A St. Patrick’s Day Parade all its own

This family decorated their car and, along with 10 or 15 others, held their own impromptu St. Patrick’s Day Parade down Spring Road on Saturday, March 13 (never mind that they’re going the wrong direction!). Most St. Patrick’s Day parades, including Elmhurst’s and Chicago’s, were cancelled this year due to COVID-19. It’s nice to see some people are still spreading the St. Pat’s Day spirit.
VanAken delivers ‘State of the University’ address
By Dee Longfellow FOR THE ELMHURST INDEPENDENTDespite challenges of pandemic, institution marches onward to Sesquicentennial nection. You’ve been an advisor to me both as an institutional representative and just a general member in the community.
In what was likely a first, Troy D. VanAken, president of Elmhurst University, held what should have been the President’s Community Breakfast in a virtual format. The event is typically held on the first Saturday in March, prior to the Elmhurst St. Patrick’s Day parade.
The program began with the Pledge of Allegiance, led by a series of students.
The EU Chaplain H. Scott Matheny repeated some words attributed to Joseph Cardinal Bernardin in the Invocation: “We are stronger together. Let’s ‘Dream and build a future.’”
The program usually begins with a brief speech given by Elmhurst’s mayor and this year was no exception. VanAken sat down with Mayor Steve Morley to thank him for his years of service to the City, noting this would be his last year, as he has decided not to seek another term.
“You have served 14 years, six as an alderman, eight as mayor,” VanAken noted. “Throughout the pandemic, you rallied the City to support frontline workers and Elmhurst residents.
“On a personal level, from the day Annette and I arrived in town, we felt very comfortable with you, with your family, we felt a real con-

“All you have done is very much appreciated.”
Morley returned the sentiment.
“I remember before you even officially started, you gave a speech and you did such a wonderful job,” he said. “At the end, you finished it with ‘always students first’ and here are all these dignitaries, saying, ‘Hey, what about us?’ But the person standing next to me leaned over and said, ‘This guy gets it.’”
Morley was also given a new windbreaker printed with the new Elmhurst University insignia.
“Congratulations on the name change,” Morley said. “It is befitting of a University that has so much to offer. I have noticed a difference in how people approach me to talk
about Elmhurst University. We have a strong and historic bond and it’s one I know will continue.”
VanAken reviews an unusual year
The first thing President Troy D. VanAken did in his portion of the program was to greet people across the country, who had tuned in on Zoom. He noted that it was the first time alumni and other dignitaries who live elsewhere in the country and the world could tune in and hear the speech, which is usually delivered live.
“Many thanks to the community as a whole for their partnership and support,” VanAken said. “This past year in particular, the word ‘community’ has never been more meaningful for us. Its definition includes themes of coming together, belonging, safety and well-being, and concern for one another. So much of what we accomplished this past year was possible because we were guided by our strong sense of community on campus and beyond.”
He noted how the world had changed since last year’s President’s address.
“It’s hard to believe it was exactly
one year ago today that we held the President’s Community Breakfast and then the Elmhurst St. Patrick’s Day Parade,” he said. “It was right after that when Elmhurst University and many other institutions across the country moved to remote learning.” VanAken talked about several recently-developed initiatives.
• Bluejays Unite, an effort to keep the campus and students safe upon their return in the fall;
• Community-wide, the University participated in the ElmhurstStaysHome social media and yard sign campaign;
• The Class of 2020 Congratulations Campaign took place for seniors at all local high schools;
• The Memorial Day convoy, during which the campus radio station played all patriotic music;
• Elmhurst Hospital was given housing for the hospital staff, who wanted a safe place to quarantine and protect their families;
• VanAken proudly said 60 nursing students – all seniors -- were invited to join the expanded vaccination clinic by DuPage County Health Dept. held at the County Fairgrounds.

EEHealth offers COVID-19 virtual grief support sessions
Edward-Elmhurst Health knows that over the past year, many people have suffered loss and are struggling with grief associated with losing someone to COVID-19. EEHealth want to help.
The hospital is now offering complimentary grief support groups
specific to those struggling with the experience of losing a loved one to COVID-19. The experience of losing someone to COVID-19 is unique and specific. For this reason, these groups are open only to adults (18+) who have experienced COVID-19 related loss.
These support group sessions are held virtually using Zoom. In order to participate, you must have access to an electronic device with audio and video capability.
Support group sessions are facilitated by members of our Spiritual Care Services team who are experi-
enced in supporting those who have suffered loss.
Groups have a minimum of five people and a maximum of 10.
The support group sessions are 90 minutes long, held once per week and run for six weeks. Morning, mid-day and evening options are available.

A nod to community service
On Saturday, March. 13, members of the Elmhurst Armpit Orchestra gathered at Silverado Grill to present their annual Darrell Whistler Award for Outstanding Community Service. This year, the award was presented to Mayor Steve Morley (left, holding plaque) because of his diligent support of the parade during his two terms as mayor, including serving as a special ambassador when Governor Bruce Rauner attended the parade. Morley has decided not to seek another term in office. Just after the presentation, Mayor Morley turned to Jim O’Connor (right, holding plaque) and gave a mayoral proclamation, naming March 13 Jim O’Connor Day in the City of Elmhurst in honor of his hard work on the parade these past 25 years. (Note: Masks were worn at the event but removed for the photo.) Also pictured (right, in wig) is Scott Sutherland of the Elmhurst Armpit Orchestra.
If you would like to join a group, please email covidsupportgroup@ eehealth.org or call (331) 221-0879 with the following information:
• Your name and relationship to the deceased
• Your email address, home address and phone number
• Preference of participation in morning, mid-day or evening
You will receive a reply within 24-48 hours. Session login information will be provided upon registration confirmation.







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Obituary
Robert “Bob” Thomsen Terp, 95
Robert “Bob” Thomsen Terp, passed away Feb. 23 at the age of 95. Welcomed in heaven by his parents Anna and Nis Terp, brother Harold, wife Barbara (Mills) and her family. He is survived by his wife Elaine (Beese); children Patricia (Sinan), Karen (Gerald), Richard (Jane), Susan, Carol (Glenn), Bruce (Lori); grandchildren Lara, Eren, Andrew, James, Sean, Lauren, Morgan, Jillian, and Noelle; and great grandchildren Brynna and Michaela. He loved and was proud of ALL of them. A
true child of Chicago, he was born in the flat above his father’s auto repair shop at Irving Park and Western, rode the El to Cubs games after grammar school, and loved Riverview. In addition to the Cubs, he loved tennis (played until he was 80), bridge (won the 1955 singles event of the Central State Regional Tournament of the ABA), and his Chicago Tribune. He loved telling stories and jokes. His hugs were big and heartfelt. Memorial Services will be planned when gatherings can be held. Details provided by Pedersen Ryberg Funeral Home. Info: PedersenRyberg.com.
Election coverage begins
Inside this issue, the Elmhurst Independent begins its candidate profiles for those running in the upcoming Consolidated General Election on Tuesday, April 6. This week, those seeking a seat on the District 205 School Board can be found. There are six in total and voters may select three.
In the upcoming weeks, the Independent will profile the mayoral candidates as well as the contested races for Alderman.
Please note: It is our policy not to print letters to the editor about candidates in the final issue before the Election. Next week’s issue of the Elmhurst Independent, that is, the March 25 edition, will be the last paper in which we will publish letters regarding the candidates. Letters must be submitted by 5 p.m. Saturday, March 20. Please include a phone number for verification purposes. It will not be published nor used for advertising and promotion. For space reasons, some letters may not be published.

News briefs at deadline…
By Dee Longfellow FOR THE ELMHURST INDEPENDENTHotel surrenders business license, closes doors
Well, it’s official. Indian Lakes Hotel in Bloomingdale, site of a recent fatal shooting, is closed. There are plans to put it up for sale.
Other news sources, including the Daily Herald, have reported that the hotel has relinquished its business license from the Village of Bloomingdale, as was expected. Village officials – both elected and staff – have reported numerous incidents that have forced a police presence to the location. This most recent incident was likely the straw that broke the camel’s back because there was a fatality.
The 20-acre site is listed for $6.5 million, according to Bloomingdale officials. No arrests have been made in the fatal shooting of James McGill, Jr., 27, of Chicago’s Englewood neighborhood. Four others were injured.
Lombard man charged with 10 counts of child pornography
Police are reporting they found “multiple images” of child pornography when they searched the home of Lombard resident Michael Luna, 30, of 2N100 block of Fairfield in Lombard. Luna is currently being held in DuPage County Jail on $100,000 bond. His next court date is April 5.
• Address
(Continued from front page)
• On July 1, after nearly 150 years, the college officially became Elmhurst University.
“I couldn’t be prouder of the commitment of our students, faculty and staff to follow the rules to keep each other safe,” VanAken said.
He went on to say the campus tested 2,803 students from Aug. through Dec. and of those, only 29 were positive. The University ended the fall term with a remarkably low 1% positivity for those tested on campus.
Students, others still want to help
“People were still looking for ways to play a more active role in building a diverse, equitable and inclusive campus,” he said. “When more students wanted to help the cause, a new initiative was launched called ‘Actions Speak Louder Than Words’ and faculty, staff, alumni, trustees are all urged to participate.”
The President’s Scholarship
“The President’s Scholarship for diversity, equity and inclusion was developed to support students who are from historically under-represented groups,” VanAken said. “Participants were asked to create action plans about how they would use their own platform and spheres of influence to advance diversity, equity and inclusion in their own life and the world beyond.”
More than 300 people officially accepted the challenge and many shared their action plans, he said.
“We also met our fundraising challenge of $200,000 for the scholarship,” he added.
Since VanAken’s arrival in 2016, Elmhurst University has been seeing record enrollments in both undergraduate and graduate programs, the addition or expansion of innovative academic programs and record fundraising results, while also achieving a notable increase in student retention and a stable financial foundation on which to build.
Fundraising remains strong
“We have worked to foster a strong culture of giving that has led to historic levels of fundraising,” VanAken said. “We are on track to have our biggest
fundraising year in our institution’s history.”
“The word is getting out that we were recently ranked 3rd most innovative college or university in the Midwest by U.S. News & World Report. We launched a graduate certificate program in innovation and entrepreneurship. We’re especially proud of Elmhurst’s academic partnership with Innovation DuPage, a business incubator serving DuPage County.”
In addition, the Elmhurst University E-celerator, a resource center for students interested in entrepreneurship, has “hit the ground running,” according to VanAken. There is now a Blue Jay Tank pitch competition.
Other renovations
VanAken noted that a relatively quiet campus made it easy to complete several other renovation projects including the following:
1) A digital media lab that will also support E-Sports programming, reflecting a fast-growing area that a lot of students are excited about.
2) Improvements to Faganel Hall including a new basketball court and backboards, new bleachers and flooring, and a system that will serve multiple uses.
3) At Memorial Hall, the University has already secured more than $2 million to add more than 20,000 squarefeet to the building, which supports the nursing and allied health-related majors.
4) This summer, a parking expansion project on Walter Street is planned.
5) As the Sesquicentennial countdown begins, there are many events planned, VanAken said, including an “exciting” homecoming and Founder’s Day as well as the historic baseball game, which draws the entire community to campus.
Finally, VanAken urged everyone to mark the date of Dec. 6 on their calendar. He said a “significant” community open house is planned on campus – that date is exactly 150 years since 1871, when Carl Fredrick Franz, who grew up in an orphanage in Germany, stepped off a train with 14 students and started what came to be Elmhurst College – and 150 years later, Elmhurst University!
RESPECT Elmhurst announces new pledgors
From March 5 to March 11, the following people took the RESPECT Elmhurst pledge and agreed to act according to its mission. The Elmhurst Independent has agreed to publish a list of the latest pledgors who include:

Krupa
Charles Laliberte
Mary Patricia Lambke
Scott LaMorte
Kim Lampa
Sarah Lehmann
Jane Loeser
Roz Long
Victoria Ludkowski
Bob Manion
Victoria Marini
David McCaffrey
Karen McClure
John Fraioli
Deb Gallet
Lauren Geraldine
David Giulani
Miena
Rob Hallberg
Erica Hanebuth
Mike Hauert
Jack
Bruce
Jayme McConnell
Dustin McCormick
Tammy McGowan
Doris McSwine
Jake Meding
Kenal Mehta
Desiree Chen Menichini
Julie Miller Sheehan
John Millner
Kelli Morgan
Kelly Moroney
Kristen Morrow
Cathy Mortimar
Diane Narcisi
Joan Nehls
Jill Nelson
Molly Novak
Jim O’Connor
Charlie Pacelli
Zena Panchuk
Ev Pape
Nicole Rafiei
Krista Rallo
Michael Regan
Jennifer Reichert
Ross Reichert
Jill Riecker
West Robbins
Shawna Roubitchek
Bill Sakash
Chris Samartano
Eva Sanchez
Selina Sandoval
Megan Scarsella
Joyce Slone
Susan Smentek
Michael Smith
Russell Snella
Doug Stepenske
Karen Stringer
Sharon Suich
Jill Sullivan
Nancy Thrasher
Lisa Treida
Barbara Van Kampen
Troy VanAken
Jennifer Veremis
Toby Wehrle
Kristen Whitehurst
Andrew Winton
Jessica Zander
Tessa Zemgulys



Police beat
The Elmhurst Police Department recently reported the following arrests and citations. Persons charged with domestic battery are not named in order to protect the privacy of victims. Readers are reminded that an arrest does not constitute a conviction, and that subjects are considered innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law. Juveniles age 17-or-younger are not named.
Battery
March 6
A victim in the 100 block of S. Route 83 told police at around 8:36 p.m. that after advising the suspect he needed to wear a face mask to enter the business, the suspect struck the victim’s plastic face shield, causing the face shield to fall off of the victim’s head. The suspect threatened the victim and exited the store. The area was searched for the suspect with no results. Further investigation is pending.
March 5
Luis J. Flores, 30, of Berkeley, was charged with battery, criminal damage to property and resisting a police officer in the 100 block of W. First at around 2:06 p.m. Police said a reporting officer met with the victim who stated he was sitting on the bench when Flores pushed him to the ground, damaged his bicycle, and fled.
Domestic battery, domestic incident
March 6
A victim in the 100 block of N. York told police at around 11:11 p.m. that the suspect grabbed her and tried to pull her into his vehicle. The suspect related the victim called him for a ride home and then refused to leave with him. The victim stated she was not injured and did not wish to pursue charges.
DUI, DUI-drugs, illegal transportation of alcohol
March 11
Reginald Bowdery, 45, of Bellwood, was charged with DUI-drugs, unlawful possession of a controlled substance, unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia, two counts of improper lane usage, failure to dim headlights and no insurance, while Daniela M. Sardisco, 35, of Wood Dale, a passenger in the vehicle, was charged with unlawful possession of a controlled substance and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia subsequent to a traffic stop near Lake and Route 83 at around 2:55 a.m.
Gregory McDowell, 49, of Chicago, was charged with DUI, driving while license suspended, improper right turn, failure to signal when required and no insurance subsequent to a traffic stop near Lake and I-290 at around 12:36 a.m.
Alejandro Medina Sanchez, 24, of Itasca, was charged with DUI-drugs, parking in the roadway and unsafe tires near St. Charles and

Fellows at around 1:20 a.m.
March 7
Michael C. Clark, 23, of Crestwood, was charged with DUI and possession of cannabis by the driver subsequent to a vehicle that struck a curb in the 600 block of W. Lake at around 9:31 p.m.
Aneta A. Kulikowska, 42, of Deerfield, was charged with DUI, improper lane usage and failure to signal subsequent to a traffic stop near North and Walnut at around 2:55 a.m.
March 6
Jayden S. Rojas, 20, of Franklin Park, was charged with DUI, speeding and improper lane usage subsequent to a traffic stop near Roosevelt and Route 83 at around 2:44 a.m.
March 5
Lauren Strother, 30, of Calumet City, was charged with DUI, obstructing identification and driving while license suspended subsequent to observing a suspicious vehicle in the 200 block of E. Butterfield at around 12:18 a.m.
Fleeing, eluding
March 5
Police said a reporting officer located a vehicle near W. Lake and W. Grand involved in a burglary in Addison at around 2:19 a.m. The reporting officer attempted to conduct a traffic stop, but the vehicle fled at a high rate of speed, last seen heading eastbound on I-290.
Possession of cannabis, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a controlled substance
March 10
Jose C. Ruiz Urquizo, 24, of Berwyn, was issued citations for possession of cannabis by
March 9
Roberto D. Lopez, 24, of Aurora, was issued citations for possession of cannabis by the driver and speeding subsequent to a traffic stop near North and Berteau at around 11:12 p.m.
March 6
Jessica L. Brown, 25, of Blue Island, was charged with possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, DUI, expired registration and failure to carry a driver’s license on person subsequent to a traffic stop near Riverside and Monroe at around 4:26 a.m.
Adrian L. Rushin, 31, of Chicago, was issued a citation for possession of cannabis in a vehicle in the 100 block of N. York at around 12:07 a.m.
Michelle Vasquez, 25, of Rosemont, was issued citations for possession of cannabis by the driver and tinted windows subsequent to a traffic stop near Larch and North at around 5:27 p.m.
March 5
Nancy Gonzalez, 44, of Berwyn, was charged with unlawful possession of cannabis, driving while license suspended, operating a vehicle using an electronic communication device and no insurance subsequent to a traffic stop near S. York and E. Grand at around 8:57 a.m.
March 4
Anthony Johnson, 36, of Chicago, was issued citations for unlawful possession of cannabis by the drive and tinted windows, while Jasmine Grisby, 23, of Oak Park, a passenger in the vehicle, was issued a citation for possession of open alcohol, subsequent to a traffic stop near E. North and N. West at around 10:31 p.m.
Theft or burglary/identity theft/fraud/forgery/ deceptive practice/ obstruction/robbery
May 1, 2020-March 9
Deceptive practice was reported in the 500 block of W. St. Charles. A bank reports the victim is a bank customer. During the past year, the victim has made multiple withdrawals from her bank accounts and forwarded cashier’s checks and gift cards to the unknown suspect between the above dates. Bank officials and the reporting officer explained to the victim that she was most likely a victim of a deceptive practice.
March 8
Theft was reported in the 700 block of
ances to her home. Upon their departure, items were missing from her kitchen table. An investigation is pending.
March 7-March 8
Theft was reported at a hotel in the 900 block of S. Riverside. A victim told police that an unknown suspect who shared her hotel room stole items from the bathroom countertop sometime between the above dates.
Feb. 3-March 8
Identity theft was reported in the 200 block of Ridgeland. A victim told police that an unknown suspect(s) used his personal information sometime between the above dates.
March 4
Credit card fraud was reported in the 100 block of N. Addison at around 9:38 a.m. A victim told police that an unknown suspect(s) stole his black bi-fold wallet while it was left unattended in the bathroom of the above location. The victim later discovered five unauthorized transactions on his credit card account. The suspect was later contacted and admitted to the theft; charges are pending.
March 2-March 5
Two incidents of identity theft were reported in the 500 block of Fay. In the first incident on March 2, a victim told police that an unknown suspect(s) used her personal information to open a fraudulent bank account and apply for health benefits through the Illinois Department of Human Services. In the second incident on March 5, a victim told police that an unknown suspect(s) used her personal information to open a fraudulent bank account and apply for health benefits through the Illinois Department of Human Services.
Feb. 27-Feb. 28
Forgery was reported in the 200 block of W. Vallette. A victim told police that she mailed a check and later learned it had been altered and cashed sometime between the above dates. This case is pending investigation.
Unemployment benefits identity theft
According to information provided last week by the Elmhurst Police Department, police reported 16 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.
Warrant arrest
March 8
Police said Modesto Jurado, 22, of Villa Park, was found to have a valid warrant from the DuPage County Sheriff’s Office in the 100 block of W. Terrace, Villa Park, at around 10:39 a.m.
Heritage Foundation plans 6th annual Craft Beer Fest for Saturday, Sept. 18
The Elmhurst Heritage Foundation (EHF) has announced the 6th Annual Elmhurst Craft Beer Fest will take place Saturday, Sept. 18 from 1-5 p.m. on the grounds of the Elmhurst History Museum.
This annual event is held to raise funds for the Elmhurst History Museum, including its family- friendly educational programs and museum exhibits. Funds are also used for school field trips to the museum and the Churchville One-Room Schoolhouse.
“Albert Einstein was quoted as having said, ‘Learn from yesterday, live for today,
hope for tomorrow,’” said Mike Baker of the Elmhurst Heritage Foundation. “We, too, have gained a greater knowledge and appreciation of how precious our time is together. After postponement last year, it is our hope improving conditions will help support the Foundation’s commitment to put together an event that attendees will remember.”
More day of fest details will be released as the event approaches. Event policies are subject to change as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Changes may include, but are not limited to, schedule changes, revised fest
procedures or potential postponement.
For the third year, Pints in Elmhurst will be event sponsor. Brewers are being contacted and the dedicated sponsors will again have a chance to support the work of the Foundation on the museum’s behalf. We expect brewers will expand their offerings to include seltzers and ciders along with their signature craft beers.
In 2019, more than 700 people attended from 57 surrounding communities. A record number of local businesses supported the Beer Fest including Platinum Sponsors; Lakeside
Bank, DiCianni Graphics and Suburban Bank. Music was provided by Petty Cash and Moonshine Brothers, who are expected to perform again this year.
The event has grown each year and since inception and has raised a total of more than $100,000 to benefit the Elmhurst History Museum.
“This year, the Elmhurst Heritage Foundation is hoping the community can come together and raise a glass to the bright future we are expecting is right around the corner,” Baker said.
The Elmhurst Independent’s Election coverage
In the next few issues, the Elmhurst Independent will bring its readers a review of the candidates who are on the ballot for the Consolidated General Election on Tuesday, April 6. This week you will find the candidates for District 205 School Board. You are asked to vote for 3 in total.
The following information was provided by the candidates in response to a questionnaire that posed the following questions: 1) Why are you seeking this office? 2) What is the School District’s biggest challenge? 3) What would you like our readers to know about you?
T. Marie Gall
An Elmhurst resident for eight years, Gall is a bilingual elementary school teacher, holding two Masters degrees. She has been active in several civic organizations and served on the Sandburg PTA and the York PTSA.
“I am running for the D205 School Board to provide an educator’s voice to the governing body of the district. I have 16 years of classroom experience. I will be in the classroom while serving on the Board. I have friends who teach in D205 who asked me to run as someone who supports the hard work and unique situation that is public school teaching today. I wanted to be involved in the selection of the new superintendent, and I wanted to foster positive community relations between the Board and Elmhurst residents.”
The biggest challenge D205 currently faces?
“The district is dealing with a pandemic, and all of the problems and concerns associated with a public health crisis. As parents and staff begin to negotiate the reopening of the schools, it is crucial to model civility and foster collaboration when making decisions about safety and public health. It is not possible to please everyone, but it is essential to show consideration and provide accurate communication when making decisions about school attendance. I would like the School Board to support individual staff members and families through this difficult transition.”
What should readers of the Independent know about you?
“I would like the voters to know that I am a progressive candidate that would focus on inclusion and innovation in my efforts as a School Board Member. I know what works in a classroom of 25 students and I know what helps improve student MAP scores. I am a Returned Peace Corps volunteer, a graduate of the University of Minnesota and I have experience in higher education administration. I earned a Masters in International Education from Columbia University in New York and I have a Masters in Educational Leadership from National Louis University. I am the wife of a former Provost and the daughter of parents who adopted multi-racial children. I am
Presenting the candidates for District 205 School Board
a bilingual teacher, a mother of two York graduates, a firm believer that Black Lives Matter and an advocate for LGBTQ rights.”
Laurel Schrementi

Laurel Schrementi holds a Bachelors degree in child development from Tufts and a Masters in learning science from Northwestern. She has lived in Elmhurst for five years and currently works as a learning designer and project manager.
“I am running for Board of Education because I think it’s important that we have a diversity of experiences and perspectives when making decisions about our children’s futures. I bring experience as a former teacher in both elementary and early childhood settings.
“I have young children who will attend school in this district for the next 14 years and it’s important to me to have a voice in ensuring that the school experience I want for my own children is something we can achieve for all children in Elmhurst. My background and experience make me a great candidate to communicate openly with our amazing teachers and school staff and support them in communication with the Board. Lastly, I’m passionate about social justice and want to bring a voice to the Board to prioritize equity and inclusion, social-emotional learning, and environmental sustainability.”
The biggest challenge D205 currently faces?
“The biggest challenge the school district faces is bringing children back into the classroom and working to recover from the disruptions of the past year. The data is clear that there are safe ways to bring our children back into schools and we need to make sure that the district explores creative options to make that a reality. Planning for the 2021-22 school year is a related challenge—we will need to make sure that we have programs in place to address mental health and social-emotional learning as well as academic gaps brought on by the pandemic. Working out the logistics of bringing students back is just one part of the challenge—communicating decisions clearly and openly with parents and staff is another challenge we need to work to address. Rebuilding trust and collaboration is part of the challenge that lies ahead.”
What should readers of the Independent know about you?
“I am a working mom who has experienced joys and struggles during the pandemic year like so many hard-working families in D205. I have found joy in the amazing resiliency of my children, and also struggled with the disappointment and isolation of it all. I know we can work together to make a better path forward. It is hard work, and it will take serious time and effort, but I am committed to this district for the long haul. To me, school is not just about academics, it’s also about joy, life-
long learning, social development and community involvement. There are many strengths of our schools and we also know we can work together to make them even stronger. I want to work to make our district more equitable, more student-focused and more committed to sustainability over the long term.”
Jim Collins
nance our referendum construction program.”
The biggest challenge D205 currently faces?
“Short term: We need to get our students back in school—all day, every day.

An Elmhurst resident “since he was two days old,” Jim Collins is retired following a career in the Capital Markets Division of Wells Fargo Securities. He grew up going to Elmhurst schools including Field, IC, Sandburg and finally, York High School. He holds an engineering degree from the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign and an MBA from the University of Chicago. He has served on the School Board since 2009 and has been active at Visitation Parish.
Why are you seeking this office?
“In my opinion, families move to Elmhurst for two major reasons. The first is location; we have access to major highways, and we are the second stop on the express train to Chicago. The second reason is the excellent reputation of our schools.
“Many businesses have successfully operated this past year with employees working from home. Post COVID, I expect many of those businesses will continue their work from home policies and downsize their office footprints. If you can work from anywhere, Elmhurst’s location will become less important, and our schools will become the main driver in attracting young families to Elmhurst.
“I believe that in order to maintain our real estate values, our schools must make the transition from very good to great. The importance of doing so has never been higher.
“York is currently ranked #33 in Illinois, up from #60 when I joined the board. We can become a top 10 District and top 10 High School. We are within reach of achieving this goal, and I am committed to it. We have bright hardworking students, actively engaged parents, and excellent teachers. With the right leadership, attitude, and morale, I firmly believe we can achieve this goal while also improving the social and emotional health of our students.
Using my professional background in the bond markets, refinancing the School District’s prior debt, and through judicious timing of the issuance of new, referendum authorized debt, I have helped save our taxpayers over $20 million dollars in present and future interest expense. I helped reduce the $150 referendum tax increase down to $34. I have the knowledge and experience to save our community unnecessary costs without impacting student services and the quality of education. This fiscal responsibility is critical as we borrow the next $68 million to fi-
“Intermediate term: Assess student achievement; identify deficits as a result of the past year’s challenges due to changed instructional methods, shortened school day, and curriculum changes; and develop a plan to close those gaps.
“Long term: It is imperative we improve ALL of our students’ academic achievement while supporting our students’ emotional health and social well-being.”
What should readers of the Independent know about you?
“I grew up in Elmhurst, I was educated in our school district, and after I married Julie, we chose to stay in Elmhurst and educate our children in D205. In hindsight, that was absolutely the right decision. I am dedicated to Elmhurst, our students, and our taxpayers. My goals are: Academic Excellence and Fiscal Responsibility. My commitment to our schools is my way to give something back to our community for the excellent education our schools provided to me.”
Kara Caforio
D205 is effectively leading the healing and recovery from the past year to ensure our students are thriving. The next year in D205 will be pivotal. The Board of Education will be tasked with guaranteeing our schools are fully open, establishing a new superintendent, improving lines of communication, facilitating healing within our school community, continuing to maintain our strong financial position in an uncertain economic climate, navigating labor management negotiations, overseeing the implementation of the $168 million facilities referendum on time and on budget, nurturing our relationships with the Park District and the City of Elmhurst to best serve our taxpayers and making careful, yet bold, decisions to address the needs of our students that have arisen as a result of the pandemic. Experience, understanding and thoughtful leadership will matter.”
What should readers of the Independent know about you?

Holding a degree in education with a specialization in mathematics from Elmhurst University, Kara Caforio has been an Elmhurst resident for 17 years and is currently president of the District 205 School Board. In the community, she has served on several PTA Councils, as a representative on the O’Hare Noise Compatibility Commission and on the Board of United Community Concerns Association (UCCA).
“I ran for the Board after volunteering in the District for 11 years. We had good schools – but I believe we want excellent schools. Schools that deliver a high-quality education to EVERY student and provide a high rate of return on our investment as taxpayers. I brought my experienced lens of educator, Accenture Business/Technology Consultant and parent of three unique children to the Board table. While wisely stewarding resources, I have supported and advocated for enhanced academic experiences at all levels for all students, improved facilities for students and staff, safe and secure entrances at all buildings, all day kindergarten, a permanent home for the Transition Center and resolution of long-standing storm water issues with the City of Elmhurst. The work is not finished and I would be grateful for the opportunity to continue the journey towards increased excellence for the benefit of our students and community.”
The biggest challenge D205 currently faces?
“The greatest challenge facing
“Since joining the Board in 2017 I have worked tirelessly to challenge the status quo, bring our community together for the common good and advocate on behalf of both our students and community. My husband (York 1990) and I have lived in Elmhurst for 17 years and have three children who have or are attending almost half of the District’s 13 schools. Serving our community these past four years (three as Board President) has been a great honor. I believe my relentless pursuit of excellence in our schools, ability to bring people together and thoughtful decision making for both our students and community has proven an asset to the position. As a leader and a community member, I am incredibly proud of all we have accomplished together in this short time. I look forward to the infinite possibilities that lie ahead for our D205 community.”
Athena Arvanitis

An Elmhurst resident for ten years, Athena Arvanitis works as an assistant principal after earning a Masters in secondary education from Roosevelt University and a B.S. in Marketing from Northern Illinois University. She is a member of the Field PTA and is a former AYSO soccer coach.
“I am running for school board because I think it is important that we hold on to the aspects of Elmhurst that make it a highly sought-after community. One of those aspects is our tradition of providing residents a strong quality of education. I am committed to ensuring our district offers a school environment the residents of Elmhurst want and the children of our community need.
“As a seasoned school administrator in a high performing district with a highly engaged community, I have a thorough understanding of what effective partnership between the com-
Viewpoint Mazzochi: red light cameras need to go
By Deanne Mazzochi STATE REPRESENTATIVE, 47TH DISTRICTOne of the most hated red-light cameras in my district, at the corner of Route 83 and 22nd street, was implicated in a corruption scandal and federal indictments of former Illinois State Senator Martin Sandoval, and a seedy set of campaign donations and other funds from the firm that installed them—SafeSpeed.
The red-light camera rationale is that they will increase intersection safety. Yet a study commissioned by the Oak Brook Police Department found that the number of crashes at this intersection increased after this red-light camera installation. We have repeatedly called on Governor Pritzker’s Illinois Department of Transportation to revoke the permit that blessed their installation under dubious circumstances. Those pleas have fallen on deaf ears for almost two years running.
When red light cameras are not about motorist safety, but cynical revenue grabs; when red light cameras are implicated in pay-to-play practices, and those with the power of oversight like IDOT cannot be counted on to keep the players honest; and when our residents insist over and over again that they want them
gone, but local elected officials either won’t listen or can’t help; then the only solution is either red light camera reform, or to end them altogether.
To date, red light camera systems have been emblematic of Illinois government. They’re riddled with corruption and shine a light on slow bureaucratic processes. Under the prior General Assembly leadership, the Senate would pass repeal bills knowing Madigan wouldn’t move them in the House; and Madigan would allow repeal bills knowing they would never move in the Senate (which is what happened with the last bill House bill I sponsored to ban red light cameras, which overwhelmingly passed the House with bipartisan support; only to die in the Senate).
Majority party legislators would issue self-congratulatory releases in their districts proud they “voted” for reform in theory, even though they never actually delivered it in practice.
The new Democratic leadership in the Springfield General Assembly has promised good government and reform, and an end to past corrupt practices. I filed House Bill 1718 to ban red light cameras in their entirety. It’s time for Springfield to actually keep a promise to Illinois residents, and implement real reform.
Letter to the editor
Sitting alderman calls out Bram’s voting record
We are in March and it’s time to elect a new mayor. As the longest serving alderman not seeking the mayor’s office, I feel uniquely qualified to provide my perspective. I’ve served 10+ years with each candidate so my commentary is based on fact and experience and not on emotion and opinion. I am here to tell you than Michael Bram is not fit for this role.
Looking back at Alderman Michael Bram’s voting record, had the City Council followed his lead, our city would be at best a shadow of its current self.
• No improvements on flooding. I have personally reviewed his voting record and Michael Bram has consistently voted against the funding for stormwater improvements. Without funding, there can be no improvements. Additionally, he voted against the Southwest Wet Weather Control Facility, York Commons Park Project, and the pending projects in the Crestview & Brynhaven neighborhoods.
• Significantly higher property taxes. Michael Bram has never supported tax sharing agreements or other business incentives to retain and attract new businesses to Elmhurst.

Letters to the editor
Mulliner has plan for COVID-19 recovery
At the Elmhurst City Council meeting on Monday, March 15, 7th Ward Alderman Mark Mulliner introduced a referral to committee to address COVID-19 recovery in Elmhurst.
Mulliner has a COVID-19 Recovery Plan that includes an intergovernmental group dedicated to getting kids back to school safely and as quickly as possible; a retail restaurant assistance program; and a vaccination schedule for seniors and vulnerable citizens.
Reader urges electric aggregation, but not selected provider
In the Spring, 2021 issue of Elmhurst’s newsletter, The Front Porch, the City announced that it was renewing its Green Electric Aggregation program and changing providers to Eligo Energy. While the program itself is a good thing, Eligo may not be.
settled with the State. Under the settlement, Eligo and the other two companies had to provide refunds to more than 35,000 Illinois customers totaling more than $3.1 million. Additionally, all three companies were suspended from certain marketing activities. Eligo was banned from telemarketing and door-todoor marketing for three years.
These tools have been used to retain Elmhurst BMW, Roesch Chrysler Jeep Dodge, and Wilkins Hyundai Mazda. Car dealers are among our top tax generating businesses. Without them, we’d all pay a lot more in taxes.
• A diminished downtown. Michael Bram voted against the Downtown TIF and the projects that have resulted including FFC, The Plass Building Redevelopment, both the First Street and Addison parking decks, and all five of the new housing structures in the downtown. These improvements have attracted visitors to our shops and restaurants and are a big reason why downtown business vacancies are among the lowest in DuPage County.
Lastly, leadership is a must for our incoming mayor and their ability to partner with the City Council, Elmhurst businesses, and the residents. I have not seen this trait in Alderman Bram in the last 12 years and I don’t expect to see it in the future. I wish Mike the best in the future but he should not be our next mayor.
Jim Kennedy
6th Ward Alderman Chair, Public Works & Buildings Committee
“It is critical to … ensure Elmhurst gets the federal funds necessary to address the [challenges we have faced due to the pandemic],” he said.
The referral to committee will formalize the process of creating an intergovernmental group to pool resources with the goal of getting our kids back to school full time.
The program will also address the needs of restaurants, retailers and other small businesses that have been hit hard during the pandemic.
“I am proposing we request federal funds to expand the small business grant and low interest loan program to allow these restaurants and business to prepare for the future by updating their ventilation system and/or by adding a retractable facade to their building,” Mulliner said.
The City has committed to streamline the permit process so businesses can take advantage of available grant and loan programs.
Lastly, the referral to committee addresses the need make the COVID-19 vaccine available to Elmhurst’s senior and vulnerable population.
(This was received from the campaign office of Mark Mulliner for Mayor.)
Illinois law allows municipalities to purchase electricity on behalf of residential and small-business utility customers living within their borders. With aggregation, the City can negotiate the price of power from a supplier other than ComEd. In theory, this allows communities to use the collective bargaining power of their residents to negotiate for lower power prices from suppliers.
While the program can offer good benefits, I would caution residents about switching to Eligo. A quick online search reveals multiple customer complaints about poor customer service, over charging rates, unannounced rate increases, aggressive marketing tactics and slamming. Slamming is a practice whereby customers are switched from ComEd to another provider, in this case Eligo, without their knowledge or consent. Often this is done by overly aggressive salespeople or after a customer inquiry, but not acceptance, of the service.
It got so bad that in 2018 Illinois State Attorney General Kwame Raoul took legal action against Eligo and two other alternative energy companies, charging them with using aggressive and deceptive tactics to enroll customers and then providing unnecessarily expensive contracts for electricity.
In August, 2019, the companies
The Attorney General’s investigation of Eligo found sales agents failed to disclose its rates and fees, referenced a fake energy choice program, and promised customers that they would save up to 20% with Eligo - even though most customers paid more than they would have with ComEd. In addition, Eligo’s sales agents routinely misled consumers by telling them that they were calling to correct a ComEd overcharge when in fact they were attempting to switch the consumer’s electricity supplier.
I’m about to vote for mayor and alderman, two people among many who are supposed to be looking out for us and making sure we get good, reliable services. I have to question if the current folks dropped the ball getting Eligo and would like to know what the candidates think about this.
It’s bad enough being fooled by tricky salesmen; being let down by your elected officials is a whole other problem.
Jon Baker
Two grateful ladies
Thank you to the gentleman who phoned this lady and many others in Elmhurst concerning getting their COVID-19 shots at Ray Graham in Elmhurst. Thank you, thank you many times and God bless you! Lorraine and Julie
Letters to the editor
Past and present aldermen prefer Levin
All three mayoral candidates on the ballot are sitting aldermen, they have consistently voted in Republican primaries and they all have lived in Elmhurst for years. But only one alderman has the leadership skills, outstanding record of dedication to our community and the background necessary to lead the City of Elmhurst as we enter a post-pandemic landscape. That candidate is SCOTT LEVIN.
We are a collection of current and former aldermen. Our votes have not been the same on a number of topics and our priorities vary. But we are unified in our endorsement of Scott Levin, with his demonstrated willingness to listen to a variety of opinions and to consider multiple perspectives. More importantly, Scott draws upon that consideration to effectively build consensus, which is essential for a city leader.
While Scott’s thoughtful contributions to City Council are well documented, his exemplary record of public service outside of official duties connects him to the heart of our community: our residents and organizations. Pro Bono legal assistance for numerous non-for-profit groups, leadership with the Elmhurst Chamber of Commerce and Industry and service as a board member of a number of local organizations help illustrate his level of commitment to Elmhurst and everyone in it.
Scott’s breadth of knowledge is unmatched by far. In addition to the expertise honed through leadership roles on 3 of the 4 City Council committees, his professional experience with businesses and organizations covers a range of areas, and is complemented with a master’s degree in Public Administration.
What’s most remarkable is that in 2014, when former Mayor Pete DiCianni stepped down, the City Council voted unanimously to appoint Scott Levin as Acting Mayor.
All three mayoral candidates even agree with us: Scott Levin is a Leader Among Leaders.
Dannee Polomsky, Ward 3 Alderman
Marti Deuter, Ward 1 Alderman
Tina Park, Ward 5 Alderman
Bob Dunn, Ward 2 Alderman
Chris Healy, former Ward 5 Alderman and former Elmhurst Park District Commissioner Pat Wagner, former Ward 7 Alderman
Trust Levin, close friend says I am supporting Scott Levin in the upcoming election for Mayor on April 6. I have known Scott for almost 20 years and I know he is the best candidate for this job. I believe that a good public servant must have the ability to negotiate the best decisions that will do the greatest good
for the greatest number of people. Scott has shown his ability to do this in his position as Alderman and as a successful attorney. Scott has the negotiating skills, people skills, integrity and high standards to get the best results for the City of Elmhurst. Please join me in supporting Scott Levin for Mayor on April 6.
Lauren Brasko
More support for Levin
I would like to give a big shout out to Scott Levin for mayor. I have personally known Scott and his family for over 20 years and they are very kind and caring. Scott is a hard working public servant that has been an effective member of the Elmhurst City Council. To learn more about his plans on the challenging issues facing our community visit his website https://www.levin4mayor. com/services. You’ll also be able to read about his outstanding record. In addition, Scott is a seasoned attorney who brings a wide range of experience to the office of Mayor. Scotts knowledge and expertise will come in handy and continue to keep the quality of life in Elmhurst at the highest level. This election, more than ever, leadership and experience counts. Join me in voting for Scott Levin who understands the residents issues and the City.
Ellen Greer
Resident finds Bram ‘incredible’ alderman
Thank you to Michael Bram for his 20 years of steadfast public service that has benefitted Elmhurst. From his persistence in seeking solutions to flooding issues to the revitalization of the North York Rd corridor, from wanting what’s best for residents by bringing Ride DuPage to our senior citizens to advocating for ALS equipment for our firefighter-paramedics, and from sidewalks to sustainability and street traffic to air traffic …some have called him “Elmhurst’s Alderman” and I understand why since he always puts the community first. I am so grateful for Michael being a man of his word and always working for the good of the people of Elmhurst. While this City is losing an incredible Alderman, I look forward to his accomplishments as Elmhurst’s Mayor.
Keelie Mueller Witzel
In support of write-in candidate Scarsella for Parks Commissioner
I’d like to encourage all Elmhurst residents to WRITE-IN Meghan Scarsella for Elmhurst Park District Park Commissioner. I have known Meghan for five years and have seen her take on varying volunteer leadership roles in our community. With her professional expertise as an educator and direct experience as a former EPD employee teaching in the Kin-
dergarten Kapers program at Courts Plus, Meghan brings a community-focused and practical perspective to the Elmhurst Park Board. Meghan is the type of person who rolls up her sleeves and jumps in - she has served as a much-needed substitute teacher in this challenging pandemic school year at multiple Elmhurst elementary schools. She is also a dedicated volunteer in our community and knows how EPD partnerships with great non-profit and volunteer organizations, like EYB, AYSO, and Girl Scouts, serve to enrich the lives of all in Elmhurst.
Meghan believes in the mission of the EPD and wants to shape the future of EPD as our community recovers from the effects of the pandemic. As a mother of two young daughters, she’s seen the value and joy the Park District brings to our community from programs for preschool aged children, swim lessons, fitness and arts education including dance programming. She is committed to ensuring community access to our high quality park facilities, programs and recreation opportunities while serving as a good steward of taxpayer dollars. I would be proud to see Meghan serve our community as a Park Board Commissioner. You can visit scarsella4parkboard.com to learn more about Meghan. Please Write-In for her on April 6. Thank you.
Hilary Simonds 14 year resident of Elmhurst
Well-known community volunteer supports Levin
I am enthusiastically supporting Scott Levin for Mayor of Elmhurst and encourage others to do so as well. Tom and I have known Scott for a number of years and are impressed with his grasp of the issues facing Elmhurst. Scott was the Acting Mayor for six months in 2013 and co-Chair of the Financial Task Force during the Great Recession. We need an independent voice that will represent the residents and work collaboratively with everyone.
I was the Chair of the Elmhurst Senior Commission for 15 years. The Senior Commission provides information, advice, advocacy and recommendations to City Council to improve the quality of life for older adults.
An advocate for seniors, Scott wants to enhance senior programs and outreach. He has supported the Meals On Wheels program and Metropolitan Family Services, which provides counseling, support groups and outreach to isolated and frail seniors. Scott also was the Chair of the Public Affairs and Safety Committee that brought the Ride DuPage program to Elmhurst, which not only provides safe transportation for seniors but also for handicapped and
special needs residents as well.
On a personal note, Scott went out of his way to help me get to and from my car after I had knee replacement surgery. He is a kindhearted person who likes to help people. I know he has the experience and leadership to be an excellent mayor. I ask that you join me in voting for Scott Levin. Shirley Myers
Voter supports Smentek
I am proud to support Susan Smentek in her campaign for First Ward Alderman. She is a natural leader with a broad range of professional experience, most notably as a Certified Parks and Recreation Professional for the Elmhurst Park District between 2013 and 2020. In this capacity, she was receptive to community needs and created a highly-regarded and in-demand cultural arts program on a very limited budget. She is dedicated, she has vision, and she is one of the hardest-working individuals I know. What truly distinguishes her as a leader, though, is her ability to collaborate with and inspire others. I speak from personal experience when I say that you are better for having known Susan. I am confident she will be a voice for Ward 1 while positively impacting the City of Elmhurst as a whole. Meghan Scarsella
Resident favors Veremis
Jennifer Veremis has demonstrated in several ways that she has the ability, desire, and leadership qualities to continue to be 1st Ward Alderman.
In business for seventeen years, she has successfully owned and operated a local business in Elmhurst. Jennifer is on the Elmhurst City Center Board. She is committed to keeping the downtown area a vibrant destination. Jennifer has volunteered her time with the USO and supports the American Legion. She is fiscally responsible and serves on the City Council Finance Committee. As a customer and friend of Jennifer’s for over 17 years, she is a candidate that will work for the good of the community.
Please cast your vote for Jennifer Veremis for 1st Ward Alderman on Tuesday, April 6.
Sincerely, Monica Iacono
Neighbor supports Veremis in First Ward
I wanted to take a moment to write a letter about my neighbor and friend, Jennifer Veremis. Jennifer is currently a candidate for the position of Elmhurst Ward 1 Alderman. I have had the pleasure of knowing Jennifer for the past 10 years, and I would like the voters to know more about this extremely qualified person. What stands out the most about Jen is her passion and dedication. When she is
a part of something, she immerses herself to perform the very best she can. I have seen her evolve as a small business owner, an entrepeneur and business coach, and neighborhood volunteer fighting for causes important to the friends and families around her. She is a busy woman, but what I am constantly inspired by is that she always has time for others. Throughout our interactions, she is always present and listening with compassion and without judgement, no matter what she may have going on in her own life. She seeks to understand. Furthermore, something that is unique about Jen and so appreciated is that she is consistent in following up. Whether it is a friendly note in your mailbox, a book recommendation to pass on, the genuine courtesy and concern to enquire about your dilemma the next time she sees you, and the ability to find you support if or when she may not have the answer. My favorite thing about Jen is her emotional intelligence. In my opinion, the value of this characteristic cannot be overstated. In a time of so much uncertainty, Jennifer is a leader that is capable of processing situations that can be very personal, frightening, overwhelming, or frustrating for individuals. She has the knowledge and skill to mindfully recognize the challenge, understand and communicate with empathy, and motivate for solutions or change. In moments of potential conflict, Jennifer maintains positivity and creativity. I consistently see this in action, and I think Elmhurst will continue to thrive with Jennifer as a part of the City Council team.
Mary Abrahamsen
SPECIAL NOTE: Election letters to the editor must be submitted by 5 p.m. this Friday, March 19
In order for any letter to the editor to be considered for publication pertaining to the 2021 election, it must be emailed to the Independent by 5 p.m. this Friday, March 19. Email letters to: independent@rvpublishing.com Election-related letters to the editor will be published in the Thursday, March 25 issue. Letters pertaining to the election will not be published in the April 1 issue, which is the issue immediately prior to the April 6 election. Letters must be signed and limited to 400 words. If the letter is over 400 words, it will be sent back to the author in order for it to be reduced to 400 words.
Anyone who already has had a letter to the editor published pertaining to the 2021 election will not be allowed to submit another letter.
• Candidates
munity, Board of Education and administration looks like. I know how to foster positive working relationships while representing the voice of the community and balancing the needs of the district. My experience in education is more important now than ever.”
The biggest challenge D205 currently faces?
“The next six months will be of significance to our school district. Not only will the Board transition a new superintendent, they also will need to focus on rebuilding relationships, regaining the trust of the community and enhancing their communication while ensuring the district is offering an excellent, full-day, and safe educational experience for all students.
The Board also must continue to work towards ensuring that our district has the best plan to address safety in our schools, from physical safety to social and emotional safety. Our students have been in a non-traditional school environment for a full calendar year and the Board, in partnership with school administration, should work to identify and support our students’ needs to successfully transition back to a more traditional learning environment. The focus should be on minimizing the impact of the pandemic on our children’s education.”
What should readers of the Independent know about you?
“I hope readers know that I care deeply about our community, our schools, and our children. My experience in implementing effective change while tackling the variety of challenges schools are facing today is what makes me qualified for D205 school board. I believe I can have a positive impact on how our District and community moves forward. In my career, one essential principle has always remained at the core of my work: staying focused on what is best for students in all aspects of decision-making, and this is what I intend to do for Elmhurst, if elected.”
Gordon Snyder
a member of the Finance committee for over two years. I was the Emerson PTA Treasurer for two years and have served on multiple committees for both Emerson and Churchville PTAs. If elected, I hope to understand the community’s concerns, and work to decisions that are beneficial to as many students, teachers, and administrators as possible.”
The biggest challenge D205 currently faces?
“The most pressing issue today is the learning environment as impacted by the pandemic. Remote learning has been a challenge for many students and teachers. I hope to work with the board to insure our children transition safely and effectively to a full time in-person learning environment.
“The upcoming construction projects in our schools are another priority. Bringing cutting edge learning spaces to our schools is exciting. We’ll need to support teachers and staff in integrating their usage into the everyday. And we need to do so in a fiscally prudent manner.
“Finally – quickly and effectively onboarding our next superintendent is of tremendous importance. This board should only be making one hire in its tenure – this decision is critical. This leader will be guiding our district and we need to make them successful.”
What should readers of the Independent know about you?
“I ran for this board in 2019 for the same reason I am running today. I believe I can make an indeli-
ble impact on the framework of our educational system in Elmhurst, to insure we leave a legacy of success not for just today’s children, but tomorrow’s. I believe helping the dis-
trict to deliver to the efforts funded by the referendum – building and remodeling facilities at budget and on time – would illustrate success. We need continuous improvement
in our early learning center, elementary schools, middle schools, York, and the transition center. We should never accept good; we should always be working towards great.”

6 Hours of Confession
When was the last time you received Reconciliation? Was it recently? In the past year? The priests of Eastern DuPage County will be available to celebrate the Sacrament of Forgivness of Sin! Are you Roman Catholic?
Saturday, March 27, from 9am until 3pm
All are invited to receive God’s grace There will be select times when the Sacrament will be offered in both Polish and Spanish.

Gordon Snyder works as a civil engineer after obtaining his degree from the University of Iowa. He has lived 23 years in Elmhurst and has been involved on numerous PTA committees at Emerson and Churchville. He has served on the D205 Finance Committee and has coached football, basketball, baseball and lacrosse.
“As a professional engineer, I have a depth of understanding of engineering design and construction. My long-term experience is unique. The board needs a subject matter expert who can provide strong guidance in this area. We are going to be constructing facilities that are going to stand for decades. I want to ensure that they’re designed, built, and maintained in the best capacity possible.
“I have been a very active volunteer since we made our home in Elmhurst over 23 years ago. As part of supporting District 205, I have been


Worship Services



Obituaries
Debby K. Johnson, 81
Debby K. Johnson, formerly of Champaign, was called home to Heaven on March 12, 2021. She passed away peacefully at the age of 81 years at Elmhurst Memorial Hospital in Elmhurst.

Beloved wife of the late Lawrence E. Johnson (2005), her survivors include: children Mark Johnson (Tracy), of Elmhurst, Lori Purtzer and Eric Johnson (Elizabeth), both of Scottsdale, Az.; ten cherished grandchildren, Liza, Jay, Jenny, Nicholas, Riley, Juli, Robin, Alexandra, Kyle, and Kate; siblings Amy Cook, of Indianapolis, and Phillip McCaleb (Wendy), of Valparaiso, Ind. She was also preceded in death by her parents Melvin E. and Lois Jean McCaleb.
Mrs. Johnson was born on May 5, 1939 in Rushville, Illinois. She graduated from Northern Illinois University, where she met and then married Lawrence E. Johnson on June 17, 1961. Following graduation, she was a grade schoolteacher in the Urbana School District.
Mrs. Johnson was full of zeal for life, liked to travel throughout the country, and loved arts and crafts and playing the piano. She always remained active in many volunteer organizations throughout her life, including the Champaign-Urbana Junior Women’s Club, where she was an avid performer in the Tom Thumb Theater ensemble, member of the Catholic Daughters of the Americas organization, and a Den Mother for various Cub Scouts packs. She also was a member of Holy Cross Catholic Church. She

will be dearly missed but would certainly prefer for friends and family to remember her with a fond smile.
Gravesite services and internment will be at Woodlawn Cemetery, Urbana, on March 20, 2021. Arrangements entrusted to Elmhurst Community Funeral Home – The Ahlgrim Chapel, Elmhurst, and Renner-Wikoff Chapel in Urbana. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Alzheimer’s Association, P.O. Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090-6011 or www.alz.org.
Marga M. Breckenfelder, 90 Services Saturday Marga M. Breckenfelder passed away peacefully the morning of March 12, 2021 at the age of 90. Marga was a lifelong teacher and volunteer. A graduate of Drake University, she was a member of Messiah Lutheran Church and volunteered on behalf the Elmhurst Symphony Auxiliary, District 205 PTAs and the AAUW. A longtime resident of Elmhurst, Marga was the beloved wife of the late Ernst G. Breckenfelder for 42 years. She is survived by her four children: Marsha Ford (Michael) of Arizona, Ted Breckenfelder of Iowa, Julie Bock (Mike) of Colorado, and Lisa Sumner (Craig) of Minnesota. Marga is the cherished grandmother of Patrick (Julia) and Alison Ford; Kevin and Caroline Breckenfelder; Jackson, Miles and Anna Bock; and Emily and Andrew Sumner. She is the great-grandmother of Thomas Ernst Ford. Marga was born to Edwin and Wilhelmina Brake of Sac County, Iowa and was sister to the late Perry Brake (Edith). Visitation will be held Saturday, March 20 at 9 a.m. followed by the Funeral Service at 11 a.m. at Elmhurst
Community Funeral Home - The Ahlgrim Chapel, 567 S. Spring Rd. in Elmhurst. Private interment will be at Fairview Park Cemetery in DeKalb. Memorials may be sent to Messiah Lutheran Church, Elmhurst, IL, 130 W. Butterfield Rd., Elmhurst, IL 60126; or to Dakota Boys’ and Girls’ Ranch, P.O. Box 5007 Minot, ND, 58702. (https://dakotaranch.givingfuel. com) For more information, please call (630) 834-3515 or visit www. ElmhurstFH.com.
Nancy L. Nowak, 78 Services Saturday Nancy L. Nowak, of Elmhurst, passed peacefully to her heavenly home on Saturday, Feb. 20, at the age of 78. Beloved wife of 53 years to the late Robert P. “Bob” Nowak; dear daughter of the late Walter and the late Ann (nee Krzeczowski) Surdell; proud mother of Paul (Denise), Don (Melinda), and Jim (Barb); loving grandma of Brett, Tyler, Nick, Bella, and Abby; and dear sister of Alice Surdell. Former secretary to the managing editor at Extension Catholic Magazine. Nancy was always concerned with the details - be it a gift for someone, a meal she was preparing, an outfit she was wearing, or decorating for holidays. Memorial visitation Friday, March 19 from 4 until 8 p.m. at Pedersen Ryberg Funeral Home, 435 N. York Street, Elmhurst. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, masks and social distancing are required at the funeral home, with a maximum of 50 attendees allowed at any one time. Memorial Mass Saturday, March 20 at 11 a.m. at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, 145 E. Grand Avenue, Bensenville. Private entombment. Memorials can be made to the American Cancer Society or your favorite charity.
PS&A Committee reviews emergency response services
The Public Safety and Affairs (PA&S) Committee of the City Council continued their review of the City of Elmhurst’s emergency response performance at the meeting on Monday, March 8. As a continued discussion to previous meetings, City staff members and the City Attorney presented on this topic. The discussion was based on a referral for the committee to review how the City is providing public safety services by looking for an efficient way to provide improved public safety service.
Deputy Chief Bill Anaszewicz provided an update on the fire department’s operations. This included a report on current themes, the department’s emergency response time, a review of incident types, statistics on mutual aid, fire and EMS personnel and apparatus, as well as salary and pension costs for full-time firefighters compared to contract paramedics.
Deputy Chief also noted that the department currently exceeds expectations for NFPA recommended response times and has received several awards for their quality of service.
Highlighted in the discussion was the City’s recent purchase of an ALS Rapid Response vehicle (a.k.a. Rescue 1). The service was added to the department’s fleet in 2017 after discussion of improving the City’s emergency response time. Rescue 1 was put into service to reduce the amount of time it took to initiate mutual aid ALS care. Mutual aid is when Elmhurst residents receive a response from a surrounding community’s medics. This only happens 4% of all calls. Rescue 1 is a smaller, more maneuverable vehicle that is able to move through town easier than a fire engine or larger ladder truck. It is equipped with and mirrors every piece of ALS equipment car-
ried in an ambulance. The vehicle is dedicated to the City of Elmhurst and does not leave its boundaries. Rescue 1 moves back and forth between North and South fire stations and provides a second layer of coverage when the primary ambulance is dispatched to a call. Rescue 1 continues to provide superior care to our residents without having an impact on the overall budget. In November of 2020, Fire Chief Tom Freeman issued a memo to City Council stating, “As for 911 calls for emergency medical services since the implementation of Rescue 1, more than 98% of the time an Advance Life Support Medic or Rescue 1 arrived prior to a fire suppression apparatus and its personnel. This compares to 2016 statistics when Advance Life Support Medics arrived prior to Fire Suppression Personnel 72% of the time.”
The City currently contracts paramedic services through Metro Paramedics which has provided the residents of Elmhurst with award winning safety services for over 40 years. This service has allowed the City to be being fiscally responsible without jeopardizing service quality. Paramedics are staffed full time without overtime or pension obligations. The company also provides billing and processing services.
The Committee discussed the implications of the Elmhurst Fire Department becoming an ALS fire company and the possible complications. If the Elmhurst Fire Department became an ALS fire company, it would have to have medics on staff at all times and would have to equip engines with ALS supplies.
City Attorney Mike Durkin discussed the certainty that would occur

House committee moves animal cruelty, expungement bills
Mazzochi: Why won’t state police study ways to stop gun violence
By Raymon Troncoso CAPITOL NEWS ILLINOISThe Illinois House Judiciary Criminal Committee advanced several bills March 9, including measures pertaining to animal cruelty laws, record expungement and the study of gun violence in Illinois.
House Bill 168, sponsored by Democratic Rep. Daniel Didech of Buffalo Grove, would amend the Humane Care for Animals Act to remove domestic pets from the household of persons known to the courts as a danger to animals.
Individuals who have been convicted at least twice of aggravated cruelty or violations such as dog fighting are barred from owning or having custody of any animal.
Didech’s legislation would give discretion to judges to extend that prohibition to other members of the offender’s household to remove any access they may have to an animal, even if the pet belonged to a spouse, sibling or roommate.
The prohibition would be lifted for the others involved once they no longer shared a home with the offender. The length of the ban would be left up to the judge presiding over the offender’s case.
Another bill, introduced by Rep. Sonya Harper, D-Chicago, as the Firearm Violence Prevention and Reduction Study Act, would create a 10-year study on methods Illinois can pursue to decrease deaths and injury caused by guns.
While the legislation calls for the study to be conducted by the Illinois Department of Public Health, Harper said she is also looking into whether the Department of Human Services would be better suited to take on the study.
The bill would provide $150,000
annually to the department conducting the study.
Committee member Rep. Deanne Mazzochi, R-Elmhurst, questioned why the Illinois State Police wasn’t being considered to conduct a study into stopping gun violence.
“In the time of COVID, the Department of Public Health really should be keeping mission-centric on the spread of disease and not necessarily, you know, jumping into gun issues because I think that’s going to detract from its mission as opposed to enhance it,” she said. “I’m not seeing this as a quote unquote, public health issue and I’m actually concerned about classifying it as a public health issue as opposed to an individual and their choices.”
Ultimately, both bills received unanimous approval from the committee, receiving 19 votes to be advanced to the House floor, with sponsors acknowledging further changes could be made to the bills before they come to a House vote.
Only one bill introduced in com-
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nouncedtheownerofahomerepair
tooutofthousandsofdollarsbyfailing hadcompletehomerepairprojectsthat Edmundbeenagreedupon.
600blockofWashingtonStreetinElmhurst,waschargedinCookCounty
schemes repairinvolvedhimbeinghiredforahome job and collecting payment but failing to complete
defrauding victims outofthousandsofdollars,”Raoulsaid. “Individualswhoscamunsuspecting consumershavenoplaceinourcommunities,and amcommittedtoconalstinuingtoholdaccountableindividuwhotakeadvantageofconsumersforpersonalgain.” According to theAttorney General, Kavanaugh owns and operates ahomerepairbusinessbythenameof Goliath Construction. Raoul alleges that Kavanaugh’s

“ I’m not seeing this as a quote unquote, public health issue and I’m actually concerned about classifying it as a public health issue as opposed to an individual and their choices.”
–Rep. Deanne Mazzochi, R-Elmhurst
mittee March 9 received a split vote along partisan lines.
tal to have records relating to those charges immediately expunged at no cost to the defendant.
The defendant or their attorney could file a petition for expungement at any time. The only exception under the law would be minor traffic offenses.
Prosecutors and judges involved in the case could choose to oppose the petition.
Republican Rep. Patrick Windhorst of Metropolis raised the question of cases where multiple charges stemmed from the same arrest or investigation and only some charges were dismissed or resulted in acquittal while others resulted in conviction.
Windhorst asked if sealing, which hides records from public view but does not destroy them as is the case with expungement, would be more appropriate in those cases.
The bill ultimately was advanced to the House floor with the 12 Democrats on the committee voting for its passage and the 7 Republicans voted against it.

Backed by Chicago Democrat Rep. La Shawn Ford, House Bill 434 would greatly expand the ability of Illinoisans to expunge arrest and court records. If passed, the bill would allow for defendants whose criminal charges are dismissed with prejudice or result in acquit-
• Committee
Other legislation passed unanimously in the committee hearing included bills relating to court fees and community service.
(Continued from page 11)
if the department became an ALS fire company. There would be an obligation to bargain with the fire union.
Attorney Durkin explained that a great deal of uncertainty would accompany the scope of that bargaining. The State of Illinois statute provision, commonly referred to as “the substitute clause” was further illustrated with a legal proceeding in-






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volving the City of Mattoon, Illinois. Attorney Durkin stated that the City of Elmhurst could risk a ruling from the Illinois Labor Board or court that would force the city to enter into labor negotiations over the existing Metro Paramedics, Inc contract. Not being able to predict an outcome of that, the city could risk voiding the contract, and be forced to hire replacement firefighter/paramedic employees who would be subject to the collective bargaining agreement, including pension and health care benefits. A total of 21 new firefighter/ paramedics would need to be hired and the City would have to purchase and equip 3 ALS ambulances. The estimated initial cost of this is $3.4 million, of which ALS equipment itself is a fraction. The annual cost could exceed $2.5 million.
Committee members further discussed the potential costs and pension obligations if the City changed the structure of services.
“There are more underlying costs here other than a one-to-one comparison,” said PA&S Committee Chair Ald. Dannee Polomsky. “I cannot think of another potential cost increase of this magnitude that we have entertained, other than the stormwater capital projects.”
Committee Members agreed that they take pride and are thankful for the highly rated services that Elmhurst Firefighters and Metro Paramedics provide to the community while being fiscally responsible, especially during these trying times. Ald. Polomsky will be providing an interim update to the City Council in this topic. The PA&S Committee will continue to discuss this referral at the next meeting. The safety of Elmhurst residents is the top priority of the City Council.
(This was submitted by the City of Elmhurst.) 391663
real estate/Business
Nicor Gas commits to help 250,000 families meet their basic needs
Company addressing issues like hunger, homelessness; offers financial assistance for utility bills of income during challenging times.”
Nicor Gas serves millions of families and individuals in Illinois, where nearly 11% of residents live in poverty. Food insecurity, homelessness and affordable housing are some of the deficiencies that have been magnified by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Nicor has announced partnership initiatives to help meet the basic needs of 250,000 families who live at or below the federal poverty level within
Nicor Gas’ northern Illinois service territory.
“Due to the pandemic and the colder temperatures, more families are at home and using more heat. Some people are making tough choices about which bills to pay,” said John O. Hudson III, president and CEO of Nicor Gas. “We’re committed to helping our customers address these and other insecurities due to the loss
DuPage County recognized for flood mitigation efforts
The Illinois Association of Floodplain and Stormwater Managers (IAFSM) presented DuPage County with the 2021 Mitigation award during their annual conference, held virtually on Thursday, March 11.
IAFSM specifically recognized DuPage County’s Stormwater Management and Community Services departments for their efforts to mitigate flooding countywide using a nearly $32 million grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) following flooding in 2013.
“We were grateful to receive the federal funding following the devastating 2013 floods throughout the area,” said DuPage County Stormwater Management Committee Chair Jim Zay. “We recognized quickly that the areas affected could not just be repaired, they also needed to be protected against future floods. Utilizing those funds, we strategically implemented shov-

• All Day Kindergarten
el-ready mitigation projects and focused on property buyouts that will benefit communities for years to come.”
Using this HUD grant, DuPage County, along with municipalities who were awarded sub-grants, completed 17 flood mitigation projects, as well as several flood-prone property buyouts.
“It was important to work closely with our municipal partners through DuPage County’s Community Services Department to assist in the effective management and completion of these complex capital projects,” said DuPage County Health and Human Services Committee Chairwoman Julie Renehan. “We are pleased with the results and have heard positive feedback from residents who no longer have to worry every time it rains. This alone is quite an accomplishment, and I’m grateful to IAFSM for recognizing DuPage County’s efforts.”
To ensure its efforts align with the needs of the community, Nicor Gas is partnering with charitable organizations such as, Northern Illinois Food Bank, Greater Chicago Food Depository, Operation Warm, People’s Resource Center, PADS organizations and many more.
“Nobody should have to choose between warming their home and having enough food for their family to eat, but those are the kind of choices that many are forced to make,” said Jeannine Kannegiesser, director of corporate and foundation giving at Northern Illinois Food Bank. “Nicor Gas’ community partnership with Northern Illinois Food Bank over many years — especially during this
time of crisis and elevated need for food assistance — makes a tremendous difference for those we serve together.”
Feeding America’s latest research shows that the general food insecurity rate in northern Illinois has increased by 62%, and the child food insecurity rate increased 95%. In Cook County alone, an estimated 800,000 people were living in food insecure households in 2020, a 51% increase from the year before.
Also, this year, in partnership with Shipt and vendor partners Richards Graphics and T. Castro Produce, Nicor Gas provided food and essential goods care packages to more than 2,000 Nicor Gas customers. Packages included a mix of food sta-
ples such as dried beans, rice, cereal, pasta, canned fruit and vegetables, bread, lunch meat, soap and toilet paper — delivered directly to their homes.
In addition, Nicor Gas has energy assistance resources and financial assistance for those affected by the ongoing pandemic, including flexible payment plans and energy-saving information to help customers manage expenses.
To learn more about energy assistance options, visit: nicorgas.com/ energyassistance. For food resources including mobile pantries and popup events, visit the Northern Illinois Food Bank at solvehungertoday.org and the Greater Chicago Food Depository at chicagosfoodbank.org.
More than 10 percent of DuPage residents now fully vaccinated
More than 271,684 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been administered to DuPage County residents, and 177,631 residents have received at least one dose of vaccine as of March 10. Of those vaccinated, 94,053 people, or 10.13 percent of DuPage County residents, are fully vaccinated. This represents the administration of 59,049 doses of vaccine in the past week to DuPage County residents.
Last week, DuPage County Health Department (DCHD) received 15,330 first doses of COVID-19 vaccines. From this allocation, 4,710 doses were distributed to medical practices, 200 doses were distributed to Federally Qualified Health Centers, 5,680 doses were distributed to hospitals, 600 doses were distributed to phar-
macies, 1,500 doses were distributed to commercial vaccination service providers, 300 doses were distributed to urgent care providers, and 2,340 doses are supplying the DCHD Community Vaccination Clinic. Additional county-specific vaccine data, including first dose allocations by week and allocations by provider type, are available on the COVID-19 Dashboard at the DCHD web site.
In addition to the 15,330 first doses allocated to DuPage County this week, retail pharmacies including Jewel, Mariano’s, and Walgreens are receiving approximately 13,600 doses this week directly from state and federal sources.
While progress is being made on the overall vaccination efforts, DCHD is closely monitoring reports
of variants in our local communities. To date, DCHD has received confirmation of the COVID-19 variant B.1.1.7 detected in three DuPage County residents. Across Illinois, 85 cases have been reported, as of March 9. This variant has been found to spread more easily than other variants. In January, experts in the U.K. reported that this variant may be associated with an increased risk of death compared to other variant viruses, but more studies are needed to confirm this finding. It has since been detected in many countries around the world. This variant was first detected in the U.S. at the end of December 2020. For more information on COVID-19 variants found in Illinois, visit COVID-19 Variants | IDPH.
A History of Results Experience Matters
• Dual Language Immersion
• Business Incubator and Manufacturing Lab (York)
• Project Lead the Way / STEM
• Thrive D205 Wellness Partnership
• Equal Opportunity Schools
• 2019 Overall Whole Child Award
• Facilities improvement referendum
• Two new elementary schools
• Safe & secure entrances, all schools
• Transition Center (The Abbey)
• Resolved York storm water issues with City, including a synthetic turf lacrosse/soccer field (summer 2021)
• Abatement of 2021 tax increase







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ANNUAL TOWN MEETING
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN
To the legal voters, residents of the TOWNSHIP OF YORK in the County of DuPage and the State of Illinois, that the ANNUAL TOWN MEETING of said Township will take place on:
TUESDAY, APRIL 13, 2021
being the second Tuesday of said month at the hour of 7:00 O’clock P.M. at York Township Hall 1502 S. Meyers Road, Lombard for the transaction of the miscellaneous business of the said town; and after a Moderator having been elected, will proceed to hear and consider reports of officers, and decide on such measures as may, in pursuance of law, come before the meeting; and especially to consider and decide the following:
THE ANNUAL TOWN MEETING OF THE TOWN OF YORK
APRIL 13, 2021 AGENDA
1. Call to Order
2. Invocation
3. Pledge of Allegiance
4. Welcome and Introduction by Daniel J. Kordik, Town Clerk
5. Call for Nomination of Moderator
a. Closing of Nominations
b. Election of Moderator
c. Oath of Moderator
6. Approval of Minutes of the
a. Annual Town Meeting of April 9, 2019
b. Special Town Meeting of August 11, 2020
c. Special Town Meeting of October 13, 2020
7. Supervisor’s Statement of Financial Affairs - Fiscal Year 2019/2020
8. Supervisor’s Statement of Financial Affairs - Fiscal Year 2020/2021
9. Township Reports
10. Public Comment (limit to 3 minutes)
11. Announcement of Next Annual Town Meeting on April 12, 2022 at 7:00 p.m.
12. Benediction
13. Adjournment
Daniel J. Kordik Town Clerk
(Published in the Elmhurst Independent, Addison Independent, Bensenville Independent, Villa Park Review & the Lombardian March 18, 2021) 391972
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING ZONING AND PLANNING COMMISSION/ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
CASE NUMBER 21 ZBA 01 Request for Variation
Notice is hereby given that the Elmhurst Zoning and Planning Commission/Zoning Board of Appeals will hold a public hearing on Wednesday, April 7, 2021 at 7:00 p.m., in the Elmhurst City Hall, 209 N. York Street, Elmhurst, Illinois. The purpose of this hearing is to consider a request by Dennis Kazarian for a Variation from the rear yard setback requirement at the property commonly known as 417 E. Barclay Court for the purpose of constructing a porch.
Following is a legal description of the subject property:
LEGAL DESCRIPTION:
LOT 67 IN MACDOUGALLS ATWOOD
ESTATES UNIT 3, BEING A SUBDIVISION IN SECTIONS 12 AND 13, TOWNSHIP 39 NORTH, RANGE 11, EAST OF THE THIRD PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN, ACCORDING TO THE PLAT THEREOF RECORDED SEPTEMBER 27, 1968 AS DOCUMENT R68-44974 AND CERTIFICATES OF CORRECTION FILED JANUARY 27, 1969 AS DOCUMENT R69-3319 AND MAY 23, 1969 AS DOCUMENT R69-22400, IN DUPAGE COUNTY ILLINOIS.
PINs: 06-12-420-045
The common street address is 417 E. Barclay Court, Elmhurst, IL. The subject property is located within the R1 Single Family Residence Zoning District.
Due to Governor Pritzker’s Executive Order 2021-05, social distancing concerns, and recent changes to the Illinois Open Meetings Act, alternative public testimony options have been instituted. Information regarding these options can be obtained at Elmhurst.org/publichearing. If you have any questions please contact City Planner
LEGAL NOTICES
Eileen Franz at 630-530-3121.
If you have any questions regarding this case, please contact the Community Development Department at 630-530-3121.
NOTE: Any person who has a disability requiring a reasonable accommodation to participate in this meeting, should contact Emily Wagner, ADA Compliance Officer, Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., City of Elmhurst, 209 N. York Street, Elmhurst, IL 60126, or call 630-530-8095
TDD, within a reasonable time before the meeting. Requests for a qualified interpreter require five (5) working days’ advance notice.
Eileen Franz, City Planner (Published in The Elmhurst Independent March 18, 2021) 392086
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING ZONING AND PLANNING COMMISSION/ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
CASE NUMBER 21 ZBA 02 Request for Variation
Notice is hereby given that the Elmhurst Zoning and Planning Commission/Zoning Board of Appeals will hold a public meeting on Wednesday, April 7, 2021 at 7:00 p.m., in the Elmhurst City Hall, 209 N. York Street, Elmhurst, Illinois. The purpose of this meeting is to consider a request by Ruben Lopez for a front yard setback Variation at the property commonly known as 177 W. Vallette Street Elmhurst, Illinois for the purpose of constructing an unenclosed covered front porch.
Following is a legal description of the subject property:
LOT 7 IN HOLLOWAY’S DIVISION OF BLOCK “F” IN THE J.B. BRYANS’ RESUBDIVISON OF PART OF THE EAST ½ OF SECTION 11, TOWNSHIP 39 NORTH, RANGE 11, EAST OF THE THIRD PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN, ACCORDING TO THE PLAT OF SAID HOLLOWAY’S DIVISION RECORDED NOVEMBER 21, 1923 AS DOCUMENT 171830, IN DUPAGE COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
PIN: 06-11-403-011
The common street address is 177 W Vallette Elmhurst, Illinois. The subject property is located within the R2 – Single Family Residence.
Due to Governor Pritzker’s Executive Order 2021-05, social distancing concerns, and recent changes to the Illinois Open Meetings Act, alternative public testimony options have been instituted. Information regarding these options can be obtained at Elmhurst.org/publichearing. If you have any questions please contact City Planner Eileen Franz at 630-530-3121.
If you have any questions regarding this case, please contact the Community Development Department at 630-530-3121.
NOTE: Any person who has a disability requiring a reasonable accommodation to participate in this meeting, should contact Emily Wagner, ADA Compliance Officer, Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., City of Elmhurst, 209 N. York Street, Elmhurst, IL 60126, or call 630-530-8095
TDD, within a reasonable time before the meeting. Requests for a qualified interpreter
NOTICE
CERTIFICATE NO. 78097 was filed in the office of the County Clerk of DuPage County on MARCH 11, 2021, wherein the business firm of ONE DRAWER AT A TIME ORGANIZING LOCATED AT 1S135 ARDMORE AVENUE, VILLA PARK, IL 60181 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) MARIA V. ALONSO, HOME ADDRESS 1S135 ARDMORE AVENUE, VILLA PARK, IL 60181.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and Official Seal at my office in Wheaton, Illinois, this 11TH day of MARCH, A.D. 2021.
JEAN KACZMAREK Jean Kaczmarek DuPage County Clerk (OFFICIAL SEAL)
(Published in The Elmhurst Independent March 18, 25 & April 1, 2021) 392088
require five (5) working days’ advance notice.
Eileen Franz, City Planner (Published in The Elmhurst Independent March 18, 2021) 392087
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
ZONING AND PLANNING COMMISSION/ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
CASE NUMBER 21 ZBA 03
Request for Variations and Conditional Use Permit
Notice is hereby given that the Elmhurst Zoning and Planning Commission/Zoning Board of Appeals will hold a public hearing on Wednesday, April 7, 2021 at 7:00 p.m., in the Elmhurst City Hall, 209 N. York Street, Elmhurst, Illinois. The purpose of this hearing is to consider a request by Sloan Property Management LLC for Variations from signage requirements and a conditional use
NOTICE
CERTIFICATE NO. 78059 was filed in the office of the County Clerk of DuPage County on MARCH 1, 2021, wherein the business firm of MARQUITA STYLEZ LOCATED AT 22 E. CHICAGO AVENUE LOFT #20, NAPERVILLE, IL 60540 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) MARQUITA HILL-MCGEE, HOME ADDRESS 2029 W. ILLINOIS AVENUE, AURORA, IL 60506. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and Official Seal at my office in Wheaton, Illinois, this 1ST day of MARCH, A.D. 2021.
JEAN KACZMAREK Jean Kaczmarek
DuPage County Clerk (OFFICIAL SEAL) (Published in The Elmhurst Independent March 11, 18 & 25, 2021) 391232
NOTICE
CERTIFICATE NO. 78063 was filed in the office of the County Clerk of DuPage County on MARCH 3, 2021, wherein the business firm of HEALTHY HAIR + SKIN ORGANICS LOCATED AT 430 S MONTEREY AVENUE, VILLA PARK, IL 60181 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) AMBER CUNNINGHAM, HOME ADDRESS 430 S MONTEREY AVENUE, VILLA PARK, IL 60181.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and Official Seal at my office in Wheaton, Illinois, this 3RD day of MARCH, A.D. 2021.
JEAN KACZMAREK Jean Kaczmarek
DuPage County Clerk (OFFICIAL SEAL)
(Published in The Elmhurst Independent March 11, 18 & 25, 2021) 391341
NOTICE
CERTIFICATE NO. 78082 was filed in the office of the County Clerk of DuPage County on MARCH 8, 2021, wherein the business firm of BEERTRIPPR LOCATED AT 7722 APPLETREE LANE, WILLOWBROOK, IL 60527 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) GREGORY W LANE, HOME ADDRESS 7722 APPLETREE LANE, WILLOWBROOK, IL 60527. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and Official Seal at my office in Wheaton, Illinois, this 8TH day of MARCH, A.D. 2021.
JEAN KACZMAREK
Jean Kaczmarek
DuPage County Clerk (OFFICIAL SEAL)
(Published in The Elmhurst Independent March 18, 25 & April 1, 2021) 391639
permit to allow outdoor storage in all required setbacks with an 8 foot solid fence at the property commonly known as 441 W. Lake Street for the purpose of adding signage, constructing an 8-foot solid fence and allowing outdoor storage in all required setbacks.
Following is a legal description of the subject property:
LEGAL DESCRIPTION:
PARCEL 1: LOTS 25,26,27,28,29 & 30 IN MYER’S SUBDIVISION OF LOT 4 AND PART OF LOT 5 IN WEST LAKE FARMS, A SUBDIVISION OF PART OF SECTIONS 26 AND 35, TOWNSHIP 40 NORTH, RANGE 11 EAST OF THE THIRD PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN, ACCORDING TO THE PLAT OF SAID MYER’S SUBDIVISION RECORDED ON JULY 9, 1925 AS DOCUMENT 195879, EXCEPT THAT PART TAKEN BY EMINENT DOMAIN CASE 01ED00082, IN DUPAGE COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
NOTICE
CERTIFICATE NO. 78044 was filed in the office of the County Clerk of DuPage County on FEBRUARY 24, 2021, wherein the business firm of KOCKTAILS BY KRIS LOCATED AT 4901 BELMONT ROAD APT 302, DOWNERS GROVE, IL 60515 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) KRISTIE PERRY, HOME ADDRESS 4901 BELMONT ROAD APT 302, DOWNERS GROVER, IL 60515. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and Official Seal at my office in Wheaton, Illinois, this 24TH day of FEBRUARY, A.D. 2021.
JEAN KACZMAREK Jean Kaczmarek
DuPage County Clerk (OFFICIAL SEAL)
(Published in The Elmhurst Independent March 4, 11 & 18, 2021) 390975
NOTICE
CERTIFICATE NO. 78066 was filed in the office of the County Clerk of DuPage County on MARCH 3, 2021, wherein the business firm of THE BE YOU TIFUL BOUTIQUE LOCATED AT 1802 MCCORMICK LANE, HANOVER PARK, IL 60133 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) CARISSA CRUZ, HOME ADDRESS 1802 MCCORMICK LANE, HANOVER PARK, IL 60133.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and Official Seal at my office in Wheaton, Illinois, this 3RD day of MARCH, A.D. 2021.
JEAN KACZMAREK
Jean Kaczmarek
DuPage County Clerk
(OFFICIAL SEAL)
(Published in The Elmhurst Independent March 11, 18 & 25, 2021) 391345
NOTICE
CERTIFICATE NO. 78073 was filed in the office of the County Clerk of DuPage County on MARCH 4, 2021, wherein the business firm of GOOD GUYS PAINTING LOCATED AT 751 E GRAND AVENUE, 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) MICHAEL J FREER, HOME ADDRESS 751 E GRAND AVENUE, ADDISON, IL 60101. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and Official Seal at my office in Wheaton, Illinois, this 4TH day of MARCH, A.D. 2021.
JEAN KACZMAREK
Jean Kaczmarek
DuPage County Clerk (OFFICIAL SEAL)
(Published in The Elmhurst Independent March 11, 18 & 25, 2021) 391537
PARCEL 2: LOT 13 IN MYER’S SUBDIVISION OF LOT 4 AND PART OF LOT 5 IN WEST LAKE FARMS, A SUBDIVISION OF PART OF SECTIONS 26 AND 35, TOWNSHIP 40 NORTH, RANGE 11 EAST OF THE THIRD PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN, ACCORDING TO THE PLAT OF SAID MYER’S SUBDIVISION RECORDED ON JULY 9, 1925, AS DOCUMENT 195879, IN DUPAGE COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
PARCEL 3: THAT PART OF VACATED HAWTHORNE AVENUE IN PART OF SECTION 35, TOWNSHIP 40 NORTH, RANGE 11 EAST OF THE THIRD PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN, AS VACATED BY ORDINANCE AND RECORDED MAY 14, 1997 AS DOCUMENT R97-068305, IN DUPAGE COUNTY, ILLINOIS, DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS: COMMENCING AT THE SOUTHWEST CORNER OF LOT 3 IN WEST LAKE FARMS,
NOTICE
CERTIFICATE NO. 57490 was filed in the office of the County Clerk of DuPage County on JULY 29, 2005, wherein the business firm of CELESTIAL STRINGS LOCATED AT 22W760 KINGS COURT, GLEN ELLYN, IL 60137 was registered; and the following changes were made:
*The following named person or persons should now be registered as associates of the aforesaid firm: ERIN CONVERSE, 737 FOREST GLEN LANE, OAK BROOK, IL 60523 NANCY GOODIN, 22W760 KINGS COURT, GLEN ELLYN, IL 60137. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and Official Seal at my office in Wheaton, Illinois, this 22ND day of FEBRUARY, A.D. 2021.
JEAN KACZMAREK
Jean Kaczmarek
DuPage County Clerk (OFFICIAL SEAL)
(Published in The Elmhurst Independent March 11, 18 & 25, 2021) 391339
NOTICE
CERTIFICATE NO. 78071 was filed in the office of the County Clerk of DuPage County on MARCH 4, 2021, wherein the business firm of HAFER CLEANERS LOCATED AT 159 E ST CHARLES ROAD, VILLA PARK, IL 60181 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) BRIAN B YIM, HOME ADDRESS 30 N WILDWOOD DRIVE, PROSPECT HEIGHTS, IL 60070. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and Official Seal at my office in Wheaton, Illinois, this 4TH day of MARCH, A.D. 2021.
JEAN KACZMAREK Jean Kaczmarek
DuPage County Clerk (OFFICIAL SEAL)
(Published in The Elmhurst Independent March 11, 18 & 25, 2021) 391478
NOTICE
CERTIFICATE NO. 78094 was filed in the office of the County Clerk of DuPage County on MARCH 10, 2021, wherein the business firm of THE ABLE PRESS LOCATED AT 810 HIGHVIEW AVENUE, GLEN ELLYN, IL 60137 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) COURTNEY O’KEEFFE, HOME ADDRESS 810 HIGHVIEW AVENUE, GLEN ELLYN, IL 60137. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and Official Seal at my office in Wheaton, Illinois, this 10TH day of MARCH, A.D. 2021.
JEAN KACZMAREK Jean Kaczmarek DuPage County Clerk (OFFICIAL SEAL)
(Published in The Elmhurst Independent March 18, 25 & April 1, 2021) 392066
PUBLISHER’S NOTICE
CASTLE
Classifieds






real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Fair Housing Act which makes it illegal to advertise any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, disability, familiar/ status or national origin, or an intention to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination. Familial status includes children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians, pregnant women and people securing custody of children under 18. This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis. To complain of discrimination call HUD toll-free at 1-900-669-9777. The toll-free tele phone number for the hearing impaired is 1-800927-9275. EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY
HPS Decorating Inc.
Semi-retired painter with over

Plumbing





PUBLISHER’S NOTICE All real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Fair Housing Act which makes it illegal to advertise any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, disability, familiar/ status or national origin, or an intention to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination. Familial status includes children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians, pregnant women and people securing custody of children under 18. This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis. To complain of discrimination call HUD toll-free at 1-900-669-9777. The toll-free tele phone number for the hearing impaired is 1-800-927-9275. EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY

Announcements
environment, and are a reliable team player
• You have fantastic communication skills & you’re proficient in English (verbal and written) If interested, please send your resume to talent@partstown.com

In Home Caregiver NEEDED
5 Days a week @ 5 hours per day. Salary $20/Hr. Flexible scheduling w/either parttime or full-time hours. Must have reliable transportation; and have a caring, compassionate demeanor and patience. For more details: email Demir at dilekbesol47@ gmail.com
SASED
Special Ed. Coop.
have several
DOWNTOWN LOMBARD
Small, clean, one bedroom apartment. No smoking, $850 per month, heat included. Available now. 630-514-7911 371563
Dental Specialty Practice in Elmhurst is seeking a mature part-time assistant. Prefer to train the right person. Approx. 20 hrs. per week. Please call 630-530-4808. 389524
CLASSIFIED IN-COLUMN ADS cannot be credited or refunded after the ad has been placed. Ads canceled before deadline will be removed from the paper as a service to our customers, but no credit or refund will be issued to your account.
Announcements
DISCLAIMER NOTICE This publication does not knowingly accept fraudulent or deceptive advertising. Readers are cautioned to thoroughly investigate all ads, especially those asking for money in advance.
CLASSIFIED IN-COLUMN ADS cannot be credited or refunded after the ad has been placed. Ads canceled before deadline will be removed from the paper as a service to our customers, but no credit or refund will be issued to your account.
Lawn & Garden
DISCLAIMER NOTICE This publication does not knowingly accept fraudulent or deceptive advertising. Readers are cautioned to thoroughly investigate all ads, especially those asking for money in advance.
TORO XL427 RIDING MOWER, 120 hours service, includes new battery, owners manual & spares, $650.00. Call 773-415-1319 (Villa Park).
Automobiles
Automobiles
2006 CHEVY IMPALA SS 44K mi. 8 cylinder, silver w/black leather inter., Denali tires, good solid car, great condition, fully loaded. $7,000 Call 630-470-8229
2004 LINCOLN FOR SALE 2004 Lincoln Town Car, Signature Model; 119,000 miles, $3,000. Call (708) 334-5013
ACCORDING TO THE PLAT THEREOF RECORDED APRIL 8, 1922 AS DOCUMENT 155001; THENCE ON AN ASSUMED BEARING OF NORTH 66 DEGREES 14 MINUTES 28 SECONDS WEST ALONG THE SOUTHERLY LINE OF SAID VACATED HAWTHORNE AVENUE, A DISTANCE OF 18.23 FEET TO THE POINT OF BEGINNING; THENCE CONTINUING NORTH 66 DEGREES 14 MINUTES 28 SECONDS WEST ALONG SAID SOUTHERLY LINE OF VACATED HAWTHORNE AVENUE A DISTANCE OF 37.70 FEET TO THE SOUTHWEST CORNER OF VACATED HAWTHORNE AVENUE, BEING ALSO A POINT ON THE SOUTHEASTERLY LINE OF LOT 30 IN MYER’S SUBDIVISION, AC-
CORDING TO THE PLAT THEREOF
RECORDED JULY 9, 1925 AS DOCUMENT 195879, BEING ALSO A POINT ON A 13.16 FOOT RADIUS CURVE, THE CENTER OF SAID CURVE BEARS NORTH 23 DEGREES 45 MINUTES 32 SECONDS EAST FROM SAID POINT; THENCE NORTHEASTERLY ALONG SAID CURVE, BEING ALSO A WESTERLY LINE OF VACATED HAWTHORNE AVENUE, BEING ALSO THE SOUTHEASTERLY LINE OF SAID LOT 30, RADIUS 13.16 FEET, CENTRAL ANGLE 113 DEGREES 18 MINUTES 04 SECONDS, 26.03 FEET; THENCE NORTH 00 DEGREES27 MINUTES 28 SECONDS EAST ALONG TANGENT, BEING ALSO A WESTERLY LINE OF SAID VACATED HAWTHORNE AVENUE, BEING ALSO THE EAST LINE OF LOT 30 AND THE EAST LINE OF LOT 13 IN SAID MYER’S SUBDIVISION, A DISTANCE OF 300.99 FEET; THENCE NORTHWESTERLY ALONG A TANGENTAL CURVE CONCAVE TO THE SOUTHWEST, BEING ALSO A WESTERLY LINE OF SAID VACATED HAWTHORNE AVENUE, BEING ALSO THE NORTHEASTERLY LINE OF SAID LOT 13, RADIUS 30.39 FEET, CENTRAL ANGLE 66 DEGREES 41 MINUTES 56 SECONDS, 35.38 FEET; THENCE NORTH 66 DEGREES 14 MINUTES 28 SECONDS WEST ALONG TANGENT, BEING ALSO THE NORTHWESTERLY LINE OF SAID VACATED HAWTHORNE AVENUE, BEING ALSO THE NORTHERLY LINE OF SAID LOT 13, A DISTANCE OF 18.58 FEET TO THE NORTHWEST CORNER OF VACATED HAWTHORNE AVENUE; THENCE NORTH 89 DEGREES 05 MINUTES 44 SECONDS EAST ALONG THE NORTH LINE OF SAID VACATED HAWTHORNE AVENUE A DISTANCE OF 51.70 FEET TO A POINT 16.74 FEET NORMALLY DISTANT WEST OF THE EAST LINE OF VACATED HAWTHORNE AVENUE; THENCE SOUTH 00 DEGREES 27 MINUTES 28 SECONDS WEST ALONG A LINE 16.74 FEET NORMALLY DISTANT WEST AND PARALLEL WITH THE EAST LINE OF SAID VACATED HAWTHORNE AVENUE A DISTANCE OF 364.48 FEET TO THE POINT OF BEGINNING.
PARCEL 4: THAT PART OF MYER’S SUBDIVISION OF LOT 4 AND PART OF LOT 5 OF WEST LAKE FARMS, A SUBDIVISION OF PART OF SECTION 26 AND 35, TOWNSHIP 40 NORTH, RANGE 11 EAST OF THE THIRD PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN, ACCORDING TO THE PLAT THEREOF RECORDED JULY 9, 1925 AS DOCUMENT 195879, IN DUPAGE COUNTY, DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS: BEGINNING AT THE NORTHEAST CORNER OF LOT 24 IN SAID MYER’S SUBDIVISION; THENCE NORTH, ALONG THE EAST LINE OF SAID LOT 24 EXTENDED NORTH, TO THE CENTERLINE OF A 16.00 FOOT ALLEY; THENCE EAST, ALONG SAID CENTERLINE, TO THE EAST LINE OF LOT 14 EXTENDED SOUTH, IN SAID MYER’S SUBDIVISION, THENCE NORTH, ALONG SAID EAST LINE EXTENDED SOUTH, TO THE NORTH LINE OF SAID 16.00 FOOT ALLEY; THENCE EAST, ALONG SAID NORTH LINE, TO THE WEST LINE OF THE VACATED HAWTHORNE AVENUE RIGHT OF WAY; THENCE SOUTHERLY, ALONG
LEGAL NOTICES
SAID WEST LINE, TO THE SOUTH LINE OF SAID 16.00 FOOT ALLEY; THENCE WEST, ALONG SAID SOUTH LINE, TO THE POINT OF BEGINNING.
COMMONLY KNOWN AS 441 LAKE STREET, ELMHURST, ILLINOIS.
PINs: 03-35-103-018, 03-35-103-019, 0335-103-016
The common street address is 441 W. Lake Street, Elmhurst, IL. The subject property is located within the I1 Restricted Industrial. Due to Governor Pritzker’s Executive Order 2021-05, social distancing concerns, and recent changes to the Illinois Open Meetings Act, alternative public testimony options have been instituted. Information regarding these options can be obtained at Elmhurst.org/publichearing. If you have any questions please contact City Planner Eileen Franz at 630-530-3121.
If you have any questions regarding this case, please contact the Community Development Department at 630-530-3121.
NOTE: Any person who has a disability requiring a reasonable accommodation to participate in this meeting, should contact Emily Wagner, ADA Compliance Officer, Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., City of Elmhurst, 209 N. York Street, Elmhurst, IL 60126, or call 630-530-8095 TDD, within a reasonable time before the meeting. Requests for a qualified interpreter require five (5) working days’ advance notice.
Eileen Franz, City Planner (Published in The Elmhurst Independent March 18, 2021) 392089
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING ZONING AND PLANNING COMMISSION/ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
CASE NUMBER 21 ZBA 03 Request for Variations
Notice is hereby given that the Elmhurst Zoning and Planning Commission/Zoning Board of Appeals will hold a public hearing on Wednesday, April 7, 2021 at 7:00 p.m., in the Elmhurst City Hall, 209 N. York Street, Elmhurst, Illinois. The purpose of this hearing is to consider a request by Sloan Property Management LLC for Variations from signage, fence and outdoor storage requirements at the property commonly known as 441 W. Lake Street for the purpose of adding signage, constructing an 8-foot solid fence in a front yard setback and allowing outdoor storage in all required setbacks.
Following is a legal description of the subject property:
LEGAL DESCRIPTION:
PARCEL 1: LOTS 25,26,27,28,29 & 30 IN MYER’S SUBDIVISION OF LOT 4 AND PART OF LOT 5 IN WEST LAKE FARMS, A SUBDIVISION OF PART OF SECTIONS 26 AND 35, TOWNSHIP 40 NORTH, RANGE 11 EAST OF THE THIRD PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN, ACCORDING TO THE PLAT OF SAID MYER’S SUBDIVISION RECORDED ON JULY 9, 1925 AS DOCUMENT 195879, EXCEPT THAT PART TAKEN BY EMINENT DOMAIN CASE 01ED00082, IN DUPAGE COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
PARCEL 2: LOT 13 IN MYER’S SUBDIVISION OF LOT 4 AND PART OF LOT 5 IN WEST LAKE FARMS, A SUBDIVISION OF PART OF SECTIONS 26 AND 35, TOWNSHIP 40 NORTH, RANGE 11 EAST OF THE THIRD PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN, ACCORDING TO THE PLAT OF SAID MYER’S SUBDIVISION RECORDED ON JULY 9, 1925, AS DOCUMENT 195879, IN DUPAGE COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
PARCEL 3: THAT PART OF VACATED HAWTHORNE AVENUE IN PART OF SECTION 35, TOWNSHIP 40 NORTH, RANGE 11 EAST OF THE THIRD PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN, AS VACATED BY ORDINANCE AND RECORDED MAY 14, 1997 AS DOCUMENT R97-068305, IN DUPAGE COUNTY, ILLINOIS, DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS: COMMENCING AT THE SOUTHWEST CORNER OF LOT 3 IN WEST LAKE FARMS, ACCORDING TO THE PLAT THEREOF RECORDED APRIL 8, 1922 AS DOCUMENT 155001; THENCE ON AN ASSUMED BEARING OF NORTH 66 DE-
GREES 14 MINUTES 28 SECONDS WEST ALONG THE SOUTHERLY LINE OF SAID VACATED HAWTHORNE AVENUE, A DISTANCE OF 18.23 FEET TO THE POINT OF BEGINNING; THENCE CONTINUING NORTH 66 DEGREES 14 MINUTES 28 SECONDS WEST ALONG SAID SOUTHERLY LINE OF VACATED HAWTHORNE AVENUE A DISTANCE OF 37.70 FEET TO THE SOUTHWEST CORNER OF VACATED HAWTHORNE AVENUE, BEING ALSO A POINT ON THE SOUTHEASTERLY LINE OF LOT 30 IN MYER’S SUBDIVISION, ACCORDING TO THE PLAT THEREOF RECORDED JULY 9, 1925 AS DOCUMENT 195879, BEING ALSO A POINT ON A 13.16 FOOT RADIUS CURVE, THE CENTER OF SAID CURVE BEARS NORTH 23 DEGREES 45 MINUTES 32 SECONDS EAST FROM SAID POINT; THENCE NORTHEASTERLY ALONG SAID CURVE, BEING ALSO A WESTERLY LINE OF VACATED HAWTHORNE AVENUE, BEING ALSO THE SOUTHEASTERLY LINE OF SAID LOT 30, RADIUS 13.16 FEET, CENTRAL ANGLE 113 DEGREES 18 MINUTES 04 SECONDS, 26.03 FEET; THENCE NORTH 00 DEGREES27 MINUTES 28 SECONDS EAST ALONG TANGENT, BEING ALSO A WESTERLY LINE OF SAID VACATED HAWTHORNE AVENUE, BEING ALSO THE EAST LINE OF LOT 30 AND THE EAST LINE OF LOT 13 IN SAID MYER’S SUBDIVISION, A DISTANCE OF 300.99 FEET; THENCE NORTHWESTERLY ALONG A TANGENTAL CURVE CONCAVE TO THE SOUTHWEST, BEING ALSO A WESTERLY LINE OF SAID VACATED HAWTHORNE AVENUE, BEING ALSO THE NORTHEASTERLY LINE OF SAID LOT 13, RADIUS 30.39 FEET, CENTRAL ANGLE 66 DEGREES 41 MINUTES 56 SECONDS, 35.38 FEET;
THENCE NORTH 66 DEGREES 14 MINUTES 28 SECONDS WEST ALONG TANGENT, BEING ALSO THE NORTHWESTERLY LINE OF SAID VACATED HAWTHORNE AVENUE, BEING ALSO THE NORTHERLY LINE OF SAID LOT 13, A DISTANCE OF 18.58 FEET TO THE NORTHWEST CORNER OF VACATED HAWTHORNE AVENUE; THENCE NORTH 89 DEGREES 05 MINUTES 44 SECONDS EAST ALONG THE NORTH LINE OF SAID VACATED HAWTHORNE AVENUE A DISTANCE OF 51.70 FEET TO A POINT 16.74 FEET NORMALLY DISTANT WEST OF THE EAST LINE OF VACATED HAWTHORNE AVENUE; THENCE SOUTH 00 DEGREES 27 MINUTES 28 SECONDS WEST ALONG A LINE 16.74 FEET NORMALLY DISTANT WEST AND PARALLEL WITH THE EAST LINE OF SAID VACATED HAWTHORNE AVENUE A DISTANCE OF 364.48 FEET TO THE POINT OF BEGINNING.
PARCEL 4: THAT PART OF MYER’S SUBDIVISION OF LOT 4 AND PART OF LOT 5 OF WEST LAKE FARMS, A SUBDIVISION OF PART OF SECTION 26 AND 35, TOWNSHIP 40 NORTH, RANGE 11 EAST OF THE THIRD PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN, ACCORDING TO THE PLAT THEREOF RECORDED JULY 9, 1925 AS DOCUMENT 195879, IN DUPAGE COUNTY, DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS: BEGINNING AT THE NORTHEAST CORNER OF LOT 24 IN SAID MYER’S SUBDIVISION; THENCE NORTH, ALONG THE EAST LINE OF SAID LOT 24 EXTENDED NORTH, TO THE CENTERLINE OF A 16.00 FOOT ALLEY; THENCE EAST, ALONG SAID CENTERLINE, TO THE EAST LINE OF LOT 14 EXTENDED SOUTH, IN SAID MYER’S SUBDIVISION, THENCE NORTH, ALONG SAID EAST LINE EX-
TENDED SOUTH, TO THE NORTH LINE OF SAID 16.00 FOOT ALLEY; THENCE EAST, ALONG SAID NORTH LINE, TO THE WEST LINE OF THE VACATED HAWTHORNE AVENUE RIGHT OF WAY; THENCE SOUTHERLY, ALONG SAID WEST LINE, TO THE SOUTH LINE OF SAID 16.00 FOOT ALLEY; THENCE WEST, ALONG SAID SOUTH LINE, TO THE POINT OF BEGINNING. COMMONLY KNOWN AS 441 LAKE STREET, ELMHURST, ILLINOIS. PINs: 03-35-103-018, 03-35-103-019, 0335-103-016
The common street address is 441 W. Lake Street, Elmhurst, IL. The subject property is located within the I1 Restricted Industrial. Due to Governor Pritzker’s Executive Order 2021-05, social distancing concerns, and recent changes to the Illinois Open Meetings Act, alternative public testimony options have been instituted. Information regarding these options can be obtained at Elmhurst.org/publichearing. If you have any questions please contact City Planner Eileen Franz at 630-530-3121. If you have any questions regarding this case, please contact the Community Development Department at 630-530-3121.
NOTE: Any person who has a disability requiring a reasonable accommodation to participate in this meeting, should contact Emily Wagner, ADA Compliance Officer, Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., City of Elmhurst, 209 N. York Street, Elmhurst, IL 60126, or call 630-530-8095 TDD, within a reasonable time before the meeting. Requests for a qualified interpreter require five (5) working days’ advance notice.
Eileen Franz, City Planner (Published in The Elmhurst Independent March 18, 2021) 392090
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oftheCafeteriainsidetheFrickCenter nualElmhurstCollegeforthe18thanPresident’sCommunityBreakfast,deliveredbyDr.TroyVanAken.
HousedentLeeA.Daniels,formerIllinois
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lege,MBAprogramhereatElmhurstCol-
wasaboutDr.VanAken’ssonTrey,who
VanAkenpaintsglowingpictureofCollegeatannualaddress
ableyourapplicationprocess,Imightbe toputinagoodwordforyouwiththeCollegepresident!” prideMayorMorley,VanAkenshow inpartnership DanielsBeforeVanAkentookthepodium, introducedElmhurstMayor thatSteveMorley,whosharedgoodnews the City was
espeinciallyduetothemillionsofdollars place.newdevelopmentcurrentlytaking Heexpressedhowhappyhe was
relationship
theCollegeandtheCity, sentiment ownthatVanAkenquicklyechoedinhis “Elmhurstaddress.College plays a criti-said.calroleinthecommunity,”Morley “We are proud of the creative thinkingthatcomesoutof liberal artscollege.” its“Thecollegecontinuestobuildon community partnerships that wearesoproudof,”VanAkensaid.“For
President’sBreakfastdrawsbusiness,communityleaders zaexample,ourRecyclingExtravaganthat we host together is coming soon. lationships“WeenjoyfriendlycooperativerewiththeCitypoliceand fire departments. That goes a longwaywhenwehaveissuesthatdevel- ophereattheCollege. “Andwecouldn’tbemorehappy to be part of the Elmhurst Cycling Classic, which takes place rightsoherearoundthecampusandweare event.”proudtobeapartofsuchalarge ElmhurstLaterinthedayonSaturday,the St. Patrick’s Day Paradebetookplace.VanAkensaidhewould busyinaBoardmeetingrightafoneterthebreakfast,butheurgedeverytoturnoutfortheparade,oneoftheCity’slargestevents. “The“Ourteamswillbethere,”hesaid. trolleywillbebringingourstudentsthere,soifyouseeanyonein Bluejays gear, be sure to say hello, becausethey’llbethere.”SeeVANAKEN,Page8





__ Yes, keep it coming, I would like to receive delivery of The Elmhurst Independent by mail at no charge.

Sport S
York girls bowling team repeats as conference champions
Dukes JV extends unbeaten string to five years; York rewrites
WSC record book
By Mike Miazga CORRESPONDENTThe broken record that is the York girls bowling team continues to blast the same fantastic tune.
The Dukes finished the abbreviated 2021 season with an 8-0 record at both the varsity and junior-varsity levels. York’s varsity won the West Suburban Conference title in backto-back seasons for the first time in school history.
York’s JV team has not lost a match in five seasons, going 39-0 during that timeframe.
York also placed its entire starting lineup on the all-WSC team — another first in school history. All-conference is given to the top 18 bowlers in the conference.
York captains Holly Santucci and Abbie Romanowski, in addition to earning all-WSC honors, also were named all-academic in the West Suburban Conference.
York finished the season with a 3,509-3,308 WSC win against Downers Grove South. The 3,509 is the third-highest score in the history of the WSC, while York’s thirdgame 1,254 is the third-highest in conference history. York rolled a 3,528 earlier in the year, which ranks second al-time, and a 3,503, which is fourth-best in conference history. In addition to the 1,254 game, the Dukes earlier in the season rolled a 1,248 (fourth all-time) and a 1,227 (seventh all-time). Only once in the history of the conference has a team topped 3,600 for three games (Leyden).
York had games of 1,182, 1,073 and 1,254. In that 1,254 game, York had four of its six bowlers roll scores of better than a 200.
Santucci led the way with a 717, which included games of 278 and 247. Kara Jensen had a 601 with high games of 219 and 202. JJ Bolden had a 589 with high games of 214 and 192. Romanowski had a 588 with high games of 232 and 202, while Katharine Svehla had a 532 with a 201 high game.
York won the battle of unbeatens and survived Downers Grove South turning in individual scores of 682 and 636. Downers finished 7-1 on the season.
Santucci finished the season as the WSC individual champion, doing so for the second season in a row. She is headed to Viterbo University in Wis-

The York girls bowling team won the West Suburban Conference title for a second year in a row, while the Dukes’ JV team extended its unbeaten streak to five seasons (39-0). York senior Holly Santucci won the individual WSC title for a second year in a row, after averaging 213.3 per game. York’s varsity and JV each went 8-0.
consin to bowl.
York wrapped up last week with a pair of virtual events, bowling in a virtual conference tournament and a virtual quasi-state meet this past weekend that included more than 80 schools around the state.
“This is the best team York has had, so it is definitely disappointing that we couldn’t have a state tournament this year because it could have been our best finish yet,” York coach Katie Turnbull said. “I am grateful New Trier decided to create a virtual invite to allow the bowling programs throughout the state to wrap up the end of their season with a state-minded contest.”
York averaged 1,141 pins per game in its eight conference battles. Downers South averaged 1,048, nearly 100 pins less.
Santucci won the individual con-
ference title at 213.25 for the season, the second-highest average in WSC single-season history (WSC records date back to 1973). Bolden was third in the conference at 199.46, while Jensen was sixth at 189.96.
Madeline Mountcastle was seventh at 186.71, while Svehla was 10th at 180.79 and Romanowski was 17th at 175.42.
Santucci’s 278 high game is the ninth-highest single-game total in conference history, while her 731 three-game series ranks sixth-best all-time, and a 717 she rolled earlier in the season is ninth all-time.
York’s JV averaged 849 a game and occupied the fourth through 10th individual spots in the conference standings. Gabby Constabile led the Dukes with a 156.83 average. Maya Valdez was at 151.18, while Emily Carrasco was at 148.79. Val-
“ This is the best team York has had, so it is definitely disappointing that we couldn’t have a state tournament this year because it could have been our best finish yet. I am grateful New Trier decided to create a virtual invite to allow the bowling programs throughout the state to wrap up the end of their season with a stateminded contest.”
erie Weinshenker averaged 147.56, while Abby Nacyk averaged 142.41 and Victoria Biery was at 141.29 and
Timothy Christian boys basketball team takes conference title
IC Catholic Prep graduate
York girls basketball team wins three recent games
By Mike MiazgaCORRESPONDENT
Will play volleyball for Division II school
Leslie headed to Le Moyne
The Timothy Christian boys basketball team downed Riverside-Brookfield 62-56 in overtime to win the Metro Suburban Conference Blue Division title.
points, while Ben VanderWal had 18 points and Ben Jones finished with nine points. Jones and VanderWal each hit two 3-pointers. Timothy shot only 59 percent from the foul line (17-for-29) in the game. VanderWal had 14 rebounds, while Harris added 12. Jones had four assists and Harris had three steals.
I feel like I would be so bored without it because it has been such a big part of my life.”
By Mike Miazga CORRESPONDENTRecent IC Catholic Prep gradu -
Leslie said she has plenty of memories from IC Catholic Prep’s coach Nancy Kerrigan’s program.
Timothy’s only MSC loss of the season came in a 58-56 decision to Wheaton St. Francis. Harris had 18 points, while VanderWal added 16 points. VanderWal shot 6 of 7 from the free-throw line and grabbed eight rebounds. Harris had six assists and Matija Marinkovich had three steals. Stephen Kwasigroch and Jones each sank two 3-pointers.
points on 13 of 18 shooting. Sureya Alex had 13 points, while Sarah Carstensen and Greta Hoogstra each had nine points. Grace Roland, a sophomore, had eight points. Hoogstra pulled in 17 rebounds, while Schuringa had 11. Alex had seven assists.
43 win over Addison Trail. Blass added eight points, including two 3s.
York boys basketball
The Trojans finished the season 14-2 overall and 11-1 in conference play.
ate Bella Leslie wanted to head east for college.
In the win against R-B, Timothy led 20-12 after the first quarter and 32-27 at halftime. The Trojans took a 45-39 lead into the fourth quarter, but R-B outscored them 15-9 in the fourth to force the extra session.
Josh Harris led the Trojans with 25
Her landing spot ended up being at NCAA Division II Le Moyne College where the former Knights volleyball and soccer standout will continue her volleyball career at the Syracuse, New York school as a libero.
Earlier, the Trojans were 38-33 non-conference winners against Benet Academy. Benet led 8-5 after the first quarter and the teams were tied 18-18 at halftime. Benet held a two-point lead going into the fourth before Timothy outscored Benet 11-4 in the fourth.
Timothy Christian girls basketball
VanderWal had half his team’s points with 19. Jones added eight. VanderWal hit four 3-pointers and grabbed seven rebounds. Harris had five assists.
“I loved playing there,” she said. “I probably enjoyed school volleyball more than club because I love my team and the coaching staff was very supportive on and off the court. It made it a really good environment to be in. Coach (Kerrigan) was great. I have known her for a while. When I was little, I did all the little kids camps, and her daughter was in my brother’s grade at IC.”
The Timothy Christian girls basketball team finished the season 14-2 overall and 11-1 in Metro Suburban Conference Red Division action.
To cap off the year, the Trojans downed Fenton 74-30 in a non-conference game. Timothy led 21-7 after the first quarter and 44-9 at halftime. Hannah Schuringa finished with 2
Timothy also was a 51-14 winner over Wheaton Academy. Schuringa led the way with 17 points, while Maddie Drye had 10 points and Roland had eight points. Timothy shot 61 percent from the field. Drye and Alex each sank three 3-point baskets, and the Trojans drilled 10 of 11 foul shots. Carstensen had five rebounds, while Schuringa had four steals and Drye had three steals.
York opened last week with a 5837 loss to Glenbard West in West Suburban Conference Silver Division action. Drew Kircher led the Dukes with 16 points. Jeff Grace added seven points. York then downed Addison Trail 56-21, before closing out the season with a 55-36 loss to Glenbard West and a 56-48 setback to Downers Grove North as part of the WSC Invitational event.
IC Catholic Prep boys basketball
York JV hockey team wins league title
Krause’s two goals help Dukes defeat Glenbrook South for tournament championship
By Mike MiazgaCORRESPONDENT
“All of the schools I was looking at were on the East Coast,” Leslie told the Independent last week. “I visited Le Moyne and really liked it. It reminded me of high school because it was a small school, and in a smaller school you will know a lot more faces than if I would have gone to a bigger school. The campus there is really pretty. It sits on a big hill and the scenery around it is great. Everything is pretty close together. They have very nice facilities. The volleyball program has good workout facilities and a nice locker room. I liked how modern it was.”
The York junior-varsity hockey team extended its streak of excellence by winning the Scholastic League crown for the third year in
Leslie plans on studying nursing at Le Moyne. “They have a good nursing program,” she said. “As far as what kind of a nurse I want to be, I’m not quite sure yet.”
York 2021 Spring Football Schedule
Leslie played volleyball and girls soccer at IC Catholic Prep all four years. She was a center-midfielder on the Knights soccer team.
Friday, March 19 at Lyons Township, 7 p.m. (South campus)
Friday, March 26
Glenbard West, 7 p.m. (Home)
Leslie’s volleyball journey started in the fifth grade, the first year she could play the sport at IC Grade School. She’s been playing club volleyball since seventh grade, most recently with the Chicago Elite group that practices out of Scores in Willow Springs and Montini High School in Lombard.
Saturday, April 3
at Hinsdale Central, 12:30 p.m.
Friday, April 9
Willowbrook, 7 p.m. (Home)
Friday, April 16
at Oak Park-River Forest, 7 p.m.
“I’m really excited to be able to play volleyball in college,” she said. “It gives me something to do.
Friday, April 23
Proviso West, 7 p.m. (Home)
a row.
Leslie said she will miss plenty about IC Catholic Prep. “I will miss how close knit of a community it was,” she said. “I knew everybody at the school. It will be weird going on campus and not knowing all the faces. I’ll miss those close connections with the coaches and teachers. It will be weird for the first year or so.”
“ I’m really excited to be able to play volleyball in college. It gives me something to do. I feel like I would be so bored without it because it has been such a big part of my life.”
– Bella Leslie
The Dukes opened the Scholastic tournament with a 2-1 win over New Trier, thanks to a pair of goals from defenseman Joey Clemente.
York knocked out Barrington 6-0 in the second round thanks to a strong team effort, which set up a third-round contest against St. Viator. The Dukes found itself down 2-0 against the Lions before responding with five unanswered goals to win 5-2.
all-conference and all-academic awards. Senior goalie Thomas Wesolowski was named to the all-SHL first team, while senior forward James Millins was named to the second team.
Timothy also defeated crosstown neighbor IC Catholic Prep 53-43. Timothy led 14-13 after the first quarter and trailed 23-18 at halftime. The Trojans outscored ICCP 35-19 in the second half.
Schuringa had 20 points, while Alex had 12 points. Roland added 10 points and Drye had nine to round out a balanced scoring attack. Alex made four 3-pointers, while Drye had two. Schuringa and Roland each had 10 rebounds, while Drye had three steals.
The IC Catholic Prep boys basketball team downed Elgin Harvest Christian Academy by a 60-50 count in non-conference play. The Knights led 23-20 at halftime and used a 20-11 fourth-quarter run to pull away. Johnny Falduto led the Knights with 13 points John Hilgart had 10 points.
IC Catholic Prep
They lost to West Chicago on think an own goal in the last five minutes. That was against the state champs in the sectional finals. That’s a hell of a season if you ask me.”
2021 Spring Football Schedule
Friday, March 19
St. Francis, 7:15 p.m. (Home)
Friday, March 26
Stopka will teach Spanish at York. He taught Spanish and one math class at St. Pat’s. “My philosophy is I am more of a players’ coach,” he said. “I have been a big Liverpool soccer supporter ever since 2015 when Jurgen Klopp came over and he’s known as a players’ coach. He’s kind of my coaching idol. I want to related to the players and form bonds with them. am more light-hearted and smiling. I like to have fun and joke with the kids. The goal is understanding where each player can be successful and the provide the best way possible to convey the knowledge they need at the position they play. I am not big
Elmwood Park, 7:15 p.m. (Home)
Saturday, April 3
at Elgin St. Edward, 1 p.m.
Friday, April 9
at Wheaton Academy, 7:15 p.m.
Friday, April 16
Bishop McNamara, 7:15 p.m. (Home)
Friday, April 23
at Riverside-Brookfield, 7:15 p.m.
Nick Soehn and brother, Matthew Soehn, each had a pair of goals in the come-from-behind win.
That set up a York-Glenbarook South matchup in the championship game. York won the title with a 3-2 victory. Hayden Krause had two goals, while penalty killer Charlie Nahaumyk had a shorthanded goal.
York coaches Matt Boeing and Nick Albergo are preparing their team for the upcoming Illinois state hockey tournament.
The SHL also announced its
Leslie said pandemic life hasn’t been overly exciting, though her club volleyball team has started practicing again. “We have been practicing two or three times a week,” she said. “We are going to be starting tournaments again. Before that I haven’t been doing anything because senior soccer season and the club volleyball season were cancelled. We were supposed to go to a few club volleyball qualifiers in Grand Rapids and Louisville. This summer, we have some tournaments planned over the next few weekends. They are little tournaments with all of the local clubs. Nothing large and really local. Other than that, I have been trying to work out a lot and stay in shape. I’ve been running a lot, so I got into that. I try and run every day.”
been cancelled due to the pandemic. “I will probably leave Aug. 10-11 because it’s a far drive,” she said. “We had Zoom call with the team recently and they said they should have an answer about our season in the next 7-10 days. They talked about three scenarios and what could happen like if we start the season and someone gets sick and we have to stop and go. That’s one of the reasons why they are looking at moving the season to the spring. Right now the plan is to have a season, but we won’t know until the next 7-10 days.”
All-SHL academic honorees at the varsity level include Jake Angelucci, Chuck Colantonio, Ben Foley, Shane Gorski, Mike Iorii, Eli Maurer, Tighe McCarthy, Millins, Frank Nicosia, Brendan Quinn, Troy Walker, Wesolowski and Jonathan Wood. Nicky Clemente, Mikey Kamienski and Gregory Lee were named to the league honor roll.
JV all-SHL academic includes Mikey Anderson, Clemente, Costabile, Aaron Curry, Noah Hughes, Jack Maier, Matt Moore, John SanFilippo, Nicky SanFilippo, Luke Shorter, Nicholas Soehn and Kieron Wise.
York girls basketball
The York girls basketball team recorded three recent wins against Downes Grove North, Glenbard West and Addison Trail.
In a 44-24 win over Downers Grove North, Mariann Blass had 17 points, including five 3-pointers made. Amaya Rufus finished with six points. York made seven 3s in the game.
In a 53-41 win over St. Joe’s out of Westchester, the Knights led 17-6 after the first quarter and 26-19 at halftime. Danny Roberto led the Knights with 16 points, while Hilgart had 14 points and 10 rebounds. IC Catholic Prep shot 11 of 17 from 2-point range, 7 of 15 from 3-point range and canned 10 of 13 free throws in the non-conference game.
IC Catholic Prep then downed Chicago Christian 54-52 when Falduto hit the game-winning layup.
League honor roll recipients include Ryan Booth, Zach Despinich, Luke Dizillo, Krause, Nahumyk, Tyler Peiffle, Ryan Skotty and Soehn.
Elmhurst Public Library programs coming March 19-26
Saturday, March 20 from 11:15 –11:35 a.m. - Songs and Stories
Leslie said she is scheduled to report to Le Moyne in the Aug. 1215 timeframe, but noted preseason volleyball activities already have
(Continued from page 18)
Zoom in for music, movement, songs, and stories just right for little ones. See friends and sing and clap along. Live on Zoom. Register at elmlib.org/athome.
Monday, March 22 from 10-11 a.m. - Building a Resume
huge rah-rah person. I’m a little bit more of an individual players’ coach. I will pull kids to the side at practice and games and teach them.”
Learn formatting and other techniques using Microsoft Word to create a sleek and attractive resume.
Live on Zoom. Register at elmlib. org/athome.
Monday, March 22
from 7-8 p.m. - Life Goals Audit
Learn how to better align your goals with your values to bring you closer to what makes you happy.
Learn more about the psychology and productivity behind values-based living and goal creation. Rachel Reinwald of Progress Organizing helps you evaluate your goals and plan for them more realistically to help you check more items off your list.
Live on Zoom. Register at elmlib. org/athome.
Stopka noted York has been doing conditioning drills and said the plan as of earlier last week was to start summer camp pending District 205 approval. “I have probably been able to meet 60 to 70 percent of the players so far,” he said. “If it does get approved that would be the start of our contact days with four days a week for three weeks straight. And even though the IHSA waived the blackout dates before the school year, we won’t take advantage of that. I’m pretty sure families have plans to do things before school starts. I’m the new guy and I’m not going to say you can’t go with your family. Go do it and enjoy it. This is a crazy and
But if all systems are a go, Leslie can’t wait to take her skills as a libero to the next level with the Dolphins. “I feel like being a libero you have to be really quick and that is typically what I am good at. I have really good reaction time,” she said. “I like diving on the floor and saving balls. It’s a really good feeling when you make a save. The position fits my personality, too. You have to be the loudest one on the court. I have a loud personality. You have to be pretty loud if you want to be a libero. I think I match that description.”
In a 45-35 win over Glenbard West, Blass had 13 points and hit three 3-pointers. Sydney Molis had 12 points, including eight in the fourth quarter. Emma Kluth finished with seven points, including a 4-for4 effort at the free-throw line.
Molis had 18 points in York’s 62-
The Knights trailed 19-13 after the first quarter and 30-24 at halftime. IC Catholic Prep used a 17-7 run in the third quarter to gain momentum into an evenly played fourth quarter.
John Hilgart had 20 points and 10 rebounds, while Roberto had 12 points, as did Michael Hilgart. It was John Hilgart’s second double-double in a row.
The win moved the Knights to 9-7 overall.
Tuesday, March 23 from 1:30-2:30 p.m. - Great Decisions
Learn about critical issues facing America with professor Gary Midkiff.
March: Chapter 2: Persian Gulf Security Issues
ble and transparent and communicate with everybody.”
Live on Zoom: Register at elmlib. org/athome. Wednesday, March 24 from 6:30-8 p.m.
Cricut Design Space


Cricut Design Space is the place to design and create projects for the Cricut cutting machine. Design custom t-shirts, paper crafts, mugs, and more.
Live on Zoom: Register at elmlib. org/athome.
Friday, March 26 from 2-3 p.m.
Create a Budget with Excel Learn to use Excel formulas and functions to create a budget that works for you.
Live on Zoom: Register at elmlib. org/athome.
As far as the future, Stopka wants York competing at a high level on a consistent basis. “The short-term goal is to restock and build up the team,” he said. “A large portion of last year’s team was seniors, especially the starting 11. We have to make sure the now juniors are up to the speed of the varsity level and are ready to contribute. We want to keep that pipeline going with the younger groups of players. We want to make sure we are not only competitive, but that we are competing for regionals, sectionals and supersectionals. It starts for me with this junior class that is coming in. We want them ready to go and setting the standard for these other classes that come in so they can also contribute right off
Info: (630) 279-8696 or elmlib.org/athome
proudly presents
YORK HIGH SCHOOL PLAYER OF THE WEEK YORK GIRLS BOWLING TEAM
The York girls bowling team won the West Suburban Conference title at the varsity and JV levels with recent wins against Downers Grove South. Both teams finished the year 8-0. It was the varsity’s second conference title in a row and marked the fifth year in a row the JV team went undefeated. The JV’s unbeaten streak now stands at 39 matches in a row.
Another ‘First Lady of Elmhurst’
Naneth Rowena (Stott) Tilly was first-ever Alderwoman

Pictured here is the Elmhurst City Council in 1960, which included Naneth Tilly (front row, 4th from left). In 1959 Tilly became the first woman ever to hold a seat on the Elmhurst City Council. She was elected Alderwoman of the Fifth Ward defeating Stanley M. Conner by 140 votes, the largest margin of the election. It was also the first time a wife of a former alderman was elected, as Naneth’s husband Otto had served from 1951-55.
Smart Mama$Savings




Up until Tuesday, April 21, 1959, only men had served as Elmhurst City Council members. But a woman by the name of Naneth Tilly had made up her mind that she, too, would like to be a member. Based on one determined woman’s decision, the complexion of the City Council changed forever in an off year election.

Long before the catastrophic city flood of 1987, Nan already was concerned about adequate drainage of surface water and sewage problems. It became her main campaign issue.
Naneth Tilly was born on Sept. 24, 1909 in the Village of Pontycymmer, South Wales, Great Britain. She was the youngest of three daughters born to Hugh Elias Stott, an engineer, and Anne Elizabeth (Thomas) a dressmaker/ milliner. Anne named Naneth by combining her own two names. Sadly, when Naneth was only four years old, her mother died. Grandmother Stott cared for the three children. Within a few months her father went away to serve as an engineer in the British Merchant Marines. Tragically, Grandmother Stott herself was killed within the year in a railroad accident but her son, Naneth’s father, did not receive the news for many months.
“In the meantime, my Aunt Gwennie, a Baptist minister’s wife, brought her two children Sadie and Eitel, then about 14 and 16, and stayed to keep our household going,” she said. “Aunt Gwennie was a very dynamic person, full of energy, fun and new ideas. And I believe she has had a lot of influence on me with her philosophy of ‘It’s better to wear out than rust out.’”
Once Naneth’s father returned, he hired a series of housekeepers to look after his family. Naneth and her sisters Gwen and Margie attended local village schools. Three years later their father married one of the teachers. Mr. Stott was employed as a part-time engineer for a local coal mine. He also gave violin lessons (he had his certificate from the London College of Music) to help support his family.
But in 1920, the coal industry fell into a slump. Seeking to better his position, Stott accepted a job with a British gold mine in South Africa.
“We were all set to go, visas and passage set, when my Aunt May, my mother’s sister (who was married to my father’s brother, Chris) who lived in Elmhurst wrote a letter very plainly stating her dismay at learning our news and offering an alternate plan for us to come to the United States, which we, some months later, did,” Naneth said. The Stotts come to Elmhurst Naneth, her father and two

Pictured here in a pretty concert dress is Naneth Tilly, one of the Mothersingers, who performed a concert at Lincoln School, circa 1949. From a musical family, her father Hugh Elias Stott held a certificate from the London College of Music and gave violin lessons to help support his family during the Great Depression.
sisters were the first to immigrate in 1925 and lived with their aunt and uncle in Elmhurst. Her father was employed as an engineer at the Ovaltine Factory in Villa Park (he also directed the Ovaltine Orchestra). About a year later, Stott bought a house at 422 Fairview in Elmhurst and sent for Naneth’s stepmother and two half-sisters. Nan studied civics at York Community High School and graduated with the York Class of 1926. She also attended Metropolitan Business College in Chicago. For a while she worked as a bookkeeper for the Elmhurst Country Club.
Nan met Otto Charles Tilly at the Community Church at Eggelston & Berkley Avenue in Elmhurst. Six months after meeting they were married in 1927 and went on to have four sons and one daughter: Charles (b.1929), Laurence (b.1930 d.1995), Richard (b.1933), Carolyn (b.1935) and Stephen (b.1944).
Most important to Nan and her husband during the 1930s and 1940s were their children.
“Nan Tilly faced the Depression in a bold and resourceful way: with four kids, little cash income of her own, and an intermittently employed husband, she sewed, patched, gardened, canned, baked, bargained, and found paid work for her older children,” oldest son Charles Tilly recalled. “We kids collected dandelions for salad and pitted tons of cherries. For my part, I envied richer kids and felt embarrassed by my hand-me-downs…but later
Elmhurst residents send Christmas to Haiti
Children school and orphanage receive gifts, thanks to local residents
By Julia Locanto FOR THE ELMHURST INDEPENDENTIn Cap Haitien, Haiti, hundreds of children received Christmas presents in December. Santa rode in on a donkey and delivered gifts and school supplies. This was all thanks to two York High School students, Emerson Dondlinger and Avery Stanley.
The Institut Notre Dame de la Médaille Miraculeuse in Cap Haitien, Haiti, is a school and center for orphans or children in poor living conditions. In December, along with the help of the Elmhurst community, Emerson and Avery were able to collect enough supplies and presents for all the children at the school.
Without these donations, the children would not have received presents last year.
“It made me feel really fortunate that I’m able to celebrate Christmas every year,” Emerson said. “By donating, it makes me feel even better to be able to put a smile on those kids faces, too.”
A 7’ X 4’ X 4’ crate filled with goodies was shipped to Haiti about three weeks before Christmas. Due to delays, the box arrived the first week in January. But the children didn’t care. They celebrated Christmas a week late and were overjoyed by what they received, according to Elmhurst resident Jim Dondlinger, Emerson’s grandfather.
“Bringing something full circle like this and being able to see it come to fruition, it’s great,” he said.
Connection made through Elmhurst Farmers Market
Dondlinger is an involved philanthropist, and got his granddaughters, Emerson and Avery, connected with the organization in Haiti. He initially met Sister Marie Gospel in Haiti several years ago. She connected him

You can see in the eyes of these Haitian orphans how delighted they are to receive Christmas gifts this past December. None of it would have been possible without the efforts of two York High School students Emerson Dondlinger and Avery Stanley, who have now organized two collections for the depressed region. Another drive is planned for next year.
to a group of nuns at the Elmhurst Farmers Market, where the Fraternité Notre Dame nuns sell baked goods.
His connection to the group allowed him to help out students in Haiti over the years. When Sister Marie asked for school supplies, Dondlinger decided to involve his granddaughters in the project. The girls were excited to help.
“I feel that as a kid, getting gifts on Christmas is one of the most exciting things and something everyone looks forward to,” Stanley said.
Through a donation website, the two collected school supplies, games, sports equipment and toys for

Santa arrives on a donkey for the children at the Institut Notre Dame de la Médaille Miraculeuse in Cap Haitien, Haiti, who received donated Christmas presents in December, thanks to two York High School students Emerson Dondlinger and Avery Stanley. Without these donations, the children would not have received presents last year.
different age groups.
The students at the orphanage are living below poverty, Dondlinger said. They also lost a lot after Tropical Storm Laura and throughout COVID-19.
After receiving the box of donations, the nuns divided up the presents for each age group of children. Some of the supplies went to the school.
“Sister Marie said everybody was thrilled,” he said. “They wouldn’t have had Christmas joy without this.”
When Dondlinger and his granddaughters heard how overjoyed the kids were and saw photos, they were moved.
“It was really a success,” Dondlinger said. “When you realize who you’re touching and see their faces,
it’s great.”
Word of the donation website spread throughout the Elmhurst community, and Dondlinger said more people wished they could have donated. The girls hope to continue helping the orphanage with the help of Elmhurst residents. They are planning on collecting more school supplies over the summer and want to send another box next Christmas.




Come visit the Wine Capital of Kentucky
Just 20 minutes south of downtown Louisville, join us for the unique experience our Bullitt County Wine and Whiskey Trail offers. With four wineries boasting more than 1,000 national and international awards, it’s no wonder Bullitt County is known as the Wine Capital of Kentucky.
You can truly taste the dedication and passion of our local wine makers – Brooks Hill, Wight Meyer, MillaNova and Forest Edge wineries.
Bullitt County is also home to the Jim Beam American Outpost and the Four Roses Bourbon Experience.
PERCY BONEFISH



Come see how corn, rye and barley, combined with our area’s natural limestone-filtered water, come together to create some of the best bourbon in the world.
To start your spirit-rich journey, simply pick up a copy of our Wine & Whiskey Trail Brochure at any of
the six trail locations, and when all of your visits have been validated, redeem the completed brochure for a free souvenir glass at the new Bullitt County Visitor Center in Shepherdsville.
The Shepherdsville/Bullitt County
Tourist Commission is located at 2040 Clermont Road
Shepherdsville, KY.
For further information, call 502543-8656 or visit www.travelbullitt. org | info@travelbullitt.org
The Bullitt County Visitor Center is open Mon. – Fri. 9 a.m. To 4:30 p.m.


PIXABY PHOTO Elmhurst Independent
With four wineries boasting more than 1,000 national and international awards, it’s no wonder Bullitt County is known as the Wine Capital of Kentucky.
realized how heroically Mom and Dad had coped.”
Nan belonged to the Lincoln School PTA and Mothers Club. She also enjoyed being a Girl Scout leader.
“I would like to set down some reasons why Nan was able to raise five children successfully,” her husband remarked. “First, we never favored one child over the others. We gave our love and affection to all on an equal basis…she encouraged them to select a goal in life… do well in school. Sunday School attendance was required, but we went with them too. We always took an active interest in our children’s activities.” Nan also found time to serve as President of the Women’s Society of both the Elmhurst Methodist and Christ United Methodist Churches. She always sang in the church choirs. She was Regent of the Albion Chapter of the Daughters of the British Empire, and Board Secretary of the British Old Peoples Home in Brookfield. When the children were grown, Nan returned to night school, attending the Art Institute of Chicago and the Ray Vogue School of Fine Arts & Interior Design (1956-59). During the day she worked as an Interior Designer/Consultant for John M. Smyth & Company in Oak Brook.
“
I would like to set down some reasons why Nan was able to raise five children successfully. First, we never favored one child over the other. We gave our love and affection to all on an equal basis... she encouraged them to select a goal in life...do well in school.”
– Otto Charles Tilly Nan’s husband
Elmhurst’s first-ever alderwoman
But it is for her election as the first Elmhurst alderwoman that Naneth will be remembered. Her husband, Otto Charles Tilly, served first as an alderman for four years (1951-55). He was one of the founders of the Citizens Party. Until 1957 the major Elmhurst political party was the People’s Party. But a rift among its members caused the formation of the United Party. It subsequently combined ranks with the Citizens Party to become the Citizens-United Party. For
years Otto engaged his wife in routine political work. Nan became the Citizens-United Campaign Chairman for one election which was quite successful. “They asked me to run as alderman, for a four year term, which I did reluctantly at first, but soon was in the swim as my battling Welsh blood took over (shades of Aunty Gwennie).”
In 1959 Naneth Tilly was the first woman ever to hold a seat on the Elmhurst City Council. It also was the first time a wife of a former alderman was elected. She was elected Alderwoman of the Fifth Ward defeating Stanley M. Conner by 140 votes, the largest margin of the election. The front page of the Elmhurst Press ran a photo of Nan with her husband and son Stephen (and puppy Hopper) holding a large placard stating ‘VOTE TODAY FOR NAN TILLY.” Next to the picture a headline read, Woman Alderman Elected for First Time in Elmhurst. The election made history for another important reason. It was the first time two aldermen were elected from each of the newly created sixth and seventh wards. Due to this redistricting, the City Council now was enlarged from ten to fourteen aldermen.
Nan served on the Elmhurst City Council until 1963. Daughter Carolyn (Tilly) Williams recalls, “Mom was especially concerned about zoning, particularly the encroachment of housing onto the flood plain -the willingness of City, Township and County officials to rezone flood plain areas for building was very disturbing to her.”
Naneth’s tenure as a council member was challenging for her and exciting years of expansion for the City. During her term of service, Elmhurst annexed the new Industrial Park at the north end of town, and the Sewage Treatment Plant was enlarged at the south end of town. Nan was also a member of the Human Relations Council, the Elmhurst Safety Council, and the Elmhurst Recreation Council. In addition, she served on the City Plan Commission from 1959-1967. In 1970 Nan and her husband moved to Florida. There she worked as an interior designer/consultant.
Naneth Tilly died of heart failure in 1974. Otto Charles Tilly died in 1983. Nan’s only daughter Carolyn relates this about her mother: “Mom was industrious, resourceful, warm, even-tempered, fair, logical, strict, and had a good sense of humor. She enjoyed a good joke, such as when she baked us a cherry pie - with the pits in - to underscore our failure to complete the assigned cherry-pitting chore.”
Nan once wrote this about herself, “I am very proud of my British heritage, particularly the Welsh part. The Welsh are sensitive, musical, poetic, aggressive and tough. If I am anything worthwhile it is probably because of my Welsh background. I have spent many hours writing poetry and enjoy good poetry and music.”
Youngest son Stephen Tilly found this poem written by his mother in a bundle of papers in his attic and sent it to me, saying, “The following is a
poem remembering the compelling natural aspects of springtime in Wales, where Mom grew up.”
The Chorus
The hills of Wales are gay with golden gorse
That sing their joyous music to the sky.
The air is vibrant with the gathering force
Of spring as all the neighbouring hills reply.
Shy purple heather with a soft refrain
Blends sweetly with the crocus’s new tune
And pale green fern fronds damp with recent rain
Join in the harmony and very soon
The fields and trees the melody repeat
And from a pool that many wild friends share
A small frog’s croaks accentuate the beat
‘Til soon the throbbing rhythm fills the air
A thousand throats the thrilling chorus swell
As every living creature feels the spell.
(Reprinted from The First Ladies of Elmhurst: Prominent Women of the Twentieth Century, the Independent has obtained permission from the Elmhurst History Museum to print stories from the book, published in 2001, recalling the outstanding women who have helped form our community.)

of life
When someone you love dearly dies here on earth, they are gone. But they are not gone. They are here. They are everywhere. And if you perceive very carefully, if you truly pay attention, they are right beside you, every step of the way.
You will feel it. You will hear it. You will sense it. You will know it to be true. If only you allow yourself to feel and know.
His presence is a gift to be treasured
I feel you when I am falling asleep at night. When the cool pillow lies beneath my head and you hold my hand or gently kiss me the way only angels can do.
I know you are with me when sleep feels impossible and the night seems scary. I know you sit at my bedside, watching and loving me, when I finally do fall asleep.
I sense you when I am alone in
a room and a cool breeze blows across my lips or my cheeks and I understand to the core of my being that you are with me and want me to know your presence.
I perceive you when I am in the company of others, but may feel alone because even when friends are present I still miss you and I hear you telling me that it is OK and I should join in and smile and laugh
EMILY BASTEDO RECEIVES MAJOR ENDORSEMENT FROM ELMHURST’S 6TH WARD
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
After serving as your alderman for 12 years, Jim Kennedy has chosen not to run in the April 6th election. We are writing to you today because we care deeply about you, our Ward, and our City. Like you, we want to see a strong, honest, hardworking leader representing our Ward along with current 6th Ward Alderman Mike Honquest. It is more important than ever to have experienced leadership and someone who knows our City as we work together to recover from the effects of the pandemic.
Emily Bastedo is running to fill the seat and we fully support her as the next 6th Ward Alderman
We have all worked directly with Emily for 8+ years and witnessed firsthand her commitment to making Elmhurst a better town by working collaboratively to get things done. Emily has extensive experience in local matters and she will hit the ground running as your alderman.
Emily is a dedicated volunteer in our community – the type of leader who rolls up her sleeves and puts her words into action. One example of her commitment to our town was the way she jumped in to support local businesses impacted by the effects of COVID. Last year Emily used funds donated to the Elmhurst Community Relief Fund to help our local businesses. She directed $10,000 to Riley’s, HB Jones, and other local restaurants when they were facing unprecedented challenges.
As a former D205 School Board member, Emily knows how important our intragovernmental relationships are. She represented the school district on one of the City’s critical stormwater projects and we worked with her to create an agreement that her fellow board members supported. Emily’s dedication to overcoming hurdles was admirable and this project protected property valued at more the $17.5 million in the 6th Ward and protected home values of surrounding properties.
We ask that you vote for Emily on April 6th or during early voting which is at City Hall starting March 22nd.



because that’s how you remember me and that’s how you want me to be.
I hear you when I am talking to you silently and the house knocks in response to my thoughts. I hear you at home, in hotels, outside — anywhere. You find a way to reach my heart and I love that about you, about us.
I feel you in everyday moments. When I am putting my socks on, drying my hair, gathering laundry or planning dinner, because you want to be there for the everyday moments, however banal. You want to be with me and I feel that. I feel you.
I hear the songs you send me. They ring out in my head — usually just a line or two of lyrics and I have to look them up online in order to appreciate the beautiful messages you are sending me. I understand the effort that must take for you and I appreciate every note, every melody.
I know you are with me when I cry, which I do all too often. I know you want me to remember the happy memories, and I will get there, eventually. I know you want me to get to a better place so the memories
can be happy. I know you are trying to help me accomplish this. I understand you are here, with me, but we are separated right now. And that separation feels small to you but immense to me. I am willing to bear that burden for now because as long as I am attached to you, I know I will be all right. As long as a part of you stays with me, I can survive.
I see you in the birds flying overhead or the ones you send to the tree outside our bedroom window. I see you in the clouds floating in the sky, or in the sunshine that warms my skin. I see you in twinkling lights or the ones you send to me as I sleep. I see your kind spirit and loving soul every day in everything and I am thankful for that.
I know how hard you are working right now to help me make sense out of a situation that makes no sense. I know you understand when I can’t. I know you feel my pain when I cry. I know you wish you could take it away. I know you want me to go on and do what I’m supposed to do and I know you are waiting for me. And right now that gets me through the day.
And I thank you for that. I love you. Now. Always. Forever.
Jill Pertler is an award-winning syndicated columnist, published playwright, author and member of the National Society of Newspaper Columnists. Don’t miss a slice; follow the Slices of Life page on Facebook.
Elmhurst University plans for in-person,
campus-based learning this fall
Elmhurst University is planning a return to in-person, campus-based learning and living in the fall.
Based on the latest pandemic and vaccine rollout projections, and the low COVID-19 positivity rates the University has seen so far, Elmhurst will be prepared to welcome students back in August with a full array of on-campus courses and activities.

“Elmhurst University plans to be almost completely back on campus in the fall, and we’re committed to accomplishing this while continuing to prioritize the safety and well-being of our entire campus community,” said President Troy D. VanAken. “Our students prize an on-campus experience because it’s personal, student-focused and lived in the true spirit of community. We’ll be working hard to restore that environment for them.”
• Courses: The University anticipates offering the majority of courses in person beginning in the fall, in accordance with state or federal guidelines on room capacities. Remote learning options will be available for students who prefer that modality.
• Housing: Elmhurst is planning to operate its residence halls at close to full capacity, while adhering to public health guidelines.
• Student Experiences: Plans are to increase access to all campus dining operations and facilities,
and to offer in-person student social activities and on-campus events, including cultural events and athletic contests.
• Safety Protocols: The University will continue to follow any federal, state and local health and safety guidelines that may still be in effect, including mask-wearing, physical distancing, testing protocols and gathering sizes. All students and employees are encouraged to get a COVID-19 vaccination.
• Enhanced Financial Aid: Understanding the continuing impact of the pandemic on families and individual students, Elmhurst University will offer enhanced financial aid opportunities for the hardest-hit families, as well as for incoming students who struggled with remote learning.
Thanks to the dedication shown by Elmhurst University students, faculty and staff to following the rules and keeping each other safe, the University community experienced a remarkably low 1% positivity rate for those tested on campus in the Fall Term. Testing data continues to show a low incidence of COVID-19 on campus.
Elmhurst’s Fall Term 2021 plans will become firmer and more detailed in the coming months. The most recent information on Elmhurst University’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic is available at elmhurst.edu/covid-19-updates.

curbside and with Door Dash
Tues.-Thurs. 7 am-3 pm
Fri.-Sat. 7 am-6 pm Sun. 8 am-3 pm • Closed Mon.



Pastiere

Buona Pasqua




• Calzone (only the best sausage, ricotta & mozzarella)
• Lamb Cakes (100% cake with butter-cream frosting)
• Pastiere Pie (sweet barley pie with custard, ricotta & fruit)
• Struffoli (delicate baked pastry balls coated with honey)
• Hot Cross Buns!
You MUST order early to reserve your traditional St. Joseph Day Zeppole (a rich, layer pastry packed with custard or cannoli cream)










All-Natural Granita and Gelato • Genuine Spumoni by the pint or slice Wedding and Specialty Cakes, including Fondant and Custom Designs
Sfogliatelli, Pasticciotto, Baba Rum, Munichini and the best Cannoli around! A







