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1 • Thursday, Nov. 9, 2023 - The Elmhurst Independent

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Independent

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VOL. 21• NO. 47

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The champions are here

The York High School girls cross country team raises the IHSA Class 3A state over runner-up Downers Grove North, another West Suburban Conference Silver championship team trophy at the Class 3A awards ceremony on Saturday afternoon Division squad. More coverage of the state championship on Page 17. at Detweiller Park in Peoria. The Lady Dukes won the team title by 15 points, 77-92,

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2 • Thursday, Nov. 9, 2023 - The Elmhurst Independent

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The Elmhurst Independent - Thursday, Nov. 9, 2023 • 3

York Interact Club sews its heart out for breast cancer awareness Students donate heart-shaped pillows to survivors at Elmhurst Hospital

The York High School Interact Club, a division of Rotary, is doing their part to support Breast Cancer Awareness Month. In 2022, club members set out on a mission to launch a service project to provide support for breast cancer patients.

The club created a plan and set forth to complete an interactive project to make hand-sewn pillows for breast cancer survivors to use after undergoing surgery. Continuing the project this year, students completed their pillows this month and are

excited to be able to continue providing support to help those who are battling breast cancer.

“I’m excited to continue this project we started last year,” said Club president Mia Barton said. “It is important that we support breast cancer patients during the month of October.”

These pillows help women who have had breast cancer surgery by protecting their surgical incision and allowing it to heal by preventing the patient’s arm from rubbing

the surgical incision. Pillows such as these are commonly used to provide an added level of comfort for patients while they are in recovery.

The Interact Club will be donating the completed pillows to the Breast Cancer Center at Elmhurst Hospital.

“On behalf of our breast cancer patients and team members who provide care at the Breast Cancer Center, we express our deep gratitude for the pillows from the Interact Club,” said Dr. Kimberley Darey, president, Elmhurst Hospital. “The

emotional comfort for the patients knowing the care, compassion and commitment that went into crafting the pillows is just as meaningful as the physical comfort they provide.”

Each of the pillows are completed using t-shirts that were provided by the Interact Club members. Some of the students were already skilled with a needle and thread, but many students learned to sew, just so they were able to help make the pillows.

Interact Club is the high school branch of Rotary International and

shares Rotary’s motto of “service above self.” York Interact Club works closely with, and is sponsored by, the Rotary Club of Elmhurst. They are one of three service clubs at York. The York High School Interact Club enjoys giving back to the Elmhurst community and is always looking for new members.

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Veterans, please stop by on Nov. 11th, Veterans Day, for a Free Car Wash Domestic & Foreign Automotive Repairs

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Interior & Exterior Wash Packages Also Available.

Members of the York Interact Club are pictured here working on hand-sewn pillows to be given to breast cancer survivors undergoing surgery at Elmhurst Hospital. It is part of the Club’s effort to fight breast cancer by giving back to the local community.

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4 • Thursday, Nov. 9, 2023 - The Elmhurst Independent

The elmhursT IndependenT Your Hometown Newspaper Locally owned and operated 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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Display Advertising: 630.834-8355 Classified Advertising: 630.834-8244 News: 630.834-8244 General Information: 630.834-8244

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Administration: Dee Longfellow News Coordinator Debra Hamilton Advertising Director Pete Cruger Publisher

Advertising: Brenda Garcia

Subscriptions:

The Elmhurst Independent is mailed at no charge by request to residents in the 60126 zip code area.

Out-of-area mail subscriptions are $29.95 yearly. Single copies are also available at more than 80 newsstand locations in Elmhurst.

For home delivery information call 630.834-8244.

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

Postmaster: Please send address changes to: THE ELMHURST INDEPENDENT 240 N. West Avenue, Elmhurst, IL. 60126

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Elmhurst U. honors 2023 Founders Medal, Alumni Merit Award winners Elmhurst University recently honored five people with two of the University’s most prestigious awards, the Founders Medal and the Alumni Merit Award, for their outstanding contributions to the University and the broader community.

The Founders Medal celebrates those who have distinguished themselves through philanthropic or personal service to the University. This year’s medal was given to alumna Virginia (Gina) Prochaska and her husband, Joseph J. Prochaska Jr., of Northfield, Ill. Both are civic leaders and longtime supporters of Elmhurst University. Virginia Prochaska is an active member of the Elmhurst University Board of Trustees and served as past chair of the Institutional Advancement Committee and on a number of subcommittees. Over more than 25 years of giving, the couple have contributed significantly to the Annual Fund, the new Health Sciences Building, off-campus study, the American Dream Scholarship and many other funds.

The Alumni Merit Awards celebrate Elmhurst graduates who have made outstanding contributions to the community and to their alma mater.

• The Distinguished Young Alumni Award winner this year Brittany Nolan, director of specialty services at By Your Side Autism Clinic, Nolan oversees the clinic’s speech-language therapy department across 11 locations and has mentored Elmhurst graduate students and hired alumni.

Nolan is also an active volunteer with United Parents Support for Down Syndrome.

• Jessica Sullivan-Wilson, of Chicago, received the Distinguished Service to Alma Mater Award. She is managing director of partnerships at Teach For America Greater Chicago-Northwest Indiana and an active member of the Elmhurst University Alumni Board of Directors.

• Educator Heather Rusch McCarthy won the Distinguished Service to Society Award for using her passion for literature to spread the message of love and equality through service-learning projects with her students. A teacher in Oak Lawn-Hometown School District 123, McCarthy and her students host an annual meal-packaging event for families and veterans in need. She and her students also have been recognized for their work on climate change and a variety of other projects.

All of this year’s winners were recognized at the University’s annual Founders Recognition Evening on Oct. 12.

(Right) Elmhurst University awarded Virginia (Gina) and Joseph J. Prochaska Jr., of Northfield, Ill., with the Founders Medal for their philanthropic and personal service to the University.

ELMHURST UNIVERSITY PHOTOS Elmhurst Independent

Elmhurst University recognized (from left) Brittany Nolan, Jessica Sullivan-Wilson and Heather Rusch McCarthy with Alumni Merit Awards for their outstanding contributions to the community and their alma mater.

Police investigate mysterious flyers that blanketed town on Saturday According to a release issued by the City, the Elmhurst Police Department received several calls on the morning of Saturday, Nov. 4 regarding a flyer that was distributed overnight in the driveways of properties, primarily on the southside of Elmhurst.

The flyers were not specifically threatening; however, they were political in nature and included messaging from an antisemitic social media group.

The Elmhurst Police Department investigated by canvasing the area, seeking home security video of the person(s) or vehicle(s) involved in this incident.

The City’s release said, “The City of Elmhurst condemns these actions and does not support distribution of hate propaganda of any kind. The City stands for an inclusive and welcoming community where people

are treated with dignity and respect.”

Later, the Independent was able to confirm more information from Elmhurst Police Chief Michael McLean.

“The flyers were distributed by unknown person(s) packaging them in bags of rocks, then throwing them from a moving vehicle onto resident’s driveways and public sidewalks,” he said. “First Amendment protected speech is not under law enforcement investigation. The throwing of handbills, advertisements, or litter onto residential property and public sidewalks is prohibited by local ordinance and the Illinois Litter Control Act. “The distribution of litter in our community is under investigation.”

If you or your family are subject to actions like those mentioned here, please do not hesitate to contact police by dialing 9-1-1.

At deadline…

Firefighters respond to house fire Monday afternoon

By Dee Longfellow

For The Elmhurst Independent

According to a release issued by the City of Elmhurst, at 2:14 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 6, the Elmhurst Fire Department along with mutual aid companies responded to a call for smoke investigation from a home on the 300 block of South Mitchell Ave. While in route the alarm was upgraded to a structure fire.

Upon arrival, officials on the scene reported smoke coming from the second story of the home. The fire was found in the rear bedroom on the second floor and was quickly extinguished. Fire damage was reported on the second floor of the structure. Elmhurst firefighters are currently investigating the cause of the fire.

No residents were home at the time of the fire, however a family pet was found unresponsive at the scene.

No injuries in fire at Elm Creek apt on Sat. According to a release issued by the City of Elmhurst, on Saturday, Nov. 4 at 1:43 p.m., Elmhurst firefighters along with mutual aid responded to a fire alarm at 4 Elm Creek apartments on Elm Creek Drive. While in route, the alarm was upgraded to an apartment fire.

Upon arrival, Engine 2 reported heavy smoke coming from one of the first-floor apartment’s patio doors. The fire was found in the kitchen of the unit and was quickly extinguished. No injuries were reported. Water damage was reported on the first floor of the complex and fire damage was limited to the apartment unit where the fire originated. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

The Elmhurst Independent - Thursday, Nov. 9, 2023 • 5

‘Queer Eye’ host Karamo to present ‘Mental Health Matters’ As the culture expert on the Netflix hit Queer Eye and host of a nationally syndicated talk show, Karamo is known for the ease with which he relates to other people, helping them to discover strength in their identities.

Drawing from his own experiences and work in social services, Karamo will talk about the mental health journey, especially for young people, during “Mental Health Matters: A Conversation with Karamo,” this year’s Roland Quest Lecture at Elmhurst University. “Mental Health Matters” begins at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 14, in Hammerschmidt Memorial Chapel on the university campus.

NBC Chicago medical and health reporter Lauren Petty will serve as moderator for the event, to be held

on Tuesday, Nov. 14, on the Elmhurst University campus.

An Emmy-nominated host on Queer Eye, Karamo is tasked with making over the hearts and minds of the individuals helped on the show by encouraging them to confront and grow beyond internal and external concerns.

On his podcast, Karamo, everyday people from around the world call in and chat with Karamo to receive advice or share their feelings on some of life’s thorniest issues. His 2019 memoir, Karamo: My Story of Embracing Purpose, Healing, and Hope, explores how the challenges in his own life have allowed him to transform the lives of those in need.

Karamo was the recipient of the 2018 Human Rights Campaign Vis-

ibility Award, and he meets with members of Congress on policy and legislation supporting LGBTQIA+ youth and their allies on both sides of the aisle.

Lauren Petty joined NBC 5 as a reporter and fill-in anchor in 2012.

Since 2019, most of her reporting has focused on medical advances and healthy living. She holds a master’s degree in journalism from Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism and a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Admission is $15; free for Elmhurst University students, faculty, staff and alumni. For tickets, visit elmhurst.edu/cultural. For more information, email marketing@elmhurst. edu.

Elmhurst Community Programs for November City of Elmhurst #57 Veterans Day Ceremony 2023 Master of Ceremonies: William Shanklin Wednesdays at 8 p.m. (starts Wed 11/22) Explore Elmhurst “Lost Chicago Department Stores” Guest Speaker: Leslie Goddard, Ph.D. In this illustrated lecture, historian and author Leslie Goddard, Ph.D., revisits Chicago’s fabulous retail emporiums and explores their rise and fall.

Thursdays at 5 p.m. (starts Thu 11/16)

Learn about requirement and regulations for opening or expanding your small business, in Elmhurst and beyond! Experts will help connect you to a variety of available resources.

Tuesdays at 6 p.m. (starts Tue 11/7)

University, he will discuss legislative initiatives focused on equality in Illinois.

Mondays at 6 p.m. (starts Mon 11/6) Elmhurst PSA Loop Various Aannouncements from the City of Elmhurst Wednesdays at 5 p.m.

Explore Elmhurst Elmhurst University Lecture “Telling Our Stories: Moving Illinois Forward for LGBTQ+Justice City Council meetings air WednesMichael Ziri is the director of days at 12 noon and Thursdays at 7 public policy at Equality Illinois, the p.m. state’s civil rights organization for School District #205 Board meetLGBTQ+ people. At this year’s Wil- ings air on Thursdays 2 at p.m. liam R. Johnson Lecture at Elmhurst Info: www.ElmhurstTV.com

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Karamo

Thank You, Veterans!

Free Medicare Information Meeting

Explore Elmhurst “Starting & Growing Your Small Business in Elmhurst”

In honor of Veterans Day, My Mechanic will be giving Veterans $20 off on oil changes (with free tire rotation* and 99-point inspection included) from Friday, November 10 through Friday, November 17.

EAG members welcome guest artist Roberta Malkin

We greatly appreciate all that you have done in sacrificing your time and talents for our well being and the future of this great nation.

Call us or stop in to make an appointment. Due to long wait times expected with this offer, we will not be able to provide quick turnaround, so please expect to drop off your vehicle and pick it up when it’s ready.

Sponsored by Best Years Insurance Independent licensed Insurance Agency

Celebrate your Best Years with us!

Open Enrollment ends December 7th. Don’t wait!

To claim this offer, please present a copy of this ad along with your VA card, Military ID or DD214. *Most vehicles. Tire rotations with locking nuts or special wheels will require a charge. One vehicle per veteran.

Saturday, Nov. 18, 10:30 AM Monday, Nov. 27, 7:00 PM

Elmhurst American Legion Post #187 310 W. Butterfield Rd., Elmhurst, IL 60126

1-800-205-5176

Medicare Annual Open Enrollment Period October 15 thru December 7 Sponsored by BestYearsInsurance.com | Licensed Medicare Agents | Facebook/BestYearsInsurance

445754

The Elmhurst Artists’ Guild will host Roberta Malkin for an Artist Talk on Thursday, Nov. 16 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the EAG classroom located within the Elmhurst Art Museum, 150 S Cottage Hill.

Roberta is a painter, sculptor, and printmaker working primarily with the human figure. Over the course of her life, she has experimented with numerous styles with the human figure remaining a constant. Early in her career, Roberta developed chaotic patterns that seemed to flow directly out of her subjects.

And even today her work retains abstract patterns, that tie her work together and connect the figures to each other and the viewer. All are welcome to join as Roberta shares her work and her process. Free and open to the public.

285 W. Butterfield Rd. Elmhurst, IL 60126 (630) 833-6100

144 Burlington Ave. Clarendon Hills, IL 60514 (630) 325-2680

446323

Programs air on COMCAST Channel 6 and AT&T U-Verse Channel 99. Programs may also be found at ElmhurstTV.com.

6 • Thursday, Nov. 9, 2023 - The Elmhurst Independent

Police beat

Harassments, threats

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.

Nov. 1 A complainant in the 700 block of N. Oaklawn told police that after a verbal altercation, the suspect threatened him in front of other employees. The suspect denied making the statements. The complainant wanted the incident to be documented for matter of record only.

Criminal damage, criminal trespassing Oct. 29 A victim in the 300 block of Hill told police at 12:17 p.m. that his vehicle was parked in his driveway when two unknown suspects intentionally damaged his vehicle. The unknown suspects were captured by his security camera.

An investigation is pending.

Oct. 26 Gerald Pellegrini, 65, of Elmhurst, was charged with criminal damage to property and disorderly conduct in the 400 block of N. Van Auken at 1:24 a.m. According to police, a complainant related an unknown person was banging on her front door and damaged the screen and Halloween decorations. Police said Pellegrini was located and refused to comply with officer’s commands.

Domestic battery, domestic incident, disorderly conduct, disturbance Nov. 1 A 35-year-old Elmhurst man was charged with domestic battery in the 200 block of E. Grantley at 7:20 p.m. A victim told police that the suspect kicked him and caused him to fall down. The suspect fled the scene, but later denied kicking the victim.

Oct. 30 A 29-year-old woman from Harvey was charged with two counts of domestic battery in the 300 block of N. Route 83 at 10:45 p.m.

Police said upon arrival, a victim related the suspect came after him with a pocket knife, cutting his hand.

Oct. 29 A 46-year-old Elmhurst man was charged with domestic battery in the 100 block of N. Maple at 1:29 a.m. Police said that subsequent to the report of a disturbance, a victim related a verbal argument turned physical when the suspect grabbed her and pushed her.

Police said officers responded to the 900 block of S. Prospect at 1:04 a.m. for the report of a verbal domestic. The reporting officer met with the complainant who reported his wife hit him after a verbal argument. The suspect stated she never touched the complainant. There was no indication of injuries, and both parties agreed to separate for the evening.

Oct. 28 Police said that subsequent to a road rage call near Route 83 at St. Charles at 12:28 p.m., a complainant related the suspect kicked her car and started yelling at her. The suspect related she had a flat tire and was parked on the shoulder of the road when the complainant almost hit her. Due to conflicting statements, no arrests were made.

Oct. 22 A 50-year-old Elmhurst man was charged with two counts of domestic battery and aggravated battery in the 400 block of S. Berkley

Sept. 3 Police said a complainant in the 800 block of S. Hawthorne related she is receiving threatening messages from an ex-boyfriend’s daughter. The complainant wishes to only have the incident documented at the moment and no contact made with the suspect.

CALL 800-222-TIPS at 3:38 p.m. Police said that subsequent to a verbal argument, the victim sustained an injury to his head after the suspect struck him with a pan. The suspect refused to leave the residence but was eventually taken into custody without incident.

DUI, DUI-drugs, transportation of open alcohol, possession of open alcohol, consumption of alcohol by a minor Oct. 29 Dustin Morgan, 27, of Warner Robins, Ga., was charged with DUI, improper lane usage and improper turn subsequent to a traffic stop near Industrial and York at 4:58 a.m.

Oct. 28 Danny Rawlings, 37, of Beach Park, Ill., was charged with DUI, possession of a concealed firearm while under the influence of alcohol, disobeying a stop sign and failure to signal subsequent to a traffic stop near Evergreen and North at 2:12 a.m.

Anniebell Smith, 45, of Berwyn, was charged with aggravated DUI, DUI, obstructing identification, driving while license suspended, illegal transportation of open alcohol by a driver, failure to signal when required, improper turn, squealing tires and no insurance subsequent to a traffic stop near York and Willow at 10:13 p.m.

Oct. 27 Jaymeson Pogreba, 22, of Peoria, was charged with unlawful possession of cannabis by a driver, transporting open alcohol by a driver and operating a vehicle while using an electronic communication device, while Saul Pitones, 20, of Addison was charged with unlawful consumption of alcohol by a minor, and Joshua Love, 24, of Homewood, was charged with unlawful possession of cannabis by a passenger subsequent to a traffic stop near St. Charles and Route 83 at 2:03 a.m.

Oct. 26 Mirza Rodas, 47, of Maywood, was charged with DUI in the 1200 block of S. York at 3:50 p.m.

Fleeing, eluding

According to information provided last week by the Elmhurst Police Department, police reported one incident of fleeing and eluding during which the driver of a vehicle fled the scene after being stopped for a traffic stop by police.

Identity theft, fraud, forgery

According to information provided by the Elmhurst Police Department, police reported three 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: Rosibel Munoz, 32, of Chicago, near North and River Glen at 7:51 p.m. Oct. 28.

Possession of a controlled substance

Oct. 28-Oct. 30 A complainant at an auto dealership in the 700 block of N. York told police that an unknown person(s) stole the front dealer plate and an I-Pass transponder from a loaner vehicle.

Sept. 29-Oct. 30 A complainant in the 600 block of N. Larch reported that an unknown person(s) entered his rented Ego Trucking semi-tractor and removed personal property. The complainant leases a semi-tractor from Super Ego Trucking. He was directed to return the tractor to Ego Trucking in Elk Grove Village for repairs. On Oct. 27, the victim was informed his semi-tractor was returned to Elmhurst. Upon locating his semi-tractor, he discovered his personal property was gone.

Oct. 26 Fernando Eliseo Lopez-Lopez, 39, and Veronica Paulina Lopez Garcia-Delopez, 37, both of Franklin Park, were charged with retail theft at a store in the 300 block of S. Route 83 at 12:05 p.m. Police said both suspects were located with unpaid merchandise.

Duong Nguyen, 35, of Glendale Heights, was charged with burglary, two counts of retail theft and Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance at a store in the 300 block of S. Route 83 at 6:03 p.m. Police said Nguyen was located and found to be in possession of stolen merchandise and in possession of a controlled substance.

Police said that subsequent to a retail theft investigation at a store in the 100 block of E. Schiller at 8:49 p.m., the suspects were captured on video taking merchandise and exiting without paying. This case is pending investigation.

Oct. 27 Anthony Stewart, 34, of Chicago, was charged with unlawful possession of a controlled substance and driving while license suspended near North and Berteau at 11:40 a.m.

Oct. 21 A complainant at a store in the 300 block of S. Route 83 told police that upon reviewing video footage, an unknown female suspect took merchandise and exited the store without paying. An investigation is pending.

Oct. 26 James A. Littleton, 57, of Broadview, was charged with unlawful possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia in the 900 block of S. York at 12:53 p.m. Police said officers responded to the above location for the report of an erratic subject, Littleton, who was located and found to be in possession of a controlled substance.

Woman found guilty in 2018 murder, armed robbery in Naperville

Suspicious incident Oct. 27 A complainant in the 400 block of N. Elm told police at 1:29 a.m. he noticed a white Acura van parked in the middle of the street and four individuals leaving the vehicle. Officers checked the area for possible signs of burglaries with no results.

Theft, retail theft, burglary, attempted theft or burglary, forgery, deceptive practice, obstruction, robbery Oct. 30-Oct. 31 A complainant at a storage business in the 100 block of W. Industrial told police that an unknown suspect(s) cut locks to five outside storage lockers. All unit owners were advised and will report any theft from their unit. An investigation is pending.

DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin has announced that a jury has found a former Chicago woman, Candice Jones, 43, guilty in the murder of Naperville resident Michael Armendariz in January 2018.

Additionally, the jury found Jones guilty of armed robbery. The jury returned their guilty verdicts against Jones after approximately ninety minutes of deliberations following a four-day-long trial in front of Judge Michael Reidy.

On Feb. 9, 2019, Jones appeared in bond court where the court granted the state’s motion to deny bond. She has remained in custody at the DuPage County Jail since that time.

Jones is one of three individuals charged with the murder.

On Jan. 18, 2018, Naperville police officers responded to a call on Whispering Hills Drive regarding a missing Naperville resident, Michael Armendariz, who was last seen at approximately 9:30 p.m., Jan. 14, 2018. Following an investigation, authorities learned Jones and her two co-defendants, Cassandra Green, 26, formerly of Rockford, and her son, Ernest Collins, 27, also formerly of Rockford, hatched a scheme to rob Armendariz with a gun.

The investigation found that Armendariz

See MURDER Page 12

The Elmhurst Independent - Thursday, Nov. 9, 2023 • 7

Two Venezuelan migrants charged with burglary from Oak Brook Macy’s Two other Venezuelan migrants were charged with burglary at the same store 8 days earlier

DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and Oak Brook Deputy Chief of Police Reid Foltyniewicz have announced that charges have been filed against two individuals for allegedly stealing more than $2,800 worth of merchandise from the Oak Luis Brook Macy’s store Oct. Mendez-Gomez 31.

Luis Mendez-Gomez, 28, and Frank Montez-Davila, 23, both of Venezuela currently staying in Chicago, appeared at First Appearance Court where Judge Joshua Dieden denied the state’s motion to deny pretrial release for both defendants.

Both defendants are charged with one count of burglary (Class 2 felony) and one

count of retail theft (Class 3 felony). Additionally, Mendez-Gomez was cited for misdemeanor driving without a valid driver’s license.

These alleged burglaries occurred eight days after two other Venezuelan migrants, Abel BarriosFrank Estava, 20, and Rafael Montez-Davila Mata-Torres, 25, allegedly stole more than $1,700 worth of merchandise at the same store Oct. 23.

On Oct. 31 at approximately 1:42 p.m., Oak Brook police officers were on patrol at the Oak Brook Center parking lot when they allegedly observed suspicious behavior by two individuals, later identified as MendezGomez and Montez-Davila, as they exited

the Macy’s store carrying a “happy birthday” bag and a backpack containing merchandise.

It is alleged that the pair entered a car and left the area. A short time later, officers conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle during which officers allegedly found 16 high-end fragrances and one pair of pants with a total approximate value of $2,832.50.

Following an investigation into the matter, it is alleged that Mendez-Gomez and Montes-Davila entered the Macy’s store together and that once inside the store, Mendez-Gomez removed the “happy birthday” bag and backpack from under his shirt.

It is alleged that the pair then filled the bag and backpack with the fragrances and pants and then exited the store without paying for the items.

“With the holiday shopping season

fast approaching, I want to assure the public that in DuPage County we are 100 percent committed to protecting our retail establishments, their employees and patrons, and anyone accused of robbing, burglarizing or shoplifting from any DuPage County business will be apprehended, charged and prosecuted,” Berlin said. “According to the National Retail Federation, from 2021 to 2022, retail theft nationwide increased by approximately $16 billion to more than $112 billion.

These losses not only cause significant financial hardship to businesses and their employees, but also result in higher prices for shoppers and loss of tax revenue for the entire community.

“I commend the Oak Brook Police Department for their work apprehending the defendants in this case.”

Man accused of illegal possession of firearm denied pre-trial release demeanor DUI. On Nov. 1 at approximately 7:38 p.m., Downers Grove police officers responded to a call at the Shell Gas station, located in the 2200 block of Ogden Avenue, for an individual, later identified as Martin, who was over-filling his gas tank. Upon their arrival, officers observed both tires on the passenger side of Martin’s vehicle were completely deflated and the vehicle was missing its front bumper, which was later found at the intersection of Cross Street and Warrenville Road with a portion of the license plate still attached.

It is alleged that after Martin was placed under arrest for suspected DUI, an assisting officer searched his vehicle and located a Palmetto .223/5.56 caliber rifle behind the driver’s seat with a loaded magazine and one bullet in the chamber. It is

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further alleged that the officer also found a Glock 23, .40 caliber handgun with a defaced serial number under the driver’s seat and a magazine for the gun in the center console.

Martin, who has a prior conviction for aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, has neither a FOID card nor a concealed carry license. It is further alleged that Martin’s BAC was a 0.172.

“The danger posed to the public when a convicted felon is found to be in possession of a weapon, let alone a loaded rifle as alleged in this case, is obvious and will not be tolerated in DuPage County,” Berlin said. “The law is very clear, as a convicted felon who is ineligible for both a FOID

Independent Elmhurst

By age 60, most people experience some degree of eye-lens cloudiness (cataract), which is a condition that can affect the decision to undergo LASIK for correction of refractive error. The fact is that cataracts cause symptoms of blurriness, poor night vision, and/or color distortion, which cataract surgery can correct. As a result, people who previously wore glasses may no longer need them. With this in mind, those experiencing clouded vision may be advised to wait to undergo LASIK (which has no effect on cataract development) until after cataract surgery, On the other hand, individuals who have already undergone LASIK must rely on their ophthalmologists to take the fact into account when selecting precisely the correct lens for future cataract surgery.

P.S. The information contained in an American Academy of Ophthalmology “K card,” which indicates refraction before and after a laser vision procedure, will help in the selection of a replacement lens for cataract surgery at a later date.

Stolper Insurance Agency Inc Brian Stolper, President 447 N York Street Elmhurst, IL 60126-2003 Bus: 630-832-0182 info@brianstolper.com www.brianstolper.com

240 N. West Ave., Elmhurst, IL 60126

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HOW DO CATARACTS AFFECT LASIK DECISION?

Call, click or stop by for a home & auto

card or a CCL, Mr. Martin is prohib- in this case.”

Martin’s next court appearance is ited from owning a firearm and there is absolutely no justification that scheduled Nov. 16 for arraignment in would allow him to do so, as alleged front of Judge Brian Telander.

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DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and Downers Grove Chief of Police Michael DeVries have announced that Judge Joshua Dieden has granted the state’s Gordon motion to deny Martin pre-trial release for a Bolingbrook man accused of illegally possessing a loaded rifle as well as an unloaded handgun.

Gordon Martin, 23, appeared at First Appearance Court and was charged with two counts of unlawful use or possession of weapons by a felon (Class 2 felony) and one count of defacing identification marks of firearms (Class 3 felony). Martin is also charged with two counts of mis-

8 • Thursday, Nov. 9, 2023 - The Elmhurst Independent

The Elmhurst Independent

Viewpoint

Nov. 9, 2023 • 8

Slices of life

If trees could talk: Part 1

This is the first of a two-part column. Because trees not only require but deserve two parts of our attention.

Magestic. Beautiful. Larger than life. Strong. All-knowing. All-seeing.

Reaching skyward. Extending downward. Life-providing. Life sustaining. Simple. Complex.

Miraculous. Useful. Worthy. Alive.

Silent.

Trees.

Trees don’t fight traffic or scramble in the morning hoping not to be late to work. They don’t ever cross the street or engage in friendly gossip.

They don’t cross the street because they don’t move (at least not on their own). They don’t gossip because they don’t talk.

If only trees could talk. Think of the stories they could tell.

I lived in a small town for 20-plus years. My husband and I raised our children there. Our house was built in 1920—as were many of the houses— because the entire town, or nearly so, was destroyed by the great fire of 1918.

It was a series of unfortunate events that started with a spark from a train that landed on grass and foliage near the tracks. It had been an extremely dry summer, making the land ripe for ignition. High winds and low humidity contributed to the perfect storm.

People fled. Many lost their lives.

Even more lost their homes.

But not every home was lost.

For decades I thought the entire town burned down in 1918, but I recently learned a small few survived.

Homeowners sprayed water on roofs in hopes of avoiding personal catastrophe.

And sometimes it worked—as it did in the case of 758 Lilac Street (not the real address.) Recently, someone posted on social media that they used to live at this address and it was one of a handful of homes that survived the Big Fire.

Imagine my surprise. This is my daughter’s current address.

She confirmed the information. Her house was built in 1910—pre-fire.

That got me to thinking. If walls could talk. If trees could talk. Think of the plethora of information they could pass on. What would they say?

The trees that built my daughter’s house - that continue to support it even 100 years after the great fire, started their lifetimes long, long before 1918. They started as seedlings likely in the the mid-1800s, if not before.

By

JILL PERTLER Columnist

In human terms they’ve witnessed roughly seven generations (give or take) of our own (so very) important lives. That means my daughter’s great, great, great, great grandparents could have planted the trees that serve as the backbone of her house.

If only they could talk. The tales they might tell.

During the first part of their life, they sat around in the forest observing bunnies and serving as refuge for squirrels. They saw owls pursue prey and sighed in reverence when a white-tailed dear nested and nestled under the cover of their branches. They looked upward, pursuing the sun, priding themselves on being at the top of the sun-chain: the first to see the sunrise and the last to view the sunset.

And then, one fateful day, a human came with the axe and the peaceful existence they’d known forever was no more. They may have thought life was over.

Because it was over, at least as they knew it at the time.

But the universe had other plans for these trees. They had a life yet to live, a purpose yet to fulfill.

The human with the axe cut the strong, healthy trunks into boards, cut the boards to size and fashioned them into the frame of a house. When realizing this, the tree understood that life wasn’t over. It was just beginning.

It was a new start with a new perspective, providing opportunities to see the world in ways the tree never have imagined—before.

And in that, before became but a memory and the tree (now wooden boards) immersed itself in its new existence. A brand new life.

But what would that life be? What would it mean? What would it lead to?

Tree was about to find out.

As can we—all of us—if we are open to new and unknown things. An event that appears to be life-ending could be a beginning, if we are only able to see it as such.

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

Transforming pretrial justice for people, systems and communities Editor’s note: The opinions expressed in this op-ed are those of the author’s.

By Alison Shames During the week of Oct. 22-Oct. 28, we marked the first 30 days of the Pretrial Fairness Act, which is transforming pretrial justice in Illinois.

When the law was enacted one month ago, it made history by eliminating money bonds. Instead of the arbitrary practice of wealthbased detention, Illinois put in place sensible legal standards for intentional pretrial release and detention decisions based on the law and evidence.

Plenty of work still lies ahead, but we should acknowledge those whose efforts during the past two years helped ensure that the implementation of the law would positively impact people, systems, and communities.

More than 100 people throughout the state participated in the Pretrial Implementation Task Force. They represented law enforcement, courts, state’s attorneys, public defenders, pretrial services, victims’/survivors’ rights advocates, and other community and justice system stakeholder groups—and

dedicated countless hours to lay the groundwork for the law’s success.

While the state’s elimination of financial release conditions has generated the most attention, the Pretrial Fairness Act upended decades of questionable practices and operations. But what is remarkable about the law — especially regarding its potential impact nationwide—is that it reconnected pretrial practices with foundational American legal principles.

More than 30 years ago, the U.S. Supreme Court was unequivocal in declaring that “In our society, liberty is the norm, and detention prior to trial or without trial is the carefully limited exception.”

But this explicit statement was overlooked during decades of outdated practices, including the default setting of financial conditions of release (commonly referred to as “money bond”), which led to pretrial decisions that were neither careful nor limited.

These practices undermined the presumption of innocence. Instead, financial conditions resulted in the detention of people without access to money—and the release of others, even if they posed a danger to

community safety or of willful flight from prosecution.

By abandoning the arbitrary use of financial conditions, Illinois has adopted a commonsense legal framework that honors and operates consistently with the presumption of innocence and liberty.

In this respect, while remarkable, the Pretrial Fairness Act isn’t groundbreaking. It follows other states and jurisdictions that have moved away from financial conditions of release and toward reasoned, evidence-based, and legally justified decisions about who should be detained, who should be released, and under what conditions.

With the new law, Illinois joins New Jersey, New Mexico, and the District of Columbia in requiring substantive hearings to determine who should be detained and ensures that courts are taking the time necessary for decision makers to review each case and its circumstances properly. Where these reforms have been implemented, data and research show that they are working: The majority of people attend their court hearings and remain arrest-free.

See PRETRIAL, Page 12

The Elmhurst Independent - Thursday, Nov. 9, 2023 • 9

Latest state school report card shows proficiency gains, persistent gaps on racial lines Reading, math scores up; graduation rate at 13-year high

Elementary and secondary students in Illinois showed consistent improvements in their reading and math scores while the state’s high school graduation rate reached a 13year high for the most recently concluded school year.

Those are some of the conclusions from the most recent annual statewide school report card, released last week by the Illinois State Board of Education. The report includes data from the 2022-23 academic year, including results of the standardized tests that students took in the spring.

Although statewide average proficiency rates remained below pre-pandemic levels, the results showed improvement over the previous year across all demographic categories.

“Educators and families should be proud of the remarkable progress we see on the 2023 Illinois report card while remaining focused on understanding and meeting the students’ academic and social emotional needs at this phase of recovery,” State Superintendent of Education Tony Sanders said during a media briefing on the report.

Robin Steans, president of the education advocacy group Advance Illi-

nois, agreed that the report was positive overall, but said it also contains some cautionary information, especially regarding racial achievement gaps and attendance rates.

“I think there is some legitimately encouraging news in the new state report card,” she said in a separate interview. “I think there’s also a lot of information that reminds us we’ve a lot of work to do still.”

The annual report card offers a look at how well individual schools, districts and the state as a whole are performing across a wide range of indicators. In addition to student performance on standardized tests, the report also includes information about factors such as student demographics, graduation rates, college readiness, career and technical education, and school faculty.

Much of the public’s attention, however, focuses on the standardized test scores, which are often seen as an indicator of how effectively schools are teaching the basics of reading, writing and math, and what kind of achievement gaps exist among different demographic groups.

English language arts, where the proficiency rate rose from 29.9 percent to 34.6 percent.

That’s still below the 37.4 percent proficiency rate recorded in the 2018 to 2019 school year—the last before the COVID-19 pandemic caused major interruptions the next few years.

But last year’s gain translates to roughly 39,000 more students than the year before who met or exceeded grade level standards in reading and writing.

And while it may seem problematic that only about one-third of all students are considered “proficient” in that subject, Sanders pointed out that Illinois has among the highest standards in the country for English language proficiency.

“So it’s not possible to compare our proficiency rates to other states because it’s like comparing apples to oranges,” Sanders said.

Equally important, Sanders said, was the fact that there were yearover-year gains across all demographic groups, although significant gaps still exist between those groups.

For example, a significant gap still existed between Black and white stuEnglish and math dents in English language arts proOverall, the biggest area of im- ficiency. But on a percentage basis, provement over the last year was in black students saw the biggest gains

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College and career readiness The report card also includes several indicators of how well students are progressing toward a successful completion of the preK-12 experience and how ready they will be to enter college or the workforce.

Among the most basic of those metrics is the percentage of ninth graders who are on track to graduate.

That means at the end of their ninthgrade year, they have earned at least five full-year course credits and have received no more than one semester of an “F” in a core subject such as English, math, science, or social

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significant and the overall proficiency rate remained below pre-pandemic levels. White students scored proficiency rates of 35.6 percent, compared to 14.3 percent for Hispanic students and 8 percent for black students.

The statewide proficiency rate rose by just over one percentage point, to 26.9 percent, while all demographic groups gained on their scores from the year prior. As with English language arts, black students saw the biggest gain in proficiency rates, at 1.2 percentage points.

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in proficiency rates, rising from 12.1 percent to 16.1 percent—a 33-percent increase.

Still, the gap between white and black proficiency rates widened by more than a full percentage point, as did the gap between white and Hispanic students. White students had a proficiency rate of 44.9 percent compared to 22.2 percent of Hispanic students and 16.1 percent for black students.

Sanders also emphasized that the low proficiency rates among black students is more a reflection on the state’s education system than on the students themselves.

“We educate black students disproportionately in underfunded ‘Tier 1’ school districts with more teacher vacancies, higher teacher and principal turnover, higher chronic absenteeism,” he said, referring to Illinois’ targeted system of education funding in which Tier 1 schools receive the least amount of money from their local property tax base.

“So our black students in general have less access to supports, to the resources they need to learn at the rate to be on par with their peers,” Sanders continued.

Math scores also improved in 2023, although the gains were less

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10 • Thursday, Nov. 9, 2023 - The Elmhurst Independent

The Elmhurst Independent

Real Estate/Business

Nov. 9, 2023 •10

Inland Real Estate, DuPage County relaunch MLK Unity event In 1994, Dr. William Carroll, President Emeritus of Benedictine University, organized the first Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Breakfast.

Over time, it became an annual event that drew more than 1,000 attendees and raised money for scholarships. Sadly, because of Dr. Carroll’s retirement, this important uplifting community event went away.

Recognizing the great need to bring diverse communities together, the Inland Real Estate Group decided to bring back this annual event by working in partnership with 244 community leaders from

all walks of life and backgrounds.

With a founding gift from Inland, the DuPage Foundation has created the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Unity Fund, which will aid the underserved populations of DuPage County in a variety of ways.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. often spoke of beloved community as a way of transforming people and relationships and creating communities grounded in reconciliation, friendship, and human dignity. It is in this spirit we come together and invite you to join us Monday, Jan. 15, 2024 at Drury Lane in Oakbrook

Terrace from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m.

NBC News retired anchorman Art Norman will be the Master of Ceremonies; Dr. William Carroll will discuss the history of the breakfast; Naomi King, the widow of Rev. Alfred Daniel (A.D.) King and sister-in-law to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., will give virtual remarks; and Freedom Rider, social justice activist under the leadership of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and member of The Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) Bob Zellner will give in-person remarks. Also expected is the famous

gospel singer Rev. Darius Brooks, who will be joined by a blended choir of DuPage AME and Cathedral of Grace St. John AME Church.

To register, visit dupagefoundation.org/MLKDay. A sold-out crowd is expected.

Available sponsorships include: Impact Sponsor $10,000 Includes two prime tables of 10 and 8 tickets to the VIP Roundtable, premier logo placement in print and digital materials and fullpage logo placement in the program slideshow

Community Sponsor $5,000 Includes 1 prime table of 10, prominent logo placement in print and digital materials and half-page logo placement in the program slideshow.

Social Sponsor $2,500 Includes One prominent table of 10, listing in print and digital materials, and quarter page logo placement in the program slideshow Friend Sponsor $1,000 Includes one table of 10, listing in digital materials and listing in the program slideshow Individual Ticket $75

DuPage County announces new council for mental health, substance use care that very often, these two struggles are linked. I believe this Council will provide expertise and desperately needed resources for those seeking behavioral health care, those fighting addiction and their families, who so often feel powerless and don’t know where to turn.”

The Council is a joint operation of the DuPage County Board and DCHD. The Council will consist of members who specialize in mental health and substance use disorder treatment, recovery, criminal justice, public health, prevention, and education.

This Council will include local, and state elected officials as well as community stakeholders and people

Robert Berlin with lived experience.

DuPage County Coroner Dr. RichDuPage County Board Chair Deborah Conroy, and DCHD Executive ard Jorgensen Judge Paul A. Marchese Director Adam Forker will serve as DuPage County Public Defender co-chairs of the Council.

The following individuals shall be Jeff York Fire Chief Keith Krestan serving on the Council: Chief of Police Roy Newton State Senator Karina Villa Dr. Daniel Sullivan State Representative Terra Costa Felicia Miceli Howard Jarret Burton County Board Member Paula DeaJeff Geiger con Garcia Sheryl Bates County Board Member Greg Cara Siebert Schwarze Jennifer Hess County Board Member Cindy Dr. Natasha Dolgin Cronin Cahill Geri Kerger County Board Member Sam TorKaryn Charvat natore The Council will be supported DuPage County State’s Attorney by an initial annual investment of $250,000 from the DuPage County Board. Funds will support innovative grassroots projects, encourage transformational changes that improve access to care, and seek to educate communities about behavioral

11

• Report

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The DuPage County Board and DuPage County Health Department (DCHD have announced the new DuPage Council on Strengthening the System for Mental Health and Substance Use Care (DCSS). This Council is an ambitious transformation of the HOPE Taskforce designed to further integrate countywide efforts to improve mental health and reduce substance use disorders.

“As I envisioned an organization that would help to expand access to quality mental health services in DuPage County, it made sense to also include our efforts to reduce substance use disorder in our community,” said DuPage County Board Chair Deborah Conroy. “We know

health prevalence, risk factors, and symptoms. The goal of the Council is to reduce the stigma associated with mental health and substance use disorder and to encourage those impacted to seek treatment. The Council will support families, caregivers and community members who are also affected.

“The Council will implement strategies to enhance awareness of and access to services for residents impacted by mental health and substance use disorders,” said Adam Forker, Executive Director, DuPage County Health Department.

The Council meetings will occur every other month, in person, at the Linda A. Kurzawa Community Center at 115 North County Farm Road, Wheaton.

Interested members of the community are invited to attend the Council meetings, which will be open and announced on the DuPage County Board and DCHD websites.

(Continued from page 9)

studies.

In 2023, 87.4 percent of ninth-graders were on track to graduate, which is up from 86.6 percent in 2022, and the same 86.6 percent in 2019.

According to ISBE, students who finish their ninth-grade year on track are nearly four times as likely to graduate from high school as those who are not on track.

Perhaps the most significant indicator, however, was growth in the state’s high school graduation rate.

In 2023, the four-year graduation rate stood at 87.6 percent, the highest level recorded in at least 13 years.

Black and Hispanic students also saw gains in graduation rates over that period.

ISBE did note, however, that the graduation rate was artificially inflated at 88 percent during the pandemic year of 2020 when emergency actions were taken to reduce graduation requirements by one semester.

Chronic absenteeism One area of concern reflected in the report card was the rate of chronic absenteeism among students, defined as missing 10 percent or more of the school year, regardless of whether it’s an excused or unexcused absence.

Last year, 28.7 percent of students were classified as chronically absent.

That was down from just below 30 percent the year before, but it was still well above the pre-pandemic level of 17.5 percent.

The rate was even higher for minority and low-income students—42.1 percent for black students; 34.5 for Hispanic students; and 38.2 percent for students classified as low-income.

“This should be very concerning,” Steans, of Advance Illinois, said. “As I am around the state, this is not lost on anybody. And I think there’s a lot of energy and effort going into it, and rightly so. But we’re just not back where we want to be, by a lot.”

Community calendar Pick of the Week - Saturday, Nov. 11 Beginning at 7 p.m., the American Legion THB Post 187 will host the 4th annual “Stories Behind the Songs” event, featuring Frank J. Myers, Wynn Varble and Danny Wells. Tickets are $125, a table of 10 is $1,000, purchased at americanlegionthb187.org or call 630-8337800. Tickets include heavy appetizers and an open bar.

Saturday, Nov. 11 The Elmhurst Veterans Commission and the Elmhurst American Legion Post THB 187 will present the City’s annual Veterans Day Ceremony at the veterans memorial in Wilder Park, just south of Wilder Mansion. The ceremony begins at 10:30 a.m. so all can pause and salute “the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month” -- in 1918. Free and open to the public.

Sunday, Nov. 12 • At 12 noon, the Elmhurst University Wind Ensemble, American Legion T.H.B. Post 187, and the Martha Ibbetson Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, will present a special Veterans Day Tribute for the community in Hammerschmidt Chapel on the university campus. Free and open to the public. Info: www.elmhurst.edu/music • At 12:15 p.m. at Elmhurst Christian Reformed Church, 149 W. Brush Hill Rd, the SHE Single Mothers Support Group will meet. There are complimentary lunches for all who attend, free childcare (ages infants to 12 years), inspiring guest speakers, fellowship and support from other single moms. All are invited to attend this monthly event. RSVP to elmhurstcrc.org/she.

• At 4 p.m., the Elmhurst Symphony will hold its second concert of the season, “The Ukrainian Symphony,” at Elmhurst Christian Reformed Church, featuring Esteban Batallán, principal trumpet for the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Pre-concert lecture at 2:45 p.m. For tickets and information, call 630-941-0202 or visit ElmhurstSymphony.org.

• At 7 p.m., the Elmhurst University Faculty will present a fall faculty recital in Buik Recital Hall inside

the Irion Hall music building on the campus. Free and open to the public.

Info: www.elmhurst.edu/music.

Friday, Saturday, Sunday Nov. 10-11-12 GreenMan Theatre’s “Blithe Spirit” will run for this last weekend of four performances scheduled. Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays at 2 p.m. at GreenMan’s performance space, 232 S. York St, in the First United Methodist Church building in Elmhurst. Tickets, $20 for adults and $15 for children/seniors (65+), can be purchased at www.greenmantheatre.org.

The Elmhurst Independent - Thursday, Nov. 9, 2023 • 11

The exhibition Picasso: Fifty Years Later is now open, remaining through Sunday, Jan. 7, 2024.

Now through Friday, Oct. 20, the Elmhurst Artists Guild is holding its fall members show in the EAG gallery inside the Elmhurst Art Museum. A portion of this exhibition is

the debut of a nationally touring exhibition Picasso and the Progressive Proof: Linocut Prints from a Private Collection.

The Elmhurst Artists’ Guild Fall Members Show continues as well.

In addition, there is a new exhibit in the McCormick House entitled,

“Seasons Creep Under a Shading Tree.” Five artists came together to create works that take nature into consideration from the vantage point of a McCormick House resident.

Info: elmhurstartistsguild.org or elmhurstartmuseum.org or 630-8340202.

We want to print your news! Is your church hosting a special event?

Community Calendar listings are free!

Send details to independent@rvpublishing.com

Monopoly has Boardwalk and Park Place…. We have 444 S Hill!!!!

Tuesday, Nov. 14 At 7 p.m., Queer Eye host Karamo will present “Mental Health Matters: A Conversation with Karamo,” this year’s Roland Quest Lecture at Elmhurst University in Hammerschmidt Memorial Chapel. Admission is $15; free for Elmhurst University students, faculty, staff and alumni. For tickets, visit elmhurst.edu/cultural.

For more information, email marketing@elmhurst.edu.

Thursday, Nov. 23 The 40th annual Dan Gibbons Turkey Trot steps off on Thanksgiving morning in downtown Elmhurst. The time to register is now because it will be here before we know it! Sign up now at dangibbonsturkeytrot.org.

Elmhurst History Museum The museum’s latest exhibit, Lost Chicagoland Department Stores, opened Friday, Oct. 6. Admission to the Museum is always free, although some events carry a fee.

Elmhurst Art Museum

You will want to land on this home and collect the following…. 5 Bedroom, 5.1 Baths, 5034 Sq Ft above grade and an additional 2662 in Lower level for total of 7696 Sq Ft. Built by award winning builder (Dave Knecht), Stone and brick exterior with cedar shake roof. Outdoor Built-in Pool and Spa with outdoor kitchen and firepit area. Professionally Landscaped and oversized Leafgaurd gutters and downspouts, recently installed. 3 Car heated garage with protective coated floors and concrete driveway with extra side apron for additional parking. Nothing has been overlooked when these original owners built the home; From the Imported French Limestone flooring to the extensive crown moldings, extra tall ceilings on the first floor, High end Kitchen cabinetry and top of the line appliances such as Sub-Zero, Viking and Bosch. Butler panty, great open floor plan design with views of the beautifully landscaped backyard and pool spa area. First floor office with custom built-in bookcases. 1st floor laundry room. All 4 bedrooms upstairs are Ensuite’s. 3 Gas Log fireplaces. Full finished basement with deep foundation allowing for tall ceilings, wet bar roughed in and additional bedroom and separate exercise room. Recreational area with fireplace, TV and pool table area.

Private Elevator services all three levels. All newer HVAC and Hot Water Heaters. Back up Gas Generator. It truly doesn’t get much better than this!!!!

University music faculty to present fall recital

fessor of Piano Linda Camp who will perform as a soloist and accompanist for the recital.

Each of these outstanding faculty members have either national or international reputations as performers, soloists and clinicians. Their performances include the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Lyric Opera Orchestra to the Picosa Contemporary Music Ensemble to the Alliance Brass and to international stages in twelve countries across Europe and Asia.

The Elmhurst University Music Department is pleased to present this concert open to the public and with free admission. Join us in hearing these great musicians on the Elmhurst University campus. For further information, please visit www.elmhurst. edu/music.

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On Sunday, Nov 12 at 7 p.m., seven faculty members of the Elmhurst University Music Department will join in a showcase recital for Elmhurst music students and the greater Elmhurst community.

The Fall Faculty Recital will be performed in the Buik Recital Hall inside the Irion Hall Music Building on the Elmhurst University Campus.

A variety of solo repertoire will be performed encompassing various musical periods from classical to contemporary styles. The faculty to be highlighted include Professor of Piano Dr. Soyoung Kee, Professor of Clarinet Andrea DiOrio, Professor of Guitar Steven Vazquez, Professor of Trombone Tom Stark, Professor of Voice Scott Uddenberg, Professor of Trumpet Dr. Chris O’Hara, and Pro-

12 • Thursday, Nov. 9, 2023 - The Elmhurst Independent

Scholar to discuss climate change policy at Elmhurst University Arthur Petersen brings ‘Lessons from the Netherlands’

Arthur Petersen is a professor of and is editor-in-chief of Zygon: London, he worked for more than science, technology and public pol- Journal of Religion and Science. 13 years as a scientific adviser on icy at University College London, Before joining University College environment and infrastructure policy for the Dutch government.

On Wednesday, Nov. 15 at 4 Funding to strengthen youth mental health p.m., Petersen will present “Climate Change and Public Policy: services awarded to area school districts State Sen. Suzy Glowiak Hilton has and training for medical and school Lessons from the Netherlands” in announced that more than $1.2 million staff to expand adolescent mental Schaible Science Center, Illinois Hall, at Elmhurst University. was awarded to local organizations health resources.

The following school districts in the 23rd District will receive additional funding: • DuPage High School District 88 – $249,000 • Elmhurst Community Unit School District 205 – $249,000 • Marquardt School District 15 – $249,000 • Salt Creek School District 48 – $249,000 • School District 45 – $249,000 More than $9 million was awarded to 40 applicants across the state through this round of funding. For more information about the grant recipients, visit ltgov.illinois.gov/news/ press-release.27180.html.

Editor’s note: This was submitted by the office of State Sen. Suzy Glowiak Hilton.

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through the Illinois Department of Public Health to support post-pandemic child and adolescent mental health.

“Throughout the last few decades, we have seen a significant increase in young people dealing with mental health struggles,” said Glowiak Hilton (D-Western Springs). “The COVID pandemic enhanced and intensified mental health issues. This vital funding will allow our schools to strengthen and improve mental health services for our children.”

The grants–funded by the American Rescue Plan Act and additional state funding–are intended to help schools and local agencies improve student care through workforce enhancements, frameworks to prevent adverse childhood experiences, interventions to assist children suffering from trauma,

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Besides his work for the Dutch government, Petersen served as chief scientist of the PBL Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency.

He also is a research affiliate at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, as well as a visiting professor at the London School of Economics and Political Science.

Petersen has doctoral degrees in atmospheric science, public policy and theology, and most of his research is about dealing with uncertainty.

Admission is free and all are welcome.

For questions and more information, email marketing@elmhurst. edu.

(Continued from page 8) The Pretrial Fairness Act’s work together across disciplines and accomplishments go beyond functions. System stakeholders and its alignment with foundational community members collaborated in pretrial legal principles. The new a well-structured process that helped law requires a comprehensive them identify and better understand collection of relevant data to be the changes they needed to make to analyzed and shared with justice their pretrial practices. This requires system professionals and the removing the traditional barriers in public. Reliable data is essential for the criminal legal system that can reviewing pretrial outcomes and divide system stakeholders from the measuring how a system performs community members they serve. as a whole; it will also contribute These collaborations should to more constructive and evidencecontinue and include representatives based discussions about the from all agencies with pretrial impacts the new law has on people, responsibilities and directly communities, and the court system. impacted people, victims and Because the new law is complex survivors, and their families. and comprehensive, it required The people working in the state’s counties to do something that many criminal legal systems—judges, justice systems don’t naturally do: state’s attorneys, defense counsel,

law enforcement, court clerks, pretrial services officers, and many others—deserve recognition for their extraordinary efforts to uphold the letter as well as the spirit of the new law.

Change is never easy. But the Pretrial Fairness Act puts Illinois on the path to upholding foundational legal principles and the integrity of its system of justice. This important undertaking is off to a positive start.

Alison Shames is a director at the Center for Effective Public Policy, where she co-directs the national initiative Advancing Pretrial Policy and Research and served as a technical assistance advisor to the Illinois Pretrial Implementation Task Force.

• Pretrial

• Murder

(Continued from page 6)

received a Snapchat message from Green at approximately 9:11 p.m.

Jan. 14, 2019. Shortly after receiving the message, Armendariz left his apartment and got into a black, 1999 Ford Explorer driven by Green, that was in the parking lot of his apartment complex. Green then drove out of the parking lot with Armendariz in the vehicle.

Approximately five minutes later, Collins emerged from hiding in the back of the Explorer and shot Armendariz twice in the back of the head.

The duo then traveled to Jones’

residence in Chicago and, with Jones’ help, placed Armendariz’s body in a garbage can and then put the garbage can in Jones’ garage.

At some point in time, the garbage can was moved to the garage of the vacant house next to Jones’ home.

The following day, Collins and Green took Armendariz’s apartment keys and burglarized his apartment. Armendariz’s body was discovered several months later and an investigation was undertaken by the Chicago and Naperville police departments.

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The investigation ultimately led to the apprehension of all three defendants. Jones was taken into custody on Feb. 6, 2019, in Chicago while Collins and Green were taken into custody on Feb. 4, 2019, in Rockford.

“A jury found Candice Jones, the last of three defendants charged in the murder of Michael Armendariz, guilty of first-degree murder,” Berlin said. “Guilty verdicts, however, cannot bring Michael back to those who loved him. The diabolical plot devised by Candice Jones, Ernest Collins and Cassandra Green, and the execution of that plot, left a void in the lives of Michael’s surviving family and friends that will never be filled. I wish them strength as they continue their lives, having replaced Michael’s presence with just his memory.”

Jones’ next court appearance is scheduled Dec. 18 for return of the pre-sentence report and filing of post-trial motions. She faces a penalty of 75 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC).

On Sept. 29, a jury found Collins guilty of first-degree murder and armed robbery with a firearm. His next court appearance is scheduled Nov. 29 for return of the pre-sentence report.

He faces a sentence of up to natural life in the IDOC. On Aug. 19, 2022, Green entered an agreed plea of guilty to one count of armed robbery with a firearm in exchange for her cooperation.

Her next appearance is scheduled Nov. 13 for status. Judge Reidy presided over the cases for all three defendants.

The Elmhurst Independent - Thursday, Nov. 9, 2023 • 13

4th annual ‘Stories Behind the Songs’ coming Nov. 11

Say hello to performer Wynn Varble

Friday, Nov. 10 from 2-4 p.m.

Friday Features: Corner Office Enjoy an afternoon at the movies.

Find each week’s featured film at elmlib.org/Friday. No registration.

every week. Prior experience is required. Live in-person. No registration required.

Tuesday, Nov. 14 from 7-8 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 11 Intro to Jazz Appreciation from 10 a.m.-noon Gain knowledge and insight into Canasta the lives and music of jazz musicians Join us for a friendly game of Ca- through performances by the York nasta every week. Prior experience High School Jazz Ensemble. Live is required. Live in-person. No reg- in-person and on Zoom. Registration istration. required.

Monday, Nov. 13 from 10:30-11:30 a.m.

Transition to Senior Living 101 Explore what assistive living and memory care communities offer and why it might be the best idea for your future safety. Live in-person and on Zoom. Registration required.

Wednesday, Nov. 15 from 10 a.m.-noon American Mah Jongg Gather for this game of skill, strategy, calculation, and a certain amount of chance. Prior experience is required. Live in-person. No registration required.

Monday, Nov. 13 from 7-8:30 p.m.

Democracy Diagnostic Learn about the state of our democracy and discover what makes a democracy healthy. Live in-person and on Zoom. Registration required.

Wednesday, Nov. 15 from 2-3 p.m.

Self-Care for Caregivers Karen Hall shares ways caregivers can take care of themselves, manage their stress, and create boundaries. Live in-person. Registration required.

Tuesday, Nov. 14 from noon-2 p.m.

In Stitches Needleworkers Knitters, crocheters, and needleworkers of all skill levels: bring a project on which to work, share knowledge with others, and have fun! No registration required.

Tuesday, Nov. 14 from 1-3 p.m.

Bridge and Pinochle Club Enjoy an afternoon of card games

Wednesday, Nov. 15 from 7-8 p.m.

Lincoln and Thanksgiving In this portrayal, President Lincoln shares the story of how our national observance of the Thanksgiving holiday came to be established during his presidency.

Live in-person and on Zoom. Registration required.

SUBMITTED PHOTO Elmhurst Independent

Wynn Varble

Worship Services Directory

FAITH CHURCH OF ELMHURST LAUNCHING A NEW GLOBAL METHODIST COMMUNITY IN ELMHURST

Gather with us for weekend worship!

Come Join the Global Methodist Movement As We Create Connec�ons through Extending Christ’s Love Worship: Prayer: 111 W North Avenue Elmhurst 630-941-0212

✝

Saturdays 5 p.m.

Sundays 8:30 and 11 a.m.

10 a.m. Sundays 11 a.m. Wednesdays

Education Hour between services at 9:45 a.m.

www.faithchurchelmhurst.org faithelm@gmail.com

142 E. Third St. Elmhurst, IL

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St. Timothy Evangelical Lutheran Church 547 N. Main St. Lombard, IL 60148 (630) 627-2435

Sunday Worship at 10:15am Sunday School & Bible Study 9am Wednesday Service at 7pm Adult Bible Study Wednesdays after Service Ladies Bible Fellowship Mondays at 6:30pm Thanksgiving Service Wed., Nov. 22nd at 7pm

for as low as $20 per week

Everyone is Welcome!

All services are live streamed.

You can watch them on our website or on Facebook. sainttimothy.org

ImmanuelElmhurst.org 630-832-1649

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Elmhurst Public Library Programs

ber one hits are “I’m a Little More Country Than That” recorded by Easton Corbin; “Waitin’ on a Woman” recorded by Brad Paisley; and the stirring 9/11 remembrance piece, “Have You Forgotten”, co-written and performed by Darryl Worley.

Wynn has penned songs recorded

by Garth Brooks, Trace Adkins, Willie Nelson, Mark Chestnutt, Kellie Pickler, Lee Ann Womack and many others. In 2009, he was honored by the Nashville Songwriters Association with their “Songwriter of the Year” award.

Varble writes nearly every day and tours extensively. He is currently signed with BMG Music Publishing.

This will be Varble’s first appearance at the Elmhurst American Legion’s Songwriters Event.

Call Brenda at 630-834-4450 or Betty at 630-627-7010

440960

the people who were inspired to write them.

Award-winning songwriters, Frank J. Myers, Wynn Varble and Danny Wells will share their talents at this year’s event, beginning at 7:00 pm.

Advance tickets are $125 ($150 at the door), and a table of 10 is $1,000.

Tickets may be purchased by visiting the Post’s website, www.americanlegionthb187.org or calling 630-8337800. Heavy appetizers and an open bar are included in the ticket price.

More about Wynn Varble Born and raised in Ellenwood, Georgia, Wynn Varble’s love for country music began at a very young age when he discovered his dad’s collection of vinyl country albums. Around the age of 14, a neighbor showed Wynn a few chords on an old guitar and, before long, he was writing and playing his own songs.

After years of playing in honkytonks and bars, Varble decided to move to Nashville. It was there he wrote Sammy Kershaw’s, “Fit to be Tied Down”.

It was his first single to get regular radio play.

Since then, Wynn has written numerous hits, including three number ones! All three number ones were nominated for “Song of the Year” by the CMA and/or ACM. Varble’s num-

446322

Have you ever experienced the feeling of utter joy or complete sadness a perfectly crafted song can impart on your soul? When you’re a bit down, is there some piece you play that refreshes your spirit? Do you remember the first time you heard a song you felt could have been written about an experience or feeling you’ve had?

Music can certainly affect our mood and, in many cases, even our mental and physical well-being.

Great songs are the foundation of great recordings. Songwriters are where the formal process of developing our favorites begins.

Many times, the songs these talented composers write reflect their personal experiences. Other times, songs are crafted about a tale the songwriter has heard or created themselves. The stories about the writing of songs are many times just as interesting and inspirational as the songs themselves.

Learn about the inspiration and writing process for many familiar country and crossover hits at the Fourth Annual “Stories Behind the Songs” at the Elmhurst American Legion THB 187 Post on Saturday, November 11, 2023.

You’ll get to hear the stories behind the songs - by the songwriters themselves - and then get treated to a live performance, with all the heart and soul of

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14 • Thursday, Nov. 9, 2023 - The Elmhurst Independent

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Elmhurst Office (630) 834-8244

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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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CLASSIFIED IN-COLUMN ADS cannot be credited or refunded after the ad has been placed.

Ads canceled before deadline will be removed from the paper as a service to our customers, but no credit or refund will be issued to your account.

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

The toll-free tele phone number for the hearing impaired is 1-800-927-9275.

EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY

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The Elmhurst Independent - Thursday, Nov. 9, 2023 • 15

Veterans Day Tribute to be held at Elmhurst University Nov. 12 Association.

DAR member Crystal Forbes will be offering a special reading of The American Creed.

Adding to the color and pageantry of the event will be the American Legion Color Guard accompanied by the color guards and members of Elmhurst Scout Troops 117B, and 117G. This one-hour tribute includes several patriotic music favorites, including American Legion Forever, a march the great American composer Morton Gould dedicated to the American Legion.

A medley of popular music from World War II through the Gulf War will be performed along with movie music concluding with John Williams’ magnificent Hymn to the Fallen accompanied by a moving

LEGAL NOTICES NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING ZONING AND PLANNING COMMISSION/ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS CASE NUMBER 23 ZBA 08 Request for Variations Notice is hereby given that the Elmhurst Zoning and Planning Commission/Zoning Board of Appeals will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, November 28, 2023 at 7:00 p.m., in the Elmhurst City Hall, 209 N. York Street, Elmhurst, Illinois. The purpose of this hearing is to consider a request for Sign Variations by Paul Kenna of American Signs LLC on behalf of JTP Holdings LLC, Anthony Scalzitti, at the property commonly known as 681 W. North Avenue in Elmhurst, Illinois for the purpose of adding a new wall sign.

Following is a legal description of the subject property: LOT 1 (EXCEPT THAT PART THEREOF DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS: COMMENCING AT THE SOUTHEAST CORNER OF SAID LOT 1; THENCE WESTERLY ALONG THE SOUTH LINE THEREOF 149.96 FEET TO AN ANGLE POINT THEREIN; THENCE SOUTHWESTERLY ALONG SAID SOUTH LINE WHICH FORMS AN ANGLE OF 95 DEGREES 19 MINUTES 35 SECONDS MEASURED CLOCKWISE FROM THE LAST DESCRIBED COURSE 26.12 FEET TO A 3 1/4 INCH DIAMETER ALUMINUM DISK FOR A POINT OF BEGINNING; THENCE CONTINUING SOUTHWESTERLY ALONG THE LAST DESCRIBED COURSE 24.10 FEET TO AN ANGLE POINT IN SAID SOUTH LINE; THENCE WESTERLY ALONG SAID SOUTH LINE WHICH FORMS AN ANGLE OF 95 DEGREES 19 MINUTES 35 SECONDS MEASURED COUNTER CLOCKWISE FROM THE LAST DESCRIBED COURSE 106.60 FEET TO AN ANGLE POINT THEREIN; THENCE NORTHEASTERLY ALONG SAID SOUTH LINE WHICH FORMS AN ANGLE OF 85 DEGREES 54 MINUTES 08 SECONDS MEASURED COUNTER-CLOCKWISE FROM THE LAST DESCRIBED COURSE 24.06 FEET TO A 3 1/4 INCH DIAMETER ALUMINUM DISK; THENCE EASTERLY ALONG A LINE WHICH FORMS AN ANGLE OF 94 DEGREES 05 MINUTES 52 SECONDS MEASURED COUNTER-CLOCKWISE FROM THE LAST, DESCRIBED COURSE 107.12 FEET TO THE POINT OF BEGINNING), TOGETHER WITH LOT 2 AND THAT PART OF LOT 3 LYING SOUTH OF A LINE THAT IS 45.0 FEET SOUTH OF (AS MEASURED PERPENDICULAR TO) AND PARALLEL WITH THE CENTER LINE OF THE 30 FOOT WIDE DRAINAGE EASEMENT ACCORDING TO THE DOCUMENT

RECORDED APRIL 14, 1938 AS DOCUMENT 388770, IN NORTH AND 83 SUBDIVISION, BEING A SUBDIVISION IN THE SOUTHEAST 1/4 OF SECTION 34, TOWNSHIP 40 NORTH, RANGE 11, EAST OF THE THIRD PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN, ACCORDING TO THE PLAT THEREOF RECORDED OCTOBER 3, 1975 AS DOCUMENT R75-53900 AND CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION RECORDED JANUARY 21, 1976 AS DOCUMENT R76-04581, IN DUPAGE COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

video tribute. In addition to the musical selections for the afternoon, a special salute to veterans will take place.

As the band performs an armed forces salute, those who have served and family members of those who have served or who are currently serving, will be invited to stand and be recognized as the music for each branch of the armed forces is performed.

The Martha Ibbetson Chapter of the D.A.R. is a nonpolitical women’s service organization in Elmhurst for 90 years and asking patrons to support Packages 4 Patriots, an area group sending care packages to U.S. military overseas.

Please consider a financial donation to this project or bring any of these items to the concert: socks, deodorants, protein bars, nuts, seeds, trail mix.

Elmhurst

Independent

Elmhurst’s Locally Owned and Operated Hometown Newspaper

Please join the Elmhurst University Wind Ensemble, Elmhurst American Legion, members of the NSDAR, and our Scout Troops, in this special tribute to honor our veterans.

Admission is free and open to the public. For further information, a map of the campus or more information about future performances, please visit www.elmhurst.edu/ music.

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Every Story, Every Photo, Every Advertisement In Print and Online Every Thursday

PINs: 03-34-410-013, 03-34-410-010, 0334-410-015 The common street address is 681 W. North Avenue, Elmhurst, IL. The subject property is located within the C3 General commercial District.

If you have any questions regarding this case, please contact the Community Development Department at 630-530-3121.

NOTE: Any person who has a disability requiring a reasonable accommodation to participate in this meeting, should contact Emily Wagner, ADA Compliance Officer, Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., City of Elmhurst, 209 N. York Street, Elmhurst, IL 60126, or call 630-530-8095 TDD, within a reasonable time before the meeting. Requests for a qualified interpreter require five (5) working days’ advance notice.

Eileen Franz, City Planner (Published in The Elmhurst Independent Nov. 9, 2023) 446625 NOTICE CERTIFICATE NO. 79237 was filed in the office of the County Clerk of DuPage County on OCTOBER 12, 2023, wherein the business firm of PASSIONS NAIL SPA LOCATED AT 590 SOUTH YORK STREET, ELMHURST, IL 60126, was registered; that the true or real name or names of the person or persons owning the business, with their respective post office address(es), is/are as follows: NAME OF PERSON(S) OANH THI KIEU TRUONG, HOME ADDRESS 2240 SCOVILLE AVENUE APT 2, BERWYN, IL 60402.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and Official Seal at my office in Wheaton, Illinois, this 12TH day of OCTOBER, A.D. 2023.

JEAN KACZMAREK Jean Kaczmarek DuPage County Clerk (OFFICIAL SEAL) (Published in The Elmhurst Independent Oct. 26, Nov. 2 & 9, 2023) 445639

Receive a free eSubscription of your hometown newspaper For a free weekly eSubscription emailed to any Elmhurst resident or business, sign up at: rockvalleyenews.com For a free print subscription delivered to any Elmhurst residence or business, sign up at: rockvalleydigital.com

The Elmhurst Independent Your Locally Owned and Operated Hometown Newspaper Published by

Rock Valley Publishing 240 N. West Ave., Elmhurst, IL 60126 Phone: 630.834.8244

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On Sunday, Nov. 12 at 12 noon, the Elmhurst University Wind Ensemble, American Legion T.H.B. Post 187, and the Martha Ibbetson Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, join together to present a special Veterans Day Tribute for the Elmhurst community.

The Veterans Day Tribute will be held in Hammerschmidt Chapel on the Elmhurst University campus. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War and the Elmhurst University Wind Ensemble will provide patriotic music and video presentations throughout the program that will be interspersed with brief reflections by members of American Legion Post 187 and student veterans from the Elmhurst University Veterans

16 • Thursday, Nov. 9, 2023 - The Elmhurst Independent

The Elmhurst Independent

Sports

Nov. 9, 2023 • 16

IC Catholic Prep, York football teams win on road in second round of playoffs Both will play in state quarterfinals this week

By Mike Miazga CORRESPONDENT

It’s back to the state quarterfinals for both the IC Catholic Prep and York football teams. Both Elmhurst-based high schools won their respective second-round playoff games on the road with ICCP soundly defeating Rockford Boylan, while York won a West Suburban Conference Silver Division rematch with Lyons Township on a field goal as time expired in regulation.

IC Catholic Prep football The IC Catholic Prep football team moved to 9-2 after a 35-7 win against Rockford Boylan in Rockford in the second round of the Class 4A state playoffs. The Knights, who won the Class 3A state title a year ago, scored 21 points in the second quarter and 14 more in the third quarter.

Dennis Mandala completed 12 of 18 passes for 190 yards and two touchdowns. The Knights also ran for 261

York Football week 12 preview Edwardsville (10-1) at York (10-1)

When: Saturday, 2:30 p.m. Clarence D. East Field, York High School, Elmhurst Seeds: York is the No. 5 seed in the 32-team Class 8A bracket; Edwardsville is the No. 4 seed Last week: Edwardsville 48, Glenbard West 14; York 17, Lyons Township 14 Outlook: York got out of the second round with a field goal as time expired last week against Lyons Township. The Dukes are in the quarters for the second year in a row and are looking to make a repeat semifinals appearance. Edwardsville will travel four hours north on Interstate 55 to play this game in Elmhurst. The Tigers, with an enrollment of 2,307, play in the Southwestern Conference where they finished second to East St. Louis. Edwardsville has played three teams from Missouri (records of 8-1, 0-9 and 7-1 in the regular season).

Their other six games were against teams with records of 5-5, 4-5, 3-6, 1-8, 8-3 (Belleville East) and 9-2 (East St. Louis), the latter two are still alive in the state playoffs. The Tigers have received a steady dose of the western suburbs in the playoffs, beating West Aurora (3514) at home and Glenbard West (48-14) at home. York’s only loss this season is to Glenbard West (28-7) at home.

Up Next: Winner gets either No. 1 seed Loyola Academy (11-0) or No. 24 St. Ignatius (8-3) in the Class 8A state semifinals.

IC Catholic Prep Football week 12 preview St. Laurence (8-3) at IC Catholic Prep (9-2)

When: Friday or Saturday. Check IHSA.org for day and time.

Seeds: St. Laurence is the No. 11 seed in the top half of the Class 4A bracket; ICCP is the No. 7 seed Last week: St. Laurence 31, Dixon 21; ICCP 35, Rockford Boylan 7 Outlook: The Knights proved moving up a class in the state playoffs is just a number by going up to Rockford and soundly beating a strong Boylan Catholic team. The Knights are in the state quarterfinals for the eighth full season in a row (not counting the COVID-shortened 2020 season). St. Laurence, out of Burbank and also a member of the Chicago Catholic League/East Suburban Catholic Conference, is coached by former ICCP athletic director Adam Nissen. There are several commonalities in each team’s schedule. St. Laurence lost to Wheaton St. Francis 42-28, while ICCP lost to St. Francis 35-34. St. Laurence defeated Benet Academy 30-6, while ICCP downed Benet 34-9. Bet on the Knights in this one for a return trip to the semifinals.

Up Next: The winner faces No. 8 Sandwich (8-3) or No. 4 Wheaton Academy (10-1) in the state semifinals.

yards on 40 carries (6.5 yards per carry). Joey Gilatta ran eight times for 92 yards and a score. David Velez ran 11 times for 65 yards and a touchdown, while Aaron Harvey ran 14 times for 65 yards and a touchdown. KJ Parker caught five passes for 105 yards and two touchdowns, while Kaleb Ellis caught three passes for 57 yards. Nate Brown led the defense with eight tackles, while Dominik Hulak and Foley Calcagno each had six tackles. Hulak had two tackles for loss, while Parker, John Goggin, Jackson Ramos and Byron Jones each had one tackle for loss.

Calcagno, Nathen Omolo Jr. and Jones each had a quarterback hurry. Omolo

Jr. also had an interception, while Ellis recovered a fumble and Gliatta caused a fumble. Tony Dewald, JP Schmidt and Gliatta each had a pass deflection.

ICCP will host Burbank St. Laurence, a fellow Chicago Catholic League/East Suburban Catholic Conference entrant, in the quarterfinals either Friday or Saturday. Check IHSA. org for day and time.

T h e Knights are in the state quarterfinals for an eighth season in a row not counting the COVID-altered 2020 season.

York football The York football team went to Western Springs for the second time this season and came away with a close

victory, this time a 17-14 win over fellow West Suburban Conference Silver Division combatant Lyons Township in the second round of the Class 8A state playoffs.

York placekicker Damian Glodz connected on a field goal as time expired in regulation to win the game.

York trailed 14-7 at halftime. The Dukes defeated Lyons 24-14 in Week 8 of the regular season.

York (10-1) hosts downstate Edwardsville in the state quarterfinals Saturday at 2:30 p.m. at Clarence D. East Field in Elmhurst. York is in the state quarterfinals for a second year in a row.

IC Catholic Prep girls volleyball team headed back to state semifinals Knights beat Timothy Christian to earn sectional championship

By Mike Miazga CORRESPONDENT

The IC Catholic Prep girls volleyball team has some unfinished business to tend to in Normal. And the Knights made sure that return trip was possible after a recent 25-8, 25-10 win over Chicago Latin School in the Class 2A Timothy Christian supersectional in Elmhurst.

ICCP (35-3) plays in the Class 2A state semifinals Friday at noon against Carmi-White County at Redbird Arena on the campus of Illinois State University in Normal. If the Knights win Friday’s game, they will play for the Class 2A state title for a second year in a row Saturday against either Breese Mater Dei or Rock Falls. The 2A state title match is set for 1:55 p.m. If ICCP loses it would play for third place at 12:25 p.m. Saturday.

ICCP lost 25-21, 27-25 to Genoa-Kingston in the Class 2A state championship match last year. The Knights are in search of their fourth state title and first since 2013. The Knights reached the Class 2A supersectional by winning the Class 2A Genoa-Kingston sectional title with a 25-23, 25-20 win over town neighbor Timothy Christian.

Ava Falduto had 11 kills, nine digs and three assists, while Lucy Russ finished with 22 assists, four kills, four digs, one ace and one block. Emily Carling had five kills and four digs.

Delilah Hyland had two kills, while Jenny Fromelt had two kills and two

blocks. Alysa Lawton had seven digs.

In a 25-14, 25-19 win over host Genoa-Kingston in the sectional semifinals, Falduto had 14 kills, nine digs, one ace, two assists and two blocks.

Lucy Russ finished with 22 assists, three kills, five digs, one ace and two blocks. Carling had 11 kills, two assists, four digs and one ace. Hyland finished with two kills and one block.

Lawton had seven digs and three assists.

The Knights also won a Class 2A regional title with wins over Cristo Rey from Waukegan and Aurora Central Catholic. “We felt confident going into the match with Cristo Rey that we would be successful,” ICCP coach Nancy Kerrigan said. “It was a nice chance to give everyone on our team the chance to play in an IHSA postseason match. Our goal was to not veer far from our pace and speed, and we did pretty well with that. It was a nice way to get our feet wet and shake off any playoff jitters. We worked with our setter-middle connection a lot in this match, which resulted in Delilah notching a career-high nine kills and Jenny Fromelt also contributing a career-high seven kills.”

Kerrigan said the team had plenty of familiarity with ACC from having been in the same conference for many years.

“We knew they played with high energy, and we set out to counter that with our own,” she said. “We continued to reinforce our balanced attack and had a number of players make strong contri-

butions, including Ava, Lucy, Delilah and Emily (Carling). We executed the main parts of our plan well and really found a groove early and stayed in it all the way through.”

Also of note, Russ surpassed the 2,000 career-assist milestone during the Cristo Rey contest.

Timothy Christian girls volleyball The Timothy Christian girls volleyball team lost 25-23, 25-20 to town neighbor IC Catholic Prep in the Class 2A Genoa-Kingston sectional championship match. The Trojans, the Chicagoland Christian Conference champions, finished the season 28-7.

Abby Vander Wal had 10 kills and nine digs for the Trojans, while Bella Potempa had seven kills and five digs.

Addy Vogelzang had three kills, one ace and three blocks. Ella Rickert had two kills and two blocks. Hope Huizenga had one kill and two blocks, while Leah DeBoer had 19 assists and three digs. Clare McQuade had two assists and six digs.

Timothy reached the sectional final after a 25-23, 25-16 win over Rockford Christian. Vander Wal had 12 kills, three aces and seven digs. Potempa finished with seven kills, one ace and six digs. Vogelzang had nine kills and one ace. Rickert finished with four kills. DeBoer had 15 assists, one ace and three digs. Elizabeth Alex had 15 assists and McQuade had three assists and 10 digs.

SPORTS 19

The Elmhurst Independent - Thursday, Nov. 9, 2023 • 17 The Elmhurst Independent - Thursday, July 16, 2020 • 19

York girls Prep crossgraduate country IC Catholic Leslie to Le 3A Moyne teamheaded wins Class

sports

Will play volleyball for Division II school

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

Leslie said she has plenty of

By Mike Miazga excited to be able memories from IC Catholic Prep’s CORRESPONDENT coach Nancy Kerrigan’s program. to play volleyball in Recent IC Catholic Prep gradu“I loved playing there,” she said. ate Bella Leslie wanted to head east “I probably enjoyed school volleycollege. It gives me for college. ball more than club because I love Her landing spot ended up being my team and the coaching staff something to do. I at NCAA Division II Le Moyne was very supportive on and off the College where the former Knights court. It made it a really good enfeel like I would be volleyball and soccer standout will vironment to be in. Coach (Kerrisoall-state boredhonors. without continue her volleyball career at gan)

By Mike Miazga 17:45.43 and sophomore GiGi her Hill 3A Klimek finwas great.

I have known th the Syracuse, New York school as for CORRESPONDENT 18:00.40, up ished this year, ninth in 2022 wasa while.

49th atWhen 11 I waswrapping little, I did it because it has a libero.

The York girls cross country all York’s sevenkids state camps, runners.and her and seventh in 2021. the little “Allproved of the schools was looking team it is theI leader of the daughter Klimek, Michaela Michaela Quinnawas 16th this was inOwens, my brother’s grade been such big atpack were on the East Coast,” Leslie -- again. atQuinn IC.” and McGrail earned Class year and seventh last year. toldThe the Dukes Independent lastcapped week. off “I recently part of my life.”

Leslie said she will miss plenvisited Le Moyne reallybyliked a dominating 2023and season win- ty about IC Catholic Prep. “I will – Bella Leslie it.

It reminded me state of high school miss how close knit of a communining the Class 3A championbecause it was a small and ty it was,” she said. “I knew everyship at Detweiller Parkschool, in Peoria. in aThe smaller school you will know a body at the school. It will be weird been cancelled due to the pandemDukes, powered by five runlot more faces than if top I would have going on campus and not knowing ic. “I will probably leave Aug. ners finishing in the 30, ended gone bigger15 school. with to 77 apoints, better The thancamWest all the faces. I’ll miss those close 10-11 because it’s a far drive,” pus there isConference really pretty.

It sitsDivion connections with the coaches and she said. “We had Zoom call with Suburban Silver asion big foe hill Downers and the scenery around(92 it teachers. It will be weird for the the team recently and they said Grove North ispoints). great. Everything is pretty close first year or so.” they should have an answer about together.

They have nice facilBarrington was very a distant third Leslie said pandemic life hasn’t our season in the next 7-10 days. with 115 ities.

The points. volleyball program has been overly exciting, though her They talked about three scenarios It workout was York’s secondand Class 3A club volleyball team has started and what could happen like if we good facilities a nice state title in the last how threemodern years and locker room.

I liked it practicing again. “We have been start the season and someone gets third podium finish in a row. The practicing two or three times a sick and we have to stop and go. was.”

Dukes second last year.

Over- week,” she said. “We are going to That’s one of the reasons why they Leslietook plans on studying nursing is York’s third girls cross be starting tournaments again. Be- are looking at moving the season to atall,Lethis Moyne.

“They have a good countryprogram,” state title.she Larry nursing said.Bassett’s “As far fore that I haven’t been doing any- the spring. Right now the plan is to 2000 team ClassI AA as what kindwon of the a nurse wantstate to thing because senior soccer season have a season, but we won’t know title. be, I’m not quite sure yet.” and the club volleyball season were until the next 7-10 days.”

York played won the state title despite Leslie volleyball and girls cancelled. We were supposed to go But if all systems are a go, Lesnot having runner finish top to a few club volleyball qualifiers lie can’t wait to take her skills as soccer at ICa Catholic Prepinallthefour 10. However, Dukes made more in Grand Rapids and Louisville. a libero to the next level with the years.

She wasthe a center-midfielder than suresoccer their runners on themade Knights team. cross- This summer, we have some tour- Dolphins. “I feel like being a libeing the finishvolleyball line did so journey as close naments planned over the next few ro you have to be really quick and Leslie’s togetherinasthe possible. started fifth grade, the first weekends. They are little tourna- that is typically what I am good at.

York’s five scoring had year she could play therunners sport at ICa ments with all of the local clubs. I have really good reaction time,” spread of only 24She’s seconds (17:17.93 Grade School. been play- Nothing large and really local. she said. “I like diving on the floor to 17:43.32).

Downers Grove North Other than that, I have been trying and saving balls. It’s a really good ing club volleyball since seventh had a most spreadrecently of 48 seconds, grade, with the while Chi- to work out a lot and stay in shape. feeling when you make a save. The the Barrington 1-5 practices runners out bal- I’ve been running a lot, so I got into position fits my personality, too. cago Elite group that looned to ain90secondSprings gap. and that. I try and run every day.” of Scores Willow You have to be the loudest one on Runners different Montini Highfrom Schooleight in Lombard.

Leslie said she is scheduled to the court. I have a loud personality. schools crossed the to finish line report to Le Moyne in the Aug. 12- You have to be pretty loud if you “I’m really excited be able before York’s first runner. she Se- 15 timeframe, but noted preseason want to be a libero. I think I match to play volleyball in college,” nior “It Katherine Klimek led the volleyball activities already have that description.” said. gives me something to do.

Dukes with an 11th-place finish in 17:17.93.

Senior Maggie Owens was right (Continued from page 18) behind her in 12th place at 17:20.67.

SeniorlostMichaela Quinn was They to West Chicago on huge rah-rah person. I’m a little bit ble and transparent and communicate th with timegoal of 17:23.97, I16 think an aown in the lastwhile five more of an individual players’ coach. with everybody.” st senior Anna wasthe21state at I will pull kids to the side at practice minutes.

That McGrail was against As far as the future, Stopka wants 17:29.73. champs in the sectional finals. That’s and games and teach them.”

York competing at a high level on Sophomore Quinn a hell of a season ifMaggie you ask me.”

Stopka noted York has been doing a consistent basis. “The short-term rounded Dukes scoring with conditioning drills and said the plan goal is to restock and build up the Stopka out willthe teach Spanish at York. th -place time and of 17:42.32. a 28 He taught Spanish one math class as of earlier last week was to start team,” he said. “A large portion of Downers North had placeisfinishat St. Pat’s. “My philosophy I am summer camp pending District 205 last year’s team was seniors, espeers ofof10, 14 and 15, but then had approval. “I have probably been able cially the starting 11. We have to more a players’ coach,” he said. nobody untila24 the fifthsoccer score to meet 60 to 70 percent of the play- make sure the now juniors are up to “I have been bigand Liverpool place.2015 when Jur- ers so far,” he said. “If it does get ap- the speed of the varsity level and are crossed inever 51stsince supporter thehe’s individugenBarrington Klopp came had over and known proved that would be the start of our ready to contribute. We want to keep al astate champion in junior Scout as players’ coach. He’s kind of my contact days with four days a week that pipeline going with the younger Storms idol.

(16:38.46 3 miles) coaching I want tofor related to the for three weeks straight. And even groups of players. We want to make and hadand a freshman finish sixth though the IHSA waived the black- sure we are not only competitive, but players form bonds withinthem. but the rest of its scores bal- out dates before the school year, we that we are competing for regionIplace, am more light-hearted and smillooned (34,joke 50 with and won’t take advantage of that. I’m als, sectionals and supersectionals. ing.

I likesignificantly to have fun and York’s Maggie have Owens Megjunior Peterson 58).kids.

Whereas York’s scoring line pretty the The goal is understanding sure families plans (#1895) to do It and startsProspect’s for me with this class (#2023) run stride-for-stride Illinois High School was consistent (11, 21 and things where each player can12, be 16, successful before school starts. I’matthethethat is coming in. WeAssociation want them Class State her final Owens helped 28).the provide the best way possible new and guy3Aand I’mChampionships. not going to say Inready to goseason, and setting the standard Yorkcan’t win the stateyour title.family.

She finished raceother in 12th place, York sophomore Sophia to convey the knowledge theyGalianeed you go with Go forthe these classes thatposting come ina nd three-mile effort of 17 seconds. with timebig of do atno-Sanchez the positiontook they32 play.

I ama not it and enjoy it. This is aminutes, crazy and20.67 so they can also contribute right off

state championship “

Dukes cap off dominating season by earning top honor for second time in three seasons

U12 baseball action

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CHRISREPORT FOX PHOTO Elmhurst Independent DAN CHAMNESS/THE COLLEGE PHOTOS Elmhurst Independent

York senior Michaela Quinn competes in the Illinois High School Association Class 3A State Finals on Saturday afternoon. Quinn finished 16thBucolo individually topitch earn all-state The baseball senior ran a Anthony fires a during aranking. recent U12 time of 17 minutes, 23.97 seconds. Off of her left shoulder running game. with her is fellow York runner Maggie Owens.

proudly presents proudly presents

YORK HIGH SCHOOL PLAYER OF THE WEEK YORK HIGH SCHOOL PLAYER OF THE WEEK YORK GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY TEAM GIGI BARR Hats off to the York girls cross country team for winning its second Class 3A state title VOLLEYBALL in the last three years and YORK GIRLS

earning a third podium finish in a row in Peoria. The Dukes Barr was theofrecipient of therunners 2019-2020 Cothern placed all five their scoring in theYork top Val 30 and junior athlete the year award. went over the bested female Downers GroveofNorth by 15 pointsBarr for the state title.

1,000-career kill threshold fall for 11th the Dukes Katherine Klimek led York,last finishing with agirls timevolleyof 17:17.93 miles. ball team for andthree still has a season to add to that total.

18 • Thursday, Nov. 9, 2023 - The Elmhurst Independent

DAN CHAMNESS/THE COLLEGE REPORT PHOTOS Elmhurst Independent

Holding position

Independent Elmhurst

Above left: York senior Katherine Klimek (#1892) leads a group of runners during the Illinois High School Association Class 3A State Championships. Klimek would take 11th to help lead York to the girl’s state title. She finished the three-mile race in 17 minutes, 17.93 seconds. As is always the case, the state championships were held at Detweiller Park in Peoria, Illinois.

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Above right: Immaculate Conception junior Graziella Narcisi (#159) runs in first state championship race of the day, the Class 1A girl’s race. Narcisi grabbed the final individual all-state position taking 25th in 18 minutes, 5.63 seconds.

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The Elmhurst Independent - Thursday, Nov. 9, 2023 • 19

IC Catholic Prep girls cross country team 15th at state meet

York and Timothy Christian boys each finish 24th in respective classes

By Mike Miazga CORRESPONDENT

The IC Catholic Prep girls cross country team finished 15th at the recent Class 1A state finals meet held in Peoria. The Knights finished with 414 points. Tolono Unity won the state title with 109 points.

ICCP junior Graziella Narcisi finished 25th with a time of 18:05.63. Senior Kelsey McDonough was 70th with a time of 19:06.13, while sophomore Grace Gildea was 119th with a time of 19:56.81. Senior Megan Van Koughnet took 163rd with a time of 20:45.73 and sophomore Chloe Brandt rounded out the team’s scoring with a time of 21:50.16 (206th place).

Timothy Christian girls cross country Timothy Christian sophomore Jen Carreon finished 104th at the recent Class 1A girls state finals meet at Detweiller Park in Peoria. Carreon covered the three-mile layout in 19:42.66.

York boys cross country The York boys cross country team finished

24th at the recent Class 3A state finals meet in Peoria. York had a team score of 502. Fellow West Suburban Conference Silver Division school Downers Grove North won the state title with 79 points.

Junior Sam Kehoe was York’s top finisher.

He took 96th place with a time of 15:25.05 for three miles. Junior Zach Saltiel was 115th with a time of 15:32.14. Junior Max Zangan took 127th with a time of 15:35.70 and junior Emmett Bradford rounded out the York scoring, finishing in 141st place with a time of 15:40.79.

Timothy Christian boys cross country The Timothy Christian boys cross country team took 24th at the recent Class 1A state meet in Peoria. The Trojans ended up with 601 team points. Tuscola won the state title with 97 points.

Senior Tyce Plaisier finished 124th with a time of 16:37.82 to lead the Trojans.

Senior Gio Molina was 133rd with a time of 16:46.37, while junior Ryan McKenzie was 140th with a time of 16:49.16.

Junior Rich Meszaros was 191st with a time of 17:20.86 and senior Josh Bemister was 217th with a time of 17:41.02.

DAN CHAMNESS/THE COLLEGE REPORT PHOTOS Elmhurst Independent

Rounding the bend

Anna McGrail, a York senior, was one of four Lady Dukes to earn all-state status on Saturday. The senior finished 21st as she ran the three-mile girls race in 17 minutes, 29.73 seconds. Also in the photo, providing competition for McGrail is Yorkville’s Sophia Keeler.

Athlete of the Month Allie Geiger Allie Geiger is a Senior Tennis player on the Varsity team.

She finished the season with an overall record of 14-5.

Allie qualified for state out of the Timothy Christian sectional where she took fourth place. Prior to competing at the sectional, Allie took first place in the Girls’ Catholic Athletic Conference (GCAC) Tournament at #1 singles.

Throughout the regular season, Allie was undefeated in her GCAC conference matches and did not drop a single set during conference play. She was awarded Player of the Year for the GCAC Conference for her successful season.

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