too bad. Hopefully that will sink in Monday or Tuesday.”

SEMIFINAL The road to the championship game was not an easy one for JCA, as it had to get past backto-back-to-back state champion Quincy Notre Dame.

The Angles played the final 5:18 without Lumpkin, who had fouled out of the game, but still managed to close the game out on a 12-2 run and win 70-59.

Nicole Ekhomu again led the way with 16 points, while Lumpkin had 15.

Freshmen Walker (15 points) and Ty Battle (13 points) helped pick up the slack with Lumpkin on the bench.

Follw @Hear_The_Beard mark@buglenewspapers.com

er b m u N

GIRLS BBALL Points Per Game Jasmine Lumpkin, JCA Jaida Green, Downers North Aysia Bugg, Bolingbrook Emily Schramek, Benet Erin Heide, Minooka Emily Eshoo, Benet Nicole Ekhomu, JCA Jordan Heberg, Plainfield North Sarah Costello, Downers North Tyler Everett, Plainfield South Kelly Carnagio, Minooka Lexi Marin, Romeoville Peyton Winters, Downers North Hailey Schoenman, Maine South Shaylee Sloan, Maine East Chavon Banks, Joliet Central Kathleen Doyle, Benet Monica Barefield, Joliet West Kate Moriarty, Resurrection Elanta Slowik, Maine East Claire Hardy, Downers South Brooklyn Bachmann, Minooka Ryaen Johnson, Bolingbrook Taylor Farrell, Resurrection Valencia Chandler, Joliet West Chantell Mack, Joliet Central Destiny Hollins, Lockport Cherish Smith, Romeoville Nina Anderson, Maine South Naomi Mays, Lockport Rebounds Per Game Chavon Banks, Joliet Central

sports

7

rs e h c n Cru

12

18.2 15.9 15.2 14.9 14.9 14.5 14.3 14.0 13.3 12.3 11.9 11.5 11.4 11.4 11.0 10.5 10.5 10.3 10.2 10.0 10.0 9.8 9.2 9.1 9.0 8.8 8.7 8.6 8.2 8.1 12.5

Sarah Costello, Downers North Jasmine Lumpkin, JCA Chantell Mack, Joliet Central Claire Hardy, Downers South Shaylee Sloan, Maine East Cherish Smith, Romeoville Hailey Schoenman, Maine South Maria Protic, Maine East Peyton Winters, Downers North Kate Moriarty, Resurrection Kelly Carnagio, Minooka Ryaen Johnson, Bolingbrook Valencia Chandler, Joliet West Jacqui Eubanks, Plainfield South Ty Battle, JCA Sydney Arlis, Minooka Nina Anderson, Maine South Kyla Creal, Lockport Jenae Rowe, Joliet West Ally Fink, Plainfield South Rachel Sutphin, Plainfield South Adriana Acosta, JCA Assists Sarah Costello, Downers North Jaida Green, Downers North Brooklyn Bachmann, Minooka Nicole Ekhomu, JCA Bre Sobotka, Resurrection Aysia Bugg, Bolingbrook Juatece McNear, Joliet Central Kelly Kons, Maine South Monica Barefield, Joliet West Sam Fagenholz, Maine South Sydney Arlis, Minooka

THE BUGLE/SENTINEL MARCH 12, 2014

17

Stats based on coach submissions.

Don’t see yours? Send to staylor@buglenewspapers.com 9.6 9.1 9.0 9.0 8.0 7.9 7.3 7.0 6.9 6.8 6.3 6.0 5.8 5.8 5.3 5.0 4.9 4.9 4.8 4.8 4.8 4.7 149 103 93 85 79 78 70 69 68 66 66

Erin Heide, Minooka Skyle Osborne, Romeoville Tyler Everett, Plainfield South Taylor Farrell, Resurrection Nina Anderson, Maine South Christina Ekhomu, JCA Lexi Marin, Romeoville Bethany Bachmann, Minooka Jasmine Lumpkin, JCA Kathleen Doyle, Benet Ty Battle, JCA Lauren Porcelli, Downers North Jnaya Walker, JCA Megan Roberts, Maine South Destiny Hollins, Lockport Hailey Schoenman, Maine South Steals Sarah Costello, Downers North Jasmine Lumpkin, JCA Nicole Ekhomu, JCA Kianna Campbell, Lockport Tyler Everett, Plainfield South Destiny Hollins, Lockport Jaida Green, Downers North Jnaya Walker, JCA Christina Ekhomu, JCA Elanta Slowik, Maine East Shaylee Sloan, Maine East Aysia Bugg, Bolingbrook Bre Sobotka, Resurrection Lauren Porcelli, Downers North Ty Battle, JCA Taylor Farrell, Resurrection Kailey Foster, Joliet West

60 60 59 57 56 56 55 49 48 43 43 42 42 39 39 35 103 85 78 77 75 70 58 56 54 54 54 52 50 49 46 45 45

Naomi Mayes, Lockport Nina Anderson, Maine South Jamie Hopper, Romeoville Skyle Osborne, Romeoville Kate Moriarty, Resurrection Monica Barefield, Joliet West Lexi Marin, Romeoville Kathleen Doyle, Benet Chavon Banks, Joliet Central Jenae Rowe, Joliet West Kelly Kons, Maine South Jamari McAfee, Lockport Monica Nunez, Resurrection Treanna Perry, Joliet West Cherish Smith, Romeoville Field Goal % Kelly Carnagio, Minooka Ty Battle, JCA Peyton Winters, Downers North Emma Hlavin, Benet Kyla Creal, Lockport Sydney Arlis, Minooka Jenna Martin, Benet Kendall McDermott, Benet Free Throw % Autumn Lawson, Joliet Central Emily Eshoo, Benet Nicole Ekhomu, JCA Alexis Pease, Minooka Faith Heitman, Romeoville

45 41 40 39 38 38 38 37 36 35 35 34 32 32 32 .590 .577 .560 .550 .510 .500 .490 .490 .860 .780 .764 .760 .758

Emily Schramek, Benet Sam Fagenholz, Maine South Jacqui Eubanks, Plainfield South Brooklyn Bachmann, Minooka Jasmine Lumpkin, JCA 3-pointers Emily Schramek, Benet Erin Heide, Minooka Emily Eshoo, Benet Jaida Green, Downers North Sarah Costello, Downers North Taylor Farrell, Resurrection Sam Fagenholz, Maine South Lexi Marin, Romeoville Nina Anderson, Maine South Nicole Ekhomu, JCA Kelly Kons, Maine South Kennedy Weigt, JCA Monica Barefield, Joliet West Monica Nunez, Resurrection Jamie Hopper, Romeoville Kate Moriarty, Resurrection Destiny Hollins, Lockport Jamari McAfee, Lockport Brooklyn Bachmann, Minooka Colleen Honn, Downers North Morgan Thomalla, Benet Kaitlyn Williams, JCA Skye Osborne, Romeoville

.740 .730 .719 .710 .698 81 58 54 54 44 40 40 40 37 36 32 31 31 27 25 23 22 20 18 18 17 17 17

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THE BUGLE/SENTINEL MARCH 12, 2014

>> TITLE, FROM PAGE 15 our kids’ eyes.They are so young and they are a group of kids that really appreciated the moment of winning a regional title at a school that hasn’t won one since 1988.”

The playoff run is something that doesn’t necessarily surprise the coaches and players, because they know the season losses were more on the talent of the East

Suburban Catholic Conference teams and not on JCA’s lack of ability.

Eight of the nine ESCC teams played for a regional title, with six of those eight coming out victorious.

“Any time you have a young team and you say the future is bright, there has to be some real progress that you can hold on to,” Gura said. “Our conference doesn’t allow you much. I can’t even describe how hard it is to coach in this conference. Six of the nine teams won regional titles. We have played some great games and all people see is in the paper when it says we got beat by 15.

“We have 11 wins, which doesn’t sound like a lot, but I am telling you if we were in any other conference in the state other than the public league, we would have three or four or five more wins. We played well enough. Even saying that, 11 wins is the most the school has had in a long time.”

Gura did say, however, that the tough league schedule helped the Hillmen in the postseason, where they had to defeat Chicago Christian 50-44 and No. 1 seed Lincoln-Way West 70-51 just to advance to the regional title game.

“We played Chicago Christian,

Sports who is well-coached and LincolnWay West, the No. 1 seed and who was bigger than us at all five positions and Plano, a team that has won 18 games, on their home floor, but that did not scare the kids. In all due respect, but how can you be scared of those teams when you played in the last two weeks: Benet, St. Viator, Nazareth, Niles Notre Dame, there is no fear now,” he said. “Once kids get rid of the fear and just start playing is when they can really make the progress.”

Gura also knows that just having the team for another week of practice will add to the future progress.

“Just preparing for a sectional game is big. As a coach, you have to understand the big picture and every teachable moment when you have all these young kids will benefit down the road,” he said. “We are still working our butts off in practice on fundamentals and learning the game and understanding the game. We are working toward a sectional game and our practice plans include about 45 minutes of working on fundamentals. We are trying to build for the long run.”

Joliet Catholic played Pontiac in the semifinal of the Rich East Sectional Wednesday. A win would place them in Friday’s

Mark Gregory/Bugle Staff

Jalen Jackson and JCA won the Plano Regional title.

sectional final against the winner of Rich East and Morgan Park.

CLASS 4A Joliet Central was the last remaining Class 4A team in the playoffs.

The Steelmen got past CreteMonee 62-49 in the semifinal of the Bloom Township Regional, but fell to host Bloom 57-47 in

the final.

In the loss, Jonah Coble tallied a team-best 14 points, while Jarvis Northington added 10 and Antonio Dyson nine.

In the win over Crete-Monee, Jason McNear tallied 14 points, while Jailen Jones added 13 and Dyson 12.

Follow @Hear_The_Beard mark@buglenewspapers.com

buglenewspapers.com/basketball

THE BUGLE MARCH 12, 2014

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Dominant defense leads Benet to regional crown

By Mark Gregory Sports Reporter

Through three quarters of play Friday night, Benet big man Sean O’Mara tallied 15 points, which by average is below what he normally scores in a game.

That was fine, however, because for the same 24 minutes of game time, Waubonsie Valley had just 14 points – as a team.

O’Mara and the Redwing starters did not play the final stanza, allowing the Warriors to more than double their output, but Benet still hung on for the dominating 57-33 win and the Lemont Regional championship.

Top seed Benet (21-7) wasted no time making its defensive prowess felt, running out to a 16-2 lead after one quarter over the No. 8 seed Warriors (19-10) and held a 26-8 advantage at the break.

“I don’t think we played all that well offensively in the first half,” said Benet coach Gene Heidkamp. “We only had 26 points and that is well below what below what we normally score in a half. But, I thought out defensive pressure and defensive effort was pretty solid. All in all, I was pleased with our effort.”

O’Mara was happy with the effort.

“This was a good win for us.

We came out strong, especially defensively,” O’Mara said.

“Waubonsie is a good team, but that eight-point first half is what won us the game.(Holding a team to single-digits in the first half) is rare. I was really proud of the

way we came out and really paid attention to details.They wanted to double team and bring extra guys my way and that is fine. My team knows that as long they go hard to the glass, they will have free reign of the boards when teams want to double and triple team me.”

Heidkamp said defense has not been the signature of Benet this season.

“That has been sort of the knock on our team this year,” He said.“We know we can score points, the question is could we defend consistently? Part of it is we went through some growing pains early in the year defensively and we gave up a lot of points defensively. I think down the stretch of the season, we have understood the value of it and we have played better.

Obviously, at this point in the season, if you don’t defend, you are going to have trouble advancing. In both games of the regional, we played well defensively, and that helped us get out to some early leads.”

Despite the big lead at the break, Benet came out wanting more in the third quarter.

“I don’t know of any programs that will come out and be up by so much and want more,” O’Mara said. “Not because we want to blow them out or extend the lead, we want to get our teammates in the game. Those guys work hard every day in practice and they deserve the floor time as much as we do, so when we work hard, it benefits them. It is especially pleasing because we have seniors on the bench, who

Mark Gregory/Bugle Staff

Colin Bonnett and Benet defeated Waubonsie Valley 57-33 to win the Lemont Regional title.

maybe don’t get the minutes late in the season.”

The win was the second consecutive regional title for Benet and fourth in five years. Of the four regional championships, the Redwings have won only one

sectional title.

“We have our eyes on bigger goals,” O’Mara said. “But, we know we can’t take any wins in the playoffs for granted.”

Benet faced Hinsdale Central on March 11 in the East Aurora

Sectional opener. A win would place the Redwings in the sectional final Friday against the winner of West Aurora and Geneva.

Follow @Hear_The_Beard mark@buglenewspapers.com

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THE BUGLE/SENTINEL MARCH 12, 2014

News

City Council

Residents urge council to acquire Evergreen Terrace Association President: ‘This type of fearmongering is most unfortunate and inappropriate’ running suit and complained that he was not kept up to speed on various aspects of the issue, including a halfFor the past baked settlement proposal month, the that was offered last year residents who by the Evergreen Terrace’s are on the board owners. of the Cathedral Then John Kella, the AreaPreservation neighborhood association’s Association have Bob O’Dekirk been talking Joliet Councilman president and a Western Avenue resident since about Evergreen 1976, got a telephone call Terrace.

Their near west side from a neighbor. She knew that neighborhood full of elegant old councilmen Jim McFarland, Larry homes is practically next-door Hug and O’Dekirk had a long to the troubled public housing discussion during the Feb. 18 complex. The board members Council meeting about Evergreen recently have become concerned Terrace, and she was alarmed.

“She said, ‘We have to do that the city might end the nine-year fight to take over the something,’” Kella said on Monday.

After some discussion,the other apartments.

Their worries began when board members agreed, and they Councilman and mayoral wrote a letter to the City Council candidate Bob O’Dekirk suggested urging the council to continue the that it might be time to drop the fight that began long ago.

Evergreen Terrace is a group condemnation lawsuit. O’Dekirk, a former Joliet police officer, has of federally funded, low-income questioned the cost of the long- apartment buildings sitting just

By Stewart Warren For the Bugle

above the west side of the Des Plaines River at 350 N. Broadway.

The site has a long history of building code violations and is known for some terrible crimes that have happened there.

Former Joliet City Councilman Tim Brophy, who represented the Cathedral Area at the time, led the fight to condemn the buildings, acquire the land along the riverfront and redevelop it.

In August 2005, the City Council voted unanimously to begin condemnation proceedings.

Although the case has been in court for years there has been progress. At the end of 2013, Evergreen Terrace residents who fought Joliet’s plans to take over and redevelop the buildings dropped their lawsuit against the city. The residents also withdrew allegations that the city violated the Fair Housing Act by filing a condemnation suit against the buildings’ owners. Joliet City Attorney Jeff Plyman recently said there’s about a year left in the legal proceedings and the city is prevailing in the lawsuit.

At the end of Monday’s City Council workshop, Kella was

allowed to read the letter. It encouraged the council to continue the work of trying to acquire Evergreen Terrace. It also mentioned that several council members had been spreading the word that if Evergreen Terrace were dismantled, its residents would move into the Cathedral Area neighborhood.

“This type of fear-mongering is most unfortunate and inappropriate,” Kella said, reading

the letter.

When Kella finished, McFarland wanted to know if the Cathedral Area’s board or the entire membership of the organization wrote the letter.

Some neighborhood residents had said they supported the continuation of Evergreen Terrace, McFarland said.

“We as a board voted on this,” Kella said. “There will always be some who don’t support it.”

News WILL COUNTY

THE BUGLE/SENTINEL MARCH 12, 2014

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USF transforming old Mode Theater Building Building in downtown Joliet will be transformed into classrooms, offices

By Stewart Warren For the Bugle

By July 1, the University of St. Francis will have finished its transformation of the old Mode Theater Building in downtown

Joliet into classrooms and offices.

The first classes will be held at 16-18 W. Van Buren St. in August.

As part of the remodeling project, the university needs to update the building’s air conditioning equipment. So former Joliet City Councilman Don Fisher, now the university’s manager of buildings and grounds, formally asked the council March 3 for permission to use the alley on the west side of the building while doing the

work.

Although the old air conditioning equipment had been in the alley for years, there never was an official relationship between the building and the city, Fisher explained.

During the regular meeting held Tuesday, the councilmen approved the university’s request.

As part of the project, lighting will also be added to the building, Fisher said. Security cameras will be installed on each of the

structure’s corners.

“It will be very well lit and secure,” Fisher said.

The public will still be able to walk through the alley when traveling, for example, from the Ottawa Street parking deck to Jefferson Street, he added.

The three-story Mode was built in 1908 and operated as a movie theater until the 1980s. Fisher remembers seeing “Jaws” there when he was in college.

But the Mode’s popularity waned when the Hillcrest

Theater – also now gone – was built in the Hillcrest Shopping Center on Larkin Avenue, Fisher said.The Mode building then was gutted and converted to office space in 1985.

Very little of the old Mode remains, other than a tin ceiling on an upper floor and the façade.

But the university plans to restore the front of the building to its former elegance. The block that now fills the arched first-floor windows will be removed and glass will be added, Fisher said.

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THE BUGLE/SENTINEL MARCH 12, 2014

Crossword Puzzle

Across 1 Pizza Quick sauce brand 5 Boxer’s weapon 9 Frankly declare 13 Parade instrument 14 “The Andy Griffith Show” tyke 15 Olin of “The Reader” 16 Cheers for a torero 17 Like a blue moon 18 Overcast, in London 19 Animation pioneer 22 Too scrupulous for 24 Peasant dress 27 Warren Harding’s successor 32 Jacuzzi effect 33 50+ group 34 Score after deuce 35 Line on a map 37 1999, 2000 and 2001 Best Actor nominee (he won once) 43 Japanese fish

Down dish 44 Battery post 46 “Dear” one?

47 __ qua non 51 Duds 52 Cry of pain 53 Eat too much of, briefly 54 Poems of praise 55 Company’s main activity, and a hint to a different threeletter abbreviation hidden in 19-, 27-and 37-Across 58 Coyote’s coat 59 Bridge player’s blunder 60 Work on a garden row 62 Garden pest 63 Low points on graphs 64 Benelux locale: Abbr.

65 Billboard fillers 66 Lacking a musical key 67 Souse’s woe

1 Frat letter 2 Longtime ISP 3 Got tiresome 4 Not in the know 5 Old West defense 6 High-tech release of 2010 7 Voice-activated app for 6-Down 8 Football supporters 9 African country that was a French colony 10 “Well, that’s weird” 11 With 12-Down, sign with an arrow 12 See 11-Down 20 Island ring 21 Patriots’ org.

22 Serving success 23 Horrible 25 Modern film effects, briefly 26 Understanding 28 __ the Great: boy detective 29 Rob Reiner’s dad 30 Hershiser of ESPN 31 Oil bloc 35 FICA benefit 36 La-la lead-in

37 Ruddy, as a complexion 38 Places to plug in mice 39 More reserved 40 En pointe 41 Place to store cords 42 Beats by a whisker 43 For instance 45 Slalom curve 47 “Fine” 48 Words accompanying a shrug 49 Like much metered parking 50 Head-scratcher 56 Columnist Bombeck 57 Country singer McCoy 58 SFO overseer 61 Hesitant sounds

Tribune Content Agency 2014

Take 5 Horoscopes Concentrate on how much you can accomplish in the week ahead by exerting a little extra effort.

Following through on a project might be the key to getting where you want to go. Don’t be too easily discouraged by setbacks.

Your partner or a steady companion could seem quite negative or become obsessed by a get-rich scheme. It might be your job in the week ahead to be a guide and mentor to those less focused on facts.

Caution and wisdom often travel hand in hand. This week might offer many instances when you must be tough-minded now so you can enjoy prosperity in the future. Remain silent in the face of criticism.

If the winds of change don’t blow you in the direction you want to travel this week, adjust your sails.

Learning to adapt to changing circumstances and using all the information at your disposal is the key to unlocking your latent talents.

When you have good advice and wisdom on your side, anything is possible. In the week ahead, a positive attitude and honest discussions will quickly resolve every challenge standing between you and the financial security you envision.

Much of your success and progress during the upcoming week will depend on whether you focus on good news or bad news. Remain willing to try out different solutions to old problems, especially in the workplace.

Implement financial safeguards so family matters don’t consume your nest egg. In the week ahead, you could be called upon to lead others and protect your circle of friends or loved ones from their own misconceptions.

There’s an upside to honesty in the week ahead, even if the truth seems to place you in a bad light. If you adopt an attitude that you’ve “made your bed and must lie in it,” you might find the bed quite comfy after all.

Find solutions that won’t exploit the opportunities shared by others while handling legitimate challenges with good grace. This week, you might be tempted to squander your resources on something that’s only a mirage.

You can fool yourself or be fooled by others in the week to come. Your hopes and dreams might seem achievable and making major changes looks easy, but seek objective advice before moving forward.

You can make progress in the week to come by quietly taking the lead and offering intuitive solutions. You won’t need to steamroll over the objections of others because people will recognize your high ideals.

In the week ahead, you have the ability to escape from the rat race and no desire to participate in oneupmanship. Within the bubble of your own unique brand of happiness you can avoid the material temptations of a dog-eat-dog world.

Sudoku

Jumble

Previous puzzle’s answers

Previous puzzle’s answers

Previous puzzle’s answers

Jumbles: • EJECT • FINAL • DEFAME • SNUGLY

Answer:

Given a “chance,” they are opposite but the same -- SLIM AND FAT

Business & Real Estate

THE BUGLE/SENTINEL MARCH 12, 2014

will county

Bob Rogina remembered as developer, mentor, visionary, friend Rogina, 72, died Feb. 28 after a lingering illness

By Nick Reiher Managing Editor

Bob Rogina was so much a part of Joliet, it’s tough to figure out Bob Rogina where he made his most lasting mark.

But those who knew him best said he left his imprint on everything he touched, mainly because he was a do-er who gave his all no matter what he did.

Rogina, 72, died Feb. 28 after a lingering illness. His legacy includes five children and nine grandchildren, as well as the many friendships he fostered as owner of Rogina & Associates land planners, chairman of the Silver Cross Hospital Foundation and of the Cornerstone Services board, and vice chair of the board that oversees the Rialto Square Theatre.

Oh, and he helped save Joliet from financial ruin.

Some people pile up a list like this for show, said Larry Johnson, vice president of the Silver Cross Hospital Foundation. Not Bob Rogina.

“If he was on your team, he was going to be a working member,” Johnson said. “I remember one year, he was United Way fund chairman.

They did pretty well, but Bob thought he could do better. So he volunteered to lead it the next year, too.”

Johnson said he got to know Rogina pretty well as members of Joliet Rotary. But they really bonded once Rogina was recruited to lead the Silver Cross Hospital Foundation.

“He was a great listener,” Johnson said. “He would sit there for an entire meeting and not say a word. Then at the end, when we were all grappling for a solution, Bob would give us the answer. … I considered him a mentor. He would tell me what I needed to hear, not what I wanted to hear.”

When Silver Cross made its move from Joliet to New Lenox several years ago, Johnson said,

the foundation was able to raise nearly $9 million, much of which could be attributed to Rogina’s efforts.

Johnson said Rogina generally was pretty quiet.

But he would chide Johnson about the healthy “rabbit food” served for dinner at the hospital before Foundation meetings.“He would say,‘I want a hot dog.’ So one time, we had hot dogs. He thought that was pretty good.”

Russ Slinkard, executive director of the Joliet Region Chamber of Commerce, intimated there might not have been a place to get a hot dog, or anything else, if it weren’t for the efforts of Rogina and a few others during the recession of If (Rogina) was on your team, he was going to be a working member. I remember one year, he was United Way fund chairman. They did pretty well, but Bob thought he could do better. So he volunteered to lead it the next year, too.”

- arry Johnson, vice president of the Silver Cross Hospital Foundation

the 1980s.

“Bob Rogina was dedicated to improving the future of Joliet,” Slinkard said. “It was in the early 1980s, when things were at their worst for Joliet, that Bob Rogina teamed up with Frank Turk, Jr., Bob Thornton and Tom Feehan to form Joliet’s first economic development organization, Greater Joliet Inc. This small beginning was the forerunner of today’s Will County Center for Economic Development, to which Bob was fully committed, serving on its Board of Directors from its founding in 1986.”

John Greuling, president and CEO of the Will County CED, said Rogina represented the essence of the economic development group. “He had a passion for his community

and a passion to exact change,” Greuling said.

As Slinkard mentioned, Rogina, Turk and the others realized in the 1980s Joliet’s economy wasn’t diversified enough to pull itself out of double-digit unemployment.

Greuling said Rogina helped form that strategy of enticing smaller businesses to come to Joliet.

In 1987, Rogina, as he often did, put his money where his heart was, starting Rogina & Associates, Ltd. in the basement of a model home.The company’s website says this was the start of a civil engineering, land surveying and land planning company that has grown to be the largest firm of this type with their principal offices in Will County.

Rogina’s professional stamp was on the development of Interstate 355 through Will County, as well as much of the development around Illinois 59 and Caton Farm in Joliet.

But Greuling remembers one of Rogina’s passions … and prophecies.

At the end of his second interview before hiring on with CED, Greuling said his final test was a two-hour ride-along with Rogina. One of the many spots they visited was a large mess of dirt and debris that took Greuling aback just a bit: the former Joliet Arsenal property.

“He said, ‘Greuling, you’re going to spend the next 10 years of your life here,’” the CED leader remembered.

The property is now divided among a national cemetery, a tallgrass preserve and one of the intermodal yards that helps make the area the largest inland port in North America.

Greuling also said Rogina was a mentor, and, like Johnson, said he preferred to dig in and work than sit back and watch.

“If you were on Bob’s team, he made sure you had what you needed to be successful,” Greuling said.

“He was one of those guys who doesn’t come along very often,” Johnson said of his longtime friend.“And he will be profoundly missed.”

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THE BUGLE/SENTINEL MARCH 12, 2014

News schools

Attorney General says conflict exists with Grundy special ed co-op School Board President announced March 7 the attorney general’s office issued an “unbinding, unofficial ruling”

By Jeanne Millsap For the Sentinel

Minooka Community High School Superintendent Jim Colyott and School Board President Mike Brozovich announced March 7 the attorney general’s office issued an “unbinding, unofficial ruling” that a conflict does exist between the employment position of one school board member and a board appointee of the superintendent.

Board member Michelle Mullen is a tenured special-ed teacher with the Grundy County Special Education Cooperative, an organization on which Colyott serves as an executive board member. In an attempt to avoid the conflict of interest, the school board in a September 2013 meeting asked Colyott to resign from his co-op position. Colyott said he did submit his formal resignation from the co-op board last fall, but that it was not accepted.

Neil Sandberg, Director of the Grundy County Special Education Cooperative, said Colyott did put in his resignation, which the board did deny.

“I don’t want to speak for the reasons the board denied Mr. Colyott’s resignation,” Sandberg said Friday, “but the general sense was that Minooka District 111 deserved representation on the (co-op) board. . .There was a sense that the conflict did not reside with our board, but rather with another (District 111) board.”

Colyott said after Thursday’s school board meeting that the school district’s attorney recommended the school board ask for an opinion from the attorney general ten months ago, which he said they did and just received this week.

Muller was absent from Thursday’s school board meeting and when called the next day said she had no comment at this time >> see special ed | page 27

News

local

Community comes together for Mitch Mitch Nystedt, principal of Sandwich High School, rehabilitating after surgery

By Jeanne Millsap For the Sentinel

Jim and Jennifer Zackavec couldn’t believe it when they heard their close friend Mitch Nystedt had a massive stroke during a relatively routine operation last summer.

The Zackavecs attend the Community Christian Church in Shorewood, and both families are members of a Bible study through the church.

“They’ve been going to the Bible study for about three years,” Jim Zackavec said of the Nystedts. “It was so shocking. It was not a serious surgery to begin with. It was just complete devastation to all of us to hear about it. It was surreal.”

Mitch Nystedt, principal of Sandwich High School, had gone in for a few tests one day last summer for just“not feeling right.” There was a history of heart disease in his family, and he wanted to make sure everything was alright. The tests showed a small nodule on his thyroid, and doctors said it should come out.

Problems arose following the first surgery, however, and

a second one was performed that same day. During one of the operations, according to his wife, Mitch suffered a massive stroke.

The entire right side of his body was paralyzed. He was placed on a ventilator in June for three months, so he couldn’t even talk.Writing was also out of the question due to the brain damage, his wife said. Once off the ventilator, he tried to communicate to his family and doctors.

“He could speak,” Wendy said, “but he struggled with aphasia and couldn’t find the right words.”

Mitch is still in therapy in a nursing and rehabilitation center and is slowly getting better. With the use of a cane, he is so far able to walk short distances.

The Zackavecs are asking members of the community and the church community to help with the fundraisers.

“To know Mitch is to love Mitch,” Zackavec said. “He’s a 44-year-old loving husband and father. It’s what we do in times of need – we pull together in times of crisis. It can happen to any of us. Any help is just so much appreciated.”

More information about the Mitch Madness Benefit can be obtained at djauwerda.wix. com/mitchmadness2014 or the Facebook site www.facebook. com/groups/mitchmadness

>> special ed, from page 26 on the ruling, on whether she will remain on the board, or on rumors that the police confiscated her computer and cell phone in order to proceed with the conflict of interest question.

Brozovich told the audience he did not know what Muller’s plans were and that the board would not be able to manage a conflict of interest until it knew Muller’s direction. He said he would approach her about the issue.

Board member Karen Buchanan said the board should not seek legal advice for Muller. Audience member Missy Ruettiger also spoke on the subject, saying she believed it was unethical for board members who may have suspected it was a conflict for Muller to accept her seat not to have spoken up.

“You have an obligation,I believe, to speak up,” she said. “. . . I’m not even sure the election we had was

THE BUGLE/SENTINEL MARCH 12, 2014 legal.”

“It’s unfair to blame anyone but the candidate if they have a conflict,” former board member Deb Warning said during public comment. “I am thrilled about this (attorney general’s) decision.

I am glad to see some of the ‘old boy’ network is falling away in this town.”

Audience member Jim Biddle spoke to the board about an alleged theft. Biddle asked the board to address the rumors that the school principal’s computer and cell phone were stolen.

“Nothing has been stolen, and everything has been accounted for,” Brozovich said, although he added there were investigations currently going on for“some things that have surfaced,” but that he was not at liberty to discuss them at this time.

After the meeting, Colyott said the rumors were unfounded.

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“To my knowledge,no computers have been stolen, and no board members’ computers have been confiscated,” he said. “This school is as safe as any school in Illinois, if not safer, and we continue to strive to make it a safe environment for our students and staff.”

Channahon Police Deputy Chief Shane Casey said his school resource officer has not received any reports of stolen or confiscated computers or cell phones, either.

Board actions Thursday included:Approval of the resignation of bus driver Joe Newton.

Approval of leave of absence requests for counselor Jessica Hopkins and teacher Laurie Tessmer. Also, Approval to hire Jim Kelly as an at-will technology assistant at a salary of $40,000.

Sentinel correspondent Kris Stadalsky contributed to this article.

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THE BUGLE MARCH 12, 2014