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1 • Thursday, Jan. 4, 2024 - The Elmhurst Independent

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THURSDAY, JAN. 4, 2024

District 205 approves tax levy for 2023 Average homeowner could face roughly 5% increase

By Chris Fox

FOR THE ELMHURST INDEPENDENT

At the Dec. 19 meeting of the Elmhurst Community Unit School District 205 Board, a brief public hearing was held on the adoption of the 2023 tax levy. Christopher Whelton, the district’s assistant superintendent for finance and operations, gave a presentation during the hearing.

Whelton had given a similar presentation during the last regular board meeting, which took place on Tuesday, Nov. 14. During the public hearing, Whelton reiterated that property taxes for 2023 are collected in June 2024 and in September 2024.

He also mentioned that the levy is a request, while an extension is what actually ends up on tax bills.

Whelton stated that the operat-

ing extension is limited by the tax cap, which limits the extension to the lesser of the consumer price index (CPI), or 5 percent. The CPI increased 6.5 percent for the 12 months ending in December 2022. The 2023 levy, therefore, will be based on the 5 percent cap.

Information provided by the district indicated the total 2023 tax levy is more than $151.7 million, which includes about $135.8 million in capped funds and about $15.9 million in funds related to bonds and interest.

According to Whelton, a district resident who owns a home with a market value of $500,000 could expect his or her District 205 share of

See LEVY, Page 2

County ensuring safe passage for asylum seekers to Chicago

OHSEM says 49 buses, over 2,000 passengers have passed through DuPage

By Dee Longfellow FOR THE ELMHURST INDEPENDENT

In last week’s issue, the Elmhurst Independent reported that a bus containing 58 migrants from Texas stopped at the Elmhurst Metra station, purchased tickets for all passengers and boarded the 9:13 p.m. train to Chicago.

Then later, another bus with 33 migrants stopped at the Elmhurst

station. That group boarded the 11:15 p.m. Metra train to Chicago.

Still later, Clarendon Hills Village officials said buses had also dropped people at the Hinsdale and Westmont train stations. At that time, reports indicated that people were going to shelters in downtown Chicago.

CHRIS FOX PHOTO Elmhurst Independent

York’s Meyers named All-Tournament

York senior Hannah Meyers (No. 20) makes a move during last week’s battle against St. Charles East. Meyers made four shots from 3-point range and scored a team-leading 16 points during the game. She was named to the event’s All-Tournament First Team. The York team played four games at Montini Catholic High School’s Christmas Tournament in Lombard last week. More photos in Sports.

See ASYLUM, Page 2

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2 • Thursday, Jan. 4, 2024 - The Elmhurst Independent

• Levy

(Continued from front page)

their property taxes to go up about 4.9 percent, or about $280, from the 2022 levy.

Whelton stated that District 205 has about 1,200 permanent employees. He said that more than 340 of those employees are residents of Elmhurst. Whelton also noted that school districts are impacted by inflation, and that the district is facing historic labor shortages, as well as an historic increase in health insurance premiums.

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In addition to providing several financial details during his presentation, Whelton touted District 205, saying it delivered a high return on investment, offered robust and high-quality programming and provided students with a wide range of elective courses.

Shortly after the public hearing

• Asylum

was declared over, board members voted 6-1 to approve a resolution for the 2023 certificate of levy. Board member Jim Collins cast the sole vote against the resolution.

During the previous board meeting on Nov. 14, Collins cast the only vote against a resolution regarding the estimated amounts necessary to

be levied for 2023. Before voting to approve the resolution for the 2023 certificate of levy on Dec. 19, Collins said the district increased property taxes 6.25 percent in 2021, 5 percent in 2022, and were about to increase property taxes 5.7 percent in 2023. Collins said he could support a 2023 increase of 3, 3.5 or pos-

sibly 4 percent, but not an increase of 5 percent.

Board president Athena Arvanitis said the board’s decisions related to tax levies are not easy and the board needs to consider, with equal weight, two competing interests—the district’s taxpayers and the needs of the district’s students.

ration with state, regional, and local officials, who have been enormously helpful in ensuring the safety and security of those arriving in DuPage County, as well as our residents.”

Since Dec. 14, 49 buses have arrived at train stations in DuPage County containing 2,081 passengers, according to DuPage OHSEM. They boarded trains to Chicago,

where city teams guided them to Chicago’s “landing zone,” which is the only designated location in the state of Illinois for asylum seekers.

Residents who would like to assist asylum seekers by donating food, clothing, or small household items or to learn more about the requirements for sheltering, visit chicago.gov/support.

(Continued from front page)

The county has now issued a release pledging to ensure safe passage for those seeking asylum in Chicago. The release reads as follows: “The DuPage County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (OHSEM) is working closely with local and regional partners to ensure asylum seekers who

have been arriving on out-of-state buses are transported to the city of Chicago.”

“Our primary goal is to help these new arrivals get to their destination in the city as safely, and with as few delays, as possible,” said County Board Chair Deb Conroy.

“We are grateful for the collabo-

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The Elmhurst Independent - Thursday, Jan. 4, 2024 • 3

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4 • Thursday, Jan. 4, 2024 - The Elmhurst Independent

The elmhursT IndependenT Your Hometown Newspaper Locally owned and operated

School Board Capsules Here’s what’s going on at District 205

By Chris Fox FOR THE ELMHURST INDEPENDENT

The Elmhurst Community Unit School District 205 Board held a regular meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 19 at the District 205 Center, 162 S. York St. All seven board members attended the meeting, which was the board’s final meeting of 2023.

240 N. West Avenue Elmhurst, IL. 60126 Main Phone 630.834-8244 Fax 630.834-0900 Visit us at: TheElmhurstIndependent.com The Elmhurst Independent USPS#022-607 is published every Thursday by Rock Valley Publishing, LLC, 240 N. West Avenue, Elmhurst, IL. 60126.

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Administration:

• State champ York girls cross country recognized The meeting’s spotlights and recognitions segment included a tribute to York High School’s girls cross-country team, which won the IHSA Class 3A state championship in Peoria on Nov. 4.

The board’s proclamation noted that four members of this year’s team earned All-State recognition by placing among the top 25 finishers at the state meet. Those Dukes include senior Katherine Klimek, who finished 11th at the state meet, senior Margaret Owens (12th place), senior Michaela Quinn (16th place) and senior Anna McGrail (21st place). York sophomore Maggie Quinn, who narrowly missed All-State recognition, contributed to the team’s state-championship performance with a 28th-place finish in Peoria.

• York cross country girls coach honored The board also honored York’s girls cross-country head coach Lauren DeAngelis during the Dec. 19 meeting. The board congratulated DeAngelis for being named the Class 3A girls cross-country Coach of the Year by the Illinois Track and Cross Country Coaches Association (ITCCCA).

DeAngelis coached York to the IHSA Class 3A state title in 2021. York won the second-place trophy at the 2022 Class 3A state meet. DeAngelis is a former York student and member of the Dukes’

Obituary

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Deloris Imogene Scott Deloris Imogene Scott, née Rockett, born April 11, 1935 in Springerton, IL, passed away December 24, 2023 in Elmhurst, IL. Beloved wife of the late William E. Scott; loving mother of Crystal Ann Scott; dear daughter of the late Jesse C. Rockett, Sr. and Anna Rockett.

Preceded in death by her brothers and sisters, Evelyn Rose, Verna Woods, Curtis W. Rockett, Beuhla Hendershott, James M. Rockett, Sarrah Barus, Jesse C. Rockett, Jr., Gladys McKnight and Charlene Scott; and sister-in-law, Lola Hunter, and brothers-in-law, Herbert, Glendon, Randall and Gayland Scott. Further survived by many nieces and nephews.

Deloris was the vice president and owner of Scott Associates, Inc for 35 years, and a long-time member of the Butterfield Country Club.

A visitation will be held from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursday, January 4, 2024 at Stendeback Funeral Home, 119 West Main Street, Enfield, IL. Funeral Service 11 a.m. on Friday, January 5, 2024 at Springerton Church of Jesus Christ, 113 Cuma Street, Springerton, IL. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Deloris’ name to The Shriners, https://www.shrinersinternational.org/en.

Arrangements in care of Elmhurst Community Funeral Home – The Ahlgrim Chapel, (630) 834–3515, and Stendeback Funeral Home, (618) 963 – 2211.

daily instruction in each of the following subjects: girls cross-country and track teams.

The board also recognized York’s other fall ath- English Language Arts (ELA), math, science and social studies. The current schedule includes 75 letes and teams during the board meeting. minutes of daily instruction in math, along with 75 minutes of daily instruction in English Language • Sandburg boasts success Arts. The current schedule for the district’s midof 2nd annual Boat Regatta Sandburg Middle School principal Joshua Lou- dle school students includes 75 minutes of daily is gave a brief presentation during the meeting’s instruction in one semester of science, along with spotlights and recognitions segment. Louis, who 75 minutes of daily instruction for one semester of became Sandburg’s principal earlier this year, social studies. The proposed schedule for 2024-25 noted some of the recent highlights at the school, will still include 40 minutes per day for physical including Sandburg’s second annual Boat Regatta, education and 30 minutes per day for lunch. The which took place earlier this month at York High proposed changes to the schedule do not include School’s pool. Sandburg students designed their any changes for elective options. own vessels for the regatta.

• New web site provider chosen • Parent concerned about Another presentation during the Dec. 19 board teacher absences One person—Tom Chavez—spoke during the meeting noted that the district is considering a new Dec. 19 meeting’s public-participation segment. provider for the District 205 website. The district Chavez stated that according to recent information currently works with Finalsite, but is considering a provided by the Illinois State Board of Education, partnership with another company—Appegy. The 40 percent of the district’s nearly 600 full-time district is paying Finalsite an annual 2023-24 fee teachers missed 10 days or more of school in the of $42,500. past year. Chavez said he supported the teachers who consistently show up for work. He said some • Almost $250,000 awarded of the teachers with 10 or more absences in the by IDPH for student health The district’s assistant superintendent for stupast year were taking advantage of the system, and that teachers’ chronic absences have a negative dent services—Kevin Rubenstein —stated during the board meeting that the Illinois Department of impact on student outcomes.

Public Health (IDPH) notified the district in October that it had been awarded $249,000 in grant • Changes to daily schedules funds to support child and adolescent health. The proposed for middle schools The Dec. 19 board meeting included a presen- district plans to use the grant funds to create an tation about proposed changes to the daily sched- online referral service to community mental health ules at the district’s three middle schools (Bry- providers. Board members voted unanimously to an, Churchville and Sandburg) for the 2024-25 approve a written agreement with the IDPH, pendschool year. The board will reportedly consider ing a review by the district’s attorneys.

• The board will hold its next regular meeting on the proposal at its next meeting. The proposed daily 2024-25 schedule will offer 55 minutes of Tuesday, Jan. 16.

EAM presents Gary Schirmer in solo artist show Opening at the Elmhurst Art Museum (EAM) on Saturday, Jan. 20 will be a solo exhibition by artist Gary Schirmer entitled Antedated Foresights 2024: Forty Years of Aesthetic, and Social Observation. This retrospective of artwork by Gary Schirmer will remain on display through Friday, March 1. There will be an artist’s reception on Saturday, Feb. 3 from 6 – 8 p.m.

Gary Schirmer, a seasoned artist for four decades, brings three decades of expertise as a college-level

studio art educator at the College of DuPage and Joliet Junior College.

He is proficient in drawing, life drawing, painting, photography, and printmaking, also lectures in Art Appreciation. Schirmer’s professional journey spans commercial artistry, illustration, scenic painting, and fabrication for film, TV and commercial photography. Notably, Schirmer has been a freelance scenic artist with Chicago’s local PBS station WTTW for 20 years.

As a fine artist, Schirmer initially

focused on a representational/narrative style, exploring social and psychological themes within human relations, history and the post-modern context through painting, drawing, printmaking and photography. Recently, he has ventured into diverse mediums and mixed media, embracing a more formal and non-representational aesthetic.

The Elmhurst Art Museum is located inside Elmhurst’s Wilder Park.

For more information, visit ElmhurstArtMuseum.org.

SUBMITTED PHOTO Elmhurst Independent

This is a sample of the works of artist Gary Schirmer whose solo exhibition will be on display at the Elmhurst Art Museum from Saturday, Feb. 3 through Friday, March 1.

The Elmhurst Independent - Thursday, Jan. 4, 2024 • 5

15 charged in 5-day period with stealing from DuPage County businesses Businesses in Elmhurst, Villa Park, Oakbrook Terrace among those hit Law enforcement in DuPage County continues to be on high alert during the holiday shopping season after charging 15 individuals over a five-day period who are accused of stealing merchandise from DuPage County retail establishments, according to DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin.

The most recent arrests include: • Kiara Harris, 33, of Chicago— Accused of stealing approximately $308.55 worth of merchandise from a Glen Ellyn Walmart on Dec. 24.

When confronted by loss prevention officers, Harris allegedly fled the scene on foot. She was taken into custody by Glen Ellyn police officers a short time later at a nearby McDonald’s.

The court granted the state’s motion to deny pre-trial release. Harris’ next court appearance is scheduled

for Jan. 22.

• Gheorghe Poenaru, 23, of Baltimore, Maryland and Maria Codreanu, 23, of Houston, Texas—Both defendants are accused of stealing approximately $972 worth of merchandise, including cosmetics, from the Elmhurst Kohl’s on Dec. 23. The court granted the state’s motion to deny pre-trial release for Poenaru and Codreanu. The next court appearance for both defendants is scheduled for Jan. 22.

• Victor Matamoros, 25, a Venezuelan migrant staying in Chicago— Accused of stealing approximately $777 worth of merchandise from the Oak Brook Macy’s on Dec. 24.

Matamoros’ next court appearance is scheduled for Jan. 22. He was released from custody pending trial and has been fitted with a GPS monitoring device.

• Yonathan Barrios-Hernandez, 25, a Venezuelan migrant staying in Chicago—Accused of stealing approximately $738.42 worth of merchandise from the Villa Park Target on Dec. 24. Barrios-Hernandez was released from custody pending trial.

His next court date is scheduled for Jan. 22.

• Christian Perez-Aguilera, 26. of Chicago; Jose Raphael Suarez-Silva, 25, of Chicago; and Deimar Elena Gomez Beomont, 27, with no known address—Accused of stealing $713 worth of merchandise from the Oak Brook Macy’s on Dec. 23. All were released from custody pending trial with Perez-Aguilera fitted with a GPS monitoring device. The next court date for all three defendants is scheduled for Jan. 22.

• David Infante-Hernandez, 30, of Chicago; Carolina Rojas-Torres, 43,

of Chicago; Marvella Rojas-Torres, 26, of Chicago; and Jhonny A. Valero Lozano, 34, of Chicago—All are accused of stealing more than $300 worth of merchandise from the Elmhurst Kohl’s on Dec. 23. All four defendants were released from custody and have their next court appearance scheduled for Jan. 19.

• Mariah Jeane Puentez, 19, of East Chicago, Indiana—Accused of stealing approximately $2,176.95 from a Naperville Home Depot store on Dec. 23. Puentez was released from custody. Her next court appearance is scheduled for Jan. 22.

• Larry Hamersly, 49, of Willow Springs—With a prior conviction, Hamersly is accused of stealing less than $300 worth of clothing from the Elmhurst Kohl’s store on Dec. 24.

Hamersly was released from custody.

His next court appearance is sched-

uled for Jan. 22.

• Omar Serrano-Velasco, 36, of Stone Park—Accused of stealing an Echo chainsaw valued at $629 from an Oakbrook Terrace Home Depot store on Dec. 27. Serrano-Velasco was released from custody. His next court appearance is scheduled for Jan. 23.

“Make no mistake, just because the holiday shopping season is nearing a close, our efforts to protect our businesses and patrons will not diminish,” Berlin said. “The arrest of 15 additional defendants accused of stealing from DuPage County businesses sends a strong message that DuPage County law enforcement is continually on alert for anyone who steals or otherwise breaks the law.

Simply put, if you steal in DuPage County you will be apprehended, charged and prosecuted.”

Court agrees to detain Wood Dale man accused in fatal aggravated DUI crash DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin announced that Judge Joshua Dieden granted the state’s motion to deny pre-trial release for a Wood Dale man accused Juan Moxthe of crashing his vehicle while intoxicated killing his stepdaughter Jaylene Escamilla.

Juan Moxthe, 45, appeared at First Appearance Court, and was charged with one count of aggravated DUI causing death, a Class 2 felony.

On Dec. 17 at approximately 2:15 a.m., Chicago police officers responded to a call of a single-ve-

hicle crash in the 12000 block of Irving Park Road near O’Hare Airport. Upon their arrival at the scene, officers found ambulances and fire trucks already at the scene.

Escamilla was pronounced deceased at the scene while Moxthe was immediately transported to a local hospital for medical attention.

Following an investigation into the crash, it is alleged that Moxthe, his wife, Escamilla and her husband were traveling on Irving Park Road when Moxthe lost control of the vehicle striking a guard rail causing the vehicle to flip.

It is further alleged that Moxthe’s BAC was 0.12 approximately two hours after the crash.

On Dec. 22, Moxthe was released

from the hospital and immediately transported to the DuPage County Jail.

“Like all alleged DUI cases, the case against Mr. Moxthe was 100 percent avoidable,” Berlin said.

“As I have said many times before,

if you have been drinking, do not get behind the wheel of a car. Call a friend, a cab or use a ride sharing service to make sure you and your passengers get home safely. I offer my sincerest condolences to Jaylene’s family and friends and

wish them strength as they adjust to their new reality of life without Jaylene” Moxthe’s next court appearance is scheduled Jan. 8 for arraignment in front of Judge Ann Celine O’Hallaren.

“It is my great pleasure and honor to serve as Elmhurst’s mayor. I know you share the pride in our City. I would be very pleased and grateful if you would join me at my upcoming event, Celebrating elmhurst!, to be held at Modern Plate on Jan. 27, 2024 at 6:30 p.m. We do have a lot to celebrate, and I hope that you and your friends will come out for a wonderful evening in downtown Elmhurst.”

— Mayor Scott Levin

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6 • Thursday, Jan. 4, 2024 - The Elmhurst Independent

Police beat

The Elmhurst Police Department recently reported the following arrests and citations.

Persons charged with domestic battery are not named in order to protect the privacy of victims. Readers are reminded that an arrest does not constitute a conviction, and that subjects are considered innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law. Juveniles age 17-or-younger are not named.

Dec. 24 Tommy Andrade, 20, of Addison, was charged with burglary to a vehicle, fleeing and eluding, possession of a stolen vehicle and criminal damage to government property in the 100 block of W. First at 1:51 a.m. Police said Andrade also was found to have a warrant out of the DuPage County Sheriff’s Office.

A complainant at a store in the 300 block of S. Route 83 reported an unknown suspect described as a white male exited the store with unpaid merchandise. Officers checked the area but were met with no results.

Criminal trespassing, criminal damage

Dec. 24 Akhanes Salamoun, 39, of Chicago, was charged with criminal damage to property in the 800 block of S. Route 83 at 12:01 p.m. According to police, a victim reported the suspect damaged the front grill of his vehicle.

Domestic battery, domestic incident, disorderly conduct, disturbance, dispute

Dec. 24 Police said that subsequent to a disturbance in the 900 block of S. Riverside at 6:22 a.m., the unnamed suspect was found to be yelling and banging on walls. He was served with a no-trespass notice and escorted off the property.

Dec. 22 Matthew Schmit, 42, of Villa Park, was charged with DUI and possession of open alcohol by a driver near St. Charles and Villa at 1:46 a.m.

Dec. 21 Sean Maher, 21, of Elmhurst, was charged with disorderly conduct/resisting a police officer in the 400 block of S. Spring at 12:50 a.m.

Police said that subsequent to the report of a fight, Maher was located in the front seat of an Uber with his arm wrapped around the driver.

DUI, DUI-drugs, transportation of open alcohol, possession of open alcohol, consumption of alcohol by a minor

Dec. 24 Adam Mark Filas, 23, of Franklin Park, was charged with DUI, driving the wrong way on a one-way street and possession of cannabis by a driver near York and First at 2:45 a.m.

Dec. 23 Jenblin Cifuentes-Carrillo, 28, of Melrose Park, was charged with DUI, driving while license revoked, fleeing and eluding, and improper lane usage near Route 83 and North at 12:38 a.m. Police said that subsequent to an attempted traffic stop, the suspect failed to stop and fled from officers. According to police, the suspect also had several warrants out of DuPage County.

Nadalie Ortner, 36, of Burbank, was charged with DUI, driving while license suspended, resisting arrest, illegal transportation of alcohol and making an improper turn at an intersection subsequent to a traffic stop near Route 83 and Riverside at 3:47 a.m.

Dec. 22 Victor Lopez Vazquez, 18, of Arlington

CALL 800-222-TIPS Heights, was charged with DUI, improper lighting, improper lane usage and no valid driver’s license, while Grobin Rodriguez Ordonez, 29, of Palatine, was issued a citation for possession of cannabis in a vehicle subsequent to a traffic stop near Larch and Fremont at 11:13 p.m.

Dec. 21 Jendry Carrilo Ramos, 25, of Addison, was charged with DUI, possession of open alcohol and failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident near North and Melrose at 9:36 p.m.

Fugitive from justice Dec. 23 Charles Green, 30, of Memphis, Tenn., was charged with driving while license suspended, tinted windows, unlawful possession of cannabis, being a fugitive from justice and no insurance subsequent to a traffic stop near North and Melrose at 3:51 p.m.

Harassment, threats Dec. 22 A victim in the 400 block of N. West told police she received several harassing calls from her ex-husband. The reporting officer made several attempts to contact the suspect but was met with no results. An investigation is pending.

Identity theft, fraud, forgery

According to information provided by the Elmhurst Police Department, police reported two incidents of identity theft or fraud.

Possession of cannabis in a vehicle

According to information provided last week by the Elmhurst Police Department, police reported one incident of possession of cannabis by either the driver of a vehicle or a passenger: Raquel Amezquita, 28, of Libertyville, near Route 83 and Lake at 7:16 p.m.

Dec. 27.

Theft, retail theft, burglary, attempted theft or burglary, forgery, deceptive practice, obstruction, robbery Dec. 27 A complainant at a store in the 100 block of S. Route 83 reported that an unknown suspect described as a black male removed two pairs of shoes and exited the store without paying.

The unknown suspect was last seen walking towards Route 83.

Dec. 23 David Infante-Hernandez, 30; Carolina Rojas-Torres, 43; Marvella Rojas-Torres, 26; and Jhonny Valero Lozano, 34, all of Chicago, were charged with retail theft at a store in the 300 block of S. Route 83 at 7:21 p.m. Police said loss prevention reported four suspects were concealing items and exited the store without paying.

A victim in the 100 block of E. Schiller reported her wallet was stolen out of her purse while she was at the above location. Her wallet contained her driver’s license.

A complainant at a store in the 100 block of E. Schiller reported two unknown suspects described as black males attempted to exit the store with a cart full of alcoholic liquor. The suspects left the cart after they noticed an employee was watching them. There was no monetary loss.

Dec. 22 Nasir Johnson, 21, of Chicago, was charged with retail theft at a store in the 300 block of S. Route 83 at 5:45 p.m.

Dec. 21 Police said that officers responded to a store in the 100 block of E. Schiller for a retail theft that just occurred. An unknown suspect exited the business with unpaid merchandise and left the lot. An investigation is pending.

Suspicious incident

Dec. 14 A complainant at Elm Creek Drive reported the victim had not been seen in over a week.

The victim was later located by the Loveland, Ohio Police Department in good condition.

Naperville woman accused of stabbing two young girls while babysitting

Pre-trial release denied

DuPage County State’s Attorney Bob Berlin and Lisle Chief of Police Kevin Licko have announced that Judge Joshua Dieden granted the state’s motion to deny pre-trial release for a Naperville woman accused of stabbing two young girls, Jennifer ages four and one, while babysitting at their Lisle Kouchoukos home.

Jennifer Kouchoukos, 51, appeared in First Appearance Court and was charged with two counts of attempted first-degree murder (Class X felony), two counts of aggravated battery to a child under 13 (Class X felony) and two counts of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon (Class 3 felony). In court, the state filed a motion for a psychiatric evaluation of the defendant.

On Friday, Nov. 17 at approximately 5:15 p.m., Lisle police officers responded to a residence on Matson Lane for a report of a suicide attempt. Upon their arrival, officers observed one of the children sitting in a bathroom covered in blood, while the other child was sitting nearby on the kitchen floor, also covered in blood. Officers also observed the defendant

wearing blood-soaked clothing near the vanity in the same bathroom as the first child.

The children were immediately taken to a local hospital for medical attention and subsequently transferred to Comer Children’s Hospital in Chicago.

Kouchoukos, who was unresponsive to any questions or commands by law enforcement, was taken to a local hospital for medical attention. Following an investigation into the incident, it is alleged that while Kouchoukos was babysitting the children, she stabbed both children multiple times in their back and chest areas.

When processing the scene, authorities located multiple knives stained with what appeared to be blood, an empty bottle of wine and a nearly empty bottle of rum. On Tuesday, Dec. 26, Kouchoukos was released from the hospital and transported to the DuPage County Jail.

“This is an extremely disturbing case for all those involved,” Berlin said. “We are all very grateful that the injuries sustained by the young girls in this case were not life threatening and that they both appear to be on the road to recovery.”

Kouchoukos’ next court appearance is scheduled Friday, Jan. 12 for arraignment in front of Judge Brian Telander.

Florida man charged with killing his half-brother Alleged incident occurred in unincorporated Naperville DuPage County State’s Attorney Bob Berlin and DuPage County Sheriff James Mendrick have announced that a Florida man is charged with murdering his half-brother on Christmas day.

Kendall Yarborough, 28, of Palm Harbor, appeared Kendall in First Appearance Court Yarborough where the court granted the defendant’s motion to continue Yarborough’s pre-trial detention hearing on Dec. 27. Yarborough is charged with two counts of first-degree murder.

On Dec. 25 at approximately 3:06 p.m., DuPage County Sheriff’s deputies responded

to a call of an individual who had been shot at an unincorporated Naperville home located in the 25W0-100 block of Wood Court.

Upon their arrival, deputies found the victim, James Watson, inside the home with a gunshot to the abdomen. Watson was immediately transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced deceased by medical staff.

Following an investigation into the shooting, it is alleged Watson, who was downstairs, was upset that he could not find his cell phone and slammed a card table on the floor at which time Yarborough, who was upstairs, shot down towards Watson striking him in the abdomen.

After the shooting, family members immedi-

See STABBING, Page 7

The Elmhurst Independent - Thursday, Jan. 4, 2024 • 7

Prohibition on book bans, right to sue for ‘deepfake porn’ among new laws in 2024 More than 300 statutes become law in the new year

• Stabbing

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in Illinois, according to the secretary of state’s office.

Illinois drivers continue to be able to use cell phones in handheld mode if they are reporting an emergency, are parked on a road’s shoulder or if they are stopped due to a traffic obstruction and the vehicle is in neutral or park.

Vaping indoors People who use electronic cigarettes or vaping devices will now face the same restrictions as cigarette smokers.

It’s an update to the state’s Smoke-Free Illinois Act, which banned smoking in most indoor public spaces and within 15 feet of building entrances in 2008. “Public places” include restaurants, theaters, offices, stores, libraries, schools, polling places, all government-owned buildings and banks among others.

Tobacco stores and vape shops are exempt from the law, as well as some other facilities, such as smoking rooms at nursing homes, some hotel rooms and tobacco conventions.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported this summer that in 2021, nearly 5 percent of adults were e-cigarette users, although that figure was 11 percent among people 18 to 24.

Other new laws Youth solitary confinement: House Bill 3140 prohibits solitary confinement in youth detention facilities for any purpose other than temporarily preventing serious and immediate risk of physical harm.

Grocery initiative: Senate Bill 850 created a Grocery Initiative program which will receive $20 million to fund grants and financial aid to grocery stores opening or operating in “food deserts.” It also requires the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to study food deserts.

Underground Railroad task force: Senate Bill 1623 creates the Underground Railroad Task Force to develop a statewide plan for creating a “cohesive statewide history” of the Underground Railroad and developing new educational and tourism opportunities.

Utility shutoffs: House Bill 1541 prohibits utilities from shutting off gas or electric services due to nonpayment of bills when the temperature exceeds 90 degrees or there is a heat advisory in effect.

Rearview mirrors: It’s long been illegal in Illinois to hang an object that obstructs a driver’s view from a rearview mirror. House Bill 2389 maintains that driving with such an obstruction is prohibited, but it also prevents law enforcement from stopping and searching a vehicle solely because the driver

is violating that law.

Civil rights violation: Under Senate Bill 1817, anyone who considers immigration status during a real estate transaction, including purchase and rental transactions, could be guilty of a civil rights violation.

Dangers of fentanyl: House Bill 3924 requires high schools to teach students about the dangers of fentanyl in state-required health courses. The coursework would include differentiating legal and illegal uses of the drug, details about “the process of lacing fentanyl in other drugs and why drugs get laced with fentanyl,” as well as information on how to detect fentanyl in drugs and how to save someone from an overdose.

Fentanyl test strips: House Bill 3203 allows pharmacists and retailers to sell fentanyl test strips over the counter.

Bears and primates: Senate Bill 1883 prohibits keepers of bears and nonhuman primates from allowing members of the general public to come into contact with them. Violators of the law would be subject to a Class B misdemeanor. “General public” does not include employees at the facility where the animal is kept, veterinarians or professional film crews.

HOW WELL DOES LASIK SURGERY WORK? The chance to remove glasses or contacts from your life for good is appealing, so why would anyone think twice about LASIK (laserassisted in situ keratomileusis) surgery?

Although the vision correction surgery benefits many patients, it’s not right for everyone. Even though many patients achieve 20/20 vision, and complications from the surgery are rare, LASIK’s results depend on the patient’s particular refractive error. People with mild nearsightedness seem to achieve the best results from LASIK, while those with a high level of nearsightedness or with farsightedness coupled with astigmatism, attain less predictable results. Discuss your condition with your eye care specialist, since there are several alternatives to LASIK that have promising outcomes and are a better option for some patients. Today, LASIK is a painless, totally bladeless, outpatient procedure that usually takes less than 15 minutes to perform. At SKOWRON EYE CARE, our goal is to help you maintain a lifetime of healthy, clear, comfortable vision by using the latest in technology from in-vogue eyewear and eyeglasses to complex contact lenses to LASIK eye surgery. At Skowron Eye Care, our mission is your vision.

P.S. Because refractive errors continue to develop through the teenage years and beyond, people should wait until age 18, and preferably older, to undergo LASIK or other corrective eye surgeries.

370 N. York, Elmhurst, IL 60126 630-834-6244 www.skowroneyecare.com

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itary confinement in state correc- of dollars a year in grants to pubtional facilities, among others. lic and school libraries around the CAPITOL NEWS ILLINOIS state.

More than 300 new laws took Paid leave for all Under the new law, libraries effect Monday, ranging from a ban Starting Jan. 1, anyone who must either adopt the American Lion book bans to the regulation of works in Illinois will be entitled to brary Association’s Library Bill of “deepfake porn” and prohibitions earn up to 40 hours of paid leave Rights or develop a written stateon videoconferencing while driv- during a 12-month period, time ment prohibiting the practice of ing. they can take off work for any rea- banning specific books or resourcThanks to a law signed in 2019, son, regardless of whether they are es. workers at the lowest end of the full-time, part-time, or seasonal Giannoulias said he proposed the pay scale will see a pay raise with employees. legislation after extremist groups the new year as the state minimum The Paid Leave for All Workers targeted Illinois libraries with efwage increases by one dollar, to Act passed during the lame duck forts to ban certain materials from $14 per hour. session in January, 2023—a session circulation.

Gov. JB Pritzker championed that was called primarily to pass “The concept of banning books and signed that law after it was the assault weapons ban. Pritzker contradicts the very essence of approved by lawmakers within his signed it into law March 13. what our country stands for,” he first two months of office. The law “That is a game changer for said in a statement. “It also degradually phases in a $15 per-hour many employers, particularly those fies what education is all about: minimum wage starting in 2025. who have not previously offered teaching our children to think for The minimum wage applies to any type of paid leave to their em- themselves. This landmark law is a most workers 18 years of age and ployees,” Scott Cruz, a labor attor- triumph for our democracy, a win older. Teens who work less than ney, said during an interview with for First Amendment Rights, and 650 hours in a calendar year will go Capitol News Illinois in November. a great victory for future generaup to $13 an hour while the miniIn particular, he said, the law tions.” mum wage for tipped workers will will be a major change for waiters, increase to $9 an hour. waitresses and other workers in the Digital forgeries Also going into effect on Mon- hospitality industry who have nevLawmakers this spring approved day, Illinoisans who own guns, am- er received paid leave benefits in a new protection for victims of munition and accessories prohibit- the past. “deepfake porn.” Starting in 2024, ed under the state’s “assault weapThe Illinois Department of Labor people who are falsely depicted in ons” ban will be in violation of the has published a list of frequently sexually explicit images or videos law if they don’t register them with asked questions to help guide em- will be able to sue the creator of the state. A federal judge recently ployers and employees through the that material. chose not to temporarily halt the new law.

The law is an amendment to the law’s enforcement while a broader state’s existing protections for viclegal challenge plays out. The U.S. Banning book bans tims of “revenge porn,” which went Supreme Court also recently deLibraries in Illinois will lose ac- into effect in 2015. clined to stay the law. cess to grants administered by the In recent years, deepfakes—imWhile permanent administrative secretary of state’s office after Jan. ages and videos that falsely depict rules regulating which guns and 1 if they ban books or other materi- someone—have become more soammunition must be registered al “because of partisan or doctrinal phisticated with the advent of more with the Illinois State Police re- disapproval.” readily available artificial intellimain in flux, temporary rules govThe so-called ban on book bans, gence tools. Women are disproporerning registration remain in effect. House Bill 2789, was an initiative tionately the subject of deepfake Other laws hitting the books of Secretary of State Alexi Gi- porn. include a measure granting paid annoulias. The secretary of state Some sponsors of the legislation, leave to all workers, indoor vaping in Illinois also serves as the state notably chief sponsor Rep. Jennirestrictions and a ban on youth sol- librarian, which awards millions fer Gong-Gershowitz, D-Glenview, have indicated interest in further regulating the use of artificial intel(Continued from page 6) ligence. ately called 9-1-1 and rendered aid Zooming while driving to Watson. When processing the It goes to show It is now illegal for Illinois drivscene, authorities found a 9mm Sig ers to participate in videoconferthat domestic violence Sauer P-365X handgun and one or check their social media spent 9mm bullet casing. can occur in any home encing pages while behind the wheel.

Yarborough was taken into cusand that’s why we The law adds the use of any motody from the residence without take domestic related bile videoconferencing software, incident. explicitly referencing Zoom, Mic“On Christmas Day, James Watincidents seriously at rosoft Teams and Webex, to banned son lost his life after his half-broththe DuPage County actions under existed distracted er, Kendall Yarborough allegedly driving laws.

Sheriff’s Office. ” shot him in the abdomen while The law also specifically names James was looking for his cell – James Mendrick, social media sites Facebook, Snapphone,” Berlin said. “This senseDuPage County Sheriff chat, Instagram and “Twitter,” less act of violence will not go which was rebranded to X a few unpunished. To James’ family and friends, I offer my sincere condo- said. “It goes to show that domestic months after the law’s passage.

Illinois law currently bans cell lences and wish them strength as violence can occur in any home and they mourn the loss of a family that’s why we take domestic related phone use generally while driving, member and come to terms with incidents seriously at the DuPage although it does allow drivers to another family member accused of County Sheriff’s Office. Thank you use phones through hands-free or for all the hard work from first re- voice-activated means. his murder.”

In 2022, more than 24,000 driv“It is horrible that a tragedy oc- sponders and State’s Attorney Bob ers were cited for distracted driving curred on Christmas,” Mendrick Berlin’s office.”

By Peter Hancock, Andrew Adams and Jerry Nowicki

8 • Thursday, Jan. 4, 2024 - The Elmhurst Independent

The Elmhurst Independent

Viewpoint

Jan. 4, 2024 • 8

Banning Congressional stock trading through the ETHICS Act

By U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi Early last month, with public trust in Congress falling to the lowest levels ever recorded, I joined my colleagues in voting to expel former Rep. George Santos for his litany of lies and alleged crimes.

While that is a step toward addressing the loss of public trust in Congress, far more action is needed.

One of the most immediate and significant steps we can take is to ban members of Congress from trading stocks while in office to ensure legislators put their constituents ahead of their portfolios.

That is why in May I introduced my bipartisan and bicameral Ending Trading and Holdings in Congressional Stocks (ETHICS) Act which would ban Members of Congress and their spouses and dependents from owning, selling, and trading individual stocks.

Despite opposition from some members of Congress, three-quarters of voters support prohibiting members of Congress from trading stocks while serving in office, and that support crosses party lines as 70 percent of Democrats, 78 percent of Republicans, and 80 percent of independents favor a stock trading ban.

I discussed the urgent need to strengthen congressional ethics through the ETHICS Act earlier this month in an op-ed I wrote with Senator Jeff Merkley of Oregon and Noah Bookbinder, President of the government ethics watchdog Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW).

Event Jan. 8 to focus on bill to end degree-based hiring discrimination On Monday, Jan. 8, I will be hosting a panel discussion at Harper College at 1 p.m. on fighting hiring discrimination against people without four-year degrees who are still otherwise qualified for the job.

We need to ensure that workers skilled through training and experience, rather than a bachelor’s degree, receive fair consideration in

hiring. While automation and other technical advances in hiring have made application screening easier for employers, they have also significantly contributed to the trend of unfairly discriminating against those without four-year degrees by requiring degrees for jobs that previously did not demand them.

To address this problem, I partnered with Republican Congressman John James in October to introduce the Opportunity to Compete Act, bipartisan legislation that would open the door for qualified workers without a bachelor’s degree, who have acquired relevant skills through other means such as apprenticeships and previous job experience.

Working to avoid a fiscal cliff for great Chicago’s transit system Last week, I joined with State Sen. Ram Villivalam to write in the Chicago Sun Times about avoiding the fiscal cliff that awaits the Chicago transit system in the absence of effective government action. When the remaining federal pandemic relief funding for public transit runs out in 2025, Chicago’s regional mass transit agencies— CTA, Metra, and Pace—will face a combined annual budget shortfall of $730 million. This fiscal cliff comes as a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic as well as remote work trends it has expedited, which have radically reduced ridership and thus revenue to the agencies.

For example, while CTA ridership has recently increased, ridership is only 53 percent of pre-pandemic levels as overall transit use in our region has similarly been cut in half since 2019. In the absence of major action, services could be dramatically cut, harming commuters and other residents of our region. To prevent major service reductions, regional authorities, the state of Illinois and federal agencies must work together to close the budget shortfall and ensure the continued operation of our region’s mass transit.

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

Slices of life

A new pair of shoes

I love my wardrobe. Heck, I love clothes.

A lot.

But for years (for decades, people) I put that all on the back burner.

It was due to the kids. It’s always due to the kids, isn’t it?

They always bear the brunt of our angst. We sacrifice for them. Gladly.

Because that is what you do. It is what you want to do as a parent. You wouldn’t have it any other way.

I sacrificed for Nike tennis shoes.

I sacrificed for American Eagle, Abercrombe, and Lulu Lemon, depending on the kids and the decade.

And I sacrificed for my husband’s clothes as well. He needed suits and ties, and they don’t come cheap.

It was what it was. I wouldn’t change it for anything.

But suffice to say, my kids had tennis shoes with the correct logo and my husband had iron-free shirts because my family was my pride and joy (and we all had a distain for ironing).

I didn’t care much where my clothes came from (still don’t) but while making sure my kids and husband had the correct attire, I still attended to mine, albeit in the minimalist regard. I didn’t care what I had and I didn’t care if I had much.

Just the basics, if you will.

Mind you, I never wanted for anything. I could have bought expensive jeans or shoes and my

time with it.

I think this probably happens to a lot of us—men and women. For By many years, we put our own needs JILL PERTLER on the back burner because there Columnist are others, often needy and helpless others who call us mom and dad, who are relying on us to make sure their needs get met in a healthy and husband would have applauded me. timely fashion.

It was my decision, completely.

So we go without sleep. We go I guess I just felt the people without new clothes and a new car. around me, the people I cared We make do with what we have so about, needed clothing and brand our littles can have what they need name shoes more than I did. And - and sometimes beyond what they for the most part, I’d created these need because it is what we do—as human beings with needs, so I felt adults, as parents, as caring human the obligation make sure they had beings. enough—or even a smidge more And then that ends, because kids than enough. grow up don’t they? What follows is And that goes for love as well as the me years. clothes.

I’m at the cusp of them and they But (drum roll …) now it’s my feel quite nice, thank you. I still look turn. after my kids and grandkids, but I The kids are grown with feet have more time to think about what that are no longer growing and in I might want to do or experience, need a new pair of tennis shoes and after giving for so long it feels every September. My husband is okay. gone—quite literally—and I donated Maybe even better than okay. many of his suits, shirts and shoes I give thanks for better than to charity. He no longer wears his okay every day. To be in this place clothes out. Heck, he no longer and in this space is truly worth my wears them. gratitude.

That leaves … just me.

Well, that and a new pair of shoes.

My goodness, have I been having a good time with this.

Jill Pertler is an award-winning I still don’t wear many name syndicated columnist, published brands, but I’ve developed my own playwright and author. Don’t miss a style. It’s flashy, it’s unique and it’s slice; follow the Slices of Life page fun. And I’m having a grandiose on Facebook.

The Elmhurst Independent - Thursday, Jan. 4, 2024 • 9

13th annual Bags for Wags Fundraiser coming Feb. 10 ments who continue to open doors for young scholars who are focused on making a difference in society.

Brian E Wagner’s legacy continues to shine through their integrity and

determination.

Students who have received the scholarship were honored for their ambition, character and pursuit for excellence. Each recipient proud-

ly accepts the torch that was lit in Brian’s name and inspires others to pursue long term endeavors in his memory. The BEWSF has bestowed nearly $100,000 towards

college tuition costs thus far and eagerly awaits the opportunity to reviewing this year’s applications.

The deadline to submit is Thursday, Feb. 29.

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The Brian E. Wagner Scholarship Fund (BEWSF) will host the 13th annual Bags for Wags Tournament on Saturday, Feb. 10 from 5-10 p.m. at Visitation’s Valentino Center, 851 South York Rd. Participants age 16 and over are welcome to play in the bean bags competition.

Celebrate and socialize with the community for a worthy cause the night prior to the football bowl game. Raffle prizes and a silent auction will be awarded to lucky attendees. Items will include gift cards from popular restaurants/ retail stores, merchandise/memorabilia from Chicago sports teams and museums.

Space is limited and the event will likely sell out. Reserve for your chance to become champions at the 2024 Bags for Wags Bean Bags Tournament. For more information about the BEWSF and to register visit website below: http:// brianewagnerfund.org/.

All proceeds will benefit the BEWSF, which was founded in memory of Brian Edwin Wagner whose untimely passing came at age 16 in 1993. He was the fatal passenger in a tragic auto accident. Through the organization’s effort, scholarship funds are being raised to recognize local high school students planning to attend college this Fall. Finalists will be selected from young leaders who have exercised sound judgement; and committed themselves to volunteer programs which have made a positive impact in their lives and the lives of others.

The BEWSF Committee offers their gratitude to the support of local communities and establish-

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

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

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

FACT: If you are dealing with back pain, buttock pain or leg pain, then you must seek help from a doctor who is knowledgeable in sciatica immediately.

Left untreated, sciatica can lead to permanent nerve damage - and lifelong pain.

MYTH: Pain is the only problem associated with sciatica.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

MYTH: Sciatica requires surgery.

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

Success rates are up to 88%.

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

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

MYTH: Getting Sciatica properly diagnosed is expensive.

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

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

Constructive Spinal Care.

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

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

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

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

Take the Next Step - END the Suffering... Initial Consultation Just $43 Call 630-941-8733 to schedule your appointment. Mention this article (CODE: IND43SCS12) Only 100 reader consultations are available at this exclusively discounted rate.

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

You can even call on the weekend as there is always a staff member ready to assist you. During the week they are very busy, so if they don’t pick up straight away do leave a message.

Call me at 630-941-8733 and let me take care of your sciatica!

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10 • Thursday, Jan. 4, 2024 - The Elmhurst Independent

The Elmhurst Independent

Real Estate/Business

Jan. 4, 2024 •10

First Congregational UCC shines a light on environmental sustainability Local coalition plans energy efficiency program at library on Feb. 6

First Congregational United Church of Christ in Elmhurst prides itself on being a model in sustainability, but after recently taking advantage of ComEd energy efficiency incentives, their efforts to positively impact the environment are even brighter.

The church grounds include native plants to help support pollinators. Their lawncare is pesticide-free so as not to endanger pollinators or impact the environment.

They host Earth Day celebrations, and their Green Team can be seen ending each Memorial Day parade collecting recyclables.

They’ve earned an Earth Flag from SCARCE; implement recycling

events; actively participate in Elmhurst Cool Cities Coalition; and host an annual Green Garden Fair where sustainability-focused organizations educate visitors, while the church sells organic vegetable seedlings.

Their Tree of Life Green Team is an active church ministry, focused on making their facility more environmentally-friendly, inspiring their congregation to be more environmentally-aware, and working with other churches and community organizations to advocate for better use of environmental resources.

When the Green Team explored energy upgrades for their building four years ago, which included re-

placing and retrofitting old and inefficient fluorescent light fixtures, a vendor quoted the church $18K. That price tag was well beyond what the church could afford, and although the news was discouraging, parishioners and church leaders never gave up on the idea.

This past September, the Green Team was approached by Verde Energy Efficiency Experts.

Verde assessed the facility and explored the needs and desires of the church staff, which included eliminating fluorescents to create a brighter, safer and lower energy-consumption environment.

“If you look on your ComEd utility bill, you’ll find a line item listed

as ‘energy efficiency programs,’” said Sumner Feary, Verde energy efficiency analyst. “Every customer pays into the program, and every customer should explore how they can benefit from the program. In 2024, ComEd has more than $450 million budgeted for energy efficiency upgrades.”

The new estimate for First Congregational UCC’s facility upgrades came in at under $16K, and after incentives, the church would pay less than $1,500.

The church rushed to make the upgrades, as the 2023 incentives offered were set to expire at the end of October.

“We built the project at the

church to maximize savings and incentives,” said Feary.

“While not unheard of, the amount covered by ComEd was quite high. We typically see projects fall in the range of 50%-75% being covered, depending on existing measures.”

“With all the ComEd incentives, the payback on this project is less than three months,” said Karen Pachyn, First Cong UCC Green Team leader.

“We’ll not only be saving $3,500 a year in energy costs, we’ll be helping the environment but cutting our carbon emissions. That made See FIRST CONGREGATIONAL, Page 11

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The Elmhurst Independent - Thursday, Jan. 4, 2024 • 11

(Continued from page 10)

the project a no brainer. Verde was easy to work with, and our freshly lit building looks great.”

Throughout the facility, fluorescent lights were retrofitted with 556 tube LEDs, and 174 existing ballasts were replaced. The LEDs have a much longer lifetime use of 70,000 hours for the system, and the tubes are made of plastic, posing no risk of shattering and releasing harmful mercury-vapor.

The 31,000 kilowatts (kWh) of energy saved is equivalent to planting 355 trees.

As a project bonus, Verde helped properly dispose of fluorescent bulbs that had been changed out over the years but were left sitting in the church basement.

Elmhurst Cool Cities Coalition will host Shining a Light on Energy Efficiency on Tues., Feb. 6 at 7 p.m., at the Elmhurst Public Library. Energy experts from Verde will discuss opportunities for efficiency upgrades and incentives available, and members of First Congregational UCC will share their experiences. For businesses, non-profits, churches and public facilities interested in registering to participate in-person or virtually, visit energy-efficiency.eventbrite. com.

To learn more about ComEd energy efficiency programs for home or business, and the new round of recently announced incentives, contact 855/433-2700 to speak with a ComEd Energy Efficiency program SUBMITTED PHOTO Elmhurst Independent representative.

Priding itself as a model of sustainability, First Congregational UCC and its Tree of Life Green Team have been exploring energy upgrades For additional information, contact for the church building for the past four years. After much work, eventually all fluorescent lights were able to be retrofitted with 556 tube Elmhurst Cool Cities Coalition at LEDs and 174 existing ballasts were replaced. The LEDs have a lifetime use of 70,000 hours for the system. The 31,000 kilowatts of energy ecoolcities@gmail.com. saved is equivalent to planting 355 trees.

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12 • Thursday, Jan. 4, 2024 - The Elmhurst Independent

Community calendar Pick of the Week

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LAST CHANCE: Picasso: Fifty Years Later is closing after Sunday, Jan. 7. If you haven’t seen it, make plans to visit the Elmhurst Art Museum this weekend. Info: elmhurstartmuseum.org or 630-834-0202.

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Union Church of Hinsdale and on Sunday at 4 p.m. at the Elmhurst Christian Reformed Church (ECRC).

Under the direction of Stephen Alltop, the Symphony will be joined

by Craig Trompeter on the Viola da Gamba and Mary Stolper on flute. A pre-concert lecture will take place 1 hr. and 15 min. prior to the performance, led by assistant conductor Eli Chen.

For tickets and informatoin, visit ElmhurstSymphony.org or call 630941-0202.

Stores. Admission to the Museum is always free, although some events carry a fee.

Elmhurst Art Museum Picasso: Fifty Years Later closes Sunday, Jan. 7.

The Elmhurst Artists’ Guild has announced its Winter Member’s Show at the Guild Gallery inside the Elmhurst Art Museum.

The show will be on display during regular museum hours through SaturSaturday, Jan. 20 day, Jan. 6 and is open to the public.

Info: elmhurstartistsguild.org.

Sunday, Jan. 21 Info: elmhurstartistsguild.org or The Elmhurst Symphony Orches- Elmhurst History Museum tra will perform a Celebration of the The museum’s latest exhibit elmhurstartmuseum.org or 630-834Dance on Saturday at 3 p.m. at the is Lost Chicagoland Department 0202.

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Sunday, Jan. 14 At 12:15 p.m., the SHE Single Mothers Support Group will meet at Elmhurst Christian Reformed Church, 149 W. Brush Hill Rd. We offer a complimentary lunch for all who attend, free child care (ages infants -12 years) and support from other single mothers. All are invited to attend the “Taxes Workshop” being offered this month. RSVP to elmhurstcrc.org/she.

Tuesday, Jan. 9 from 7-8 p.m.

Emotional Intelligence: What It Is and Why It Matters Emotional intelligence is the ability to perceive, use, understand, and manage emotions. Using it can help with both work and personal lives, reducing stress, help to build meaningful relationships, and is considered a key leadership quality. Live in-person and on Zoom. Registration required.

Saturday, Jan. 6 from 10 a.m.-noon Canasta Join us for a friendly game of Canasta every week. Pri- Wednesday, Jan. 10 from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. or experience is required. Live in-person. No registration American Mah Jongg: Open Play Gather every Wednesday for American Mah Jongg, a required. game of skill, strategy, calculation, and a certain amount of chance. Live in-person. No registration required.

Sunday, Jan. 7 from 2:30-3:30 p.m.

Lyric Opera Lecture: La Cenerentola Wednesday, Jan. 10 from 7-8 p.m.

(Cinderella) Hear the story, learn about the composer, and listen to Orchestra 101 Discover the fascinating instruments of the DuPthe music. Live in-person. Registration required. age Symphony Orchestra with music historian Amber Broderick. Learn orchestra basics like concert etiquette, Monday, Jan. 8 from 7-8 p.m. followed by demonstrations by DSO musicians. Live Houseplant Propagation Are your houseplants overgrown and leggy? Would in-person and on Zoom. Registration required. you like more of your favorites or to share with a friend?

Join a master gardener to learn how to propagate house- Thursday, Jan. 11 from 10:30-11:30 a.m. plants using a number of different techniques including Culture Club: Legendary London London is an amazing city to visit but can be overleaf or stem cuttings, division, and air layering. Live whelming. Travel with Eugene Flynn to explore musein-person and on Zoom. Registration required. ums, churches, theatres, and more. Find history around every corner, from the Tower of London to the home of Tuesday, Jan. 9 from noon-2 p.m.

Charles Dickens. Live in-person and on Zoom. RegistraIn Stitches Needleworkers Knitters, crocheters and needleworkers of all skill lev- tion required. els: Bring a project on which to work, share knowledge Friday, Jan. 12 from 2-4 p.m. with others, and have fun!

Friday Features: A Haunting in Venice Enjoy an afternoon at the movies. Find each week’s Tuesday, Jan. 9 from 1-3 p.m. featured film at elmlib.org/Friday. No registration reBridge and Pinochle Enjoy an afternoon of card games every week. Prior quired.

For more information, call (630) 279-8696 or visit elexperience is required. Live in-person. No registration mlib.org/events. required.

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The Elmhurst Independent - Thursday, Jan. 4, 2024 • 13

As dual credit participation grows in Illinois, study shows gaps widening Urban, low-income, high-minority districts lag behind rural counterparts

By Peter Hancock CAPITOL NEWS ILLINOIS

As the cost of higher education continues to rise in Illinois and elsewhere, a growing number of students are working to earn as many college credits as possible while they are still in high school.

But even as the popularity continues to grow for “dual credit” offerings—courses in which a student earns credit toward both a high school diploma and a college degree—a new study shows disparities between racial, economic and geographic groups are also widening.

According to the study, dual credit programs are more prevalent in districts that serve rural communities and small towns in downstate Illinois than in suburban and urban districts.

They are less prevalent in districts that serve minority and lower-income students.

And even within individual districts, the study found that white

students and those from more affluent backgrounds were more likely to enroll in and complete dual credit courses than minority students or students from lower-income households.

The study was conducted by the Illinois Workforce & Education Research Collaborative, or IWERC, a research arm of the University of Illinois System’s Discovery Partners Institute, which works to develop the state’s high-tech workforce and economy.

Dual credit courses are offered through partnerships between high schools and postsecondary institutions.

According to the study, a small number of dual credit courses are offered through public four-year universities, but the overwhelming majority, about 97 percent, are offered through local community colleges.

As a result, the courses offered in any given high school are strongly influ-

enced by the policies and programs of the community college district that overlaps with the high school district.

Sarah Cashdollar, an IWERC researcher and author of the report, said in an interview that details of those partnership agreements may help explain some of the disparities between school districts and between different geographic areas.

“It is costly to provide dual credit, especially for community colleges,” she said. “Depending on the partnership, it can also be costly for the school district. And so there might be variation in terms of how community college districts have managed those costs.”

Although students typically pay some tuition to enroll in a dual credit course, Cashdollar said the cost is typically only a fraction of what students would pay otherwise, which is one of the reasons why dual credit programs help lower the overall cost

of higher education.

In recent years, Illinois lawmakers have taken several steps to make dual credit programs more accessible and affordable.

Among those actions is the Dual Credit Quality Act, first passed in 2010 and amended several times since then, which requires public colleges and universities to accept credit from those courses if a standard agreement is in place. It also requires community colleges to enter into dual credit agreements with any high school in their district that requests one.

The Education Workforce Equity Act, passed in 2021, provides that starting this year, high school students who meet or exceed state standards on their annual assessments in English language arts, math, or science may automatically be enrolled the following year in the next most rigorous level of advanced coursework offered by the school. For se-

niors, that must include a dual credit, Advanced Placement, or International Baccalaureate course.

And this year’s state budget includes just over $3 million for community colleges to help them lower the cost of dual credit programs.

Despite those efforts, however, the study found that while overall participation in dual credit programs has grown—from 10.2 percent of high school students in the 2018 school year to 14 percent in 2022—the racial and economic disparities in participation rates and completion rates has widened.

That was due mainly to the fact that participation rates grew more slowly among students of color and students from lower-income backgrounds than they did among white and Asian students and students from more affluent backgrounds.

Cashdollar noted those kinds of

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

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The Elmhurst Independent - Thursday, Jan. 4, 2024 • 15

BABY BALLOONS CALENDAR CELEBRATE CHAMPAGNE CHEERS CLOCK CONFETTI COUNTDOWN GAMES GOALS HAPPY INVITATION JANUARY KISS MIDNIGHT NEW YEAR NOISEMAKER PARTY RESOLUTION STREAMER TIMES SQUARE TOAST

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16 • Thursday, Jan. 4, 2024 - The Elmhurst Independent

The Elmhurst Independent

Sports Jan 4, 2024 • 16

IC Catholic Prep girls basketball team wins Lisle Cage Classic title Geiger named tournament MVP; Raffaelli all-tournament

By Mike Miazga CORRESPONDENT

What a December it was for the IC Catholic Prep girls basketball team. The Knights capped off a 10-2 month by going 4-0 and winning the Lisle Cage Classic holiday tournament championship. ICCP had just come off finishing second at the Grant tournament in Fox Lake. ICCP scored wins over Addison Trail, host Lisle, Wheaton Academy and Coal City to move to 14-4 on the season.

The Knights started play in the Lisle Cage Classic with a 46-39 win over Addison Trail. Geiger exploded for 27 points to go with 13 rebounds and three blocks. Mary Kate Hilgart added 10 points and three rebounds.

“The first game coming off Christmas in this tournament is usually hard,” ICCP coach Todd Fisher said.

“You could tell a lot of teams had time off. One thing that hurt us was defense in this game. I was not really happy with how we played defense.

Addison Trail had pretty good balanced scoring. They are a good team playing a tough schedule. We wanted to come out and get this first one under our belt in the tournament.”

ICCP downed Lisle 48-32 in a game that was tied 21-21 at intermission. “It was a tale of night and day between the first and second halves,” Fisher said. The Knights outscored Lisle 16-2 in the third quarter. Analisa Raffaelli led the way with 17 points. Hilgart had 11 points and eight rebounds, while Maura Grogan had nine points and eight rebounds.

Geiger had eight points, 17 rebounds and three steals.

“Defense was the key for this game,” Fisher noted. “They have a real nice player who averaged more than 20 points for the tournament.

I need to give credit to Analisa for playing good defense against her and holding her to 14 points. Analisa played really well against her, and we had real good team defense in the second half. Our defense in the second half, a lot of it led to our offense. We held Lisle to two points in the third quarter, which is very good. Looking back against Addison Trail, that first half we were slow and sluggish and were trying to get into a rhythm. Once we hit the third quarter against Lisle, things started to click.”

The Knights then downed familiar foe Wheaton Academy 44-35 in the tournament semifinals. ICCP led 21-16 at halftime. “It was a very competitive, back-and-forth game,” Fisher said. Geiger had 16 points, five rebounds and six steals. Raffaelli had 10 points, four rebounds and three steals. Hilgart had 10 points and four steals. “Again, it was defense for us,” Fisher said. “Wheaton

SUBMITTED PHOTO Elmhurst Independent

The IC Catholic Prep girls basketball team defeated Coal City in the championship game of the Lisle Cage Classic. The Knights finished the tournament 4-0 and went 10-2 in games played in December. Allie Geiger was named the tournament MVP and Analisa Raffaelli earned all-tournament honors. Mary Kate Hilgart had 16 points in the title win against Coal City.

Academy is a pretty good scoring team. They have a very nice guard and a good big. Our fourth-quarter defense was good when it counted (ICCP outscored Wheaton 13-7 in the fourth). We tore it up on defense in that quarter. We played well the entire game, specifically clamping down on their big. They run their offense through her, and we didn’t let her get second-chance points. We did very good.”

ICCP put a bow on the tournament with a 53-40 win over top-seeded Coal City in the championship game.

The Knights were the No. 3 seed in the tournament and defeated a Coal City team that was 13-1 heading into the title contest.

The Knights led 11-9 after the first quarter and outscored Coal City 20-6 in the second quarter. The Knights were up 41-27 at one point in the fourth quarter. Hilgart led the Knights with 16 points, while Geiger had 13 points and Raffaelli had 13

points as well. “That second quarter was probably the best quarter of basketball we have played all year,” Fisher said. “Our defense led to our offense, and we knocked down shots.

It was a great quarter of basketball.”

Coal City outscored ICCP 12-10 in the third quarter. “We were trying to be more patient on offense,” Fisher explained. “When Coal City knocked down shots, we came back and answered. That was very good to see. After that third quarter of the Lisle game, our defense, for the most part, was locked in very well. These teams we played can put up points and we played some good basketball in this tournament. It was great to see.”

It was ICCP’s third Cage Classic win. The Knights also won the tournament in 2021 and 2009. “We had a lot of fun,” Fisher said. “This is not an easy tournament to win. There are a lot of very good, evenly matched teams. There are a lot of good teams

at Lisle. Coming away with this trophy in this tournament is important.

It’s huge.”

The Knights were coming off a second-place finish at the Grant pre-holiday tournament in Fox Lake.

“Taking second at Grant and winning this, I can’t say enough,” Fisher said.

“This was big for us. We played a lot of basketball in the month of December. We finished 10-2 in December.”

Geiger was named the Lisle tournament MVP and Raffaelli joined her on the all-tournament team. “We played 12 in December and then you throw final exams in there,” Fisher said. “I’m proud of them. We’re giving them some time off to rest and spend time with family, and we’ll come back and get at it (today).”

The Knights return to action Jan. 8 against Wheaton Academy and then follow that up with games later that week against Bishop McNamara and De La Salle. “That’s a tough stretch to play,” Fisher said. “All our games

in January will be good games. You have Aurora Central, St. Laurence and Timothy Christian in there and then we’ll get into the GCAC tournament with tough games and then the postseason will be here quickly.”

All in all, Fisher said the Lisle tournament couldn’t have gone much better from a development standpoint. “We played awesome team defense, and our offense is clicking,” he said. “One impressive thing with this tournament is the team handled their assignments very well. When we gave the kids certain tasks, such as Analisa usually playing against the other team’s best guard, we did a great job. In that Wheaton Academy game, we took away some of their strengths. When kids were given tasks, top to bottom, they did a great job.” ICCP’s JV team took second at Lisle in the JV tournament, playing Seneca for the championship. “It was a good tournament for IC Catholic Prep basketball,” Fisher said.

SPORTS 19

sports sports

The Elmhurst Independent - Thursday, Jan. 4, 2024 • 17 The Elmhurst Independent - Thursday, July 16, 2020 • 19

IC Catholic Prep graduate Leslie headed to Le Moyne

By Mike Miazga

CORRESPONDENT

Recent IC Catholic Prep graduate Bella Leslie wanted to head east for college.

Her landing spot ended up being at NCAA Division II Le Moyne College where the former Knights volleyball and soccer standout will continue her volleyball career at the Syracuse, New York school as a libero.

“All of the schools I was looking at were on the East Coast,” Leslie told the Independent last week. “I visited Le Moyne and really liked it. It reminded me of high school because it was a small school, and in a smaller school you will know a lot more faces than if I would have gone to a bigger school. The campus there is really pretty. It sits on a big hill and the scenery around it is great. Everything is pretty close together. They have very nice facilities. The volleyball program has good workout facilities and a nice locker room. I liked how modern it was.”

Leslie plans on studying nursing at Le Moyne. “They have a good nursing program,” she said. “As far as what kind of a nurse I want to be, I’m not quite sure yet.”

Leslie played volleyball and girls soccer at IC Catholic Prep all four years. She was a center-midfielder on the Knights soccer team.

Leslie’s volleyball journey started in the fifth grade, the first year she could play the sport at IC Grade School. She’s been playing club volleyball since seventh grade, most recently with the Chicago Elite group that practices out of Scores in Willow Springs and Montini High School in Lombard.

“I’m really excited to be able to play volleyball in college,” she said. “It gives me something to do.

• Stopka

I feel like I would be so bored without it because it has been such a big part of my life.”

Leslie said she has plenty of memories from IC Catholic Prep’s coach Nancy Kerrigan’s program.

“I loved playing there,” she said.

“I probably enjoyed school volleyball more than club because I love my team and the coaching staff was very supportive on and off the court. It made it a really good environment to be in. Coach (Kerrigan) was great. I have known her for a while. When I was little, I did all the little kids camps, and her daughter was in my brother’s grade at IC.” Leslie said she will miss plenty about IC Catholic Prep. “I will miss how close knit of a community it was,” she said. “I knew everybody at the school. It will be weird going on campus and not knowing all the faces. I’ll miss those close connections with the coaches and teachers. It will be weird for the first year or so.”

Leslie said pandemic life hasn’t been overly exciting, though her club volleyball team has started practicing again. “We have been practicing two or three times a week,” she said. “We are going to be starting tournaments again. Before that I haven’t been doing anything because senior soccer season and the club volleyball season were cancelled. We were supposed to go to a few club volleyball qualifiers in Grand Rapids and Louisville.

This summer, we have some tournaments planned over the next few weekends. They are little tournaments with all of the local clubs.

Nothing large and really local.

Other than that, I have been trying to work out a lot and stay in shape.

I’ve been running a lot, so I got into that. I try and run every day.”

Leslie said she is scheduled to report to Le Moyne in the Aug. 1215 timeframe, but noted preseason volleyball activities already have

“

I’m really excited to be able to play volleyball in college. It gives me something to do. I feel like I would be so bored without it because it has been such a big part of my life.”

– Bella Leslie

been cancelled due to the pandemic. “I will probably leave Aug. 10-11 because it’s a far drive,” she said. “We had Zoom call with the team recently and they said they should have an answer about our season in the next 7-10 days.

They talked about three scenarios and what could happen like if we start the season and someone gets sick and we have to stop and go.

That’s one of the reasons why they are looking at moving the season to the spring. Right now the plan is to have a season, but we won’t know until the next 7-10 days.”

But if all systems are a go, Leslie can’t wait to take her skills as a libero to the next level with the Dolphins. “I feel like being a libero you have to be really quick and that is typically what I am good at.

I have really good reaction time,” she said. “I like diving on the floor and saving balls. It’s a really good feeling when you make a save. The position fits my personality, too.

You have to be the loudest one on the court. I have a loud personality.

You have to be pretty loud if you want to be a libero. I think I match that description.”

MVP and all tournament

Dukes compete in tournament

York High School’s girls basketball team played four games at Montini Catholic High School’s Christmas Tournament in Lombard last week.

The Dukes opened the event with a 59-29 win over Plainfield Central.

York then beat St. Francis 50-31 in the quarterfinal round. St. Charles East defeated York 53-39 in a semifinal contest on Dec. 28. The Dukes CHRIS FOX PHOTO Elmhurst Independent completed the tournament with a 53-30 loss to Benet Academy in Friday’s third-place game. York’s overall season record stood at 10-6 after Friday’s loss. Pictured here during York’s semifinal contest against St. Anthony fires a pitch recent U12 baseball Charles East Bucolo are junior Anna Filosaduring (No. 2 -atop left), senior Mia Barton game.

(No. 11 top middle), sophomore Olivia Silkaitis (No. 15 - top right) and senior Stella Kohl (No. 22 - left).

U12 baseball action

Player of the week sponsored by

Community Bank Member FDIC

(Continued from page 18)

They lost to West Chicago on huge rah-rah person. I’m a little bit I think an own goal in the last five more of an individual players’ coach. minutes. That was against the state I will pull kids to the side at practice champs in the sectional finals. That’s and games and teach them.” a hell of a season if you ask me.”

Stopka noted York has been doing Stopka will teach Spanish at York. conditioning drills and said the plan He taught Spanish and one math class as of earlier last week was to start at St. Pat’s. “My philosophy is I am summer camp pending District 205 more of a players’ coach,” he said. approval. “I have probably been able “I have been a big Liverpool soccer to meet 60 to 70 percent of the playsupporter ever since 2015 when Jur- ers so far,” he said. “If it does get apgen Klopp came over and he’s known proved that would the start of our SUBMITTED PHOTO be Elmhurst Independent as a players’ coach. He’s kind of my contact days with four days a week coaching idol. I want to related to the for three weeks straight. And even players and form bonds with them. though the IHSA waived the blackCatholic Prep went 4-0 andyear, wonwe I am The moreIClight-hearted andgirls smil-basketball out datesteam before the school Lisle CagefunClassic tournament Knights, ing.the I like to have and joke with won’ttitle. takeThe advantage of the that.No. I’m seedThe in goal the tournament, downed seed Coalhave Cityplans for the the 3kids. is understanding prettytop sure families to do championship.

Allie Geiger (left) wasbefore named the tournament where each player can be successful things school starts. I’m the MVP and Analisa Raffaelli (right) joined her on the Lisle all-tourand the provide the best way possible new guy and I’m not going to say namentthe team.

The Knights took ayou 14-4 record into the year.Go to convey knowledge they need can’t go with yournew family. at the position they play. I am not big do it and enjoy it. This is a crazy and

CHRIS FOX PHOTOS Rock Valley Publishing

LENDER

ble and transparent and communicate with everybody.”

As far as the future, Stopka wants York competing at a high level on a consistent basis. “The short-term goal is to restock and build up the team,” he said. “A large portion of last year’s team was seniors, especially the starting 11. We have to make sure the now juniors are up to the speed of the varsity level and are ready to contribute. We want to keep that pipeline going with the younger groups of players. We want to make sure we are not only competitive, but that we are competing for regionals, sectionals and supersectionals.

It starts for me with this junior class that is coming in. We want them ready to go and setting the standard for these other classes that come in so they can also contribute right off

of Elmhurst

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Will play volleyball for Division II school

proudly presents proudly presents

YORK HIGH SCHOOL PLAYER OF THE WEEK YORK HIGH SCHOOL PLAYER OF THE WEEK YORK BOYS BASKETBALL TEAM GIGI BARR The York boys basketball team went 3-1 at its own YORK GIRLS VOLLEYBALL th

49 annual Jack Tosh Holiday Classic, defeating Barr wasSouth, the recipient the Yorkville.

2019-2020 AJ York Val Cothern Hinsdale Conantofand Levine junior femaletoathlete of the year award. over the was named the all-tournament teamBarr afterwent logging 1,000-career kill threshold last fall for the Dukes girls volleyscoring totals of 16, 16, 13 and 17 points. ball team and still has a season to add to that total.

18 • Thursday, Jan. 4, 2024 - The Elmhurst Independent

York boys basketball team goes 3-1 at own Jack Tosh Holiday Classic

By Mike Miazga

Levine earns all-tournament accolades

CORRESPONDENT

The York boys basketball team wrapped up the 2023 portion of its schedule in fine fashion by going 3-1 at its own 49th Jack Tosh Holiday Classic in Elmhurst. York downed Hinsdale South, Conant and Yorkville and lost to tournament runner-up Bolingbrook. York opened the tournament with a 63-29 win over Hinsdale South. The Dukes led 22-3 after the first quarter and 40-17 at halftime.

A.J. Levine led York with 16 points, while Nick Dizonno had 12 points and Kyle Waltz and Braden Richardson each had 10 points.

Richardson also had five rebounds, while Levine had seven assists. Waltz had four assists. Levine and Waltz combined for nine steals. Levine and Dizonno each made two 3-pointers. York forced 26 Hinsdale South turnovers.

In a 54-45 win over Conant, York led 15-10 after the first quarter and 24-19 at halftime. Waltz led the way with 19 points.

Levine added 16 points and Brendan Molis had 14 points. Richardson pulled in nine rebounds, while Waltz had six rebounds.

Levine had five assists and three steals.

Molis also had three steals. Molis canned

three 3-pointers while Levine and Waltz had two each.

York then lost 55-42 to Bolingbrook.

The Dukes trailed 13-10 after one and 24-18 at halftime. Bolingbrook outscored York 18-11 in the third quarter. Levine led York with 13 points. Waltz added six points. Levine made two 3-pointers. Waltz had eight rebounds, while Levine had four assists and three steals. York shot 31 percent from the field, while Bolingbrook hit 47 percent of its shots.

The Dukes rebounded to record a 5345 win over Yorkville. York trailed 12-9 after the first quarter but used a 16-10 run in the second quarter to take a 25-22 lead at halftime. A 16-11 fourth quarter helped York close things out.

Waltz led York with 19 points, while Levine had 17 points and Richardson finished with 13 points and eight rebounds.

Waltz had five rebounds, while Levine had five assists and three steals. Richardson also had three steals. “I thought we had a great tournament,” York coach Mike Dunn said. “We beat a really good Yorkville team after a tough game against Bolingbrook. That being said, Bolingbrook is a very good team and played for a championship.”

Dunn thought York took a further step forward on the defensive front. “I thought defensively we were really good all four games,” he said. “I don’t think we gave up over 60 points in a game all tournament (26, 45, 55 and 45). We’ve kind of been in the 40s in the games we won and that’s been really good for us this season. We are forcing 17-18 turnovers a game and that has been huge for us (York forced turnover totals of 26, 14, 16 and 15 in the tournament). We score points off our turnovers. It gives you a little more room and flexibility when you are not shooting the ball great, which we have not this year, but we have improved so much defensively. I think we can shoot better.

That’s where we can go to the next level. I am very impressed where we are at. I feel like we are getting better every time we play.”

Levine earned all-tournament honors for York. “AJ was fantastic as he has been all season,” Dunn said. “He’s scoring the ball, but he’s also creating for others. His assists are at five or six a game and that’s really good. That has almost doubled from last year. He’s averaging three steals so he’s active defensively.”

Dunn also lauded the efforts of fellow

senior starters Waltz, Molis, Richardson and Ryan Pechous. “Kyle Waltz had a really good tournament,” Dunn said. “He had 19 points against Yorkville. Brendan Molis does not get enough praise and is an unsung hero. He had a great tournament both on offense and defense. Braden Richardson and Ryan Pechous also played well. Those starting five in general are seniors that are seasoned and making winning plays.”

The 3-1 mark put York at 12-3 heading into the new year. “I absolutely like where we are at,” Dunn said. “And we have the possibility that we can continue to get better and grow as a group. We’re looking forward to a couple days off and then get after it with a couple of practices, which we haven’t had in a week.”

York returns to action Friday in a key West Suburban Conference Silver Division contest against Glenbard West. “That’s a big game,” Dunn said. “Every game from here on out will be big, especially in our league.” Metamora, the defending Class 3A state champion, downed Bolingbrook 72-71 in overtime to win the Tosh title.

Downers Grove North defeated Palatine 43-34 for third place. The Tosh celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2024.

Unions look to state for solutions after year of higher ed labor action

Report finds public university employees paid 21% less than state agency workers in similar jobs

By Andrew Adams CAPITOL NEWS ILLINOIS

At public universities across the state, staff and faculty unions have faced a contentious year of negotiations and, in some cases, strikes.

Pay has been a major issue on several campuses and the unions are now looking to Springfield for potential reforms to the state’s higher education funding.

At Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, negotiations are ongoing between campus leadership and the union that represents clerical workers.

Amy Bodenstab, who works as an office manager in the Department of Teaching and Learning, also picks up weekend shifts at a local domestic violence shelter and contract work in data analytics to make ends meet.

She is on the bargaining team of AFSCME Local 2887, which has been without a contract since June 2022. She said the low pay and perceived lack of respect has resulted in high turnover rates, hampering university staff’s ability to do their jobs.

She said it’s especially troubling because of the complexity of the positions her union represents, which can involve financial management, purchasing, scheduling and more.

“If you’re staff, you’re treated as ‘less than,’ ” Bodenstab told Capitol News Illinois.

Nicole Franklin, a spokesperson

for the university, declined to comment specifically on the ongoing negotiations but said the university “continues to bargain in good faith” with the union.

But Bodenstab’s experience is echoed on other campuses around Illinois.

In mid-November, dozens of building services, clerical and culinary staff at Eastern Illinois University held an “informational picket” as negotiations continued between the local union and administrators at the Charleston campus.

“The number one issue is pay,” Kim Pope, an office manager and the head of the local union, said.

Negotiations between the building services workers at Northern Illinois University are also ongoing.

The head of the union there, Patrick Sheridan, also said pay is the focus of negotiations.

Research published this fall by the Illinois Economic policy Institute, a think tank with strong ties to organized labor, found that pay for staff at state universities is 21 percent less than the rate paid to employees at state agencies who are performing the same or similar work.

When controlling for hours worked, occupation and several demographic factors, the research found the average staff pay at state universities is 14 percent less than at state agencies.

Robert Bruno, a University of Illinois professor in the School of Labor and Employment Relations and lead author of that report, said these trends made him consider the impact on staff morale.

“You worry about turnover, about positions not being filled, about if people don’t feel regarded or respected,” Bruno said.

He also noted these trends could be explained by an ongoing trend in higher education.

“It starts to look like a more for-profit model,” he said. “Part of that is a lack of support at the state level.”

That research and recent university staff negotiations have led union organizations to begin planning a bigger request to the state in next year’s budget talks – an ask that could prove challenging as early estimates from Gov. JB Pritzker’s budgeting office project a revenue shortfall for the upcoming fiscal year.

“We’ll be pushing for an appropriation that can be earmarked for wages,” Anders Lindall, a spokesperson for the statewide AFSCME organization, said.

He specifically pointed to Bruno’s research as part of the reasoning for this push.

“We’re going to be talking to legislators about these systemic pay gaps,” he said.

AFSCME is one of the most pow-

erful lobbying organizations in Illinois. In the 2022 election cycle, AFSCME, through its state council and national organization, spent $2.6 million on campaign contributions and expenditures around the state.

That includes over $300,000 each in contributions to House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch, D-Hillside, and Senate President Don Harmon, D-Oak Park.

In addition to staff negotiations, the past 12 months have seen a wave of strikes led by faculty unions. In January, faculty at the University of Illinois Chicago struck for five days.

In April, faculty at Chicago State University, Governors State University and Eastern Illinois University all went on overlapping strikes, lasting between five and 13 days. Northeastern Illinois University authorized a strike, although the faculty union there never formally struck.

In private higher ed, Columbia College Chicago faculty also went on an unusually long strike which lasted all of November and ended in mid-December.

Dan Montgomery, head of the Illinois Federation of Teachers, said after the Columbia strike ended that he had “never seen anything like it in any other year.”

“We’re a strong labor state. I think those trends you’re seeing play out in Illinois are playing out around the country,” Montgomery told Capitol

News Illinois. “We’re just better organized.”

Montgomery said he is “cautiously optimistic” that a new funding model being developed by the Commission on Equitable Public University Funding could help alleviate some of the problems that led to the strikes.

The commission, which was created by the General Assembly in 2021, is tasked with developing a new model for funding higher education. The legislature charged the commission with “remediating inequities” in the higher education system that have led to disparities in access for underrepresented students such as Black and Hispanic students and those who come from low-income families.

The commission’s work is ongoing but was delayed by this summer’s U.S. Supreme Court decision about affirmative action and race in higher education. While the commission’s work is likely not going to impact next year’s budget, it could create a drastic shift in the long term.

The model being developed will be similar to the funding formula used for K-12 schools in Illinois, which was rolled out in 2017. The K-12 model calls for an added $350 million in funding each year and sets a funding adequacy target for each district. It then directs greater portions of the new funding to the

See UNIONS, Page 19

• Gaps

• Unions

(Continued from page 13)

achievement gaps are similar to the gaps that researchers find in other aspects of education, including college enrollment rates and college completion rates. And because dual credit programs are, by definition, intended for students who aspire to continue their education beyond high school, she said the gaps point to differences in the types of students who are seen as being college-bound.

She said prior research on the topic has found the biggest predictor for racial gaps in students enrolled in dual credit was enrollment in accelerated coursework taken prior to high school.

“So who are those kids who are in the gifted classes? Who are taking algebra in eighth grade? Who are the kids in the honors program, maybe at

the middle school?” She said. “And it’s kind of like, that sets the wheel in motion in terms of who is then either tracked into these higher-level courses, who is thinking about themselves as the type of kid who takes these courses.”

The report recommends the state continue investing in efforts to make dual credit programs more accessible and affordable but that it focus on increasing dual credit offerings in districts that currently have the lowest participation rates, especially urban and suburban districts.

“Only by attending to these issues of representation can the potential for (dual credit) coursework to reduce inequities in postsecondary educational attainment be fulfilled,” the report concludes.

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The Elmhurst Independent - Thursday, Jan. 4, 2024 • 19

(Continued from page 18)

schools furthest from their adequacy target.

While the commission has not finalized a formula, some draft meeting materials presented at the board’s November meeting suggest it would require as much as an overall $14,000 per-student increase in state appropriations to fully fund higher education.

With 130,000 undergraduates and 56,000 graduate students enrolled at state universities this year, these numbers suggest the needed funding increase could reach into the billions.

Lawmakers allocated about $4.5

billion from the state’s general revenue fund to higher education in the current fiscal year.

Any recommendations from the commission, however, would need to be approved by the General Assembly, leaving room for doubt when it comes to fully implementing – and funding – the commission’s recommendations.

“The problem is always the problem: finding the funds to do it,” Montgomery said.

The state revenue landscape could further compound the challenge. The Governor’s Office of Management and

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Budget is projecting an $891 million deficit for the upcoming fiscal year 2025, although that number drops to $721 million when accounting for the statutory contribution to the state’s “rainy day” savings fund.

“I think it’s a signal that everybody, we need to be careful in Illinois, we have to balance our budget…” Pritzker told Capitol News Illinois when asked about the projection earlier this month.

“And so, if that requires us to reduce the increases that may occur in certain programs, maybe that will be necessary.”

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