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1 • Thursday, January 19, 2017 - The Independent

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THURSDAY, DEC. 10, 2020

Man killed in Bensenville industrial lab explosion

One victim able to pull himself out of building advised firefighters of partner inside

By Dee Longfellow FOR THE BENSENVILLE INDEPENDENT

An explosion incident in Bensenville claimed the life of a man in his 20’s on Wednesday, Nov. 11. The Bensenville Fire Department responded to the scene of the incident at the Pureline Treatment Systems plant located on North Ellis Street. The company manufactures chlorine dioxide technologies used to purify water.

Reports show that an explosion involving several chemicals took place at a lab in the building, causing significant damage. “[Firefighters] were actually met by an individual who was able to drag himself out of the building and proceeded to say that his partner was still inside the building,” Bensenville Fire Chief Scott Walker said.

Crews entered the lab and took a hose line to search for the missing employee, trying to make their way through piles of debris and what turned out to be a toxic cloud caused by a damaged container of hydrochloric acid. Firefighters searched extensively for about 90 minutes before locating the second victim, who was then pronounced deceased at the scene.

The injured person was rushed to an area hospital for treatment. Crews worked to clear the scene and secure the area in order to investigate.

Another employee was taken to the hospital for treatment of injuries that were not life-threatening, according to authorities. Two Bensenville firefighters were taken to Alexian Brothers Medical Center in Elk Grove Village for treatment of respiratory irritation, according to Walker, but both were released after a few hours and cleared to return to work.

Among the biggest problems firefighters encountered was a large container of hydrochloric acid that leaked

as a result of fire damage, Walker said.

That chemical combined with water from the sprinkler system to create a chemical cloud that confronted firefighters as they entered the building.

Two firefighters were briefly hospitalized after inhaling the fumes.

“One lab was completely gone,” Chief Walker said. “The second lab,

Inside:

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where the victim was ultimately discovered, you couldn’t make entry because it had a top, but no sides. It was being supported with nothing.”

The victim had yet to be identified by the DuPage County Coroner at press time. While an official cause for the explosion has not yet been released, an OSHA spokesperson con-

firmed they are investigating.

Evacuating nearby businesses was unnecessary, Walker said, because the chemical cloud vented through a skylight and dissipated into the air.

The explosion was of such force and magnitude that multiple agencies had to be called to aid in the response.

Police and fire crews responded from

Wood Dale, Oakbrook Terrace, Des Plaines, Franklin Park, Schiller Park, Itasca, Addison, York Center, Lombard and Hanover Park, along with the DuPage County Fire Investigation Task Force and the Mutual Aid Box Alarm System (MABAS) Division 10.

Investigators said that at no time was the general public in danger.

Montini youth attend Brookfield Zoo’s Holiday Magic

SUBMITTED PHOTO Bensenville Independent

Members of Montini Catholic’s Lasallian Youth Group, under the leadership of Theology teacher Denis Block, braved the cold on Friday, Nov. 27 to spread Christmas cheer at the Brookfield Zoo’s celebration of its 39th annual Holiday Magic, sponsored by Target. Nearly 600 local community groups and corporations from the Chicagoland area decorated trees on the zoo’s malls and around Roosevelt Fountain.

Pictured are (clockwise, from lower left): Zander Montgomery, Mick Flannery, Nick Fisch, Justin Gergen, Lupe Herrmann, Mr. Block, Hugh Flannery.

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While facing prison time, former State Senator dies from COVID-19 complications

By Dee Longfellow FOR THE ELMHURST INDEPENDENT

Former Democratic State Senator Martin Sandoval died Saturday, Dec. 5 from COVID-19 complications, according to his criminal defense attorney Dylan Smith. Sandoval was 56.

Sandoval had been facing prison time after pleading guilty to taking bribes from the red-light camera company SafeSpeed.

Smith said he spoke with Sandoval’s family and learned the once-powerful Illinois politician had died after contracting the novel coronavirus.

Smith said Sandoval, “cared deeply about his community and he did a great deal of good... Although he had made mistakes, he took responsibility for them and was sincerely remorseful.”

Sandoval pleaded guilty to corruption charges and was helping authorities to reveal more wrongdoing. He admitted to bribery and tax

evasion charges in federal court last January, acknowledging he illegally pocketed more than $250,000 and abused his power at a state lawmaker on behalf of a red-light-camera company.

And just last month, federal investigators wrote in a court filing that Sandoval “has provided valuable cooperation that is expected to last several months.”

Sandoval lived in the Gage Park neighborhood on the southwest side of Chicago and died at 10:01 a.m.

Saturday, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office.

Illinois public health officials reported 9,887 COVID-19 cases and 208 related deaths Saturday, the second-highest daily death total since the start of the pandemic.

dent reported that Sandoval and SafeSpeed LLC, the red light camera company, were targets of a racketeering lawsuit that seeks to void tens of thousands of traffic citations issued through the company’s devices. The lawsuit alleged that SafeSpeed, its officers and employees, paid bribes to Sandoval and several other local government officials to gain approval for placing its red light cameras at various intersections in area suburbs.

The lawsuit alleged that Sandoval and others were paid as “undisclosed sales agents” or “consultants” based on a percentage of the revenue generated by the cameras.

Sandoval served in the state Senate from 2003 until Jan. 1, 2020, when he resigned amid the corruption scandal. Starting in January 2009, he was chairman of the powerful Senate Sandoval, SafeSpeed Transportation Committee and was sued for racketeering instrumental in securing passage of In February, 2020, the Indepen- last year’s $45 billion capital im-

County plan in place for distribution of COVID-19 vaccine In anticipation of COVID-19 vaccine availability, the DuPage County Health Department (DCHD) is preparing to receive and distribute vaccines later this month.

This work includes developing plans to ensure equitable and timely distribution, assessing logistical capabilities, and communicating vaccine safety and effectiveness to diverse populations in multiple sectors.

Additionally, DCHD officials are working with partners at all levels, including hospitals, health care providers, and community leaders, on flexible COVID-19 vaccination programs that can accommodate different vaccines and scenarios.

In accordance with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and their Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommendations, DCHD will follow a multi-phased approach.

The following priority groups have been recommended for vaccination at this time. These are subject to change.

• Phase 1a: Health care personnel and long-term care residents will be prioritized for initial vaccine allocation.

• Phase 1b: Essential workers (e.g., Education Sector, Food & Agriculture, Utilities, Police, Firefighters, Corrections Officers, Transportation).

• Phase 1c: Adults with high-risk medical conditions and adults 65 years and older.

Additional information on the implementation and local availability of a COVID-19 vaccine will be

shared as it becomes available.

As plans for vaccination continue to develop residents are reminded to continue following public health guidelines to slow the spread of COVID-19: • Wash your hands often; • Wear a mask whenever outside your home or with anyone not from your household; • Watch your distance, staying at least 6 feet from people outside of your immediate household and avoid in-person gatherings; and • Stay home if you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 or if you have been in close contact with a person infected with COVID-19, and contact your healthcare provider for appropriate evaluation, testing, and care.

For people seeking COVID-19 testing in DuPage, there are two drive-thru community-based testing sites (CBTS) available: • DuPage County Complex Drive-Thru Test Site • 421 N County Farm Rd, Wheaton • Monday – Friday, 7 a.m. to 12 noon • Odeum Expo Center Drive-Thru Test Site • 1033 N. Villa Avenue, Villa Park • Sunday – Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

For additional testing locations, please visit www.dupagehealth.org/covid19testing.

Additional COVID-19 information and resources can be found dupagehealth.org/covid19.

More information on COVID-19 vaccines is available can be found at cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019ncov/vaccines/index.html.

provements program known as Rebuild Illinois. He was removed from his chairmanship in October, just weeks after federal agents executed a search warrant on his Statehouse office in Springfield where they seized a number of computers, cellphones and boxes of documents.

On Jan. 28, Sandoval pleaded guilty to one count each of federal bribery and tax fraud charges as part of a deal with prosecutors in which he agreed to cooperate with their ongoing investigations.

The suit was filed on Feb. 3 under the federal Racketeering, Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO), a law most often used to prosecute organized crime syndicates.

But RICO also allows for private civil suits for actions that are part of a criminal enterprise.

The RICO lawsuit, however, is separate from the criminal case, but it is based largely on the same set of facts to which Sandoval has already pleaded guilty.

The suit alleged that beginning sometime in 2016 and continuing through October 2019, SafeSpeed operated a corrupt enterprise, known as an “association-in-fact,” by conspiring with the other defendants to pay bribes or kickbacks to public officials who would steer contracts toward the company for operating red light cameras.

Sandoval is accused of using his position in the Senate to serve as the company’s “protector” by ensuring legislation unfavorable to the company, including bills to ban the use

of red light cameras, would never pass and to help override objections from the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) about the placement of certain cameras.

In exchange, SafeSpeed and its employees reportedly arranged to pay $20,000 a year in donations to Sandoval’s campaigns.

The lawsuit was filed as a proposed class action on behalf of an estimated 100,000 or more individuals who were fined between $100 and $200 for each ticket issued by a red light camera that was “corruptly and improperly installed, over repeated objections from IDOT, as a direct and proximate result of bribes paid.”

While the claim of each individual member of the class is relatively small, the lawsuit argues, combined they add up to millions of dollars.

Among the defendants named in the suit was Oakbrook Terrace Mayor Tony Ragucci, whose home was investigated in October of 2019, when federal agents seized more than $60,000 in cash from Ragucci’s home.

It is the second RICO case that lead plaintiff attorney Lawrence Gress has filed involving Sandoval.

Another pending case was originally filed in 2017 after Gress was passed over for a job as community relations representative for the Pace Suburban Bus Company in favor of Sandoval’s son, Martin Sandoval II. That suit refers to Sandoval as “the kingpin at the center of the wide-ranging and longstanding conspiracy” alleged in the case.

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During the season of giving, Red Cross urges blood donation December may be the season of giving – but it’s typically a challenging time to collect enough blood donations. Add in a pandemic, and this year could be even tougher than usual. That’s why the American Red Cross is urging those who are feeling well to give the gift of life by donating blood or platelets this holiday season.

The need for blood doesn’t stop for holidays. Between Thanksgiving and Christmas, more than 1 million blood transfusions will be given in the United States. Donations of all blood types are needed to ensure hospital shelves remain stocked to meet patient blood needs.

Make your appointment to give

blood, platelets or plasma with the Red Cross by downloading the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enabling the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device.

To encourage donations this holiday season, those who come to donate blood, platelets or plasma with the Red Cross Dec. 18-Jan. 4 will receive a long-sleeved Red Cross T-shirt, while supplies last.

Nearby locations of upcoming blood drives include: Hinsdale Wednesday, Dec. 30 from 8 a.m. 1 p.m., The Community House, 415 West Eighth Street

Oak Brook Wednesday, Dec. 9 from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. at JVM Realty, 903 Commerce Dr, #250 Thursday, Dec. 10 from 9 a.m.

- 2 p.m. at Oakbrook Center, 100 Oakbrook Center

Wheaton Monday, Dec. 21 from 9 a.m.

- 2 p.m. at Cantigny Park, 1s151 Winfield Rd. Monday, Dec. 21 from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. at Greenhouse Christian CoSchool, 422 North Prospect Monday, Jan. 4 from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. at Greenhouse Christian Co-School, 422 North Prospect St.

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4B • Thursday, Dec. 10, 2020 - Rock Valley Publishing

The IndependenT Your Hometown Newspaper 240 N. West Avenue Elmhurst, IL. 60126

Three teens killed, one critically injured while fleeing Berkeley police Ignoring stop sign, driver collides with semitrailer at Taft, Bohlander

Main Phone 630.834-8244 Fax 630.834-0900

By Dee Longfellow FOR THE ELMHURST INDEPENDENT

Three teenagers were killed and one was critically injured while allegedly fleeing police in west suburban Berkeley on the evening of Monday Nov. 30, according to law enforcement officials.

A Berkeley police officer saw a vehicle parked in an alley in the 5000 block of St. Charles Road about 11 p.m., police said in a news release issued on Wednesday, Dec. 2.

The vehicle reportedly had its lights off and did not have visible license plates.

The Independent is published every Thursday by Rock Valley Publishing, LLC, 240 N. West Avenue, Elmhurst, IL. 60126.

Display Advertising: 630.834-8355 Classified Advertising: 630.834-8244 News: 630.834-8244 General Information: 630.834-8244

The officer attempted to conduct “an investigatory stop on the vehicle,” when the car quickly drove away, police said.

While fleeing, police said the driver of the vehicle ignored a stop sign and collided with a passing semitrailer at the intersection of Bohlander and Taft avenues.

Berkley police originally said that all four people in the car—the driver and three passengers—were killed in the crash. However, they later changed their statement, saying that three people were killed in the crash and one person had been critically injured.

That person remained in very critical condition at press time. The semi-truck driver was not hurt.

Later, DuPage and Cook County coroners identified the teens who were killed in crash.

When the officer tried to curb the car, its driver sped off at a high rate of speed from the 5500 block of St. Charles Road.

Within 30 seconds of fleeing, the driver went through the stop sign and crashed into the semitrailer, said Berkeley Police Chief Tim Larem.

In a later interview, Larem said two people inside the car died at

the scene, and another was pronounced dead later at a hospital. A female teenager was listed in critical condition at Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood.

According to the DuPage County coroner’s office, one of the victims was Orkitt Gresham, 18, of Chicago. The Cook County medical examiner’s office identified another victim as Tamiyah L. Marshall, 18, of Chicago. The name of the third was not released.

The Cook County sheriff’s office is assisting with the investigation into the crash. Larem said the incident was “unusual for our town.”

HOPE Taskforce announces grant recipients

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The DuPage County Heroin/ Opioid Prevention and Education (HOPE) Taskforce announced last week the award of grants to local government and community organizations to expand their capabilities in the fight against the opioid crisis in the County.

The grant awardees and a brief description of each project are below: • DuPage County Adult Probation - $25,000.

The grant will support the linkage of 40 probation clients most at risk of opioid overdose death with a recovery coach from the community to support them in their recovery.

• Path to Recovery Foundation -

Police report

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

Dec. 2, 6:05 a.m. in the 1100 block of S. York Road, a complainant reported two unknown subjects took boxes containing alcohol without paying for items. This case is under investigation. BEPC2001016.

Dec. 2, 10:35 a.m. in the 600 block of N. Route 83, a complainant reported a company truck was found to be missing from one of the company’s lots. BEPC2001017.

Dec. 2, 11:43 a.m. in the 100 block of George Street, a complainant reported that during an altercation he was slapped in the face by a known subject. BEPC2001015.

Dec. 1, 5:44 p.m. in the 1100 block of N. Ellis St., a complainant reported an unknown suspect hit him in the face during an altercation. The complainant wanted this incident documented. BEPC2001013.

Dec. 1, 8:07 p.m. in the 300 block of E. Green St., James N. Wallace, 36, was arrested on an original war-

$25,000.

The funds will provide Peer-Based Recovery Support Services to individuals in early recovery in DuPage County.

• Serenity House Counseling, Inc. - $24,882.

The funding will support the provision of harm reduction treatment services to clients through Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) and Moral Reconation Therapy (MRT).

“Opioids and substance use disorder continue to claim too many lives in our community - especially during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Greg Hart, DuPage County Board member and HOPE Taskforce Co-chair. “The

rant. BEPC2000398.

Nov. 30, 4:52 p.m. in the 600 block of Redmond Court, a complainant reported a package was discovered missing. This case is under investigation. BEPC2001011.

Nov. 28, 5:16 p.m. in the 700 block of E. Green St., a complainant reported he found a tow plate to be missing. This case is under investigation. BEPC2001006.

Nov. 28, 11:39 p.m. near York Road and Supreme Drive, Avery B. Watts, 26, of Dolton, was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol. BEPC2001007.

Nov. 27, 12:40 p.m. in the 300 block off E. Green St., Thomas P. Cooney, 50, of Lisle, was arrested for an original warrant. BEPC2001003.

Nov. 26, 8:38 p.m. in the 400 block of Judson Street, a complainant reported he was hit in the head during a domestic altercation. This case is under investigation. BEPC 2001001.

Nov. 25, 8:57 p.m. in the 1100 block of Grove Ave., a complainant reported a domestic altercation.

This case is under investigation.

BEPC2000999.

Nov. 25, 11:04 p.m. near Ferrari Drive and Bridget Court, Danilo A. Herrera, 52, was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol, transportation of alcohol by driver and a traffic violation. BEPC2001000.

selected projects will offer innovative, crucial support to those in treatment and recovery in DuPage County at this difficult time when we are living through two unprecedented public health crises.”

The proposals serve DuPage County residents and align with two priority aspects of the HOPE Taskforce Framework: increase overdose response and provide integrated mental health and substance use disorder treatment and recovery.

“We recognize these grants help serve as a catalyst to inspire local government and community organizations to collaborate,” said Dr. Lanny Wilson, DuPage County Board

of Health Vice President and HOPE Taskforce Co-chair. “One program at a time, we hope to address the opioid crisis by providing sustainable, impactful resources for those struggling with substance use disorder in DuPage County.”

The grant funding is made possible by the DuPage County Board, which has agreed to provide $100,000 annually to support the work of the HOPE Taskforce.

In early 2021, the Taskforce will provide the focus areas for the remaining funding and announce funding for additional projects.

To learn more about the HOPE Taskforce, visit hopedupage.org.

County honors drug prevention efforts with annual Changemaker Awards

By Dee Longfellow

FOR THE ADDISON INDEPENDENT

Last week, the DuPage County Health Department and the Prevention Leadership Team (PLT) announced the recipients of the Changemaker Award program, which recognizes individuals, communities, and organizations who are leading the way in prevention efforts and going above and beyond to protect youth in DuPage County.

“This has been a challenging year for all of us,” said Karen Ayala, executive director of DuPage County Health Department. “We are more grateful than ever for our Changemakers and for the people who are going above and beyond to protect the health and wellbeing of our youth and communities.”

Justine Rozenich, Ashley Liem, Glen Ellyn Police Department, and the Glenbard Parent Series (GPS) were recognized as the 2020 Changemakers for their dedication to youth substance use prevention.

There are four categories of the Changemaker Award: Teen, Adult, Organization, and Community. Liem, who has contributed to several youth and family programs in Addison, was named Adult Changemaker for 2020.

Liem is a program coordinator at Northeast DuPage Family and Youth Services (NEDFYS). She has impacted more than 300 youth and families in her role at NEDFYS and has spearheaded the development and implementation of many new prevention activities for youth in Addison. Ashley created drop-in teen events at the Addison Public Library and launched many new programs at the Henry Hyde Resource Center in Addison as well as initiated several youth community service projects.

“We are so proud and fortunate to have these individuals and organizations in DuPage working so hard to protect youth,” said Jordan Esser, project coordinator of the DuPage County Prevention Leadership Team. “Coming off of an extremely difficult year that has impacted everyone makes us appreciate the hard work and dedication of these Changemakers even more.”

If you know an individual, organization, or community that is committed to youth substance use prevention and would like to nominate them for the Changemaker Award, contact Esser at Jordan. esser@dupagehealth.org.

Rock Valley Publishing - Thursday, Dec. 10, 2020 • 5A

District 88 gives an update regarding COVID-19 First-semester exams have been canceled at Willowbrook and Addison Trail; winter athletics remain on hold

District 88 provided an update related to the current COVID-19 pandemic during its newsletter of Dec. 4.

“DuPage County remains in the Substantial Community Transmission level—the highest of three levels—for the seventh consecutive week,” noted the update from District 88, which includes Willowbrook High School and Addison Trail High

School. “The county is in the Substantial Community Transmission level for four of the six factors on the DuPage County COVID-19 School Metrics Guidance and is in the Moderate level for the other two categories.”

The update added that the district will continue to offer fully remote instruction.

“As a result of these numbers, District 88 will maintain remote learning and its adaptive pause. This means all in-person curricular and extracurricular activities (including athletics, clubs, learning centers and in-person instruction) are suspended until further notice. During its Nov. 16 meeting, the District 88 Board of Education approved the admin-

County health department reports nearly 49,000 COVID-19 cases, with 792 deaths, since March

STAFF REPORT

According to the DuPage County Health Department, as of Sunday, Dec. 6, there have been 48,891 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 792 COVID-19 related deaths in the county since March.

There have been 1,478 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 11 deaths related to the coronavirus in Villa Park residents since March. Lombard has reported 2,526 cases and 34 deaths.

There are several figures and statistics related to COVID-19 on the DuPage County Health Department’s website—dupagehealth.org.

The health department’s update of Monday, Nov. 30, indicated 739 COVID-19 related deaths in DuPage County since March. The Dec. 6 update noting 792 deaths does not mean there were 53 deaths related to the coronavirus in the previous week.

Some of the recently reported deaths took place earlier in the year. The county does not report the actual date of death in its daily updates.

As of Nov. 30, there were 204 COVID-19 related deaths during April. As of Dec. 6, there were 206 deaths in April. As of Nov. 30, there were 206 deaths related to the coronavirus in May. As of Dec. 6, the number of May deaths related to COVID-19 stood at 209.

All of the county health department’s figures are provisional and subject to change.

DuPage County’s first death related to the coronavirus was reported on March 19. According to the Dec. 6 update, there were 14 deaths related to COVID-19 in March, 206 in April, 209 in May, 94 in June, 34 in July, 18 in August, 23 in September, 46 in October and 145 in November. As of the Dec. 6 update, therefore, there were 789 COVID-19 related deaths in the county through Nov. 30, and three additional deaths related to the coronavirus during December.

The county health department’s daily update of Dec. 5 states, “Since yesterday, there are 730 new cases of COVID-19 in DuPage County with seven deaths of persons with COVID-19 infection reported.”

According to the health department’s daily update of Dec. 6, “Since yesterday, there are 634 new cases of COVID-19 in DuPage County with 10 deaths of persons with COVID-19 infection reported.”

Those two updates imply that there were 17 COVID-19 related deaths in the county from Dec. 4-6.

Again, the county does not provide the actual date of death in its daily reports. As of Dec. 6, the county’s figures indicate three COVID-19

related deaths in the county during December.

The Dec. 6 update states that 448 (about 56 percent) of the county’s 792 deaths related to COVID-19 involved residents 80 and older. Another 200 deaths involved residents between the ages of 70-79, while 91 deaths involved residents in their 60s.

One of the county’s 792 deaths related to the coronavirus involved a resident in the 20-29 age group.

None of the 792 deaths involved a resident 19 and under.

According to the county health department, 417 (about 53 percent) of the 792 COVID-19 related deaths in the county involved males, while 375 involved females.

Another figure in the county’s reports noted that, as of Dec. 1, about 5.8 percent (2,639) COVID-19 cases in the county were associated with long-term care facilities. About 68 percent of the county’s COVID-19 related deaths, however (504 of 741, as of Dec. 1), were associated with long-term care facilities.

The county health department’s statistics also note that as of Dec. 1, underlying medical conditions were reported in nearly 90 percent of the COVID-19 related deaths in DuPage County.

istration’s use of adaptive pauses in the event of significant increases in COVID-19 case counts, local outbreaks and/or staff shortages due to exposures and quarantines.”

The update stated that the district will continue to provide a robust curriculum, and is prepared to move to a hybrid/in-person learning environment when data and guidance provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Gov. JB Pritzker, the Illinois and DuPage County health departments, the Illinois State Board of Education and the DuPage Regional Office of Education support that decision.

In its Nov. 16 meeting, the District 88 Board approved several amendments to the 2020-21 school calendar. One of the amendments canceled the final exams for the first semester. Those exams had been scheduled to take place Dec. 16-18.

Those three days will now be regular school days.

As for winter athletics, the district noted that it is following the guidance and recommendations from Pritzker and various agencies.

“While we await approval from those organizations and the Illinois

High School Association (IHSA) to begin the season, we are working with winter and high-contact sports [basketball, football and wrestling] to plan remote activities to keep student-athletes engaged,” stated the district. “These include virtual workouts, mentoring and skill-building/ team-building events. Our coaches and sponsors continue to look for creative ways to connect with and care for pupils.”

The district plans to run five winter sports, including boys swimming and diving, cheerleading, dance, girls bowling and girls gymnastics. The district has one co-op boys swimming and diving team, consisting of students from both Willowbrook and Addison Trail. Each school has its own teams in the other four sports.

“At this time, we haven’t received approval to allow boys and girls basketball to take place during the winter season,” noted the district’s Dec. 4 statement. “We will continue to monitor this sport and will share any provided updates.”

In October, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) elevated basketball from a medium-risk sport to a high-risk sport.

High court: Pleading guilty does not prevent innocence claims Illinois Supreme Court’s decision sets legal precedent on this issue

By Sarah Mansur CAPITOL NEWS ILLINOIS

People who plead guilty to crimes are not automatically precluded from later asserting claims of innocence, the state’s highest court ruled on Dec. 3.

The Illinois Supreme Court’s unanimous decision creates a new precedent for state courts. This is the first time the high court answered the question of whether individuals who pleaded guilty can still successfully claim innocence.

Under Illinois law, individuals convicted of crimes can petition the court and successfully assert a claim of innocence if they can establish that their rights were violated during the court proceedings that resulted in their conviction.

The court’s 22-page opinion holds that the guilty plea of the defendant—in this case, Demario Reed— “does not prevent him from asserting his right to not be deprived of life and liberty given compelling evidence of actual innocence under the (law).”

The court’s decision also establishes a new standard that individuals who pleaded guilty and later claim innocence must meet in order for their petition to succeed.

The justices ruled that those individuals can prevail on innocence claims if they can provide “new, material, noncumulative evidence that clearly and convincingly demonstrates that a trial would probably result in acquittal,” the court’s opinion states.

In the case before the court, Reed pleaded guilty in 2015 to armed violence after he was arrested at a Macon County home for possessing crack cocaine and a sawed-off shotgun, which were found in the home.

Following his guilty plea, Reed submitted a post-conviction petition asserting his innocence, based on a sworn affidavit from Davie Callaway, who was also at the home when Reed was arrested.

Callaway claimed in the affidavit that the cocaine found in the home belonged to him, and not Reed.

In January 2017, a Macon County judge dismissed Reed’s post-conviction petition, finding that Callaway’s testimony was not convincing.

Reed appealed to the 4th District Appellate Court, which is one level below the Illinois Supreme Court.

The appellate court agreed with the Macon County judge to dismiss the petition in a 2019 ruling that relied heavily on a 1970 Illinois Supreme Court decision, People v. Cannon.

In the Cannon case, the court rejected the defendant’s postconviction claim of actual innocence because, the 1970 Illinois Supreme Court opinion states, “(b)efore his plea of guilty was accepted, the defendant, represented by appointed counsel, was fully and carefully admonished by the trial judge.”

The appellate court concluded that it must follow the legal guidance in the Cannon case, “until the supreme court says otherwise.”

Illinois Supreme Court justices

See CLAIMS, Page 12

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!

6 • Thursday, Dec. 10, 2020 - Rock Valley Publishing

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

Juveniles age 17 or younger are not named.

block of N. Winthrop at around 11:27 suspect entered upon a residential p.m. property without permission, damaged property within the residence, Nov. 29 and aggressively came at the victim Andrew M. Guca, 47, of Addison, with a drinking glass in an attempt to was charged with violation of an or- strike the victim with the glass. der of protection in the 500 block of W. Mills at around 7:49 p.m. Police Nov. 27 said Guca violated an active order Courtney D. Celestino, 33, of of protection by remaining on the Chicago, was charged with DUI, property of a protected person. driving while license suspended, imWilmer A. Lopez-Pu, 23, of proper parking on a roadway and no Addison, was charged with DUI, insurance near Swift and Collins at speeding, improper lane usage, around 2:38 a.m. Police said officers

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Addison Dec. 2 Davita R. Young, 37, of Addison, disobeying a traffic control signal, was charged with disorderly con- illegal use of an electronic comduct-filing a false police report in munication device while operating 116 S. at Main Lombard, IL 60148 a vehicle and no insurance subsethe 600 block of Meadows around St. quent to a traffic stop near 3:13 a.m.

627-7010 Fax: 627-7027Lake

from the

responded to a call of a person sleep- block of N. Bierman at around 10:30 ing behind the wheel of a vehicle, p.m. Police said an unknown suspect and Celestino was found to be DUI. used counterfeit money to purchase laptops off a private seller.

Nov. 25 A 28-year-old Roselle man was Nov. 23 Criminal damage to a vehicle charged with domestic battery and DUI in the 1300 block of W. Lake at was reported near Route 83 and around 1 p.m. Police said the suspect Riverside at around 2 p.m. Police said an unknown suspect threw pushed the victim. objects from a moving vehicle, striking another moving vehicle, Villa Park causing several dents along the Nov. 28 Theft was reported in the 600 passenger side.

LOMBARDIAN/VILLA PARK REVIEW

Dec. 1 Juan G. Olivares, 35, of Glendale Heights, was charged with DUI, failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident, driving the wrong way and driving on a sidewalk in the 700

and Kennedy at around 2:35 a.m.

A 39-year-old Glendale Heights woman was charged with domestic battery, criminal damage to property and criminal trespass to property in the 900 block of N. Rohlwing at around 8:59 p.m. Police said the

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Animal Services. That’s when staff found the microchip and were able to determine Mejeur was the owner.

“I just lost it,” Debra Mejeur said about the phone call from Animal Services. “I started crying.”

Animal Services Committee Chairman Brian Krajewski said this story underscores the importance of microchipping pets.

“It’s extremely important to microchip your animal,” Krajewski said. “If someone comes across a stray and brings them to us, we can scan them and reunite them with the family. If you don’t microchip, it’s a lot more difficult.”

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When Debra Mejeur lost her dog Lola in October 2017, she never thought she would see her furry friend again. But thanks to a microchip, DuPage County Animal Services reunited Debra and her husband Steven Mejeur with Lola on Saturday, Dec. 5.

A black Labrador mix, Lola wandered away from a home in Elk Grove Village where her owners were visiting friends in 2017. Mejeur, a resident of Kalamazoo, Mich., searched the area for a month before giving up hope of finding the dog again.

Earlier this week, a Glendale Heights resident found the dog and was able to bring her in to DuPage

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AD TO RUN 7.3.13 Testing positive for SARS-CoV-2, The following symptoms are associatthe virus that causes COVID-19, is a ed with COVID-19: SIZE potentially life-changing moment. So 2• Fever x 4 or chills many factors — age, underlying health • Cough APPROVED BY conditions, access to medical care — • Shortness of breath and difficulty determine how the illness will affect breathing you. PeopleDATE who test positive likely • Fatigue have a lot of questions, like, “What • Muscle or body aches should I do now?”

• Headache • New loss of taste or smell I tested positive for COVID-19.

• Sore throat What should I do next?

• Congestion or runny nose • Stay home. If symptoms are mild • Nausea or vomiting and non-life threatening, the best thing • Diarrhea to do is stay home and care for yourself as if you had the flu. Avoid going into How can I protect the people I public places, including public trans- live with from getting sick? portation. Only leave home for mediCOVID-19 is most commonly cal care. spread from an infected person to oth• Isolate from anyone else in the ers through: home to avoid infecting them.

Wearad a with Your • Respiratory droplets promask in common areas. duced by coughing, sneezing and us brings • Tell close contacts that you test- talking results! ed positive and they may have been • Close personal contact exposed to the virus. The Centers for (within about 6 feet) Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) COVID-19 is sometimes spread reports an infected person can spread from an infected person to others COVID-19 starting 48 hours before through: the person has any symptoms or tests • Airborne droplets that can positive. linger in the air for minutes to hours • Monitor your symptoms. If you (even if further than 6 feet away from have trouble breathing, persistent chest an infected person or after an infected pain or pressure, new confusion, if person has left the space) someone is unable to wake you or you The best thing to do at home is find can’t stay awake, or you have bluish a room to isolate from others. If poslips or face, go to an emergency room sible, avoid sharing anything with the or call 911. rest of the household, including a bed, bedding, bathroom, towels, dishes and What symptoms could I have? cups, silverware or food. Avoid hugs COVID-19 symptoms can range and other close contact until you are from mild to severe and may appear not contagious. If someone needs to 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. go in a common area, wear a mask and

maintain physical distance from others.

Wash hands often and cover coughs and sneezes.

How long will it take to get better?

It typically takes about two weeks to recover from a mild case of COVID-19. Severe cases could take up to six weeks. But reports indicate SARS-CoV-2 tends to linger, as some people continue to have symptoms, such as a cough, loss of taste or smell, and fatigue, up to four months after their diagnosis.

What treatments might I receive for COVID-19?

Doctors have learned a great deal about how to better treat patients with coronavirus. There are also investigational drugs for COVID-19 being studied in clinical trials across the globe.

The current methodology to treat COVID-19 involves using antiviral medications, anti-inflammatory medications and immune system modulators.

Mild to moderate COVID-19 symptoms may be treated with supportive care such as hydration (IV fluids), pain and fever control, and breathing treatments.

If you have more severe symptoms, you may be admitted to the hospital and treated with various medications to slow the progression of the disease and relieve symptoms. Some patients need supplementary oxygen and mechanical ventilatory support.

See COVID-19, Page 10

Rock Valley Publishing - Thursday, Dec. 10, 2020 • 7

A festive scene at the Rugaard Gazebo

CHRIS FOX PHOTOS Rock Valley Publishing

The Villa Park Chamber of Commerce wasn’t able to hold its usual Joyful Traditions event this year because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The event’s organizers have organized an alternative that’s been designed to bring joy to the community for nearly three weeks. The village’s Joyful Traditions celebration usually takes place on a Saturday in early December along the Illinois Prairie Path, near the Rugaard Gazebo. The free event, which includes a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus, isn’t feasible in 2020. This year, the chamber of commerce, which co-sponsors Joyful Traditions with the Village of Villa Park, arranged a colorful holiday display in and around the gazebo. The display opened on Saturday, Dec. 5, and will be up through Christmas Day, Dec. 25. Instead of holding one event with a large crowd, this year’s arrangement will allow for people to come and go as they please. Residents can enter the gazebo to take a selfie with full-size Santa. They can also take a “Selfie with an Elfie.” Additionally, residents can drop a letter in the “Santa Mailbox” to tell Santa what they love about the holidays. Include your name, age, address, phone number and email address in your letter. The mailbox is located just south of the gazebo. If you submit a letter, you will have a chance to win a 6-foot or 8-foot toy-filled stocking. Santa will personally deliver the stockings on Dec. 20.

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8 • Thursday, Dec. 10, 2020 - Rock Valley Publishing

All Brick McDougall Ranch

All Brick McDougall Ranch

This 3 bed/2 bath home sits on a 60 x 168 lot across the street from Visitation Grade School. Hardwood floors throughout the entire first floor, new kitchen floor tiling, Stainless Steel Appliances, Newer Countertops, Breakfast nook picnic table,

This 3 bed/2 bath home sits on a 60 x 168 lot across the street from Visitation Grade School. Hardwood floors throughout the entire first floor, new kitchen floor tiling, Stainless Steel Appliances, Newer Countertops, Breakfast nook picnic table, well kept Living Room Fireplace perfect for the Winter months, Finished basement with an additional 4th Bedroom w/ large walk in closet, All Brick 2.5 Car Garage, large spacious deck for Summer months and deep back yard. Low taxes! Close to Oak Brook Mall, Expressways, and More! $410,000

$410,000 FIRST OFFERING!

What a View!

What a View!

Open and airy 2 bed / 2 bath Condo featuring 11 foot floor to ceiling windows. Beautiful and spacious kitchen with granite tops, stainless appliances and backsplash & ample storage.

Master bedroom with large walk-in-closet, en-suite with double $419,000 NEW PRICE!

Best Value in Town!

Best Value in Town!

This Charming 5 bedroom, 3.5 bathroom Home has plenty of room to grow, 2,466 sf with an additional 1,502 sf of finished living space in the basement, including a wet bar. Beautiful hardwood floors throughout the 1st floor. The 2 bedrooms on $600,000 NEW PRICE!

This Charming 5 bedroom, 3.5 bathroom Home has plenty of room to grow, 2,466 sf with an additional 1,502 sf of finished living space in the basement, including a wet bar.

Beautiful hardwood floors throughout the 1st floor. The 2 bedrooms on the main level offer flexibility for a home office, art studio, or an in-law arrangement. The 2nd floor addition features large master bedroom with en suite. Highly efficient dual zoned heating and air conditioning. The oversized lot (63 x 221) has plenty of privacy, yardspace, and a patio space for entertaining. Large 2.5 car garage with walk-up loft. $600,000

Rarest of Opportunities

Rarest of Opportunities

Rare 1st floor master suite on a 3,500sf main level footprint.

Set on a 75x190 meticulously landscaped lot on one of the center of town’s quietest and best streets. Lots of prep for the market - tear off roof (2020), new carpet, fresh paint, $1,299,900 Center of Town with 1st Floor Master

Perfect Family Home

Perfect Family Home

This MacDougall Split Level has 4 finished levels with nearly 3,600sf of finished living space. Well-cared by this 2nd owner, this home is a great family home with 4-5 bedrooms, oversized rooms, an eat-in kitchen, master suite with master

This MacDougall Split Level has 4 finished levels with nearly 3,600sf of finished living space. Wellcared by this 2nd owner, this home is a great family home with 4-5 bedrooms, oversized rooms, an eat-in kitchen, master suite with master bath, family room with stone fireplace, home office, a finished basement with tons of storage, attached 2.5 car garage, large laundry room, back deck and huge backyard. Walkable to Jefferson school with bus service to Bryan JRHS and York HS. Also, 3 blocks from the IL Prairie Path. Updates include AC, Hot Water Heater, Furnace, and Tear off Roof. $535,000

$535,000

Walk to Town/Train Location! This solid home has gorgeous HWD flrs a showstopper kitchen w/ open concept floorplan. 3 Bedroom 1 Level Living with over 2,200 sqft of finished living space. All the heavy lifting is done, you can move right in &

Don’t Miss This One!

Attention Builders or Rehabbers. Great potential for building your Dream House located in awesome neighborhood. The home is situated on a 50 x 167. 3 bedrooms, 1.5 baths, stainless steel appliances, full unfinished basement. Tiny Tot

Attention Builders or Rehabbers. Great potential for building your Dream House located in awesome neighborhood. The home is situated on a 50 x 167. 3 bedrooms, 1.5 baths, stainless steel appliances, full unfinished basement.

Tiny Tot Park located just 3 homes away. Close to downtown Elmhurst amenities, great expressway access.

Home needs TLC or build new! $329,900

$329,900

Center of Town

Center of Town

This new Center of Town luxury home’s location puts you within walking distance to everything! Over 4,800 sf with its finished basement - exercise room, rec room, custom bar and wine room! Gracious 10 ft first floor ceilings welcome you to

Attention Savvy Investors!

Well-maintained 3 bed / 2.1 bath townhome in sought after Lancaster Square. Open floor plan w/ hardwood floors & spacious living area. Large eat-in kitchen w/ island, stainless appliances & great storage leads to balcony space. On the

386200

Walk to Town/Train Location! This solid home has gorgeous HWD flrs a showstopper kitchen w/ open concept floorplan. 3 Bedroom 1 Level Living with over 2,200 sqft of finished living space. All the heavy lifting is done, you can move right in & enjoy! The 167 foot lot offers loads of greenspace, mature, private landscaping! Lovely easily accessible patio area for dining al fresco & 1 car attached garage. HUGE Basement w/ Rec Rm/office space/ TV/Lounge Area for R&R. Potential 4th bedroom & SO MUCH STORAGE! Walk to Hawthorne GSl, Wilder Park/Court Plus/ Whole Foods, the WHOLE Package for the Affordable Price! $369,900

This new Center of Town luxury home’s location puts you within walking distance to everything!

Over 4,800 sf with its finished basement exercise room, rec room, custom bar and wine room! Gracious 10 ft first floor ceilings welcome you to this impressive home with HWF’s & extensive trim & ceiling detail throughout, 5 beds, 4.5 baths, 2.5 car garage, custom kitchen w/ highend SS appliances open to family rm, master suite w/ spa bath, designer plumbing/lighting fixtures, surround sound + more! Equipped with all the bells and whistles - backup generator, central vac, security system, & irrigation system.

1,295,000

1,295,000

Attention Savvy Investors!

$269,900

Rare 1st floor master suite on a 3,500sf main level footprint. Set on a 75x190 meticulously landscaped lot on one of the center of town’s quietest and best streets. Lots of prep for the market tear off roof (2020), new carpet, fresh paint, refinished hardwood floors, and new windows. 4 beds, 4 baths, & heated 3 car garage w/ internal staircase to the basement. Chef’s kitchen w/ large prep/entertaining island, large separate eating area, high end SS appliances, w/ vaulted ceilings. And MUCH MORE! $1,299,900

Sharp Brick Ranch

Sharp Brick Ranch

$369,900

Don’t Miss This One!

Open and airy 2 bed / 2 bath Condo featuring 11 foot floor to ceiling windows. Beautiful and spacious kitchen with granite tops, stainless appliances and backsplash & ample storage.

Master bedroom with large walk-in-closet, ensuite with double vanity sink and large soaking tub. In-unit laundry. Steps to everything in this vibrant Fulton Market / West Loop localeRestaurants, Bars, Mariano’s, Whole Foods, Jewel, CTA, Metra, easy highway access & much more. Well-managed building with Doorman, Fitness Center, Dog Run & Bike Storage. Indoor heated garage is included. Unwind on your private balcony with picturesque Skyline views. $419,000

Well-maintained 3 bed / 2.1 bath townhome in sought after Lancaster Square. Open floor plan w/ hardwood floors & spacious living area. Large eat-in kitchen w/ island, stainless appliances & great storage leads to balcony space. On the 2nd level you will find the primary bedroom en-suite w/ walk-in-closet, two additional bedrooms / home office, full bathroom & conveniently located laundry. Cozy lower level family room w/ gas fireplace & attached 2 car garage. Ideal location is easily accessible to downtown Lombard, Yorktown & Oak Brook malls, shopping, restaurants, schools, IL Prairie Path, train & major transportation routes. $269,900

Gold Coast of VP

Gold Coast of VP

Right when you walk in the door the cathedral ceiling floor to ceiling fireplace will take your breath away! Gorgeous HWD Flrs throughout, Arched Doorways & the Charm/Character w/ the Open Concept/Updates to Envy! Updated Kitchen with $399,900

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Right when you walk in the door the cathedral ceiling floor to ceiling fireplace will take your breath away! Gorgeous HWD Flrs throughout, Arched Doorways & the Charm/Character w/ the Open Concept/Updates to Envy! Updated Kitchen with Bonus 1st Floor Family beats anything on the market! Valuable Features include: New Windows, Roof, deferred maintenance items checked off the list! 3 HUGE BRs, 2 BAs this Home has over 3200 sqft of finished space, plus TONS of great storage space and a HUGE yard with a Trex Deck and Pool AND additional greenspace all within a 5 minute walk to the BEST of Villa Park & Prairie Path! $399,900

Rock Valley Publishing - Thursday, Dec. 10, 2020 • 9

Interest rates under 3% and low inventory levels make this a perfect time to sell your home! Call 630-279-9500 for a FREE MARKET ANALYSIS on your home.

Premier Location!

Premier Location!

Rare opportunity to own this updated & expanded brick Georgian that has been lovingly looked after for over 45 years.

Enjoy the quiet single tree-lined block of S Lawndale from your front porch, yet close to all Elmhurst has to offer in this $559,000 NEW PRICE!

Rare opportunity to own this updated & expanded brick Georgian that has been lovingly looked after for over 45 years. Enjoy the quiet single tree-lined block of S Lawndale from your front porch, yet close to all Elmhurst has to offer in this center of town location - shops, restaurants, train. This 3 bed / 2.1 bath home boasts flexible living & entertainment options w/ a great floor plan perfect for today’s owner- Living room w/ gas fireplace, separate dining room, large Great room w/ expanded ceilings & exposed brick accent wall, family room/office w/ walls of windows. Large eatin kitchen w/ solid wood cabinets, SS appliances, backsplash & granite tops, wine fridge & wet bar. $559,000

Double Wide Lot For Sale

Double Wide Lot For Sale

Endless possibilities and potential to build your dream home on this oversized 100x125 lot close to City Centre, restaurants and Metra. Convenient access to all major transportation routes. Top-rated Field Elementary school. Well built 2 bed / 2

Endless possibilities and potential to build your dream home on this oversized 100x125 lot close to City Centre, restaurants and Metra.

Convenient access to all major transportation routes. Top-rated Field Elementary school. Well built 2 bed / 2 bath / 1765 sq ft brick and stone Ranch home is currently on property. Flexicore basement ceiling. Rehab, add on, or build new. As-Is Sale. Value in the land. $279,000

$279,000

Rarest of Opportunities

Built for the long-haul inside and out! Rare, 1st floor master suite on a 3,500sf main level footprint - enjoy all the convenience of single level living while still having a 2-story home with an entertainer’s dream basement offering another $1,299,900

Center of Town with 1st Floor Master Rarest of Opportunities Built for the long-haul inside and out! Rare, 1st floor master suite on a 3,500sf main level footprint - enjoy all the convenience of single level living while still having a 2-story home with an entertainer’s dream basement offering another 3,500sf. 75x190 meticulously landscaped lot on one of the center of town’s quietest streets. Updates: tear off roof (2020), new carpet, fresh paint, refinished hardwood floors, and new windows. 4 beds, 4 baths, and heated 3 car garage with internal staircase to the basement. Chef’s kitchen with vaulted ceiling, large prep/entertaining island, separate eating area, & high end stainless steel appliances. 2 story great room will blow you away with access to the back paver patio and yard from all sides. The basement is great for all ages - shuffle board court, vintage London pub, see-through fireplace, media room, gaming area with huge lightwell, tons of storage and steam shower. Zoned HVAC with radiant heat for the garage and basement. Within a short walk to downtown Elmhurst & schools. $1,299,900

Chic, Modern Farmhouse

2016 built modern farmhouse in sought after Jefferson school district. Covered, bluestone front porch welcomes you to 4 impressive levels of finished living space. Open 1st floor with white custom kitchen with large island, large family room with 1,125,000

386201

Chic, Modern Farmhouse 2016 built modern farmhouse in sought after Jefferson school district. Covered, bluestone front porch welcomes you to 4 impressive levels of finished living space. Open 1st floor with white custom kitchen with large island, large family room with gas fireplace flanked by built-ins, 1st floor office/e-learning, mudroom with built-in, powder room, formal dining room, and parlor room. The 2nd level offers 4 beds & 3 full baths, with impressive primary suite with walk-in closets and gorgeous bathroom. All bedrooms have bathroom access and large walk-in closets. The 3rd level is a finished yoga/zen/workout space with full bathroom.

Fully finished basement with full bath, bedroom, play area, and rec room with fireplace. Fenced yard with large playset and dog run on side yard. Freshly painted interior, custom window treatments and backup generator. Walk to Butterfield Park, Jefferson/Visitation schools, the Prairie Path, and great highway access. Nothing to do but unpack! 1,125,000

10 • Thursday, Dec. 10, 2020 - Rock Valley Publishing

Illinois Republican Party chairman resigns Tim Schneider steps down after more than six years

By Dee Longfellow

FOR THE ELMHURST INDEPENDENT

During an online meeting held Saturday, Dec. 6, Tim Schneider informed members of the Republican State Central Committee, that he would be resigning his position as Chairman.

“During my tenure, the Illinois-GOP has stood for reform - term limits, fair maps, and the end to the rampant corruption plaguing our state,” Schneider said in a written statement. “And we were united around our conservative values of smaller government, lower taxes and personal responsibility.”

A former Cook County commissioner, Schneider became Illinois Republican chairman in 2014 when Republican Bruce Rauner was serving as governor. Schneider’s term was supposed to run through May 2022.

While Democrats control state government, in the recent election Republicans helped defeat Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s plan to overhaul Illinois tax rates.

Lake County GOP chairman Mark Shaw tried to challenge Schneider for the party’s chairmanship two years ago but accepted the title of party co-chairman for conservative and grassroots outreach, according to the

Chicago Tribune.

Unanimously elected to the post in May of 2014, Schneider’s top priority as Chair has been to unite and grow the Illinois Republican Party by advancing a message of “good government” – value for tax dollars, a quality education for our kids, term limits on career politicians, and a booming economy with more jobs and higher pay.

As a small business owner and entrepreneur, Schneider has dedicated his life in public service to promoting fiscally conservative values of smaller government, lower taxes, less spending and fighting corruption. At

the township, county and statewide levels, Schneider has endeavored to be a steadfast voice for reform and accountability.

Serving three terms as a Cook County Board Commissioner, Schneider led the fight against increased taxes and spending – advocating fiscal responsibility and transparency in government.

He spearheaded the effort to repeal Todd Stroger’s sales tax increase, sponsored legislation to combat “pay-to-play” and workers compensation, and worked to cut millions in wasteful taxpayer spending, the Tribune reported.

Learn your HIV status: World AIDS Day held Dec. 1 The only way to know for sure whether you have HIV is to get tested. Knowing your status is important because it helps you make healthy decisions to prevent getting or transmitting HIV. Testing is still important and available during the pandemic.

World AIDS Day, which has been observed since 1988, is important because it reminds the public, healthcare providers, and the government that HIV has not gone away—there is still a vital need to raise money, increase awareness, fight prejudice and stigma, and improve education.

The theme for World AIDS Day 2020 is “Ending the HIV/AIDS Epidemic: Resilience and Impact.” The 2020 theme focuses on the impact of the global commitment to deliver quality, people-centered HIV prevention, and treatment services. Also, the focus is on strengthening the capacity and resilience of

communities and health systems to address HIV services amid a global pandemic. Learn what you can do to promote HIV prevention, treatment, care, and research by visiting HIV. gov and CDC.gov/hiv.

More tools than ever are now available to prevent HIV. If you have HIV or are at risk, it’s important to make choices that keep you healthy and protect others. You can use strategies such as abstinence (not having sex), limiting your number of sexual partners, never sharing needles, and using condoms the right way every time you have sex. You may also be able to take advantage of HIV prevention medicines such as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP).

Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is a once-daily pill that, when taken as prescribed, can protect HIV-negative people at high risk for infection. PrEP is up to 99 percent effective

We are now taking reservations

at preventing the sexual transmission of HIV and at least 74 percent effective for people who inject drugs. The DuPage County Health Department offers PrEP as part of its Sexually Transmitted Disease Clinic services and also provides PrEP trainings to healthcare providers.

DuPage County residents may be tested for HIV through several options including doc-

tors’ offices, home-test kits, and at the Health Department’s Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) Clinic, which provides screening, counseling, and referrals. HIV testing is provided at no cost.

For information about HIV testing, PrEP, and treatment options in DuPage County, contact the Health Department at (630) 6827400.

• COVID-19

(Continued from page 6) How long after I tested Am I immune to COVID-19 positive will I be contagious? once I’ve had it?

At this time, experts do not know how long The CDC recommends people wait until 10 days since symptoms first appeared AND they someone is protected from getting sick again afhave gone 24 hours with no fever without the use ter recovering from COVID-19.

For more information, of fever-reducing medications AND their other visit www.eehealth.org/coronavirus. symptoms of COVID-19 are improving before they spend time around other people again.

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Rock Valley Publishing - Thursday, Dec. 10, 2020 • 11

Congressman Raja offers update on pandemic, building bipartisanship

My office and I are here to help I want to thank you for continuing to stay vigilant and engaged during these difficult times and remind you to please contact my office if you have any questions or concerns by calling (847) 413-1959, emailing me at IL08.helpline@mail.house.gov, or sending a message through my website https://krishnamoorthi.house. gov/contact/email.

Raja Krishnamoorthi Representing the 8th District of Illinois U.S. House of Representatives

Slices of life

True love – part 2 “Do not be dismayed at goodbyes.

A goodbye must happen before you can meet again. And meeting again, whether it’s after days or lifetimes is certain for those who are friends.”

Richard Bach My husband and I were one of “those” couples. We were joined at the hip and preferred to do most things together. I knew what he was thinking and vice versa. We went to bed together at night and made the bed together each morning. Growing together over the years with a person like that is nothing short of a miracle. It’s a gift.

He was a gift.

I said a sorrowful goodbye to him recently, but I prefer to think of it as an, “Until I see you again.” We even expressed this sentiment in our wedding vows. Instead of the traditional, “Until death do us part,” we opted for the phrase, “All the days of our lives.”

Even back then, I didn’t believe death on earth would separate us.

We would live on, and eventually live on together. He is still with me now. I don’t feel his presence (yet), but he is here. He lives on in my heart. He always will. I am so thankful for the bond that we had and that we have still.

If I had to describe him in three words they would include: kind, loyal and loving. He was the smartest person I knew, but that that trait couldn’t compare to the three I just listed. I know if it were up to him he’d pick kind over smarts, and loyalty over power any day. He was a good man.

We raised a family of one daughter and three boys. We were busy, but it was a good busy. The best of busy.

He and our boys were football fans and they tuned in during the NFL season on Monday nights.

By

JILL PERTLER Contributor

During the game, I typically spent some alone time upstairs with some other show. As an introvert, this was just fine with me.

Often, when it wasn’t an exciting football game he’d come up at halftime and want to watch with me. I sometimes saw this as an interruption to my alone time and I’d be a little bit (silently) annoyed.

I’d give anything to have him annoy me like that again.

While dating and over the course of our years together, we wrote each other love notes. Corny, I know.

Today (most randomly) I stumbled across a book I made for him shortly before we were married.

I’d forgotten about it, but there it was 30-plus years later, not a week after he passed away. There are no mistakes in the cosmos.

I read the pages, reverently, remembering. The words and ideas and love were young, philosophic and precious.

Some of his thoughts were so very tender and eloquent. At one point he contemplated love. He wrote: “About love. Love is one of the only things in this world that isn’t relative. Everything else I can think of is always relative when compared to circumstances. But not love. Love is joyous. Love is kind. And love is always constant in my eyes. Love is uncompromising and everlasting when it’s right. Love is not relative to me. It is beautiful and enduring.

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12A • Thursday, Dec. 10, 2020 - Rock Valley Publishing

ComEd defendants plead not guilty in bribery case House Republicans call on Madigan to resign from office

By Peter Hancock CAPITOL NEWS ILLINOIS

Four former Commonwealth Edison officials pleaded not guilty Dec. 2 to charges that they engaged in a years-long bribery scheme that federal prosecutors allege was aimed at influencing Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan.

Former executives Anne Pramaggiore and John Hooker, along with lobbyists Michael McClain and Jay Doherty, were arraigned on the charges in U.S. District Court in Chicago during a hearing that was held remotely due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a 50-page indictment that was unsealed Nov. 18, federal prosecutors allege the four engaged in a conspiracy to award no-work jobs and lobbying contracts to close associates of Madigan as part of an effort to maintain his support for legislation that benefited the company.

Those included the 2011 Energy Infrastructure Modernization Act, which established a formula-based system of setting utility rates that effectively bypassed the Illinois Commerce Commission, and the 2016 Future Energy Jobs Act, which, among other things, provided ratepayer-funded subsidies to

two nuclear power plants owned by ComEd’s parent company Exelon.

During the arraignment, U.S. District Judge Harry D. Leinenweber, also a former state lawmaker, set an initial schedule that gives prosecutors and defense attorneys three months to exchange all the evidence they intend to use at trial and file pretrial motions.

A status hearing is tentatively set for Feb. 16 and the defendants remain free on bond.

The charges against the four defendants comes on the heels of a deferred prosecution agreement that prosecutors unveiled in July in which current ComEd officials admitted to the scheme and agreed for the company to pay a $200 million fine in exchange for cooperating with the investigation and assurances that the company would reform its internal controls.

Beyond the federal charges, though, the cases have resulted in intense scrutiny for Madigan and threatened his hold on power in the House. Although he has not been charged with any crime and has denied any wrongdoing, his support within the House Democratic caucus has gradually eroded since his appearance as “Public Official A”

in July’s agreement. Madigan appears to no longer have 60 pledged votes in the House to support him, the number required to be reelected for another term as speaker in January.

Madigan also faces a Special Investigating Committee in the House that is charged with determining whether there is enough evidence to support disciplinary proceedings that could result in his ouster from the General Assembly.

Republicans petitioned to form that committee shortly after the deferred prosecution agreement was released, and they have frequently accused Democrats of dragging their feet on the investigation in an effort to protect Madigan.

However, just before the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, the committee’s chairman, Rep. Emanuel “Chris” Welch, D-Hillside, released hundreds of pages of documents that the committee had requested from ComEd, including numerous emails between McClain, a former lawmaker and longtime Madigan confidant, and another former ComEd executive, Fidel Marquez, who pleaded guilty in the bribery scheme in September.

Those emails strongly suggest

that Madigan himself was deeply involved in urging ComEd to award jobs and contracts to his friends and associates.

The committee is scheduled to hold its next meeting on Monday, Dec. 14, in Springfield.

During a virtual news conference, House Minority Leader Jim Durkin, R-Western Springs, said he believes the emails and information from the indictments together provide enough evidence to support the charge that Madigan engaged in “conduct unbecoming to a legislator or which constitutes a breach of public trust,” and he called on Madigan to resign.

“For the good of the state and the good of the people of Illinois, and also for the good of the House chamber, I am asking for Speaker Madigan’s resignation today,” Durkin said.

The ComEd emails, however, also show that company officials worked to hire people for its lobbying team who were close to Republican leaders, including Durkin.

One email, dated Sept. 16, 2013, to McClain from Scott Reimers, a lobbyist for the Illinois State Medical Society, urges McClain to consider a woman who had been work-

ing in Durkin’s office.

“I believe that Jim Durkin is moving forward with someone else as his spokesperson so she is currently looking at other opportunities,” Reimers stated in the email.

“Even though Durkin is moving on with someone else, she has a strong relationships (sic) with our members.”

On Dec. 2, Durkin insisted that he was not involved in recommending anyone for a job at ComEd. “I did not have any involvement or make any phone calls on behalf of anyone for employment, (nor) did ComEd seek to curry favor with me with any type of contract for anyone,” Durkin said.

In a separate statement, though, Welch fired back at Durkin, accusing the Republican leader of trying to use the investigating committee for political gain.

“Leader Durkin is clearly seeking a public distraction from ComEd emails showing that the company took the same steps to influence him that he would now portray as unbecoming conduct, but his constant attempts to drag a serious investigative effort into politics will not influence the work of this committee,” Welch said.

GOP House members urge special session to handle jobless claim delays, fraud

IDES has paid out nearly $19 billion in benefits since March

By Sarah Mansur

CAPITOL NEWS ILLINOIS

Three Republican lawmakers on Dec. 4 put pressure on Illinois Department of Employment Security officials to answer for the backlog in unemployment claims and the rising number of fraudulent unemployment claims filed, which has reached nearly 297,000 since March.

During a Zoom news conference, state Reps. Tom Bennett, R-Gibson City, Terri Bryant, R-Murphysboro, and Mike Murphy, R-Springfield, urged Gov. JB Pritzker to call a special legislative session and allow

• Claims

for hearings to address the agency’s delays in processing unemployment claims, as well as the 296,914 fraud claims that had been filed as of Nov. 19, according to IDES. “You (Gov. Pritzker) should lead at this point and call us into special session to address many of these issues,” Bryant said. “I’ve said before, and I’ll repeat it again: Congress is meeting; other state legislators are meeting. We met safely in May with nobody contracting COVID-19, so we know it’s possible.”

Murphy said his office continues to hear constituent complaints about delays in receiving unem-

(Continued from page 5)

clarified in the Dec. 3 opinion that the appellate court’s reliance on the Cannon case law was misplaced, as the 50-year-old opinion served only as “dicta,” or a nonbinding legal opinion, and “does not control this case.”

“This court refuses to turn a blind eye to the manifest injustice and failure of our criminal justice system that would result from the continued incarceration of a demonstrably innocent person, even where a defendant pleads guilty,” the court’s opinion states. “Accordingly, we find defendants who plead guilty may assert an actual innocence claim under the (law).”

While the justices found that Reed was allowed to claim innocence de-

spite his guilty plea, they did not accept Reed’s argument that Calloway’s affidavit would alter the outcome of a trial.

“We cannot say it was unreasonable for the court to question the truthfulness of Callaway, where he came forward only after being imprisoned and discussing the case with (Reed),” the opinion states.

The Illinois Supreme Court agreed with the appellate court’s decision to dismiss Reed’s post-conviction petition, although the two courts offered different reasons for the dismissal.

A spokesperson for Illinois Attorney General’s Office, which represented the state in this case, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

ployment benefits, and about fraudulent claims being made on their behalf.

“As a matter of fact, during this press conference, I just got a text message from a constituent who said that they haven’t got a call back in over 30 days,” Murphy said. “But the majority of my complaints, recently, have been in regards to fraud.”

Bennett said the lawmakers must begin with finding the facts and answers to outstanding questions.

“The problem is we’re not getting the answers on why there are so many failures going on. We need to be able to figure out why the administration and IDES can’t handle the job requirements. We know that COVID-19 has changed everything in so many ways, but we got to be able to respond,” Bennett said.

When asked about the dollar amount associated with fraudulent employment claims in Illinois, Bryant said they don’t have enough information to determine how much the state has paid out in fraud claims.

“We don’t have an answer on the dollar amount because we’re not sure yet on what is actual fraud, and what’s being called fraud,” Bryant said.

“How do we know what is fraudulent and what is real, until we’re able to have some hearings on this and get some answers?”

Last month, IDES acting Director Kristin Richards spoke during Pritzker’s daily briefing to share how the

agency has lessened the long delays that unemployment claimants have faced, by increasing IDES staff and implementing a “callback only” system, in which calls are returned in the order they are received.

Richards said the agency handled more claims in the first three weeks of the pandemic than it had during all of 2019.

In order to meet this enormous demand, IDES increased its call center staffing by about 600 percent, Richards said on Nov. 23. She said the agency also redeployed about 100 staffers to deal with claims maintenance and adjudication, and brought back dozens of retired workers.

As a result of these changes, Richards said many claimants are now receiving callbacks “within one to two weeks or less.”

In an email, an IDES spokesperson said the agency has paid out nearly $19 billion in benefits since March, which is more than 16 times the amount of benefits paid over the equivalent period in 2019.

“As IDES has been saying for months, we are working hard to respond to an economic crisis and stand up five new, complex federal programs while battling fraudsters who have used stolen identities to file for benefits nationwide,” wrote IDES Information Strategy Director and Public Information Officer Rebecca Cisco.

IDES reported last month that the state’s unemployment rate dropped to 6.8 percent in October, down

from 10.4 percent in September.

Meanwhile, the total number of nonfarm jobs in the state fell by about 1,100, to roughly 5.7 million.

The state agency reported more than 74,000 newly filed regular unemployment claims for the week ending Nov. 28, which is a 13 percent increase from the prior week.

Those state unemployment claims are in addition to those filed under the Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation program, which provides an additional 13 weeks of benefits for those who have exhausted their regular jobless benefits, and the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program, which provides benefits to gig workers, independent contractors and other self-employed individuals who don’t normally qualify for traditional unemployment insurance.

According to U.S. Department of Labor data, 228,583 Illinoisans filed new claims for extended benefits under the PEUC for the week ending Nov. 14, which is roughly 10,000 more than the week before.

During the same period, nearly 144,000 self-employed workers were receiving continuing benefits under the PUA. Both the PEUC and the PUA programs are funded entirely by the federal government, and were created under the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security, or CARES Act, which Congress passed in March. Funding for those programs is set to expire Dec. 26.

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vertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis. To complain of discrimination call HUD toll-free at 1-900669-9777. The toll-free tele phone number for the hearing impaired is 1-800-927-9275.

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14 • Thursday, Dec. 10, 2020 - Rock Valley Publishing

Rock Valley Publishing

Sports

Dec. 10, 2020• 14

IHSA says no winter sports until first of year at the earliest Girls badminton looking at possible winter season move

By Mike Miazga CORRESPONDENT

During a recent Illinois High School Association Board of Directors virtual update session, the board explained it has not expectation to begin any winter sport seasons until 2021, but will remain agile in its preparation and willingness to adapt should a window present itself sooner.

IHSA Executive Director Craig Anderson noted that given Governor Pritzker’s current COVID-19-related mitigations, the board has no expectation of starting the IHSA low-risk winter sports prior to January. Boys and girls bowling, boys swimming, girls gymnastics and competitive cheerleading and dance are considered current low-risk sports, as outlined by the Illinois Department of Health. Boys and girls basketball was bumped to a high-risk sport by IDPH and remains in flux as to its start, while wrestling, long ago deemed a high-risk sport by IDPH during the pandemic, already was axed and moved to a special summer season.

Anderson said the board and IHSA staff will continue to monitor the Tier 3 resurgence mitigations currently in effect. The IHSA added that when there is a timeline for the state to emerge from the current restriction, the board is prepared to restart lower-risk winter sports quickly.

Additionally, the IHSA board hopes to reestablish contact days in January for any winter sports that cannot begin, as well as spring and summer sports. The introduction of the contact days, the IHSA explained, will be based on mitigations from the governor and IDPH at that time. Further guidance on contact-day limits, the IHSA added, will be established at a future board meeting.

Another key development out of the board update deals with girls badminton. The IHSA said given badminton’s status as a low-risk sport, the board also discussed the possibility of moving girls badminton from the spring season to the winter. Schools, the IHSA said, should begin preparing for this possibility, as action on this could be decided at the Dec. 14 IHSA board meeting.

“The board reiterated they remain committed to creating as much opportunity as possible for all sports that remain to be played this school year,” Anderson said in his statement.

“They intend to evaluate the equity of each season as a potential resumption date in January begins to materialize.

The board appreciates the flexibility displayed by our schools throughout the pandemic, and although they recognize the challenges each modifica-

tion creates, they continue to ask that schools be adaptable in the new year.

The board continues to evaluate season start and ending dates, depending on when the winter season resumes.”

Anderson added the board and

IHSA staff have received questions from schools regarding the interpretation of the Tier 3 resurgence mitigations and the application in use of the weight room and open gyms before and after school. The IHSA board

said it believes that only local schools and districts whose facilities serve as a shared space for community members may interpret whether or not their facilities are made available as public health and fitness centers.

Before- and after-school weightlifting and open-gym activities at school facilities that are not open to the community would remain prohibited outside of usage in the school-day educational setting.

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50. Frames per second 53. Have surgery 57. Formal withdrawal from a federation 58. Guitarist sounds 59. Greek war god 60. 2,000 lbs.

61. Helps escape

CLUES DOWN 1. Currency exchange charge 2. River in Tuscany 3. Breakfast dish 4. Defunct European currency 5. Upper class young woman 6. Part of a purse 7. Self-contained units

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52. Scottish tax 53. Young women’s association 54. Populous Brazilian city 55. Malaysian Isthmus 56. Pointed end of a pen

From Edward-Elmhurst Health

Make these medical appointments every year

Healthy adults probably don’t give a lot of thought to seeing a doctor unless they get hurt or seriously ill.

Most healthy adults don’t need a lot of medical attention. But there are some things they should keep tabs on, even if they aren’t sick.

Making these medical appointments each year will help keep adults’ health on track as they age because doctors can address budding health concerns before they become big issues.

In your 20s and 30s: • Primary care physician (PCP). Get an annual checkup, including blood work, from an internal medicine physician or a family medicine physician.

A doctor will know when vaccinations are due, including a tetanus booster or chickenpox vaccine (which some adults may need if they never got the MMR shot as a child). Make a calendar note each fall to get a flu shot.

• Women: Gynecologist. An annual exam should include a Pap test, HPV test, pelvic exam, clinical breast exam, and, if there is a new sex partner, screenings for sexually transmitted infections (STIs). If women have more than one sexual partner, it might make sense to have a Pap test and STI test every six months.

• Dermatologist. Make an annual appointment for a full-body skin check, especially fair-skinned adults or those with a family history of skin cancer.

• Eye doctor. The American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends that adults with healthy vision have a complete exam by an ophthalmologist once in their 20s, twice in their 30s and at age 40.

• Dentist. The American Dental Association recommends dental cleanings/check-ups once or twice a year.

In your 40s, add: • Women: Mammogram. This annual screening can detect breast cancer in its early stages when it’s most treat-

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able. Ask a gynecologist about dense breasts and 3D mammograms.

• Men: Annual rectal exam/PSA blood test from a primary care doctor to screen for prostate cancer.

In your 50s (or earlier if you have risk factors), add: • Colonoscopy. This important screening can detect early signs of colorectal cancer and remove polyps and tumors.

For more information, visit EEHealth.org.

• Slices

(Continued from page 11) That is why my life is so meaningful right now. Because I love you.”

Back then, he went on a nineweek trip to Europe (without me).

I couldn’t imagine that expanse of time without him (sigh). Now the words I wrote as he left mean even more today than they did then: “As you are leaving, do not be dismayed by our distance apart.

Distance is relative. Realize that in our short time together we will learn to appreciate things some people never learn to recognize. As you are leaving, do not worry about the future. We have no way of knowing the direction our travels will take us.

As you are leaving, trust in what is yet to be. Believe the best is ahead of you. Laughter is just around the corner. Believe in that.”

Until we meet again, Thom.

Watch over me. Until then, I will always love you– all the days of our lives.

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

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