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1 • Thursday, July 14, 2022 - Rock Valley Publishing

THURSDAY, JULY 14, 2022

Park District acquires Fischer Farm IGA clears the way for purchase of historic property

The Bensenville Park District has acquired the historic, five-acre Fischer Farm property, located at 16W680 Grand Avenue in Bensenville, from the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County for $100,000 through an intergovernmental agreement (IGA). The park district board of commissioners voted unanimously to authorize the purchase at its Wednesday, June 15 meeting, and the forest preserve unanimously approved of the purchase at its subsequent meeting

on Thursday, June 21. “The Bensenville Park District has managed this historic property since the original lease agreement in 2000,” said Park Board president Rich Johnson. “After years of hard work, we are pleased to approve this purchase agreement, which will allow us to continue our work to restore and preserve this historic property.” The property conveyance was negotiated with restricted terms for a

possible future visitor center limited to 3,000 square feet, an open pavilion limited to 625 square feet, a parking lot limited to 50 spaces and an ADA-accessible restroom limited to 220 square feet. The agreement also contains a conservation easement that ensures the property remains public open space as an historic farmstead into perpetuity. “The park district has demonstrated a commitment to the preservation and continuation of educating

our community about the historic value of Fischer Farm, and we look forward to providing additional programs for the community to enjoy,” said Park District executive director Joseph C. Vallez. “The acquisition of Fischer Farm is a key priority of Bensenville Park District 2.0, in that the acquisition opens up a variety of options for grant funding for program and facility improvements that did not exist for us as tenants of the property.”

The park district has been managing Fischer Farm since signing a 25-year lease agreement with the forest preserve Dec. 19, 2000. The forest preserve acquired the property in 1999. About the property, its mission and uses Fischer Farm is among the oldest remaining homesteads in DuPage

See FARM, Page 4

Unofficial results show six incumbents likely ousted in primaries CAPITOL NEWS ILLINOIS

Four months before the general election, six incumbent state lawmakers appeared primed for an early rejection by voters based on unofficial tallies last week. Among them was Kathleen Willis. In the 77th District, which includes O’Hare Airport and the suburbs of Bensenville and Addison among others, five-term incumbent Democrat and Addison native Kathleen Willis trailed challenger Norma Hernandez by about 200 votes as of July 8. Hernandez had the backing of progressive U.S. Congressman Jesus “Chuy” Garcia, as well as powerful labor unions such as the Mid America Carpenters Union and the Chicago Laborers’ District Council. Willis was a member of Madigan’s leadership team who ultimately opposed Madigan’s reelection as speaker in 2021, helping to end his historic

run. While she was not named to leadership under Welch, he did campaign for Willis during the primary race. Willis was the sponsor of gun dealer licensing legislation that became the first bill signed by Gov. JB Pritzker. Fundraising was about equal in that race, with Willis raising $330,000, including $76,000 from teacher unions, $100,000 from other elected officials’ candidate committees and $63,000 from Democrats for the Illinois House. Hernandez raised $316,000 with $86,000 raised by independent expenditure committees that were working in her favor. She received $120,000 from organized labor and $133,000 from other elected officials’ committees, according to Redfield’s analysis. The Republican candidate in the district is Anthony Airdo, of Melrose Park, who lost to Willis in the district’s old boundaries in 2020 by a margin of about 44 percentage points.

Inside:

Police Reports.............6 Puzzles ��������������������13 Viewpoint...................7 Classifieds................14

SUBMITTED PHOTO Bensenville Independent

State Superintendent of Education Dr. Carmen I. Ayala sat in on some of the summer school classes going on during her visit to Fenton High School on Tuesday, June 14. Ayala spoke with students and administrators, saying she found the school “warm and welcoming.” “It’s clear that Fenton students feel safe, supported, and encouraged to explore the world around them,” she said. See story and another photo on page 4.

blooming

REAL ESTATE IS

CONTACT ME TO BUY OR SELL!

420007

By Jerry Nowicki

Kathleen Willis trailing by 200 votes as of July 8

KATE DRURY 630-514-9961 kdrury@atproperties.com

PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID ROCK VALLEY PUBLISHING LLC


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