BI041124

Pre-trial release denied for Carol Stream man charged in wife’s murder

Authorities: Suspect lived in Mexico, arrived in U.S. illegally

DuPage County State’s Attorney

Robert Berlin and Carol Stream Chief of Police Don Cummings have announced that Judge Joshua Dieden has granted the state’s motion to deny pre-trial release for a man charged with the murder of his wife, 26-year-old Maricela Simon Franco, following a domestic altercation at her apartment.

Baltazar Perez-Estrada, 33, appeared in First Appearance Court and is charged with five counts of first degree murder.

On Monday, April 1 at approximately 11:30 a.m., Perez-Estrada entered the Carol Stream Police Department and informed authorities that he had allegedly stabbed his wife. Officers took Perez-Estrada into custody at this time and immediately opened an investigation.

Through the course of their

See SUSPECT, Page 3

InsIde:

This happy group gathered around the Easter Bunny when White Pines hosted its annual Easter Brunch recently. As a surprise for the kids, they held an Egg Hunt for the first time. Not only was the Bunny there, but also a life-sized Easter Egg. More photos on page 3.

Baltazar Perez-Estrada

‘The great show in the sky’ Solar eclipse once again drives Illinois tourism

By Beth Hundsdorfer Capitol news illinois

The total solar eclipse on the afternoon of April 8 was visible over 128 miles throughout southern and southeastern Illinois—a phenomenon that was expected to bring up to 200,000 visitors to the eclipse’s prime viewing path.

“We know this year’s solar eclipse will have an extremely positive impact for local communities throughout Southern Illinois and beyond,” said Carol Hoffman, executive director of Southernmost Illinois Tourism Bureau.

Unlike 2017, where the path was 62 to 71 miles wide, according to NASA, this eclipse was estimated to be from 108 to 122 miles wide.

During the previous solar eclipse, an estimated 200,000 people came to southern Illinois, creating a spending impact between $15 and $18 million for the state.

Besides the tourism dollars, businesses were also trying to cash in by offering eclipse-branded products and holding eclipse-themed events. Big Muddy Brewing in Murphysboro planned events last weekend, beginning on Friday, April 5, with representatives of the Adler Planetarium in Chicago. On Sunday, the brewery also hosted a Pink Floyd cover band to play “Dark Side of the Moon.” On

The diamond-ring effect can occur at the beginning and end of totality during a total solar eclipse. As the last bits of sunlight pass through the valleys on the moon’s limb, and the faint corona around the sun is just becoming visible, it looks like a ring with glittering diamonds on it. This image was captured during the 2017 eclipse.

Monday, Chuck Stuhrenberg, owner and operator of Big Muddy Brewing, said he was going to let the heavens provide the entertainment.

“We will cede to the great show in the sky,” he said.

Stuhrenberg added that “in 2017 during the eclipse, we had our absolute busiest day ever. He said that if it was cloudy in Texas, he expected “lots of travelers to head here” and have an even busier day than they had in 2017.

In addition to events, Big Muddy Brewing not only created a beer called Dark Noon, but they collaborated with four other breweries in the path of totality. The collaboration yielded Sasquatch Black Lager with Molly’s Pint, Totality Hazelnut Stout with St. Nicholas Brewing in DuQuoin and Murphysboro, Midnight Veil with Minglewood Brewery in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, and Dark Sour with Scratch Brewery in Ava.

Though they weren’t in the path of totality, St. Louis-based brewery Schlafly had a 12-pack specially created for the solar eclipse called Throwing Shade. The box included new recipes Galaxy Wheat, Eclipse IPA, Shadow Bands and Totality Black lager.

“When we have an event of this magnitude, we like to commemorate it,” said John Elafros, event manager at Schlafly.

Eclipse products were not just for adults.

National brands like Nabisco put out special Oreo Space Dunk cook-

ies that includes popping candy. Sun Chips, by Frito Lay, offered a solar eclipse flavor—a limited-edition pineapple, habanero and black bean spicy gouda chip available only on its website for four minutes and 27 seconds.

Area businesses also marketed for the eclipse. Excel Bottling in Breese, the creators of Ski, rebranded its black cherry soda and called it Darkest Hour to commemorate the 2017 eclipse. This year, Excel added glowin-the dark labels on glass bottles and a track of totality map on the cartons, said Carla Baublitz, marketing manager at Excel.

Hoffman, of Southernmost Illinois Tourism Bureau, said 2017 was an unprecedented, unforgettable experience that has not yet been matched in southern Illinois. Carbondale drew 50,000 people to town over three days, resulting in $7 million in visitor spending there.

On Monday, the region is expected even more visitors. Southern Illinois University Carbondale sold 11,000 tickets to its 15,000-seat football sta-

dium.

Several other cities and towns in southern Illinois were plunged into mid-afternoon darkness on Monday.

Grand Tower, southwest of Carbondale in Jackson County, was the first Illinois town to experience the total solar eclipse.

Cairo, Olive Branch and Red Bud were also in the path of totality. The eclipse path traveled northeast through Carbondale beginning at 1:58 p.m., then to Mount Vernon, Harrisburg and Fairfield, then to Olney and Robinson before breaching the Indiana border at about 2:06 p.m. Illinois State Police Master Sgt. Joey Watson said planning for this eclipse began soon after that 2017 eclipse.

Watson encouraged drivers to park in designated parking areas, and to travel with a full tank of gas, a charged cell phone and water. He also warned motorists against taking pictures or wearing eclipse glasses while driving.

The U.S. will not see another total solar eclipse until 2044.

Sebastian’s Ale House to host annual 22 for 22 Veteran Suicide/ PTSD Awareness Fundraiser April 28

Sebastian’s Ale House, 801 E. Roosevelt, Lombard, is hosting the fourth annual 22 for 22 Veteran Suicide and PTSD Awareness Fundraiser on Sunday, April 28 from noon-8 p.m.

The Veteran Suicide/PTSD Awareness Fundraiser is an event that raises funds to help bring awareness for the 22 veterans that commit suicide every day.

All proceeds from this event will go to the Adopt A Soldier-Change Requires Action organization. Adopt A Soldier is a 501(C)3 non-profit organization, Tax

ID#81-1514594. Monetary donations can be made directly to the organization as well.

The fundraising event will include 50/50 raffles, a silent auction with several items, delicious food, live music and more!

Sebastian’s will have music performances from: Eugene and the Bad Habits, Ruse, American Idiot, SINTB (Steve is in the band), Karla and the Phat Kats, Wednesday Child and Crook County Jazz Band.

For more information, visit: www.sebastianshouse.com/contact/ and send a message.

Scramble for eggs

For the first time, White Pines held an Egg Hunt at its annual Easter Brunch. Kids made quick work of finding the eggs and filling their baskets with goodies. It was quite a scramble, but there were no injuries. This little guy hangs on to his baby sister as tightly as he can as they both visit with the Easter Bunny at White Pines annual Easter Brunch.

Police report

• Suspect

(Continued from front page)

investigation, authorities learned that Perez-Estrada and Franco were at the apartment together and got into a verbal altercation at approximately 10 p.m., the previous evening.

It is alleged that the argument turned physical resulting in PerezEstrada stabbing Franco dozens of times about her head, neck, body and hands, nearly decapitating her head. She was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Authorities also learned that Perez-Estrada had been residing in Mexico and illegally arrived in the United States approximately two weeks ago. He was charged by the U.S. government with alien inadmissibility and given a future court date. The couple have two minor children, both of whom were present at the time of the alleged murder.

“First and foremost, I offer my

sincerest condolences to Maricela’s surviving family and friends on their loss and wish them strength as they continue their lives without the love and support provided by Maricela,” Berlin said.

“The extremely violent end to a young mother’s life is something that should touch us all. Domestic violence continues to be a scourge on society, claiming more than ten million victims a year in some form or fashion. In this case, the sad reality is, Maricela’s life has been reduced to a statistic of domestic violence due to the alleged actions of her husband, Baltazar PerezEstrada. This brutal, senseless act of violence alleged against Mr. Perez-Estrada will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

Perez-Estrada’s next court appearance is scheduled Wednesday, April 25 for arraignment in front of Judge Mia McPherson.

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.

April 2, 3:39 p.m. near E. Belmont Ave. and David Drive a complainant called in regarding two juveniles fighting on a school bus. Peace was restored, parents were called, and the school will address the issue.

BEP24003837

April 2, 7:21 p.m. near Sherwood Drive and S. Route 83, a license plate reader indicated a stolen car in the area. Bensenville tactical officers searched the area with no results.

BEP24003848

April 3, 12:32 a.m. in the 300 block of W. Lincoln Court, Addison, Bensenville tactical officers searched the area for a vehicle that was involved in a hit and run and fleeing an incident in Addison. The vehicle last seen in area of eastbound Lake Street. BEP24003859

March 31, 7:35 a.m. in the 1800

block of Industrial Drive, officers responded to a suspicious vehicle. Police said Vasyl Hutsuliak, 22, of Elmwood Park, was found to be DUI. He was transported to the station for processing, issued citations, a court date and released. BEPC2400235

March 30, 5:46 p.m. near Marshal and Irving, officers responded to a crash. Police said Roman Panasiuk, 36, of Des Plaines, was found to be DUI. He was transported to the station for processing, issued citations, a court date and released.

BEPC2400234

March 27, 7:01 a.m. in the 900 block of Supreme Drive, a complainant reported landscaping equipment taken from a locked trailer. This incident is under investigation.

BEPC2400227

March 27, 8:31 a.m. in the 700 block of Thomas Drive, a complainant reported unknown suspects removed locks damaging one of them and ripped the hasp off his side door trailer. This incident is under investigation. BEPC2400228

March 27, 3:25 p.m. in the 100 Martha St., a complainant reported identity theft by an unknown suspect. This incident is under investigation.

BEPC2400230

SUBMITTED PHOTOS Rock Valley Publishing

Above: This little fella appears to be on a mission, focused on getting some candy-filled eggs at the White Pines Easter Brunch. Far right: This family took time for a photo with the Easter Bunny and the life-sized Easter Egg on hand at the White Pines Easter Brunch.

Opinion

Pickleball— observations from a cucumber

I did it.

I dove into the jar, or better put, the pickleball court. The sport itself has nothing to do with pickle jars; it actually takes place on a minicourt, similar to the type used for tennis, just more manageable for those looking to avoid running, diving, dodging, lunging, jumping and backing up.

Especially backing up.

No one in pickleball wants to back up, because that can lead to loss of balance, which in turn can lead to falls. Falling is never a joke, but it’s especially not funny in pickleball, where falls can lead to twisted ankles, bumped bums and other injuries too serious to name here.

In pickleball (at least in my neighborhood) the serious ballers are ranked numerically from two to five, because starting out as a two sounds and feels so much better than a one.

A level five is a professional pickler, full of spit and vinegar— skilled to his or her greatest potential after many hours spent on the court and in the brine, so to speak. A level two is a cucumber, not yet wrinkled or salty, but possessing growth potential and promise yet to be recognized.

By my own admission, I started the game as a double zero. By day two or three, I was a negative one. I couldn’t even call myself a cucumber, much less a gherkin.

I hit a lot of shots that didn’t make their mark. In pickleball, this is known as a falafel. My falafels were awful, and they put my game in a pickle. You can’t score if you can’t land your serve. I was in danger of being pickled, before ever leaving the vine.

But I digress—in more ways than one.

What I really want to bring to light about the newest, biggest, bestest sport of the 21st century is rather, well, salacious—at least in its terminology.

Turns out the newest sport might have ties to the oldest sport - if you catch my drift. Or maybe my mind’s just in the gutter. Either way, follow me on this convoluted pickleball journey, and let’s have some fun.

Like most sports, pickleball starts with a warm-up, which consists of sharing dinks with your opponent. This is known (obviously) as dinking and consists of short lobs

By Jill Pertler Columnist

back and forth over the net.

Once regular dinks have been achieved, players may opt for an advanced version known as dinkling, which is simply diagonal dinking - nothing improper, it just sounds that way.

As does the next example.

When someone hits the ball hard in your direction, they are known as a banger and it’s said that you are getting banged—by the ball, of course, but it’s hard to not let your mind wander elsewhere.

I’ve been a widow for three years, and never thought I’d get banged on the pickleball court. But that happened just last week. And, I’ll answer the obvious question before you even get the chance to think it: I did not successfully return the bang. Maybe next time. One can only hope.

I don’t know all the pickleball terminology yet; I’m still a newbie. But being a word lover, I’ve come up with a term of my own: The dilly.

This sweet term isn’t as tasty as the DQ delight, but instead is an extra special serve that lands just inside the outside corner and is practically unreturnable, unless your player level is that of a 4.5 or above, at which point the return itself has its own name: the buster bar.

These picklicious meanderings may all seem fun and even a little bit silly, but there’s nothing silly about a sport that’s seen a more than 200 percent growth rate over the last three years, with 36.5 million pickleball players currently in the U.S. Pickleball’s immense popularity has made it the fastest growing sport in the country.

It’s getting people of all ages up and off the couch and into the court, and that’s a good thing. So at the end of the day—or match or game—I think we can all agree on one thing.

Pickleball is a big dill.

(Sorry, I couldn’t resist.)

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.

Why Illinois should invest in more bilingual teachers

By Erika Mendez and Rebecca Vonderlack-Navarro Latino PoLicy Forum

For years, enrollment in Illinois’ public schools has been on the decline, but the number of English Learners (ELs)—students in PreK through 12th grade who require additional programming to develop academic English enabling their full participation in school—is on the rise.

From 2010 to 2011 to SY202021, the EL population in Illinois has more than doubled, from 156,888 to 245,592 students. These students require qualified bilingual educators to succeed. Without such teachers, vital lessons in math, science, and reading fall by the wayside.

According to the recent report by Advance Illinois, “The State of Our Educator Pipeline 2023,” the demand for qualified bilingual educators has reached a critical juncture. This report underscores the challenges in Illinois’ educator pipeline and serves as a rallying call for a diverse and highly skilled workforce of educators.

Critically, the report points out that in SY21-22, 12.3 percent of bilingual educators were not fully licensed to teach compared to 1 percent of all teachers.

In other words, the fastestgrowing group of students in the state often do not have equal access to the education afforded to English-proficient students because there simply aren’t enough teachers with the specialized knowledge and skills to effectively teach these students in both their home language and English.

Research unequivocally shows that when English Learners receive high-quality language instruction in both English and their home

language, they are significantly more likely to excel academically.

While the bilingual teacher shortage disproportionately affects Spanish-speaking Latino students, it has far-reaching consequences, impacting young students from diverse linguistic backgrounds.

While Illinois has made steps to address the bilingual teacher shortage, changing student demographics means Illinois has more work to do. According to the Advance Illinois report, the number of English learners rose to over 260,000 for the 202223 school year. This number is already higher with the growing number of newcomer students in Chicago and surrounding suburbs. The success of these students rests on having a sufficient supply of bilingual educators to meet their needs.

Access to qualified bilingual educators is the most significant in-school factor for English Learner achievement. They believe that students’ home language is an advantage rather than an obstacle to their learning. These educators use theoretical knowledge and specific strategies to support this unique group of students, ensuring they receive quality education.

But where can Illinois districts find quality bilingual teachers? Fortunately, we are not in the dark here; we have evidence-based solutions within our reach. The Latino Policy Forum recently collaborated with the State Board of Education to offer guidance:

• High School Seal of Biliteracy recipients: By engaging with high school students who have earned recognition for exhibiting college readiness in both English and a foreign language, we can lay the foundation for a bright future. In

Illinois, Educators Rising offers a compelling model and curriculum for recruiting high school students into the teaching profession. Those on the path towards the Seal of Biliteracy represent a prime source of potential candidates for this program.

• Paraprofessionals: Schoolbased classroom staff, with their multifaceted roles, including direct translation, are an invaluable resource. They often mirror the linguistic diversity among students, with one in five paraprofessionals speaking a language other than English at home.

• Career-Changers: Community members who share the same language as students and possess bachelor’s degrees in non-teaching fields hold the key. This group can be recruited to earn a provisional license, enabling them to start teaching while working toward full teacher licensure.

Illinois has made progress in investing more than $100 million in educator growth, but with the loss of sustained COVID funding and competing budget priorities in Springfield, more resources are required to maintain this momentum.

Addressing the bilingual teacher shortage is an investment in our state’s future, preparing English Learners to excel academically and contribute fully to our diverse society. Evidence supports the critical role of well-prepared bilingual educators. Leaving these students behind is not an option.

Erika Mendez is director of P-12 education policy, and Rebecca Vonderlack-Navarro, PhD, is vice president of education policy & research for the Latino Policy Forum in Chicago.

Hi, I’m a Glenbard East parent and I’m calling because it looks like the referendum will pass. Glenbard East doesn’t need a better cafeteria. They need to take care of their decrepit bathrooms. Or better yet, higher security systems or pay for better security systems to actually catch the people who are doing this instead of sending out a blanket email telling us to talk to our kids. It’s not my kid who’s trashing the bathrooms. There’s also crime scene tape; there’s yellow tape that’s been in the field house blocking and entrance for weeks if not months. It’s embarrassing. They should spend some of that money and actually fix the school.

Editor’s note: Your comments were forwarded to District 87 officials for a response, which is as follows: “There have been some incidents of vandalism in a few Glenbard East bathrooms recently. This type of behavior is not acceptable. In response, the administration has temporarily closed several bathrooms. As the administration identifies those individuals responsible, they are addressing the situation appropriately with the individuals and their families. Students engaging in this behavior will be held accountable in accordance with the policies outlined in our student handbook.”

Gee, an influx of illegal immigrants into Chicago, a “sanctuary” city, then an outbreak of measles cases. Mere coincidence? Up until recently, news reports said the immigrant children were exempt from having to be vaccinated, but now efforts are being made to get them vaccinated. Too little, too late. As of mid-March, there were at least 15 cases of measles, mostly from a shelter in the Pilsen neighborhood.

According to USA Today, “While the U.S. saw 58 cases in all of 2023, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported there have been 58 cases through mid-March. Officials linked 93 percent of U.S. cases to international travel. It is transmitted in these cases when unvaccinated people travel abroad and return to the U.S. with the disease.” Science. org says smallpox could return and we “should better prepare,” while National Geographic warns, “Why polio is making a comeback; Experts warn that new cases of the deadly disease, long gone from most of the world, are just the tip of the iceberg.”

Enough said?

* * *

Another alleged criminal gets pretrial release, this time after being arrested for a road rage incident in Lombard in which a BB gun was found in his car that resembled a firearm. However, he has been in trouble before, for threatening to harm a student at Glenbard East and to shoot her boyfriend—and while in the county jail on those felony charges, he attempted to make a shank, another felony charge. What consequence is there to stop criminals from committing crimes anymore, when they can be released on bail, only to continue committing crimes?

* * *

As electric vehicles keep being thrust on us, now “battery stewardship” plans are on the table in Illinois, and producers of the vehicle batteries would be on the hook for a $100,000 annual fee because it is “their responsibility” (and that of retailers) to commit to recycling them. No real argument there. Although one senator said legislation would prohibit producers and retailers from charging customers at the point of

How Speak Out works

• Speak Out is a forum in which readers can express their opinion anonymously concerning local, state, national and international topics. Each call is limited to 200 words whether the caller calls 630-629TALK or emails their opinion to speakout@rvpublishing.com.

• The views expressed by callers are their own.

• All calls are checked by four editors. If a consensus of editors believes a particular call is deemed to be in poor taste, erroneous, inaccurate, libelous, doesn’t make sense, or if claims stated in a call cannot be verified, the call will not be published.

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

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

sale to cover the fees, you can’t convince me that won’t affect the price of said batteries. “Going green” may be good for the environment, but thanks to all the legislation popping up as a result—think no more gas stoves/appliances and being forced to have EV electric charging stations in your new home—it will be at the cost of another kind of green; the stuff in our wallets.

* * *

Will we learn from the recent primary elections? Does it really take two weeks to count ballots? Election Day should be one day a year; vote on that day only. Mail-in votes and ballot harvesting leave many doubts about legitimacy. This was done during COVID and should no longer be allowed. Even with the mail-in voting process, there is still only a 20 percent turnout. That’s embarrassing. Very few people are making important decisions that affect everyone. Get out and vote on the first Tuesday in November or don’t vote at all.

* * *

I can hardly believe that someone who used to be our president is threatening so many people involved with his trials. He says he is innocent. If that is true, then why intimidate anyone? He has been told to stop attacking not only judges and lawyers, but their families, including their children. What kind of person is he? He certainly should never be our president again.

*

As a Lombard resident, I ask that the Village of Lombard propose and pass a cease-fire resolution that demands our higher powers to stop funding a genocide, to ensure the physical and mental well being of the citizens of Lombard, and to stand by the family members of the oppressed people of Gaza. This is a no-brainer. Two Lombard residents are currently being held by the oppressors. Hunger has been weaponized in Rafah. It is a humanitarian crisis. A cease-fire resolution from Lombard would help show the citizens of Lombard that it cares about their safety, that it will not tolerate hatred in our village, and that we are united in humanity.

* * *

This is in response to the article by Patrice James on March 28 about the Pretrial Fairness Act. The Biden ad-

ministration’s favorite political tool is propaganda, which is evident in this article. James attempts to push the false message that this law is a success because it advances racial justice and creates more equity in our courts. She further says that prior to this act, Black people made up 51 percent of the jail population, which she says is because judges regularly require Black people to pay more money for bail than whites. This is a propagandist, inflammatory statement not ever proven. Perhaps it’s because Blacks reportedly commit more crime; that is something she won’t address. Due to this law, crime is up in Chicago. Violence occurs daily because criminals are now on the streets instead of in jail. This is equity and fair in the opinion of our leftist government today. Thank you.

Hey Speak Out people. Here’s an idea for the younger generation. In regard to buying a home, instead of complaining that the cost of a home is so much, quit subscribing to be an Amazon Prime member or having Siri in your car or on your phone. Save your money and have your down payment. Thank you.

* * *

The Democrats can’t fix problems because they cause them. Abortion was not a big issue until the extreme left wanted to make abortion legal even up to birth. The border wasn’t out of control until Biden stopped building the wall. The Democratic Party’s salvation is to allow illegal immigrants to vote, to control the next presidential election.

* * *

My family, my relatives, were immigrants. They came to this great country through Ellis Island from Germany and Yugoslavia. There were certain requirements in order to stay in this country, health being one of them. My relatives worked two and three jobs to feed and make a secure life for the family. No government gave them money like New York is doing right now. My family earned what they had. We have poor leaders. They are not trustworthy and are a major part of the problems. Unfortunately, citizens must suffer the consequences of our leaders’ poor decisions. Things definitely have to change.

* * *

When you really get serious about politics, none of us are “Republicans,” “Democrats” or “Independents.” We are Americans! We may vote for people of different political parties, but this country of ours is different from any other country in our world by the nature of our democracy and willingness to promote peace throughout our world and take care of less fortunate human beings. We need to seriously look at who represents us and what that person will do as leader of the strongest country on Earth. We do not need someone who wants “revenge” on those who don’t agree with him; we need to look forward, not back. Looking back only means you will not see the bumps in the difficult road ahead for our country and our world.

*

* *

Lombard, this is about residents who urge Lombard to create an Israeli-Palestinian cease-fire resolution.

In my opinion the Lombard village board ought to spend time improving Lombard and less time discussing an Israeli-Palestinian cease-fire resolution. Israel is a sovereign nation and what it decides to do is not the business of the Lombard village board. Israel is our ally; Hamas are terrorists and still have not released Israeli hostages. Mind your own business, Lombard; tend to the task here by improving conditions in Lombard.

Thank you.

* * *

On Oct. 7, 2023, the state of Israel was brutally attacked by a terrorist group. In the most horrific manner over 1,200 Israelis were murdered. Not only that, movies were taken of the brutality by the perpetrators to show their relatives in Gaza. Cease fire? Cease fire? Never. Israel and its people are fighting for their very and continued existence.

* * *

If Joe Biden is as mentally on the ball as this leftist apologist on MSNBC, Joe Scarborough, says he is, then let’s see Biden debate Donald Trump. It will give voters a chance to see if Biden really does have all his mental faculties and can debate without the use of notes or a teleprompter.

I seriously doubt Biden can debate Trump. That’s why the Democrats will hide him and make excuses for why he won’t participate in a debate.

In Chicago visit, Attorney General Garland announces $78 million anti-violence initiative

By Dilpreet Raju CApITOL NEWS ILLINOIS

In a visit to Chicago last week, U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland announced $78 million in federal grant funding for community-based anti-violence programs.

Garland, a Chicago area native, made the announcement while speaking at the second annual Community Based Violence Intervention and Prevention Initiative Conference featuring community violence intervention on-theground workers from across the country.

“We have made historic investments in evidence-based, community-centered initiatives aimed at preventing and disrupting violence.

In the last two years alone, we have delivered nearly $200 million to

support life-saving programs,” he said.

Garland announced that the application window had opened for the $78 million that will be distributed across the country in fiscal year 2024. For fiscal year 2023, the Office of Justice Programs – a federal agency of the U.S. Department of Justice—dispersed more than $15 million for community violence prevention and intervention programming to the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority, community-based organizations, nonprofits and universities in the state.

“Today, I want to do something that I wish I could do more often. That is, to focus on some good news,” Garland said. “Thanks in part to the hard work of the people

in this room, and so many others outside it, we are starting to see meaningful results in the effort to reduce violent crime.”

“The FBI reports that last year we saw significant decrease in overall violent crime across the country compared to the previous year, including an over 13 percent decline in homicides,” he said.

Garland was joined by Eddie Bocanegra, DOJ community violence intervention senior advisor and former director of violence prevention program READI Chicago. READI, which stands for Rapid Employment and Development Initiative, looks to decrease violent crime by enrolling at-risk individuals in career readiness courses and cogni-

Obituaries

ALAN M. DAICHENDT, 70

Alan Michael Daichendt, 70, lifelong Lombardian, passed away at home on April 2, 2024. Funeral services were held Wednesday, April 10, at St. John Lutheran Church, 410 N. Cross St. in Wheaton. Interment was at Mt. Emblem Cemetery.

Info: www.brustfuneralhome.com or 888629-0094.

RITA M. DOLAN, 93

Rita M. Dolan, nee Citera, age 93, of Downers Grove, formerly of Lombard, died March 30, 2024.

A Memorial Mass was held on April 10, 2024, at St. Pius X Catholic Church, 1025 E. Madison St., Lombard. Private interment at Mt. Carmel Cemetery, Hillside.

Arrangements by Brust Funeral Home, Lombard. Visit www.brustfuneralhome.com or call 888-629-0094 for information.

DAKOTA TRUTH GALLATIN, 31

Dakota Truth Gallatin of Lombard, formerly of North Carolina, 31, passed away on March 29th 2024.

Dakota is survived by the love of his life, Maria Bello. He was the loving son of Jeff Gallatin and Tina (the late Keith) Phillips; brother of Dillon Clay Gallatin, Nicole Klinger, Miranda (Nathan) Jaquez, and Lucas Phillips; dear grandson of Larry and Iva Gallatin, and Henry and Sue Casey. Uncle, cousin, nephew, relative and friend of many.

Dakota graduated from Waubonsie Valley High School, Class of 2011. Dakota had many hobbies. He liked photography and paintballing with his friends. Dakota enjoyed spending time outside, camping, hiking, skateboarding, or fishing. Woodworking was Dakota’s creative outlet.

Aside from his many hobbies, Dakota had a great sense of humor and was always making others smile. He loved to spend time with his family. His dog, Stevie, held a special place in his heart. He will be truly missed.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the family would be appreciated to their Go Fund

Coming events

B-PAC GPS program in Spanish

April 18

Me at.https://www.gofundme.com/f/dakota-gallatin?utm_campaign=p_cp+sharesheet&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook&utm_term=undefined.

Funeral services were held April 5th, 2024, at Brust Funeral Home, 135 S. Main Street, Lombard.

Info: www.brustfuneralhome.com or 888629-0094.

RONALD M. JAHNKE, 82

Ronald M. Jahnke, 82, of Lombard, passed away peacefully on Thursday, March 28, 2024, with his family by his side.

Beloved husband for 36 years of Barbara, nee Worth; loving father of Robert Jahnke, Kenneth Jahnke, Lisa (Larry) Parker, and Renee Jahnke; dear stepfather of Michael J. (Joyeeta) Moscato and Matthew S. Moscato; cherished grandfather of Alexis Jahnke, Ashley Novak, Nicholas Jahnke, Dylan Jahnke, Kaylee Jahnke and Hannah Jahnke and step-grandfather of Aritro Moscato and Bella Moscato; great-grandfather of Myles Gamble and Luca Huddleston. Preceded in death by his parents, Ernest and Philomena Jahnke.

Ron was a police officer for many years for the Berkeley and Bellwood, IL, police departments and he also worked for Carson Pirie Scott. Services held privately.

B-PAC: Glenbard Bilingual Parent Advisory Council and GPS: Glenbard Parent Series in Spanish will present “Strategies to Be the Parent You Mean to Be” with psychologist Ferney Ramirez at 6 p.m. Thursday, April 18, at Glenbard North, 990 N. Kuhn Road in Carol Stream. This program will be presented in Spanish only. Ramirez will give tips on creating an environment that fosters unconditional support and builds strong relationships. For further information, visit glenbardgps.org or contact Luz Luna at luz_luna@glenbard.org or 630-942-7447.

‘Antiques Roadshow’ at Villa Park Library

April 18

Come to the Villa Park Public Library on Thursday, April 18 at 7 p.m. for an “antiques roadshow” experience. Professional appraiser Rex Newell visits the library to appraise your collectibles. While finding out what your treasures are worth, you will learn about trends in the antiques market and see other unique and interesting items appraised. You may still attend if you don’t have an item to be appraised. The first 40 people to register may bring one handheld item to be appraised.

Library staff will call to confirm your item for appraisal one week prior to the program, if you were one of the first 40 patrons to sign up. The presenter will not appraise firearms, Native American or Oriental antiques. Please do not bring any of these items into the library. For more information, visit the library’s website at www.vppl.info or call 630-834-1164.

Learn about bitcoin and cryptocurrency

April 17

Spend an evening learning about digital money at the Villa Park Public Library at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, April 17. You can’t read the news without seeing hype about Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. Registration is required. For more information, visit the library’s website at www.vppl.info or call 630-834-1164.

Holocaust survivor to speak at Elmhurst University

April 14

On April 14, Holocaust survivor Eric Blaustein will present “Growing Up in Germany: A Survivor Remembers” as part of this year’s Holocaust Service of Remembrance and Lecture at Elmhurst University. The Holocaust Service of Remembrance and Lecture begins at 7 p.m. in the Frick Center, Founders Lounge (190 Prospect Ave., Elmhurst, elmhurst.edu/campusmap).

Admission is free but reservations are encouraged, at elmhurst.edu/cultural.

GPS program

April 16

The Glenbard Parent Series: (GPS) Navigating Healthy Families will present “Raising Successful Kids Who Feel Safe, Seen and Secure: The Power of Showing Up” with renowned author and psychotherapist Tina Payne Bryson at noon and 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 16, via Zoom. Go to glenbardgps.org for further information and the links to these webinars. Participants will learn to be attuned to what’s happening beneath behavior and teach kids how to cope when life gets hard. Bryson will demonstrate that mistakes and missteps are repairable and offer a powerful guide to raising responsible and joyful youth who feel confident in themselves. To be placed on a reminder list for GPS events or submit a question in advance, contact Gilda Ross, Glenbard District 87 student and community projects coordinator, at gilda_ross@glenbard.org or 630-942-7668. Continuing professional development units are available.

DuPage County receives private donation for solar panels

The DuPage County Board recently celebrated a $50,000 donation from a Glen Ellyn couple which will contribute to a solar project on the county campus.

Ann Boisclair and Jeff Jens presented a check to County Board Chair Deborah Conroy and Environmental Committee Chair Sheila Rutledge at a recent County Board meeting.

“We are fortunate to have two very generous environmentalists in DuPage County who are putting their energy and resources toward preserving and

SUBMITTED PHOTO Rock Valley Publishing

What’s new in Lombard?

Bill Heniff, Lombard’s director of Community Development, will speak at the Carriage House behind the Victorian House on Thursday, April 11, at 7 p.m. The public is invited to come and learn what new housing and businesses will be locating in our village. This presentation is sponsored by Lombard Service League, a member of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs. For more information, contact Barb at 630-620-8938.

improving the health of our planet,” said Conroy.

The county installed a 164-kilowatt solar panel system on the roof of the 421 Administration Building. This system will lead to a reduction of more than 100 metric tons of carbon dioxide, which is enough to power nearly 30 homes annually.

“We hope this project will inspire others to pursue renewable, clean energy projects in the future,” said Rutledge. “We are grateful to Ann and Jeff for helping make this project a reality.”

Coming events

Boisclair and Jens have supported 18 solar projects across the country, including a project at the Willowbrook Wildlife Center.

“We congratulate DuPage County on this impressive achievement that will provide many years of fossil-free energy,” said Boisclair and Jens. “The county is providing much-needed leadership in the battle to contain global warming. This project benefits all the people of DuPage County. We would love to see more projects like this everywhere.”

Classical jazz group Zazz at the Maple Street Chapel April 14

Sunday, April 14, at 3 p.m. Zazz will present a classical/jazz concert that melds the genres of classical music and the jazz idiom. They creatively interweave the music and create a unique energized sound. Grooves switch from swing to Latin to straight ahead. The versatile musicians switch from vocals to clarinet or sax, arrange classic tunes and meld them into beautiful tapestries of sound. Admission is $20. To order tickets or for more information, visit MapleStreetChapel.Org, where you can pay using PayPal or print a mail-in order form, or mail in a check payable to “Maple Street Chapel” to Ken Bohl, 213 W. Ash St., Lombard IL 60148-2505. Tickets will also be available at the door for check or cash payment only. The chapel is located at 200 S. Main St., the corner of Main & Maple, with parking available in the lots on west Maple Street. Funds raised by this concert support the preservation of the historic chapel.

“The Wizard of Oz’ at Glenbard South April 11-13

The Wizard of Oz will be presented on April 11 and 12 at 7:30 p.m. and on April 13 at 2 p.m. in the Glenbard South auditorium, 23W200 Butterfield Road in Glen Ellyn. Tickets are $12 and may be purchased at https:// glenbardsouthhs.seatyourself.biz or with cash or check at the door. Patrons should enter at Door 9 for the performances. For more information or special seating arrangements please contact Jessica Keuth-Rahtjen at jessica_ keuth-rahtjen@glenbard.org or Stephanie Wallace at stephanie_wallace@ glenbard.org.

One-year anniversary Scavenger Hunt at Plum Library

Sunday, April 7, to Saturday, April 13, during library hours. The library is approaching our first anniversary at 411 S. Main St. To celebrate, we’ve cooked up something sweet: During National Library Week, we’ll be hiding a stuffed birthday cake (sorry, not a real cake) in different places around the library. If you spot it, fill out the entry form found at its secret location to win some pretty sweet prizes: gift cards to local restaurants, library swag, and more. Participants must have a Helen Plum Library card to be eligible to win.

Lilac Time just around the corner

The area’s largest lilac sale in Lombard, the Lilac Village, will take place on May 9-11 at Lombard’s historic Lilacia Park in downtown Lombard. All sales will be in person and you may choose from 17 different lilacs of varying sizes. This includes a limited number of lilac trees. Colors of the blooms range from deep violet, magenta and lilac to pink, blue and white. Proceeds support the Lombard Garden Club’s scholarship program, community beautification projects and educational outreach about the environment and gardening in our region. This week’s feature is President Lincoln (Syringa vulgaris). Named for Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865), 16th President of the United States, this tall, leafy grower blooms with large Wedgewood blue trusses. Pinkish buds open to tubular flowers that burst into large, dense conical-shaped clusters with a captivating fragrance. Fast growing, it reaches a height of 8’-10’ and a width of 10’. Bred in the United States, this mildew-resistant French hybrid is a good grower that produces basal shoots readily adding to the density of the plant. A popular selection since it was introduced in 1916, it is one of 17 cultivars available at the Lombard Garden Club Lilac Sale. You may now view color photos of the lilacs at www.lombardgardenclub.org.

Coming events

Pancake

breakfast to benefit Scout Pack/Troop 140

The Knights of Columbus Council 6090 are holding a Pancake Breakfast Sunday, April 28, from 7 a.m. to noon, in the St. Pius X Church Social Center, 601 S. Westmore, Lombard. The cost is $10 per meal (children 5 and under are free). Proceeds will benefit Pack 140 and Troop 140. Interested in joining Pack 140 or Troop 140? Contact us at ScoutsBSA140@outlook.com.

Single Mothers Group to meet April 14

SHE Single Mothers Support Group Monthly meets on Sunday, April 14, 12:15 p.m., at Elmhurst Christian Reformed Church, 149 W. Brush Hill Road 60126. We offer a complimentary lunch for all who attend, free child care (ages infants-12 years), and support from other single mothers. Come hear our motivational speaker. Topic: “Tips on Parenting Teens.” RSVP to elmhurstcrc.org/she.

‘Romeo and Juliet’ at Glenbard West April 18-20

Glenbard West Theatre will present “Romeo and Juliet” at 7:30 p.m. April 18 through 20 in Glenbard West’s Larry Shue Auditorium, 670 Crescent Blvd. in Glen Ellyn. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at glenbardwest. seatyourself.biz. Tickets will also be available for purchase at the door.

SUBMITTED PHOTO Rock Valley Publishing

SUBMITTED PHOTO Rock Valley Publishing

From left: Jeff Jens, Ann Boisclair, DuPage County Environmental Committee Chair Sheila Rutledge and County Board Chair Deborah Conroy.

Berlin recognized as 2024 Champion for Kids

DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin (middle) was recognized by the organization Fight Crime: Invest in Kids as one of six recipients nationwide of its 2024 Champion for Kids Award. The award was presented to Berlin at a recent ceremony in Springfield.

Dive into savings at the Water Park & Splash Pad

‘Bville Bundle’ now available at DGLC

The Bensenville Park District has launched the “Bville Bundle,” an exclusive offer designed to make a splash this summer at the Bensenville Water Park & Splash Pad. The bundle is now available for purchase at the Deer Grove Leisure Center, 1000 W. Wood St.

The Bville Bundle offers incredible value for those living within the Bensenville Park District boundaries, providing 10 daily admissions to the Water Park and Splash Pad for just $99. Whether it’s a weekday escape or a weekend retreat, youth or adult, this bundle is the passport to discounted aquatic adventure all summer long.

Bville Bundle patrons can enjoy savings from normal admission rates, which can quickly add up:

Weekdays (Monday-Thursday, Noon-5 p.m.):

Youth (3-17) $10, Adult (18+)

$13

Weekends (Friday-Sunday, Noon-5 p.m.):

Youth (3-17) $13, Adult (18+)

$16

Twilight General Admission: $6 (5-7 p.m. Monday-Thursday), $7 (5-7 p.m. Friday-Sunday) The Bensenville Water Park and Splash Pad is open from noon to 7 p.m. daily, from May 27 through August 11. Don’t miss out on special events and activities throughout the season.

Season passes are also available. For more information, visit BvilleParks.org/WaterPark.

Park District launches swim team for summer 2024

The Bensenville Park District introduces the Bensenville Swim Team in summer 2024, aimed at nurturing young swimmers aged 5-16. This initiative focuses on skill development, sportsmanship and fostering a lifelong passion for swimming.

Led by an experienced coaching staff, the Bensenville Swim Team offers personalized guidance to help swimmers unlock their potential and build confidence in the water. Through friendly competitions and swim meets, participants can enhance their skills while fostering camaraderie with teammates who share

their passion. Swimmers of all levels, from beginners to advanced, are welcome to join the Bensenville Swim Team. The program caters to diverse skill sets and emphasizes individual improvement within a supportive team environment.

To register, visit the Deer Grove Leisure Center, 1000 W. Wood St., 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday, 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 9 a.m. to noon Saturday.

Birth certificates are required at the time of registration, and the enrollment fee is $450 per person.

District 88 to host Work-Based Learning luncheon

On Thursday, April 25 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., School District 88 is hosting a Work-Based Learning Experiences Luncheon at the District 88 office, 2 Friendship Plaza, Addison. All local area businesses and organizations are invited to attend and learn more about how you can partner with the district and provide college and career pathways for D88 students.

“At District 88, we are committed to providing multiple and flexible pathways for students to ensure they are college and career ready – and we need your support and partnership to help our students succeed,” said Dr. Jean Barbanente, superintendent of School District 88. “We continue to work with colleges, universities and local businesses/organizations to enhance these options and meet our students’ diverse and individual needs. We know these pathways are critical to help with the labor shortage and to connect students to hands-on,

immersive experiences, as well as certifications, credentials and scholarships. One of our top priorities is to remove barriers for all students to help them access employment and build positive futures. The focus is to connect them with viable short-term and long-term career options and work-based learning that can provide a supported pathway through their college pursuits.”

During the luncheon, information will be shared about how you can support:

• Work-based learning

• Job shadowing for bilingual students

• Individuals with a variety of abilities

• Advertising

• And more

To attend the luncheon, please register by Monday, April 15. To reserve your seat, visit dupage88.net/WorkLuncheon2024.

HUD and VA award more than $330,000 to help homeless veterans find permanent housing

D88 community invited to Crosstown Showdown

District 88 invites all stakeholders to attend the District 88 Crosstown Showdown between the Addison Trail Blazers and the Willowbrook Warriors, which will feature the girls and boys track & field teams from both schools.

The teams will face off at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, April 16 at Willowbrook. Just before the event begins, there will be an introduction of local community leaders, dignitaries, service group members, first responders and more, who support the schools of District 88 and make a positive difference in our communities.

Addison Trail and Willowbrook students, parents/ guardians, alumni, staff, community members and friends are welcome to enjoy an evening of friendship and fun.

In an effort to help homeless veterans and their families find permanent housing, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) awarded $14 million in HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) vouchers to 66 Public Housing Agencies (PHAs) across the country for more than 1,400 vouchers. DuPage Housing Authority was awarded $331,517.

“HUD is committed to ending veteran homelessness once and for all,” said Secretary Marcia L. Fudge. “These HUD-VASH voucher awards help us to reach that goal. We will continue to work with our local Veterans Affairs Medical Center partners at public housing agencies across the country so we can get Veterans and their families off the streets and into affordable housing.”

“One veteran experiencing homelessness will always be one too many—and we will do everything in our power to ensure that Veterans get the safe, stable housing they deserve,” said VA Secretary Denis McDonough. “HUD-VASH has been one of the most effective tools in our toolkit, empowering VA and HUD to provide more housing and wraparound services to more homeless and at-risk Veterans than ever before. Together, we will not rest until Veteran homelessness is a thing of the past.”

This collaboration between HUD

and the VA to provide housing assistance combined with comprehensive support services shows our unified commitment to honor our obligation to the men and women of the U.S. Military Services,” said Great Lakes Regional Administrator Diane M. Shelley. “Together we strive to provide a beacon of hope, ensuring that those who served our nation find not only a home, but a pathway to a brighter, more secure future.

The HUD-VASH program provides housing and an array of supportive services to Veterans experiencing homelessness by combining rental assistance from HUD with case management and clinical services provided by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

Through this program, HUD and the VA aim to end homelessness by assisting Veterans and their families in obtaining permanent and sustainable housing with access to high-quality health care and supportive services. Their goal is to ensure that homelessness is prevented whenever possible.

Currently, there are over 110,000 HUD-VASH vouchers being administered by over 700 PHAs. Since 2008, HUD has issued new HUDVASH vouchers every year. Additionally, over 81,000 of those total vouchers are actively under lease by HUD-VASH Veterans, with many additional Veterans having received vouchers and currently in search of housing to lease.

Glowiak Hilton to host shred and recycling event in Hinsdale

Constituents are invited to join Redeemer Lutheran Church and State Senator Suzy Glowiak Hilton for a shred event on April 13 where they can properly recycle household items and dispose confidential documents.

“It’s vital that we prioritize the proper disposal of confidential documents and household items to protect our privacy and environment,” said Glowiak Hilton (D-Western Springs).

“Join me on April 13 for our shred event, where we’ll provide the re-

sources needed for safe and confidential disposal of unwanted materials.”

Glowiak Hilton is partnering with Redeemer Lutheran Church, SCARCE, Union Church of Hinsdale and Unitarian Church of Hinsdale to provide residents with these services.

The free event will be held Saturday, April 13 from 9 a.m. to noon, or until the shred truck is full at the Redeemer Lutheran Church located at 139 E. First St. in Hinsdale.

The event will have shredding ser-

vices for confidential documents, as well as recycling for books, bicycles, walkers, canes, hearing aids, school supplies and more.

Glowiak Hilton hosts shred events multiple times throughout the year to provide an opportunity for residents to dispose of unneeded items in a safe and discreet way.

People with questions or concerns can contact Glowiak Hilton’s office at 630-785-3177 or by visiting her website.

submitted photo Rock Valley Publishing

6 tax breaks parents can’t afford to forget

With tax time here, parents need a break—a tax break.

Consider a recent LendingTree study, which found that the average annual essential cost to raise a child rose 19.3 percent nationally between 2016 and 2021, the latest year for which complete data was available.

According to the study, families are projected to spend $237,482 over 18 years to raise a child. Illinois ranked 19th in the study, where it’s estimated a family will spend $22,310 annually on raising a child when accounting for expenses like rent, food, child care, apparel, transportation, health insurance premiums, and state tax exemptions or credits.

With that in mind, the Illinois CPA Society suggests parents speak with their CPAs—certified public accountants—to get help maximizing the many tax breaks available to them, like these:

Child Tax Credit

Child and Dependent Care Credit

Did you pay someone to care for your child or another qualifying person so you (and your spouse if filing jointly) could work or look for work? If so, you may be able to claim a credit of up to $3,000 (or $6,000 for two or more qualifying individuals) for your child and dependent care expenses. Dependent care expenses such as daycare and day camp (not including overnight camps) for dependents under the age of 13, or dependents of any age who are incapable of self-care and who live with you for more than half of the year, may qualify for this federal credit.

Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)

The EITC allows qualifying lowand moderate-income workers and families to reduce taxes owed, po -

The most common tax credit is the Child Tax Credit, which is worth up to $2,000 per qualifying child or dependent who has a valid U.S. Social Security number. Taxpayers qualify for the full amount if all eligibility factors are met and annual income isn’t more than $200,000 (single) or $400,000 (married filing jointly). Parents and guardians with higher incomes may be eligible to claim a partial credit.

tentially increasing a tax refund.

The credit is based on various factors, such as adjusted gross income (AGI), filing status, dependents, and more, but could be worth up to anywhere from $600 to $7,430 depending on eligibility.

State Tax Dependent Credit

All Illinois taxpayers who qualify for the federal EITC are automatically eligible for the credit on their Illinois tax return. In 2022, legislation was passed to increase the state’s EITC to 20 percent of the federal credit and expand eligibility to older workers, younger workers, and Individual Taxpayer Identification Number filers.

American Opportunity Tax Credit (AOTC)

The AOTC is a credit for qualified education expenses paid for an eligible student for the first four years of higher education. The maximum annual credit is $2,500 per eligible student, and if the credit brings the amount of tax owed to zero, 40 percent of any remaining credit amount (up to $1,000) is refundable. To claim the credit, you or a qualified dependent must have

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month

Help strengthen families and prevent child abuse in DuPage County sionals offer home visiting services designed to assist new and expectant parents in developing healthy and happy relationships with their children, which leads to healthy, long, and successful lives.

In April, the DuPage County Health Department (DCHD) acknowledges National Child Abuse Prevention Month, urging parents to contribute to a safer environment for children and families in DuPage County.

By ensuring individuals have the knowledge, skills, and resources they need to care for children, we can help promote the social and emotional well-being of children and youth and prevent child maltreatment within families and communities.

“As a community, we must protect our children from harm and create safe spaces where they can grow and flourish. By working together and staying vigilant, we can ensure every child’s well-being is our top priority,” said Adam Forker, executive director of the DuPage County Health Department.

Together, we can take action to prevent child abuse by:

• Promoting nurturing bonds between children, parents, and caregivers;

• Developing emotional and social skills in children;

• Supporting parenting through social connections to friends and family;

• Connecting families to community resources;

• Changing social norms to support parents and positive parenting; and

• Providing quality care and education in early life.

Through the Healthy Families DuPage program, DCHD’s highly trained Home Visitors utilize the research-based Healthy Families America program model to support families. These dedicated profes -

By providing invaluable support and connecting families to vital community resources, this pre -

vention program aims to enhance child safety and promote family well-being. If you are expecting a baby or are a new parent, you may be eligible for the Healthy Families DuPage program. If you or someone you know is interested in enrolling, call 630-682-7400 or visit the DCHD website to learn more.

received Form 1098-T from an eligible educational institution and must meet the income limits.

To claim the full credit, modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) must be $80,000 or less ($160,000 or less if married filing jointly). A reduced credit is available if MAGI exceeds $80,000 but is less than $90,000 (over $160,000 but less than $180,000 if married filing jointly). Taxpayers with MAGI exceeding $90,000 ($180,000 if married filing jointly) are ineligible.

Student Loan Interest Deduction

As the moratorium on student loan interest accruing has ended, taxpayers incurring interest expenses should be mindful of the student loan interest deduction. Eligible taxpayers may be able to deduct the lesser of $2,500 or the amount of interest actually paid during the year. The deduction is gradually

reduced for taxpayers with MAGI exceeding $75,000 or $155,000 (married filing jointly) and eventually phases out when MAGI reaches $90,000 or $185,000 (married filing jointly).

Every year, the costs of raising a child and caring for loved ones increase. Fortunately, there are many tax credits and benefits available to help alleviate some of the financial burden. While it’s not always easy to find and claim all the credits and deductions available, know that a CPA can help. A CPA can strategically prepare and file your tax return to ensure all eligible credits and deductions are maximized. The Illinois CPA Society’s free “Find a CPA” directory can help you find the trusted, strategic advisor that’s right for you and your family based on location, types of services needed, and languages spoken.

Find your CPA at www.icpas.org/ findacpa.

St. Timothy Evangelical Lutheran Church

547 N. Main St., Lombard, IL 60148 630-627-2435

Lent and Easter Services at 7 p.m.

“The Crucial Hours”

Second Lenten Service March 9, 2022

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

Sunday Worship at 10:15 am Sunday School & Bible Study 9 am Wednesday Service at 7pm Ladies Bible Fellowship Mondays at 6:30 pm Saturday, April 27 Game Night at 4 pm

Everyone is Welcome!

Third Lenten Service March 16, 2022

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

All services are live streamed. Watch on our website or on Facebook. sainttimothy.org 453344

Fourth Lenten Service March 23, 2022

Rev. Jonathan Bergemann “I Will Keep the Passover”

Sunday Worship at 9:45 AM

Come worship with us!

300 East Belden Avenue, Elmhurst, IL 60126 www.ODMFellowship.Org 452638

Court upholds law limiting where child sex offenders can live

Kane

County man was ordered to

move

after first

By Peter Hancock CAPITOL NEWS ILLINOIS

The Illinois Supreme Court has ruled that a state law restricting where previously convicted child sex offenders can live is constitutional, although it left open the possibility that it was improperly applied to one individual.

In a 6-0 decision, the court found the residency restriction “does not infringe upon a child sex offender’s fundamental rights” and that there was a “rational basis” for the state to restrict where a person convicted of such a crime can live.

The case involved Martin Kopf, a Kane County resident, now in his 50s, who was convicted in 2003 of aggravated criminal sexual abuse for an incident involving a 15-year-old boy. According to a published report of the incident, Kopf was a high school basketball coach at the time and sexually abused a member of his team during a sleepover at which he allegedly served the boy alcohol.

“The legislature has a legitimate interest in protecting children from neighboring child sex offenders and sexual predators,” the court said in an opinion written by Justice David Overstreet. “The Residency Restriction bears a reasonable relationship to furthering the State’s public interest in protecting children by creating a buffer between a child day care home and the home of a child sex offender to protect children from the harm for which child sex offenders have been convicted.”

Kopf served three years’ probation and reportedly has not reoffended since that incident. But he is permanently required to register as a sex offender, which, among other things, entails legal restrictions on where he is allowed to live.

In 2018, Kopf and his wife bought a home in the village of Hampshire, in Kane County. But before doing so, they checked with both the Illinois State Police and the Hampshire Police Department to make sure it complied with his residency restrictions. Records indicate both agencies told him that it did.

Three months after moving in, however, they were told a day care facility was located within 500 feet of their home—a violation of the state’s residency restrictions—and,

DuPage County launches texting option for 211 helpline

In addition to dialing or browsing for help, DuPage County residents seeking health and human services can now find assistance by texting the County’s free 211 information and referral line.

Residents can text their ZIP code to 898211 to connect with a county operator, who can provide referrals to assistance available near them. Texting service will be available between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.

In addition to the texting option, residents seeking help can still dial 2-1-1 or visit 211dupage.gov to find services near them 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

“Texting 211 initiates a conversation

with a live, specially trained operator who will efficiently connect you to the right resources,” said Human Services Chairman Greg Schwarze. “By expanding the 211 Helpline to include texting, we’re improving our ability to connect residents with resources and support, bridging the gap between struggle and solutions. We’re very excited about this new feature and the help it will provide our residents.”

Immediate referrals are available any time of day for services including clothing or personal items, disaster services, education, food, health and wellness, income support, legal aid, transportation, and more. DuPage County has compiled a database of more than

600 service providers offering thousands of services for DuPage County residents. Anyone interested in being included in the list can visit 211dupage.gov for more information and to apply for inclusion.

211 is a confidential, information and referral service that connects residents to local health and social service resources. It is different from 988, the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, which provides free and confidential support for people in a mental health, suicidal or emotional crisis.

DuPage County launched 211 in November 2022, and to date, has connected more than 8,000 people to County social services.

Organ and tissue donor registration campaign under way waiting for a transplant every year. A single donor can save or improve the lives of up to 25 people.

Marking the beginning of National Donate Life Month, Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias unveiled the state’s annual organ and tissue donor ad campaign, which encourages Illinoisans to sign up for the donor registry.

“More than 4,000 Illinois residents are currently waiting for a transplant, including many whose lives depend on the availability of a suitable organ,” Giannoulias said. “The month of April presents an opportunity to highlight how someone’s decision to take a moment to sign up will tangibly save lives and why it’s so important to encourage more people to register as donors.”

The campaign features a public service announcement (PSA) that urges Illinoisans to enroll in the Secretary of State’s Organ and Tissue Donor Registry by showcasing Tonisha Daniel of south suburban Dolton, who received a lifesaving liver transplant after waiting over a year.

Television and social media ads will run statewide throughout the month. The PSA features the song “The Scientist” by Coldplay.

Currently, 6.5 million Illinoisans are registered with the state’s donor registry. Approximately 4,000 people are on the transplant waiting list. Of those individuals, about 300 die

To become a donor, Illinoisans can register with the Secretary of State’s Organ and Tissue Donor Registry by visiting www.LifeGoesOn.com, calling 800-210-2106 or signing up

at a DMV facility. The entire process takes less than five minutes.

Donate Life Illinois partners include Gift of Hope Organ & Tissue Donor Network, Eversight, Mid-America Transplant Services and the National Kidney Foundation of Illinois.

being told he could buy home as a result, they would have to move.

Kopf, who represented himself in court proceedings, challenged the law as unconstitutional, and in 2021, Kane County Circuit Judge Kevin Busch agreed. Busch wrote the law was both unconstitutional “on its face,” meaning it would violate constitutional rights under any circumstances, and “as applied” to Kopf.

But in an opinion released March 21, the Illinois high court disagreed, overturning Busch’s ruling that the law was facially unconstitutional, and saying there was no factual evidence in the record to support a finding that it was unconstitutional “as applied” in Kopf’s case.

The court therefore sent the case back to Kane County for the sole purpose of determining whether there was evidence to find the law unconstitutional “as applied” to Kopf.

Courts generally use one of two standards in deciding whether a law is constitutional. In cases involving a “fundamental right,” the standard of “strict scrutiny” applies, meaning the government has to show the law serves a compelling state interest and that it is narrowly tailored to achieve that interest.

But in cases involving rights that

are less than fundamental, courts use a “rational basis test,” meaning the government only has to show a rational connection between the law’s means and its goals.

Citing language first coined by U.S. Supreme Court Justice Benjamin Cardozo in a famous 1937 opinion, the state’s high court said the right to live where one pleases is not “fundamental” because it “is not ‘deeply rooted in this Nation’s history and tradition’ or ‘implicit in the concept of ordered liberty’ such that ‘neither liberty nor justice would exist if [it] were sacrificed.’”

Therefore, the court said, the state only needed to show a rational basis for residency restrictions.

Kane County Judge Busch said the restrictions failed the rational basis test, citing studies that have shown there is little or no evidence to suggest such restrictions reduce the chance of someone reoffending.

But in its March 21 ruling, the Supreme Court reversed that decision, saying such studies don’t matter because the legislature’s judgment in drafting a statute “may be based on rational speculation unsupported by evidence or empirical data and are not subject to judicial factfinding.”

Business & FinAnce

Bill ending state’s tipped wage advances but prospects uncertain amid pushback

By Cole Longcor CAPITOL NEWS ILLINOIS

Opponents say eliminating the tip credit will lead to decreased hours and layoffs for staff in place to guarantee tipped workers make minimum wage.

An Illinois House committee advanced a measure that would end the state’s subminimum wage for tipped workers amid bipartisan opposition this week, but the bill’s sponsor said she’d seek further compromise before presenting it for a vote.

Current Illinois law allows employers to pay their tipped workers 60 percent of the state’s minimum wage. That amounts to $8.40 hourly, compared to the minimum wage of $14 per hour. If their wages plus tips do not equal minimum wage, the employer must make up the difference. However, advocates say, employers don’t always do that.

House Bill 5345, sponsored by Rep. Elizabeth “Lisa” Hernandez, D-Cicero, would mandate that tipped workers are paid at least minimum wage, not including tips. She said the bill will eliminate “subminimum wage, not tips.”

Hernandez made her comments during a lengthy hearing April 3 in a packed committee room filled with advocates on both sides of the issue. She ultimately promised to not bring the bill to a vote in the full House

without first negotiating amendments on it, but she also noted one of those changes would better address inequity within the industry and add punitive measures against “bad actors.”

Proponents of the bill said that not all employers follow the law and dependency on tips perpetuates inequalities. A 2014 report from the Economic Policy Institute think tank found at that time 66 percent of tipped workers were women and the poverty rate of tipped workers was almost double that of nontipped workers.

“Depending on tips to make a basic living wage is a system that exposes workers to poverty, to inequity and to harassment,” Rep. Will Guzzardi, D-Chicago, said at the committee hearing Wednesday.

While the bill is intended to increase wages for tipped workers and address inequities within the industry, much of the roughly two-hour debate in the committee hearing focused on how the proposal will impact businesses and employees.

At a Capitol news conference earlier on April 3, a coalition of tipped workers and representatives of the state’s restaurant and retail trade as-

Feeling like you paid too much in taxes this year?

Learn about investment strategies that could potentially lower next year’s tax bill. Talk to a financial advisor today to learn how.

sociations shared concerns about the proposal. They claimed the change would drive up prices at restaurants specifically.

Illinois Restaurant Association President Sam Toia said increasing the cost of labor will lead to owners reducing staff and increasing prices. Toia said many businesses are still recovering from the recession brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“A business that used to be a business of nickels and dimes is now a business of pennies and nickels,” he said. “The proposal would only increase that stress on operators.”

Dominique Juarez, a server at Alexander’s Steakhouse in Peoria, said at the news conference she opposes the elimination of tip credit and that the bill “corners us into a no-win situation.”

She said that eliminating tip credit could lead to higher menu prices, which would in turn impact her relationship with regular customers, which she described as “the heart of what dining is all about.”

Currently, seven states—Alaska, California, Minnesota, Montana, Nevada, Oregon and Washington, along with Washington D.C.—have laws

Chicago enacted similar legislation in October, which phases out the city’s tip credit over five years, culminating with tipped employees receiving minimum wage in 2028.

“Chicago’s passed this,” Rob Karr, president of the Illinois Retail Merchants Association, said Wednesday. “We should wait and see how it plays out over the next five years before rushing into a similar proposal statewide.”

While the measure passed on a 17-11 vote, one of the committee’s 19 Democrats, Rep. Jawaharial Williams of Chicago, voted against it. Rep. Marty Moylan, D-Des Plaines, was recorded as not voting. Democrats, who control the General Assembly, subbed out seven members on the Labor and Commerce Committee before the vote.

Other Democrats spoke out against the measure at the April 3 news conference.

That included Rep. Curtis Tarver,

Coming event

D-Chicago, who said the idea that tipped employees don’t make minimum wage is false, and warned the proposal would have adverse effects.

“This is more legislation chasing a solution to a problem that does not exist,” he said. “Eliminating tip credit is going to hurt the very people that this legislation purports to help.”

Tarver also said that while there may be some “bad actors” who aren’t paying their employees minimum wage, the current law should be enforced rather than eliminating the tip credit.

The One Fair Wage advocacy group, which has for years been pushing for an end to the tipped wage, celebrated the committee vote as a “historic step towards justice.”

“A direct legacy of slavery, the subminimum wage for decades has been used as a tool to force service industry workers, particularly women and people of color, to live in poverty,” Saru Jayaraman, president of One Fair Wage, said in a news release.

Lombard Chamber Luncheon April 17

Is cybersecurity on your mind these days? Are you up to date on your knowledge of keeping you and your company safe from cybercrime? If the answer is no, or, maybe, come join us for our Lombard Chamber April luncheon titled “3 Myths About Ransomware and How You Can Protect Your Business from Cybercrime.” Our featured speaker will be Ramon Bassett, with Current Technologies. You do not want to miss this informative and timely discussion. April 17, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Embassy Suites Chicago-Lombard/Oak Brook, 70. Visit lombardchamber.com for more information and to register.

What should you do with your tax refund?

It’s almost that time of year when many people start receiving their tax refunds. If you get one, what will you do with it?

Here are a few suggestions:

First, you could contribute to your traditional or Roth IRA. You’ve got until April 15 to fully fund your IRA for the 2023 tax year, but if you’ve already done that, you can use the refund for 2024.

Another possibility is to use the refund to start or build an emergency fund. It’s a good idea to keep up to six months’ worth of living expenses in this fund, with the money placed in a liquid, lowrisk account.

You might also consider investing in a 529 education savings plan for a child or grandchild. A 529 plan offers tax benefits and can be used for college, qualified trade school expenses and some K-12 costs.

Finally, you could use your refund to pay down some debts. You might want to eliminate the smallest ones first or try to whittle down those with the highest interest rates.

Your tax refund can be a valuable asset — so use it wisely. This content was provided by Edward Jones, member SIPC.

CYBER BULLING SEXTING INSTAGRAM SNAPCHAT

How well do you cyberparent?

Thursday, April 18 at 7pm

Keep your kids cyber safe! Detective Rich Wistocki and Investigator Rachel Rieger (Ret.) will share how to best protect your children on electronic devices, social media, and gaming platforms.

Purchase your ticket today at timothychristian.com/speaker-series Open to the public.

Timothy Speaker Series

April 18 at 7pm

Timothy Christian Schools

Huizenga Auditorium

1061 South Prospect Ave, Elmhurst, IL

STILL WAITING ON THAT PHONE CALL?

If you haven't heard from your lender in a while, maybe your bank isn't actively lending. At Republic Bank of Chicago, we are lending. And our bankers stay involved with you and your business long after the closing of your loan. Sound refreshing? Make the move to Republic Bank today. 888-808-1964 | rbankchicago.com

Lawmakers question Pritzker’s plan for new early childhood agency

By Peter Hancock Capitol News illiNois

Gov. JB Pritzker’s plan to consolidate the state’s early childhood programs into one new cabinet-level agency ran into tough questions last week during a House budget committee hearing.

The plan, which Pritzker first announced in October and which he included in his budget address in February, would consolidate a host of programs and services currently run by three different agencies under one roof.

That would include such things as child care subsidies for low-income families currently housed in the Department of Human Services; preschool block grants administered by the State Board of Education; and the licensing of day care centers, which is currently done by the Department of Children and Family Services.

Pritzker is seeking $13.1 million in the budget for the upcoming fiscal year to establish a new Department of Early Childhood. But that would only cover some initial startup costs, such as hiring executive staff, buying new computers and software licenses.

It would also include the cost of surveying parents, teachers, service providers and other stakeholders about what they want from a new agency and how they would like to see it operate.

Ann Whalen, the person Pritzker named in October to oversee the transition, told committee members

last week that the administration expects it will be two full years before the new agency will be ready to take over any of the programs being transferred to it.

“We really do see this as a oncein-a-lifetime opportunity to make the system easier, fairer and more cohesive,” she said. “We believe that the budget request reflects the capacity we need to do this work.”

Most Democrats on the committee seemed receptive to the idea of putting all early childhood programs under one roof.

“Conceptually, I support this,” said Rep. Sue Scherer, D-Decatur. “I can see where early childhood is sort of spread all over the board.”

But Scherer said she was concerned about whether the creation of a new agency would result in an overall net increase in administrative costs for the state and, if so, where that additional money would come from.

“At the end of the day, it all comes out of tax revenue from taxpayers,” she said. “So every dollar we spend on this—and I just need everyone to be aware of this—is a dollar we don’t have to spend, potentially, on students, and teacher salaries, because it’s money that we’re spending for administration and location of a new agency, basically.”

Whalen said much of the money the new agency would spend will be federal dollars that currently flow to other agencies. On multiple occasions, though, she declined to

Giannoulias kicks off

2024 summer job program

Secretary of state offers summer employment for college, trade and grad students

Illinois Secretary of State Alexi

Giannoulias has announced his office is now accepting applications for the second year of his administration’s summer job program.

More than 120 positions are available for college, trade school and graduate school students or graduating high school students who are enrolled in college or trade school in the fall. Job offerings include working at DMVs or at one of the various departments in the secretary of state’s office.

“The goal of our summer jobs program is to provide a pathway for young people to explore career opportunities, build their skillsets, earn money and make connections through a real-world job experience,” Giannoulias said. “This type of hands-on work also helps with future academic and professional success and can translate into longterm benefits for our communities.”

speculate about what the net cost would be to the state and whether the overall administrative costs— including new office spaces— would be more or less than what the state is spending now.

“I don’t want to put out a number that gets in front of the process,” she said. “I don’t want to say we’re going to have this exact org chart, or this exact look at programs and services, because I don’t want to jump to conclusions about what parents and providers say they want out of the system.”

Republicans on the panel were more skeptical about the proposal.

“Why shouldn’t we be extremely concerned that we are statutorily creating an entire government

agency when you’re telling us right now that we really don’t have any idea what it’s going to cost?” asked Rep. Blaine Wilhour, of Beecher City, the Republican spokesperson on the panel. “Wouldn’t it be more prudent to go through this two-year study phase and not create an entire government agency that we have no idea what it’s going to cost?”

But Whalen said the idea of forming a single agency for early childhood services grew out of years of study and planning in Illinois, as well as the experience of other states.

“We firmly believe that it’s important to begin the process of standing up this new agency, because when we have spoken to oth -

Along with building job skills for students and learning about state government, the program bolsters the office’s customer service efforts during the busy summer months.

Available positions include work in secretary of state offices in Chicago, surrounding suburbs, Springfield and downstate facility locations. Pay is $16 per hour for college and trade school students and $25 per hour for specific contractual intern positions for graduate school students.

Interested applicants can apply at www.ilsos.gov/summerjobs and must submit a resume and cover letter explaining their interest in working at the Secretary of State’s office. Applicants may list up to three choices for their preferred work location.

Summer employees can begin their employment as early as May 13.

er states, they have said, ‘we tried to do it all at once,’ or ‘we did not take enough time to listen,’ or ‘we did not stand up a new agency and have the opportunity to plan before we transition the programs over, and boy do we wish we had done that differently,’” she said. The committee took no action on the budget request. That will be part of a final spending package that lawmakers will negotiate at the end of the spring session, which is scheduled to last through the month of May.

The legislation to create a new agency is contained in two bills: Senate Bill 1 and House Bill 5451, both of which are still pending in their respective chambers.

PUZZLE Page

SUDOKU

Fun by the Numbers

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

Give your children exceptional dental care in a fun and welcoming setting designed to put them at ease and promote a healthy smile for life.

State spends $73 million to protect Illinois’ only undeveloped Lake Michigan shoreline

Breakwater structures at Illinois Beach State Park aim to mitigate erosion

By Cole Longcor CAPITOL NEWS ILLINOIS

A $73 million state-funded project in Lake County aims to stabilize the last undeveloped Lake Michigan shoreline in Illinois and help protect native endangered species.

Illinois Beach State Park in Zion on the state’s northern border contains about 10 percent of Illinois’ Lake Michigan shoreline, with 6.5 miles. But the undeveloped shoreline can erode up to 100 feet per year, according to the state’s Capital Development Board, which is partially overseeing the stabilization project.

To mitigate the erosion, the Illinois Beach State Park Shoreline Stabilization Project seeks to build

22 breakwater structures along 2.2 miles of shoreline. The breakwaters will protect the beach, maintaining it for human and animal use while providing natural habitats for local wildlife.

CDB spokesperson Lauren Grenlund said without intervention the beach “would continue to slowly migrate and erode.” The project, she said, “renourishes the existing sandy beach and shelters it from incoming wave energy.” Its funding source is the state’s Rebuild Illinois capital program, a $45 billion six-year infrastructure plan originally approved by the General Assembly in 2019. Construction at Illinois Beach began in 2023, and earlier this year the sta-

bilization plan received recognition from New York-based water infrastructure advocacy group The Waterfront Alliance.

Illinois Beach State Park is the first freshwater project and first in the Midwest to receive verification under the organization’s Waterfront Edge Design Guidelines, or WEDG. The Waterfront Alliance launched the WEDG program in 2015 and has since certified 13 other projects, mostly in New York City and the surrounding area, though it opened up to other parts of the country in 2019.

Grenlund said the state decided to submit the Illinois Beach State Park project for WEDG certification—at a cost of $12,500 to cover the ap-

plication fee—as the project is the “highest standard of waterfront design.”

“By achieving WEDG Verification, the Illinois Beach State Park project stands out amongst other waterfront projects as a leader that goes above and beyond standard environmental and regulatory requirements and provides a broad community benefit,” Grenlund said.

The shoreline stabilization plan received a perfect score in the

WEDG program’s category of “innovation.”

“Where this one really stood out is that ecological features that they built into the breakwater,” Joseph Sutkowi, Waterfront Alliance’s chief waterfront design officer, said in an interview. “That’s what kind of took this one beyond just a typical breakwaters project, which is often not that environmentally beneficial.”

See Shoreline, Page 24

Sports

Rams edge the Warriors in Villa Park Johnson scores

The Glenbard East and Willowbrook girls soccer teams squared off in last week’s battle in Villa Park. The Rams scored a goal early in the second half and prevailed 1-0 in the contest, which took place in chilly and occasionally wet conditions.

The less-than-ideal weather led to a time change in the April 4 contest, which was moved up from an evening to an afternoon start.

Glenbard East senior Ciara Johnson broke a scoreless tie when she scored off a crossing pass from senior Maya Reinheimer less than five minutes into the second half. Johnson’s goal gave the Rams their 1-0 advantage with 35:28 left in the match.

Glenbard East kept the ball on Willowbrook’s end during most of the match to limit the Warriors’ of-

fensive opportunities.

a second-half goal in Glenbard East’s 1-0 victory goal about three minutes after Reinheimer scored.

“Our defense was very solid,” said Willowbrook coach Pete Montgomery after the battle with the Rams. Montgomery noted the efforts of senior Lexi Rattin and junior Halie Ahrens. He also praised the performance of the Warriors’ goalkeeper— junior Payton Brose

The Rams improved their overall season record to 1-1-1 with their win over Willowbrook. Glenbard East moved to 1-1-2 after opening play in Plainfield North’s tournament by battling Dundee-Crown to a 1-1 tie on Saturday in a match at Plainfield Central. Reinheimer gave Glenbard East a 1-0 lead when she scored with about 20 minutes left in the match. Freshman Jessica Gilleran assisted Reinheimer’s goal. Dundee-Crown evened the score when it netted a

Rams take fourth in their own Springfest tournament

After opening the event with three victories, Rams suffer narrow losses to St. Francis and Lake Park

The Glenbard East boys volleyball team completed a busy week by finishing fourth in its own 16-team Springfest tournament, which took place on Saturday.

The Rams opened Saturday’s event by winning three straight matches in pool play to advance to the semifinal round. Glenbard East beat Andrew, West Aurora and Romeoville in pool play.

St. Francis defeated Glenbard East 35-37, 25-19, 25-17 in a semifinal battle. Lake Park edged the Rams 26-24, 22-25, 26-24 in the third-place match.

Glenbard West defeated St. Francis 25-21, 25-13 in the champion-

ship match of Saturday’s event. Glenbard East’s overall season record stood at 8-4 at the end the Springfest tournament.

Two Rams—seniors Jack Junior and Aidan Weltin—were named to the Springfest All-Tournament Team.

Glenbard East opened its Upstate Eight Conference season with last week’s 25-17, 25-16 victory over Larkin in Elgin. Junior handed out 12 assists in the Rams’ win over the Royals on April 2. Senior Payton Stieve made 11 digs for Glenbard East. Junior Nick Sommesi and

The Rams are continuing to compete in Plainfield North’s tournament this week.

Willowbrook is playing more matches in the Niles West tournament this week.

Willowbrook’s overall season record fell to 1-4 following its loss to Glenbard East. The Warriors moved to 1-4-1 when they played Rolling Meadows to a 0-0 tie in Saturday’s match at Niles West’s tournament.

CHRIS FOX PHOTOS Rock Valley Publishing Glenbard East defeated Willowbrook 1-0 in last week’s girls soccer match in Villa Park. Senior Ciara Johnson (No. 7 - top right) scored the Rams’ goal early in the second half of the April 4 battle. Senior Maya Reinheimer assisted Johnson’s goal. Willowbrook junior Halie Ahrens (No. 22) and Reinheimer (No. 3) are pictured (above) during the match. Another photo (left) shows Willowbrook senior Grace Soltys (No. 3) and Glenbard East junior Cleo Glenzinski. One more photo shows Willowbrook junior goalkeeper Payton Brose (No. 1right) making a free kick.

Glenbard East’s boys volleyball team finished fourth in its own 16-team Springfest tournament, which took place on Saturday. The Rams opened the tournament with three straight wins in pool play to advance to the semifinal round in the championship bracket. The Rams lost a three-game semifinal battle to St. Francis.

Lake Park edged Glenbard East in three games in the third-place match. Two Rams—seniors Jack Junior (No. 2 - above left) and Aidan Weltin (No. 11 - above right)—were named to the event’s All-Tournament Team.

Glenbard East’s overall season record stood at 8-4 at the end of Saturday’s tournament.

CHRIS FOX PHOTOS Rock Valley Publishing

Broncos prevail

The Montini Catholic girls soccer team defeated Lisle 1-0 on Saturday morning in Lombard. The Broncos improved their overall season record to 4-3 with their home victory over the visiting Lions. Montini sophomore Ava Lombardi scored the only goal of the match late in the first half. Junior goalkeeper Natalie Gartlan made 10 saves for the Broncos during her shutout performance against Lisle. One photo (top right) from the final minute of Saturday’s match shows (left to right) Gartlan and Montini junior Naomy Gonzalez (No. 7) defending a corner kick by the Lions. Another photo (right) from Saturday’s match shows junior Annalee DeFeo (No. 4) of the Broncos. Four days before beating Lisle, Montini posted a 7-0 home win over Trinity. DeFeo scored two goals in the April 2 victory. Junior Liliana Cruz also scored two goals for the Broncos, who built a 6-0 lead by halftime. Gonzalez, junior Avery Lucatorto and sophomore Cadence Bratcher scored one goal each for Montini. Gartlan made five saves. The Broncos’ season continues with this week’s home matches against Rosary and York.

Winning Warriors

Willowbrook’s boys gymnastics team defeated the Downers Grove co-op team 135.4 to 122.1 during last week’s meet in Villa Park. Junior Daniel Javier of the Warriors posted first-place finishes in four events and earned the April 4 meet’s all-around title with his total score of 49.7. Javier delivered winning scores on the still rings (8.6), vault (9.5), parallel bars (8.3) and horizontal bar (7.4). He is pictured (above left) during his first-place performance on the still rings. Willowbrook sophomore Jae Newman earned first-place scores in the meet’s other two events. Newman secured his victories in floor exercises (9.0) and on the pommel horse (7.5). He is pictured (above right) during his winning routine on the pommel horse. Senior Isaac Smith of the Warriors finished third in the meet’s all-around standings with his total of 43.9. Smith placed second on the vault (8.1). He finished third on the pommel horse (7.0), still rings (7.5) and parallel bars (7.3). Willowbrook junior Jacob Seremak contributed fourth-place finishes on the still rings (7.3) and the parallel bars (7.2).

Montini’s offense shows some firepower in a win over Mother McAuley Barrett and Macias hit back-to-back homers for the Broncos

The Montini Catholic softball team opened its Girls Catholic Athletic Conference (GCAC) season with Saturday’s 11-1 victory at Mother McAuley. The Broncos raised their overall season record to 5-6 with Saturday’s five-inning win.

Montini scored five runs in the top of the first inning to take an early 5-0 lead over the Mighty Macs. Freshman Aubry Raffen singled to drive in the Broncos’ first two runs of the inning. The next batter—freshman Cedona Barrett—launched a tworun home run over the fence in right field to push Montini’s lead to 4-0. The following batter—junior Ariana Macias—bashed a solo homer to left-center field to extend the team’s lead to 5-0.

Montini delivered another five-run outburst in the top of the fifth inning. The Broncos scored all five of those

Chris Fox photos Rock Valley Publishing

Chris Fox photos Rock Valley Publishing

• Montini

(Continued from page 22)

runs after there were two outs. Junior Katherine Filkowski started the rally with a double. Senior Erin Grimsley then doubled to drive in Filkowski. Senior Kassandra Gutierrez reached on an error that allowed Grimsley to score. Raffen then reached on another Mother McAuley error.

Barrett kept the inning going with a single that drove in Gutierrez. Macias then singled to drive in Raffen. A single by freshman Bridget Ryan drove in Barrett.

Macias pitched a five-inning complete game to earn the win in the circle on Saturday. She allowed four hits and recorded one strikeout.

Barrett’s home run at Mother McAuley marked her second long ball of the season. Macias connected for her first homer of the season with her blast in the first inning of Saturday’s game.

Barrett drove in four runs in the Broncos’ win over the Mighty Macs. Barrett, Filkowski, Macias and Raffen delivered three hits each in the victory.

• Rams

Two days before facing Mother McAuley, Montini defeated St. Edward 14-0 in a five-inning indoor game played at the Rosemont Dome. Filkowski went 4-for-4 with an inside-the-park homer in the April 4 win. She scored three runs. Both of Filkowski’s home runs this season have been inside-the-park efforts.

Barrett drove in four runs in last week’s win over St. Edward. Montini junior Sierra Urban went 3-for-3 and scored two runs during the contest.

Macias pitched all five innings for the Broncos in last week’s win in Rosemont. She piled up seven strikeouts.

One day after beating St. Edward, Montini suffered a 12-2 five inning loss to Taft High School in Chicago.

The Broncos are scheduled to play seven games this week. Montini will play three of those games in this Saturday’s event at Woodstock North High School.

(Continued from page 21)

freshman Gloire Emena provided six and five kills, respectively.

Speedy freshman

• Garland

Glenbard East’s schedule this week includes a conference match against South Elgin and a non-conference battle against St. Francis.

The Rams beat Naperville North 25-16, 25-22 in a non-conference match in Naperville on April 4. Weltin pounded 10 kills and served five aces in Glenbard East’s win over the Huskies. Junior Max McDermott piled up 14 assists for the Rams, while Junior contributed nine assists. Senior Danny Overlin supplied five kills.

(Continued from page 5)

tive behavior therapy and providing stipends.

“I want to celebrate the life that our profession restores to people and places that have been historically oppressed and marginalized,” Bocanegra said.

He praised frontline workers such as outreach staff who connect people to community violence intervention programs as the “muscle” of community violence intervention. These workers often don’t have formal degrees in social work or behavioral therapy, but life experience with gun violence that is crucial to engaging participants, Bocanegra said.

He didn’t mention it in his speech, but a study published last fall by the University of Chicago Crime Lab found outreach workers were able to reduce the expected number of shooting victims and associated arrests.

“For one subgroup—men referred by outreach workers—the declines in arrests and victimizations for shootings and homicides clearly pass standard statistical significance thresholds,” the study, titled “Predicting and Preventing Gun Violence,” reads.

The study makes a point to stop short of naming READI a difference maker in overall violent crime for the city, stating, “We cannot conclude with certainty that the version of READI evaluated here decreased serious violence.”

However, there is “evidence that READI reduced arrests for shootings and homicides, with the estimated effect being just beyond traditional statistical significance cutoffs.”

Assistant Attorney General Amy Solomon doubled down on the need for community-driven initiatives.

“

t he report finds that the flood of illegal guns into our communities is increasingly driven by individuals who sell guns without a license and who do not conduct background checks.”

– Merrick Garland, U.S. Attorney General

“Our goal here is to make sure that federal support is reaching the communities that are too often overlooked and underfunded—the same communities where violence takes the heaviest toll,” she said. “It’s about reaching the organizations that reflect those communities, are designed to serve them, are located within them and are closest to the problems that we seek to solve.”

Garland also announced the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives will soon be publishing its third volume of the National Firearms Commerce and Trafficking Assessment, which Garland called “the most comprehensive look at America’s crime gun data in over two decades.”

“The report finds that the flood of illegal guns into our communities is increasingly driven by individuals who sell guns without a license and who do not conduct background checks,” Garland said.

Freshman McKenzie Edison of the Willowbrook girls track and field team is pictured while sprinting to a victory in the 400-meter run during Saturday’s Willowbrook Girls Invitational in Villa Park. Edison completed the race in a first-place time of 1 minute, 2.67 seconds. She finished more than 1.3 seconds ahead of the runner-up in the race. The Warriors placed third in the team standings of Saturday’s competition, which included 13 teams. Hersey won the team title with 123 points. Willowbrook amassed 88.5 points in its thirdplace finish. Edison placed sixth in the 200-meter run at Saturday’s invitational. She finished that race in 27.19 seconds. Willowbrook’s 4 x 400-meter relay quartet of juniors Elena Bullivant, Camryn Dooley, Grace Capps and Holly Harris delivered a third-place finish by completing the race in 4 minutes, 31.17 seconds. Dooley and Capps joined junior Mickenzie Alandy and senior Tia Kelly to finish third in the 4 x 200-meter relay. The four Warriors completed the race in 1 minute, 55.1 seconds. Alandy, Dooley and Edison joined junior Olivia Gwaltney to post a third-place time of 50.61 seconds in the 4 x 100-meter relay. Willowbrook juniors Morgen Turner and Emily Hogan finished third and fourth, respectively, in the discus throw at Saturday’s invite. Turner’s best throw of the day traveled 90 feet, 2 inches. Hogan’s best effort of the invite covered 84 feet, 3 inches. Junior Iryae’ Watts provided the Warriors with a fifth-place finish in the shot put. Her best effort of the day covered 31 feet, 11¼ inches. Senior Mia McBride of Willowbrook finished in a tie for fourth in the high jump. She cleared 4 feet, 9¾ inches during the invite.

ChRiS FOx PhOtO Rock Valley Publishing

Illinois Newspapers

Keeping you informed

To know more, read public notices in today’s newspaper or go to

• Shoreline

(Continued from page 20)

Sutkowi said the ecological features central to the project work to create habitat spaces on the calm, shoreside of the breakwater structures. The top of one of the structures will have 10 built-in nests for migratory shorebirds like the Caspian tern and endangered common tern. Stabilizing the shore and protecting habitats will help protect animals who make their home on the beach, including the endangered piping plover, another migratory bird species.

Under the lake’s surface, reclaimed

PROGRAMS 2024

PROGRAMS 2024

PROGRAMS 2024

- LOCATED IN ELMHURST -

-

LOCATED IN ELMHURST -

concrete blocks from the site and native plants will be used to foster aqua gardens and create habitat spaces for species such as mudpuppies and yellow perch.

To protect the new habitats while balancing human use and access of the site, a natural “soft” barrier will be constructed between the breakwater structures and the beach using driftwood and sunken trees. Views from the beach should not be impacted as the structures are mostly submerged and are spaced out, according to IDNR and the Waterfront Alliance.

Maintaining public access has been a factor throughout the process, Sutkowi said. Grenlund said construction around the main swimming beach and conference center only took place in off-season months. Construction at the park’s northern and southern ends is “substantially complete,” leaving the natural beach

area in the middle of the park as the only remaining location of further construction this summer, which is expected to be completed in August.

Sutkowi said that beyond recognition, WEDG verification creates a level of accountability as the project is built.

“It’s a tool for the design team,” Sutkowi said. “But it’s also a way for advocates and others to help hold projects accountable for actually creating great sites, because now there’s a standard out there.”

To receive WEDG verification a project must meet 130 out of a possible 200 points. The Illinois Beach State Park Shoreline Stabilization Project scored 146 points. It was designed by the infrastructure firm Moffatt & Nichol. Other companies involved include SmithGroup, Edgewater Resources, Michels Construction Incorporated, and Collins Engineering.

PROGRAMS 2024

-

LOCATED IN ELMHURST -

- LOCATED IN ELMHURST -

JUNIOR KICKERS

PROGRAMS 2024

SKILLS SCHOOL STARTS EARLY APRIL

-

• Practice 1x a week

JUNIOR KICKERS

SKILLS SCHOOL STARTS EARLY APRIL

• Sundays 3 vs 3

LOCATED IN ELMHURST -

• Practice 1x a week

JUNIOR KICKERS

• Grades K-4

• Practice 1x a week

• Sundays 3 vs 3

PROGRAMS 2024

SKILLS SCHOOL APRIL

Fridays or Saturdays

Fridays or Saturdays

SKILLS SCHOOL STARTS EARLY APRIL

Fridays or Saturdays

Fridays or Saturdays

SKILLS SCHOOL STARTS EARLY APRIL

Fridays or Saturdays

Fridays or Saturdays

• Sundays 3 vs 3

• Practice 1x a week

• Grades K-4

• Grades K-4

• Sundays 3 vs 3

• Practice 1x a week

• Grades K-4

• Sundays 3 vs 3

JUNIOR KICKERS

• Grades K-4

•

•

•

SKILLS SCHOOL EARLY APRIL STARTS THRU EARLY MAY APRIL APRIL

• 8 week session

• Fridays or Saturdays

For more information

• Grades PreK-4

SKILLS SCHOOL EARLY APRIL STARTS THRU EARLY MAY APRIL APRIL

• Practice 1x a week

STARTS

• Sundays 3 vs 3

2024-25 TRYOUTS

• Grades K-4

- LOCATED IN ELMHURSTSUMMER CAMPS

- LOCATED IN ELMHURSTJUNIOR KICKERS

•

•

For more information

elmhurstsoccer.com

2024-25 TRYOUTS PROGRAMS 2024

•

•

2024-25 TRYOUTS

2024-25 TRYOUTS

•

JUNIOR KICKERS STARTS

2024-25 TRYOUTS

•

•

•

2024-25 TRYOUTS

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

• Register online

Register now JUNIOR KICKERS

elmhurstsoccer.com Ages PreK-14

SUMMER CAMPS

2024-25 TRYOUTS

SUMMER CAMPS

Register now

• Boys & Girls

SUMMER CAMPS

SUMMER CAMPS

Register now

• Born in 2018-2006

Register now

Register now

• Register online

• Ages PreK-14

NEW LOCATION ~ 101 ANNIVERSARY

Monday, April 15th-Tuesday, April 30th

Factory and Warehouse Hours: Monday to Friday 7 am to 1 pm and by appointment

Dear Esteemed Clients

We are still in business after 101 years, We welcome you all to our grand re-opening as we moved into my nephew and Godson’s “State of the Art” furniture manufacturing factory at 2150 Madison Street, Bellwood. It’s good to be back in Bellwood! If you want thousands of items made they can certainly do it for you with extreme precision. If you need refinishing, repairs, or reupholstering we are still here to serve you! We also continue our amazing and highly recommended restoration of church pews in any of your places of worship. We have sold all of our carved wood upholstered living room sets and bedroom sets. However we still have our original complete dining room sets as well as living room coffee and end table sets at liquidation pricing along with our Capdimonte ceterpieces and giftware. Our main goal is to liquidate the balance of our inventory and focus on refinishing, repairs, reupholstery and complete furniture restoration.

We truly hope to see you soon and say hello! All our best from the new expanded Montalbano family!

Best,

THE MONTALBANO FAMILY

P.S. We are located 3 blocks east of 25th Avenue and 2 blocks south of Washington Blvd.

The entrance to the parking lot is by the large rock sign

“Welcome to Bellwood”

MONTALBANO, INC.

2150 Madison Street

Bellwood, IL 60104 USA

Phone: (708) 409-5100

website: www.montalbanofurniture.com

e-mail: info@montalbanofurniture.com

• Furniture

• Refinishing

• Reupholstering

• Repairs

• Restored Antiques