AI041725

District 88 hosts SHE Conference to provide students with day of connection, courage and conversation

On March 25, more than 100 female students from Addison Trail and Willowbrook high schools came together for a day of connection, courage and conversation, as District 88 hosted its first SHE Conference—which stands for Strength, Hope and Empowerment.

The schools have previ-

ously hosted individual SHE Days, but this was the first districtwide event.

The workshop focused on helping students build confidence and address challenges, as well as teaching them to network and support one another.

The keynote speaker was 2024 Illinois Teacher of the Year, Dr. Rachael Mahmood,

who guided participants through a dynamic dialogue model titled “The World Café.” Mahmood shared her personal story of growing up in a diverse family and struggling to find where she fit in at school. She also communicated an important message: To ensure a school environment where all students and

SUBMITTED PHOTO Addison Independent

More than 100 female students from Addison Trail and Willowbrook high schools gathered on March 25 for the annual SHE Conference, which helped students build confidence and address challenges, as well as teach them to network and support one another.

staff members feel a sense of belonging, it takes everyone working together with intentional effort.

“The World Café” provided students with an opportunity to engage in an interactive activity with their peers. They discussed the characteristics of an ideal school, the challeng-

es and strengths of District 88 with regard to providing a welcoming learning environment, and action steps students can implement to make a positive difference.

ABC 7 Chicago covered the event as part of the news station’s celebration of Women’s History Month. To watch

the segment, and to read the article, go to https://www.dupage88.net/site/page/16757).

The SHE Conference was organized by District 88 Student Success Coordinator, Dr. VaLarie Humphrey, along with a team of female staff members and administrators from both high schools.

Bills addressing cannabis odor in vehicle, safe gun storage pass state Senate

Law enforcement officers would no longer be allowed to search a vehicle or detain a driver who is over age 21 based solely on the smell of burnt cannabis in the vehicle under a bill that passed last week in the Illinois Senate.

Senate Bill 42, sponsored by Sen. Rachel Ventura, D-Joliet, is a response to a September 2024 Illinois Supreme Court decision that held the smell of burnt cannabis alone was insufficient to establish probable cause for searching a vehicle without a warrant.

In a separate opinion from December, however, the court ruled the odor of raw cannabis coming from a vehicle is sufficient evidence to provide officers with probable cause for a search because the smell suggests cannabis is not being transported in an odor-proof container as required by state law.

Both of those decisions stemmed from Illinois’ landmark legislation, passed in 2019, legalizing adult use of

recreational marijuana statewide.

The Senate bill calls for repealing one requirement in that law—that cannabis in a vehicle be kept in an “odorproof” container, but it continues to require the cannabis be kept in a “sealed or reusable and child-resistant container that is inaccessible.”

“I want to be very clear that I encourage every driver to drive sober at all times,” Ventura said on the Senate floor. “This is directing law enforcement to take into the totality of the circumstances.”

But opponents of the bill said the proposed policy made no sense from a law enforcement standpoint.

“We would never, ever ask a police officer to disregard the odor of alcohol when they pull a car over,” said Sen. Chapin Rose, R-Mahomet.

“Why on earth would we ask a police officer to disregard the odor of cannabis? At a minimum, they should have the duty to ensure that the driver is not impaired.”

Safe gun storage requirements advance in General Assembly Illinois senators also passed legislation last week that would require gun owners to keep their weapons securely stored so they are not accessible to minors.

Known as the Safe Guns Storage Act, Senate Bill 8, sponsored by Sen. Laura Ellman, D-Naperville, would require any firearms owner to store their firearm in a secured, locked container in any location where a minor or at-risk person could otherwise access the firearm.

The bill would also allow local law enforcement agencies to revoke a person’s Firearm Owner’s Identification card if they fail on two or more occasions to report a lost or stolen firearm within 48 hours.

“The sooner a firearm is reported lost or stolen, the more likely it is that law enforcement can investigate and recover that firearm before it’s used to commit a crime,” Ellman said.

The bill passed on a vote of 33-19 and goes to the House.

CAPITOL NEWS ILLINOIS

Bolingbrook man charged with burglary/leading police on chase

Subject, two other defendants allegedly stole nearly $3,500 in merchandise from stores in Villa Park and Lombard

DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and Villa Park Deputy Chief of Police Dan McCann recently announced that Judge Joshua Dieden granted the state’s motion to deny pre-trial release for a Bolingbrook man accused of stealing more than $3,400 worth of merchandise from two retail stores on March 29, and then leading police on a chase.

Miguel Roman, 38, appeared in First Appearance Court on March 31, and was charged with two counts of burglary (Class 2 felony), two counts of retail theft exceeding $300 (Class 3 felony), one count of aggravated fleeing and eluding (Class 4 felony) and multiple traffic and petty offenses, including driving without a valid license.

Roman’s co-defendants, Brian Gomez, 40, and Altafracia Gomez, 41, both of Chicago, were released at the scene on their own recogni-

zance. Brian Gomez and Altafracia Gomez have each been charged with two counts of burglary and two counts of retail theft exceeding $300.

On Saturday, March 29, at approximately 7 p.m., Villa Park police officers responded to the Burlington, located at 174 Roosevelt Road, for a call of a retail theft. Following an investigation into the theft, it is alleged that three individuals, later identified as the defendants, entered the store, filled multiple carts with merchandise and then left the store without paying.

It is further alleged that after leaving the store, the trio ran to a 2003 Honda Odyssey minivan, loaded the merchandise into the Odyssey and fled the scene.

A short time later, officers learned that the Odyssey was at the Yorktown Mall in Lombard. A Lombard police officer located the Odyssey in the parking lot of the Marshalls & HomeGoods, located at 102 Yorktown Shopping Center, and began surveillance.

It is alleged that the officer observed Roman exit the store carrying a duffel bag and

go to the vehicle. The officer also saw Brian Gomez exit the store carrying a duffel bag and piece of luggage and return to the car.

It is further alleged that the Odyssey began to exit the parking space, at which time the Lombard police officer activated her emergency lights and siren to conduct a traffic stop. It is alleged that instead of stopping, the Odyssey, driven by Roman, proceeded through the parking lot away from officers, drove over a curb and grassy parkway near a restaurant, and then drove through the grass onto westbound Butterfield Road.

It is further alleged that while running a red light at Highland Avenue, Roman cut across the northbound lanes of Highland then headed southbound. It is alleged that as he exited onto westbound Butterfield Road, Roman struck a vehicle with three occupants, including two juveniles, causing front end and passenger-side damage.

It is alleged that after officers successfully deployed

See CHASE, Page 7

Miguel Roman

Addison Trail hosts Academic Team vs. faculty match

Recently, the Addison Trail Academic Team challenged faculty members to a game to prove whether they’re smarter than a teenager. Thirteen staff and nine students participated, answering questions in a variety of subject areas, including math, science, social sciences, history, fine arts, literature, miscellaneous and more. Rules of the game: Students and teachers competed in teams of six. A tossup question was asked, and the player who buzzed in first got to answer. (There were 24 tossup questions in each match.) If the player responded correctly, his/her team got to answer three bonus questions. The event served as an end-of-season celebration for the team. Senior members were recognized, including Jacqueline Bugante, who earned All-Conference honors. During halftime of the game, students and staff enjoyed pizza and snacks together to commemorate a fun year. In the end, the faculty members were named as the winners.

Cleaning woman accused of stealing jewelry from clients’ homes

DuPage County State’s

Attorney Robert Berlin and Glen Ellyn Chief of Police Philip Norton announced last week that the court has denied the state’s motion to detain pre-trial a Hanover Park cleaning woman charged with stealing more than $20,000 worth of jewelry from three clients’ homes.

Sandy Hernandez, 38, appeared in First Appearance Court and was charged with three counts of residential

burglary, a Class 1 felony.

Conditions of Hernandez’s release include no employment that requires her to enter into any person’s private residence and no contact with the victims in this case.

On Dec. 2, 2024, a Glen Ellyn resident contacted the Glen Ellyn Police Department to report that jewelry, including a Cartier yellow gold ring with a diamond center, a yellow gold charm necklace and other items of jewelry, total-

ing approximately $7,900, had been stolen from her house sometime after Nov. 19, 2024. On Jan. 5, 2025, a second Glen Ellyn resident contacted the Glen Ellyn Police Department to report that jewelry, including a 14k gold engagement ring with a .3c diamond, a 14k gold wedding band and more than a dozen additional items of jewelry totaling approximately $10,000 had been stolen from her house sometime after Dec.

Bensenville Park District

launches park watch program

Area residents will soon see park rangers engaging with the community in local parks. That’s because the Bensenville Park District has launched its new Eagle Eye Park Watch program, a community-driven initiative aimed at fostering safer, cleaner and more welcoming park environments through active community participation.

The Eagle Eye Park Watch program invites residents to become the “eyes and ears” of the park district by identify-

ing safety concerns, reporting vandalism and encouraging responsible park use. Participants will work closely with park district staff, park rangers and local authorities to support a shared mission of maintaining parks as positive spaces for all.

“This program empowers our residents to take pride in their neighborhood parks,” said Executive Director Joe Vallez. “By working together, we can ensure our parks remain safe, clean and vibrant spaces where families and

visitors feel welcome.”

Eagle Eye members play a vital role in protecting and preserving the district’s public spaces. By observing and reporting issues, they help the district respond quickly and effectively while reinforcing a culture of shared responsibility and community pride.

The park district encourages anyone interested in contributing to the well-being of local parks to participate in this important initiative. For more information or to get involved, visit BvilleParks.org.

Bensenville Park District’s April 27 pickleball tourney a big dill

Following the excitement of its successful March 30 debut tournament, the Bensenville Park District will host a second pickleball tournament from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, April 27, at the Deer Grove Leisure Center Gymnasium, 1000 W. Wood St., Bensenville.

The tournament is open to players ages 18 and older and welcomes participants of all skill levels for a day filled with competitive matches, camaraderie and fun.

Teams will compete for prizes awarded to the top three finishers, making it an exciting opportunity for both seasoned players and newcomers to the sport.

“We had such a positive response from the participants of the original tournament wanting to do it again that we decided to offer a second chance tournament,” said Recreation Supervisor Ty Beshiri, who organized the March 30 event, won by Eric and Edward Craddock.

Pickleball, the fastest-growing sport in America, combines elements of tennis, badminton and table tennis.

30, 2024.

On Jan. 15, 2025, a third Glen Ellyn resident contacted the Glen Ellyn Police Department to report that jewelry, including a white gold Tanzanite Marquee ring, a gold band ring and other items totaling approximately $2,500 had been stolen from her house sometime after Dec. 6, 2024.

An investigation into the thefts led authorities to Hernandez, who had allegedly stolen the jewelry while cleaning the women’s houses. Hernandez was taken into custody April 8 without incident.

Hernandez’s next court appearance is scheduled for May 5 in front of Judge Joseph Bugos.

Played on a badminton-sized court with a low net, it features a paddle and plastic ball with holes. The sport is easy to learn, making it accessible to people of all ages and skill levels, while also providing opportunities for fast-paced, competitive play.

Its growing popularity is attributed to its social nature, low barrier to entry and health benefits.

The registration fee is $25 per team, and teams are encouraged to register by April 21 at the Deer Grove Leisure Center or by calling (630) 766-7015.

For more information about pickleball at the Bensenville Park District visit BvilleParks.org/Pickleball.

Three Chicago women charged with stealing from Nike store

DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and Naperville Chief of Police Jason Arres announced last week that three Chicago women have been charged with stealing from the Naperville Nike Well Collective store, located at 217 S. Main St. Emiaya Shannon, 27; Sha-

wanda Outlaw, 28; and Martasia Barney, 27, each appeared in First Appearance Court and were charged with one count of burglary (Class 2 felony) and one count of retail theft (Class 3 felony).

In addition, Barney is

Your Hometown Newspaper 240 N. West Avenue Elmhurst, IL 60126

Main Phone 630.834-8244 Fax 630-834-0900

The Independent is published every Thursday by Rock Valley Publishing, LLC, 240 N. West Avenue, Elmhurst, IL 60126.

Display Advertising: 630-834-8355

Classified Advertising: 630-834-8244 News: 630-834-8244

General Information: 630-834-8244

E-mail:

Advertising Department: ads1@rvpublishing.com

News Department: Independent@rvpublishing.com

Classified Department: Classifieds@rvpublishing.com

Administration: Mike Sandrolini News Coordinator

Debra Hamilton Advertising Director Pete Cruger Publisher Advertising: Brenda Garcia

Subscriptions:

The Independent is mailed to the 60101, 60106 and 60181 zip code areas for $45 yearly. Out-of-area mail subscriptions are $50 yearly. For home delivery information call 630-834-8244.

Reprints:

Content appearing in the Independent may not be reprinted without permission of the publisher or editor. Requests should be directed to Independent@rvpublishing.com or 630-834-8244.

Postmaster: Please send address changes to: THE INDEPENDENT 240 N. West

Elmhurst, IL. 60126

Office

SUBMITTED PHOTO Rock Valley Publishing

Opinion

Slices of life

The dichotomy of widowhood

As a person who was made a widow much too early (and aren’t we all widowed much too early?), I have a confession to those of you not members in our very elite club.

I love seeing photos of you growing old together. But even more, I hate them.

I am so sorry. I wish I felt differently, but life threw me a curve ball and I was supposed to have the photos that you now have. But I don’t.

And I wouldn’t be honest if I didn’t admit that still hurts. It hurts a lot.

So, even though I am happy for you and your travels and cruises and anniversaries and milestones and your growing old together, it hurts to know what I am missing: what I have lost, because it left unexpectedly without my consent.

I hate the feeling I get seeing the photos, but please know I don’t hate that you are living out what I hoped I always would—what I thought I always would. What I thought was a guarantee.

It’s like I went to Vegas and bet on both red and black during a game of roulette and still, somehow, managed to lose.

So much for guarantees.

But on the other hand, you know what they say about when life gives you lemons.

I’m sort of getting used to this new, unexpected, neverwould-have-chosen-it life.

There are even parts of it that I like. That I really like.

I lived much of my adult life as a chameleon. I changed my colors depending on the needs of the people close to me.

My sons liked playing hockey. I became a fan of hockey. My daughter performed in theater. I became a theater mom. My husband held the remote. I watched the NASA channel with him. (If you know the NASA channel, you know what a gesture of love this truly was.)

I liked what they liked because it was easy and it made life more convenient

By JILL PERTLER Columnist

for my family. And my family was my life.

And then my children grew up, as they tend to do. And my husband died, as I never intended.

And I found myself in a place I never expected to be. Alone.

It felt pretty foreboding. Not to mention scary. And overwhelming. It was like I was living in a world where I didn’t belong. But I didn’t really have a choice. I needed to find a way to belong. I wanted that.

And now, here I am, fourplus years out and away from losing my husband, my very best friend in life, and I am finally finding the end of the rainbow.

I don’t need to be a chameleon anymore. I don’t want to. I’ve just recently realized this and it was pretty liberating.

I lived much of my life for others. In that, I sort of acquiesced to their needs, and I wouldn’t have had it any other way. I’d still love to be sitting in the living room watching TV, while my husband held the remote.

But that isn’t going to happen.

I lost him and was forced into a new life, and with that, gradually, I shed my chameleon skin. And learned to change my colors according to my own accord.

And you know what? I still mourn the life I lost. But I really like all the new colors of the one I found. You might even say I discovered my own rainbow, and it’s quite lovely, if I do say so myself.

Jill Pertler is an awardwinning syndicated columnist, published playwright and author. Don’t miss a slice; follow the Slices of Life page on Facebook.

Illinois must put patients before profits

By Jax Kelly

At a baseball game, grabbing a ball hit into the stands from a kid breaks an unwritten rule—and rightly earns boos. We all agree it’s unfair for adults to use their size and strength to snatch a souvenir away from a child.

Yet, this kind of behavior isn’t just bad sportsmanship—we see it all the time, even in health care.

Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) are doing something eerily similar: taking manufacturer discounts on prescription medications—savings intended for patients—and keeping the money for themselves.

The federal 340B Drug Pricing Program requires drug manufacturers to provide certain prescriptions to eligible health care organizations and covered entities at reduced prices in order to “stretch scarce federal resources as far as possible, reaching more eligible patients and providing more comprehensive services.”

In other words, these discounts are for the benefit of patients. The 340B Drug Pricing Program was established under the Veterans Health Care Act of 1992 and is managed by the Health Resources and Services Administration. It was designed to provide discounted medications to eligible health care organizations, with HIV care being a primary focus.

But now Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs), the middlemen between drug manufacturers and pharmacies along with “covered entities” such as rural hospitals, have found a way to keep these discounts for themselves.

Here’s how the scheme works:

Let’s say the 340B program provides a $50 manufacturer discount on a $100 drug. Instead of passing that $50 savings to the patient, PBMs and certain hospital systems pocket the full $100 reimbursement from insurers, keeping the difference as profit.

In fact, this scheme has become a way for health care facilities to realize massive profits all at patient expense. The result is that

a program intended to help low-income patients get access to life-saving medicine has now become a vehicle for PBMs and hospitals to make money.

This exploitation of 340B has turned a patientcentered program into a cash cow for corporate interests, diverting critical funding away from those who need it most. Worse yet, now that PBMs and hospital systems see how profitable 340B can be, they want more.

HIV programs have relied on 340B savings since the beginning. The Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program is one of the largest participants, ensuring that HIV service organizations can expand access to HIV medications, provide wraparound services, and help uninsured and underinsured patients stay in care.

For people aging with HIV, protecting 340B is even more urgent. Today, over 50 percent of people living with HIV in the U.S. are over 50, and many face comorbidities like heart disease, diabetes, and cognitive decline—making uninterrupted access to health care essential.

If PBMs and hospital systems continue hoarding 340B savings, the very programs that support older adults with HIV will be undermined or forced to scale back services. That means more treatment disruptions, fewer support programs, and higher outof-pocket costs—all because of corporate greed.

This is a crisis that cannot be ignored. If state legislators fail to step in, HIV service providers could lose critical funding, and patients—especially older adults—will be left behind. Illinois must take a stand and stop PBMs from exploiting 340B at the expense of people’s health. The choice is clear: Either lawmakers protect patients, or they protect corporate profiteers. Without urgent action, more people will struggle to afford lifesaving medication. The 340B program was created to save lives, not pad corporate bottom lines. It’s time for Illinois to do the right thing and ensure that 340B serves its original purpose—helping those who need it most.

Jax Kelly is founder, president and CEO of the Aging and HIV Institute in Palm Springs, California.

Guidelines for writing, submitting a letter to the editor

Rock Valley Publishing encourages our readers to reach out to the community by writing a letter to the editor.

Letters are limited to 400 words. If a letter exceeds 400 words, it will be sent back to the author to reduce the length

of the letter. Authors must include their first and last name, the city or village in which they reside, and a phone number and email address where they can be reached in case there are questions.

Send letters to: news1@rv-

publishing.com

Letter-writers will be limited to one letter per month except for locally elected officials, or individuals specifically associated with local village governments or entities such as school districts, park districts or library districts. No letters directed to a third party will be accepted for publication.

We reserve the right to edit a letter for reasons of clarity, space restrictions and libel.

I was in a grocery store the other day. I saw four shoppers wearing backpacks. Maybe they all had good reasons for wearing them. I exited the store with one of these four, and she took her backpack off in the parking lot and put it into an SUV. When I see someone wearing a backpack in a store, I assume that person is a shoplifter. Why does someone who drove to the store need to bring a backpack into the store? Anyone who brings one into a store should be subject to a search on the way out.

* * *

This is Lombard calling. It is a great day in York Township by having every single township position won by Democrats. It is a great day. Democrats rule. Thank you.

* * *

I’m so glad that everything in Villa Park is going great. Well, it must be since only 20 percent of voters voted in the April 1 election. I guess if you didn’t vote, you have no complaints about anything and don’t want to be involved.

* * *

Many years ago, there was a baby boy born in England. His mother donated her umbilical cord blood to a registry matching people with blood cancers to marrow donors. I was the recipient of that baby’s cord blood cells in 2017. They saved my life. If you are a mom to be or know someone who is, take a minute and ask your doctor about donating your baby’s umbilical cord blood cells. Please.

* * *

Just attended another great gardening program at the Villa Park Library from the renowned Bill Karges. Very interesting; thanks Bill!

* * *

Hats off to the April 10 issue contributor calling out our local Congressional party puppets (Sean) Casten and (Raja) Krishnamoorthi regarding their jellyfish failure(s) to condemn the violence against anything Tesla, as these outrageous and cowardly mask-wearing protesters continue to defile and attack an organization run by someone (Elon Musk) who is volunteering his own time, security and profits to better America’s bottom line. All in the name of “free speech”? Free speech ends when violence is incorporated. All the while, these cravens have no idea what they are talking about. None whatsoever. Trump will not touch Medicare, Medicaid or Social Security. DOGE is just on a mission to cut fraud, waste and irrelevancy, rampant in our government, saving our hard-earned tax dollars. What are they so mad about? Trump is doing what every president in the last 60 years should have been doing, and getting results. Keep the pressure on these two Congressional jokes to be accountable. Their frequent hot air in this paper’s columns will do nothing to sway my disdain for their actions/non-actions.

* * *

There seems to be a real loss of patriotism in our country. I think a patriotic Ameri-

How Speak Out works

• Speak Out is a forum in which readers can express their opinion anonymously concerning local, state, national and international topics. Each call is limited to 200 words whether the caller calls 630-629-TALK or emails their opinion to speakout@rvpublishing.com.

• The views expressed by callers are their own.

• All calls are checked by four editors. If a consensus of editors believes a particular call is deemed to be in poor taste, erroneous, inaccurate, libelous, doesn’t make sense, or if claims stated in a call cannot be verified, the call will not be published.

• With regard to calls of a political nature, it is not possible to have an equal balance of calls with liberal and conservative viewpoints during any given week. The editors of Speak Out don’t have control of who calls in, what their political leanings happen to be, and the topic(s) they want to discuss.

• If you have further questions about Speak Out, email: news1@rvpublishing.com.

can would want our country to be treated fairly by other countries when it comes to trade and to do right by American workers and to prevent deadly drugs from coming across our borders. But most Americans don’t seem to care much about any that. It’s very sad. I pray for this country.

* * *

I have to shake my head and chuckle at the ignorance of some of these Speak Out contributors. What are they thinking? Who are they listening to? I refer to a short paragraph in the April 10 issue of Speak Out, headed by the statement “More dictator action—now Trump is ignoring federal court orders.” Liberal/ leftist district federal judges are making decisions on matters out of their jurisdictions. That’s why they are “district” judges. They have no authorities outside of their realm. The president has every right to ignore a district judge’s overreach, and that will eventually be confirmed in the cleansing of this selective judge-appointing practice. SCOTUS confirmed one such case against Judge Boasberg last week. They said no, you can’t do that, humiliating him. And more such reckless rulings are sure to be overturned. And as I have said before, I have yet to see specifics from the anti-Trumpers about the exact “threats to our democracy.” All generalities, no facts. Rhetoric only. As far as Republicans getting disgusted with Trump, everyone I know agrees he knows exactly what he is doing, and it will work. Funny, when I engage a leftist in such conversations, they don’t want to debate.

* * *

I have decided to start stocking up on Dollar Tree items I use frequently before prices increase, because company executives have all but said directly that it is bound to happen. Some of the $1.25 items like balloons and 1-liter soda bottles went up even before Trump’s tariff, so expect those to go even higher. Some greeting cards that were a dol-

lar are now $1.25, which is still a bargain, but be on the watch for the price increases. And with Family Dollar gone from the area, and only one Dollar General in our immediate area (Villa Park), there will be fewer places to look for those bargains. Some of Walmart’s “bargain” items are just as cheap, but I bet those will rise in price, too.

* * *

Hang on everyone; the ride down hill has just started. The November 2026 elections can’t come soon enough when we can take control of the House and Senate and actually remove Trump this time!

* * *

We have let our Democrat Party be taken over by the radical left socialist to the point of losing our identity. Labeling and name calling doesn’t get the job done. Isn’t there more to running the country than telling Americans we are saving democracy and can change the weather? Ever since Adam and Eve there has been a distinction between a biological man and woman, which our party can’t define. Old die-hard Democrats need to bring back common sense or we will keep losing voters.

* * *

Hi, this is Lombard calling regarding your April 3 issue. Rep. Sean Casten continues to demonstrate his ignorance and stupidity. He accuses Trump’s administration of lying to Congress under oath; all this from a Democrat whose party and him lied to Americans for four years; a party who installed the mentally compromised man in the White House under false pretenses and then proceeded to construct a shadow government where the dumb, dumber and dumbest almost completely destroyed our country. Democrats put our country in grave danger and lied for four years under oath to Americans and the world. Casten is as useless as the shadow government he tried to build. These individuals are liars and traitors and should never be allowed to govern; they ought to all be

Coming events

‘You Can’t Take It With You’ April 17-19 at Glenbard West Glenbard West Theatre will present its spring comedy, “You Can’t Take It With You”, from April 17-19 at 7:30 p.m. in the Larry Shue Auditorium at Glenbard West High School, 670 Crescent Blvd. in Glen Ellyn. Tickets are $10. Purchase tickets online at https://search.seatyourself.biz/webstore/accounts/ glenbardwest/buy-tix.

Holy Week, Easter services

St. John’s Lutheran Church, Lincoln and Maple, Lombard,

tried for treason. Casten is the one who should leave. Thank you.

* * *

Why is there a double standard with behavior in our country? We teach our children to be respectful, not to bully, not to call names and take responsibility for their actions. Why should we support an administration that thinks its above the law, that disrespects foreign leaders and any American who disagrees with their politics? Can we please have common decency and respect for others’ opinions? Thank you.

* * *

Is there, or is there not, fraud waste and abuse in Medicare, Social Security and other programs? If there is, why don’t our elected representatives join together to address the problem? Or is it that our elected representatives are part of the problem? Our once great media and investigative reporters are ignoring the problem and I don’t know why. Hardworking taxpaying American families are being crushed by the fraud and waste. Our elected representatives, mostly Democrat, try to divert our attention from the expensive problems with attack ads, profanity and talks of oligarchy. They should start representing the people, not party ideology.

* * *

Hey this is Lombard calling. I’m responding to a submitter who suggested that something should be done at St. Charles Road and Park Avenue with the old bank. I’m wondering if anybody has thought about a partnership between the Lombard Chamber of Commerce and the College of DuPage Innovation Center to do a work-study program, to bring in students to rehab that building and then enliven in it as a COD satellite site. Has this been thought of? How could that be possible? Lombard is growing and will soon be thriving with community projects like this.

* * *

This back-and-forth ping

pong game of “I am going to tariff you” and “I’ll just tariff you back” has gotten so out of control, not only putting the stock market on a roller coaster ride, but worrying everyday citizens like me who are trying to make ends meet, and wondering what further price increases are just around the corner. Let’s face it: we rely on items and/or parts that come from China, and one manufacturer here said in a radio interview that first, building a plant in America would be very expensive, plus hiring workers would be costly without being able to hire even documented immigrants. And, he would still have to buy some imported parts, all of which would make the cost of his products not affordable to most Americans. And don’t forget, Illinois is looking at taxing “services,” like hair cuts, mechanic labor, etc.; again, throwing more money at a problem of their own making; spending more than the state budget can afford.

*

* * I heard about this on a talk show a few weeks ago, and the (Chicago) Tribune Sun-Times had stories on it. A woman is suing a doctor in Champaign after he allegedly botched her late-term abortion, and she ended up going to the emergency room with baby parts left inside her. That’s right. With baby parts left inside her! That’s according to the lawsuit. All of our local state reps and senators are big-time abortion on demand supporters, as is JB Pritzker, so it’s a given they won’t say a word about this lawsuit, if they are aware of it at all. If this socalled doctor is found guilty, he should have his medical license permanently revoked at the very least. By the way, 273,157 abortions have been performed in Illinois from 2019 to 2023, the years Pritzker has been governor (my source is the Illinois Department of Public Health). With numbers like this, I think it’s safe to assume this case in Champaign isn’t an isolated incident.

invites all to the following worship services. Maundy Thursday, April 17, 6:30 p.m., 6th & 7th graders First Communion; Good Friday, April 18, 6:30 p.m.- Gradual Darkening of the Church; Easter weekend services with special music and Holy Communion: Saturday at 5:30 p.m., Sunday Sunrise at 6:30 a.m.; Traditional worship at 8 a.m. and Contemporary at 10:30 a.m. Website: www.stjohnslombard.org.

GPS program in Spanish April 24

On Thursday, April 24, B-PAC: Glenbard Bilingual Parent Advisory Council and

the GPS Parent Series in Spanish will present Essential Tools for School Success with psychologist Dr. Ferney Ramirez. This program will be held at 6 p.m. at Glenbard North High School, 990 N. Kuhn Road in Carol Stream. This event will be presented in Spanish only. Ramírez coordinates programs for families in Chicago and various Illinois school districts and is the author of 10 mental health publications. He is president of the Family First Organization and has extensive experience in clinical psychology, couples therapy and family counseling. To be placed on a reminder list for GPS events or

submit a question in advance, contact Gilda Ross, Glenbard District 87 student and community projects coordinator, at gilda_ross@glenbard.org or 630-942-7668. For further information, contact Luz Luna at luz_luna@glenbard.org or 630942-7447.

Volunteers needed for path/trail clean-up on April 26

The Village of Lombard seeks volunteers on April 26 to clean up the Illinois Prairie Path and Great Western Trail during Lombard Pride Week. For registration and information, visit https://ipp.org/cleanup.

Egg hunt in Lombard

The Lombard Park District and Lombard Lions Club held their annual egg hunt— featuring 10,000 plastic eggs—on Saturday morning at Lombard Common, east of Paradise Bay Water Park. The free event included egg hunts for children in four age

groups—Under 3, 3-4, 5-7 and 8-10. Three members of Lombard’s 2025 Lilac Court attended the event to greet children and pose for photos. Pictured above, left to right, are Princess Khloe Hickman, Princess Jillian Gorvett and Princess Olive Turner.

Lombard Fire Department responds to house fire on South Brewster Avenue

On Saturday, April 12, at approximately 12:08 p.m., the Lombard Fire Department was dispatched to the 500 block of S. Brewster Ave. for a report of a house on fire, with visible flames coming from the exterior of the chimney. Lombard police officers were first to arrive on scene and confirmed an active fire.

Additional updates also indicated that people were attempting to remove pets from the home. Lombard Fire Department crews began arriving on scene at 12:11 p.m. and encountered heavy fire

extending along the exterior of the chimney, with flames visible from the roof.

Firefighters quickly deployed multiple hose lines, including one directed at the large exterior fire and two more advanced to the second floor. While interior crews worked to extinguish fire that had spread into the attic, firefighters on the outside used ladders to access the roof and cut ventilation openings to release smoke and heat.

Additional fire companies searched the home and confirmed that all occupants and

pets were safely out of the building. Ventilation efforts continued, and crews placed tarps throughout the interior to help protect belongings from smoke and water damage.

The fire was brought under control at 12:37 p.m. Crews remained on scene to perform overhaul operations, carefully checking for hidden fire that may have spread through the structure.

Once all hot spots were extinguished, equipment and hose lines were removed from the home. Utility providers

Glenbard District 87 invites public to serve on Board of Education committees

Glenbard Township High School District 87 invites community members to serve on a Board of Education committee. Community members will be appointed to serve a two-year term on three of the board’s committees: Student Performance and Achievement Committee, Finance and Facility Committee, and Communication, Legislation and Partnerships Committee.

Each committee includes Board of Education members, Glenbard District 87 administrators and community representatives.

The application to serve on a committee can be found at glenbard87.org. The deadline to apply is noon on Friday, April 11. Further information is available by contacting Board of Education Secretary Donna

Gastel at donna_gastel@glenbard.org or by calling 630-9427670. Committee applicant interviews will be scheduled to take place the week of April 14-18 in the late afternoon/early evening.

The Student Performance and Achievement Committee reviews such issues as new course proposals, summer school, sectioning of courses and graduation requirements. Student Performance and Achievement Committee members also discuss the four high schools’ athletics programs and special education services. They are updated on such issues as staff development, school improvement plans and the district improvement plan. Committee members also are advised of staffing needs. The committee meets

monthly.

The Finance and Facility Committee provides guidance and direction to the Board of Education regarding business operations of Glenbard District 87; specifically, in the areas of finance and facilities. All proposals and bids go through the committee for review. All major expenses are discussed by this committee before going to the full board for approval. The committee meets prior to each Board of Education meeting, typically held twice per month.

The Communication, Legislation and Partnerships Committee has been active on legislative issues for many years. Committee members also discuss communication and partnership opportunities. The committee meets approximately six times per year.

ComEd and Nicor were called to the scene to safely shut off power and gas service. The Lombard Fire Investigation Unit is investigating the cause of the fire.

No injuries were reported. However, the home sustained significant damage and is cur-

rently uninhabitable. Losses are estimated to exceed $150,000.

The Lombard Fire Department received mutual aid from the Elmhurst and Villa Park fire departments, as well as the Glenside and York Center fire protection districts.

Coming event

AM Connect April 25

Join the Lombard Chamber for AM Connect Friday, April 25, from 7:30-9 a.m. at the Chamber office, 145 S. Main St., Lombard. Chamber President Rick Galfano will be the speaker, featuring

member benefits that you get from being a member of the Lombard Chamber. Learn what you are entitled to receive at each level of membership. Make sure your profile on the Chamber website is complete.

Lombard Fire Department, with assistance from local fire departments and fire protection districts, successfully extinguished a house fire that occurred in the 500 block of S. Brewster Ave. on Saturday. The home sustained significant damage, with losses estimated to exceed $150,000.

Lombard police provided traffic and crowd control throughout the response. For more information or inquiries, contact Lombard Deputy Chief George Hyland at 630-620-5736. submitted photos Rock Valley Publishing

This will also be a good time to ask questions about the Chamber and how you can get more involved in the Chamber events and programs. Visit lombardchamber.com for more information.

Chris Fox photos Rock Valley Publishing

The

House approves new abortion protection, plan to ease college admissions

Another bill eases driving tests on seniors tion that makes critical medications, including those for abortion, inaccessible.

Capitol news illinois

The Illinois House took its first step last week in passing legislation responding to proposed actions by the Trump administration.

The House voted 67-39 to advance House Bill 3637, which would put new protections in state law to safeguard health care licenses for providers who offer abortion cares.

It also guarantees continued access to abortion medication even if the medication’s approval is rescinded by the federal Food and Drug Administration.

“We know that Project 2025 has called for the revoking of the FDA approval for medication abortion drugs, and we cannot wait to react after the fact,” Rep. Dagmara Avelar, D-Romeoville, said.

Under the bill, if the FDA ends approval for a drug, health care providers in Illinois will be allowed to continue providing the medication so long as the World Health Organization recommends it. Democrats fear the Trump administration may take ac-

• Chase

The WHO has “experienced health care providers as well so I’m confident on what they put out with regards to safety of drugs,” Avelar said.

The U.S. Supreme Court unanimously ruled last year that a group suing to revoke FDA authorization for an abortion drug lacked standing.

Rep. Bill Hauter, R-Morton, argued the legislation sets a dangerous precedent for health care regulation.

“There has to be some safety mechanisms, whether they be in the abortion clinic or with abortion medications,” Hauter said.

“Do not reject the authority of the U.S. federal Food and Drug Administration. This is an important safety mechanism. This is unprecedented in my mind.”

Lawmakers approve bills easing driving tests on seniors

Road tests to renew driver’s licenses could be a thing of the past for many seniors in Illinois under a bill unanimously approved last week by the Illinois House.

The House voted 114-0

(Continued from page 2)

multiple spike strips, causing the Odyssey’s tires to deflate, Roman continued to flee officers, often driving into the opposite lane of traffic and into the center turn lane. It is alleged that the Odyssey eventually came to a stop in the area of Summit Avenue and Butterfield Road, in Oak Brook, where officers attempted to box the vehicle in. It is further alleged, however, that Roman again attempted to accelerate away from officers.

Officers approached the Odyssey and ordered Roman to exit the vehicle, at which time Roman allegedly then fell from the vehicle after opening the door. Officers immediately called for medics, who transported Roman to a local hospital for medical attention. The

two remaining occupants of the Odyssey, Brian Gomez and Altafracia Gomez, were charged at the scene and released on their own recognizance.

When searching the Odyssey, officers found the bags allegedly carried by Roman and Brian Gomez from the Marshalls & HomeGoods, which contained approximately $1,364.84 worth of merchandise with anti-theft devices still affixed, including clothes, nail polish and footwear. Officers also recovered multiple garbage bags containing merchandise allegedly taken from the Villa Park Burlington, with an approximate value of $2,123.27.

“The allegations that these three defendants entered two businesses, helped themselves

Coming events

Genealogy club to meet April 28 at Plum Library

April 28 at 7 p.m., The Genealogy Club at Helen Plum Library will have the program, “Locating Your Canadian Ancestors.” Jenny Warner will present a brief history of Canada. You will learn about Canadian records that are available for research and how to locate them in print or online. This program will be in-person and held in the Plum Meeting Rooms (1st floor). Registration required. Visit www.helenplum.org/

to approve House Bill 1226, which would raise the age that seniors must take a driving exam to renew their licenses from 79 to 87. People age 79 and older would still have to go in person to a secretary of state facility to renew their license but wouldn’t have to take a driving test with a state employee until they turn 87.

The bill is an initiative of Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias.

“Study after study indicates that senior drivers are the most safe amongst us and there’s really no need for this onerous test to be administered when you are a senior,” said bill sponsor Rep. Jay Hoffman, D-Swansea.

The bill includes a number of safeguards, including that immediate family members can submit reports to the secretary of state if they are concerned a relative has a condition that makes it unsafe for them to drive.

The bill was conceived by a constituent of Rep. Jeff Keicher, R-Sycamore, last year.

“We have had a persistent issue with discriminating against older folks in this state,” Keicher said. “This bill goes part of the way towards resolving that.”

to nearly $3,500 worth of merchandise and then fled the stores without paying are outrageous,” Berlin said. “What I find particularly disturbing in this case is the allegation that Miguel Roman, who was driving the getaway car, led police on an extremely dangerous chase at a busy shopping mall over curbs, through grass parkways and then, on multiple occasions, into oncoming traffic. This type of behavior put countless innocent pedestrians and motorists at great risk and will not be tolerated in DuPage County. Thankfully, the victims in the vehicle Mr. Roman allegedly struck were not seriously injured. I thank the Villa Park Police Department for their efforts on this case as well

Pritzker’s direct college admission plan

The House voted 102-2 last week to advance House Bill 3522, which would create a direct admission program that applies students for admission at most Illinois public colleges and universities at once, bypassing college application fees.

The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and University of Illinois Chicago would not be included in the program.

The plan was proposed by Gov. JB Pritzker.

Students would have to “opt-in” to take part in the program and provide their contact information and GPAs to the Illinois Student Assistance Commission. The commission would then apply admission criteria from each university to find out at which universities the student qualifies for admission.

No coverage caps on general anesthesia

Hauter also is the sponsor of HB1141, which unanimously passed the House floor last week. The bill would require all private insurance companies to cover the costs of medically necessary general

as the Lombard, Elmhurst, Oak Brook and Oakbrook Terrace police departments for their assistance in apprehending the defendants and for their continued efforts in keeping our roadways safe.”

“In Villa Park, we take any situation that endangers public safety extremely seriously,” McCann said. “I thank our officers involved in this situation for their professionalism and results. I also thank the neighboring police departments who assisted in the apprehension of the defendants for their efforts, as well as State’s Attorney Bob Berlin and his team for their support and legal guidance.”

The next court appearance for Roman is scheduled for April 28.

anesthesia for the entire duration of a patient’s medical procedure.

“Patients have no control over the length of their surgery,” he said. “Physiologists have no control, or little control, and surgeons oftentimes have no control when they run into complications, abnormal anatomy or even malfunctioning equipment.”

The bill would ensure insurance companies can’t deny lengthy coverage in Illinois and continue the state’s status quo, Hauter said.

Blue Cross Blue Shield recently threatened to set a cap on the duration of medically necessary anesthesia in Missouri, New York and Connecticut in late 2024. After receiving nationwide backlash on the decision, the company changed course and never set a cap.

Obituaries

MICHAEL A. ADAMOWICZ, 81

Michael Anthony Adamowicz, age 81, of Lombard passed away peacefully at home on Thursday, April 11, 2025.

All Funeral Services are private.

GREGG S. SKINNER, 58

Gregg S. Skinner, 58, passed away at his home on March 8, 2025. He was the beloved husband to Sue Skinner (nee

Artificial intelligence in health insurance decisions

Health insurances companies could face new restrictions on how they use artificial intelligence under a measure approved on a 79-35 vote last week.

House Bill 35 sponsored by Rep. Bob Morgan, D-Deerfield, would prohibit health insurance companies from only relying on AI to deny, reduce or terminate coverage for patients receiving care ranging from prescriptions to surgery. Instead, those AImade decisions would have to be reviewed by a human employee who can override it.

Health insurance companies would also be required to disclose to the state when they are using AI.

Grelecki) for 22 years; loving stepfather of Alex Brown; cherished son of the late Gary (Darlene) Skinner and Karen Skinner; dearest brother-inlaw of Beth Grelecki and David Grelecki and Paul Tursky. He was well loved by family and friends and a long-time employee of Wal-Mart. A Celebration of Life will be held from 4-7 p.m. on Monday, April 21, 2025, at Elmhurst Community Funeral Home – THE AHLGRIM CHAPEL, 567 South Spring Road, Elmhurst. In lieu of flowers, donations to ASPCA would be welcome. For information, (630) 8343515.

event/genealogy-club-70013 to register.

First Church of Lombard worship services

First Church of Lombard will hold its Maundy Thursday Service in the Maple Street Chapel at 7 p.m. on Thursday, April 17, and its Easter Service on Sunday, April 20, at 10:15 a.m. in the sanctuary at 220 S. Main St., Lombard. The chapel is located on the southwest corner of Maple St. and Main St. in Lombard. All are welcome.

Police Reports

The Addison and police departments recently reported the following arrests and citations. Persons who are charged with domestic battery are not named in order to protect the victim’s privacy. Readers are reminded that an arrest does not constitute a conviction, and that suspects are considered innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law. Juveniles age 17-or-younger are not named.

Addison

April 1

William Lee Dixon, 47, of Chicago, was charged with DUI in the 1700 block of W. Army Trail at 7:26 p.m.

March 31

A 19-year-old Addison man was charged with two counts of domestic battery in the 500 block of Green Oaks at 12:35 a.m.

March 30

Eric Mihai Domsa, 19, of Bensenville, was charged with consumption of liquor by a minor at 8:50 p.m.

Robert A. Hoppensteadt, 42, of Addison, was charged with DUI, transportation/ carrying alcoholic liquor by a driver, failure to yield and aggravated DUI/no driver’s license near Lake and Mill at 9:30 p.m.

Axel Daniel Trujillo Morales, 24, of Elk Grove Village, was charged with two counts of DUI and operating windshield wipers without headlights near Old Grand and Sherwood at 2:24 a.m.

March 29

Fernando A. Garcia-Zambrano, 29, of Addison, was charged with DUI in the 100 block of N. Swift at 12:36 a.m.

March 28

Michael A. Apa, 72, of Addison, was charged with DUIdrugs in the 100 block of E. Lake at 5:30 p.m.

Valentin Garcia Lopez, 30, of Addison, was charged with DUI in the 600 block of N.

• Women

Lincoln at 8:46 p.m.

March 27

Joseph D. Breakfield, 47, of Chicago, was charged with criminal damage to property in the 900 block of E. Lake at 4:09 p.m.

Erik Rene Mendoza, 18, of Addison, was charged with aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, improper lane usage and making an improper turn near Lake and Fourth at 10:01 p.m.

March 25

Cristofer Omar Cardona Cruz, 22, of Addison, was charged with two counts of DUI, transportation/carrying alcoholic liquor by a driver and operating windshield wipers without headlight near Lake and Marcus at 9:50 p.m.

Bensenville

Illinois veterinarians celebrate Healthy Pet Month

As a companion animal or livestock owner, you trust the health of your animal(s) with college-educated, professionally trained veterinarians and certified veterinary technicians to keep them in good health.

April is recognized every year as Healthy Pet Month by Illinois’ veterinarians, certified veterinary technicians (CVTs) and clinic practice professionals, the majority of which are members of the Illinois State Veterinary Medical Association (ISVMA).

Veterinarians always encourage pet and livestock owners to recognize the importance of proactive, preventive healthcare for their beloved pet or their herd, as well as for any medical procedure that will keep them healthy and continue to be a member of the family or livestock operation.

the veterinary team to take responsibility for making clinical judgements regarding the health of these animals and the need for medical treatment,” he said. “Of course, the client will need to follow the veterinarian’s instructions for the appropriate follow up and private care of the animal(s).”

Debbie Lakamp, CAE, ISVMA executive director, said veterinary professionals have the medical knowledge and experience of working with animals, both domestic and exotic, to take charge of their care.

Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation requirements prior to practicing.

State law also necessitates veterinarians enroll in 40 hours of biennial continuing education. Veterinarians are required to understand many distinct types of animals and their physiology to be able to accurately diagnose and treat them to provide the highest level of compassionate care, whether the animals live indoors or outdoors.

April 10, 11:47 a.m. in the 900 block of Supreme Drive, a complainant reported criminal damage by an unknown suspect. This incident is under investigation.

“The foundation for the oversight and care of any animal Illinois veterinary professionals treat and care for is our veterinary medical education, knowledge about animals and our years of experience caring for them,” said Matt Bussan, DVM, ISVMA president, Town and Country Animal Hospital, in downstate Normal.

BEPC2500259

April 6, 8:58 a.m. in the 500 block of S. York Road., a 30-year-old Bensenville man was arrested for domestic battery and three warrants.

BEPC2500252

April 5, 3:31 p.m. in the 1100 block of S. York Road, Enrique Castaneda Salazar, 53, of Bensenville, was arrested for trespassing.

BEPC2500249

April 4, 2:40 p.m., in the 1100 block of S. York Road, Enrique Castaneda Salazar, 53, of Bensenville, was arrested for criminal trespass, battery and disorderly conduct.

BEPC2500246

April 4, 10 p.m. near E. Irving Park Road and N. York Road, Wagner A. Toledo Guevara, 28, of Chicago, was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol.

BEPC2500247

April 4, 2:47 p.m. in the 200 block of W. Main St., Asare B. Rahkeem, 32, of Bensenville, was arrested for disorderly conduct and resisting. BEPC2500248

(Continued from page 3)

charged with one count of misdemeanor fleeing and eluding a police officer. All three defendants were released pre-trial with the condition that they are prohibited from entering any Nike store.

It is alleged that on April 9 at approximately 4:20 p.m., Shannon and Outlaw entered the Nike Well Collective. It is further alleged that once inside the store, the pair selected approximately 20 items of clothing with a value of more than $300 and left the store. It is further alleged that the pair then fled the scene in a

car driven by Barney. It is alleged that when a Naperville police officer activated the squad car’s emergency lights and sirens in an attempt to conduct a traffic stop, instead of pulling over, Barney did not pull over and continued to flee.

With the assistance of a Chicago Police Department helicopter, all three individuals were tracked into Chicago where they were taken into custody a short time later.

The next court appearance for all three defendants is scheduled for May 5 in front of Judge Mia McPherson.

Bussan says taking care of the health of any animal is a great responsibility that is not taken lightly.

“When a veterinarian and his or her clinic team assume responsibilities for the care of beloved pets or for large animals, the human client is allowing

“Veterinarians, CVTs and others employed at animal clinics and hospitals across Illinois can effectively diagnose an animal’s condition thanks to their education and hands-on experience, but also because of their personal involvement with that animal and its human caretaker,” she said.

“Our ISVMA member veterinarians and CVTs are involved with the overall health of the animals through routine checkups and have access to the medical records to make a professional assessment.”

Those who pursue a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree have typically four years of college education, followed by four years of post-graduate studies from an American Veterinary Medical Associationaccredited university. Graduates must pass the North American Veterinary Licensing Examination and all

CVTs must have graduated from an American Veterinary Medical Association-accredited college or university and pass the Veterinary Technician National Exam. CVTs must also take biennial continuing education courses to maintain their license to practice, granted through the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation.

The ISVMA is a professional association representing more than 1,900 member veterinarians, certified veterinary technicians, practice managers and veterinary and technician students from around the state to promote and protect veterinary practices.

ISVMA leaders and members study a multitude of innovative medical and business practices, as well as pertinent legislation to determine the impact on pets, animals and their human caretakers.

DuPage County announces text to 911

DuPage County recently announced the launch of Text-to-911, a vital emergency communication tool allowing residents to send text messages directly to 911 dispatchers when calling is not possible.

“Text-to-911 is a critical step forward in making emergency services more accessible and inclusive,” said County Board Chair Deborah Conroy.

“Whether someone is deaf or hard of hearing, experiencing a medical emergency that affects speech, or in a situation where speaking could put them in danger, this service ensures they can reach out for help.”

The system is compatible with mobile carriers such as AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile and works on any text-capable device including smartphones and tablets.

Dispatch centers cannot receive photos, videos, or emojis.

Officials emphasize that texting should only be used when calling is not safe or possible.

“Call if you can, and text if you can’t,” said Greg Schwarze, chair of Emergency Telephone System Board of DuPage County.

“Calling is better than texting because emergency dispatchers can get more immediate information that

can speed up emergency response.”

Voice calls to 911 are still the preferred method of reaching emergency services.

Text-to-911 is intended primarily for use in three emergency scenarios: if an individual is deaf, hard-ofhearing, or has a speech disability; if someone is in a situation where it is not safe to place a voice call to 911; or if a medical emergency has rendered the person incapable of speech.

If there is an emergency and you are unable to make a voice call, follow these steps to text 911:

• Location: Type your ex-

act location as soon as possible;

• What you need: Text what emergency help is needed: police, fire, or emergency medical;

• Be clear: Send a short message without abbreviations, slang, emojis, photos or video attachments;

• Stay calm: Answer questions and follow instructions from the 911 dispatcher. Remember that texting 911 is for emergencies only. Misuse of the service, like making a fake 911 call, is against the law.

For more information about the new Text-to-911 service, visit http://www. dupagecounty.gov/text911

Unemployment down, jobs up in majority of metro areas in February

Over the year, the unemployment rate decreased in 11 metro areas and increased in one for the year ending February, according to data released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and the Illinois Department of Employment Security (DES).

Over the year, total nonfarm jobs increased in seven metropolitan areas and decreased in five.

“The data report continues to underscore the strength of Illinois’ labor market with unemployment dropping and increases in jobs across most metro areas over the year,”

said Deputy Governor Andy Manar. “Illinois remains laser-focused on encouraging business development and expanding economic opportunities throughout the state.”

The metro areas which had the largest over-the-year percentage increases in total nonfarm jobs were the Elgin Metropolitan Division (+2.3 percent, +6,600), the Rockford MSA (+1.2 percent, +1,700), the Kankakee MSA (+0.9 percent, +400) and the Peoria MSA (+0.9 percent, +1,600).

Total nonfarm jobs in the Chicago-Naperville-Schaumburg Metropolitan Divi-

sion were up +18,600 (+0.5 percent). The metro areas which posted the largest over-the-year decreases in total nonfarm jobs were the Bloomington MSA (-2.2 percent, -2,100), the Decatur MSA (-1.7 percent, -800), the Champaign-Urbana MSA (-1.5 percent, -1,800), and the Illinois section of the Davenport-Moline-Rock Island IAIL MSA (-1.5 percent, -1,300).

The metro areas with the largest unemployment rate decreases were the Rockford MSA (-1.2 points to 5.6 percent), the Elgin Metro Division (-1.1 points to 5.0 percent), the Lake County Metro Division (-1.1 points to 5.3 percent), and the Kankakee MSA (-1.0 point to 5.9 percent).

The Chicago Metro Division reported the only increase (+0.1 point to 5.3 percent).

Industries that saw job growth in the majority of the 12 metro areas included: private education and health services (11 areas); government (10 areas); retail trade (nine areas); and mining and construction, transportation, warehousing and utilities, and financial activities (seven areas each).

Supreme Court rules House Republicans waited too long to challenge maps

Republicans argued recent election cycles show maps illegally gerrymandered

By Ben Szalinski Capitol news illinois

Illinois House Republicans waited too long to file a lawsuit challenging legislative maps drawn in 2021, the Illinois Supreme Court ruled last week.

As a result, the Democrat-majority court will not hear the case.

House Republican Leader Tony McCombie, R-Savanna, along with a group of individual voters, asked the court to reject the current legislative map for its partisan bias and lack of compactness. House Republicans wanted the court to appoint a special master to redraw the districts.

They alleged the voting district maps are not “compact,” a requirement of the state constitution, which has led to allegations of gerrymandering in favor of Democrats.

The plaintiffs argued court cases in other states and at the federal level required them to gather data from multiple election cycles with the maps in place to show a pattern that proves the maps aren’t compact and were drawn for partisan benefit. But the court

said McCombie’s caucus waited too long to make their case.

“Plaintiffs could have brought this argument years ago,” the court wrote in a short two-page opinion.

“Their claim that waiting multiple election cycles is necessary to reveal the effects of redistricting is unpersuasive.”

Republican Justice David Overstreet was the lone dissenting justice.

“They had the chance to make this right just to give the voters the chance to pick their representatives instead of representatives picking their voters and they declined,”

Rep. Dan Ugaste, R-Geneva, told reporters.

The court’s ruling follows a similar case in 2012 that challenged the compactness of the 2011 maps. In that case, the court dismissed the challenge as untimely even though it was filed just eight months after the maps were enacted.

Attorneys for House Speaker Chris Welch, D-Hillside, and Senate President Don Harmon, D-Oak Park, were allowed to intervene as defendants in the case, which

Coming events

GPS program April 23

On Wednesday, April 23, the GPS Parent Series: Navigating Healthy Families will present “his is So Awkward: Helping Kids Manage Today’s T(w)een Culture -Modern Puberty Explained” with adolescence experts Dr. Cara Natterson and Vanessa Kroll Bennett. They will give two presentations at noon and 7 p.m. via Zoom. Visit GPSparentseries.org for details. Puberty authorities Natterson and Kroll Bennett will discuss what adults need to know about modern puberty and today’s t(w)een culture. They will offer science-based explanations for the physical, emotional and social changes, including the many ways hormones affect young people. Participants will hear invaluable commentary straight from young adults that highlights what they wish the adults in their lives had known or done differently. Continuing professional development units are available for this program. To be placed on a reminder list for GPS events or submit a question in advance, contact Gilda Ross, Glenbard District 87 student and community projects coor-

was originally filed against the State Board of Elections.

“To allow plaintiffs to proceed now, mid-decade, with their proposed redistricting challenge would invite political parties to wait until they have a wave election and use their best election results to justify a partisan challenge to the legislative map,” the Democrats’ lawyers said in their filing.

The court wrote that five years since the 2020 census, population data might also be “stale.”

“Plaintiffs’ approach would also be prejudicial and create uncertainty for voters and officeholders alike, now and in the future, as to whether any redistricting plan in Illinois is ever final,” the court wrote.

The court’s decision not to hear arguments on the case

is the latest blow to various Republican legal efforts to throw out maps drawn by lawmakers and instead force an independent commission to draw new maps.

A lawsuit from multiple parties challenging the map was dismissed in 2021 by a federal three-judge panel, which rejected arguments that the map diluted the voting strength of racial minorities.

The court’s ruling last week noted Republicans did not appeal those rulings.

The Illinois Supreme Court blocked a 2016 citizen-driven referendum attempting to create an independent redistricting commission. The lead plaintiff in that case was John Hooker, a now-convicted conspirator in the “ComEd Four” corruption case. Federal courts also rejected Repub-

lican efforts to throw out the 2011 legislative maps.

In the case thrown out last week, Republicans argued that more than half of the current House Districts were less compact than a district the state’s high court tossed out in 1981. They also said Rep. Lisa Hernandez, D-Cicero, who led the House redistricting process for House Democrats in 2021, admitted during debate that the maps were drawn for her party’s political gain.

The Princeton Gerrymandering Project, which assesses legislative maps around the country on several metrics, gave the current Illinois House map an “F” grade for its compactness metric.

Republican leaders said they will review possible additional legal options in this

case, but their next steps toward enacting independent mapping will be outside of court. Rep. Ryan Spain, R-Peoria, said he wants to try another petition drive to force a ballot referendum on the issue.

“It’s up now to the voters to take this baton and run with it,” Spain told reporters. “We need to have voters initiate the redistricting reforms that were cut down.” Republican lawmakers also want to pursue judicial ethics reform, arguing Democrat Justices Elizabeth Rochford and Mary K. O’Brien should have recused themselves from the case after receiving campaign contributions in 2022 from a political action committee run by Harmon, who intervened as a defendant in the case.

Four Seasons Gardening conducting spring webinars

Discover invasive plants, garden pests

dinator, at gilda_ross@glenbard.org or 630-942-7668.

Lilac Time events with the historical society Lilac Time Festival Official Dates: May 3-May 18. For more information about the festival visit https://www. lombardlilactime.com.

Tour Schedule: Tours run May 1–May 17, with no tours on Sundays (except Mother’s Day, May 11), no tours on Mondays, and no tours on Sunday, May 18 (Lilac Parade Day). The public tour begins daily at 11 a.m., weather permitting. Tour starting point and parking: All tours begin at the Carriage House, located at 23 W. Maple St. Free parking is available in the lot adjacent to the Carriage House. Tickets: Tours are $9 Per Adult and $5 Per Children. Advance registration is recommended at www. lombardhistory.org/lilac-time. Group tours and school visits are also available by reservation. For more information or to book a group tour, contact the Lombard Historical Society at (630) 629-1885 or email, visit lombardhistory. org, or email education@lombardhistory.org.

While plants are waking up in backyards, parks, and gardens this spring, check in on the Four Seasons Gardening series webinars as another way to dig deeper, consider more plant options, strengthen management, and keep growing.

Register for the new spring sessions of the popular webinar series beginning April 29. Two new webinars explore the growing impact of invasive plants and how to get rid of them properly, and all about squash, pumpkin, and cucumber pests as garden visitors.

University of Illinois Extension horticulture experts will present tips, how-to’s, and answer questions about each monthly topic. The series focuses on home gardening, environmental stewardship, and backyard food production. Sessions are free and presented live online beginning at 1:30 p.m. on select Tuesdays. Registration is required.

Spring session schedule

Nature’s Uninvited Guests: The Impact of Invasive Plants April 29 Sometimes, plants pop up in the yard that weren’t planted. Many gardeners

don’t even notice at first or think the flower is cute, so they leave it. But in no time, it’s everywhere. Learn what makes a plant invasive versus aggressive, some common-to-Illinois invasives, and what to do about them.

Managing Common Squash and Pumpkin

Pests May 20

Pumpkins and squash are popular garden plants. However, many gardeners struggle with pests attacking their plants. Learn about common pests that affect squash, pumpkin, cucumber, and melon plants, as well as how to manage them.

Extension educators Jamie Viebach and Ken Johnson will lead the winter series. Find more information and sign up for each session at go.illinois.edu/FourSeasons.

Can’t make a session? Every program is recorded and available on the Illinois Extension Horticulture YouTube channel.

Videos are available about two weeks after the live program.

If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate, contact series coordinators by session: April In-

vasive Plants - Nancy Kreith, at kreith@illinois.edu, and May Common Pests - Gemini Bhalsod, at gbhalsod@

illinois.edu. Early requests are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time for meeting access needs.

NUHS Whole Health Center - Lombard offers a wide variety of integrative medicine services including:

• Acupuncture

• Massage Therapy

• Chiropractic care

• Nutritional counseling

• Diagnostic lab tests & X-Ray

• Physical Therapy & rehab

• Work & sports physicals

Students, women in trades advocate for more career and technical education

New study identifies unpaid internships, underrepresentation as barriers to entry

MEDILL ILLINOIS NEWS BUREAU

Argo Community High School sophomore Luciana Deir wants to go into construction after she graduates. Her classmate, Angelica Turza, wants to work in advertising and graphic design.

To get themselves on those paths, earlier this school year they tried to enroll in career and technical education, or CTE, classes at their school in Chicago’s southwest suburbs, even if it meant skipping lunch to fit these courses into their schedules.

“Are you sure you’d be interested in that?” was one of the things Deir said she had heard from the school’s academic counselors.

“Students are discouraged to take certain CTE classes—especially female (students)—in things like cars and autos … things that are seen as more masculine,” said Turza.

Deir agreed, adding she felt the discouragement from adults “takes away your potential.”

“Just because you’re a woman doesn’t mean you have less potential than a man,” she said. Both enrolled in the CTE classes anyway. Then they took their concerns to the Capitol.

Deir and Turza were two of about 100 high school students from around the state who met with lawmakers in Springfield last month to call for more support and funding for CTE opportunities in high schools, vocational schools and career centers.

The meetings were part of the 2025 AMPLIFY Conference by SkillsUSA Illinois, the Illinois chapter of a national nonprofit aimed at preparing students for careers in trade, technical and skilled service occupations.

They also called to attention the need for more equitable opportunities for women in the trades, thus encouraging more female participation in the field.

A recent statewide study by SkillsUSA Illinois found high school students now have more work-based learning opportunities like apprenticeships and CTE programs than when the state implemented a plan to increase CTE opportunities in 2019 spurred by a federal law. But the study also highlighted continued barriers to entry into the trades, including unpaid internships and minority-based disparities, such as low participation from female and non-white apprentices in certain fields, continue to be barriers to entry into the trades.

The study was a joint effort by SkillsUSA Illinois and the P-20 Research and Data Collaborative at Northern Illinois University to assess the work-based learning landscape for high school students. Eric Hill, executive director of SkillsUSA Illinois, said the study indicates that school-based programs could use more support.

Receive a digital copy of your hometown newspaper every week with an eSubscription for only $35 a year. There’s no waiting for your home delivery. Your link to the weekly newspaper will be emailed to you every Thursday. The digital version of the newspaper can be read on a computer, laptop or tablet. For an eSubscription, visit rockvalleyenews.com or call 627-7010.

“We need to find champions in our local districts and give those champions resources to be able to better expand opportunities to our students and give them more apprenticeship opportunities,” he said.

Illinois’ efforts have been bolstered since 2019 by the Illinois Works Jobs Programs Act, which was included in Illinois’ $45 billion infrastructure plan passed during Gov. JB Pritzker’s first year in office. It includes three key programs: An apprenticeship initiative that provides trades and construction opportunities; a pre-apprenticeship program that supports underrepresented talents in construction; and a bid credit program that encourages contractors to hire more apprentices from more diverse backgrounds.

The SkillsUSA Illinois study noted progress but also ongoing challenges. It found Illinois saw a roughly 28 percent increase in new apprentices from 2019 to 2024, growing from 6,475 to 9,041 apprentices over these five years.

Female participation, however, only accounted for 14 percent of new apprentices last year, though that figure represents a doubling from

7 percent in 2019. Though the population of female apprentices is growing, women still have the lowest rates of participation in construction as well as installation, maintenance and repair, the two largest occupation categories over the past five years, according to the study. The number of new non-white apprentices also grew from 26 percent in 2019 to 46 percent in 2024.

Minority participants also have a greater presence in lower-paying occupations like health care support, transportation and food preparation, the study found. Last year, 88 percent of health care support entrants were non-white. Eighty percent of all health care support entrants for 2024 were women.

The apprenticeship study also found roughly 40 percent of students at surveyed schools participated in internships, though the majority of them worked in unpaid roles, which can “disadvantage underrepresented groups, further exacerbating inequities,” according to the report.

Hill said unpaid apprenticeships or internships can hinder students’ ability to pursue trades as a lifelong career, specifically those who are heads of household income earners.

“We’re asking them to give up the ability to have a paid wage to take an unpaid internship, and that is something that we have systematically got to get away from in the state of Illinois and across the country,” said Hill. “We cannot connect students to job opportunities if we’re not showing them the benefits of having a job—having a salary or having a livable wage.”

Organizations like the Illinois AFL-CIO and Illinois Building Trades Unions are working to increase female participation in apprenticeship programs and create pathways for long-term success in the trades.

These organizations have built sections within them dedicated to provide training, mentorship and advocacy for women pursuing careers in construction – dedicated to increasing female representation in the trades. Despite making up nearly half of the workforce, women hold less than 5 percent of construction and building trade jobs, according to the Illinois AFL-CIO.

One way to close this gap

is by exposing students, especially young women, to career opportunities in the trades early on in their schooling, according to Marisa Richards, director of outreach and engagement at Painters District Council No. 30, which covers nine local unions in the northern half of Illinois. Many unions are working to bridge this divide by partnering with high schools and middle schools to introduce students to various skilled trades before they enter the workforce.

“The big push right now is also pre-apprenticeship— giving younger students, or people looking for a career change, the chance to test out different construction trades,” Richards said.

One major initiative toward these goals is the second annual “Tradeswomen Take Over Springfield,” an event advocating for policies that expand access for women in the trades. During the first week of March, which also marked national Women in Construction Week and the start of Women’s History Month, more than 200 tradeswomen gathered at the Illinois Capitol

The event, which coincided with SkillsUSA Illinois’ 2025 AMPLIFY Conference, brought together labor leaders, policymakers and industry professionals to address these challenges. Speakers included the Illinois AFLCIO President Tim Drea, legislators and a lineup of tradeswomen leaders sharing their experiences and advocating for systemic change.

The tradeswomen also traveled to Springfield to lobby for House Resolution 161, which was non-binding but would technically express the official opinion and will of the Illinois House. It seeks to “affirm that the diversity of Illinois is its strength and that the workforce on publicly funded projects must reflect our state with work sites composed of those from diverse backgrounds, gender identities, races and experiences.”

The resolution, introduced by state Rep. Elizabeth “Lisa” Hernández, D-Cicero, who serves as chair of the Democratic Party of Illinois, also takes shots at President Donald Trump. It cites recent executive orders that “aim to reverse hard-won progress to diversity the workforce and will further entrench systemic occupational segregation,

robbing women of economic security.”

HR 161 also claims the Trump administration has weakened entities like the National Labor Relations Board and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission so those agencies can no longer “ensure safe, respectful and harassment-free work sites that uphold workers’ rights.”

The resolution, which is awaiting a hearing in the House Labor and Commerce committee, is sponsored exclusively by Democrats, including House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch, D-Hillside, who signed on as a chief co-sponsor last month.

The proposed resolution also mentions that 64 percent of U.S. student loan debt is held by women, a fact that makes “apprenticeships a vital career pathway to economic stability as apprentices earn while they learn.”

The push for more funding and support for CTE programs goes hand in hand with broader efforts to ensure equitable access to the skilled trades, particularly for women.

Tiffany Beard, a technology education teacher and SkillsUSA advisor at Morton High School near Peoria, said she’s thankful SkillsUSA provides students and teachers alike a pathway to advocate for more exposure and support for a career path in trades.

“The empowerment that students have in an organization like this is astounding. They grow so much from being in a position where they feel like their thoughts, their ideas and their voice matter,” she said. “It’s the best choice I’ve ever made.”

Passionate trades students like Kinleigh Brummett also see the importance of skillsbased learning during the twoday AMPLIFY conference.

An audio/video production program student at the Capital Area Career Center in Springfield, Brummett said besides technical skills, students also learn workplace and personal skills like dressing professionally or speaking actively at job interviews through the SkillsUSA framework.

“That helps us in the future, not only in SkillsUSA and school, but also to help future jobs and things like that,” Brummett said.

“That’s why we’re here today … to find funding and more support for schools like this.”

St. Timothy Evangelical

547 N. Main St., Lombard, IL 60148 630-627-2435

Lent and Easter Services at 7 p.m.

Easter Worship

“The Crucial Hours”

Maundy Thursday Service April 17 at 7pm

Second Lenten Service March 9, 2022

Rev. David Ernest “Satan Has Asked to Sift All of You” Jerusalem Lutheran, Morton Grove Matthew 27:15-26

Third Lenten Service March 16, 2022

Rev. Paul Spaude “What to Remember When Your are

Good Friday Tenebrae Service April 18 at 7pm

St. Matthews, Niles Seized with Remorse” Matthew 27:3-4

779 S. York Street, Elmhurst, IL · 630-834-6700 www.visitationparish.org

HOLY WEEK SERVICES

Easter Festival Service April 20 at 10:15am

Fourth Lenten Service March 23, 2022

Rev. Jonathan Bergemann “I Will Keep the Passover” Good Shepherd, Downers Grove Matthew 26:18

Fifth Lenten Service March 30, 2022

Rev. Tom Nicholson “They Bound Him” Resurrection, Aurora John 18:12

Sixth Lenten Service April 6, 2022

Rev. Phil Schupmann “The Semblance of Legality” Resurrection, Aurora Luke 22:66

Sunday Worship at 10:15 am Sunday School & Bible Study 9am Wednesday Service at 7pm Ladies Bible Fellowship Mondays at 6:30pm Saturday, April 26 Game Night at 4pm Everyone is Welcome!

Maundy Thursday Communion 7 p.m., April 14

Holy Thursday, April 17: Mass of the Lord’s Supper, 7 PM Night Prayer, 11:45 PM

Good Friday, April 18

Celebration of the Passion, 3 PM Stations of the Cross, 7 PM

Holy Saturday, April 19

Easter Food Blessing, Noon Easter Vigil, 8:00 PM

Easter Sunday, April 20 Masses at: 7:30, 9:30 & 11:30 AM

Good Friday Tenebrae 7 p.m., April 15

All services are live streamed. SaintTimothy.org

Easter Sunrise 6:30 a.m., April 17

Easter Breakfast 8 a.m., April 17

Easter Festival 10:15 a.m., April 17

Confessions: Saturday: 3-3:45PM Adoration: Parish Center Chapel 24/7

W. Vallette

of

and Vallette

Saturdays 5:00pm Sundays 8:30am & 11:00am

Maundy Thursday 6:30pm Good Friday 6:30pm

Elmhurst, IL www.epiphanyelmhurst.org 630-832-8457

us for Easter Sunday Worship 8:00am and 11:15am Traditional Worship with Holy Communion 9:30am Children and Family Worship with Holy Communion All are Welcome!

Montini Catholic congratulates newest World Language National Honor Society members

Montini Catholic in Lombard recently congratulated the newest inductees into its Spanish, Chinese and French honor societies.

This year’s ceremony was held recently in the high school’s auditorium.

Members and families were welcomed by Montini’s Foreign Language Department Chair, Jennifer Block, along with French teacher Beth DiMarco, Chinese teacher Sumin Xu and Spanish teacher Makenzie Long.

The ceremony began with select language students reciting the “Hail Mary”prayer in Chinese, French, and Spanish.

“We recognize an extraordinary group of students— young scholars who have demonstrated not only academic excellence but also perseverance, curiosity, and a deep commitment to language learning,” said Block. “Over the past three or four years, they have risen to the

challenges of mastering a new language all while navigating its complexities with determination and enthusiasm. More than just excelling in their studies, they have embraced the beauty of communication across cultures: fostering connections that extend far beyond the classroom.

“Their dedication to linguistic and cultural understanding is both inspiring and commendable, and we are so proud to celebrate their achievements. We as their teachers get to see them taking risks every day in class, and putting in the hard work to excelwe are so glad that they are being celebrated.”

French Honor Society :

The French Honor Society is a nationally recognized organization that honors students who have excelled not only in their French courses but in all of their courses at Montini. Additionally, these students

must take French 4 or 4H next year to finish out their four years of French, or be a graduating senior who elected to take level 3 their senior year. They must be members of our French club and have an average GPA of 3.5 or higher in their French courses over the course of three years.

Chinese Honor Society : The National Chinese Honor Society (NCHS) was established in 1993 to recognize those accomplished high school students who study Chinese as a world language. To be eligible for induction, students must maintain an average of 93 or higher and commit to pursuing language study throughout their four years at Montini.

Eligibility requires that students have a cumulative 3.5 GPA, including a 4.0 GPA in their specific language, as well as a commitment to taking the foreign language all four years at Montini. This year 18

students were inducted into their respective language honor society.

Spanish Honor Society :

The Spanish Honor Society was founded by the American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese in 1953, for the students of North American secondary schools.

The name of Montini Catholic’s chapter is San Juan Butista de la Salle with the motto, “Todos a una,” “All together.”

Students must maintain a 95 or higher in three prior semesters for Spanish to be eligible for Honor Society status.

Congratulations to:

Chinese Honor Society inductees

Michael May, junior (Villa Park)

Thomas Healy, junior

French Honor Society inductees

Julia Ciaccio, junior (Lombard)

Harry (Harold) Hall, junior

Aubrey Podojil, junior Sophia Torres, junior

Spanish Honor Society inductees

Sofia Flores, junior (Lombard)

Savannah Gutierrez, junior

Blake Heyer, junior Karissa Jones, junior

Jonathan Kosinski, junior

Ashlynn Lindt, junior (Lombard)

Nicole Navarro, junior (Lombard)

Yeon (Seoyeon) Park, junior (International Student/Lombard)

Gabby (Mary Gabrielle) Paulino, junior (Lombard)

Valentina Serna, senior (Addison)

Jackson Simek, senior Mia (Maria) Torres, junior

Welcome to ST. PIUS X CATHOLIC COMMUNITY Diocese of Joliet

Holy Week and Easter Schedule

April 17 — HOLY THURSDAY

Celebration of the Lord’s Supper/Bilingual — 7 pm

Adoration from 9 pm to Midnight

April 18 — GOOD FRIDAY

Live Stations of the Cross/Bilingual — 1 pm

Stations of the Cross/English — 3 pm

Viernes Santo De la Pasión del Señor — 5 pm

Celebration of the Lord’s Passion — 7 pm

April 19 — HOLY SATURDAY

Celebration of Easter Vigil — 8 pm

April 20 — EASTER SUNDAY

Masses — 8 am, 10 am & Misa en Español 1 pm

St. Peter’s United Church of Christ 125 W Church Street, Elmhurst stpeterselmhurst.org No matter who you are or where you are on life's journey, you are welcome here.

Easter Services

Sunrise Service at 7:00am Easter Celebration at 9:30am

(Adoration of the Eucharist will follow in the Church)

Night Prayer: 11:45 p.m., Church

Good Friday - April 18th

Morning Prayer: 8:00 a.m., Church

Stations of the Cross: Noon, Church

Passion of the Lord: 3:00 p.m., Church

A Day of Fast and Abstinence

Holy Saturday - April 19th

Morning Prayer: 8:00 a.m., Church

Blessing of Easter Food: Noon, Church

Easter Vigil: 8:00 p.m., Church

Easter Sunday - April 20th

Mass: 7:30 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., Sacred Heart Chapel Mass: 9:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., Church

(Please note: There will be no 4:30 p.m. Mass on March 30 and no 7 p.m. Mass on March 31)

Puzzle page

SUDOKU

Fun by the Numbers

Like puzzles? Then you’ll love sudoku. This mind-bending puzzle will have you hooked from the moment you square off, so sharpen your pencil and put your sudoku savvy to the test! Here’s How It Works: Sudoku puzzles are formatted as a 9x9 grid, broken down into nine 3x3 boxes. To solve a sudoku, the numbers 1 through 9 must fill each row, column and box. Each number can appear only once in each row, column and box. You can figure out the order in which the numbers will appear by using the numeric clues already provided in the boxes. The more numbers you name, the easier it gets to solve the puzzle!

CLUES ACROSS

1. Dark blacks

7. Construct a wall to confine

13. Most inappropriate

14. A type of board

16. Sacred Hindu syllable

17. Flatterer

19. The Granite State 20. Tears down

22. China’s Chairman

23. Former Houston footballer

25. Periods of time

26. Expressed pleasure

28. World alliance

29. A Brit’s mother

30. Television network

31. Brother or sister

33. Type of spirit

34. __ Ladd, actor

36. A medium oversees it

38. One time province of British India

40. Wrong

41. The highest parts of something

43. Insect

44. Baseball stat

45. A way to use up

47. Where wrestlers compete

48. It helps elect politicians

51. As fast as can be done

53. Genus of legumes

55. Samoa’s capital

56. Monument in Jakarta

58. Former French coin

59. Exploiters

60. College sports official

61. Uninterrupted in time

64. Stephen King story

65. Marked by no sound

67. Weathers

69. Denouncements

70. More beloved

CLUES DOWN

1. Winged nut

2. It cools a home

3. Kisses (French)

4. Oxford political economist

5. Keyboard key

6. Leaf pores

7. Agrees with publicly

8. Not around

9. Czech city

10. Muscle cell protein

11. Greek letter

12. Movements

13. Ned __, composer

15. Popular series Game of __

18. Exclamation that denotes disgust

21. Helper

24. Gift

26. Up in the air (abbr.)

27. Treat without respect

30. Trims

32. Slang for lovely

35. City of Angels hoopster (abbr.)

37. Guitarists’ tool

38. Island nation

39. Delivered in installments

42. A baglike structure

43. Cooking vessel

46. Gets in front of

47. Wounded by scratching

49. More breathable

50. Medical dressings

52. Indiana hoopster

54. Married Marilyn

55. An ancient Assyrian city

57. Congressmen (abbr.)

59. Approves food

62. Ventura’s first name

63. Between northeast and east

66. Atomic #71

68. Email designation

Bolda pitches perfect game for Rams

Sophomore Claire Bolda (No. 23 - above left) of the Glenbard East softball team pitched a perfect game in the Rams’ 10-0 five-inning victory over Glenbard South in last week’s Upstate Eight Conference game in Glen Ellyn. The Rams improved to 5-1 overall and 4-0 in conference play with their April 10 victory over the Raiders. Bolda recorded 10 strikeouts while retiring 15 straight batters over five innings in her team’s win at Glenbard South. She struck out a batter to end the game, which took place in chilly conditions. Two days before beating Glenbard South, the Rams defeated Elmwood Park 7-1 in a conference game in Elmwood Park. Bolda allowed two hits, no walks and no earned runs while piling up 16 strikeouts over seven

Rams win thriller

innings in Glenbard East’s April 8 road victory over the Tigers in Elmwood Park. Sophomore Lilly Carver sparked the Rams’ offense in that win by going 4-for-4 and scoring two runs. Carver, the team’s leadoff hitter, is pictured (No. 22 - above middle) during last week’s win at Glenbard South, when she went 2-for-4 and drove in two runs. Glenbard East scored eight runs in the top of the third inning to take an 8-0 lead over the Raiders. The Rams added two more runs in the top of the fifth inning. Sophomore Ally Amrhein went 2-for-4 and drove in two runs for Glenbard East in last week’s win over Elmwood Park. Amrhein then went 2-for-2 in the Rams’ April 10 victory at Glenbard South.

Glenbard East’s boys volleyball team raised its overall season record to 5-2 with its three-game victory over Naperville North in Lombard on April 10. The Rams edged the visiting Huskies 25-16, 17-25, 26-24. Glenbard East held a 21-16 lead in the decisive third game. Moments later, the Rams owned a 24-22 lead, but Naperville North won the next two points to stay in the match and even the score at 24-24. Glenbard East then won the next two points to close out a tight win. Sophomore Gloire Emena (No. 14 - above left) bashed 11 kills and made 10 digs for the Rams in their three-game triumph. Junior Gabe Polyak provided six kills and eight digs. Senior Max McDermott (No. 9 - above middle) handed out 16 assists and made nine digs. Junior Loyce Mojica supplied 11 assists and five digs. Senior Nick Sommesi (No. 8 - above right) connected for seven kills, while junior Nate Lynch pounded five kills. Junior Jake Hayes contributed nine digs and three assists. Senior Ryan

Ghannem hit three kills. The Rams’ record stood at 7-5 after they won two of five matches and placed eighth at their own Springfest Tournament on Saturday in Lombard. The Rams went 2-1 in pool play, beating Schaumburg (22-25, 25-19, 15-13) and Andrew (25-22, 25-12) and losing to Neuqua Valley (25-23, 19-25, 9-15). Glenbard East then advanced to the event’s ‘B’ bracket, where they suffered narrow losses to Conant and Downers Grove South. Conant edged the Rams 29-27, 27-25. Downers Grove South defeated Glenbard East 25-16, 18-25, 25-17 in the seventh-place match. Emena was named to the Springfest All-Tournament Team. He compiled 47 kills and 22 digs during the Rams’ five tournament matches. Polyak hit 20 kills and made 22 digs in Saturday’s action. McDermott piled up 67 assists and 28 digs in the event. Sommesi hit 34 kills, while Lynch bashed 19 kills. Hayes made 34 digs during the tournament, while Ghannem hit 11 kills.

Chris Fox photos Rock Valley Publishing

Chris Fox photos Rock Valley Publishing

Rams beat the Warriors

The Glenbard East and Willowbrook girls soccer teams faced off in Friday night’s match in Lombard. The Rams defeated the visiting Warriors 1-0. Glenbard East, which earned its first win of the season with its victory over its nearby rival, raised its record to 1-3-1 with Friday’s triumph. Willowbrook’s overall season record dropped to 1-5-1 with its loss to the Rams. Glenbard East sophomore Teagan Murphy (No. 14 - top right) scored the only goal of the match when she rocketed a left-footed kick into the net with 31:35 left in the second half. Murphy notched her second goal of the season with Friday’s score. Pictured (right) left to right during the first half of the match are Glenbard East senior Cleo Glenzinski (No. 4), Willowbrook senior goalkeeper Payton Brose and Willowbrook sophomore Naya Stathopoulos (No. 16). Brose made seven saves for the Warriors during Friday’s contest. Earlier last week, Glenbard East opened its Upstate Eight Conference season with a 1-1 tie against Glenbard South in Lombard. Junior Nora Opila scored the Rams’ goal against the Raiders. While the result of the April 8 match counted as a tie, the two teams battled in a penalty-kick shootout after the contest to determine conference standings. Glenbard South prevailed in that shootout. The Rams’ overall season record fell to 1-4-1 following Saturday’s 3-0 loss at Plainfield North. Several members of the Glenbard East and Willowbrook teams are members of the Firebirds Soccer Club. After Friday’s match, those Firebirds from both teams posed for a group picture (above).

DePaul’s

Bruno, who recently announced his retirement. Pizzotti

the Blue Demons’ interim head coach during the 2024-25 season, when Bruno was on

CHRIS FOX PHOTOS Rock Valley Publishing

LEGAL NOTICE

LEGAL NOTICE

On Tuesday, April 22, 2025, an in-person and virtual meeting conducted by DuPage High School District 88 will take place at the District Office (2 Friendship Plaza, Addison) and via Zoom at 8:00 am. The purpose of the meeting will be to discuss the District’s plan for providing special education services to students with identified disabilities who attend parentally placed private/parochial schools and home schools located within the District’s boundaries for the 2025-26 school year.

If you are a parent/guardian of a home-schooled student who has been or may be identified with a disability and you reside within the boundaries of DuPage High School District 88, you are encouraged to attend.

If you have further questions about this meeting and/or are interested in attending, please complete the survey at: https://forms.gle/ oaEsKAnAeTpmxQL17 or scan the QR Code:

Warriors sweep the Hornets

The Willowbrook baseball team opened its West Suburban Gold Conference season by sweeping last week’s three-game series against Hinsdale South. The Warriors opened the series with a 12-1 six-inning victory at Hinsdale South on April 8. Two days later, Willowbrook beat the Hornets 4-1 in Villa Park. The Warriors completed the series sweep with a 3-2 home win on Friday. Junior Noah Edison of the Warriors recorded 12 strikeouts in five and two-third innings on the mound to earn a victory in his team’s April 8 win. Edison allowed two hits and no earned runs while issuing six walks in the contest. Seniors Sam Marrese, Vinny Ippolito and Ryan Bannon provided two hits each in Willowbrook’s victory in the series opener against the Hornets. Willowbrook junior Bobby Biggs pitched a complete game and posted a victory in the second game of the series. Biggs allowed three hits and no earned runs in the Warriors’ 4-1 win. He notched eight strikeouts and gave up two walks in seven innings. Willowbrook trailed Hinsdale South 2-0 in the middle of the fifth inning of Friday’s series finale. Junior Alek Ramey hit a two-out, two-run double in the bottom of the fifth inning to even the score at 2-2. Ramey is pictured (above left) as he celebrates his clutch hit while standing on second base. Willowbrook took a 3-2 lead when senior Nathan Mulholland scored from third base on a wild pitch with two outs in the bottom of the sixth inning. Mulholland is pictured (above middle) after he slid safely into home plate. Senior Ryan Adamczyk pitched the first five innings of Friday’s game for Willowbrook. He allowed one hit and one earned run. He struck out five batters and allowed five walks. Junior Max Wilkison (pictured above right) pitched the final two innings of the game and picked up the win for the Warriors. Wilkison allowed one hit and two walks in his two scoreless innings on the mound. Willowbrook moved its overall season record to 9-3 with Saturday’s 16-1 non-conference win at Proviso West. The Warriors scored 10 runs in the first inning of Saturday’s game, which lasted for four innings. Junior Jake Bonino hit a two-run inside-the-park home run in the first inning to give Willowbrook a 9-0 lead. The Warriors are tangling with Downers Grove South in this week’s three-game conference series.

Answers

‘Chilling silence’: Waves of Illinois’ international university students lose their visas

By Jackson Brandhorst, Bridgette Fox, Molly Parker, Julia Rendleman and Lylee Gibbs Capitol News illiNois

Illinois hosts one of the largest international student populations in the nation, ranking fifth pate, criticize and critique the government if, in fact, the government acts in such an opaque way that I can’t know what the heck they’re doing,” he said.

The federal government has revoked the visas of some international students studying at universities across Illinois, but college administrators are sharing few details, including how many students have been impacted.

A spokesperson for the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign last week confirmed that some of its students are affected, but did not disclose a number. U of I ranks sixth nationally in the size of its international student body at over 15,000.

“Out of student privacy concerns, we are not sharing specific information, but we are working directly with affected

students to help them connect with appropriate resources and understand their options,” said Robin Kaler, a university spokesperson. Kaler declined to provide more details, though multiple sources familiar with the situation at U of I, who asked that their names not be used because they are not authorized to speak on the matter, say the number of students whose visas have been revoked is at least several dozen — and likely growing.

The revocations are part of a broader federal crackdown playing out on campuses across the country. International students have faced abrupt visa cancellations in recent weeks, as the Trump administration’s sweeping immigration dragnet ensnares college students, federal officials claim have violated visa rules,

though the reasons for the revocations are not always made clear. In many cases, students have also lost their status in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System, SEVIS, which allows them to legally stay in the U.S. while enrolled in school.

Across its vast network of public and private colleges and universities, Illinois hosts one of the largest international student populations in the nation, ranking fifth, with more than 55,000 international students, according to a 2024 Open Doors report

A spokesperson for Gov. JB Pritzker’s office said it has been in “close touch” with both public and private university leaders across the state but declined to share any information about how many students have been affected—or wheth-

Rock Valley Publishing presents...

Villa Park Review

42nd Annual

Many Faces of Lombard &

Villa Park

er it even knows. The spokesperson said Pritzker’s office is deferring to the universities to provide data on what is “an incredibly fluid situation.”

Ed Yohnka, a spokesperson for the American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois, said the lack of transparency from both federal officials and universities raises serious concerns about accountability and democratic oversight. It also makes it difficult for advocacy groups like his to provide a meaningful response to affected students.

“One of the things we often think about when we think about the First Amendment, or we think about free speech is that I can’t speak freely about what the government’s doing if I don’t know they’re doing it. I can’t actually exercise my constitutional right to partici-

“And, so I think that’s why, if the federal government won’t share this information— if they’re trying to, sort of, just sneak one by here—this

is where it gets incredibly important for universities to at least give some sort of number, some sort of range, to say that people in their community are being impacted and affected by these reckless and unlawful government policies.”

See viSaS, Page 23

For more than three decades, local businesses have used this popular photo section to acquaint thousands of readers in Lombard and Villa Park with their businesses.

To be included in this popular business promotion or for more information, call or email. We will then contact you to set up a photo appointment and pick up the copy for your cutline. Don’t miss out on this great advertising special because you waited too long to call! Space is limited and each year we turn away businesses due to space limitations. Call 630-834-8244 or e-mail bjesensky@rvpublishing.com. The reservation deadline is May 1 “Faces” will be published on Thursday, May 29.

NOTE: Remember, it is very important to have your cutline information available when your photo is taken. Also, remember this is a photo section, so please keep your cutline information brief to allow adequate space for your photo. Cutlines may be faxed to 630-834-0900 or e-mailed to: bjesensky@rvpublishing.com

Published — Thursday, May 29, 2025

Deadline — May 1, 2025

For additional information, contact your

Catch The Twain comes to Helen Plum Library April 21

The Helen Plum Memorial Library, 411 S. Main St., presents “Catch The Twain: The Musical” at 1 p.m. Monday, April 21. “Mark and I have been developing this Chautauqua style program for almost a year now,” said Warren Brown, who has spent over 30 years researching the life and work of Twain. “And just like Twain himself, we like to play off the audience members and each other, with stories, jokes and songs.” “Warren Brown is Mark Twain,” said folk musician and songwriter Mark Dvorak, who provides the soundtrack to Brown’s performance, performing old-time banjo tunes, period songs and audience participation. “Warren is hilarious; we’ve been crossing paths for years and it’s been a lot fun working with him to put this show together. The program is family-friendly and educational. For information, call 630-627-0316 or visit www.helenplum.org. Learn more about “Catch The Twain” at www.catchthetwain.com. Find Mark Dvorak at www.markdvorak.com.

submitted photo Rock Valley Publishing

Many schools are citing privacy laws, such as the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), as to why they cannot disclose information about student visas.

SIU professor William Freivogel said that while the FERPA bars university disclosure of a student’s visa status unless the student gives written permission, the university should release anonymized data—without student names or identifying information.

“If the university is concerned that a student is losing the[ir] visa without the government presenting adequate reasons, the university can ask the student if it can disclose the information,” said Freivogel, who specializes in media law. “Presumably the governor’s office, if concerned about the situation statewide, could try to collect information in the same way — asking students if they want to waive their FERPA rights so that people can get a better picture of what is happening statewide and nationwide.”

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in late March that student visas are being revoked because select international students came to the U.S. to study, but instead engaged in “activist movements that are disruptive and undermine universities,” through protests on campus, specifically those that “are supportive of movements that run counter to the foreign policy of the United States.” That includes those calling for support of the Palestinian people and a ceasefire in Gaza, although it is unclear what the U.S. considers to be “movements that run counter to the foreign policy of the United States.”

On Wednesday, April 9, the U.S. said it will begin monitoring immigrants’ social media pages for antisemitism

DHS Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs Tricia McLaughlin said, “Anyone who thinks they can come to America and hide behind the First Amendment to advocate for antisemitic violence and terrorism—think again.”

Under this new directive, the U.S. Citizenship and Im

migration Services will consider social media content that indicates an immigrant “endorsing, espousing, promoting, or supporting antisemitic terrorism, antisemitic terrorist organizations, or other antisemitic activity as a negative factor in any USCIS discretionary analysis when adjudicating immigration benefit requests”—which may lead to visa revocation and the inability to be reinstated.

Happening on campuses across the state

University officials in Illinois have not disclosed the reasons that their students have lost their visas, and in some cases said they don’t even know themselves.

Southern Illinois University Carbondale reported one student with a revoked visa in late March but has since declined to comment on whether additional students have been affected.

After the initial confirmation, an SIU spokesperson told a reporter it would “no longer confirm or share information” and is “devoting our resources and energies to supporting our international students.”

Meanwhile, SIU Edwardsville has confirmed that eight students, including three undergraduates and five graduate students, lost their visa status early last week.

A Northern Illinois University spokesperson confirmed last week that five international students there had lost their visas.

SIU Carbondale reported 875 international students for the fall of 2024, a 2.5 percent increase from the year prior, while NIU enrolled roughly 970 international students.

As of spring 2025, SIU Edwardsville had 825 international students representing 69 countries.

The University of Chicago student newspaper, the Chicago Maroon, reported that three current students and

As university leaders try to balance student concerns, fears of retaliation in an increasingly fraught political climate and growing demands for transparency, some say they feel left in the dark. And they worry the lack of transparency could conceal the full scope of the federal government’s actions against international students nationwide.

“What is deeply distressing about the news—that an international student’s visa was revoked—is the chilling silence around it, which only adds to the sense that we are powerless in the face of multiple attacks on the very existence of universities as places of learning, questioning and nurturing the next generation,” said Jyotnsa Kapur, a professor in cinema and media studies and the director of the University Honors Program at SIU Carbondale.

Kapur said international students fear jeopardizing their education and citizenship status—and want the school to provide stronger backing.

“Students want the upper administration to show support for international students — not just send cautionary notes,” said Kapur, referring to the email sent out by the university to its international student body on March 28.

“I had a couple of students in my office—they don’t want their names to be known— but they told me that there is absolute alarm about what can happen. One student was taking an after-dinner walk and a car just sat there with its lights on for 15 minutes. The student was actually afraid they may be picked up by ICE [Immigration and Customs Enforcement] like the Tufts student,” Kapur said.

Questioning

the legality of these actions

Illinois state Rep. Katie Stuart, chair of the House Higher Education Committee, said she’s heard “lots of stories of visas being revoked” but also had no concrete numbers about the impact across

for legislators to understand what the different institutions are doing to protect students because ultimately that’s our goal,” said Stuart, a Democrat whose district includes SIU Edwardsville. “But the answer really is — right now — we don’t know for sure what’s going on.”

Illinois Sen. Dale Fowler, a Republican whose district includes SIU Carbondale, also said he did not have any sense of the scope of the situation. “I would love to know for sure,” he said.

Lawyers and legal scholars have begun to question the legality of these actions from the federal government, on international student visas.

These uncharted legal waters—coupled with the looming threat of losing federal funding—have effectively pushed many U.S. colleges into a state of silence and compliance with the federal government.

Lauren Aronson, a clinical professor at the University of Illinois College of Law and director of its Immigration Law Clinic, said she is particularly worried about the university’s large population of students from China, who she believes are becoming a target.

“The purpose is xenophobia and racism—it’s about punishing countries that don’t fall in line,” she said.

Aronson said it’s her understanding that some of the students impacted haven’t participated in protests and don’t have criminal records.

“I’m hugely concerned,” she said. “The thing that is to me the most nefarious is the fear that is being instilled now into every international student, as there isn’t necessarily rhyme or reason about who will be targeted.”

Some SIU students have started to raise concerns to not only their administrators, but

In Print and Online Every Thursday

“I think it would be helpful to put together a briefing

to their peers as well.

At a student government meeting on April 2, SIU student Dustin Kinney asked what they are doing for the safety and protection of international students and other marginalized groups on campus.

“I just thought it was important to mention, because there are students on this campus who are deathly scared of legal and academic retaliation. Or, in the instance of international students, having their visas revoked,” said Kinney. “Friends of mine are too scared to even come to things like USG meetings because of the revocations happening nationwide and at SIU.”

This story was produced for Capitol News Illinois through the Saluki Local Reporting Lab, supported by grant funding from the Pulitzer Center, the Illinois Press Foundation and the SIU Foundation.

Classifieds

Announcements

CLASSIFIED IN-COLUMN ADS cannot be credited or refunded after the ad has been placed. Ads canceled before deadline will be removed from the paper as a service to our customers, but no credit or refund will be issued to your account.

DISCLAIMER NOTICE This publication does not knowingly accept fraudulent or deceptive advertising. Readers are cautioned to thoroughly investigate all ads, especially those asking for money in advance.

7 CEMETERY PLOTS Willing to sell as a group or individually. Located at Roselawn Memory Gardens 3045 WI-67, Lake Geneva, WI 53147. This is a private sale. Contact Randy, the seller at randy@slpublishers.com.

any preference, limitation or discrimination

on race, color, religion, sex, disability, familiar/ 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 toll-free at 1-900-669-9777. The toll-free tele phone number for the hearing impaired is 1-800-927-9275. EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY

Business & Service DIRECTORY

TEXTILE SUPPLY MANAGER

R & R Textile Mills, Inc. seeks F/T Textile Supply Manager to negotiate and arrange raw material essential for linen manufacturing; Sourcing high quality yarns, fabrics, dyes and packaging materials for production process. Purchase, conversion, packaging, and transport from abroad to U.S. ports and company facilities. Bachelor in Business/ Commerce or its foreign equivelant plus 2 years purchasing/procurement experience. 40 hr/wk, $101,192/yr. No Benefits. Resumes: 1101 N. Lombard Rd., Lombard, IL 60148.

NOTICE

CERTIFICATE NO. 79672 was filed in the office of the County Clerk of DuPage County on APRIL 2, 2025, wherein the business firm of U.S. TAXPAYERS COME FIRST, 1138 LITCHFIELD LN., BARTLETT, IL 60103 was registered; that the true or real name or names of the person or persons owning the business, with their respective post office address(es), is/ are as follows:

Lee A. Russin, 1138 Litchfield Ln., Bartlett, IL 60103.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and Official Seal at my office in Wheaton, Illinois, this 2ND day of APRIL, A.D. 2025.

Jean Kaczmarek DuPage County Clerk (Published in The Lombardian April 10, 17 & 24, 2025) 470260

NOTICE

CERTIFICATE NO. 79673 was filed in the office of the County Clerk of DuPage County on APRIL 4, 2025 wherein the business firm of CRAFTY CLAN CANDLES, 605 E. SOUTH BROADWAY AVE., LOMBARD, IL 60148 was registered; that the true or real name or names of the person or persons owning the business, with their respective post office address(es), is/ are as follows:

Jason C. Warda, 605 E. South Broadway Ave., Lombard, IL 60148.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and Official Seal at my office in Wheaton, Illinois, this 4TH day of APRIL, A.D. 2025.

Jean Kaczmarek DuPage County Clerk (Published in The Lombardian April 10, 17 & 24, 2025) 470287

NOTICE

CERTIFICATE NO. 79674 was filed in the office of the County Clerk of DuPage County on APRIL 4, 2025 wherein the business firm of THE BARTLETT INSIGHTS & CONSULTING GROUP, 3300 CREEKSIDE COURT, WOODRIDGE, IL 60517 was registered; that the true or real name or names of the person or persons owning the business, with their respective post office address(es), is/ are as follows: William J. Bartlett II, 3300 Creekside Court, Woodridge, IL 60517.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and Official Seal at my office in Wheaton, Illinois, this 4TH day of APRIL, A.D. 2025.

Jean Kaczmarek DuPage County Clerk (Published in The Lombardian April 10, 17 & 24, 2025) 470288

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA STATE OF ILLINOIS IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE EIGHTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT COUNTY OF DU PAGE IN RE THE ESTATE OF Arnold F. Spink DECEASED 2025 PR 267 CASE NUMBER

PUBLICATION NOTICE

AND/OR CLAIMS NOTICE

Notice is given of the death of Arnold F. Spink whose address was 1150 E. Jackson St., Unit 1K, Lombard, IL 60148. Letters of Office were issued on April 7, 2025 to Frederick C. Poole, 525 S. Illinois St., Villa Park, IL 60181, Independent Executor, whose attorney is James Reichardt.

NOTICE TO HEIRS AND LEGATEES

The estate will be administered without Court Supervision, unless under section 28-4 of the Probate Act of 1975 (755 ILCS 5/28-4) any interested person terminates independent administration at any time by mailing or delivering a petition to terminate to the Circuit Court Clerk. Claims against the estate may be filed in the Office of CANDICE ADAMS, Circuit Court Clerk, 505 N. County Farm Road, Wheaton, Illinois, or with the representative or both on or before October 20, 2025, any claim not filed within that period is barred. Copies of a claim filed with the Circuit Court Clerk must be mailed or delivered to the representative and to the attorney, if any, within 10 days after it has been filed with the Circuit Court Clerk.

James Reichardt

DuPage Attorney No.: 70005

Attorney For: Independent Executor P.O. Box 14575 Chicago, IL 60614-8515 630-832-4800

Email: jim@jimreichardt.com

(Published in The Lombardian April 17, 24, & May 1, 2025) 470434

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA STATE OF ILLINOIS IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE EIGHTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT COUNTY OF DU PAGE IN RE THE ESTATE OF Randall Robert Swain DECEASED 2025 PR 268 CASE NUMBER PUBLICATION NOTICE AND/OR CLAIMS NOTICE

Notice is given of the death of Randall Robert Swain whose address was 2701 Technology Dr., Lombard, IL 60148. Letters of Office were issued on April 7, 2025 to Kelly Giambri, 1717 Lakecliffe Dr., Apt. A, Wheaton, IL 60189, Independent Executor, whose attorney is James Reichardt. NOTICE TO HEIRS AND LEGATEES

The estate will be administered without Court Supervision, unless under section 28-4 of the Probate Act of 1975 (755 ILCS 5/28-4) any interested person terminates independent administration at any time by mailing or delivering a petition to terminate to the Circuit Court Clerk. Claims against the estate may be filed in the Office of CANDICE ADAMS, Circuit Court Clerk, 505 N. County Farm Road, Wheaton, Illinois, or with the representative or both on or before October 20, 2025, any claim not filed within that period is barred. Copies of a claim filed with the Circuit Court Clerk must be mailed or delivered to the representative and to the attorney, if any, within 10 days after it has been filed with the Circuit Court Clerk.

James Reichardt

DuPage Attorney No.: 70005

Attorney For: Independent Executor P.O. Box 14575 Chicago, IL 60614-8515 630-832-4800

Email: jim@jimreichardt.com

(Published in The Lombardian April 17, 24, & May 1, 2025) 470435

Public Notice for

Modification of Publicly Owned Treatment Works (POTW) Pretreatment Program - Village of Bensenville

Public Noticed on behalf of:

LEGAL NOTICES

United States Environmental Protection Agency

Region 5, Water Division, WN-16J

Permits Branch 77 West Jackson Boulevard Chicago, Illinois 60604

(312) 886-6089

Name and Address of POTW: Village of Bensenville – South STP 717 East Jefferson Street Bensenville, IL 60106

POTW Pretreatment Program

The Village of Bensenville has requested approval of a modification to its Industrial Pretreatment Program (IPP). The proposed modification consists of revisions to the Village’s local limits for the following pollutants: cyanide, nickel, silver, zinc, and Total Toxic Organics.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) Region 5 has proposed to approve the pretreatment program modification. The proposed determination is tentative.

Interested persons are invited to submit written comments on the proposed program modification. Comments should be submitted in person or mailed no later than 30 days from the date of this Public Notice. Copies of the relevant POTW documents are available for inspection and copying at EPA, and at the POTW at the addresses listed above.

Any person may request a public hearing within 30 days of the date of the Public Notice by submitting a written request to EPA Region 5. The request shall indicate the interest of the person filing such request and the reasons why a hearing is warranted. A public hearing will be held if there is a significant degree of public interest in the proposed program modification. Public notice of such a hearing will be circulated in the newspaper and to the parties requesting the hearing. All comments or hearing requests should be submitted to the POTW at the address listed above, and to: Pretreatment Program

NPDES Section 2 US EPA Region 5, WP-16J 77 W. Jackson Blvd. Chicago, IL 60604 Or email to R5NPDES@epa.gov

If no comments to this notice are received, the proposed IPP Modification will be approved as set forth herein without changes and without further public notice. In such event, this notice shall constitute the notice of approval or disapproval required by Title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations Part 403.11(e) and no additional notice shall be provided; the approved modification will be incorporated in the POTW’s NPDES permit by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency. Anyone who wishes to be sent a notice of the approval of the modifications should send a request for such notice to the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency.

(Published in the Addison Independent, Bensenville Independent & Villa Park Review April 17, 2025) 470398

MECHANIC’S LIEN NOTICE

This notice is to enforce a Mechanic’s Lien pursuant to Chapter 770 ILCS 45/1 et seq, and 90/1 et seq., against: Eva Logistics Inc and Gen-

eral Electric Capital Corp for the following vehicle, 2015 VANGUARD TRAILER VIN 5V8VC6322FM503289, for the amount owed of $9,183.20. A sale will be held at Windy Auto Sales, 865 Fairway Dr., Bensenville, IL 60106 after May 6, 2025, unless redeemed by owner within 30 days of the date of the first publication of this notice.

(Published in the Addison Independent, Bensenville Independent & Villa Park Review April 17, 24, May 1, 2025) 470377

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN by the Board of Education of Bensenville Elementary School District 2 that a tentative amended budget for the district for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2024, will be available for public inspection between 7:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. beginning on April 21, 2025, at the Education Administration Center, 210 S. Church Road, Bensenville, Illinois, until May 21, 2025.

NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that a public hearing on the District’s tentative amended budget will be held at 6:30 p.m. local time on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, in the Lifelong Learning Center of the Education Administration Center, 210 S. Church Road, Bensenville, Illinois.

Dated April 17, 2025.

Jacqueline Dye, Secretary BOARD OF EDUCATION SCHOOL DISTRICT 2 COUNTY OF DUPAGE, STATE OF ILLINOIS

(Published in the Addison Independent, Bensenville Independent & Villa Park Review April 17, 2025) 470525

LEGAL NOTICE/PUBLIC NOTICE

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a Meeting of the Community Development Commission of the Village of Bensenville, DuPage and Cook Counties, will be held on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, at 6:30 P.M, at which a Public Hearing will be held to review case No. 2025 – 11 to consider a request for:

Variation, Pole Sign Municipal Code 10 – 10 – 7 – 9

At 3N784 Church Road is an existing R-1 General Industrial District. The Public Hearing will be held in the Village Board Room at Village Hall, 12. S. Center Street, Bensenville.

The Legal Description is as follows:

THAT PART OF THE NORTHWEST QUARTER OF SECTION 6, TOWNSHIP 40 NORTH, RANGE 11 EAST OF THE THIRD PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN, DESCRIBED BEGINNING AT A POINT WHERE THE NORTH LINE OF SAID SECTION 26 INTERSECTS WITH THE CENTER LINE OF THE PUBLIC HIGHWAY KNOWN AS CHURCH ROAD, THENCE WESTERLY ALONG THE SECTION LINE 132 FEET, THENCE SOUTH PARALLEL WITH THE CENTER LINE OF CHURCH ROAD 49.5 FEET; THENCE EAST PARAL-

LEL WITH THE SECTION LINE 132 FEET TO THE CENTERLINE OF CHURCH ROAD; THENCE NORTH 49.5 FEET TO THE POINT OF BEGINNING, IN DUPAGE COUNTY, ILLINOIS CONTIANING 6532 SQUARE FEET, MORE OR LESS, THEREIN.

PIN: 03-28-101-008

The City of Elmhurst of 209 North York Road, Elmhurst, Illinois 60126 is the owner and the applicant for the subject property.

Any individual with a disability requiring a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in any public meeting held under the authority of the Village of Bensenville should contact the Village Clerk, Village of Bensenville, 12 S. Center St., Bensenville, IL 60106, (630) 766-8200, at least three (3) days in advance of the meeting.

Applicant’s application and supporting documentation may be examined by any interested parties in the office of the Community and Economic Development Department, Monday through Friday, in the Village Hall, 12 South Center Street, Bensenville, IL 60106. All interested parties may attend the Public Hearing and be heard. Written comments mailed to the Village Hall, and online comments submitted on the Village website, will be accepted by the Community and Economic Development Department through May 6, 2025 until 5:00 PM.

Office of the Village Clerk Village of Bensenville

(Published in the Addison Independent, Bensenville Independent & Villa Park Review April 17, 2025) 470565

LEGAL NOTICE/PUBLIC NOTICE NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a Meeting of the Community Development Commission of the Village of Bensenville, DuPage and Cook Counties, will be held on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, at 6:30 P.M, at which a Public Hearing will be held to review case No. 2025 – 10 to consider a request for:

Special Use Permit, Motor Vehicle Repair and/or Service Municipal Code 10 – 7 – 2 – 1

At 1069 Bryn Mawr Avenue is an existing I-2 General Industrial District. The Public Hearing will be held in the Village Board Room at Village Hall, 12. S. Center Street, Bensenville.

The Legal Description is as follows: THE EAST 77.28 FEET OF LOT 1 AND THE WEST 64.72 FEET OF LOT 2 IN O’HARE WEST INDUSTRIAL PLAZA BEING A SUBDIVISION OF PART OF THE NORTHWEST ¼ OF SECTION 11 AND THE SOUTWEST ¼ OF SECTION 2, TOWNSHIP 40 NORTH, RANGE 11 EAST OF THE THIRD PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN, ACCORDING TO THE PLAT TEREOF RECORDED APRIL 28, 1971 AS DOCUMENT NO. R71-16332 AND CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION FILED FEBRUARY 21, 1973 AS DOCUMENT R73-9686 IN DUPAGE COUNTY, ILLINOIS. COMMON ADDRESS: 1069 Bryn Mawr Avenue. Jay Patel of 7N245 Parkside Avenue, Itasca, Illinois 60143 is the owner of the subject property and SCC Contractors Group, Inc. of

3912 Scoville Avenue, Stickney, Illinois 60402 is the applicant for the subject property. Any individual with a disability requiring a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in any public meeting held under the authority of the Village of Bensenville should contact the Village Clerk, Village of Bensenville, 12 S. Center St., Bensenville, IL 60106, (630) 766-8200, at least three (3) days in advance of the meeting.

Applicant’s application and supporting documentation may be examined by any interested parties in the office of the Community and Economic Development Department, Monday through Friday, in the Village Hall, 12 South Center Street, Bensenville, IL 60106. All interested parties may attend the Public Hearing and be heard. Written comments mailed to the Village Hall, and online comments submitted on the Village website, will be accepted by the Community and Economic Development Department through May 6, 2025 until 5:00 PM.

Office of the Village Clerk Village of Bensenville

(Published in the Addison Independent, Bensenville Independent & Villa Park Review April 17, 2025) 470564

PUBLIC NOTICE

NOTICE IS HERBEY GIVEN That at 9:00am on April 22,2025 a sale will be held at 60 E Hill St Villa Park Il 60181 to sell the following articles to enforce a Mechanics Lien existing Under laws of the State of Illinois against such articles of the labor/towing services, skill, or material expanded upon a storage furnishing for such article at the request of the following designated person, unless such article at the requested of the receipt of the notice. Owner Micah Alexander Leach 0N680 Courtney Lane Winfield, IL 60190 and Lienholder Santander Consumer Usa Inc PO BOX 961288 Forth Worth, Tx 76161 and Mariner Finance Florida Inc 8211 Town Center Dr Baltimore , MD 21236 Lien amount 1,145.00 for further information regarding this sale you may contact Argeniz Vasquez 312/543/47/64

(Published in the Addison Independent, Bensenville Independent & Villa Park Review April 17, 24, May 1, 2025) 470581

NOTICE

CERTIFICATE NO. 79675 was filed in the office of the County Clerk of DuPage County on APRIL 7, 2025, wherein the business firm of LIFESORT HOME, 0N326 COTTONWOOD DRIVE, WHEATON, IL 60187 was registered; that the true or real name or names of the person or persons owning the business, with their respective post office address(es), is/are as follows: Samia Bono, 0N326 Cottonwood Drive, Wheaton, IL 60187. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and Official Seal at my office in Wheaton, Illinois, this 7TH day of APRIL, A.D. 2025. Jean Kaczmarek DuPage County Clerk

(Published in The Lombardian April 17, 24, May 1, 2025) 470580

Well