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1 • Thursday, Dec. 23, 2021 - Rock Valley Publishing

THURSDAY, DEC. 23, 2021

Student accused of posting threatening messages on Instagram directed at Willowbrook High School ed at the school.

The juvenile, a 15-year-old male who lives in Villa Park, appeared at a detention hearing where Judge Anthony Coco ordered that he be released to the custody of his mother.

He has been charged with one count of disorderly conduct, a Class 4 felony.

On Dec. 14, the Villa Park Police Department received a call from the Willowbrook High School liaison

officer regarding a threat of violence directed at the school. The alleged threat was brought to the attention of school authorities by students at the school.

An investigation into the matter

Inside:

Police Reports...........6 Puzzles ������������� 6 & 7 Viewpoint.................7 Classifieds..............14

See STUDENT, Page 4

SUBMITTED PHOTOS Addison Independent

Montini still amid season of giving Students at Montini Catholic wrapped up this year’s 25th Anniversary Golden Gobbler Food Drive on Friday, Dec. 3 by helping to load up vehicles with food destined for the food pantry at Christ the King Parish. “The students, alum, and staff worked extremely hard to make this year’s Golden Gobbler great,” said Alexxis

alleges that the juvenile made an Instagram post that read “Friday this bitch gonna sound like a party.” It is alleged that the juvenile made an ad-

Johnson, Montini’s student government director. “We collected over 4,000 food donations and over $3,000 in gift cards and cash donations.” Pictured are (from left): Andrew Stokes, Reeghan Boyer, Maria Florio, Megan Canty and Estevan Moreno.

Story and more photos inside.

It’s a Wonderful Life in our neighborhood.

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DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and Villa Park Chief of Police Michael Rivas announced that a Willowbrook High School student has been accused of posting threatening messages on social media direct-

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There’s no place like home ~ For the holidays!

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2 • Thursday, Dec. 23, 2021 - Rock Valley Publishing

Elmhurst Symphony Orchestra to perform twice in January The Elmhurst Symphony Orchestra, under the baton of Music Director and Conductor Stephen Alltop, continues its season of spectacular music-making, “The Music Lives,” with a concert of Baroque favorites presented in two different venues on two different dates in January. The concert on Saturday, Jan. 15 at 2:30

p.m takes place at Mayslake Peabody Estate in Oak Brook, and on Sunday, Jan. 23 at 3 p.m., the concert will be repeated at the ESO’s home venue, Elmhurst Christian Reformed Church. In this year-long celebration of the sixty seasons the ESO has been bringing exceptional orchestral performances to the western suburbs

and beyond, the orchestra will delight you with selections by familiar and well-loved Baroque composers: Handel, J. S. Bach, Vivaldi and Telemann. You are invited to join us for these memorable musical events.

The performance of Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto is underwritten by a generous gift from Elaine Libovicz.

In-person safety measures are in effect this season. All attendees are required to wear masks, regardless of venue, vaccination status or age.

At this time, Elmhurst Christian Reformed Church requires all in attendance on concert days to also sign a release, which can be found on the sidebar of the website. For more information, please call the ESO office at 630-941-0202.

Save on tickets by purchasing a discounted 2021-22 season subscription for the remaining three concerts at Elmhurst Christian Reformed Church; visit www.elmhurstsymphony.org or call the Box Office at 630941-0202. Subscriber benefits include savings of up to 30% over single ticket prices; free ticket exchanges for other series concerts; savings

on additional single ticket purchases ($28 a ticket); invitations to special gatherings; and personalized customer service. Single tickets for the upcoming concerts can be purchased on the website or by phone.

Elmhurst Christian Reformed Church is located at 149 W. Brush Hill Rd. in Elmhurst. Mayslake Peabody Estate is located at 1717 31st St. in Oak Brook.

Both venues have accessible parking and facilities.

The 2021-22 season of the Elmhurst Symphony Orchestra is made possible in part by grants from the City of Elmhurst, the Illinois Arts Council (a state agency), the Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation, and 90.9FM WDCB, Chicago’s Home for Jazz.

State recognizes one-year anniversary of first COVID-19 vaccinations More than 18 million doses later, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is recognizing the one-year anniversary of the first COVID-19 vaccines administered in Illinois.

On Dec. 15, 2020, roughly 450 doses of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine were administered to health care workers after being delivered to the state the day before.

IDPH and the Illinois Emergency Management Agency have partnered with communities to host more than 5,600 vaccination clinics around the state, including 1,400 youth-school

clinics and approximately 1,900 equity-based clinics. Another 870 events have already been scheduled.

“One year and 18 million doses later, the COVID-19 vaccine has saved countless lives across Illinois,” said Gov. JB Pritzker. “I am incredibly grateful for the scientists, researchers SUBMITTED PHOTO Rock Valley Publishing and public health professionals who With the Maestro Stephen Alltop at the keyboard, the Elmhurst Symphony is pictured here performmade this historic effort possible, ing at Mayslake Peabody Estate allowing us to reunite with loved ones, in Oak Brook, where they are return to small businesses, and engage scheduled to play again on Satwith our communities once again. urday, Jan. 15 at 2:30 p.m. For As we recognize the progress we’ve tickets, call 630-941-0202 or visit made, I urge all eligible Illinoisans to www.elmhurstsymphony.org. receive their vaccine or booster and protect themselves and their families this holiday season.”

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Rock Valley Publishing - Thursday, Dec. 23, 2021 • 3

Viewpoint

Slices of life

Prime delivery and the heroes therein hours, barking dogs and too many addresses.

They deliver long past dark, By even though dark comes too JILL PERTLER soon right now. I’ve witnessed it Columnist firsthand. They wear the company uniform and a smile and they get the job done, all so we can order toilet paper and have it delivered generators and ceiling fixtures – free with two day shipping, even all available with the click of a on weekends. Even on Sundays. mouse.

Since when do we need our And you can do it all in your pajamas (or sans pajamas, if that’s laundry detergent or area rugs delivered on a Sunday? Since now, how you roll. Wink.) supposedly.

You don’t have to wear a mask These good people work or worry about hand sanitizer. without the benefit of tips (at least All with better prices and better that I know of). I hope they get selection.

It’s, in a word, convenience. For incentives and bonuses, but I’m me. For you. But not for everyone. not sure. They deserve all three.

I’m not sure how often people let Not for the good folks bearing them know they are appreciated the burden of this societal shift: and their work is valued, but we the people delivering the goods.

I propose an ode to the delivery should. Shame on us if we don’t.

In that vein, I have one message people who now tote our toilet for them: paper and canned goods. Those Thank you. who haul furniture boxes and those Thank you for all you do. labeled, “Fragile, this side up.”

Thank you for working early in the Their days are made up of long

House passes Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act

By U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi Recently, the House of Representatives took a major step toward supporting our selfless doctors and nurses during this pandemic by passing the bipartisan Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act, which I co-led.

Over the course of the pandemic, health care professionals have experienced unbelievable levels of stress and burnout. In the United States this year, one doctor on average dies by suicide every day, which is one of the highest suicide rates of any profession.

Our health care professionals take on enormous burdens, which have only been exacerbated by the pandemic.

The issue captured national attention in April 2020 when Dr. Lorna Breen, a physician from Charlottesville, Va., who was working on the frontlines of the pandemic in New York City, tragically died by suicide.

In her honor, the Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act will expand access to mental and behavioral health resources among health care workers.

Through this bill, we can care for our health care professionals the same way that they care for us.

The new nominees for USPS Board of Governors and my efforts to support the USPS

essential American institution.

My op-ed: Infrastructure bill may bridge more than just I was glad to see that President our state’s rivers Biden nominated two new members I recently wrote an article for to the USPS Board of Governors a suburban daily newspaper on and did not reappoint Chairman the bipartisan Infrastructure Ron Bloom, one of Postmaster Investment and Jobs Act and its General Louis DeJoy’s biggest benefits to our state. supporters, after I wrote to the I want to stress the importance White House urging for Mr. of this legislation for Illinois. It Bloom’s replacement and the includes major investments to fix Postmaster General’s removal by our roads and bridges, improve the Board of Governors. public transit, expand rail service, President Biden’s new and replace the lead pipes that nominees to the USPS Board of threaten the health of families. It Governors now await their Senate will also expand broadband access, confirmation, and my hope is which is crucial since currently 20 that these nominees will evaluate percent of Illinoisans lack access Postmaster General DeJoy and his to the internet. job performance objectively and act But more than that, the accordingly. infrastructure legislation has the The bottom line is that power to help heal the divisions Postmaster General DeJoy has among the people of Illinois. orchestrated price increases, At the end of the day, we all a dramatic slowdown of mail want the best for our families deliveries and has abandoned the and for our great state. Whether high service standards we expect of in Chicagoland or downstate the USPS. Illinois, Republican or Democrat, His overall approach has left young or old, we will see and Americans unable to rely on the feel the positive impact of this Postal Service to deliver their mail infrastructure package. It will help and packages on time. Members bring us together as a statewide of our community have reported community as it also does so inconsistent and shockingly physically by improving the delayed mail service, including the infrastructure that connects our late delivery of crucial checks and towns. medications.

Raja Krishnamoorthi represents In response to these unacceptable Illinois’ 8th Congressional District, which includes parts of Addison, issues, I am working to ensure Wood Dale, Elmhurst, Bensenville, that the USPS has competent, committed leadership to restore this Villa Park and Lombard.

morning and late into the evening just to make sure my new bedroom pillows arrive on time. Thank you for making sure I get my granola, pesto sauce and cat treats well within the estimated delivery window.

Thank you for making our lives easier, during the pandemic and probably after, if an after ever comes. Thank you for carrying the heaviest packages inside my door because it would be hard for me to do that by myself. Thank you for providing a rescue to many during a difficult time for us all.

Thank you isn’t enough,

really, but it’s all I have, and it’s delivered from the heart. I see what you’re doing. I see how hard you work. I see the long hours that are required of you. I see that you may be taken for granted and I’m sorry for that. I see how much you benefit us all from simply “doing your job.” I see, and I hope others do as well.

Thank you.

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

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I was an early proponent of online shopping. I lived in a rural community without much access to retail, so it was a natural fit. I even experimented with grocery purchases when it was a new and novel thing. I wrote about the crazy packaging practices of my delivery orders back in 2017. Yes, I was that cutting edge.

I didn’t make online grocery shopping a habit. I preferred to pick out my toilet paper in person.

Then COVID hit in early 2020 and all our worlds—and shopping habits—changed, perhaps forever.

E-commerce had already established itself in our daily lives, but COVID cemented it there.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, e-commerce sales jumped nearly 32% in 2020, making it not only cemented but set in stone, for many good reasons.

Why carry heavy bags of groceries when you can have them delivered to your doorstep? TVs, furniture, clothing, tennis shoes, garden implements, snow blowers,

Public Notice of Draft NPDES Permit Public Notice Number: SKT: 20051201.bdf Public Notice is hereby given by Illinois E.P.A., Division of Water Pollution Control, Permit Section, 1021 N. Grand Ave. East, P.O. Box 19276, Springfield, IL 62794-9276 (herein Agency) that a draft National Pollutant Discharge System NPDES Permit Number IL0021849 has been prepared under 40CFR 124.6 (d) Village of Bensenville, 12 South Center Street, Bensenville, Illinois 60106 for discharge into Addison Creek from Village of Bensenville – South STP, 711 East Jefferson Street, Bensenville, Illinois 60106, ( DuPage County) This facility provides treatment of wastewater generated within its service area.

The application, draft permit, and other documents are available for inspection and may be copied at the Agency between 9:30 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. A Fact Sheet containing more detailed information is available at no charge. For further information call the Public Notice Clerk at 217-782-0610. Interested persons are invited to submit written comments on the draft permit to the Agency at the above address. The NPDES Permit and Public Notice numbers must appear on each comment page. All comments received by the Agency not later than 30 days from the date of this publication shall be considered in making the final decision regarding permit issuance.

Any interested person may submit written request for a public hearing on the draft permit, stating their name and address, the nature of the issues proposed to be raised and the evidence proposed to be presented with regard to these issues in the hearing. Such requests must be received by the Agency not later than 30 days form the date of this publication.

If written comments and/or requests indicate a significant degree of interest in the draft permit, the permittee authority may, at its discretion, hold a public hearing. Public notice will be given 30 days before any public hearing. 409869

4A • Thursday, Dec. 23, 2021 - Rock Valley Publishing

The IndependenT 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

SUBMITTED PHOTO Rock Valley Publishing

E-mail: Advertising Department: ads1@rvpublishing.com News Department: Independent@rvpublishing.com Classified Department: Classifieds@rvpublishing.com

Administration: Dee Longfellow 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 $15.95 yearly. Out-of-area mail subscriptions are $29.95 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 Avenue, Elmhurst, IL. 60126

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The goods are ready to pass along to Christ The King Parish’s food pantry. The items were collected by Montini Catholic students as the second part of the school’s annual Golden Gobbler Food Drive. Pictured are: Mrs. and Mr. Mike Blanchette (Campus Minister) (front row, from left): Assistant Campus Minister Katie Miller, senior Mia Paolella, freshman Hailey Donda, freshman Gabriella Janis, freshman Delaney Spontak; (back row, from left): Campus Minister Mike Blanchette, junior Jaevion Hooks, junior Joe Anderson, junior Lawrence Barrett, junior Tyson McKelvy, junior Brett Pickering. The people pictured on the right are members of Christ the King Parish Food Pantry.

Montini Catholic continues the giving season with Golden Gobbler Part 2

Christ the King Food Pantry receives collection Students of Montini Catholic wrapped up this year’s 25th Anniversary Golden Gobbler Food Drive on Friday, December 3rd by helping to load up vehicles with food destined for the food pantry at Christ the King Parish.

“The students, alum, and staff worked extremely hard to make this year’s Golden Gobbler great,” said Alexxis Johnson, Montini’s Student Government Director. “We collected over 4,000 food donations and over $3000 in gift cards and cash donations which will all go towards our ‘adopted’

families this year.”

“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.” Homerooms have already been busy shopping, donating, sorting and wrapping loads of Christmas cheer for area families.

Montini’s traditional ‘Catholic

Charities Adopt a Family’ service program enables 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.”

Johnson and the entire Bronco student body agreed.

“We are so happy to be able to provide these families and food pantries with the supplies that they need to create joyful holidays this year.”

Villa Park man sentenced to 10 years for gunrunning DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert B. Berlin has announced that a Villa Park man accused of illegally selling multiple guns on four separate occasions to undercover police officers has been sentenced to 10

• Student

years in the Illinois Department of Corrections.

Bruce Berrier, 22, appeared in court in front of Judge Jeffrey MacKay, who handed down the sentence.

(Continued from front page) ditional post that read “I’m shoot- and charged accordingly. First and ing up the school” with an emoji of foremost, I commend the students the number 100. An investigation at Willowbrook High School for into the posts led authorities to the alerting authorities to the alleged juvenile who was taken into custo- posts. I thank authorities at Wildy later that day. lowbrook High School for contact“For the second time this week ing law enforcement as well as the (referring to last week), a juvenile Villa Park Police Department for appeared before a judge charged their quick response in this case.” with making a threat to a school,” “We will continue to take any and Berlin said. “These threats are all threats concerning our schools not harmless jokes or an excuse seriously and hold those accountto blow off steam. They have a able for stoking fear in our commuchilling effect not just on students, nity,” Rivas said. “I want to thank teachers and staff, but also on par- Willowbrook High School for their ents, siblings and the community as continued dedication to student a whole. safety and for our great working re“I cannot stress this enough: my lationship. I also want to thank our office takes any threat of violence detectives, officers and the DuPage aimed at a school very seriously County State’s Attorney’s Office and anyone suspected of making for bringing this incident to a quick such a threat will be investigated peaceful resolution.”

On July 2, Berrier entered a plea of guilty to one count of gunrunning, a Class 1 felony. On Dec. 4, 2020, Berrier appeared in bond court where bond was set at Bruce Berrier $300,000 with 10 percent to apply. He has remained in custody at the DuPage County Jail since that time.

Through the course of an ongoing investigation conducted by the North Central Narcotics Task Force into illegal activities, Berrier was identified as a suspect in the illegal selling of guns in DuPage County.

On Sept. 28, 2020, an undercover officer contacted Berrier through Snapchat about purchasing a gun from him.

The agent subsequently met with Berrier and purchased a .22 caliber firearm and multiple rounds of ammunition from him. On three more occasions, the final being on Nov. 24, 2020, the agent purchased three additional firearms and ammunition

from Berrier.

The illegal sales of the firearms took place in Roselle and Hanover Park. On Dec. 3, 2020, authorities executed a search warrant at Berrier’s home. He was taken into custody at this time.

“Armed violence continues to plague our communities causing citizens to live in fear of becoming the next victim of a violent crime,” Berlin said. “More often than not, the guns used in these crimes are illegally obtained from people such as Mr. Berrier, who seek to line their own pockets at the expense of our communities’ safety. Thankfully, the weapons Mr. Berrier sold did not make it into the hands of those who would use them to commit violent crimes.

“I commend the ongoing, pro-active work of the North Central Narcotics Task Force into illegal gun sales. While we will never know for sure, their work on this case may have prevented a tragedy from occurring.”

Berrier will be required to serve 75 percent of his sentence before being eligible for parole.

Rock Valley Publishing - Thursday, Dec. 23, 2021 • 5A

Addison resident takes second in Spanish language author competition Between completing the 2019 Chicago marathon, releasing his first book, The Blue Q: The World As I See It, in October of 2020, translating his published novel into Spanish, and seeing both the English on the Spanish versions of his story on shelf at his local library, Addison resident Dennis Avelar has accomplished a lot in just a few years.

But his latest accomplishment is perhaps the one he is proudest of to date: El Quetzal Azul: El Mundo Desde El Cielo, Avelar’s Spanish translation of his book, won second place in this year’s inaugural De la Página a la Fama author competition, which is a contest for Illinois authors whose books are written in Spanish.

“Writing [The Blue Q] was my first dive into creative writing. I didn’t have any formal training in writing. I didn’t know what to do aside from reading books from my favorite authors,” said Avelar. “I used the library as a reference location, exploring how different authors structure their stories.”

After reading several library books to pass the time on his commute, Avelar turned to writing and produced a short story, about 100 SUBMITTED PHOTO Rock Valley Publishing handwritten pages. It wasn’t until much later that he realized he would Dennis Avelar like to write a book one day. Ave“It wasn’t supposed to be a long lar’s storytelling skills learned from a book “is a completely different film school certainly helped him beast,” he said. He challenged him- story, maybe just ten pages,” he said. “Then ten pages turned into on his writing journey but writing self to keep going. twenty, and twenty turned into fifty, and at that point I figured I’d better just finish it, and the story developed into over 500 pages.”

CHRIS FOX PHOTO Rock Valley Publishing

Blazers beat the Rams

The Addison Trail girls basketball team improved its overall season record to 8-5 with Saturday’s 35-21 non-conference win over Glenbard East in Addison. The Blazers and Rams were tied at 10-10 at the end of the first quarter. Addison Trail outscored Glenbard East 6-0 in the second quarter to take a 16-10 halftime lead. The Blazers built their lead to 27-12 by the end of the third quarter. Senior Mary Velez scored a team-leading 14 points for Addison Trail. Senior Juliana Nasti provided six points, while seniors Quiana Birmingham and Jasmine Cozlo contributed five and four points, respectively. Junior Elena Papanicolaou (No. 1) provided three points by sinking a 3-point shot during the second quarter. The Blazers will play four games at next week’s holiday tournament at Lisle High School.

About the story The Blue Q: The World As I See It tells the story of teenage orphan Dionisio Sedano, who wants to experience every adventure the world has to offer. But the natural balance of the world is in peril, and all that flies between the Earth’s success and failure is a resplendent bird: a quetzal.

“My parents are from Guatemala and the quetzal, the bird, is a really important symbol in Guatemala.

It represents the people in terms of this freedom, this liberty, this natural beauty that the bird has,” said Avelar. “It’s widely known that the quetzal cannot survive in captivity.

It would rather choose death than a lack of freedom.”

The quetzal found in nature has stunning green feathers and a red chest, but Avelar had an idea when creating his own film production company: he would represent his company with a logo featuring blue quetzal instead, to set it apart.

“I told my aunt in Guatemala about my idea. She does paintings and specializes in birds. When I asked her to draw a quetzal for me, but in blue, she said, ‘Dennis, that’s got to be the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard,’ but she did it,” said Avelar.

Avelar later realized the blue quetzal was not only the perfect representation for his company, but also was the perfect symbol for his book as well.

About his own background “I grew up with a Guatemalan

background from my parents, but I grew up in the United States, so there are two parts to me. I wanted to see how I could incorporate that concept into the story as well as with the characters and their languages and their priorities,” said Avelar. “The birds [in the book] are specialists at certain things, but they’re really united, and can travel to other parts of the world and recognize each other. They all have this purpose and they understand it and work together.”

The Blue Q was initially released in October 2020. By November 2020, Avelar began asking local libraries if he could donate a copy of his book for the collection. The Addison Public Library was the first to accept his publication, and the library is so far the only library that has Avelar’s book both in English and in Spanish. But his home library is not the only one with a copy of his work.

“One of the libraries I went to, the Gail Borden Public Library in Elgin, said yes and I got to meet one of the librarians. She asked me what I was going to do with the book, and I said I wanted to get more people to read it and that I also wanted to translate it,” said Avelar. “She told me there was a competition that was launching in Spanish for the first time, and if my book was ready I could enter it in the contest. I was excited about it but wasn’t sure it would amount to much.”

An effort to support literacy Avelar’s plans to translate his novel originally came from a social media graphic he spotted that showed levels of illiteracy around the globe. In and around the Americas, Haiti was shown as having the highest levels of illiteracy. The country with the next highest levels of illiteracy was Guatemala.

“When I saw there was a high level of illiteracy in Guatemala, I wanted to see what I could do to help.

That became my motivating factor.

I needed to do something for the people of Guatemala, in a voice and in a way that they could understand.

I wanted to help motivate people to read more, even if it wasn’t my book,” said Avelar.

“That’s when we established the mission of The Blue Q, to help kids around the world. A percentage of sales from the book goes towards helping build schools and libraries and hopefully one day, it’ll be a bigger thing. But the point of it is that I’ll do whatever I can to help increase that level of literacy.”

The translation of Avelar’s book was completed in 2021. Afterwards, he donated a Spanish copy to the Addison Public Library and submitted his work into the first-ever De la Página a la Fama competition. In September 2021, the list of semi-finalists was released, and Avelar was thrilled to see El Quetzal Azul: El Mundo Desde had made the list.

“When the list was released, I checked out the competition, and it was so intimidating! These were well-respected professors, people working in theatre, award-winning writers, and then there’s this guy with a book about a bird who came

out of nowhere,” said Avelar. “But you have to shut down that voice, that self-doubt. I was so glad to make it on the list.”

Among three finalists When the list of three finalists was released a month later, Avelar was floored to find he was included yet again. He started looking into the award and its history to learn more about the people behind the contest. De la Página a la Fama is part of the Soon to be Famous Illinois Author Project, which has hosted an annual contest for Illinois authors who write in English since 2014 and is run by a committee of library workers across the state.

“It meant a lot to me that librarians were the ones to read the stories, to get to know these authors and their characters so intimately,” said Avelar. “To be placed in the top three by people who are surrounded by books all day every day, who see and know about good authors, was an incredible honor.”

Placing second…

On Monday, Nov. 15, De la Página a la Fama named its winner and runner-up. Pascuala Herrera’s No Siempre es un Valle de Lagrimas took first place. Avelar’s El Quetzal Azul: El Mundo Desde El Cielo took second.

“I see it as a tremendous accomplishment. If this were the Olympics, I’d proudly wear that silver medal and show everybody what we were able to do,” said Avelar. “You never expect someone to read your book. You invest so much time and effort into what you’re doing, and you hope that someone will at least recognize it. It’s an exhilarating feeling.”

To Avelar, being involved in De la Página a la Fama is more than just an accomplishment as an author; it’s an accomplishment as a member of the Latino community as well. “[The competition] shows that there is a lot of creativity in our Spanish-speaking, Latino community,” he said. “I recently visited Lincoln Elementary School in Addison to talk with the kids about my book and tell them the story. They spoke Spanish as well. It was so much fun to show them there was a Latino who was just like them, who grew up in a similar environment, who could accomplish this. If I can do it, they can do it, too.”

Between running and writing, Avelar’s unwavering determination to carry on hasn’t always come easily, but he knows from experience what good can come from pushing through when the going gets tough.

“The hardest thing is to get started,” he said. “There will be certain times where you think it’s not for you, or you’ll find an excuse. But you get this feeling when you run on the ice, or when you listen to someone laughing as they’re reading from your book, and it’s something you have to experience.

“If you want something bad enough, please just get over the feeling of doubt and do it. The worst that can happen is you have a feeling of accomplishment, and for that alone it’s worth it.”

6 • Thursday, Dec. 23, 2021 - 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.

was delivered to the complainant’s front door.

A suspect was issued a trespass notice at a store in the 900 block of S. Route 83 at 6:18 p.m. after it was reported the suspect was attempting to remove items from the store.

Dec. 8 Police said Faris R. Lutfy, 49, of Lisle, was arrested at a store in the 1-100 block of E. St. Charles at 8:18 Addison p.m. on a failure to appear warrant Editor’s note: There were no re- from DuPage County. ports submitted by the Addison PoA subject at a bar in the 100 block lice Department last week. of S. Villa was issued a trespass notice after refusing to leave the bar at Villa Park 5:02 p.m.

Dec. 11 Saulo E. Lopez-Lopez, 25 of Dec. 7 Bensenville, was charged with two Attempted burglary and criminal counts of DUI, no valid driver’s li- damage to property was reported at cense, improper lane usage, making a restaurant in the 100 block of W. an improper turn, transportation or Roosevelt at 3:37 p.m. A complainant possession of open alcohol by a driv- reported that an unknown suspect er and no insurance near E. Hill and used a brick to break a window on Villa at 9:42 p.m. the building but reported that nothing A complainant in the 300 block appeared to be missing at the time. of W. Division reported at 8:33 a.m. that a suspect damaged their vehicle Dec. 6 while it was unattended in a parking Theft of vehicle parts was reported lot. in the 1000 block of Ovaltine at 6:07 p.m. A complainant reported that an Dec. 9 unknown suspect removed a catalytTheft of vehicle parts was report- ic converter from an unattended veed in the 400 block of S. Monterey hicle parked in a parking lot. at 12:54 p.m. A complainant reported that an unknown suspect removed a Dec. 5 catalytic converter from an unattendRetail theft was reported at a store ed vehicle parked in a parking lot. in the 900 block of S. Route 83 at Theft was reported in the 300 5:31 p.m. A complainant reported block of N. Ardmore at 3:04 p.m. that multiple suspects removed items A complainant reported that an un- from display shelves and left the known suspect stole a package that store without paying for the items.

Citations were issued.

Theft of vehicle parts was reported in the 300 block of N. Cornell at 7:13 a.m. A complainant reported that an unknown suspect removed a catalytNOTICE CERTIFICATE NO. 78476 was filed in ic converter from an unattended vethe office of the County Clerk of DuPage hicle parked in a parking lot.

A complainant at a business in the County on DECEMBER 3, 2021 wherein the business firm of BRIGHT BLUE 700 block of N. Addison reported SEEDS, 206 W. ADAMS STREET, VILLA that an unknown suspect spray-paintPARK, IL 60181 was registered; that the ed multiple areas on the outside of true or real name or names of the person or persons owning the business, with their the building.

Theft of vehicle parts was reported respective post office address(es), is/are as in the 1-100 block of W. Terrace at follows: Tracy M. Vroman, 206 W. Adams Street, 10:14 p.m. A complainant reported Villa Park, IL 60181. that an unknown suspect removed a IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereuncatalytic converter from an unattendto set my hand and Official Seal at my office in Wheaton, Illinois, this 3RD day of DE- ed vehicle parked in a parking lot.

Theft of vehicle parts was reportCEMBER, A.D. 2021.

Jean Kaczmarek ed in the 700 block of S. Oakland at DuPage County Clerk 2:20 p.m. A complainant reported (Published in the Addison Independent, that an unknown suspect removed a Bensenville Independent & Villa Park catalytic converter from an unattendReview Dec. 16, 23 & 30, 2021) 409424 ed vehicle parked in a driveway.

LEGAL NOTICES

BENSENVILLE FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT NO. 1 MEETINGS CALENDAR YEAR 2022 Bensenville Fire District 1 meeting schedule for 2022 is hereby established for meetings on the dates listed below. All meetings will be held at the Deer Grove Leisure Center, 1000 W. Grove, Bensenville, Illinois and shall commence at 7:00 P.M. FEBRUARY 23, 2022 MAY 25, 2022 JULY 20, 2022 SEPT. 14, 2022 SEPT. 28, 2022 NOV. 16, 2022 (Published in the Elmhurst Independent, Addison Independent, Bensenville Independent & Villa Park Review Dec. 23, 2021) 409949

Dec. 2 Edward P. Klein, 68, of Villa Park, was charged with leaving the scene of an accident involving damage to an attended vehicle, driving while license suspended, operating a vehicle with a cancelled, suspended or revoked Illinois registration, failure to yield at a stop intersection and disobeying a stop sign near S. Summit and E. Harrison at 4:57 p.m.

Fraud According to information provided last week by the Villa Park Police Department, police reported five incidents of residents being a victim of fraud.

Bensenville fleeing or attempting to elude a po- of Pamela Drive, a complainant reThe Bensenville Police Depart- lice officer. This case is under inves- ported theft from an online social ment recently reported the following tigation. BEPC2101054. media site. This case is under invesarrests and citations. Persons who are Dec. 9, 8:59 p.m. in the 100 block tigation. BEPC2101053 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. 16, at midnight on the 100 block of Pine Ave., a complainant reported she found the back door unlocked to her residence. This case is under investigation. BEPC2101075.

Dec. 15, 7:22 p.m. in the 1100 block of S. York Road, a juvenile reported three unknown suspects took two pairs of Adidas gym shoes and juvenile’s iPhone in which one of the unknown suspects displayed a black handgun. This case is under investigation. BEPC2101074.

Dec. 13, 9:12 a.m. in the 100 block of S. Addison St., a complainant reported a government property was found to be vandalized. This case is under investigation. BEPC2101065.

Dec. 13, 3:50 p.m. in the 300 block of Marshall Road, a property was found to be vandalized. This case is under investigation. BEPC2101066.

Dec. 13, 4:22 p.m. in the 1000 block of Argyle St., a 34-yearold Bensenville man was arrested for domestic battery and failure to appear warrant out of DuPage.

BEPC2101037.

Dec. 13, 7:48 p.m. near Route 83 and Oak Meadows Drive, Osiel Vasquez Hernandez, 27, of Merced, Calif., was arrested for failure to appear warrant. BEPC2101069.

Dec. 13, 9:24 p.m. in the 700 block of E. Grand Ave., a complainant reported that during an altercation, she was slapped in the face and grabbed around the neck by a known suspect.

This case is under investigation.

BEPC2101070.

Dec. 12, 6:01 a.m. in the 1000 block of W. Irving Park Road, a complainant reported that an unknown suspect cracked and broke the window to his residence and was threatening the complainant. This case is under investigation. BEPC2101063.

Dec. 11, 12:59 a.m. in the 400 block of Supreme Drive, a complainant reported she was spat on and struck in the face by a known suspect. This case is under investigation.

BEPC2101060.

Dec. 11, 10:54 a.m. in the 500 block of Pine Avenue, a complainant Fun by the Numbers reported monetary loss via Facebook, to a possible known suspect.

This is for documentation purpose.

Like puzzles? Then you’ll love sudoku. This BEP21013543. mind-bending puzzle will have you hooked from Dec. 10, 4:24 p.m. in the 900 block the moment you square off, so sharpen your pencil of Medinah Street, a 50-year-old Bensenville woman was arrested for and put your sudoku savvy to the test! Here’s How domestic battery. BEPC2101057.

It Works: Sudoku puzzles are formatted as a 9x9 Dec. 10, 10:19 p.m. in the 1100 grid, broken down into nine 3x3 boxes. To solve a block of Grove Avenue, a comsudoku, the numbers 1 through 9 must fill each row, plainant reported he was struck in the face by a known suspect. This case column and box. Each number can appear only once is under investigation. BEPC210158. in each row, column and box. You can figure out the Dec. 10, 11:11 p.m. in the 800 order in which the numbers will appear by using the block of John Street, a 58-year-old numeric clues already provided in the boxes. The Bensenville man was arrested for domestic battery. BEPC2101059. more numbers you name, the easier it gets to solve Dec. 10, 12:48 a.m. near S. York the puzzle!

Road and E. Green St., an officer Answers on page 11 reported an incident of aggravated

SUDOKU

Rock Valley Publishing - Thursday, Dec. 23, 2021 • 7

Viewpoint

Commercials: The good, the bad and the bizarre

For a while during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic last year, every advertisement—whether on traditional TV or radio, streaming online or on social media—sounded the same.

We continually heard the familiar catch phrases “Now more than ever” … “In these difficult times” … “In these challenging times … “During these uncertain times” … “In these unprecedented times” … “We’re here for you.”

And never forget: “We’re all in this together.”

A part of me keeps wondering if some pharmaceutical company has a vaccine in the works to treat us for a variant known as: Commercials Obviously Void of Intelligent Dialogue (or COVID).

But as we know, commercials can be annoying with or without the familiar COVID cliches.

While keeping my fingers crossed that we can return to some degree of normalcy as we approach 2022 (the Delta and Omicron variants notwithstanding) it’s a given that most commercials will

CLUES ACROSS 1. Breathe noisily 5. __ Nui, Easter Island 9. Reddish browns 11. Simple shoes 13. Produce alcohol illegally 15. Home to famed golf tournament 16. Tax collector 17. Famous people 19. Urban area 21. Units of syllable weight 22. Pituitary hormone (abbr.)

23. Dismounted 25. Actor Damon 26. Vietnamese offensive 27. Retail term 29. Netted 31. Partner to carrots 33. Witnesses 34. Caulked 36. Satisfy 38. R&B performer __ Lo 39. Monetary units of Macao 41. Give advice, explain 43. Possesses 44. Turn back 46. Gentlemen 48. One who fertilizes 52. Italian monk title (prefix) 53. Parties 54. Type of horse 56. Cuts in half 57. Raises 58. Expresses contempt or disgust 59. Ancient Italian-Greek colony CLUES DOWN 1. Illinois city 2. One of the original disciples chosen by Christ 3. Young form of a louse 4. Type of powder

have particularly good command of the English language, but her entrepreneurial spirit is admirable.

By Whenever she comes up with a new MIKE idea how to make a buck, she runs it SANDROLINI Columnist past Dickie.

Grandma’s tendency to butcher English lingo often leaves Dickie perplexed, but he eventually gets continue to be anything but normal. behind Grandma’s latest business To be sure, there are entertaining venture and always steers her to commercials on the airwaves and calling First American Bank for a in cyberspace—I’ve listed two loan to start her business. examples here. Yet the majority fall Big Lou Term Provider under two categories: the bad and Insurance—Take note, Progressive the bizarre.

Insurance and Liberty Mutual So, without further ado: (both mentioned later). This is how you sell insurance. You have a The good fellow with whom you share some First American Bank—My idea things in common—Big Lou. Big of a good commercial is one that Lou is taking many of the same doesn’t make you rush to either turn prescription medications you and I it off or hit the mute button. First are for a host of ailments.

American Bank’s long-running spots “Diabetes, high blood pressure, featuring Grandma—who’s from anxiety meds; everyone’s on them.

Lithuania and has a heavy accent— If you’re a 50-year-old male, maybe and her grandson Dickie (who has a bit porky, and you may even have since given way to Dickie Jr.) fit the type 2 diabetes, a million dollars of bill. term insurance may cost you about Let’s just say Grandma doesn’t 200 bucks a month. Call Big Lou at

Term Provider. Remember: Big Lou is like you; he’s on meds, too.”

managed to get higher-ups to sign off on a gangly emu (LiMu) with a sidekick named Doug (whose The bad moustache is a cross between Ron Progressive Insurance and Burgundy’s and Tom Selleck’s) in Flo—While I appreciate Flo’s an effort to drum up more business bubbly enthusiasm over the years is beyond me. hawking Progressive Insurance, her In another line of commercials commercial segments have gone the that are equally as perplexing as way of the dinosaur. If State Farm the adventures of LiMu Emu and can give khaki pants Jake the boot— Doug, Liberty-Liberty-Liberty and by golly, if Dos Equis can send utilizes the Statue of Liberty as a my role model, The Most Interesting backdrop for individuals such as a Man in the World, on a one-way trip Zoltar fortune teller, a girl jumping to Mars—why not Flo? rope, a young entrepreneur dressed as a smartphone, and lately, a fellow GMC “I love it” holiday seated next to an Afghan Hound commercial—I’m surprised GMC whose long hair resembles that of decided to roll out this annoying spot once again for the 2021 holiday his dog (later, he’s scratching his ear in sync with the dog)—all to season, yet it has. In case you’re one of the fortunate few who hasn’t drive home the point that you can customize your car insurance. seen it, a loving, thoughtful (and Pepto-Bismol Liquicaps—If apparently filthy rich) husband you’ve seen this ad (or heard it decides to surprise his wife with on the radio), you know what I’m his-and-hers GMC vehicles—a red talking about.

Yukon for her and a blue Sierra for If not, take a minute to Google: him.

“Pepto-Bismol Liquicaps Or so he thought. Instead, wifey makes a bee-line for the blue Sierra. commercial” and view it online, or on your phone.

“I love it,” she gushes. As hubby Let’s put it this way: If I’m tries to explain the Red Yukon is for experiencing either nausea, her, she looks back, gives him “the look” and repeats, “I love it.” End of heartburn, indigestion, an upset stomach or diarrhea during a discussion. commercial flight, the last thing I Here’s hoping there’s a sequel want to see is three flight attendants next year showing him taking the (one sporting a pink tie) walking smart key fob from her, keeping down the aisle and turning my the Sierra she wanted, driving the gastrointestinal issues into a Yukon back to the dealership and Broadway musical. handing her a lump of coal.

Next time you fly, I strongly recommend reserving a coach seat The bizarre as far in the back of the plane as Liberty Mutual Insurance— possible so that creepy guy wearing How those in charge of marketing the pink tie doesn’t serenade you. and advertising at Liberty Mutual

Get surprisingly great Home & Auto rates.

5. Finger millet 6. Share a common boundary 7. Assumed as a fact 8. Provide clear evidence of 9. Invests in little enterprises 10. A way to be 11. Monies given in support 12. Fashion accessory 14. Steal 15. Becomes less intense 18. Geological times 20. Hooray!

24. Monetary unit 26. Male reproductive organs 28. Earnings 30. Close by

32. Small integers 34. Fixed in place 35. Used to treat Parkinson’s disease 37. Large, imposing building 38. A rooflike shelter 40. Stiff, hairlike structure 42. Print errors 43. To show disapproval 45. Body of traditions 47. Without 49. __ Clapton, musician 50. Dangerous illegal drug 51. Infrequent 55. Sound unit

Stolper Insurance Agency Inc Brian D Stolper, President 447 N York Street Elmhurst, IL 60126 Bus: 630-832-0182

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Answers on page 11

404192

8 • Thursday, Dec. 23, 2021 - Rock Valley Publishing

Christmas Worship This service is designed to give voice and hope to those who are grieving, or who are experiencing other types of losses or feelings of exclusion or despondence.

Immaculate Conception Church 134 Arthur St., Elmhurst, IL 630 530-8515 www.icelmhurst.org

Christmas Eve Masses

3:00 pm Church, Sacred Heart Chapel & Plunkett Hall 3:30 pm Elmhurst University, Hammerschmidt Chapel 5:00 pm Church and Sacred Heart Chapel 10:30 pm Sacred Heart Chapel

630-833-7730 www.stalexanderparish.org

Confessions: Tuesdays at 5:00pm (English and Spanish)

St. Timothy Evangelical Lutheran Church 547 N. Main St. Lombard, IL 60148 (630) 627-2435

COME ONE COME ALL!

Christmas Eve Masses: 4:30pm, 6:30pm Spanish, and 12:00 Midnight

COME CELEBRATE THE CHRISTMAS GIFT OF THE SAVIOR Family Christmas Service, December 19 at 10:15am

Christmas Day Masses: 8:30am and 10:30am

Christmas Eve Candlelight Service, December 24 at 7:00pm Christmas Day Festival Service, December 25 at 10:15am

409595

232 South York Street (Corner of York and Church) (630) 834‐2440 umcelmhurst.org All are welcome.

✝

St.300Alexander Parish S Cornell Avenue, Villa Park, IL

New Year’s Eve Service at 7:00pm 409598

408595

Behold YOUR GOD

Celebrate Christmas at Immanuel ImmanuelElmhurst.org

409426

Blue Christmas Service Sunday, December 26 10:30 am

Christmas Day Masses 7:30 am Church

9:00 & 11:30 am Sacred Heart Chapel

Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God Masses

January 1 7:30 am, 9:00 & 11:30 am Church Come and Celebrate the Birth of Christ with Us! 409536

409597

409961

December 31 4:30 pm Sacred Heart Chapel

Rock Valley Publishing - Thursday, Dec. 23, 2021 • 9

Services Directory 409868

Historic

Redeemer Evangelical Lutheran Church of Elmhurst

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

Please join us for worship!

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve Services: December 24 at 4pm and 11pm

(all in Church) 7:30am, 9:30am, 11:30am

✥ Fully handicapped-accessible ✥ Bible Study, Sunday School, Handbell Choir, 1st Steps In Music classes

Solemnity of Mary

123 E. St. Charles Road, Elmhurst, IL 60126 630/834-1411 www.RedeemerLCMS.com FB/RedeemerOfElmhurst

Be a part of the Worship Services Directory

314 W. Vallette Street Elmhurst, IL 60126 630.832.8457 (Office)

409596

All are welcome to join us for Christmas Eve worship 4:00 pm - Family Service 8:00 pm and 11:00 pm Candlelight Worship with Holy Communion

Candlelight Service of Lessons and Carols 409810

Christmas Day Service: December 25 at 10am

409535

Christmas Day

Friday, December 31 - 6:00pm Vigil Saturday, January 1 - 9:00am

Friday, December 24 Christmas Eve

Sundays: 9am Adult Education and Sunday School 10am Traditional Divine Service

3:00pm Church 3:30pm Valentino Center (Gym) 5:30pm Church Midnight Church (Prelude begins at 11:30pm)

for as low as $15 per week Call...Brenda at 630-834-4450

In-Person Services 4pm and 10pm (On site worship services will follow indoor face-masking guidelines)

Bethel United Church of Christ 315 E. St. Charles Rd., Elmhurst

www.bethel-ucc.org Also on You Tube: BethelUCC, Elmhurst

630-279-4040

333900

409962

Jesus is the Reason for the Season

409977

10 • Thursday, Dec. 23, 2021 - Rock Valley Publishing

Rock Valley Publishing - Thursday, Dec. 23, 2021 • 11

Celebrate with COVID-19 caution during the holidays those gatherings.

There aren’t nearly as many people hospitalized for COVID-19 as there were last fall and winter because of vaccines. But it’s important to remain vigilant a while longer.

“Unvaccinated individuals are at higher risk of getting infected, transmitting the virus to others and becoming hospitalized or dying from COVID-19,” says Jonathan Pinsky, M.D., medical director of infection control and prevention at Edward Hospital in Naperville.

“The small family gatherings we missed last year can be much safer if all adults are fully vaccinated and boosted, and all children ages 5 and older are fully vaccinated,” says Dr. Pinsky.

Act now to ensure everyone eligible is protected by vaccination. As always, continue to take precautions like wash-

ing hands frequently, staying home when sick and keeping up on wellness checks and doctor visits.

It’s recommended everyone age 5 and older get vaccinated with the primary series, and everyone age 18 and older get a booster shot.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends everyone age 18 and older who has been vaccinated get a booster shot at least 6 months after receiving the second Pfizer or Moderna shot or at least 2 months after the single Janssen (J&J) shot.

Preliminary lab studies have found a third dose of Pfizer vaccine provides significant protection against the Omicron variant.

Any of the COVID-19 vaccines authorized in the United States can be used for the booster dose.

Learn more at EEHealth.org/coronavirus.

Answers PUZZLE 1

PUZZLE 2

$

Trinity Lutheran Church ‘Giving Tree’ benefits York Township Christmas Program

Trinity Dorcas Guild members recently set up a “Giving Tree” at Trinity Lutheran Church of Villa Park, 300 S. Ardmore Ave., for parishioners and fellow Guild members to help children in need celebrate the holidays. Guild President Karen Magnuson and member Debbie Thompson hand-delivered 50 gifts including toys, stocking stuffers, books, and games to York Township Hall. Donated gifts will be distributed to food pantry client families with children as part of York Township’s “Adopt a Family for Christmas” program. Pictured from left to right: York Township Supervisor John W. Valle, Trinity Dorcas Guild President Karen Magnuson, Member Debbie Thompson and General Assistance Director Pamela Sarno 409960

To find out how your business can be included, call Debbie at 630-834-8355 or Brenda at 630-834-4450

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This winter is different than last year.

In the winter of 2020, the highly effective vaccines that protect people from COVID-19 were not widely available. Now, everyone ages 5 and older can get vaccinated.

Experts also didn’t understand the virus as well as they do now. From that perspective, society is in a much better place for this holiday gathering season.

But the pandemic isn’t over, as evidenced by rising infection rates. While many people are protected from severe illness and death by vaccines, there are still too many people who are not vaccinated.

The colder weather and Thanksgiving holiday brought people indoors to gather. Two weeks later, the numbers tell the story. Many of the recent COVID-19 cases can be linked to

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12A • Thursday, Dec. 23, 2021 - Rock Valley Publishing

Lawmakers push for nursing home reforms this spring Nursing home industry group still pushing back on payment changes

By Peter Hancock

CAPITOL NEWS ILLINOIS

Several Illinois lawmakers said last week they are determined to pass a bill in the spring that would overhaul the way nursing homes are paid through the state’s Medicaid program to address critical staffing shortages, but the state’s largest nursing home industry group is still pushing back against the proposed changes.

“We need to have something happen this spring, for the sake of the most vulnerable in our state,” Rep. Anna Moeller, D-Elgin, said during a committee hearing last week.

“And the point of these hearings is to bring that to light to bring the reality of what people are living through to light.”

Illinois has many of the most understaffed nursing homes in the nation. According to a report by the state Department of Healthcare and Family Services, Illinois consistently ranks last among states in staffing, as measured using the national Staff Time and Resource Intensity Verification, or STRIVE Project, with 47 of the 100 most understaffed facilities in the country.

Mark Cooper, a nursing home resident who declined to identify the facility where he lives, told the committee about the conditions he deals with daily.

“Lately in this particular home, especially in the last year, after apparently this nursing home was bought up by some other owners, there have been filthy conditions, food on the floor, excrement in shower stalls, residents being offered half-filled bowls of Froot Loops as the morning cold cereal option,” he said. “Resident-called lights going on are unanswered for a half hour or more.”

Illinois Medicaid Administrator Kelly Cunningham noted the state has increased funding for nursing homes three times in the past several years for the purpose of increasing staffing, but the shortages persist, particularly with certified nursing assistants, or CNAs. “Because Medicaid is the single largest purchaser of CNA services, we are in a unique position to influence the purchase of this critical service,” she said. “It’s clear that we need to directly link any new funding to this industry to staffing

and quality care improvements in order to bring about the change we’re seeking to give all nursing home residents the quality of life that they deserve.”

Last week’s hearing was a joint meeting of four House committees that deal with health care issues.

They are considering a proposal by DHFS to overhaul the way nursing homes are reimbursed by increasing funding and tying payments directly to staffing levels and performance measures.

DHFS Deputy Director Andy Allison said the plan calls for roughly a $400 million increase in Medicaid nursing home funding that would be tied to reaching certain staffing benchmarks, increasing wages for CNAs and achieving higher quality standards.

That would be funded through an increase in the nursing home assessment tax, which generates a pool of money that is used to draw down additional federal Medicaid reimbursements.

“For a facility that’s 100 percent Medicaid, we would come darn close to fully paying for the increased hiring. It was designed in

Edward, Elmhurst Hospitals named among best in U.S. for maternity care U.S. News & World Report has recognized Edward Hospital in Naperville and Elmhurst Hospital in its inaugural list of Best Hospitals for Maternity Care. Edward and Elmhurst Hospitals, part of Edward-Elmhurst Health (EEH), are among 237 of 2,700 hospitals in the United States considered high-performing in maternity care for 2021-22.

To determine its list, U.S. News used hospital data from 2019 involving uncomplicated pregnancies, not high-risk pregnancies, and considered five factors: scheduled early deliveries, C-section rates in low-risk women, newborn complications, rate of exclusive breast milk feeding and option for vaginal births after cesarean.

U.S. News also took into account information about services and amenities, like private rooms, valet

parking and availability of childbirthing classes.

In fiscal year 2021 (July 1, 2020 – June 30, 2021), Elmhurst Hospital recorded 2,719 live births.

Elmhurst Hospital provides: • Innovative, specialized treatment: Access to innovative technology, enhanced birthing methods and specialized care for high-risk births and multiples.

• Medical expertise: Dedicated birthing teams include board-certified obstetrician-gynecologists (OB/GYNs), specially trained nurses and nationally certified midwives, who are advanced practice nurses. An OB/GYN, anesthesiologist and neonatologist are available 24/7. On-site perinatologists from EEH’s Maternal Fetal Medicine Clinics provide care for moms with high-risk pregnancies.

• Personalized care: A nurse is assigned for one-on-one attention during active labor to listen to patients and let them guide their birthing plan.

• Private rooms: Comfortable, deluxe, fully equipped birthing suites and mother/baby rooms.

• Fully equipped nurseries: Access to the highest level of care provided in the Level III Newborn Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Edward Hospital and extended capabilities in the Level IIe Special Care Nursery at Elmhurst Hospital.

• Helpful resources: Access to a variety of classes and support groups to help prepare for pregnancy, childbirth and newborn care.

For more information about maternity care at Edward-Elmhurst Health, visit www.eehealth.org/services/pregnancy-baby.

that way,” he said.

But the plan is still facing stiff resistance from the state’s largest nursing home industry group, the Health Care Council of Illinois.

HCCI Executive Director Matt Pickering told the committee that if the agency’s proposed new payment system were enacted, 130 nursing facilities in Illinois would see an overall cut in revenues, with as many as 50 being pushed to the point of insolvency. Those 50 facilities, he said, serve more than 5,000 residents, mainly in rural and minority communities.

Pickering said the nursing home industry in Illinois is already facing financial strains, much of which he blamed on the state’s privatized Medicaid system in which for-profit insurance companies, known as managed care organizations, are in charge of reimbursing providers and managing each patient’s care.

“These challenges have coalesced into what we’ve called the perfect storm for our industry,” he said. “Compounding our financial burdens are the managed care organizations that routinely deny reimbursements to providers who treat low-income patients.”

Allison, however, noted in his testimony that the 50 facilities identified by HCCI were all earning high profits before the COVID-19 pandemic and were “exceptionally low staffed, even in comparison to other for-profit homes.”

“The foremost issue for these homes is whether they can staff up,” he said. “So we looked at the cost of staffing up, and even if we were to assign, for example, what likely is an overstated cost of $29 an hour for the additional hours of nurse staffing that would be required in

these homes to get them up to minimal levels as a group, even with those costs under the proposed reforms, in aggregate, these homes would still earn a profit.”

Meanwhile, Rep. Moeller said she argued that it is time for the state to stop funding nursing facilities that provide substandard levels of care.

“I don’t want to continue to subsidize these homes where … fellow nursing home residents have to take care of other residents because there aren’t enough CNAs or nurses on staff,” she said. “We are paying hundreds of millions of dollars to subsidize these homes that that are providing that level of care. That’s obscene. So something needs to change.”

Rep. Deb Conroy, D-Villa Park, noted that the committees have been working on nursing home payment reform for several months and at one point this fall had what many believed was an “agreed bill” that all of the stakeholders could accept. She said she believes it’s time for the General Assembly to act.

“Might I suggest that the agreed-upon legislation that we had a few months ago be filed, and then those who have issues or would like to see changes, file amendments,” she said. “That way, everyone can see clearly where the issues are. I think it’s important because this has become such a contentious issue. I think it’s very important that all of our colleagues understand exactly what is going on.”

Lawmakers return to Springfield Jan. 4 for what is scheduled to be an abbreviated 2022 session. They hope to wrap up their business by April 8.

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Jury finds man guilty of sexual assault/robbery of college student DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert B. Berlin and Kane County State’s Attorney Jamie Mosser announced that a jury has found Justin Dalcollo, 37, with a last Justin Dalcollo known address in Nicholasville, Ky., guilty of the abduction, sexual assault and armed robbery of a female college student in March, 2019.

The jury returned their verdict after deliberating for approximately two hours following a five-day-long

trial in front of Judge Ann Celine O’Hallaren Walsh. In all, the jury found Dalcollo guilty of six counts of aggravated criminal sexual assault (Class X felony), one count of armed robbery (Class X felony), one count of aggravated kidnapping (Class X felony) and two counts of unlawful use of a weapon by a felon (Class 2 felony).

On March 22, 2019, at approximately 3:30 p.m., the victim, who was home from college on spring break, was getting into her car in the parking lot at Bloomingdale Court Mall in the 300 block of W. Army Trail Road, when Dalcollo approached her and forced his way into

her car at gunpoint. Dalcollo then ordered the woman to drive to a bank in Glendale Heights and forced her to withdraw $300 from her debit card for him. He then forced her to drive to numerous locations in Hanover Park and Bartlett ultimately parking the car in a parking garage at the Grand Victoria Casino in Elgin where Dalcollo sexually assaulted her.

Following the sexual assault, Dalcollo ordered the victim to drive to a convenience store in Elgin and accompany him as he went inside. He then ordered the woman to call a cab for him from her cell phone and drive him to the Elgin train station, where the cab picked him up. The victim

then went to a hospital where she reported the sexual assault.

An investigation led by the Bloomingdale Police Department, with assistance from other agencies, led to Dalcollo who was taken into custody the following day in Chicago. On March 25, 2019, Dalcollo appeared in Bond Court where Judge George Bakalis denied bail. He has been held in custody at the DuPage County Jail since that time.

“The jury’s verdict in this case confirms what we have been known all along, that Justin Dalcollo abducted, sexually assaulted and robbed at gunpoint an innocent young woman who had returned home from school

to enjoy spring break with family and friends,” Berlin said. “But instead of enjoying her time at home, the victim was terrorized, physically and emotionally, by Mr. Dalcollo. I commend the victim in this case for the incredible strength and courage she showed in facing her attacker in open court.”

Dalcollo’s next court appearance is scheduled for Jan. 7 for return of the Pre-sentence Report. He faces a sentence of up to 135 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections.

The successful prosecution of Dalcollo was the result of a joint effort between the Kane County and DuPage County State’s Attorney’s offices.

Rock Valley Publishing - Thursday, Dec. 23, 2021 • 13

holidays HAPPY

From Our Family To Yours

York Street

Save $200

409526

917 South York Street • Elmhurst, IL 60126

917 S. York Street Elmhurst, IL 60126

14 • Thursday, Dec. 23, 2021 - Rock Valley Publishing

Serving Addison, Bensenville, Elmhurst, Lombard & Villa Park

Classifieds

Call Classifieds at

Lombard Office (630) 627-7010 In-Print and Onlne at www.Lombardian.info

BUSINESS & SERVICE Firewood

CARL WUNSCHEL BLDRS.

SEASONED MIXED FIREWOOD

General Carpentry 30 Years Experience

www.suregreenlandscape.com

357348

847-888-9999 - 630-876-0111

247155

Cleaning Services

Gutters

SENIOR/VETERAN DISCOUNT 406729

708-785-2619

Plumbing

Landscaping/ Lawn/Garden

Handyman

Concrete

388922

Available Services • Commercial & Residential Affordable Weekly Mowing • Aeration Spring & Fall clean up • Power Raking Fertilizing and/or Seeding • Sidewalk edging Black dirt/Mulch/Stone • Driveway Bush trimming sealcoating Call for Free Estimate • Villa Park

630-832-9530

Tree Service • Tree Removal • Tree Trimming • Bush Removal • Stump Grinding • Free wood chips • Free Estimates • Insured Call Todd

630-303-4641

403865

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.

GUTTERS–N–MORE Gutter Cleaning & Repair • Fast, Affordable Aluminum, Copper, Galvanized

Gutter Cleaning One Story: $60.00 1-1/2 Stories: $70.00 Two Stories: $80.00

• Small Roof Repair • Lead Soil Stacks • Valleys Copper/Galvanized • Chimney Flashing ➢ COVID-19 NO CONTACT (GUTTER CLEANING) ← Over 30 years experience - Elmhurst

In Elmhurst Call 630-834-8244 or Lombard Call 630-627-7010 to place your classified ads DEADLINE IS 3PM ON FRIDAY

373600

CALL Elmhurst (630) 834-8244 or Lombard (630) 627-7010 TO PLACE YOUR CLASSIFIED AD!

The Independent Newspapers

222909

Call Ken: (630) 776-3467

Linden Towers Apartments 24 S. Addison St., Bensenville

630.595.2420

linden.towers@yahoo.com

PART-TIME HELP WANTED

Janitorial Workers for Day Shift Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. Experience helpful but not necessary. We will train.

PLEASE CALL 630-782-6191 or email resume to K.King@bdkqs.com 410070

FIND YOUR NEXT JOB IN THE CLASSIFIEDS!

CBI & STS CURRENTLY HAS NEEDS FOR flux-core plate welders, tank builders and fitter/trackers in the central construction division of the United States. Our construction personnel are a guiding force behind the success of our company. We are looking for motivated individuals with a strong work ethic. CBI & STS stresses working safely above all else, our company prides itself on our safety record. CBI & STS demands a drug free as well as harassment free work environment. We strive for and welcome diversity in our workforce. email Aaron.Scheibe@mcdermott.com

REAL ESTATE

247158

Announcements

FIND YOUR NEXT JOB IN THE CLASSIFIEDS

PART-TIME MAINTENANCE

Skilled Trades

FOR SALE

Electrical

Part-time sales / marketing rep for group of weekly newspapers and websites in DuPage County. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday. 20 hours per week. Work from home. Sales/Marketing experience helpful, but not necessary.

Reliable car needed.

Please email resume to: Pete@rvpublishing.com The Independent Newspapers 240 N. West Ave., Elmhurst

T & M TREE SERVICE

LAWN & SNOW MANAGEMENT

CUSTOM CONCRETE

Call Greg 630-469-6898

Heating and AC

PAINTERS. PROFESSIONAL. DEPENDABLE. INSIDE, OUTSIDE. HOME, BUSINESS. CALL GREG: (630)234-1471

Furnaces, Boilers and Space Heaters Refrigerators • Ranges • Washer • Dryers Rodding Sewers Lic/Bonded ~ 25 yrs experience

MEGA CLEANING

Residential driveways, patios, walkways.

Stamped and colored concrete.

mynorconcrete.com

HEATING AND APPLIANCE EXPERT

Professional Cleaning Service Your satisfaction is my priority • Houses - Offices • Cleaning - On Time • Weekly - Bi-Weekly • Monthly-Partial Extra Service - Window Cleaning • Laundry • And More...(12 yrs. experience) Residential/Commercial Call For a Free Quote 630-641-5203

SATISFACTION GUARANTEED

* Licensed/Bonded/Insured * Bobby 630.520.5812 Mynor 630.631.3073

Seasoned 2 years Stacking Available - Credit Cards OK

“Specializing in Quality Workmanship and Attention to Detail”

630-495-8077

Cherry, Hickory & Birch

* Demolition * Wrecking * Hauling

408496

Small Home Repairs and Remodeling

FIREWOOD UNLIMITED Mix - CBH + Mix - Oak

INTERIOR/EXTERIOR

409004

GREG STEBEN CARPENTRY

$100 a core delivered Call Jim 630-461-2280 261629

HELP WANTED

409297

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• Interlocking Flooring •Kitchen/Bathroom Remodeling • Tile Installation & Painting - Guaranteed Workmanship For a fair quote & prompt service call 630-220-8138(cell) or 630-627-7844

Part Time Help Wanted

Painting

Hauling/Disposal

409877

Building Repair/ Remodeling

EMPLOYMENT

405561

Elmhurst Office (630) 834-8244

In-Print and Onlne at www.TheIndependentNewspapers.com

PUBLISHER’S NOTICE All real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Fair Housing Act which makes it illegal to advertise any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, 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 tollfree at 1-900-669-9777. The toll-free tele phone number for the hearing impaired is 1-800-927-9275. EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY

FIND YOUR NEXT JOB IN THE CLASSIFIEDS vvvvvv

CALL Elmhurst (630) 834-8244 or Lombard (630) 627-7010 TO PLACE YOUR CLASSIFIED AD!

409807

Rock Valley Publishing - Thursday, Dec. 23, 2021 • 15

$

5 OFF $ 25

(Not valid on daily or happy hour specials)

Good only at Sebastian’s Ale & Whiskey House 801 E. Roosevelt Rd., Lombard

H H H No COVER

Sebastianshouse.com

801 E. Roosevelt Rd., Lombard (630) 376-6947 8900 Fairview Ave., Brookfield BAR HOURS Monday Closed Tues-Thurs 12PM-11PM Fri 12PM-12AM Sat 11AM-12AM Sun 11AM-10PM

H H H SUNDAY’S

$3 Mimosa $15 Domestic Buckets $5 Tito’s Bloody Mary $8 Frozen Cocktails $5 Sausage & Peppers ‘Wich $7 Pasta Marinera (add $2 for Vodka, Meat, Carbonara, or Alfredo)

$9 Chicken and Waffle 50¢ Boneless Wings

TUESDAY’S

$4 Modelo Draft $4 Avion Tequila Shot $5 House Margaritas $6 Frozen Margaritas $16 Corona Family Buckets $2 Beef/Pulled Pork Taco $2.50 Steak-Chicken-Fish $8 Bacon Nachos

H H H

KITCHEN HOURS Monday Closed Tues-Thurs 12PM-9PM Fri 12PM-10PM Sat 11AM-10PM Sun 11AM-9PM

Daily Specials ~ DINE IN ONLY WEDNESDAY’S/Kids eat free, 9 and under (Ask server for details)

$4 U Call Its $8 and Under beer/wine/liquor $6 Martini Menu $5 Gourmet Cheeseburger $8 Bacon Wrapped Mushrooms

THURSDAY’S

$3 Drafts $8 and Under 1/2 Off any $20 or more Bourbon, Scotch or Whiskey Half Price Bottles of Wine (25 to choose from) $5 Pulled Pork ‘Wich $8 Bacon Wrapped Mozzarella Sticks

live Jazz Band Saturday, Jan. 8th

36 Drafts HHH 350 Bourbons, Scotches & Whiskeys FRIDAY’S

$4 Stella Draft $5 Jameson Shot $5 Tito’s Cocktails $5 Jack Cocktails $20 Truly Buckets $5 Pepper & Egg ‘Wich

SATURDAY’S/UFC-Boxing PPV $4 Sam Seasonal Draft $5 Proper Twelve Shot $5 Kettel One Cocktails $20 Modelo Buckets $5 Sebastian BLT ‘Wich $8 Bacon Croquettes

H MONDAYS - CLOSED H

KARAOKE IS BACK! Hey Karaoke Fans Karaoke is Back!!

Every Friday Night 8pm ‘til Midnight

16 • Thursday, Dec. 23, 2021 - Rock Valley Publishing

This Christmas, celebrate what is certain in uncertain times... the birth of

CHRIST

Trinity Lutheran Church

In-Person Services: Christmas Eve - 3 p.m.

Christmas Eve Candleight - 10 p.m. (also livestreamed on Facebook @TrinityLombard) Christmas Day - 10 a.m.

trinitylombard.org - Roosevelt & Meyers Rds - Lombard - 630.629.8765 409366