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SUBMITTED PHOTO Bensenville Independent

Fenton Speech takes 2nd at ‘Tournament of Dreams’

Congratulations to the Fenton Speech Team for earning second place at Bolingbrook Tournament of Dreams on Saturday, Jan. 21. Highlights of the tournament include: Sarah Guerrero-Gorostieta is a champion in Info and took 2nd in poetry; Angel Santiago & Mcaleigh Logue took 2nd in Humorous Duet Acting; Tera Pabico took 2nd in Informative Speaking; Tereza Belej took 3rd in Radio Speaking and 4th in Informative Speaking; Alexa Calderon took 5th in Informative Speaking and 5th

in next-in Poetry Reading; Nate Rodriguez took 5th in S.O.S and finaled in Original Comedy; Febe Reyes took 6th in Poetry Reading; Laila Morales took 6th in Original Oratory; Daniel Garfias took 2nd in next-in Extemporaneous Speaking; Josslyn Wade and Lynette Wade took 4th in next-in Dramatic Duet Acting; and, Aldo Benitez took 5th in next-in Extemporaneous Speaking. The Bison Speech team will compete in a Conference meet on Saturday, Jan. 28.

Bond denied for Cook County man charged with firing machine gun in Villa Park

DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert B. Berlin and Villa Park

Chief of Police Michael Rivas have announced that bond has been denied for a Cook County man accused of firing a machine gun multiple times

into a residential neighborhood in Villa Park.

Curtis Lyons, 37, of Maywood, appeared at a bond hearing where Judge Ann Celine O’Hallaren Walsh granted the state’s motion to deny

bond.

Lyons is charged with one count of armed habitual criminal, one count of aggravated discharge of a firearm and two counts of unlawful use of weapon by a felon—machine gun. All charges are a Class X felony.

course of their investigation, officers developed Lyons as a suspect in the case.

9 mm, a 50-round drum magazine containing eight rounds and approximately $7,000 in cash.

Curtis Lyons

On Jan. 25 at approximately 8:47 p.m., officers with the Villa Park Police Department were dispatched to the area of Chatham and Plymouth for a call of shots fired. Upon their arrival, officers found numerous shell casings in the intersection of Chatham and Plymouth. Through the

It is alleged that Lyons had arranged to sell drugs to an acquaintance and that as Lyons approached the other individual, he opened fire more than thirty times with a Glock 19 mm that had been altered with a switch to allow it to fire as a fully automatic weapon. It is further alleged that Lyons fired more than 30 rounds, one of which struck a nearby home, before fleeing the scene.

Officers with the Villa Park Police Department were able to locate Lyons in a residence on Cornell where, after executing a search warrant, officers found a 9 mm Glock 19 with a fully automatic switch and a laser light, a Smith & Wesson M&P Shield

“It is alleged that Mr. Lyons put an entire neighborhood at risk when he fired more than 30 shots in a matter of seconds,” Berlin said. “This type of violent, criminal conduct, as alleged against Mr. Lyons, will not be tolerated in DuPage County and will be met with the full force and effect of the law. Thankfully, no innocent bystanders or anyone in the residence were injured as a result of this alleged behavior.

“I commend the Villa Park Police Department for their outstanding work in the quick identification and apprehension of Mr. Lyons as a

February is National Children’s Dental Health Month

Did you know that dental-related ailments are responsible for the loss of more than 50 million school hours each year? That’s right. Thousands of children miss school every year because of some dental-related ailment. Fortunately, many of these ailments can be prevented through good oral care.

This National Children’s Dental Health Month, make your child’s smile a priority. Take them to the dentist regularly and teach them to care for their teeth properly.

DuPage Care Center hosts Valentine’s Day fundraiser to benefit residents

The DuPage Care Center is offering the community an opportunity to send Valentine wishes to Center residents.

The DuPage Care Center is also providing Valentine’s balloons to residents to spread cheer and warm

wishes. For $4.50 per balloon, community members can send a balloon to a Care Center resident. In the past, the public sent more than 800 heartshaped, helium balloons to line the Care Center’s corridors and rooms on Valentine’s Day. Volunteers and staff

delivered the balloons to more than 300 residents living at the Center, brightening their days, and bringing lots of smiles along the way. The balloons are recycled after being used.

“Every year, this fundraiser brings smiles to residents’ faces and helps to

Musicians Swap Meet to benefit local food pantry

Dig that old banjo out of the closet, that guitar from under the bed, that broken amp, unused pedals or anything else you no longer need or want. Then head on over to the Hide Away Cafe & Lounge on Sunday, Feb. 5 between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.

Affordable instruments, amplifiers and musical accessories for the starting or professional musician will be offered for sale or trade at a players swap meet.

If you’re just curious about the value of grandpa’s old acoustic, bring it along. Price guides and appraisals will be available. There will be plenty of band mates and local shops displaying their wares as well. The event is free but please bring a donation of non-perishable food (no out-of-date or expired items please) or sealed personal hygiene items for the Bensenville Wood Dale Food Pantry. The pantry has been serving

the needy for more than 40 years and currently helps as many as 1,000 individuals monthly in the Bensenville, Elmhurst and Wood Dale areas. Visit bwdfp.org or call 630-766-9382 for more information on how you can volunteer or if you need assistance.

The Hide Away Cafe & Lounge is located at 207 W. Main Street in Bensenville.

Food and drinks will be available throughout the event.

Active Senior Expo coming to Addison March 15

Active Senior Expo, an event dedicated to inform, educate and entertain senior citizens will be held on Wednesday, March 15 at Lorena’s Banquets, 543 W. Lake Street in Addison. Show hours are 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Active Senior Expo features hundreds of products and services designed specifically for seniors. Offerings include health care, retirement communities, assisted living, financial, insurance, legal, estate plan-

ning, home care, consumer products, government programs and more.

Special attractions include free seminars, free health screenings and door prize drawings. Live entertainment will be presented at 11:30 a.m.

No registration is required and regular admission to the event is $2. However, free admission coupons will be available widely and attendees can obtain a free admission coupon by visiting www.activeseniorexpo.net. Parking is free.

The presenting sponsor of Active Senior Expo is Chicagoland’s Senior News, “The Premier News Source for Active Adults Age 50 and Better.” Major sponsors are Advocate Health Advisors, Nicor Gas Energy Efficiency Program, Addison Bank & Trust, Rock Valley Publishing, and Humana.

For more information, contact Silver Star Expositions at (630) 6206347. Fax: (630) 620-7996. E-Mail: activeseniorexpo@hotmail.com.

OPEN ENROLLMENT FOR THE 2023-2024 SCHOOL YEAR BEGINS THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2023 FROM 6 pm-7pm

For over 60 years, The Co-Op Preschool, in partnership with our students’ families, has been helping children build the skills they need to become successful students and responsible community members. We are a non-profit play-based program that fosters a joy of learning and respectful interaction among peers while promoting a cooperative partnership between home and school. Together with our students’ families, we provide a nurturing, safe, and engaging preschool experience for all our children to grow and learn. The involvement parents have in their child’s school has a direct impact on a child’s academic success.

THE CO-OP PRESCHOOL admits students of any race, color, creed, sex, national or ethnic origin, or religion, to all the rights, privileges, programs and activities made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, national or ethnic origin, religion or sex, in the administration of its educational policies, admission policies, any other policies of school administered programs, or rights, privileges, programs and activities.

For questions on enrollment please call: 630 629-2630 ext. 214 or email director@thecooppreschool.com

warm their hearts and lift their spirits,” said Greg Schwarze, chair of the Human Services Committee. “It’s a great tradition and we are excited about continuing it this year.”

Balloon donations will be accepted until Friday, Feb. 10 and may be ordered online at dpccfoundation. org. Balloons will be delivered on

Tuesday, Feb. 14. Funds from the sale of balloons will benefit the Resident Recreation Fund, which provides programs and activities to improve the quality of life of residents living at the Center. For more information, call (630) 784-4303 or email linda.gray@dupageco.org.

IndependenT

Your Hometown Newspaper

240 N. West Avenue Elmhurst, IL. 60126

Main Phone 630.834-8244 Fax 630.834-0900

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

Display Advertising: 630.834-8355

Classified Advertising: 630.834-8244

News: 630.834-8244

General Information: 630.834-8244

E-mail:

Advertising Department: ads1@rvpublishing.com

News Department: Independent@rvpublishing.com

Classified Department: Classifieds@rvpublishing.com

Administration:

Dee Longfellow

News Coordinator

Debra Hamilton

Advertising Director

Pete Cruger

Publisher

Advertising: Brenda Garcia

Subscriptions:

The Independent is mailed to the 60101, 60106 and 60181 zip code areas for $15.95 yearly. Out-of-area mail subscriptions are $29.95 yearly. For home delivery information call 630.834-8244.

Reprints:

Content appearing in the Independent may not be reprinted without permission of the publisher or editor. Requests should be directed to Independent@rvpublishing.com or 630.834-8244.

Postmaster: Please send address changes to: THE INDEPENDENT

240 N. West Avenue, Elmhurst, IL. 60126

Office Hours: Monday-Friday 11am-3pm

Grand Subaru offers on-site visits to Fenton auto students

Fenton students will soon get a chance to experience “A Day in the Life of an Autos Service Professional” at the Grand Subaru car dealership in Bensenville.

Grand Subaru General Manager Ryan Drouin and his team visited Fenton’s Autos 2 class on Thursday, Jan. 26 to get acquainted with students and to offer the opportunity. John Francel, director of Grand Subaru’s service department, shared details of what students could look forward to.

Three students will visit the car dealership every Wednesday and spend the entire school day shadowing Subaru employees. These experiences will help Fenton students apply class lessons to real world situations

Information available on German Exchange Program at Fenton

Fenton High School will partner with the German American Partnership Program (GAPP) to offer students the opportunity to live in and study abroad in Germany for two weeks as early as this coming June.

Several families attended the informational meeting held recently, which provided an explanation of the opportunities, expectations, costs and living arrangements.

If you are interested in this trip but were unable to attend the info meeting, please contact Fenton’s Division Leader for Multilingual Programs, Lorenzo Rubio at (630) 238-4718, or rubio@fenton100.org.

and generate excitement for potentially joining the automotives career field.

Thursday’s meet-and-greet gave

Drouin and Francel the opportunity to tour the Fenton automotives garage, where students not only showed off their work but also sought advice.

Fenton offered a big thank-you to Grand Subaru for this partnership and the incredible opportunities it affords Fenton’s automotive students.

at a time on Wednesday of each week to shadow Subaru’s employees.

• Bond (Continued from front page)

suspect in this case. I also thank the numerous assisting agencies as well as DuPage County MERIT for their efforts.”

“As a community and as a society, we cannot accept acts of violence regardless of circumstances” Rivas said.

“Habitual violent criminals will not abide by the laws set forth in this state and federally. That is why when an act of violence occurs, the

community and law enforcement must act swiftly and collaboratively to help bring all who will do harm to justice. It was an incredible amount of great police work done by Villa Park officers, detectives and support staff to quickly identify and locate the alleged offender.

“I thank the assisting law enforcement agencies of Lombard, Addison, Elmhurst, Oak Brook, DuPage County Sheriff’s Office and Oak Brook

Fenton’s annual Tri-District Fest

Terrace as well as MERIT METRO SWAT for their actions. We would lastly like to thank DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and Assistant State’s Attorney Sara Henley for their invaluable assistance and counsel to help generate serious, and appropriate charges against the alleged offender.”

Lyons’ next court appearance is scheduled Feb. 23 for arraignment in front of Judge O’Hallaren Walsh.

Fenton High School recently hosted its annual Tri-District Choral Festival to join choir students from its two feeder districts. During the visit on Tuesday, Jan. 24, students from Blackhawk Middle School and Wood Dale Junior High were able to learn from Fenton students and later sing right along with them. Fenton’s partnerships like this give future Bison something to look forward to and to strive toward. One prime example is Aiden Torres, who traveled to Peoria two days later to perform in the Illinois Music Education Association (IMEA) All-State Honors Choir.

Members of Fenton’s Autos 2 class welcomed Ryan Drouin, general manager, and John Francel, director of service department, of the Grand Subaru car dealership on Grand Avenue. in Bensenville to visit the school for a tour of the Fenton automotives garage. Students have been invited to the dealership three

SUBMITTED PHOTO Rock Valley Publishing

SUBMITTED PHOTO Rock Valley Publishing

Addison Trail students attend Muslim Students Association Summit

On Saturday, Jan. 21, these five Addison Trail students participated in a Muslim Student Association (MSA) Summit at Maine East High School. They are (from left): freshman Maryam Chaudhry, freshman Aamina Makki, junior Soha Siddiqui, junior

Coming events

Editor’s note: Unless otherwise specified, learn more about these events and programs at: addisonlibrary.org/events or call 630-5433617.

Friday, Feb. 3

Movement stations

From 10 a.m.-noon at the Addison Public Library, at this program for littles, we’ll have out some special toys in the Children’s Department for you to try. Practice yoga moves, walk the balance beam, or move across some stepping stones. No registration required.

Sunday, Feb. 5

Resume basics

From 1:30-2:30 p.m. at the Adult Program Room of the Addison Public Library, your resume is an essential part of the job search process. This workshop will teach you how to create and format a resume to best sell your skills and experience to potential employers. Part of our technology made simple series; learn more and sign up at https:// www.addisonlibrary.org/Tech-Simple.

Monday, Feb. 6

Genealogy at your library

From 7-8 p.m. on Zoom via the Addison Public Library, local genealogist Suz Bates will present step-by-step directions to guide you through using the library’s ge -

nealogy databases to improve your family history research.

Tuesday, Feb. 7

• Celebrate Valentine’s Day

From 6-7 p.m. at the Addison Public Library, join Ellie Presents and learn all about Valentine’s Day in this interactive program. Ellie will tell us all about the history of Valentine’s Day, who St. Valentine really was, and much more. All participants will also make their very own valentine. Open to all ages with caregivers. Co-presented with the Addison Historical Society.

• Computer basics (Windows)

From 6-7 p.m. at the Adult Program Room of the Addison Public Library, if you want to learn how to use your Windows computer, this is the program for you. We will discuss navigating the computer, managing files and folders, deleting and saving files, and more. Part of our Technology Made Simple series; learn more and sign up at https:// www.addisonlibrary.org/Tech-Simple

Wednesday, Feb. 8

Google Calendar basics

From 2-3 p.m. at the Adult Program Room of the Addison Public Library, discover how Google Calendar can keep you on time and organized. In this introductory workshop, add events and reminders

Logain Nazzal and freshman Lemar Nazzal. High school students from throughout the area gathered to discuss how to grow the program within schools and how to work with administration to request and implement programs and events.

to your calendar, and share them with others. Part of our Technology Made Simple series; learn more and sign up at https://www.addisonlibrary.org/Tech-Simple

Thursday, Feb. 9

HEAL: Health for English learners

From 10-11:30 a.m. starting Feb. 9 and each Thursday until March 23 at the Adult Program Room of the Addison Public Library, learn about healthy food, medicine, making doctor’s appointments, talking to doctors, emergencies, and more with People’s Resource Center. To participate, you will need to complete a short phone assessment with PRC. Open to students living in DuPage County.

Monday, Feb. 13

Google Drive basics

From 7-8 p.m. in the Adult Program Room of the Addison Public Library, get to know how to store and share files in Google Drive. Discover how Google Drive keeps files safe and secure. Practice using your drive and get helpful tips about how to keep it organized. Part of our Technology Made Simple series; learn more and sign

Thursday, Feb. 16

Monthly meditation

From 10-11 a.m. at the Large Meeting Room of the Addison Pub -

lic Library, join friends old and new in-person to discover the life changing effects of meditation. No experience required.

Friday, Feb. 17 Free time Fridays

From 11 a.m.-noon at the Adult Program Room of the Addison Public Library, join us for crafts, games, light refreshments, conversation, and fun with friends old and new. We’ll do something different each time we meet and it will always be a fun treat.

Ongoing events

Open enrollment is ongoing for the Addison Park District Preschool

The Addison Park District preschool program curriculum reflects the Illinois Early Learning and Development Standards. Visit www. illinoisearlylearning.org for more details. The Park District helps children develop prekindergarten skills, including letter/name recognition, listening skills, healthy habits, cooperative play, fine motor, and socialization skills. The experiences are both educational and recreational, which aid in social, physical, intellectual, and emotional growth. Registration is taken in-person at the Centennial Rec Center. Call (630) 233-7275 option 3 for registration availability. Visit

addisonparks.org for required paperwork due prior to first day of program.

English reading circle

Starting at 11 a.m. Tuesdays at the Adult Program Room of the Addison Public Library, build your vocabulary and reading skills in a small group setting.

English conversation groups

At 2 p.m. Mondays on Zoom, and at 7 p.m. Wednesdays at the Adult Program Room of the Addison Public Library, practice listening and speaking skills in a small group setting. Learn more at: addisonlibrary.org/events

English reading circle

At 11 a.m. Tuesdays at the Adult Program Room of the Addison Public Library. Learn more at: addisonlibrary.org/events

Heroes story time

From 10-10:30 a.m. at the Addison Public Library, join us for stories and activities about everyday heroes, superheroes, and more.

Clubs and organizations are welcome to send entries for this column to: news1@rvpublishing.com. Please include a phone number or e-mail address to contact for information

SUBMITTED PHOTO Rock Valley Publishing

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

Addison

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

Villa Park

Jan. 21

Police said Nikhar Bhadani, 23, of Villa Park, was arrested on a failure to appear warrant out of Kankakee County at a hotel in the 1-100 block of W. Roosevelt at 12:01 a.m.

Retail theft was reported at a store in the 900 block of S. Route 83 at 8:55 p.m. A complainant reported that an unknown suspect removed multiple items from display shelves and left the store without paying.

A complainant in the 500 block of N. Ardmore reported at 3:31 a.m. that a subject was sending them unwanted messages via text.

Jan. 20

A complainant at a vehicle rental company reported at 2:20 p.m. that a subject has not returned the vehicle they rented out.

Jan. 18

Chasity C. Conley, 26, of Villa Park, was charged with battery— making physical contact of an insulting or provoking nature at a store in the 1-100 block of E. North at 7:55 p.m.

A complainant in the 1-100 block

of N. Westmore reported at 10:15 a.m. that a suspect committed battery to them.

Theft was reported at an auto dealership in the 400 block of E. Roosevelt at 2:20 p.m. A complainant reported that an unknown suspect removed an entire roll of license plate stickers that were left in an unsecured drawer.

A complainant at a store in the 400 block of W. North reported at 12:58 p.m. that an unknown suspect entered their unsecured vehicle parked in the parking lot. The complainant believes nothing appears to be missing.

Jan. 17

Deborah C. Acuna Cabrera, 38, of Northlake, was charged with retail theft/switching a price tag not exceeding $300 at a store in the 1-100 block of E. North at 4:21 p.m.

Police said Carlos F. Miranda, 33, of Lombard, was arrested on a failure to appear warrant out of DuPage County Jail near W. Holly and N. Addison at 12:22 p.m.

A complainant at a store in the 900 block of S. Route 83 reported at 12:59 p.m. that a suspect battered them.

Burglary was reported at a restaurant in the 700 block of N. Addison at 3:49 p.m. A complainant reported that unknown suspects used an unknown object to shatter the northside door of the building. The suspects entered and pried open an ATM and removed money.

Jan. 16

Police said Deyon J. Erves, 54, of Melrose Park, was arrested on a failure to appear warrant out of Cook County near Roosevelt and S. Euclid at 7:31 p.m.

Retail theft was reported at a store

in the 900 block of S. Route 83 at 5:46 p.m. A complainant reported that suspects removed multiple items from display shelves and left the store without paying.

Theft was reported at a restaurant in the 300 block of E. St. Charles at 9:19 p.m. A complainant reported several unknown suspects removed table numbers and left.

Jan. 15

Police said Arturo Villafuerte, 49, of Villa Park, was arrested on a failure to appear warrant out of DuPage County near N. Addison and W. St. Charles at 4:24 p.m.

Two incidents of retail theft were reported at the same store in the 300 block of N. Ardmore—one at 9:52 a.m. and the other at 1:57 p.m. In the first incident, a complainant reported that a suspect removed cigars from the display shelf and left the store without paying. In the second incident, a complainant reported that the suspect, from earlier, came back and removed cigars from display shelf and left. Officers located the suspect and the merchandise was return. A citation was issued.

Fraud, identity theft

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

Bensenville

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

Jan. 25, 10:01 a.m. in the 1000 block of Route 83, a victim stated that an unknown suspect made unauthorized transactions for fuel. The incident is under investigation.

BEPC2300086

Jan. 25, 12:23 p.m. in the 600 block of Country Club Drive, a victim states an unknown suspect stole

a business check and cashed it. The incident is under investigation.

BEPC2300087

Jan 24, 10:11 a.m. in the 800 block of Supreme Drive, a victim reports a catalytic converter removed from vehicle. The incident is under investigation. BEPC2300082

Jan 24, 10:48 p.m. near Church and Irving Park Road, Bensenville officers apprehended a vehicle for fleeing from an Elmhurst Police Department officer. The vehicle continued to try and elude Bensenville officers. Bensenville officers were able to stop the vehicle and apprehended Sebastian Galvez, 23, of Addison and Veronika Sypita, 20, of Addison. The individuals were charged with aggravated fleeing and eluding an officer, aggravated unlawful use of weapon and other traffic related charges. The two were transported to the station for processing, and then transferred to the DuPage County Jail. BEPC2300085

Jan. 21, 10:39 p.m. in the 1000 block of York Road, a business reports that unknown suspect shoplifted between nine and 12 bottles of vodka and fled the area. The incident is under investigation. BEPC2300075

Jan 20, 11:45 a.m. in the 1100 block of David Drive, a victim reports that their vehicle was just stolen out of the parking lot. The vehicle was entered into nationwide police database a stolen. The incident is under investigation. BEPC2300072

Jan. 21, 7:55 a.m. in the 100 block of Grand Avenue, a victim reports that an unknown suspect broke out the rear passenger window and damaged the steering wheel and ignition. The incident is under investigation.

BEPC2300073

Jan. 20, 10:22 a.m. in the 200 block of Devon, a business reports that unknown suspect cashed some company checks. The incident is under investigation. BEPC2300068

Jan. 20, 10:49 a.m. in the 100 block of Green Street, a business reports that unknown suspect cashed a company check and used a company credit card several times. The incident is under investigation.

BEPC2300069

Jan. 20, 4:52 p.m. in the 1-100 block of Irving Park Road, a busi-

ness reports that unknown suspect shoplifted various items and left. The incident is under investigation.

BEPC2300070

Jan. 19, 2:55 p.m. in the 900 block of Jefferson, a victim reports the theft of stainless steel pipes from the property. The incident is under investigation, BEPC2300064

Jan. 19, 7:21 p.m., Bensenville police officers assisted the Addison Police Department executing a warrant arrest in the 1050 block of Irving Park Road. BEPC2300065

Jan. 19, 10:43 p.m., a complainant reports losing his wallet in the 1050 block of Route 83 and fraudulent charges on his credit card.

BEPC2300066

Bond set for man accused of breaking into Oak Brook home

DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and Oak Brook Chief of Police Brian Strockis have announced that bond was set for a South American man charged with breaking into an Oak Brook home late last week.

Anibal Miller-Valencia, 21, appeared at a bond hearing where Judge Joseph Bugos set bond at $1.5 million with 10 percent to apply.

Miller-Valencia has been charged with one count of home invasion (Class X felony) and one count of residential burglary (Class 1 felony). If convicted, he faces a penalty of between six to 30 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections.

On Jan. 13 at approximately 6:38 p.m., officers with the Oak Brook Police Department responded to a call of a home invasion on Luthin Road. Upon their arrival, officers spoke to a female juvenile who was home alone at the time of the incident. Following an investigation into the matter, it is alleged Miller-Valencia and two unknown accomplices drove to a nearby forest preserve parking lot and parked their car.

It is alleged that the two unknown accomplices left the vehicle while Miller-Valencia waited behind. It is further alleged that at approximately 6:31 p.m., Miller-Valencia’s unknown accomplices then went to the home on Luthin Road, broke a rear glass door and entered the home. It is alleged while the accomplices were in the home, the juvenile hid behind a door and that after a short time, the two individuals fled into a nearby wooded area.

While investigating the incident, officers found Miller-Valencia in the forest preserve parking lot seated in the driver’s seat of the car with the car running. He was arrested and taken into custody at this time.

“I can’t imagine the terror this young victim must have felt when she heard glass breaking and unknown voices in her house while she was home alone,” Berlin said.

Anibal Miller-Valencia

State preparing further defense of assault weapons ban

By Peter Hancock CAPITOL NEWS ILLINOIS

Attorney General Kwame Raoul

on Jan. 23 filed a petition asking an appellate court to vacate a temporary restraining order that was issued late in the afternoon Jan. 20, blocking enforcement of the state’s recently-passed assault weapons ban.

Raoul’s office filed the petition in the 5th District Appellate Court in southern Illinois, arguing that Effingham County Judge Joshua Morrison had abused his discretion and the plaintiffs are unlikely to succeed in their lawsuit, thus the restraining order was granted incorrectly.

Morrison’s order applies to only the 800-plus plaintiffs in the case filed by Tom DeVore, the unsuccess-

Chicago man charged with robbery at Naperville Portillo’s

DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and Naperville Chief of Police Jason Arres announced that bond has been set for a Chicago man accused of robbing a Naperville Portillo’s.

Solomon Marshall, 21, appeared at a bond hearing where Judge Joshua Dieden set bond at $100,000 with 10 percent to apply. Marshall has been charged with one count of aggravated robbery, a Class 1 felony.

It is alleged that on July 20, 2022, at approximately 11:36 p.m., Marshall approached two female employees of Portillo’s on foot as they were working in the drive-through lane of the restaurant. It is alleged that Marshall kept one hand in his pocket implying that he had a firearm. It is further alleged that Marshall demanded money from the victims, ripped the company fanny packs containing approximately $680 from the victims and at one point patted down one of the victims to make sure she did not have any more money.

It is alleged that during the robbery, Marshall told the victims “Hurry up, I don’t want to have to do this.” It is further alleged following the robbery, Marshall fled the scene on foot. Through the course of their investigation into the matter, Naperville Police identified Marshall as a suspect in the crime. On Jan. 23, Marshall was arrested on a fugitive from justice warrant out of Denver, Colo., and was charged with the Portillo’s robbery the following day.

“The allegations that this defendant robbed two girls while they were working the drive-through lane at a local restaurant are very disturbing,” Berlin said. “While Mr. Marshall may have not had a real gun with him, the paralyzing fear these girls experienced, believing Mr. Marshall to be armed, was real. Thankfully, neither of the victims was physically harmed.”

Marshall’s next court appearance is Feb. 21 for arraignment in front of Judge Margaret O’Connell.

ful 2022 GOP candidate for attorney general.

“Although disappointing, it is the initial result we’ve seen in many cases brought by plaintiffs whose goal is to advance ideology over public safety,” Gov. JB Pritzker said in a statement shortly after the order was announced.

House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch, D-Hillside, and Senate President Don Harmon, D-Oak Park, issued similar statements within hours

of the judge’s decision.

“We passed the Protect Illinois Communities Act to get dangerous weapons off the street and create a safer state,” Harmon said in a statement. “This ruling will be appealed. We look forward to our day in court to zealously advocate for our neighbors who are weary of the gun violence epidemic.”

But the Illinois State Rifle Association, which has filed a separate challenge to the law in federal court,

applauded Morrison’s ruling, saying the ruling is “a clear indication” that Pritzker and lawmakers “rammed this law through improperly.”

In his ruling Jan. 20, Morrison sided with the plaintiffs’ argument that there were legitimate issues about whether the law violates their rights to due process and equal protection because it limits most people’s Second Amendment right to keep and bear certain firearms, while at the same time exempting some groups

of people from the law but not others. But Morrison also devoted much of the opinion to the procedural shortcuts lawmakers used to pass the bill—shortcuts routinely used in order to pass legislation quickly, especially when the General Assembly is facing statutory or constitutional deadlines.

In this case, the law’s underlying bill, House Bill 5471, passed through See BAN, Page 15

Man accused of stealing vehicle, illegal possession of a firearm

DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert B. Berlin and Naperville Chief of Police Jason Arres have announced that bond has been set for a Chicago man accused of illegally possessing a Dodge Durango and illegally possessing a loaded firearm.

Frank Whitefield, Jr., 20, appeared in bond court where Judge Joshua Dieden set bond at $250,000 with 10 percent to apply. Whitefield has been charged with one count of possession of a stolen motor vehicle (Class 2 felony) one count of aggravated unlawful use of a weapon (Class 4 felony) and one

count of possession of burglary tools (Class 4 felony).

On Tuesday, Jan. 24 at approximately 4:41 a.m., Naperville police responded to a call in the 1600 block of Westminster. Upon their arrival, officers learned that a Dodge Durango had been stolen from that location just prior to their arrival.

Through the course of their investigation, officers were able to locate the Durango at a gas station on Route 59 near I-88 in Naperville. As an officer approached the Durango at the gas station, it is alleged that

Whitefield and an unidentified individual exited the vehicle and fled on foot.

Following a brief foot pursuit, the officer took Whitefield into custody. It is alleged that when the officer took Whitefield into custody, he was in possession of a loaded .45 caliber Glock pistol with one round in the chamber, an extended magazine and a laser attachment, which the officer was able to take away from Whitefield.

Whitefield’s next court appearance is scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 21 for arraignment in front of Judge Daniel Guerin.

SHOP Local FOR FALL

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

Viewpoint

To keep our democracy strong, we need to restore trust in news media

Editor’s note: This op-ed was distributed by Capitol News Illinois on behalf of the News Literacy Project. The opinions expressed in this article are the author’s own.

By Alee Quick Americans

are politically polarized, cynical about long-respected institutions and disappointed with elected leaders at the local, state and national levels. What’s driving these trends? I believe a sweeping lack of trust is a significant factor.

Trust is an essential element to strong personal, professional and societal relationships. Without it, relationships break down, often with unfortunate consequences. Research bears this out. The 2022 Edelman Trust Barometer found that nearly 6 in 10 respondents automatically distrust something until they encounter evidence of its credibility. And nearly two-thirds said we can no longer have constructive, civil discourse about important issues. The researchers noted, “when distrust is the default—we lack the ability to debate or collaborate.”

The public’s wariness is understandable, and misinformation is a major factor. In the 2020 Northwestern University Medill Trust in U.S. News Media study, 82 percent of those surveyed expressed concern about discerning factbased information from falsehoods. Three-quarters of respondents in the Edelman study worried about misinformation being used as a weapon.

News organizations and journalists are the focus of much cynicism. Trust in news fell in half the countries surveyed for the 2022 Reuters Institute Digital News Survey, with the U.S. at the bottom with just 26 percent of respondents trusting the news. And 46 percent of Edelman respondents found journalists credible, making them the least trusted of societal leaders in the report, barely ahead of government leaders, who gained the confidence of just 43 percent of respondents.

When trust waivers, so does democracy

Once trust is gone, it’s tough

to regain. But it’s critical that we all work to restore it. That’s because public trust and a news media industry that does its job well go hand in hand in protecting our democracy. That’s why my organization, the News Literacy Project (along with The E.W. Scripps Company), is focusing on trust in newsrooms and news coverage during our fourth annual National News Literacy Week (Jan. 23-27). News literacy is the ability to identify credible new sources so you know what information you can trust, share and act on.

The acceptance of facts is central to productive discourse and the functioning of our institutions. When we can’t agree on a common set of facts and credible sources, that cynicism cascades into distrust of institutions, decision-makers and governing bodies. The result is a weaker democracy.

Then there’s this: Distrust is simply bad for us. A 2021 study at the University of Bonn in Germany found that lack of trust in others is associated with chronic loneliness.

Restoring trust: It’s up to the press and the public Trust is a two-way street. To repair this credibility gap between the public and the press, both members of the media and news consumers must act.

News organizations must keep the public well-informed and cover the issues that communities care about most. Newsroom leaders need to clearly identify what is opinion, analysis, or straight news and explain how their newsroom decides what stories to cover and how to cover them.

Improving newsroom diversity is imperative to better reflect the community. While nobody is perfect, being transparent and fixing errors promptly and prominently goes a long way in maintaining credibility.

News consumers are the other half of the equation. We have responsibilities, too. Pay attention to what’s happening in your community. Subscribe to a local news outlet to ensure your town doesn’t become a “news desert.” Hold news organizations accountable. When they make a mistake or coverage falls short, call

Slices of life

I’ve always loved gardening. No, I’m going to take that a step further: I’ve always loved growing things. Growing things—as in flowers, vegetables, friendships, babies and kids, this column, faith, my marriage, knowledge, compassion, kindness and most importantly love. And more, of course. There is always more to grow.

I’ve learned many insider tips and tricks about growing things over the years. Today I realized I’m still learning.

I’m in a new climate and meeting new neighbors. That’s a scenario ripe for learning potential.

This morning I was talking with a neighbor. She has numerous plants in her yard that are common in this region, but completely new to me. I asked her about a couple—whether they liked sun or shade, water requirements, whether they were finicky or easy to grow, and so on.

“Oh, honey,” she said. “I just plant them. If they grow, they grow. If they don’t, they weren’t meant for my yard. They have to be happy to be here.”

I thought that was insightful and wise.

In my last house I had a large garden plot filled with shade. The owners before me planted roses. Rose plants thrive on sun and temperate winters. I had neither.

However, I did have am ample supply of small children at the time, which prevented me from treating my

By JILL PERTLER Columnist

roses with the TLC they needed to survive in my yard.

So they perished. At the time, I thought: Any plant can grow in the sun. It takes something special to grow in the shade.

I replaced the roses with hostas. Hostas are a common perennial in the cool, dark climates that favor them, but apparently, they aren’t as widespread as I thought. My autocorrect wants to change the word to “hostess,” so apparently, they haven’t even made their way into some dictionaries.

For those unfamiliar, hostas are sort of leafy northern versions of largeleaved tropical plants. They typically grow in a round mound, with leaves flowing outward. They can be as small as six inches in diameter or as large as 6 feet—and just as tall (or short).

Cultivars have come up with hundreds (and probably thousands) of named varieties. I believe I had close to 40 or 50 different strains in my backyard.

It took years to build, and was one of the hardest things for me to leave when I sold my house.

But, there were other gardens to grow.

I moved from a plot of ever-present shade and ever-present winter (or so it seemed) to ever-present sun and everpresent warmth. I’ve looked around and there isn’t a hosta to be found in my new environment.

Apparently growing hostas in my yard now would be akin to growing roses in my old plot. With that comes the realization: Not every plant likes the shade. It takes something special to grow in the sun.

Herein lies the wisdom of my new neighbor. Not everything can grow everywhere. Plants have to be happy in their environment. You can try forcing them, like the people who planted the roses at my old house, but it’s always going to be a battle against nature— against the order of things.

The same goes for people. Sometimes we find the right amount of shade and cool temperatures; other times we seek the sun. Both are good. Both can be good.

Bottom line, we all get to figure out where we grow best. When it’s time to put down roots and when it’s time to replant and regrow—sunshine or shade or maybe even a little of both.

I’m not sure where that will take me, but for now, right here seems right, but I’m still learning. I hope I never stop.

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.

Sun and shade

Addison Trail girls volleyball team honored for sportsmanship

On Jan. 27, the Addison Trail girls volleyball team was recognized as an Outstanding Sportsmanship Award recipient from the Zebras of Northern Illinois (ZONI), a group of Illinois High School Association (IHSA) volleyball officials. ZONI representatives pre-

Cheerleaders take 3rd at Invite, head to sectionals

It’s competition season, and Fenton’s cheerleader team is on fire. The team brought home yet another trophy after winning third place at the Marian Catholic Invite on Sunday, Jan. 22. The Lady Bison have been training hard and will put it all on the line at Sectionals on Saturday, Jan. 28.

sented the team with a banner during the school’s Pack the Place basketball games.

SUBMITTED PHOTO Rock Valley Publishing

Fenton wrestler Jovany Zuniga stands at the victory stand on Saturday, Jan. 21, after taking first in the Upstate Eight Conference championship at 160 pounds. Josh Dickeson (132 lbs.) and Alberto Bracamontes (138 lbs.) both placed 3rd and Austin Platta (195 pounds) took 4th.

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Championship win

An official hoists Fenton wrestler Jovany Zuniga’s fist in the air to declare him the winner of the championship bout at 160 pounds at the Upstate Eight Conference on Saturday, Jan. 21.

Dr. Kelly talks straight about sciatica

Are you suffering from back pain or sciatica? Then it’s likely your biggest problem is pain. But there’s another major problem: bad information.

To end sciatica misery you must have the right information. Pay close attention because local doctor Kelly Synowiec-Moroney DC is going to destroy sciatica myths and give you the facts.

MYTH: Sciatica will just “go away” with some rest.

FACT: If you are dealing with back pain, buttock pain or leg pain, then you must seek help from a doctor who is knowledgeable in sciatica immediately. Left untreated, sciatica can lead to permanent nerve damage - and lifelong pain.

MYTH: Pain is the only problem associated with sciatica.

FACT: In severe cases, sciatica can lead to the inability to control your bowels or bladder - leading to embarrassing situations.

MYTH: You must take pain medications to deal with sciatica.

FACT: Drugs like muscle relaxants, pain killers, narcotics, antidepressants, and anti-seizure medications have serious potential side-effects and do not cure the root cause of sciatica.

MYTH: “I must have done something wrong to get sciatica.”

FACT: Physical work or simply sitting at a desk for long periods can lead to sciatica. Accidents and trauma can also be the culprits. Pregnancy can cause sciatica.

Sciatica can affect anyone - including super-fit celebrities like Tiger Woods, Sylvester Stallone, and British Olympic medallist Ian Wynne.

MYTH: Stop exercising and get several weeks of bed rest to overcome sciatica.

FACT: Staying active can help to relieve sciatic pain and prevent the pain getting worse. Staying inactive in bed could be the worst advice - based on a recent study in the Netherlands.

MYTH: Sciatica requires surgery.

FACT: NO! There’s been a huge breakthrough in the treatment of sciatica and lower back pain. It’s a new procedure called Non-Surgical ReConstructive Spinal Care. The excellent results from this treatment have been published in major medical journals. Success rates are up to 88%.

MYTH: “There’s nothing anyone can really do. I’m just stuck with this for the rest of my life.”

FACT: With the correct treatment from a healthcare professional who specialises in sciatica, you can find relief from the core cause - and the symptoms.

MYTH: Getting Sciatica properly diagnosed is expensive.

FACT: Not true. We are currently offering an initial consultation right here in Elmhurst for Just $43.

We have helped over 1,483 patients find relief from agonising back pain and sciatica. We are one of the first places to use Non-Surgical Re-

Constructive Spinal Care.

This procedure does not require a hospital stay. The focus is on finding - and correcting - the original cause of the back pain and sciatica.

According to Dr. Kelly, “We use a combination of ultra-advanced technology, not found elsewhere in the region, for precisely diagnosing the cause of your low back pain and sciatica. This means superior long-term results for most people.”

Because the treatment is non-surgical, safe, and easy, most patients report an almost immediately relief from their back pain.

Patient Jeff P. from Berwyn wrote, “My back pain was unbearable but the worst thing was the searing burning pain I felt in my buttock and leg... my wife insisted I see doctor Dr. Kelly. I’m 95% better in just a couple of weeks.”

Take the Next Step - END the Suffering... Initial Consultation Just $43

Call 630-941-8733 to schedule your appointment. Mention this article (CODE: IND43SCS12)

Only 100 reader consultations are available at this exclusively discounted rate.

Call her office now and get a full and thorough examination to pinpoint the cause of your problem for just $43.

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me at 630-941-8733

Fenton’s Zuniga shines at Upstate Eight

Puzzle page

ABERROMETER ALLERGY

ANISOCORIA ASTIGMATISM

BENIGN BIFOCAL BLEPHARITIS BRIDGE CATARACT CHAMBER COATING CONE

CORNEA DIOPTER DISORDER

GLAUCOMA LENS

MACULA OPTICAL REDNESS REFRACTIVE RETINA

SWELLING TEARS

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. Shed tears

5. Luxury jewelry designer

10. Goddess of wisdom

12. Convert into a particular form

14. Working-class people

16. It borders Canada (abbr.)

18. A princess can detect its presence

19. Red-brown sea bream

20. Defunct retail empire

22. Vase

23. Demeter’s equivalent

25. Monetary unit of the Maldives

26. French and Belgian river

27. Small amount

28. High schoolers’ test

30. Animal’s foot

31. Some is red

33. Per __: each

35. Swedish jazz pop duo

37. Plate for Eucharist

38. Train line

40. Russian pop duo

41. Stake

42. Plant by scattering

44. Female sibling

45. City of Angels hoopsters (abbr.)

48. Popular cookie brand

50. Group of Niger-Congo languages

52. A team’s best pitcher

53. Vomits

55. 19th letter of Greek alphabet

56. Men’s fashion accessory

57. Its capital is Pierre (abbr.)

58. Expensive cut of steak

63. Popular James Cameron film

65. A __: relating to knowledge gleaned from deduction

66. Kids’ snow toys

67. Flip side to yin

CLUES DOWN

1. Global public health agency

2. Snake-like fish

3. Midway between northeast

and east

4. Dabbed

5. TV show

6. Folk singer DiFranco

7. Canadian flyers

8. Of the dowry

9. Commercial

10. The act of imitating

11. Equipment used to broadcast radio or TV signals

13. Lands of an emir

15. Swiss river

17. Island

18. Monetary unit of Afghanistan

21. One who surrenders under agreed conditions

23. Garfield is one

24. A baglike structure in a plant or animal

27. Small boats used in the Black Sea

29. Small savory Spanish dishes

32. Body part

34. Touch lightly

35. Popular grilled foods on a stick

36. __ Hess: oil company

39. Antelope with a reddish coat

40. Pharaoh of Lower Egypt

43. Pink Floyd’s Roger

44. Short and thick

46. Small, sac-like cavities

47. Performer __-Lo

49. Entrails of animal used as food

51. __ King Cole, musician

54. Where construction is done

59. Chap

60. Investment vehicle

61. Often mixed with tonic

62. Holiday beverage egg __

64. Against

Answers

‘Omnibus’ health care bill passed amid criticisms

Wide-ranging law put popular, controversial measures into a single package

By Peter Hancock CAPITOL NEWS ILLINOIS

A law recently signed by Gov. JB Pritzker will extend the deadline for the state to transfer criminal defendants deemed mentally incompetent to stand trial from jail to a mental hospital.

That same bill, House Bill 240, also gives nursing homes in Illinois two more years to comply with minimum staffing levels implemented in 2022 before getting fined by the Department of Public Health.

Those are just two parts of a 67-page “omnibus” health care bill that passed the General Assembly on the final day of its recent lame duck session.

And even though parts of the bill received criticism, many lawmakers who opposed those elements said they felt compelled to vote for it anyway because other parts of the bill were too important. Those necessary provisions included enabling certain rural hospitals to draw upon more federal funds, distributing federal disaster aid to ambulance services impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, and extending the deadline for a shuttered hospital in Chicago’s west suburbs to reopen under new ownership.

“I think that there are some important changes in this bill, and I certainly disagree with the process of putting things together where some I really support and some I don’t,” said

then-Rep. Avery Bourne, R-Morrisonville, during a committee hearing on the bill.

Bourne ran unsuccessfully for lieutenant governor in 2022, giving up the opportunity for a fifth term in the House.

Extended jail stays

Previous standards set in Illinois law set a 20-day deadline for the Department of Human Services to assume custody of a criminal defendant deemed incompetent to stand trial or found not guilty by reason of insanity. DHS would then be required to place them in a psychiatric institution.

The new law extends the period a defendant can sit in jail to 60 days. And, if DHS cannot place the defendant in a facility in that amount of time, it can ask the court for 30-day extensions until such time as a space becomes available.

Officials in the Pritzker administration testified that DHS often isn’t able to do that, either because the agency doesn’t get notice from the court that a defendant needs to be transferred or because there simply aren’t enough staffed beds available in Illinois’ seven state-run mental institutions.

“I think it really was just an attempt to try to be realistic,” said Ann Spillane, Pritzker’s general counsel, in committee testimony earlier this

month. “We’re not meeting 20 days. We haven’t for a long time.”

State officials estimate there are currently more than 200 individuals in county jails who have been awaiting transfer to a state mental hospital for 60 days or more.

Spillane said DHS is working to expand the number of mental hospital beds in the state, but there has been a “tremendous increase” in the past year in the number of people found unfit to stand trial or not guilty by reason of insanity.

But county sheriffs, who oversee county jails, argued they have staffing shortages too, and that they are not equipped to house and treat people with severe mental illnesses.

Jim Kaitschuk, executive director of the Illinois Sheriffs’ Association, said the problem is especially severe in southern Illinois where there is a shortage of community-based mental health services to begin with. He pointed to ongoing litigation filed by a number of state’s attorneys over DHS’ failure to promptly take people into its custody out of county jails.

“We certainly understand the dilemma that the Department of Human Service has in terms of getting those staff,” he said. “The problem is, at the local level, we have that same problem. So, we’re not able to maintain the level of staffing and the number of people and the beds that we need within our county jails.”

He also said many counties lack community services to provide treatment to the individuals.

During House debate earlier this month, now-retired House Republican Leader Jim Durkin, of Western Springs, said he understood the concerns of county sheriffs, but said the rest of the bill was too important to be held up by that issue.

“Don’t let this provision kill or change your position or change your vote on this,” he said. “It’s a really good bill.”

Durkin suggested lawmakers should continue to negotiate that specific issue in the new General Assembly which began Jan. 11.

Nursing homes

Other lawmakers had similar issues with a provision giving nursing homes two more years—until 2025—to come into compliance with minimum staffing requirements before facing fines from the Department of Public Health.

Illinois has some of the most understaffed nursing homes in the country, and last year lawmakers passed a sweeping overhaul of the way they are reimbursed through Medicaid that included as much as $700 million per year in incentive payments to increase their staff and raise wages for nursing home workers.

But nursing home industry lobbyists said many facilities are still reel-

ing from the financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and that statewide, employment in nursing homes is still below pre-pandemic levels.

“Pandemic exhaustion has led to the resignation of thousands of nursing home employees and strained the long-term care labor market,” Ron Nunziato, director of policy and regulatory affairs at the Health Care Council of Illinois, said in a statement.

He said nursing homes are facing the same hiring obstacles as the rest of the health care industry.

“The pipeline for workforce development is slow in many areas of the state and it will take years for nursing homes to recover from staffing challenges,” Nunziato said.

Rep. Lakesia Collins, D-Chicago, a former nursing home worker, spoke against that provision on the floor of the House, but at the same time said her objections to it weren’t enough to reject the whole bill.

“I am not going to sink the ship on this because these other measures are very important,” she said. “But as a former nursing home worker, I would be remiss to not speak about the importance of short staffing and the provision in the bill about holding off for another two years around the penalties.”

The bill passed the Senate on Jan. 6 by a 32-15 margin. It passed the House Jan. 10, 85-24.

Replacing Jesse White as secretary of state, Giannoulias makes modernization push Publishes transition plan with input from former GOP challenger Brady

By Nika Schoonover CAPITOL NEWS ILLINOIS

For newly sworn-in Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias, customer service is the central mission as he assumes the state’s second-largest constitutional office, replacing the man who had held it for nearly a quarter century.

“Modernization and bringing new technology is going to be at the forefront of everything we do,” Giannoulias said in an interview with Capitol News Illinois at the end of his second week in office. “This office is rooted in customer service, and my goal is to provide the best customer service possible.”

With over 4,000 employees divided among 20 departments, the secretary of state’s office deals more with the public directly than any other constitutional office. Most well-known for overseeing driver’s licenses and vehicle registrations, the office is also responsible for supporting the state’s libraries, keeping an organ and tissue donation registry and maintaining the 20-building Capitol Complex among other tasks.

Recently, Giannoulias released his team’s transition report, a guiding document compiled by 124 individuals who served on nine separate subcommittees.

The report outlined priority areas for the office, including improving driver services facilities, ethics and office policies, and technology enhancements. The report was also

informed by ideas and suggestions submitted by more than 800 Illinoisans through RevUpIllinois, a website run through the secretary of state’s office that allows residents to submit a survey on the office’s performance.

“We had some great suggestions, some were ideas we hadn’t thought of. Some were complaints that gave us a good idea of what we need to focus on, so they were critical,” Giannoulias said. “And I would encourage people to continue to send us their ideas.”

Late last year, Giannoulias asked state Rep. Dan Brady, R-Bloomington, to serve on his transition team. Although it may be seen as fairly unusual for a defeated opponent to

participate in this process, Brady said he was “pleasantly surprised” by the offer.

“I appreciate the opportunity to continue service in that way, using my expertise and experience and suggesting some of the things I talked about along the campaign trail,” Brady said. “It was an opportunity of sharing knowledges and experiences that hopefully will be helpful.”

For both Giannoulias and Brady, this move says a lot about the office’s capability for bipartisanship. In many ways it’s also a testament to the legacy of outgoing secretary Jesse White, who had held the office since 1999 until his retirement at the age of 88 this year.

White praised both candidates in the general election, noting he had worked with both of them on policy proposals. The retired secretary also had crossover appeal with voters as the perennial lead vote-getter on the statewide ticket throughout his career.

“I think, in general, people are sick and tired of people who just hate the other party and won’t work with them and I pride myself on always working with anyone who has good ideas, whether they’re Democrat or Republican,” Giannoulias said.

Brady said some of his ideas that made it into the final report included partnering with community colleges to lease space for DMV facilities that already have modern infrastructure capabilities, expanding remote ser-

vices and cross-training employees to help with both driver and vehicle services.

One of Giannoulias’ top priorities for the office is making driver service facilities among the most “customer centric and accessible in the country.”

“And this means implementing our aggressive modernization plan using technology to overhaul and improve customer service and to help reduce wait times,” Giannoulias said.

The driver facilities and road safety subcommittee outlined several suggestions in the report. They include creating an online scheduling service for driver’s licenses and vehicle registrations, and an electronic document upload and approval service. The report also suggests implementing optional digital license plates, electronic vehicle registration and insurance documentation.

Giannoulias also noted modernization will “play a role in every single department,” not just for driver services.

This includes making the lobbyist registration database more accessible, improving accessibility for e-books and online educational resources in libraries, and further streamlining technology services.

Brady chaired the organ and tissue donation subcommittee, given his experience as McLean County coroner. He also served on the board of Gift of Hope, a non-profit for organ and tissue donation services.

“It’s been a passion of mine and I want to see those numbers increase from the standpoint of registration and how do we do more, not just in the facilities, but across the state,” he said.

Some of the report’s suggestions to increase donor registration numbers include automating the donor process to ease registration burdens, training secretary of state staff on organ donation so they can better inform the public, and working with the coroner and medical offices to improve the process.

On Giannoulias’ first day in office, he signed an executive order aimed at improving ethics and transparency in the office, a promise he made during his inaugural speech.

The order outlines six provisions, including a review of state vehicles to ensure they are only used for business-related functions, strengthening the office’s sexual harassment policy and prohibiting secretary of state employees from contributing to the office’s political fund.

Now, Giannoulias says it’s all about implementing these suggestions.

“We will have digital IDs and digital driver’s license and E-title system, we’re going to do all that,” Giannoulias said. “But right now, we have to modernize the current process as is, to make sure people aren’t waiting in line, to make sure a piece of paper doesn’t touch nine hands before it gets back to a customer.”

“ But right now, we have to modernize the current process as is, to make sure people aren’t waiting in line, to make sure a piece of paper doesn’t touch nine hands before it gets back to a customer.”

–Alexi Giannoulias, Secretary of State

Warriors place fourth in conference meet

Blazers claim fifth in the team standings; both teams are competing in separate IHSA regionals this week

The Willowbrook girls gymnastics team finished fourth in the team standings of Friday’s six-team West Suburban Gold Conference Meet at Leyden’s west campus in Northlake. The Warriors posted an overall team total of 127.775 at the conference meet.

The Downers Grove co-op team won the meet’s title with its total of 144.675. Leyden (135.675) placed second, while Hinsdale South (134.725) claimed third. Addison Trail (127.3) placed fifth. Morton (117.075) landed in sixth place.

Willowbrook sophomore Naomi

Campbell posted a fifth-place finish in the meet’s all-around standings with her total of 34.775. Campbell tied for fourth on the uneven bars with her score of 8.775. She delivered a seventh-place score of 9.2 on the vault, and placed eighth on the balance beam (8.65). She placed 15th in floor exercises (8.15).

Senior Sarah Ball provided the Warriors with a seventh-place finish on the balance beam (8.7). Ball placed eighth on the vault (9.1).

Senior Hanna Mitrick of Willowbrook tied for 14th in the meet’s allaround standings with her score of 31.225. Mitrick placed 14th on the

balance beam (7.8), 17th on the vault (8.45), tied for 18th on the uneven bars (7.225) and wound up 24th in floor exercises (7.75).

Willowbrook senior Molly Morris turned in a 17th-place score of 30.025 in the meet’s all-around competition.

Freshman Emily Hanson of the Warriors placed 18th in the all-around standings with her total of 29.025.

Addison Trail

Addison Trail senior Maddie Muccianti earned sixth-place honors in the conference meet’s allaround competition with her score of 34.125. Muccianti compiled that total after finishing eighth in floor

exercises (8.5), ninth on the balance beam (8.525), tying for ninth on the vault (9.0) and placing 12th on the uneven bars (8.1).

Junior Nicolette Franczak of the Blazers finished 10th in the meet’s all-around standings with her total of 32.3. Franczak placed 10th in floor exercises and 11th on the uneven bars, receiving scores of 8.3 in both events.

Sophomore Olivia DeBeau of Addison Trail placed 16th in the allaround standings with her total of 30.975. DeBeau finished ninth in floor exercises; her routine in that event received a score of 8.35.

Addison Trail freshman Gabby Trejo contributed a 14th-place score of 8.175 in floor exercises.

Junior Brooke Greaves of the Blazers finished 21st in the all-around competition with her score of 28.675. Greaves and freshman Mickey Fricano of the Blazers both tied for 18th on the vault with scores of 8.4.

Willowbrook competed in this week’s Glenbard West Regional, while Addison Trail battled in this week’s regional at Wheaton Warrenville South. The Warriors and Blazers both attempted to earn berths in the Lake Park Sectional, which takes place Feb. 6.

DuPage County a proving ground for the world stage

Of 16 cyclocross U.S. athletes in the Netherlands, 14 competed in DuPage County in 2021

USA Cycling recently announced the 16 athletes headed to Hoogerheide, Netherlands to represent the United States at the 2023 UCI Cyclocross World Championships taking place Feb. 2-5.

Out of the 16 athletes, 14 are familiar faces to the DuPage Sports Commission and DuPage County, having competed right here only a few years ago.

In December 2021, 14,000 spectators witnessed the grit and glory

that is championship racing at the USA Cycling Cyclocross National Championships at Cantigny Park.

These 14 athletes participated in this event, all finishing in the top six for their respective categories, several taking the top spots on the podium.

Below are details regarding the athletes, the categories they were chosen to compete in and their achievements while competing in DuPage County.

• Elite Men—Curtis White, finished second in the men’s elite in 2021

• Elite Women—Clara Honsinger, finished first in women’s elite in 2021 and Raylyn Nuss, finished second in 2021

• U23 Men—Andrew Strohmeyer, finished second in 2021

• U23 Women—Lizzy Gunsalus, finished third in 2021 and Madigan Munro, finished second in 2021)

• Junior Men—Magnus White,

finished 1st in 2021; Andrew (AJ) August, finished second in 2021; Ben Stokes, he finished fifth in 2021; Daniel English, he finished sixth in 2021

• Junior Women—Kaya Musgrave, finished third in 2021; Samantha Scott, finished fifth in 2021; Vida Lopez de San Roman, finished first in the Junior Women’s 15-16 race and has aged up into the Junior women’s 17-18 race for this year including the World Championships.

Declining his nomination to Team USA was Jack Spranger who finished fourth in Men’s Junior in 2021.

The 2021 event is an exciting example of the high-caliber endeavors taking place in DuPage County, which has welcomed athletes from around the United States, and in some cases the world, over the past several years.

DuPage County has even been a stop on the road to the Olympics.

Gutters

Lombard Apartments

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CLASSIFIED IN-COLUMN ADS cannot be credited or refunded after the ad has been placed. Ads canceled before deadline will be removed from the paper as a service to our customers, but no credit or refund will be issued to your account.

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Hudson St., Stockton, IL Friday

Feb. 3 & 4 • 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Sunday, Feb. 5 • 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Collectible glassware, crocks, bowls, jugs. Christmas decorations, linens, handmade quilts, rolling pin collection, bedroom set, lamps, kerosene lamps, collectible vases, small tables, craft items, antique books, kitchen items, small kitchen appliances, antique chest, irobot vacuum, massage chair pad, walker, library table, quilting supplies, thimble collection, small kitchen table, craft items, sewing machine and so much more. No pre-sales. Accepting cash or venmo only.

PAINTERS. FULL-SERVICE. INSIDE. OUTSIDE. HOME. BUSINESS. SATISFACTION GUARANTEED.

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Tree Service

DISCLAIMER NOTICE This publication does not knowingly accept fraudulent or deceptive advertising. Readers are cautioned to thoroughly investigate all ads, especially those asking for money in advance.

PUBLISHER’S NOTICE All real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Fair Housing Act which makes it illegal to advertise any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, disability, familiar/ status or national origin, or an intention to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination. Familial status includes children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians, pregnant women and people securing custody of children under 18. This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis. To complain of discrimination call HUD toll-free at 1-900-669-9777. The toll-free tele phone number for the hearing impaired is 1-800-927-9275. EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY

(Continued from page 7)

both chambers in its final form during the final two days of the legislature’s “lame duck” session earlier this month, with Pritzker signing the bill the night of Jan. 10. At noon the next day, Jan. 11, newly-elected lawmakers were sworn in and a new biennial session began, meaning the process would have had to start over after that point.

A House committee held multiple hearings on the bill in December, but at that time the draft language of the bill was contained in HB5855

The Illinois Constitution requires that bills be read by title into the record on three different days in each chamber, a process that would nor-

• Man

(Continued from page 6)

“Everyone has a right to feel safe in their own home, but for this young victim, that sense of safety has now been shattered. The type of violent behavior alleged in this case also has a crippling effect on the entire community. Thanks to the quick response of the Oak Brook Police Department, one of the individuals suspected in this case is now in custody and if found guilty is facing a significant amount of time behind bars. I thank the Oak Brook Police Department for their outstanding work on this case as well as the multitude of other agencies that assisted.”

Miller-Valencia’s next court appearance is scheduled Monday, Feb. 6 for arraignment in front of Judge Ann Celine O’Hallaren Walsh.

Answers

PUZZLE 1

mally take at least five days to complete. But at the tail end of the lame duck session, lawmakers didn’t have that much time, so engaged in a commonly-used maneuver known as “gut and replace.”

That means the Senate took a bill that had already passed the House— in this case, one amending a portion of the state’s Insurance Code dealing with public adjusters—gutted it of all its content and replaced that content with the language of the assault weapons ban. Then they sent the “amended” bill back to the House for an up-or-down concurrence vote.

“This Court finds that the Defendants unequivocally and egregiously violated the Three Readings Rule

• Media

of the Illinois Constitution in order to circumvent the Constitutional requirements and avoid public discourse,” Morrison wrote.

Morrison also said he believes the legislation violates the Constitution’s requirement that bills be limited to only one subject, unless they deal with appropriations, codification, revision or rearrangement of laws. He said the assault weapon bill violates that provision because it contains provisions that also relate to human trafficking and drug trafficking.

The Illinois Supreme Court, however, has historically declined to strike down legislation based on either of those two arguments, ruling repeatedly that if the speaker of the

(Continued from page 8)

them on it. Be civically engaged. Learn about the issues important to you and vote.

Most importantly, become more news-literate.

News literacy is key

What does it mean to be newsliterate? This nonpartisan approach to media literacy teaches people how to think about news and other information, not what to think. It provides an understanding and appreciation of the First Amendment and the role of a free press in a democracy, and it emphasizes a healthy skepticism—not cynicism— about the information we encounter.

There are easy ways to learn the skills you need to navigate the news

PUZZLE 2

more confidently, protect yourself— and your friends and family—from being misled, and push back against the kind of false and misleading information that eats away at the public’s trust in news. You can learn how to identify credible news sources, spot red flags that often accompany misinformation, and build other news literacy skills at NewsLiteracyWeek.org. Closing the credibility gap is crucial to the health of our democracy. Trust me on this.

Alee Quick is the civic marketing manager for the News Literacy Project. She lives in Carbondale and may be reached at aquick@newslit. org

CROSSWORD

LEGAL NOTICE

LEGAL NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN by the Board of Education of Bensenville Elementary School District 2 in the County of DuPage, State of Illinois, that E-Learning Plan for said school district for the 2023-2026 school years will be available for public inspection between 7:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. on the 2nd of February, 2023 at the Education Administration Center, 210 S. Church Road, Bensenville, IL, in this school district through February 15, 2023.

NOTICE IS FURTHER BEING GIVEN that a public hearing on said E-Learning Plan will be held at 7:00 p.m. daylight savings time, on the 15th day of February, 2023, at Educational Administration Center, 210 S. Church Road, Bensenville, IL, in this school district.

Dated this 2nd day of February 2023

Marisol Leyva, Secretary BOARD OF EDUCATION

SCHOOL DISTRICT 2

COUNTY OF DUPAGE, STATE OF ILLINOIS

Bensenville Independent & Villa Park Review Feb. 2, 2023)

House and president of the Senate both certify that a bill was properly passed, the court would not second-guess that decision.

Morrison was just elected as a 4th Circuit judge in November. Prior to that, he had been the state’s attorney in Fayette County and was among a group of state’s attorneys who sued the state to challenge the constitu-

tionality of the sweeping criminal justice reform law passed in 2021 known as the SAFE-T Act. In 2020, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Morrison also wrote to Raoul to question the enforceability of Pritzker’s emergency orders at the time. DeVore later cited that letter as part of his 2022 campaign for attorney general.

Senator Lewis co-sponsors legislation rejecting progressive income tax Calls on legislature to listen to voters who already rejected the tax

State Senator Seth Lewis (R-Bartlett) stood with his Senate Republican colleagues on Wednesday as they announced the filing of Senate Resolution 27, which calls on the Illinois Senate to reject any progressive income tax measure that is introduced in the 103rd General Assembly.

“The voters of Illinois already rejected this kind of tax structure,” said Senator Lewis. “In fact, in 2020 the Progressive Income Tax Constitutional Amendment failed in 101 of 102 counties. The Legislature should respect the will of the people and walk away from any plans to resurrect any form of a progressive income tax. I will be fighting against any bill that seeks a progressive tax

structure and am proud to co-sponsor SR 27.”

In 2020, the “Fair Tax” Amendment failed by more than 760,000 votes.

“Every day, Illinoisans are suffering the effects of record-high inflation,” added Senator Lewis. “People are really struggling. This is the worst possible time to come forward with a new tax scheme that is punitive toward residents and business owners.”

Senate Resolution 27 was read into the official Senate record on Wednesday. It now awaits to be assigned to a Senate committee.

(This was received from the office of State Senator Seth Lewis.)

Blair-Sherlock urges community to share ideas

State Rep. Diane Blair-Sherlock (D-Villa Park) is urging community members to reach out to her office with any bill ideas they may have for the new legislative session.

“Going forward into the 103rd General Assembly, I am committed to working alongside my community to pass meaningful legislation that will serve our district and state,” Blair-Sherlock said. “In order to do so, I must first hear about the issues that trouble our community.” “It is important that I listen to all members of our community, especially the most vulnerable, to gain an understanding of their insightful perspectives on issues they face that may be unbeknown to others.”

As the 2023 session is steadily approaching, community members

are welcome to submit suggestions of bill ideas and or any feedback to Blair-Sherlock’s constituent office by email at StateRep46@gmail.com or attend her monthly district meeting held on Zoom.

“As I begin my first term in office representing the 43rd district in Springfield, I plan on advancing the interest of our community, all while keeping in mind our shared values and objectives,” Blair-Sherlock said. “That is why I urge you to share any bill ideas you may have, no matter how small or big they may be. Please remember that your voices are what keep our democracy functioning.”

(This was received from the office of State Representative Diane Blair-Sherlock.)

PRIVATE GAMING ROOM

HDAILY DINE IN ONLY SPECIALS H

SUNDAYS

50¢ Boneless Wings LIMIT 12 (with side purchase)

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

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

$10 Bacon Wrapped Pickle Spears

$10 Vegan Pasta Marinara

$4 Mimosa - $6 Tito’s Bloody Mary

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

$17 Bottles of Woodbridge House Wine

H

TUESDAYS

$2 Beef/Pulled Pork Taco

$3 Chicken - Fish - Pork Belly - Steak

$4 Vegan Tacos - Impossible Meat - Chicken - Pork

$4 Cilantro Lime Rice or Seasoned Black Beans

$10 BACON Nachos

$4 Modelo Draft

$6 Don Julio Margaritas

$7 Don Julio Frozen Margaritas

$20 Any Mexican Beer Buckets

WEDNESDAYS

FREE Bar Bingo/Kids eat free

10 and Under - Ask server for more details

$5 Gourmet Cheeseburger (with side purchase)

$10 BACON Wrapped Mushrooms

$8 Impossible Burger (with side purchase)

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

THURSDAYS

$5 Pulled Pork ‘Wich (with side purchase)

$10 BACON Wrapped Mozzarella Sticks

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

$4 Drafts $8 and Under

Half Price Bottles of Wine $25 or More

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

VEGAN MENU @ Sebastian’s

Vegan Chili Bowl - $7

Vegan Chicken Nuggets - $12

Vegan Meatballs - $15

Vegan Sausage and Peppers - $15

Vegan Chicken Sliders - $15

Impossible Sliders - $16

Vegan Kabobs - $18

Vegan Southwest Quesadilla - $15

Impossible Burger - $17

Vegan Buffalo Chicken ‘Wich - $16

Vegan Chicken Parmesan ‘Wich - $18

Vegan Pasta - $14

99¢ Chicken Tenders ~ SLIDERS ~

Vegan Chicken Burrito - $18

Vegan Stuffed Peppers - $25

Vegan Sides - $5

10” Vegan Cheese Pizza - $13

Vegan Chocolate Peanut Butter Ice Cream - $5

3 Layer Vegan/Gluten Free Cake - $7

$2 Grilled Chicken - Meatball - Pulled Pork

$3 Burger - Fish - Pork Belly

$4 Vegan Chicken or Impossible Slider

$5 Italian Beef ‘Wich

$8 Medium Cheese Pizza - $3 Full Toppings

$12 XL Cheese Pizza - $4 Full Toppings

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

$4 House Wine (Woodbridge)

$5 Blue Moon Drafts

$15 Domestic Buckets - $20 Import Buckets

$8 Jefferson Old Fashioned

$5 Jefferson 1.25 oz. Pour

36 Drafts HHH

350 Bourbons, Scotches & Whiskeys

FRIDAYS

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

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

$10 Bacon Stuffed Avocado

$8 Vegan Burrito (with side purchase)

$5 Stella Draft

$5 Crown or Titos

$25 High Noon Buckets

H H H

SATURDAYS/UFC

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

$10 BACON Croquettes

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

$5 Sam Seasonal Draft

$5 Proper Twelve Shot

$5 Absolut or Jameson

$22 Modelo Buckets

CLOSED - MONDAYS

THE

H H H

BIG GAME PARTY

STARTS AT 5PM!

100 oz. Miller Beer Towers - $21 H H H

VALENTINES DAY

Heart Shaped Taco Platter with 8 Tacos, Rice, Beans, Chips and Salsa - $30