AI 7.24.25

Addison Independent

Senate race shaping up to be expensive

Krishnamoorthi enjoys nearly 10-to-1 funding advantage

By Ben Szalinski

CAPITOL NEWS ILLINOIS

TV advertising has already begun in Illinois’ 2026 Democrat primary for U.S. Senate, and new fundraising numbers released last week show the race is shaping up to be expensive.

The quarterly reports submitted to the Federal Elections Commission shed light on how candidates are spending money as well as who is contributing to them. Donations are pouring in for U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly and Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton— the three most high-profile Democrats so far to launch their campaign.

Gov. JB Pritzker has already put his thumb on the scale of the race, endorsing Stratton a

day after she launched her campaign in April. But the billionaire governor has a financial stake in the contest as well.

Pritzker contributed $3,500 to Stratton’s primary campaign, and another $3,500 earmarked for the general election. It’s the maximum amount allowed in an election cycle for an individual contribution under federal rules, meaning he can’t contribute anything close to the $300 million he’s dumped into his own campaigns for governor.

Pritzker can still find other avenues to financially support Stratton later, such as through a dark money political action committee he launched in 2023.

And he wasn’t the only Pritzker to donate to Stratton. His wife, MK, his two adult children, and his cousins Adam, John, Gigi

and Jennifer, all contributed the maximum $7,000. Jennifer Pritzker is a former supporter of President Donald Trump who has more recently supported Democratic candidates.

Kelly vs. Pritzker round 3

The race has also set a third battle between a Pritzker ally and Kelly.

Underlying the contest is Kelly’s past history as chair of the Democratic Party of Illinois. She was elected party chair in 2021 against Pritzker backed candidate and Chicago Ald. Michelle Harris to replace Mike Madigan who bowed out of the job after losing the speakership that year. But the following year, Kelly ended her bid for reelection as party chair after it became clear she

would not have enough support to beat State Rep. Lisa Hernandez, D-Cicero, for the leadership role. Hernandez was also backed by Pritzker.

Kelly, of Matteson, argued a lot of people on the party’s state central committee “were sad to see me go.”

“The people in the party, they know me, they know the work that I’ve done,” Kelly told

Capitol News Illinois recently.

“Despite what happened, I’ve still been an effective leader.

I’m the only one that’s been an effective leader on every level of government and has delivered on every level.”

Kelly says money isn’t going to decide the race.

“They have a lot of money, but you know what, I’m just using every opportunity to tell

my story and I don’t feel like I need the most money in the race to win the race because I feel like I have an excellent story to tell,” Kelly said.

Between her two campaign committees for her U.S. House seat and a new committee for her Senate bid, Kelly raised $565,775 from April 1 through

See SENATE, Page 3

Addison-Medinah Shriners

Parade set for Aug. 24

The 7th annual Addison-Medinah Shriner’s Parade returns on Sunday, Aug. 24.

The theme for this year’s parade is “Addison: A Community Rooted in Faith.” All event entries are encouraged to display the parade theme.

serve the Addison community.

Join the Addison Center for the Arts under the stars at the Gazebo in Addison’s Village Green on Tuesday, July 29, at 7 p.m. for an unforgettable 2-hour performance by Pistol Pete.

The world-famous Chicago-based blues guitarist will be performing rock, funk, jazz and blues.

This free event is presented by the Addison Center for the Arts.

Follow @addisoncenterforthearts for updates and weather cancellations.

About the Addison Center for the Arts

The Addison Center for the Arts, 213 N. Lombard Road, is a not-for-profit hub for artistic expression and cultural engagement, dedicated to fostering creativity and enriching the community through diverse exhibitions, educational programs, and events.

Located in the heart of Addison, the center serves as a platform for both emerging and established artists, promoting a vibrant and inclusive arts community.

The honorary Grand Marshals of the Parade are former Mayor, Rich Veenstra and his wife, Mary Ann.

The parade steps off from Addison Trail High School at 3 p.m. The parade is open to taxing bodies, non-profit organizations, community and youth groups, and businesses that are Addison based or

Parade organizers also invite local elected officials and political candidates for office to participate. There is no fee to participate in the parade. Interested parties must submit a completed application to event organizers by Friday, Aug. 1.

Applications are available online at the village website, www.addisonadvantage.org , the Village Hall reception desk, and the museum

There is no parking available at Addison Trail High School. Participants must park in Green Meadow Shopping Center or Indian Trail Ju-

nior High School parking lots, and take shuttles to the high school. Shuttles will run from 12:30-2:30 p.m. continuously. Following the parade, there will be an “after party” on the Village Green from 4:30-8 p.m. Fantasia will start of the party at 4:30 with their blend of Rock and horn, followed by Retro Radio.

Food will be available for purchase from local Addison restaurants.

The event is held rain or shine. For more information, contact parade coordinator, Susan English at 630-6937549 or senglish@addison-il. org

Lombard juvenile charged with attempted terrorism at Glendale Heights Islamic Center and unlawful possession of a firearm

DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin, Douglas S. DePodesta, Special Agentin-Charge of the Chicago Field Office of the FBI and Andrew S. Boutros, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, announced last week that a Lombard juvenile has been charged with plotting to commit an act of terror at a Glendale Heights Islamic Center.

The juvenile, a 16-year-old male, appeared at his detention hearing and was charged with one count of unlawful possession of a firearm (Class 4 felony) and one count of attempted terrorism (Class 1 felony).

Following his hearing, Judge Kishori Tank ordered he be detained until at least his next court appearance.

According to the petition, on July 4, the minor allegedly, “with the intent to commit the offense of terrorism, knowingly performed a substantial step toward the commission of that offense, in that he entered the Islamic Education Center, located at 1269 Goodrich Ave., Glendale Heights, DuPage County, and video recorded religious services to assist in preparation for detonating an explosive device at that location…”.

The petition further alleges

that on July 12, the minor “possessed a handgun which was of a size that could be concealed upon his person.”

“An attempted act of terrorism, as alleged in this case, achieves the same goals of spreading fear, dividing our communities and undermining the rule of law, as does an act of terrorism,” Berlin said. “The allegations against this juvenile are extremely serious and will not be tolerated in DuPage County. I am extremely proud to be part of a team of federal and local officials whose shared dedication to public safety and ability to work together toward a common goal prevented what could have been a horrible tragedy. I commend the Chicago Field Office of the FBI for their work on this case and for their continued efforts in keeping our citizens throughout the state safe. I also thank the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Lombard Police Department for their work and assistance on this case.”

“The FBI works tirelessly, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and 365 days a year, evaluating the threat landscape in order to detect and disrupt plans aimed at terrorizing our homeland,” said Douglas S. DePodesta, Special Agent-in-

Charge of the Chicago Field Office of the FBI. “Thanks to local law enforcement and the DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Office, we were able to successfully foil credible threats of a targeted attack in our community. The FBI is committed to utilizing every available tool in our arsenal against those who seek to harm the safety or security of anyone within our borders.”

“Through incredible law enforcement effort and coordination, a violent terrorist attack on American soil was thwarted,” said Andrew S. Boutros, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois.

“I commend the outstanding work by our Assistant U.S. Attorneys, the FBI, the Lombard Police Department, and our prosecutorial partners in the DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Office, to diligently discover, thoroughly investigate, and completely foil this terror plot. The arrest in this case serves as an emphatic reminder that federal, state, and local law enforcement will aggressively pursue those who attempt to harm Americans through terrorist acts.”

The juvenile’s next court appearance is scheduled for Aug. 4 for status in front of Judge Tank.

Prairie living brought to life

Laura Dubberke, education coordinator for the Lombard Historical Society, is eager to introduce children (and adults!) to pioneer life with the free “Hands on History” program on Thursdays from noon to 3 p.m. Here, she is seen (above left) making a candle the old-fashioned way, by dipping the wick in hot wax, after which it is dipped in cold water, then dipped in hot wax again, until it reaches the desired size. She is also shown (above right) holding a candle mold from the society’s collection, into which the hot wax would have been poured to create a candle. Dubberke said her basic focus is “kids in pioneer times,” and demonstrating how they would “use the materials that are around.” Upcoming crafts include rope making on July 24, pine cone animals on July 31 and a scavenger hunt on Aug. 7. Another free program is “Art @ the Peck” on Tuesdays from noon to 3 p.m. Upcoming crafts include a pine cone feeder on July 29 and pipe cleaner dragonflies on Aug. 5. Visit lombardhistory.org for more information.

Lombard firefighters request police assistance after hearing gunshots

Suspect reportedly died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound

Lombard firefighters and police officers responded to the 400 block of Arboretum Drive on Friday morning, July 18. According to the Village of Lombard, firefighters responding to a fire alarm “reported hearing shots fired and requested police assistance.”

Shortly before 8:45 a.m., the village issued an announcement on social media that the Lombard Police Department was actively re-

sponding to the scene, located near Finley Road and 22nd Street.

“The suspect is contained within the residence,” stated the village’s announcement.

“Residents in the area are asked to remain indoors and avoid the immediate area while emergency personnel remain on scene.”

At about 10 a.m., the village provided an update, stating that the suspect had committed suicide.

“The active incident on Arboretum Drive has concluded,” noted the update.

“The suspect has been confirmed deceased from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. No other injuries have been reported. There is no threat to the public, and residents in the area may now safely leave their homes.”

Coming event

Genealogy program at Plum Library July 28

“Even More Unusual Places to Find Births and Naturalizations” July 28 at 7 p.m., join us for a roundtable discussion to share your research findings, hear success stories from other members, and seek solutions to brick walls. This program will be in-person and held in the Conference Room (2nd floor). Registration required. Visit www.helenplum.org/event/ genealogy-round-table-70008 to register.

Jane Charmelo PhoTos Rock Valley Publishing

Elmhurst-Yorkfield Food Pantry participates in nearby CSA

Fischer Farm offers Community Supported Agriculture program

By Jane Charmelo FOR THE ELMHURST INDEPENDENT

Talk to anyone who grows food or distributes it, and the words “fresh” and “healthy” are always at the forefront of the conversation.

So, it seems natural that the Elmhurst-Yorkfield Food Pantry was able to collaborate with the Bensenville Park District’s (BPD) Fischer Farm in an effort to benefit from the farm’s “market garden” crops being grown locally.

As farm Manager Christine Shiel, CPRP, explained it, the Bensenville Park District bought the roughly 5-acre parcel from the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County (FPDDC) in 2022 (after managing it since 2000).

The FPDDC had purchased it from the Fischer family in 1999.

She said the BPD initially focused on infrastructure, and then in 2023-24, began growing crops to donate to local food pantries and also to sell at the farm’s store.

Shiel said the executive director and board were contemplating how best to make use of the farm, and “what they wanted to see for the farm,” adding, “We looked at it through an agricultural lens.”

In 2025, she continued, the BPD launched a Community Supported Agriculture program, or CSA, in which community members became shareholders by purchasing a “subscription,” or shares of the crops, that would allow them to pick a share of the farm’s harvest, which started

• Senate

Bensenville Park District’s Fischer Farm raises crops that can be purchased by shareholders, and this year, the Elmhurst-Yorkfield Food Pantry became one of them, adding to its inventory of fresh produce. The farm also has a shop that sells items such as meats, eggs and honey.

in mid-June and will continue through October.

Shiel said the farm’s head farmer does the field layout and decides “what’s going to be grown.”

That can be “pretty tricky,” she continued, because in selling shares of the crops, “We’re committing to our customers 20 weeks” of fresh produce.

Participants could choose a 20-week produce share or a 10-week share, according to the BPD, with a meat share from August through December, and with park district residents getting a discounted subscription.

Shiel recalled how she and Walter Salek, executive director of the Elmhurst-Yorkfield Food Pantry, were talking when he called to inquire about eggs (the farm store sells them), and he ended up purchasing a subscription to the CSA.

Shiel said there were 31

(Continued from front page)

June 30 and has $2 million in her campaign accounts.

Her donors include a lengthy list of corporate political action committees, many local officials in her 2nd Congressional District, and some notable names in Illinois government. They include former state Sen. Jacqueline Collins, Chicago Fire Department Commissioner Annette Nance-Holt and Cook County Clerk Monica Gordon. Gordon also contributed to Stratton’s campaign.

Stratton’s contributions

Stratton’s cash balance of $666,416 is the smallest in the race, as it is her first time running for federal office and first time running for office alone since she was a state representative in 2016. She raised just over $1 million since launching her campaign in late April.

Stratton has pledged not to take any money from corporate political action committees, though Krishnamoorthi and Kelly have received such do-

nations. She returned a contribution from the central Illinois energy company Marquis Energy’s PAC, although accepted contributions from several Marquis family members who hold top leadership positions at the company, according to FEC filings.

The rest of her list of donors is a “who’s who” of Illinois Democrats.

Stratton has touted many endorsements from members of the General Assembly in recent days and 12 have contributed to her campaign. The list also includes many Lake County Democrats, including State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart, Highland Park Mayor Nancy Rotering, and county party chair Lauren Beth Gash.

Stratton also received support from owners of most of the city’s sports teams: Cubs co-owner Laura Ricketts and her wife; White Sox and Bulls owner Jerry Reinsdorf, along with his son and Bulls President Michael Reinsdorf; and Black-

groups to participate.

subscriptions sold, all to individuals, except for the food pantry.

Salek said that the idea of purchasing fresh produce falls in line with the food pantry’s mission; “We’re trying to bring our focus to healthy food.”

He said the food pantry purchased three shares to get three grocery bags a week for 20 weeks.

Salek said on one recent day he had just picked up the produce and “I can guarantee you” that the food would all be distributed at the pantry by the end of that day.

The CSA has become “a jewel for the community,” Shiel believes, adding that the BPD’s mission for the farm includes “agricultural education.”

With the program sold out right away, she hopes to expand the program next year to enable more individuals and

hawks CEO Danny Wirtz.

Other donors come from all sectors of state politics, including Sen. Tammy Duckworth, former legislators, high-profile lobbyists and consultants, Pritzker’s top political advisor, business executives, and lawyers at Chicago’s top law firms.

Some donors also hold positions in state government, including Department of Human Rights Director Jim Bennett and the Department of Labor’s top attorney, Deborah Baker. Stratton has also formed her own political action committee called “Level Up.” Fundraising numbers for the committee have not yet been released as political action committees follow a different reporting schedule than campaigns.

Krishnamoorthi continues strong fundraising

Krishnamoorthi, of Schaumburg, whose district represents parts of Addison and Bensenville, has been one of the most prolific fundraisers in Congress,

Salek said the food pantry is “committed to fresh food,” so the CSA is “a great source for us.”

“It truly does not get any fresher than this,” he summed up.

About Fischer Farm

Fischer Farm, located at 16W680 Old Grand Ave., Bensenville, is believed to be among the oldest homesteads in DuPage County, according to the BPD, with a clapboard cabin built around 1837, and a farmhouse built around 1919.

The property borders Fischer Woods, which includes prairie, wetland and woodland ecosystems.

The farmhouse is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily and admission is free.

The BPD also raises other food sources, and sells honey, meat, seasonal vegetables and eggs in its store.

For information about programs and events, such as a 4-H Club, visit www.bvil-

reporting millions of dollars in contributions every quarter. His first months running for Senate were no different.

Krishnamoorthi raised just shy of $3 million between his House campaign account and new Senate campaign account—or a nearly 10-to-1 funding advantage.

Candidates running for a new federal office are generally allowed to transfer funds from their old campaign to their new campaign. In total, Krishnamoorthi has $21 million on hand.

“I’m just blessed to have a lot of individual donors throughout Illinois and elsewhere who believe in my mission,” Krishnamoorthi told Capitol News Illinois.

The March 17, 2026, primary is still eight months away, but Krishnamoorthi launched the election cycle’s first TV ad on July 15, which cost $500,000 for the first week, according to his campaign. It’s airing in TV markets around the state and on

leparks.org. For information about the CSA program, visit https://www.bvilleparks. org/parks-facilities/fischer-farm/#4.

About the ElmhurstYorkfield Food Pantry

The Elmhurst-Yorkfield Food Pantry is located at 1083 S. York St., Elmhurst.

The food pantry started in a closet of the Yorkfield Presbyterian Church basement 43 years ago. It was later moved to a house on the property and in 2015 a new 2,800-square-foot facility was built.

In 2016 the food pantry was serving about 210 families a month from Elmhurst, Oakbrook Terrace, Oak Brook, Lombard, Villa Park, Addison, Bensenville and Berkeley. Today that number is closer to 810 families a month, and Salek estimated that a third of the clients come from Elmhurst alone.

For more information, visit www.eyfg.org.

digital platforms.

The 30-second segment serves as an introduction of Krishnamoorthi, who currently represents the 8th Congressional District in the northwest suburbs. It portrays him as a fighter against “bullies,” which is how he describes Trump.

“When I see underdogs hurt by a rigged system, I fight back … Bullies like Trump can call us names, but you can just call me Raja,” Krishnamoorthi says in the ad, playing off his “just call me Raja” slogan that has been a hallmark of his TV advertisements since he first ran for Congress in 2016.

Most of Krishnamoorthi’s fundraising came from individual donors and less than $200,000 was from political action committees. But unlike his opponents, he had very few donors who are involved in state politics. One of the most notable names contributing to his campaign was Vinai Thummalapally, a former ambassador to Belize.

PAUL PALIAN PHOTOS Rock Valley Publishing

Slices of life

A grand visit

I just finished a two-week visit with the three grands.

(And two with the three ain’t bad.)

Their house is undergoing a refinement and they needed a place to stay.

Me, the effervescent grammy, with hand in the air: “Oh, pick me, pick me!!”

They needed a place to stay I needed them to stay with me. It was a win-win situation. It was also exhausting, and I’m not even their mom—who for sure was 100% more exhausted than me, especially since she is about 65% done growing grand baby number four.

It was a loud couple of weeks. But it was also a time filled with giggles and laughter and no one wanting to go to bed. Well, except their mom. And me.

But we aren’t counting grown-ups in this equation, because it isn’t about the grown-ups when there is a candy store in town. We have three of them – candy stores, not grands.

Well, we have three of those, too—until September when the grands will officially outnumber the candy stores.

Imagine a two-year-old entering a building filled with many variations of brightly colored candies in large clear glass cases located at eye level with scoopers and bags for the ready.

His eyes nearly bulged out of his head. I saw it firsthand. His smile rivaled a sunrise crossed with the most exciting

By J Ill Pertler Columnist

roller coaster ever invented, plus maybe a sparkler or two.

We handed him a bag and told him to fill it. With candy!

Life is good when you are a two-year-old at the candy store.

Sweetness aside, It was a time of blanket forts and dancing in the living room, sometimes at the same time. There was pretend play and an unwillingness to share stuffies, despite the fact that we have more of them than there are lakes in Minnesota.

Besides, it’s a well-known fact among four-year-olds that the monkey stuffie is twice as valuable as the unicorn stuffie, unless you pair it with the bunny stuffie or (even better) the dinosaur stuffie.

Stuffed animals (and blanket forts) in the living room weren’t the only plethora we experienced.

It was a time of collections – of many kinds. We collected rocks and shells. Oh, and leaves. And twigs. And so many, many ants (not to be confused with aunts, we didn’t collect any of those.)

We collected sand in the bed – even on days when we didn’t visit the beach. I’m not sure how to explain that, except for the fact that my grands excel at sand collection,

Letter to the editor

most especially between their toes.

We even collected one deer tick, found (thankfully) before he – or she – got the chance to be comfortable. After that, we practiced tick checks every night before showering to wash the day’s stickiness (and tickiness) away.

It was a time of loud “pooping” announcements, followed by raucous cheering. Remember the environment: two-year-old, potty trainer in the ready, discovering he could control pooping. You catch my drift.

Yeah, pooping! Let’s go! Great job! (Literally)

It was a time of wasted food because who wants to eat meals when you can eat candy? I think we all know that is a facetious question. I made meatloaf one night, but they only wanted bananas and tater tots. I guess two out of three ain’t bad. (Did I say that already?)

Thing is, they left most of the bananas uneaten. You’d think bananas grew on trees. Oh wait. Maybe they do. Grandchildren, however, do not. They are one in a million. Or maybe even one in a billion.

Life is good when you are a grammy spending time with grands. Almost like being in a candy store, only better.

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

American reality: We are all in this together

Let’s get real and personal. Ask yourself some basic questions: Have you ever asked your Hispanic gardener, your Muslim coffee server, your Indian, Pakistani, or Asian doctor, your Black waitress, Latino classmates, or any of your friends, family members, or anyone in your circle of friends, family or employment, now or in your past, whom may talk different, eat different, worship different?

Have you ever asked any of them if they signed documents that gives them the “right” to live in our country, pay taxes, marry and raise a family of more taxpayers, fight and die in our country’s wars, and support and obey the laws of our land?

Have you ever asked any of these people whom you may have grown up with, played

with, worked with, or in any way associated with, if they pay local, state, and federal taxes so that everyone’s kids can learn, have good healthcare, and contribute in many other ways to their communities, states, and nation for the betterment of everyone?

I would venture that you rubbed shoulders with one or more of these people many times throughout your life. Just like you, they have worked hard to get where they are, want the same basic needs that you do, and want the same things for their families. It has been as much their dream as yours to live in peace with others so they can realize the rights, responsibilities, and rewards America offers.

These people that you and I know are definitely not crimi-

My vote against President Trump’s disastrous budget bill

By U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi

On July 3, I voted against President Donald Trump’s socalled One Big Beautiful Bill Act, a catastrophic piece of legislation I call the Large Lousy Law. This bill forces millions off Medicaid, slashes funding for SNAP, rolls back investments in clean energy, and explodes the national debt to give massive tax breaks to the ultra-wealthy.

retired engineering professor, my brother is a doctor, and I have the honor of serving you in Congress. Without that safety net, our story might have ended very differently.

The passage of the Large Lousy Law is a setback— but not the end. I will keep fighting for working families and the programs that make opportunity possible in this country. The American Dream must remain within reach for everyone, not just the privileged few.

Standing up for Planned Parenthood of Illinois

It passed despite bipartisan opposition in both the House and Senate, a sign of just how extreme and unpopular its provisions truly are.

nals. In fact, in our melting pot of many diverse nationalities and cultures, we have blended into one glorious whole of Americans who only want to work in peace and enjoy the fruits of our freedom. We have married and had children with many of them. None that I know want a “free ride” on the backs of others. Most would be ashamed to ask for a single dollar they haven’t earned. You, and I, and all these people are true Americans in every sense of the word. We should not listen to the extremist minority in our land, but instead listen and learn from our own histories, and use our hearts and minds to show us the way. We are all in this together, and all of us are the majority our forefathers wanted us to be!

Larry Brown, Lombard

My vote came after a 14hour drive from Schaumburg to Washington, D.C., following the cancellation of my flight from O’Hare due to bad weather. During that journey, I hosted a pop-up Zoom town hall to explain my opposition to the bill and answer questions from constituents about the harm it will cause in Illinois and across the country.

The damage from this bill is staggering. Over 17 million Americans could lose health insurance in the next decade. The bill also cuts SNAP by nearly 20 percent, jeopardizing food assistance for 40 million Americans. It imposes new taxes on clean energy that could raise energy costs for Illinois families by $400 a year. And it adds $3.3 trillion to the national debt over the next decade.

This fight is personal for me. My family relied on food stamps and public housing for a time in my childhood. Those programs helped us survive and pursue the American Dream. Today, my father is a

Earlier this month, I visited a Planned Parenthood of Illinois clinic in downtown Chicago to meet with health care providers and advocates about the mounting threats to reproductive health care access.

I spoke about the devastating impact of President Trump’s budget, which slashes billions from Medicaid. The bill also threatens to close over one-third of Planned Parenthood clinics nationwide, cutting off cancer screenings, sexually transmitted disease (STD) testing, and basic care for millions, including 30,000 patients in Illinois who rely on Planned Parenthood as their primary provider.

The bill’s passage comes just days after the Supreme Court ruled that individual states can defund Planned Parenthood, and as the Trump administration illegally withholds Title X funding for family planning services. These coordinated attacks are dismantling access to essential health care across the country. Illinois has become a critical refuge, serving one in four Americans who must cross state lines for abortion care. While our state will remain a safe haven for reproductive

rights, no woman should have to flee her home to access basic health care. I will continue fighting to ensure every American, no matter their zip code, can make their own health care decisions with dignity and freedom.

Speaking out against political violence in America

Recently, I took to the House floor with a heavy heart to condemn the horrific acts of political violence that claimed the lives of Minnesota Speaker Emeritus Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, and seriously injured State Senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette.

These were not random acts; they were targeted attacks. The shooter left behind notes naming other public officials, including me. This was a warning. Political violence is no longer theoretical; it is real, it is rising, and it poses a growing threat not just to public servants but to our democracy itself. We must face three hard truths. First, this violence is escalating. Second, it’s not just about individual victims. It destabilizes our institutions and threatens civic participation. And third, we must respond with unity and resolve. That means rejecting the violent rhetoric and conspiracy theories that fuel this hatred and recommitting to civil, democratic dialogue, together, as Republicans and Democrats. Melissa Hortman and John Hoffman deserve more than our thoughts. They deserve our action and our promise: never again.

Raja Krishnamoorthi represents the 8th Congressional District of Illinois, which includes part of Addison, Wood Dale and Bensenville.

Hi I just got my July 10 newspaper and I think I need a refund because there is no Sudoku and puzzle in there.

That’s why we pay for the paper. I mean there’s nothing else in here; I mean it’s only, what is it, 16 pages long. So okay, next week, two Sudokus and two puzzles. Otherwise, I’m canceling my subscription

This isn’t worth it. Bye.

Editor’s note: On Page 6 of the July 10 issue it stated that the Sudoku and puzzle would return in the July 17 paper. We are only able to publish one Sudoku and one crossword puzzle per issue.

* * *

I attended the soft opening of the Prairie Food Cooperative last week and am glad to see we have choices. However, I thought the items, especially produce, were very expensive, even compared to Whole Foods and Jewel. I was of the thinking that if the food comes from local sources like growers, farmers, etc., food would be a bit cheaper because there are no long-haul transportation costs from places like California or Mexico, plus there is no “middle man” between the cooperative and the grower. I am all for supporting local farmers and growers, and for organic products, but please explain, for example, why what looked like a pint-size container of watermelon chunks was almost $8, or a whole watermelon was close to $9.

Editor’s note: Your comments were forwarded to The Prairie Food Cooperative for a response, which is as follows: “Thanks so much for coming to our soft opening—

and for taking the time to share your feedback! We’re glad to hear you’re excited about having more grocery options in town.

“About pricing: we understand that some items may feel more expensive, especially at first glance. While it might seem like local food should cost less (no shipping, no middlemen), small farms often face higher costs because they use sustainable, labor-intensive practices and pay fair wages. Co-ops like ours also prioritize paying farmers fairly—not squeezing them like big chains often do. What you’re seeing is the true cost of real food that supports people, not just profit.

“Also worth noting: comparing a small, mission-driven store like ours to a massive chain with national buying power is a bit like comparing apples to oranges. We’ll never get the same bulk discounts— but we also don’t cut corners on values, wages, or relationships.

“That said, our pricing strategy is still evolving—and yes, we caught a few errors during our soft opening that are being corrected. We also have many everyday staples that are priced the same or lower than big-box stores, and we’re committed to keeping things accessible:

-Bulk bins often offer major savings on pantry staples—no packaging, just what you need.

-SNAP/LINK accepted, and Link Match (coming soon) gives extra dollars for local produce

-Bi-weekly Sales: Our sales

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• With regard to calls of a political nature, it is not possible to have an equal balance of calls with liberal and conservative viewpoints during any given week. The editors of Speak Out don’t have control of who calls in, what their political leanings happen to be, and the topic(s) they want to discuss.

• If you have further questions about Speak Out, email: news1@rvpublishing.com.

flyer has dozens of discounted items—many priced the same or lower than the chains

“We know price matters and we’re committed to finding the right balance between value, ethics, and quality.

Thanks again for supporting community-owned food—and for growing with us!

*

* *

Last week I was going west on North Avenue in Villa Park, near the little strip mall where Dollar Tree is. I had to do a double take when I saw a guy, definitely under 18, riding an e-scooter in the middle lane of eastbound traffic. I was dumbfounded that anyone, let alone a young person, would be operating an e-scooter on a street like North Avenue. I wanted to call the police but I was not hands-free at the time. Later I saw two pre-teen girls on e-scooters riding on the sidewalk off Main and Sunset, and I thought, now that is responsible riding. I personally see nothing wrong with young people riding on sidewalks (except in the downtown and other shopping areas) like we used to do on our bicycles, and which kids still do. Just be responsible and slow down, get out of the way, if you see someone walking, jogging or walking with a stroller.

* * *

I don’t know about anyone else, but I don’t like having to go out of my way to another town’s post office because Lombard’s post office is so incompetent. I have seen enough complaints in Speak Out and on social media, and experienced issues myself, to know that most of us agree it is poorly run and we are frustrated. Why not organize some kind of “campaign” to bring attention to the situation?

Good luck getting through to the Lombard phone number, for one, and no complaining to the USPS online or by toll-free number seems to do any good, either. Do we not have the right to a well-run post office, especially since the price of stamps just went up? The postmaster and her superiors need to know how frustrated, disgusted and inconvenienced Lombard residents have become. Even though she might have inherited this mess, there has been no improvement. I am not a good community organizer but I would be a good participant and carry a sign if there was to be a peaceful event by the post office. Or, maybe a petition to have a “town hall” to hear what we residents have to say?

* * *

Kudos to the July 3 Speak Out issue contributor calling out a previous issue’s (April 24) idiotic extravagance complaining about Trump’s/ Musk’s “to destroy the United States” by eroding the stock market through tariff implementations. Thanks for bringing this stupid rant back to the

surface. As we know, the market quickly recovered, signaling confidence in the economic policies of the president. I sometimes initially turn my head and question our president’s methods, but over time I learned to just trust the man and let him do what we elected him to do.

* * *

Here’s a quote from Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, referring to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents who were conducting an operation in one of that city’s parks: “They need to leave, and they need to leave right now. They need to leave, because this is unacceptable.” The mayor said that without a hint of irony. Millions of Americans would use her exact words in referring to the millions of individuals who have illegally entered our country.

* * *

I agree with a sweep to get rid of the criminals who are here illegally, though technically, all of the immigrants here illegally are criminals. However, I think an exception could be made for seasonal/ farm workers who do the jobs out in the fields it seems nobody else wants to do. Give them a special work visa, similar to student visas given to foreign students. I think it will benefit the crop growers and consumers who will otherwise bear the brunt of higher costs for produce. If these immigrants are willing to do those jobs, then put them on a special “payroll” and take out taxes, just like with any other job.

* * *

It was very nice to see our Villa Park board speaking politely this week. But we really need to start on time, not an hour late! And the FUN commission spoke for 25 minutes—that was 20 minutes way too long! Please President Patrick, control the meeting as you are in charge. And yes, a twice a year town hall would be great, but would have to be at the Community Center as a large crowd will be there.

* * *

The amount of propaganda and hate against our great president knows no bounds. In particular the newspaper industry doesn’t get enough attention for their fake headlines and constant attacks as the Chicago Sun Times and the Chicago Tribune are filled daily with anti-Trump anti-Republican bias and propaganda. These institutions need to be called out and I reckon this is why no one trusts them. And they have no credibility in this day and age. They are such obvious shills for the Democratic urban party.

* * *

Socialism breeds communism. That’s a fact. The weakness for communist takeover in our country is the Democratic establishment. The fact that the

Democrats endorsed the candidate named Zohran Mamdani, who is a socialist communist, for New York mayor, is a red flag. True Americans Democrats need to wake up before it’s too late. Our party’s namesake is at stake.

* * *

The other day I was at my local Walmart, and noticed a relatively young man, late 20s or so, shopping. Problem— he was wearing only a white T-shirt on top, and there was an obvious imprint of a firearm on his belt protruding through his shirt. I assumed he was a concealed carry license holder, as am I. But still, I kept my eyes open; couldn’t be sure. Bigger problem—it is against the law to not completely conceal one’s lawfully carried firearm? Any evident indication that one is carrying to the public is, again, in violation of state law. To our CCL carriers out there, please be careful. We know the rules and we don’t want to flaunt our right to carry. Wear the proper clothing for your carry. The saying “I don’t leave home without it” rings true to many of us. Take your right to carry seriously; be sensible, aware, train relentlessly and above all else, get firearms carry insurance, as even a justifiable shooting can result in years of litigation and possibly the ruination of assets, family and reputation.

* * * Lombard calling. I wanted to address the Robert Byrne letter from July 10. Almost everything in that article was easily discreditable; talking about the email from the Social Security Administration, praising the Trump bill; the head of the Social Security Administration is literally a Trump appointee who donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to Trump’s campaign fund in 2019, and his wife has donated nearly $1 million to affiliated Trump Foundation organizations. There’s obvious corruption here, and I could easily discredit almost all the other points in the letter—but it’s really easy to Google this stuff and see that yes, tax cuts are going to go to more billionaires. And the other main point is there’s a lot of talk of waste and fraud but no evidence, and that’s the problem with the Republican administration. people just say over and over again corruption, corruption, corruption, and waste and fraud, and fraud and fraud, and there’s literally no evidence. There are no studies being conducted There’s no research being released. So please think critically as an American citizen. You have the right to free speech but the responsibility to actually challenge the information that’s being presented to you as not just mere propaganda.

* * *

Yeah, you’re right, I don’t

particularly care for most things that Trump has done. Keep drinking that orange Kool-Aid. You know the thing that makes America great, and it’s always made America great, has been our willingness to help out other people and other countries, and not this terrible, disgusting, disruptive, illegal, immoral behavior that he continues to engage in; the cruelty to so many people into so many groups. That’ll be his legacy and unfortunately we will be tarnished with it.

* * *

Oh a big thank you to Donald Trump and probably to Kristi Noem from Homeland Security. Rosie O’Donnell is out of the country, living in Ireland. I feel much safer and better already. Thank you.

* * *

I just received a letter from Commonwealth Edison saying last year I used 718 kwh’s in the average house use 1753 kwh. And then in the next suggestion they’re suggesting that I raise my thermostat by five to eight degrees. This is why people don’t want to cut back on the amount they use. If we ever have to conserve they won’t use the average amount and give everybody a percentage of that. I’d be expected to cut mine a ridiculously low amount to the same percentage of somebody that hasn’t. People are concerned about cutting back for this very reason. They shouldn’t be suggesting with such a low amount that I am using to cut it back even lower. They’re making people skeptical to cut it back in the first place.

* * *

This is a response to the caller who spoke in Speak Out about the Lombard Post Office. If you live in Lombard you know better; you do not mail anything from the Lombard Post Office. I live in Lombard I go to the Villa Park Post Office to mail my stuff because we had the experience when we first moved in here that they were getting our bills but not our checks. Thank you.

* * *

I loved the Speak Out call (July 17 issue) that told all the bleeding heart leftists to take in one or two illegals and house and feed them themselves instead of having taxpayers fund them to stay here. Having them cross the border illegally and then staying here is a slap in the face to those who make the effort to enter and live in this country legally. Why have borders if we’re not going to enforce them?

* * *

Now the regressive leftists are whining about funding being cut to NPR and PBS. I’ve got a solution. Have these stations lobby all the big-time Hollywood actors and actresses and get their funding covered that way. Then they can broadcast all the leftist-slanted programs they want!

Lombard Fire Department responds to house fire on W. Edgewood Road Red Cross issues advice to stay safe during extreme heat

On Saturday, July 19, at approximately 5:10 a.m., the Lombard Fire Department was dispatched to the 500 block of W. Edgewood Road for a reported house fire.

Engine 45 arrived first on scene and reported heavy smoke coming from the eaves of the home. Incident command was established, and it was confirmed that the homeowner had safely exited the residence.

Lombard Fire Department

crews arrived on scene at 5:16 a.m. and quickly deployed multiple hose lines to begin extinguishing the fire. While firefighters worked inside the home to contain the flames, a truck crew used ladders to access the roof and cut openings to help release smoke and heat.

Firefighters conducted a full search of the home and confirmed that no one else was inside. The fire was brought under control at 5:30

a.m.

ComEd performed a remote electrical shut-off, and Nicor safely secured the gas service to the residence. There were no reported injuries to civilians or firefighters. However, the home was left uninhabitable due to extensive damage, which is estimated to exceed $80,000. The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Lombard Fire Investigation Unit.

Lombard firefighters received mutual aid assistance from the Elmhurst, Oak Brook, Oakbrook Terrace, and Villa Park fire departments, as well as the York Center Fire Protection District. The DuPage County Sheriff’s Office provided traffic and crowd control during the incident.

For more information or inquiries, contact Deputy Chief George Hyland at 630620-5736.

Helen Plum Library celebrates summer reading with concert to support Outreach House Aug. 3

The Helen Plum Memorial Library, 411 S. Main St., has partnered with Music & Potlucks, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, to present a special summer reading concert to support The Outreach House on at 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug.3.

The event features folk singer songwriter Mark Dvorak performing on guitar, 5-string banjo and 12-string guitar.

Dvorak has won awards

for journalism and children’s music and received the 2013 FARM Lantern Bearer Award from Folk Alliance International. In 2008 he was honored with the Woodstock Folk Festival Lifetime Achievement Award and in 2012 WFMT 98.7 FM Midnight Special host Rich Warren named him “Chicago’s official troubadour.”

“At this stage of the game,” said the singer, “I feel like I’m doing my best work.”

The Outreach House is located at 700 Springer Drive and serves families in York Township, Glendale Heights and Addison through four different programs—its Food Pantry, First Things First (infant needs), Walk-in Assistance (emergency expenses) and the Clothes Closet.

Those attending should bring one or more grocery bags of non-perishable food items, toiletries and in-season clothing items.

“We’ve presented over 225 events,” said Music and Potlucks Co-Director Stephanie Schrodt of River Forest. “Our mission is to present programs that gather our community together and at the same time provide some assistance to our neighbors in need. We’re thrilled to be partnering with the Helen Plum community.”

To learn more, contact the Helen Plum Memorial Library at 630-627-0316 or log on at www.helenplum.org.

College of DuPage employees form union with AFSCME

Taking the next step in their union organizing campaign that kicked off in March, some 600 employees of the College of DuPage last week filed a majority interest petition with the Illinois Labor Relations Board.

Upon verifying that the petition includes the signatures of a majority of employees, the board will officially certify the union as part of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Council 31.

The new union—College of DuPage Staff United/ AFSCME—will represent “classified” staff (including administrative, clerical, IT and similar employees) whose work supports COD students and faculty.

In the public letter that announced their organizing campaign, COD employees wrote, “We are forming our union because we are proud of the work we do to see our students and community thrive … [I]t’s time for staff to have our own voice.”

Coming events

‘Sip and Shop’ to benefit Lombard Service League Join the members of Lombard Service League for a unique shopping opportunity on July 25. From 5-7 p.m. Kendra Scott Jewelry in Oak Brook Shopping Mall will be hosting a “Sip and Shop” event. Twenty percent of the proceeds of all items purchased between 5 and 7 p.m. will be donated back to the club. Lombard Service League members will provide simple snacks and Kendra Scott will provide Champagne and sweets. Please join us for a fun evening of shopping while helping to raise funds for local philanthropy projects. Lombard

Service League is a member of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs and the Illinois Federation of Women’s Clubs. The club is celebrating its 75th anniversary as a club this year. For more information about this event or about the club, call or text 630-9880625.

STEM-A-PALOOZA at DuPage County Fair July 24-27

SCARCE (School & Community Assistance for Recycling and Composting Education( will be back at the DuPage County Fair with tadpoles, worms, environmental models, spin art and more—fun, hands-on activities and crafts that bring sci-

“With funding for higher education under assault by extremists in Washington DC, it’s crucial for higher ed employees to have a union—a strong, united voice to advocate for themselves, their families, students and communities,” AFSCME Council 31 executive director Roberta Lynch said.

AFSCME represents thousands of workers on college campuses throughout Illinois, including at City Colleges of Chicago, the University of Illinois in

ence, technology, engineering, and math to life in cool SCARCE style.

Stormwater Management will also host an interactive booth that’s fun for kids and adults.

Look for SCARCE in the air-conditioned building at the DuPage County Fairgrounds (2015 Manchester Road, Wheaton.)

Free entry with fair admission.

For DuPage County Fair details, visit https://dupagecountyfair.org/dupage-county-fair.

Plum Library programs Community Concert Partnership with Mark Dvorak Sunday, Aug. 3,

Recently there have been dangerously high temperatures across the region. The American Red Cross urges everyone to take three critical actions to stay safe during such times:

• Stay hydrated by drinking a cup of water every hour, even if you don’t feel thirsty. Avoid sugary, caffeinated and alcoholic drinks.

• Stay cool by spending time in air-conditioned places. If your home is too hot, go to a mall, library or cooling center

• Stay connected by checking on others and asking for help if you need it. Make sure pets have access to fresh water and shade.

“Knowing what to do to protect yourself and loved ones from extreme heat can save lives,” said Tony Lasher, Division Disaster Director. “We’re asking everyone to check on friends and neighbors, especially older adults, people with chronic conditions, outdoor workers and athletes. You could make all the difference by sending a text, making a call or knocking on their door.”

What you should do

Remind everyone to drink water, even if they don’t feel thirsty. Aim for a cup of water every hour and encourage people to avoid sugary, caffeinated or alcoholic drinks. Babies should be breast-fed or bottlefed often. Fewer wet diapers or darker urine can be signs of dehydration.

Encourage athletes and outdoor workers to take breaks in the shade. They should drink a cup of water every 20 minutes and take frequent water breaks.

Help those without air conditioning find a safe place to go like a mall, library or cooling center. They can also take cool showers or baths to help cool off. Remind people to wear lightweight, loose-fitting clothes in light colors.

Urbana-Champaign, Eastern Illinois University, Illinois State University, Northeastern Illinois University, Northern Illinois University, Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine in Springfield and the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.

About 50 College of DuPage custodial workers are already represented by AFSCME.

at 2 p.m. Join us for a special community event with beloved musician Mark Dvorak. Bring in-date food items, toiletries or diapers/ baby products to support The Outreach House, and enjoy a memorable performance by Mark.

Around the World in 60 Minutes Monday, Aug. 4, at 1 p.m. Heather Braoudakis returns to Helen Plum with a new music program to delight. Join Heather as she sings songs from around the world and classics such as “I Left My Heart in San Francisco,” “Road to Morocco” and “The Girl from Ipanema.” Register for these programs at helenplum.org or by calling (630) 627-0316.

Never leave a child or pet alone inside a parked car, and make sure pets have access to fresh water and shade.

Heat illness signs

Anyone can become ill during extreme heat if their body can’t cool down properly. It’s critical to act fast as some types of heat illness can be deadly.

Heat cramps are signaled by heavy sweating and muscle pain. Take action by stopping what you’re doing, resting in a cool place and slowly sipping water. Don’t drink if you feel sick, and get medical help if cramps last over an hour or you have heart problems.

Heat exhaustion is signaled by heavy sweating, weakness, cool and clammy skin, muscle cramps, dizziness, fainting, nausea or vomiting. Take action by stopping what you’re doing, resting in a cool place and slowly sipping water. Don’t drink if you feel sick. Loosen your clothes and place a cool wet cloth on your body. Get medical help if you don’t feel better, vomit or have heart problems.

Heat stroke is a deadly condition signaled by high body temperature, rapid heartbeat, confusion, headache, dizziness, fainting, nausea or vomiting. Call 911. Move to a cooler place, remove extra clothing and use a wet cloth or a cool bath to cool down. Don’t drink anything.

If the power goes out

When a heat wave and a power outage happen at the same time, it can be even more dangerous. Stay in air conditioning either at home or at a mall, library or cooling center. Keep an ice-filled cooler stocked with food, water and medicine, so that they don’t spoil. More information is available online at www.redcross. org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-ofemergencies/power-outage.html.

Finally, download the free Red Cross First Aid app so you’ll know what to do if emergency help is delayed and the free Emergency app for real-time weather alerts and heat safety information. Content is available in English and Spanish with an easy-to-find language selector. Find both apps in smartphone app stores by searching for the American Red Cross or going to redcross.org/apps.

Pritzker signs executive order responding to impact of tariffs on Illinois

Requires state agencies to draft plans to mitigate effects of tariffs on their responsibilities

By Ben Szalinski Capitol news illinois

Gov. JB Pritzker signed an executive order July 14 requiring Illinois agencies to draft recommendations to respond to tariffs being implemented by President Donald Trump.

The order requires seven state agencies to “consider the specific impacts that the U.S. tariffs have had on Illinois and provide draft recommendations of measures to mitigate the impact of these tariffs” within the next 100 days, which would be Oct. 22.

Pritzker said in a statement

that tariffs amount to a tax increase on consumers and contribute to economic uncertainty.

“This Executive Order ensures we have a clear-eyed view of the impact the Trump Slump will cause from higher prices at the grocery store to uncertainty in our farms and factories,” Pritzker said. “We’re working with other states to stand up for working people and protect our economies when we can.”

The order cites large tariffs Trump has unilaterally implemented on most countries, including some of Illinois’ largest trading partners, saying the

tariffs have raised prices for consumers and businesses and led to supply chain disruptions. The order says tariffs as well as retaliatory tariffs countries have imposed on the United States are hurting “vital sectors of the Illinois economy.”

After previously pushing off implementation of some tariffs until Aug. 1 to allow time for negotiations, Trump announced last week many countries will see tariffs take effect. His latest policy includes 35 percent tariffs on Canada, 30 percent on Mexico and the European Union, and between 25 percent

and 40 percent on many Asian countries. The president previously imposed 145 percent tariffs on goods from China in the spring, but many of his latest rates are lower than they would have been earlier this year.

Illinois imports more goods from Canada than any other country.

Order’s requirements

Under Pritzker’s executive order, state agencies must examine the impact of tariffs on certain sectors of the economy or the agency’s operations.

The departments of Com-

DuPage County wins three national awards

DuPage County received three Achievement Awards from the National Association of Counties (NACo). The awards honor innovative, effective county government programs that strengthen services for residents.

“DuPage County strives for excellence and seeks to be a leader at the state and national levels. We are grateful to receive this recognition from NACo and thrilled to share these programs with counties across the nation,” said County Board Chair Deborah Conroy.

Each year, NACo’s Achievement Awards recognize outstanding programming in 18 categories aligned with the vast, comprehensive services counties provide. The categories include children and youth, criminal justice and public safety, libraries, management, information technology, health, civic engagement and more.

Launched in 1970, the

program is designed to celebrate innovation in county government. Each nominated program is judged on its own merits and not against other applications.

“The Achievement Awards shine a spotlight on the hard work and innovation happening in county governments across the nation,” said NACo President James Gore.

“This year’s winners highlight the dedication and creativity of county leaders and our teams to building thriving communities and providing the best possible services to our residents.”

DuPage County won awards for the following programs:

DuPage County Hinsdale Lake Terrace Rideshare Access Program

Recognizing the economic and transportation access disadvantages faced by residents of the Hinsdale Lake

Coming events

Free sewing classes for middle-school students

First United Methodist Church of Lombard is excited to offer a fantastic opportunity for middle school students this summer—free sewing classes July 29, 30, 31 and Aug. 5, 6 and 7; 9:30-11:45 a.m. at First UMC Lombard, 155 S. Main St. Students will learn: hand sewing techniques, how to control and thread a sewing machine, basic sewing skills and complete the class by sewing their own sleep shorts. Spots are limited. Only the first five students to enroll will be accepted into this session. We hope to offer a second class later in the summer. Cost: free to enroll. Students will receive the sewing pattern but will need to purchase their own fabric, thread, and elastic. Email MediaRelations@firstUMCLombard.org with: Student’s

name, age, parents’ phone number and email address. Sandy will follow up to confirm your spot.

Feel Good Hair back-toschool drive

Feel Good Hair, 1275 S. Main St., Lombard is holding a back-to-school drive through Aug. 2, to be donated to People’s Resource Center. Character backpacks (K-5) and durable backpacks for grades 6-12, colored pencils, compasses/protractors, headphones (earbuds or over-ear), erasers, postit notes, glue sticks, highlighters, index cards, kids markers, two-pocket folders, kids scissors, crayons, pencils, pencil bags, pens (black, blue and red), dry erase markers, rulers, scientific calculators and spiral/ composition notebooks. Call 630-705-0141 for more information.

Terrace community in southeast DuPage County, DuPage County government approached Pace Suburban Bus and partnered with Uber to provide mobility services for the community.

The Hinsdale Lake Terrace Rideshare Access Program began in January 2025, built out of conversations with residents regarding mobility and economic needs. The program offers vouchers to residents for a ride anywhere within a local service area for medical services, grocery, employment, and other purposes.

Stormwater Management’s Water Quality Improvement Program grant

DuPage County Stormwater Management recognizes the financial burden a property owner may face undertaking a project that improves regional water quality. Stormwater Management’s WQIP is a competitive grant that provides financial assistance to projects providing a regional water quality benefit to local

waterways.

The grant funds up to 25 percent of eligible construction costs for water quality improvement projects. DuPage County initiated the grant program in 2000 and awarded approximately $6.6 million to 112 projects to date.

18th Judicial Circuit Court Guardianship Help Desk

The 18th Judicial Circuit Court Guardianship Help Desk was designed to provide caretakers and families with an opportunity to speak with an experienced attorney about their specific case, at the crucial court date on which they may be granted guardianship.

Every Tuesday the court devotes the call to Self-Represented Litigants and the Help Desk staffs at least two volunteer attorneys who answer questions about the court process, review all paperwork and make sure everything is to establish guardianship or help complete necessary paperwork, prior to the litigants presenting their case to a judge that same day.

merce and Economic Opportunity and Employment Security will evaluate challenges reported by businesses, employment trends since tariffs have been implemented, and industries most affected by tariffs.

The Department of Human Services will evaluate trends in food donations and supply chain challenges for food assistance programs, as well as the purchasing power of food banks and their ability to meet demand.

The Department of Transportation and the Capitol Development Board will assess

Obituary

LORIANN E. DAVIS, 60

Loriann “Lori” E. Davis, age 60, of Lombard passed away at home surrounded by family and friends on July 18th, 2025.

Lori was the loving wife of Don for over 25 years; mother of Allyson (Quin) Knepper and Amanda (Joe) Schlagel; caring grandmother of Layla, McKayla, Ellie, and Genevieve; adored daughter of the late Edward and Helen Michaelson; sister of Linda Hansen and Gregg Michaelson; and an aunt. Lori was a cherished lifelong friend of many. We can’t forget, she also was a puppy mom of Kirby and Bailey.

Lori worked as an Executive Assistant for the majority of her career. She was a loyal Chicago sports fan, despite the many-many losses. Lori was an avid camper, traveling

the impact of tariffs on construction costs, and the ability to purchase construction materials and complete projects within their timelines.

The Illinois Emergency Management Agency and the Department of Homeland Security will evaluate any impacts to stockpiles and the ability to obtain supplies, including staying prepared for emergencies within budget constraints.

Pritzker’s executive order was part of actions taken by seven Democratic governors to understand the impact of tariffs on their states.

to many different states across the country. Her perfect day would have been at the pool with a good book or attending a local craft fair. Lori was a presence in any room with her big smile and laugh. She had a big heart as well as an endless big bowl of candy to share. She was resilient to the very end. Lori will be missed dearly by her family and friends. Memorial Gathering will be held on Saturday, July 26th from 1:00 PM to 6:00 PM at Brust Funeral Home, 135 S. Main Street, Lombard, IL 60148.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the West Suburban Humane Society, 1901 W Ogden Ave., Downers Grove, IL 60515, or at www.wshs-dg.org/get-involved/donate. Info: www.brustfuneralhome.com or 888-629-0094.

Soul Asylum takes the stage at Rock ‘N Wheels Thursday night

The Village of Addison is welcoming yet another national act to the Village Green this Thursday, July 24.

Soul Asylum will be taking the stage at 8 p.m.

Since the ’80s, Soul Asylum have been a group known for their raucous and emphatic combination of punk energy, guitar-fueled firepower, and songs that range from aggressive to heartfelt.

Decades later, Soul Asylum remains one of the most inspiring and hardworking bands in the rock scene, having broken through commercially with the double-platinum 1992 album Grave

Dancers Union, which contained the Grammy-winning Billboard Hot 100 Top 5 hit “Runaway Train” and No. 1 Modern Rock smash “Somebody to Shove.”

Opening up the night is “Radar Waves” at 6:30.

Radar Waves is a melting pot of sounds culminating from the members’ large list of influences. If you like The Beatles, Local H, Foo Fight-

ers, Alkaline Trio, Motörhead, or Limp Bizkit; chances are you will find something to enjoy in Radar Waves.

Food, beverages, and ice cream will be available for purchase from Addison’s very own: 601 Bar & Grill, Barbara’s Polish Deli, Tacos Puebla, Lou Malnati’s, Muggs ‘n Manor, Flavor Frenzy, and Dunkley’s Tavern.

Additionally on July 24, the Addison Historical Museum will hold an open house from 5:30-8 p.m., with a special presentation of “Early Illinois Settlers” by the Living Historians Guild. The Craft & Vintage Fair will be going on in front of the museum buildings.

The car show is located at Green Meadow Shopping Center in spots along Lake Street only.

The Addison Township Foundation & Food Pantry is once again collecting nonperishable food and hygiene donations at every Rock ‘N Wheels event. Bring your donations to the blue Village

Police Reports

The Addison and Bensenville police departments 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.

Addison

July 14

Felix A. Perez Zetina, 33, of Palatine, was charged with DUI, transportation or carrying alcoholic liquor by a driver, possession of cannabis and no insurance in the 300 block of North Avenue at 1:44 a.m.

July 13

Police said David E. Lepey, 29, of Addison, was arrested on a failure to appear warrant in the 3N700 block of Broadview at 5:09 a.m.

Miguel Rodriguez, 26, of Addison, was charged with two counts of DUI and two counts of endangering the life/health of a child near Mill and Stonemill at 12:16 a.m.

July 12

Police said John Collazo, 39, of Naperville, was issued a warrant in the 600 block of S. Meadows at 11 p.m.

Esteban D. Lopez Garcia, 32, of Addison, was charged with DUI, transportation or carrying alcoholic liquor by a driver and improper parking near Fullerton and Hale at

of Addison tent before 8 p.m. at any Rock ‘N Wheels event through the rest of the summer.

Handicapped parking is available at Friendship Plaza. For more details and the complete season schedule, visit ItHappensInAddison. com.

Remaining Rock ‘N Wheels schedule

The Village of Addison

continues its 14th season of Rock ‘N Wheels every Thursday through the summer, from 6 to 10 p.m. on the Village Green. Rock ‘N Wheels includes live music, food and beverages from Addison restaurants, attractions available for children, and more. Coming up this season:

July 31: American English Aug, 7: The Buckinghams Aug, 14: Lateralus

Park district offers summer STEAM programs in August

The Bensenville Park District is offering new STEAM with Me programs this summer, designed to spark curiosity and creativity in children ages 5 to 14.

Each program is offered at the Deer Grove Leisure Center (DGLC), 1000 W. Wood St., Bensenville.

The new programs explore core concepts in science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics (STEAM) through engaging, hands-on learning experiences.

Tuesday, Aug. 5

Participants will predict, test, and build floating structures, learning about buoyancy and boat design through experimentation.

Owl Pellet Dissection—6-7 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 26.

Students will dissect real owl pellets to identify bones and other remains, exploring food chains, animal anatomy, and predator-prey relationships.

Each session takes place in the Maple Elm Room at the DGLC.

Bensenville Water Park hosts free dive-in movie showing of Disney’s Moana 2 on Aug. 2

5:51 a.m.

Andrew Patterson, 30, of Willowbrook, was charged with two counts of DUI in the 100 block of W. Lake at 12:42 a.m.

July 11

A 28-year-old Lombard man was charged with two counts of domestic battery in the 1-100 block of S. Mill.

July 10

An 18-year-old Addison man was charged with two counts of domestic battery in the 100 block of S. Michigan at 4:43 p.m.

July 9

A 31-year-old Schiller Park man was charged with criminal damage to property and two counts of domestic battery at 1:35 p.m.

A 23-year-old Addison man was charged with two counts of domestic battery in the 100 block of N. May at 3:36 a.m.

Bensenville

July 14, 12:22 p.m. near George Street, an unknown subject made entry into victim’s unlocked vehicle and stole several items. Among the items taken were a series 3 Apple Watch, a purse makeup bag and the left shoe of 4 different pairs of shoes. The incident is under investigation. BEPC2500517

July 13, 5:30 p.m. near S Church and W Green St, police said Jose Lopez-Fracisco of Bensenville was arrested for no valid driver’s license and a DuPage County warrant. BEPC2500512.

“STEAM with Me is a great way to encourage children to explore the world around them while having fun and building real-life skills,” said Recreation Supervisor Breana Aponte. “These classes are all about creativity, problem-solving and scientific discovery in a supportive, interactive environment.”

The three upcoming sessions are:

Float or Sink—6-7 p.m.

Registration is required one week prior to each class. Fees are $12 per child, or $10 for in-district residents. Space is limited to 10 participants, with a minimum of three needed per class.

Register in person at the Deer Grove Leisure Center at least one week in advance of each program.

For more information, visit BvilleParks.org or follow @ BvilleParks on social media.

Fun for all at the Prairie Fest

The City of Wood Dale celebrated the summer at its annual Prairie Fest the last weekend of June with live music, children’s entertainment, food, drinks, a carnival and fireworks that were held Saturday, June 28. The band Everclear (shown above) performed on Friday, June 27.

Families are invited to make a splash at the Bensenville Water Park & Splash Pad, 1100 W. Wood St., during a special Dive-In Movie Night featuring Disney’s Moana 2 at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 2. The movie will begin at dusk, following an evening of swimming and community fun.

Presented as part of the Theatre Dayz: Movie series, this free event offers a unique outdoor movie experience where families can enjoy a beloved film while relaxing in the water or lounging poolside. Attendees are encouraged to bring swimwear, blankets, and lawn chairs for a comfortable, family-friendly evening under the stars.

Sponsored by Armando Perez State Farm and Grand Subaru, the event promises an unforgettable, family-friendly summer night for all ages.

“We’re grateful to Armando Perez State Farm and Grand Subaru for their generous sponsorship,” said Jason Louro,

Interim Superintendent of Recreation. “It’s partnerships like these that allow us to bring the community together for safe, memorable experiences that celebrate summer fun.”

In Moana 2 (PG), the adventurous navigator returns for a brand-new journey beyond the reef. After receiving an unexpected call from her wayfinding ancestors, Moana must venture into uncharted waters alongside Maui and a new crew of unlikely seafarers. The sequel delivers the same stunning animation, catchy music and heartfelt storytelling that made the original a fan favorite. Admission to the Dive-In Movie Night is free and open to the public. Concessions will be available for purchase. For more information, visit BvilleParks.org or call 630766-7015.For more information, visit BvilleParks.org or call 630-766-0304. For more information, visit WhitePinesGolf.com or follow @GolfWhitePines on social media.

Bensenville Jets travel soccer club recruiting players for fall 2025 season

The Bensenville Park District announces that the Bensenville Jets Soccer Club is officially taking flight—and registration for the Fall 2025 travel season is now open. Youth players born in 2013 and 2014 are invited to join this exciting and growing club program that’s committed to building well-rounded athletes on and off the field. Practices begin the first week of August and will be held Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5–6:30 p.m. at Varble Park, 1000 W. Wood St., Bensenville. Games take place primarily on Saturdays and Sundays throughout the fall season.

Led by US Soccer Feder-

ation A-licensed coach, Ty Beshiri, the Bensenville Jets deliver a player-centered curriculum designed to develop intelligent, technical players through progressive skill training and small-sided games. Players will practice two to three times per week in a positive, supportive and challenging environment. Space is limited. Registration is open at the Deer Grove Leisure Center, 1000 W. Wood St., Bensenville. For full program details and to learn more, visit BvilleParks.org/BvilleJets or contact Coach Ty Beshiri at (630) 532-9359 or tbeshiri@bvilleparks.org.

SUBMITTED

Worship Services Directory

Berean Bible Students

Church

535 East Maple Street Lombard, IL 60148 (630) 889-1090 www.bbschurch.org

Worship God and learn more about Him with us.

Sunday Worship starts at 10:00 am and is followed by a Message. Sunday Bible Study starts at 11:30 am

(630) 889-1090

For more information you can reach us at 630-889-1090 or visit our website at www.bbschurch.org.

Worship with Us!

St.

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

Lent and Easter Services at 7 p.m.

“The Crucial Hours”

Second Lenten Service March 9, 2022

Rev. David Ernest “Satan Has Asked to Sift All of You” Jerusalem Lutheran, Morton Grove Matthew 27:15-26

Third Lenten Service March 16, 2022

Sunday Worship at 10:15 am Sunday School & Bible Study 9 am Wednesday Service at 7pm Adult Bible Study Wednesdays after Service Saturday, July 26, Game Night at 4 pm Everyone is Welcome!

Rev. Paul Spaude “What to Remember When Your are St. Matthews, Niles Seized with Remorse” Matthew 27:3-4

All services are live streamed. Watch on our website or on Facebook. sainttimothy.org

Fourth Lenten Service March 23, 2022

Rev. Jonathan Bergemann “I Will Keep the Passover” Good Shepherd, Downers Grove Matthew 26:18

Fifth Lenten Service March 30, 2022

Rev. Tom Nicholson “They Bound Him” Resurrection, Aurora John 18:12

Sixth Lenten Service April 6, 2022

Rev. Phil Schupmann “The Semblance of Legality” Resurrection, Aurora Luke 22:66

Maundy Thursday Communion 7 p.m., April 14

Good Friday Tenebrae 7 p.m., April 15

Easter Sunrise 6:30 a.m., April 17

Easter Breakfast 8 a.m., April 17

Easter Festival 10:15

to

X CATHOLIC

Diocese of Joliet SUNDAY MASS SCHEDULE SATURDAY: 5:00 PM (VIGIL MASS) 7:00 PM (ESPAÑOL) SUNDAY: 8:00 AM & 10:00 AM WEEKDAY MASS SCHEDULE MONDAY - FRIDAY & FIRST SATURDAY: 8:30 AM ADORATION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT - PRAYER CHAPEL MONDAY - THURSDAY 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION ( ENGLISH & ESPAÑOL) SATURDAY: 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM OR BY APPOINTMENT Parish Office: 1025 E. Madison Street • (630) 627-4526 • www.stpiuslombard.org 600 S. Villa Ave. addison, il 60101 (630) 832-3328 www.messiahbaptistchurch.org

sUNDAY SCHOOL AT 9:30AM

SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICE 10:30AM WEDNESDAY BIBLE STUDY 7PM

NURSERY, CHILDREN’S CLASS AND YOUTH CLASS AVAILABLE ON SUNDAYS 10:30 WORSHIP SERVICE IS LIVESTREAMED AND CAN BE VIEWED ON YOUTUBE OR FACEBOOK

Weekend Masses: Saturday: 4 PM (Vigil) Sunday: 7:30, 9:30 & 11:30 AM and 6 PM

Weekend Masses: Saturday: 4 PM (Vigil) Sunday: 7:30, 9:30 & 11:30 AM and 6 PM

Daily Masses: Monday Friday: 6:15 and 8:15 AM Saturday: 8:15 AM

Daily Masses: Monday—Friday: 6:15 and 8:15 AM Saturday: 8:15 AM

Confessions: Saturday: 3-3:45PM

Confessions: Saturday: 3-3:45PM

Adoration:

Adoration: Parish Center Eucharist Chapel 24/7

DuPAGE DESTINATIONS

Can’t-miss events in and around the area

Editor’s note: If you have information on an event in Addison, Bensenville, Elmhurst, Lombard and Villa Park taking place that you would like us to consider listing here, please email that information to: news1@rvpublishing.com

Ongoing

North Suburban Carvers meetings

The North Suburban Carvers meet on the first and third Mondays of each month at the Wood Dale Public Library from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Anyone interested in carving, power carving, wood burning or special finishing techniques is welcome. North Suburban Carvers is a non-profit organization that promotes carving in the Chicago area. For more

information, visit: northsurburbancarvers.com .org/calendar.aspx

Friday, July 25 Fourth Fridays concert series

Elmhurst

Presented by the Elmhurst History Museum, join the museum for its first Fourth Fridays Concert Series at the museum’s new outdoor performance space, starting at 7 p.m. From June through September, experience an eclectic line up of concerts, from jazz and blues to bluegrass and salsa and Cumbia music, on the fourth Friday of each month. Free to attend. Chairs, blankets, coolers welcome. Morry Sochat and The Special 20’s, a blues band, will be perform-

ing on July 25. For more information.

Sunday, July 27

Stationery Mini-Market with local artists

Elmhurst

Free from noon-5 p.m. at 569 N. York St., welcome to the Stationery Mini-Market at Papel Arcano. Papel Arcano is turning the shop floor into a paper-lover’s paradise. Browse pop-up tables from indie illustrators, local artists, sticker designers, and journaling supply crafters—plus all the pens and washi you already love on our shelves. Whether you’re a bullet journal enthusiast, a planner addict, brand new to stationery, or just love pretty paper, this event is for you. What to expect: Six-plus

local artists selling stationery, prints, stickers, and ephemera; all attendees can opt-in to raffles for Papel Arcano goodies; support small makers, meet your future pen pals, and stock up before planner season kicks off on Stationery Store Day in August. Admission is free, but RSVPs are appreciated so artists can plan accordingly. For more information, call 630-426-1401 or email papelarcano@gmail. com.

Friday, Aug. 1

Family bingo and pizza Villa Park

From 6-7:30 p.m. at the Villa Park Recreation Center, 320 E. Wildwood, bring the family out for this exciting way to explore the new Rec. Center! You’ll enjoy pizza, soft drinks, and desserts while playing a few games of bingo for prizes. Price: $13 per person; children under 1 are free. Register each family member who’ll be attending. For more information, visit: www.invillapark.com.

Saturday, Aug. 9

Live at White Pines

Bensenville

The Live at White Pines

summer concert series continues with a dynamic, can’tmiss performance by Together, Chicagoland’s premier English/Spanish showband, from 6 to 10 p.m. at the Pavilion at White Pines, located at 500 W. Jefferson St. in Bensenville.

This free community event promises an evening of live entertainment, dancing, food, and fun. All ages are welcome. Food and beverages are available for purchase.

For more information, visit BvilleParks.org or call 630-766-0304. For more information, visit WhitePinesGolf.com or follow @GolfWhitePines on social media.

Now though Aug. 14

Rock ‘N Wheels

Addison

The Village of Addison continues its 14th season of Rock ‘N Wheels every Thursday through the summer, from 6 to 10 p.m. on the Village Green. Rock ‘N Wheels includes live music, food and beverages from Addison restaurants, attractions available for children, and more. Here is the remaining schedule of performers: July 24: Soul Asylum

July 31: American English Aug, 7: The Buckinghams Aug, 14: Lateralus For more information, visit: ItHapppensInAddison.com.

Now through Aug. 23

Cruise Nights

Lombard

Lombard’s Cruise Nights and summer concerts take place on Saturdays through Aug. 23, from 6-10 p.m., with live music from 6-9 p.m.

The first nine events will be held on S. Park Ave and will include a live concert and classic car show. Guests are welcome to set up chairs beginning at 5 p.m., and parking is available in the nearby Metra commuter lots. Here is the remaining schedule of bands: July 26: Kaleidoscope Eyes; Aug. 2: Anchors Away; Aug. 9: Heartache Tonight; Aug. 16: Blooze Brothers; Aug. 23: Hi Infidelity. Updates and weather-related delays or cancellations will be shared on the Village of Lombard’s Facebook and Twitter pages.

Now through Sept. 3

Music in the Park Bensenville

Bensenville’s Music in the Park summer concert series in 2025 is being held on Wednesdays at the Village Hall Lawn and running through Aug. 20. The weekly event includes a classic car show cruise night at 6 p.m. along Green and Center streets, followed by live music from 7:30-9:30 p.m. Here is the remaining schedule of bands: July 30—The Country Night (new and classic country)

Aug. 6— EZFM (Yacht rock hits)

Aug. 13— Kashmir (The Led Zeppelin Concert)

Aug. 20—Rocks Off (Rolling Stones hits)

Aug. 27—Simply Elton (Tribute to Sir Elton John)

Sept. 3— ARRA (classic rock)

See more DuPage Coming Events on page 16

PUZZLE Page

Sudoku

Fun by the Numbers

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

CLUES ACROSS

1. Pacific Standard Time

4. Extracts through heating and melting

10. Express delight

11. More curvy

12. Expression of uncertainty

14. Indicates before 15. Daughter of Hera and Zeus

16. Southwestern CA city

18. Unified

22. Less attractive

23. Base of jellies

24. A large and noisy party

26. He was traded for Luka

27. Wolverine genus

28. “Happy Days” actress Moran

30. Root of taro plant

31. Student environmental group (abbr.)

34. Silk garments

36. Unique power

37. Ray Liotta cop film

39. Leak slowly through

40. Notion

41. Atomic #55

42. Fixed in one place

48. About heat

50. Type of baseball pitch

51. Seedless raisin

52. Large wading birds

53. Similar

54. Time zone

55. Atomic #34

56. Program

58. Old world, new

59. Contrary belief

60. “To the __ degree”

CLUES

DOWN

1. Plain-woven fabric

2. Classed

3. Suppositions

4. Midway between south and west

5. Tropical American trees

6. Leveled

7. Published false statement

8. Adolescent

9. Junior’s father

12. Aurochs

13. Not low

17. Boxing’s GOAT

19. Short musical composition

20. Small immature herrings

21. Eavesdropper

25. Parcels of land

29. Anger

31. Irritations

32. Hindu holy man

33. Wicker basket for fish

35. Natural object

38. Transporting in a vehicle

41. A dog is one

43. Smaller portion

44. Sew

45. Belonging to a thing

46. Horsley and Greenwood are two

47. Scottish language

49. Producer

56. Exclamation of surprise

57. Russian river

Answers

Sports

Waves conclude season by swimming in White Division ‘A’ Meet

Lombard’s Avery Norman delivers three individual wins and contributes to pair of relay victories

The Lombard Waves closed out their 2025 season by competing in Saturday’s DuPage Swim and Dive Conference White Division ‘A’ Meet at Paradise Bay Water Park.

The Waves squared off against swimmers from five other teams in Saturday’s meet. The Itasca Dolphins won the meet’s team title with their total of 1,524 points. Bloomingdale (1,230) finished second, while Woodridge (1,023) earned third. Roselle (847) landed in fourth place, while Bartlett (820) and Lombard (666) placed fifth and sixth, respectively.

Lombard’s Avery Norman won the Waves’ only individual titles during Saturday’s meet. She swam to three firstplace finishes in the meet’s 8-and-under girls level. After winning the 50-yard freestyle in a first-place time of 32.11 seconds, she added victories in the 25-yard backstroke, which she completed in 18.73 seconds, and the 25-yard breaststroke, which she finished in 20.50 seconds.

In addition to winning three individual races on Saturday, Avery Norman joined Katherine Van Kampen, Parker Bergman and Claire Wedel on a pair of first-place relay teams.

The four Waves won the first event of the meet, completing the 100-yard medley relay in a victorious time of 1 minute, 24.73 seconds. Later in the meet, the same four girls won the 100-yard freestyle relay in a first-place time of 1 minute, 17.74 seconds.

Honored Broncos

Lombard Waves ended their season by hosting Saturday’s

and Dive Conference White Division ‘A’ Meet at Paradise Bay Water Park. Lombard’s foursome of (above - left to right) Claire Wedel, Katherine Van Kampen, Parker Bergman and Avery Norman won two relay races in the meet’s 8-and-under girls level. The four Waves won the 100-yard medley relay at the start of the meet. They are pictured later in the meet, after they won the 100-yard freestyle relay. One photo from before the freestyle relay shows (top left - left to right) Avery and Katherine. Another photo shows Claire (below left) before she swam the first leg of the freestyle relay. Katherine (below - far left) swam the second leg, while Parker (below right) swam the third leg. Avery swam a strong anchor leg to help the Waves to the win. After swimming on two first-place relay teams, Avery earned three individual victories in the meet. She is pictured (bottom right) during her triumph in the 50-yard freestyle. She went on to post wins in the 25-yard backstroke and the 25-yard breaststroke.

submitted photo Rock Valley Publishing

The members of Montini Catholic High School’s Class of 2025 who were honored at the school’s recent Celebration of Excellence Awards ceremony included Lily Spanos (left) and Izzie Evenson (right). Spanos received the Gold Medal for her contributions to Montini’s Student Government team, while Evenson received the Silver Medal. They are pictured with Montini Assistant Principal (and Student Government moderator) Alexxis Gora (center) at the ceremony. Spanos was a fouryear member of Montini’s varsity girls basketball team. She finished her senior season by helping the Broncos win the IHSA Class 3A state championship earlier this year. Spanos was also a member of Montini’s girls golf team. She was the president of Montini’s Student Government during her senior year. A Glen Ellyn resident, Spanos will attend Dickinson College in Pennsylvania. Evenson, who is a resident of Villa Park, was a four-year standout member of Montini’s varsity girls volleyball team. As a freshman, she helped the Broncos win the IHSA Class 2A state championship in the fall of 2021. Evenson was the vice president of Montini’s Student Government during her senior year. She will attend the College of Charleston in South Carolina.

Chris Fox photos Rock Valley Publishing

The

DuPage Swim

Mariners wrap up season at Red Division ‘A’ Meet

Lydia Aldana sails to four individual titles; Caleb Vaughan delivers three individual victories for Mariners

The Villa Park Mariners completed their 2025 season by competing in Saturday’s DuPage Swim and Dive Conference Red Division ‘A’ Meet in Wood Dale.

The Mariners battled against swimmers from five other teams—Butterfield, Carol Stream, Glendale Heights, Hanover Park and Wood Dale/Addison in Saturday’s meet.

Villa Park’s Lydia Aldana won four individual races during Saturday’s meet. Swimming in the 11-12 girls division, she earned her first victory of the day in the 50yard freestyle, which she completed in 29.34 seconds. After posting a win in the 100-yard individual medley, which she completed in 1 minute, 15.95 seconds, she added first-place efforts in the 50-yard backstroke (36.70) and the 50-yard

breaststroke (37.72).

Caleb Vaughan of the Mariners won three individual events during Saturday’s season-ending meet. Competing in the 11-12 boys level, he won the 100-yard individual medley (1:22.60) to earn his first victory of the day. He went on to win the 50-yard

butterfly (37.83) and the 50yard breaststroke (42.37).

Naomi Aldana of Villa Park won two individual titles in the 15-18 girls division of Saturday’s conference meet. She earned her wins in the 100-yard individual medley

See MARINERS, Page 15

The Lombardian, Villa Park Review, Addison Independent & Bensenville Independent

In Print and Online Every Thursday

Your hometown newspaper is available in both print and online versions.

The Villa Park Mariners finished their 2025 season on Saturday,

they participated in the DuPage

in Wood Dale. Lydia Aldana

the 11-12 girls level of Saturday’s meet. Villa Park’s Caleb Vaughan (above) swam to three individual victories in the meet’s 11-12 boys division.

The printed newspaper is delivered by the post office every Thursday for only $45 for a full year, in town; out of town $59. A digital eSubscription is also available for only $30 per year and can be read on a computer, laptop, or tablet.

or print home delivery by mail, please call 630.834-8244 or mail the below.

To order an online eSubscription or print home delivery by mail, please call 630-834-8244 or mail the coupon below.

Naomi Aldana (right) of the Mariners raced to two individual wins in the competition’s 15-18 girls level. All five of Villa Park’s Aldana siblings earned at least one individual victory on Saturday. Ethan Aldana (8-and-under boys), Ruth Aldana (11-12 girls) and Phoebe Aldana (13-14 girls) each swam to one individual win.

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Lombardian Villa Park Review

Addison Independent Bensenville Independent

Two members of Montini Catholic High School’s girls track and field team— Ashlynn Lindt (above left) and Brooke D’Amico (above right)—earned Girls Catholic Athletic Conference (GCAC) All-Conference honors during the 2025 spring outdoor season. Lindt and D’Amico are Lombard residents. Lindt, who was a junior during the 2025 season, finished second in the 3,200-meter run at the GCAC Outdoor Championships in May. Later that month, she qualified for the IHSA Class 2A girls state meet in the 3,200-meter run. She earned a 20th-place finish in that event at the state meet, which took place at Eastern Illinois University. D’Amico, who was a sophomore during the recently completed season, placed fourth in the triple jump at the GCAC Outdoor Championships, which took place at Loyola Academy in Wilmette.

Chris Fox File photos Rock Valley Publishing

July 19, when

Swim and Dive Conference’s Red Division ‘A’ Meet

(top left) of the Mariners won four individual titles in

Illinois bet on solar to meet its climate goals; Trump has the industry in his crosshairs

Advocates push state to expand renewables incentives

By Andrew Adams Capitol news illinois

President Donald Trump and congressional Republicans earlier this month curtailed federal tax incentives for the solar energy industry and for individuals and companies that purchase solar panels.

The move sent shockwaves through the industry nationwide, pulling key incentives for major projects and residential rooftop solar alike.

But in Illinois, members of the industry say state policy gives a bit of cover. While they have seen a wave of business before Biden-era tax breaks sunset, solar companies are left with uncertainty in the longterm.

Others fear Trump’s actions will drive up prices by slowing the pace of renewables entering the market as fossil fuels exit for economic reasons.

The spending plan that Trump signed into law on July 4 will end several decades-old tax incentive programs between now and 2027. Those programs, which offer credits for rooftop solar systems and investment in large-scale projects, were expanded under the Inflation Reduction Act, a major initiative of former President Joe Biden.

Trump followed the bill signing with a July 7 executive order aimed at quickly ending any subsidies for “expensive and unreliable energy sources like wind and solar.”

Between the spending bill and the executive order, the federal government will also stop offering a tax credit for the manufacture of wind power components and instead offer a similar subsidy to the coal used in steel production.

The new law also denies incentives to any projects that are owned by certain foreign entities or use a significant amount of supplies from those entities, like the Chinese government

• Mariners

and its affiliated businesses.

This is particularly difficult for battery storage and solar projects, which often rely on minerals and components mined in or manufactured in China.

This leaves many consumer advocates and energy experts looking to Illinois to further insulate the industry, which is a key part of how the state plans to replace fossil fuel-generated electricity with carbon-free sources by 2045 as required by state law.

Energy price increase

The bill will likely result in higher energy prices across the country, according to an analysis from the REPEAT Project, a joint research effort by Stanford Professor Jesse Jenkins’ Princeton Lab and Evolved Energy Research.

A separate analysis from think tank Energy Innovation, whose CEO was a senior Biden advisor involved in drafting climate change-related legislation, links the cost increases to a reduction in the number of renewable power plants that will be built under the new law.

This will affect electricity capacity markets directly as well as increase the wholesale price of natural gas due to the power sector’s increased reliance on it. Federal data indicates natural gas is currently used for about 17.3 percent of all electricity generation in Illinois.

Estimates of the scale of the electric bill cost increase for a typical household vary. REPEAT pegs the increase at $280 per household per year by 2035 nationwide. Energy Innovation’s model suggests $170 annual increase by 2035 and $180 in Illinois.

A spokesperson for the Citizens Utility Board, a consumer advocacy group in Illinois, echoed the sentiment and said ending the tax credit programs “is a gut punch to consumers

(Continued from page 14)

(1:08.77) and the 50-yard butterfly (28.22).

The Mariners’ other individual champions in Saturday’s meet included:

8-and-under girls: Margot Tarsitano (50-yard freestyle; 53.84)

8-and-under boys: Ethan Aldana (25-yard butterfly; 24.04)

11-12 girls: Ruth Aldana (50-yard butterfly; 33.48)

13-14 girls: Phoebe Aldana (100-yard individual medley; 1:13.61)

Villa Park’s 8-and-under boys foursome of Benjamin

and our economy.”

Solar industry ‘uncertainty’

Jon Carson, the managing partner at Trajectory Energy Partners, said the law is another part of the “solar coaster”—an industry euphemism about the ups and downs of solar tax credits. This part of the coaster, Carson said, will result in less investment.

“This change in law and the uncertainty from the president’s executive order, it just means that less projects are going to get built in the short term,” Carson said.

Carson, a longtime campaign and White House staffer under former President Barack Obama, founded Trajectory Energy Partners in 2017.

“We fundamentally believe that this is a real bump in the road for solar, it’s a bump in the road for individual projects, but that ultimately the United States needs more power, and it’s going to come from wind, solar and battery storage,” he said, referencing three technologies Trump is against.

Others in the industry have raised flags that the “bump in the road” may be more obtrusive for some companies.

The investment tax credit that’s ending under the new law offers a credit of 30 percent of project costs, with an optional 10 percent on top of that if a project meets certain labor standards. A similar tax credit exists for both residential and commercial projects.

Brian Haug, president of Oak Brook-based Continental Energy Solutions, said the credit is a “critical” part of Continental’s business model.

“The investment tax credit is a perfect tool that we use to make these projects financially interesting for larger companies,” Haug said.

Continental works on microgrids, rooftop solar and battery

storage projects for commercial and industrial customers and claims to be the largest solar installer in the state.

Solar installation companies, customers and individuals still have time qualify for tax credits at the higher, Biden-era rates. Eligible projects must commence construction within the next 12 months or be placed in service by the end of 2027, almost a decade ahead of what was outlined in the IRA.

The rapid sunset has resulted in a short-term boom in requests for solar projects, according to Windfree Solar CEO Eric Heineman, whose Chicago-based company installs solar for commercial and residential projects.

“We don’t know how it’s going to impact us in the long term. What we know in the short term is that we know we have buyers who have been dragging their feet, they’ve got proposals for years with us, and now they’re just coming out of the woodwork,” Heineman said. “They’re signing up left and right.”

But even for projects started today, there’s not a guarantee they will receive any tax benefits from the federal government. Trump’s executive order signaled that his administration could revise guidance on what counts as the “beginning of construction.”

Illinois’ renewable haven Illinois has increasingly subsidized the solar industry in recent years, most notably through the 2021 Climate and Equitable Jobs Act, or CEJA. That state law significantly expanded programs like Illinois Shines and Illinois Solar for All, which provide incentives to individuals and solar developers.

At a campaign stop while the Trump-backed spending plan was being considered in Congress earlier this month, Gov.

JB Pritzker said Illinois’ policy wouldn’t be affected by the feds’ repeal of Inflation Reduction Act tax credits.

“We put that bill together before the IRA was passed at the federal level, and so we anticipated that we needed to incentivize clean energy, and we did,” Pritzker said on July 2.

Industry experts credit the state’s policies generally, and CEJA specifically, for positioning the Illinois solar industry well as Trump’s policies threaten solar broadly.

Heineman, who was former Gov. Pat Quinn’s director of sustainability, pointed to the state’s solar renewable energy credit, or SREC, programs as a driving factor.

“Our sales are our revenue. Sales are driven by SRECs. If we don’t have revenue, we go out of business,” Heineman said. “Illinois is more insulated than any other state in the country.”

Heineman estimated that a typical solar project takes three years to pay for itself with current incentives. After the federal credit is repealed, it might take five years. Without state incentives, though, it could be as much as 10 years.

Battery credits

Some of the same lawmakers who were involved in passing CEJA are now pushing for a follow-up bill to offer incentives to the battery storage industry. That bill, a version of which was considered in the spring legislative session, could also include regulations of data centers, which are a major contributing factor to decreasing grid reliability and increasing energy prices.

Some environmental groups are using the federal spending plan as leverage to further push state lawmakers into supporting the initiative.

Illinois Environmental Council senior policy manager

Cate Caldwell said the state has “long led” on environmental issues and that lawmakers should act in their shortened October legislative session.

“While this federal budget threatens to reverse that progress, Illinois can instead double down on its climate commitments and invest in real, bold climate solutions that modernize our grid, ensure energy-hungry data centers act as good neighbors, and deliver cost savings to hardworking families across the state,” she said in a statement.

Hiccups in Illinois’ climate record

Despite the overall positive sentiments from the renewable energy industry and environmental lobby, the state has failed to live up to the promises it made in the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act, according to a report from the state’s auditor general.

That audit report, released last week, found that the state’s Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity failed to properly implement requirements for at least four jobs or workforce programs outlined in CEJA, including ones aimed at finding jobs for people returning from prison and to help communities disproportionately affected by climate change and pollution.

In the report, the Department acknowledged its errors and noted that it had hired someone to manage one of the programs in an interim capacity.

A DCEO spokesperson said the department has made “substantial progress on key initiatives” since the audit was conducted, including approving grant recipients in many of the programs listed in the report and launching community-hubs for people seeking jobs in the renewable sector.

State ends fiscal year with record revenue

Steverson, Kingston Kuhl, Ethan Aldana and Brycen Newell won a pair of relay races on Saturday.

The four Mariners won the 100-yard medley relay (2:02.57) at the beginning of the meet. A short time later, they turned in a first-place effort in the 100-yard freestyle relay (1:34.32).

The Mariners’ 11-12 boys quartet of Cillian Connolly, Caleb Vaughan, Liam Grobe and Malcolm Childress swam to a victory in the 200-yard medley relay (2:50.40) during Saturday’s conference meet.

By Ben Szalinski Capitol news illinois

Despite uncertainty over the economy and federal funding during the second half of fiscal year 2025, the year closed on June 30 with the state setting a new record for annual revenue.

Numbers compiled by the independent Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability show FY25 concluded with $54 billion in revenue, the most the state has ever received in a fiscal year. The state also brought in $717

million more in revenue than lawmakers originally budgeted for when they passed a $53.3 billion budget in May 2024.

All told, the final revenue numbers track closely with projections made in May by both COGFA and the Governor’s Office of Management and Budget that formed the basis of the FY26 budget. In other words, June revenues produced no surprises, and lawmakers aren’t sitting on any substantial surplus as the new fiscal year begins.

The record revenues also don’t alleviate any uncertainty for the current or future fiscal years as Congress considers drastic reductions to the social safety net and aid to states.

Causes of revenue growth

Strong personal income tax growth drove the revenue increase in FY25, largely thanks to a “true up” conducted by the Department of Revenue that reallocated business related income tax revenue into the personal in-

come tax category. Personal income tax revenue was 10 percent higher than in FY24, but corporate income taxes declined by 9.5 percent.

Some other revenue sources also saw minimal growth. Sales tax revenue grew by less than 1 percent, though COGFA noted it increased by nearly 3 percent in the second half of FY25 after a weak start last summer as gas prices dropped and people cut back on large purchases amid growing economic uncertainty.

DuPage events

Now through Sept. 5

2025 Summer Concerts

Oakbrook Terrace

The City of Oakbrook Terrace presents its summer concert series, which is held Friday nights at Terrace View Park, 1 Parkview Plaza. The free concerts feature two bands and start at 7 p.m. Here is the remaining

Answers

schedule: July. 25: Poison ‘D Crue and the Lounge Puppets; Aug. 1: Sealed with a Kiss and Kashmir; Aug. 8: Ronnie Rice and Jade 50; Aug. 15: Beyond the Blond and The Disco Circus; Aug. 22: Full Volume and Arra; Aug. 29: Members Only and Infinity; Sept. 5: Heart to Heart Breaker and Anchors

Away.

Now through Sept. 7

Hokusai Outdoor Art Gallery

Elmhurst

Recurring daily and presented free by the Elmhurst City Centre, in conjunction with the 2025 exhibition

“Hokusai and Ukiyo-e: The Floating World,” the College of Du-Page, McAninch Arts Center, and Cleve Carney Museum of Art are collab

art style. Each work of art, created by local artist Rich Lo, will be displayed in eight large windows located at 107 N.

Park Avenue and St. Charles Road, get your farm fresh goods, enjoy local vendors and live entertainment, and gather with your community at Farm-

Coming event

Support the buSineSSeS that Support you!

Helen Plum Library, 411 S. Main St., Lombard, is hostingday, Aug. 6, from 2:30-7 p.m. in the Plum Meeting Rooms.

State law requires dental exams on all Illinois children in or entering Kindergarten, 2nd grade, 6th grade and 9th grade. Call today and schedule your child’s appointment.

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