AI072023

Addison Independent

Addison man charged with leading police on high-speed chase Police praise assistance from Addison officers

DuPage County

State’s Attorney

Robert Berlin and Villa Park Chief of Police Michael Rivas have announced that bond has been set for an Addison man accused of leading police on a high-speed chase.

Nikko De Pasquale, 29, appeared at a bond hearing where Judge George Ford set bond at $75,000.

De Pasquale is charged with two counts of aggravated fleeing and eluding a police officer (Class 4 felony) and multiple petty traffic offenses.

De Pasquale is currently on parole for unauthorized use of a weapon by a felon (Class 2 felony) and on escape charges (Class 3 felony).

On Thursday, July 6 at approximately 11:57 p.m., officers with the Villa Park Police Department observed a red 2002 Pontiac Coupe traveling northbound on Ardmore Avenue disobey a stop sign at a high rate of speed at Jackson St. Officers activated their emergency lights and sirens and attempted to initiate a traffic stop. It is alleged however that instead of pulling over, De Pasquale made a U-turn and ac-

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celerated away from the officers. It is alleged that De Pasquale reached speeds of more than 89 mph in a 25mph zone. It is further alleged that after officers successfully deployed a mobile stop stick which deflated the rear passenger tire, De Pasquale continued to lead officers on a pursuit onto eastbound I-290.

It is alleged that De Pasquale continued on the expressway when a second mobile stop stick was used to deflate the front passenger tire. It is further alleged that De Pasquale exited I-290 at the North Ave. exit in Elmhurst, drove into Northlake, made another U-turn and re-entered I-290 westbound.

After entering the expressway, the vehicle came to a stop near York Street, where officers took De Pasquale into custody.

“Unfortunately, we have yet to see a significant decrease in the number of cases involving defendants fleeing from police,” Berlin said. “This type of conduct is extremely dangerous and puts not only the driver at risk, but also puts the police officers involved and the public in harm’s way. Again, I urge all motorists, if you see flashing lights behind you, pull over.”

“The law enforcement commu-

See CHASE, Page 4

‘Don of Sports’ to compete again

Don Figarelli aka “The Don of Sports” and his wife Julia congratulate their grandson Nicholas who just completed the 2023 tennis season at Minooka Community High School, earning a medal at the Conference Tournament. Now at age 89, Don will be defending his title as “World’s Greatest Senior Athlete” as he competes once again in Illinois’ 6-County Senior Games. His goal is to win five gold medals in five different sports.

Nikko De Pasquale

Chicago Actor’s Studio presents One Act Play Festival

With casts composed entirely of its students, Chicago Actors Studio will proudly showcase their talents in its 2023 One Act Festival.

The shows will be performed each weekend in August on a rotating basis. Talkbacks will be held after each performance with the cast and director.

Visitor from New York is part of the collection from California Suite, a 1976 play by Neil Simon. Hannah Warren is a Manhattan workaholic who flies to Los Angeles to retrieve her teenage daughter Jenny after she leaves home to live with her successful screenwriter father William. The bickering, divorced couple is forced to decide what living arrangements are best for the girl. Anton Chekhov’s The Proposal is fast-paced play of dialogue-based action and situational humor. A young man Lomov comes to propose to his neighbors Natalya but they keep on fighting over various topics. Through this play, Chekhov exposes the “fakeness” of the world and tries to show how superficial modern people are. Rather than emotionally bonding in relationships, people instead connect with wealth and money.

“Lone Star is an uproarious comedy peppered with the playwright’s own special brand of cascading, spontaneous wit,” according to The New York Times. The play takes place in the cluttered backyard of a small-town Texas bar. Roy, a brawny, macho type who had once been a local high-school hero, is back in town after a hitch in Vietnam and trying to reestablish his position in the community. Joined by his younger brother, Ray (who worships him), Roy sets about consuming a case of beer while regaling Ray with tales of his military and amorous exploits. Apparently Roy cherishes three things above all; his country, his sexy young wife, and his 1959 pink Thunderbird. With the arrival of Cletis, the fatuous, newlywed son of the local hardware store owner, the underpinnings of Roy’s world begin to collapse as it gradually comes out that Ray had slept with his brother’s wife during his absence and, horror of horrors, has just demolished his cherished Thunderbird. But, despite all, the high good humor of the play never lapses, and all ends as breezily and happily as it began.

The Lieutenant of Inishmore is a dark comedy set in 1993 about Padraic, a singular member of a splinter cell of a splinter cell of the Irish National Liberation Army (INLA), who is informed that his cat, “Wee Thomas” is doing poorly. Dropping the current fixation of nipple torture and bombing chip shops, Padraic rushes home to find the beloved cat dead and subsequently goes on a John Wick-like rampage through the surrounding countryside. Featuring healthy doses of

dark humor, absurdity, and farce, The Lieutenant of Inishmore darkly lampoons the true absurdity of paramilitary nationalism, political extremists, and the inherent violence those ideologies have inevitably wrought upon both perpetrators and innocent bystanders.

Tickets are $15 tickets at the door or at www.eventbrite.com. Chicago

Actors Studio is located at 2040 N Elston Ave, Chicago.

Performances

Visitor From New York

Directed by Edward Denis Fogell

Will be shown as a double feature with:

The Proposal

Directed by Jonathan Isaac Frank

Aug. 4, 12, 20, 25

(The Proposal will be presented with two different casts.)

Lone Star

Directed by Edward Denis Fogell

Aug. 6, 13, 19, 26

The Lieutenant Of Inishmore

Directed by James Napoleon Stone

Aug. 5, 11, 18, 27

Additional Information

Content Disclosure: strong language, alcohol use, tobacco use, staged violence, simulated torture, flashing lights, sudden sounds, gunshots, disembowelment gore.

The shows will run approximately 75 minutes. One intermission will occur between Visitor from New York and The Proposal. Lot parking is available behind Best Buy.

Leave ’em laughing

Wednesday, July 12, was a night to remember for members of the audience at Chicago’s famed improv comedy club, Second City, according to actor and comedian Matt Kissane. “I got the call to play Matt Foley, the Motivational Speaker, for a group attending a performance at Second City!” This wasn’t the first time Kissane got a call to play Matt Foley at Second City. Back in 2019 the A&E Cable Network contacted him to be part of the Biography documentary “Chris Farley Anything For A Laugh!” Said Kissane, “It was so surreal being listed on the IMDB with all those big stars like John Goodman, David Spade and Dan Akroyd!” You can see that episode of Biography streaming on the A&E channel. Also on the A&E YouTube channel. Kissane, a Villa Park resident, makes his way back to Downtown Chicago on July 23 for a stand-up comedy show at The Laugh Factory. Kissane is seen here performing at The Second City.

Active Senior Expo coming to Darien July 26

Active Senior Expo, an annual event “dedicated to inform, educate and entertain senior citizens,” will be held on Wednesday, July 26, at the Darien Sportsplex, 451 Plainfield Road in Darien. Show hours are 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Active Senior Expo features hundreds of products and services designed specifically for seniors. Offerings include health care, retirement communities, assisted living, financial, insurance, legal, estate planning, home care, consumer products, government programs and more.

Special attractions include free seminars on Medicare, urinary health, prostate treatments and healthy weight loss. Also featured are free health screenings and door prize drawings. Live entertainment will be presented at 11:30 a.m.

No registration is required and regular admission to the event is $2. However, free admission coupons will be widely available and attendees can obtain a free admission coupon by visiting activeseniorexpo.net. Parking is free. Driving note: If coming from the east, use 75th Street entrance. If coming from the west, use Plainfield Road entrance.

The presenting sponsor of Active Senior Expo is Chicagoland’s Senior News, “The Premier News Source for Active Adults Age 50 and Better.” Major sponsors are Advocate Health Advisors, Nicor Gas Energy Efficiency Program, BlueCross BlueShield of Illinois, and Humana.

For further information, contact Silver Star Expositions at (630) 620-6347 or e-mail: activeseniorexpo@hotmail.com.

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240 N. West Avenue Elmhurst, IL. 60126

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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.

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Man charged with robbing purse from Addison woman

Woman accused of two charges of felony aggravated animal cruelty

Faces over 100 misdemeanor counts; over 40 animals found at residence, several deceased

and eluding case

Bail revoked in suspect’s fleeing

DuPage County State’s Attorney

Robert Berlin and Addison Chief of Police

Timothy “Bill” Hayden have announced that charges have been filed against an Aurora man accused of robbing a woman of her purse at a Shell gas station Tuesday, July 11.

Marcos Aguirre, 37, appeared in bond court, where Judge Daniel Guerin set bond at $200,000. He is charged with one count of robbery, a Class 1 felony. Aguirre is currently out on bond facing one count of aggravated fleeing and eluding, a Class 4 felony. At the hearing, Judge Guerin also revoked Aguirre’s bail in that case.

On Tuesday, July 11, at approximately 12:17 p.m., Addison police officers responded to a call of a robbery at the Shell gas station located at 251 N. Rohlwing Road. Following an investigation, it is alleged that a man wearing a white face covering, later identified as Aguirre, approached a woman who was exiting the gas station clutching her purse, which con-

“ Our officers did a phenomenal job apprehending a criminal who preyed on the victim and for that I thank them.”

tained approximately $800.

It is further alleged that after a brief struggle with the woman, Aguirre took the woman’s purse and fled the gas station. Later, Aguirre was found approximately nine hours later on Medinah Road, where he was taken into custody.

“I can assure you, Addison police officers will work diligently to apprehend anyone who commits a crime, especially a crime against a defenseless woman,” Hayden said.

“Our officers did a phenomenal job apprehending a criminal who preyed on the victim and for that I thank them.”

Aguirre’s next court appearance is scheduled Tuesday, Aug. 22 for arraignment in front of Judge Guerin.

Uber driver found guilty of sexual abuse of female passenger in back seat of car Incident occurred in Elmhurst

DuPage County

State’s Attorney

Robert Berlin has announced that a jury has found Uber driver Ghazwan Alani, 35, formerly of Palatine, guilty of sexually abusing a 23-yearold female passenger upon arrival at her destination.

The jury returned their verdict following a three-day-long trial and after approximately three hours of deliberations. On Sept. 2, 2020, Alani appeared at a bond hearing where bond was set at $100,000. He posted the necessary 10 percent, or $10,000, later that day and was released from custody.

In all, the jury found Alani guilty of one count of attempted criminal sexual assault (Class 2 felony) and one count of criminal sexual abuse, (Class 4 felony). The trial was in front of Judge Mia McPherson.

On May 19, 2020, the victim ar-

DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin announced that felony charges have been filed against an unincorporated Glen Ellyn woman who is already facing 132 misdemeanor counts of cruelty to animals and violation of owner’s duties.

On Tuesday, July 11, Berlin’s office filed two charges of aggravated animal cruelty (Class 4 felony) against April Elliott, 60, as the result of a continuing investigation into level of care Elliott provided for dozens of animals at her Glen Ellyn property.

April Elliott

On Thursday, June 29, DuPage Animal Services filed 33 charges of cruelty to animals (Class A misdemeanor) and 99 counts of violation of owner’s duties (Class B misdemeanor) against Elliot.

The same day, Judge Joshua Dieden issued a $50,000 with 10 percent to apply an arrest warrant for Elliot.

Elliot turned herself in to authorities on Friday, July 7, posted bond or $5,000 and was released from custody.

Judge David Schwartz issued a $75,000 bond for Elliot based upon the new felony charges. Elliot appeared in court on the misdemeanor case and was taken into custody on the warrant.

On Tuesday, June 27, DuPage County Animal Services responded to the Mildred Ave. address for a call regarding the welfare of a dog that was left outside all day on a tether and appeared to be very skinny.

Upon their arrival, officers allegedly found the dog tethered outside. Throughout the inside of the house, several large dogs were lying on the ground and in dog cages stacked on top of one another with four to five dogs in each cage.

A search warrant for the residence was obtained by the DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Office and executed later that day. While executing the search warrant, authorities reportedly found 33 live dogs, nine deceased dogs, four deceased chinchillas and one deceased rabbit. It is further alleged that all the animals were living in inhumane conditions that caused suffering to the animals.

According to the felony complaint filed against Elliott, from approximately June 15 through July 11, Elliot failed to “provide veterinary treatment to a companion animal, an adult male Husky mix dog named Flounder, when Flounder was severely malnourished, that caused Flounder to suffer serious injury and subsequent death.”

Affordable health screenings coming to area

ranged for an Uber ride to bring her to a location in Elmhurst.

At approximately 1:19 a.m., the woman arrived at her location in an Uber driven by Alani. Upon arrival, Alani exited the vehicle, opened the rear driver’s side door, entered the back seat of the vehicle and sexually abused the woman.

The victim was able to escape out of the rear passenger’s side door after kicking Alani. She then ran from the vehicle and entered her destination. Later that morning, the woman reported the incident to the Elmhurst Police Department.

An investigation led by the Elmhurst Police Department, which included extensive forensic and DNA analysis, led to Alani who was taken into custody on Sept. 1, 2020, from his home in Palatine.

Alani’s next court appearance is scheduled Thursday, Aug. 3 for return of the pre-sentence report.

He faces a penalty of up to seven years in the Illinois Department of Corrections.

Residents living in and around Elmhurst can learn about their risk for cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, diabetes, and other chronic, serious conditions with affordable screenings by Life Line Screening.

The American Legion THB Post 187 will host this community event on Friday, July 28. at 310 W. Butterfield Road in Elmhurst.

Screenings can check for:

• The level of plaque buildup in your arteries, related to risk for cardiovascular disease, stroke and over-

all vascular health;

• HDL and LDL cholesterol levels;

• Diabetes risk;

• Kidney and thyroid function, and more.

Screenings are affordable and convenient. Free parking is also available. Special package pricing starts at $159, but consultants will work with you to create a package that is right for you based on your age and risk factors. Call 1-877-237-1287 or visit www.lifelinescreening.com. Pre-registration is required.

• Chase (Continued from front page)

nity and citizens in DuPage County will not tolerate the dangerous alleged actions committed by the defendant,” Rivas said. “When an offender drives away from the police at a high rate of speed, there is a complete disregard for the lives of those around them.

“The Villa Park Police Department is committed to going after, and arresting, all who jeopardize the safety and welfare of this commu-

nity and surrounding communities. We are all in this together to maintain a safe way of life for all. We would like to thank the brave actions of our officers, as well as the actions of the Elmhurst Police Department, and Addison Police Department for their assistance.”

De Pasquale’s next court appearance is scheduled Monday, July 31, for arraignment in front of Judge Daniel Guerin.

Marcos Aguirre

Ghazwan Alani

– Timothy “Bill” Hayden Addison Chief of Police

Celebrating Addison’s Warhol hometown icons

The Addison Center for the Arts (ACA) hosted a ribbon ceremony on Saturday, July 8 to honor the accomplishments of Addison’s four Warhol Icons. The event brought together friends, family, and cultural dignitaries to honor the achievements of Don Jessen, Don Figarelli, Maria Reyes, and Alexa Knierem née Scimeca. Everyone admired the pop art portraits installed on the gallery windows of the ACA in the colorful style of Andy Warhol.

Notably, special thanks were extended to Tina Scimeca, mother of Alexa Knierem Scimeca, the renowned Olympic ice skater. Tina proudly represented her daughter, adding to the profound sense of pride that permeated the room. The ACA expressed gratitude to each of these local icons and their remarkable contributions, which have left an indelible mark on our community.

Diana Martinez, the director of the McAninch Art Center, discusssed the county-wide cultural event centered around “The Andy Warhol Portfolios: A Life in Pop.”

The ACA expressed its sincerest appreciation for her words, which shed light on the ongoing exhibition at the Cleve Carney Museum of Art. Addison’s contribution to the Warhol pop art festivities serves as a mere glimpse into the myriad Warhol-themed cultural events taking place throughout DuPage County this summer.

To commemorate their well-deserved “15 Minutes of Fame,” each of the Addison Warhol icons received a special copy of their respective portraits. These special mementos symbolize the recognition they have rightfully earned and will serve as lasting reminders of their outstanding achievements.

Together, inspired by the administration at the MacAninch Art Center’s invitation to present four of our most admired citizens with “15 minutes of fame,” it was a momentous celebration of culture, achievement and community. For more information about the

ACA, visit addisoncenterforthearts.org. To reserve tickets for the Andy Warhol Portfolios: A Life in Pop exhibition, visit theccma.org/ Warhol.

The Warhol exhibit remains at the MacAninch Art Center through Sunday, Sept. 10.

About Addison Center for the Arts

The Addison Center for the Arts is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting and supporting cultural events and initiatives in Addison and surrounding communities. Through a vibrant array of

programs, exhibitions, and performances, the ACA fosters artistic expression, encourages cultural diversity, and enhances the quality of life for all residents. The gallery is located at 213 N. Lombard Rd., Addison. For more information, visit addisoncenterforthearts.org.

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J Miceli Financial Advisor

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JULIE MARS PHOTO RoRock Valley Publishing

Addison’s own Warhol Icons honorees, including (from left): Tina Scimeca for Alexa Knierem, Don Figarelli, Maria Reyes and Don Jessen join Diana Martinez, director of the McAninch Art Center at College of DuPage on July 8 for a special reception in their honor .

Police Reports

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

Addison

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

Villa Park

July 7

A complainant at a smoke shop in the 1000 block of W. North reported at 4:05 a.m. that an unknown suspect(s) broke the drive-thru window and attempted to enter the building. Nothing appears to be missing.

July 6

Police said Adam Lee Dehna, 37,

of Villa Park, was arrested on a failure to appear warrant out of DuPage County in the 100 block of N. Summit at 6:25 p.m.

A complainant in the 300 block of N. Ardmore reported at 2:17 a.m. that a suspect battered them, but the complainant does not want to press charges.

July 5

A complainant at a park in the 1000 block of N. Ardmore reported at 5:08 a.m. that an unknown suspect lit a garbage can on fire, causing damage.

July 4

A complainant at a gas station in the 100 block of W. North reported at 2:12 a.m. that a suspect removed a bottle of alcohol and left. A citation was issued.

A complainant in the 700 block of N. Lincoln reported at 11:32 p.m. that an unknown suspect broke a window with an unknown object and entered the residence. Nothing appears to be

missing.

A complainant at a gas station in the 1-100 block of E. St. Charles reported at 11:54 p.m. that a suspect removed a cellphone that was left on a table.

July 3

Police said Sean M. Dunn, 31, of Villa Park, was arrested on a failure to appear warrant out of DuPage County in the 200 block of S. Cornell at 2:13 a.m.

Seferino Garcia-Velasquez, 43 (residence not known), was arrested for obstructing identification/disorderly conduct—breach of peace in the 300 block of N. Harvard at 6:24 p.m.

A complainant near Great Western Trail and S. Harvard reported that an unknown suspect battered them but does not want to press charges.

July 2

A complainant at a business in the 200 block of W. North reported that an unknown suspect removed a bat

from a display shelf and left the store without paying.

A complainant in the 200 block of E. Terry reported that an unknown suspect is requesting money via an application.

Fraud, identity theft

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

Bensenville

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

July 12, 1:33 a.m. in the 700 block of Grand Avenue, Chapree E. Davis, 26, of Chicago, was arrested for disorderly conduct-breach of peace.

BEPC2300576

July 11, 10:48 p.m. the Bensenville police tactical unit assisted Addison police with apprehension of robbery suspect. BEP23008011

July 11, 11:13 p.m. near Route 83 and 3rd Ave., Juan Carlos Go-

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mez-Santiz, 25, of Bensenville, was arrested for driving under the influence and other traffic violations. BEPC2300575

July 10, 9:38 a.m. in the 800 block of Supreme Drive, a complainant reported a battery with an unknown suspect. This incident is under investigation. BEPC2300568

July 9, 9:27 a.m. in the 600 block of York Road, a complainant reported receiving threatening text messages from an ex that she has an order of protection on. This incident is under investigation. BEPC2300565

July 9, 5:04 p.m. in the 1100 block of S. York Road, a complainant reported retail theft at their store. This case is under investigation. BEPC2300566

July 9, 11:42 p.m. in the 100 block of Henderson Street, a complainant reported unknown juveniles damaged their garage door. This incident is under investigation. BEPC2300567

July 5, 9:20 a.m. in the 1000 block of David Drive, a 41-year-old Bensenville man was arrested for domestic battery, and resisting arrest. He was transported station for processing, then transported to the DuPage County Jail. BEPC2300558

July 5, 4:38 p.m. in the 1110 block of Irving, a victim reports the contents of wallet were taken while in restroom. The incident is under investigation. BEPC2300559

13 confirmed tornadoes touch down in Chicago area July 12

Another tornado in WarrenvilleGlen Ellyn area July 14

STAFF REPORT

Area residents experienced some anxious moments Wednesday, July 12, as tornado warning sirens went off late in the afternoon throughout DuPage County.

At around 6:50 p.m., the National Weather Service (NWS) in Chicago issued a tornado warning for northeastern DuPage County and northwestern Cook County. Severe thunderstorms capable of producing a tornado were located along a line extended from Schaumburg to Glendale Heights.

That warning included Lombard, Elmhurst, Addison, Bensenville, Villa Park and Wood Dale.

There were downpours and wind gusts, but fortunately, no tornadoes developed in the Independent readership area. However, other communities throughout the Chicago area weren’t so lucky.

The National Weather Service confirmed 13 tornadoes touched down July 12—from Burr Ridge to Stickney, Elgin (two), Huntley, Oswego, Barrington, Long Grove, Loves Park, Schaumburg, Carol Stream to Glendale Heights, Itasca to O’Hare, O’Hare to Des Plaines and Stream-

wood—causing damage to homes, businesses, trees, yards and vehicles.

Elgin was one of areas hardest hit, as the NWS confirmed two tornadoes: an EF-1 tornado with maximum wind speeds of 100 mph, and an EF-0 tornado. The track of the EF-1 tornado started east of Route 47 and ended near the railroad tracks west of Villa Olivia Golf Course. The tornado snapped large trees and damaged homes. The Elgin Fire Department said at least 20 to 30 homes have significant damage, including eight in a subdivision that prevents them from being occupied. A video posted to social media showed two funnel clouds forming at the same time. The second tornado began near McDonald Road and ended along Hopps Road.

A confirmed EF-1 tornado began near Burr Ridge and continued northeast near Stickney. That tornado traveled around nine miles and reached winds near 110 mph. The NWS said a survey team completed a ground survey, reporting that numerous trees were snapped and uprooted, with several businesses seeing significant damage. Among those businesses

EAM to present ‘Picasso: Fifty Years Later’

Part of the worldwide celebration for 50th anniversary of artist’s death

The Elmhurst Art Museum (EAM) recently announced its upcoming exhibition, Picasso: Fifty Years Later, exploring his work, his lasting influence and legacy. Timed to coincide with the 50th anniversary of Pablo Picasso’s death in 1973, the threepart exhibition features works by Picasso and his contemporaries such as Alexander Archipenko, Wifredo Lam, Fernand Léger, and Joan Miró; a gallery dedicated to the demanding process of Picasso’s printmaking; and a presentation of contemporary figurative artists today. Offering the opportunity to reflect on both lasting impressions and new interpretations of the famed artist, Picasso: Fifty Years Later will be on exhibit at the Elmhurst Art Museum opening Saturday, Sept. 9, remaining through Jan. 7, 2024.

With Picasso: Fifty Years Later, the Elmhurst Art Museum is participating in the worldwide Picasso 1973-2023 celebration, with exhibitions taking place across the US and around the globe. The museum will host this extraordinary exhibition after undergoing a $1.1 million facility improvement project this past spring.

“We’re honored that the Elmhurst Art Museum can bring the global salute of Pablo Picasso to Chicagoland,” said John McKinnon, EAM executive director. “This is an incredible opportunity to present an artist that continues to captivate artists and the general public alike.”

The three-part tribute begins with modern works from the Sally J. and Raymond J. Allen Collection, including an introduction to Picasso’s work, life, and peers. The gallery will feature several Cubist works that show how Picasso and the other artists of his time responded to the technologically-driven modern age, with works by Picasso, Archipenko, Lam, Léger, and Miró, among others.

Second gallery to display linocut prints

The exhibition continues with the debut of a national touring show Picasso and the Progressive Proof: Linocut Prints from a Private Collection. It includes 17 progressive proofs that show the detailed steps and demanding linoleum block printmaking processes that allowed the

ADA’s Tour de Cure takes place Aug. 12

Edward-Elmhurst Health is a sponsor and Kimberley Darey, M.D., president, Elmhurst Hospital, is chair of the American Diabetes Association’s (ADA) 2023 Chicagoland Tour de Cure on Saturday, Aug. 12, at Pottawattamie Park, 8 North St. in St. Charles.

The event is being held in support of more than 37 million Americans living with diabetes. The nationwide movement promotes diabetes awareness, healthy living and fundraising for those living with diabetes.

The 2023 Tour de Cure features cycling routes through some of Chicago’s western suburbs’ most scenic locations. Distance options for cyclists include 5, 12, 30 or 63 miles. For details, visit diabetes.org/chicagotour.

The ADA’s Tour de Cure provides an opportunity to connect to the community and raise funds that fuel every aspect of crucial work to support research, advocacy, and education. Participating cyclists will have their own personal fundraising center, including a fundraising page, email center, mobile app and more.

For more information about Edward-Elmhurst Health, visit EEHealth. org. To learn more about the ADA and Tour de Cure, visit diabetes.org.

artist to experiment with recurring themes throughout his career, such as subjects by the Old Masters, the Spanish tradition of bullfighting, and classical mythology.

Following its debut at the Elmhurst Art Museum, the show will travel to the Oklahoma City Museum of Art (Aug. ‘24) and Hilliard Art Museum at the University of Lou-

isiana at Lafayette (Feb. ‘25), with other locations to be announced. The exhibition is accompanied by an 88page, full-color, hardcover catalogue by Richard P. Townsend, the curator of Picasso and the Progressive Proof, and published by Skira Editore, Milan.

“I am pleased that the national tour of Picasso and the Progressive

Proof opens at the Elmhurst Art Museum, known for its adventurous programming,” Townsend said. “This will, it is hoped, broaden the public’s understanding of the creative process of one of the 20th century’s most influential artists, Pablo Picasso.”

Third segment features local area artists

The final gallery of Picasso: Fifty Years Later will include a curated selection of works in conversation with Picasso by area painters Laura Berger, Liz Flores, Richard Hull, Leasho Johnson, and José Lerma. Titled 50 Years After Picasso, the gallery explores how contemporary artists have challenged, furthered, and broken from Picasso’s experiments in representation since his passing fifty years ago, inviting new interpretations and perspectives of his wider legacy.

Picasso: Fifty Years Later is co-curated by John McKinnon and Richard P. Townsend. Picasso and the Progressive Proof: Linocut Prints from a Private Collection is organized by Townsend Art Advisory LLC.

With thanks to presenting sponsor Wintrust Bank and additional sponsorship by Anonymous, Sally J. and Raymond J. Allen, Gigi and James Owens, Marcia Goltermann, Discover DuPage, and the Illinois Office of Tourism. This program is partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council Agency.

About the Museum

The Museum is open Wednesday and Thursday from 12 – 5 p.m., Friday through Sunday, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Regular admission is $18 for adults (ages 18+), $15 for seniors, $10 for students, and $5 for children. For more information, please call 630-834-0202 or visit elmhurstartmuseum.org.

Giannoulias launches enhanced Secretary of State website Redesigned site simplifies customer experience; faster, easier transactions, more functionality

The Illinois Secretary of State’s office launched a redesign of its website, making it easier to navigate and adding new functions for services that users can access remotely, Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias announced on Wednesday, July 12.

“The revamped website is more intuitive and prioritizes our most popular programs and services so customers can find the information they want and need faster and more conveniently,” Giannoulias said. “Whether it’s renewing your driver’s license, searching for information about a business or looking for a job, making these changes and adding new functionality to the website reflect our commitment to residents and understanding their needs.”

Along with creating a new and consistent look throughout the website that is easier to view and navigate, other enhancements include:

• Simplifying the homepage to prominently feature key services and most frequently sought information.

• Consolidating the process of re-

newing a driver’s license or ID card online by eliminating unnecessary and confusing steps.

• Developing a job portal allowing people to search and apply for available Secretary of State positions.

• Adding new functionality to Businesses Services that allow users to submit more filings online, including terminating an LLC.

• Creating a new Business Entity search function that details more information about all Illinois corporations, LLCs, and other businesses and allows the entity to perform transactions such as ordering a certificate of good standing or filing an annual report.

• Enhancing the search function to allow for detailed searches and a reformatted page to display more information about lobbyist activities.

• Streamlining the search functions for business entities and lobbyists to allow the user to use the back button on the browser to return to the list of entities generated by the user’s initial search entry. The old website feature

took the user back to the original blank search page.

• Uploading essential lobbyists’ information maintained by the office to the State of Illinois Data Portal.

Giannoulias emphasized that his office will continue implementing new features on the website in conjunction with the efforts to modernize the office’s antiquated IT infrastructure.

“This is only the beginning,” said Giannoulias. “I hope people explore ilsos.gov to see what services they can conduct online. We will continue modernizing the website and adding capabilities to ensure customers can access the resources they need. We look forward to feedback from the public about their experience with the new functions on the site and incorporating more updates and improvements in the future.”

Giannoulias has spearheaded efforts to modernize the Illinois Secretary of State’s office since taking office in January, and this represents another step in the ongoing process.

ELMHURST ART MUSEUM IMAGE Rock Valley Publishing

Pablo Picasso, Bacchanal with Kid Goat and Onlooker, 1959, linocut proof © 2023 Estate of Pablo Picasso / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York

Kimberley Darey M.D.

Slices of life

The eye of the storm

Is it just me, or has life gotten more complicated? So many variables and tough decisions. So many crossroads.

And it’s all happening at lightning speed.

Even on days when I don’t tune in to the cable news networks.

The world feels like is spinning faster and faster on its axis. Or so it seems. And that can make life seem like an upended house during a tornado. (We aren’t in Kansas anymore.)

The storms seem to be all around us. The lightning and thunder are imminent. Threatening.

We watch our backs. We peek around the corner before stepping forward. We lose sleep. We worry about the past and what will happen next.

What will happen—if.

Life seems out of control, or at least beyond our control. It’s scary. Beyond scary. It is overwhelming and all-encompassing. It threatens to take our breath away.

If only we could make it stop.

But we can’t.

Or maybe we can. Even if just for a moment.

Take that moment. Take a breath.

For yourself and no one else. Just. Take. A. Breath.

Then take another. And other. And stay there. With just yourself and your breath.

Think of a positive thought and put it into a sentence, if you can.

The world is good. Life is good.

I am good.

Peace, kindness, love are inside me. Right now. Right here.

I love tacos.

You get the idea.

Don’t worry about bills or the mortgage or your kids or the leaking oil in your car. It will wait until after this moment. Believe me, it will all be there long after this moment.

So take it. The moment. Take it for you. Take it for all that you love. Take it for all that you hold close to your heart. Just take it.

It isn’t selfish. Not at all. It’s the opposite of that.

Finding your peace and your

By JILL PERTLER Columnist

calm is generosity at its finest. It enables you to escape the storm that threatens to torment your life. Take a break because you deserve it. You need it. You know you need it.

Oh how you know.

Life can feel like a storm, a tempest, a hurricane. The wind whips with life’s pressures and problems. Your hair may be drenched. Your clothes cling to your wet body. The air is hard and harsh blowing on your skin. Thunder echoes; lightning fills the sky. There are too many close calls to count.

But in the midst of every hurricane, including this one, is the eye of the storm. The calm. Find that. In the midst of chaos of life, find the center—the tranquil peace that is the eye of the storm—and hunker down and keep yourself there.

And just breathe.

In the quiet, still space where everything just outside your own being is whirling all around you, stay in they eye - in your own calm. Where everything is as it should be.

Still. Peace-filled. In focus.

Clarity is rampant in the eye of the storm. What a gift that is. Embrace that gift. Accept it as yours. Know that it is yours for the taking. A choice. Your choice.

The eye - in the calm, your calm can lead to clarity, to sanity in an insane world.

Chaos is undoubtedly all around us and it can be, and is, overwhelming. Find your calm. Your own calm, in the midst of the chaos. Right there in front of you.

In the eye of the storm.

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

ComEd, Mayors Caucus award grants to advance EV adoption, public safety initiatives

To accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) and other clean energy technologies and to support local public safety initiatives ComEd and the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus (MMC) today announced the 21 winners of the 2023 Powering Safe Communities grant program. The grants, totaling $169,500, will help support a variety of projects in communities across northern Illinois.

“ComEd is proud to work with the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus to support community-led plans to promote the adoption of EVs and other clean energy technologies that will enhance air quality throughout the region,” said Louie Binswanger, senior vice president of government, regulatory and external affairs at ComEd. “With the clean energy transition underway in Illinois, ComEd’s partnership with cities and towns is critical to ensuring all residents have an opportunity to unlock the benefits of clean energy and the jobs and economic opportunity that come with it.”

The 2023 Powering Safe Communities awards mark the ninth year of the program, which has awarded 178 grants totaling $1.8 million to communities across northern Illinois since its launch in 2015.

To support the growth of EVs, recent years have placed an increased focus on critical infrastructure like EV chargers; in fact, seven of the 21 grants awarded this year will support transportation electrification.

“The Metropolitan Mayors Caucus is thrilled to once again partner with ComEd to provide funding that helps create safe communities while simultaneously preparing our region with the infrastructure necessary for an electrified future,” said Neil James, Executive Director at Metropolitan Mayors Caucus. “We are proud to help our local governments achieve their sustainability, safety and

infrastructure goals.”

Among the 21 ComEd Powering Safe Communities grant recipients for 2023 is the Addison Fire Department, which received a grant to replace outdated ventilation fans with newer models to eliminate the department’s dependence on fossil fuels and enhance firefighter safety.

This annual funding to support clean transportation and community safety builds on ComEd’s efforts to accelerate equitable EV adoption for the region. In addition to the Powering Safe Communities Program, ComEd has a variety of other funding and educational resources available to individuals and communities interested in pursuing transportation electrification.

In continued partnership with the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus, ComEd previously launched the EV Readiness Program—an initiative to help local governments prepare to meet the growing demand for EVs and EV charging infrastructure. The program is funded in part by a $225,000 commitment from ComEd and aims to assist local governments with developing policies and practices to safely integrate EVs and EV charging programs. The first cohort is underway, with 16 communities participating, and a second cohort set to begin later in 2023.

To further support Illinois’ goal of putting 1 million EVs on Illinois roads by 2030, ComEd has launched an all-in-one resource to help customers make informed decisions about the transition to EVs. The ComEd EV Toolkit provides customers with the latest information on purchase rebates and incentives, how to install home charging or find free public charging, and estimated annual savings related to switching to EVs via the personalized fuel cost savings calculator. To access the Toolkit, please visit comed.com/ev.

State regulators work to avoid federal Clean Air Act sanctions Continued noncompliance could result in loss of federal highway funding

By Peter Hancock CAPITOL NEWS ILLINOIS

Illinois faces a deadline next month to either change the way it enforces air pollution emission limits on heavy industries or face federal sanctions that could eventually result in restricted access to billions of dollars in federal highway funding.

But state agencies are working to avoid that as they rush to meet an Aug. 12 deadline imposed by the federal government to put a new regulatory framework in place that will comply with the federal government’s current interpretation of the Clean Air Act.

Those rule changes, which come from the Illinois Pollution Control Board, were scheduled to be up for review on Tuesday before the General Assembly’s Joint Committee on Administrative Rules, a 12-member group that exercises oversight over the state’s administrative rulemaking process.

“At this point, any future course for this rulemaking depends entirely on JCAR’s review and decision-making on this proposal,” IPCB staff attorney Tim Fox said in a phone message. “The board awaits that review and decision-making at its meeting on Tuesday.”

At issue is a policy Illinois has had since the 1970s that allows factories, power plants, and other industries with air pollution emission permits to exceed their emission limits during startups, shutdowns, or malfunctions, or SSM events.

The so-called “SSM exemption” is written into a facility’s emission permit and provides the facility’s owners a level of immunity from civil lawsuits if they are sued for violating their emission limits.

The policy is based on the idea that no machine works perfectly all the time and there are occasionally unforeseeable events such as power outages or floods that will force a facility to shut down for a period of time and then restart, which can result in short-term excess emissions.

But it’s a policy that courts have said since 2008 violates the federal Clean Air Act, and it’s one that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has been telling Illinois and other jurisdictions since 2015 that they need to repeal.

Now, Illinois faces an Aug. 12 deadline to repeal the regulations that allow SSM exemptions and submit to the EPA a new state imple-

mentation plan, or SIP—a document that spells out the policies and regulations the state will use to implement the Clean Air Act. Otherwise, failure to comply will trigger federal sanctions against the state.

Jack Darin, executive director of the Illinois chapter of the Sierra Club, an environmental group that has been pushing for regulatory changes at both the state and federal level, said in a phone interview that the change is needed to protect public health.

“The public health can be subjected to a lot more significant pollution during these events, and that’s why the Clean Air Act requires that facilities have plans in place to deal with that,” he said. “It could be additional pollution controls or other steps to make sure that we’re not putting even more pollution into the air we breathe during these startup, shutdown, and malfunction events. And Illinois rules have been lacking these requirements for over a decade.”

But Donovan Griffith, vice president of government affairs for the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association, said the issue is not that simple, and that removing legal protections against SSM events could dramatically increase the risk of doing business.

“You’re going to have companies that are going to have to make a decision,” he said in a separate interview. “I mean, you can’t plan for a storm to knock out your power. You can’t plan for certain things that happen. They’ll have to make the decision whether or not they’re going to restart their operations and just be out of compliance or not operate at all.”

Years of controversy

Controversy over SSM exemptions goes back as far as the 1970s. But for Illinois, the issue has been percolating for about the last dozen years, spanning the course of three presidential administrations.

In 2011, the national Sierra Club filed a petition with the U.S. EPA asking that it take stronger action to disallow SSM exemptions and affirmative defense provisions. In 2013, the agency announced that it was considering taking action on that petition. In 2015, during the Obama administration, EPA issued an “SIP call” for 36 states and nine additional local jurisdictions, including Illinois, to submit new state implementation plans.

Illinois hotels report record revenues for fiscal year 2023

By Andrew Adams CAPITOL NEWS ILLINOIS

For hoteliers, business is booming in Illinois.

Last week, Gov. JB Pritzker, the state’s legislative leadership and representatives of the hospitality industry announced that hotels in Illinois saw record revenues in fiscal year 2023, which ended June 30.

Across the state, hotels brought in $307.8 million, according to figures from the state’s Department of Revenue. That beats fiscal year 2019, the previous record year for hotel income and the last year before the pandemic upended the hospitality industry.

Revenue in 2023 was up 35.8 percent from the prior year and 230.1 percent from fiscal year 2021, when the pandemic was still significantly affecting peoples’ travel habits.

“Tourism means more jobs for hotel and hospitality and recreation workers—good paying jobs with health insurance,” Pritzker said at a news conference in Chicago. “More tourism means millions of new visitors exploring all

the amazing things that our state and city have to offer.”

Major events have helped bolster Illinois’ tourism industry in 2023, according to Kristin Richards, the head of the state’s Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. These include the sold out Enjoy Illinois 300 NASCAR race in Madison and Taylor Swift’s Eras tour.

Swift’s fans, who descended on Chicago’s Soldier Field for three nights over the first weekend in June, contributed to Chicago seeing the highest weekend hotel occupancy rate in history—an average of 96.8 percent, according to reporting from Bloomberg.

But hotel revenues are only one way to measure tourism’s impact. Other metrics have yet to match 2019’s records.

The state’s tourism office partners with analytics firm Tourism Economics to research visitors’ impact on the state’s economy. The

See REPORT, Page 18

That occurred during the early months of Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner’s administration, which did not immediately respond to the SIP call. According to testimony filed at a public hearing earlier this year, IPCB officials said the agency sought additional guidance from U.S. EPA about how to establish alternative limits for SSM events, but it did not receive a response before the Obama administration ended in January 2017.

In April 2017, the then-new Trump administration put the SIP call on hold so it could reevaluate the issue. Three years later, in October 2020, EPA issued what it called a nonbinding “guidance memorandum” suggesting that policies such as those in place in Illinois and elsewhere would be permissible in some circumstances.

One month later, however, Democrat Joe Biden defeated Donald Trump for reelection. Soon after he took office, EPA issued a new memorandum withdrawing the Trump administration’s memo and reasserting the policy that SSM exemptions were no longer acceptable.

Looming sanctions

Finally, in January 2022, EPA issued a new SIP call, starting a clock for Illinois and several other state and local jurisdictions to come into compliance or face mandatory sanctions.

If the state does not come into compliance by Aug. 12, EPA will impose what are called “offset sanctions,” meaning any new or significantly modified sources of pollution for which a permit is required will come under significantly stricter emission limits.

And if the state does not comply by Feb. 11, 2024, its access to federal highway funds will be restricted to safety projects, capital programs for public transit and a select few other categories of funding.

Those sanctions would be lifted once the U.S. EPA determines the state has submitted an acceptable new SIP.

Because of the looming deadline, the rule change has been put on a “fast track” schedule, but that has irritated industry officials who say they haven’t had enough time to submit comments or try to negotiate an agreement.

“I think we’ve known since January 2022 that this was coming, which is why there was a lot of communications from the regulated community to the agency about discussing this issue,” Griffith, of the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association, said. “We didn’t hear much from them until November of 2022, when they basically said, ‘here’s our proposal that we plan on filing.’”

The compressed timeline also upset some members of JCAR, which previously discussed the proposed rule change at its June 13 meeting.

“It was Nov. 17 that you reached out and asked for comments. That’s a week before Thanksgiving,” Rep. Curtis Tarver, D-Chicago, told IPCB and IEPA officials during that meeting. “You allowed 10 business days. The 11th, it was due. That’s absolutely—I hope that’s uncommon.”

Jack Jennings, deputy director of the IEPA, explained that the agencies at first tried to get clarification from the U.S. EPA about what would be acceptable, and it wasn’t until later in the year that the agencies learned that they needed to completely repeal the language allowing SSM exemptions.

JCAR and the agencies agreed at the June meeting to extend the rulemaking period for 45 days, during which time they hoped to work with U.S. EPA and industry groups to reach an agreement.

IDOT unveils 6-year, $41 billion plan for infrastructure projects

Largest multiyear plan in state history to affect all 102 counties

By Peter Hancock CAPITOL NEWS ILLINOIS

The Illinois Department of Transportation unveiled a plan on July 7nfor spending nearly $41 billion in federal, state and local funds over the next six years to repair and upgrade roads, bridges, airports, rail lines and other infrastructure throughout the state.

The latest version of the plan, which IDOT updates annually, is the largest multiyear plan in state history. It’s driven by the state’s 2019 Rebuild Illinois capital infrastructure program.

The initial six-year Rebuild Illinois plan included $33.2 billion for transportation, funded largely by annualized increases to the state’s motor fuel tax and increases to driving-related licensing fees that took effect in 2020.

“Over the next six years, we’re investing over $40 billion to improve all modes of transportation across our great state,” Gov. JB Pritzker said at a news conference in Springfield. “And that means better roads and bridges, modernized transit and aviation, and expanded and faster passenger rail service. It even extends to improved river ports, new sewers and water infrastructure and a huge upgrade to bicycle and pedestrian accommodations.”

More than half of the plan, $27 billion, will go toward road and bridge projects, including $4.6 billion in the current fiscal year. That will fund repair and reconstruction of 2,866 miles of roadway and 9.8 million square feet of bridge deck on the state highway system, along with another 738 miles of roadway and 1.1 million square feet of bridge

deck in systems maintained by local governments.

The project list includes $611.5 million for reconstruction and improvements to portions of Interstate 90 in Cook County that will include improving safety and access to O’Hare International Airport in Chicago. The plan also calls for spending $135.1 million to expand portions of U.S. Highway 24 to four lanes in Peoria and Fulton counties; $156 million to replace a bridge over the Mississippi River in Quincy; and $116 million to replace a bridge over the Ohio River at Cairo.

The multiyear plan also earmarks $13.96 billion for other modes of transportation, including $9.85 billion for transit systems, $2.67 billion for freight and passenger rail, $1.25 billion for aviation projects, and $190 million for ports and wa-

terways.

Among the intermodal projects in the plan are $100 million for safety and reliability improvements on Amtrak’s Saluki service between Chicago and Carbondale and runway improvements at municipal airports in Litchfield and Pontiac.

Transportation Secretary Omer Osman said the $41 billion six-year plan represents a 10 percent increase over the previous multiyear plan, and the money earmarked for the current fiscal year represents a 25 percent increase over the previous fiscal year.

“But that is due in large part to the engineering and planning effort in the early years of capital program (which) is starting to result in more construction activity on work on the street,” he said.

Pritzker and other officials at the news conference emphasized that the

Rebuild Illinois program is meant to do more than improve safety and efficiency in transportation. The program is also supporting thousands of high-paying jobs in construction, engineering and other fields.

“This is more than just new rail. This is more than a runway at an airport,” said Illinois AFL-CIO President Tim Drea. “This is about opportunities. We can see all those physical infrastructure improvements, but what we don’t really see is the opportunities that this program creates for a diverse workforce with high wages, middle class wages, health care, and retirement security.”

Through four years of the Rebuild Illinois program, IDOT has completed $12.1 billion of improvements statewide, including 5,339 miles of highway, 533 bridges, and 762 other safety improvements.

State ends fiscal year with record $50.7 billion in base revenue, sparking small surplus

By Jerry Nowicki

CAPITOL NEWS ILLINOIS

State revenues once again reached a record high in the fiscal year that ended June 30, creating what Gov. JB Pritzker called a “one-time” budget surplus of over $700 million.

The $50.7 billion in base general revenues that the state collected in fiscal year 2023—which exclude one-time pandemic-related federal funds—topped last year’s previous record by $373 million.

That’s $726 million beyond what was projected by the Governor’s Of-

fice of Management and Budget in its most recent estimate adopted in May during negotiations for the fiscal year 2024 budget.

“It’s always good to have a surplus, and that’s something that we’ve done consistently now for four years,” Pritzker said at an unrelated July 7 news conference. “I would add that much of the surplus that we saw that came in at the end of the year is onetime dollars.”

In recent years, the state has dedicated surpluses to paying down longand short-term debt, making pension

payments beyond the amounts required in law and providing one-time temporary tax relief.

Pritzker indicated he’d continue to be cautious when considering spending priorities for one-time revenues, echoing his budget office, which noted that revenues have fluctuated wildly from month to month in recent years.

“This is a kind of an unexpected additional amount of money,” Pritzker said. “We’re going to try to apply it to things like paying down debt, the things that we’ve been doing.”

A cushion for 2024

The surplus creates some breathing room one week into a $50.4 billion state spending plan for fiscal year 2024 that anticipates a slimmer surplus of $183 million.

“The overperformance in FY 2023 revenues essentially translated into a lower than projected June 30 bills on hold at the (comptroller’s office) and higher than expected cash balances going into the new fiscal year,”

Carol Knowles, a spokesperson for GOMB, said in a statement prior to

the governor’s comments. “We will continue to monitor the revenue performance in FY 2024 as the national economy continues to have mixed economic projections.”

Comptroller Susana Mendoza’s office noted the state entered the year with over $1 billion in its general revenue fund and an accounts payable balance of just over $500 million, meaning bills are paid within a week of being sent to Mendoza’s office. The balance of the state’s “rainy

See REVENUE, Page 18

SUNDAYS

Come Play

PRIVATE GAMING ROOM

HDAILY DINE IN ONLY SPECIALS H

50¢ Boneless Wings LIMIT 12 (with side purchase)

$5 Sausage & Peppers ‘Wich (with side purchase)

$9 Pasta Marinara (add $2 for Vodka, Meat, Carbonara or Alfredo)

$10 Bacon Wrapped Pickle Spears

$10 Vegan Pasta Marinara

$4 Mimosa - $6 Tito’s Bloody Mary

$4.50 Miller Lite or $6 Import 22 oz. Drafts

$17 Bottles of Woodbridge House Wine

TUESDAYS

$2 Beef/Pulled Pork Taco

$3 Chicken - Fish - Pork Belly - Steak

$4 Vegan Tacos - Impossible Meat - Chicken - Pork

$4 Cilantro Lime Rice or Seasoned Black Beans

$10 BACON Nachos

$4 Modelo Draft

$6 Don Julio Margaritas

$7 Don Julio Frozen Margaritas

$20 Any Mexican Beer Buckets

WEDNESDAYS

FREE Bar Bingo/Kids eat free

10 and Under - Ask server for more details

$5 Gourmet Cheeseburger (with side purchase)

$10 BACON Wrapped Mushrooms

$8 Impossible Burger (with side purchase)

$5 U Call Its $8 and Under Wine/Liquor ONLY

THURSDAYS

$5 Pulled Pork ‘Wich (with side purchase)

$10 BACON Wrapped Mozzarella Sticks

$8 Vegan Chicken Parmesan ‘Wich (with side purchase)

$4 Drafts $8 and Under

Half Price Bottles of Wine $25 or More

1/2 Off any $20 or More Bourbon, Scotch or Whiskey

FRIDAYS

$5 Pepper & Egg ‘Wich (with side purchase)

$15 Fish & Chips (1/2 Pound Alaskan White Fish)

$10 Bacon Stuffed Avocado

$8 Vegan Burrito (with side purchase)

$5 Stella Draft

$5 Crown or Titos

$25 High Noon Buckets

SATURDAYS/UFC

$5 1/2 Lb BLT ‘Wich (with side purchase)

$10 BACON Croquettes

$8 Vegan Buffalo Chicken ‘Wich (with side purchase)

$5 Sam Seasonal Draft

$5 Proper Twelve Shot

$5 Absolut or Jameson

$22 Modelo Buckets

CLOSED - MONDAYS

99¢ Chicken Tenders ~ SLIDERS ~

$2 Grilled Chicken - Meatball - Pulled Pork

$3 Burger - Fish - Pork Belly

$4 Vegan Chicken or Impossible Slider

$5 Italian Beef ‘Wich

$8 Medium Cheese Pizza - $3 Full Toppings

$12 XL Cheese Pizza - $4 Full Toppings

$4 Well Gin, Rum, Tequila, Vodka & Whiskey

$4 House Wine (Woodbridge)

$5 Blue Moon Drafts

$15 Domestic Buckets - $20 Import Buckets

$8 Jefferson Old Fashioned

$5 Jefferson 1.25 oz. Pour

Montini Catholic High School announces new principal

Montini Catholic High School has announced the appointment of Chris Tiritilli as its new principal.

Tiritilli took over July 1, succeeding Kevin Beirne, who is Montini’s new president after serving five years as principal. Tiritilli had been the school’s assistant principal for student services.

“We were looking for a leader who is dynamic, visionary, energetic, strives for excellence, embodies servant leadership, and is smart, resourceful, a seasoned decision maker, connects well with students, colleagues and all stakeholder groups, and lives our Lasallian mission,” said Beirne in his letter to Montini’s entire school community announcing Tiritilli’s appointment. “It turns out we had to look no further than our assistant principal for student services to identify a candidate ideally suited to this role.”

“Tiritilli joined Montini Catholic’s leadership team in the summer of

2022 and has quickly and positively impacted our school,” added. Beirne.

“In the short time he’s been in the assistant principal role, he has completed a re-engineering of our student accommodation process and created an accommodation guide and stewarded a reimagining of the human services process such that the work of this group is more efficient and better equipped to meet student needs.

“He streamlined and standardized the course remediation program and led the design of new processes and procedures in our school counseling department. Due to his work, there’s no doubt that we are far better equipped to support our students than we were just a year ago. As important as this work has been though, he has also proven to be a student-centered leader, quickly getting to know our students and school community, embracing our mission and vision, and having an incredibly positive presence in our school.”

Prior to his work at Montini, Tiritilli served as principal at St. Mary of Gostyn School in Downers Grove for six years and Holy Family Catholic School in Bensenville for two years. He holds a bachelor’s degree

in Secondary Education from DePaul University and a masters degree in Educational Leadership and Administration from Lewis University. “His passion for Catholic Education and working with young people is evident to all those who’ve had the privilege of working with him,” said Beirne. “As we look to the future, it’s clear that he is just the right leader at just the right time for our students, faculty, staff, and families. He’s proven an ideal fit for the type of Catholic, Lasallian education that makes Montini such a unique experience, while also bringing a new and fresh perspective to all that we do.”

“I am very excited and proud to accept the principal position at Montini Catholic,” said Tiritilli. “I have enjoyed the current year and have been getting to know our students, staff and community. I feel that my first year here as well as my previous experiences as a building principal will help set me up for success in my first year as principal of Montini Catholic.”

Although he enjoys working with students of all ages, Tiritilli acknowledges that his strengths and skill set

has always been best equipped to support students in the secondary setting. “Building positive relationships with students, staff and families is one of my favorite things to do as well as the most effective way to support positive and transformative change in any setting,” he said. “I have found that my natural personality and leadership style is best fit to develop these meaningful connections with students in the high school setting.”

He embraces the challenges that are sure to come his way as the principal of a Lasallian college preparatory high school.

“We will be seeking to support our new teachers and school staff, by exemplifying the high expectations we have for Montini staff members, while also providing them with the support they require to grow and develop as professional educators new to Montini,” Tiritilli said. “As much of a challenge as the above statement is, it is also something, I look forward to and am excited about, as it helps us all identify the joy that has led us to our current roles at Montini, as well as helping spread that joy to others.”

Farmer, 101 years old, still farming

By Daniel Grant FARMWEEK

It’s been quite an amazing career in agriculture for Donnie Peterson, 101, whose earliest memories include farming with horses through the Great Depression in the 1930s in western Illinois.

What’s maybe even more amazing is he’s not ready to hang up his work boots just yet. In fact, when people ask this humble centenarian who farms near Aledo (Mercer County) when he’s going to retire, he has a simple, yet straightforward, answer.

“All I’ve ever done is farm. I don’t know of any other occupation,” Peterson, who also spent some time in the service, told the RFD Radio Network during an on-farm interview just before Memorial Day.

“I don’t have hobbies; therefore, I’m still doing it,” he continued of his career in farming, which spans 11 decades counting his childhood on his family’s farm in Henderson County. “But I couldn’t do it without help.”

Peterson was born in 1921 when Woodrow Wilson was president and the price of corn averaged 98 cents per bushel that marketing year, according to USDA.

Since that time, Peterson grew up in ag and operated his own farm under 18 additional U.S. presidents, from Warren G. Harding to Joe Biden.

Corn prices throughout the veteran farmer’s life increased slowly but surely from $1.05 in 1922, $2.38 in the post-World War II boom in 1947, $3.67 in 1974, $4.58 in 1996, $7.58 in 2008 and more recently to $7.81 in May 2022—with many peaks and valleys in between.

Meanwhile, corn yield averages, which were stagnant in the 20- to 35-bushel range in the age of open-air pollinated crops from 1866 to 1930, began to improve in the late-1930s with the rapid adoption of hybrid corn.

“It was quite a different method for putting the crops in—we had horses back then,” Peterson said of the technological advances over the years. “Then we graduated up to tractors. But it’s basically the same principle putting the crops in.

“Now, with all the equipment we use, the information available and the seed is much better,” he noted. “That helps us (be more productive and efficient).”

Other crop advancements

Chris Tiritilli

DuPage County clerk receives 2023 Innovator Award

DuPage County Clerk Jean Kaczmarek recently received the 2023 Innovator Award for Elections by the International Association of Government Officials (IGO).

The Innovator Award is presented to individuals in the elections, recorders, clerks and treasurers division in honor of their unique achievements and best practices in their respective fields.

DuPage’s entry was the creation of a mail voting signature comparison procedure allowing teams of election judges to view multiple voter signatures on file instead of just one. After completing three years and six elections, there has been a notable decrease in signature challenges for mail ballots. For instance, the 2020 Primary Election saw a challenge percentage of 2.628 percent while the 2022 Primary saw a challenge percentage of 0.582 percent—a decrease of just over 77 percent.

Kaczmarek said, “Correcting challenged ballots is a time-consuming and costly process for election staff. However, our top concern is the voters themselves. Once a ballot has been mailed, no one wants to go through additional steps to fix it. Ballot signatures which are not resolved in time remain uncounted. I’m proud that DuPage County is once again leading the way to reduce voter disenfranchisement.”

In 2022, DuPage County became the first and only county in Illinois to implement “Vote Anywhere,” allowing voters to cast their ballots at any polling place on Election Day.

Election managers Stephanie Groenewold, mail voting, and Jessica Stachniak, voter registration, developed this signature comparison

project at the DuPage County Clerk’s office when mail ballots increased dramatically during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

That year, CARES Act funding allowed the Clerk’s office to purchase special equipment making this project possible, including a mail

sorter which took more clear pictures of voter signatures for historic reference, as well as large monitors for teams of election judges to view multiple signatures.

“This is another example of why funding elections well makes a difference,” Kaczmarek added.

PHOTO Rock Valley Publishing

DuPage County Clerk Jean Kaczmarek receives the IGO 2023 Innovator Award for Elections. Left to right, Stephanie Groenewold, mail voting manager; Jean Kaczmarek, DuPage County Clerk; and Jessica Stachniak, voter registration manager.

Senior Club’s ‘Nifty Nineties’

The Addison Senior Club celebrated 14 Nifty Nineties members on Wednesday, July 12 with a party featuring lunch and live entertainment at Community Recreation Center. Winnie Servideo (seated in the front row, third from right) recently

‘Big Suit’ to headline Rock ‘N Wheels Thursday

The Village of Addison continues its 12th season of Rock ‘N Wheels every Thursday through the summer from 6 to 10 p.m. on the Village Green behind Addison Village Hall. Rock ‘N Wheels includes live music, food and beverages available from Addison restaurants, attractions for children and more.

On July 20, Rock ‘N Wheels welcomes The Gingers to the stage at 6:30, followed by headliner Big Suit at 8. Food and beverages will be available for purchase from Addison’s very own: 601 Bar & Grill, Tacos Puebla, Dunkley’s, Barbara’s Polish Deli, Sabor de mi Tierra, Lou Malnati’s, and Nuova Italia.

Additionally, the Addison Historical Museum will host an open house from 6 - 8 p.m., with a special interpretation of “Mrs. Potts, Inventor.” The Craft & Vintage Fair will also be going on in front of the museum buildings.

The Addison Township Foundation & Food Pantry is collecting nonperishable donations at every Rock ‘N Wheels event. The following is a list of accepted donations: cereal, oatmeal, any canned food, canned fruits, and canned vegetables, any type of pasta, white rice, brown rice, sugar, coffee, tea, olive oil, canola oil, vegetable oil, any type of dried fruit, baking products, flour, peanut butter, jelly, instant mashed potatoes, crackers, ramen noodles, macaroni & cheese, SPAM, any seasoning packets (tacos, chili, fajita), meal packet helpers, salt, pepper, nuts, granola bars, hygiene products, diapers (size 3,4,5), baby soap, baby shampoo, baby lotion, baby wipes, Depends underwear for men (small and medium), Depends underwear for women (small and medium), laundry detergent, dish soap, paper towels, toilet paper, Kleenex, napkins, Clorox wipes, Zip-Loc baggies, Band-Aids.

Bring your donations to the blue Village of Addison tent at any Rock ‘N Wheels event through the rest of the summer.

Parking is available at Friendship Plaza, as well as at Indian Trail High School, located at 222 N John F Kennedy Dr. For more details and the complete season schedule, visit ItHappensInAddison.com.

turned 102, and on Tuesday, the Village of Addison recognized her with an official proclamation for her amazing milestone.

Park district ‘dive-in’ movie to feature 1975 classic, ‘Jaws’

Get ready for an unforgettable aquatic adventure as the Bensenville Park District presents a spe

cial “dive-in movie” featuring the iconic thriller, “Jaws.” Join the fun on Saturday, Aug. 5, at the Bensenville Water Park, 1100 W. Wood Street, for an evening filled with suspense, excitement and plenty of splashes.

As part of the popular movie in the park series, the dive-in movie event promises to be a thrilling experience for moviegoers of all ages.

“Jaws” is a cinematic masterpiece that has captivated audiences since its release in 1975. Directed by Steven Spielberg and based on Peter Benchley’s best-selling novel, this suspenseful thriller follows a police chief, a marine scientist and a grizzled shark hunter as they team up to hunt down a man-eating great white shark terrorizing the waters of Amity Island.

The film’s storyline, combined with its groundbreaking special effects and John Williams’ iconic score, has cemented “Jaws” as one of the most influential and beloved movies in cinema history. Audiences will be on the edge of their seats (or floats!) as they experience the tension and fear that made “Jaws” a true classic.

The Bensenville Water Park provides the perfect setting for this immersive cinematic experience.

“ Our dive-in movie is a unique way to enjoy a classic film while making lasting memories with family and friends. We encourage everyone to come out and experience the thrill of ‘Jaws’ in a whole new way.”

– Todd Linder, manager of special events and facilities

Guests will have the opportunity to enjoy the movie from the comfort of the water or lounge poolside. Single-person rafts and pool floats are permitted, allowing attendees to relax and soak up the suspense while staying cool in the refreshing water.

“The movie will begin at dusk, creating a captivating ambiance as the sun sets and the movie comes to life on the big screen,” said Todd Linder, manager of special events and facilities. “Our dive-in movie is a unique way to enjoy a classic

film while making lasting memories with family and friends. We encourage everyone to come out and experience the thrill of ‘Jaws’ in a whole new way.”

Admission is $15 per person, providing access to the Bensenville Water Park for the evening. Season passholders of the water park can enjoy a discounted rate of $8. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own single-person rafts and pool floats to enhance their viewing experience, as these items will not be provided.

Gates open at 7:30 p.m., the movie begins at dusk. The event is expected to draw a large crowd, so early arrival is recommended to secure a prime spot. Concessions will be available for purchase, including a selection of refreshments and snacks to enhance the movie-watching experience.

The event is the fourth in the five-film movie in the park series that included “Happy Gilmore,” “Encanto” and “Sonic the Hedgehog 2.” The series concludes with “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish” at Fischer Farm Saturday, Aug. 26.

The movie in the park series is a part of the park district’s “Park ‘n Play” initiative, which brings more than 50 events to neighborhood parks throughout the summer. For more information, visit BvilleParks.org/park-n-play.

SUBMITTED PHOTO Rock Valley Publishing

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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

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5. Calendar month (abbr.)

8. Monetary unit of Burma

11. Twyla __, US dancer

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41. In a silly way

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45. Photographers

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50. Brodway actress Daisy

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60. Rusty

61. Jewish spiritual leader

62. Patti Hearst’s captors

63. Popular global holiday (abbr.)

64. Tall, slender plant

CLUES DOWN

1. Defunct US energy company

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4. Type of acid

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7. Things are served on it

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9. Currency and a Chinese dynasty

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23. They __

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27. Chinese philosophical principle

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29. Persuade to do something

34. A place for travelers to rest

35. National Gallery of Art designer

36. Panamaniaan province

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47. Dough made from corn flour

48. Fishes by letting the bob fly

51. Swiss river

52. Plant that makes gum

53. A French abbot

54. One point east of northeast

58. Get free of

Serving Addison, Bensenville, Elmhurst, Lombard & Villa Park

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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.

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Weather swings impact specialty crops; peach shortage to linger

By Daniel Grant FARMWEEK

If you’re looking to order a dessert based on crop availability in Illinois this season, apple pie or strawberry shortcake should be plentiful—but there might not be as much peach cobbler on the menu.

Wild weather swings dating back to last December sapped much of the peach crop this season while apple trees at some orchards appear to be set up for a big harvest in coming months, specialty growers from around the state told FarmWeek.

“We feel like we probably have maybe 10 percent of our peach crop,” said Austin Flamm, manager of Flamm Orchards. “We feel the majority to all the damage occurred Dec. 23. We went from temperatures in the 30s to minus 5 in just eight hours with negative 25 wind chills.”

The Flamms cut thousands of buds

in January, just weeks after the farm was slammed by the Polar Vortex, and hardly found any peaches taking shape for the upcoming season.

“It’s not very often, if ever, you lose a peach crop in December like that, but that’s what we feel happened,” Flamm said. “In 2007 we had a total loss of peaches and apples. This (season) was the hardest our peaches have been hit since then.”

Rendleman Orchards in nearby Alto Pass also lost a majority of this year’s peach crop (80 to 85 percent) to the Polar Vortex in December, as previously reported in FarmWeek.

“We had no idea (the Polar Vortex) would have the severity on our peaches that it did,” said Wayne Sirles, who operates Rendleman Orchards with his wife, Michelle. “But it was too big of a temperature drop and it was too cold for too long.”

Both Sirles and Flamm believe there will be enough peaches on their farms to serve local markets. But neither farmer plans on much if any wholesale business this season due to the peach shortage.

“There are a few more peaches than we originally thought (emerging this summer),” Flamm said. “We do have a retail store where you can buy peaches and we hope to at least have enough peaches for the store. But there will probably be some days we’re out.”

Elsewhere, Hagen Family Orchard in Brussels (Calhoun County) reported cooler weather with lower humidity earlier this month could slow fruit ripening a touch. But they also plan to have peaches available for nearby markets.

“We’re still predicting to have

See WEATHER, Page 19

by mail at the special rate of $45 for a full year. ___ Yes. Please send me an eSubscription with a weekly email link for only $35 per year. Enclosed is my check for $35.

day” fund sits at nearly $2 billion.

It’s a drastic departure from 2017, when a state budget impasse between Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner and Democrats in the General Assembly drove the state’s backlog of unpaid bills to nearly $17 billion and depleted the rainy day fund to less than $60,000.

“All this good fiscal news did not happen by accident,” Mendoza said in a statement. “This takes strong strategic planning throughout the year and daily attention to cash management; knowing which bills to pay first to maximize federal matching funds so we can end the fiscal year on such a high note.”

Pritzker said July 7 that getting

• Farmer

bills out the door within three to five days might be “too fast” a turnaround, since they are being paid days to weeks before late-payment interest begins accruing.

“We could be earning interest on the money and wouldn’t be paying interest on that if you just extended it for a few more days,” he said. “But meanwhile, I think we should all celebrate the fact that Illinois is in such good fiscal shape.”

The General Assembly’s Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability—a bipartisan body staffed by nonpartisan economic analysts—noted in its June report that state coffers accumulated $407 million in interest in FY 2023. That’s up

from just $30 million in interest in FY 2022, a result of several interest rate hikes by the Federal Reserve.

FY 2023’s revenues were also bolstered by a $1.2 billion transfer into the general revenue fund from the state’s income tax refund fund. The amount of that annual statutory transfer was driven upward by strong income tax receipts from the prior fiscal year and is unlikely to be replicated in FY 2024.

Despite setting a new base revenue record, FY 2023 saw a $1.3 billion drop-off in personal income tax receipts compared to the previous fiscal year. Corporate income tax and sales tax revenues, however, spiked by a combined $1.1 billion.

(Continued from page 12)

from page 10) that pushed yields over the years include improvements in genetics, stress tolerance and the increased adoption of nitrogen fertilizer in the 1950s to the introduction of transgenic hybrids, with insect and herbicide resistance, in the mid1990s.

Farmers have also refined and improved farming practices and management styles over the years.

“We did a lot more tillage on the ground when I started than we do now,” Peterson said.

“And the size of the units has changed. It takes less time (for

LEGAL NOTICES

NOTICE TO BIDDERS

THE VILLAGE OF BENSENVILLE, DuPAGE COUNTY, ILLINOIS, will receive sealed bids for the 2023 MFT PAVEMENT PATCHING PROGRAM

(MAINTENANCE SECTION 23-0000002-GM) until Eleven A.M. (11:00 A.M.) (prevailing time), August 1, 2023 at the office of the Municipal Clerk in the Village Hall, 12 South Center Street, in the Village of Bensenville, Illinois, at which time and place all bids will be publicly opened and read aloud.

The contract documents, including plans and specifications are on file at the office of the Owner, Village of Bensenville – Department of Public Works, 717 E Jefferson Street, Bensenville, Illinois 60106, (630) 350-3435.

Copies of the bid documents may be obtained from the Village of Bensenville website https://www.bensenville.il.us/bids.aspx by emailing your request to Jeff Maczko, Village Engineer, at jmaczko@bensenville. il.us along with a copy of the Contractor’s current “Certificate of Eligibility” issued by the Illinois Department of Transportation. Contractor documents will be provided as a PDF at no charge to eligible prospective bidders.

A bid bond, certified check, bank draft or irrevocable letter of credit on a solvent bank, payable to the Village of Bensenville, or cash in an amount of not less than five percent (5%) of the amount of the bid shall be submitted with each bid.

The successful bidder will be required to furnish a satisfactory performance bond in the amount equal to one hundred percent (100%) of the Contract sum as a security for the faithful performance of the Contract and also a Payment Bond in the amount equal to one hundred percent (100%) of the Contract Sum as a security for the payment of all persons performing labor on the Project under the Contract and furnishing materials in connection of the Contract. The successful bidder shall also furnish a Certificate of Insurance. No bid shall be withdrawn after opening of bids without the consent of said Municipality for a period of sixty (60) days after the scheduled time of opening bids.

The Village of Bensenville reserves the right to reject any or all bids and to waive any informalities in bidding and to accept the bid deemed most advantageous to it, all in accordance with the standard specifications.

(Published in the Addison Independent, Bensenville Independent & Villa Park Review July 20, 2023) 441187

NOTICE TO BIDDERS

THE VILLAGE OF BENSENVILLE, DuPAGE COUNTY, ILLINOIS, will receive sealed bids for the 2023 MFT SIDEWALK REMOVAL AND REPLACEMENT PROGRAM (MAINTENANCE

SECTION 23-00000-01-GM) until Eleven A.M. (11:00 A.M.) (prevailing time), August 1, 2023 at the office of the Municipal Clerk in the Village Hall, 12 South Center Street, in the Village of Bensenville, Illinois, at which time and place all bids will be publicly opened and read aloud.

The contract documents, including plans and specifications are on file at the office of the Owner, Village of Bensenville – Department of Public Works, 717 E Jefferson Street, Bensenville, Illinois 60106, (630) 350-3435.

Copies of the bid documents may be obtained from the Village of Bensenville website https://www.bensenville.il.us/bids.aspx by emailing your request to Jeff Maczko, Village Engineer, at jmaczko@bensenville. il.us along with a copy of the Contractor’s current “Certificate of Eligibility” issued by the Illinois Department of Transportation. Contractor documents will be provided as a PDF at no charge to eligible prospective bidders.

A bid bond, certified check, bank draft or irrevocable letter of credit on a solvent bank, payable to the Village of Bensenville, or cash in an amount of not less than five percent (5%) of the amount of the bid shall be submitted with each bid.

The successful bidder will be required to furnish a satisfactory performance bond in the amount equal to one hundred percent (100%) of the Contract sum as a security for the faithful performance of the Contract and also a Payment Bond in the amount equal to one hundred percent (100%) of the Contract Sum as a security for the payment of all persons performing labor on the Project under the Contract and furnishing materials in connection of the Contract. The successful bidder shall also furnish a Certificate of Insurance. No bid shall be withdrawn after opening of bids without the consent of said Municipality for a period of sixty (60) days after the scheduled time of opening bids.

The Village of Bensenville reserves the right to reject any or all bids and to waive any informalities in bidding and to accept the bid deemed most advantageous to it, all in accordance with the standard specifications.

fieldwork) now.”

Just last year, Illinois farmers set new state yield records of 214 bushels per acre for corn and 79 bushels for wheat. In Mercer County, farmers averaged a whopping 226.6 bushels per acre for corn and 65 bushels for soybeans in 2022.

Looking back, Peterson has fond memories of raising sheep and training horses back when he was in 4-H.

But his formative years were also some of his most difficult times living through the Great Depression. The bright side of operating a farm at that time is there was at least enough food to eat on most days.

“Living on a farm we had things—foodwise,” Peterson said of the Great Depression. “But the money situation was bad.

“It was difficult to have money to do anything, so we stayed home most of the time,” he continued. “It was pretty tough getting through that period.”

Peterson encourages other farmers to embrace new technology and farming methods, but to make sure to research the best ideas for each individual farm. He remains an avid reader and mostly enjoys farm publications.

“I like to read a lot,” he said. “There’s always something new coming along.”

He also owns his own cellphone but comes from a generation in which he prefers doing business with a handshake.

“I have a cellphone, but I seldom use it,” he said. “I don’t like to do business on the phone.”

Peterson joined the Mercer County Farm Bureau in 1972 which, along with Illinois Farm Bureau, was founded in 1916.

As for advice or tips for a long life, Peterson said there are no magic bullets.

He just tries to give his best each day and hopes for a little luck along the way.

“Live your life as you can and go along,” he added. “You don’t know what will happen.”

This story was distributed through a cooperative project between Illinois Farm Bureau and the Illinois Press Association. For more food and farming news, visit FarmWeekNow.com.

(Continued from page

agency reported to the state in June that Illinois saw 111.3 million visitors who spent $44.3 billion in calendar year 2022. Calendar year 2019, the highest year on record for both measures, saw 122.8 million visitors who spent a combined $45.5 billion. The hotel industry as well has not fully recovered from the pandemic’s tourism industry interruptions.

Michael Jacobson, president of the Illinois Hotel and Lodging Association, said that while revenues have returned, staffing levels and occupancy rates overall have not yet reached pre-pandemic levels, although they were trending toward recovery. “We look forward to returning to our place as one of the most significant economic engines, employers and taxpayers in the state,” Jacobson said on Monday.

• Tornadoes

The state has made some significant investments in tourism in the past few years, including the $30.3 million “Middle of Everything” ad campaign. The campaign, which launched in the spring of 2022, stars television actress and Illinois native Jane Lynch.

The campaign’s first year brought in an additional 2 million visitors and generated $1 billion in Illinois hotels, restaurants, small businesses, and attractions, according to the state’s tourism office. The campaign recently launched a new set of TV ads this summer that feature the television star.

“Being able to share my passion for all things Illinois comes naturally, and getting to meet and work with so many inspiring people and unique businesses across the state is an honor,” Lynch said in a news release.

(Continued from page 6)

were the Sinnott Tree Service building and the Skyline Motel, which had its roof torn off. The owner of the motel was quoted as saying “the entire place is ruined.” Both businesses are located in McCook.

A confirmed EF-1 tornado near Algonquin and Reed roads in Huntley resulted in trees down and damage to homes. Also at that same time, a suspected tornado uprooted trees and blew off roofs near Joliet and La Grange roads in Countryside.

A suspected tornado was reported near South Elgin, with large trees 20 inches in diameter down and damage reported to homes west of Elgin and northeast of Campton Hills.

There was a confirmed EF-0 tornado in Carol Stream, with a report of numerous trees down between Kuhn Road at Deerskin Trail, and Gary Avenue and Elk Trail. There also were reports of trees snapped and debris lofted. Carol Stream Village Manager Bob Mellor told the Daily Herald that downed trees struck a garage and a house near

Western Trails Elementary School. At around 7 p.m., a confirmed EF-0 tornado touched down near O’Hare Airport, causing the disruption of hundreds of flights with passengers taking shelter. Warehouses were reported damaged on the west side of O’Hare. Hundreds of flights were cancelled at both O’Hare and Midway airports.

More storms Friday, July 14

Parts of the area experienced additional thunderstorms Friday night, July 14, which brought strong winds, downpours and one tornado. The tornado, confirmed in the Warrenville-Glen Ellyn area, was an EF-0 with estimated peak winds of 75 mph, according to the NWS. Its path length was 8.8 miles and had a width of 400 yards.

Damage along the path of the tornado consisted primarily of downed and snapped tree branches, the NWS reported.

So far this year, Illinois has had more tornadoes than any other state, according to the NWS.

Donnie Peterson, 101, poses on his Mercer County Farm.

Barry Cloyd Other Worldy Adventure concert July 28

The Lombard Historical Society welcomes Barry Cloyd as he presents his Other Worldly Adventure, “Jules Verne and H.G. Wells, the Birth of Sci-Fi and the First Citizens of the Future,” in concert at 7 p.m. Friday, July 28, in the William J. Mueller Gazebo at 23 W. Maple St. in Lombard.

Please bring a chair. This is a free outdoor concert. Tickets are suggested and available on the website: LombardHistory.org.

For more information about this event, or the Lombard Historical Society, visit lombardhistory.org, email info@lombardhistory.org, or phone 630-629-1885.

Be prepared for stories and songs,

• Weather

some original, some you might remember, and some just plain strange, as Barry Cloyd brings to life the world created by the minds behind what we now just call sci-fi—the minds of Jules Verne and H.G. Wells.

Cloyd will also bring along some unusual instruments and include a few songs for encouraging the audience to step outside gravity’s pull and suspend disbelief; songs such as David Bowie’s “A Space Oddity” and Zager & Evans “In The Year 2525,” will be teleported into the ether for the audience to enjoy.

Cloyd is a Midwestern based, touring singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist, performing over 200

(Continued from page 17)

tree-ripened peaches anywhere from the Fourth of July to July 15,” Hagen Family Orchard noted on its business line phone message. “Keep checking in. We’re anxious to see all our customers.”

Meanwhile, Eckerts Orchards reported you-pick opportunities exist for black raspberries and peaches at its farm, but peaches likely will be available in only its store at the Belleville location.

On the other hand, apple trees seemed to fare much better so far this year at many locations in the state.

“Our apples look really good. We’ve got a big crop setting up on most of our farm,” Flamm said. “We

had one farm with hail damage, but it’s a small percentage of our entire crop.”

Sirles also expects a bountiful apple harvest at Rendleman Orchards.

“We have a wonderful apple crop—one of the best blossoms we’ve had in a long time,” he said. “We’re really looking forward to that (with harvest expected to begin in August).”

Strawberries are also overflowing this season at Flamm Orchards, where harvest of that crop is winding down.

“We’re still picking strawberries,” Flamm said as of June 20. “That season has been really good. We put

shows per year, who has spent a lifetime creating a performance style that weaves the genres of Blues, Folk, Celtic, Original and Roots music into a unique blend all his own.

A strong vocalist as well as a storyteller, theatrical performer and historian, Cloyd delivers his music on a multitude of guitars (6 and 12 string, Dobro, high-strung, etc.) and other stringed instruments, such as a 5-string banjo, mandolin, requinto and bouzouki.

Honored by Chicago’s Millennium Park with inclusion as part of their series, “Great Performers of Illinois”, Barry is also a member of the Illinois Arts Council ArtsTour Roster.

in extra acres this year to meet demand.”

Flamm Orchards grows its strawberries on raised beds with drip irrigation.

“The dryness (in recent weeks) is actually good for the berries,” Flamm said.

Sirles said the flower fields at Rendleman Orchards, where they grow sunflowers and mums, also got off to a good start this season.

This story was distributed through a cooperative project between Illinois Farm Bureau and the Illinois Press Association. For more food and farming news, visit FarmWeekNow.com.

FALL BASEBALL - and - SOFTBALL REGISTRATIONS

Elmhurst Youth Baseball & EYB Cougars Softball House League registration is NOW OPEN! Register NOW to be a part of the fastest growing baseball & softball program in the Western Suburbs!

The Fall Baseball and Softball Leagues are a non-competitive league focused on training and player development. It is a 5 or 6 week program scheduled to start in September and conclude in October with all practices and games taking place on the weekends.

Games are scheduled for each Saturday with practice prior to each game. If there is a rain-out then the game/practice may be rescheduled for Sunday.

Elmhurst Youth Baseball is open to boys and girls ages 4 to 19.

The EYB Cougars softball program is open to girls ages 4 to 14.

Fall ball allows for players to begin practicing and playing in divisions that they may qualify for in the following Spring season or to continue their development in the divisions they currently compete.

REGISTRATION FOR THE FALL BALL SEASON IS OPEN!

Register at eybaseball.org

SUBMITTED PHOTO Rock Valley Publishing

Barry Cloyd brings to life the world created by the minds behind what we now call sci-fi—the minds of Jules Verne and H.G. Wells— through stories and songs on Friday, July 28, at the William J. Mueller Gazebo.

Board of Directors

George F. Hammersmith, Jr. Chairman of the Board

Fran Marcucci Decker Gonnella Baking Co.

Joshua Bretl FSR Wealth Strategies

Richard W. Reichert President & C.E.O.

Ken Bartels Sr. Vice President

Maryann Gorski

Martha Hammersmith-Delgado

Dr. Lawrence B. Carroll Elmhurst University