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Man gets 34 years for Addison armed carjacking, robbery

Berlin praises efforts of local law enforcement

On Thursday, Dec. 8, DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin announced that a Dolton man had been sentenced to 34 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections for hijacking at gunpoint a Chevy Camaro from a man in May, 2020, and robbing an Addison gas station at gunpoint in March, 2020.

On Aug. 25, James T. Kimbrough, 25, formerly of Chicago, entered a blind plea of guilty to one count of Aggravated Vehicular Hijacking (Class X Felony) and one count of Armed Robbery (Class X Felony). At his sentencing hearing, Judge Daniel Guerin sentenced Kimbrough to 34 years on each count. Kimbrough’s sentences will be served concurrently to each other and will also be served concurrently to a 15-year sentence he received out of Cook County for Armed Robbery with a Dangerous Weapon. On May 13, 2020, Kimbrough appeared in Bond

Addison Trail High School Senior Club collects for Relief Center

SUBMITTED PHOTO Addison Independent

(From left) Addison Trail student Daniel Davila, special education teacher Freddy Crone and student Belen Morones pack up items donated by the Addison Senior Club for the school’s Blazer Relief Center. Full story and another photo inside.

Man charged with attempted murder of Lombard police officer

Another suspect shot, killed in tobacco shop robbery attempt

By Chris Fox FOR THE INDEPENDENT

A Lombard police officer and a suspect in an armed robbery exchanged gunfire last week.

The Lombard officer was shot in the leg, while the suspect died from his injuries.

Anthony Brown

Another suspect in the armed robbery was taken into custody and charged with multiple felonies, including one count of attempted first degree murder, one count of aggravated battery, one count of aggravated discharge of a firearm at an officer and one count of armed robbery with a firearm.

According to information provided by the Village of Lombard, on Dec. 8, at about 4:05 p.m., officers with the Lombard Police Department responded to a call of an armed robbery in progress at the Pipes and Tobacco store located at 54 W. Roosevelt Road, just west of Main Street. Upon their arrival, officers encountered two individuals, later identified as Anthony Brown

and Pierre Thompson, running from the business.

As Thompson approached two officers in their vehicle, he allegedly opened fire as the officers began to exit the vehicle. One of the officers was shot in the leg.

An officer returned gunfire, striking Thompson.

Brown was taken into custody within seconds of the shooting. Thompson and the injured officer were transported to a local hospital. Thompson was pronounced dead at the hospital. The officer, a 33-yearold, six-year veteran of the Lombard Police Department, is expected to survive his injury. He underwent surgery after the shooting and was recovering at the hospital at press time.

Numerous area agencies, including the Villa Park Police Department, lent assistance in responding to the incident.

An investigation of the incident reportedly revealed that Brown and Thompson both wore masks as they entered the Pipes and Tobacco business, located at 54 W. Roosevelt Rd. The suspects allegedly brandished a handgun and ordered an employee to open the cash register.

REAL ID deadline extended to May 2025

Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White announced today that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has extended the federal REAL ID deadline an additional two years, from May 3, 2023, to May 7, 2025. With this extension, current standard Illinois driver’s licenses or ID cards will continue to be accepted at airports for domestic air travel until May 7, 2025.

Illinoisans interested in applying for a REAL ID are encouraged to visit REALID.ilsos.gov and use the interactive document checklist. This checklist is designed to help ensure REAL ID applicants gather all the documents required by the federal

government to obtain a REAL ID before visiting a Driver Services facility. First-time REAL ID applicants are required by DHS to visit a Driver Services facility in person.

Not everyone needs a REAL ID, and in Illinois, the Secretary of State’s Office gives Illinoisans a choice. Illinoisans who do not fly domestically do not necessarily need a REAL ID. Additionally, a valid U.S. passport is a compliant REAL ID document; therefore, those with valid U.S. passports do not necessarily need a REAL ID.

As of Dec. 1, 2022, the Illinois Secretary of State’s office has issued more than 3 million REAL IDs.

It is further alleged that after taking money from the cash register, Brown and Thompson brought the employee to the back of the store, where they encountered the owner of the store.

Brown and Thompson reportedly hit the store owner on the head with the gun before stealing the victims’

wallets and cell phones. Brown and Thompson reportedly also took about $600 from a file cabinet before fleeing from the store.

Brown, 31, appeared in bond court, where Judge James Orel granted the state’s motion to deny bond. Brown’s next court appearance is scheduled for Dec. 27, for

arraignment in front of Judge John Kinsella. If found guilty, he faces a penalty of between 41-125 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections.

The shooting is under investigation by the Metropolitan Emergency Response and Investigations Team (MERIT).

A Lombard police officer exchanged gunfire with a suspect in an armed robbery last week. The suspect, Pierre Thompson, died from his injuries. The Lombard officer, who was shot in the leg, underwent surgery and is expected to survive. This image—a screenshot of officer body camera footage provided by the Lombard Police Department—reportedly shows Thompson discharging a weapon at police. The image was altered to partially obscure the subject. A second suspect, Anthony Brown, was taken into custody within seconds of the shooting. Brown has been charged with multiple felonies, including one count of attempted first degree murder.

LOMBARD POLICE DEPT. PHOTO Rock Valley Publishing

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Two charged with robbing woman at gunpoint in Villa Park Walmart lot

Suspects in custody following high-speed chase

DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and Villa Park Chief of Police Michael Rivas have announced that bond has been denied for one of two Cook County men accused of robbing an elderly woman at gunpoint in a Villa Park Walmart parking lot and then leading police on a high-speed chase.

Both men have been charged with one count of armed robbery with a firearm (Class X felony) and one count of aggravated fleeing and eluding (Class 4 felony). Herrington is currently out on bond/probation on unlawful use of a weapon charges out of Cook County.

reached speeds of approximately 90 mph on I-290 and required the assistance of a Chicago Police Department helicopter, Herrington and Jones abandoned the vehicle and were taken into custody in Chicago.

Jarquez Jones

Jarquez Jones, 18, of Maywood, appeared at a bond hearing where Judge Brian Telander granted the state’s motion to deny bond. The bond hearing for Jones’ alleged accomplice, Sincere Harrington, 19, of Chicago, was scheduled Monday.

On Dec. 5, at approximately 12:48 p.m., officers with the Villa Park Police Department responded to a call of a person in a car with a gun near Route 83 and Riverside Drive. As officers arrived at the scene, they observed the suspected vehicle allegedly drive over the grass and exit the Walmart parking lot southbound on Route 83.

Officers activated their lights and sirens and initiated pursuit. Following the pursuit, which allegedly

Jones was found in a garbage bin and Herrington was taken into custody following a brief foot pursuit.

When processing the scene, officers found two guns, a .45 caliber Glock 30 and a 9 mm Glock 17, approximately 100 yards of where the defendants’ vehicle came to rest. The Glock 17 was altered to allow it to fire as a fully automatic weapon. It is alleged prior to the car chase, the defendants drove up to an elderly woman in the parking lot of the Walmart as she was loading her car with groceries. It is alleged that the

driver of the vehicle pointed a gun at the woman and stole her purse.

“It is alleged that in the middle of the afternoon in a crowded parking lot these defendants robbed an elderly woman at gunpoint,” Berlin said.

“We are now in the heart of the holiday shopping season and the quick apprehension of the defendants in this case highlights DuPage County’s commitment to our businesses and their patrons that we will most certainly not tolerate this type of violent behavior. We will use every tool and resource available to us, including helicopters, if necessary, to protect our citizens and bring the accused to justice.”

Jones’ next court appearance is scheduled for Dec. 21 for arraignment in front of Judge Telander.

Chicago juveniles charged with stealing car from Villa Park auto repair shop

DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and Villa Park Chief of Police Michael Rivas have announced that Judge Anthony Coco has ordered that two Chicago juveniles accused of stealing a vehicle from a Villa Park auto repair shop will be released to the custody of their parent or guardian. The juveniles have each been charged with one count of possession of a stolen vehicle (Class 2 felony).

On Dec. 3, a patrol officer with

• Robbery

the Villa Park Police Department observed a crashed vehicle in the parking lot of Anthony’s Collision Center, Inc. on North Avenue. As the officer investigated the crashed vehicle, the Chicago Police Department called out to the Villa Park Police Department about a 2021 Kia SUV allegedly stolen out of Villa Park that had just been stopped on Chicago’s westside.

It is alleged that while fleeing a Bellwood police officer, the juve-

(Continued from front page)

Court where the Court granted the State’s motion to deny bond. He has been held in custody at the DuPage County Jail since that date.

On May 11, 2020, at approximately 11:50 p.m., officers with the Addison Police Department responded to an aggravated vehicular hijacking. Following an investigation led by the Addison Police Department, it was determined that the victim was sitting in his car outside his residence talking on the phone when he observed a white colored sedan drive by slowly.

A short while later, a man, later identified as Kimbrough, approached the driver’s side window and asked if he could borrow the victim’s cellular phone.

The victim declined but ultimately changed his mind and told Kimbrough he could speak using the in-car Bluetooth system. After Kimbrough attempted to make three phone calls, he pointed a gun at the victim and ordered him out of the car. The victim complied at which time Kimbrough entered the car and drove off at a high rate of speed.

Later that evening, the Darien Police Department and the Illinois State Police conducted a felony stop on the vehicle at a gas station

in Summit as Kimbrough entered the vehicle. The vehicle, however, was disabled by using OnStar and Kimbrough was taken into custody at this time. Officers recovered a firearm from the vehicle.

Further investigation into Kimbrough found that on March 29, 2020, at approximately 2:45 a.m., Kimbrough, who as wearing a mask at the time, was involved in an armed robbery at a Marathon Gas Station in Addison during which Kimbrough kicked his way into a secured area where the clerk was working and stole money and cigars.

“Over a two-month period during the beginning of the COVID pandemic, Mr. Kimbrough violently terrorized the citizens and businesses of Addison,” Berlin said. “This morning, he learned that thanks to the outstanding, cooperative efforts of multiple law enforcement agencies, his criminal behavior will not go unpunished.

‘I commend the Addison Police Department for their truly outstanding police work on both cases against Mr. Kimbrough. Their professionalism and dedication to protecting the public put a quick end to Mr. Kimbrough’s escalating criminal behavior.”

niles and other unidentified individuals traveled together in a stolen vehicle to Anthony’s Collision Center and that once there, all of the occupants exited the stolen vehicle. It is further alleged that one of the individuals broke into another vehicle on the lot and crashed that vehicle into the vehicle in which the suspects had arrived.

It is further alleged that all the individuals then entered the 2021 Kia SUV and fled the scene. It is alleged that the vehicle was stopped on Chicago’s westside and that the juveniles were detained following a brief foot pursuit.

“The allegations that these juveniles traveled to DuPage County, entered a vehicle from an auto

repair shop, crashed that vehicle at the scene and then stole another vehicle show a complete disregard for the property of others as well as public safety and they will be held accountable,” Berlin said. “I thank the Villa Park Police Department for their work on this case as well as the Chicago Police Department for their efforts in detaining the juvenile suspects.”

One juvenile’s next court appearance is scheduled for Dec. 19, while the other juvenile’s next court appearance is scheduled for Jan. 9.

An investigation into the matter continues. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Villa Park Investigations Division (630) 5926110.

Home energy efficiency program

takes

place tonight at the Villa Park Public Library

The Villa Park Environmental Concerns Commission, in partnership with the Villa Park Public Library, will host today’s presentation by Suzanna Strangmeier on home energy efficiency programs available through ComEd. The presentation takes place tonight, Thursday, Dec. 15, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Villa Park Public Library, 305 S. Ardmore Ave.

Tonight’s presentation will highlight rebates, discounts and various on-line tools available to ComEd customers.

ComEd customers have saved more than $6.4 Billion on their bills as a result of the energy efficiency program that ComEd launched in 2008, with nearly 460,000 families and businesses participating in 2021.

The ComEd Energy Efficiency program offers various rebates, discounts and online tools designed to

help you reduce energy usage and save money on your monthly bill. The presentation will provide information about some of the programs, including details on how to participate in a free home energy assessment that includes free and discounted products for your home. Assessments can be in-home or virtual, so you can select the option most convenient to you.

Strangmeier, who started working full-time in ComEd’s external affairs group in 2018, engages in community outreach to strengthen ComEd and community partnerships to advance reliable, clean energy.

All attendees of tonight’s presentation will receive a free four-pack of LED light bulbs and a free weatherizing kit. Anyone interested in attending the program should register at https://villapark.librarycalendar. com/event/home-energy-efficiency.

Addison Senior Club donates to Blazer Relief Center

Addison Trail High School recently received a generous donation to the school’s Blazer Relief Center, the program that collects food, hygiene items and clothing for students and their family members who are in need of basic necessities.

Addison Senior Club, sponsored by the Addison Park District and

Coming events

supported by the Village of Addison, donated about 1,000 items to the Blazer Relief Center including soap, toothpaste, feminine products, prepackaged food and more.

The purpose of the Addison Senior Club is to provide individuals who are 55 years old and older with recreational and social experiences, as

Editor’s note: Unless otherwise specified, learn more about these events and programs at: addisonlibrary.org/events or call 630-543-3617.

Thursday, Dec. 15

• Baby and toddler time

From 10-10:45 a.m. at the Addison Public Library, join us for an informal play time to meet new people or see your friends from story time. Listen to some music, play with our special toys for babies and tots, and socialize!

• Monthly meditation

Starting at 10 a.m. at the Large Meeting Room of the Addison Public Library, join friends old and new in-person to discover the life changing effects of meditation. No experience required.

Saturday, Dec. 17

LEGO Club (drop in)

From 2-2:45 p.m. at the Addison Public Library, join us for LEGO fun and create your own masterpiece.

Tuesday-Thursday, Dec.

20-22

High school finals/ study break

From 6-9 p.m. each day at the Addison Public Library, need help acing that test? Just need a place to chill out? We’ve got you. Stop by the library for snacks, games, and help from a

librarian.

well as a feeling of usefulness and a chance to participate in civic affairs. Club members also support the Addison Township Food Pantry, contribute to various local charities and volunteer at park district and village events.

Addison Senior Club meets from 12 noon to 2 p.m. every Tuesday at

the Community Recreation Center, 120 E. Oak St. Along with philanthropy, members participate in a variety of activities, service projects, lunches/parties and trips as well.

The membership fee is $20 a year for Addison residents, $40 for nonresidents.

For more information about the

Addison Senior Club, contact Darlene Cozzo with the Addison Park District at 630-233-7275, ext. 2142, or dcozzo@addisonparks.org. For more information about the Blazer Relief Center, contact Addison Trail special education teacher Freddy Crone at 630-458-4503 or fcrone@ dupage88.net.

Tuesday, Dec. 27

Music and motion

From 2-2:30 p.m. at the Addison Public Library, did you know singing helps your child develop their language skills and learn new words? Join us for this fun new program with a heavy focus on music, singing, and plenty of movement too! Geared toward ages 2-5 but all ages welcome.

Friday, Dec. 30

Drop-in crafts

From 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Addison Public Library, we’ll provide the supplies; you provide the creativity. Materials will be available to make picture frames to display some of your favorite photos.

Ongoing events

Open labs

Monday, Dec. 19 from 1-4 p.m.; Tuesday, Dec. 20 from 5-8 p.m.; Wednesday, Dec. 21 from 9 a.m.-noon; and Friday, Dec. 16 from 1-4 p.m., during open labs, you can drop in to the Creative Studio to get help from trained staff with your project.

Open enrollment is ongoing for the Addison Park District Preschool

The Addison Park District preschool program curriculum reflects the Illinois Early Learning and Development Standards. Visit www. illinoisearlylearning.org for more details.

The Park District helps children develop prekindergarten skills, including letter/name recognition, listening skills, healthy habits, cooperative play, fine motor, and socialization skills. The experiences are both educational and recreational, which aid in social, physical, intellectual, and emotional growth. Registration is taken in-person at the Centennial Rec Center. Call (630) 233-7275 option 3 for registration availability. Visit addisonparks.org for required paperwork due prior to first day of program.

English reading circle

Starting at 11 a.m. Tuesdays at the Adult Program Room of the Addison Public Library, build your vocabulary and reading skills in a small group setting.

English conversation groups

At 2 p.m. Mondays on Zoom, and at 7 p.m. Wednesdays at the Adult Program Room of the Addison Public Library, practice listening and speaking skills in a small group setting. Learn more at: addisonlibrary.org/events

Heroes story time

From 10-10:30 a.m. at the Addison Public Library, join us for stories and activities about everyday heroes, superheroes, and more.

Clubs and organizations are welcome to send entries for this column to: news1@rvpublishing.com. Please include a phone number or e-mail address to contact for information.

Members of the Addison Senior Club show off the dozens of items collected for Addison Trail’s Blazer Relief Center.

SUBMITTED PHOTO Rock Valley Publishing

Police Reports

Area police departments recently reported the following arrests and citations. 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. Persons charged with domestic battery are not named in order to protect the privacy of victims. Juveniles age 17 or younger are not named.

Addison

Editor’s note: There were no reports submitted by the Addison Police Department last week.

Villa Park Dec. 3

A complainant in the 700 block of N. Addison reported at 6:24 p.m. that a suspect kicked their door causing damage. The suspect was transported to an area hospital. While enroute to hospital, the suspect allegedly committed battery to a fireman. No charges are to be filed.

Dec. 2

Police said Gladys Loya, 25, of Bensenville, was arrested on an original complaint and warrant for retail theft and possession of displayed merchandise at a store in the 1-100 block of E. North for an alleged incident that occurred Oct. 31.

Dec. 1

Michael J. Mrachek, 43, of McHenry, was charged with DUI, stopping, parking or standing on a roadway and no insurance near E. North and N. Villa at 11:32 p.m.

Retail theft was reported at a tobacco store in the 100 block of W. Roosevelt at 5:04 p.m. A complainant reported that an unknown suspect removed a large bag of vape and tobacco products from the store

and left the store without paying.

Nov. 30

Residential burglary was reported in the 600 block of W. Ridge at 8:38 p.m. A complainant reported that an unknown suspect entered their home through a window and removed firearms.

Nov. 29

Police said Nicholas P. Whelan, 30, of Villa Park, was arrested on a two failure to appear warrants out of DuPage County at a store in the 600 block of N. Addison at 4:50 p.m.

Retail theft was reported at a store in the 900 block of S. Route 83 at 12:53 p.m. A complainant reported that an unknown suspect removed bottles of alcohol from display shelves and left the store without paying.

Nov. 28

Police said Mohammad A. Al Qaisieh, 28, of Villa Park, was arrested on a failure to appear warrant out of DuPage County near Route 83 and Roosevelt at 8:17 p.m. He also was issued citations for driving while Reginay M. Cross, 18, of Chicago, was charged with aggravated battery, battery—making contact of an insulting or provoking nature and criminal trespass to a building at a store in the 900 block of S. Route 83 at 9:51 a.m.

A complainant in the 1600 block of Michigan reported at 6:32 p.m. that an unknown suspect broke windows with an unknown object on the north side of the building.

A complainant at a restaurant in the 300 block of W. North reported at 1:18 a.m. that an unknown suspect battered them.

Retail theft was reported at a bookstore in the 1-100 block of S. Villa at 2:33 p.m. A complainant reported

that an unknown suspect removed a box of vinyls from a display shelf and left the store without paying.

Nov. 27

Retail theft was reported at a store in the 900 block of S. Route 83 at 7:10 p.m. A complainant reported that suspects removed items from the display shelves and left the store without paying.

Nov. 22

A 30-year-old Chicago man was charged with two counts of domestic battery at an entertainment center in the 700 block of W. North for an incident that occurred Nov. 6.

Fraud, identity theft

According to information provided last week by the Villa Park Police Department, police reported one incident of residents being a victim of fraud or identity theft.

Bensenville

The Bensenville Police Department 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.

Dec. 7, 3:06 p.m. in the 1000

block of S. Thorndale Ave., a complainant reported an unknown suspect removed their company trailer from the lot. This case is under investigation. BEPC2201082

Dec. 06, 4:22 p.m. in the 100 block of Pamela Drive, a complainant reported fraud through their checking account after making a donation through the mail. This case is under investigation. BEPC2201080

Dec. 05, 9:51 a.m. in the 100 block of Grace St., a complainant reported their vehicle missing. This case is under investigation. BEPC2201076

Dec. 05, 11:58 a.m. in the 100 block of Bridget Ct., Fairo A. Carrillo-Carrillo, 44, was arrested for failure to appear warrant out of jurisdiction. BEPC2201077

Dec. 05, 7:07 p.m. in the 1000 block of Argyle Street, a complainant reported receiving threatening text message from an unknown number. This case is under investigation. BEP2201078

Dec. 05, 7:38 p.m. near Devon Avenue and Delta Lane, Jacob T. Fernandez, 25, of Chicago, was arrested for in-jurisdiction warrant, identity theft and other traffic violations. BEPC2201079

Dec. 3, 1:08 a.m. in the 400 block of Supreme Drive, a complainant reported a domestic situation with a known suspect. This case is under investigation. BEP2201071

Dec. 3, 4:19 a.m. near Tower Lane and Mark Street, a suspect was initially arrested for possession of a

stolen vehicle but it was determined it was a civil matter between owner and bank. This case is under investigation. BEPC2201072

Dec. 3, 11:48 a.m. in the 600 block of S. Church Road, a complainant reported online fraud by an unknown suspect. This case is under investigation. BEPC2201073

Dec. 3, 3:42 p.m. in the 1000 block of Argyle Street, a 28-year-old Bensenville woman was arrested for domestic battery. BEPC2201074

Dec. 2, 7:34 p.m. in the 600 block of Redmond Court, a complainant reported a domestic situation with a known suspect. This case is under investigation. BEPC2201069

Dec. 1, 10:55 a.m. near Irving Park Road and York, officers were alerted by the license plate reader system of a stolen trailer. The vehicle was stopped and the trailer was recovered. BEPC2201066

Dec. 1, 5:43 p.m. in the 100 block of Twin Oaks, a victim reports check fraud, in that their check payment to ComEd was intercepted and the check altered. The check was then cashed by an unknown suspect. This incident is under investigation. BEP2201067

Dec. 1, 6:17 p.m. in the 100 block of Grace Street, Jerry Eliondo, 53, was found to have an active warrant out of DuPage County. He was placed in custody, brought to station for processing, then transferred to the DuPage County Jail. BEP2201068

Pritzker signs changes to SAFE-T Act’s cash bail provisions

By Jerry Nowicki CAPITOL NEWS ILLINOIS

Gov. JB Pritzker last week signed a follow-up measure to the SAFE-T Act criminal justice reform—the third such amendment since the law’s initial passage in January 2021.

The changes approved by lawmakers in the fall veto session center on the law’s provisions which will end the use of cash bail beginning in January.

The cash bail system, which in most cases allows offenders to post a dollar amount to be released from custody pretrial, will be replaced by one in which a judge weighs the individual’s risk to the community and potential for fleeing prosecution in determining whether pretrial release will be revoked.

Its opponents have argued that the list of circumstances in which pretrial detention is specifically allowed is too limiting for judges.

Advocates, however, say that a presumption of pretrial release included in the law for lesser, nonviolent offenses will allow the courts to give more thorough hearings to those whose freedom is on the line prior to conviction.

“I’m pleased that the General Assembly has passed clarifications that uphold the principle we fought to protect: to bring an end to a system where wealthy violent offenders can buy their way out of jail, while less fortunate nonviolent offenders wait in jail for trial,” Pritzker said in a statement. “Advocates and lawmakers came together

and put in hours of work to strengthen and clarify this law, uphold our commitment to equity, and keep people safe.”

In many cases, the changes were more substantial than “clarifications,” as the measure, contained in House Bill 1095, expanded the list of offenses in which a judge can deny pretrial release.

The change made it so all forcible felonies can lead to pretrial detention regardless of whether the defendant would be eligible for probation if a judge deems them a danger to the community.

It also specified that the changes take effect for those charged after Dec. 31, 2022, but those on the old bail system can petition the court to be placed into the new cash-free system on staggered timelines depending on the severity of their charges.

Members of House and Senate working groups worked for months on the changes with state’s attorney and law enforcement groups, but Republicans said during floor debate that they were not included in the process.

Many concerns cited by opponents in the recent election season were addressed, however.

For example, the follow-up bill specifies that police maintain the authority to arrest trespassers.

While it maintains language instructing officers to issue a citation in lieu of custodial arrest for cases below Class A misdemeanors, it also specifies

that police maintain discretion to make an arrest if the person is a threat to the community or they continue to break the law.

“We understand that public safety is not a static issue,” House Deputy Majority Leader Jehan Gordon-Booth, D-Peoria, said in a statement. “This legislation strengthens the underlying SAFE-T Act with valuable feedback from survivors, law enforcement, prosecutors and other public safety advocates. If we want to make our communities safer, we have to work together. This update is a step in the right direction.”

The measure clarifies judicial authority to revoke pretrial release if the defendant violates electronic monitoring conditions and specifically states penalties may be imposed for intentional tampering with monitoring devices.

The SAFE-T Act specifies that defendants have a right to a public defender from their first appearance in court, a change that is expected to increase justice system workloads. The measure creates a grant program to aid public defenders with increased caseloads, but allocation of funding for the program would be up to future General Assemblies.

Asked at an unrelated news conference how he would gauge the effectiveness of the bill once it takes effect, Pritzker said he’d be looking to the Illinois Supreme Court and state’s attorneys to outline unforeseen challenges.

Viewpoint

Slices of life

Learning for life

There’s one thing (of many) that I love about life: you are never done learning. If you are open to new practices, habits and ideas there is so much more to explore and discover. Big things, little things and everything in between. The day you stop learning is the day you stop living.

I believe this to my core. I also believe we can help one another, by passing on what we’ve learned. Here are some of the things I know now, but wish I’d discovered sooner:

Loading and unloading the dishwasher is hardly a preferred task. But, it can be made so much easier by paying attention to one detail: the silverware. I’ve always thrown my forks, knives and spoons in with reckless abandon.

Forks consorted with knives and spoons neighbored willy nilly with whatever cutlery just happened to be in their vicinity. In a word: naive.

I recently discovered the joy of loading spoons alongside spoons, forks alongside forks. It takes no extra time on the loading end, but it saves countless seconds when unloading.

All the knives come out together in one fell swoop and are transferred quickly and easily to the silverware drawer. The order it’s brought to my life has had immeasurable repercussions.

Kitchen garbage. We all have it. I’ve found kitchen garbage practices are regional. In the north, we hide our garbage container— most often under the sink. This isn’t so in my southern experience. Here, the garbage sits in the open. Because I grew up in the north, I prefer the hidden alternative. However, there is more to garbage than meets the eye.

If you are like me, you use the plastic garbage can liners. They get full fast, even when you use a piece of frozen pizza cardboard to press them down with all your might. (And we’ve all done that.) If you have a seemingly full bag and pull it out, you’ll find you can load it up with at least 50 percent more household garbage. You get rid of more while using fewer bags. I can practically hear Mother Earth applauding. It’s a win for us all.

OK, so here’s a serious one. Put the utilities in both your names, or at the very least make sure your spouse is a “designated decision maker” for the account. Vehicles also. Trust me on this one. I

By JILL PERTLER Columnist

learned it the hard way.

Talking to your plants isn’t crazy. Not in the least bit. It benefits them and probably you. Kind words said to plants is proven to help them grow faster and better. Think of all the good that kind words can do in general, to plants, pets and people.

Speak kindly always—and not just to plants.

The word “homemade” has come to sound complicated but here’s a big secret: it’s not! Homemade is as simple as putting two four letter words together to make an eight letter word.

Homemade usually involves simple ingredients, easy steps and not a whole lot of time. Our busy, over-scheduled world has made homemade seem foreign and alien, while flash fried fish-stuff and chicken gizmos seem ordinary.

It should be the other way around.

Homemade—go for it. You’ll be happy and proud that you did.

Drink lots of water. Every day. Water is universal to us all. It comprises 60 percent of our bodies and about 70 percent of the earth’s surface. Coincidence? I think not. Water is essential to all that is. It removes toxins from our bodies. It purifies the planet. It hydrates animals, humans, trees, grass and birds. It serves as home for fish and countless other creatures.

Without water we would cease to exist. Literally.

Every living thing has value. Even rocks. I’m not going to try to explain this. If something is on this earth, it has value, even if we don’t appreciate that value while swatting mosquitoes or flies.

Last thought (but perhaps the most important): The trees, soil, rocks, rivers and oceans have been around a lot longer than me. Perhaps I should respect that.

Perhaps we all should. Let’s try that.

And let’s never stop learning.

Jill Pertler is an award-winning syndicated columnist, published playwright and author. She invites readers to follow the Slices of Life page on Facebook.

Trump’s

call to terminate provisions of the U.S. Constitution

By U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi

Former President Donald Trump took the extraordinary and unprecedented step of suggesting that provisions of the United States Constitution should be “terminated” as part of his ongoing attempts to overturn the 2020 election, writing, “Do you throw the Presidential Election Results of 2020 OUT and declare the RIGHTFUL WINNER, or do you have a NEW ELECTION? A Massive Fraud of this type and magnitude allows for the termination of all rules, regulations, and articles, even those found in the Constitution. Our great ‘Founders’ did not want, and would not condone, False & Fraudulent Elections!”

In response, I called upon all my colleagues from both parties to join me in denouncing President Trump’s attack on our Constitution. Much to my relief, much of the response from lawmakers and Americans from across the political spectrum has been a complete repudiation of this abandonment of American legal and constitutional precedent, as well as our broader commitment to the rule of law.

I’m glad that the vast majority of America shares my recognition

that our Constitution is a document consecrated in the blood of generations of Americans who gave their last full measure of devotion to build and sustain a nation committed to the freedom of its people. Those American heroes made their sacrifice recognizing that our nation is more important than the ambitions of any one party or individual.

Next month, I’ll be taking my oath of office for the fourth time, swearing to defend the Constitution with my colleagues from both parties, just as Donald Trump did when he took office. The former president’s recent comments serve as another reminder that our commitment to the Constitution and the nation it created must be rooted in principle, and not self-interest.

House passage of Respect for Marriage Act

On Dec. 8, the House passed the bipartisan Respect for Marriage Act, which codifies the rights of same-sex and interracial couples to marry found in the Supreme Court decisions of both Obergefell v. Hodges and Loving v. Virginia. As a vice chair of the House LBGTQ+ Equality Caucus, I was proud to help enshrine marriage equality in law as part of our broader work toward becoming a more inclusive nation.

This legislation is now headed to President Joe Biden’s desk, where he will sign this historic and monumental achievement for human

rights into law.

Last week, the House also passed the bipartisan annual National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) and the bipartisan Intelligence Authorization Act (IAA), two key pieces of legislation that will strengthen America’s national security. As a proud member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, I understand firsthand how important these bills are for keeping our nation safe, and I’m glad that several pieces of legislation I authored to strengthen our defense and intelligence capabilities were included in the package.

The provisions I spearheaded will improve the oversight of military aid sent to Ukraine, combat the Chinese Communist Party’s investments in international port infrastructure, provide supplies necessary to address the global food crisis exacerbated by Putin’s invasion of Ukraine, and better prepare workers to support our intelligence community.

The NDAA and IAA now head to the Senate, where I hope to see swift passage of these crucial American defense bills.

Why was Illinois’ population undercounted in the 2020 Census?

I recently wrote a letter to U.S.

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!

Worship Services Directory

St. Alexander Parish

300 S Cornell Avenue, Villa Park, IL 630-833-7730 www.stalexanderparish.org

Confessions: Tuesdays at 5:00pm-6:00pm and Saturdays 4:00-4:45pm

Christmas Eve Masses: 4:00pm, 6:30pm and Midnight

Christmas Day Masses: 8:30am, 10:30am and 6:00pm in Espanol

Visitation Parish

779 S. York Street Elmhurst, IL 60126 630-834-6700

Christmas Eve

3:00pm and 4:30pm Midnight (Carols and Blessing of Crib at 11:30pm)

Christmas Day 7:30am, 9:30am, 11:30am

Solemnity of Mary Saturday, December 31 (Daily Mass at 8:15am) Vigil of Sunday 4:00pm Sunday, January 1 7:30, 9:30, 11:30am and 6pm 430131

St. Timothy Evangelical

Lutheran Church

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

Christmas Eve Candlelight Service 7pm Christmas Day Festival Service 10:15 am New Year’e Eve Service 7pm Sunday Worship at 10:15 am

Everyone is Welcome!

All services are live streamed. You can watch them on our Website or on Facebook. sainttimothy.org

CORRECTED ANNUAL STATEMENT OF AFFAIRS

FOLLETT SCHOOL

SOLUTIONCS, LLC $10,820

LLN CONSULTING GROUP $10,800

ROBBINS SCHWARTZ $10,735

SOIL ENGINEERING AND TESTING CONSUL $9,400

DONE DEAL PROMOTIONS LLC $9,053

GALLAGHER STUDENT HEALTH & SPECIAL $9,000

ILLINOIS ASSOCIATION

OF SCHOOL BOAR $8,790

WOOD DALE PARK DISTRICT $8,777

ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF EMPL SECURIT $8,727

COLLEY ELEVATOR CO $8,433

BRAIN POP LLC $8,336

717,641 605,383 564 121,055 0 0 15,082,9651,626,602 381,5901,004,678 533,666 112,212 0 0 Other

367,931 641,416 285,135 318,706 822,042

5,738,9642,474,759 221,157 359,379 356,852 807,058 943,097 0 0 5,746,4882,474,759 221,157 359,379 356,852 807,058 943,097 0 0

A SPECIAL ELECTRIC SERVICE & SUPPLY $8,121

LEARNPLATFORM INC $7,813

ACCELERATE LEARNING INC. $7,636

SENASE JUDITH $7,500

OTUS, LLC $7,387

FOLLETT CONTENT

SOLUTIONC, LLC $7,317 KANSAS PAYMENT CENTER $6,542

GROSS PAYMENT FOR CERTIFIED PERSONNEL

Salary Range: Less Than $25,000 MCCARTHY, KIMBERLY G; LOXAS, TERESAMARIE L; ELLIOTT, JESSICA; HEPNER, JESSICA A; PEARLMAN, BRIAN M; KOOKEN, CAROL D; SCHMELTER, SYDNI R; ARZETA, DIANA N; CASTRO, VERONICA; MARCOTTE, JENNIFER M; DELUCA, CONNIE S; ORTIZ, JENNIFER M; ECK, SHARON K; ROMERO, LOURDES; ST MARIE, EVE; GAROFALO, MARIA E.; PYDE, MELINDA L; COOPERMAN, ABIGAIL P; UNDERWOOD, ERIN B; DAVIS, ERICA; FELIX, ALMA Y; SAWICKA, WIESLAWA; BALZANO, JESSICA L; KOTLIK, MARIA G; BALICKI, LINDA J; BARABBA, ANNA M; ACORD, LISA K Salary Range: $25,000 - $39,999 SMURAWSKI, AMANDA C; PARRY, MACKENZIE LL Salary Range: $40,000 - $59,999 BUENO, CLARISA; JOHNSON, SARAH A; BRAASCH, SAMANTHA S; SPITALLI, JESSICA A; GALLE, ARIANA F; PARKS, MARGARET R; NALBORCZYK, DARIA A; O’BRIEN, LAUREN D; KOVATCHIS, ALYSSA C; VILLA, MELISSA; BENDING, BRITTANY A; JENKINS, ALISON M; THOMS, WILLIAM S; ESPOSITO, VINCENT G; ELSEY, MARY J; TENORIO, SABRYNA M; MATOS ORTIZ, SILMA; DE CASAS, KARINA A; ROMAN, ERIKA Y; ASSENATO, DANIELA A; HRADEK, EMILY L; REXROAD, CARLY R; MICHELSEN, MEGAN E; GERSHMAN, KAREN S; WARD, HOLLY C; HERNANDEZ, RUTHANN M; KOESTER, BONNIE L; BIDLINGMEYER, DAVID; KRZYSIK, EVELIA; WEST, DAN; GARBACZ, ASHLEY; MARKHAM-GONZALEZ, MARIE; SUBACH, KIRSTIN; BROWN, ALYSSA E; RUDZINSKI, JOLANTA; SPEIDEN, ANDREW H; KARI, GLORIA F Salary Range: $60,000 - $89,999 WILLIAMS, ALLISON; GALARZA, JOSE; SERRANO, MELISSA; CAMPBELL, SARAH; MAYNARD-ROBBINS, TAMARA J; SCHAYER-KANE, RACHELE; TOKARCZYK, HOPE; AZABACHE, LILIANA E; OLIVELLA, CIRA I; RAFFERTY, STACI; BARTON, MICHELLE; DIAZ, CRISTINA; THUNEMAN, ERIC J; MONTANO, CRISTINA; GONZALEZ, ANA M; MEINER, STACY M; HOVEY, STEPHEN P; RIVERA, LORENA; KWILOS, KRISTINE; WEICHENHAIN, RACHEL ELIZABETH; RENELLI, DULCE L; WELTER, JENNIFER; MARKS, KELLY M; GRUBEN, AMY; SCHMIT, JILLIAN L; HIRSIG, KELLY A; DIAZ, DEBRA A; ALLEN, JENNIFER; LADA, JOANNA M; GARCIA, NANCY; FINN, WENDY N; BRUCE, CHRISTOPHER; STAMATAKOS, JACQUELINE A; MARTINEZ, NICOLE; EHRHARDT, JULIE A; WILLHOIT,

FREDRIC K; PAPANICOLAOU, ELENI; TIRITILLI-HROMADA, DELLMARIE; DIPALERMO, JAMES J; LA RUE, JENNIFER L; KING, ERIN M; FALCONE, AMY L Salary Range: $90,000 and Over DI FIGLIO, REGINA; ZIMMERMANN, LORI; ALLAIRE, TIMOTHY B; KRAUSE, JOSEPH P; SHERMAK, TIMOTHY L; HENNER WOODS, KIM A; VILLALOBOS, ELVIA; BUTTIMER, ALAN M; WILT, STEVEN; KUDRNA, MERRI BETH; CORBETT, JOHN W

GROSS PAYMENT FOR NONCERTIFIED PERSONNEL

Salary Range: Less Than $25,000 HANSEN, ROBIN L; IGELMAN, MARIA L; DERRICKSON, JORDYN A; OLAGUE, XOCHITL J; HARA, PATRICIA; SILVA, VANESSA R; MEENAN, PATRICIA; ORTIZ, MADELINE; SCHALKE, DEBRA A; PLANE, WILLIAM E; MORGAN JR, JAMES L; MARIN, JANICE G; KOTTRA, MAYRA; KOSINSKI-BANGO, DEBRA; THOMKA, MARGARET A; FERGUSON, FRANCHESCA S; HENDRICKS, CAROL R; RAMIREZ SANCHEZ, ITZEL; MARKS, JANET P; RUBRIGHT, JANET M; MIZELL, THOMAS S; MATUSZAK, LIANE; GERACI, JENNA M; PODRAZA, JAMES E; GRENTZ COSSIO, MATTHEW K; NINCIC, NICOLE M; HOFFMAN, LAURA A; MAENTANIS, SUSAN; PATTON, ROBIN M; RAYOS, ROSANNE K; JOHNSON, AUDREY L; ODONNELL, MICHELLE; DICARO, RENEE M; BOTTALICO, GRACE; DE LUCA, TINA P; GUTIERREZ, LUIS M; BAJOREK, ANNA; FREEMAN, KARYN L; AREVALO, ADRIANA; BURGOS TORRES, DAVID; PITA, SANDRA S; AUSTIN, LILY E; GARCIA, DIANA; PIECH, ANNA M; GARCIA, ALBERT; CADEMARTORI, JAMIE M; CARTENO, PEDRO; MERKLE, LINDA; MITCHHART, REBECCA J; VANEK, KERRY E.; CAPULIAN MARTINEZ, ELIDA R; MORONG, DAWNE; GAGLIO, EMILIA; DE LA LUZ ALVAREZ, YARELI L; CIHAK, SYDNEY M; VILLANUEVA, CLAUDIA D; GANAS, CHRISTINE; ARTNER, JOSEPH; WINDSOR, NICOLE M; ANTA, MANUELA; LOPEZ-BRAVO, LEOPOLDO; MILLER, ROANNA Z; PASTERZ, LINDA; KAYA, ELIZABETH; PETO, JOSHUA S; OVERLIN, TRACY L; PLACENCIO, XAVIER J Salary Range: $25,000 - $39,999 HELMKE, SUSAN M; CHANTOS, SHEILA; WIGGIN, JANE E; CORTES-TREVINO, DOLORES; JONES, PAMELA; RAGNANESE, AMY A; ZUAZNABAR, ANNETTE I; CANO, LETICIA; KRZYWDA, ALDONA; LAKOMEK, ALEJANDRA; FLORES, MARGARITA; ZAPAL, MARZANNA; JESKE, MARY; SCHERER, MARY J; FLORES, AURORA L; TINNES, LAURA M; CHENEY, P

JOY; SANTILLAN, MANUEL; HURTADO-BARRAZA, IVAN; ROSENWINKEL, MICHELLE D; GALVEZ, PATRICIA Salary Range: $40,000 - $59,999 MOSS, STEPHEN; TERRAZAS, JACQUELYN; HERRERA, XIOMARA J; SCHIDDELL, DORETTA A; DE LA TORRE, JORGE L; JACOBO, ELIAS; VALADEZ, FERNANDO; RIANO, JAIME A; AMARO, VIRGINIA; MARTIN, LISA A; RIVERA, ANA L; OLAGUE, CATALINO A; COOK, DANIEL BARRETT; MERCADO, DELIA XSalary Range: $60,000 and Over VELARDE, MARCO A; PARENTI, DEBBI A; FEELEY, CHRISTINA M; WANG, SIWEI; WAWCZAK, PAMELA M; GONZALEZ, GUSTAVO; CYRIER, GREG D Payments over $2,500, excluding wages and salaries.

Person, Firm, Aggregate or Corporation Amount EDUCATIONAL BENEFIT COOPERATIVE $1,829,813 UNITED STATES TREASURY $1,499,718 NDSEC $1,468,937 TEACHER’S RETIREMENT FUND $825,444 ILL DEPT OF REVENUE $442,451 ARBOR MANAGEMENT, INC $387,964 ILL MUNICIPAL RETIREMENT FUND $382,741 ITASCA BANK & TRUST CO $318,126 TSA CONSULTING GROUP INC $261,867 TRAFERAHOLDINGS, LLC $248,636 HEARTLAND BUSINESS SYSTEMS INC $221,798 SEPTRAN INC $217,675 ENGIE RESOURCES $177,706

CENTRAL STATES BUS SALES, INC $167,154 TEACHER’S HEALTH INSURANCE SECURITY $124,761 SSCIP $112,435 GUARDIAN DENTAL INSURANCE $89,354

CONTROL TECHNOLOGY & SOLUTIONS, LLC $83,536 COMCAST BUSINESS $77,942 MARKLUND $77,918

CITIZENS TAXI DISPATCH INC $77,671

CANON FINANCIAL SERVICES INC $77,082

CITY OF WOOD DALE $76,611

BENCHMARK EDUCATION LLC $75,488

SELF $74,027

WDEA $71,415

GIANT STEPS $70,357

BROESCH MECHANICAL SERVICES INC $68,310

FRIENDLY FORD $63,218

LITTLE FRIENDS $54,963

UNIVERSAL TAXI DISPATCH INC $54,086

INTERSTATE BILLING SERVICE $50,566

CUSTOM EDUCATION SOLUTIONS $50,319

AMAZON.COM $48,046

SECTION 125 $46,050

CAMELOT THERAPEUTIC SCHOOLS, LLC 03 $41,963

RAMROD DISTRIBUTORS, INC $38,850

FERGUSON FACILITIES SUPPLY $38,820

AMERICAN EXPRESS $36,251

STR PARTNERS LLC $35,416

BMO FINANCIAL GROUP $35,402

PARIDAD INC. $35,000

SPECIAL EDUCATION SERVICES $34,445

JEANINE SCHULTZ SCHOOL $34,427

HEINEMANN PUBLISHING $33,814

FRANK COONEY CO $31,032

HIMES, PETRARCA & FESTER ATTORNEYS $27,780

FRONTLINE TECHNOLOGIES LLC $25,508

VANGUARD ENERGY SERVICES, LLC $24,408

THOMPSON ELECTRONICS COMPANY $22,396

GUARDIAN $22,333

CDW COMPUTER CENTERS $21,085

ENERGY PERFORMANCE LIGHTING $20,979

MILIEU DESIGN LLC $19,300

GRAINGER $18,858

STAPLES INC. $18,839

GUARDIAN ADDITIONAL LIFE INS $18,790

AXESS TRANSPORTATION $18,440

DAWN AUGUST $16,500

UNIQUE PRODUCTS $16,139

GUARDIAN VISION INSURANCE $16,138

EVANS, MARSHALL AND PEASE, PC $16,000

WORTHINGTON DIRECT $15,846

FORECAST5 ANALYTICS INC $14,426

TREND CARPETS INC $14,150

FOX VALLEY FIRE AND SAFETY $13,948

NICOR GAS $13,922

FLOOD BROTHERS $13,068

PROVEN BUSINESS SYSTEMS $12,807

NEWSELA INC. $12,740

GARELLI PAVEMENT SERVICE, INC. $11,514

SOUMAR MASONRY RESTURATION, INC. $11,440

FRANZEN PLUMBING INC. $11,435

RUNCO OFFICE SUPPLIES AND EQUIPMENT $11,211

MIDWEST TRANSIT EQUIPMENT $11,154

NWEA NORTHWEST EVAL ASSOC $11,125

UNITED INDUSTRIAL CONSTRUCTION INC. $11,030

SPRINT $6,539

JOSTENS,INC. $6,202 BITFORMS INC. $6,125

ORIGO EDUCATION INC $6,038 CALL ONE $6,028

CHAMBERLAIN EDUCATIONAL CONSULTANTS $6,000

PEERLESS NETWORK $5,773

DNSFILTER INC. $5,648

INFINITE CONNECTIONS.INC $5,500

BARNES & NOBLE $5,431

KEY BENEFIT CONCEPTS LLC $5,400

QUINLAN & FABISH MUSIC CO. $5,074

ACCESS ONE INC. $5,016

NEW PRECISION

TECHNOLOGY, LLC $4,890

INTEGRATED SYSTEMS

CORPORATION $4,800

FACILISERV INC $4,787

KELVIN EDUCATION INC. $4,662

QUADIENT FINANCE USA, INC $4,660

ROESCH FORD $4,589

IMPACT NETWORKING LLC. $4,560 BUSTOUTS INC $4,466

HOME DEPOT $4,428

CHICAGO BACKFLOW INC $4,340

LEGISLATIVE EDUCATION NETWORK OF DU $4,309

BLOOMINGDALE SCHOOL DISTRICT #13 $4,279

MOBILE MINI INC. $4,238

CONVERGED TECHNOLOGY PROFESSIONALS, $4,128 HINZ COMPANY

ONE80-BROKERS’RISK $4,112 INDUSTRIAL DOOR COMPANY $3,930 DC CONSTRUCTION CORPORATION $3,850

LAKESHORE EQUIPMENT COMPANY $3,840

SAVVAS LEARNING COMPANY LLC. $3,686

GOPHER SPORTS $3,557 KING TRANSMISSION $3,450 SCHOOL SPECIALTY,LLC. $3,389 SCHOLASTIC $3,215

SALINAS EDUCATIONAL SERVICES, LLC. $3,180

WENTWORTH TIRE SERVICE $3,074

ADVANTAGE TRAILER AND HITCHES INC. $3,053

SAM’S CLUB DIRECT-GE FINANCE $2,998

VERIZON WIRELESS $2,880

MUSIC & ARTS $2,861

AMAZING PEOPLE INC. $2,850

WEVIDEO INC. $2,776

IASA $2,565

DEPAUL UNIVERSITY $2,510

MALMARK, INC. $2,505 (Published in the Addison Independent, Bensenville Independent & Villa Park Review Dec. 15, 2022)

Tax credits, prison reform pass in veto session

Lawmakers schedule lame duck session for last-minute issues

By Peter Hancock CAPITOL NEWS ILLINOIS

Illinois lawmakers recently passed significant legislation dealing with electric vehicle manufacturing incentives and the availability of hygiene products for prisoners in the state’s correctional system.

But some weightier issues, including a possible assault weapons ban, will wait until a lame duck session scheduled for early January.

Lawmakers wrapped up a five-day fall veto session that focused mainly on changes to the SAFE-T Act criminal justice reform package first adopted in 2021 and a $1.8 billion infusion of cash into the state’s Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund.

But several other bills passed as well, including an expansion of tax credits and other incentives aimed at promoting electric vehicle manufacturing in Illinois.

Last year, lawmakers passed the Reimagining Electric Vehicles in Illinois Act, or REV Illinois, that provided tax incentives for electric vehicle manufacturers, or companies that manufacture certain component parts for electric vehicles, to locate or expand in Illinois.

Under that program, companies receiving the breaks could receive a state income tax credit of 75-100 percent of payroll taxes withheld from each new employee and 25-50 per-

cent for retained employees. The law also provided a 10 percent credit for training expenses.

The stated goal of that program was to make Illinois a hub for electric vehicle manufacturing. But other states have been getting into the game as well, including Indiana and Michigan, which some people have argued offer better incentives than Illinois.

The first and only contract under the REV Act thus far was signed between the state and T/CCI Manufacturing in Decatur in September to create an estimated $2.2 million in value for the company to retool its facility that manufactures compressors.

House Bill 5189, which cleared the General Assembly Thursday, Dec. 1, expands the incentives to be available to the makers of more component parts, and raises the maximum tax credit to 75 percent of the incremental income tax attributable to retained employees. That amount can also go to 100 percent, depending on where the jobs are located.

That language was part of an “omnibus” tax bill that also includes a five-year extension of tax deductions for contributions to ABLE accounts, a savings program for people with disabilities; an expansion of the Live Theater Production tax credit to make more productions eligible for the credit; and a provision stat-

ing that any student loan forgiveness that may be approved by the federal government will not count as taxable income for Illinois taxes.

Inmate hygiene Lawmakers also passed a bill ensuring that inmates in the custody of the Illinois Department of Corrections will have free access to underwear and menstrual hygiene products.

House Bill 4218, by Rep. Barbara Hernandez, D-Aurora, follows other bills lawmakers have passed recently that seek to end what advocates have called “period poverty.” In 2021, lawmakers passed a series of bills to expand the availability of such products, including requirements that they be made available in college and university restrooms and homeless shelters.

Another bill called on the Department of Human Services to apply for a federal waiver so the products would be eligible for purchase through the SNAP and WIC food assistance programs in Illinois.

Lame duck session

Some of the weightier issues that lawmakers hope to deal with before the next General Assembly is sworn into office are being deferred to a lame duck session that is scheduled for five days between Jan. 4 and 10.

That’s because the Illinois Constitution requires that any bill passed after May 31 of a calendar year must receive at least a three-fifths majority to have an immediate effective date. Otherwise, they do not take effect until June 1 of the following year.

But bills that pass after Jan. 1— even during lame duck sessions that occur before newly-elected lawmakers are sworn in—need only a simple majority to have an immediate effective date.

Among the issues expected to be debated is a proposed ban on the sale or possession of assault-style weapons and high-capacity ammunition magazines.

Those are the same types of weapons and ammunition systems that have been used in multiple mass shootings in the United States. But calls for banning them in Illinois intensified after a mass shooting at an Independence Day parade last summer in Highland Park that left seven people dead and dozens more injured.

On Thursday, Dec. 1, the final day of the veto session, Rep. Bob Morgan, D-Deerfield, filed HB 5855, the “Protect Illinois Communities Act,” which would make it illegal to manufacture, deliver, sell or purchase an assault weapon, assault weapon attachment, .50-caliber rifle or .50-caliber cartridge.

It would also make it illegal for

anyone to possess such a weapon or ammunition 300 days after the effective date of the act, unless it is registered with the Illinois State Police.

The bill would also remove the ability of people under age 21 to own firearms and ammunition, with an exception for those serving in the U.S. military or National Guard.

And it would amend the state’s Firearms Restraining Order Act by allowing state’s attorneys and assistant state’s attorneys to act as a “friend of the court” in restraining order petitions while extending the maximum length of those restraining orders to one year instead of six months.

Morgan, whose district includes Highland Park, served as leader of the Firearm Safety and Reform Working Group that House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch appointed earlier this year.

“Gun violence is destroying families and communities from East St. Louis to Highland Park to Chicago, and this moment demands urgency,” Morgan said in a statement. “It is time that we had the political courage to admit that guns are a problem and that we can do something about it.”

Chief cosponsors of the bill include Reps. Maura Hirschauer, D-Batavia; La Shawn Ford, D-Chicago; and Barbara Hernandez, all of whom have backed similar legislation in the past.

State elections board certifies 2022 results

Mendoza is top Democratic vote-getter

By Jerry Nowicki CAPITOL NEWS ILLINOIS

The Illinois State Board of Elections certified its election results last week, putting the final stamp on another Democratic sweep of statewide offices.

The board reported that 4,142,642 out of 8,115,751 registered voters cast ballots in the election, a turnout of roughly 51 percent. That’s down from a turnout of more than 57 percent in 2018, but up from a 49 percent turnout in 2014, according to ISBE.

The final margin of victory for Gov. JB Pritzker over Republican challenger state Sen. Darren Bailey was a resounding one, about 12.54 percentage points. Pritzker notched more than 2.25 million votes to Bailey’s 1.74 million.

The lead vote-getter for Democrats was Comptroller Susana Mendoza in her third successful statewide election. Her 2.33 million votes to nearly 1.68 million votes for Republican candidate Shannon Teresi represented a win of just over 16 percentage points, down from her near 23-point victory total in 2018.

She assumes the mantle of most successful statewide Democrat that has for over two decades been claimed by Secretary of State Jesse White. The

88-year-old who has held that office since 1998 didn’t run again this year, paving the way for Democrat Alexi Giannoulias to win a contentious Democratic primary.

Giannoulias, the former state treasurer, received about 2.2 million votes to just under 1.8 million for state Rep. Dan Brady, of Bloomington, the Republican nominee. Last week, Giannoulias and Brady announced that the vanquished Republican would join the winner’s transition team. The margin of victory was about 10.69 percentage points.

“I am honored that Secretary-elect Giannoulias is rising above party pol-

itics by drawing on that experience to make the office the best that it can be,” Brady said in a Nov. 30 statement. “I may be leaving elected office in a few short weeks, but I have always desired to help the people of Illinois in any way that I can. I appreciate this opportunity to use my unique knowledge to help enhance a statewide office that affects the lives of more Illinoisans on a daily basis than any other.”

Attorney General Kwame Raoul posted similar margins to Pritzker and Giannoulias in earning a second term, besting Republican Thomas DeVore 54.35 percent to 43.45 percent. It’s a slightly closer margin than his 55-43

triumph in 2018. Raoul amassed 2.2 million votes compared to DeVore’s near 1.8 million.

His margin of victory was 10.9 percent.

State Treasurer Michael Frerichs earned a third term, beating Republican Rep. Tom Demmer, of Dixon, 54.29 percent to 43.48 percent. The 10.81 percentage point margin was down from about 19 percent in 2018, but well above Frerichs’ 2014 performance in which he won by fewer than 10,000 votes.

U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth, meanwhile, put up margins nearly identical to Mendoza, besting Repub-

lican Kathy Salvi 2.3 million to 1.7 million, for a margin just under 16 percentage points.

An amendment to the state’s constitution passed with 53.42 percent of the ballots cast in the election. The amendment guarantees workers a right to unionize in Illinois. It had two paths to passage, receiving majority approval from the total ballots cast, or receiving 60 percent approval from those voting on the question.

The amendment was approved by 2.2 million of the 4.1 million voters to cast a ballot in the election. It received 58.72 percent approval from those voting on the question.

Edward-Elmhurst Health offers quick fitness fix for the holidays

It’s difficult to get consistent workouts in when there are seemingly endless tasks and engagements during the holiday season.

However, with the right plan, sticking to an exercise commitment during the holidays can be surprisingly simple.

Many people stress more during the holiday season and exercise is a great way to reduce it. Most people also tend to gain a bit of weight as the drinks start flowing and those big holiday meals become more commonplace. These are two important reasons to stay fit during the holiday season.

There is a simple solution: interval training.

Interval workouts or HIIT

(high-intensity interval training) workouts are difficult yet effective workouts that require far less time than a typical workout.

Essentially, HIIT is defined as an exercise performed at a high intensity immediately followed by another low- to moderate-intensity exercise to recover. Sets can be timed or counted by reps.

The high-intensity exercise should be done at near-maximum intensity. The medium-intensity exercise should be at about 50 percent intensity. For example, the high-intensity exercise may only last 30 seconds and the medium-intensity exercise may last closer to a minute to recover enough to start the next high-intensity exercise.

HIIT can be done anywhere with little to no equipment. Below is an example of a HIIT workout that provides a cardiovascular benefit as well as a stretch benefit in only 25 minutes. As always, warm up five minutes before any workout by doing something simple, like walking.

Walking warm-up: 5 minutes

Jumping jacks: 30 seconds fast

Squats: 1 minute slow Mountain climbers: 30 seconds fast

Push-ups: 1 minute slow

High knees: 30 seconds fast

Planks: 1 minute

Walking cool-down: 2 minutes 30 seconds

Jumping jacks, mountain climbers and high knees are the high-in-

tensity cardiovascular intervals and squats, push-ups and planks are the medium-intensity strength intervals.

This circuit of exercises should be performed three times all the way through with two minutes of rest in between each circuit.

This modified HIIT workout takes only 25 minutes and requires no equipment and little space. You can choose many combinations to mix up a HIIT workout. The workout above is a simple yet effective example.

With the craziness of the holidays in full swing, it is more important than ever to take time for exercise.

Learn more at EEHealth.org/ healthy-driven/fitness-centers.

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Restore Hyper Wellness donates to York Township

Recently, Kathy McCormick from Restore Hyper Wellness (shown here with York Township Supervisor John W. Valle) brought a car full of nonperishable food items and paper products to York Township Hall for families in need. Items were collected during the month of November from members and employees of the Oakbrook Terrace location.

Concert at Willowbrook

CERTIFICATE NO. 78892 was filed in the office of the County Clerk of DuPage County on NOVEMBER 29, 2022 wherein the business firm of THERE FOR YOU HOME TECHNOLOGIES, 46 W. ADAMS STREET, VILLA PARK, IL 60181 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:

Jeffrey G. Werner, 46 W. Adams Street, Villa Park, IL 60181.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and Official Seal at my office in Wheaton, Illinois, this 29TH day of NOVEMBER, A.D. 2022.

Jean Kaczmarek

DuPage County Clerk (Published in the Addison Independent, Bensenville Independent & Villa Park Review Dec. 8, 15 & 22, 2022) 429561

STATE OF ILLINOIS

CIRCUIT COURT

DUPAGE COUNTY

PUBLICATION NOTICE OF COURT DATE FOR REQUEST FOR NAME CHANGE (ADULT)

Request of: Mia Ashley Sosa

•

Provisions

(Continued

Census Bureau Director Robert Santos continuing my investigation into the Census Bureau’s undercounting of Illinois over the last decade in its annual American Community Survey (ACS) data, as well as the 2020 Decennial Census, which led to our state receiving less federal funding than it should have. When the 2020 Census results revealed that the ACS had been undercounting Illinois’ population for years by drastically overreporting the decline in its population, I opened my investigation and began discussions with the Census Bureau staff on correcting the annual population count issues.

In May, with the release of another Census Bureau study designed to verify the accuracy of the 2020 Census, the Post-Enumeration Survey (PES), we learned that the failures of the previous Census Bureau results had been far more flawed than anyone had realized.

Rather than losing population

Answers

from page 7)

over the previous decade, our state’s population actually grew to more than 13 million, the highest level in our state’s history. My letter builds on the questions I raised with the Census Bureau in the spring as I’ve begun to press the agency to better audit its previous undercounting and incorporating the methodology of the PES study into future population estimates to ensure Illinoisans are properly counted and receive our fair share of the $1.5 trillion in federal funding which will be allocated to states based on Census Bureau population data.

In my latest letter, I have asked Census Director Santos to lay out the Bureau’s course of action for implementing its new approach before Dec. 19.

Raja Krishnamoorthi represents Illinois’ 8th Congressional District, which includes parts of Addison, Wood Dale, Elmhurst, Bensenville, Villa Park and Lombard.

2022MR000484

Case Number

There will be a court date on my Request to change my name from Mia Ashley Sosa to the new name of Riley Knight Sosa.

The court date will be held on 12/29/22 at 9:00 a.m., at 505 N. County Farm Rd., Wheaton, DuPage County, in Courtroom #2007.

/s/Mia Sosa Mia A. Sosa

(Published in the Addison Independent, Bensenville Independent & Villa Park Review Dec. 1, 8 & 15, 2022) 429466

CHRIS FOX PHOTO Rock Valley Publishing

Willowbrook High School held a jazz concert in the school’s auditorium on Dec. 8. The concert featured performances by Willowbrook’s jazz band and vocal jazz ensemble. The vocal jazz ensemble performed five songs. One photo of members of the ensemble shows junior Lauren Maher (foreground), with (left to right) senior Sarah Kosanda, sophomore Gillian Falco, senior Samantha Tantilla and senior Amelia Tortorici in the background.

SUBMITTED PHOTO Rock Valley Publishing

A

Gift GuideHoliday

Second edition

5 reasons to shop small versus big

The importance of small businesses to the economy cannot be overstated. Though national chains often garner publicity, local businesses are equally, if not exceedingly, worthy of attention.

What defines a small business as “small” varies significantly, but these businesses are generally privately owned and generate far less revenue than big corporations. General consensus also defines small businesses as companies with fewer than 500 paid employees, according to the U.S. Small Business Administration.

Here’s a deep look at why small businesses are so vital, and why consumers should direct more of their purchasing power to smaller companies rather than the big box retailers and other national chains.

Autonomy and diversity

The layout and offerings at national chains will be identical whether you live in the mountains or at the beach. Big box stores follow a consistent marketing strategy and look the same regardless of where they are located. That familiarity can come at the cost of variety. On the other hand, an independent business offers the products and services that are reflective of the customers and the community they serve.

Local hiring strategy

Certain big box retailers will hire

local residents, but hiring policies may push for promoting from within the organization. This could mean relocating an employee rather than bringing in someone from the community who may be more in tune with local sensibilities.

Small businesses may be more inclined to hire residents they know and keep hiring centralized to the local area. That keeps more resources and money in the community.

Adaptability and change

Local businesses can move more quickly to respond to economic factors that require change. Since they are focused more on the needs of their customers rather than stockholders, changes can be implemented rapidly without having to go through red tape, meetings and updates to corporate policies. Changes also can be customized to the local community at large.

Investing in the town

According to the financial resource Financial Slot, shopping at locally owned businesses rather than big box retailers keeps more money in the community. Local property taxes and other taxes paid by the businesses go right back into the community. This helps raise overall value for homeowners and can even reduce their taxes. The funding helps keep police, fire and school departments functioning properly.

Turnover is greater

While no one wants to see a small business fail, that fate is sometimes unavoidable. However, that turnover helps teach communities what was done poorly and helps others learn from those mistakes. It also means fresh businesses will come in and replace the old, driving new growth, opportunity and competition that keep prices competitive.

(METRO CREATIVE)

Cantigny presents ‘A Christmas Carol’ radio play

Holiday classic to be performed live as a 1940s-style radio program

Cantigny Park presents something familiar but new for the holidays—an adaptation of “A Christmas Carol,” performed as a 1940s radio play before a live audience.

Tickets are $2 and are on sale now at Cantigny.org for two performances: Saturday, Dec. 17 at 7 p.m.; and Sunday, Dec. 18, at 11 a.m. Parking for the one-hour inside the Cantigny Park Visitors Center is free for ticketholders.

The set for Cantigny’s version of “A Christmas Carol,” adapted and directed by Christopher Corrigan, is a vintage radio station. Audiences will enjoy a behind-the- scenes perspective as they watch a talented five-member cast cycle through multiple characters. To the side, an old-time radio sound artist will create realistic auditory effects to support the action on stage. The show is inspired by Chicago’s Theatre of the Air, a real radio program introduced by Colonel Robert McCormick on WGN in 1940.

While the setting is a bit different, the main character’s journey is familiar. Ebeneezer Scrooge is a Chicago citizen in the 1940s and publisher of the Chicago Daily News. Guided by three memorable spirits, he will need to learn the true meaning of Christmas and “goodwill to all” if he is to save himself from an unforgiving future.

More information is online at Cantigny.org.

Christmas at Vis

Matthew J Miceli

Financial Advisor

112a S York Rd

Elmhurst, IL 60126-3432 630-530-2422

ARCHIVE PHOTO Elmhurst Independent

Eighth grade members of Visitation’s Concert Band are seen here with band director Pat McMurray back in 2019.

Happy Holidays

Montini Catholic holds annual Golden Gobbler Food Drive

Students of Montini Catholic wrapped up this year’s 26th Anniversary Golden Gobbler Food Drive recently by helping to sort baskets of donated food to be delivered to food pantries in the Lombard area. Starting on Nov. 8, Broncos were invited to bring in canned and boxed food items. Along with filling a large number of baskets, the students collected more than $1,100 in gift cards to add to their food gifts to needy families.

“Now that Gobbler has come to a close, which we consider ‘part 1’ of our Season of Giving, our Adopt-a-Family, ‘part 2,’ is just getting started,” said Campus Minister Mike Blanchette. “Some of the food collected during Gobbler is allocated for families that are ‘adopted’ by Montini Catholic during the Christmas season.”

During the month of December, homerooms will be busy shopping, donating, sorting and wrapping loads of Christmas cheer for area families during the next several weeks. Montini’s Peer Ministers are spearheading the drive and will

also be hosting a ‘Candy Gram’ drive with money going to supplement the Adopt-A-Family donations.

Montini’s traditional ‘Catholic Charities Adopt a Family’ service program encourages students to donate toys and gifts to families facing hardship during the holiday season or throughout the year. During the beginning of December, students donate money through their homerooms - with each homeroom receiving a family to shop for. The students receive wish lists informing them of the number of family members, their gender, ages, and sizes.

“Most of the wish lists include simple items many of us take for granted like gloves, boots, and warm hats,” said Blanchette. “Our students really make a difference by lifting the spirits of families in need at the holiday time. “Each year Golden Gobbler and Adopt-a-Family remind us of what is important in life and there’s no better time than the holidays to reflect on and share our many blessings.”

(from left) Montini juniors Isabella Gatto and Elizabeth Beirne share big smiles while working for Montini Catholic’s 26th Anniversary Golden Gobbler Food Drive. Besides filling a large number of baskets, the students collected more than $1,100 in gift cards to add to their food gifts to needy families.

(from left) Montini seniors Katherine Gertsen and Lillian Townsend helped sort baskets of donations to be delivered to food pantries in the local area as part of Montini’s 26th Anniversary Golden Gobbler Food Drive. It’s part 1 of Montini’s season of giving, while part 2 is Adopting A Family for the holidays.

SUBMITTED PHOTOS The Independent

Mariella Herrmann helps sor t baskets for Montini Catholic 26th Anniversary Golden Gobbler Food Drive for this year. Montini’s Peer Ministers were spearheading this year’s drive.

Hospital Foundation hosts annual Reindeer Route Housewalk

The Elmhurst Memorial Hospital Foundation held its 46th annual Reindeer Route Housewalk on Friday, Dec. 2. The event featured five Elmhurst homes decorated for the holidays by local florists and one neighborhood block with exterior decorations in Elmhurst. A portion of proceeds from the 2022 Rein-

deer Route Housewalk will fund the Elmhurst Memorial Hospital Teen Volunteer Health Profession Scholarship program, in addition to other programs and services, such as nursing and staff development. For more information about the EMH Foundation, visit www.emhfoundation.org or call (331) 221-0388.

Carolers were out in force sharing their musical gifts with the crowd gathered around the Christmas tree at the Spring Road Business Association’s holiday tree-lighting.

The Elmhurst Memorial Hospital Foundation’s annual Reindeer Route Housewalk featured five Elmhurst homes decorated for the holidays by local florists. The EMH Foundation offers many giving opportunities and special events designed to support the hospital’s programs and facilities. For more information, visit www.emhfoundation.org.

SUBMITTED PHOTOS The Independent

Guests chat in the foyer in one of the five Elmhurst homes decorated for the holidays by local florists and featured in the Elmhurst Memorial Hospital Foundation’s 46th annual Reindeer Route Housewalk. A portion of proceeds will fund the Elmhurst Memorial Hospital Teen Volunteer Health Profession Scholarship program, in addition to other programs and services, such as nursing and staff development.

ARCHIVE PHOTO Elmhurst Independent

program back in 2019.

ARCHIVE PHOTO The Independent

comes Santa Claus aboard an Addison Fire Protection District fire engine, which brought him to the Addison festivities at the Village Green and the Addison Historical Museum.