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VOLUME 144 NO. 52 • tonicanews.com

Friday, November 30, 2018

Hunters share skills

After spotting an airborne flock of geese, Kevin Loebach, a hunter from Tonica, waves a flag to mimic wings and draw the birds’ attention to the decoys.

Loebach belongs to a group that shares knowledge of hunting and fishing with young people who don’t have the means or resources to do so regularly.

PLEASE TURN TO STORY ON PAGE 4.

(Shaw Media photo/Alex T. Paschal)

Vol. 144 No. 52 One Section - 12 Pages

© The Tonica News

LOSTANT

TONICA A higher Equalized Assessed Value for the Tonica

Not enough bus drivers

School District could trigger a levy hearing, members of the board of education are told. / 2

School might have to switch to contracted transport. / 2

ILLINOIS VALLEY Maze Nails donates more than a ton

of stainless steel nails to Habitat for Humanity in LaSalle, Bureau and Putnam counties. / 5

The Tonica News / tonicanews.com • Friday, November 30, 2018

| LOCAL NEWS

2 Seeking

LOSTANT SCHOOL DISTRICT

Sources Where in the world is The Tonica News? Are you planning a vacation or holiday trip?

Don’t forget to take along a copy of the The Tonica News. Once you get to your destination, have someone snap a photo of you holding the newspaper, and then send the photo to us along with pertinent information about who is in the photo and where you are. We’ll be happy to share your photo with other Tonica News readers, your friends, family and neighbors. Email your photo and information to news@tonicanews.com.

Metro News Service

Lack of people to drive buses for the Lostant School District has prompted the school superintendent to investigate the possibility of turning toward a contracted transport system.

(USPS 633340) Published every Friday at Tonica, IL 61370 Entered at Tonica Post Office as Periodical Mail $22 In LaSalle County $25 Outside of LaSalle County

Contact Editor, General Manager Jim Dunn jdunn@bcrnews.com Associate Editor Rita Roberts rroberts@bcrnews.com

Email news to:

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Where, oh where, have the drivers gone?

Lacking enough bus drivers, school district might have to switch to contracted transport

BY ZACHARY J. PRATT news@tonicanews.com LOSTANT — Having received no results in its search for bus drivers, the Lostant School District is looking to turn toward contracted transport, according to Superintendent Sandra Malahy.

“I cannot find a driver, and there are no substitutes in other school districts that I can borrow. They’re all scrambling also,” Malahy said.

The call for contracted service partway through a school year was described as unusual and requires that the district operate such maneuvers under an emergency Sandra situation clause.

Malahy “The earliest that Superintendent, this can take place is Lostant Grade the middle of FebruSchool ary because of all the timelines involved,” Malahy said.

She noted that the current drivers are fully aware of the situation.

In other discussion: • The administrator search continues, with the district accepting applications through Friday, Nov. 30.

The district has thus far received 12

applications, one of which coming from Colorado with the rest originating in Illinois.

• The upcoming tax levy is expected to see a decrease in municipal retirement and Social Security.

Malahy said that the district’s needs for those funds have gone down, and the prospective levy was outlined to reflect that.

• The district received a rating of “exemplary” from the Illinois State Board of Education with the noted reason for the achievement being “all students,” a fact that pleased Malahy. “So with the highest financial rating and the highest academic rating — it’s not just academic; it takes into account financial oversight and meeting all the requirements. I’m really proud of this school,” she said.

TONICA SCHOOL DISTRICT

Higher EAV could trigger a tax levy hearing Increase expected to be higher than 5 percent

BY ZACHARY J. PRATT news@tonicanews.com TONICA — For the Tonica School District, the tax rate might be down, but the Equalized Assessed Value (EAV) is up.

Tonica’s 9 percent increase in

EAV could trigger a levy hearing as the district aims to bolster its building funds.

Regardless of how the district decides to approach the new levy, it appears unlikely to remain below the 5 percent threshold to avoid a hearing.

“We know that whatever we do, it’s probably going to be over that 5 percent,” said Chuck Schneider, principal-superintendent.

As the district plans ahead, its financial adviser, Jim Whitmore, assured the board that any decisions being discussed are not extravagant.

“My suggestion is we go for what is allowable,” Whitmore said.

“You are not going overboard.

You are allowed this amount,” he said.

See TONICA, Page 3

Black Friday bargain hunters

3 LOCAL NEWS | The Tonica News / tonicanews.com • Friday, November 30, 2018 Tonica News photo/Dave Cook

Following Thanksgiving dinner, the line at the Peru Kohl’s store stretched nearly to PetSmart as shoppers prepared to take advantage of Black Friday deals after the doors opened at 5 p.m. Shopping was a popular activity this past weekend as the countdown to Christmas has officially begun, and many bargains could also be found during “Small Business Saturday” and “Cyber Monday.”

• TONICA Continued from Page 2 There were two funds in particular that concerned Whitmore, the first being the TORT fund, which the district has been working to stabilize, and the second being the building fund, which has required additional injections of cash from elsewhere in order to survive.

“We still continue to experience difficulty with the building fund with things that are health-life safety in nature, but for which those funds cannot be used,” Whitmore said.

The issue has arisen over the past year, where certain problems with the building have needed

to be solved immediately, and the processes required to use health-life safety funds for those instances do not allow for such immediate accessibility.

Chuck “The pressure is not Schneider going to come off the Principalsuperintendent, building fund any time Tonica Grade soon,” Whitmore said.

“It behooves you to School keep your buildings up as well as you can,” Whitmore said, looking toward a possible future where area schools could look to consolidate.

“I’m no prophet, but I’m going to say the district with the best building in a number of years will be the

Read us online • tonicanews.com

one that survives.”

According to Whitmore’s information, the increase in Tonica’s EAV can be attributed to effects from Eden Township’s multiplier.

School board member Chad Lambert summarized the situation: “We’re lowering our rate; it’s the increase in EAV that’s going to be tough to swallow.”

$95 SERVICE CALL TO YOUR FIELD

The Tonica News / tonicanews.com • Friday, November 30, 2018

| LOCAL NEWS

4

OUTDOOR SPORTS

Tonica hunter involved with sharing his skills Group he belongs to teaches hunting, appreciation for outdoors to youths

BY GAVIN T. JENSEN Shaw Media AMBOY — Waking up before dawn and laying out in the middle of a wet and windy countryside hoping to bag a couple of geese — that’s a welcome combination for a group that works to teach young hunters and promote the outdoors.

T hose a par t of the Adventures of Backwoods Brock and the A-Team want to share their knowledge and love for hunting and fishing with those who don’t have the means or resources to do so regularly.

Group founder Brock Decker and his A-Team of hunters headed south of Amboy on a recent Sunday with two new faces — Jeffery Stanish, 16, and Caleb Withers, 7 — to take them on a goose hunt.

Stanish, of Crystal Lake, started hunting when he was 12, mostly hunting pheasant or deer, and wanted to expand to geese.

He caught the hunting bug from his mom, Kay Stanish, 41, who has hunted most of her life.

Withers, of Chana, has only be gun his hunting career and shot his first gun with the group.

“He’s only shot a BB gun and then a bow when he attended the group’s fishing derby,” said Tori Withers, Caleb’s mom.

Location, decoy placement and bird calling were all part of the goose hunting lesson, and they set up blinds so they would be concealed before the birds took their morning flight.

“The geese will fly for about 2 hours from pond to pond and sometimes make a stop in a cornfield to feed,” Decker said. “The trick is getting them to land.”

They use an arsenal of stationary decoys, bird calls and flags to simulate geese landing attempting to lure them closer to the hunters.

It only took a few minutes past sunrise for the first flock to appear from the west, and everyone buttoned down their blinds and anticipated the landing.

See HUNT, Page 5

Shaw Media photos/Alex T. Paschal

Caleb Withers, 7, of Chana keeps an eye on the sky with Kevin Loebach of Tonica at the hunting spot.

Jeffery Stanish, 16, of Crystal Lake gets into a blind with a shotgun for the hunt. The group sets the decoys out in a horseshoe pattern hoping the geese land in the center.

ILLINOIS VALLEY

5

Shaw Media Photo/Alex T. Paschal

The group saw plenty of geese flying overhead, but couldn’t get any of them to land.

• HUNT Continued from Page 4 “On a windy day like today, it’s almost impossible to hit them when they’re flying on their route, so we try to get them to lock in on the landing area before opening up on them,” he said.

A “lock” is when the geese have descended enough and lost their momentum, a sign that they’re committed to landing and easier to shoot; it’s considered fair game because it’s not shooting at a bird on the ground or in a pond, Decker said.

Tonica hunter assists Kevin Loebach, a 35-year-old hunter from Tonica, was in charge of luring them.

He went to work with a goose call and a flag with wings mimicking a landing, but the geese were committed to the next pond and stayed their course.

“There are a lot of things you can’t learn from just watching YouTube videos; actually being out here is the best resource,” Loebach said.

He’s hunted everything from deer to geese and squirrels, but the game

isn’t the only thing he looks forward to while hunting.

“My biggest thing is watching the world wake up, watching the birds come in and being out in nature,” he said.

‘Learning circle of life’ Bryan Heather agrees.

“It’s learning the circle of life,” he said.

Heather, 37, who was Withers’ mentor, has been hunting for nearly 25 years and taught his two sons to hunt.

“There’s a lot of life skills they can learn at an early age, like gun safety,” he said.

The 2-hour hunt didn’t produce any geese, which served as a lesson to the youngsters.

“I teach my kids that you won’t always win, and that’s one of the life skills that hunting teaches,” Heather said.

Stanish and Withers were happy to have the opportunity.

“A bad day hunting is always better than a good day at school,” Stanish said.

Withers’ mom agrees.

“It’s why we got up at 4 a.m.; it’s about the kids and teaching them something new.”

Habitat for Humanity in LaSalle, Bureau and Putnam counties received a donation of 2,613 pounds of stainless steel nails from longtime Habitat supporter Maze Nails.

The Habitat affiliate was notified of this contribution recently by Roelif M. Loveland, president of Maze Nails, one of the divisions of W.H. Maze Co. in Peru.

“We are extremely grateful and proud to recognize donors like Maze Nails,” Dan Fitzgerald, Habitat board president, said.

“As a longtime supporter and community business, Maze Nails understands and shares in the

mission of Habitat. This donation will go towards continuing with home builds and repairs in LaSalle, Bureau and Putnam counties,” Fitzgerald said.

Habitat’s mission is to help individuals and families in the community who are struggling due to a lack of affordable housing. Donations of materials and money, as well as volunteer labor, are used to continue with the mission of building homes in partnership with hardworking, low-income families and individuals.

To learn more about the Habitat affiliate, visit its website at www. localhabitat.org/.

Hurst Funeral Home Tonica, IL

223-0380

• Friday, November 30, 2018

Maze Nails donates nails to Habitat for Humanity

LOCAL NEWS | The Tonica News / tonicanews.com

Photo contributed

Lee McCullough (left), board secretary of Habitat for Humanity of LaSalle, Bureau and Putnam counties, shakes hands with Kyle M. Loveland, Maze Nails, business development, for the company’s donation of 2,613 pounds of nails.

The Tonica News / tonicanews.com • Friday, November 30, 2018

| COMMUNITY

6

MASTER GARDENER PROGRAM

LASALLE

University of Illinois Master Gardener program is now accepting online applications For the University of Illinois Extension Master Gardener program, the past four decades can be measured by the millions of volunteer hours given to help bring horticultural help to communities across the state.

This year marks the 48th anniversary of the Illinois Master Gardener program. With more than 3,000 members today, Illinois Master Gardeners have given more than 2,309,348 volunteer hours — a value of more than $46 million, to the state.

Today, Master Gardener volunteers, who come from farms, small towns, suburbs and cities, offer numerous educational opportunities related to gardening in nearly every county in the state.

The mission of the Illinois Master Gardener program is “Helping Others Learn to Grow.” After 60 hours of training in topics such as vegetable and flower gardening, insect problems and plant diseases, the volunteers participate in programs throughout their communities.

Some of those opportunities may include speaking at garden clubs, civic groups or schools; answering calls or emails at garden help desks; establishing demonstration gardens that serve as educational tools; and educating citizens on how to establish community gardens.

You don’t have to be a gardening expert to become a Master Gardener. All you need is an interest in gardening, some time to volunteer in the community and a desire to share your knowledge with others. The program is more about connections; connecting people with other gardeners, with their community, and with reliable resources for information. Once connections are forged, it’s time to get sowing and growing in our many meaningful community projects.

University of Illinois Extension is now accepting applications to participate in the Online Master Gardener Training Program. This new online program allows volunteers to complete the training who may have

never been able to in the past due to schedule or time conflicts. This online, self-guided course for Illinois residents can be completed any time of day or night. Set aside about four hours per week for videos, reading manual and completing quizzes, and the training will be completed in 14 weeks.

The 2019 Winter Master Gardener Online Training includes 13 modules — an introduction and 12 subject-areas. Module topics are botany; soils and fertilizers; plant diseases; entomology; integrated pest management; annuals and perennials; trees, shrubs and woody vines; lawns; small and tree fruits; vegetables; composting/organic gardening; and living with wildlife.

Each module consists of several videos and an online quiz; therefore, a strong internet connection is highly recommended. Please note this training is not being offered in local Extension offices, but must be completed through use of a personal computer or other computer access. The registration cost for the program is $300, which includes the Master Gardener manual.

Registration for the winter 2019 class is now open and will continue through Jan. 4, 2019, and the class will start on Jan. 21, 2019. You may contact the Bureau, LaSalle, Marshall, Putnam Extension Unit for more information, or to obtain an application form, contact Meg E. Overocker, Extension Program Coordinator, University of Illinois Extension - LaSalle County Office, 1689 North 31st Road, Suite 2, Ottawa, IL 61350; 815-433-0707; bkrug@ illinois.edu.

Following completion of the training, Master Gardener interns will work with Extension staff and local Master Gardeners in the Bureau, LaSalle, Marshall, Putnam Unit area, to complete required volunteer time through approved community service projects. Go to https:// master-gardener.extension.illinois. edu/mgot to read more about the program.

IVCC music department will present winter concert OGLESBY — Illinois Valley Community College’s music department will perform a free winter concert at 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 3, in the Dr. Mary Margaret Weeg Cultural Centre. The concert includes selections sung by the IVCC Collegiate Chorale, directed by Jenilyn Roether, as well as solos by piano and voice students of instructors Brad Fritz and Roether.

‘White Christmas’ performance added LASALLE — Because of outstanding ticket requests, Stage 212 has added a performance of its fall musical, “White Christmas,” at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 4.

This is the final added performance. No more performances will be added.

Tickets are $20 each and may be purchased by visiting the box office between 4 and 6 p.m. on Monday and 9 a.m. and noon on Saturday, or by calling 815-224-3025 during the same hours. Tickets may also be purchased online by visiting www. stage212.org.

OGLESBY

IVCC will host nursing admission information session on Dec. 5 OGLESBY — A nursing admission information session will be held from 3 to 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 5, in Room CTC124 at Illinois Valley Community College in Oglesby.

Sponsored by the counseling center and admissions and records, the session will cover admission

requirements and courses students should take before applying to either the associate degree (RN) or Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) programs.

Due to space limitations, students are encouraged to RSVP with Kathy Sramek at 815-224-0439 or kathy_sramek@ivcc.edu.

OGLESBY

‘Mamma Mia!’ auditions announced OGLESBY — Auditions for the Illinois Valley Community College theatre department’s spring 2019 production of “Mamma Mia!” will be at 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 9, and 6 p.m. Monday, Dec. 10, in the Dr. Mary Margaret Weeg Cultural Centre. Callbacks will be Tuesday, Dec. 11.

Auditions are open to all community members, as well as students and alumni.

To audition, prepare an up-tempo audition song. Songs from the show are accepted. Bring backing tracks on phone or CD; speakers are provided. A dance audition will be taught and there will be readings from the script. Check-in begins at 1:30 p.m. Sunday and 5:30 p.m.

Monday.

The hit Broadway musical featuring the music of ABBA will make its Illinois Valley debut on the IVCC stage April 18-28.

Director/choreographer Don Grant Zellmer said, “To say we are excited to open this show is an understatement. We’ve been waiting a long time for the rights to become available.

“We’ll make casting announcements, behind-the scenes photos and information about other local fine arts opportunities on our IVCC Fine Arts Facebook group,” he added. “We encourage all who enjoy the local arts to join our group.”

Audition questions can be directed to Zellmer at dongrantzellmer1@ yahoo.com with the subject line “Mamma Mia Auditions.”

LASALLE

IVYSO announces fall concert LASALLE — The Illinois Valley Youth Symphony Orchestra will perform its fall concert at 3:30 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 8, in Matthiessen Auditorium at LaSalle-Peru High School.

The fall concert features works both old and new. Mozart and Brahms provide the beloved classics, while “Tahiti Trot” and “Frozen” add a contemporary twist. A cake and punch reception will fol-

low the concert. Alex Wang, one of the Illinois Valley Youth Symphony Orchestra’s directors, will be featured on “Zigeunerweisen” by Pablo de Sarasate, a concerto for violin and orchestra. Tickets, which are available through orchestra members or at the door, are $7 for adults and $5 for students and seniors.

In its 32nd season, the IVYSO is comprised of Illinois Valley-area students.

IVCH BRIEFS

MENUS Grief recovery group will meet Dec. 12 and 26

PERU — Because wintery weather conditions can adversely affect health, the Live Life transplant support group will not meet in December, January and February. The group normally meets on the second Monday of each month in the conference room of Illinois Valley Community Hospital’s Sixth Street office building. The next meeting will be at 6:30 p.m. Monday, March 11. Live Life is an IVCH support group for Illinois Valley residents who have had transplant surgery or who are on waiting lists for transplants.

PERU — The Illinois Valley Community Hospital grief recovery group will next meet at 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays, Dec. 12 and 26, in Conference Room “C” on the fourth floor of IVCH. The group allows persons who have recently suffered the loss of someone close to them to share their feelings and experiences with others who have also lost loved ones through death. The group meets on the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month. For more information, call Deacon Ray Fischer, IVCH pastoral care coordinator, at 815-780-3426.

Stage 212 will present ‘Spidey’s Character Celebration’

Tonica Grade School

Breakfast Dec. 3 — Toast, sausage, egg and cheese, granola, cereal, yogurt, fruit, cheese stick, juice, milk.

Dec. 4 — Biscuit and gravy, granola, cereal, yogurt, fruit, cheese stick, juice, milk.

Dec. 5 — Apple churros, granola, cereal, yogurt, fruit, cheese stick, juice, milk.

Dec. 6 — Breakfast boat, granola, cereal, yogurt, fruit, cheese stick, juice, milk.

Dec. 7 — Poptart Friday, granola, cereal, yogurt, fruit, cheese stick, juice, milk.

Breakfast Dec. 3 — Breakfast pizza or cereal, toast, granola, yogurt, fruit, juice, milk.

Dec. 4 — Pancake and syrup or cereal, toast, granola, yogurt, fruit, juice, milk.

Dec. 5 — Scrambled eggs or cereal, toast, granola, yogurt, fruit, hash brown, juice, milk.

Dec. 6 — Sausage biscuit with cheese or cereal, toast, granola, yogurt, fruit, juice, milk.

Dec. 7 — Powdered sugar or chocolate doughnuts or cereal, toast, granola, yogurt, fruit, juice, milk.

Lunch Dec. 3 — Hot dog, baked beans, chips, fruit, milk.

Dec. 4 — Cheese quesadillas, Spanish rice, pudding, fruit, milk.

Dec. 5 — Chicken rings, orange peppers with Ranch, fruit, milk.

Dec. 6 — Baked potato bar (cheese, ham, broccoli, bacon, butter, sour cream), fruit, milk.

Dec. 7 — Round cheese pizza, broccoli, Gold Fish, fruit, milk.

Tickets for the event are now on sale for just $10 each and may be purchased online at www.stage212.org, by visiting the box office Monday from 4 to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon, or by calling 815-224-3025 during the same hours. Tickets may be picked up at the door. All patrons age 1 year and up must have a ticket. All children must be properly chaperoned.

Performances may be added as ticket sales demand.

Lunch Dec. 3 — Sloppy joe meat, bun, green beans, fruit, chips, milk.

Dec. 4 — No lunch, early out.

Dec. 5 — Taco salad (crispy tortilla bowl, taco meat, cheese cup, refried beans, lettuce, tomatoes, onions), Rice Krispies treat, milk.

Dec. 6 — Turkey and gravy, mashed potatoes, green beans, fruit, dinner roll, gelatin with Cool Whip, milk.

Dec. 7 — Pizza crunchers, carrots, fruit, cookie, milk.

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• Friday, November 30, 2018

LASALLE — Stage 212 is helping young people ring in the new year in style with “Spidey’s Character Celebration,” a kid-friendly celebration presented at 9 and 11 a.m. Monday, Dec. 31, at the theater, 700 First St. in LaSalle.

The event, emceed by Spiderman, will feature live performances by Anna, Elsa, Moana, Belle, the Beast, Snow White, The Paw Patrol and The Trolls, and a meet-and-greet photo opportunity with all characters.

Lostant Grade School

COMMUNITY | The Tonica News / tonicanews.com

No transplant support group meetings next three months

The Tonica News / tonicanews.com • Friday, November 30, 2018

|

8 THE EDITORIAL PAGE

Jim Dunn

Rita Roberts

Editor, General Manager

Associate Editor

The Tonica News

Women’s group turned the tide in one county Organizer would like to see more such groups started

I

had the pleasure of meeting several Democratic women candidates from Lake County during the Illinois State Fair last summer. Sen. Melinda Bush (D-Grayslake) was showing them around town and brought them to a reception I was attending. We chatted for a while before they went on their merry way.

“Merry” is actually an understatement. Those candidates were positively joyful. They seemed genuinely thrilled to be running for office.

Only one had ever run for something before. The rest felt compelled to get involved after the 2016 election.

Sen. Bush brought 10 women with her to Springfield, and she said four of them went on to win their respective races. Well, maybe three, but Bush is optimistic that Mary Edley-Allen will wind up defeating appointed Rep. Helene Miller Walsh (R-Mundelein). Edley-Allen is ahead by two votes as I write this, with

COMMENTARY Rich Miller more to count.

Joyce Mason, the only candidate who had run for office before and who defeated Rep. Sheri Jesiel by more than 1,000 votes, was also at the event, as were two county board candidates who appear to have won, Jessica Vealitzek and Julie Simpson.

The county board flipped from Republican to Democratic control for the first time ever, and those two candidates were crucial to that effort. Two other women candidates who didn’t make the trip to Springfield both won countywide races, Robin O’Connor (clerk) and Holly Kim (treasurer).

Sen. Bush helped found an organization called the Lake County Democratic Independent Women on Oct. 30, 2017. She said she sent out some emails and started a Facebook page.

Women came out of the woodwork after the 2016 election, and Bush wanted to help them focus their enthusiasm on actually winning races and then holding on to those

seats down the road.

The group has an office and a field director, and members meet once a month. A “pink wave” garden party fundraiser pulled in $15,000, and Bush said people told her at the event that it felt like “coming to a wedding, everyone is so happy.”

When Bush first won her own Senate seat in 2012, her district and both of its attached House districts were held by Republicans. Now, with Rep. Jesiel’s defeat, all three legislators are Democratic.

Things are definitely changing in Lake County, but they didn’t necessarily change on their own. The House Democrats did their part by pumping in tons of money and staff over the months, but Mason was also helped by that independent women’s group.

The House Democrats got into the Miller-Walsh race late, but Edley-Allen had taken the group’s training and had already been walking precincts for months.

“These were areas where we weren’t supposed to win,” Bush said.

Sen. Bush said that while House Speaker Michael Madigan is likely pleased that he has two more Democratic seats, she cautioned that both women are independent Democrats.

In other words, they’re not the usual ducklings who will quietly follow orders traditionally given to targeted members.

Bush said she doesn’t just want to help people win elections, “I want to help them be really good representatives.” She said her advice to all candidates is that they shouldn’t be thinking how their voting record in Springfield or on the county board would get them re-elected. Hard work back in the district will pay greater dividends.

“The harder you work, the luckier you get,” she said. “I want to see people work really hard and do what they think is right.”

Bush should know. I jokingly chided her during her freshman year in office for having such a liberal voting record while representing an area not known for its liberalism.

But she won her last election by 9 percentage points and is encouraging others to do what she does: vote your conscience and work your tail off back home. So, even if you wind up losing, you can go out with no policy regrets.

Note to readers: Rich Miller also publishes Capitol Fax, a daily political newsletter, and CapitolFax. com.

Keeping score tricky in wide-open Chicago mayor’s race

T

he mayor of Chicago is arguably more important than the governor of Illinois. Maybe that’s why more than two dozen have been gathering petitions for the city’s Feb. 26 non-partisan election (though all the candidates are Democrats).

Chicago is both less and more than it used to be. After World War II, the city alone had 3.6 million residents, more than half the state’s total population. Today, there are 2.7 million, just one in five Illinoisans. Yet central city Chicago is the beating heart of a three-state metropolis of 10 million people, with a gross economic product that would make it the 20th largest nation in the world by that measure.

And I hate to say it, but the region sends lots of tax money to support schools and services for struggling Downstate communities like mine.

Chicago is a tale of at least two cities. One, the mostly white, booming downtown and North Side, where millennials flock to good high-tech

UNDERSTANDING ILLINOIS Jim Nowlan and professional services jobs. The other, largely African-American and Latino to the south and west, where residents feel left behind and often live in fear of out-of-control, homicidal gang bangers.

The next mayor has to keep the boom booming and also tackle the wrenching problems in the neighborhoods. He or she will face a budget that is in even worse shape than the basket-case state fiscal mess, with huge payments looming for police and fire pensions and big debts to retire, and no money to pay either.

Set aside the important, generally successful 6 percent of Chicagoans who are of Asian descent, and the rest are almost equally divided, one-third each white, Afri-

can-American and Latino.

University of Illinois at Chicago politics professor and old friend Dick Simpson is my primary source for what follows.

Dick says the present large cast of characters will be winnowed down to about eight who will survive challenges to their petitions over the coming month. Of that group, he expects three will be white, three black and two Latino.

And that’s how you have to break out Chicago politics, through a racial and ethnic prism, with a small band of white progressives maybe above all that. Most Chicagoans will vote for “one of their own” in the Feb. 26 balloting. No candidate is likely to win much more than 20 percent, so the top two vote-getters will square off in an April 2 run-off.

At present, the front-runners appear to be Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, a black former public school teacher; Susana Mendoza, just elected state comptroller but ready to jump into

a much larger pond; Bill Daley, son and brother of the mayors Daley; and former schools head Paul Vallas (a student of mine when I taught for a year at Western Illinois University).

Round one will boil down to three factors: money; candidate organizations, and compelling campaign narratives.

Simpson thinks a candidate will need $3 million to $5 million to compete through both elections; other insider friends of mine think it will take more.

If on Feb. 26, one black and one Latino emerge, where will the white voters turn? If a “minority” and a white emerge, where will the other minority group turn? Thus, candidates will have to keep both elections in mind as they appeal to voters.

Much to be sorted out. All very important to the future of Chicago, the region and the state.

Note to readers: Jim Nowlan of Toulon can be reached at jnowlan3@ gmail.com.

A1

The Tonica News reserves the right to classify correctly, edit, reject or cancel any advertisement at any time in accordance with its policy. All ads must be checked for errors by the advertiser, on the first day of publication. We will be responsible for the first incorrect insertion, and its liabilities shall be limited to the price on one insertion.

CLASSIFIED LINE AD & LEGAL DEADLINES: • Friday Paper deadline Friday before by 3pm We Accept

110 • Special Notices In Search of '85 or '86 Tonica High School yearbook as a Christmas gift for a loved one. Call 309826-6121

232 • Business Opportunities ********** THE CLASSIFIED Advertising Department of the Tonica News Does not have the opportunity to fully investigate the credibility of each advertiser appearing within these columns. If an offer sounds “too good to be true” it probably is.

Proceed with caution if you are asked to send money or to give a credit card number.

Proceed with caution in calling 900 phone numbers. All phone numbers prefixed by”900” are charged to the CALLER. Charges may be assessed on a “per minute” basis rather than a “per call” basis.

The Tonica News Classifieds makes every effort to qualify these charges for the reader.

If you have a concern about an advertiser, please contact: Better Business Bureau 330 North Wabash Chicago, IL 60611 312 832-0500

Large, Lighted Curio Cabinet, Excellent Condition. $100; Large Baggallini Purse, Great for a Gift $25; Ladies Leather Coat - Size Large $25.

Call 815-872-6911 Maple Rocker with Removable Cushions. Good Shape $40 OBO. Nice Cane Maple Chair (Canes need replaced) $20 OBO. Call 815-915-5243, Not in the morning.

Tires: One 225-75-14 (on Chrysler rim) $50; One 195-75-15 $40; Two 24560-18 $50 each. Call 815664-2236. ************ HAVE SOMETHING TO SELL? Put your ad in for FREE Items $1,000 or less can run FREE for 1 time. Limit of 5 lines.

Up to 3 items with price and price totaling under $1,000. 1 ad per household per week.

No commercial ads, firearms or animal sales.

E-mail information to: classified@ bcrnews.com (include your name, address & phone number)

767 • Mobile Home Sales **************** PUBLISHER'S NOTICE All real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Fair Housing Act which makes it illegal to advertise “any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin, or an intention, to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination.”

Familial status includes children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians, pregnant women and people securing custody of children under 18.

This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis.

To complain of discrimination call, HUD tollfree at 800 669-9777.

The toll-free telephone number for the hearing impaired is 800 927-9275

Visit the classifieds online at

www.tonicanews.com 999 • Legal Notices

999 • Legal Notices

999 • Legal Notices

IN THE THIRTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT OF ILLINOISIN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF LASALLE COUNTY Estate of DONALD G. POUK, Deceased.

No. 2018-P-232 NOTICE TO CLAIMANTS NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN of the death of DONALD G. POUK. Letters of office as Independent Executor were issued on October 18, 2018 to NORMA WARGO, 810 Bazore Street, Streator, Illinois 61364 and whose attorney is M.G. GULO & ASSOCIATES, LTD., 123 S. Monroe Street, Streator, Illinois 61364.

The estate will be administered without Court supervision, unless under Section 5/28-4 of the Probate Act (Ill. Compiled Stat. 1992, Ch. 755, Par. 5/28-4) any interested person terminates independent administration at any time by mailing or delivering a petition to terminate to the Clerk.

Claims against the estate may be filed in the office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court, 119 W. Madison Street, Ottawa, Illinois 61350, on or before May 24, 2019, or if mailing or delivery of notice from the representative is required by Section 5/18-3 of the Probate Act of 1975, the date stated in that notice. Any claim not filed within that period is barred. Copies of claim filed with the Clerk must be mailed or delivered to the estate 450 • Under $1000 any representative and to the attorney within 10 days after it has been filed with the Clerk.

Busch Light Beer Bar Dated this 16th day of November, 2018.

Light, 32” Tall x 8” Wide, Jim Olson, Clerk of the Circuit Court Like New Condition. $35. 13th Judicial Circuit, LaSalle County, Illinois November 16, 23,30, 2018 815-875-2664

• Friday, November 30, 2018

Call 815-875-4461 classified@bcrnews.com

450 • Under $1000

CARS815.com

General Terms and Policies

9 CLASSIFIEDS | The Tonica News / tonicanews.com

–––––––––––––––– Classifieds –––––––––––––––

A2

10

Business Directory KETTMAN

PASSINI PLUMBING & HEATING David Passini

We’ll keep you in hot water!

Need a new water heater installed?

Turn to the experts. Grasser’s is your local,

Selling & Repairing all makes of tires 112 S. St. Paul St. Mark, IL 61340

Open 7 days/week 8-5pm

Johnny Sieg Owner/Operator siegtire.com 815-878-7367

Cars, Trucks, Trailer, Motorcycles, ATVs, & Lawn Mowers also Bicycles

Rollin!

Mounting, Balancing, Rotating, Patches, Plugs and all tire repairs plus Small Implement Farm Tires Now accepting all major credit cards!

24 Hour Service LIC. #058-111758

Eastend Towing

SM-PR1597792

9126 HENNEPINFLORID RD Hennepin, IL 61327

Now Offering Higher Speeds!

SM-PR1585483

FOR ALL YOUR TOWING & RECOVERING NEEDS

Owner Mark Nieslawski

LOOK FOR THE MAN IN THE ORANGE & WHITE VAN

Tonica Telephone Co. Toncom Long Distance

(815) 228-7925

815-442-9901 • www.tonicacom.net

• Any Size Tile Installation • Tile Repair • Culvert Installation • GPS Mapping

www.grassersplumbingheating.com State ID No 58-100249

SM-PR1584437

Mon-Fri 8AM - 5PM

JODY TALIANI Owner

202 W Harper Ave PO Box 326

ROUTE

PH:

71

815-339-9181 815-399-9182

SM-PR1584439

AUTO BODY

route71autobody@frontier.com Quality Pre-Owned Vehicles

Towing Available

FOLEY MOTORS

Full Service Store

Inc.

Sales & Service

Aaron

Rt. 29, Henry, IL 309-364-4711 www.foleymotorsinc.com

309-238-8626

SM-PR1585471

Auto Body Specialists Truck Toppers & Accessories

GLYNN’S DEMOLITION DEMOLITION & EXCAVATING Raejean Glynn, Owner Terry Glynn, Owner

815-878-8948 Free Estimates Fully Insured SM-PR1585476

Granville, IL • 815-339-2345

Mon-Wed & Fri 9-5 • Thurs 9-2 • Sat by Appointment

815-882-2111

PLUMBING & HEATING, INC.

Colton

309-238-8627

SM-PR1585479

We Have A Great Selection Of Floor Coverings To Meet Your Every Need!

404 W. Main St. McNabb

FAX:

Colton & Aaron Poignant

GRANVILLE

Turn to us for your plumbing needs.

Granville, IL 61326

C & A FARM DRAINAGE

FLOOR & WALL

trusted installers. Licensed and insured.

We are the READER’S CHOICE for #1 PLUMBER!

107 East Harrison St. • Granville, IL www.kettmanheating.com • 815-339-6124

SM-PR1585490

Where We Always Keep You ou

HEATING & PLUMBING, INC.

Interstate Battery Sales

815-339-4108 815-481-2639

116 South 2nd St. Standard, IL 61363

SM-PR1584435

Licensed-Bonded-Insured

Sieg Tire & Tube Repair Shop

SM-PR1598416

The Tonica News / tonicanews.com • Friday, November 30, 2018

| CLASSIFIEDS

Marketplace

“You bend ‘em, we mend ‘em” Mike Supan Jr. Linda Supan Michele Straughn

9286 East Power Plant Rd. Hennepin, IL 61327 Fax 815-925-7475 gngdemolition@yahoo.com

325 North 25th Rd, Route 251 South of Peru

815-224-1506

SM-PR1585474

SM-PR1585473

EMERGENCY: 815-252-0032

A3 ADVERTISE YOUR SERVICES RIGHT HERE!

Call 815-875-4461

RED CARPET SERVICE

COMPLETE CAR AND TRUCK CARE 24 HOUR TOWING SERVICE Rt. 89, McNabb, IL • Jack Bima, Owner

Plumbing • Heating • Electrical 24 Hrs. Service • 815-442-3415

SM-PR1584434

JACK’S GAS & SERVICE 882-2191 Monday-Saturday 882-2250 Evenings & Sundays SM-PR1584433

AL CIONI FORD INC.

504 S. McCoy Granville, IL 815-339-2511

No baloney with Al Cioni!

HIRE CLOSER. HIRE HAPPIER. Why look far and wide for the best local talent? Just visit IllinoisCareers.com. Offering thousands of career. candidate profiles, Illinois’ most comprehensive online job boards attract the most qualified local job seekers in a wide variety of industries and skill sets. Look to IllinoisCareers.com for employees who live close to the place your business calls home.

XXXXXXX is a partner IllinoisCareers.com.

Bureau County Republican is a of partner of IllinoisCareers.com.

• Friday, November 30, 2018

Always FREE Estimates

Our Customers

SM-PR1584432

Since 1919

For the World’s Best People

CLASSIFIEDS | The Tonica News / tonicanews.com

Business Directory Marketplace

11

Demand the Best

The Tonica News / tonicanews.com • Friday, November 30, 2018

12

Tell Your Physician You Want

Only at Liberty Village

bounce back rehab, recovery, return home

SM-PR1596855

State-of-the-Art Therapy Equipment Medicare, Medicare Replacement, Private Insurance Suites with Private Bath/Shower Peru 815-224-2200 • www.simplythefinest.net • Princeton 815-875-6600 Not-For-Profit -Providers

Fall Cleaning

SERVICE

Special for Your PC or Laptop

ON-SITE - IN HOUSE - AND REMOTE • Perform manufacturer’s hardware diagnostics tests • Scan and clean up any spyware/malware or virus infections (excludes non-removable items) • Update Windows system, Adobe reader, Java, Flash, browsers

• Optimize for maximum performance • Clean computer fans and heat sinks to ensure they are clean.

• Clean exterior so system “looks like new” • 30-day guarantee on all work performed

LARGEST IN STOCK SELECTION in the Illinois Valley area • Laptops • Desktops • Tablets • Monitors Printers • All In Ones • Accessories

6500

$

SALES CP+CARE

SUPPORT

A Connecting Point Exclusive A Total Managed Service

Focus On Your Business… We’ll Handle The Technology!

Call Any Of Our Support Consultants To Get Started We also offer: • Various “Cloud” Services • DR\Security Solutions • Web Design and Hosting • Remote Backup Options Jeff Borelli President

Tom Hancock Vice President

John Riva Corporate Consultant

Nathan Blauvelt Corporate Consultant

SM-PR1597370

When You Think Computers, Think

Downtown Peru • 800-352-7018 • 1622 Fourth Street • Just West of the Post Office