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1 • Thursday, May 27, 2021 - Rock Valley Publishing

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Addison

Independent

VOL. 18 • NO. 23

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Man found guilty of sexually assaulting woman at Oak Brook hotel

On Thursday, May 20, DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin announced that a jury had found Julius Ramsey, 38, of the 4000 block of West Wilcox, Chicago, guilty of sexually assaulting at gunpoint, a female employee of an Oak Brook hotel in the fall of 2019. The jury returned their verdict after approximately two-and-one-half hours of deliberations following a three-day-long trial.

On Sept. 9, 2019, at approximately 11:48 a.m., Oak Brook police were called to the Hyatt House located on 22nd Street in Oak Brook for a sexual assault that had occurred in a vacant room. Upon their arrival, officers interviewed the victim and began an investigation.

Through the course of their investigation, officers learned that at approximately 11:20 a.m., Ramsey forced the woman at gunpoint into a vacant room at the hotel where he sexually assaulted her on several occasions, put the gun to her head and threatened to kill her. At some point in time, the victim was able to escape the room and reported the assault. She was immediately taken to a local hospital for medical attention.

The investigation also yielded a firearm in a hotel room rented by Ramsey that matched the description provided by the victim as the gun Ramsey pointed at her head. Additionally, a DNA sample from Ramsey was later confirmed to be a match with DNA evidence collected. On Sept. 12, 2019, Ramsey voluntarily came to the Oak Brook Police Department and was interviewed, after which he was taken into custody. He was charged on Sept. 13, 2019. The following day, Ramsey appeared in Bond Court where bond was denied. He has been held in custody since that time at the DuPage County Jail.

“I’m sure this experience has been very traumatic for the victim and I commend her for having the courage to face her attacker in open court,” Berlin said.

Ramsey’s next court appearance is scheduled for July 9, for return of the pre-sentence report.. Because the crime was committed with a firearm, sentence guidelines dictate that Ramsey will face a minimum penalty of 84 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections.

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SUBMITTED PHOTO Addison Independent

These two friends celebrate after graduating from Elmhurst University. The ceremonies honored the Class of 2020, the final class to graduate from Elmhurst when it still was called Elmhurst College; as well as the Class of 2021, the first to graduate from Elmhurst University. The day also marked the official beginning of the University’s sesquicentennial celebrations, a year-long commemoration of Elmhurst’s 150 years as an educational institution.

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Inside:

Police Reports...........8 Sports �������������������� 17 Viewpoint.................6 Classifieds..............16

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2 • Thursday, May 27, 2021 - Rock Valley Publishing

CHRIS FOX PHOTO Rock Valley Publishing

Softball seniors The seniors on Willowbrook High School’s softball team visited the softball field after Sunday morning’s first of two commencement services in the school’s main gymnasium. Pictured left to right are: Gwen Halik, Caroline Dooley, Annemarie Knudtson, head coach Rachel Karos, Grace Chambers and Stephanie Dasbach. One of the team’s

seniors—Natalie Krichbaum—is not pictured. While the school year is over for the seniors, the softball season continues. The regular season ends this week. The Warriors will play in an IHSA Class 4A regional next week. The Willowbrook softball team’s entire 2020 season was canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Rock Valley Publishing - Thursday, May 27, 2021 • 3

Bond set at $3 million for Villa Park man accused of stabbing girlfriend to death

DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and Villa Park Chief of Police Michael Rivas announced on Friday that a Villa Park man had been charged with murder after he Marco-Antonio Rubio allegedly stabbed the mother of his three children in her Villa Park home last week.

Marco-Antonio Rubio, 25, appeared at a May 21 bond hearing, where Judge Ann Celine O’Hallaren Walsh set bond at $3 million with 10 percent to apply. Rubio has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder.

Rubio allegedly stabbed Esmeralda DeLuna, 24, in her home on May 19.

About nine hours after responding to the residence, police located and arrest-

ed Rubio while he was walking in Villa Park, a short distance from the victim’s home.

On Wednesday, May 19, at approximately 9:25 p.m., Villa Park police officers responded to the 300 block of North Princeton Avenue for a disturbance. Upon their arrival, officers knocked on the door and heard crying coming from inside.

Officers entered the residence and located two female children between three and six years old and a male child approximately one year old. Officers also found a trail of blood in the living room that led to the victim lying in the kitchen with an eight-inch butcher knife in her leg and apparent stab wounds to her torso.

According to Rivas, police officers provided immediate medical attention until paramedics arrived. DeLuna was transported to Elmhurst Hospital. She was pronounced deceased early the fol-

lowing morning.

On May 7, Rubio was served with an order of protection against him, with Esmeralda DeLuna named as the petitioner. With the order of protection in effect, Rubio had moved out of the home on Princeton Avenue. It is alleged that Rubio violated the order of protection against him and went to the Princeton address on May 19. It is further alleged that upon his arrival, Rubio broke into the home and stabbed DeLuna multiple times in the torso and in one of her legs.

It is further alleged that after the attack, Rubio fled the scene.

An investigation into the alleged murder led authorities to Rubio, who was taken into custody at approximately 6:20 a.m. the following morning (May 20) while walking near Harvard Avenue and Elm Street in Villa Park— less than half a mile from DeLuna’s home on Princeton Avenue.

“Esmeralda DeLuna’s life was tak-

en from her, allegedly by the hands of her live-in boyfriend and father of their three children, Marco Rubio,” Berlin said. “Sadly, the charges filed against Mr. Rubio mark the second time this week my office has filed first-degree murder charges as a result of escalating domestic violence.

“I offer my sincerest condolences to Esmeralda’s family and friends as they attempt to come to terms with this senseless crime and tremendous loss. I would like to thank the Villa Park Police Department for their outstanding work in identifying and locating the defendant in this case. I would also like to thank members of DuPage MERIT [Metropolitan Emergency Response and Investigation Team.]”

“Domestic violence takes a little piece away from all of us in the community”, Rivas said. “Our thoughts are with the domestic violence victim, Ms. DeLuna, her beautiful children, and

everyone dealing with this tragic loss.”

Rivas noted the extensive efforts of the authorities that responded to the scene. In addition to attempting life-saving medical techniques, those efforts included setting up a perimeter, conducting an investigation and preserving the crime scene.

“I would like to thank the DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Office, investigators from DuPage MERIT Major Crimes and Forensic Investigations Unit, and the men and women of the Villa Park Police Department for their assistance in bringing about a successful outcome,” Rivas added. “We are also fully appreciative for the vigilance of our citizens in Villa Park. No one was going to have a moment’s rest until the suspect was taken into custody.”

Rubio’s next court appearance is scheduled for Thursday, June 24, for arraignment in front of Judge O’Hallaren Walsh.

DuPage Foundation gives record number of grants Many donors stepped up, increased contributions in these trying times

With health and human services needs in DuPage County at an all-time high, DuPage Foundation is pleased to announce it has awarded a record $702,860 in grants to 37 area not-forprofit organizations through its signature Community Needs Grant Program (Community Needs or CNGP). The program awards grants each spring to not-for-profit 501(c)(3) charities in the County who apply and are working in the area of health and human services.

Not only is the amount awarded a record, but the amount contributed to the program budget by individual donors through their DuPage Foundation relationships is also a record. Donors invested an additional $307,388 increasing the Community Needs grant budget by 77 percent, said DuPage Foundation Vice President for Pro-

grams Barb Szczepaniak.

“The amount contributed by donors and donor-advisors through their DuPage Foundation funds was more than double the amount given in 2020,” she said. “It allowed the Grant Committee to fund 76 percent of the applications received, compared to 66 percent in the past, and this is on top of increasing the maximum grant award allocation to $25,000, a $5,000 increase over past limits. We are so grateful and humbled by the community’s generosity and our donors’ concern for those in our community with the fewest resources.

“The overall budget for the grant program comes from income generated by unrestricted and field-of-interest endowments that donors have established with the Foundation over

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with decision-making regarding grant recipients and amounts.

“Each member of the Committee spends the time necessary to read, analyze and discuss the grant applications,” said volunteer Megan Shebik, who chairs the Committee. “The quality of the applications demonstrates the great need in our community.

We’re pleased to see those with the greatest opportunity to impact lives get the funds they need. I’m appreciative of the Committee for all their ded-

ication and hard work; they truly make a difference right where we live.”

Among the 37 agencies to receive DuPage Foundation Community Needs grants are: Bridge Communities, Inc.: $25,000; DuPage Senior Citizens Council: $19,000; Elmhurst Walk-In Assistance Network: $12,000; Metropolitan Family Services DuPage: $25,000; Ray Graham Association: $24,835.

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the past 35 years including the DuPage Forever Fund. That, coupled with the additional contributions from the Foundation’s donor-advisors, makes a bigger impact on the great need in our community for everything from housing and shelter to mental health services and more.”

Decisions are made by a volunteer Grant Committee comprised of DuPage County residents who have deep knowledge of the not-for-profit community. The Committee is charged

4A • Thursday, May 6, 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

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Administration: Dee Longfellow News Coordinator

Meet Addison Trail’s class of 2021 graduation speakers On May 23, Addison Trail seniors Jina Patel and Cristal Moreno Aguilar addressed nearly 500 of their classmates as the student graduation speakers during Addison Trail’s 55th commencement ceremonies.

Patel and Moreno Aguilar entered the school’s annual graduation-speech competition and were selected as this year’s winners by a panel of judges.

Get to know Jina Patel Title of your speech: “All the Light Inside You” Summary of your speech: My speech serves to highlight the class of 2021’s tenacity. It elaborates on the idea that we need the tunnel more than the light at the end of the tunnel and that each student already possesses the light, as it is inside them. This extended metaphor encourages students to acknowledge their capabilities to succeed and make positive change as they embark on the next stage of their lives after graduation.

Lessons/advice you hope to share with your peers through your speech: I hope my peers will take away the lesson that with continued resilience and unity, our potential is limitless.

My advice for my peers is to engage in random acts of kindness wherever they go, because kindness ripples.

What does it mean to you to be a speaker during the commencement ceremony and to represent the class of 2021? It was a true honor hearing I would be one of the students to speak at graduation and represent my peers. I am beyond grateful for this opportunity.

Involvement at Addison Trail: Co-President of National Honor Society; Dance Leader with

the International Dance Show; member of International Club, Youth Equity Stewardship (YES!) series, Student Council, Class Board and AT News Channel How Addison Trail has supported you: Addison Trail has helped me on my path to a successful future by giving me a diverse high school experience. Through rigorous courses and a variety of extracurricular activities, I have learned many life skills, including leadership, compassion and communication.

Being surrounded by a multitude of cultures has helped me become a more ethical, diverseminded individual.

Your future plans: I will attend University of Michigan and plan to major in neuroscience. I hope to pursue medicine, and I strive to become a neurosurgeon.

Get to know Cristal Moreno Aguilar Title of your speech: “A Penny For Your Thoughts” Summary of your speech: My speech is about the walk across the stage as we receive our diploma. We’ve been walking since we were 1 year old, but now we take a step closer to whatever goals we wish to achieve. I also will wear my mother’s dress, so that she can graduate alongside me. This is in similarity to all the people who have majorly influenced a graduate in the class of 2021. They, too, will walk across the stage symbolically with their graduate. Lastly, the day we graduate is National Lucky Penny Day. Therefore, everyone will find a lucky penny on this day.

We can look back onto freshman year, when the upperclassmen might have jokingly thrown one our way, and see how far we’ve made it since

that time. Whenever we feel as if we’ve hit rock bottom, we can find a penny to remind us that we can do this!

Lessons/advice you hope to share with your peers through your speech: I hope my peers learn more about their own capabilities. I know they are able to persevere, even when faced with a pandemic. I hope they know their strength and use it to fight through any challenges they might face.

What does it mean to you to be a speaker during the commencement ceremony and to represent the class of 2021? When I was told I would be one of the students to speak during graduation and represent my peers, I was exhilarated. I don’t believe I ever imagined myself giving a speech at graduation, but I am glad to do it, because I can take one last glance at those I have spent these past four years or more with before we all head our separate ways.

How Addison Trail has supported you: Addison Trail has offered me countless opportunities to grow – not just as an individual, but as a leader as well. All the Advanced Placement (AP) and honors classes have taught me how to challenge myself and how to seek help when needed. With all the clubs, sports and activities, I also have learned about time management and been able to get out of my comfort zone, feel confident and feel comfortable meeting new people. All these factors are merely a few ways Addison Trail has helped me on my path to a successful future.

Your future plans: I will attend Augustana College, where I plan to major in international business and minor in French. I hope to create my own business one day.

Edward-Elmhurst Health: COVID-19 vaccines and the circulating variants

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.

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The COVID-19 pandemic first hit the community in March 2020.

Without a vaccine, the only defense was avoiding other people by staying at home, wearing masks in public and keeping physically distant.

In 2021, variants with the ability to infect more people are becoming predominant. Fortunately, there is now a powerful weapon against these variants: three COVID-19 vaccines, approved by the FDA under emergency use authorization.

Society is already seeing the benefits of vaccines in those over age 65 and in residents of long-term care facilities, the first group to receive vaccines. By the end of April, over 85% of residents over age 65 in DuPage County had received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.

While Edward-Elmhurst Health has seen an uptick in COVID-19 hospitalizations in March and April 2021, none are from long-term care facilities and few are over age 65.

The spring wave of hospitalization has been predominantly middle-age and younger adults, who had not yet had their turn to be vaccinated.

But now no adult needs to be vulnerable because vaccines are widely available.

How did the variants come about?

Each time SARS-CoV2 (the virus that causes COVID-19) replicates, it can mutate.

With the rapid pace of viral spread worldwide, the many opportunities to mutate has led to a nat-

ural selection for variants that are more fit, that can out-compete and become dominant.

Variants that have a change in these characteristics are known as “variants of concern.” Variants being investigated but not yet proven to be significant are called “variants of interest.”

What are the variants of concern and variants of interest?

The B.1.1.7 variant, recognized first in the UK in November 2020, has several mutations causing changes to the spike protein, notably the N501Y mutation, thought to allow for better attachment to the ACE-2 receptor, resulting in increased transmissibility.

B.1.1.7 has become the predominant variant in the United States, rising from less than 1% at the beginning of January 2021, to 9.5% on March 13, 44% on March 27, and to 57% by April 10.

In South Africa, the B.1.351 variant, and in South America, the P.1 variants, carry the N501Y mutation as well as the E484K. E484K mutation changes targets on the spike protein, making antibodies less able to neutralize the virus.

In fact, serum from patients who recovered from COVID-19 did not neutralize the B.1.351 variant.

However, serum from those who have received Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccines did neutralize the B.1.351 variant.

This is because the levels of anti-

bodies after immunization are significantly higher than after natural infection.

The Janssen (J&J) vaccine was trialed in South Africa (where the B.1.351 variant predominates), and though it was found to have a lower efficacy compared to the U.S., it was still highly effective in preventing severe infection, with no hospitalizations or COVID-19 deaths in vaccine participants.

The Pfizer-BioNTech phase 3 clinical trial was expanded to South Africa, enrolling 800 patients.

There were nine infections in the placebo group, and none in the vaccine group.

Approximately six of the nine infections were due to B.1.351 variant.

The B.1.351 accounts for 0.9%, and the P.1 variant for 3.5% of infections in the United States through April 10. Other variants of concern in the U.S. at a rate of less than 5% include B.1.429 and B.1427.

Variants of interest are B.1.526, B.1526.1, B.1.525, and P.2.

In India, with less than 10% of the population having received a first-dose of a vaccine and less than 3% not fully immunized, there is fertile ground for widespread trans-

mission of viral variants, leading to the largest daily cases and death toll in the history of COVID-19. The B.1.1.7 variant has become dominant in the province of Punjab.

While a new variant, B.1617, the so-called “double mutant” is a variant of interest, of unknown significance, circulating in other parts of India.

While the efficacy of the three COVID-19 vaccines has been proven across adults of all age groups and medical conditions, there is not enough information to know the level of protection in those who have a medically compromised immune system.

Are the COVID-19 vaccines more widely available now?

Vaccines are now widely available for everyone age 12 and older.

The faster more people can become fully immunized, the less variants will continue to spread through our community.

Becoming fully immunized means that someone is not only protected from getting severe illness with COVID-19, they’re also less likely to become infected and transmit the virus to someone else.

For more information, visit www. eehealth.org/coronavirus.

Park District hosts vaccine drive

On Wednesday, June 2 from 1-5 p.m., the Addison Park District is hosting a COVID–19 Vaccine Drive for ages 12 and older at Club Fitness.

Pritzker announces 6-year, $20.7 billion road, bridge improvement plan Amtrak to resume full passenger services starting mid-July CAPITOL NEWS ILLINOIS

Gov. JB Pritzker announced May 19 the release of a six-year, $20.7 billion construction plan to improve roads and bridges throughout the state, an annual process which the Illinois Department of Transportation oversees to target infrastructure spending.

The Highway Improvement Program, funded through the Rebuild Illinois capital infrastructure plan passed in 2019, will reconstruct nearly 2,779 miles more miles of roads and 7.9 million square feet of bridge deck between fiscal year 2022 and 2027, according to the governor’s office.

The projects in the plan will create and support thousands of jobs, “bolstering our pandemic recovery in one more way,” Pritzker said at a news conference in Springfield.

“This past year truly has brought home how important transportation systems are in connecting the lives of our residents and our communities, delivering food products to grocery stores, getting essential workers to their jobs and transporting patients to the hospital,” Pritzker said.

The Highway Improvement Program is a part of the larger $45 billion Rebuild Illinois infrastructure plan, which was a bipartisan effort to revitalize local economies that passed in the governor’s first year. The plan invests in roads, bridges, railroads, universities, early childhood centers and state facilities.

The projects outlined in the new multi-year plan will continue to create and support hundreds of thousands of jobs, Pritzker said.

Overall, the Rebuild Illinois capital plan is expected to support around 540,000 thousand jobs over its lifespan. But there are currently no estimates available on how many jobs the specific projects through the Highway Improvement Program will create.

About $33.2 billion was earmarked in the initial release of the capital plan for the transportation sector, with $25.3 billion specifically for roads and bridges. Most of that funding came from an increase to the state’s motor fuel tax, which was indexed for inflation each year, and increases to state licensing fees.

The Illinois Department of Transportation said the plan includes $5.79 billion for highway reconstruction and preservation, $4.82 billion for bridge improvements, $2.59 billion for strategic expansion, $1.43 billion for system support such as engineering and land acquisition, and $1.21 billion for safety and system modernizations.

Acting Illinois Transportation Secretary Omer Osman said the projects outlined in this plan are more than just projects.

“They will be the means for us to ensure our transportation system in Illinois is reliable, safe, and provides economic opportunity for everyone in Illinois—our guiding principle,” Osman said. “We will do so in a way that provides equity, and with a workforce that reflects the diversity in our greatest state, it remains the blueprint for how we rebuild Illinois.”

For the upcoming fiscal year 2022, approximately $3.32 billion has been identified to fund highway improvement projects.

Currently, some of the projects through Rebuild Illinois include a $173 million multi-year investment in Interstate 57 which will continue next year and run in segments through 2027, over $90 million worth of improvements to Interstate 55, and $40 million into Interstate 80 in northeastern Illinois, “making the road smoother and safer amidst the region’s exploding intermodal logistical growth,” Pritzker said.

A full list of the projects can be found on IDOT’s website.

Pritzker said the multi-year plan will build on progress made over the past two years, noting Rebuild

CLUES ACROSS 1. College group 5. Small morsels of food 11. Actress Dunham 12. Puts a limit on 16. Used for baking or drying 17. Commercial 18. Zookeeper Bindi 19. Walk in one’s sleep 24. The Great Lakes State 25. Winter sport 26. A thin layer on something 27. Peacock network 28. Give birth to a lamb or kid 29. “Too Scared to Cry” author 30. Nose 31. Friend 33. Country music legend Haggard 34. Curved 38. More deformed 39. Bleated 40. Set on its end 43. An aspect of Ra 44. Releasing hormone (abbr.)

45. Harsh, grating noise 49. __ Francisco 50. Common Japanese surname 51. Punish with an arbitrary penalty 53. Football position (abbr.)

54. Not in the know 56. African antelope 58. Popular tech (abbr.)

59. Baseball teams get three of them 60. Make up one’s mind 63. __ Spumante (Italian wine) 64. Martens 65. Susan and Tom are two CLUES DOWN 1. Excessively showy 2. Put an end to 3. Blood disorder 4. Ingredient in wine 5. Shellfish 6. Made smaller 7. We 8. The Treasure State 9. __ Ekland, actress

10. Male parent 13. One hundredth of a watt (abbr.)

14. Dish of minced meat 15. Smothered laugh 20. Article 21. Atomic #12 22. Small parrot 23. Fictional “Star Wars” planet 27. French wine grape 29. Football stat (abbr.)

30. Sound unit 31. Where you sleep 32. University of Dayton 33. Miller beer offering 34. Feel embarrassed 35. Able to be estimated 36. Commune in NW France 37. Adult female chicken

See PLAN, Page 8

38. Intergovernmental organization 40. Archaic term for until 41. That which is not sacred 42. Sound made in speech 44. Handgun (slang) 45. Fill up again 46. Evoke or awaken 47. Beam Me Up, __!

48. Spider wasp genus 50. Headdress 51. Exclamation of surprise 52. Of I 54. Figures 55. Men’s fashion accessories 57. Indicates position 61. Megabyte 62. The Prairie State

Answers on page 18

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6 • Thursday, May 27, 2021 - Rock Valley Publishing

Rock Valley Publishing

Viewpoint May 27, 2021 • 6

Slices of life

There’s always a reason for gratitude My husband left this world in November. I miss him every day, in every way. Of course I do. I had someone tell me it would be weird if I wasn’t sad right now. She was right.

It’s hard to understand why it has to be this way. Why my future has changed suddenly and inexplicably.

Why he is there and I am here, when all we ever knew was us together.

Grief is very lonely. You want to be part of this world, but the person you long for most is part of another and no one really understands, although they want to and try.

Despite the grief, I am becoming grateful. I am leaning into it more and more every day. Or at least I am trying. I am filled with gratitude for the love we shared. For the love we share. Present tense.

Gratitude is a gift. It fills your heart and feeds your soul at the deepest of levels. It enhances life.

I am filled with gratitude for so many things. I guess it’s the whole glass half-full or half-empty concept.

Which do I choose? Because it is my choice. We all have the choice, and we all know the answer. Hard as it is, sometimes, it’s obvious.

At first I lamented, in the true sense of the word. We had 33 years together.

I lamented we didn’t get 50. I still do, sometimes, but mostly I try to give thanks for the 33.

We may have missed out on the 17 years between 33 and 50, but we could have had less. Much less. He got to see our children grow from babies to adulthood. We got to do this together. It was our life project. I’m grateful for that.

We grew together, for each other, with each other over the years. Many couples don’t get this chance, others grow apart instead of together. I’m grateful for our growth — together. It was fabulous.

We had a lasting and enduring love for one another. Still do. Not everyone can say that. How can I not be filled

to the brim with gratitude for a love so pure and strong and absolutely lifechanging? I am filled.

I’ve always been a proponent of gratitude, but lately I’ve come to believe it is life-changing. Finding gratitude in whatever circumstance you are in is key to growth and joy.

And there is always something to be grateful for. Always. If you are still alive and breathing, then each breath is cause for gratitude.

Gratitude is a blessing. My husband is a blessing. And the bigger the blessing — the more blessings you have —the more there is to lose.

That’s how I saw it at first, when I found myself in the eye of the hurricane of grief.

Seeing the loss is not the best way to perceive it, though. Not really. We can’t or shouldn’t live life afraid of loss. We can’t deny blessings because losing them will be hard. We can’t live life cautiously or safely. Or at least we shouldn’t.

Life is meant to be lived fully and deeply. It is meant to be filled with gifts and gratitude. It’s also filled with hard times, sometimes.

But the hard times can and will pass — if you are willing to see the gifts in front of you right now, in the present moment. All that takes is opening your eyes, your heart and your mind to the possibilities. Accept your gifts. Pull off the bows.

Jill Pertler is an award-winning syndicated columnist, published playwright, author and member of the National Society of Newspaper Columnists. Don’t miss a slice; follow the Slices of Life page on Facebook.

Letter to the editor Wagner thanks Villa Park voters

To the voters of Villa Park: It is hard to express how thankful I am for all the help that I received from neighbors and friends during last month’s election. To everyone that put up a yard sign, distributed literature, made a donation or just offered a word of encouragement,

I would like to offer my heartfelt thanks. I also wanted to give a special thanks to the key people in our campaign that kept me on track with their wise counsel and special talents. You are all remarkable people that want the best for our village.

Though the outcome of our election was not what we hoped for, we can take some solace in the fact that some talented and diverse new

Cullerton: County to receive nearly $6M for infrastructure improvement State Sen. Tom Cullerton (D- Villa Park) announced that DuPage County is set to receive nearly $6 million in grant money from the Rebuild Illinois plan.

“As the summer construction season gets underway, I am excited to see that our community will be receiving more funding to improve our roads and bridges,” Cullerton said.

“Modernizing our state’s infrastructure is vital to bringing travelers from near and far to Illinois.”

This round of Rebuild Illinois grants is the fourth of six rounds to be distributed to advance municipal, township and county projects across the state. The grants are overseen by the Illinois Department of Transportation and will total $1.5 billion when all rounds of grants are distributed.

“As more funding is secured, the projects in DuPage County will bring in good-paying jobs to the community,” Cullerton said. “Investments in

members were elected to the village board.

I am grateful for the eight years during which Vila Park voters allowed me to serve the community. In the years to come, I intend to continue advocating and working for issues that I feel will improve the quality of life in our village.

Robert “Bob” Wagner Villa Park

our infrastructure has countless payoffs, from shortening people’s commute to drawing visitors to the area.”

Through these grants, Illinois has already seen the improvement of 3,000 miles of highway, completed over 180 bridges and launched hun-

dreds of other infrastructure projects across the state. It is the fourth installment of funding allocated under the plan.

(This was submitted by the office of State Sen. Tom Cullerton.)

Glowiak Hilton plan would require insurance coverage for COVID-19 vaccines To ensure cost is not the deciding factor for residents thinking about getting the COVID-19 vaccine, State Sen. Suzy Glowiak Hilton (D-Western Springs) introduced legislation requiring insurance companies to cover the full cost of the vaccination.

“Getting vaccinated is the right thing to do for the safety of your loved ones and neighbors,” Glowiak Hilton said. “Not being able to afford the COVID-19 vaccine should not stop anyone from receiving it.”

Under the proposal, the coverage requirement would apply to individual and group health insurance policies and managed care plans under

Medicaid in effect since March 9, 2020. Companies would not be allowed to impose cost-sharing measures on patients.

“Some residents have chosen not to get the vaccine for health or personal reasons, but the cost should not be a deciding factor,” Glowiak Hilton said. “The sooner our state’s population is vaccinated, the sooner we can get our economy moving, build up our damaged industries and regain some sense of normalcy.”

House Bill 2406 awaits action by the Senate Insurance Committee.

(This was received from the office of State Sen. Suzy Glowiak Hilton.)

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Rock Valley Publishing - Thursday, May 6, 2021 • 7A

Four students earn top-10 finishes at BPA National Conference Six Addison Trail students recently competed in the 2021 Business Professionals of America (BPA) Virtual National Leadership Conference. This year’s event took place from April 26 to May 9, and the theme was “Envision, Empower, Ignite.” The four students (top right) earned top-10 finishes in their respective categories: senior Nalysa Garcia: Legal Office Procedures, 2nd place; Business Law & Ethics, 10th place; junior Lindsay Stevenson: Health Insurance & Medical Billing, 2nd place; junior Yana Patel: Health Insurance & Medical Billing, 8th place; junior Amalia Panos: ICD-10-CM Medical Diagnostic Coding, 10th place.

Addison Trail seniors sign to continue their sport at collegiate level On May 19, Addison Trail hosted a signing day for 13 seniors who have committed to play their respective sport at the collegiate level.

The students celebrated with teammates, friends, administrators, staff members and family members.

The student-athletes who were recognized are: Daniel Alvarez: Track and Field, Elmhurst University Jade Campos-Benitez: Track, College of DuPage Mario Ferri: Baseball, Ohio Dominican University Jake Matthews: Wrestling, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Dylan Moran: Cross-Country and Track and Field, Elmhurst University Omar Perez: Track and Field, Concordia University Chicago Eric Reed: Rugby, Marian University Robert Roszkiewicz: Basketball, Aurora University Anna Ruffolo: Softball, Concordia University Wisconsin Viviana Sanfilippo: CrossCountry and Track & Field, Illinois State University Francesca Scarabaggio: Track and Field, Elmhurst University Ally Severino: Volleyball, Elmhurst University Raul Villarreal: Football, Roosevelt University

SUBMITTED PHOTO Rock Valley Publishing

Pictured (from left): senior Nalysa Garcia, junior Lindsay Stevenson, Junior Yana Patel and junior Amalia Panos.

DuPage Health Department receives ‘Pool Safely Grant’ of $860,000 The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has awarded the DuPage County Health Department (DCHD) a $291,811 grant to provide assistance for enforcement, training, and education of pool safety requirements that are intended to save lives and prevent serious injuries. DCHD was one of five state and local governments selected to receive more than $860,000 in Pool Safely Grant Program (PSGP) grant funds, which are aimed at preventing pool and spa drownings, as well as drain entrapments.

“As a previous recipient of Pool Safely grant funding, DCHD has strengthened partnerships and created great momentum in enforcement training and education throughout our region,” said Karen Ayala, executive director of DuPage County Health Department. “This funding will enable us to further expand our educational impact to a much larger geographic and demographic radius

with a special focus on children who are at the highest risk of drowning in pools or spas.”

DCHD has partnered with various agencies and organizations, including the Northern Illinois Public Health Consortium (NIPHC), numerous DuPage County municipalities, Illinois Department of Public Health, Safe Kids Illinois, DuPage Regional Office of Education, Illinois Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the Illinois Parks and Recreation Association.

Drowning leading cause in accidental deaths of children 4 and younger Drowning is the leading cause of unintentional death among children ages four and under and the second leading cause of death among children ages 5 to 14.

Per media reports, eight Illinois children fatally drowned between June 1, 2020 and August 31, 2020.

Wrestling program honors the late Dr. Scott Helton

Plaque to remain on display in wrestling gym

On May 20, Addison Trail dedicated a plaque provided by the school’s Wrestling Team in honor of the late District 88 Superintendent Dr. Scott Helton.

Addison Trail administrators and Wrestling Team coaches presented the plaque to Dr. Helton’s sons (Scott Jr., Joe and Tommy) and their mother, Annie Rice.

Dr. Helton coached several sports, but wrestling was his true

passion. He was a professional wrestler during his college years and a few years of his teaching/ coaching career. All three of his sons also competed in wrestling at a high level.

As a tribute to Dr. Helton’s positive impact on the sport, Addison Trail will display the plaque in its Wrestling Gym. To watch the presentation, there is a video available at the D88 web site at dupage88.net.

Addison Trail hosts annual Senior Awards Night On May 19, 71 members of the Addison Trail class of 2021 were recognized for their achievements and outstanding academic performance during the school’s annual Senior Awards Night.

The Master of Ceremonies for the evening was Addison Trail Guidance Counselor Shane Cole, and the Student Master of Ceremonies was senior Jina Patel.

During the event, students were recognized for earning scholarships and being named as State Scholars, National Merit Scholarship Program honorees and recipients of the President’s Award for Educational Excellence. To date, the class of 2021 has received more than $4.4 million in scholarships and financial aid.

To watch the ceremony, there is a video at dupage88.net.

Two Illinois children under age five fatally drowned in 2021 in open water incidents. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), for every child that dies due to drowning, another five children are treated for non-fatal drowning submersion injuries at emergency departments.

The grant program, authorized through the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act (VGB Act),

was passed by Congress and signed into law in 2007. The PSGP seeks to provide state and local governments with assistance for education, training, and enforcement of pool safety requirements.

DCHD regulates about 700 public pools and spas. Our partnering building departments regulate initial construction and the more than 10,000 existing residential pools in DuPage County.

Memorial Day Convoy leads off from Wilder Park on Monday Vietnam veteran Kevin Calkins to serve as Grand Marshal

The City of Elmhurst is hosting a community-wide “Always Remember” convoy on Monday, May 31 stepping off from the Veterans Memorial in Wilder Park at 9:30 a.m. It will also conclude in Wilder Park where an in-person Military Ceremony will be held.

Starting and ending at the Veterans Memorial, the 2021 convoy will feature some 30 military, police and fire vehicles traveling the same 16-mile route across Elmhurst as last year and will air live on Facebook (no sound) from the lead police car. Elmhurst TV will videotape the convoy to air on local access cable television and post to YouTube.

Calkins to serve as Grand Marshal Kevin Calkins, a former United States Army Specialist 5 who served in the Vietnam War, will serve as the 2021 Grand Marshal. In 2015, Calkins helped raise funds to install a granite base for an unnoticed ground plaque located on the front lawn of the Wilder Mansion in honor of the 14 Elmhurst residents killed in action in Vietnam.

True Patriots Care will stage groupings of American flags at Elmhurst City Hall, Elmhurst Police Station, both Elmhurst Fire Stations, Post 187 and Wilder Park.

Residents invited to get in the spirit In conjunction with the convoy, Elmhurst residents can show their support by decorating parkway trees with ribbon provided by the Elmhurst Fire Department for a donation of $5, $10, $20, $25, $50 or $100 to benefit Elmhurst American Legion THB Post 187. Ribbons ordered online via the ECCI website will be safely home delivered to resident donors by the start of Memorial Day weekend or residents can pick up ribbons at Post 187 via a drive-thru table open weekdays (tentatively) from 12 noon to 1 p.m.

Post 187 will serve lunch for interested parties following the 11 a.m.

Military Ceremony.

8 • Thursday, May 27, 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.

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

Villa Park May 15 Jacqueline Contreras, 23, of Joliet, was charged with two counts of DUI and disobeying a traffic control device used for designated lanes in the 900 block of S. Route 83 at 1:27 a.m.

Theft was reported at a lounge in the 300 block of S. Ardmore at noon.

A complainant told police that an unknown suspect stole the complainant’s wallet while the complainant was working at the lounge.

May 14 A 27-year-old Villa Park man was charged with two counts of domestic battery, interfering with the reporting of domestic violence and criminal damage to property in the 300 block of St. Charles at 5:38 a.m.

Fraud was reported in the 700 block of S. Princeton at 10:43 a.m. A complainant told police that they were scammed out of money by an unknown suspect.

Two incidents of retail theft were reported at a store in the 900 block of S. Route 83. In the first incident at 8:05 p.m., a complainant told police that a suspect attempted to leave the store with items they removed from display shelves. In the second incident at 10:57 p.m., a complainant told po-

lice that a suspect was under-ringing ucts in the 400 block of W. Division items while in the self-checkout lane. at 11:30 p.m.

Both suspects were trespassed.

Mariah L. Menges, 30, of Trevor, Wis., was arrested on an original May 13 complaint and warrant for fleeing or Armed robbery was reported at a attempting to elude a police officer in store in the 500 block of N. Addison at a vehicle and improper lane usage near 10:57 p.m. A complainant told police North and West at 5:58 p.m. that two unknown suspects entered A complainant at a store in the the store. One, armed with a handgun, 1-100 block of S. Villa told police at forced the complainant to open the 7:45 a.m. that a suspect punched a cash registers. The suspects stole cash display case and it broke. The comfrom the register and left on foot. plainant wanted the suspect trespassed A Parks and Recreation employee from the store, and the suspect was reported at 6:58 p.m. that an unknown trespassed. suspect spray-painted the concrete at Skate Park in the 300 block of N. May 10 Iowa.

Police said a Parks and Recreation A complainant reported that an un- employee reported at 11:56 a.m. that known suspect spray-painted the stop an unknown suspect spray-painted sign at an intersection near Lincoln three picnic tables in the 300 block of and Plymouth at 7:43 p.m.

N. Westmore.

May 12 Police said David Solis, 32, of Stone Park, was arrested for a failure to appear warrant out of DuPage County at 6:45 a.m.

May 11 Roberto Alcala, 199, of Villa Park, was charged with unlawful possession of cannabis in the 400 block of W. Division at 11:30 p.m. Police said Alcala also was processed for a failure to appear warrant out of DuPage County and a Chicago Police Department warrant.

Michael Martin, 20, of Chicago, was charged with resisting or obstructing a police officer, possession of cannabis and a violation of “no person under the age of 21 shall purchase, accept or have possession of alcoholic liquor” in the 300 block of N. Ardmore at 8:21 p.m. Later that night, police said Martin was charged with unlawful possession of alcohol by a minor, unlawful possession of cannabis and unlawful possession of tobacco prod-

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May 9 Police said officers responded to a call of two parties fighting in the 600 block of N. Westmore at 11:29 a.m.

Due to conflicting stories, no charges were filed.

A complainant reported that two subjects were causing a disturbance at a bar in the 300 block of N. Kenilworth at 10:06 p.m. The complainant wanted both served with no-trespass orders from the bar. Officers located the subjects and they were served.

• Plan

(Continued from page 5) Illinois has already improved over 2,700 miles of state and local roadways and 290 bridges since its 2019 passage.

“In every project we’ve made hundreds of safety improvements along the way, enhancing right of way accessibility, funding railroad crossing safety improvements and targeting locations tied to crashes, to keep everyone as safe as possible along their travels,” Pritzker said.

While the state’s gas tax is a major contributor to road and bridge projects, it has seen a “significant” reduction in revenue because of decreased consumption as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to IDOT. IDOT said in its Highway Improvement Program report that the decrease was somewhat offset by the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, one of the federal COVID relief packages passed in 2021, which allocated $353 million to IDOT. Of the federal COVID-19 relief funds that went to IDOT, $227 million is included in the state highway program, the IDOT report stated. The remaining COVID relief funds will go toward the multi-year program for additional road and bridge projects.

IDOT officials said that while the past year has been a challenge, projects stayed on schedule and they did not have to make any pandemic-related cuts.

Pritzker also announced that Amtrak will resume full passenger rail service starting July 19.

The Chicago-Milwaukee partnership with Wisconsin will resume next week, while the routes connecting Chicago to Quincy, Carbondale and St. Louis will operate at full capacity by the mid-July date.

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!

Answers on page 18

Rock Valley Publishing - Thursday, May 27, 2021 • 9

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10 • Thursday, May 27, 2021 - Rock Valley Publishing

256 Niagara, Elmhurst

256 Niagara, Elmhurst

Sharp 4 bed / 3 bath Home situated in coveted Tuxedo Park, just blocks from Jefferson Elementary & Prairie Path. The spacious & flexible floor plan has 2 beds on the main level & 2 beds up w/ a bathroom on each level of the Home. Large $454,900 OPEN HOUSE SUNDAY 1-3PM

Sharp 4 bed / 3 bath Home situated in coveted Tuxedo Park, just blocks from Jefferson Elementary & Prairie Path. The spacious & flexible floor plan has 2 beds on the main level & 2 beds up w/ a bathroom on each level of the Home. Large living room w/ adjoining sun room each w/ their own gas fireplace. Separate formal Dining Room. Brand new SS refrigerator & new electric range top. Almost 2,000 square feet of living space on the 1st & 2nd floors plus an additional 1,264 sf in the fin basement. Classic knotty pine basement w/ kitchenette, service bar, full updated bathroom & laundry hook up.

Enclosed front porch w/ two guest closets. $454,900

Rarely Available Atrium 3BR

Rarely Available Atrium 3BR

Rarely available 3 bed, 2 bath spacious condo w/ private balcony overlooking the pool & sunrise. Can’t beat the views from this unit! Large master bedroom suite with brand new carpeting, adjoining bathroom and walk-in closet. 2 additional

Rarely available 3 bed, 2 bath spacious condo w/ private balcony overlooking the pool & sunrise. Can’t beat the views from this unit! Large master bedroom suite with brand new carpeting, adjoining bathroom and walk-in closet. 2 additional spacious bedrooms, new dishwasher, furnace, & HWH. In-unit laundry, individual storage rooms, remodeled clubhouse with fitness center - indoor & outdoor pools, changing room with sauna, tennis courts, & dog park.

Indoor parking for 1 car steps to elevator. $309,900

$309,900 FIRST OFFERING!

Walk to School/Path

Originally built as builder’s own home, this home spares no detail or upgrade. Four finished floors with nearly 6,000sf of finished living space, exquisite millwork, 2-story foyer, open floor plan, coffered ceilings, chef’s kitchen with elevated $999,800

NEW PRICE! Walk to School/Path Originally built as builder’s own home, this home spares no detail or upgrade. Four finished floors with nearly 6,000sf of finished living space, exquisite millwork, 2-story foyer, open floor plan, coffered ceilings, chef’s kitchen with elevated seating island, beautiful hardwood flooring, walk-in food pantry, 1st floor office and 3 car heated garage. Upstairs offers a huge master suite with luxurious master spa bath with steam shower and custom-built walk-in changing room, 5 bedrooms, 3 full baths, laundry, and a finished 3rd level with skylights (playroom, golf simulator, yoga study). The basement has a 6th bedroom, full bathroom, workout area, media room, and full wet bar. Radiant heat in the basement and garage floors. Irrigation system and backup generator. Fully fenced backyard with mature, professional landscaping and paver brick patio. Walkable to Jefferson Elementary, Sandburg JRHS, parks, and the IL Prairie Path. $999,800

Walk to Berens Park

You can stop your search here on this 2015 custom built farmhouse. The current owners hate to leave this home they poured their hearts into designing every little detail. Custom, white kitchen with large island, prep sink and seating for $1,039,900

Walk to Berens Park

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You can stop your search here on this 2015 custom built farmhouse. The current owners hate to leave this home they poured their hearts into designing every little detail. Custom, white kitchen with large island, prep sink and seating for entertaining or eating. Equipped with high end appliance package, and large eating area opened to beamed ceiling family room with gas fireplace flanked by built ins. Formal dining room, 1st floor office, mudroom with bench and cubbies off 2.5 car heated garage with epoxy floors and custom shelving. Upstairs offers 5 beds & 3 baths, luxurious master spa bath with huge walk-in closet, soaking tub & separate shower, & laundry. Basement with large garden window and is ready to make into something special.

Huge fenced yard with large patio, gas line to grill, shed, and Generac transfer switch making it backup generator ready. $1,039,900

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Rock Valley Publishing - Thursday, May 27, 2021 • 11

Crecent Park Split Level

Crecent Park Split Level

Rare opportunity with this large 3 bedroom 2-1/2 bath all brick home on park-like double lot on a lightly traveled street in Crescent Park. Centrally located with easy access to downtown Elmhurst, parks, schools, and transportation. The

Rare opportunity with this large 3 bedroom 2-1/2 bath all brick home on park-like double lot on a lightly traveled street in Crescent Park. Centrally located with easy access to downtown Elmhurst, parks, schools, and transportation. The 171 foot frontage provides room to expand or enjoy plenty of outdoor space. This home has over 3100 feet of living space, featuring spacious rooms, eat-in kitchen with fireplace, granite counter tops, and brand new stainless steel appliances. Separate dining room, upper level bonus room, all new baths and all refinished hardwood floors. $615,000

Sharp All Brick 2 Story

Sharp All Brick 2 Story

At over 5500 finished square feet this 5 bedroom, 5 full bathroom home offers a flexible floor plan that checks all the boxes for even the most discerning buyer! Upon entering you are immediately greeted with the large 2-story foyer and grand

$615,000 FIRST OFFERING!

$779,000 FIRST OFFERING!

Wise Builders

Wise Builders

Amazing opportunity to work with one of Elmhurst’s top custom home builders. Steps from award winning Jefferson Elementary and the IL Prairie Path, in one of Elmhurst’s hottest neighborhoods. This generous plan offers ceiling detail

Amazing opportunity to work with one of Elmhurst’s top custom home builders. Steps from award winning Jefferson Elementary and the IL Prairie Path, in one of Elmhurst’s hottest neighborhoods. This generous plan offers ceiling detail throughout, exquisite millwork, a large mudroom, 1st floor office, huge kitchen with 2-tier island for prep sink/area and separate eating space. Open family room with gas fireplace overlooks 160’ deep yard. Superb from the curb with covered front porch and patio in the rear. Too many other details to list! Builder is also willing to build to suit at different price points. $1,250,000

1S075 Spring Road

1S075 Spring Road

Breathtaking Views and Single Floor Living in this 3 bed/2 bathroom Condo! It was a 2 bedroom but the Den was converted into a 3rd bedroom. The Large Primary Bedroom includes a spacious walk in closet, Dressing Area with

$1,250,000 WISE INVESTMENT BUILDERS

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Center of Town

Center of Town

Being built by a well respected, long-time Elmhurst builder working alongside an interior designer set to help pick out all of your finishes & fixtures. Offering over 4,800 sf of finished living space with its fully finished basement - exercise room, 1,295,000

At over 5500 finished square feet this 5 bedroom, 5 full bathroom home offers a flexible floor plan that checks all the boxes for even the most discerning buyer! Upon entering you are immediately greeted with the large 2-story foyer and grand staircase. The living room leads to the office where french doors provide a quiet working environment with floor to ceiling custom built-ins.

If entertaining is your thing you will appreciate the large Great Room with stone fireplace that flows into the gourmet kitchen with loads of cabinets and counter space, an island, double ovens, new convection microwave and 5 burner cooktop. $779,000

Being built by a well respected, long-time Elmhurst builder working alongside an interior designer set to help pick out all of your finishes & fixtures. Offering over 4,800 sf of finished living space with its fully finished basement - exercise room, rec room, custom bar and wine room!

Gracious 10 ft first floor ceilings welcome you to this impressive home with HWF’s & extensive trim & ceiling detail throughout, 5 beds, 4.5 baths, a 2.5 car garage, custom kitchen w/ huge island, high-end SS appliances (Wolf & Sub-Zero) & eating area open to family rm w/ fireplace, master suite w/ spa bath, designer plumbing/lighting fixtures, surround sound + more! .

1,295,000

le Da od Wo

Breathtaking Views and Single Floor Living in this 3 bed/2 bathroom Condo! It was a 2 bedroom but the Den was converted into a 3rd bedroom. The Large Primary Bedroom includes a spacious walk in closet, Dressing Area with additional vanity space and separate Bathroom. Brand New Quartz Countertops just installed and New Stainless Steel Appliances. Washer/Dryer in unit.

HOA includes Gas/Water/Exterior Landscaping.

Pool is just steps away from this unit. Detached 1 Car Garage and 1 Exterior Space included. You can’t beat the location! Close proximity to Drury Lane, Oak Brook Shopping/Restaurants, Lifetime Fitness, Movie Theater, and much more $269,900

Perfect Starter Home!

Perfect Starter Home!

This spacious 3 bedroom, 2 bath home is situated on an oversized (75 x 150) lot on a quiet street. Close to train, shopping, and expressways. The enclosed 3 season front porch leads you to the living room with tons of natural light.

This spacious 3 bedroom, 2 bath home is situated on an oversized (75 x 150) lot on a quiet street. Close to train, shopping, and expressways. The enclosed 3 season front porch leads you to the living room with tons of natural light. 3rd bedroom/office on main level next to full bathroom.

Updated island kitchen with stainless steel appliances. Newer HWH and Washer/Dryer. $269,900

$269,900

Wise Investment Builders

Proposed Modern Farmhouse by one of Elmhurst’s most reputable builders – Wise Investment Builders. Set on an oversized 64’ wide lot on one of Lincoln school’s best streets.

Over 5,300 sf of finished living space with 3 car heated $1,599,900

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Wise Investment Builders Proposed Modern Farmhouse by one of Elmhurst’s most reputable builders – Wise Investment Builders. Set on an oversized 64’ wide lot on one of Lincoln school’s best streets. Over 5,300 sf of finished living space with 3 car heated garage. Open and airy 1st floor with 2-story foyer, 10 ft ceilings, hardwood floors throughout, private 1st floor study or in-law suite, custom kitchen with large island & prep sink, high end SS appliance package, breakfast nook & family room open to backyard, walk-in pantry + butler pantry with wine fridge, mudroom, and full bath. 4 large upstairs bedrooms with hardwood floors, volume ceilings, laundry, and super luxurious primary suite with spa bath & large walk-in closet. Fully finished lower level with garden window, media room, 5th bedroom, full bath, wet bar, and storage. Smart home wired for all of today’s technology - alarm, whole home backup generator, Ring, internet, and surround sound. $1,599,900

12 • Thursday, May 27, 2021 - Rock Valley Publishing

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Preschool graduates

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City of Elmhurst

MEMORIAL DAY

CONVOY

Monday, May 31, 2021 Start time: 9:30 a.m.

Convoy begins and ends at Veterans Memorial at Wilder Park Convoy will include first responder emergency vehicles and preselected special service and military vehicles only.

The route will cover 16 miles of Elmhurst, with vehicles passing through each ward.

Route is within 1/4 mile of most homes and several public parking lots if you are unable to walk to the route.

CHRIS FOX PHOTO Rock Valley Publishing

The Villa Park Parks and Recreation Department’s 4-year-old preschool class held its graduation ceremony last week at the Iowa Community Center. The class includes 12 children. The preschoolers’ parents attended the May 19 ceremony in the community center’s gymnasium. Shortly before receiving their diplomas from teachers Jo McCarthy and Lynn Dion, the children sang some of the songs they learned during their classes. The preschool graduates will attend kindergarten in the fall. The Villa Park Parks and Recreation Department’s 4-year-old preschool program ran without interruption during the 2020-21 school year, which began in September. Children attended classes at the community center three mornings (Monday, Wednesday and Friday) each week.

Convoy will be followed by a ceremony at the Veterans Memorial at 11:00 a.m.

More information and route map available at www.elmhurst.org

396435

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14 • Thursday, May 6, 2021 - Rock Valley Publishing

State Board of Education calls for in-person learning next school year ISBE unanimously passes resolution supporting upcoming decision by the state superintendent

By Raymon Troncoso

to return to in-person learning during the upcoming school year.

The Illinois State Board of EducaThe resolution doesn’t institute tion unanimously passed a resolution any mandates or requirements for May 19 calling on all public schools Illinois schools to follow, but shows

unified support from ISBE for an upcoming decision by State Superintendent Carmen Ayala.

In a weekly blog posted to the ISBE website, Ayala said she plans

CAPITOL NEWS ILLINOIS

Conroy advocates for behavioral health care coverage right thing. That’s why I’m prioritizing the mental healthcare of Illinoisans and codifying it in law.”

Conroy’s House Bill 2595 requires insurers and Medicaid-managed care organizations to provide coverage for medically necessary treatment of mental, emotional, nervous or substance use disorders or conditions.

The bill also prohibits insurers from limiting benefits or coverage for mental, emotional, nervous or substance use disorders or conditions to short-term or acute treatment at any level of placement.

“Recognizing the significance and importance of real mental healthcare

coverage is more vital now than ever before,” said Conroy. “This measure brings together both political parties to fight against the greed of healthcare companies who would rather find loopholes in the law to save a few dollars than to properly care for Illinoisans who are struggling through these unprecedented times.”

House Bill 2595 passed the House on a bipartisan roll call and now heads to the Senate for further consideration.

Editor’s note: This was submitted by the office of State Rep. Deb Conroy.

$

Smart Mama

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Understanding that large inequities still exist in how health plans cover behavioral health care, state Rep. Deb Conroy, D-Villa Park, supported legislation in the House which makes it more difficult for health insurance companies to avoid covering sick Illinoisans.

“Healthcare coverage should not be limited to just physical wounds and scars,” said Conroy, chair of the House Mental Health Committee.

“Unfortunately, big healthcare companies often choose to avoid covering people with less obvious health needs. We cannot depend on giant corporations to eventually do the

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to make the mandate official “at the conclusion of the current academic year,” meaning the change will not take effect until next school year.

Once Ayala issues an official declaration, all public schools will be required to return to in-person learning for the 2021-2022 academic year with no exceptions. Only students who are both unvaccinated and under a quarantine order from the Illinois Department of Health will be eligible to continue remote learning.

A spokeswoman for ISBE said they expect the bulk of the population eligible for remote learning at the start of the school year to be under 12 years old.

“We encourage families to use the summer months to ensure that eligible children get vaccinated,” she said. “The vaccines are safe, effective, and proven to protect you from getting sick.”

Students who do not qualify for remote learning may seek home or hospital instruction if a doctor determines they will miss at least 10 days of school due to a medical condition.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Pfizer-BioNtech vaccine is safe for children 12 and over, while everyone aged 16 and over is eligible to receive any U.S. approved vaccine.

Pfizer may file for emergency use authorization of its vaccine from the

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

Local residents named to Phi Kappa Phi The following students recently were initiated into The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, the nation’s oldest and most selective collegiate honor society for all academic disciplines.

Hayden Dudek at Illinois Wesleyan University; and Taurus Scurlock at Northern Illinois University; Scott Thesen at Northern Illinois University, both from Villa Park.

Dean’s List • The following student was named to the Knox College Dean’s List for the 2021 Winter Term: Maureen Schmid of Villa Park; who is majoring in Elementary Education studies.

• Villa Park resident Shanti M. Lindberg has made the Scholastic Honor Roll Winter 2021 at Oregon State University. Lindberg is a senior, majoring in Fisheries & Wildlife Sciences.

• Wheaton College has named the following students to the Dean’s List for the Fall 2020 semester: Gavin Boyle and Elizabeth Romero of Villa Park.

• Millikin University has announced the names of the outstanding undergraduates who have been named to the Dean’s List for the fall 2020 semester. John DeAngelo of Villa Park.

• About 1,600 students were honored on the Lewis University Dean’s List for the 2020 Fall Semester, including the following students: From Villa Park, Jacy Campobasso is studying Forensic Criminal Investigation; Jasmine Davis, Criminal Justice; Steven Huizenga, Aviation

“

We encourage families to use the summer months to ensure that eligible children get vaccinated.

The vaccines are safe, effective and proven to protect you from getting sick.”

– Spokeswoman for ISBE

U.S. Food and Drug Administration for use in children aged 2 to 11 in September, according to news reports.

“As always, our top priority is our students, and we know that in most cases, in-person learning is in their best interest,” Ayala said in her blog post. “Now that we have every indication that the pandemic will soon be behind us, we can prepare to return fully to the physical spaces that best provide these conditions.”

Maintenance; Jithin Mathew, Aviation Maintenance Technology; Mohammed Osman, Computer Science; Mia Pillar, Nursing BAC to BSN; and, Alexis Simmons, Middle Level Education.

From Oakbrook Terrace, Owais Ahmed is studying Computer Science and Joseph Beckwith is studying Professional Studies.

• More than 1,000 students have been named to the Carthage College dean’s list for the fall 2020 semester.

Among them are the following Villa Park residents: Pearl Hosman, Tyler Meder, Samuel Bruns and Nicholas Cookingham.

• Nearly 6,800 University of Nebraska-Lincoln students have been named to the Deans’ List for the fall semester of the 2020-21 academic year. They include Dalia Cruz, senior, Dean’s List, College of Business, marketing, from Villa Park.

• The following student was named to the Dean’s list at Miami University: from Villa Park, Kate Gargano.

• The following Villa Park residents were inducted into Phi Kappa Phi at Elmhurst University: Khalilah Brooks and Stephanie Quaiver.

• Augustana College announced more than 1,100 students were named to the Dean’s List for the 2020-21 fall semester. Among them were the following Villa Park residents: Amy Bussa, who is majoring in Comm.

Sci. & Disord.; Sydney Keehner, English Education; Kelli McNeice, Business Administration-Marketing; Scott Tumilty in Accounting; Erika Dahlstrand, whose major is undecided; and, Samuel Tumilty, also undecided.

Rock Valley Publishing - Thursday, May 27, 2021 • 15

Care Care For ForYour YourSmile Smile

and andLet LetItItBrighten BrightenYour YourDay! Day! Our COMFORT CARE DENTISTRY makes going to the dentist an unexpected pleasure.

• Gentle dental care for adults and children.

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• Watch movies or listen to music while you have your • No shot laser fillings available. New technology allows for teeth fixed. smaller, faster fillings without discomfort.

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16 • Thursday, May 27, 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 Blacktop/Paving/Dirt

EMPLOYMENT Painting

Handyman

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Electrical

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Announcements

small shop office help wanted. Must have QuickBooks experience.

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PERSONALS Never Known to Fail

Oh, most beautiful flower of Mt. Carmel, fruitful vine, splendor of heaven, blessed mother of the Son of God. Immaculate Virgin, assist me in my necessity. Oh Star of the Sea, help me and show me, herein you are my mother.

Oh, Holy Mary, Mother of God, Queen of Heaven and Earth! I humbly beseech you from the bottom of my heart to answer me in this necessity. There are none that can withstand your power.

Oh, show me herein you are my mother. Oh, Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee (3x). Holy Mother, I place this cause in your hands (3xs). Sweet Mother, I place this cause in your hands (3x). Holy Spirit, you who solve all problems, light all roads so that I can attain my goal, you who gave me divine gift to forgive to forgive and forget all evil against me, and that in all instances in my life you are with me. I want in this short prayer to thank you for all things as you confirm once again that I never want to be separated from you in eternal glory.

Thank you for your mercy towards me and mine.

The person must say this prayer 3 consecutive days, after 3 days the request will be granted.

This prayer must be published after the favor is granted. M.P. 351091

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We are looking for servers and drivers. Drivers must have their own vehicles. For more information call 630-458-0044 Ask for Jean or Jonathan.

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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

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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

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In-Print and Onlne at www.TheIndependentNewspapers.com

GARAGE SALES Bensenville 330 BARRON ST., BENSENVILLE, Sat., 5/29, Sun., 5/30 & Mon., 5/31, 8am-5pm. Furniture, power equipment, appliances & DJ gear.

IT’S GARAGE SALE TIME AGAIN!

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.

Misc. For Sale

TOM SEAVER AUTOGRAPH baseball official MLB, inscribed NLCY’69-73-75, baseball is authenticated $700. Mark McGwire autograph baseball official major league ball $200. Call Jim 630935-1364

Automobiles

2002 LEXUS ES 300 black- tan, leather 154K miles. Call Darlene 630-404-1034

REAL ESTATE

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 toll-free at 1-900669-9777. The toll-free tele phone number for the hearing impaired is 1-800-927-9275.

EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY

FIND YOUR NEXT HOME IN THE CLASSIFIEDS!

Rock Valley Publishing - Thursday, May 27, 2021 • 17

Rock Valley Publishing

Sports

Warriors beat Addison Trail

May 27, 2021 • 17

CHRIS FOX PHOTOS Rock Valley Publishing

The Willowbrook boys volleyball team rallied to beat Addison Trail in last week’s West Suburban Gold Conference match in Villa Park. Addison Trail won the opening game of the May 20 contest, but the Warriors rallied to defeat the Blazers 18-25, 25-17, 25-16. Willowbrook improved its season record to 4-5 with the victory. Senior Jack Walsh (No. 42 - above left) provided 14 kills, 16 digs and three aces for the Warriors.

Winning Warrior

Senior John Donovan (No. 37 - above middle) supplied 20 assists and a pair of aces for Willowbrook. Donovan is pictured while hitting an ace late in the second game. Senior Josh Chavez contributed six kills and seven blocks for the Warriors, while junior Franky Goles made 16 digs. Another photo from the match shows Addison Trail junior Vince Calzante (No. 7 - above right).

Warriors win again

CHRIS FOX PHOTO Rock Valley Publishing

Junior Jacob Skinner of the Willowbrook baseball team is pictured while delivering a pitch during last week’s West Suburban Gold Conference game against Morton. Skinner fired a complete game to lead the Warriors to a 6-2 victory on May 20 in Villa Park. Skinner threw 89 pitches over seven innings in his winning performance. He allowed five hits and one earned run. He recorded eight strikeouts and didn’t give up any walks. Sophomore Isaac Sobieszczyk went 1-for-3 and drove in three runs for the Warriors. Junior Bennett Fleming went 1-for-2 with two runs batted in. Willowbrook began last week with a 4-3 win at Morton on May 17. The Warriors tried to complete a sweep of their three-game series against the Mustangs on Saturday, but Morton earned a 3-1 win. Saturday’s loss dropped Willowbrook to 12-5 overall and 11-4 in conference play. The Warriors’ schedule this week includes a three-game conference series against Addison Trail.

The Willowbrook girls soccer team extended its winning streak to seven matches with last week’s 1-0 West Suburban Gold Conference victory over Morton.

The May 20 victory in Villa Park gave the Warriors an overall season record of 9-2. Willowbrook suffered a 3-1 loss at Morton when the two teams squared off on April 27. Last week’s rematch was scoreless at halftime.

Senior Gracie Tumilty (No. 13) of the Warriors scored the lone goal of the match in the second half. That goal gave Tumilty 23 goals this season. Sophomore goalkeeper Maddie Aderholt delivered a shutout performance with support from Willowbrook’s defense. Two days before beating Morton, the Warriors earned a 5-0 conference win at Addison Trail.

Tumilty scored three goals in that match. Junior Erin Fitzgibbon provided two goals. The Warriors are finishing their regular season with this week’s matches against Downers Grove South, Proviso West and Proviso East. The Warriors will open the IHSA Class 3A post-season with a match against Glenbard East on June 2 in Lombard.

CHRIS FOX PHOTO Rock Valley Publishing

18 • Thursday, May 27, 2021 - Rock Valley Publishing

State’s revenue picture improves as economy recovers

Answers PUZZLE 1

PUZZLE 2

New numbers come as lawmakers try to finalize new budget

By Peter Hancock CAPITOL NEWS ILLINOIS

395538

Illinois budget officials said May 13 that revenues are flowing into state coffers at a faster pace than previously estimated, meaning lawmakers will have more money to work with as they try to finalize a new budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1.

The Governor’s Office of Management and Budget officially raised its revenue estimate for the current fiscal year by more than $1.4 billion and by $842 million for the upcoming fiscal year.

Those figures are similar to the latest revised estimates from the General Assembly’s budget monitoring agency, the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability, which said last week that revenues for the current year would go up about $2 billion while next year’s revenues would be $792 million more than previously forecasted.

That came as good news to state lawmakers who are trying to finalize the next fiscal year’s budget before their scheduled adjournment day on May 31, but it still was not enough to completely close the looming deficit in next year’s budget, which House Majority Leader Greg Harris, D-Chicago, estimated at around $1.3 billion.

“The choices are really clear,” Harris said during a news conference.

“We’re either going to have to find ways to cut to fill that hole, or we’re going to have to review the proposals that the governor made to close corporate tax loopholes on wealthy individuals and corporations. Some mix of those will be required.”

In February, Pritzker proposed filling the budget hole with about $1.5 billion in revenue enhancements that included closing what he called “corporate tax loopholes,” but which Republicans prefer to call “business incentives.”

So far, however, lawmakers have not appeared anxious to take up Pritzker’s tax proposals, at least until they have a clearer idea of how big of a budget hole needs to be filled.

“I think there’s a number of things that the governor has proposed that we’ve asked members to take a deep dive and to be mindful of to think about how it would affect their constituents vis-à-vis the overall state budget…We remain very, very invested in trying to get a responsible budget to the governor’s desk,” said Rep. Michael Zalewski, D-Riverside, who chairs the House Revenue Committee.

Pritzker’s budget plan was drafted before Congress passed the American Rescue Plan, which will send about $8.1 billion in fiscal relief to the state. But the U.S. Treasury De-

“

We’re either going to have to find ways to cut to fill that hole, or we’re going to have to review the proposals that the governor made to close corporate tax loopholes on wealthy individuals and corporations. Some mix of those will be required.”

–Greg Harris, House Majority Leader

partment is still in the process of finalizing rules for how that money can be spent, and on May 13, Harris cautioned against trying to use it to fill the state’s ongoing structural budget deficit.

“We know that this is an amount of money that can be spent over the course of four years, so we have to be very thoughtful as how we spend it over a period of time,” he said.

“We know it’s largely one-time money. So I think we’re all going to want to look at it really carefully to be sure that we’re not building this into a base that then there would be a cliff when this money expired.”

State and local governments also stand to receive significant federal aid. According to Harris, the federal law will send about $5.9 billion to Illinois cities and towns, $5 billion to public schools, $1.3 billion to colleges and universities, $1.7 billion for public health programs, and $1.35 billion for child care and Head Start programs.

The Treasury Department has published interim rules that outline general categories of spending that qualify under the law. They include responding to the public health emergency or its negative economic impacts; providing premium pay to essential workers during the pandemic; making up for revenue lost due to the pandemic; and investing in water, sewer or broadband infrastructure.

The interim rules also say the funds may not be used for funding pension plans or paying down debt.

Pritzker and Comptroller Susana Mendoza have said Illinois should be allowed to use the money to repay short-term loans the state took out from the Federal Reserve during the pandemic, and they have urged federal officials to make that change when the final rules are published in July.

Rock Valley Publishing - Thursday, May 27, 2021 • 19

E VE RYW H E R E E L S E I T ’ S H E A LT H C A R E

HERE, IT’S PERSONAL MARIA HUERTA, RN - ONCOLOGY Maria Huerta, RN, likes to say she didn’t pick oncology, but rather, it picked her. It’s here in the Cancer Center, where she gets to use her talent and passion for creating bonds with patients and their families that last for months, and sometimes years, going beyond their treatment. She’s mastered the art of treating everyone who walks in the door like family.

Because that’s what it takes to make someone feel truly cared for. For all of us at Edward-Elmhurst Health, THIS IS PERSONAL. ThisIsPersonalEEH.org

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20 • Thursday, May 27, 2021 - Rock Valley Publishing

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CATERING MENU

Please Give 24 hour Notice • Taxes Not Included with All Pricing • Prices Subject to Change Without Notice APPETIZERS 1/2 Pan Serves 8-10 • Full Pan Serves 16-20 All Trays Do Not Come with Bread

1/2 Pan Full Pan Bruschetta ............................. 14.00 28.00 Fior di Latte .......................... 28.00 56.00 Fried Calamari ..................... 39.00 78.00 Funghi Ripieni ...................... 32.00 64.00 Baked Clams ......................... 37.00 74.00

PASTAS 1/2 Pan Serves 8-10 • Full Pan Serves 16-20 All Trays Do Not Come with Bread

1/2 Pan Full Pan Spaghetti or Mostaccioli ...... 32.00 64.00

Baked Mostaccioli ................ 36.00 Ravioli ................................... 41.00 Tortellini ................................ 41.00 Gnocchi ................................. 41.00 Cavatelli ................................ 41.00 Raviolini Salvia e Basilico.... 44.00 Lasagna ................................. 44.00 Vegetable Lasagna................ 46.00 Rigatoni Pomodoro/ Salsiccia/Piselli...................... 44.00 Add Alfredo or Vodka Sauce .................... 8.00 Add Chicken .................... 8.00 Add Broccoli .................... 6.00

72.00 82.00 82.00 82.00 82.00 88.00 88.00 92.00 88.00 16.00 16.00 12.00

MEATS 1/2 Pan Serves 8-10 • Full Pan Serves 16-20 All Trays Do Not Come with Bread

1/2 Pan Full Pan Italian Sausage & Peppers .. 36.00 72.00 104.00 Chicken Vesuvio Bone-In ....... 52.00 Veal Parmigiana ................... 60.00 120.00 Pollo Parmigiana .................. 39.00 78.00 Eggplant Parmigiana ........... 48.00 96.00 Boneless Chicken Breast...... 49.00 98.00 ..........................................................(10 pcs.)

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Open 7 Days A Week M-Th. 11am-10pm • Fri. 11am-11pm • Sat. 12pm-11pm • Sun. 12pm-10pm

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