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Mendota sets Nov. 3 hearing on Phalen Steel building

City on pace for record gaming receipts

By TOM COLLINS tcollins@shawmedia.com

Got a question or concern about Mendota acquiring the old Phalen Steel building? There will be an opportunity to chime in right before the next city council meeting.

Monday, the Mendota City Council announced a Nov. 3 hearing at city hall. Mayor David Boelk said he anticipated only a short hearing – indeed, he expects no opposition whatsoever –before the council proceeds to its regu-

lar meeting.

“And the taxing bodies won’t complain because they’ll be cut in on new tax revenue,” Boelk said. “It’s a positive for the city and all the taxing bodies around.”

As previously reported, the spacestarved city purchased the building in August for $1.15 million, including contents, part of the property, located at 200 N. U.S. 52 sits outside the city limits and needs to be added to the corporate boundaries.

Still to be determined is what the city will do with it. Boelk had said it would be “late spring at the minimum” before any department or city employee is moved inside.

Separately, Mendota may be headed

to a record in gaming revenue by year’s end.

City Clerk Emily McConville reported an increase in video gaming receipts of 10% more than the last fiscal year. By her estimation, the city will just top its yearly record.

Shaw Media reached the same projection based on a calendar year tally. Through Sept. 30, Mendota has more than $191,000 in video gaming receipts – padded by a record stretch in summer – and is on pace to top last year’s record total of $244,000.

Finally, the city announced its Halloween hours. Trick-or-treating will be 3-5 p.m. downtown Friday, Oct. 31, with residential trick-or-treating from 5-7 p.m.

State Rep. Briel condemns federal actions, cites threats to due process

By BILL FRESKOS bfreskos@shawmedia.com

State Rep. Amy “Murri” Briel, D-Ottawa, released a statement this week criticizing the federal government for actions she says ignore due process, encourage political violence, and threaten free speech and the press.

“The divisive, cruel rhetoric spouted by federal officials has affected everyone. People in the community I serve are worried for their safety and livelihoods,” Briel said in a statement. “It doesn’t stop at words. The actions we’ve all witnessed have placed many in danger.”

Briel said she began the fall legislative session focused on protecting constitutional rights, due process and community safety after a turbulent summer.

During the session, Briel voted in favor of three House resolutions that

rebuke actions by the federal government:

• House Resolution 508 condemns acts of political violence, including mass shootings, radicalized extremism and violence carried out by masked federal officers.

• House Resolution 504, criticizing the administration’s use of racial profiling, chemical munitions and alleged illegal search and seizure, as well as its disregard for constitutional due process protections.

• House Resolution 505, denouncing efforts by the administration to influence and punish news media, restrict free speech and threaten local press freedoms.

Briel said the resolutions were necessary to defend the rule of law and ensure that Illinois residents “feel safe and are treated fairly, regardless of who is in power.”

State Rep. Amy “Murri” Briel, D-Ottawa, voted for House resolutions condemning political violence, civil rights violations and attacks on press freedoms.

LOCAL NEWS BRIEFS

Illinois Valley Parkinson’s Support Group to meet Nov. 10 in Utica

The Illinois Valley Parkinson’s Support Group will hold its monthly meeting from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Monday, Nov. 10, at the Utica fire station on Route 178 just south of Casey’s. The guest speaker will be Dan Retoff, who

will talk about and demonstrate the mindbody exercise of tai chi. Retoff has been a tai chi Instructor for many years and will show how it can improve balance and flexibility.

Robert Maziarka, a registered pharmacist, will be on site to dispense COVID, flu, pneumonia, shingles, RSV, and Tdap vaccines

Crews with Advanced Asphalt resurface Illinois Route 251 on Oct. 17 near the intersection of North 39th Road just south of Mendota. Scott Anderson ON THE COVER

to those interested.

Spouses, caregivers, family and friends are welcome to attend. Refreshments will be served. For information, call Sue at 815-4347114. Parking and entry are in the back of the building.

–MaribethWilson

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Mark Busch

Crews pave Illinois Route 251

By SCOTT ANDERSON sanderson@shawmedia.com

Crews with Advanced Asphalt paved Illinois Route 251 on Oct. 17, near the intersection of North 39th Road just south of Mendota. Resurfacing work consists of patching and resurfacing, which is expected to be completed in mid-November. The work zone stretches from the BNSF railroad bridge south of Mendota to just north of Interstate

80 in Peru.

The construction will continue into the spring with earthwork. Motorists are asked to drive with caution through the construction zone.

The Route 251 work between Mendota and Peru will lead to daily lane closures controlled by flaggers.

Photos by Scott Anderson

LOCAL NEWS BRIEF

Mendota Historical Society extends exhibit through Dec. 14

The Mendota Historical Society has extended its exhibition, “Where Our Paths Meet: Journeys to Mendota,” through Dec. 14 at the Hume-Carnegie Museum.

According to a news release from the Mendota Museum and Historical Society, the exhibit highlights stories of some of the first people who moved to Mendota from Mexico during the 1960s and 1970s. It features loaned objects and a 30-minute documentary film that brings these journeys to life.

“We are incredibly pleased that our schedule has allowed us to keep this show going for another few months,” Alex Revzan, executive director of the historical society, said in the release. “We have seen outstanding interest, especially from local schools, and now more people can experience this important exhibition.”

The exhibit is a collaboration between the Mendota Historical Society, Reimagine Mendota, the Illinois Valley Hispanic Partnership Council and Northern Illinois University, and is funded by Illinois Humanities.

The Hume-Carnegie Museum is located at 901 Washington St. in Mendota. Admission is open to the public.

– Maribeth M. Wilson

Photo provided by Mendota Museum & Historical Society Mendota High School visited the Mendota Museum & Historical Society to view the current exhibition, “Where Our Paths Meet: Journeys to Mendota.”

Fall colors begin to pop at Starved Rock State Park

By SCOTT ANDERSON sanderson@shawmedia.com

Photos by Scott Anderson Trees begin to turn color Thursday near Lovers Leap at Starved Rock State Park and its nearbyStarved Rock Lock and Dam. The fall colors have been late this season because of the dry drought conditions and warmer temperatures.

Cancer-stricken Illinois Valley Animal Rescue donor dead at 18

By TOM COLLINS tcollins@shawmedia.com

A Pennsylvania teen who donated money to Illinois Valley Animal Rescue (among thousands of other pet shelters) has succumbed to cancer.

Avery Chauncey, formerly known as Sontheimer, died Tuesday in Corry, Pa. She was 18.

“For 5.5 years, Avery fought the challenges of cancer, always with a beautiful smile, driven by her passion to help animals and the families that loved them,” her family wrote on her Facebook page, Avery’s Pawsitive Change.

“Many of you have been blessed to know her personally, a bright, shining light, who brought such joy and love to so many, people and pets. Truly, to know her, was to love her!”

Avery’s efforts were warmly received locally when IVAR received a $5 gift card in 2020.

Executive director Chris Tomsha inquired about the donation and was moved to learn that Avery was battling Ewing sarcoma, yet managed to donate more than $25,000 to 3,000 shelters while undergoing treatments.

“IVAR was one of the first organizations Avery donated to when she started her mission,” Tomsha said. “I watched

LOCAL NEWS BRIEFS

IVCC to host free workshop helping students complete FAFSA

Illinois Valley Community College will hold a free workshop on Wednesday, Oct. 29, to help students and families complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, the college said in a news release.

The drop-in session runs from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. in the Academic Support Center, room A201, on the IVCC campus.

High school seniors, current college students, and their families are invited to get one-on-one assistance with the FAFSA form. Attendees should bring their 2024 tax information, Federal Student Aid IDs for both student and parent, and any records of untaxed income.

“The FAFSA can feel intimidating, but we are here to make it as smooth as possible,” IVCC Director of Financial Aid Isamar Taylor

her through the years in helping so many people and animals. She is running now, healthy and healed, with all the animals she helped save.”

Avery Chauncey

Avery had stated previously that her dream is to open a shelter in an underserved area of northwest Pennsylvania, where she makes her home.

“I love helping animals,” Avery said previously. “I was hoping by sending gift cards to shelters I could help just a little and also an encouraging letter, because animal shelter life is not easy.”

Tomsha alerted IVAR supporters and encouraged all to pray for Avery’s recovery.

Initially, the prayers seemed to work – Avery reported in spring 2021 that she was in remission – but the cancer returned the following year.

This past summer, the Corry (Pa.) Journal reported that Avery earned her high school diploma, but soon was put under hospice care.

Contributions may be directed to https://www.averyspawsitivechange. com/

said in a news release. Participants will also receive an IVCC Bookstore gift card while supplies last.

Taylor urged families to complete the FAFSA early, even if they are unsure about applying for aid. The form is essential to qualify for federal and state grants, IVCC scholarships and some campus jobs.

“Starting the FAFSA process early helps students secure the most funding and plan their education with confidence,” Taylor said.

The FAFSA process has been simplified for parents and spouses. Taylor recommends that students and parents each create their own Federal Student Aid ID and use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool to speed processing.

Award notifications will be sent in the spring.

– Maribeth Wilson

Who were my teachers?

I keep coming back to that question, but not because I’m reflecting on the man who tried to teach me algebra or the English teacher who made me memorize a long list of books and authors.

It’s an interesting question when you’re taking inventory of your life. I look back on so, so many years of living and wonder how I retained all the little things I just seem to know.

I know the difference between a claw hammer and a ball-peen. I can drive a stick shift. I love saying the word onomatopoeia ever since I learned what it means. (I still look it up to spell it.)

This seems trivial now, but all these tidbits are in my bag of knowledge. I have no idea how much knowledge I have. I just pull stuff out when needed and there are times it actually surprises me. I wonder, how do I even know that? Which begs the question ... who taught me?

Parents deserve a lot of credit. They had something to do with me learning to walk and talk. But who were all the others who helped fill my bag

of know-how?

PAPERWORK

Lonny Cain

Now let me put a little spin on this train of thought. This comes from John Locke, an English philosopher who had interesting thoughts on human understanding and learning.

Locke said experience is the source of all ideas and our mind is a blank slate at birth. Which means we are taught everything. Everything? Is that true? What about basic animal instinct? Do squirrels teach each other to bury nuts everywhere? Or is that animal instinct? Don’t we have natural instincts that guide us?

Whatever. I think Locke’s basic premise makes sense. Most of the stuff we know or think we know was learned.

I don’t want to dive too deep into Locke’s philosophy. I’m more interested in the question left hanging. Who

were my teachers? How did I learn what I know? OK, right now you’re asking a more relevant question. Why am I wasting time with that question?

Well, part of me wants to thank “teachers” who impacted my life. Much of my life I was absorbing knowledge. Or as Locke would say, I was experiencing life. It may have been my dad who said, “Hand me that ball-peen hammer.” Or more likely it was a shop teacher in junior high. I’m just guessing. But I did not register it as an educational moment. But it was.

What’s fascinating is that I remember even though I had very little use for hammers in my career. (Although I do recall starting a list once titled: “Things you can fix with a hammer.” I think the telephone was on that list.)

I’ve had thousands of moments in life that were learning events outside of a classroom. I wasn’t taking notes or memorizing for a test. I was simply absorbing. Yeah, experience is definitely a great teacher.

So here I am, feeling gratitude and wonder and amazement at what I know. And that I am still learning. I

could list teachers who deserve applause. And thank you, Mom and Dad and family and friends who have taught me so much.

And much of what I have learned about life also has come from books –characters struggling with their own lives. Along with movies, TV and art, plus watching and listening.

I also will pat myself on the back for all the times I asked questions – the best start to learning and understanding.

So, who were my teachers? The simple answer is this: Everyone. I learn from everyone I encounter and the worlds I live in and visit. Even the squirrels burying those nuts.

This whole learning thing never stops, does it? It’s even part of what we leave behind.

• Lonny Cain, retired managing editor of The Times in Ottawa, also was a reporter for The Herald-News in Joliet in the 1970s. His PaperWork email is lonnyjcain@gmail.com. Or mail the NewsTribune, 426 Second St., La Salle IL 61301.

OBITUARIES

RUTH WEDEMEYER

Born: November 15, 1926 in Milwaukee, WI

Died: September 5, 2025 in Mendota, IL

Ruth Helen Wedemeyer passed away on September 5, 2025, at Allure Nursing Home in Mendota, IL, after a long and fulfilling life. She was 98. Ruth was born in Milwaukee, WI, on November 15, 1926, the daughter of Ottilie and Raymond Dobberpuhl. As an only child, she developed a healthy thirst for knowledge that would drive her life long love of reading and learning. Ruth thrived in Milwaukee’s public schools, even skipping ahead a grade. After graduating with honors

from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, with a BA degree in journalism, Ruth worked for a year as a reporter for the Milwaukee Journal. She had met her future husband, Victor Wedemeyer, at UW, and the two married in 1949. They moved to Mendota, IL, where Victor was already employed as an art teacher. There they would spend their entire 63 years together as vital members of the community. After Victor passed away in 2012, Ruth lived for a time at Stonecroft Village, then spent her final years at Allure of Mendota. Her family would like to thank staff at Allure and Vitas Hospice for their compassionate care. Ruth was a remarkable mother to her five children, who all survive her—David (Irene) Wedemeyer of Elgin, IL; Daniel (Mary) Wedemeyer of Rockford, IL; Elizabeth (Laurence) Rohlfes of Rocklin, CA; Stephen (Nancy) Wedemeyer of Monona, WI; and Martha

Illinois Valley Community College’s Red Cross Club and Student Nurses Association will sponsor a blood drive from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 28, in the College Gymnasium.

IVCC to host blood drive Tuesday

IVCC blood drive set for Oct. 28 in College Gymnasium

By MARIBETH M. WILSON mwilson@shawmedia.com

Illinois Valley Community College’s Red Cross Club and Student Nurses Association will sponsor a blood drive from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Oct. 28 in the College Gymnasium.

Red Cross Club President Zoe Mur-

(Craig) Faron of Romeoville, IL. Ruth also is cherished and remembered fondly by her 12 grandchildren—Rachael, Jennifer, Sarah, Kent, Matthew, Jessica, Kathryn, Sasha, Samantha, Dorian, Alexandra and Nicholas; and nine great-grandchildren—Kristine, Joshua, Addison, Sebastian, Charlotte, Remy, Henry, Summer and Eli. Among a host of her endearing qualities, Ruth is remembered for the positive outlook she expressed in conversation and in thousands of letters and cards written to her family and friends over the years.

Those who knew Ruth will remember her as a model of active faith—an unassuming, genuinely kind woman with an exceptional ability to listen attentively and take an interest in the lives of those around her, without judgment. She was a long-time member of St. John’s Lutheran Church, where she was active in choir, Sunday School as both student and

Send obituary information to lasalleobits@shawlocal.com

Obituaries also appear online at legacy.com/obituaries/newstrib, where you may sign the guest book.

teacher, and Ladies’ Circles. Ruth taught piano lessons in her home and worked as a bilingual classroom assistant in the schools. She volunteered at Lighted Way and was active in the Mendota Women’s Club, Home Extension and American Field Service. She also wrote parts of the Tracks of Time history of Mendota. Ruth’s life will be celebrated on Saturday, November 8, 2025, at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 607 10th Ave. in Mendota. Visitation will be at the church at 9:30, followed by a funeral service at 10:30 and burial at the Lutheran Cemetery, E 2nd Road in Mendota. Neighbors and friends are invited to join the family for a light repast at St. John’s parish hall following the burial. Contributions may be made in Ruth’s name to St. John’s Lutheran Church, the Graves-Hume Public Library Trust or a disaster relief fund of choice.

NANCY LEWIS

Nancy E. Lewis, 74, of Varna, IL, passed on October 19, 2025.

Arrangements entrusted to Seals-Campbell Funeral Home. LLC, Marseilles, IL. Additional information: 815-795-5151 sealscampbell.com.

phy said in an IVCC news release that a single pint of blood can save three lives.

“You study hard to make a difference,” she said. ”By donating blood, you can also make a difference in someone’s life.”

To make an appointment, call 1-800RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit RedCrossBlood.org.

The IVCC Red Cross Club and Marquette Academy will co-host a blood drive Dec. 17 in Ottawa at Trinity Lutheran Church, 717 Chambers St.

Rob Winner

Roxy Cinemas reopens; Prairie Fox update plans

Local favorites renovate, relaunch with fresh looks and new offerings

By STEPHANIE JAQUINS Shaw Local News Network correspondent

Roxy Cinemas in Ottawa will reopen this week after undergoing renovations.

“Our team has been hard at work renovating the bathrooms, lobby, and concessions area,” Josh Ward, director of operations for VIP Cinemas, said in a statement. “We know it will provide a noticeably better experience for all guests and allow them to enjoy a clean, lowpriced movie with the same friendly faces they are used to seeing at the movies.”

Movies are expected to resume on Friday, Oct. 24.

Peru Ace store hosts grand reopening

A grand reopening at Debo Ace Hardware is Saturday, following the Peru store’s completion of a remodel.

Owner Dana Debo-Kuhne said the hardware store at 1713 4th St. was remodeled to add a modern layout, exciting brands and fresh decor. They updated fixtures and flooring, and are bringing in products and brands relevant to their customers, she said.

The store opens at 7 a.m. Saturday.

Bean Box debuts trailer

The Bean Box Espresso, with locations in La Salle and Spring Valley, has introduced a trailer to offer more opportunities to pick up a cup of joe.

Sunday was the trailer’s first day in operation and it was parked at Mr. Sparkle Auto Spa in Peru.

To follow the locations of the trailer, follow The Bean Box Espresso on social media.

Ottawa bookstore to temporarily close for renovations

Prairie Fox Books will be closed Friday through Sunday, Nov. 2, while the building undergoes building infrastructure renovations.

The bookstore at 719 La Salle St. will reopen at 10 a.m. Monday, Nov. 3.

Customers who have books ready for pickup should do so before Friday. Books offered at 11 a.m. Oct. 16 are not guaranteed to arrive before the closure.

The Times / NewsTribune / Bureau County Republican is committed to keepingreadersuptodatewithbusiness happenings in the area. Much of our reporting relies on what we see and hear, but we’re also reaching out to readersfortipsonbusinessitems.Ifyou have a tip to share for Eyes on Enterprise, email newsroom@mywebtimes. com.

Stephanie Jaquins

Roxy Cinemas is closed while undergoing renovations.

Illinois Valley law enforcement urges changes to SAFE-T Act

Officials call for cash bonds, crime exemptions and stricter pretrial rules

By TOM COLLINS tcollins@shawmedia.com

Put an ankle bracelet on a suspect, and they’ll remove it or simply “forget” to charge it. Fines aren’t getting paid anymore. The jails were supposed to be less full, and that simply hasn’t happened.

Police and prosecutors in the Illinois Valley said they’d be happy if the SAFE-T Act simply were repealed. None expect that to happen, but all had proposals for how to maybe make it work better.

“Among the changes I’d like to see with the SAFE-T Act would be to increase the list of detainable offenses and stronger consequences for those who violate the terms of their pretrial release,” Bureau County State’s Attorney Dan Anderson said.

Here were the most-cited recommendations from law enforcement:

Revert to cash bond

Step one would be to repeal, or at least limit, the provision that gives all defendants – even murder suspects – the presumption of pretrial release.

“High bonds for more severe or repeat offenses hold a deterrent effect,” La Salle County Sheriff Adam Diss said. “The SAFE-T Act doesn’t allow for the consideration of any previous history. You can have a lifetime history of violent crime, but commit a new crime and it’s like none of it ever happened.

“They literally laugh because they know the system is slanted in their favor.”

Mendota Police Chief Jason Martin agreed that release should be determined not only by whether an offense is detainable, but by the defendant’s criminal history.

“This would allow high-risk individuals to be detained,” he said, “while giving low-risk defendants fair treatment.”

Exempt some crimes

The SAFE-T Act operates on the presumption that low-level felony suspects are less dangerous to the public and can be safely cut loose. Not always.

Oglesby Police Chief Mike Margis said criminal trespass is a deceptively dangerous offense. It’s common for perpetrators to reoffend, resulting in escalation and violence.

“Amend the [SAFE-T] Act to allow officer discretion in arresting for certain misdemeanors or trespassing when there

and

proposals for how to maybe make it work better.

is evidence of risk of repeated offenses, threat to safety or property damage, so that police can intervene early,” Margis said. “This will give law enforcement some tools to maintain public order.”

La Salle County State’s Attorney Joe Navarro said the courts need to restore detention for shoplifters as well. Increasingly, his office is grappling with serial offenders who won’t stop until they’re taken off the streets.

“Retail thefts in the county are absolutely out of control, because again, there’s no hammer over their heads,” he said. “They go out and commit another.”

Anderson said he wants to see all forms of battery, including misdemeanor counts, become detainable.

“Currently, only domestic battery and certain types of aggravated battery are detainable,” Anderson said. “Any crime of violence should be on the list.”

More funding

Although law enforcement has focused on the expanded rights of the accused, less attention has been paid to the financial burden placed on police departments.

La Salle Police Chief Jason Stubler said the SAFE-T Act mandated training for police officers, and he was all for it –until Springfield refused to chip in.

“When we take a police officer out of the car to put them through training, it requires the department to put another officer in the car on overtime,” Stubler said.

That goes for body cameras, too. Ottawa Police Chief Mike Cheatham said he’s pro-camera, but the public incorrectly believes cameras were a one-time expenditure. Maintenance, storage and public disclosure cost Ottawa police $40,000 a year.

“The initial, one-time purchase of our body camera hardware was partially covered by grant funding,” Cheatham said. “However, the ongoing storage, maintenance, etc., continues to climb each year.”

A quicker hook

Margis isn’t categorically opposed to pretrial release for nonviolent felonies, but he said suspects need to be more readily jailed for not complying with the terms of release.

The surest way to yank a suspect is by damaging or cutting off a GPS monitoring device, resulting in a charge of felony escape. That threshold, Margis said, is too high. The courts should have the authority to rescind pretrial release for failing location checks or traveling outside authorized areas.

Navarro said suspects need to be

pulled for making contact with their accusers. Increasingly, suspects try to badger their victims into dropping the charges.

“They start haranguing the victim until the victim is less cooperative and less likely to come to court,” he said. “If we have no victim, we can’t prosecute those cases.”

Restore consecutive sentencing

Once upon a time, a defendant who bonded out and then committed a new offense would face back-to-back prison sentences. No more. The SAFE-T Act eliminated consecutive sentencing mandates and that, Navarro said, needs to be restored.

“Now you can commit as many offenses as you want while you’re out on bond, and the sentences usually run concurrently,” Navarro said. “It absolutely takes away the deterrent for not committing crimes when you’re out on bond.”

Suspects on pretrial release are more dangerous, too. Peru Police Chief Sarah Raymond said expanded pretrial release has escalated the danger to the public and her officers.

“The most dangerous part of an officer’s job is when the offender doesn’t care,” Raymond said, “and knows they can get away with what they are doing.”

Scott Anderson

Police

prosecutors in the Illinois Valley said they’d be happy if the SAFE-T Act simply were repealed. None expected that to happen, but all had

PUZZLES

ACROSS

1. El __, Texas town

5. Rocker’s tool

8. A lot

12. Traveling by ground

14. Spelling competition

15. Two-toed sloth

16. Small perfumed bag

18. “Much __ about nothing”

19. Tough-skinned mollusk

20. Removes from record

21. It warms the planet

22. Leafy green

23. Quality of arriving favorably

26. Living thing

30. “Six of Crows” author Bardugo

31. Got around a rule

32. Resin from burned substance

33. Iraq seaport

34. Religious leaders

39. Fugitives are on it

42. Samson’s influencer

44. Italian city

46. A quality of lacking interest

47. Predatory tropical fishes

49. Nobel physician Isodor

50. Luck

51. Stationary part of a motor or generator

56. Orthopedic professional group (abbr.)

57. One point south of due east

58. It follows 79

59. Paper currency

60. Anger

61. Spanish seaport

62. Sleep in a rough place

63. Famous museum

64. Selfs

DOWN

1. Bullfighting maneuver

2. From a distance

3. Soul and calypso song

4. Expressions of delight

5. Lower in esteem

6. Inner region of an organ 7. Flowers

8. A bog

9. Remove a fastening 10. Membranes 11. Enormous

Type of student

Rejecting all moral principles

26. Sino-Soviet block 27. Egyptian unit of weight

Wrong

Make a mistake

13. One who abstains from drink 17. Malayan wild ox

Indicates location

36. Boxing’s “GOAT” 37. Where wrestlers compete

Timid

Disney town

41. Suggesting the horror of death and decay 42. Male parent 43. Remove for good 44. Simple shoes 45. Flowers

__ Von Bismarck, Iron Chancellor

55. Woolen rugs

47. Hindi courtesy title for a man

48. Not pleased 49. “Atlas Shrugged” author 52. CIA officer and writer 53. Hoodlum 54.

Mendota Chamber of Commerce building

By SCOTT ANDERSON sanderson@shawmedia.com

Dan Znaniecki of H&H Builders

Photos by Scott Anderson Dan Znaniecki of H&H Builders,

NOTICE TO LASALLE COUNTY TAXPAYERS - ASSESSED VALUES FOR 2025

Valuation date (35 ILCS 200/9-95): January 1, 2025

Median level of assessments for the county: 30.29%

Required level of assessment (35 ILCS 200/9-145): 33.33%

Valuation based on sales from (35 ILCS 200/1-155): 2022, 2023 & 2024

Publication is hereby made for equalized assessed valuations for real property in this township in accordance with 35 ILCS 200/12-10. Pursuant to 35 ILCS 200/10-115, the farmland assessments for the 2025 assessment year will increase by 10% of the preceding year’s median cropped soil productivity index as certified by the Illinois Department of Revenue with data provided by the Farmland Assessment Technology Advisory Board resulting in a $51.56 per acre increase for each soil productivity index.

As required by 35 ILCS 200/9-210 and 35 ILCS 200/10-115, the following equalization factors have been applied to bring the assessments to the statutorily required three-year median level of 33.33%:

Questions about these valuations should be directed to:

MENDOTA TOWNSHIP

Susan Hochstatter PO Box 465 Mendota, IL 61342

815-539-3201

Office hours: Mon. Tues. Wed. 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM & 1:30 PM to 3:00 PM

MERIDEN TOWNSHIP

Deb Lane CIAO-I PO Box 54 Troy Grove, IL 61372

815-343-2127

Office hours: Wednesday 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM or by appointment

OPHIR TOWNSHIP

Deb Lane CIAO-I PO Box 54 Troy Grove, IL 61372

815-343-2127

Office hours: Wednesday 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM or by appointment

TROY GROVE TOWNSHIP

Deb Lane CIAO-I PO Box 54 Troy Grove, IL 61372 815-343-2127

Office hours: Wednesday 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM or by appointment

Property in each Township, other than farmland and coal, is to be assessed at a 33.33% median level of assessment, based on the fair cash value of the property. You may check the accuracy of your assessment by dividing your assessment by the median level of assessment. The resulting value should equal the estimated fair cash value of your property. If the resulting value is greater than the estimated fair cash value of your property, you may be over-assessed. If the resulting value is less than the fair cash value of your property, you may be under-assessed. You may appeal your assessment to the Board of Review.

If you believe your property’s fair cash value is incorrect or that the equalized assessed valuation is not uniform with other comparable properties in the same neighborhood, the following steps should be taken:

1. Contact your township assessor’s office to review the assessment.

2. If not satisfied with the assessor review, taxpayers may file a complaint with the LaSalle County Board of Review. For complaint forms, instructions, and the Rules and Procedures of the Board of Review, call 815-617-4200 or visit lasallecountyil.gov for more information.

3. The final filing deadline for your township is 30 days from this publication date. After this date, the Board of Review will no longer accept 2025 complaints for this township but will accept 2026 complaints payable the 2027 tax year. For more information on complaint deadlines, call 815-617-4200 or visit lasallecountyil.gov.

Your property may be eligible for homestead exemptions, which can reduce your property’s taxable assessment. For more information on homestead exemptions, call 815-434-8233 or visit lasallecountyil.gov.

Your property tax bill will be calculated as follows:

Final Equalized Assessed Value - Exemptions = Taxable Assessment; Taxable Assessment x Current Tax Rate = Total Tax Bill.

All equalized assessed valuations are subject to further equalization and revision by the LaSalle County Board of Review as well as equalization by the Illinois Department of Revenue.

A complete list of assessments for the aforementioned townships for the current assessment year is as follows:

Continued from previous page

Township: MENDOTA TOWNSHIP

Owner Name

ALBERS, DAVID

AMCORE INVESTMENT GROUP TTEE

ARCHER DANIELS MIDLAND COMPANY

ARTEAGA, CESAR E / SELENIA L

ARTEAGA, MARTIN

ARTEAGA, RIGOBERTO

ARTEAGA, RIGOBERTO/MARIA

ATHERTON, MARK K / REBECCA J

ATHERTON, MARK K/ELLEN A

ATHERTON, REBECCA J

BARNICKEL, EARL WALTER

BECK OIL COMPANY OF ILLINOIS

BEETZ, DAVID ETAL

BELL, SHELLY

BETTNER, JEFFREY-SHEILA

BLACK BROS INC

BLACK BROTHERS COMPANY INC

BOKUS, MICHAEL G / BARBARA A TTEE

BORELLI, CONNIE S

BOTTOM, RICHARD L

BROWDER, LINDA M TTEE

BUGARIN, ELISEO / CRYSTAL

BUGARIN, ELISEO / VITALIA

BUGARIN, JOSE I / ERICA

BUGARIN, ONOFRE / ARACELI

BURKART, BRIAN P

CATER, KAREN

CHANDLER, BRANDON J / STACY

CLARK, JOHN-KATHLEEN

CORREA, FORTUNATO / BERTHA

COUNTRY MEADOWS APTS

DAW, STEVEN / KELLY

DELAO, JORGE H / CONNIE F

DELAO, JOSE L / LINDSEY M

DELHOTAL ALBERS, REBECCA A ETAL

DELSASSO, ANTHONY R

DIXON, DILLON

DORAN, DAVID L

DORAN, PATTYE TRUSTEE

DURHAM, BETTY L TTEE

ESCATEL, ANDREW

ESCATEL, ISIDRO

ESCATEL, JOSE

ESCOBEDO, HECTOR/ MARIA

ETHERIDGE, LORRAINE

EVANS, SPENCER O

FABER, L PENFIELD TTEE

FALCON, RICHARD / CONNIE

FANCHER, BEAU B & ABBY C

FCS STORAGE & PROPERTIES LLC

FIRST STATE BANK OF MENDOTA TTEE

FLAHERTY, JAMES PATRICK / DIANE K

FRANCIS, SAMUEL M / STEPHANIE K

FULL, RONALD J / EVELYN C

GALLAGHER, RICHARD-REBA

GARCIA, ISRAEL M - MARIA

GARCIA, LUCAS

GILMORE, SCOTT / MARIANNE

GROBE, SCOTT/BRENDA

HAUN, KENNETH L

HENSLEY, DANNY

HENSLEY, MARILYN K / WARD, CHARLES R JR

HIGDON, MARK / ABBY

HOLTZ, CHAS-DONNETTA

INMAN, LISA L

JOERGER, MARK F / MCCULLOUGH, APRIL

JONES, ANTHONY J/MICHELLE D

KAISER, ARNOLD

KAISER, DUANE G / KATHLEEN M TTEES

KAUFMAN, BRENT / GAHAN, MIKAL

KELLEN, MARK / MINDY

KERN FAMILY FARMS LLC

KERN FAMILY FARMS, LLC

KITTILSON, CARL J / TINA M

KLEIN, ROBERT / DEBRA TTEE

01-12-401-000 60877

01-02-209-000 80305

01-27-341-000 1397150

01-29-412-006 79992

01-32-203-016 48886

01-29-205-009 7761

01-28-317-022 72307

01-01-401-000 92146

01-12-208-000 52204

01-12-209-000 28358

01-12-409-000 27912

01-28-402-006 37681

01-28-309-057 336040

01-10-108-000 2208

01-28-316-002 34014

01-33-232-023 41475

01-33-340-003 331863

01-33-315-018 18080

01-30-404-000 85809

01-33-424-020 49279

01-29-304-008 134448

01-01-201-000 51146

01-29-305-008 88220

01-28-400-016 53221

01-29-300-005 113923

01-29-402-009 81997

01-28-426-010 29449

01-29-405-018 39769

01-30-415-000 123753

01-33-418-007 32929

01-33-338-004 41045

01-32-443-000 74015

01-29-409-006 75497

01-28-432-003 33275

01-32-201-007 95389

01-12-301-000 45379

01-33-434-001 36117

01-28-417-004 49481

01-12-101-000 48900

01-13-203-000 50418

01-34-100-027 1219

01-29-203-011 52516

01-29-206-003 110789

01-29-204-002 64561

01-33-102-008 40645

01-33-332-019 32613

01-28-405-018 51849

01-11-403-000 68407

01-33-203-027 25588

01-31-312-000 90728

01-32-203-012 34841

01-33-236-003 47955

01-32-401-020 44641

01-28-418-013 37146

01-15-209-000 103776

01-15-210-000 19689

01-29-204-008 50731

01-33-429-015 21287

01-32-401-021 73885

01-04-211-000 628631

01-29-112-000 78061

01-28-419-019 49413

01-33-418-001 31334

01-33-205-004 13661

01-32-211-016 70748

01-17-203-000 91693

01-28-416-019 43452

01-28-433-022 30755

01-28-407-026 81372

01-11-105-000 619131

01-11-306-000 630214

01-03-104-000 617464

01-03-105-000 624964

01-32-209-002 51894

01-28-432-013 28469

01-01-100-000 43924

01-01-102-006 801

01-12-100-000 47130

01-01-101-000 42000

01-01-102-004 13210

01-01-106-000 1872

01-01-300-000 46832

01-01-303-000 46909

01-32-201-009 116836

01-04-106-000 615715

KRENZ, KIMBERLY

LaSalle County Assessments/Mendota

01-28-316-004 34519

KRENZ, PATTI S ETAL TTEE 01-03-306-000 619048

KRENZ, PATTI S ETAL TTEE 01-03-307-000 617931

KROMM, LUANN 01-29-406-007 44058

KROMM, STEPHEN D / PAMELA J TTEES 01-05-407-000 617214

KUNZ, MATTHEW / STEPHANIE 01-28-320-006 105129

LAUKAITIS, JASON A 01-30-101-000 99778

LEMUS, OSCAR M / ESCATEL, RAMONA 01-28-411-002 45476

LEWIS, CHARLES / MARGARET TTEES 01-36-210-000 201738

LEWIS, CHARLES E TTEE 01-05-409-000 617381

SCOTT E 01-02-305-000 50913

OHLENDORF, ROBERT M / GRIESMEYER, CAROLYNN J 01-29-406-023 58258

OLSON, MICHAELA 01-33-104-006 29759

OLTMAN, MARTHA S / COREY C 01-28-316-003 34519

OROZCO, SALVADOR/ MARIA 01-32-206-013 77601 ORSTEAD, EUGENE 01-32-203-011 33299

OSCEPINSKI, AMY E 01-29-409-003 75740

OTTERBACH, RUTH E TTEE 01-24-406-000 83748 OTTERBACH, RUTH E TTEE 01-25-208-000 42663 PATTERSON CREEK LLC 01-33-202-023 23824

PHALEN, MICHAEL / PHALEN, TIMOTHY J CO TTEES 01-28-302-005 91754

TIMOTHY/ JAN 01-29-402-001 120607

ELIAS-JOY 01-29-302-002 92223 PRESCOTT PROPERTIES MENDOTA MAIN LLC 01-32-400-007 268038 QUARZENSKI, JASON 01-28-407-002 21354

QUINTANA, JONATHAN / MARTINEZ, LESLIE 01-28-321-006 71043

RADNOVICH, RONALD HENRY / VIRGILLIA ETAL 01-32-202-009 72835 REDDICK, PEGGIE L 01-33-313-005 54859

REPPIN, MICHAEL W D / DIANE N 01-28-320-005 84118

REPUBLIC NATIONAL INDUSTRIES OF IL LLC 01-32-425-005 253001 ROMAN, ANGEL / ARTEAGA, CELI 01-29-404-004 71703 ROSALES, ALVARO B 01-28-425-011 19866

ROSALES, MARIA O RODRIGUEZ / PLASCENCIA, JUAN

CARLOS MERCADO 01-32-202-017 32742

ROSENBALM, ELIDA G 01-29-405-017 36039

ROWLEY, DAVID B 01-12-205-000 17151

ROWLEY, DAVID B 01-12-207-000 7114

ROWLEY, DAVID B TTEE 01-12-210-000 7377

ROWLEY, DAVID B TTEE 01-12-408-000 21457

RURAL HOUSING PARTNERS MENDOTA 01-28-405-016 92032

RUTISHAUSER, DENNIS J 01-28-313-008 80757

SALINAS, PEDRO JR 01-29-405-015 38350

SANCHEZ, CHRISTINA E 01-28-431-013 45372

SANDOVAL, JULIO C 01-33-332-018 26125

SARABIA, GERARDO/ MARIA 01-28-433-009 33410

SCHEPPERS, BRANDON W/KETTLEBOROUGH, ALYSSA R 01-31-323-000 84360

SCHIMMER, MARY MARGARET TTEE 01-29-408-011 144609

SCHLESINGER, LARRY 01-02-114-000 627214

SCHLESINGER, LARRY E 01-28-432-005 26564

SCHLESINGER, MERVYN/ KAY TTEE 01-11-201-000 129940

SCHLESINGER, MERVYN/ KAY TTEE 01-11-202-000 48668

SCHLESINGER, MERVYN/ KAY TTEE 01-12-300-000 49002

SCHNEIDER, TODD 01-33-321-010 56907

SCHOLL, DAVID A / JOAN P TTEE 01-32-401-008 85151

SCRAGG, GARY L TTEE 01-28-412-013 37575

SHANYFELT, REX/MARTEENA 01-28-417-003 30106

SHUMAN, WAYNE / MADELINE 01-28-316-001 38413

SMITH, RANDY-YVONNE 01-28-436-009 60416

SPANIER, JEFFREY L / SUSAN M 01-34-300-019 61070

TRUCKENBROD, JOHN / ANGELINA TTEE 01-05-311-000 624881

TUCKER, RANDY / COURTNEY 01-33-317-007 53015

UFKES, DAVID / HUGHES, RUTH A 01-05-109-000 617048

UNITY CAPITAL INVESTMENTS LLC 01-28-402-005 49333

VANKEULEN, MARVIN M / MARY L 01-32-232-002 90068

WALDORF FARMS 01-32-251-000 11720

WALTER, CATHERINE S 01-32-401-016 63921

WEBB, JACK/GIBSON, TAMARA 01-32-133-000 52086

WESLEY UNIVERSITY CENTER LLC HOUSTON 01-28-427-009 27774

WESTRIDGE APARTMENTS LIMITED PARTNERSHIP 01-32-422-007 165973

WILLARD, JAMES A ETAL 01-13-201-000 118606

WIXOM, CHAD T ETAL 01-24-405-000 104062

Continue on next page

Continued from previous page

ZINKE, KYLE L / HEATHER

Township: MERIDEN TOWNSHIP

01-33-123-010 52573

Owner Name Parcel Number Total Value

ACRETRADER 227 LLC

ALLEN, BRIAN M / RACHEL T

AMBLER, JAMES L TTEE / AMBLER, ELIZABETH J TTEE

ARTEAGA, OSWALDO / MARIA V

ATHERTON, BRIAN R

ATHERTON, BRIAN R / CHRISTIN M

ATHERTON, BRIAN R / REBECCA

ATHERTON, JACOB S

ATHERTON, MARK / ELLEN

ATHERTON, MARK ETAL

ATHERTON, MARK K / ELLEN

ATHERTON, MARK K / ELLEN / REBECCA

ATHERTON, MARK K / ELLEN A

ATHERTON, MARK K / REBECCA J

ATHERTON, MARK K / REBECCA J ETAL

ATHERTON, MARK K/ ELLEN A

ATHERTON, MARK K/ELLEN A

ATHERTON, REBECCA JO

BANK OF PONTIAC TTEE TRUST #2759

BARTH, GEORGE DAVID / PATRICIA TTEES

BEETZ, JOHN

BEETZ, JOHN / DAVID / JOSEPH

BEETZ, JOHN / JOSEPH / DAVID

BEETZ, JOHN ETAL

BEETZ, JOHN S ETAL

BEETZ, JOSEPH A ETAL

BEETZ, JOSEPH/JOHN/DAVID

BOGDAN, JOSEPH / JUDITH

BOGDAN, JUDITH E TTEE

BOTTS, MICHAEL/JANET

BREWBAKER, BONNIE S / J.L. ETAL

BROPHY FARMS LLC

BROWN, MATTHEW

BRUMMEL, DONALD J ETAL TTEE

BRUMMEL, RICHARD A / MARCIA L / DONALD J / PATRICIA R TTEES

BRUMMEL, SCOTT F TTEE

BRUMMEL, WILLIAM/ LINDA TRUST

BUTLER, CHARLES / JOYCE

BUTLER, CHARLES /JOYCE

BUTLER, CHARLES-JOYCE

BUTLER, CHARLES/JOYCE

CERVENY, MARGARET C MATHESIUS-

CHAMPLIN, GARY L

CHAON, CURTIS A / MARY PAT TTEES

CHAON, DUANE C / PATRICIA A

COOPER LAND COMPANY INC

02-29-400-000 45680

02-29-406-000 47011

02-35-403-000 118114

02-05-104-000 70127

02-28-204-000 66400

02-28-206-000 5133

02-17-104-000 133835

02-06-306-000 103290

02-10-200-000 67269

02-05-202-000 58703

02-18-405-000 125763

02-06-402-000 2782

02-08-300-000 112013

02-16-104-000 178407

02-15-204-000 135196

02-05-306-000 82124

02-28-301-000 55719

02-06-101-000 31285

02-06-102-000 41478

02-04-301-000 181324

02-04-401-000 73946

02-05-400-000 63797

02-09-101-000 47116

02-04-302-000 147545

02-27-300-000 68280

02-27-302-000 69723

02-07-201-000 65137

02-07-400-000 87923

02-07-401-000 32299

02-08-100-000 78140

02-05-301-000 4533

02-07-301-000 95654

02-06-406-000 14416

02-16-204-000 73553

02-09-300-000 54855

02-14-401-000 140246

02-32-301-000 61211

02-17-100-000 71978

02-30-404-000 1525

02-17-205-000 60847

02-30-304-000 23142

02-30-305-000 9000

02-30-403-000 26031

02-18-202-000 64471

02-08-404-000 118157

02-26-102-000 69514

02-26-104-000 64815

02-26-201-000 69705

02-30-101-000 96882

02-30-306-000 62842

02-30-405-000 54587

02-16-100-000 46216

02-08-203-000 31844

02-08-204-000 112107

02-09-100-000 61644

02-09-302-000 63902

02-23-407-000 46613

02-23-403-000 81270

02-23-408-000 95085

02-34-300-000 36479

02-31-203-000 103485

02-29-313-000 108341

02-20-201-000 141136

02-20-400-000 64406

02-20-202-000 5265

02-13-100-000 74971

02-29-106-000 65462

02-13-302-000 104094

02-13-304-000 6199

02-22-403-000 68930

02-22-302-000 61202

02-27-201-000 11625

02-22-103-000 8795

02-22-401-000 18255

02-28-105-000 70396

02-28-402-000 120110

02-29-204-000 73508

02-05-101-000 1067

02-06-200-000 16336

02-06-202-000 3626

02-13-301-000 10678

COOPER LAND COMPANY INC 02-23-201-000 15172

COOPER LAND COMPANY INC

02-24-100-000 59094

COPPES, JENNIFER L 02-25-105-000 53704 DELHOTAL, ERIC A 02-32-205-000 77326

DONOHO, MARILYN R / HOFFMAN, SHIRLEY 02-25-403-000 71109

ROBERT M

143200

KENNETH E/ WINIFRED 02-36-200-000 99880

KENNETH E/ WINIFRED 02-36-201-000 32271 HOFFMAN, KENNETH E/ WINIFRED 02-36-202-000

70101

JANOUSEK, MARY ELLEN / WILSON, CAROLYN A 02-36-402-000 38022

JANOUSEK, MARY ELLEN / WILSON, CAROLYN A 02-36-406-000

KLECKNER, RANDY / PRICE, NANETTE 02-05-203-000 100849

KLOSE, RUTH C / JOHN B TTEES 02-14-302-000 69621

KNAPP, GARY 02-31-301-000 13488

KNAPP, GARY 02-31-402-000 62822

KNAPP, GARY 02-33-301-000 91194

KNAPP, GARY L TRUSTEE 02-32-202-000 11777

KNAPP, GARY L TRUSTEE 02-32-203-000 14251

KNAPP, GARY L TRUSTEE 02-32-400-000 121407

KNAPP, JANE E 02-33-100-000 24584

KNAPP, JANE E 02-33-202-000 31644

KNAPP, JANE E 02-33-206-000 33812

KOFOED, JOHN 02-10-100-000 202186

KOFOED, JOHN E/WANDA E 02-10-302-000 68006

KOFOED, MR-MRS JOHN E 02-10-300-000 70609

KREISER, CYNTHIA A TTEE 02-22-201-000 54615

KREISER, MATTHEW R 02-22-402-000 52233

LAMPE, DIANE 02-09-303-000 7048

LAMPE, DIANE 02-09-405-000 117081

LAMPE, DIANE 02-09-304-000 11885

LAMPE, DIANE 02-09-404-000 88354

LARABEE, RICHARD L / CATHY ETAL 02-06-204-000 8221

LARABEE, RICHARD L / CATHY ETAL 02-06-400-000 6888

LARABEE, RICHARD L / CATHY ETAL 02-06-404-000 1734

LARABEE, RICHARD/ CATHY 02-05-102-000 111303

LARABEE, RICHARD/ CATHY 02-05-106-000 4355

LARABEE, RICHARD/ CATHY 02-05-201-000 57805

LARABEE, RICHARD/ CATHY 02-05-401-000 64133

LARSON, NICK M / SHANNON M 02-15-404-000 48054

LARSON, ROGER A / BEVERLY J TTEES 02-13-404-000 41932

LARSON, ROGER A / BEVERLY J TTEES 02-24-208-000 134667

LARSON, THEODORE E ETAL TTEE 02-26-400-000 94743

LEHNER, GEORGE/THELMA 02-29-205-000 14350

LEWIS, CHARLES E TTEE 02-07-101-000 78696

Continue on next page

Continued from previous page

MAHONEY, JAMES

MARSHALL, JOHN D TTEE ETAL

MARTIN LEONARD FARM LLC ETAL

MARTINSON, DOROTHY

MARY JANE STEVENSON REVOC LIVING TR

MATHESIUS, DAWN R TTEE

MATHESIUS, DRUE K / ALISSA C

MATHESIUS, JAMES / DAWN TTEE

MATHESIUS, JAMES M TTEE

MCDONALD, DANIEL R

MENDE, FREDERICK E

MERIDEN GRAIN COMPANY

MINK, JOSHUA B

MOYER, STEVEN

MOYER, STEVEN W

MROWICKI FAMILY PROPERTIES ETAL

MROWICKI FAMILY PROPERTIES LTD ETAL

MUELLER, JEAN E TTEE

MUHLACH, LEO A/ NORMA L

MUNSON, THOMAS G

MURST, ROBERT J / LORI L

NOVAK, HOLLY A / KIM TTEE

OHME, KIMBERLY A / KUNKEL, JENNIFER R TTEES

PIERCE, MICHAEL J/KATHY S

REISTAD, CARL/MILDRED

REUTNER, JOHN E JR

ROBINSON, MARK L

ROSE, GARY ETAL

SCARBROUGH, MARLYS J TTEE

SCHINDEL, LINDA

SCHINDEL, LINDA L TTEE

SCHLESINGER, DAVID /CYNTHIA

SCHWEICKERT FARMS II LLC

SCHWEICKERT FARMS III LLC / ATHERTON, MARK K / ELLEN A

SHERIDAN, ROBERT J TTEE / BREWBAKER, BONNIE S TTEE

SMITH, DONNA K TTEE / DILBECK, CAROL L

SMITH, DONNA K / DILBECK, CAROL L

SMITH, DONNA K / DILBECK, CAROL L TTEE

STRONG & VOGA FAM LTD PRTNSHP

STRONG, & VOGA FAM LTD PRTNSHP

THORNE, PAUL / LOLITA TTEE

TILLMAN, KENNETH SR ETAL

TILLMAN, KENNETH W / DONNA M

TILLMAN, KENNETH W SR / DONNA M ETAL

TILLMAN, KERRY W / DEBRA L

TRYNER FAMILY FARMS LLC

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS FOUNDATION

VAN HORN, JEANNE M

VAN HORN, WAYNE

VAN HORN, WAYNE R

VANRHEENEN, KENNY L

WEIDNER, JOHN / NANCY TRUST

WEIDNER, WILLIAM C TRUST

WILLARD, JAMES A ETAL

WISSMILLER, PAUL / LINDA TTEE

WISSMILLER, PAUL / LINDA TTEES

02-23-102-000 52123

02-20-300-000 98476

02-30-209-000 85493

02-05-105-000 13839

02-31-302-000 81696

02-19-204-000 155028

02-23-404-000 17952

02-18-301-000 105920

02-28-202-000 77550

02-29-101-000 72222

02-17-203-000 92029

02-17-204-000 1747

02-15-300-000 229244

02-20-304-012 53084

02-28-304-000 101833

02-21-406-000 13762

02-21-405-000 155067

02-21-407-000 20304

02-22-300-000 31759

02-34-201-000 36696

02-34-400-000 33903

02-14-304-000 68948

02-03-101-000 63825

02-33-300-000 26020

02-29-203-000 124873

02-23-101-000 129149

02-23-202-000 61919

02-25-302-000 119409

02-13-403-000 91069

02-16-307-000 98649

02-34-402-000 100004

02-29-405-000 1031

02-30-406-000 1848

02-31-400-000 23319

02-28-104-000 68274

02-15-402-000 75932

02-15-405-000 22342

02-10-201-000 130110

02-03-301-000 75833

02-03-401-000 17990

02-10-400-000 71987

02-08-201-000 121113

02-33-207-000 46682

02-26-202-000 24907

02-26-203-000 48701

02-30-400-000 34049

02-15-107-000 34415

02-15-301-000 36182

02-16-304-000 49917

02-16-402-000 108000

02-16-403-000 31849

02-10-401-000 71694

02-03-402-000 123401

02-28-302-000 59017

02-28-303-000 8989

02-15-110-000 32604

02-24-101-000 162649

02-15-104-000 38329

02-15-106-000 33262

02-24-301-000 62052

02-24-302-000 60226

02-24-404-000 3028

02-24-403-000 41781

02-19-100-000 106646

02-20-306-000 27952

02-32-101-000 29093

02-32-204-000 58432

02-33-101-000 30246

02-04-400-000 145927

02-03-303-000 50318

02-03-302-000 21760

02-08-403-000 3179

02-24-401-000 46561

02-24-407-000 17381

02-25-101-000 46496

02-25-102-000 7127

02-25-200-000 128157

02-25-201-000 123425

02-11-406-000 135915

02-18-100-000 87712

02-17-404-000 8308

02-17-301-000 140499

02-17-403-000 118142

02-16-306-000 61897

WIXOM, CHAD / MARK 02-20-401-000 63775

WIXOM, CHAD / WIXOM MARK ETAL 02-21-305-000 34843

WIXOM, CHAD ETAL 02-25-104-000 82954

WIXOM, CHAD T / MARK A / MROWICKI FAMILY

PROPERTIES LTD

WIXOM, CHAD T / MARK A / MROWICKI FAMILY

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WIXON, CHAD T / MARK A / MROWICKI FAMILY PROPERTIES LTD 02-34-200-000 34935

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HAYES, THOMAS

HITCHINS, JOSEPH / MYRTLE / STANLEY TTEES

HOCHSTATTER, JAMES H / GINA L

HOLLAND, TODD

JOHNSON, ROBERT W

JORGENSEN, CAROL TTEE

KELLY, ANNA M TTEE

KELLY, MICHAEL S

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KNAPP, GARY

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KREISER, ROBERT K / CYNTHIA A TTEE

LADSON, KENNETH-JOY E

LANE, BARBARA

LANE, KYLE GARRETT

LANE, ROGER J / DEBRA L

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LEDER, ARNOLD/LINDA M

LEONARD, JACOB M / PAGE

LEONARD, JAMES G/RIVA, TONY M

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MC CONVILLE, JOHN/FLORENCE

MC CONVILLE, MARK WILLIAM

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MC CONVILLE, RICHARD P

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MC CONVILLE, WILLIAM

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Offered in 2 Tracts

The real estate is located 2 miles southwest of Ottawa, IL or 50 miles southwest of Joliet, IL. The land is further described as being located in Sections 26, 27, 34 & 35, T33N-R3E, South Ottawa Township, LaSalle County, IL.

Farmers & investors, be sure to check out this large, contiguous offering that contains Class A soils! Close to several excellent grain market outlets.

SESSLAR FARM

Mendota reconstructs Sidewalks

By SCOTT ANDERSON sanderson@shawmedia.com

Crews remove the sidewalk at the corner of Jefferson and Main Street on Monday, Oct. 27, in Mendota. The City of Mendota is reconstructing sidewalks to comply with

ADA accessibility. The project includes 2,100 square feet of sidewalk, 184 feet of curb and gutter, asphalt patching and other miscellaneous improvements.

Photos by Scott Anderson

Crews remove chunks of a sidewalk at the corner of Jefferson and Main Street on Monday, Oct. 27 in Mendota. The City of Mendota is reconstructing sidewalks to comply with ADA accessibility.

Second-half burst leads Mendota to 7th straight regional title

Trojans advance to Indian Creek Sectional

By KEVIN CHLUM kchlum@shawmedia.com

In the 56th minute Saturday, Mendota senior Johan Cortez corralled a long pass from Angel Orozco.

Then he fired a shot into the lower left corner of the net.

From there, the floodgates opened.

The No. 1-seeded Trojans scored three more goals over the next 3:51 on the way to a 4-0 victory over No. 6 Schaumburg Christian to win the Class 1A Mendota Regional.

“We came out kind of slow,” Cortez said. “It took the whole first half to really get into the game, but we started the second half coming out a little more intense. Once I got that first goal, I think everything just opened up from there.”

The win gave the Trojans their seventh consecutive regional championship.

“It’s awesome,” Mendota coach Nick Meyers said. “We talked about it

MENDOTA

the other day at practice. If you look around, even a team like Quincy Notre Dame hasn’t won the last seven. I told them for a public school to win seven in a row is a cool thing and it’s something we want to keep going. We talked about filling our banner as much as volleyball and basketball. We want to get a second one because we have so many up there.

“Now it’s gotten to the point where these are still great, but these are stepping stones to where we ultimately want to go in the postseason.”

The next step is the Indian Creek Sectional in Waterman, where Mendota will face a different group of opponents than it has in recent postseasons when the Trojans were sent south for the sectional.

Mendota will face Genoa-Kingston in a semifinal at 7 p.m. Wednesday. The Cogs beat Winnebago 1-0 in overtime in the Rockford Christian Regional final.

The other semifinal is between Byron and Harvest Westminster Christian.

“It’ll be exciting for us because we usually face a lot of the same opponents, but now we’re facing someone

FOOTBALL DROPS SEASON FINALE

new,” Cortez said. “It’s going to new challenge against new teams. We don’t really know how they play. It’s going to be good for us to play different teams and adjust from there.

“We expect the games to be a lot tougher than it was today. We know we need to come out way better than we did today in order to win those games and advance. Hopefully, we should be able to pull off the two wins.”

On Saturday, the Trojans controlled possession on the Conquerors half of the field and put six shots on goal but couldn’t finish.

In the second half, Cortez said Mendota changed up its attack.

“We were trying to focus a lot more on going down the wings because they were packing a lot down the middle and we were struggling going down the middle,” Cortez said. “We tried to open up to the wing more and get more crosses and that’s how I got the first goal. Angel Orozco hit the long ball to me and I was able to put it in with a great first touch.”

Issac Diaz scored with 22:02 left when he fired a shot from just outside the box that slipped past the keeper. He scored a second goal when he drib-

bled to the right and kicked a shot that grazed the left post and went in.

Cortez finished the barrage with 20:12 left in the game when he finished off a cross from Sebastian Carlos.

“I think the other team was forced to open up more,” Cortez said. “They needed to come back. They didn’t want to lose. So I think it opened more gaps in the defense and then we were able to pass more through the middle. Once we put the second and third ones in, they kind of fell down a little bit and we got up.”

The Trojans, who placed third in Class 1A last season, have won their last three regional finals by a combined score of 14-0.

Mendota has won five of the seven regionals during its streak by four goals or more.

“I think it means a lot for everyone in Mendota to do this because it’s not easy to do,” Cortez said.

“Some years we win with pretty big scores like 4-0, 5-0, 6-0, but realistically, it’s not easy to do for any team. To win seven in a row, I think this shows Mendota has a great program and hopefully they can keep it up in the future.”

Mercer County defeats Mendota in Three Rivers Conference crossover

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Football

Mercer County 33, Mendota 10: The Trojans trailed 13-10 going to the fourth quarter but were outscored 20-0 in the final 12 minutes in a Three

Rivers Conference crossover loss in Mendota.

Mercer County took a 7-0 lead in the first quarter on a 1-yard run by John Baldwin. Ethan Escatel booted a 36-yard field goal with 27.5 seconds left in the second quarter to pull Mendota within 10-7 at halftime.

After the Golden Eagles went

ahead 13-3 on a 57-yard TD pass from Baldwin with Lucas Marston, the Trojans responded with a 27-yard scoring run by Wyatt Ossman.

However, Mercer County (2-7) scored the final three TDs of the game.

Ossman finished with 84 yards and a TD on 13 carries for Mendota (2-7),

while Aden Tillman completed 8-of-20 passes for 85 yards with an interception.

Volleyball

Kewanee def. Mendota 25-21, 25-19: The Spikers lost a Three Rivers Conference East Division match in Mendota.

SPORTS

The Mendota boys soccer team poses with its plaque after beating Schaumburg Christian 4-0 to win the Class 1A Mendota Regional championship on Saturday, Oct. 25.

TODAY IN SPORTS HISTORY

1987: Thomas Hearns becomes the first boxer to win world titles in four weight classes. 2018: Golden State shooting guard Klay Thompson breaks NBA record previously held by teammate Stephen Curry for most 3-pointers in a game with 14.

Wednesday, October 29, 2025

Trojans beat Schaumburg Christian 4-0, advance to Indian Creek Sectional / 23

Photo by Kevin Chlum