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Elmhurst-Yorkfield Food Pantry opens new warehouse facility

EYFP celebrates new warehouse acquisition

ECCI, mayor attend ribbon-cutting; demand for services continues to rise

By Dee Longfellow FOR THE ELMHURST INDEPENDENT

The weather was overcast on Sunday, April 28 when the Elmhurst Yorkfield Food Pantry (EYFP) hosted a grand opening celebration of its new warehouse facility located at 501 W. Lake St. in Elmhurst’s north industrial park.

But the weather didn’t dampen the spirits of the many people who attended the event. They were all smiles as they toured the extensive space.

In attendance were the Ambassadors of the Elmhurst Chamber of Commerce & Industry (ECCI), who conducted a ribbon-cutting ceremony, along with Mayor Scott Levin and the EYFP Board members and volunteers.

The EYFP began in 1983, when it operated out of a closet in the basement of Yorkfield Presbyterian Church in Elmhurst. In 1996, the pantry moved to the 650-square-foot basement of a small cottage owned by the church. In 2014, the EYFP became a separate, 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization.

In 2016, there was a move to a 2,500-square-foot facility next to Yorkfield Presbyterian, as the needs of the community continued to grow. On Sunday, EYFP celebrated its new 6,000 square-foot warehouse space to meet food storage needs that continue to rise—and demand continues to increase.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, demand for the EYFP’s services skyrocketed as people found themselves in dire straits.

According to EYFP executive director Kathy Watts, the need

Rosenberg shows a visitor the inside of the giant

the EYFP now has in its new warehouse. A new facility is great, but it doesn’t get done without the efforts of several volunteers. Won’t you consider volunteering? If so, call 630-782-1066 or visit eyfp.org.

has doubled since Covid subsided.

“Ever since Covid, we’ve seen twice as much demand as previously,” she said. “For families, prices are still very high out there, but for most of them, income has not kept up. It hasn’t bounced back at the same pace, so people are still struggling.”

Even a facility with bountiful space cannot operate without the help of numerous volunteers. There are a variety of opportunities to help EYFP including sorting, stocking shelves and recovery.

There is a continuing flow of food items that need to be processed, sorted and stocked in preparation for client shopping days. There also is a need for people to assist clients, check them in, help with shopping and loading, etc.

Volunteer drivers are also needed for transporting reclaimed food items from local food retailers. Drivers must be 21 years of age, with a valid Illinois driver’s license and must be able to lift cases that weigh up to 50 pounds.

If you would like to volunteer or for more information about EYFP, call 630-782-1066 or visit eyfp.org.

When the Elmhurst Yorkfield Food Pantry (EYFP) held a grand opening for its new warehouse space on Sunday, April 28, volunteers gave tours of the facility. Here, Walter Salek talks to two guests about some of the features that will allow the pantry to serve its clientele more efficiently.

since Covid. While household expenses have increased, income has not kept pace for many families.

Two visitors chat with Kathy Watts at the EYFP open house on Sunday, April 28 during the grand opening of its new warehouse. Need for the food pantry skyrocketed during Covid, but Kathy said that the demand has doubled

Chris

walk-in freezer

Lynn Czapla (right) talks to visitors who came to the EYFP open house on Sunday, April 28. Lynn is one of several volunteers who help the facility run smoothly, while showing compassion for its clientele.

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Elmhurst goes electric City purchases first electric hybrid; police to test viability of cost, public safety

By Dee Longfellow FOR THE ELMHURST INDEPENDENT

As the City takes inventory of its vehicles and makes decisions on the fate of the older models, it also prepares to bring on newer editions.

At a recent City Council meeting, a recommendation of the Public Works & Buildings (PWB) Committee was approved and the decision was made to move forward with the purchase of a 2024 Toyota RAV4 LE Hybrid; that is, an electric hybrid automobile.

According to the committee report, City staff recommended replacing one of the City’s existing vehicles with a hybrid variant. Staff analysis showed that utilizing a hybrid vehicle could enhance the City’s sustainability goals while still being capable of handling required tasks and assignments.

The bid for the purchase was awarded to Oakbrook Toyota in the total amount of $29,726, including a tradein allowance of $4,400. There will be additional costs to install emergency lighting and communication equipment in the vehicle in the amount of $1,500.

When the matter became before the council, Alderman Brian Cahill (4th Ward), who is PWB Chair, deferred to Alderman Noel Talluto (4th Ward), who is chair of the Finance Committee.

Finance chair offers perspective

“I support this report but I’d like to make a few comments for the public’s information and to express a couple of

concerns that I have,” Talluto said. “It’s a good opportunity and I appreciate the thought process of the committee and the City staff and Chief McLean and his staff in considering the use of this particular operational police vehicle to assess whether or not these are a viable for a public safety function like the police department.”

She said she had personal experience with all-electric vehicles and warned that they can require a great deal of time for repairs. She added that for police vehicles, charging [the battery] in the field is also a concern.

“It will be interesting to see how this pans out and I hope it’s a minimal risk, I think it will be a minimal risk, and I have full faith that if the police department decides it is a public risk, they will cancel the experiment.”

What the public needs to know Talluto then shared information to make the public aware of the high upfront costs involved with this hybrid vehicle.

“I want the public to know a couple of things,” she stressed. “The purchase of this vehicle is $13,000 above what we budgeted for and $18,000 more than what we would normally spend on a gas-powered [similar] vehicle for this purpose. We are spending 25 percent and 44 percent, respectively, more than a gas-powered vehicle.”

Talluto noted that she wasn’t including the savings in gas, which the committee had.

“In addition, we are spending

Eric Pulia elected as Post 187’s next commander

For the first time in nine years, the Elmhurst American Legion THB Post 187 will have a new post commander.

At the monthly membership meeting held on April 23, veteran members in good standing chose current Junior Vice Commander Eric Pulia to be the next post commander. Long-time Post Commander John Scudder did not seek re-election.

The candidates in the recent election to succeed Scudder were Pulia— an Army and Air Force veteran— and Senior Vice Commander Rus Strahan—a Navy veteran who served during the Vietnam War.

Each candidate was permitted to give a speech prior to the vote. Pulia received 34 votes, while Strahan received 23 votes.

Pulia will take office as the new post commander in September. Once initiated, he will be the youngest person to ever hold the position at age 36.

Alex Bulley was elected during the recent meeting as the post’s senior vice commander. Matthew Aldinger was elected as the post’s junior vice commander. Bulley and Aldinger are both Post 9/11 Marine Corps veterans.

Army veteran Al Bertolani retained his position as the post’s long-time finance officer.

In his speech to members before the election, Pulia stressed the importance of recruiting younger veterans from the Desert Storm and Post 9/11 era to have a successful succession plan moving forward.

“As the City of Elmhurst’s last remaining veteran organization, I intend to push forward in the face of adversity and make us a thriving organization for all of Elmhurst, in particular its veteran population.” Pulia stated.

For the first time in post history, the majority of the post’s board will feature veterans who served after the end of the Vietnam War.

$36,000 per new charger installed on City property, four of which will be installed this year. We will be spending $36,000 for the charger at the police department plus, then, the increased cost of the electric vehicle,” she said.

“So we are spending additional dollars to test this concept.”

When Alderman Mike Brennan (7th.Ward) asked about the installation costs and the source of that information, Talluto said it was verified just before the meeting that night by the director of Public Works and by the police chief.

“It is not only for the equipment to install, but also for the electric service that will be needed to upgrade the power and the infrastructure in each of those locations,” Talluto explained.

“It’s $140,000 budgeted for four EV installers [or charging stations].”

Electric car owners speak up

Brennan noted he was the owner of a vehicle of this type and he was looking forward to the results of this “test” of a hybrid for police use.

“My maintenance cost has gone down dramatically,” he said. “I know the way I drive is certainly different that the use of a police vehicle, but I’ve been concerned about the maintenance costs of our public vehicles in general. I think it’ll be very interesting to see what the maintenance cost is with a vehicle like this on an annual basis.

Alderman Rex Irby (7th Ward) has owned an electric vehicle for nine years and claims his maintenance costs are “almost zero—just tires and wiper blades.”

“This particular vehicle we’re discussing tonight was highly vetted by the Michigan State Police for over a year and not just one, but a fleet of them,” Irby said. “They ran them like crazy all over Michigan; the weather is colder in Michigan.”

Irby pointed out a previous City expenditure to put this purchase in perspective.

“Speaking to the chargers at $36,000 each, keep in mind we spent almost $1 million for the refueling station at Public Works last year,” he said. “There’s a whole lot of 36,000’s in a million dollars. Just to put a comparative on that.”

And one more thing

Alderman Jacob Hill (2nd Ward) said he had noticed the short replacement cycles on the fleet lately. Some vehicles that he considered to be fairly recent purchases were perhaps being traded sooner than necessary, in his opinion.

“I understand there is idling time, especially with the police department,

“I agree with the aldermen [about] battery life—if we use it for this particular use and then extrapolate that to a regular day-in-the-life of a regular police vehicle, will there be enough charge in the vehicle to get through a shift? And if not, what is the down time associated with charging?”

SUBMITTED PHOTO Elmhurst Independent Eric Pulia (left) was recently elected as the new post commander at Elmhurst American Legion THB Post 187. He will succeed long-time Post Commander John Scudder, who did not seek re-election. Pulia is pictured with Alex Bulley (right), who was just elected as the post’s senior vice commander. Pulia, who will take office in September, will be the youngest commander in the post’s history at the age of 36. For the first time, the majority of the post’s new board will include veterans who served after the Vietnam War.

GreenMan Theatre Troupe

presents ‘Charley’s Aunt’

GreenMan Theatre Troupe of Elmhurst will present “Charley’s Aunt” this month at the First United Methodist Church building at 232 S. York St. “Charley’s Aunt” will run for three consecutive weekends, beginning with performances this Friday, May 3, Saturday, May 4, and Sunday, May 5. The Friday and Saturday performances start at 7:30 p.m. The Sunday presentation begins at 2 p.m. Tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for children/seniors (65+). For tickets or questions, visit www. greenmantheatre.org. Pictured left to right are cast members Lauren Visser, Ashley Ries, Tony Lopez, Shazad Mehta and Kate Troc. “Charley’s Aunt” is a farce filled with slapstick humor. The play centers on Lord Fancourt Babberley, an Oxford undergraduate whose university friends, Jack and Charley, persuade him to pose as Charley’s wealthy widowed aunt and act as chaperone when they invite their intendeds over for a romantic afternoon. Plot complications include the late arrival of the real aunt and the attempts of two elderly “gentleman callers” to woo the bogus aunt.

Cantigny, Chicago Botanic Garden launch 2024 internship program Summer program for military veterans

The Chicago Botanic Garden and Cantigny are partnering to support military veterans and ease their transition to the civilian workforce. This summer, the Veteran Internship Program (VIP) is being offered at both Cantigny and Chicago Botanic Garden from May 20 to Aug. 9.

Funded by the Robert R. McCormick Foundation, VIP started in 2016 at the Chicago Botanic Garden and was designed to combine training, pre-vocational internships, and nature-based experiences to help individuals transition into the civilian workforce while addressing their workforce reintegration challenges

in a supportive environment. Over the course of its nine-year history, the program has helped provide paid internships for 62 veterans in over 16 different departments across the Garden.

The dynamic paid 12-week program for veterans offers hands-on training in assigned areas suited to each intern’s career goals and interests. Cantigny and Chicago Botanic Garden are now seeking qualified candidates, with up to seven positions available at each location.

• Chicago Botanic Garden: eboehm@chicagobotanic.org or agreen@chicagobotanic.org.

SUBMITTED PHOTO Elmhurst Independent

Police beat

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

Assault, battery

April 21

Police said victims at Elmhurst Hospital related that while attempting to stop a patient from hurting herself, the patient lashed out, physically assaulting them. Charges are pending.

April 19

Police said officers responded to a report of a combative suspect at Elmhurst Hospital at 11:26 p.m. The suspect reportedly refused to leave and allegedly kicked two employees. According to police, the suspect also resisted officers while being placed under arrest and was transported to the police station. The suspect, Shekeena Walker, 39, of Bellwood, was charged with two counts of battery, three counts of resisting or obstructing a police officer and disorderly conduct, and was issued a no trespass notice.

A complainant in the 200 block of N. Addison reported the suspect threw objects at him during an argument. The complainant wanted the incident documented.

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

April 19

A 44-year-old Elmhurst man was charged with felony domestic battery in the 700 block of N. Michigan at 5:39 p.m. The suspect reportedly had thrown an object at the victim, causing injury.

A 36-year-old Elmhurst man was charged with two counts of domestic battery in the 1-100 block of Willow Tree Court at 10:28 p.m. A reporting officer responded to the police station for a victim who reported being battered by the suspect.

A complainant at a church in the 800 block of N. Church reported the suspect entered the church after being told by staff not to enter. The suspect was served with a no trespass notice.

A suspect declined to present their membership card to staff at a fitness center in the 100 block of S. West, became hostile and left. The suspect was issued a no trespass notice.

Police said that subsequent to a report of a suspicious person at a coffee shop in the 100 block of N. York, the suspect’s behavior was making customers uncomfortable. The suspect was issued a no trespass notice.

DUI, DUI-drugs,

transportation of open alcohol, possession of open alcohol, consumption of alcohol by a minor

April 20

Thatianaliz Batista, 33, of Berkeley, was charged with DUI, driving the wrong way on a roadway and no insurance subsequent to a

traffic stop near York and Butterfield at 12:01 a.m.

Ruben Muneton, 51, of Schiller Park, was charged with DUI and failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident in the 600 block of W. Grand at 4:48 p.m.

Fleeing, eluding

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

Identity theft, fraud

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

Possession of cannabis in a vehicle

According to information provided last week by the Elmhurst Police Department, police reported two incidents of possession of cannabis by either the driver of a vehicle or a passenger: Deante White, 28, of Chicago, near Highview and North at 8:30 p.m. April 18; and Jordan Beltz, 29, of Cortland, near West and North at 12:50 a.m. April 24.

Possession of a controlled substance

April 24

Billy Epting Jr., 49, of Bellwood, was charged with two counts of unlawful possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, no valid registration and no insurance near Route 83 and I-290 at 6:22 p.m.. Luis Padilla 62, of Chicago, was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia and obstructing identification. Police said Padilla also was found to have two valid warrants out of DuPage County. According to police, officers responded to the above location for the report of an attempted retail theft that just occurred. Police said the suspect’s vehicle was located and a traffic stop was conducted.

Theft, retail theft, burglary, attempted theft or burglary, forgery, deceptive practice, obstruction, robbery

April 24

Christian Soto-Medina, 34, of Chicago, was charged with Burglary, two counts of retail theft, Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance and Resisting a Police Officer at a store in the 300 block of S. Route 83 at 5:56

p.m. Police said the suspect found to be in possession of stolen merchandise and in possession of a controlled substance.

Nov. 24, 2023-April 24

A complainant at an auto dealership in the 700 block of W. Grand told police that an unknown suspect fraudulently purchased two vehicles from them between the above dates. The vehicles purchased were later discovered to be used in a retail theft in another jurisdiction. An investigation is pending.

April 23

Joanna Castiglia, 47, of Wheaton, was charged with possession of a stolen vehicle, aggravated fleeing and eluding, driving while license suspended and possession of drug paraphernalia near North and York at 7:31 p.m. According to police, a reporting officer attempted a traffic stop on a vehicle that was reported stolen out of Winfield. The driver of the vehicle allegedly fled from officers, but the tires were deflated. Police said Castiglia also was found to have two active warrants out of DuPage and Cook counties. A passenger in the vehicle was released without charges.

April 22

A victim in the 400 block of S. Stratford reported he received a notification on his laptop stating it had been hacked. The victim called a phone number and spoke to a subject who informed the victim that he needed to secure funds. The victim deposited money into a Bitcoin machine before realizing this was a scam. This case is pending investigation.

A victim in the 100 block of W. Brush Hill told police she received a notification that her computer had a virus. The victim called the number provided and spoke to an unknown subject who related the victim needed to secure funds. The victim then withdrew funds and deposited it into a Bitcoin machine before realizing this was a scam.

April 21

Police said officers responded for the report of a retail theft in progress at a store in the 300 block of S. Route 83 at 11:24 a.m. According to police, officers met with Catherine Garrett, 56, of Chicago, outside of the store where she relinquished the stolen merchandise, and was found to be in possession of heroin and drug paraphernalia. Garrett was charged with two counts of felony retail theft, burglary, unlawful possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, and unlawful possession of another’s credit card. Jasmine Garrett, 31, of Berwyn, also was charged with felony retail theft .

April 20

A victim at a pub in the 100 block of N. Addison reported an unknown suspect(s) removed money from her purse when it was unattended. This case is pending investigation.

April 19

A suspect at a store in the 300 block of S. Route 83 exited the store with two boxes filled with merchandise. An investigation is pending.

A victim in the 200 block W. First reported that she accidentally sent the wrong person money on Zelle. The victim contacted the suspect and requested for the money to be returned. The suspect denied getting money. Investigation pending.

April 18

A reporting officer observed a GMC Sierra truck in the 200 block of N. Larch bearing Illinois registration drive through a red light. The reporting officer attempted to conduct a traffic stop when the offending vehicle pulled into

the garage at the above location and immediately closed it. An investigation is pending.

A victim told police that she had been communicating with a subject who she believed was a famous singer. The subject asked the victim to purchase a $500 Apple gift card in order to meet him. Medics arrived on scene, and the victim was transported to Elmhurst Hospital for an evaluation.

April 17-April 18

A victim in the 400 block of N. York told police she was notified by Experian that her personal information had been compromised.

April

16-April 17

Police said a victim near North and Elm reported a suspect stole a portable Wi-Fi device from his truck sometime between the above dates. This case is pending investigation.

April

12-April 17

A victim in the 700 block of S. Stratford told police she sent a check and was later notified by her bank that the check was found to be washed and forged. Further investigation is pending.

April 24

Ezequiel Guerrero, 22, of Chicago, a passenger in a vehicle, was charged with unlawful possession of a controlled substance and possession of cannabis subsequent to a traffic stop near North and Highland at 10:15 a.m. The driver of the vehicle, Erick Licea, 25, of Bensenville, was charged with possession of cannabis.

Warrant arrest

April 24

Police said officers responded to Elmhurst Hospital for the report of a dispute. Upon officers’ arrival, the suspect, Wayne E. Dearmond, 41, of Hillside, was found to have a valid warrant out of Cook County, according to police. Dearmond was issued a no trespass notice and transported to the DuPage County Jail for the warrant arrest.

April 20

Police said Olivia M. Wojcik, 35, of Villa Park, was found to have an active warrant subsequent to a traffic stop near Monterey and St. Charles at 3:27 a.m. Wojcik also was charged with an expired registration.

Police find two people dead after an apparent murder-suicide in a Villa Park residence

Two people were found dead in a Villa Park home after police responded to a report of gunshots late on Friday, April 26. Police entered the residence and found a man and woman deceased from gunshot wounds in an apparent murder-suicide in which the man shot the woman before shooting himself.

According to the Villa Park Police Department, at approximately 11:53 p.m. on Friday, officers were dispatched to a house on the 200 block of East Monroe Street for a GPS monitoring alarm. Dispatchers also received a 911 call reporting that multiple gunshots were heard coming from the residence.

Officers arrived at the scene and were able to remove two teenage children and the family dog from the home. The suspect, Winston Elguezabal, 47, and the victim, Julie Elguezabal, 49, did not exit the residence.

DuPage County Health Department hosts DuPage AOK Early

Childhood Collaborative Summit to launch The Basics DuPage

The DuPage County Health Department (DCHD) recently announced the successful kickoff of The Basics initiative in DuPage County following the recently held DuPage AOK Early Childhood Collaborative (DAECC) Summit.

Science shows that 80 percent of brain growth happens by the age of three. Beginning from birth, young brains develop like little muscles, getting bigger and stronger the more you and your family interact with your child. The Basics Principles are five fun, simple, and powerful ways to help all our children aged 0-3 grow to be happy and smart.

The recent DAECC Summit served as a platform to introduce and implement The Basics initiative in DuPage County.

The event featured keynote speaker Dr. Ron Ferguson, faculty director of the Achievement Gap Initiative at Harvard University. Ferguson, a distinguished MIT-trained economist, helped develop the Basics Learning Network, emphasizing the significance of early childhood development in shaping the future of our communities.

The Basics Principles are as follows:

• Maximize love, manage stress

• Talk, sing, and point

• Count, group and compare

SUBMITTED PHOTO Elmhurst Independent

From left to right: Deyanira Cabrera, Basics DuPage Coordinator, DuPage County Health Department; Dr. Ron Ferguson, faculty director of the Achievement Gap Initiative at Harvard University; and Andrea Gargani, director of Public Health Operations, DuPage County Health Department.

• Explore through movement and play

• Electric

• Read and discuss stories

“The DuPage County Health Department is committed to promoting the well-being of our community’s youngest members,” said Andrea Gargani, director of Public Health Operations, DuPage County Health Department. “We are thrilled to partner with The Basics initiative to ensure that

(Continued from page 4)

that’s factored in,” Hill said. “It seems to me that the replacement cycles are a little short. I’m hoping we could find ways to eke more life out of these older cars. I’m sure the 2019 [vehicle] probably does get a lot of use, but it’s [mileage is not that high].

“I’d be curious to hear the rationale of replacing a vehicle after just five years. That’s my only comment on it.”

The measure for the hybrid vehicle passed 13-0 with one abstention. The full report

Following is the full report of the City Council’s actions on City vehicles taken at the meeting held on Monday, April 1.

The Council approved the following recommendations of the Public

Works and Buildings (PWB) Committee:

1) to purchase a 2024 Toyota RAV 4 LE Hybrid from Oakbrook Toyota of Westmont and to authorize disposal/trade-in of one Ford Escape 4X4. Appropriation was in the FY24 budget: General Fund/ Police Department/ Services/ Forfeitures in the amount of $53,400;

2.) To purchase a 2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV from Currie Motors of Frankfort to replace PD49. Appropriation was in the FY24 budget: General Fund/ Police Department/Capital Outlay/ Vehicles in the amount of $53,400; 3.) To purchase a 2024 Toyota RAV 4 LE Hybrid from Victory Midtown Toyota to replace E7. Appropriation

• Murder-suicide

“Assistance was requested from surrounding police agencies and the DuPage County MERIT [Metropolitan Emergency Response and Investigations Team] SWAT team,” noted the Villa Park Police Department in a statement released on Saturday.

The MERIT SWAT team, along with Villa Park officers, entered and secured the residence. Upon searching the home, both Winston and Julie Elguezabal were found in a bedroom, deceased from gunshot wounds.

According to police, a firearm was located next to Winston Elguezabal. As of Saturday, police were not sure if the victim and suspect were married, separated or divorced.

The suspect in the case—Winston Elguezabal—was arrested for domestic battery on April 14, for an alleged altercation with the victim— Julie Elguezabal. As a condition of

(Continued from page 6)

his pre-trial release, Winston Elguezabal was placed on electronic monitoring (GPS monitoring device) and ordered to stay 1,000 feet away from Julie Elguezabal, her residence and her place of employment.

Winston Elguezabal was also ordered to surrender all firearms, fire-

every child in DuPage County has the opportunity to thrive.”

Partnerships are integral to the success of The Basics initiative, with involvement from various stakeholders including hospitals, health centers, schools, community centers, childcare providers, churches, family members and others.

For more information about The Ba-

to replace E7 was in the FY24 budget: General Fund/Public Works Street Administration/ Capital Outlay/Vehicles in the amount of $41,600.

In addition, the council approved the purchase of the following:

1.) One 2024 Ford Edge SE Demonstrator from Roesch Ford of Bensenville to replace PD48 in the amount of $39,198. Appropriation is in the budget: General Fund/ Police Department/ Capital Outlay/ Vehicles in the amount of $62,000.

2.) Two 2024 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid LE and authorizing the disposal and trade-in of one 2013 Ford Escape 4x4 and one 2008 Pontiac Grand Prix for the City’s Electrical and Building Maintenance divisions.

arm ammunition, firearm owner’s identification card and concealed carry license.

“This incident remains under active investigation by the Villa Park Police Department,” concluded the department’s statement about the incident.

sics initiative and how to get involved, visit basicsillinois.org.

The DuPage Early Childhood Collaboration (DECC) was established in 2014 as a regional early childhood collaboration to support county-level system development and alignment for young children and their families, to build awareness, and to facilitate access to high-quality early childhood

Obituary

Dona Joy Snyder, 91

Dona Joy Snyder, 91, of Elmhurst, IL. and North Redington Beach, FL., passed away unexpectedly on March 16, 2024.

Dona was born on October 25, 1932 daughter of Eula Belle and Russell Hendrix. She was the devoted and adoring wife of John, “Tim” Snyder who predeceased her in 2015. Dona was a loving mother to Martha,”Muffie”, (Louie) SanFilippo. Dona had 2 grandchildren, Sofie and Nicky whom she loved very much. She also had the blessing of being “Big G” to all the SanFilippo cousins: Julia, Johnny, Frankie, Vince, Max, and Richie SanFilippo.

Dona grew up in Evanston, IL and went to Evanston Township High School and was a graduate of Northwestern University. She then went to University of Chicago where she received her Masters and PhD . She then worked in nursing at various hospitals and then was a Professor at Loyola University of Chicago where she taught nursing. She then started the Graduate program for Nursing which she was honored for at a special banquet in her honor in 2002. Her full Vitae is very extensive and quite impressive. It includes writing and publishing her works and receiving many grants for her organizations. She was very passionate about her career while being the best loving and attentive

services and education.

In 2022, the DCHD was named the backbone agency for the DECC. In the same year, the Governor’s Office of Early Childhood Development awarded DCHD the All Our Kids (AOK) grant. To best support early childhood initiatives in DuPage County, DECC and AOK merged to form DAECC in 2023.

Mother to Muffie.

She and Tim raised Muffie primarily in Glen Ellyn, IL. and then they retired to their “favorite place”, North Redington Beach in Florida. They lived in a great community across from the Gulf of Mexico and had many friends and loved to socialize and have lunch at their favorite restaurant, Frog Pond. Dona and Tim loved their grandchildren and were their biggest fans for Sofie’s competitive dance, and Nicky’s hockey. After Tim passed away in 2015, Dona and her beloved Persian cat, Bella, moved in with Muffie and her family in Elmhurst. She loved having quality time with her grandchildren and watching them grow up. She and Muffie loved to go out to lunch at Pazzi, Stray Hen, Gibson’s, and Greek Islands to name a few. She also loved going to the Annual Irish Fellowship Luncheon during the holidays and seeing “Sister Jean”, from Loyola there. Dona loved the Blackhawks but her grandson’s York Hockey team was her favorite. She was so proud of them making it 2 years in a row to the United Center for the State Championship. She also loved watching her granddaughter grow in her exciting career in LA. Dona will be forever missed by her daughter and all who loved her. To my Mother in Heaven, thank you for always loving me and guiding me. Even though you are no longer here with me I can still feel your love guiding me. You are always in my heart. I love you and miss you dearly, but now you are at peace with Dad.

Viewpoint

Slices of life

All hills go down

Yesterday, the TV was playing in the background and I thought I heard Homer Simpson say one of what I thought was the most prolific quotes of all time.

“Why can’t all hills go down?”

This gave me cause to pause. Homer certainly has a point. Why do hills have to go up? Doesn’t that just make things harder?

I smile writing this.

Why can’t all hills go down is the question, and a good one at that.

And here is the truth. (Are you ready, Homer?)

All hills do go down. On both sides. Every day. 24/7.

All hills go down. It just depends on your perspective on the matter. Or, perhaps better put, where you are coming from—or going to.

If you are at the top of the hill, no matter which way you look, your hill gestures downward.

If you are at the bottom of the hill, the opposite is true.

For most of life, we go up and we go down in equal increments. That’s physics—and gravity. But it doesn’t have to be this way.

Physically, yes. Mentally, no.

Because climbing a hill can be just as easy and rewarding as descending one. Going up can be equally as beneficial as sliding down. It’s all how you see it.

It’s all how you experience it. Ups and downs. Downs and ups. All hills go down. But they also go up. The same hill may be headed both ways at any given day or moment, depending on who is climbing or descending.

This is because the hills themselves don’t change. Read that again. The. Hills. Don’t. Change. We do.

We change. Our perspective changes.

It’s up to us. And only us.

A glass that is half full or half empty. Skies mostly blue or partially cloudy. Life starting at 40 or just beginning.

Hills going up or down.

By JILL PERTLER Columnist

Take your pick, because it is your choice.

It’s a choice each of us makes. Every day: to put one foot in front of the other and believe we are moving down the hill—whether gravity is against us or not. Belief in where we are going is half the battle.

More than half.

We climb and we descend, and in-between we breathe and grow. We see the sun rise and set, the moon go through her cycles. The world changes and we keep moving - up and down, down and up.

Through it all, we find our truth in what surrounds us. Is the hill leading us upward, or downward? Was today easy—or hard? What will tomorrow bring?

How will we choose to perceive that?

Why can’t all hills go down?

I guess it’s a rhetorical question because they all do. They already do.

At the start of this column, I posed this question from Homer Simpson. But you know what?

I can’t find this particular quote anywhere on the Internet, so perhaps it’s the Mandela effect, or I made it up, or something even weirder than that.

Either way, having all hills go down is worth a thought—or even two, because if you learn to see life that way, maybe the hills you face will change their slope and their scape.

Thanks, Homer.

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

Under my father’s fedora

Happy Birthday to me

In case it has not yet been posted on every electronic sign in town as per my request, I want our readers to know that my birthday is coming up this Sunday, as it falls on Cinco de Mayo—May 5—and it’s a milestone: 70 years.

No problem in sharing that—Will Rogers said, it’s time to stop lying about your age and start bragging about it!

Those of you who are aware of my propensity for lateness might find it amusing to learn that I was due on April 11—yes, even in the womb, I was three-and-a-half weeks late.

Grandma had come to stay with my sister and brother, but they had to send her home because Grandpa was running out of clean underwear. And you know nobody could wash Grandpa’s underwear except Grandma. (And, yes, they had a modern washer-dryer—it’s not like she had to go out and slap clothes against the rocks by a stream. Still, Grandma had to do it.)

By DEE LONGFELLOW Columnist

admitted and … the labor pains stopped.

And my mother started to cry.

Then my mother, a Louisvilleborn and bred, prim and proper, former ballerina and Southern belle debutante, who called her dad “Father”, said something to the doctor through her tears—something along the lines of: “I don’t care if you have reach down my throat! Get this [language not appropriate for a family newspaper] kid out of me!

Now!”

And here I came!

I can honestly count on one hand how many times I have seen my mother cry. And apparently, I actually made her cry— at my birth.

my birthday—what I really, truly and honestly would like to have: I’d like to see my stepchildren again. I’d like to see John and Michelle Born again. Michelle is married and has children, but I’ve never met them. They now live in Atlanta.

If it weren’t for my niece keeping in touch with Michelle from back in the day when they were “cousins,” I wouldn’t have even known that my ex-husband passed away.

John Born is still in the area as far as I know; he may still work for one of the Holiday Inns in downtown Chicago, where his dad and I used to work. That’s where we met.

But Michelle has informed my niece that she and John had a big falling out and are no longer speaking. And to top it off, John is not on social media.

Those kids, whom I loved like my own, may be gone from my life forever, which is a tough pill to swallow. People have told me to move on, but how do you move on after you lose your children?

I am not sure why this (Members of EPIC call out mayor, library; April 18) is worthy of a full page article. It’s a short clip. Group wants to use library space to sign petitions, and the library has a policy against signing petitions. By the way, they don’t just “claim” that it’s a policy, it is a policy. Where is the story? There are rules and a group wanted to disobey the rules. Where’s the law and order?

Is this such a big story that required a full page ad? Yes, I called it an ad, as it seems to be more about promoting some legislation than anything else. Is there something else that the Independent wants to promote? I didn’t recognize this as an editorial.

Jan Alexander Member of the Elmhurst community

And in case you’re wondering if the doctor just miscalculated the date, uhh, well, I was 9 pounds, 13 ounces—or as my mother reminded me for the rest of her days, almost 10 pounds!

Then of course, after Grandma went home, I started stirring and low-balled in a couple of contractions, requiring Mom and Dad to scramble my sister and brother off to a neighbor and then to the hospital, where mother was

My friend Debbie asked what I really wanted for my birthday and I shared a dream I had when I was a young girl, maybe 12 or 13. I dreamed I was living and working in a very nice city like Elmhurst, but I didn’t really think anyone liked me. Then on my birthday, I drove through town to go to work and every billboard and marquee and sign said, “Happy Birthday, Dee.”

It wasn’t until later that I thought about what I would really like for

I don’t think even Will Rogers has a clever anecdote for that.

If you are so inclined, there is a small gathering of my two or three friends (they say never trust an editor who claims to have friends) on Sunday, May 5—my birthday— and Cinco de Mayo from 2-6 p.m. at the American Legion Post THB #187.

Stop by and say hello. Order a drink at the bar and tell them John Quigley has a tab open. (just joshin’)

Spring Road Pet Parade set for May 18

Parade starts at 1 p.m.; first 100 registered pets receive goody bags

Pets of all types and sizes are welcome at the 31st annual Spring Road Pet Parade, which will take place on Saturday, May 18.

Sponsored by the Spring Road Business Association and the Kiwanis Club of Elmhurst, the parade will step off at 1 p.m. The event will start by the gazebo at Wild Meadows Trace at 11:30 a.m. Activities include face painting and crafts. Concessions and raffle tickets (cash only) will be available. Proceeds from the raffle will be donated to local animal shelter.

There will be awards for Best Dressed Pet, Most Obedient Pet, Best Groomed Pet, Most Creative Pet Attire and Most Original Pet Trick.

Goody bags will be presented to the first 100 registered pets.

To register your pet for the Spring Road Pet Parade, visit SpringRoad. com/our-events.

This event is not only about celebrating our beloved pets, but also about coming together as a community and helping local animal shelters. Mark your calendars and spread the word.

Park District to conduct voter survey to gauge support for potential referendum

The Elmhurst Park District is launching a voter survey aimed at assessing the interest in a potential referendum for a new Wagner Community Center and new outdoor amenities, including a bandshell in Wilder Park, year-round heated restroom buildings at four locations, and converting a grass field to artificial turf at Berens Park.

Elmhurst Park District

Board members unanimously approved moving forward with the survey at their meeting on April 22. The survey which will be administered to a random sample of registered voters by aQity Research.

According to the park district, the initiative to launch a survey stems from the feedback received during the development of the Elevate Elmhurst Parks strategic and comprehensive planning process in 2023.

Residents had an opportunity to learn more about the presented plans at open houses, including events held earlier this week at Courts Plus and the Kies Recreation Center. There will be another open house today, May 2, at Wagner Community Center.

For more information about this initiative, visit epd.org/ elevateelmhurstparks.

The Spring Road Business Association and the Kiwanis Club of Elmhurst will present the 31st annual Spring Road Pet Parade on Saturday, May 18. The parade will step off at 1 p.m., but the fun will start by the gazebo at Wild Meadows Trace at 11:30 a.m. Pets of all types and sizes are welcome. Pets can wear costumes, or they can just show off their natural charm. The co-chairs of this year’s parade (pictured above - left to right) are: Brenda Garcia (The Elmhurst Independent), Amy Schiller (The Schiller Team, @ Properties) and Andrea Pokrefke (Elmhurst Bank, A Wintrust Community Bank). They have been diligently planning the event since January. The first 100 pets registered for the parade will receive goody bags. To register your pet, visit SpringRoad.com/our-events. Left: a photo from last year’s parade shows some dogs from Fetching Tails who were ready for adoption. Fetching Tails is one of the local animal shelters that the parade supports.

SUBMITTED PHOTOS Elmhurst Independent

Bears pitch $3.2 billion stadium plan, but Pritzker still ‘skeptical’ despite team’s $2 billion pledge

Bears executives, city leaders make appeal for $900 million in public funding, $1.5 billion for infrastructure

By Dilpreet Raju and Jerry Nowicki CAPITOL NEWS ILLINOIS

The Chicago Bears laid out a $3.2 billion plan for a new domed stadium on Chicago’s lakefront last week, painting pictures of future Super Bowls and other major public events while pinning their hopes on yet-to-behad conversations with the governor and lawmakers.

The Bears, accompanied by Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson at a news conference, proposed a public-private partnership through which the Bears lease the stadium from the Chicago Park District.

While the team would put up over $2 billion of the $3.2 billion needed to build the stadium, it’s also seeking $1.5 billion in infrastructure support over several years to realize its vision for a multi-use public park space on Chicago’s lakefront Museum Campus.

Chicago Bears president and CEO Kevin Warren said the $2 billion committed by the Bears would be the largest private investment in Chicago history. He also said a new stadium can provide thousands of temporary and long-term jobs for Chicagoans. Warren joined the Bears in early 2023 after previously brokering a deal to bring the Minnesota Vikings a new stadium with a public-private partnership in Minneapolis

“Look around Chicago, I know the mayor is doing all that he can with his leadership to lean in to get economic development going,” Warren said. “We want to be that catalyst.”

Despite that major commitment,

Bears executives sought to fill an estimated $900 million “gap” through state funding via a bond from the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority, a state agency created in the 1980s to finance new sports stadiums. The team also proposed using the city’s existing hotel tax and restructuring ISFA’s current debt over a 40-year period.

While the proposal represents the largest private commitment of any of the recent pushes by professional sports teams for a new stadium yet, it was quickly met with skepticism by Gov. JB Pritzker, who was at a concurrent news conference at Loyola University Chicago.

“I’m highly skeptical of the proposal that’s been made and I believe strongly that this is not a high priority for legislators, and certainly not for me when I compare it to all the other things,” Pritzker said.

The governor downplayed the competing news conferences. He’d scheduled his in advance to highlight health insurance reforms that recently cleared the House with his support. The Bears’ announcement was scheduled within the past two days.

Part of the proposal includes developing about 15 acres of recreational park space for public use and more stadium vendor businesses owned by women and people of color. Johnson hailed the project for upholding his “criteria for any new development project.”

“We require real private investment, real public use and real economic participation for the entire city,” he said.

He noted no new taxes would be

imposed on Chicago residents and the city can expect “increased tax revenue from this investment, expanded public recreation, stronger economic growth for the entire city of Chicago for generations to come.”

Team leaders claimed in their presentation that the stadium would create over 40,000 construction jobs and over 4,000 permanent jobs.

The Bears’ presentation noted the organization was seeking about $1.5 billion in three phases of infrastructure investment that could come “at the state level, at the potentially federal level, potentially at the city level,” according to Warren, who gave no specifics.

Karen Murphy, the team’s executive vice president of stadium development and chief operating officer, said that includes $325 million in transportation, roadway and utility improvements that would be needed to open the stadium. The remaining funding, at least $1.1 billion, would come over a period of at least five years. That could include $510 million in a second phase of con-

NAI Hiffman represents Hummingbird Pediatric Therapies in leasing space in Elmhurst

NAI Hiffman announced last week that it represented Hummingbird Pediatric Therapies in its expansion to a third location in Chicago’s west suburbs. Hummingbird signed a lease for 10,523 square feet within a single-story office building at 501 W. Lake St. in Elmhurst. Renovation of the space is underway, with the facility—to be formally named the Hummingbird Therapy & Enrichment Elmhurst Center—slated to open this summer.

Aubrey Englund, executive vice president, office services, at Oakbrook Terrace based NAI Hiffman, represented Hummingbird in the transaction. Norm Murdoch of Chicago-based Bradford Allen represented the landlord. NAI Hiffman is one of the largest independent commercial real estate services firms in the U.S.

“The expansion into Elmhurst was a geographical maneuver by Hummingbird to meet growing demand for multidisciplinary pediatric therapy throughout the west, northwest and southwest suburbs,” said Englund. “It’s especially gratifying to help a val-

ued client scale their business through strategic real estate transactions. This required identifying landlords willing to invest in a service provider that is not a traditional office user. Knowing a pediatric therapy center remodel requires heavy upfront construction costs, we identified a space in Elmhurst with substantial reusable existing conditions and an adjacent warehouse that will become a gym, making the project costs feasible for both landlord and tenant.”

Prior to this lease, Englund represented Hummingbird in three other leases totaling 27,000 square feet: the 10,000-square-foot Woodridge center that opened at 9018 Heritage Parkway in early 2022, and two expansions at the Westmont location, 750 Pasquinelli Drive, which now spans over 17,000 square feet.

Hummingbird offers a wide variety of speech, feeding, occupational, physical and developmental therapies, as well as counseling, Hummingbird Children’s Academy and more. The growing practice has approximately

70 employees, many of whom have advanced degrees in pediatric therapy. Hummingbird’s founder, Christina Scalise-Morrissey, opened her private practice after serving as clinical coordinator at Elmhurst Memorial Hospital.

“Our growth has been supported by some very instrumental people, and Aubrey is hands down one of them,” Scalise-Morrissey said. “Aubrey finds us exactly the kind of space we’re looking for in single-story buildings with lots of natural light and ample parking, and she identifies landlords who are willing to fund a heavy construction allowance. The lease terms and funding she was able to secure on our behalf gave me the confidence I needed to make big moves to take on additional space, expand our staff and invest in new gym equipment.”

During 2023, Englund closed 24 transactions totaling 204,000 square feet. They included several expansions, and she helped four clients achieve an overall average square footage increase of at least 300 percent.

York students honored at state art exhibition

Elmhurst Community Unit School District 205 has announced the achievements of its students from York Community High School at the 2024 Illinois High School Art Exhibition (IHSAE), hosted by ArtConnectED. The IHSAE is a statewide showcase of artistic prowess, allowing students to receive accolades, scholarship offers and the opportunity to exhibit their artwork.

The IHSAE allows students to submit work for consideration through two different categories: General Exhibition and Senior Exhibition. Students’ pieces were reviewed and judged by panels of esteemed artists, art teachers and collegiate sponsors, earning them recognition among the best student artists in Illinois.

A total of $1,952,000 in scholarship funds have been awarded to 10 York High School seniors, who highlighted not only their artistic abilities but also their academic excellence. Those recipients are Campbell Anderson, Charlotte (Charlie) Plaiss, Courtney Yang, Delia Marianetti, Anisa (Jade) Connor, Kalyn Gunn, MacKenzie Petersen, Morgan Hrody, Chloe (Raine) Wargin and Sophia Jackson.

Additionally, eight of those York seniors— Anderson, Connor, Jackson, Gunn, Hrody, Marianetti, Plaiss and Yang—were honored with the opportunity to present their artwork in the Senior Exhibition.

Seven York students were chosen to display their artwork in the General Exhibition. Those students included: Gunn (Time Arts), and Yang (Mixed Media), as well as Ashley Archiable (Drawing), Maddy Brooks (Sculpture), Bradley Cristano (Drawing), Faith Krzak (Design) and Noah LaBine (Photography).

SUBMITTED PHOTOS Elmhurst Independent

The artwork of several York High School students was on display at the 2024 Illinois High School Art Exhibition (IHSAE). This year’s exhibition at the Bridgeport Art Center in Chicago featured the artwork of students from more than 100 Illinois high schools. Eight York seniors presented their artwork in the event’s Senior Exhibition category. Pictured is the artwork of two of those seniors—Campbell Anderson (left) and Courtney Yang (right).

Elmhurst University bands to perform spring concert on May 5

Free concert features music of American composers

SUBMITTED PHOTO Elmhurst Independent

The Elmhurst University Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble will perform its annual spring concert this Sunday, May 5. The concert, which will begin at 2 p.m. in Hammerschmidt Chapel on the university campus, is free and open to the public. Musicians are pictured while rehearsing for the upcoming concert, which is titled “A Celebration of American Music.” The concert will include music from Leonard Bernstein, Aaron Copland, George Gershwin and other prominent American composers.

LEGAL NOTICES

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING ZONING AND PLANNING COMMISSION/ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS

CASE NUMBER 24 P 06

Request for Conditional Use Permit and Conditional Use Permit for Planned Unit Development with Site Development Allowances

Notice is hereby given that the Elmhurst Zoning and Planning Commission/Zoning Board of Appeals will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, May 21, 2024 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 the City of Elmhurst for a Conditional Use Permit for an outdoor theatre and a Conditional Use Permit for a Planned Unit Development with Site Development Allowances pursuant to Sections 22.26 and 22.31 of the Elmhurst Zoning Ordinance at the property commonly known as 120 E. Park Avenue, Elmhurst, Illinois for the purpose of constructing a band shell on the museum campus.

Following is a legal description of the subject property:

LOT 1 OF THE PLAT OF CONSOLIDATION OF ELMHURST MUSEUM, RECORDED ON SEPTEMBER 12, 2001 AS DOCUMENT R2001-194047, LOCATED IN THE NORTHWEST QUARTER OF SECTION 1, TOWNSHIP 39 NORTH, RANGE 11, EAST OF THE THIRD PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN, IN DUPAGE COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

PIN 06-01-125-021

The common street address for the subject property is 120 E. Park Avenue in Elmhurst, Illinois, 60126, also known as the Glos Mansion. The subject property is located within the Central Business Core District.

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

The Elmhurst University Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble will perform its annual spring concert on Sunday, May 5, at 2 p.m. in Hammerschmidt Chapel on the university campus.

The concert—titled “A Celebration of American Music”—will feature music by several prominent American composers, including Samuel Barber, Leonard Bernstein, Aaron Copland, George

Gershwin, Joseph Wilcox Jenkins and Alfred Reed. The concert will also feature music of young American composers, including Eric Whitacre and Josh Rodriguez.

The concert is free and open to the public.

For more information about this concert, future performances and a map of the university campus, visit www.elmhurst.edu/music.

Any person who has a disability requiring a reasonable accommodation to participate in this meeting, should contact Emily Palm, ADA Compliance Officer, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., City of Elmhurst, 209 N. York Street, Elmhurst, IL 60126, call 630-530-3770 or email HR@elmhurst.org within a reasonable time before the meeting. Please provide as much notice as possible for sign language interpreting requests.

Eileen Franz, City Planner

(Published in The Elmhurst Independent May 2, 2024) 454866

Legal Notice/Public Notice

NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING

On May 15, 2024 at 9:30 am via Zoom, a meeting conducted by Elmhurst Community Unit School District 205 will take place via Zoom. The purpose of the meeting will be to discuss the district’s plans for identifying and providing special education services to students with disabilities who attend private schools and home schools within the district for the 2023 - 2024 school year. If you are a parent of a home-schooled student who has been or may be identified with a disability and you reside within the boundaries of Elmhurst Community Unit School District 205, you are encouraged to attend.

Private schools will also have the opportunity to discuss services for eligible students under the Title I and Title III grants (ESSA), as well as allowable professional development opportunities for staff under the Title II grant. If you have further questions pertaining to this meeting, please contact Dr. Kevin Rubenstein, Assistant Superintendent of Student Services at 630-834-4530 or via email at krubenstein@elmhurst205.org

(Published in The Elmhurst Independent May 2, 2024) 454885

& 11:30 AM and 6 PM

N. Main St., Lombard, IL 60148 630-627-2435

Lent and Easter Services at 7 p.m.

Sunday Worship at 10:15 am Sunday School & Bible Study 9 am

“The Crucial Hours”

Second Lenten Service March 9, 2022

Rev. David Ernest “Satan Has Asked to Sift All of You” Jerusalem Lutheran, Morton Grove Matthew 27:15-26

Ladies Bible Fellowship Mondays at 6:30 pm Saturday, May 25 Game Night at 4 pm

Third Lenten Service March 16, 2022

Rev. Paul Spaude “What to Remember When Your are St. Matthews, Niles Seized with Remorse” Matthew 27:3-4

Everyone is Welcome! All services are live streamed. Watch on our website or on Facebook. sainttimothy.org

Fourth Lenten Service March 23, 2022

Rev. Jonathan Bergemann “I Will Keep the Passover” Good Shepherd, Downers Grove Matthew 26:18

Fifth Lenten Service March 30, 2022

Rev. Tom Nicholson “They Bound Him” Resurrection, Aurora John 18:12

Sixth Lenten Service April 6, 2022

Rev. Phil Schupmann “The Semblance of Legality” Resurrection, Aurora Luke 22:66

Daily Masses: Monday—Friday: 6:15 and 8:15 AM Saturday: 8:15 AM Confessions: Saturday: 3�3:45PM Sunday: 5�5:45 PM

Timothy Christian boys tennis team racks up wins

Trojans win Eisenhower quadrangular

By Mike Miazga CORRESPONDENT

The Timothy Christian boys tennis team has kicked it into overdrive. Through 20 dual matches, the Trojans were 17-3 overall and had won 10 contests in an 11-match stretch. Timothy recorded recent wins over Marmion Academy, Aurora Central Catholic and Chicago Marist. The Trojans also won the Eisenhower quadrangular, winning 13 of 15 matches.

Coach Rick McLean noted the team has persevered despite injuries to key players Andrew Asmus and Hendrik DeVries. McLean lauded the work of Josh McMillian, Aiden Hoogstra, Theo Veldman and Wyatt Matke in light of the team’s injury challenges. “With these injuries, Josh, Aiden, Theo and Wyatt have stepped up to play key matches for the team,” McLean said.

On the individual front, Luke Tuchscherer is 9-9 at No. 1 singles, “playing each school’s top play -

er,” McLean said. “This junior is playing well and improving against the best.” Timo Kacian is 11-3 at No. 2 singles, “and has shown nice growth in settling in at singles,” McLean explained.

McLean said the team’s doubles play continues to be a strength. Timothy doubles teams were on a recent tear where they did not lose a match during an eight-meet span. Those doubles teams include captain Elliot Mathew and DeVries,

Asmus and Elliott Tandy, and Travis Lemkuil and David La Barbera. “Elliot and Hendrik, Andrew and Elliott Tandy, and Travis and David are playing well and show improved skills,” McLean said. Timothy was scheduled to play Fenwick, Riverside-Brookfield and St. Francis, as well as compete in the Fenton quad during a 10-day stretch. “Those upcoming matches will continue to challenge our team,” McLean said.

IC Catholic Prep football program holding trivia

night fundraiser Saturday at Knights of Columbus

Timothy Christian boys volleyball team continues winning ways

By Mike Miazga CORRESPONDENT

The IC Catholic Prep football program will host its second-annual Friday Night Knights trivia night fundraiser Saturday. The festivities kick off at 6 p.m. at the Knights of Columbus at 537 South York St. in Elmhurst.

The fundraiser will help support the ICCP football program, whose immediate needs include helping players who can’t pay for the team’s annual Illinois Wesleyan camp so they can attend with the team, helping players pay for team meals, equipment needs for the program, travel costs and more.

If attendance to trivia night is not possible, donations/sponsorships are still encouraged. All contributions are 100 percent tax deductible. Friday Night Knights is a 501 (3)c organization.

The trivia night features a max of six players per team. The entry fee is $300 per team. Eight rounds of sports trivia of varying themes will be conducted. Food and snacks will be provided. Teams will have a chance to buy “mulligans” before the

event starts. A cash bar will be available. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the first question will be asked at 7 p.m. Sponsorship categories include Life Changer Shareholder ($15,000), All-American Shareholder ($10,000), Program Shareholder ($5,000), Championship Shareholder ($2,500), Game Changer ($1,000), Knight Sponsor ($500) and Difference Maker Sponsor ($250).

Checks should be made payable to Friday Night Knights and can be turned in (as well as cash payments) at the door. Payment can also be done through Zelle at FridayNightKnights1@gmail.com.

For more information, contact Michael Calcagno at 630-207-8153 and/or at the FridayNightKnights1@ gmail.com email exchange.

Timothy Christian boys volleyball

The Timothy Christian boys volleyball team recorded a recent 2519, 25-20, 25-22 nonconference win over Illiana Christian. Junior outside hitter Trevor Munk had 15 kills, seven digs and three aces, while senior

Above right: Team captain Elliot Mathew is a key cog in the doubles division for the Timothy Christian boys tennis team which won 13 of 15 matches on its way to winning the Blue Island Eisenhower quadrangular.

Top left: Timothy Christian boys tennis veteran Hendrik DeVries continues to play a key role in the success of the program. The Trojans won 10 matches in a recent 11-match stretch and also won the Eisenhower quadrangular.

libero Ty Van Laten had 13 digs, 13 receptions and two assists. Senior right-side hitter Jon Tameling had seven kills, seven digs and three blocks. Junior setter Owen Wise had 34 assists, nine digs and two kills.

The Trojans also downed Chicago Christian 20-25, 25-18, 25-17 in a Chicagoland Christian Conference match. Munk had nine kills, seven digs and one ace. Freshman outside hitter Thomas Stettin had eight kills, four digs, two blocks and two aces. Tameling had 10 kills and three digs, while Wise had 18 assists, 14 digs, three aces and one kill.

In a 25-22, 24-26, 28-26 CCC win over Wheaton Academy, Van Laten had 30 digs and three assists. Munk had 17 kills, 11 digs and two blocks.

Tameling had eight kills, two aces and two digs.

Wise finished with 30 assists, 12 digs, three aces and two kills. It was Wise’s second double-double (double digits in two statistical categories) in a row.

The win over Wheaton Academy moved Timothy to 14-4 overall and a perfect 6-0 in Chicagoland Christian action.

SUBMITTED PHOTOS Elmhurst Independent

Luke Tuchscherer has won nine matches at the No. 1 singles position to help the Timothy Christian boys tennis team start the season 17-3 in dual meets.

York baseball team rattles off three wins

IC Catholic Prep graduate

Dukes 15-5 heading into Glenbard West conference series this week

By Mike Miazga CORRESPONDENT

Leslie headed to Le Moyne

Will play volleyball for Division II school

By Mike Miazga CORRESPONDENT

Recent IC Catholic Prep gradu -

ate Bella Leslie wanted to head east for college.

After a brief rough patch, the York baseball team righted its ship in a hurry, recording recent wins against Willowbrook, Oswego East and Lane Tech. The three victories pushed York to 15-5 overall heading into this week’s three-game West Suburban Conference Silver Division series with Glenbard West. Prior to the three wins, York lost three games in a WSC Silver series to Lyons Township. In a 13-2 WSC crossover win

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.

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

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

against Willowbrook, York scored five runs in the second inning and six in the third inning to blow the game open. The Dukes had 12 hits. Noah Hughes was 4-for-5 with four runs scored, while Austin Grzywa was 2-for-3 with two runs scored and two RBI. Owen Chael went 2-for-3 with a run scored and four RBI. Marco Giorno had two RBI, while Drew Gami was 2-for-3 with two runs scored and an RBI. York took advantage of nine walks and three Willowbrook errors. TJ Silkaitis was the winning pitch-

er. He went three innings and allowed one hit and one earned run, while striking out four. Jack Lonergan and Jacob Perry combined to struck out five and allow three hits. The game was stopped after five innings by the 10-run slaughter rule.

RBI. Luke Pieczynski had two RBI. Eight different York players had at least one hit. Paul Reedy had a double and an RBI.

and sixth innings. The Dukes had six hits. Reedy went 3-for-3 with two doubles, two runs scored and four RBI. Josh Fleming had a homer, a run scored and two RBI. York took advantage of 10 Lane Tech walks. Gami and Danko each had a hit.

By Mike Miazga CORRESPONDENT

In an 11-0 five-inning win over Oswego East in non-conference action, York had 10 hits and scored runs in each of the four innings it batted. Chael was 2-for-2 with a run scored and an RBI. Nico Ruggieri went 2-for-2 with two runs scored and an

Ryan Sloan was the winning pitcher. He eight in three innings of work. Hughes and Chris Danko pitched a combined two innings and struck out three. York pitchers fanned 11, allowed one hit and walked none. Oswego East made five errors.

York then recorded a 10-6 non-conference win over Chicago Lane Tech. York scored seven runs over the fifth

Lonergan was the winner in relief. He threw two innings and fanned four. Silkaitis started and struck out three in four innings.

Ben Dizillo and Jack Bodach pitched the final inning and fanned a combined two.

York boys’ water polo team fares well during St. Louis trip

Dukes closing in on 20 wins; Seven different players score in victory over Waubonsie Valley

The York boys water polo team headed south to St. Louis and came away with some impressive results.

The Dukes defeated Missouri’s top team St. Louis University High by one goal and the following morning downed defending Missouri state champion Parkway Central 6-2. It was York’s second win of the year against St. Louis University High. York went 4-0 in the St. Louis tournament.

Through late last week, the Dukes

“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.”

“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.”

were 19-5-1 overall and 2-1 in West Suburban Conference action. York coach Brian Drumm has been pleased with how his squad has looked offensively of late. “Our offense has started to look a lot better with contributions from a variety of players such as Henry Nelson, Gabe Piper, Ethan Allen and Teddy Kamenica,” he said.

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.”

Drumm noted a few weeks ago, the Dukes were relying on Gavin Honken and Tim Jensen to carry the offensive load, “but we started seeing other players take confident shots when

“ 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

we were in St. Louis.” That offensive variety carried over to a recent win against No.6-ranked Waubonsie Valley where seven different York players enjoyed a goal. “We were really excited about that,” Drumm added. Drumm has seen equally impressive progress on the defensive end. “Our defense has gotten much better as well,” the coach said. “Our younger players have figured out the way we run our different systems, and our center defender Martin Polomsky and our goalie Aiden Reedy are elite

at their positions in Illinois.” Drumm noted freshmen Allen and Kamenica took the next steps forward in St. Louis.

“We thought Ethan and Teddy really stepped up in St. Louis,” he said. “It is such an adjustment to go from 14U age group to high school varsity water polo, and we felt like things came together for both of them at that tournament. We would not have gone 4-0 there without their stellar play.”

With the calendar turning to May this week, Drumm said the team has

its sights set on being at peak performance come the start of the state playoffs. “At this point, we are starting to plan for a run in May,” he said. “We will have to get through Fenwick and/ or Oak Park-River Forest in our sectional, which is always a tough matchup. If we’re successful, our first-round state draw will be Stevenson in their home pool. These will be challenging opportunities for us, so we need to keep improving and working on our mental game, and we can be right there at the end.”

Timothy Christian girls track team wins 16-team Walther Christian invitational title Trojans also unbeaten in Chicagoland Christian Conference meets

By Mike Miazga CORRESPONDENT

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

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

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

The Timothy Christian girls track team recently won the 16-team coed Walther invitational team title. Timothy finished with 156 points to win the team trophy at this event for the third year in a row. Timothy, through late last week, also was unbeaten in Chicagoland Christian Conference meets with triumphs against Woodstock Marian Central Catholic, Chicago Christ the King, Elgin St. Edward and Aurora Christian. “We’re off to a very strong start this season,”

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

struction for things such as parking upgrades and building surrounding parks and ballfields, followed by $665 million for further attractions and transportation improvements in a third phase. Bears representatives said those estimates are subject to change.

Timothy coach Kevin Hackert said. Individual highlights thus far include senior Jenny Lumkes hitting 32-4 1/2 in the triple jump (Class 1A state-qualifying mark is 33-5) and clocking in at 49.82 in the low hurdles (49.47 is the state-qualifying time). Georgie Romano has hit 16-3 3/4 in the long jump (16-5 state cutoff), while Elizabeth Alex has gone over five feet in the high jump (5-0 is the state mark).

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.”

Hackert noted Timothy’s strength lies in its sprint to mid-distance relays. “Our 4-by-100, 4-by-200 and

(Continued from page 10)

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)

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.”

Pritzker mentioned “higher priorities for the state” than building a football stadium, including his $4.4 million proposed investment in birth equity centers to create a statewide plan and distribute building grants. And he noted Missouri voters rejected a stadium funding plan for the reigning Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs and for the Kansas City Royals baseball team.

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.”

4-by-400 teams all have legitimate chances to make it downstate this year,” he said. The 400 relay team has gone under 53 seconds (52.12 is the state standard), while the 800 team has run 1:54 (1:51.76 is the state-qualifying time), while the 1,600 relay team has run 4:25 (4:19.68 is the state mark).

ed well by new freshmen Anneliese Hopp and Leah Friend.

Timothy has 48 athletes in the program. “We have the largest team I have ever coached with 48 women,” Hackert said.

“The end of our season is approaching too quickly for me. The depth we have has provided some great opportunities, but also challenges as we try to balance so many talented athletes. We have our conference championship and sectional meet at Seneca coming up. The competition is fierce out there, but we will be ready.”

The winning teams at the sectional meet automatically qualify for state.

Maike Dionela, Laila Barefield, Ashley Sikkenga and Elyza Weatherspoon are the heart of the sprints, Hackert noted, but they are support-

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.”

ing to take all of the tax revenue for their stadium and there apparently is nothing left over for the other two teams,” Pritzker said.

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

“The problem is that the offer that they’ve made just isn’t one that I think the taxpayers are interested in getting engaged in,” Pritzker said of the proposal, later adding, “We’ve seen this fail over and over across the United States.”

“If we were to put this issue on the board for a vote right now, it would fail and it would fail miserably. There is no environment for something like this today,” he said.

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.”

ble and transparent and communicate with everybody.”

Senate President Don Harmon, D-Oak Park, also expressed skepticism in a statement.

“At first glance, more than $2 billion in private funding is better than zero and a more credible opening offer,” he said. “But there’s an obvious, substantial gap remaining, and I echo the governor’s skepticism.”

As for the bonding authority sought by the Bears, Pritzker noted three pro sports teams are seeking money through the ISFA for a new stadium— the Bears, the Chicago White Sox baseball team and the Chicago Red Stars women’s soccer team.

“And this is one team that is offer-

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

House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch, D-Hillside, who attended the governor’s news conference at Loyola, said he gave Warren a blunt assessment when they recently met privately.

While Pritzker had not been briefed on the proposal prior to Wednesday’s news conference, Warren said team representatives “look forward to having some detailed conversations with the state here in the near future.”

“Today (April 24) was the first day that we have been able to publicly roll out our plan,” he said. “It’s very difficult for someone to say they’re against this and we just presented it, so we look forward to having more conversations with individuals in Springfield.”

When pressed by media at the Loyola event as to whether there was a “path” for him to support a subsidy plan, Pritzker responded “sure,” but with a caveat.

“This has got to be a lot better for taxpayers than what they put forward. That’s all I’m saying,” he added.

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

proudly presents

YORK HIGH SCHOOL PLAYER OF THE WEEK NOAH HUGHES YORK BASEBALL

Hughes went 4-for-5 and scored four runs to help the York baseball team score a 13-2 fiveinning West Suburban Conference crossover win over neighbor Willowbrook.

CHRIS FOX PHOTO Elmhurst Independent

Anthony Bucolo fires a pitch during a recent U12 baseball game.

baseball action

State unveils report on racial disparities among homeless populations Lung Association gives mixed review

By Andrew Adams CAPITOL NEWS ILLINOIS

Tackling homelessness requires addressing racial injustice, according to a new report commissioned by the state’s Office to Prevent and End Homelessness.

The report found that Black people are eight times more likely to experience homelessness than white people. Remedying this disparity, according to the report, would require “long-term strategies that dismantle systemic barriers contributing to racial inequities in homelessness such as ending the mass incarceration of Black people.”

“When we think about the harms of racial segregation and red lining, we can draw a line to the realities of homelessness,” Christine Haley, the state’s chief homelessness officer, said in a news release.

The report, produced by the Institute for Research on Race and Public Policy at the University of Illinois Chicago, forms the basis of a new “action plan” from the governor, whose “Home Illinois” plan aimed

at ending homelessness launched in 2022.

In his budget proposal for the upcoming fiscal year 2025, Pritzker proposed $250 million for the state’s homelessness prevention initiatives, a $50 million increase over the current fiscal year.

The additional money would be used to provide housing assistance, legal aid and to initiate pilot programs aimed at addressing racial disparities within the homeless population.

The “unified, whole of government approach” is set to embed state officials responsible for helping homeless individuals in at least five state departments, including the Department of Corrections and the Department of Children and Family Services.

“Homelessness is not an issue of personal failing, but of historical discrimination and structural barriers that have driven inequality for Black families across the nation and of course right here in Illinois,” Pritzker said.

Illinois had about 9,000 people experiencing homelessness on a given night in 2022, according to the latest data from the National Alliance to End Homelessness. Rates of homelessness are highest in the Chicago area and around Springfield.

Homelessness in the state has fallen by 41 percent since 2007, according to NAEH data. Most homeless people in Illinois, about 79 percent, were in shelters or other temporary accommodations in 2022.

Air quality repor t

Illinois’ air quality received mixed grades from the American Lung Association’s annual “State of the Air” report released this week.

While some counties in central and southern Illinois had low levels of pollution, areas in Chicagoland are some of the most polluted in the nation. The Chicago metropolitan area, according to the report, has the

of state’s air quality

17th highest level of ozone pollution of all cities in the nation.

Ozone is a product of vehicle exhaust and industrial pollution, and the pollutant can aggravate lung disease, increase the frequency of asthma attacks and make breathing difficult, according to the federal Environmental Protection Agency.

The Chicago area was also ranked the 22nd most polluted city for yearround particle pollution, which results from construction, industrial waste, car exhaust and other sources.

“In the 25 years that the American Lung Association has been doing our ‘State of the Air’ report, we have seen incredible improvement in our nation’s air quality.” Kristina Hamilton, advocacy director at the ALA, said in a news release. “Unfortunately, more than 131 million people still live in places with unhealthy levels of air pollution, and Chicago is listed as one of the worst places for ozone

Community calendar

Quotes of the week:

and particle pollution, which disproportionately impacts low-income communities and communities of color.”

Downstate communities had generally cleaner air. While data on ozone pollution is only available for 23 Illinois counties, Adams, Effingham and Jo Daviess counties all received an “A” grade from the lung group for having zero days last year with high ozone pollution levels. For the 17 counties with data on particle pollution, seven received an “A” grade, including DuPage and McHenry counties in Chicagoland.

The Springfield area’s air quality worsened this year compared to last year, when Sangamon County was ranked among the cleanest in the nation. It fell to a “C” grade for ozone and “B” grade for particle pollution, based on the number of days with high levels of each pollutant in the air.

“The older you get, the better you get. Unless you are a banana.” – Betty White

“Just remember, once you’re over the hill, you pick up speed.” – Charles Schultz

“When a woman reaches an age she likes, she should stick with it.” – Eva Gabor

Saturday, May 4

READERS

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

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You won’t get an Elmhurst Independent tote bag, an Apple gift card, or a discount on an extended car warranty. But you will get the satisfaction of knowing that you have helped to support your favorite newspaper.

• At 10 a.m., the Elmhurst Senior Commission is hosting a Senior Conversation at City Hall, featuring Mayor Scott Levin as the speaker.

• At 7 p.m., the Elmhurst Symphony Orchestra presents La Mer at the Elmhurst Christian Reformed Church (ECRC) on Brush Hill Rd. in Elmhurst. A pre-concert lecture by assistant conductor Eli Chen begins at 5:45 p.m. The concert will include two pieces by Claude Debussy, and Cello Concert No. 1 in A minor by Camille SaintSaens, when cellist Alexander Hersh joins Dr. Stephen Alltop and the ESO. For tickets and info, visit elmhurstsymphony.org.

Saturday, May 4

Sunday, May 5

The 27th annual Art in Wilder Park will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days inside Elmhurst’s Wilder Park. More than 100 artists, kids court, food vendors, music and more. Produced by EAM, Elmhurst Park District and RGL Marketing for the Arts, Inc. Free admission. Info: RGLmarketingforthearts.com /art-in-wilder-park.

Sunday, May 5

• From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., the Elmhurst Walk and Rollers Working Group, the Elmhurst Police and Fire Depts. are hosting a Bicycle Safety Day Ride starting at Safety Town at York and the Prairie Path by the old depot. Learn bike safety tips and rules, join a two-mile bike ride along the Prairie Path (helmets required). Bike Helmet fitting, free safety lights, obstacle course, prizes and more. Free and open to the public.

• From 12-1 p.m., at the Elmhurst

History Museum, curator Sarah Cox will offer a Gallery Talk about the highlights of the Victory at Home: 1941-1945 exhibit. Includes exclusive access to museum galleries. Free and open to the public. Info: elmhursthistory.org.

Sunday, May 5

Cinco de Mayo

From 2-6 p.m., there’s a party for Dee’s 70th birthday at the American Legion THB Post 187. Stop by!

Friday, May 10

Beginning at 7 p.m., Elmhurst University is holding its first-ever student film festival in Schaible Science Center on the university campus. Films will be screened, followed by awards. Films are less than 20 minutes long, covering genres from comedy to horror, in forms from traditional shorts to music videos and animation. Free and open to the public. For tickets and info: eufilmclub.sixsite.com/eufilmfest.

Saturday, May 11

From 9 a.m. to noon, First Congregational UCC will hold its annual Green Garden Fair on the church grounds at 235 S. Kenilworth. Pre-ordered seedlings will be available for pick up. Additional organic vegetable, herb and flower seedlings will be available for purchase. Learn how to live more sustainably from a variety of “green” exhibitors. New this year: Bring your garden tools, knives and scissors and Custom Edge Sharpening will sharpen them while you wait. Also, Prairie Wind Natives will be selling native plants. Info: elmhurstucc@ sbcglobal.net.

Thursday, May 16

From 6-10 p.m. United Community Concerns Association (UCCA) will hold Taste of the Town: Dining for a Cause, an Elmhurst food and drink experience, at Wilder Mansion. The evening will showcase food, wine, and beer tastings from 17 Elmhurst businesses and live music. Proceeds from the event will benefit UCCA, an all-volunteer, not-for-profit organi-

zation that fights hunger by providing food, referrals, and services to Elmhurst District 205’s most financially disadvantaged children and their families. Tickets are $75 in advance and $80 at the door and can be purchased online at ucca-elmhurst.org or by mail at UCCA, Box 324, Elmhurst, 60126. Visit ucca-elmhurst.org for more details.

Saturday, May 18

Beginning with fun and festivities at 11:30 a.m., the 31st annual Spring Road Pet Parade, hosted by the Elmhurst Kiwanis Club, will take place starting at the Gazebo on the Prairie Path. The parade steps off at 1 p.m. Pets of all types and sizes are welcome. Prizes awarded for Best Dressed, Most Obedient, etc. Cash-only concessions; raffle tickets with proceeds to area animal shelters. Goodie bags for the first 100 registered pets. Register at springroad.com/ourevents.

Sunday, May 19

• Beginning at 12:15 p.m., SHE, the Single Mother’s Support Group will meet at the Elmhurst Christian Reformed Church, 149 W. Brush Hill Rd. Complimentary for lunch, free child care (ages 0-12) and support from other single mothers. This is our last meeting for the season. Please RSVP to elmhurstcrc.org/she.

• From 2-3 p.m., the Elmhurst History Museum will host The Windy City at War: Chicago’s Homefront 194145 in the Education Center. Free for members, $5 for non-members. After the Great Depression and the attack on Pearl Harbor, it was impossible to escape the impact of WWII. Residents of the Chicago area sustained the effort to win the war, enduring food and gas rationing, buying war bonds and planting Victory gardens. They produced much needed war equipment, fed military personnel, and even took part in secret war-related projects. Join Dennis Doyle, professor of history at Joliet Junior College for an examination of the efforts of the people of Chicago and the suburbs and the impact of the war on them. Info: elmhursthistory.org.

UCCA announces Taste of the Town: Dining for a Cause

United Community Concerns Association will host the 7th annual, Taste of the Town: Dining for a Cause, an Elmhurst food and drink experience, on Thursday, May 16, from 6-10 p.m. at Wilder Mansion. “This year’s event is even more important than ever. We have seen unprecedented need from District 205 families this year with the number being served growing over 26 percent from this time last year,” said Shari Haug, UCCA president.

The evening will showcase food, wine, and beer tastings from 17 Elmhurst businesses and live music.

Proceeds from Taste of the Town: Dining for a Cause will benefit UCCA, an all-volunteer, not-for-profit organization that fights hunger by providing food, referrals, and services to Elmhurst District 205’s most financially disadvantaged children and their families. Last year UCCA provided more than $184,322 in food and grocery store gift cards to 290 families and 84 senior citizens.

Tickets are $75 per person in advance / $80 at the door. Visit ucca-elmhurst.org to purchase tickets online or send payment to UCCA, P.O. Box 324, Elmhurst, IL 60126.

Participating restaurants

151 Kitchen I Bar

Bottle Theory

Café Liberty

Cuvée

Ella’s Italian Pub Firewater BBQ

Francesca’s Amici

Golden Boy Barbecue

Hello Donut

Kilwins Elmhurst

Lezza Spumoni & Desserts

Nu Crepes

Pilot Pete’s Coffee & Treats

Pints

Primos Locos

Roberto’s Ristorante & Pizzeria

Tannins Wine Bar & Boutique

Sponsors 7-11

BMO Harris-Rob Hallberg

Bonheur White Glove Serving, Inc

Bottle Theory

Café Liberty

Carousel Flowers by Shamrock Gardens Florist

Community Bank of Elmhurst

Edward Jones-Michael Hirsch

Elmhurst Bank

Elmhurst Independent

Elmhurst Park District

Elmhurst Public Library

Euclid Beverage

Great American Exteriors

Guaranteed Rate--John Noldan

Kelly Stetler I Compass

L W Reedy

Lakeside Bank

Mehta Motors Inc., My Car Wash

Roberto’s Ristorante & Pizzeria

Stolper State Farm

Tail Gate

Tannins

W3Body Elmhurst

Wilkins Hyundai Mazda Genesis

Athlete of the Month Athlete of the Month

Jenny

Lumkes

Jenny Lumkes is a 4-year varsity track and field athlete who is serving her second year as team captain. This past weekend, she led her team to win the Walther Invitational Track Meet against 16 other teams by winning three events and taking second place in her fourth. She won the triple jump (9.68m), the low hurdles (50.63 sec), was part of the winning 4x400m relay, and took second in the long jump (4.60m). But her contribution to the team goes far beyond the 38 points she scored; she is an encouragement and at times, a coach to our very young team.

Recognized by

Taste of the Town committee members Susie Sands and Shari Haug meet with Mike Allas of Tannins Wine Bar & Boutique to discuss plans for its upcoming benefit Taste of the Town: Dining for a Cause, which takes place on May 16 at Wilder Mansion.

SUBMITTED PHOTO Elmhurst Independent

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

7 CEMETERY PLOTS Willing to sell as a group or individually. Located at Roselawn Memory Gardens 3045 WI-67, Lake Geneva, WI 53147. This is a private sale. Contact Randy, the seller at randy@slpublishers.com. Trucks

MERCEDES SPRINTER

high roof, 4 cylinder gas with extended warranty, 38,000 miles. $40,000. Call Larry at 630302-9090

Business & Service

La Mer

7:00

WATCH ALL GAMES HERE!

Sebastianshouse.com 801 E. Roosevelt Rd., Lombard (630) 376-6947 8900 Fairview Ave., Brookfield

H DAILY DINE IN ONLY SPECIALS H

SUNDAYS

50¢ Boneless Wings LIMIT 12 (with side purchase)

$5 Sausage & Peppers ‘Wich (with side purchase)

$9 Pasta Marinara (add $2 for Vodka, Meat, Carbonara or Alfredo)

$10 Bacon Wrapped Pickle Spears

$10 Vegan Pasta Marinara

$4 Mimosa - $6 Tito’s Bloody Mary

$4.50 Miller Lite or $6 Import 22 oz. Drafts

$17 Bottles of Woodbridge House Wine

H H H

TUESDAYS

$2 Beef/Pulled Pork Taco

$3 Chicken - Fish - Pork Belly - Steak

$4 Vegan Tacos - Impossible Meat - Chicken - Pork

$4 Cilantro Lime Rice or Seasoned Black Beans

$10 BACON Nachos

$4 Modelo Draft

$6 Don Julio Margaritas

$7 Don Julio Frozen Margaritas

$20 Any Mexican Beer Buckets

H H H

WEDNESDAYS

Half Price Bottles of Wine $25 or More

FREE Bar Bingo/Kids eat free 10 and Under - Ask server for more details

$5 Gourmet Cheeseburger (with side purchase)

$10 BACON Wrapped Mushrooms

$8 Impossible Burger (with side purchase)

$5 U Call Its $8 and Under Wine/Liquor ONLY

THURSDAYS

1/2 Off any $20 or More Bourbon, Scotch or Whiskey

$5 Pulled Pork ‘Wich (with side purchase)

$10 BACON Wrapped Mozzarella Sticks

$8 Vegan Chicken Parmesan ‘Wich (with side purchase)

$4 Drafts $8 and Under

H H H

FRIDAYS

$5 Pepper & Egg ‘Wich (with side purchase)

$15 Fish & Chips (1/2 Pound Alaskan White Fish)

$10 Bacon Stuffed Avocado

$8 Vegan Burrito (with side purchase)

$5 Stella Draft

$5 Crown or Titos

$25 High Noon Buckets

H H H

SATURDAYS/UFC

$5 1/2 Lb BLT ‘Wich (with side purchase)

$10 BACON Croquettes

$8 Vegan Buffalo Chicken ‘Wich (with side purchase)

$5 Sam Seasonal Draft

$5 Proper Twelve Shot

$5 Absolut or Jameson

$22 Modelo Buckets

H H H

CLOSED - MONDAYS

Derby special S

$100 cash for the best hat

$8 Mint Julips

$3 Pulled Pork Sliders w/slaw

$8 Deviled Eggs

$10 Bacon Deviled Eggs

36 Drafts H 350 Bourbons, Scotches & Whiskeys

HAPPY HOUR

Tuesday-Friday 3pm-6pm

99¢ Chicken Tenders ~ SLIDERS ~

$2 Grilled Chicken - Meatball - Pulled Pork

$3 Burger - Fish - Pork Belly

$4 Vegan Chicken or Impossible Slider

$5 Italian Beef ‘Wich

$8 Medium Cheese Pizza - $3 Full Toppings

$12 XL Cheese Pizza - $4 Full Toppings

$4 Well Gin, Rum, Tequila, Vodka & Whiskey

$4 House Wine (Woodbridge)

$5 Blue Moon Drafts

$15 Domestic Buckets - $20 Import Buckets

$8 Jefferson Old Fashioned

$5 Jefferson 1.25 oz. Pour

$6 Margaritas

$3 Fish Tacos

$3 Steak Tacos

$8 Chips and Guacamole

Funeral Etiquette...

Accepted customs of dress and behavior in a funeral have changed over time, but courtesy never goes out of style. Here’s what we’d like you to know about funeral etiquette.

• Offer an expression of sympathy

• Gift a gift

• Keep in touch

• Find out the dress code

• Sign the register book.