Sentinel 04-16-14

ONLINE More news at shorewoodsentinel.com

Wednesday, April 16, 2014

Vol. 19 No. 19

Voyager Media Publications • shorewoodsentinel.com

loCal

CoMMunity

Talks for burning ordinance

snuffed out

County health committee pulls issue from agenda

By Nick Reiher Managing Editor

By niCk REiHER | MANAGING EDITOR For consumers, a porcine virus that has wiped out at least 3 percent of the stock of piglets in the past six months or so means higher prices for bacon and other pork products … probably for a long time.

For those who raise pigs or have anything to do with making Illinois the fourth-largest pork-producing state, dealing with the virus means a change in the way they do business every day … likely forever.

Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus (PEDv) has been common for years overseas and has been spreading throughout the United States for about a year, said Bill Johnson, Agriculture Production/Swine Coordinator at Joliet Junior College for 46 years. No one is sure how it got here, Johnson said, but it spreads fast, now in 28 states. The disease cannot be passed to humans, and it does not affect the quality of meat. What it does affect is the number of piglets by killing them within a couple weeks of birth. And if a sow has the virus, she will pass it to her young.

>> See ‘Hog ViRuS’ page 22

“While there is not a current issue, the farm community has deep concerns with any of these groups coming onto their farming operations without following the bio-security rules and regulations that have been set forth by the illinois Department of agriculture,” said Farm Bureau Manager Mark Schneidewind.

After a year of discussion, confusion and confrontation, revisions that would have added restrictions to open Joe babiCh, committee chair burning in Will d-Joliet County have been pulled from the table.

The Will County Board’s Public Health and Safety Committee on April 10 voted 4-3 to pull the issue, which in effect means there will be no further discussion, and the current ordinance will remain.

Voting for pulling the issue were committee members Don Gould, R-Shorewood; Liz Collins, R-Plainfield; Mark Ferry, D-Plainfield; and Judy Ogalla, R-Monee. Against were Beth Rice, D-Bolingbrook; Jacqueline Traynere, D-Bolingbrook; and Committee Chair Joe Babich, D-Joliet.

Asked after the meeting if he would bring up the issue gain, Babich, who supports increased restrictions on open burning, said he wanted to hear what the Will County Sheriff’s Office had to say about enforcement of the current ordinance or any changes to it. But clearly, he was upset by the committee’s actions.

“People don’t seem to have any remorse for people with breathing problems,” Babich said after the meeting.

“I thought this was a give-and-take >> See snuffed | page 2

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THE BUGLE/SENTINEL APRIL 16, 2014

News

Minooka Community High School

Non-classroom issues dogging MCHS board Parent accuses school’s principal of leaking closed session disciplinary info about her child

By Jeanne Millsap For the Sentinel

A couple of alleged secret recordings have Jennifer Miney been the subject board member of news from the Minooka Community High School boardroom lately.

Last week, it was published that a lawsuit has been filed by a parent of Jim Colyott Superintendent a District 111 student who accuses the school’s principal

of leaking closed session disciplinary information about her child.

In open session during the April 2 board meeting, another accusation was addressed by board member Jennifer Miney.

Miney said on March 6, she was called in to Superintendent Jim Colyott’s office where he asked her about allegations that she had recorded a meet-and-greet last summer.

Miney said she was dumbfounded. She never recorded or even considered recording anything at that meeting, she said.

“It was just coffee and donuts and conversation,” she explained after the board meeting. “It was not schoolrelated at all.”

Miney said the meeting was a meet-and-greet with the

“There is nothing to substantiate if a recording was ever made,” board president Mike Brozovich said.“There is no substantial evidence that any laws were broken.” new manager of the district’s maintenance department in July 2013. She had been invited by the maintenance staff to meet him, she said.

School board member Karen Buchanan said the allegation was worth investigating, as it was made by an employee of the district. She said she wanted to make sure “these kinds of

>> snuffed, from page 1 country. But this was a case of ‘My way, or the highway.’”

During a public hearing on the issue at the April 10 committee meeting, members heard from residents on both sides of the issue. Those from the Sugar Creek area, where lots are larger, argued they have been burning leaves and branches for years without any issue.

What’s more, with so many trees in the subdivision, they

discussions are confidential.”

The district’s attorney had been called about the matter, and Buchanan said she also made a second call for another opinion. When it was brought up that lawyers’ fees were a large cost to the district, Buchanan said she would pay for the extra legal fees herself.

“There is nothing to substantiate if a recording was ever made,” board president Mike Brozovich said. “There is no substantial evidence that any laws were broken.”

Miney said she wasn’t sure why the accusations were made and spread, but she wondered if someone was trying to get her off the board.

The board also discussed the process of appointing a new board member to replace Michelle Mullen, who resigned last month.

Eleven candidates have

put their names up for consideration, and Brozovich said the board would discuss during closed session how many of the candidates to interview and other details involving the appointment.

The board is also considering whether to re-schedule, cancel, or hold the May 1 school board meeting as planned.

Colyott said that it’s the first time in his 12 years as a school administrator that he has not been able to attend a meeting, but that his daughter will be in an out-of-state cheerleading competition.

Nothing pressing is scheduled for the agenda on that date, Colyott said.

Historically, that meeting is very light. Members agreed to email the board president about the matter, and the decision will be made at the April 17 board meeting.

said, they have no alternative to clear the brush away. They said they don’t burn when there are drought conditions, and they try to be mindful of their neighbors.

Residents from the Cherry Hill subdivision near New Lenox said their lots are smaller, more like a third of an acre. So when someone burns, they all get the smoke.And since they are within 50 feet of their neighbors, many of those who are burning are violating the current ordinance.

One Cherry Hill resident said she asked a Will County deputy to check out the situation, and they said it was up to her to find the person doing the burning and file a complaint.

Deputy Chief Nate Romeo, who attended the meeting, didn’t like to hear that. Neither did Republican Caucus Chair Jim Moustis, R-Frankfort. He wondered how the county could enforce more restrictions when they couldn’t enforce the current ordinance.

Romeo said they would, and do, enforce any ordinance approved by the County Board.

Board Member Chuck Maher, R-Naperville, told residents that if they don’t get satisfaction from any county department, to call their County Board representative to act on their behalf.“That’s our job,” he said.

Gould said he chaired the committee four years ago and, as an attorney, drafted the current ordinance. He believes some of the stipulations in the proposed changes, such as not burning within 300 feet of a homeowner who has Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, would be unenforceable and “thrown out in court by a judge.”

He then made the motion to pull the issue off the committee’s agenda, which was seconded and approved.

News Will County

THE BUGLE/SENTINEL APRIL 16, 2014

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EMA conducts safety training exercise Emergency Management Agency tested employees at Will County Office Building

Will County employees’ emergency skills were tested during a Team Rescue (Team R) training exercise today at the Will County Office Building.

The exercise simulated a person experiencing a cardiac incident and employed the automated external defibrillators (AEDs) that are available in a number of county buildings.

Team R was first assembled in June 2012 whose membership includes 16 county employees from various departments within the county building. Under the direction of Silver Cross Hospital, the county’s resource hospital, and the Joliet Fire Department, team members are

trained to respond to a cardiac emergency within the county office building.

The Team R program was created and implemented by Deon Pillard, Chief Deputy Director of the Will County Emergency Management Agency (EMA).

“Deon has done an outstanding job coordinating Team R, and all of their trainings and exercises,” said Larry Walsh, Will County Executive who oversees the EMA department. “She took it upon herself to develop Team R and reached out to the hospital and fire department to coordinate an effort that would ensure our employees are fully trained to respond to cardiac emergencies.”

The Team R members include Pat Benson and Cathy Pleasant, County Auditor’s Office; Cindy

Dean,Judy Wiedmeyer and Nancy Schultz Voots, County Clerk’s office; Nick Palmer, Jennifer Scharf and Robyn Spizzirri, County Executive’s Office; Becky Colwell, County GIS Department; Missey Schumacher, Treasurer’s Office; Jorja Simonich and Carol Pellegrini, Supervisor of Assessment’s Office; Mike Shay, County ICT Department; and Brian Ciszczon and Domingo Kaller, as well as Pillard, County EMA. Pillard said the Team R members were selected from various departments within the County to ensure adequate support at any time. She said the practice drills have elevated the trust level amongst all the team members.

At approximately noon, an announcement was made across the county building’s public

local

Troy Township gives annual report Challenging winter was a drain on village resources, resulting in extra overtime, additional equipment

By Kris Stadalsky For the Sentinel

Despite a year fraught with flooding, extreme temperature fluctuations and numerous snowfalls, all taxing township resources,TroyTownship managed to come in under budget during the 2013-2014 fiscal year.

During the 164th annual meeting on April 8,Troy Township Supervisor Joe Baltz reviewed the past year’s budget expenditures and programs.

“I would like to thank and compliment Highway Commissioner Thomas R. Ward and the entire crew at the Troy Township Highway Department for a job well done this winter,” Baltz said.

The highway staff worked for days on end during the April 2013 flooding sandbagging, barricading and repairing roads, as well as assisting other townships and municipalities, Baltz said.

The flooding also resulted in washed-out shoulders along

Canal Road, and debris is still being blown in from the Nov. 17 Washington tornado, said Ward.

The challenging winter was a drain on village resources,resulting in extra overtime, additional equipment and road maintenance, extra fuel costs and depletion of township salt supplies.

“At the end, for county roads, we mixed salt with sand to help get through the rest of it,”Ward said.

A frozen pipe burst open and caused significant damage to the township building, with the majority of damage in the assessor’s portion of the office.

“I’d also like to thank Assessor Kimberly Anderson and her staff for their understanding and cooperation, as working conditions were a bit of an inconvenience while the damage was repaired,” said Baltz.

Even with the extra expenses, the road and bridge fund came in under budget by 39.1 percent; the town fund 7.4 percent under, the assessor’s fund 8.7 percent under and the general fund 24 percent under budget, said Baltz.

The township continues to hold the successful,bi-annual shredding event, which includes medication disposal in cooperation with the Shorewood Police Department.

The ongoing recycling programs continue to flourish and the community garden, in partnership with the Village of Shorewood, is coming up on its third year, said Baltz.

Newer programs include the Illinois Secretary of State Mobile Driver’s Services Unit for senior citizens to take advantage of the Rules of the Road Course and other services offered on-site at the township community center.

The township partnered with the village in January 2014 and held the “Get Up and Go Senior Fitness” program for the Shorewood Parks and Recreation department.

In March, the Troy Township Medical Closet was launched, providing short-term loans to township residents of durable medical equipment, such as canes, crutches,walkers and wheelchairs, Baltz said.

All those in attendance unanimously approved the motion to hire auditor Gassensmith & Associates to audit the township books at a cost of $4,300.

Baltz also thanked township residents for their understanding, support and cooperation “as we work to keep our residents safe and well informed.”

address system alerting county employees of the drill involving a potential medical emergency.

Team R members quickly responded to the county board room where the patient was found unresponsive in a simulated cardiac emergency.

Team members quickly assumed their designated roles and began CPR while also cordoning off the room and simulating interviews with family members and other witnesses

for more information about the event. Paramedics from the Joliet Fire Department arrived on scene within six minutes and took over the rescue tactics. The paramedics were able to gather critical information from Team R members to help ascertain how further treatment should be administered. >> to see the full version of this story, check out buglenewspapers.com

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THE BUGLE/SENTINEL APRIL 16, 2014

News local

Jesse White kicks off organ donor campaign at JJC As many as 5,000 people are on an organ waiting list in Illinois

By Kris Stadalsky For The Bugle/Sentinel

Secretary of State Jesse White urged the public to become organ donors and save lives at a press conference Friday at Joliet Junior College, kicking off his “Be a Hero” campaign.

As many as 5,000 people are on an organ waiting list in Illinois, he said, and 300 die each year waiting for a donation that didn’t come in time.

“We want you to go forward and encourage as many people as you can (to be an organ donor),” White told the audience.

Joliet Mayor Tom Giarrante and City Councilman Bob O’Dekirk

submitted photo

Secretary of State Jesse White urged the public to become organ donors and save lives at a press conference Friday at Joliet Junior College, kicking off his “Be a Hero” campaign.

attended the press conference.

Doug and Leslie Giaudrone, a Joliet area couple whose son’s death enhanced the lives of five other people through organ donation, were in the audience. His face will

be on campaign posters in area driver’s license facilities.

April is national Donate Life month, said White. He will >> see donor | page 5

News local

THE BUGLE/SENTINEL APRIL 16, 2014

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Chief Judge: New courthouse should stay in Joliet However, cost may dictate otherwise

By Nick Reiher Managing Editor

Chief Judge R i c h a r d Schoenstedt told a group of Joliet business leaders he couldn’t Richard promise them a Schoenstedt new Will County Chief Judge courthouse would be in downtown Joliet. But that’s his preference.

“It’s my strong opinion, and the opinion of many others in county government, that the courthouse should stay in downtown Joliet,” he told a group of Joliet Chamber members at an April 11 lunch.

Schoenstedt said a new courthouse could be an appropriate anchor for Joliet new multi-modal transportation center.

He added downtown Joliet has the buildings in place to switch offices around, such as putting the State’s Attorney’s Office in the Emco building, and it has the room to grow, which the county is expected to need in the next 30 years or so.

The problem with the Emco building, he said, is that it also houses six courtrooms in addition to the State’s Attorney’s staff.

That can be a problem should a protected witness come in contact with a person outside one of the courtrooms.

A new courthouse would allow the county to use the old courthouse for offices, put all courtrooms under one roof and give the judiciary the 38 courtrooms they are allowed by the state due to population.

>> donor, from page 4 be visiting other community colleges all month to promote the program.

White shared his own story of losing a brother, but in his families’ grief, they turned away a request for organ donation.

Two years later,a relative needed a kidney transplant and was an organ donation recipient.

“You may not have a need today or tomorrow, but sometime in your life you may, and you hope somebody will be there for you,” White said.

Kimberly Konig, an organ

As of now, he said, there are only 35 judges because the county doesn’t have room for another three.

The lack of space – and judges – too often means people who take time off work for court have their cases rescheduled, Schoenstedt said. The crowded conditions also pose security issues, as sheriff’s police checking in visitors have confiscated guns, box cutters, corkscrews, anything that could be used as a weapon in and around the courtrooms.

The plan, which county officials are working on with the city of Joliet, ultimately would turn the First Midwest Bank building on Jefferson and Ottawa over the county, which then would raze it to make room for a new courthouse.

Schoenstedt said cost estimates for a new courthouse has ranged upwards of $200 million. But he cautioned the group against zoning in on a cost because the county’s chosen consultant,White and Associates, have just started looking at options.

At the insistence of several Will County Board members, the consultant will give options for a greengrass site, possibly outside of Joliet. Board Member Steve Balich, R-Homer Township, has suggested looking at the area around U.S. 6 east of town.

While he prefers the courthouse remain downtown, Schoenstedt said if the consultants come up with cost estimates that warrant looking at a greengrass site outside of downtown Joliet,“then the issue becomes black and white.”

recipient and JJC student, was a guest speaker. Konig, too, shared her story of nearly losing her life twice to health problems and having her family sit helpless by her bedside waiting for her to die.

When liver failure struck during her second illness, she was put at the top of the transplant list. In July 2012, she received a donated liver.

“I am so grateful,” Konig said. “I will never be able to repay what was given to me. All I can do is keep giving back in some way.” >> to see the full version of this story, check out buglenewspapers.com

Part of the downtown plan would call for Chicago Street to be reopened from Washington north to Jefferson streets. But Schoenstedt said the parking block that now blocks the street has six parking spots mandated for disabled persons. To move those spots would mean adding an ADAcompliant ramp at the existing courthouse, which he said, would cost a lot.

While plans for a new courthouse are up in the air, he said, everyone involved agrees on one thing: “We need a new courthouse,” he said.“This courthouse is unsafe, not secure and doesn’t have enough courtrooms.”

bugle file photo

Plans to replace the 45-year-old Will County Courthouse at 14 W. Jefferson St. in downtown Joliet are underway. Chief Judge Richard Schoenstedt said a new courthouse could be an appropriate anchor for Joliet new multi-modal transportation center.

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Police Blotter

THE BUGLE/SENTINEL APRIL 16, 2014

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The following items were compiled from the official reports of the Joliet Police Department. Appearing in the police blotter does not constitute a finding of guilt, only a court of law can make that determination.

Joliet 1

A 16-year-old was arrested at 11:10 a.m. April 4 at 201 E. Jefferson for delivery of cannabis on school grounds. a 16-year-old was arrested for possession of cannabis.

2

Selia Guzman, 38, 209 Reedwood Drive, was arrested at 2:29 p.m. and again later April 4 at 3340 Mall Loop Drive for retail theft.

3

Kenneth J. Walsh, 27, 502 Concord, Romeoville, was arrested at 7:54 p.m. April 4 at Bruce and Hacker for aggravated DUI – no driver’s license, aggravated DUI – no insurance, aggravated assault and resisting/ obstructing a peace officer.

4

Miguel A. Rodriguez, 30, 201 E.Webster, was arrested at 10:29 p.m. April 4 at Cass and Fairbanks for aggravated DUI – no insurance.

5

Marshell C. Rader, 43, 1851 S. 9th, Maywood, was

arrested at 11:39 p.m. April 4 at 1515 Riverboat Center for motor vehicle theft and obstructing justice.

6

Sergio Reyes-Lopez, 34, 310 Herkimer, was arrested at 12:30 a.m. April 4 at 207 Herkimer for public indecency.

7

Barbara J. Hutchinson, 47, 326 3RD, was arrested at 3:19 p.m. April 5 at that address for battery.

8

Charles M. Black, 41, 1209 N. Hickory, was arrested at 7:41 p.m. April 5 at that address for violation of order of protection.

9

Kenneth D. Love, 25, 928 Magnolia, was arrested at 11:20 p.m.April 5 at 826 Magnolia for aggravated domestic battery.

Sedrick L. Dudley, 36, 922 Magnolia, was arrested at 11:01 p.m. April 5 at 1519 Englewood for criminal trespass to state supported land and on an out of town warrant.

10

Michael J. Crafton, 18, 2336 Carnation Drive, Crest Hill, and Jermaine M. Hubbard, 18, 2210 Seaton Ave., were arrested at 8:21 p.m. April 6 at Black and Arbeiter for possession of cannabis.

11

Samuel M. Day, 21, 1327 S. Fernandez Ave., Arlington Heights, was arrested at 6:34 a.m.

April 6 at 2211 Falcon Drive for aggravated domestic battery.

12

L. Davis Jr., 36, 263 13 Walker Wilson Ave., was arrested at 6:38 p.m. April 6 at that address for domestic battery.

Michael D. Lott, 46, 2211 Cottonwood Drive, was arrested at 9:47 p.m.April 6 in the 700 block of Collins for criminal trespass to real property.

14

Justin M. Lopez, 25, 118 Emery, was arrested at 1:46 a.m.April 6 at 777 Hollywood for disorderly conduct.

15

Flavio Tinasero-Serrano, 57, Address Unknown, was arrested at 6:02 p.m. April 7 at 321 Collins for liquor on public way.

16

Michael A.Wrobel, 24, 3551 Mall Loop, was arrested at 6:08 p.m.April 7 at 2901 Voyager for theft.

17

Oscar Gutierraz, 21, 2535 Plainfield, Crest Hill, was arrested at 9:53 p.m. April 7 at Thornwood and Mallard for possession of cannabis.

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Edgar M. Gomez, 21, 1005 Cora, was arrested

at 10:32 p.m. April 7 at Center and Jefferson for possession of cannabis.

A 16-year-old was arrested at 7:44 a.m. April 7 at 1426 Fairmount for domestic battery and aggravated battery to a police officer.

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Autman, 20, 363 N. Broadway, were arrested at 10:42 p.m. April 8 at 2424 W. Jefferson for retail theft.

Cory D. Long, 19, 306 S. Park Road, was arrested at 8:47 p.m. April 8 at that address for possession of a controlled substance.

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Larry C. Taylor Jr., 42, 719 Landau, and Albaro Patino, 40, 417 Chase, were arrested at 1:27 p.m. April 7 at 652 Collins for criminal trespass to real property.

Matthew L. Pruitte, 57, 615 E. Benton, was arrested at 1:17 p.m. April 8 at 321 Collins for criminal trespass to real property.

Racheal L. McKinney, 28, 1135 Chicory, LaSalle, and Brittany N. Calvert, 23, 219 19th, Ottawa, were arrested at 2:04 p.m. April 7 at 3340 Mall Loop Drive for retail theft.

Ivan C. Moffett, 18, 104 5th Ave., was arrested at 5:21 p.m. April 8 at 411 Sherman for aggravated unlawful use of weapon, no FOID and possession of cannabis w/intent.

Justin McLurkin, 44, 725 Nicholson, was arrested at 1:49 a.m. April 8 at that address for DUI – Alcohol.

For more Joliet Police Blotter, visit www.buglenewspapers.com

Jonathan P. McCormick, 24, 421 Kungs Way, was arrested at 6:21 p.m.April 8 at that address for domestic battery.

Michael J. Camis 111, 23, of 5717 Arbor Falls Court, Plainfield, arrested May 30 at 700 W. Jefferson St. for criminal damage to property and disorderly conduct.

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Matthew L. Pruitte, 57, 615 E. Benton, was arrested at 9:09 p.m.April 8 at 358 E. Cass for criminal trespass to real property.

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Staphanna Brown, 20, 808 Ann, and Dominique L.

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Shorewood 30

Kiowan D. Slaughter, 35, of 1309 Val Verde Court., Plainfield, arrested May 30 for speeding and improper lane usage at 800 W. Black Road.

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ForuM

GuESt column

OUR HOUSE

lEttER to tHE EDitoR with rep. natalie manleY (d-Joliet) 98th district

Being your own lobbyist

For those who have not yet to meet with legislators about visited our State Capitol, I highly pending legislation, voice their encourage you to make the trip. opinions and essentially,act as their There are free daily tours very own advocate or available of the Capitol lobbyist. building to all who wish, and Sometimes, I suggest taking some time organizations will before and after the tour rent buses and pack to wander the halls freely them with supporters for an added peek into our of a particular issue. state’s history, and to witness Press conferences and government at work. rep. natalie manleY marches occur, and Some tour groups visit (D-Joliet) 98th the Capitol is flooded to see the architecture and DistriCt with people holding restoration work, and the signs or wearing historical education. All guests are coordinating shirts. This is the told to stand inside the center of norm for “hot button” issues; last the Capitol and to look upward. year, it was gun rights advocacy The gorgeous dome is nothing groups. Also, throughout the year, short of a visual feast. Many people there are designated awareness have stood in that very spot – their days or months, for example, necks craned way back, captured Breast Cancer Awareness month, by the grandeur of the details in and during that time, we will see the stained glass, filled with pride visitors advocating for education, and the gravity of the decisions prevention and early breast cancer being made just steps away. detection programs.

Others who visit are there Then, of course, there are the

traditional lobbyists, hired by an entity to persuade legislators.

When you visit, you’ll find many of them hanging around the third floor of the Capitol, right in between the doors of the House and Senate.

I am always delighted to welcome visitors from Will County. Recently, Mary Tisdale, an Independent Living Advocate with the Will-Grundy Center for Independent Living, and some of her students from Joliet’s Hopewell Academy, came to Springfield and stopped by my office to advocate for issues of importance to them, such as education, job training and employment for people living with disabilities.

I brought the group into the House chambers before session, so that they could receive a special viewing.As we were taking pictures, Mary told me that it was her last day working as an advocate for the center before retiring, and that having the opportunity to >> see our house | page 18

column

Heading to Springfield? Capitol idea Farm Bureau Manager Mark Schneidewind had worked with our local legislators’ schedules for many weeks to keep our visits running smoothly

By Nick Reiher Managing Editor

I want to tell you about my first trip to the state Capitol without nuns, but first, some housekeeping: Athletes go into a slump; it’s pretty common. It happens to newspaper people, too. Seems like there are days … weeks, where errors are more common than before. I had a couple weeks like that.

In my column haranguing the Will County Board Democrats for hammering on each other, I mentioned they wound up in November 2012 with a split: 12 Democrats and 12 Republicans.

There is an even split, but it happens to be 13 and 13.The point still is the same, however.

Then, I’m talking to the former president of the union at the nowclosed Illinois Youth Center- Joliet.

THE BUGLE/SENTINEL APRIL 16, 2014

those of you who think there is chronic overspending in Springfield need only to dine at the cafeteria. the pork chop special was so small even Bill Johnson had a tough time identifying it as pork. and that’s saying something.

She gave me some nice information, and I congratulated myself for remembering that Sharon Konopka, my teammate on the Turn Back the Clock fitness competition, maybe would like to weigh in on state Sen. Pat McGuire’s news that Gov. Quinn has a plan to repurpose the center, bringing back some 300 jobs.

Only problem was, I confused her name with that of the Plainfield Police Chief, John Konopek. I

called and told Sharon, and she was a good sport. Although I have a feeling if she’s hadn’t broken her ankle at one of our team workouts, her foot might have had a date with my butt.

It’s a good thing I’m not a surgeon, and I just nicked my reputation a bit; not a crucial artery.

Either way, sorry about that.

Now, to business: I actually missed the workout where Sharon broke her ankle because I traveled to Springfield with some Will County Farm Bureau members. The last time I had been inside the Capitol was during my eighth grade class trip.

I remember former WGN reporter Frank Rios good naturedly chided one of my classmates. One of the nuns, a Golden Gloves runnerup, overheard; did not grasp the concept of joke and nearly separated the kid from his soul.

Good times.

This time was much more fun. Farm Bureau Manager Mark Schneidewind had worked with >> see capitol | page 8

Primary voter turnout low; remember to vote in November Remember, Early and Absentee voting are options that are readily available Dear District 9 and Will County Residents, I would like to thank those of you who supported me in the March Primary Election. Unfortunately, I was unsuccessful in moving forward to the November General Election, however I remain committed to doing my best to represent your interests until the conclusion of my term on the Will County Board.

While overall voter turnout in this primary election was markedly low being a nonpresidential election year, I would strongly encourage you to educate yourselves on the candidates running this November and please exercise your constitutional right to vote.

Remember, Early and Absentee voting are options that are readily available, making the voting process much easier than in years past.

General Manager V.P. Advertising and Marketing Michael James mjames@voyagermediaonline.com Managing Editor Nick Reiher nreiher@buglenewspapers.com 815-436-2431 ext. 117 Assistant Managing Editor Jonathan Samples jsamples@buglenewspapers.com Reporters Jonathan Samples Alex Hernandez Laura Katauskas Sports Editor Scott Taylor staylor@buglenewspapers.com Advertising Manager Pat Ryan pryan@enterprisepublications.com

facebook.com/thebuglenewspapers twitter.com/buglenewspapers instagram.com/buglenewspapers

Thank you to our Clerk, Nancy Schultz-Voots, as well as her staff for executing the insurmountable task of handling each election with precision and grace; and for those of us from the outside looking in, making this task look much easier than what it truly is.

Again, I encourage you to get know your candidates, who they are and what they bring to the table. Do not rely on your neighbor to make the choices for you or the number of signs a candidate places in parkways and yards. Ask questions and require answers; that is your right!

Thank you again for having given me the honor and privilege to serve as your current County Board Member.

I remain available for any questions or concerns that you may have.

Yours in Service, Diane H. Zigrossi Crest Hill

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THE BUGLE/SENTINEL APRIL 16, 2014 >> capitol, from page 7 our local legislators’ schedules for many weeks to keep our visits running smoothly. It was hectic and a heckuva lot of fun. The Capitol renovations are amazing. It is a beautiful building: lots of wood, glass and little meeting rooms just about everywhere and, of course, the rotunda.

Lots of walking. Lots of meetings.

Our local legislators, some of whom we had seen at the summer Legislative Barn Meetings, were glad to see us, even though it also happened to be the day Gov. Quinn finally gave his budget address and

the final week for their bills to get assigned to a committee.

No way we were going to get into the gallery for the speech. We and about 75 of our closest new friends packed into a tiny room with a couple of televisions to watch.

Thank goodness, Quinn kept it to about 40 minutes, just before my right leg went completely numb.

Those of you who think there is chronic overspending in Springfield need only to dine at the cafeteria. The pork chop special was so small even Bill Johnson had a tough time identifying it as pork.

And that’s saying something.

We made up for it at dinner,going

to Saputo’s, a 66-year-old Italian restaurant that is purportedly one of House Speaker Michael Madigan’s favorite places. I don’t always agree with his politics, but I will say the guy knows Italian food.

Good stuff, Maynard.

The highlight for me, though, was hearing from one of my fellow Governmental Affairs Committee members, Steve Warrick. Steve said he came back from Springfield with a new appreciation of what our legislators have to put up with: hundreds of bills coming at them from different directions; the same with constituents, some of whom have a very different idea of which of those bills are important.

I wonder how many of us would like a job that can be nearly 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for about $70,000 a year? We visited with state Rep. Emily McAsey of Lockport while she was rocking her baby girl in her arms. Her small office was filled with baby toys, she said.

A couple of us were exhausted just trying to keep up with them for a day. But it was a good day.And I’m glad I went. You should, too, sometime.

News will county

THE BUGLE/SENTINEL APRIL 16, 2014

9

Mother Nature rains on Wish Upon A Star’s Easter parade Despite poor weather conditions, residents turn out to celebrate

By Stewart Warren For the Bugle

Parades and rain don’t mix.

Especially at Easter, and especially this year. After the roughest winter ever, it’s finally spring. Kids want to wear T-shirts while they catch candy, not slickers.

And for the past 21 years, Mother Nature has cooperated, said Don West, Executive Director of Wish Upon a Star, the local nonprofit that stages Joliet’s annual downtown Easter parade. But the old girl was in a snit on Sunday.

Although Sunday began just fine, by 1:30 p.m., the sun was long gone, and everything was soaking wet.

“This is the first time it’s rained,” West said, standing near the viewing stand in downtown Joliet’s Van Buren Plaza. He looked at the crowd assembling behind the barricades along Chicago Street, a grateful expression on his face. It wasn’t the typical crowd of 25,000, but then again, it wasn’t bad.

“I’m shocked this many people would come out,” he said.

For these parade-goers, the weather wasn’t all that bad. After all, fewer people means more candy for those who braved the elements. And so they came armed with umbrellas, raincoats, hooded sweatshirts and bags to collect treats.

Amy and Pete Lambert of Plainfield and their five youngsters were parked in front of the Rialto Square Theater, watching for the first floats. They’d brought Amy’s sister, Carrie Eifried of Chicago,

and her two little ones. It was a great place to wait – the group was sheltered by the Rialto’s wide marquee.

And who suggested that particular spot?

“The smarter sister,” Eifried said, laughing and pointing to herself.

All of the kids had pretty buckets to collect candy, and most of them were already full of dandelions they’d picked while waiting. Henry Lambert, 7, said he wanted to give a bouquet to the Easter Bunny.

Not far away, Camryn Matheny, 6, of Joliet, was leaning over the barricades, waiting for candy, a set of pink bunny ears perched on her head. Camryn was looking forward to her share of the good stuff.

“I’d like chocolate – like chocolate Easter bunnies,” she said, her smile hopeful.

Although the parade was supposed to begin at 2 p.m., it didn’t. The rain became steadier.

The wind picked up. People started frowning and wondering about the delay.

“I’ve been joking and saying that they are waiting for it to pour,” said Freddie Herman of Shorewood.

At 2:15 p.m., the first float finally came down the street.The marchers were tossing candy, but a lot of it landed on the ground well beyond anyone’s reach. A prowling group of Joliet police officers was watching everyone, making sure the kids didn’t venture in the street to pick up the spoils.

Gyra Deloney of Joliet realized the youngsters were frustrated.

There was candy everywhere, but it was just beyond their reach.

A quick thinker, she used her umbrella like a scoop to catch the treats for some nearby children.

“I saw somebody else do it,” Deloney said modestly.

And then she and her husband, the Rev. Stephen Deloney of St. Mark’s CME Church, 348 S. Joliet St., headed for their car.Their son, Umoja Alexander, 12, is a student at Gompers Junior High School and plays in the band. He’d just marched passed them, so now it was time to go pick him up.

Just before 3 p.m., the last float moved south on Chicago Street, passing Cass. Created by Wish Upon A Star, it featured Mr. and Mrs. Easter Bunny. People started packing up.

A family of five was leaving the area, and the father suddenly told everyone to wait.

Photo by John patsch | for the bugle “We forgot the umbrellas,” he Violet Amezcua,3, throws candy out to the crowd during the Wihs said, and began running back to Upon a Star Easter Parade in downtown Joliet. their spot to retrieve the gear.

10

THE BUGLE/SENTINEL APRIL 16, 2014

Crossword Puzzle

Across

1 2012 Ben Affleck political thriller 5 Organizes by date, say 10 Is able to 13 Former Defense Secretary Panetta 14 Came into play 15 “Mission: Impossible” theme composer Schifrin 16 Novelist Tyler 17 Most populous city in South Dakota 19 Second-incommand in the kitchen 21 Demean 22 Baby goat 23 Legged it 24 Mercedes rival 26 Bus. gettogether 27 Sharp ridge 29 Adman’s connection 31 Digital camera battery, often 32 Legal thing 34 Hoops gp.

35 Superficially cultured 36 Michigan or

Ontario city on the same border river 40 Unit of cotton 41 Carry a balance 42 Yeats’ land: Abbr.

43 Land parcel 44 Continental border range 46 Last Supper query 50 Unbarred, to a bard 51 Fall mo.

52 Marlins’ div.

54 ISP option 55 Indian dresses 57 Canal passage connecting Lake Superior and the lower Great Lakes 59 “W is for Wasted” mystery author 62 Margin jotting 63 Gymnast Korbut 64 Part of BYOB 65 Price 66 Low in the lea 67 Betsy Ross, famously 68 Lodge group

Down

1 “North to the Future” state 2 Pierre-Auguste of impressionism 3 Take it all off 4 Small bills 5 Barack’s younger daughter 6 “Murder on the __ Express” 7 Ski rack site 8 Lone Star State sch.

9 Gender 10 Ristorante squid 11 “Good Hands” company 12 Bouquet of flowers 15 Chem class requirement 18 Baby deer 20 Fishing basket 24 Neuwirth of “Cheers” 25 Home of baseball’s Marlins 28 “You’re right” 30 Very big maker of very little chips 33 Mall unit 35 “Iliad” war god 36 Home to millions

of Brazilians 37 Half a superhero’s identity 38 Switch 39 Animated mermaid 40 Open, as a bud 44 KGB country 45 Take a nap 47 “No worries, man” 48 “Shame, shame!”

49 Detailed map windows 53 Recluse 56 Franchised supermarket brand 57 Put away 58 Almost never 60 Sit-up targets 61 Opponent

Tribune Content Agency 2014

Take 5 Horoscopes Play it cool. It’s far better to roll with the punches in the week to come than to blow your top or enter into new negotiations. Others may calm down quickly if they see that you aren’t going to engage in a battle.

You can find fault with anything if you look closely enough, but that doesn’t mean that you should. Avoid being overly critical of someone’s shortcomings this week when a few words of encouragement could have a more positive effect.

No path is without its pitfalls. While everything might not go as you originally planned in the week ahead, keeping your head in the face of adversity will see you through. Choose your words carefully when in mixed company.

Go the extra mile this week. To please someone, you may have to go places and do things that are out of the ordinary. You may be outside your comfort zone for a short while, but the results will be well worth the inconvenience.

Dare to be different.

Thinking outside the box in the week ahead could yield the insights that solve a nagging problem. Pull your love life out of a rut by trying a new approach. You’ll find that you can be a rebel without being abrasive.

Take the pulse of those around you. You’ll find that you’ll be happier in a group than on your own in the week ahead. Spread your social wings by getting in touch with friends and catching up on current events.

Business and pleasure shouldn’t mix. If a date feels like a job interview, you can safely bet that you haven’t found Mr. or Ms. Right. You may find business and work to be more stimulating than play this week.

Don’t fly off the handle.

Conditions are such this week that you can easily be provoked into a confrontation or become embroiled in a misunderstanding. Words spoken in anger could turn an existing relationship frigid.

Compromise makes the world go round. Cooperate with others, even if it means sacrificing your own needs in the week to come. Give a little, pay it forward, and karma will provide what you need later.

Go through the motions. You may not be sure exactly which direction you want to go right now, so it’s best to play it safe and stick with tried and true routines. Quiet contemplation this week may yield answers in the near future.

Keep moving in the same direction. Don’t get side-tracked by other people’s problems this week unless they impact your ability to achieve your own objectives. You can’t please all the people all the time.

Don’t be so sensitive.

You may be more self-conscious than usual, but that doesn’t mean that the world has put you under the microscope. Enjoy time with friends and family this week and you’ll soon forget what you were worried about.

Sudoku

Jumble

Previous puzzle’s answers

Previous puzzle’s answers

Previous puzzle’s answers

Jumbles:

• CYNIC • HELLO • VICUNA • PRIMED

Answer:

What the boy did when his cousin got stuck in the tree -- CRIED “UNCLE”

INSIDE: Local Division-I athletes having success, page 12; Slammers have new promotions planned, page 13

buglenewspapers.com

THE BUGLE/SENTINEL APRIL 16, 2014

11

Indians have sights set on return trip to state

By Mark Gregory Sports Reporter

For the Minooka Indians boys volleyball team, playing in the state’s elite eight has become something of tradition.

The Indians have played in the state quarterfinals the last two seasons and, despite graduating nine seniors from last season’s team, they plan to do so again.

“It is the beginning of the season and we are taking baby steps, but we are getting there,” said Minooka coach Janel Grzetich. “Hopefully that can continue to be a tradition because that is what they want.

But everything matters. We want to get those little goals along the way, like a conference championship.”

The Indians recently entered Southwest Prairie Conference play by defeating Plainfield North in three sets, 25-17, 21-25, 25-16 and beating Romeoville 25-17, 25-15.

In the win over Romeoville, Grzetich said she saw a lot of things the Indians had to work on.

“Blocking was decent and we were happy about that, but we need to focus on our errors that we have to clean up because our ultimate goal at the end of the year is to do well in the playoffs,” she said. “Our serving and serve receive wasn’t horrible, but it wasn’t great and we need to work on that.”

Prior to taking on the SPC teams, the Indians saw some top tier competition and did not finish as well as they hoped.

“We played in the Tiger Classic at Wheaton Warrenville South and that was a nice dose of reality,” Grzetich said. “It showed what we needed to work on and what our strength are. We need to focus on ourselves and what we are doing. It doesn’t matter if we are playing the No. 1 team >> see STATE | page 14

Mark Gregory/Bugle Staff

Brandon Baranski takes over the setting duties for Minooka this season.

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THE BUGLE/SENTINEL APRIL 16, 2014

Sports

Local D-I athletes enjoying success After transferring in to Eastern Michigan University for his junior season, former Lockport standout Karrington Ward paced the Eagles with an average of 12.5 points per game.

Ward played in all 37 games for Eastern Michigan, starting 36.The junior averaged 1.8 rebounds and 3.6 assists.

RICHAUN HOLMES Former Lockport standout Richaun Holmes had a productive junior season at Bowling Green State University.

With one season left at BGSU, Holmes is already the all-time

career blocked shots leader, surpassing Otis Polk’s previous career mark of 159 career blocks.

This season, he set a new BGSU single season blocks record with a team-high 88 blocked shots on the year, which was second overall in the MAC and ranked in the top-30 nationally all season long.

For his efforts, Holmes was named to the MAC All-Conference Third-Team, he also earned a spot on the College Sports Madness MAC All-Conference Third-Team and he was a >> see D-I | page 15

Photo Courtesy of Eastern Michigan Athletics

Karrington Ward averaged 12 points per game for Eastern Michigan.

Sports

THE BUGLE/SENTINEL APRIL 16, 2014

13

Slammers offering spring training specials The Joliet Slammers presented by ATI Physical Therapy announced today a spring training lineup to get the fun started at Silver Cross Field this summer starting with a FREE Family Open House on Sunday, May 4.

Fans of all ages are welcome to the Family Open House starting at 1:00 PM as the Slammers take on local tryout attendees in an exhibition game following the mornings open tryout.

Admission is free and activities include face painting, inflatable jump house and speed pitch, player and mascot autographs, and kids run the bases following the game! Slammers concessions and merchandise specials will be on hand all day and fans that RSVP to hmills@ jolietslammers.com by May 1 will receive a voucher good for one Reserved Seat ticket to any 2014 regular season home game.

Other spring training games and specials at Silver Cross Field include: Monday, May 5 at 12:05 PM (Slammers versus Windy City ThunderBolts) Businessman specials – lunch at the ballpark • $10 includes admission, Italian Beef Sandwich, chips, and a soft drink • $7 includes admission, Jumbo Vienna Hot Dog, chips, and a soft drink • $7 includes admission, large slice of homemade pizza, and a soft drink • All other tickets with no food or drink are $5 • Drop your business card for a chance to win free advertisement for the 2014 season Wednesday, May 7 at 10:05 AM (Slammers versus Normal CornBelters) • Education Day • 4th annual event for local schools • Seating limited, call now to ensure your seats Friday, May 9 at 7:05 PM (Slammers versus Rockford Aviators) Nurse Appreciation Week • With valid ID, nurses receive $2 Reserved Seat tickets Teacher Appreciation Week • With valid ID, teachers receive $2 Reserved Seat tickets Tuesday, May 13 at 12:05 PM

(Slammers versus Schaumburg Boomers) Businessman specials – lunch at the ballpark • $10 includes admission, Italian Beef Sandwich, chips, and a soft drink • $7 includes admission, Jumbo Vienna Hot Dog, chips, and a soft drink • $7 includes admission, large slice of homemade pizza, and a soft drink • All other tickets with no food or drink are $5 • Drop your business card for a chance to win free advertisement for the 2014 season.

NEW BEER GARDEN For one low price fans can enjoy the exclusive Beer Garden seating area along the left field outfield fence, an all-you-caneat menu of delicious ballpark favorites, AND 5 beers for one low price.

Perfect for a date night, night out with friends, Bachelor or Bachelorette Party, or just watching the game, the Slammers Beer Garden offers ALL-YOU-CAN-EAT Charbroiled Cheeseburgers, Vienna All-Beef Hot Dogs, Vienna Northwoods Bratwursts, BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwiches, Homemade Potato Chips, Popcorn, Pepsi Products, and a selection of OVER 60 BEERS, all for one low price.

The food will be available from the time the gates open through the end of the sixth inning, and beer service will

Mark Gregory/Bugle Staff

Like they have in the past, the Slammers will have fun fan experiences for fans of all ages this year.

be available until the end of the 7th inning.

Pricing for the Slammers Beer Garden will be as follows: • $38 includes game ticket, all-you-can-eat menu, Pepsi products, and five beer vouchers.

• $33 includes game ticket,

all-you-can-eat menu, and Pepsi products The Beer Garden is a 21 and older area and all patrons will need to show an ID before entering.

It is a General Admission seating area behind the wall in Left Field with tables and

chairs available on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Seating is limited - to order tickets or for more information about the Beer Garden, contact the Slammers at 815-722-2287 or visit jolietslammers.com.

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THE BUGLE/SENTINEL APRIL 16, 2014

>> STATE, from page 11 in the state or an unranked team. When we are working in system, it looks great, when we are not that is when we can beat ourselves up and have communication problems.

“They are getting better at not hanging their head when things don’t go the right way.

Instead, they are shaking it off and focusing on the next point because that is all we can do.”

Grzetich said the Indians are getting used to playing together as a unit as well.

It is taking time for sophomore setter Brandon Baranski to get used to the hitters as well as them getting used to him.

Grzetich also wants Baranski

Sports to have more of a role like that of Phil Hannon, the setter for the past three years and 2013 Voyager Media Player of the Year.

Hannon was not only a talented setter, but could hit in transition.

“I keep telling him to be more involved in the offense because he is a hitter and a very good hitter. So, he is adjusting to that well,” Grzetich said.

As for the hitters, the Indians

return Mitch Perinar, a returning Voyager Media All-Area selection, who was second on the team in kills with 231 kills to go with 75 blocks and 27 aces.

“Mitch, well, he is Mitch and he is phenomenal,” Grzetich said.

“He is a great go to guy to have.

He is a really impressive player to coach and to watch.”

As impressive as Perinar is, Grzetich said the Indians have to

spread the ball around.

“We have to work on feeding the other hitters because we have other very, very talented hitters that we can showcase and I think they will be,” she said. “Some of that comes from the setter too, as he gets more comfortable, he will move things around.”

Follow @Hear_The_Beard mark@buglenewspapers.com––

Sports >> D-I, from page 12 CollegeHoopsDaily.com MAC AllConference selection.

During the season, he was named the College Sports Madness MAC Player of the Week on Dec. 16 and was twice tabbed the MAC East Division Player of the Week.

Holmes played in all 32 games for the Falcons, starting 31 on the season. He led the MAC and ranked in the top-25 in the NCAA all season long with an average of 2.8 blocks per game. He led the team and was 13th in the MAC in scoring at 13.3 points per game and was tied for the team lead and tied for fifth overall in the MAC on the year with 7.7 rebounds per contest. Holmes was fifth in the MAC with 2.7 offensive rebounds per game on the year.

On the season, he was the team leader with 425 points and posted a team-high 50.7 field goal percentage, which was also tied for 10th overall in the MAC. He also posted eight double-doubles on the year.

Holmes scored a career-high 26 points at Xavier and grabbed a career-high 14 rebounds against North Dakota and at Northern Illinois. He turned away a careerhigh seven shots in back-to-back

THE BUGLE/SENTINEL APRIL 16, 2014

15

wins versus Western Kentucky and at Morehead State.

GINTARE SURDOKAITE The former Lockport Porter was a junior at Binghamton University this season. She played in 22 games with five starts and averaged 1.9 points and 1.3 rebounds per game.

She collected a career-high eight points and four rebounds against Arkansas on Nov. 30.

SHAUN’QAE McMURTRY McMurtry transferred to Northern Illinois from Nebraska and tallied a 9-13 record as NIU’s primary starter at 165 pounds as a redshirt freshman. He finished fourth at the MAC Championships with a 2-2 record.

He upset nationally-ranked Zach Toal of Missouri in the opening round of the conference tournament with a 5-3 sudden death win. Earned his first career win at the EMU Open Nov. 16 with a 6-1 decision over Findlay’s Randy Caris, then followed that with a 10-2 major decision over Purdue’s Riley McClurg, he then earned his first-career dual win on Dec. 5 with a 9-5 victory over Cleveland State’s Jake Smith.

Photo Courtesy of Northern Illinois Athletics

Shaun’Qae McMurtry was the primary starter for NIU at 165 pounds.

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THE BUGLE/SENTINEL APRIL 16, 2014

Sports

Hilltoppers earn 12-1 win Joliet Catholic Academy defeated Andrew 12-1. Kyle Polaski earned the win throwing a two-hit complete game, striking out seven and allowing no earned runs. Polaski has yet to give up an earned run in 18 innings pitched.

Offensively, Aaron Markley had two doubles with two RBI, while Mitch Boe and Rylan Bannon each posted a pair of RBI. Mike Quiram had two hits with a double.

• Lockport fell to Glenbard East 9-6 in the Lincoln-Way Central

Invite. Lockport (5-8) was paced

by Lorenzo Blazekovich, who was 3 for 5 and Tyler Hair, who was 2 for 4 with three RBI. • Minooka swept Plainfield Central in SPC action. In game one, the Indians won 7-0. Joe

Butler earned the win, throwing six innings and allowing no earned runs. Christian Sanchez had three hits, while Neal Tyrell, Mitch Vogrin, Kenny Walsh and Tyler Desmarais all had three hits.

In game two, Minooka won 11-5. Mitch Malone went 4 2/3 innings allowing two earned runs on four hits and three strikeouts.

Brennan Polcyn was 2-for-3 with a double and a home run. Christian Sanchez hit a pair of homers and drove in four.

In the third game,Vogrin threw a complete game, striking out 10 and earning a 4-0 win. He also had three singles and an RBI.

SOFTBALL Joliet Catholic Academy blanked Kankakee 5-0. Alyssa Callans struck out seven, walked one and allowed seven hits to get the win. Reilly Jo Swanson had a double, triple and an RBI, while Melissa Sliwa and Brenna Garland each had two hits. Sliwa tallied a pair of RBI. • Joliet West defeated Plainfield South 15-5 in five innings. Jen Ames went 2 for 4, while Lorelei Tokarczyk was 2 for 4 with two RBI and Kyie Robb had three RBI. Joy Treasure earned the win.

Lockport defeated Minooka

4-0. Sophomore Justine Cielenski pitched the shutout. The Porters (4-2) were paced by Gabby Voulgaris who was 2 for 2 with a pair of RBI. Haylie Arndt doubled and an RBI. The Indians then defeated Oswego with a walk-off 6-5 win.

BOYS TENNIS Joliet Catholic Academy went 3-0 at the Joliet West Quad. The Hilltoppers defeated Plainfield South, 4-1, Coal City, 5-0, and Joliet Township, 3-2.

Dominic Bertino and Nate Naal, Ryan Hippman and Dyllan Mattea and Adam Wojnarowski and Lucas Tyler all went undefeated for JCA. • Minooka defeated Yorkville 6-1. David Kohler (6-3, 2-6, 6-4) and Ryan Bozue (6-0, 6-2) won in singles, while Dane Christensen and Caleb Frodeoeur (6-3, 6-4), Alex Shannon and Chris Schwellenbach (6-0, 6-1), Mike Cappel and Cody Bresnahan (64, 6-2) and Josh Sutton and Nick Miller (6-0, 6-0) all won in doubles action.

GIRLS WATER POLO Lincoln-Way Central defeated Lockport 10-3. The Porters were led by senior Rachel Unger, who scored all three goals.

social sPotliGHt

THE BUGLE/SENTINEL APRIL 16, 2014

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TOP 10 of the week

SPoRtS moViES The release of Draft Day leads Mark to give his top 10 sports movies

twEEtS oF tHE wEEK mike greenBerg @espngreenY “Congratulations @ bubbawatson. Not too many people make that course look as easy as you just did.” frank kaminskY iii @fskpart3 “It is impossible to cheer against or not be happy for a guy like @bubbawatson great golfer but a better person #TwoTimes”

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

the natural Brian’s song hoosiers field of dreams

rockY maJor league Bull durham caddY shack

e.J. luna @eJtheasian “With that shot into 14, I think Bubba can begin to take his Green Jacket off of the rack. #TheMasters”

keVin gummerson @kgummerson “Nice team win at the Tiger Relays.”

the wrestler rememBer the titans

Disagree with mark? tweet your top 10 to @Hear_the_Beard #Voyagertop10

PlainFiElD SoutH

SOCIAL

HuB Q & A with local athletes

Miles Snowden BASKETBALL

Favorite social media outlet that you use?

Instagram How often do you use social media?

I use it a lot.

What do you use social media for?

I use it to be informed.

Who is your favorite pro athlete? Why? Dwayne Wade, because I like the way he plays Have you ever tweeted a famous person?

Did they respond?

I don’t have a Twitter account.

Your most memorable sports moment?

Allen Iverson crossing over Michael Jordan.

BuBBa watson @BuBBawatson “Wow. I can’t believe I have another @The_Masters green jacket! Such an honor. #Rejoicing”

18

Business & Real Estate

THE BUGLE/SENTINEL APRIL 16, 2014

local

New Orleans North brings The Big Easy to downtown This year’s New Orleans North will be held from 5 to 11 p.m. on June 13 in downtown Joliet Tom Grotovsky’s great idea began with a balcony.

A few years ago, he was in downtown Joliet standing outside The Department, formerly at 205 N. Chicago St. At the time, the business was housed in an old, red-brick building featuring a broad balcony. The restaurant’s customers sat there when the weather was warm, not far from the highest branches of the trees planted below.

The second-floor terrace made Grotovsky think of the French Quarter, the historic New Orleans neighborhood along the Mississippi River that’s known for fantastic food and great music.The Department’s building wouldn’t be out of place there, and the balcony looked like the ironwork galleries above Royal and St. Peter streets, he thought.

And like New Orleans, downtown Joliet is the perfect place to have fun.

Grotovsky is the owner of The Great American Bagel, 1101 Essington Road, Joliet, and he’s also a longtime member of the Joliet Region Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The chamber hosts a popular monthly business afterhours event, a chance for local firms to show off their shops while the members network over cocktails and hors d’oeuvres.

“We always talk about how we can improve things or gain new members, so we have a bigger business-to-business networking group,” Grotovsky said. “And we wanted to do a bigger business after hours every year, outside our office. So I came up with the name New Orleans North.”

It could be an evening under the stars, he thought. Chicago Street – home base for the chamber – could be closed off between Jefferson and Cass streets. There would be dancing and drinking and lots of great things to eat, all for a small charge. It could bring people together while raising money for a worthy cause. It would be like a

>> our house, from page 7 stand on the House floor was an incredibly special way to end her many years of service.

Mary has spent the past decade empowering people of all ages living with all kinds of disabilities, helping them to become their own best advocate for themselves and their needs, so that they can lead independent, fulfilled lives.

She has assisted with Disability Awareness Trainings for nondisabled elementary students, Disability Law Seminars, and

Legislative Internship sessions for high school students with disabilities.

A few weeks ago in Joliet, I visited one of Mary’s Legislative Internship sessions.

These sessions offer practical, handson information and resources that help the students learn how to most effectively advocate for their rights, and become leaders and role models for their peers.

Mary helps connect students with leadership opportunities within their schools and communities.

By Stewart Warren For the Bugle

PHOTO BY StEWArT WARREN/FOR THE BUGLE

Longtime Joliet Chamber member Tom Grotovsky, owner of The Great American Bagel, hopes for an even bigger turnout for New Orleans North this year on June 13 in downtown Joliet.

business after-hours on Red Bull.

Chamber President Russ Slinkard liked the idea, and New Orleans North debuted in 2012.

“We had a couple of local bands, a few local food vendors and the beer was inexpensive,” Grotovsky said.

The event was an immediate hit, and the crowd swelled to 3,500.

Celebrity look-alikes wandered Chicago Street.Beads were thrown from the second floor of the Rialto Square Theater. It was hurricanes

and jambalaya for all.

Since then, the party has gotten bigger, and it’s become the unofficial kick-off of the summer season in downtown Joliet.What a way to ring in the summer for the Chamber’s 100th anniversary.

“We are trying to make it a destination event, so people from Springfield, Champaign, Chicago, St. Louis come to it. It’s Cajun music and food, and it is a lot closer than New Orleans and a lot less expensive,” said Grotovsky,

During my time with Mary’s students, I spoke to them about the role of a legislator, how we meet with a variety of people in the district listening to problems and working toward resolutions, possibly through the creation of new laws.

Most importantly, I think, is that I informed them that session is only part time, but being a legislator is a full-time job. So, if mobility or finances are preventing you from communicating with your representative in Springfield,

you can always reach out to the local district office to make your voice heard. Each week, I receive hundreds of emails and calls from constituents expressing their opinions, lobbying for themselves.

The concerns shared through email, phone, and out in the community are just as valid and important as interactions while at the Capitol.

Ultimately, I hope all Illinois citizens will have a chance to visit Springfield and wander the magnificent historical sites,

chairman of the event.

This year’s New Orleans North, sponsored in part by the Joliet Bugle, will be held from 5 to 11 p.m. on June 13. Tickets are $5 in advance and $10 at the door on the day of the party. All the money goes to a good cause – a percentage of the proceeds from ticket sales are donated to The United Way of Will County. It’s an adults-only party; guests must be age 21 or older.

“Last year, we had 4,500 to 5,000 people, and this year, we are hoping to get 6,000 plus,” Grotovsky said.

The Tilted Kilt girls will serve Abita, a beer brewed just outside New Orleans, at the party.

Wilmington’s Big Fish restaurant will have oysters and soft shell crab po’ boys, New Orleans’ version of a sub sandwich. There will be bands playing and New Orleans street-style entertainment: a stilt walker, a juggler and others.

Although it’s a casual affair, there are always some Mardi Gras masks in the crowd. >> to see the full version of this story, check out buglenewspapers.com

observe the Capitol at night, eat a “horseshoe” (a story for another day), visit the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library & Museum, and enjoy this place, because it belongs to all of us.

But always keep in mind – it is not the only way to make an impact in government. Be your own lobbyist by writing your legislators, attending their local events, and staying engaged in community and state issues … because we can make a difference if we work together.

THE BUGLE/SENTINEL APRIL 16, 2014

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THE BUGLE/SENTINEL APRIL 16, 2014

THE BUGLE/SENTINEL APRIL 16, 2014

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THE BUGLE/SENTINEL APRIL 16, 2014

>> hog virus, from page 1 No one is sure how it got here, Johnson said, but it spreads fast, now in 28 states. The disease cannot be passed to humans, and it does not affect the quality of meat. What it does affect is the number of piglets by killing them within a couple weeks of birth. And if a sow has the virus, she will pass it to her young.

There is no vaccine or cure right now. Steve Warrick of Peotone, who raises 140 to 200 hogs at a time, talked with U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack about the issue during a recent visit to Will County.

“He said they’re working on a vaccine, but they don’t have one yet,” said Warrick, who added he is very concerned about PEDv. Piglets have been in short supply due to the virus, he said, and instead he’ll have to look to getting pigs in the 75- to 80-pound range.

Johnson said already there seems to be at least three strains of PEDv, making a vaccine difficult to manufacture.

Locals say PEDv isn’t in Will County yet. The area’s relatively few hog farms are far enough apart to make the risk of contagion that much less than, say, in many areas of Iowa, the nation’s top pork-producing state.

But it’s in the neighborhood, said Larry Domagalla of Peotone, who hauls pigs and feed throughout the area, including Forrest and Fairbury in Livingston County, Princeton

in Bureau County and areas in DeKalb County.

Domagalla said he’s cut down some of his routes to minimize the spread from farm to farm. Even so, washes out and disinfects the truck after each load. Then, he lets the truck dry a few days. Keeping a $70,000 to $80,000 truck idle for a few days cuts into profits, he said, but not as much as would happen if a load of pigs became infected.

“The method of this virus spreading into the United States has been somewhat of a question, and our farmers want to protect their operations from any of these potential problems.”

Then you can add the cost of disinfectants as well, he said.

So pork producers nationwide are doing what they can to minimize the spread of the virus.

Gene Maves, who raises more than a thousand hogs on a selfcontained operation in Peotone, says they’re even trying to do hog transfers from the road outside the farm rather than have outside trucks come on to the property. That goes for feed dealers as well.

The alternative if the virus spreads to the farm is the loss of about a month or so of production, Maves said. “It’s a real hassle.”

Johnson said the situation

is so bad in Iowa that farmers are being warned to stay out of convenience stores frequented by other farmers. It’s not that hog farmers don’t clean up before they go to town, he said. But even getting a trace of manure on their shoes that may have come in on a tractor wheel on a gravel road could be enough to spread the virus.

Even though the virus isn’t here, cross-contamination is a big concern for the Will County Farm Bureau. With so many public projects going on – from preliminary work on the South Suburban Airport, the Illiana Tollway and various pipeline work – there is a great opportunity for spreading the virus.

“While there is not a current issue, the farm community has deep concerns with any of these groups coming onto their farming operations without following the bio-security rules and regulations that have been set forth by the Illinois Department of Agriculture,” said Farm Bureau Manager Mark Schneidewind.

“The method of this virus spreading into the United States has been somewhat of a question, and our farmers want to protect their operations from any of these potential problems.

The concern is real, and this is just one additional item that these landowners have to think about and act for in protecting their operations.”

The extra steps to prevent or manage the virus are really what’s driving up the cost of pork

submitted photo

Bill Johnson, Agriculture Production/Swine Coordinator at Joliet Junior College, talks to fourth-graders about pork production at the recent Ag Expo in Joliet. He said it’s inevitable the virus will spread; only management is possible.

products right now, officials say.

Those loss of pork production due to the virus was in the 3 to 4 percent range (although some say the government is keeping the actual figures low), Johnson said, but prices actually came down a bit since market watchers had estimated a virus kill of 6 percent or more.

Johnson said PEDv seems very similar to another disease affecting hogs, Transmissible Gastro Enteritis (TGE). That virus seems to flourish during the cold, Johnson said, which we certainly have had this past winter, likely why PEDv spread so quickly during the past six months or so.

But warm weather seems to kill TGE, Johnson said, so they’re hoping the same happens with

PEDv. There also should not be much of a shortage, at least for now, due to some creative measures taken by the nation’s pork producers when the outbreak first began last year. Johnson said the numbers are down, but the weight of each hog averages 286 pounds now when it heads to market instead of about 260 pounds a year ago.

Pork producers also have been freezing some pork to set aside in case PEDv continues to spread, he said. But actual costs of changes in production and market fears won’t help the costs.

“There won’t be a pork shortage,” he said. “You can have all the pork you can afford to buy.”

Jill on MonEy:

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THE BUGLE/SENTINEL APRIL 16, 2014

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The retirement confidence survey and what it means Nearly 2/3 of all workers and 79% of full time workers have saved for retirement

By Jill Schlesinger Tribune Content Agency

The 2014 Employee Benefit Research Institute Retirement Confidence Survey is out and the news is mixed. After dropping to record lows between 2009 and 2013, the percentage of workers confident about having enough money for a comfortable retirement, increased in 2014. 18 percent are now very confident (up from 13 percent in 2013), while 37 percent are somewhat confident. 24 percent are not at all confident (statistically

>> MoRE inFo...

RETIREMENT CONFIDENCE SURVEY

My crystal ball isn’t perfect, but here are some sensible estimates that should help: • Inflation assumption: 4.5 percent (higher than where we are today, but most economists believe that inflation is headed up in the coming years).

• Rate of investment return both before and after retirement: Consider your risk tolerance and err on the side of being conservative. If

you’re stuck, use 4-5 percent.

Obviously, if you use a higher rate of return, the calculator will ultimately determine that you have to save a smaller amount.

• Life Expectancy - if you are younger than 50, use 95; if you’re older than 50, use 90. If you want a closer estimate, go to http://www.livingto100.com and use their Life Expectancy Calculator.

unchanged from 2013). As you might expect, the higher the household income, the more confidence increased.

Nearly two-thirds of all workers (or their spouses) - and 79 percent of full time workers - have saved for retirement. But the total savings level varies dramatically. 36 percent say

they have less than $1,000 (up from 28 percent in 2013) and 68 percent with household income of less than $35,000 a year have savings of less than $1,000.

Why don’t we save more?

More than half of respondents say that there’s nothing left after paying for general cost of

living and day-to-day expenses.

Data bear out the conundrum: As noted in House of Debt, real income for the median U.S. family doubled from 1947 to 1980, when the rising tide of productivity lifted all boats.

However, “while the United States is producing twice as much per hour of work today compared to 1980, a small part of the gain in real income has gone to the bottom half of the income distribution,” as the share of profits has risen faster than wages and the highest paid workers are getting a bigger share of the wages that go to labor.

The double whammy of disappearing pension funds and stagnant income has put many Americans behind the eight ball for retirement. The U.S. ranked a dismal 19th in the 2014 Natixis Global Retirement

Index. As it turns out, despite having one of the highest per capita incomes in the world, U.S. income inequality and health expenditures are high compared to other countries.

(Four Nordic countries, Finland, Sweden, Denmark and Norway are best performers, despite relatively high tax burdens.)

You are allowed to spend two minutes lamenting the fact that you don’t live in a Nordic country, before getting to work.

(Jill Schlesinger, CFP, is the Emmynominated CBS News Business Analyst.

A former options trader and CIO of an investment advisory firm, Jill covers the economy, markets, investing and anything else with a dollar sign on TV, radio (including her nationally syndicated radio show), the web and her blog,“Jill on Money.”

She welcomes comments and questions at askjill@moneywatch.com. Check her website at www.jillonmoney.com) (c) 2014 TRIBUNE CONTENT AGENCY, LLC

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THE BUGLE APRIL 16, 2014