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1 • Thursday, Dec. 10, 2020 - The Elmhurst Independent

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THURSDAY, DEC. 10, 2020

While facing prison time, former state senator dies from COVID-19 complications

By Dee Longfellow

FOR THE ELMHURST INDEPENDENT

Former Democratic State Sen. Martin Sandoval died Saturday, Dec. 5, from COVID-19 complications, according to his criminal defense attorney Dylan Smith. Sandoval was 56.

Sandoval had been facing prison time after pleading guilty to taking bribes from the red-light camera company SafeSpeed.

Smith said he spoke with Sandoval’s family and learned the once-powerful Illinois politician had died after contracting the novel coronavirus. Smith said Sandoval, “cared deeply about his community and he did a great deal of good

... Although he had made mistakes, he took responsibility for them and was sincerely remorseful.”

Sandoval pleaded guilty to corruption charges and was helping authorities to reveal more wrongdoing. He admitted to bribery and tax evasion charges in federal court last January, acknowledging he illegally pocketed more than $250,000 and abused his power as a state lawmaker on behalf of a redlight-camera company.

Just last month, federal investigators wrote in a court filing that Sandoval “has provided valuable cooperation that is expected to last

See SENATOR, Page 3

City and Santa plan Holiday Parade through town The route is within a quarter mile walk from most any home in Elmhurst and will traverse many open public parking lots. Feel free to take a walk to the route or find a public parking lot on the route to watch the holiday parade from your vehicle.

Please remember to practice proper social distancing and safety measures. Stand at least 6 feet apart from one another and wear face masks.

Santa travel live updates will be posted on the City’s Facebook Page.

A virtual viewing will be posted on the City’s YouTube page, ElmhurstTV the following day.

To see the Parade Route, visit Elmhurst.org/DocumentCenter/ View/16938/COE-Holiday-Parade-Route.

Inside:

Police Reports...........6 Sports ��������������� 20-21 Viewpoint.................8 Classifieds..............18

Spreading Holiday cheer

SUBMITTED PHOTO Elmhurst Independent

With the help of an outstanding group of volunteers like the Walker family pictured here, Foundation 205 distributed nearly 2,200 outdoor holiday trees on Saturday, Nov. 21. The 2020 outdoor holiday tree sale has completely sold out, but plans are already under way for next year. Full story and more photos inside.

A Shear Encounter wishes you

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According to a release from the City of Elmhurst, Santa Claus and his holiday friends are coming to your neighborhood on Thursday, Dec. 17 ( or Friday, Dec. 18 rain date). Santa has asked to use City vehicles to bring you the joy of the holiday season safely and close to your home.

The route will cover 16 miles of Elmhurst with vehicles passing through each Ward, beginning at 4 p.m.

Santa and his friends will not be stopping or getting out of vehicles.

This is a short parade with approximately 10 city vehicles.

If your home is on the route, please consider parking your car at the end of your driveway. You can turn your flashers on and wave as the parade goes by.

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2 • Thursday, Dec. 10, 2020 - The Elmhurst Independent

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(Continued from front page)

several months.”

Sandoval lived in the Gage Park neighborhood on the southwest side of Chicago and died at 10:01 a.m. Dec. 5, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office.

Illinois public health officials reported 9,887 COVID-19 cases and 208 related deaths Dec. 5—the second-highest daily death total since the start of the pandemic.

were targets of a racketeering lawsuit that seeks to void tens of thousands of traffic citations issued through the company’s devices.

The lawsuit alleged that SafeSpeed, its officers and employees, paid bribes to Sandoval and several other local government officials to gain approval for placing its red-light cameras at various intersections in area suburbs.

The lawsuit alleged that Sandoval and others were paid as “undisclosed Sandoval, SafeSpeed sales agents” or “consultants” based on sued for racketeering a percentage of the revenue generated In February, 2020, the Independent by the cameras. reported that Sandoval and SafeSpeed Sandoval served in the state Senate LLC, the red-light camera company, from 2003 until Jan. 1, 2020, when he

resigned amid the corruption scandal.

Starting in January 2009, he was chairman of the powerful Senate Transportation Committee and was instrumental in securing passage of last year’s $45 billion capital improvements program known as Rebuild Illinois.

He was removed from his chairmanship in October, just weeks after federal agents executed a search warrant on his Statehouse office in Springfield where they seized a number of computers, cellphones and boxes of documents.

On Jan. 28, Sandoval pleaded guilty to one count each of federal bribery and tax fraud charges as part of a deal

DEE LONGFELLOW PHOTO Elmhurst Independent

Ready for the holiday

This young lady was able to find some good things to put under the Christmas tree at the Single Mothers Support Group holiday event. The community donated hundreds of toys that were distributed to needy women throughout the western suburbs at Elmhurst Christian Reformed Church at 149 W. Brush Hill Road. Background music was provided by the pastor whose singing in the sanctuary was piped into the outer narthex, where single moms “shopped.” More photos elsewhere inside this issue.

Community Bank of Elmhurst

with prosecutors in which he agreed to cooperate with their ongoing investigations.

The suit was filed on Feb. 3 under the federal Racketeering, Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO), a law most often used to prosecute organized crime syndicates. But RICO also allows for private civil suits for actions that are part of a criminal enterprise.

The RICO lawsuit, however, is separate from the criminal case, but it is based largely on the same set of facts to which Sandoval has already pleaded guilty.

The suit alleged that beginning sometime in 2016 and continuing through October 2019, SafeSpeed operated a corrupt enterprise, known as an “association-in-fact,” by conspiring with the other defendants to pay bribes or kickbacks to public officials who would steer contracts toward the company for operating red light cameras.

Sandoval was accused of using his position in the Senate to serve as the company’s “protector” by ensuring legislation unfavorable to the company, including bills to ban the use of red-light cameras, would never pass and to help override objections from the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) about the placement of certain cameras.

In exchange, SafeSpeed and its employees reportedly arranged to pay $20,000 a year in donations to Sandoval’s campaigns.

The lawsuit was filed as a proposed class action on behalf of an estimated 100,000 or more individuals who were fined between $100 and $200 for each ticket issued by a red-light camera that was “corruptly and improperly installed, over repeated objections from IDOT, as a direct and proximate result of bribes paid.”

While the claim of each individual member of the class is relatively small, the lawsuit argues, combined they add up to millions of dollars.

Among the defendants named in the suit was former Oakbrook Terrace Mayor Tony Ragucci, whose home was investigated in October of 2019, when federal agents seized more than $60,000 in cash from Ragucci’s home.

It is the second RICO case that lead plaintiff attorney Lawrence Gress has filed involving Sandoval. Another pending case was originally filed in 2017 after Gress was passed over for a job as community relations representative for the Pace Suburban Bus Company in favor of Sandoval’s son, Martin Sandoval II. That suit refers to Sandoval as “the kingpin at the center of the wide-ranging and longstanding conspiracy” alleged in the case.

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The Elmhurst Independent - Thursday, Dec. 10, 2020 • 3

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4 • Thursday, Dec. 10, 2020 - The Elmhurst Independent

Elmhurst community comes together for Haiti

The elmhursT Provides supplies for IndependenT students and orphans

By Julia Locanto

Your Hometown Newspaper Locally owned and operated

FOR THE ELMHURST INDEPENDENT

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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During COVID-19, the Elmhurst community decided to give back to those who are struggling from the pandemic’s impact. Two York High School students helped collect supplies for a school and orphanage for hundreds of children in Haiti.

Cousins Emerson Dondlinger and Avery Stanley collected a variety of school supplies and holiday gifts for the school using a donation website.

This act of kindness all started at the Elmhurst Farmer’s Market.

The Fraternité Notre Dame nuns, based in Chicago, sell baked goods at the Elmhurst Farmers Market. When Elmhurst resident Jim Dondlinger met Sister Marie in Haiti two years ago, she told him that she used to work at the market and has a sister in Chicago.

Dondlinger is an active philanthropist. He grew close with Sister Marie and began helping out in different ways. She works at the Institut Notre Dame de la Médaille Miraculeuse in Cap Haitien, Haiti. The organization is a school and center for orphans or children in poor living conditions.

Sister Marie recently reached out and asked for school supplies and Christmas gifts for the children, and Dondlinger was more than happy to help.

Dondlinger said the students in Haiti are living below poverty and have lost a lot recently.

“They were hit hard by COVID-19 and Tropical Storm Laura,” he said.

The students are ages 3-14, Dondlinger said, and most are lacking supplies that we often take for granted.

He reached out to his family, and his granddaughters Emerson Dondlinger and Avery Stanley volunteered to help.

COVID-19 updates for DuPage County As of 8 a.m. on Monday, Dec. 7, there were 49,486 total cases among DuPage County residents, including 800 deaths.

Since Sunday, there were 595 new cases and eight deaths related to COVID-19.

The DuPage Health Department advised that due to delays from IDPH, data may be incomplete.

Number of cases by town At press time, the DuPage Department of Health reported the following number of COVID-19 cases in our readership communities as follows: Addison 3,161, Bensenville 1,650, Elmhurst 2,506, Lombard 2,558, Oakbrook Terrace 151, Villa Park 1,503, Wood Dale 997.

And now for the good news …

Elmhurst Hospital reports that 53 inpatients with confirmed cases of COVID-19 were discharged as of Monday.

Since March 24, a total of 999 patients have been discharged.

They said it was heartbreaking to hear how little the children had.

“When he was telling us about them, we instantly felt like we needed to help,” Stanley said. “It is crazy to think that people our age and younger barely have enough supplies for everyday learning.”

The two created a SignUpGenius. com website with a list of donation items and began to spread the word.

They collected school supplies, games, sporting equipment and toys. Aside from basic supplies, the children at the center don’t typically receive Christmas presents, so the girls wanted to make the holiday special.

“We want them to be excited for Christmas morning and have something to look forward to,” Stanley said.

With help from friends and family, the cousins met their donation goal.

They divided the items into categories and boxed them in a 7’ x 4’ x 4’ shipping crate. Stanley said the box is on track to arrive in Haiti before Christmas.

The main goal though was to help the children academically and have a positive impact on their future, the girls said.

“Our hopes are to better their chances of success in life,” Stanley said. “If we can take away a little bit of stress in their heads, we can help them focus on learning and teaching.”

Dondlinger said in the past, his family has collected money and helped out the school in other ways. But collecting physical items often times means more.

“Often times it’s things we can’t touch,” he said. “This, you can feel.

We can identify with the sister and the kids.”

Growing up comfortably, Dondlinger said he believes it is important for him and his family to recognize their privilege. He said it is easier when they are involved and can relate to it.

“It’s hard to have our children understand that there’s a whole other side of the world,” he said.

His granddaughters took this experi-

SUBMITTED PHOTOS Elmhurst Independent

York students gather donations

Cousins Emerson Dondlinger and Avery Stanley show off the school supplies and gifts they collected for a school and orphanage of hundreds of children in Haiti. The York High School students asked for donations from the Elmhurst community.

ence to heart, they said.

“It is important to raise awareness among the younger generation because we are the change,” Stanley said.

They don’t want the experience to be about them, Stanley said. She wants others to focus on the children in need, not only in Haiti, but around the world.

“If we don’t raise awareness, then no one will ever know what these kids go through,” Stanley said.

The school is a nonprofit and is known as Act for Haiti internationally.

To learn more or donate, visit actforhaiti.org/en/home/.

Faces of Haitian children

Jim Dondlinger took this photo of two young girls in Haiti in their pretty hair ribbons. They will be among the recipients of the collection gathered by Dondlinger’s grandchildren Emerson Dondlinger and Avery Stanley, who are students at York High Pictured here with one of the Sisters, these five children study at School. Growing up comfortably, the Institut Notre Dame de la Médaille Miraculeuse in Cap Haitien, Dondlinger said he believes it is Haiti. They were among those to benefit from the collection of school important for his family to recsupplies and holiday gifts gathered by two Elmhurst cousins, Em- ognize their privilege, which is erson Dondlinger and Avery Stanley. Students in Haiti are already easier and more understandable living below poverty and have lost a lot recently due to COVID-19 and when they are involved and can Tropical Storm Laura. relate to it.

At school in Haiti

The Elmhurst Independent - Thursday, Dec. 10, 2020 • 5

Foundation 205 distributes holiday trees Residents urged to mark calendar for 2021 distribution

SUBMITTED PHOTOS Elmhurst Independent

Above: More than 2,000 trees were distributed by Foundation 205, thanks to volunteers like these. The York High School football and hockey teams, as well as a group of 8th graders from Visitation Catholic School, worked together to unload the semis and prepare local trucks for delivery.

Left: Foundation 205 distributed almost 2,200 outdoor holiday trees on Saturday, Nov. 21, which was no small feat. It required many hours of organizing orders and mapping out routes. On delivery day, volunteers begin arriving at 7:30 a.m. to get the first set of trucks ready.

With the help of an outstanding group of volunteers, Foundation 205 distributed more than 2,000 outdoor holiday trees on Saturday, Nov. 21.

The Elmhurst tradition of placing small decorated holiday trees in every front lawn brings holiday spirit to friends and neighbors and supports Foundation 205’s important mission of supporting innovation and excellence for all students in Elmhurst.

Beginning over the summer with a first-ever “Christmas in July” promotional kickoff, Foundation 205 sold out of yard trees before the Sept. 30th deadline. With the help of Foundation 205 Board member Chris Hohenstein, owner of City Tree Delivery, another 500 trees were secured and sold out within the first week of October.

The proceeds from the annual tree sale benefit Foundation 205, a local charity dedicated to innovation in education and the advancement of excellence for every student in Elmhurst Public Schools. In 2020, Foundation 205 gave more than $130,000 to teachers across the district to support creative ways to engage all learners. Additionally, in response to the impact of Covid-19, Foundation 205 provided $120,000 in immediate support for food, rent and utility relief and eLearning technology for students and families in need.

The 2020 outdoor holiday tree sale is completely sold out, but plans are already underway for next year.

Please follow Foundation 205 on social media and look for another Christmas in July promotion to kick things off in 2021! All trees must be pre-ordered by Sept. 30, 2021.

Individual orders accepted or neighbors can coordinate a group order and receive complimentary delivery.

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6 • Thursday, Dec. 10, 2020 - The Elmhurst Independent

Police beat

Obstruction

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.

Criminal trespass to property, criminal damage to property, criminal CALL 800-222-TIPS defacement Nov. 27 Nov. 24-Nov. 25 A victim in the 100 block of W. First told police that an unknown suspect used a black marker to write graffiti on the south side train platform sometime between the above dates.

The City’s Public Works Dept. removed the graffiti.

Domestic battery, domestic incident, disorderly conduct, damage to property, disturbance Nov. 29 A 32-year-old Elmhurst man was charged with two counts of domestic battery in the 100 block of S. Prospect at around 11:04 p.m. Police said a witness stated that the suspect had grabbed the victim around her neck.

Nov. 28 A 33-year-old Elmhurst woman was charged with two counts of domestic battery in the 200 block of N. Oaklawn at around 2:46 a.m. A reporting officer made contact with the victim who stated the suspect allegedly scratched him in the face following a heated argument.

The victim suffered multiple lacerations to the right side of his face and had minor bleeding.

DUI, DUI drugs, possession of open alcohol Nov. 30 April Johnson, 38, of Aurora, was charged with DUI, resisting an officer, improper lane usage and no rear registration plate light subsequent to a traffic stop near W. Butterfield and Route 83 at around 1:28 a.m.

Nov. 29 Kelly Anderson, 35, of Berwyn, was charged with DUI, improper lane usage and no insurance subsequent to a traffic stop near Schiller and Haven at around 1:11 a.m.

Fausto Carmona-Gonzal, 32, of Arlington Heights, was charged with DUI and driving the wrong way on a one-way street subsequent to a traffic stop near S. York and Arthur at around 10:07 p.m.

Natasha Clark, 45, of Lisle, was charged with DUI, improper parking in the roadway and no insurance near W. North and N. Myrtle at around 3:33 a.m. Police said a reporting officer made contact with Clark, who was found asleep behind the wheel.

Nov. 28 Andrei Raducanu, 40, of Elmhurst, was issued a citation for possession of open alcohol in public in the 300 block of W. Butterfield at around 2:27 a.m.

Michael Guzman-Andrade, 19, of Addison, was charged with DUI, consumption of alcohol by a minor, improper lane usage and failure to signal subsequent to a traffic stop near W. North and N. West at around 11:47 p.m.

Tiana L. McDonald, 35, of Broadview, was charged with DUI, no valid driver’s license and improper lane usage, while Joseph T. Adams, 37, of Broadview—a passenger in the vehicle—was issued a citation for transportation of open alcohol subsequent to a traffic stop in the 300 block of W. St. Charles at around 2:45 a.m.

Fleeing, eluding Dec. 3 Police said an officer attempted to conduct a traffic stop near York and Fremont at around 12:22 a.m. for failure to signal and improper lane usage, but the vehicle fled onto I-290 at a high rate of speed.

Nov. 29 A reporting officer attempted to conduct a traffic stop near S. Route 83 and W. St. Charles Rd. at around 1:20 a.m. The vehicle began to accelerate and fled from officers last seen heading southbound on Route 83 and westbound on Highland Avenue in Villa Park. Officers checked the area but were unable to locate the vehicle. This case is pending investigation.

A reporting officer attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a vehicle near W. Butterfield and So. Spring at around 2:30 a.m. The vehicle fled from officers at a high rate of speed, last seen heading southbound on I-294. This case is pending investigation.

Nov. 28 Police said officers observed a stolen vehicle traveling eastbound on North from Route 83 at around 12:11 a.m. The reporting officer located the vehicle and attempted to conduct a traffic stop. The vehicle fled from officers at a high rate of speed, last seen heading eastbound on I-290. The vehicle was reported stolen out of South Holland on Nov. 19.

Harassment, threats Nov. 18-Dec. 2 A victim in the 500 block of W. St. Charles told police that a suspect had been sending threatening and offensive text and email messages to her between the above dates. She has told the suspect to cease all contact with her.

Dec. 1 A victim told police at around 6:42 p.m. that two individuals had sent her several social media messages.

Oct. 10 A victim in the 600 block of Sunnyside told police at around 5:16 p.m. that a suspect has left several threatening voice mails and text messages. This case is pending investigation.

Dec. 2 Police said while an officer was on patrol near Lake and West at around 2:20 a.m., the officer observed a vehicle parked in a posted no-parking zone and observed the occupants of the vehicle walking around in the parking lot of a car dealership. Upon making contact with the two occupants, police said Luis J. Espinosa, 25, of Aurora, provided a false name and date of birth to the officer. He was charged with obstructing identification.

Nov. 25 Police said that subsequent to a traffic stop near North and Clinton at around 11:41 p.m., Lidio Valentin, 48, of Northlake, was taken into custody and transported to the police station. According to police, Valentin provided a false name to the reporting officer. He was charged with obstructing identification, no valid driver’s license and improper lane usage.

Possession of cannabis, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a controlled substance Dec. 2 Jovan D. Lumpkin, 47, of Lombard, was charged with unlawful possession of cannabis by the driver, no valid driver’s license, speeding and improper window tinting subsequent to a traffic stop near Lake and Grand at around 9:56 p.m.

Isidro L. Rodriguez, 21, of Glendale Heights, was issued citations for unlawful possession of cannabis by a driver and tinted windows subsequent to a traffic stop near York and Grand at around 12:25 p.m.

rage, and stole two watches, an autographed hockey puck and a Star Wars figure.

Dec. 1 Retail theft was reported at a pharmacy in the 100 block of Robert Palmer at around 7:01 p.m. A complainant told police that two suspects entered the pharmacy, placed several cosmetic items into a bag and left without paying. The dollar loss is unknown at this time.

Nov. 30 Identity theft was reported in the 500 block of S. Colfax at around 4:12 p.m. A complainant told police that an unknown suspect used his personal information to open a new credit card account. Chase Bank denied the application and notified the complainant.

Nov. 29 Identity theft was reported in the 200 block of N. Addison at around 9:16 p.m. A complainant told police that he received a letter from a collection agency regarding an outstanding credit card balance of $917.70.

The complainant discovered a PayPal account had been opened using his personal information.

Nov. 28 Theft by deception was reported in the 100 block of E. First at around 5:45 p.m. A complainant told police that a suspect paid him in counterfeit money for a gaming system he posted online. An investigation is pending.

Nov. 27 Identity theft was reported in the 500 block of W. Crockett at around 2:06 p.m. A victim told police that an unknown suspect used his personal information to open a credit card account.

Dec. 1 Martin J. Lamar, 29, of Hillside, was issued citations for unlawful possession of cannabis by the driver and unlawful use of an electronic communication device subsequent to a traffic stop near York and Third at around 1:33 p.m.

Nov. 23-Nov. 26 Theft was reported in the 400 block of W. Monroe. A victim told police that an unknown suspect(s) stole his white 2017 utility brand semi-trailer from his assigned spot in the lot.

The trailer was entered into LEADS as stolen.

Nov. 28 Nathanial Moreira, 24, of Chicago, a passenger in a vehicle, was issued a citation for possession of cannabis in a vehicle subsequent to a traffic stop near N. York and E. North at around 8:54 p.m.

Nov. 3-Nov. 24 Identity theft was reported in the 100 block of E. Schiller. A complainant told police that an unknown suspect(s) used his personal information to fraudulently order prescription medication from multiple pharmacies sometime between the above dates.

Nov. 27 Tiger Greene, 25, of Bellwood, was issued citations for possession of adult use cannabis by a driver and speeding subsequent to a traffic stop near E. Roosevelt and S. York at around 11:22 p.m.

Nov. 25 Deonte L. Dextra, 19, of La Grange, was issued citations for possession of cannabis in a vehicle and driving with one headlight subsequent to a traffic stop near York and Columbia at around 10:37 p.m.

Theft/burglary/attempted theft or burglary/identity theft/fraud/forgery/ deceptive practice/ obstruction/robbery Dec. 1-Dec. 2 Burglary was reported in the 100 block of S. York. A victim told police that an unknown suspect(s) gained access to his locked storage unit, which is located in the lower-level ga-

Nov. 20 Identity theft was reported in the 900 block of S. York at around 3:01 p.m. A victim told police that an unknown suspect used his debit card information and withdrew an undisclosed amount of cash from his bank account. The victim’s bank confirmed that the withdrawals occurred at a Jewel/Osco ATM.

Nov. 4-Nov. 17 Deceptive practice was reported in the 200 block of W. St. Charles between the above dates. A victim contacted an unknown suspect purporting to be a Microsoft employee and allowed the suspect remote access to his computer. The unknown suspect persuaded the victim into transferring two payments to an account in Hong Kong.

Aug. 1 Identity theft was reported in the 500 block of Fairfield at around 11:54 a.m. A victim told police that an unknown suspect(s) used his personal information to open a fraudulent AT&T Mobility account.

See POLICE, Page 7

Tim Schneider steps down after more than six years

By Dee Longfellow FOR THE ELMHURST INDEPENDENT

During an online meeting held Saturday, Dec. 5, Tim Schneider informed members of the Republican State Central Committee, that he would be resigning his position as chairman.

“During my tenure, the Illinois-GOP has stood for reform— term limits, fair maps, and the end to the rampant corruption plaguing our state,” Schneider said in a written statement.

“And we were united around our conservative values of smaller government, lower taxes and personal responsibility.”

A former Cook County commissioner, Schneider became Illinois Republican chairman in 2014 when Republican Bruce Rauner was elected governor. Schneider’s term was supposed to run through May 2022.

While Democrats control state government, Republicans helped defeat Gov. JB Pritzker’s plan to overhaul Illinois tax rates in the

• Police

November election.

Lake County GOP chairman Mark Shaw tried to challenge Schneider for the party’s chairmanship two years ago, but accepted the title of party co-chairman for conservative and grassroots outreach, according to the Chicago Tribune.

Unanimously elected to the post in May of 2014, Schneider’s top priority as chair has been to unite and grow the Illinois Republican Party by advancing a message of “good government”—value for tax dollars, a quality education for the state’s children, term limits for politicians, and a booming economy with more jobs and higher pay.

As a small business owner and entrepreneur, Schneider has dedicated his life in public service to promoting fiscally conservative values of smaller government, lower taxes, less spending and fighting corruption.

At the township, county and statewide levels, Schneider has endeavored to be a steadfast voice for reform and accountability.

(Continued from page 6)

Unemployment benefits identity theft May 1-Dec. 2 Between the above dates, the Elmhurst Police Department reported 28 incidents of identity theft with the intention of using a victim’s personal information to fraudulently apply for unemployment benefits through the Illinois Department of Employment Security. In one of the incidents, a complainant told police she also discovered two unauthorized charges on her credit card.

Unlawful use of a weapon Dec. 2 Police said while an officer was on patrol near York and Butterfield at around 7:39 p.m., the officer observed a vehicle which had been reported stolen. The driver of the vehicle, Tony O. Bennett, 45, of Maywood, was found to have a valid warrant from the Cook County Sheriff’s Office, his driver’s license was suspended and he was in possession of brass knuckles. According to police, subsequent to an investigation, Bennett was found to have purchased the vehicle from a person who was not authorized to sell it. Bennett was charged with possession of a weapon by a felon and driving while license suspended.

Warrant arrest Dec. 1 Police said that subsequent to a traffic stop near St. Charles and Route 83 at around 10:34 p.m., Keith A. Campbell, 25, of Lombard, was found to have a warrant from the Lombard Police Department and two warrants from the DuPage County Sheriff’s Office. Campbell also was charged with unlawful possession of cannabis by the driver, driving while license suspended and expired registration.

Nov. 26 Police said that subsequent to a traffic stop near North and Villa at around 2:55 a.m., Jaquze J. Hampton, 32, of Memphis, Tenn., was found to have a revoked driver’s license and had a valid warrant out of the Will County Sheriff’s Office. He also was charged illegal transportation of alcoholic liquor, driving while license suspended, suspended registration and no insurance.

Nov. 25 Police said that subsequent to a report of subjects arguing after a minor vehicle accident, Edgar J. Flowers, 23, of Elmhurst—a friend of one of the drivers—was found to have a warrant from the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office in the 200 block of S. Route 83 at around 11:58 a.m.

Serving three terms as a Cook County Board Commissioner, Schneider led the fight against increased taxes and spending, advocating fiscal responsibility and transparency in government. He spearheaded the effort in 2015 to repeal Board President Todd Stroger’s sales tax increase, sponsored legislation to combat “pay-to-play” and workers compensation, and worked to cut millions in wasteful taxpayer spending, the Tribune reported.

Obituary

Lawrence Field, 86 Lawrence Ronald Field, longtime resident of Elmhurst, passed away Tuesday, December 1 at the age of 86.

He was born in Louisville, Ky., on March 14, 1934 before moving to Chicago at the age of 3. He was the devoted husband of Ruth Field for 58 years, loving father of David (Sherri) Field, Mary (Michael) Gowan and Jennifer (William) Bowhill, and adored grandfather, of Joseph (Sheri), Molly, Betsy and Sam Field; Thomas (Taylor) and Anne Gowan; and Sarah and William Bowhill. He was predeceased by his parents Ingram and Laura and his brothers Robert and Arnold.

Larry graduated from Roosevelt University with a degree in chemical engineering. He went on to start his own company, Great Lakes Environmental, Inc. He was a pioneer in providing pollution control systems, helping industries comply to the expanded clean wa-

ter act and protecting the environment. He was well-respected for his solutions and integrity within the wastewater treatment industry.

He always made time to speak with employees, customers, vendors and friends. He always had good information to share and a story to tell.

Affectionately called Bompa by his grandchildren, Larry loved to spend time with his family. He was also a lover of dogs and an avid fisherman. Nothing made him happier than his annual fishing trips to the upper peninsula of Michigan with his wife, children, grandchildren and a few dogs in tow. In the winter, he enjoyed quieter fishing trips to Cocoa Beach, Fla. Services will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations would be appreciated to the JDRF, 1 East Wacker Dr., Suite 1400, Chicago, IL 60602 or www.jdrf.org.

Arrangements entrusted to Pedersen Ryberg Funeral Home 630-8341133 or pedersenryberg.com.

A BIG “THANK YOU”

374690

Illinois Republican Party chairman resigns

The Elmhurst Independent - Thursday, Dec. 10, 2020 • 7

to those readers who have sent a donation to help underwrite The Elmhurst Independent. For those of you who haven’t done so in the past year, but enjoy this newspaper and would like to help us pay for its operation, please send a donation in any amount to:

Independent Elmhurst

240 N. West Ave., Elmhurst, IL 60126

IF YOU THINK THE INDEPENDENT IS WORTH 50¢ an issue, it would be $26.00; 75¢ an issue - $39.00 or $1 an issue - $52.00 You won’t get a tote bag, T-shirt, coffee mug or CD of Lawrence Welk’s Greatest Hits. But you will get the satisfaction of knowing that you have helped to support your favorite newspaper.

For delivery within Elmhurst __ Please keep my paper coming:

Name______________________________ Address____________________________ Phone______________________________

8 • Thursday, Dec. 10, 2020 - The Elmhurst Independent

The Elmhurst Independent

Viewpoint

Dec. 10, 2020 • 8

Congressman Raja offers update on pandemic, building bipartisanship

I would like to take this opportunity to provide a brief update on the current status of the Coronavirus pandemic in our state. Illinois has had 738,846 cases of COVID-19 and 12,403 fatalities from COVID-19 in total. Our state virus positivity rate is 10.4 percent with an average of over 7,000 new cases per day. Across the country, 20 percent of all hospitalized individuals have COVID-19. Unfortunately, many experts have warned of an upcoming surge in cases due to holiday travel and gatherings. Given this situation, please continue to follow public health guidelines, and if you need to be tested for COVID-19, Cook County and DuPage County list testing locations on their websites.

Building Bipartisanship going forward During this challenging pandemic, it’s important that Democrats and Republicans in Congress are working together to find solutions and provide aid to the American people. I

spoke about this need to compromise on WGN Radio alongside Republican Congressman Darin LaHood. As we discussed in this interview, there are a variety of policy areas – such as infrastructure and workforce development – that elicit strong bipartisan support. I believe that bipartisan efforts are also the way forward in passing a new COVID-19 relief bill.

My office and I are here to help I want to thank you for continuing to stay vigilant and engaged during these difficult times and remind you to please contact my office if you have any questions or concerns by calling (847) 413-1959, emailing me at IL08.helpline@mail.house.gov, or sending a message through my website https://krishnamoorthi.house. gov/contact/email.

Raja Krishnamoorthi Representing the 8th District of Illinois U.S. House of Representatives

SUDOKU

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

Slices of life

True love – part 2

“Do not be dismayed at goodbyes.

A goodbye must happen before you can meet again. And meeting again, whether it’s after days or lifetimes is certain for those who are friends.”

Richard Bach My husband and I were one of “those” couples. We were joined at the hip and preferred to do most things together. I knew what he was thinking and vice versa. We went to bed together at night and made the bed together each morning. Growing together over the years with a person like that is nothing short of a miracle.

It’s a gift.

He was a gift.

I said a sorrowful goodbye to him recently, but I prefer to think of it as an, “Until I see you again.” We even expressed this sentiment in our wedding vows. Instead of the traditional, “Until death do us part,” we opted for the phrase, “All the days of our lives.”

Even back then, I didn’t believe death on earth would separate us. We would live on, and eventually live on together. He is still with me now. I don’t feel his presence (yet), but he is here. He lives on in my heart. He always will. I am so thankful for the bond that we had and that we have still.

If I had to describe him in three words they would include: kind, loyal and loving. He was the smartest person I knew, but that that trait couldn’t compare to the three I just listed. I know if it were up to him he’d pick kind over smarts, and loyalty over power any day. He was

tender and eloquent. At one point he contemplated love. He wrote: By “About love. Love is one of the JILL only things in this world that isn’t PERTLER relative. Everything else I can think of is always relative when compared Contributor to circumstances. But not love. Love is joyous. Love is kind. And love is always constant in my eyes. Love a good man. is uncompromising and everlasting We raised a family of one daughter when it’s right. Love is not relative and three boys. We were busy, but it to me. It is beautiful and enduring. was a good busy. The best of busy.

That is why my life is so meaningful He and our boys were football right now. Because I love you.” fans and they tuned in during the Back then, he went on a nineNFL season on Monday nights. week trip to Europe (without me).

During the game, I typically spent I couldn’t imagine that expanse of some alone time upstairs with some time without him (sigh). Now the other show. As an introvert, this was words I wrote as he left mean even just fine with me. more today than they did then: Often, when it wasn’t an exciting “As you are leaving, do not be football game he’d come up at dismayed by our distance apart. halftime and want to watch with Distance is relative. Realize that in me. I sometimes saw this as an our short time together we will learn interruption to my alone time and I’d to appreciate things some people be a little bit (silently) annoyed. never learn to recognize. As you I’d give anything to have him are leaving, do not worry about the annoy me like that again. future. We have no way of knowing While dating and over the course the direction our travels will take us. of our years together, we wrote each As you are leaving, trust in what is other love notes. Corny, I know. yet to be. Believe the best is ahead Today (most randomly) I stumbled of you. Laughter is just around the across a book I made for him corner. Believe in that.” shortly before we were married.

Until we meet again, Thom. Watch I’d forgotten about it, but there it over me. Until then, I will always was 30-plus years later, not a week love you– all the days of our lives. after he passed away. There are no mistakes in the cosmos.

Jill Pertler is an award-winning I read the pages, reverently, syndicated columnist, published remembering. The words and ideas playwright and author. Don’t miss a and love were young, philosophic slice; follow the Slices of Life page and precious. on Facebook.

Some of his thoughts were so very

The Elmhurst Independent - Thursday, Dec. 10, 2020 • 9

Three teens killed, one critically injured while fleeing Berkeley police Allegedly ignoring stop sign, driver collides with semitrailer at Taft, Bohlander

FOR THE ELMHURST INDEPENDENT

Three teenagers were killed and one was critically injured while allegedly fleeing police in west suburban Berkeley on the evening of Monday Nov. 30, according to law enforcement officials.

A Berkeley police officer saw a vehicle parked in an alley in the 5000 block of St. Charles Road about 11 p.m., police said in a news release issued on Wednesday, Dec. 2.

The vehicle reportedly had its lights off and did not have visible license plates.

The officer attempted to conduct

“an investigatory stop on the vehicle,” when the car quickly drove away, police said.

While fleeing, police said the driver of the vehicle ignored a stop sign and collided with a passing semitrailer at the intersection of Bohlander and Taft avenues.

Berkley police originally said that all four people in the car—the driver and three passengers—were killed in the crash.

However, they later changed their statement, saying that three people were killed in the crash and one person had been critically injured.

That person remained in very critical condition at press time. The semitruck driver was not hurt.

Later, DuPage and Cook County coroners identified the teens who were killed in crash.

When the officer tried to curb the car, its driver sped off at a high rate of speed from the 5500 block of St. Charles Road.

Within 30 seconds of fleeing, the driver went through the stop sign and crashed into the semitrailer, said Berkeley Police Chief Tim Larem.

In a later interview, Larem said two people inside the car died at the scene,

CLUES ACROSS 1. Partner to “oohed” 6. Relaxing places 10. Humorous monologue 14. Simple elegance 15. Bearable 17. Disobedience 19. Express delight 20. Gov’t attorneys 21. Wake up 22. A type of band 23. Remain as is 24. Turfs 26. Battle-ax 29. Volcanic crater 31. The mother of Jesus 32. One’s life history 34. “Rule, Britannia” composer 35. Doubles 37. Jacob __, American journalist 38. House pet 39. S. African river 40. Broad sashes 41. Establish as a foundation 43. KGB double agent Aldrich __ 45. Part of a book 46. Taxi 47. Pancakes made from buckwheat flour 49. Train group (abbr.)

50. Frames per second 53. Have surgery 57. Formal withdrawal from a federation 58. Guitarist sounds 59. Greek war god 60. 2,000 lbs.

61. Helps escape

CLUES DOWN 1. Currency exchange charge 2. River in Tuscany 3. Breakfast dish 4. Defunct European currency 5. Upper class young woman 6. Part of a purse 7. Self-contained units

8. Boxing’s GOAT 9. Legislators 10. Flightless birds 11. U. of Miami’s mascot is one 12. Floating ice 13. Low, marshy land 16. Seldom 18. Lyric poems 22. Law enforcement agency (abbr.)

23. Full extent of something 24. __ Claus 25. Naturally occurring solid material 27. Acquired brain injury behavior science (abbr.)

28. Thirteen 29. Partner to cheese 30. Member of a Semitic people 31. One thousandth of an inch

33. Former CIA 35. Most lemony 36. Engage in 37. Small Eurasian deer 39. Provisions 42. All humans have them 43. Swiss river 44. Storage term (abbr.)

46. Famed Broadway lyricist Sammy 47. Dutch colonist 48. Full-grown pike fish 49. Egyptian sun god 50. Flute 51. Flew off!

52. Scottish tax 53. Young women’s association 54. Populous Brazilian city 55. Malaysian Isthmus 56. Pointed end of a pen

and another was pronounced dead later at a hospital. A female teenager was listed in critical condition at Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood.

According to the DuPage County coroner’s office, one of the victims was Orkitt Gresham, 18, of Chicago.

The Cook County medical examiner’s office identified another victim as Tamiyah L. Marshall, 18, of Chicago.

The name of the third was not released.

The Cook County sheriff’s office is assisting with the investigation into the crash. Larem said the incident was “unusual for our town.”

County plan in place for distribution of COVID-19 vaccine In anticipation of COVID-19 vaccine availability, the DuPage County Health Department (DCHD) is preparing to receive and distribute vaccines later this month. This work includes developing plans to ensure equitable and timely distribution, assessing logistical capabilities, and communicating vaccine safety and effectiveness to diverse populations in multiple sectors.

Additionally, DCHD officials are working with partners at all levels, including hospitals, health care providers, and community leaders, on flexible COVID-19 vaccination programs that can accommodate different vaccines and scenarios.

In accordance with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and their Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommendations, DCHD will follow a multi-phased approach.

The following priority groups have been recommended for vaccination at this time. These are subject to change.

• Phase 1a: Health care personnel and long-term care residents will be prioritized for initial vaccine allocation.

• Phase 1b: Essential workers (e.g., Education Sector, Food & Agriculture, Utilities, Police, Firefighters, Corrections Officers, Transportation).

• Phase 1c: Adults with high-risk medical conditions and adults 65 years and older.

Additional information on the implementation and local availability of a COVID-19 vaccine will be shared as it becomes available.

As plans for vaccination continue to develop residents are reminded to continue following public health guidelines to slow the spread of COVID-19: • Wash your hands often; • Wear a mask whenever outside your home or with anyone not from your household; • Watch your distance, staying at least 6 feet from people outside of your immediate household and avoid in-person gatherings; and • Stay home if you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 or if you have been in close contact with a person infected with COVID-19, and contact your healthcare provider for appropriate evaluation, testing, and care.

For people seeking COVID-19 testing in DuPage, there are two drive-thru community-based testing sites (CBTS) available: • DuPage County Complex Drive-Thru Test Site • 421 N County Farm Rd, Wheaton • Monday – Friday, 7 a.m. to 12 noon • Odeum Expo Center Drive-Thru Test Site • 1033 N. Villa Avenue, Villa Park • Sunday – Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

For additional testing locations, please visit www.dupagehealth.org/ covid19testing.

Additional COVID-19 information and resources can be found dupagehealth.org/covid19.

More information on COVID-19 vaccines is available can be found at cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/index.html.

VIEWS FOR

20/20

by Dr. Mark Skowron

EYES ARE THE WINDOWS TO YOUR HEALTH

High Blood Pressure, Diabetes, Thyroid Disease, Stroke, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Multiple Sclerosis, High Cholesterol: These are just some of the conditions that can first present themselves in the eye before anywhere else in the body. For instance, High Blood Pressure can alter how the arteries and veins cross each other. Diabetes can present itself a couple of ways; fluctuating vision, and/or small blood spots in the back of the eye.

Thyroid Disease and Multiple Sclerosis can cause changes in the Optic Nerve, and Rheumatoid Arthritis can cause an inflammation of the iris.

During our exam we have technology that helps us diagnose, photograph (document), and monitor these conditions with better efficiency and accuracy. Elevated cholesterol can present itself as a white ring on the periphery of the cornea, or plaques in the back of your eye. Especially for those over 40, even though you think you see well, there may be underlying conditions that you are not aware of that can be seen during an eye examination. That is why we stress yearly exams.

And now, with our new technology, annoying dilation is usually not needed. So take the time and get your eyes examined. At Skowron Eyecare, our mission is you protecting your health and vision.

370 N. York, Elmhurst, IL 60126

630-834-6244

www.skowroneyecare.com

372311

By Dee Longfellow

10 • Thursday, Dec. 10, 2020 - The Elmhurst Independent

The Elmhurst Independent

Family Living

Dec. 10, 2020 • 10

EYFP ‘Pop the Trunk’ proves ‘pop’-ular

The generous local community turned out in force for Elmhurst-Yorkfield Food Pantry’s “Pop the Trunk” event on Sunday, Nov. 29.

Car after car came through to drop off a total of 12,208 pounds of food, far

exceeding the pantry’s goal of 3,000 pounds. The food drive was hosted by members of EYFP’s board of directors, with support from the pantry operations group and hard-working volunteers.

Volunteers worked hard as cars pulled up, popped the trunk, and allowed for the unloading of many pounds of food during the EYFP’s “Pop the Trunk” event on Sunday, Nov. 29. Organizers had to think fast when the event drew more than four times its projected goal of 3,000 pounds – more than 12,000 pounds in fact.

LARRY STUDER PHOTOS Elmhurst Independent

This is just a portion of the items brought by contributors to the “Pop the Trunk” event at Elmhurst Yorkfield Food Pantry on Sunday, Nov. 29. The goal was to bring in at least 3,000 pounds of food, but that was smashed when more than 12,000 pounds was received.

Elmhurst Public Library programs Dec. 11-18 Saturday, Dec. 12 from 11:15-11:35 a.m.

Songs and Stories Zoom in for music, movement, songs, and stories just right for little ones. See friends and sing and clap along.

Live on Zoom. Register to receive link to join.

Monday, Dec. 14 from 7-8 p.m.

YouTube Content Creation Tips Grow your YouTube channel.

Learn the secrets of making viral videos, increasing your subscriber count, and getting more video views.

Register to receive the link to a video class. Watch it first, then attend the live Zoom session for Q&A. Wednesday, Dec. 16 • All day What We’re Enjoying Wednesday Our staff is here to tell you what they’ve been reading, watching, listening to, and playing lately that they All people had to do to participate in the EYFP’s Pop the Trunk event was to pull up and pop their recommend. Each week’s video will trunk. Volunteers with masks then unloaded the trunks and moved food items inside the food pantry be up by 9 a.m. on Wednesdays. elmlib.org/youtube building to inventory. No human contact except for smiles and waves.

Wednesday, Dec. 16 from 7-8:30 p.m.

Legends and Folklore of Winter Winter may seem like a quiet time, but it is actually filled with bizarre tales and stories of spirits, werewolves, witches, and numerous other holiday traditions for the darkest days of winter.

Live on Zoom. Register to receive the information to join.

Thursday, Dec. 17 from 1-2:15 p.m. OR Thursday, Dec. 17 from 7-8:15 p.m.

Trading Titles Love books? Love to talk about books? Love to hear about new books? This is the group for you!

How it works: read whatever you want, then attend the online event to share your thoughts about it.

Live on Zoom. Register to receive the information to join.

Info: (630) 279-8696 or elmlib. org/athome

The Elmhurst Independent - Thursday, Dec. 10, 2020 • 11

The Elmhurst Independent

Real Estate/Business

Dec. 10, 2020 •11

HOPE Taskforce announces grant recipients The DuPage County Heroin/ Opioid Prevention and Education (HOPE) Taskforce announced last week the award of grants to local

government and community organizations to expand their capabilities in the fight against the opioid crisis in the County.

The grant awardees and a brief description of each project are below: • DuPage County Adult Probation - $25,000.

The grant will support the linkage of 40 probation clients most at risk of opioid overdose death with a reMake these medical covery coach from the community to appointments every year support them in their recovery.

• Path to Recovery Foundation Healthy adults probably don’t $25,000. give a lot of thought to seeing a The funds will provide Peer-Based doctor unless they get hurt or seri- Recovery Support Services to indiously ill.

Most healthy adults don’t need a lot of medical attention. But there are some things they should keep tabs on, even if they aren’t sick.

Making these medical appointments each year will help keep adults’ health on track as they age because doctors can address budding health concerns before they become big issues.

From EdwardElmhurst Health

In your 20s and 30s: • Primary care physician (PCP).

Get an annual checkup, including blood work, from an internal medicine physician or a family medicine physician. A doctor will know when vaccinations are due, including a tetanus booster or chickenpox vaccine (which some adults may need if they never got the MMR shot as a child). Make a calendar note each fall to get a flu shot.

• Women: Gynecologist. An annual exam should include a Pap test, HPV test, pelvic exam, clinical breast exam, and, if there is a new sex partner, screenings for sexually transmitted infections (STIs). If women have more than one sexual partner, it might make sense to have a Pap test and STI test every six months.

• Dermatologist. Make an annual appointment for a full-body skin check, especially fair-skinned adults or those with a family history of skin cancer.

• Eye doctor. The American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends that adults with healthy vision have a complete exam by an ophthalmologist once in their 20s, twice in their 30s and at age 40.

• Dentist. The American Dental Association recommends dental cleanings/check-ups once or twice a year.

In your 40s, add: • Women: Mammogram. This annual screening can detect breast cancer in its early stages when it’s most treatable. Ask a gynecologist

See HEALTH, Page 22

viduals in early recovery in DuPage County.

• Serenity House Counseling, Inc. - $24,882.

The funding will support the provision of harm reduction treatment services to clients through Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) and Moral Reconation Therapy (MRT).

“Opioids and substance use disorder continue to claim too many lives in our community - especially during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Greg Hart, DuPage County Board member and HOPE Taskforce Co-chair. “The selected projects will offer innovative, crucial support to those in treat-

ment and recovery in DuPage County at this difficult time when we are living through two unprecedented public health crises.”

The proposals serve DuPage County residents and align with two priority aspects of the HOPE Taskforce Framework: increase overdose response and provide integrated mental health and substance use disorder treatment and recovery.

“We recognize these grants help serve as a catalyst to inspire local government and community organizations to collaborate,” said Dr. Lanny Wilson, DuPage County Board of Health Vice President and HOPE

Rotarians work the food line for EYFP

Taskforce Co-chair. “One program at a time, we hope to address the opioid crisis by providing sustainable, impactful resources for those struggling with substance use disorder in DuPage County.”

The grant funding is made possible by the DuPage County Board, which has agreed to provide $100,000 annually to support the work of the HOPE Taskforce. In early 2021, the Taskforce will provide the focus areas for the remaining funding and announce funding for additional projects.

To learn more about the HOPE Taskforce, visit hopedupage.org.

SUBMITTED PHOTO Elmhurst Independent

Spearheaded by Rotary Club members Bill Sakash and Brian Bergheger, around 15 Elmhurst Rotarians were on hand Tuesday, Nov. 24 at the Elmhurst Yorkfield Food Pantry to prepare boxes of food for the Pantry’s distribution for Thanksgiving. Normally, Elmhurst Rotary and the Diplomat West Banquet Hall host a community Thanksgiving dinner but because of the COVID-19 pandemic and the need to keep social distancing, the Club instead partnered with Elmhurst Yorkfield Food Pantry to supply 425 turkeys and fixings for more than 250 area families. Undaunted by the rain, Rotarians along with regular Pantry volunteers loaded boxes and bags of frozen turkeys, fresh milk, stuffing mix, cranberry sauce, potatoes and fresh vegetables and bags of treats for the kids, into open trunks of clients driving to the Pantry.

12 • Thursday, Dec. 10, 2020 - The Elmhurst Independent

All Brick McDougall Ranch

All Brick McDougall Ranch

This 3 bed/2 bath home sits on a 60 x 168 lot across the street from Visitation Grade School. Hardwood floors throughout the entire first floor, new kitchen floor tiling, Stainless Steel Appliances, Newer Countertops, Breakfast nook picnic table,

This 3 bed/2 bath home sits on a 60 x 168 lot across the street from Visitation Grade School. Hardwood floors throughout the entire first floor, new kitchen floor tiling, Stainless Steel Appliances, Newer Countertops, Breakfast nook picnic table, well kept Living Room Fireplace perfect for the Winter months, Finished basement with an additional 4th Bedroom w/ large walk in closet, All Brick 2.5 Car Garage, large spacious deck for Summer months and deep back yard. Low taxes! Close to Oak Brook Mall, Expressways, and More! $410,000

$410,000 FIRST OFFERING!

What a View!

What a View!

Open and airy 2 bed / 2 bath Condo featuring 11 foot floor to ceiling windows. Beautiful and spacious kitchen with granite tops, stainless appliances and backsplash & ample storage.

Master bedroom with large walk-in-closet, en-suite with double $419,000 NEW PRICE!

Best Value in Town!

Best Value in Town!

This Charming 5 bedroom, 3.5 bathroom Home has plenty of room to grow, 2,466 sf with an additional 1,502 sf of finished living space in the basement, including a wet bar. Beautiful hardwood floors throughout the 1st floor. The 2 bedrooms on $600,000 NEW PRICE!

This Charming 5 bedroom, 3.5 bathroom Home has plenty of room to grow, 2,466 sf with an additional 1,502 sf of finished living space in the basement, including a wet bar.

Beautiful hardwood floors throughout the 1st floor. The 2 bedrooms on the main level offer flexibility for a home office, art studio, or an in-law arrangement. The 2nd floor addition features large master bedroom with en suite. Highly efficient dual zoned heating and air conditioning. The oversized lot (63 x 221) has plenty of privacy, yardspace, and a patio space for entertaining. Large 2.5 car garage with walk-up loft. $600,000

Rarest of Opportunities

Rarest of Opportunities

Rare 1st floor master suite on a 3,500sf main level footprint.

Set on a 75x190 meticulously landscaped lot on one of the center of town’s quietest and best streets. Lots of prep for the market - tear off roof (2020), new carpet, fresh paint, $1,299,900 Center of Town with 1st Floor Master

Perfect Family Home

Perfect Family Home

This MacDougall Split Level has 4 finished levels with nearly 3,600sf of finished living space. Well-cared by this 2nd owner, this home is a great family home with 4-5 bedrooms, oversized rooms, an eat-in kitchen, master suite with master

This MacDougall Split Level has 4 finished levels with nearly 3,600sf of finished living space. Wellcared by this 2nd owner, this home is a great family home with 4-5 bedrooms, oversized rooms, an eat-in kitchen, master suite with master bath, family room with stone fireplace, home office, a finished basement with tons of storage, attached 2.5 car garage, large laundry room, back deck and huge backyard. Walkable to Jefferson school with bus service to Bryan JRHS and York HS. Also, 3 blocks from the IL Prairie Path. Updates include AC, Hot Water Heater, Furnace, and Tear off Roof. $535,000

$535,000

Walk to Town/Train Location! This solid home has gorgeous HWD flrs a showstopper kitchen w/ open concept floorplan. 3 Bedroom 1 Level Living with over 2,200 sqft of finished living space. All the heavy lifting is done, you can move right in &

Don’t Miss This One!

Attention Builders or Rehabbers. Great potential for building your Dream House located in awesome neighborhood. The home is situated on a 50 x 167. 3 bedrooms, 1.5 baths, stainless steel appliances, full unfinished basement. Tiny Tot

Attention Builders or Rehabbers. Great potential for building your Dream House located in awesome neighborhood. The home is situated on a 50 x 167. 3 bedrooms, 1.5 baths, stainless steel appliances, full unfinished basement.

Tiny Tot Park located just 3 homes away. Close to downtown Elmhurst amenities, great expressway access.

Home needs TLC or build new! $329,900

$329,900

Center of Town

Center of Town

This new Center of Town luxury home’s location puts you within walking distance to everything! Over 4,800 sf with its finished basement - exercise room, rec room, custom bar and wine room! Gracious 10 ft first floor ceilings welcome you to

Attention Savvy Investors!

Well-maintained 3 bed / 2.1 bath townhome in sought after Lancaster Square. Open floor plan w/ hardwood floors & spacious living area. Large eat-in kitchen w/ island, stainless appliances & great storage leads to balcony space. On the

386200

Walk to Town/Train Location! This solid home has gorgeous HWD flrs a showstopper kitchen w/ open concept floorplan. 3 Bedroom 1 Level Living with over 2,200 sqft of finished living space. All the heavy lifting is done, you can move right in & enjoy! The 167 foot lot offers loads of greenspace, mature, private landscaping! Lovely easily accessible patio area for dining al fresco & 1 car attached garage. HUGE Basement w/ Rec Rm/office space/ TV/Lounge Area for R&R. Potential 4th bedroom & SO MUCH STORAGE! Walk to Hawthorne GSl, Wilder Park/Court Plus/ Whole Foods, the WHOLE Package for the Affordable Price! $369,900

This new Center of Town luxury home’s location puts you within walking distance to everything!

Over 4,800 sf with its finished basement exercise room, rec room, custom bar and wine room! Gracious 10 ft first floor ceilings welcome you to this impressive home with HWF’s & extensive trim & ceiling detail throughout, 5 beds, 4.5 baths, 2.5 car garage, custom kitchen w/ highend SS appliances open to family rm, master suite w/ spa bath, designer plumbing/lighting fixtures, surround sound + more! Equipped with all the bells and whistles - backup generator, central vac, security system, & irrigation system.

1,295,000

1,295,000

Attention Savvy Investors!

$269,900

Rare 1st floor master suite on a 3,500sf main level footprint. Set on a 75x190 meticulously landscaped lot on one of the center of town’s quietest and best streets. Lots of prep for the market tear off roof (2020), new carpet, fresh paint, refinished hardwood floors, and new windows. 4 beds, 4 baths, & heated 3 car garage w/ internal staircase to the basement. Chef’s kitchen w/ large prep/entertaining island, large separate eating area, high end SS appliances, w/ vaulted ceilings. And MUCH MORE! $1,299,900

Sharp Brick Ranch

Sharp Brick Ranch

$369,900

Don’t Miss This One!

Open and airy 2 bed / 2 bath Condo featuring 11 foot floor to ceiling windows. Beautiful and spacious kitchen with granite tops, stainless appliances and backsplash & ample storage.

Master bedroom with large walk-in-closet, ensuite with double vanity sink and large soaking tub. In-unit laundry. Steps to everything in this vibrant Fulton Market / West Loop localeRestaurants, Bars, Mariano’s, Whole Foods, Jewel, CTA, Metra, easy highway access & much more. Well-managed building with Doorman, Fitness Center, Dog Run & Bike Storage. Indoor heated garage is included. Unwind on your private balcony with picturesque Skyline views. $419,000

Well-maintained 3 bed / 2.1 bath townhome in sought after Lancaster Square. Open floor plan w/ hardwood floors & spacious living area. Large eat-in kitchen w/ island, stainless appliances & great storage leads to balcony space. On the 2nd level you will find the primary bedroom en-suite w/ walk-in-closet, two additional bedrooms / home office, full bathroom & conveniently located laundry. Cozy lower level family room w/ gas fireplace & attached 2 car garage. Ideal location is easily accessible to downtown Lombard, Yorktown & Oak Brook malls, shopping, restaurants, schools, IL Prairie Path, train & major transportation routes. $269,900

Gold Coast of VP

Gold Coast of VP

Right when you walk in the door the cathedral ceiling floor to ceiling fireplace will take your breath away! Gorgeous HWD Flrs throughout, Arched Doorways & the Charm/Character w/ the Open Concept/Updates to Envy! Updated Kitchen with $399,900

CHECK OUT OUR NEW WEBSITE: http://PrairiePathRealtors.com/

Right when you walk in the door the cathedral ceiling floor to ceiling fireplace will take your breath away! Gorgeous HWD Flrs throughout, Arched Doorways & the Charm/Character w/ the Open Concept/Updates to Envy! Updated Kitchen with Bonus 1st Floor Family beats anything on the market! Valuable Features include: New Windows, Roof, deferred maintenance items checked off the list! 3 HUGE BRs, 2 BAs this Home has over 3200 sqft of finished space, plus TONS of great storage space and a HUGE yard with a Trex Deck and Pool AND additional greenspace all within a 5 minute walk to the BEST of Villa Park & Prairie Path! $399,900

The Elmhurst Independent - Thursday, Dec. 10, 2020 • 13

Interest rates under 3% and low inventory levels make this a perfect time to sell your home! Call 630-279-9500 for a FREE MARKET ANALYSIS on your home.

Premier Location!

Premier Location!

Rare opportunity to own this updated & expanded brick Georgian that has been lovingly looked after for over 45 years.

Enjoy the quiet single tree-lined block of S Lawndale from your front porch, yet close to all Elmhurst has to offer in this $559,000 NEW PRICE!

Rare opportunity to own this updated & expanded brick Georgian that has been lovingly looked after for over 45 years. Enjoy the quiet single tree-lined block of S Lawndale from your front porch, yet close to all Elmhurst has to offer in this center of town location - shops, restaurants, train. This 3 bed / 2.1 bath home boasts flexible living & entertainment options w/ a great floor plan perfect for today’s owner- Living room w/ gas fireplace, separate dining room, large Great room w/ expanded ceilings & exposed brick accent wall, family room/office w/ walls of windows. Large eatin kitchen w/ solid wood cabinets, SS appliances, backsplash & granite tops, wine fridge & wet bar. $559,000

Double Wide Lot For Sale

Double Wide Lot For Sale

Endless possibilities and potential to build your dream home on this oversized 100x125 lot close to City Centre, restaurants and Metra. Convenient access to all major transportation routes. Top-rated Field Elementary school. Well built 2 bed / 2

Endless possibilities and potential to build your dream home on this oversized 100x125 lot close to City Centre, restaurants and Metra.

Convenient access to all major transportation routes. Top-rated Field Elementary school. Well built 2 bed / 2 bath / 1765 sq ft brick and stone Ranch home is currently on property. Flexicore basement ceiling. Rehab, add on, or build new. As-Is Sale. Value in the land. $279,000

$279,000

Rarest of Opportunities

Built for the long-haul inside and out! Rare, 1st floor master suite on a 3,500sf main level footprint - enjoy all the convenience of single level living while still having a 2-story home with an entertainer’s dream basement offering another $1,299,900

Center of Town with 1st Floor Master Rarest of Opportunities Built for the long-haul inside and out! Rare, 1st floor master suite on a 3,500sf main level footprint - enjoy all the convenience of single level living while still having a 2-story home with an entertainer’s dream basement offering another 3,500sf. 75x190 meticulously landscaped lot on one of the center of town’s quietest streets. Updates: tear off roof (2020), new carpet, fresh paint, refinished hardwood floors, and new windows. 4 beds, 4 baths, and heated 3 car garage with internal staircase to the basement. Chef’s kitchen with vaulted ceiling, large prep/entertaining island, separate eating area, & high end stainless steel appliances. 2 story great room will blow you away with access to the back paver patio and yard from all sides. The basement is great for all ages - shuffle board court, vintage London pub, see-through fireplace, media room, gaming area with huge lightwell, tons of storage and steam shower. Zoned HVAC with radiant heat for the garage and basement. Within a short walk to downtown Elmhurst & schools. $1,299,900

Chic, Modern Farmhouse

2016 built modern farmhouse in sought after Jefferson school district. Covered, bluestone front porch welcomes you to 4 impressive levels of finished living space. Open 1st floor with white custom kitchen with large island, large family room with 1,125,000

386201

Chic, Modern Farmhouse 2016 built modern farmhouse in sought after Jefferson school district. Covered, bluestone front porch welcomes you to 4 impressive levels of finished living space. Open 1st floor with white custom kitchen with large island, large family room with gas fireplace flanked by built-ins, 1st floor office/e-learning, mudroom with built-in, powder room, formal dining room, and parlor room. The 2nd level offers 4 beds & 3 full baths, with impressive primary suite with walk-in closets and gorgeous bathroom. All bedrooms have bathroom access and large walk-in closets. The 3rd level is a finished yoga/zen/workout space with full bathroom.

Fully finished basement with full bath, bedroom, play area, and rec room with fireplace. Fenced yard with large playset and dog run on side yard. Freshly painted interior, custom window treatments and backup generator. Walk to Butterfield Park, Jefferson/Visitation schools, the Prairie Path, and great highway access. Nothing to do but unpack! 1,125,000

14 • Thursday, Dec. 10, 2020 - The Elmhurst Independent

DEE LONGFELLOW PHOTOS Elmhurst Independent

In the spirit of the season

On Saturday, Dec. 5, the Single Mothers Support Group, met at the Elmhurst Christian Reformed Church, 149 W. Brush Hill Road. There were Christmas gifts for mothers and Christmas toys for their children. Everyone wore masks and only 20 people were permitted at a time. Volunteers were available to help carry items to the single mothers’ cars.

We are now taking reservations

Helping others

Volunteers Diane Karpman (left) and Jane Loerop (center) help a guest register at the Single Mothers Support Group holiday event. Ladies were able to pick from a variety of donated toys to help cover the costs of the holidays. Everyone also received the components for a turkey dinner and a gift card to Walmart.

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Thursday, Dec. 17 Beginning at 4 p.m., the City will host a Holiday Parade, which will bring Santa Claus around town with some of the City’s vehicles. Check the web site for the route, it will likely be coming close enough to you home that you can walk to meet it.

NOTE: Santa will not be leaving the vehicle and will not be able to speak with children due to the COVID-19 pandemic. All are welcome to come out and wave! (Rain date: Friday, Dec. 18.)

Saturday, Dec. 19 • At 11 a.m., a wreath-laying ceremony will be held at the Spanish American War Memorial, located in the southeast corner of Arlington Cemetery at 401 E. Lake St. in Elmhurst, for “Wreaths Across America Day.” A brief ceremony will be conducted by Elmhurst’s Martha Ibbettson Chapter NSDAR. Two women veterans of the 1898 conflict are commemorated at the site along with the men. The public is invited (with masks, social distancing). Info: email ivyjeane@comcast.net.

• Lizzadro Museum presents a “Slow Art Saturday,” with an intimate viewing is a crucial part of Chinese art appreciation. These ongoing gallery tours explore various topics found within the art. Join Asian Art Curator Dr. Tongyun Yin as she explores the Lizzadro Collection. Various pieces will be featured along with new topics on each date. Topics include: materials and techniques, Buddhist art, foreign influences, longevity and symbolism. Physically distance and mask required.

In-person tours begin at 2 p.m. for 15-minute tour and 15-minute Q&A. Students and adults only. Limited capacity. Regular Admission applies.

Make reservations online at lizzadro-museum.ticketleap.com/slowart/saturdays.

Ongoing programs: Available through Dec. 20, the Elmhurst History Museum presents “Frank Lloyd Wright and the Architecture of Space.” From Unity Temple to the Guggenheim Museum, the dynamic interior spaces of Wright’s buildings were integrally tied to the overall forms of these structures.

John H. Waters, preservation programs manager at the Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy, will share images and insights into the spaces that Wright created and discuss the importance of preserving his buildings for future generations.

Visit elmhursthistory.org. Info: 630833-1457.

• Rotary Club of Elmhurst holds a Zoom meeting every Thursday at 12 noon. See what we’re all about and consider joining men and women who do good work in the community. Contact Rotary President Charlie Laliberte for Zoom invite details.

Charlielaliberte@gmail.com.

• Now through Feb. 14, 2021, the Elmhurst Art Museum presents a socially-distanced self-guided, outdoor walking tour of Elmhurst’s modern architecture. Purchase admission ticket at the web site, however, admission is free during Wright Before the “Lloyd” exhibition currently on display through Feb. 14. Link to guided audio tour expires five days after activating custom code. Advanced purchase recommended. Free to members. Visit elmhurstartmuseum.org.

Current exhibitions: Elmhurst Art Museum NOTE: Exhibition run dates recently changed due to new Museum hours - Wright Before the “Lloyd,” open now through February 14, 2021, features images and artifacts that portray the eclectic, early explorations of one of the world’s greatest architects and is curated by Chicago’s official cultural historian Tim Samuelson.

Visitation grad elected officer of Montini Catholic’s NHS Select members of Montini Catholic High School’s Saint Pope Paul VI National Honor Society (NHS) were recently named as officers for the 2020-21 school year. The new officers will lead all members of the National Honor Society towards successfully achieving many ambitious goals planned for the remainder of the school year.

Montini Catholic’s 2020-21 Officers (all seniors) include: Nora Sypkens, president; Heather Sledzinski, vice-president; Maria Hemmersmeier, secretary; Alexis Ream, service chair; and Ayaan Dhir, treasurer. Hemmersmeier is an Elmhurst resident, who attended Visitation School.

Following is the profile provided by Montini Catholic: “NHS Secretary Maria Hemmersmeier is currently immersed in her role as Syme, in Montini’s fall play, George Orwell’s “1984.” She is a member of the Drama Club, performing on the

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Elmhurst History Museum Now through Dec. 20, Frank Lloyd Wright: Architecture of the Interior. Through reproduction drawings, house plans, and photographs, explore the ingenious ways in which Wright maximized the feeling of open space while still accommodating the various functions of daily living. Limit: 5 people per group, 15 visitors per hour. All visitors are required to wear face masks for entry.

Admission is free but reservations are required for one-hour time slots at elmhursthistory.org. Info: 630833-1457.

Lizzadro Museum Now until January 2021, a Special Exhibit is on display called “Re-carving the Past: The Art of Chinese Bronze and Jades.” The exhibition features 11 bronzes from the MacLean Collection and 16 Jade carvings from the Lizzadro Museum illustrating the enduring importance of antiquity in Chinese art and culture.

Formerly located in Wilder Park, the Lizzadro Museum of Lapidary Art can now be found at 1220 Kensington Road in Oak Brook.

Montini stage throughout her four years as a Bronco. Maria is enjoying her second year as a member of the Peer Ministry team and enthusiastically advocates for life, attending March for Life rallies in Washington, D.C. as a member of the Pro-Life Club, Lasallians for Life.

“Academically, Maria was recognized as an AP Scholar this fall. She is also a member of the Bronco Math Team and has earned membership in Montini’s Mu Alpha Theta (Math) Honor Society. Lastly, she is a member of the Spanish Club and Spanish Honor Society.”

Earlier this fall, 44 new members were inducted into Montini’s NHS. The NHS traditionally take on various community service projects each year, such as Montini’s Golden Gobbler Thanksgiving Food Drive in November as well as the annual Blood Drive for Lifesource. Members also support peers struggling academically through

Maria Hemmersmeier

NHS Peer Tutoring.

“I have no doubt that these five officers of Montini Catholic’s National Honor Society will be the leaders of tomorrow,” said President Jim Segredo.

“We are quite proud of their dedication and are thankful for their service.”

Savings

Your In Print and Online source for discounts, special offers and coupons from your hometown merchants 386196

Welcome to the Elmhurst Independent’s Community Calendar.

Upcoming events will be published, even if they are virtual and only available online. Please remember to be safe when attending live events by wearing masks, using hand sanitizer and maintaining the proper social distance.

If your club or organization is gathering during this time, live OR virtually, you can send the information to Independent@rvpublishing. com and put “Community Calendar” in the Subject line.

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The Elmhurst Independent - Thursday, Dec. 10, 2020 • 15

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16 • Thursday, Dec. 10, 2020 - The Elmhurst Independent

LEGAL NOTICES

NOTICE CERTIFICATE NO. 77872 was filed in the office of the County Clerk of DuPage County on NOVEMBER 13, 2020, wherein the business firm of SRW INTERIORS LOCATED AT 164 N MILTON AVENUE, GLEN ELLYN, IL 601375436 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) SHANNON RILEY-WARD, HOME ADDRESS 164 N MILTON AVENUE, GLEN ELLYN, IL 60137-5436.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and Official Seal at my office in Wheaton, Illinois, this 13TH day of NOVEMBER, A.D. 2020.

JEAN KACZMAREK Jean Kaczmarek DuPage County Clerk (OFFICIAL SEAL) (Published in The Elmhurst Independent Nov. 26, Dec. 3 & 10, 2020) 385580

NOTICE CERTIFICATE NO. 77876 was filed in the office of the County Clerk of DuPage County on NOVEMBER 16, 2020, wherein the business firm of WENDY’S WRITING WORKSHOP LOCATED AT P.O. BOX 5012, OAK BROOK, IL 60522-5012 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) WENDY A. SIMMS, HOME ADDRESS 5 SAINT MORTIZ COURT, ELMHURST, IL 60126.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and Official Seal at my office in Wheaton, Illinois, this 16TH day of NOVEMBER, A.D. 2020.

JEAN KACZMAREK Jean Kaczmarek DuPage County Clerk (OFFICIAL SEAL) (Published in The Elmhurst Independent Dec. 3, 10 & 17, 2020) 386352

NOTICE CERTIFICATE NO. 77863 was filed in the office of the County Clerk of DuPage County on NOVEMBER 9, 2020, wherein the business firm of MXM PROPERTIES LOCATED AT 1714 S WASHINGTON, NAPERVILLE, IL 60565 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) MICHAEL MCGARR, HOME ADDRESS 1714 S WASHINGTON, NAPERVILLE, IL 60565.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and Official Seal at my office in Wheaton, Illinois, this 9TH day of NOVEMBER, A.D. 2020.

JEAN KACZMAREK Jean Kaczmarek DuPage County Clerk (OFFICIAL SEAL) (Published in The Elmhurst Independent Nov. 26, Dec. 3 & 10, 2020) 385706

NOTICE CERTIFICATE NO. 77880 was filed in the office of the County Clerk of DuPage County on NOVEMBER 18, 2020, wherein the business firm of MNC ENTERPRISES LOCATED AT 396 E LINCOLN AVENUE, GLENDALE HEIGHTS, IL 60139 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) MATINA N CAPPS, HOME ADDRESS 396 E LINCOLN AVENUE, GLENDALE HEIGHTS, IL 60139.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and Official Seal at my office in Wheaton, Illinois, this 18TH day of NOVEMBER, A.D. 2020.

JEAN KACZMAREK Jean Kaczmarek DuPage County Clerk (OFFICIAL SEAL) (Published in The Elmhurst Independent Nov. 26, Dec. 3 & 10, 2020) 385841

NOTICE CERTIFICATE NO. 77874 was filed in the office of the County Clerk of DuPage County on NOVEMBER 16, 2020, wherein the business firm of AVR CAPITAL MANAGEMENT GROUP LOCATED AT 1405 BERNARD DRIVE, ADDISON, IL 60101 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) RICHARD ACCOMANDO, HOME ADDRESS 237 S HALE STREET, ADDISON, IL 60101 and NAME OF PERSON(S) ANTHONY ROMANO, HOME ADDRESS 1340 MEDINAH, ITASCA, IL 60143.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and Official Seal at my office in Wheaton, Illinois, this 16TH day of NOVEMBER, A.D. 2020.

JEAN KACZMAREK Jean Kaczmarek DuPage County Clerk (OFFICIAL SEAL) (Published in The Elmhurst Independent Nov. 26, Dec. 3 & 10, 2020) 385613

Rock Valley Publishing LLC

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NOTICE CERTIFICATE NO. 77879 was filed in the office of the County Clerk of DuPage County on NOVEMBER 17, 2020, wherein the business firm of YOGA ADORNED LOCATED AT 44 NORFOLK AVENUE, CLARENDON HILLS, IL 60514 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) MEGAN REILLY, HOME ADDRESS 44 NORFOLK AVENUE, CLARENDON HILLS, IL 60514.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and Official Seal at my office in Wheaton, Illinois, this 17TH day of NOVEMBER, A.D. 2020.

JEAN KACZMAREK Jean Kaczmarek DuPage County Clerk (OFFICIAL SEAL) (Published in The Elmhurst Independent Dec. 3, 10 & 17, 2020) 386340 NOTICE CERTIFICATE NO. 77885 was filed in the office of the County Clerk of DuPage County on NOVEMBER 20, 2020, wherein the business firm of MH PRO PAINTING LOCATED AT 423 E FOREST AVENUE, WEST CHICAGO, IL 60185 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) JESSICA ITURBE, HOME ADDRESS 423 E FOREST AVENUE, WEST CHICAGO, IL 60185.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and Official Seal at my office in Wheaton, Illinois, this 20TH day of NOVEMBER, A.D. 2020.

JEAN KACZMAREK Jean Kaczmarek DuPage County Clerk (OFFICIAL SEAL) (Published in The Elmhurst Independent Nov. 26, Dec. 3 & 10, 2020) 385981

ComEd defendants plead not guilty in bribery case

By Peter Hancock CAPITOL NEWS ILLINOIS

Four former Commonwealth Edison officials pleaded not guilty Dec. 2 to charges that they engaged in a years-long bribery scheme that federal prosecutors allege was aimed at influencing Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan.

Former executives Anne Pramaggiore and John Hooker, along with lobbyists Michael McClain and Jay Doherty, were arraigned on the charges in U.S. District Court in Chicago during a hearing that was held remotely due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a 50-page indictment that was unsealed Nov. 18, federal prosecutors allege the four engaged in a conspiracy to award no-work jobs and lobbying contracts to close associates of Madigan as part of an effort to maintain his support for legislation that benefited the company.

Those included the 2011 Energy Infrastructure Modernization Act, which established a formula-based system of setting utility rates that effectively bypassed the Illinois Commerce Commission, and the 2016 Future Energy Jobs Act, which, among other things, provided ratepayer-funded subsidies to two nuclear power plants owned by ComEd’s parent company Exelon.

During the arraignment, U.S. District Judge Harry D. Leinenweber, also a former state lawmaker, set an initial schedule that gives prosecutors and defense attorneys three months to exchange all the evidence they intend to use at trial and file pretrial motions. A status hearing is tentatively set for Feb. 16 and the defendants remain free on bond.

The charges against the four defendants comes on the heels of a deferred prosecution agreement that prosecutors unveiled in July in which current ComEd officials admitted to the scheme and agreed for the company to pay a $200 million fine in exchange for cooperating with the investigation and assurances that the

company would reform its internal controls.

Beyond the federal charges, though, the cases have resulted in intense scrutiny for Madigan and threatened his hold on power in the House. Although he has not been charged with any crime and has denied any wrongdoing, his support within the House Democratic caucus has gradually eroded since his appearance as “Public Official A” in July’s agreement. Madigan appears to no longer have 60 pledged votes in the House to support him, the number required to be reelected for another term as speaker in January.

Madigan also faces a Special Investigating Committee in the House that is charged with determining whether there is enough evidence to support disciplinary proceedings that could result in his ouster from the General Assembly.

Republicans petitioned to form that committee shortly after the deferred prosecution agreement was released, and they have frequently accused Democrats of dragging their feet on the investigation in an effort to protect Madigan.

However, just before the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, the committee’s chairman, Rep. Emanuel “Chris” Welch, D-Hillside, released hundreds of pages of documents that the committee had requested from ComEd, including numerous emails between McClain, a former lawmaker and longtime Madigan confidant, and another former ComEd executive, Fidel Marquez, who pleaded guilty in the bribery scheme in September.

Those emails strongly suggest that Madigan himself was deeply involved in urging ComEd to award jobs and contracts to his friends and associates.

The committee is scheduled to hold its next meeting on Monday, Dec. 14, in Springfield.

During a virtual news conference, House Minority Leader Jim Durkin, R-Western Springs, said he believes

the emails and information from the indictments together provide enough evidence to support the charge that Madigan engaged in “conduct unbecoming to a legislator or which constitutes a breach of public trust,” and he called on Madigan to resign.

“For the good of the state and the good of the people of Illinois, and also for the good of the House chamber, I am asking for Speaker Madigan’s resignation today,” Durkin said.

The ComEd emails, however, also show that company officials worked to hire people for its lobbying team who were close to Republican leaders, including Durkin.

One email, dated Sept. 16, 2013, to McClain from Scott Reimers, a lobbyist for the Illinois State Medical Society, urges McClain to consider a woman who had been working in Durkin’s office.

“I believe that Jim Durkin is moving forward with someone else as his spokesperson so she is currently looking at other opportunities,” Reimers stated in the email. “Even though Durkin is moving on with someone else, she has a strong relationships (sic) with our members.”

On Dec. 2, Durkin insisted that he was not involved in recommending anyone for a job at ComEd. “I did not have any involvement or make any phone calls on behalf of anyone for employment, (nor) did ComEd seek to curry favor with me with any type of contract for anyone,” Durkin said.

In a separate statement, though, Welch fired back at Durkin, accusing the Republican leader of trying to use the investigating committee for political gain.

“Leader Durkin is clearly seeking a public distraction from ComEd emails showing that the company took the same steps to influence him that he would now portray as unbecoming conduct, but his constant attempts to drag a serious investigative effort into politics will not influence the work of this committee,” Welch said.

Learn your HIV status: World AIDS Day held Dec. 1 The only way to know for sure whether you have HIV is to get tested. Knowing your status is important because it helps you make healthy decisions to prevent getting or transmitting HIV. Testing is still important and available during the pandemic.

World AIDS Day, which has been observed since 1988, is important because it reminds the public, healthcare providers, and the government that HIV has not gone away—there is still a vital need to raise money, increase awareness, fight prejudice and stigma, and improve education.

The theme for World AIDS Day 2020 is “Ending the HIV/AIDS Epidemic: Resilience and Impact.” The 2020 theme focuses on the impact of the global commitment to deliver quality, people-centered HIV prevention, and treatment services. Also, the focus is on strengthening the capaci-

ty and resilience of communities and health systems to address HIV services amid a global pandemic. Learn what you can do to promote HIV prevention, treatment, care, and research by visiting HIV.gov and CDC.gov/ hiv.

More tools than ever are now available to prevent HIV. If you have HIV or are at risk, it’s important to make choices that keep you healthy and protect others. You can use strategies such as abstinence (not having sex), limiting your number of sexual partners, never sharing needles, and using condoms the right way every time you have sex. You may also be able to take advantage of HIV prevention medicines such as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP).

Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is a once-daily pill that, when taken

as prescribed, can protect HIV-negative people at high risk for infection.

PrEP is up to 99 percent effective at preventing the sexual transmission of HIV and at least 74 percent effective for people who inject drugs. The DuPage County Health Department offers PrEP as part of its Sexually Transmitted Disease Clinic services and also provides PrEP trainings to healthcare providers.

DuPage County residents may be tested for HIV through several options including doctors’ offices, home-test kits, and at the Health Department’s Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) Clinic, which provides screening, counseling, and referrals. HIV testing is provided at no cost.

For information about HIV testing, PrEP, and treatment options in DuPage County, contact the Health Department at (630) 682-7400.

The Elmhurst Independent - Thursday, Dec. 10, 2020 • 17

Lawmakers seek additional hearings into LaSalle Veterans’ Home outbreak

Republicans made a net gain of one seat in the Illinois House while losing one in the state Senate, according to certified official results from the Nov. 3 general election.

Dec. 4 was the deadline for the Illinois State Board of Elections to complete its statewide canvass of the election. Just under 6.1 million ballots were cast in the election for a turnout rate of 72.92 percent, which was about average for recent presidential elections.

In state House races, GOP candidates won four seats that had previously been held by Democrats, but also lost three seats to Democratic challengers.

The seats they gained included the 45th District, where Seth Lewis defeated Rep. Diane Pappas, 5347 percent; the 51st District, where Chris Bos edged out Rep. Mary Edly-Allen, 51-49 percent; the 111th District, where Amy Elik defeated Rep. Monica Bristow, 54-46 percent; and the 116th District, where David Friess defeated Rep. Nathan Reitz, 65-35 percent.

They lost seats in the suburbs, where Democrat Dave Vella unseated Rep. John Cabello in the 68th district by 239 votes; Janet Yang Rohr unseated Rep. Grant Wehrli in the 41st district by a vote of 52-48

If you live in Elmhurst you can receive the Independent every week by mail at no charge.

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percent; and Suzanne Ness unseated Allen Skillicorn in the 66th district, also by a vote of 52-48 percent.

In the Senate, Democrat Karina Villa edged out Republican Jeanette Ward, 51-49 percent, in a race to fill a seat vacated by Republican Sen. Jim Oberweis, who stepped down this year to run for Congress.

Oberweis narrowly lost that congressional race, 51-49 percent, to incumbent Democratic U.S. Rep. Lauren Underwood, although Oberweis has said he will ask for what’s known as a “discovery” recount.

The results mean Democrats will still control the House with a 73-45 majority, which is still above the three-fifths supermajority needed to override a veto or pass a constitutional amendment. They will control the Senate by a 41-19 margin, which is also a supermajority.

Democrats have announced that Sen. Don Harmon, D-Oak Park, had been reelected to a full term as president of the Senate. Harmon was first elected to that job in January to fill out the remainder of the two-year leadership term that was vacated when former President John Cullerton retired at the end of the 2019 session.

Other Senate leadership posts will be chosen after the new General Assembly is sworn into office in January.

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who also already had tested positive.

Members of the House Veterans Affairs Committee, including Frese and Swanson, initially requested a hearing into the COVID-19 outbreak at LaSalle on Nov. 10, through a letter sent to Rep. Stephanie Kifowit, D-Oswego, who chairs the committee.

According to Frese, members of the House Veterans Affairs Committee should have been allowed to participate in the Senate committee’s hearing but were not invited.

Note: The post office requires a new request form every three years. If you have already mailed in your form, please disregard this notice.

**ecr

Harmon reelected Senate president; contested race ahead for House speaker

tested positive had attended a Halloween party.

When Chapa LaVia was asked about the staff attending a Halloween party during last week’s hearing, she said that could not be substantiated and the information was based on “word of mouth.”

During a recent hearing, IDVA Chief of Staff Anthony Kolbeck revealed that five employees at LaSalle continued to work at the home after being notified they tested positive, although they worked with residents

mer

Illinois GOP gains 1 seat in House; Dems gain 1 in Senate

required immediate change, including replacing all non-alcohol-based hand sanitizers with alcohol-based sanitizers, performing COVID-19 tests for residents and staff twice weekly rather than once per week, and requiring staff to follow strict personal protective equipment guidelines.

The U.S. VA official’s report found specific examples of staff violating PPE protocols, such as staff wearing masks below their chins. That report also noted that staff who eventually

sto

Republican lawmakers renewed calls for a House Veterans’ Affairs Committee hearing into the cause of a coronavirus outbreak at the staterun veterans home in LaSalle where about 20 percent of the residents have died of COVID-19 related illnesses.

Reps. Randy Frese, R-Paloma, David Welter, R-Morris, and Dan Swanson, R-Alpha, recently held a virtual news conference during which they demanded House members be included in a future hearing about the LaSalle Veterans’ Home outbreak.

The Illinois House Republicans’ news conference comes about a week after the state Senate Veterans Affairs Committee held a hearing into the outbreak that began on Nov. 1, and resulted in the deaths of at least 28 residents. There are 100 residents currently at the home.

Since the beginning of the outbreak, the veterans home has reported a total of 106 residents and 96 employees testing positive with COVID-19. As of Nov. 27, 38 residents and 76 staff had recovered from the virus.

Sen. Paul Schimpf, R-Waterloo, a member of the Senate Veteran Affairs Committee, and Sen. Sue Rezin, R-Morris, whose district includes the LaSalle home, also called for the next hearing into the LaSalle facility to be scheduled soon.

Last week, Schimpf and Rezin sent a letter to the committee’s chairman, Sen. Tom Cullerton, D-Villa Park, re-

questing he “set the next hearing date within the next few weeks.”

In an email, Cullerton said the senators did not reach out to him directly and he was “disheartened that I had to learn about their concerns from the press.”

Cullerton said the next hearing date has not yet been set, but he is working with lawmakers on both sides of the aisle to plan the next meeting.

“The most important thing is to get answers as to why so many innocent lives have been lost and ensure no more people suffer the pain these people and their families have,” Cullerton said in the email.

Last week, Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs Director Linda Chapa LaVia announced the acting inspector general from the Illinois Department of Human Services would conduct an independent investigation into the LaSalle outbreak.

Gov. JB Pritzker said he supported the independent investigation.

“If there’s any failure of procedure or wrongdoing, then that should be brought to the forefront and people should be held accountable,” Pritzker said.

The IDVA also released two reports from two separate on-site visits at the LaSalle home—the first conducted by an official from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs on Nov. 12, and the other by an official from the Illinois Department of Public Health on Nov. 17.

The visit reports found issues that

l Cu

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The Elmhurst Independent - Thursday, Dec. 10, 2020 • 19

High court: Pleading guilty does not prevent innocence claims Illinois Supreme Court’s decision sets legal precedent on this issue

By Sarah Mansur CAPITOL NEWS ILLINOIS

People who plead guilty to crimes are not automatically precluded from later asserting claims of innocence, the state’s highest court ruled on Dec. 3.

The Illinois Supreme Court’s unanimous decision creates a new precedent for state courts.

This is the first time the high court answered the question of whether individuals who pleaded guilty can still successfully claim innocence.

Under Illinois law, individuals convicted of crimes can petition the court and successfully assert a claim of innocence if they can establish that their rights were violated during the court proceedings that resulted in their conviction.

The court’s 22-page opinion holds that the guilty plea of the defendant—in this case, Demario Reed—“does not prevent him from asserting his right to not be deprived of life and liberty given compelling evidence of actual innocence under the (law).”

The court’s decision also establishes a new standard that individuals who pleaded guilty and later claim innocence must meet in order for their petition to succeed.

The justices ruled that those individuals can prevail on innocence claims if they can provide “new, material, noncumulative evidence that clearly and convincingly demonstrates that a trial would probably result in acquittal,” the court’s opinion states.

In the case before the court, Reed pleaded guilty in 2015 to armed violence after he was arrested at a Macon County home for possessing crack cocaine and a sawed-off shotgun, which were found in the home.

Following his guilty plea, Reed submitted a post-conviction petition asserting his innocence, based on a sworn affidavit from Davie Callaway, who was also at the home when Reed was arrested.

Callaway claimed in the affidavit that the cocaine found in the home belonged to him, and not Reed.

In January 2017, a Macon County judge dismissed Reed’s post-conviction petition, finding that Callaway’s testimony was not convincing.

Reed appealed to the 4th District Appellate Court, which is one level below the Illinois Supreme Court.

The appellate court agreed with the Macon County judge to dismiss the petition in a 2019 ruling that relied heavily on a 1970 Illinois Supreme Court decision, People v.

Cannon.

In the Cannon case, the court rejected the defendant’s postconviction claim of actual innocence because, the 1970 Illinois Supreme Court opinion states, “(b)efore his plea of guilty was accepted, the defendant, represented by appointed counsel, was fully and carefully admonished by the trial judge.”

The appellate court concluded that it must follow the legal guid-

ance in the Cannon case, “until the supreme court says otherwise.”

Illinois Supreme Court justices clarified in the Dec. 3 opinion that the appellate court’s reliance on the Cannon case law was misplaced, as the 50-year-old opinion served only as “dicta,” or a nonbinding legal opinion, and “does not control this case.”

“This court refuses to turn a

blind eye to the manifest injustice and failure of our criminal justice system that would result from the continued incarceration of a demonstrably innocent person, even where a defendant pleads guilty,” the court’s opinion states. “Accordingly, we find defendants who plead guilty may assert an actual innocence claim under the (law).”

While the justices found that

Reed was allowed to claim innocence despite his guilty plea, they did not accept Reed’s argument that Calloway’s affidavit would alter the outcome of a trial.

“We cannot say it was unreasonable for the court to question the truthfulness of Callaway, where he came forward only after being imprisoned and discussing the case with (Reed),” the opinion states.

The Illinois Supreme Court agreed with the appellate court’s decision to dismiss Reed’s post-conviction petition, although the two courts offered different reasons for the dismissal.

A spokesperson for Illinois Attorney General’s Office, which represented the state in this case, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

379666

20 • Thursday, Dec. 10, 2020 - The Elmhurst Independent

The Elmhurst Independent

Sports

Dec. 10, 2020 • 20

Playing the numbers game

York senior catcher Tyler Arista thrilled with the opportunity to play college baseball at Calvin University

By Mike Miazga CORRESPONDENT

Baseball is said to be a numbers game.

And York senior baseball player Tyler Arista is a number’s type of guy.

“I learned how difficult it is to play college baseball,” he said. “I read that only 7.5 percent of all high school players go on to play in college.”

Arista is now part of that 7.5 percent after recently signing his national letter of intent to continue his career at Calvin University in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

“I mean, it’s kind of unreal to play baseball at the next level,” he said. “It has always been a dream of mine. Since I was a little kid I would watch college baseball on TV and see how much fun they were having.

When I reached freshman year of high school is when I started working really hard. I started training six days a week and hitting the weights and catching more bullpens. I wanted to make sure I was part of that small percentage that makes it, and because of that I wanted to work really hard.”

Arista had specific requirements, though, during his college search.

“From the start of the college search, my main focus was finding a school I wanted to attend that was Christian college. For those four years I wanted to grow not only academically and through sports, but I wanted to

grow my relationship with God.” Arista had been in contact with the Calvin baseball coach and a visit was arranged to visit the NCAA Division III school located in Grand Rapids. “The moment I set foot on campus I felt like this was the place I was supposed to be at,” he said.

“It’s a great campus and the academics are great, and there is great opportunity for me to grow my faith.

Everybody was super-welcoming.

The coach showed me around the athletic facility and shared philosophies on baseball. I knew that was a coach I would love to play for.

The other coaches and players also were super-welcoming to me. They introduced themselves to me and that shows what these people value and the type of people they are.

That ended up being a big factor in choosing Calvin. I looked into a couple of other colleges, but they were not as welcoming. Them introducing themselves to me and saying hello make an amazing impression on me. After a couple of weeks, I ended up choosing Calvin.”

On the academic side, Arista, a catcher who has played some second base, would like to major in computer science. “It’s something that has interested me for a while,” he said.

“I have taken a couple of classes on that at York and it’s something I feel I would enjoy in the future.”

During the pandemic, Arista, who played travel baseball this past season for the Elmhurst Cougars, has

taken the opportunity to hone his catching skills. “Over the quarantine break, I started a throwing program,” he said. “It focused on a lot of velocity. My pop time (time from moment the pitch hits the catcher’s mitt to the moment the ball reaches the fielder’s projected receiving point at the center of the base) going into my junior year was 2.3 seconds, but a month ago it hit 2.0 (the lower the time, the better). That’s a big thing for me and it shows that I am gaining velocity. I also have been working on my hitting and have been seeing a hitting coach a lot lately and catching bullpens. I have improved overall as a player.”

Arista, the holder of a high-honor-roll-qualifying 4.0 grade-point average, admitted not having a spring York baseball season was not easy to take. “It’s tough,” he said.

“We still got to play a little in the summer, but at the same time not being able to play spring baseball gave me the opportunity to grow physically, mentally and relationally, and spiritually. I was able to focus on my training. My dad and I built a gym in the garage to take advantage of that to get bigger, faster and stronger. I was able to pinpoint weaknesses and fix them so my weaknesses can’t affect me so much on the field.”

Arista said growing his game behind the plate has been no walk in the park. “It’s a super-difficult position with being able to receive the

“

It has always been a dream of mine.

Since I was a little kid I would watch college baseball on TV and see how much fun they were having.”

– Tyler Arista

ball and steal some strikes from the other team,” he said. “Receiving is a big part. You also have to be a good blocker and you have to be agile and make sure the ball doesn’t get past you. You have to have a good arm to throw people out at second and third and pick them off first. You have to have a good baseball IQ, knowing everything that is going on in the game. You have to know how the pitchers work and work to their strengths and know the batters’ weaknesses so the pitcher can throw the least amount of pitches he can.”

Arista also applauded the time he’s had in the York baseball pro-

gram. “Playing at York has been a great experience for me. I have been able to learn a lot over the years,” he said. “The biggest thing I have taken away is learning the importance of being a good human being.

Those 5:30 a.m. practices and then again after school made us stay disciplined in our work. Coach (Dave) Kalal always said how important it is to be a good human being and always try to get a thank-you out of it. He cares more than just baseball, and to have someone teach us that is amazing.”

Arista also still fondly remembers his sophomore year at York when the 10th-grade squad won the West Suburban Conference Silver Division title. “We were having a team meeting in the driver’s ed room and our coach asked what our goal for the season was,” he recalled. “The whole team said the goal was to win conference. With all our hard work, sure enough we made our goal a reality.

“I want to play really bad this season (baseball is scheduled to start as part of the IHSA’s COVID-19-related summer schedule in 2021). My teammates have worked super-hard this season during quarantine. We have a really good senior class, which has guys from that team sophomore year that won conference. I think we can win conference again. All around, we are super-solid. Being able to play again with my teammates would be awesome.”

IHSA says no winter sports until first of year at the earliest Girls badminton looking at possible winter season move; Weight-room use, open-gym questions answered

By Mike Miazga CORRESPONDENT

During a recent Illinois High School Association Board of Directors virtual update session, the board explained it has not expectation to begin any winter sport seasons until 2021, but will remain agile in its preparation and willingness to adapt should a window present itself sooner.

IHSA Executive Director Craig Anderson noted that given Governor Pritzker’s current COVID-19-related mitigations, the board has no expectation of starting the IHSA low-risk winter sports prior to January. Boys and girls bowling, boys swimming, girls gymnastics and competitive

cheerleading and dance are considered current low-risk sports, as outlined by the Illinois Department of Health. Boys and girls basketball was bumped to a high-risk sport by IDPH and remains in flux as to its start, while wrestling, long ago deemed a high-risk sport by IDPH during the pandemic, already was axed and moved to a special summer season.

Anderson said the board and IHSA staff will continue to monitor the Tier 3 resurgence mitigations currently in effect. The IHSA added that when there is a timeline for the state to emerge from the current restriction, the board is prepared to restart lower-risk winter sports quickly.

Additionally, the IHSA board

hopes to reestablish contact days in January for any winter sports that cannot begin, as well as spring and summer sports. The introduction of the contact days, the IHSA explained, will be based on mitigations from the governor and IDPH at that time. Further guidance on contact-day limits, the IHSA added, will be established at a future board meeting.

Another key development out of the board update deals with girls badminton. The IHSA said given badminton’s status as a low-risk sport, the board also discussed the possibility of moving girls badminton from the spring season to the winter. Schools, the IHSA said, should begin preparing for this possibility, as action on

this could be decided at the Dec. 14 IHSA board meeting.

“The board reiterated they remain committed to creating as much opportunity as possible for all sports that remain to be played this school year,” Anderson said in his statement.

“They intend to evaluate the equity of each season as a potential resumption date in January begins to materialize.

The board appreciates the flexibility displayed by our schools throughout the pandemic, and although they recognize the challenges each modification creates, they continue to ask that schools be adaptable in the new year.

The board continues to evaluate season start and ending dates, depending on when the winter season resumes.”

Anderson added the board and IHSA staff have received questions from schools regarding the interpretation of the Tier 3 resurgence mitigations and the application in use of the weight room and open gyms before and after school. The IHSA board said it believes that only local schools and districts whose facilities serve as a shared space for community members may interpret whether or not their facilities are made available as public health and fitness centers.

Before- and after-school weightlifting and open-gym activities at school facilities that are not open to the community would remain prohibited outside of usage in the school-day educational setting.

SPORTS 19

The Elmhurst Independent - Thursday, Dec. 10, 2020 • 21 The Elmhurst Independent - Thursday, July 16, 2020 • 19

York girls volleyball standout Meadows chooses William Jewell College

sports

IC Catholic Prep graduate Plans on pursuing biology major with eye toward veterinary medicine Leslie headed to Le Moyne

By Mike Miazga

area,” she explained. “They play Lewis University (Romeoville) so York senior girls volleyball player my parents can come and watch. It’s Grace Meadows wasted no time in a school that is just far enough away starting her college recruiting pro- Iwith a seven-hour drive that it’s not feel like I would be so bored withWill volleyball cess, oneplay that ultimately led to her out tooitlocal and not too far out there. because it has been such a bigI signing a national letter of intent to part alsoof really like the size of the school my life.” for Division II school attend William Jewell College in and they have really biology Leslie said ashe hasgood plenty of Liberty, program.” from IC Catholic Prep’s By Mike Missouri.

Miazga memories “I reached out to them sophomore coach TheNancy biology program is of particCORRESPONDENT Kerrigan’s program. year through our recruiting interest to Meadows. “I want Recent IC Catholic Prep director gradu- ular “I loved playing there,” she said. at Bella my club,” Meadows, who to look into veterinary medicine,” ate Lesliesaid wanted to head east “I probably enjoyed school volleyplays for the well-known 1st Alli- she said. “My aunt is a vet and as I for college. ball more than club because I love ance club.ended up being grew up she was one of my biggest Hervolleyball landing spot my team and the coaching staff clubDivision uses an online role models. It’s an interesting job at “Our NCAA II Lerecruiting Moyne was very supportive on and off the website and I created an account and and I have always had a passion for College where the former Knights court. It made it a really good enthat gives you ability to reachwill out animals.” volleyball and the soccer standout vironment to be in. Coach (Kerrito collegeher coaches.

I reached out toata And her interaction with the volcontinue volleyball career gan) was great. I have known her bunch of coaches the area initialleyball program was an eye-opener. the Syracuse, NewinYork school as for a while. When I was little, I did “I really like the coaching staff,” aly.” libero. all the little kids camps, and her One ofofthe several lures forlooking Mead- she said. “They talk about how they “All schools I was was in my brother’s grade wason William Jewell beingLeslie in the daughter focus on the community aspect and atows were the East Coast,” atbeing IC.” unique in their program. The Midwest. told the Independent last week. “I Leslieissaid will town miss so plen“I like theyand are really in a conferschool in a she smaller you visited Le that Moyne liked ty about ICofCatholic Prep. “Ifeel.” will ence — the Great Lakes Valley have more that small-town it. It reminded me of high school miss how close knit of a communiConference — athat has school, teams inand the Meadows said playing volleyball because it was small ty it was,” she said. “I knew everyin a smaller school you will know a body at the school. It will be weird lot more faces than if I would have going on campus and not knowing gone to a bigger school. The cam- all the faces. I’ll miss those close pus there is really pretty. It sits on connections with the coaches and a big hill and the scenery around it teachers. It will be weird for the is great. Everything is pretty close first year or so.” together. have very nice facil- days,”

By SarahThey Mansur Murphy said. “But the Leslie said pandemic lifemajority hasn’t ities.

The volleyball CAPITOL NEWS ILLINOIS program has been of myoverly complaints, recently, have been exciting, though her good workout facilities and a nice Three Republican lawmakers on club in regards to fraud.” volleyball team has started locker I liked how modernDeit practicing Dec. 4room. put pressure on Illinois Bennett said lawmakers must again.the“We have been was.” partment of Employment Security practicing begin with two finding factstimes and anor the three a Leslie to plans on studying nursingin week,” officials answer for the backlog swers toshe outstanding questions. said. “We are going to atunemployment Le Moyne. “They a good claims have and the rising be “The problem is we’reagain. not getting starting tournaments Benursing sheunemployment said. “As far fore number program,” of fraudulent the answers on whybeen there doing are so anymany that I haven’t as whatfiled, kindwhich of a has nurse I want to thing claims reached nearly failures going on.

We soccer need to season be able because senior be, I’m not quite sure yet.”

297,000 since March. to figure outvolleyball why the administration and the club season were Duringplayed a Zoom news conference, and IDES can’t handle the job requireLeslie volleyball and girls cancelled.

We were supposed to go state Reps.

Tom Bennett, ments. know that COVID-19 has soccer at IC Catholic Prep allR-Gibfour to a fewWeclub volleyball qualifiers son City, R-Murphys- in changed in so Louisville. many ways, years.

She Terri was aBryant, center-midfielder Grandeverything Rapids and boro, Murphy, but we got to bewe ablehave to respond,” Benon the and Mike Knights soccer team.R-Spring- This summer, some tourfield, urged JB Pritzkerjourney to call a naments nett said. planned over the next few Leslie’s Gov. volleyball special in legislative When asked about dollartournaamount started the fifthsession grade, and the allow first weekends.

They arethelittle for hearings to play address agency’s associated year she could the the sport at IC ments with with all offraudulent the local employclubs. delays School. in processing ment claims in Illinois, Bryant said Grade She’sunemployment been play- Nothing large and really local. claims, well as thesince 296,914 fraud Other they don’t ing clubasvolleyball seventh thanhave that,enough I haveinformation been tryingto claims most that had been filed Nov. to determine much state paid grade, recently withastheof Chiwork outhow a lot andthe stay in has shape.

19, according to IDES. out in fraud claims.a lot, so I got into cago Elite group that practices out I’ve been running (Gov. should lead “We don’t an answer of “You Scores in Pritzker) Willow Springs andat that.

I try and have run every day.” on the this pointHigh and call us into special ses- dollar amount we’re not sure Montini School in Lombard.

Leslie said because she is scheduled to sion to address of these yet on to what actual fraud, what’s “I’m really many excited to beissues,” able report Le isMoyne in the and Aug. 12Bryant “I’ve said before, andshe I’ll 15 being called fraud,” said. “How to play said. volleyball in college,” timeframe, but Bryant noted preseason repeat“Itit gives again:me Congress is meeting; do we know what is already fraudulenthave and said. something to do. volleyball activities other state legislators are meeting. We what is real, until we’re able to have met safely in May with nobody con- some hearings on this and get some tracting COVID-19, so(Continued we know it’s fromanswers?” page 18) possible.”

Last month, IDES acting Director They lost rah-rah person.

I’mduring a little bit Murphy saidtohisWest officeChicago continueson to huge Kristin Richards spoke PritzIhear think an own goal in the about last five an individual coach. constituent complaints de- more ker’s of daily briefing toplayers’ share how the minutes.

That was against the benestate Iagency will pull to the side at practice lays in receiving unemployment haskids lessened the long delays champs the sectional and teach them.” fits, andin about fraudulentfinals. claimsThat’s being and that games unemployment claimants have amade hell of season if you ask me.”

Stopka York has been doing onatheir behalf. faced, by noted increasing IDES staff and Stopka teach at York. and saidonly” the plan “As a will matter of Spanish fact, during this conditioning implementingdrills a “callback sysHe taught SpanishIand of inearlier was to instart press conference, justone got math a textclass mes- as tem, whichlast callsweek are returned the atsage St. from Pat’s.a “My philosophy is I that am summer pending District 205 constituent who said order theycamp are received. more of a players’ coach,” said.

“I have probably able they haven’t got a call back inheover 30 approval.

Richards said the agencybeen handled “I have been a big Liverpool soccer to meet 60 to 70 percent of the playAnswers supporter ever since 2015 when Jur- ers so far,” he said. “If it does get apPUZZLE PUZZLE 2 would be the start of our gen Klopp 1came over and he’s known proved that as a players’ coach. He’s kind of my contact days with four days a week coaching idol. I want to related to the for three weeks straight. And even players and form bonds with them. though the IHSA waived the blackI am more light-hearted and smil- out dates before the school year, we ing. I like to have fun and joke with won’t take advantage of that. I’m the kids. The goal is understanding pretty sure families have plans to do where each player can be successful things before school starts. I’m the and the provide the best way possible new guy and I’m not going to say to convey the knowledge they need you can’t go with your family. Go at the position they play. I am not big do it and enjoy it. This is a crazy and CORRESPONDENT

at the next level is quite the development. “It is one of the coolest things I have ever had the opportunity to do,” she said. “My mom played at Elmhurst College so this is something I have always wanted to do. To be able to commitI’m to a really sport I really like is very cool, and to be able to achieve something andto playbe at the next level excited able is huge.” to play noted volleyball Meadows not havingin a traditional fall high school season due It took gives tocollege. the pandemic someme getting used to.

“It was strange and something to do. I definitely weird not being super-busy atfeel this time of the year with be training like I would and seeing the girls all the time,” she said. worst without part was not being so“The bored able to see my teammates all the time it play because itthehas and the game all time. All of it has been weird.” been a big Likewise,such the remote learning aspect at York has been an adjustment. part of my life.”

“I’m still working on maximizing efBella is Leslie ficiencies,” she said.– “This not the end of the world. It’s manageable.

“

Again, I still miss being able to see my friends and teachers in person.”

As of now, all is not lost on the high school season front with girls volleyball in Illinois being pushed into the spring of 2021. “I’m very excited to get back out there,” she said. “I definitely miss all of it. I hope things stay on schedule and we can get in the gym together in the spring.”

Meadows is keeping busy with club workouts, albeit ones that follow strict COVID-19/social distancing guidelines.

“We have been doing modified practices with only half the team at practice at one time,” she said.

“We’re making sure we are not packing the gym and that we are social distancing and wearing our masks all the time. Right now, any sort of reps you can get in the gym are nice.”

Meadows noted her club team has given players the option to either play for their high school team

or their club team in the spring — leaving that tough decision up to the players. “Our club is been good at communicating with us and they realize it might be tough with this being the last year of club volleyball for some girls. And they have said if we want to play for our high school team we can take a break from club. They are leaving the decision to us.”

During the pandemic, Meadows has upped her baking skills, as well as horticulture efforts. “I like baking cookies and scones. Those are my top favorite treats,” she said. “I’m more into plants now. I have a mini-forest in my room with banana trees and ivy growing.”

Meadows will move on to a William Jewell team that will begin its postponed 2020 season in January.

William Jewell, an NCAA Division II institution, won a United States Marine Corps/American Volleyball Coaches Association team academic award for the 2019-2020 season.

been cancelled due to the pandem-

ic. “I will probably leave Aug. GOP House members urge special session to handle jobless claim delays, fraud 10-11 because it’s a far drive,” the team recently and they saidin benefits since March IDES has paid out nearly $19 billion they should have an answer about moreseason claimsin in the first weeks our nextthree 7-10 days.of the pandemic than it three had during all of They talked about scenarios 2019. and what could happen like if we In the order to meet thissomeone enormousgets destart season and mand, its call sick andIDES we increased have to stop andcenter go. staffingone by about percent, Richards That’s of the600 reasons why they saidlooking on Nov.at23.

She said agency are moving the the season to alsospring. redeployed 100 plan staffers the Rightabout now the is toto deal with claimsbut maintenance adhave a season, we won’t and know judication, and7-10 brought back dozens of until the next days.” retired But ifworkers. all systems are a go, Lesa result Richlie As can’t wait of to these take changes, her skills as saidtomany nowthe reaards libero the claimants next levelare with ceiving callbacks oneatolibetwo Dolphins.

“I feel “within like being weeks less.” ro you or have to be really quick and email, anwhat IDESI am spokesperson thatInisantypically good at. thereally agencygood has paid out nearly $19 Isaid have reaction time,” billion in “I benefits since March, she said. like diving on the which floor is more thanballs.

16 times amount and saving It’s athe really goodof benefitswhen paid over the equivalent perifeeling you make a save. The od in 2019. position fits my personality, too.

IDES saying for You“As have to behas the been loudest one on months, are working hard to rethe court.we I have a loud personality. spond to antoeconomic You have be prettycrisis loudand if stand you up five want tonew, be acomplex libero. Ifederal think programs I match while battling fraudsters who have that description.” used stolen identities to file for benefits nationwide,” wrote IDES Information Strategy Director and Public Information Officer Rebecca Cisco. bleIDES reported and transparentlast andmonth communicate that the with everybody.” state’s unemployment rate dropped as theinfuture, Stopka toAs 6.8far percent October, downwants from York a high level on 10.4 competing percent in atSeptember.

Meanawhile, consistent basis.

“The of short-term the total number nonfarm goal is the to state restock build1,100, up the jobs in fell and by about to team,” “A large portion of roughlyhe 5.7said. million. lastThe year’s seniors, state team agencywas reported moreespethan cially starting 11. Weunemployhave to 74,000the newly filed regular make sure the now juniors are up to the speed of the varsity level and are ready to contribute. We want to keep that pipeline going with the younger groups of players. We want to make sure we are not only competitive, but that we are competing for regionals, sectionals and supersectionals.

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

ment claims for the week ending Nov. 28, which is a 13 percent increase from the prior week.

Those state unemployment claims are in addition to those filed under the Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation program, which provides an additional 13 weeks of benefits for those who have exhausted their regular jobless benefits, and the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program, which provides benefits to gig workers, independent contractors and other self-employed individuals who don’t normally qualify for traditional Anthony Bucolo fires a pitch unemployment insurance. game.

According to U.S. Department of

Labor data, 228,583 Illinoisans filed new claims for extended benefits under the PEUC for the week ending Nov. 14, which is roughly 10,000 more than the week before.

During the same period, nearly 144,000 self-employed workers were receiving continuing benefits under the PUA. Both the PEUC and the PUA programs are funded entirely by the federal government, andElmhurst were created under CHRIS FOX PHOTO Independent the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security, or CARES Act, which Congress passed in March. during recent baseball Fundinga for thoseU12 programs is set to expire Dec. 26.

U12 baseball action

Player of the week sponsored by

Community Bank Member FDIC LENDER

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• Stopka

she said. “We had Zoom call with

proudly presents proudly presents

YORK HIGH SCHOOL PLAYER OF THE WEEK YORK HIGH SCHOOL GIGI PLAYER BARR OF THE WEEK GIGI BARR YORK GIRLS VOLLEYBALL YORK GIRLS VOLLEYBALL Barr recently made it official when she signed her na-

tional lettertheofrecipient intent toofcontinue her academic volBarr was the 2019-2020 York Valand Cothern leyballfemale careers at Division I Ivy League Yale junior athlete of the year award.

Barrmember went over the University in New Haven, Connecticut.

1,000-career kill threshold last fall for the Dukes girls volleyball team and still has a season to add to that total.

22 • Thursday, Dec. 10, 2020 - The Elmhurst Independent

County health department reports nearly 49,000 COVID-19 cases, with 792 deaths, since March 51 COVID-19 related deaths in Elmhurst

STAFF REPORT

According to the DuPage County Health Department, as of Sunday, Dec. 6, there have been 48,891 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 792 COVID-19 related deaths in the county since March.

There have been around 2,500 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 51

deaths related to the coronavirus in Elmhurst since March. Villa Park has reported 1,478 cases and 11 deaths.

There are several figures and statistics related to COVID-19 on the DuPage County Health Department’s website—dupagehealth.org.

The health department’s update of Monday, Nov. 30, indicated 739

COVID-19 related deaths in DuPage County since March. The Dec. 6 update noting 792 deaths does not mean there were 53 deaths related to the coronavirus in the previous week.

Some of the recently reported deaths took place earlier in the year. The county does not report the actual date of death in its daily updates.

Edward-Elmhurst Health Q&A I have COVID-19, now what?

Testing positive for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, is a potentially life-changing moment. So many factors — age, underlying health conditions, access to medical care — determine how the illness will affect you. People who test positive likely have a lot of questions, like, “What should I do now?”

I tested positive for COVID-19. What should I do next?

• Stay home. If symptoms are mild and non-life threatening, the best thing to do is stay home and care for yourself as if you had the flu. Avoid going into public places, including public transportation. Only leave home for medical care.

• Isolate from anyone else in the home to avoid infecting them. Wear a mask in common areas.

• Tell close contacts that you tested positive and they may have been exposed to the virus. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports an infected person can spread COVID-19 starting 48 hours before the person has any symptoms or tests positive.

• Monitor your symptoms. If you have trouble breathing, persistent chest pain or pressure, new confusion, if someone is unable to wake you or you can’t stay awake, or you have bluish lips or face, go to an emergency room or call 911.

What symptoms could I have?

COVID-19 symptoms can range from mild to severe and may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. The following symptoms are associated with COVID-19: • Fever or chills • Cough • Shortness of breath and difficulty breathing • Fatigue • Muscle or body aches • Headache • New loss of taste or smell • Sore throat • Congestion or runny nose • Nausea or vomiting • Diarrhea How can I protect the people I live with from getting sick?

COVID-19 is most commonly spread from an infected person to others through: Respiratory droplets produced by coughing, • sneezing and talking • Close personal contact (within about 6 feet) COVID-19 is sometimes spread from an infected person to others through: • Airborne droplets that can linger in the air for minutes to hours (even if further than 6 feet away from an infected person or after an infected person has left the space) The best thing to do at home is find a room to isolate

from others. If possible, avoid sharing anything with the rest of the household, including a bed, bedding, bathroom, towels, dishes and cups, silverware or food.

Avoid hugs and other close contact until you are not contagious. If someone needs to go in a common area, wear a mask and maintain physical distance from others.

Wash hands often and cover coughs and sneezes.

How long will it take to get better?

It typically takes about two weeks to recover from a mild case of COVID-19. Severe cases could take up to six weeks. But reports indicate SARS-CoV-2 tends to linger, as some people continue to have symptoms, such as a cough, loss of taste or smell, and fatigue, up to four months after their diagnosis.

What treatments might I receive for COVID-19?

Doctors have learned a great deal about how to better treat patients with coronavirus. There are also investigational drugs for COVID-19 being studied in clinical trials across the globe.

The current methodology to treat COVID-19 involves using antiviral medications, anti-inflammatory medications and immune system modulators.

Mild to moderate COVID-19 symptoms may be treated with supportive care such as hydration (IV fluids), pain and fever control, and breathing treatments.

If you have more severe symptoms, you may be admitted to the hospital and treated with various medications to slow the progression of the disease and relieve symptoms. Some patients need supplementary oxygen and mechanical ventilatory support.

How long after I tested positive will I be contagious?

The CDC recommends people wait until 10 days since symptoms first appeared AND they have gone 24 hours with no fever without the use of fever-reducing medications AND their other symptoms of COVID-19 are improving before they spend time around other people again.

Am I immune to COVID-19 once I’ve had it?

At this time, experts do not know how long someone is protected from getting sick again after recovering from COVID-19. Natural immunity, or the immunity someone gains from having an infection, varies from individual to individual. Some early evidence suggests that reinfection is unlikely for at least three months, but more research is needed to know for sure.

Even if someone has had COVID-19, the best ways to prevent infection are to wear a mask in public places, stay at least 6 feet away from other people, practice good hygiene, and avoid crowds and confined spaces.

For more information, visit www.eehealth.org/ coronavirus.

As of Nov. 30, there were 204 COVID-19 related deaths during April. As of Dec. 6, there were 206 deaths in April. As of Nov. 30, there were 206 deaths related to the coronavirus in May. As of Dec. 6, the number of May deaths related to COVID-19 stood at 209.

All of the county health department’s figures are provisional and subject to change.

DuPage County’s first death related to the coronavirus was reported on March 19. According to the Dec. 6 update, there were 14 deaths related to COVID-19 in March, 206 in April, 209 in May, 94 in June, 34 in July, 18 in August, 23 in September, 46 in October and 145 in November. As of the Dec. 6 update, therefore, there were 789 COVID-19 related deaths in the county through Nov. 30, and three additional deaths related to the coronavirus during December.

The county health department’s daily update of Dec. 5 states, “Since yesterday, there are 730 new cases of COVID-19 in DuPage County with seven deaths of persons with COVID-19 infection reported.”

According to the health department’s daily update of Dec. 6, “Since yesterday, there are 634 new cases of COVID-19 in DuPage County with 10 deaths of persons with COVID-19 infection reported.”

Those two updates imply that there had been 17 COVID-19 related deaths in the county from Dec. 4-6.

• Health

Again, the county does not provide the actual date of death in its daily reports. As of Dec. 6, the county’s figures indicate three COVID-19 related deaths in the county during December.

The Dec. 6 update states that 448 (about 56 percent) of the county’s 792 deaths related to COVID-19 involved residents 80 and older. Another 200 deaths involved residents between the ages of 70-79, while 91 deaths involved residents in their 60s.

One of the county’s 792 deaths related to the coronavirus involved a resident in the 20-29 age group.

None of the 792 deaths involved a resident 19 and under.

According to the county health department, 417 (about 53 percent) of the 792 COVID-19 related deaths in the county involved males, while 375 involved females.

Another figure in the county’s reports noted that, as of Dec. 1, about 5.8 percent (2,639) COVID-19 cases in the county were associated with long-term care facilities. About 68 percent of the county’s COVID-19 related deaths, however (504 of 741, as of Dec. 1), were associated with long-term care facilities.

The county health department’s statistics also note that as of Dec. 1, underlying medical conditions were reported in nearly 90 percent of the COVID-19 related deaths in DuPage County.

(Continued from page 11)

about dense breasts and 3D mammograms.

• Men: Annual rectal exam/PSA blood test from a primary care doctor to screen for prostate cancer.

can usually wait 10 years before getting another one.

• Lung screening. A lung CT scan is recommended every year for smokers, former smokers (who quit in the last 15 years) or other high-risk individuals, from ages 55 to 80.

If someone has a family history of certain diseases or other risk factors, they may need to have earlier or more frequent appointments and screenings. A PCP can help determine which appointments are needed.

In your 50s (or earlier if you have risk factors), add: • Colonoscopy. This important screening can detect early signs of colorectal cancer and remove polyps and tumors. Work with a PCP to identify a gastroenterologist.

Gastroenterologists receive special training in colonoscopies and perform more of these procedures than For more information, visit EEany other specialty. If a colonoscopy shows no signs of cancer, adults Health.org.

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The Elmhurst Independent - Thursday, Dec. 10, 2020 • 23

Helping out Santa

A single mom looks over the toys made available, thanks to the Single Mothers Support Group that gathers at the Elmhurst Christian Reformed Church. On Saturday, Dec. 5, single mothers were invited to come pick out toys for their children.

DEE LONGFELLOW PHOTO Elmhurst Independent

Dog, owner reunited after three-year separation

Every Story, Every Photo, Every Advertisement in print and online 1 1 • Thursday, March 5, 2020 - The Elmhurst Independent

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Grand Marshal

By Dee Longfellow FOR THE ELMHURST INDEPENDENT

Spring is indeed on its way and a big indicator is the upcoming occasion for the wearin’ o’ the green which takes place Saturday, March 7. Yes, it’s time for the 24th Annual Elmhurst St. Patrick’s Day Parade, which steps off promptly at 12 noon. This year’s Grand Marshal is the Roesch Auto Group, which has provided vehicles for the parade since its first year – you’ll find more information about the Roesch Auto Group in a special section inside this issue.

The list of entries can be viewed inside this issue upfront in the news section.

The special section is always filled with photos from last year, so look for your friends and neighbors — or your-

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Chu of up of oa em dent June t ward the railroad tracks just beyond performances for you to enjoy along a pe rchv the on Elm rd, D ber Pe na titio ille seve the hurs ist. of th te Silverado Grill. But you’ll likely want with green beer (in moderation!) and a tures n th Schon si north t. DiC 2, an e to show up earlier than that not only corned beef sandwiches. safepainte to pl at ev ol, blings side iann d whe i, to park but also to take advantage of The Elmhurst Independent will Ded at ty mead crosead foening brough attend re w the musical entertainment that will be there too, so smile as we drive by Iniversethy.e intesures thswalk r a tr ith 40t alon ed rsec at and affic 0 si g Cia lig be going on prior to the parade. Live because we might just take your pictio coul an lig gex nni ht of n of d y ht to trem now the musical entertainment is expected to ture. Hosted by Elmhurst’s own John Yor be af othe , r fo tiv mov ely co is es rece k St rd es. e fo nc peci nt be performed at the Prairie Path, in R. Quigley and Ken Bartels, Comcast . an rw erne ally acci d only“Bbe y ard d front of Ahlgrim Funeral Home and at “Elmhurst Our Kind of Town” thwill al de ga with with arm nt, D e , the ugin ed McKinley and Spring. filming the parade for viewing cide stlater oplig war g safe the an iDiC itnts,will ty dela d ht ra the Then enjoy a few hours of bands, in the month. After March on 17, initi y iann inju despnt stud traf fic abo ly di6 iand City fire and public works vehicles, broadcast on Comcast Channel to ries ite y pa an th pr d re ld th and multipis de ttern ev City officials, Scout troops, floats, rep- AT&T Universe Channel si e Itci can le clin s ters d99.

Chu in palsdents Indepeen a past ing rc B of fa resentatives from various business and also be found at ElmhurstTV.com. hvAcen ac of senv supp ille [of sign nden tality, or besc Con a t. “N ” organizations in town and those fabu- cording to the cable schedule, it will cal supp ill child ort e event, an hools] rad petitio ot d be lous Irish dancers. Some of the mas- broadcast: endent in At th ren caus pass the wro Fische n, ep Ju e atte e Ind Vill te cots from Chicago’s pro sports teams Wednesdays at 5idp.m. rst so ed le r en ne C hu Yor t of , Joe ity C nd Con me a reso age tElm O are expected as well like Southpaw, Sundays at 7:30 (starting M ou Wed of k lu of ly p.m.

OT PH thisas and north artu ncil rad Fi thei tion cc m the Div Benny the Bull and Tommy the Hawk. ITTED3/14) de sc r “sui erse Elm i, a 56eetin her.”loBM insi SU y w hursSat-y g ba ci The Elmhurst Armpit Orchestra will Saturdays at 7 p.m. (starting os de ot corn as kn t, sa ear re ck ph ns be on hand this year as always. See 3/21) id sore .” own that Id take it easyeron their story inside, as they salute Elm- ol. MEnjoy thePo day and the locale Get ho sc green beer. hurst’s museums this year. whi ting V lice les ing mLDe !! of the

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Th Co sthe rst into account that P FOR THE ELMHURST INDEPENDENT safety measures had been requested on take ldand nd atri ra reElmhu ss .. es mad ck’s d rst llery,terns lvto Go were Mo nschool Former Mayor and current Coun- due the number of accidents there children, a senior ified ...... e 9- Day e d see. hu s &atSethe olintersection.

0 s..... ... 20 foot Par ro ne residence, s &Downtowand com ty Board member Pete DiCianni was numerous businesses m su 4 o r s. d is l le e drumade ut an M ctibinonthe ~ ...... -24 E Buy hader come DEE LONGFELLOW the first to speak during public leforum North side residents ft) areElmhurst Independent -4ol1lectible . H onPHOTO e ddis area.

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ni, to request more safety measures, 12 30hurstcoi he said. “How can we not 6sense,” lm which resulted in the City hiring an w.eprotect our school children?” engineering company out of Sugarww Then on Saturday, Feb. 15, a twoGrove to perform the Warrant Anal- car collision occurred that reportedly ysis. DiCianni, who grew up on the north side of Elmhurst, argued that See VOTES, Page 4

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To read the online print version Visit: TheIndependentNewspapers.com

The Elmhurst Independent

Published by Rock Valley Publishing 240 N. West Ave. Elmhurst IL 60126 Phone: 630.834.8244 Fax 630.834.0900 Visit us online at TheIndependentNewspapers.com

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RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enabling the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device.

To encourage donations this holiday season, those who come to donate blood, platelets or plasma with the Red Cross Dec. 18-Jan. 4 will receive a long-sleeved Red Cross T-shirt, while supplies last.

Nearby locations of upcoming blood drives include: Hinsdale Wednesday, Dec. 30 from 8 a.m. 1 p.m., The Community House, 415 West Eighth Street Oak Brook Thursday, Dec. 10 from 9 a.m.

- 2 p.m. at Oakbrook Center, 100 Oakbrook Center Wheaton Monday, Dec. 21 from 9 a.m.

- 2 p.m. at Cantigny Park, 1s151 Winfield Rd.

185 N. York St. Rear,

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December may be the season of giving – but it’s typically a challenging time to collect enough blood donations. Add in a pandemic, and this year could be even tougher than usual. That’s why the American Red Cross is urging those who are feeling well to give the gift of life by donating blood or platelets this holiday season.

The need for blood doesn’t stop for holidays. Between Thanksgiving and Christmas, more than 1 million blood transfusions will be given in the United States. Donations of all blood types are needed to ensure hospital shelves remain stocked to meet patient blood needs.

Make your appointment to give blood, platelets or plasma with the Red Cross by downloading the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-

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When Debra Mejeur lost her dog Lola in October 2017, she never thought she would see her furry friend again. But thanks to a microchip, DuPage County Animal Services reunited Debra and her husband Steven Mejeur with Lola on Saturday, Dec. 5.

A black Labrador mix, Lola wandered away from a home in Elk Grove Village where her owners were visiting friends in 2017. Mejeur, a resident of Kalamazoo, Mich., searched the area for a month before giving up hope of finding the dog again.

Earlier this week, a Glendale Heights resident found the dog and was able to bring her in to DuPage Animal Services. That’s when staff found the microchip and were able to determine Mejeur was the owner.

“I just lost it,” Debra Mejeur said about the phone call from Animal Services. “I started crying.”

Animal Services Committee Chairman Brian Krajewski said this story underscores the importance of microchipping pets.

“It’s extremely important to microchip your animal,” Krajewski said. “If someone comes across a stray and brings them to us, we can scan them and reunite them with the family. If you don’t microchip, it’s a lot more difficult.”

Read the Elmhurst Independent in print or online

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