AI060123

Addison Independent

Bring

Jury finds Addison man guilty of arson at BMW dealership

DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin has announced that a jury found an Addison man guilty of setting fire to a vehicle in the parking lot of an Elmhurst car dealership in the spring of 2022.

Following a two-day trial in front of Judge Mia

McPherson and approximately two-andone-half hours of deliberations, a jury found Dario Salas, 41, guilty of two counts of arson, a Class 2 felony.

On April 14, 2022, Salas appeared at a bond hearing where bond was set bond at $200,000 with 10 percent to apply. He has remained in custody at the DuPage County Jail since that time.

On April 13, 2022, at approximately 1:14 a.m., officers with the Elmhurst Police

Department responded to the Elmhurst BMW car dealership located at 500 W. Lake Street for a vehicle on fire in the west parking lot.

Upon their arrival, officers found a black Audi on fire. The Elmhurst Fire Department arrived on scene and extinguished the fire.

Through the course of their investigation, authorities learned that on April 13, at approximately 1 a.m., Salas entered the BMW parking lot from the northwest corner

and approached the Audi vehicles parked in the west parking lot.

Salas then poured gasoline on the vehicle, set the vehicle on fire and then left the parking lot. Salas was quickly identified as a suspect in the case and was taken into custody after Elmhurst police officers located him in Addison less than two hours later.

Salas’ next court appearance is scheduled for June 22 for sentencing.

Dario Salas

Care For Your Smile and Let It Brighten

• Gentle dental care for adults and children.

• Convenient location and appointment times.

• No shot laser fillings available. New technology allows for smaller, faster fillings without discomfort.

• Knowledgeable staff using the latest technology.

• Watch movies or listen to music while you have your teeth fixed. • Whitening, implants, and smile makeovers.

Addison Trail, Willowbrook participate in annual WSC Sports Spectacular

On Friday, May 26, Willowbrook hosted the annual West Suburban Conference (WSC) Sports Spectacular.

During the event, nearly 180 students with special needs filled Willowbrook’s field house, gymnasiums and room C2, all from four schools in the West Suburban Conference (Addison Trail, Willowbrook, Hin-

sdale South and Hinsdale Central), as well as the School Association for Special Education in DuPage County (SASED).

The event began with opening ceremonies to introduce the schools in attendance. The pupils played basketball, cosmic bowling, balloon badminton and more. There were other games, activities, karaoke and

tasty treats.

The Sports Spectacular was founded in 1994 by a group of West Suburban Conference athletic directors.

Retired Addison Trail physical education teacher Sheri D’Ambrose wanted to continue the event to offer students an atmosphere of fun, and District 88 looks forward to keeping the event going for years to come.

Disrict 88, Elmhurst University collaboration program earns national grant

District 88 is committed to providing multiple and flexible pathways for students to ensure they are college and career ready and continues to partner with colleges/universities and local businesses to enhance these opportunities.

One of those collaborations is with Elmhurst University, to provide students with access to courses that allow them to earn college credit.

The district has announced that Addison Trail, Willowbrook and Elmhurst University have received a $59,404 grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH)

See GRANT, Page 13

Willowbrook student Casey Barnes enjoys a snow cone treat during the annual West Suburban Conference Sports Spectacular that included Addison Trail, Hinsdale South and Hinsdale Central, as well as the School Association for Special Education in DuPage County (SASED).

Addison Trail special education teacher Jessica Sokolowski (left) sings “Let It Go” with Addison Trail students Brianna Duncan (center) and Geronimo Galan Jr., as they participate in karaoke during the annual West Suburban Conference Sports Spectacular. The event took place on May 26 at Willowbrook.

SUBMITTED PHOTOS Rock Valley Publishing

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

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

Office Hours: Monday-Friday 11am-3pm

‘Rock ‘N Wheels’ 12th season kicks off June 1

Fourteen weeks of free concerts coming to Village Green

The Village of Addison will kick off its 12th season of Rock ‘N Wheels® on Thursday, June 1, bringing free concerts, food fest and more to the Village Green every Thursday evening through Aug. 31. That’s 14 weeks to enjoy food from Addison restaurants and two bands each night, ranging from country to the blues, from tribute bands to national acts.

Thursday, June 1 is “Country Night,” featuring Academy of Country Music award-winning band Sawyer Brown. Their many hits include three #1 singles: “Step that Step,” “Some Girls Do,” and “Thank God for You.”

Opening up the evening is recording artist Josiah Siska.

On June 8, Rock ‘N Wheels® welcomes Beatles Tribute band Abbey Road, plus The Neverly Brothers Later this season, chart-topping artists such as Puddle of Mudd and Scott Stapp, the voice of Creed, will be on hand, as well as crowd favorites like Big Suit, Fuze and 7th Heaven

Rock ‘N Wheels is held every Thursday from 6 to 10 p.m. on the Village Green, east of Village Hall, at 1 Friendship Plaza. Food and beverages are available for purchase from Addison restaurants. Rides and attractions are available for children. The Rock ‘N Wheels full schedule is available at ItHappensInAddison. com.

The Addison Historical Museum is open each Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m., allowing attendees to tour the historical buildings. A Craft & Vintage Fair is held outside the museum buildings.

June 1, at the Addison Village Green. Opening up the evening is Josiah Siska. Rock ‘N Wheels continues every Thursday from 6 to 10 p.m. in June, July and August.

‘Addison Uncorked’ returns June 27

Annual wine and craft beer tasting event benefits many local charities

The 6th annual “Addison Uncorked” wine and craft beer tasting fundraiser will be held on Tuesday, June 27 from 6-9 p.m. on the grounds of the Addison Historical Museum.

Enjoy a summer evening under the stars with friends, casual conversation, and listen to the unique stylings of Chicago guitarist, Hector Fernandez. Sample a variety of fine wines and craft beers provided by our participating event sponsors August Hill Winery, Baily’s Place, Church St. Brewing Co. and Sal’s Beverage World. Munch on light refreshments provided by Mario’s Deli. Pyramid Sports Bar and Pizzeria and 601. The wine tasting event benefits each of the sponsoring not-for-profit organizations. The Addison Historical Society collects, preserves and

Country band Sawyer Brown headlines the opening concert of the 12th season of Rock ‘N Wheels on Thursday,

SUBMITTED PHOTO Rock Valley Publishing

Addison Uncorked returns on Tuesday, June 27 to the grounds of the Addison Historical Museum, where ticketholders can enjoy a variety of wines and craft beers while supporting the museum and other local charities that offer college scholarships to graduating high school seniors.

ARCHIVE PHOTO Rock Valley Publishing

Addison Trail Music Department honors standouts

On Friday, May 19, the Addison Trail Music Department hosted its annual end-ofyear awards ceremony to honor members of choir, band, orchestra and guitar for their

Man charged in alleged 150 mph high-speed chase with police

DuPage County State’s Attorney

Robert Berlin and Illinois State Police Troop 15 Captain Linda Mandat have announced that bond has been set for an Oswego man accused of leading police on a high-speed chase. Vermain Schaefer, 27, appeared at a bond hearing where Judge Margaret O’Connell set bond at $100,000 with 10 percent to apply.

Schaefer is charged with one count of aggravated fleeing and eluding a police officer (Class 4 felony) and multiple misdemeanor and petty traffic offenses.

On Monday, May 22 at approximately 12:19 p.m., while performing speed enforcement measures in the area of I-88 and I-355, an Illinois State Trooper allegedly observed a motorcycle, later determined to be driven by Schaefer, traveling at a high rate of speed at the Washington Street exit on westbound I-88.

When the officer activated his os-

• Uncorked

cillating lights and attempted to initiate a traffic stop, it is alleged that the motorcycle was traveling at 100 mph at this time. It is further alleged that instead of pulling over upon noticing the officer’s oscillating lights, Schaefer immediately accelerated reaching speeds of approximately 135 mph while weaving in and out of traffic.

The trooper on the ground did not pursue the motorcycle. Illinois State Police Air Ops monitored the motorcycle, which allegedly reached speeds of approximately 150 mph on westbound I-88. It is alleged that after approximately 27 minutes, Schaefer exited the expressway and parked on Ramm Drive in Naperville where he was taken into custody without incident.

It is further alleged that Schaefer did not have a valid driver’s license.

Schaefer’s next court appearance is scheduled for June 20 for arraignment in front of Judge O’Connell.

(Continued from page 4) exhibits documents and artifacts relating to local history. The Addison Center of the Arts presents visual and performing arts. The Women’s Club of Addison supports local charitable causes, works to enhance the local community and contribute to the personal growth of its members.

Each organization sponsors an annual college scholarship for graduating high school seniors. Event organizers would like to thank GreenState Credit Union for their financial sponsorship of the event this year. Advance event tickets are $20 per person and may be purchased at the

museum website at addisonadvantage.org./visitors/history_2/Addison_uncorked_2023.

Event tickets will also be available at the door for $25 each. All attendees must be 21 or older.

The Addison Historical Museum is located at 135 W. Army Trail Boulevard south of Village Hall. Free event parking will be available in the St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church parking lot off of May St.

In the event of inclement weather, the event will be relocated to the Village Hall Rotunda. For more information, call 630-628-1433.

years of service to the school. Freshmen received numerals, sophomores received minor letters, juniors received major letters and seniors received plaques.

ACA hosts late artist’s son, family

Gary Peterson (left) and Mark Turk, president of the Addison Center for the Arts (ACA), at an artist’s reception to open Gary’s father Bruce Peterson’s exhibition “At Home and Abroad: Select Works from the Bruce Peterson Legacy Collection.” This painting exhibition will remain on display through Saturday, July 1. Gary answered questions and shared heartwarming stories about his father. When asked about Bruce’s prominence within the local art scene, Gary humbly acknowledged, “I guess he was. He was very prolific. Not only with painting but with photography as well. He had a camera on him at all times... He really had the eye, and many of these paintings started with a photo.”

SUBMITTED PHOTO Rock Valley Publishing

SUBMITTED PHOTO Rock Valley Publishing

Police Reports

Area police departments recently reported the following arrests and citations.

Readers are reminded that an arrest does not constitute a conviction, and that suspects are considered innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.

Persons charged with domestic battery are not named in order to protect the privacy of victims. Juveniles age 17 or younger are not named.

Addison

May 16

Jose Jimenez Caprio, 32, of Addison, was charged with two counts of DUI near Lake and Swift at 9:39 p.m.

David E. Lepey, 27, of Crystal Lake, was charged with theft at 9:52 p.m.

May 14

Cirilo Perez-Babian, 42, of Chicago, was charged with DUI and failure to reduce speed near Mill and Willow at 6:43 p.m.

Semaj N. Jackson, 24, of Chicago, was charged with two counts of violation of an order of protection near State and North at 4:58 p.m.

Mira Patel, 26, of Hoffman Estates, was charged with two counts of DUI, expired license and speeding 40 mph or more over the limit near Lake and Marcus at 2:06 a.m.

May 12

Rumen Y. Grigorov, 33, of Des Plaines, was charged with DUI near Addison and Byron at 7:41 p.m.

Holger A. Ortega Sangurima, 37, of Melrose Park, was charged with two counts of DUI near Lake and Iowa at 2:46 a.m.

May 11

Deonte Hill, 25, of Chicago, was charged with criminal trespassing to vehicles at 1:42 p.m.

Daniel Loe Herrera, 32, of Elmhurst, was charged with DUI, aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, improper bumpers and speeding 40 mph or more over the limit near Lake and Bruce at 2:05 a.m.

May 10

A 33-year-old Chicago man was charged with two counts of domestic battery, violation of an order of protection and criminal trespassing to vehicles near 5 th and Kostner at 2:08 p.m.

A 23-year-old Villa Park woman was charged with two counts of domestic battery in the 700 block of N. Highview at 1:41 a.m.

Villa Park

May 20

A complainant at a business in the 600 block of S. Route 83 reported at 8:59 a.m. that a suspect was causing a disturbance and damaged some property in the office.

A complainant in the 900 block of W. North reported that several subjects were fighting in the area. No complaints are to be signed.

May 19

Police said Mellissa Rosinski,

26, of Villa Park, was arrested on a failure to appear warrant out of DuPage County.

A complainant in the 1-100 block of W. Roosevelt reported at 4:41 p.m. that a suspect was harassing them telephone.

May 18

Christopher M. Becerra, 26, of Addison, was charged with violation of domestic violence bail bond in the 400 block of N. Ardmore at 12:45 a.m.

A complainant at a restaurant in the 1-100 block of S. Villa reported that a suspect was harassing employees and causing a disturbance. Officers spoke with the suspect and trespassed them from the business.

May 17

A complainant in the 600 block of E. Wildwood reported at 12:08 p.m. that an unknown suspect used an unknown object to shatter the rear window of a vehicle parked in a parking lot.

May 16

Police said Dylan T. Smith, 31, of Woodridge, was arrested on an original complaint and warrant, and charged with aggravated battery in a public place for an alleged incident that occurred March 12.

May 15

Police said Jessica L. Brown, 27, of Harvey, was arrested on a failure to appear warrant out of Dekalb County at 4:28 p.m.

Daniel J. Rivera, 25, of Villa Park, was charged with obstructing justice, DUI, transportation of open alcohol by a driver, driving a vehicle on a sidewalk and no insurance near E. Kenilworth and S. Villa at 9 p.m.

A complainant in the 100 block of E. Division reported that a suspect removed items from an unsecured vehicle parked in front of their home.

A complainant in the 1-100 block of E. Park reported at 1:54 p.m. that a suspect was harassing them via text messages.

A complainant at a fitness center in the 200 block of W. Roosevelt reported than an unknown suspect broke the lock off their locker and removed their wallet. A short time later, the complainant’s debit card was being used.

Fraud, identity theft

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

Catalytic converter theft

According to information provided last week by the Villa Park Police Department, police reported one incident of a catalytic converter being removed from vehicles: at a restaurant in the 1-100 block of W. Roosevelt at 8:25 a.m. May 19.

Bensenville

The Bensenville Police Department recently reported the follow -

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

May 24, 1:46 p.m. in the 900 block of S. York Road, a complainant reported missing items taken by a known suspect. This incident is under investigation.

BEPC2300437

May 24, 5:33 p.m. near W. Grand Ave. and S. Church Road, Jesus Carrillo, 26, of Franklin Park, was arrested for unlawful use of weapon and another traffic violation.

BEPC2300438

May 23, 10:17 a.m. near Grace Street and E. Jefferson Street, Miguel A. Flores-Ramirez, 26, was arrested for driving while license suspended, three failures to appear warrants out of DuPage County, possession of a controlled substance and other traffic violation.

BEPC2300434

May 23, 1:16 pm. in the 100 block of George Street, a complainant reported a damage property by a known suspect. This incident is under investigation. BEPC2300435

May 23, 1:51 p.m. in the 900 block of S. York Road, a complainant reported receiving threatening text messages from a known suspect. This incident is under investigation. BEPC2300436

May 22, 10:09 a.m. in the 400 block of Park Street, a complainant reported graffiti on the outside building. Public works was notified. BEP23005773

May 19, 4:09 a.m. near S. York Road and George Street, Scott T. Bradley, 39, was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol and other traffic violation.

BEPC2300419

May 21, 4:40 a.m. in the 400 block of Park Street, a complainant reported a domestic situation with a known suspect. This case is under investigation. BEPC2300427

May 21, 7:33 a.m. in the 1000 of Judson, a complainant reported a known suspect entering his apartment without permission. This case is under investigation.

BEPC2300428

May 21, 6:59 p.m. in the 1300 block of W. Irving Park Road, a complainant reported their car stolen by a known suspect. This case is under investigation. BEPC2300430

May 19, 11:28 p.m. in the 300 block of W. Hillside Dr., a complainant reported a known suspect took her car without permission. This incident is under investigation. BEPC2300423

May 19, 11:16 a.m. in the 200 block of James Street, a complainant reported an unknown suspect gained access to one of their vendor checks and made alterations. This case is under investigation. BEPC2300420

Man charged with felony after allegedly injuring sheriff’s deputy while resisting arrest

DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and DuPage County Sheriff James Mendrick announced that a Naperville man has been charged with one count of resisting or obstructing a peace officer with injury (Class 4 felony) after allegedly resisting a sheriff’s deputy following a court proceeding in a DuPage County courtroom Tuesday, May 23.

Nathan Pope, 40, appeared at a bond hearing where Judge Joshua Dieden set bond at $250,000.

On Tuesday, May 23 at approximately 10:17 a.m., a DuPage Coun-

ty Sheriff Deputy attempted to take Pope into custody following a court proceeding stemming from an outstanding arrest warrant. It is alleged that Pope physically resisted the deputy’s efforts causing injury to the deputy’s lower back and arm. It is alleged that the deputy called for assistance and Pope was ultimately taken into custody with the help of several additional sheriff’s deputies.

Pope’s next court appearance is scheduled for Monday, June 12 for arraignment in front of Judge Mia McPherson.

State report: Catholic churches harbored hundreds more abusers than previously disclosed

Attorney general closes out investigation into abuse at hands of Catholic clerics in Illinois

By Hannah Meisel CAPITOL NEWS ILLINOIS

Catholic dioceses in Illinois failed to disclose hundreds of abusive clerics before the state opened what would become a yearslong investigation into sex abuse within the church, Attorney General Kwame Raoul announced last week.

Included in a scathing 700-page report published by Raoul’s office at the end of the four-and-a-half-year investigation is the most comprehensive list to date of Catholic priests and religious brothers—451 in Illinois – who abused nearly 2,000 victims since 1950.

When former Attorney General Lisa Madigan initiated the investigation on her way out of office in late 2018, only the Archdiocese of Chicago and the Diocese of Joliet disclosed the names of clergy with substantiated sex abuse allegations against them. Between the two dioceses, they disclosed 103 names.

During the course of the investigation, the other four dioceses began listing their own names of known child sex abusers who ministered within their purviews, eventually upping the number of disclosed clergy with substantiated sex abuse claims against them to 320. The original 103 names disclosed by the Archdiocese of Chicago and Diocese of Joliet had some overlap with lists of names disclosed by the other four dioceses.

But last week’s report names 149 more abusive clergy members than the dioceses had ever disclosed.

“Decades of Catholic leadership, decisions and policies have allowed known child sex abusers to hide, often in plain sight,” Raoul said at a news conference in Chicago. “And because the statute of limitations has frequently expired, many survivors of child sex abuse at the hands of Catholic clerics will never see justice in a legal sense. But it is my sincere hope that this report will shine a light on those who violated their positions of power and trust to abuse innocent children, and on the men in church

leadership who covered up that abuse.”

A 2017 law eliminated Illinois’ prior statute of limitations for child sex abuse, under which a 20-year clock began ticking on a victim’s 18th birthday. But that law was only prospective; a 2009 Illinois Supreme Court decision affirmed that attempts to alter the statute of limitations retroactively violated the due process rights of the accused.

Asked if he would support an amendment to the state’s constitution to allow older victims to file lawsuits, Raoul declined to give an answer.

“I’m not going to speak to that,” he said.

Raoul and Assistant Chief Deputy Attorney General Thomas Verticchio on Tuesday said investigators referred certain cases to local law enforcement any time they had reason to believe the statute of limitations window may have still been open. But they couldn’t say how many cases were actionable.

However, they did say the most recent abuse detailed during the investigation occurred in approximately 2010.

The investigation spans more than seven decades, with some of the oldest priests named in the report having been ordained in the 1910s. Raoul on Tuesday confirmed that the majority of those named in the report—330— were already dead.

“These perpetrators may never be held accountable in a court of law, but by naming them in this report, the intention is to provide public accountability and a measure of healing to survivors who have long suffered in silence,” Raoul said.

The attorney general’s office made “more than 600 confidential contacts” with survivors of child sex abuse by church leaders, including in-person, video and phone interviews, in addition to messages left on the attorney general’s hotline, plus emails and letters.

Lawmakers OK bill to limit constitutional lawsuits to Cook, Sangamon County Democrats accuse plaintiffs of ‘venue shopping’ in suits challenging COVID-19 orders, weapons ban

By Peter Hancock and Hannah Meisel CAPITOL NEWS ILLINOIS

Democrats who control the General Assembly muscled through a last-minute measure that will require any constitutional challenge to state laws to be filed in either Cook or Sangamon counties.

The Illinois House on May 25 gave final passage to a set of amendments to House Bill 3062, a measure supporters say is intended to put a stop to what they describe as “venue shopping.” The Senate originally passed the amendments on Friday, May 19, by a vote of 37-16. The House concurred with those amendments by votes of 69-35. It clears the way for the measure to head to Gov. JB Pritzker.

In the last few years, the state has been named as a defendant in a flurry of lawsuits challenging the constitutionality of COVID-19-related executive orders as well as high-profile laws eliminating cash bail and banning assault-style weapons.

Litigation over those issues was filed in several of Illinois’ 102 coun-

Blair-Sherlock seeks teammates for ACS’s Relay for Life

State Rep. Diane Blair-Sherlock, D-Villa Park, issued the following statement Wednesday:

State Representative Diane Blair-Sherlock has announced that she will be leading ‘Team Blair-Sherlock’ at the Relay for Life of Elmhurst, Addison, Lombard and Villa Park on Friday, June 9 at the The Hub at Berens Park, located at 493 Oaklawn Ave in Elmhurst.

Registration begins at 7 p.m. and the Race steps off with the Survivor Lap at 8 p.m. This year there will be a Glow For Hope 1 Mile Walk with Luminaria in honor of those who have been touched by cancer.

If you would like to join ‘Team Blair-Sherlock’ or make a donation visit bit.ly/TeamBlair-Sherlock

For more information, call 630415-3520 or email JaxWest.D46@ gmail.com.

ties, based on where various plaintiffs either lived or believed their constitutional rights were violated. Similar suits were eventually consolidated, but sometimes not until after judges from multiple jurisdictions issued conflicting rulings, creating confusion until an appellate court could rule on the matter.

“There has been considerable judge shopping as a tactic that has been used by litigants to secure sweeping court orders blocking state policies by steering cases to judges perceived to be sympathetic to these causes,” the bill’s sponsor, Rep. Jay Hoffman, D-Swansea, said during House debate May 25.

Several of the COVID-19 lawsuits

were filed in southern Illinois courts by Bond County-based attorney Thomas DeVore. He gained statewide notoriety through the lawsuits and went on to become the unsuccessful Republican candidate for attorney general in 2022. DeVore was also the lead attorney in an Effingham County lawsuit challenging the assault weapons ban, one of two such suits currently on appeal before the Illinois Supreme Court.

Hoffman didn’t mention DeVore by name but did reference the attorney’s tactics during debate.

“One lawyer was charging people $200 just to have their name added as plaintiffs to the lawsuit,” Hoffman said.

Democratic proponents of the bill argued that limiting proper judicial venues to Cook and Sangamon counties is already law for certain types of cases.

Senate President Don Harmon, D-Oak Park, said that because most constitutional challenges against the state will inevitably end in an appeal to the state’s high court, the Attorney General is currently spending unnecessary resources fighting essentially the same case in multiple counties.

“They all eventually end up in the (Illinois) Supreme Court,” Harmon said during the Senate’s debate last week. “Which, by the way, sits in Sangamon County and Cook County.”

Hoffman described many of the lawsuits filed against the state in the last few years as “frivolous” and echoed Harmon’s arguments about straining the resources of the attorney general’s office.

But Republican Rep. Patrick Windhorst, of Metropolis, rejected that argument, noting that Attorney General Kwame Raoul has been asking lawmakers for additional authority to take on cases in other areas of law throughout the spring session.

“This is the same attorney general’s office that has requested from this body additional authority to investigate and bring actions against See LAWMAKERS, Page 13

Senate Democrats send budget to House

By Jerry Nowicki CAPITOL NEWS ILLINOIS

The Illinois House planned to work until the early hours of Saturday morning, May 27, to finalize a $50.6 billion state spending plan for the fiscal year that begins July 1.

That announcement came May 25, more than 24 hours after Gov. JB Pritzker and the Democratic leaders of the General Assembly announced an agreement on a budget framework. And it came just hours before the Senate voted 34-22, largely on partisan lines, to approve the Fiscal Year 2024 budget.

The discussion in a Senate committee earlier May 25 was at times laudatory as Republicans thanked Democrats for their inclusion in the budget process. Praise was especially strong for Sen. Elgie Sims, D-Chicago, who sponsored the budget and had nearly lost his voice by the time it came for a vote due to the long hours of negotiating.

But Republicans ultimately unanimously voted against the spending plan despite GOP lawmakers acknowledging their support for some

SHOP Local FOR SUMMER

Under a well lit canopyConveniently located on Lake Street / just west of Addison Road

of its components. Sims, in turn, gave a fiery defense of the plan after Republicans lobbed criticisms in floor debate.

“This budget does reflect our priorities,” Sims said. “It reflects our shared priorities to move our state forward. It reflects our ability to invest in communities. What you call expenditures, we call investments, what you call overspending, we call building up.”

In his first year leading the super minority caucus, Senate Republican Leader John Curran, of Downers Grove, said the inclusion of Republicans in negotiations was “a step forward in our working relationships across the aisle for the betterment of the people of Illinois.” But in the end, he said he rejected the budget as an expansion of government.

“A few Senate Republican priorities—really some joint priorities— are reflected in this budget,” Curran said. “However, what matters to the people of Illinois not the process, but the product. As you will see by the uniform ‘no’ votes from our caucus, this final product does not reflect the

entire state of Illinois.”

Members of his party cited Democrats’ choice to not address the January 2024 expiration of a $75 million annual state tax credit program that funds private school scholarships, along with inaction on requested changes to the state’s strictest-inthe-nation biometric privacy law as a sticking point in negotiations. That law has been the basis of dozens of costly lawsuits for businesses that unknowingly violate it.

Senate President Don Harmon, D-Oak Park, said he was disappointed Republicans had apparently decided “nonbudget” matters precluded a unanimous vote. But he said Democrats would continue to work with the minority party in future budget years.

The budget—contained amendments to Senate Bill 250 and House Bill 3817 spanning more than 4,000 pages—was filed and passed in short order May 25 after a frenzied two days of final negotiations.

The House couldn’t move on the bill until May 27, due to a constitutional requirement that a bill be read

on the floor on three separate days before it can receive a vote. The House’s plan was to work into the early hours of May 27 rather than return to Springfield next week.

That agreement was hammered out during House Democrats’ roughly four-hour caucus meeting May 25, which concluded at about the same time the budget amendments were filed.

If all goes according to that plan, the chambers will have approved a spending plan that’s substantially similar to the one Pritzker proposed in February—only with about $1 billion in additional spending. That’s despite April revenues plummeting more than $1.8 billion from one year ago.

Pritzker’s office has pointed to the conservative nature of his office’s original revenue estimates as the reason he and lawmakers had the flexibility to craft the budget that was filed May 26. The $50.7 billion in revenue expected for the upcoming fiscal year would be roughly level with the current year’s projected revenue numbers.

“This budget makes transformative investments in the children and families of Illinois while building on our record of fiscal responsibility,” Pritzker said in a statement. “This budget will make child care and education more accessible, healthcare more affordable, and our state’s business and economic position even stronger.”

‘Smart Start Illinois’ childcare program

One major Pritzker priority funded fully in the Senate-approved budget is “Smart Start Illinois,” a multi-year plan that aims to make childcare and preschool available to every three- and four-year-old whose family wants those services. For the upcoming fiscal year, that includes $250 million to increase the number of preschool slots available, stabilize the early childhood workforce and expand the early intervention and home visiting programs.

The budget plan also includes $100 million in general revenue funds to pay for capital improvements at early childhood learning facilities—the same amount proposed in February but $50 more than what the governor’s office announced earlier last week.

“Home Illinois,” the governor’s plan to fight homelessness, is set to receive more than $350 million, an $85 million increase from the current fiscal year. It would go to support homelessness prevention, affordable housing, outreach and other programs aimed at reducing homelessness.

Next year’s budget also includes a $100 million increase in funding for public universities and community colleges, along with a $100 million increase in Monetary Award Program financial aid grants. Pritzker has said that will effectively make a two-year community college education available tuition- and fee-free for every working-class student in Illinois when combined with federal grants.

Medicaid-style healthcare coverage for noncitizens

One major point of contention among both Republicans and Democrats during the budget-making process was a rapidly growing program that provides Medicaid-style health care coverage for noncitizens aged 42 and older who would be eligible for Medicaid if not for their citizenship status.

The program is new as of 2021, and Democrats have now twice expanded eligibility from the original 65 and over population. Illinois’ AllKids program has long allowed for noncitizen minors to receive health care.

Pritzker’s office earlier this month estimated the program’s cost would grow to $1.1 billion during the next fiscal year, but it now predicts it can cap spending at $550 million. His office claims it can do so with new emergency rulemaking authority granted in a Medicaid-related proposal that was also moving through the General Assembly this week.

Puzzle page

APPLES

ARUGULA

AVOCADO BEANS BEETS

BERRIES

CELERY

CHICKEN

CHICKPEA

CROUTONS

KALE

LETTUCE

NUTS

OIL

OLIVES

ONION

PEPPERS

RADISHES

SEEDS

SPINACH

SPROUTS

TOMATO

SUDOKU

Fun by the Numbers

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

CLUES ACROSS

1. Sloping position

5. Descendant of a notable family

10. Following accepted norms

12. Root vegetable

14. Having a shape that reduces drag from air

16. Integrated circuit

18. Records electric currents of the heart

19. Used to anoint

20. Japanese city

22. After B

23. Muffles

25. Pass over 26. Vase

27. Soft touch

28. A baglike structure in a plant or animal

30. Patti Hearst’s captors

31. Israeli politician

33. Degrade

35. Type of wrap

37. Polyurethane fabric

38. Avoids capture

40. Vegetarians avoid it

41. Decay

42. Soviet Socialist Republic

44. Vessel to bathe in

45. Inches per minute (abbr.)

48. Frosts

50. Dipped into

52. Controversial replay system in soccer

53. Comforts

55. Needed for yoga

56. Ands/__

57. South Dakota

58. Printing system

63. Dramatic works set to music

65. Highest points

66. Social division

67. Used to treat Parkinson’s disease

CLUES DOWN

1. Hill or rocky peak

2. Initial public offering

3. Type of light

4. Test

5. Flaky coverings

6. Former NFLer Newton

7. Part of the eye

8. Roman god of the underworld

9. Negative

10. Indiana pro basketball player

11. Replaces lost tissue

13. Denotes one from whom title is taken

15. Historic college hoops tournament

17. Hut by a swimming pool

18. Defunct European monetary unit

21. Feeds on insects

23. Adult male

24. Melancholic

27. Sheets of glass

29. Slang for famous person

32. Not good

34. “Ghetto Superstar” singer

35. The “World” is one

36. Used to make guacamole

39. Midway between south and southwest

40. Wet dirt

43. Ancient Egyptian name

44. Set of four

46. Strips

47. Wife

49. More dried-up

51. Socially inept person

54. Clusters on fern fronds

59. Bar bill

60. Prefix indicating “away from”

61. Very important person

62. Fiddler crabs

64. Special therapy

VINEGAR Answers

Royal places 12th at the state meet

Willowbrook sophomore lands in 12th place after advancing to finals of the triple jump

Sophomore Jaden Royal of the Willowbrook boys track and field team advanced to the finals of the triple jump at the IHSA Class 3A state meet, which ended on Saturday at Eastern Illinois University in Charleston.

Royal earned a 12th-place finish in the event. His best jump of the state meet covered 43 feet, 9¾ inches.

The top 12 finishers from the preliminaries advanced to the finals of the triple jump. A total of 34 athletes competed in the preliminaries of the triple jump at the Class 3A state meet.

Willowbrook’s 4 x 100-meter relay team of senior Michael Wangler, sophomore Jaylin Miller, senior Joey Tumilty and senior Noah Campbell also competed at the state meet. The

four Warriors finished the race in 43.33 seconds during the state meet’s preliminary heats and did not advance to the finals.

The top nine 4 x 100-meter relay teams from the preliminaries qualified for the finals. Willowbrook’s foursome posted the 25th-best time in the event during the preliminaries.

Addison Trail

Addison Trail sophomore Daniel Lupa participated in the 300-meter hurdles at the state meet. Lupa completed the race in 40.25 seconds during the preliminaries and was not one of the nine athletes who qualified for the finals of the event. Lupa posted the 19th-best time in the 300-meter hurdles during the preliminary heats of the state meet.

SUBMITTED PHOTO Rock Valley Publishing

Willowbrook sophomore Jaden Royal advanced to the finals of the triple jump at the IHSA Class 3A boys track and field state meet, which concluded on Saturday at Eastern Illinois University. Royal sailed 43 feet, 9¾ inches in his best attempt of the meet. He earned a 12th-place finish in the finals. Royal was one of 34 athletes who participated in the triple jump during the preliminary round of the Class 3A state meet. Only 12 of those competitors moved on to the finals.

Addison Park District says POW! to cancer

On Saturday, June 17, the Addison Park District is hosting a 5K Run/ Walk For A Cure to be held at Community Park at 120 E. Oak St. After packet pick-up beginning at 7 a.m.,

the race steps off at 8 a.m. and will be followed by a post-race celebration with raffle prizes and an awards ceremony for runners as well as awards for the most funds raised. Partici-

pants are encouraged to dress up! Fee is $35 in advance or $45 on site. $5 from each race registration fee will be donated to the American Cancer Society. For more informa-

tion or to register, visit addisonparks. org and register for 602811-10.

Sponsors of the event include Healthy Driven: Edward-Elmhurst Health, Addison Bank & Trust.,

Merieux NutriSciences, Illinois Spinal Care, Anne’s Alchemy, MuggsN-Manor, Starbucks in Addison, Fast Signs, Len’s Ace and Clyde’s Donuts.

Sen. Win Stoller, R-East Peoria, said the difference between those estimates gave him reason to doubt the budget was balanced. Another was that the proposal doesn’t account for enough of a spending increase for state worker wages that will grow amid budget negotiations this year.

Pritzker’s office said his options for capping spending on noncitizen health care include limiting future enrollment in the program, requiring copays from program participants, maximizing federal reimbursement and a possibly moving participants to the Medicaid managed care system.

The Illinois Legislative Latino Caucus had pushed to expand the program to cover adults aged 19 to 41 and to allow it to grow without a spending cap. The expansion to younger noncitizens wasn’t included in the final budget.

“If there are caps, it is on behalf of the governor, it is not on behalf of the legislators,” Sen. Celina Villanueva, D-Chicago, said in an interview. “My push is always to make sure that we’re protecting our communities so

• Grant

that we’re doing as much as we can to help serve those immigrant communities that are also taxpayers.”

Sen. Chapin Rose, R-Mahomet, the Senate Republican caucus’ top budgeteer, cited the noncitizen health care program spending as the reason he ultimately didn’t vote for the budget. He said the spending increase it forced could have funded the continuation of the Invest in Kids tax credit scholarship program or greater increases for providers who care for people with disabilities among other priorities.

The $75 million Invest in Kids scholarship was established as part of Illinois’ 2017 overhaul of how the state funds public education. It was a priority of Republican then-Gov. Bruce Rauner, a vocal proponent of so-called school choice and frequent critic of public schools. The budget did not extend the program beyond its built-in sunset date of Jan. 1, 2024.

“I’m not standing here yelling and screaming,” Sen. Chapin Rose, R-Mahomet, said in a nod to the amicable negotiation process. “I am say-

(Continued from page 3)

to help fund the Elmhurst University/District 88 Collegiate Extension Program, “a two-year program engaging underserved high school students with college-level humanities study of diverse voices in literature through student enrichment and teacher workshops.”

The grant will support the follow-

ing District 88/Elmhurst University courses:

• English 12 Collegiate Credit

• Hidden Voices

This funding cycle includes the first round of awards made under NEH’s new Spotlight on Humanities in Higher Education grant program.

ing there’s a fundamental difference but eventually we have to figure this out. Those kids are too important. We can’t leave them stranded.”

Providers for individuals with developmental disabilities who live in community facilities would see a $2.50 hourly rate increase. Pritzker in February had proposed upping the state’s current $17 hourly rate for direct service professionals by $1.50 in his budget proposal. Providers had originally requested a $4 increase in

• Lawmakers

accordance with a state-funded rate study that showed that amount was needed to provide adequate care.

The plan also includes a $350 million increase to the K-12 education funding formula to fulfill statutory obligations and a $200 million pension payment beyond what is required by law.

Lawmaker pay would also increase by 5.5 percent in the budget, a rate tied to the federal government’s Employment Cost Index that raises

(Continued from page 7)

crisis pregnancy centers this session, to bring actions against and investigate gun manufacturers this session,” Windhorst said. “It doesn’t seem that the Attorney General’s Office is lacking resources when they’re constantly coming to this body requesting more authority to do things. So I think that argument strains credulity.”

Windhorst also argued that while it may be an inconvenience for the attorney general’s office to respond to cases in counties far from Chicago or Springfield, it is equally inconvenient for constituents in his district,

which abuts the Ohio River, to seek justice far from their homes.

“You know, where I live, I’m closer to the state capitol of Tennessee than I am Illinois, and I’m almost as close to Atlanta, Georgia, as I am Chicago, Illinois,” he said. “So to say if this body passes an unconstitutional law, in order for me or another person in my community to contest that law, I’ve got to travel a great distance and bear that expense that comes with that, is not fair to the individuals in these communities.”

If the bill becomes law, any future lawsuit challenging the consti-

lawmaker pay annually as a function of state law. That would bring their base salary to $89,675 annually, in addition to any committee and leadership stipends. Democrats had already pushed a pay bump to $85,000 annually during January’s “lame duck” session.

Local governments, meanwhile, would see a roughly $85 million funding increase for the upcoming fiscal year as their cut of the state income tax is increased to 6.47 percent.

tutionality of a state statute, rule or executive order would have to be filed in either Cook or Sangamon County. The bill also states that the legal doctrine of “forum non conveniens”—which holds that a court can dismiss a case, even though it has jurisdiction, if another forum is more convenient or appropriate—does not apply in such cases.

An additional amendment added in the Senate provides that the bill would not apply to cases arising out of disputes between the state and labor unions representing state employees.

*FAST DELIVERY* MULCH AND

2005 CHEVY COBALT, 133,000 miles, 5 speed manual, orange color, $3300 obo. 331.998.1898.

Windows

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 1-900-669-9777. The toll-free tele phone number for the hearing impaired is 1-800-927-9275. EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY

Addison

1131 WHITE FENCE LANE, ADDISON, Fri., 6/2, Sat., 6/3 & Sun., 6/4, 9am-4pm. Furniture, luggage, household, sports, craft items and much, much more!

Elmhurst

819 N. EMROY AVE., ELMHURST June 2, 8-4 & June 3, 8-3. Huge Garage Sale. Something of everyone. Kitchen items, cloths, snow ski’s, American Girl dolls, baseball supplies, dresser, toys and much more!

CLASSIFIED

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.

Burial Needs

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

Lombard

509 E. PRAIRIE AVE., HUGE MOVING SALE, Thurs., 6/1, Fri., 6/2 & Sat., 6/3, 9am-5pm. Clothing, housewares, crafts, books, movies, snowblower, powerwasher & furniture.

The dioceses cooperated in the investigation, giving staff in the attorney general’s office access to thousands of files and allowing diocese leadership to sit for interviews with investigators.

“It’s important to note, when we say substantiated, we were not calling balls and strikes,” Raoul said “The Church is, in the end, substantiating.”

According to the report, 22 clergy members associated with dioceses in Illinois had preyed on five or more children. Nine of those had at least 10 victims over the course of their careers, and one former priest, Joseph Fitzharris of Chicago, had at least 20 victims dating back to his first assignment in Puerto Rico in the late 1960s.

Fitzharris spent 17 years associated with eight churches in the Chicago area before moving on to Missouri, Indiana, California and Colorado, where he continued abusing children until the mid-1980s, according to the report. He was convicted of sexual abuse of a minor in Illinois in 1987, removed from public ministry in 1991, resigned in 1995 and was finally laicized by Pope Benedict in 2009.

Survivors’ accounts

The report is full of anecdotes and direct quotes from survivors interviewed by the attorney general’s of-

Answers

PUZZLE 1

fice. In one heart-wrenching story, a woman referred to by the pseudonym “Shanice” recounted how she was repeatedly raped by Father Robert Boley in the late 1980s when she was a fifth grader at Saint Cyril in Chicago’s Woodlawn neighborhood.

Boley’s abuse began with inappropriate touching behind his desk while the rest of the class worked on math problems. But eventually Boley would regularly hold Shanice back from going to recess, raping her in the empty classroom.

“He told me I was bad,” Shanice told investigators from the attorney general’s office. “He told me that Je-

sus made me bad, that he was there to help me.”

Shanice said she both trusted Boley and feared him. She also said she knew she wasn’t the only one of her classmates targeted by Boley.

“I think that what people don’t understand is when you are a child, you don’t separate a priest from God,” she was quoted as saying in the report. “He was God. To me, he was God’s worker.”

According to Shanice, another priest even caught Boley one day, bursting into the empty classroom at recess and witnessing Shanice on his lap. But instead of doing anything about it, Shanice recalled the other priest asked Boley a question, then locked the door behind him on his way back out.

Boley was moved to three other assignments before ending up back in Illinois, where he worked at Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Darien in 2002 when another woman accused him of abusing her when she was a young girl in the 1980s, close to the time of Shanice’s abuse.

After decades, Shanice finally told her mother about the abuse in 2019, and eventually agreed to a settlement with the Archdiocese of Chicago in 2022.

According to the report, Boley was removed from public ministry in 2006 and is “on a safety plan.”

Elmhurst University Athletics announces partnership with Elmhurst Bank

Elmhurst University Athletics has announced a three-year partnership with Elmhurst Bank, a branch of Hinsdale Bank & Trust, N.A., and a Wintrust Community Bank®.

As a partner, Elmhurst Bank will serve as the lead sponsor of Elmhurst University’s scoreboard and scorer’s table in R.A. Faganel Hall, with its name displayed during all Elmhurst sporting events held in the gymnasium. Elmhurst Bank will also be a featured sponsor on the University’s athletics web page, elmhurstbluejays.com.

“We are extremely excited to begin our partnership with Elmhurst Bank,” Elmhurst University director of athletics Glen Brittich said. “They are a trusted and highly recognizable member of the Chicagoland community, and our partnership will benefit our studentathletes in the promotion and support of their experience here at Elmhurst. We are thrilled to work with Elmhurst Bank over the next three years.”

“Elmhurst Bank is excited to embark on this partnership with Elmhurst University,” said president of Elmhurst Bank John Czyzycki. “Elmhurst University is a long-standing, proud institution with a stellar reputation and prolific athletic teams. We are fortunate to align ourselves with such a quality institution.”

LEGAL NOTICES

NOTICE

CERTIFICATE NO. 79080 was filed in the office of the County Clerk of DuPage County on MAY 5, 2023 wherein the business firm of PENA CLINIC, 440 S YORK ROAD, BENSENVILLE, IL 60106 was registered; that the true or real name or names of the person or persons owning the business, with their respective post office address(es), is/are as follows: Alvaro Pena MD, 1729 N 78th Avenue, Elmwood Park, IL 60707.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and Official Seal at my office in Wheaton, Illinois, this 5TH day of MAY, A.D. 2023.

Jean Kaczmarek DuPage County Clerk

(Published in the Addison Independent, Bensenville Independent & Villa Park Review May 18, 25 & June 1, 2023) 437955

NOTICE

CERTIFICATE NO. 79094 was filed in the office of the County Clerk of DuPage County on MAY 16, 2023, wherein the business firm of KEY STEPS CHILDREN’S THERAPY, 53 E. PARK BLVD., VILLA PARK, IL 60181, was registered; that the true or real name or names of the person or persons owning the business, with their respective post office address(es), is/are as follows:

Rebecca Williams, 35 W. Jackson St., Villa Park, IL 60181.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and Official Seal at my office in Wheaton, Illinois, this 16TH day of MAY, A.D. 2023.

Jean Kaczmarek DuPage County Clerk

(Published in the Addison Independent, Bensenville Independent & Villa Park Review June 1, 8 & 15, 2023) 438643

PUZZLE 2

CROSSWORD

“ I think that what people don’t understand is when you are a child, you don’t separate a priest from God. He was God. To me, he was God’s worker.”

– Shanice, survivor of abuse