EI061523

Independent

Elmhurst’s Locally Owned and Operated Hometown Newspaper

Man charged with aggravated DUI in deadly crash at York, Irving Park Road

DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and Bensenville

Chief of Police Daniel Schulze announced that bond has been set for a Chicago man charged with running a red light at a Bensenville intersection and crashing his vehicle into another, killing the female driver.

Armando Salkic, 22, appeared at a bond hearing where Judge Margaret O’Connell set bond at $1

University Summer Band presents concert schedule

First concert Wednesday evening at ‘Gates of Knowledge’

The Elmhurst University Summer Band will soon begin its sixth season with concerts at the Gates of Knowledge on the Elmhurst University campus on Wednesday, June 14, and Wednesday, June 28, beginning at 7 p.m. The EU Summer Band is composed of students, faculty, alumni, local music teachers, high school students and community members. The EU Summer Band will perform a variety of music for the outdoor performances.

The first concert, “Music for a Summer Evening,” is on Flag Day, and will of course include “You’re a Grand Old Flag.” The second concert, “American Salute,” to kick off the Fourth of July weekend, will feature music by American composers.

Dr. James Hile and Professor John Heath will serve as the conductors

See CONCERT, Page 18

million. Salkic is charged with two counts of aggravated DUI causing death, a Class 2 Felony.

It is alleged that on Friday, June 2 at approximately 3:35 a.m., Salkic was traveling at a high rate of speed in a Volkswagen Jetta southbound on York Road when he disregarded a red stop light at the intersection of York Road and Irving Park Road and crashed his car into the victim’s

Honda CRV.

The victim was pronounced deceased at the scene. Following the crash, Salkic was transported to an area hospital for medical treatment. He was released from the hospital yesterday afternoon, taken into custody and transported to the DuPage County Jail. Salkic’s BAC was allegedly .194, more than twice the legal limit, approximately two and

a half hours after the crash.

“Once again, an innocent life has been tragically lost to an alleged drunk driver,” Berlin said. “Not only is drinking and driving dangerous, reckless and selfish, it too often turns fatal, as is alleged in this case.”

“My heart goes out to the victim’s family and the victim who was on her way to work,” Schulze

said. “Our officers and the MERIT team did a great job.”

Salkic’s next court appearance is scheduled Thursday, June 29 for arraignment in front of Judge O’Connell.

How the City works

This little girl watches as a City staff person offers a demonstration on how the City’s water filtration system works. It was one of many activities on Saturday, June 10 when the City hosted “Special Kids Day: The City Works!” at Elmhurst City Hall. This family event, designed for kids and adults with special needs, was presented by the Special Kids Day organization. Kids were able to learn how the City works from the firefighters, paramedics, police officers, and the public works team.

Armando Salkic

DEE LONGFELLOW PHOTO Elmhurst Independent

Elmhurst Art Museum celebrates first ‘Everyday Hero’

Michael Gustafson chooses tissue donation, not for himself but to save others

The first everyday hero in the Elmhurst Art Museum’s Everyday Hero series is Michael Gustafson, who was nominated by Barbara S. Szczepaniak, vice president for programs for the DuPage Foundation.

Michael’s parents, Al and Patti Gustafson, shared the following:

“Michael’s superpower was an ‘I’m never giving up’ attitude,” said Michael’s parents, Al and Patti Gustafson. “He never gave up. He gave away. His brain and spine for research and courage for others.”

Michael was an affectionate tough guy with a great sense of humor. His parents noted that his “toughness was evident in his athletic endeavors but was most apparent in how he dealt with his cancer treatments.”

“After major brain surgery, his radiation and chemotherapy lasted throughout his fifth grade year,” his parents said. “He chose to do his hospital chemo on the weekends so he wouldn’t have to miss school. Many school days he would eat breakfast, then throw up … he would eat a second breakfast and go to school. He only missed eight days of school in fifth grade. Throughout his living with cancer, he just wanted to be like any other kid.”

They said Michael was also very affectionate, partly due to his experience of being a twin, starting with seven months in the womb curled up next to Bridget (they were both “premies” (premature births).

“Michael really liked holding hands,” his parents said. “Sometimes just sitting at the table talking, he would be holding your hand or touching your arm.

“The very best thing about his sense of humor was his laugh. If something struck him as funny, usually his brother Ian the instigator, Michael’s hand would come up to his face and he would start laughing with reckless abandon.

“There were many times at the dinner table when dinner would come to an abrupt halt while the family sat around laughing at Michael laughing.”

Michael’s favorite fictional hero was Albus Dumbledore who said, “To an organized mind, death is but the next great adventure.”

“While Michael has gone before us to his next great adventure, he left us with so many wonderful memories and provided a stunning example of what is possible in this life.”

Michael’s Master Plan – tissue donation to help save others

Michael Gustafson was nearing his 15th birthday

See MUSEUM, Page 5

STEVEN M KOCH PHOTO Elmhurst Independent

Inspired by the peacock, a symbol of pride and glamour, pictured is the Superhero “Iridescent,” one of eight currently in the outdoor art installation in Wilder Park, held in conjunction with the Elmhurst Art Museum’s current exhibition, Marvelocity: The Art of Alex Ross. Iridescent was made by teens from the Elmhurst Pride Collective with guidance from Esmeralda Bolivar of Do It Together Workshops. The Superheroes in Wilder Park will remain through Monday, July 31. The Marvelocity exhibition stays through Sunday, Aug. 20.

elmhursT IndependenT

Your Hometown Newspaper

Locally owned and operated

240 N. West Avenue Elmhurst, IL. 60126

Main Phone 630.834-8244 Fax 630.834-0900

Visit us at: TheElmhurstIndependent.com

The Elmhurst Independent USPS#022-607 is published every Thursday by Rock Valley Publishing, LLC, 240 N. West Avenue, Elmhurst, IL. 60126.

Periodical Postage Paid at Elmhurst, IL.

Display Advertising: 630.834-8355

Classified Advertising: 630.834-8244

News: 630.834-8244

General Information: 630.834-8244

E-mail:

Advertising Department: ads1@rvpublishing.com

News Department: Independent@rvpublishing.com

Classified Department: Classifieds@rvpublishing.com

Administration:

Dee Longfellow

News Coordinator

Debra Hamilton

Advertising Director

Pete Cruger

Publisher

Advertising:

Brenda Garcia

Subscriptions:

The Elmhurst Independent is mailed at no charge by request to residents in the 60126 zip code area. Out-of-area mail subscriptions are $29.95 yearly. Single copies are also available at more than 80 newsstand locations in Elmhurst. For home delivery information call 630.834-8244.

Reprints:

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

Postmaster: Please send address changes to:

THE ELMHURST INDEPENDENT

240 N. West Avenue, Elmhurst, IL. 60126

Office Hours: Monday-Friday 11am-3pm

Elmhurst University cuts ribbon on E-celerator Innovation Center Recognizes students who took first in Big Idea Pitch Contest

Elmhurst University recently celebrated the spirit—and practice—of entrepreneurship by cutting the ribbon on the new E-celerator Innovation Space and applauding two students whose idea took first prize in the competitive Big Idea startup pitch contest held at College of DuPage.

Campus leaders gathered in May for the grand opening of the E-celerator, a dedicated physical space in the A.C. Buehler Library where students can meet and explore their entrepreneurial aspirations. A bright, airy room furnished with moveable tables and seating, the space is an important part of the university’s efforts to foster successful student entrepreneurship by providing them with the necessary knowledge, resources and mentorship.

“This is a great opportunity to celebrate the spirit of innovation that’s thriving here at Elmhurst, and we’re very proud to see that spirit finding a wonderful new home,” said Elmhurst University President Troy D. VanAken.

He thanked a number of groups and organizations for their support of entrepreneurship at the university, including:

• The PNC Foundation, which has awarded $30,000 annual grants to Elmhurst for the past four years;

• Innovation DuPage, a business incubator/ accelerator that has partnered with the University to help navigate the launch of the E-celerator and provide ideas for programming;

• The A.C. Buehler Library, which provided the space for the E-celerator;

• The Elmhurst U. Innovation Committee, which awarded a grant that helped to cover the renovation costs for the new space.

“Our long-term vision was to create and champion an entrepreneurial spirit at Elmhurst University and its surrounding communities,” said Martin Gahbauer, executive director of the Weigand Center for Professional Excellence.

“The funds allowed us to bring to life the vision we had for the space— it is now a dynamic and creative place that encourages inventiveness and innovation.”

Contest winners recognized

During the grand opening, one of the E-celerator’s most recent—and among its biggest—success stories also enjoyed some time in the spotlight. Patrick Yanahan, the E-celerator’s entrepreneur in residence, announced that rising seniors Miftha Syed, of Lombard, and Aaliya Khaja, of Addison, had beaten nearly 40 other applicants to win the $5,000 first prize at the Big Idea Pitch Contest, hosted by Innovation DuPage and College of DuPage.

Their winning pitch was for their app Instapark, which uses geoloca-

tion to help college and university commuters find open parking spots on campus and solves the universal problem of having to circle parking lots in search of a spot. Their unique solution also demonstrated the ability to provide revenue-sharing adver-

tising from local businesses to users of the app. In addition to the prize money, Syed and Khaja received a six-month membership to Innovation DuPage, and access to expert and mentoring resources to help them refine their idea.

“It’s such an exciting time for innovation and entrepreneurship at Elmhurst,” Yanahan said.

“I couldn’t be prouder of our students and how they’re making the most of these new opportunities and resources.”

Attendees at the grand opening for the E-celerator Innovation Space include (from left) Martin Gahbauer, executive director of the Weigand Center for Professional Excellence; Entrepreneur in Residence Patrick Yanahan; student Jessica Pavliukovecas; and Elmhurst University President Troy D. VanAken.

Elmhurst University students Aaliya Khaja (left) and Miftha Syed recently won first place at the Big Idea Pitch Contest, hosted by Innovation DuPage and College of DuPage. They were recognized at the grand opening of EU’s E-celerator Innovation Space held recently. Khaja is a resident of Addison, while Syed lives in Lombard.

EMMA FILIPSSON PHOTOS Elmhurst Independent

This is an artist’s rendition of Michael Gustafson, the very first ‘Everyday Hero’ to be honored by the Elmhurst Art Museum, which is seeking nominations for Everyday Heroes in the local community in conjunction with the museum’s summer exhibit, Marvelocity: The Art of Alex Ross. The museum is working with artist and designer Ethan Colchamiro who drew this comic book drawing of Michael. Michael was nominated by Elmhurst resident Barbara S. Szczepaniak, vice president for programs for the DuPage Foundation.

• Museum

(Continued from page 3)

when his mother recorded a video in a restaurant parking lot. By this point, Michael already knew he was not going to beat brain cancer for himself, but maybe he could beat it for someone else.

“I’m going to give up my life in order to see if we can find a cure,” he told his family.

It was his idea to be a tissue donor.

Michael called it his “Master Plan.”

Earlier that day, Michael made a decision that gave him peace and purpose at the end of his life. While

waiting for their ride, his mom recorded him talking about his decision on her phone.

Michael Gustafson created the Swifty Foundation before his death at age 15 to raise awareness and funds for pediatric cancer research so that, as he put it, “No other child will have to go through what I did.”

About the EAM’s Everyday Hero program

The Elmhurst Art Museum is working with artist and design-

er Ethan Colchamiro to recognize heroes in the local community in conjunction with the summer exhibit, Marvelocity: The Art of Alex Ross. It could be a helpful neighbor, brave firefighter, devoted civic leader, caring nurse, incredible teacher, amazing grandma, or someone else in your life. When you nominate an Everyday Hero, they may be drawn comic book style and celebrated on the museum’s website, social media, and walls. To nominate a hero, visit elmhurstartmuseum.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

June 6

Antiwone Rudd, 39, of Northlake, was and charged with aggravated battery in a public place, retail theft, driving while license suspended, leaving the scene of a property damage accident, improper backing of vehicle on roadway, failure to signal when required, disobeying stop sign and disobeying a police officer in the 100 block of E. Fullerton at 12;31 p.m. Police said officers responded after Rudd took a carton of cigarettes and left without paying. The suspect then allegedly grabbed the arm of an employee in an attempt to take her phone as she was recording him. Police said Rudd then fled the scene, causing a traffic crash.

June 5

Joshua Mercado, 37, of Broadview, was charged with aggravated battery and aggravated assault at Edward-Elmhurst Hospital at 12:15 a.m. Police said officers responded because Mercado punched an Elmhurst public safety officer.

Criminal damage, criminal trespassing

June 2

A victim told police that an unknown suspect(s) shot a BB gun at his front window, shattering it. An investigation is pending.

June 1

Police said officers responded in the 100 block of E. North End for an unknown problem. Upon arrival, the victim’s daughter and her boyfriend were arguing. During the argument, the suspect damaged property. No physical contact occurred between them. The victim and daughter refused to sign complaints against the suspect. A trespass notice was served to the suspect.

A victim near Michigan and Elmhurst reported at 3:45 p.m. that an unknown suspect broke the driver’s side window on his parked vehicle. The doors were locked and nothing was missing from the van.

May 30-May 31

A victim in the 100 block of N. Avon reports an unknown suspect used an unknown object to puncture his air conditioner.

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

June 6

Janiah D. Ellis, 22, of Chicago, was charged with illegal transportation of open alcohol and driving with no plates subsequent to a traffic stop near York and Industrial at 12:23 a.m.

June 3

Roelio Isai Lopez-Ponce, 34, of Northlake,

was charged with DUI, no valid driver’s license, failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident, possession of open alcohol and no insurance subsequent to an accident near Grand and York at 12:02 a.m.

Evelyn Meyemberg Bome, 38, of Clarendon Hills, was charged with DUI, two counts of endangering the health/safety of a minor, improper lane usage and no insurance subsequent to a traffic stop near Route 83 and St. Charles at 8:22 p.m.

Luis E. Funes Camposeco, 21, of Bensenville; Branli R Funez Composeco, 26, of Bensenville; Marvin P. Funes Lucas, 24, of Bensenville; Eduardo Garcia, 40, of Bensenville; Cipriano Pascual Funes, 30, of Elmhurst, and Manuel Salazar Ascencio, 36, of Chicago, were issued citations for possession of alcohol in public in the 200 block of Myrtle at 1:35 p.m. Funez Composeco received an additional citation for disorderly conduct-befouling property after he allegedly urinated in public.

June 1

Javier Hernandez-Garcia, 4, of Darien, was charged with DUI, improper lane usage, failure to signal when required, illegal transportation of alcohol and no insurance subsequent to a traffic stop near North and Berteau at 11:07 p.m.

Domestic battery, disorderly conduct

June 6

Benjamin Dunn, 44, of Chicago, was issued citations for public intoxication and possession of open alcohol in the 900 block of S. York at 3:18 p.m.

June 2

A 34-year-old Elmhurst man was charged with domestic battery in the 200 block of S. Pick at 9:38 p.m. Police said a victim and the suspect were observed in a physical altercation.

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.

June 6

Pablo L. Bernal, 49, of Northlake, was charged with aggravated fleeing, possession of adult cannabis in a vehicle, driving while license revoked, two counts of improper display of registration and no insurance near Route 83 and Riverside at 12:21 a.m. According to police, while on patrol, a reporting officer received an SOS response on the vehicle’s registration as revoked and expired. The officer attempted a traffic stop where the vehicle’s driver allegedly accelerated and fled the scene. The vehicle was eventually located, and Ber-

nal was taken into custody.

Forgery

June 3

Harrison J. Mendoza Vargas, 31, of Bensenville, was charged with forgery, no valid driver’s license, failure to yield to an emergency vehicle and improper lane usage subsequent to a traffic stop near York and Lake at 7:06 a.m.

Harassment, threats

June 5

A victim in the 300 block of W. North told police that between 2:47 and 4:58 p.m., he received approximately 35 text messages and six phone calls from his mother who was cursing at him. She was advised not to call the victim anymore.

June 1

A complainant in the 500 block of S. Cedar told police his son received a text message from an unknown person asking him to send photos of himself and asked other personal questions. A message was left for the person to contact the police station.

Identity theft, fraud

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

Possession of a controlled substance

June 2

Police said that subsequent to a traffic stop in the 200 block of E. Columbia at 8;27 p.m., the suspect was found to be driving while license suspended and in possession of a controlled substance. The suspect was taken into custody, transported to the police station and released pending charges.

Possession of cannabis in a vehicle

According to information provided last week by the Elmhurst Police Department, police reported one incident of possession of cannabis by either the driver of a vehicle or a passenger: Irma R. Gonzalez, 34, of Brookfield, near Lake and Grand at 10:02 a.m. June 2.

Road rage

June 5

Victims near Roosevelt and York reported at 10:07 p.m. that while driving their three-wheel motorcycles, a suspect came from behind and attempted to run them off the road numerous times. One of the victims recorded some of the altercation. A reporting officer will be following up with an interview of the suspect.

Suspicious incident

May 26-June 5

A victim at a storage facility in the 100 block of W. Industrial told police an unknown suspect has been making Craigslist posts offering a variety of items for purchase at their business. They state people are showing up inquiring about the items which are not there. An investigation is pending.

June 4

A complainant at a store in the 600 block of N. York reported a suspicious person in the store. The suspect, described as a white female between 25 and 35 years old, then left the store

without any merchandise in a white sedan.

June 3

Police said officers responded to Elmhurst Hospital for the report of a gunshot wound victim. Upon arrival, the suspect told police while driving on I-290 with her husband, her firearm discharged, shooting him in the left thigh. Illinois State Police were notified of the incident and took over the investigation.

June 1

A complainant in the 600 block of W. Fay told police he observed the suspect banging on the front door of the victim’s residence. The suspect was no longer on the scene when officers arrived. Per a DuPage County court order, the suspect is not allowed at the above address. The report was to be forwarded to the DuPage County State’s Attorney’s office.

Theft or burglary /retail theft/forgery/deceptive practice/obstruction/ robbery

May 28-June 3

A victim in the 300 block of S. Arlington told police after returning home from vacation, they located a bathroom window open. They also indicated someone had gone through her children’s drawers and backpack. There was no sign of forced entry and the only item missing was a box of Sour Patch Kids candy.

June 1

A complainant at a business in the 100 block of E. Columbia told police at 2:53 p.m. that an unknown suspect(s) removed five chainsaws and a backpack blower from their tree-trimming truck.

April 28-May 31

A victim at a business in the 800 block of N. Church reported a check they sent in the mail was cashed by a suspect sometime between the above dates. An investigation is pending.

Oct. 3, 2022-May 17

A victim told police that her home health care aide has been forging and cashing checks from her bank account.

Retail theft

June 4

Police said officers responded to a gas station in the 400 block of N. York at 3:15 a.m. for the report of a retail theft that had just occurred. A complainant related the suspect, described as a black male, asked for a carton of Newport cigarettes; once the complainant turned his back, the suspect grabbed the cigarettes and fled the store. The suspect entered a gray muscle car and fled the area northbound on York. At the same gas station at 7:10 a.m., a complainant told police that an unknown suspect described as a black male left the business with merchandise he did not pay for and fled the scene in a red Nissan Rogue.

June 3

Police said officers responded to a store in the 200 block of S. Route 83 at 5:18 p.m. for the report of a retail theft in progress. Upon arrival, the suspect was located and found to have an active warrant out of Downers Grove. Local charges for retail theft and unlawful possession of a controlled substance are pending. The suspect was transferred to the Downers Grove Police Department on its felony warrant.

Backyard Caucus speaker to discuss ‘microaggressions’

The next meeting of the Backyard Caucus will be held on Wednesday, June 21 at 7 p.m. at the Elmhurst Public Library. The guest speaker will be Dr. Jessica J. Sim, assistant professor at Elmhurst University, who will discuss microaggressions, which have been defined as subtle, sometimes unintentional ways marginalized people experience racism.

The Backyard Caucus is a group of community members committed to making Elmhurst a more inclusive community through education and community conversations. Registration is required by emailing backyardcaucuselmhurst@gmail.com. For more information, visit backyardcaucus.org.

• Police

(Continued from page 6)

A complainant at a store in the 600 block of N. York told police at 5:42 p.m. that a suspect described as a black male exited the store with various liquor items and fled in a red Chevy Traverse with another suspect last seen northbound on York. An investigation is pending.

May 19-June 2

Kathe E. Vanderveld, 32, of Wood Dale, was charged with two counts of retail theft at a store in the 100 block of W. Second. Police said that subsequent to a trespassing complaint, the suspect was found to have committed a retail theft on May 19, and again on June 2.

June 1

Police said two suspects, both described as black males, have been observed at several stores stealing items and returning them at different locations. On the above date, one of the suspects entered the store and returned one dining chair that had been stolen from the Aurora store that morning. The other suspect then entered the store with the empty chair box and stuffed it with numerous bedding sheets and exited the store. The sheets were later returned at the Downers Grove store.

Unlawful visitation interference

June 3

Anastasia G. Stathis, 48, of Morton Grove, was charged with unlawful visitation interference in the 800 block of N. Church at 1:51 p.m. According to police a complainant related that the suspect refused his visitation because the child did not want to go. The complainant provided the court order indicating his visitation. The officer advised the suspect of the consequences.

We want to print your news! What’s going on at your club or organization?

Seeking new members?

Hosting a fundraiser?

Send details to independent@ rvpublishing.com

Cathy Richardson enthralls fans at gazebo

Cathy Richardson opened up the Music at the Gazebo series of concerts this year with her performance on Thursday, June 8, drawing a huge crowd at Wild Meadows Trace on Spring Road. People were seated past the Prairie Path with their chairs on the grassy area just before the parking lot because it was so crowded. Richardson did some Melissa Etheridge songs in honor of Pride month. She also did a popular Stevie Nicks song from her Fleetwood Mac album called Dreams, which was a big hit.

BRENDA GARCIA

PHOTO Elmhurst Independent

Viewpoint

Resident asks others to support new author

A prayer from thousands of years old transcends into English meaning: “Do good for the sake of goodness and not for any reward.”

Shanaya Grant, pride of Elmhurst, epitomizes that phrase, as she spent her own money to research and compile these short real life inspirational stories and had them printed in these easy-to-read stories of one or two pages each. And to top it off, proceeds from the sale goes to pediatric cancer research.

A must read for all.

Shanaya grew up in Elmhurst. She attended Jackson Elementary and Bryan Middle Schools, graduating from York High School in 2013. She works for one of the Big Four accounting companies as a management consultant and currently lives in Chicago.

Approximately six years ago after watching the horror of a mass shooting event unfold on TV, Shanaya observed that the news media focused all their attention on the perpetrator of the crime. She realized we would come to know everything about this individual but absolutely nothing about the many people who had risked their lives to save others at this same horrific occurrence.

Shanaya resolved to write a book about ordinary people doing extraordinary things for mankind. She strongly believes the world is a beautiful place filled with good people.

To this end, she has spent countless hours researching, reaching out to these exceptional individuals, and writing their stories. Her emphasis is that we have choices on how we live our lives – a choice to count our

blessings, to find ways to bring happiness to others. We’re all capable of creating a positive impact on others in our daily lives – we just have to choose to do so.

This has been a passionate endeavor for Shanaya to show that there are more good people than bad in this world and to shed some light on the goodness of humankind in a world that increasingly seems to focus on the negative. All proceeds for the book will go to Shanaya’s favorite charity – St. Jude’s Hospital.

Let us encourage this young lady by buying all in print so a second edition is in the works.

If you cannot afford it let me know and we will order the first 35 copies.

Hosi Mehta

Slices of life

Turkey pine and other family favorites

One of the 1,107 things I love best about family is the little stories we create. The inside jokes.

The phrases only we understand, and the giggles we share because of them.

In my family we have quite a few. I bet you do as well. Cherish them. They represent memories.

They represent love.

When my husband and I were dating, for a time we lived across the country from one another. Every night, at the same time, we met together, to gaze at the same moon. I’d actually forgotten about this memory until I read about it in letters he’d written to me at that time. Now I look at the moon and think of him. Only him.

When our daughter started talking, the phrases just kept coming and coming. They only multiplied as the number in our family increased.

I’m not sure why, but grapes became bidgies. It was just how our daughter pronounced the word. We deemed it cute and it caught on. A family term. Likewise, green beans became gringo bingos. Broccoli trees, circle peas and cauliflowers all were part of dinnertime fodder.

Whenever she heard a sound

By JILL PERTLER COLUMNIST

that was unfamiliar, our daughter asked, “What’s that, beep beep?”

The phrase was quickly acclimated into our family vernacular.

Three boys came along after our first born daughter. With them came more Pertler family lingo. Thankfully, “I love you,” was a common phrase in our daily lives. When my kids responded with “I love you, too.” I’d tell them, “I loved you first.” To which they replied, “I loved you second first.” Second first became akin to “I love you, too.”

One night we were all playing Scrabble and our youngest son tried to play the word, “huddleuppy.”

In between our laughter, we questioned his logic and he referred to his experience playing and watching football.

“You know, in between plays, everyone gets together and does a huddleuppy.”

This became such a legend in

our home that other words were born from it. For in-stance, when we watched TV on the couch, under a blanket at night it became a cuddle-uppy.

Somewhere along the line in family folklore, turkey lunchmeat sandwiches became turkeypine. For years and years turkey lunchmeat was always turkeypine. Just recently, I asked the boys which one of them originally came up with the term and they all (as adults) thought that turkeypine was a legitimate term for lunchmeat.

And so it goes. I often, still, make them turkey-pine sandwiches. Made with love (and turkey) of course.

My daughter, the creator of bidgies, now has babies of her own. And with them has come new family traditions.

My granddaughter was born five years ago and her uncles embraced her immediately—with a nickname: chicken nugget.

They’d say, “You’re just a chicken nugget!”

She’d answer, “I’m not a chicken nugget! You’re a chicken nugget!”

It’s an exchange that’s exchanged freely between us all.

No one openly admits to being a chicken nugget, but it’s a term of endearment we all recognize. My husband and I went through a long-distance relationship in our early days, and now I find myself in the same place with my grand babies. We don’t look to the moon—yet. That might be too late in the evening for them.

Instead, we visit via FaceTime and throw kisses—around the world—and catch them. I’ve gotten very good in my throwing and they’ve gotten very accurate in their catching. It’s love going around the world.

Just like it went to the moon and back when my husband and I were dating.

Love knows no bounds—not distance, space or time.

The same can be said for family and traditions, experiences and history.

I’m lucky. I’ve experienced so much of all of the above. I hope you do, too. Kisses around the world and all. Jill Pertler is an

Pritzker puts final stamp on $50.4 billion state spending plan

By Andrew Adams and Jerry Nowicki

CAPITOL NEWS ILLINOIS

Gov. JB Pritzker signed the state’s operating budget for the upcoming fiscal year last week, marking the first spending plan of his second term as governor.

The $50.4 billion spending plan anticipates about $50.6 billion in revenues for the fiscal year that begins July 1, making for a projected surplus of roughly $183 million, according to the governor’s office. That revenue estimate would be slightly below or roughly equal to what’s collected in tax revenues for the current year, depending on June’s final revenue collections.

The bill signing’s venue, typically chosen to highlight an important aspect of the budget, was the Belmont

Obituaries

Marshall G. Harpestad Jr., 65

Marshall G. Harpestad Jr. passed away on June 8, 2023, at the age of 65, after a short illness. Marshall enjoyed a simple life, enjoying long conversations with everyone he met. He had a genuine interest in conversation and enjoyed connecting with people. He was a truck driver but was home daily to spend time with his family. He married Debra Walega, who was the sparkle of his life. Together they had two sons, Marshall G. III and Daniel A. Marshall always had a project going on and loved to spend his time outdoors. A perfect day would be being outdoors in nice weather, with his family sharing stories, while admiring and tinkering on a project.

Left to mourn are his wife Debra, his son Marshall III and his wife Bridget, his son Daniel, his motherin-law Sally Walega, his sister-inlaw Denise Ruscetti and her husband Bill, his brother-in-law Joe Walega Jr, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Those that passed before him are his parents, Marshall Sr. and Mabel, and his father-in-law Joseph Walega Sr. Services will be held Thursday June 15 from 4 p.m. until Service time at 6 p.m.at Pedersen Ryberg Funeral Home, 435 N. York Street. Interment private. For info 630-8341133.

Peter Paul Loeb, 90

Peter Paul Loeb, of Addison, passed away on June 8, 2023 after breaking his hip on March 23, 2023 and subsequent complications. He was 90.

Peter was born on December 9, 1932 to Peter Vincent Loeb and Anna Burian Loeb in Chicago. After Peter graduated from St. George in Evanston, he went on to work as an apprentice concrete finisher before he became a carpenter contractor and Custom Home Builder. Many of Peter’s homes were built in Addison, Elmhurst, Wood Dale, and Oak Brook. Peter was very active in ice hockey as one of the founders of Elmhurst Huskies Organization. In 1979, his AHAUS Junior B team was the National Tournament Champion.

Cragin campus of Christopher House in Chicago, a charter school that mostly serves low-income Hispanic families.

The signing was attended by a who’s who of state Democrats, with the governor, House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch, D-Hillside, Senate President Don Harmon, D-Oak Park, and various members of the legislature’s Democratic leadership and budget negotiation teams.

Several of them highlighted the budget’s investments in education.

“Birth-to-five services and kindergarten readiness are the foundation for the rest of our children’s educational experiences,” Pritzker said.

‘Smart Start Illinois’

The budget includes funding to launch Pritzker’s “Smart Start Il-

linois” early childhood education program. Earlier this year, he toured the state to promote the increased spending on pre-K and kindergarten, which includes $130 million to fund a new system of contracts for early childhood workers and upping state funding for early childhood block grants by $75 million. “Smart Start” also includes added funding for early intervention and home visiting programming.

The budget also increases state dollars going to the K-12 funding formula by $350 million—the amount called for annually in state law—and puts $45 million toward a three-year pilot program to fill teacher vacancies and provide scholarships to future teachers. It’s less than the $70 million for that program that Pritzker included in his February budget proposal.

throughout the legislative session, Senate Minority Leader John Curran, R-Downers Grove, criticized the overall budget in a statement while noting it included some common ground between the two parties.

“We negotiated in good faith, and as a result, there are some joint priorities in this budget, specifically to support the developmentally disabled and invest in education,” Curran said.

No Republican support

No Republicans in either chamber voted for the plan.

McCombie also contradicted Curran’s read of the budget and said that it “shortchanges” the direct service professionals, or DSPs, that serve disabled people in community settings.

A state-commissioned 2020 study of the industry recommended increasing DSP wages to 150 percent of the state’s minimum wage, which is currently $13 per hour and is set to increase to $14 in January.

He also was chosen as one of the coaches to give a clinic to the Miracle on Ice Olympic team in 1980. He was also an avid hunter and cowboy.

Peter met Janice in his teens on the north side of Chicago and married on Sept. 11, 1954. Peter and Janice have four children, Pamela Anne, Barbara Lynn, Peter James, and John Arthur.

Peter was also very active as the lead usher at Calvary Church Naperville. Peter also traveled around the world as part of Calvary’s mission teams building churches, bible schools, and medical facilities. In 2019, Peter retired and spent his time wood carving.

A memorial service will be held at a future date and location to be announced.

Margaret Pamela Dietz, 85 Services Saturday

Margaret Pamela Dietz, of Elmhurst, passed away on June 7, 2023 at the age of 85. Born in London, England, to Gladys and Cyril Fletcher, she moved to the United States in 1964, a country of which she was proud to be a citizen. She married Thomas Dietz on January 6, 1968. They welcomed their son Theodore in 1972 and daughter Catherine “Katy” in 1978. Margaret was a huge futbol fan and especially loved the London Arsenal team.

Her family was the joy of her life, yet her grandson Thomas was the light of her life. Her love of children was exemplified by her 25 years of dedicated service at the YMCA daycare center.

Beloved wife of Thomas for over 55 years; Loving mother of Theodore Gregor (Diane) Dietz and Catherine Ann Dietz; grandmother to her grandson Thomas Gregor Dietz. Preceded in death by her parents, and her infant son William.

Visitation will be on Saturday June 17, from 8 a.m. until prayer at 10 a.m. at Pedersen Ryberg Funeral Home, 435 N. York Street, Elmhurst, with a 11 a.m. Mass at Mary Queen of Heaven Catholic Church in Elmhurst, with a burial immediately following at Mt Carmel Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (www.stjude.org).

Higher education, a long-time budget priority of Pritzker’s, will also see increased funding. These include a $100 million funding increase to the state’s Monetary Award Program, which provides need-based scholarships. It marks a 75 percent increase in funding for MAP grants since 2019. The budget also includes a $15 million increase to the AIM HIGH merit-based scholarship program and a $3.8 million increase to the Minority Teacher Scholarship program.

Despite praising Republican involvement in budget negotiations

LEGAL NOTICES

NOTICE

CERTIFICATE NO. 79099 was filed in the office of the County Clerk of DuPage County on MAY 23, 2023, wherein the business firm of PERSONAL IMAGES LOCATED AT 498 SOUTH HAMPSHIRE AVENUE, ELMHURST, IL 60126 was registered; that the true or real name or names of the person or persons owning the business, with their respective post office address(es), is/are as follows: NAME OF PERSON(S) ANNA WILDERMUTH BRIDGMAN, HOME ADDRESS 498 SOUTH HAMPSHIRE AVENUE, ELMHURST, IL 60126.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and Official Seal at my office in Wheaton, Illinois, this 23RD day of MAY, A.D. 2023.

JEAN KACZMAREK Jean Kaczmarek DuPage County Clerk (OFFICIAL SEAL)

(Published in The Elmhurst Independent June 1, 8 & 15, 2023) 438728

NOTICE

CERTIFICATE NO. 79113 was filed in the office of the County Clerk of DuPage County on JUNE 7, 2023, wherein the business firm of BUENAS NOCHES

PRODUCTIONS LOCATED AT 312 N. HIGHVIEW AVENUE, ELMHURST, IL 60126 was registered; that the true or real name or names of the person or persons owning the business, with their respective post office address(es), is/are as follows:

NAME OF PERSON(S) CRYSTAL M. FLOEDER, HOME ADDRESS 312 N. HIGHVIEW AVENUE, ELMHURST, IL 60126.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and Official Seal at my office in Wheaton, Illinois, this 7TH day of JUNE, A.D. 2023.

JEAN KACZMAREK Jean Kaczmarek DuPage County Clerk (OFFICIAL SEAL)

(Published in The Elmhurst Independent June 15, 22 & 29, 2023) 439446

In the House, debate was more tense. Republican budget negotiator Norine Hammond, of Macomb, said the GOP was essentially cut out from the budget process by House Democrats. She had previously noted Republicans participated in more frequent budget talks with the governor’s staff.

“Another budget filled with broken promises, accounting gimmicks, and a lack of structural reforms to address the systemic outmigration of Illinois families,” House Republican Leader Tony McCombie, R-Savanna, said in a statement.

The budget includes provisions increasing DSP wage base rates by $2.50 per hour, to $19.50, beginning in January. That would still fall short of the $4 per hour needed to meet the study’s recommendation as of next year. Still, it marks a $1 increase beyond what Pritzker had proposed in February.

Home workers who assist the elderly are also slated to receive a rate increase of $24 million.

The budget also includes $75 million for the Department of Children and Family Services. Pritzker’s office said this is expected to pay for 192 staff positions, expanded training, facility improvements and scholarships to children in DCFS care.

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:

240 N. West Ave., Elmhurst, IL 60126

IF YOU THINK THE INDEPENDENT IS WORTH 50¢ an issue, it would be $26.00; 75¢ an issue - $39.00 or $1 an issue - $52.00

You won’t get 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.

For delivery within Elmhurst

__ Please keep my paper coming:

Name______________________________

Bethel Church free piano concert to celebrate summer solstice

Bethel United Church of Christ in Elmhurst will offer “Word and Note” on Wednesday, June 21 at 7 p.m., a free concert honoring the summer solstice and featuring renowned pianist Jeffrey Panko. The program will be interspersed with secular poetry, read by Pastor Gretchen Sylvester.

Panko has received critical acclaim as both a soloist and in collaborative efforts with artists throughout the U.S. and Europe. A top prize winner in international competitions, Panko has been featured in performances at Carnegie Hall, Weill Hall, Lincoln Center, WQXR Radio (New York), is a frequent performer on WFMT Radio (Chicago) and has appeared

at the Symphony Center playing the music of Steven Sondheim for Mr. Sondheim himself.

The program will include works of Bach, Mozart, Chopin, Schumann and Albeniz.

An artist faculty member of the New Music School piano faculty in Chicago, Panko has served as minister of music and as artistic director of the Music@Bethel Concert series since its 1999 inception.

Bethel United Church of Christ is located at 315 East St. Charles Road just west of Sandburg Middle School. The church is accessible and parking is free. For more informa

130 W Vallette, Elmhurst 630-832-0555

MamaMariasElmhurst.com

Pictured is renowned pianist Jeffrey Panko, who will perform in concert as part of a free summer solstice celebration at Bethel United Church of Christ on Wednesday, June 21 at 7 p.m. Panko is Bethel’s minister of music and has been artistic director of the Music@Bethel concert series since its 1999 inception.

SUBMITTED PHOTO Elmhurst Independent

PRIVATE GAMING ROOM

HDAILY 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

WEDNESDAYS

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

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 H H H 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

Vegan Chili Bowl - $7

Vegan Chicken Nuggets - $12

Vegan Meatballs - $15

Vegan Sausage and Peppers - $15

Vegan Chicken Sliders - $15

THURSDAYS

$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

Half Price Bottles of Wine $25 or More

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

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

CLOSED - MONDAYS

Impossible Sliders - $16

Vegan Kabobs - $18

Vegan Southwest Quesadilla - $15

Impossible Burger - $17

Vegan Buffalo Chicken ‘Wich - $16

Vegan Chicken Parmesan ‘Wich - $18

Vegan Pasta - $14

Vegan Chicken Burrito - $18

Vegan Stuffed Peppers - $25

Vegan Sides - $5

10” Vegan Cheese Pizza - $13

Vegan Chocolate Peanut Butter Ice Cream - $5

3 Layer Vegan/Gluten Free Cake - $7 36 Drafts HHH

350 Bourbons, Scotches & Whiskeys

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

Real estate/Business

Elmhurst Children’s Theatre lands a new home After 85 years, a place for programs, lessons, performances

Elmhurst Children’s Theatre (ECT) has announced that their 85-year-old organization will be leasing a space at 121 W. First Street (formerly the Elmhurst Hospital Pink Elephant storefront) to use as their primary rehearsal and class space for the 2023-24 season.

“We are thrilled to finally have a home base in Elmhurst, centrally located downtown for our cast members, students and their families,” said ECT president Hilary Simonds.

For decades, ECT has relied on the generosity of area churches, schools and community groups to hold their rehearsals and programming. While the Elmhurst Centre for Performing Arts (ECPA) continues to move forward with plans for a space for live theatre, ECT will continue to partner with local schools for their performances. With a new space secured and dedicated to supporting ECT, its programming, and hundreds of Elmhurst children, ECT looks forward to settling into its new home base, a big step forward for the organization.

85 years history, background

Recently celebrating its 85th year in the community, ECT began as a series of children’s productions at Irion Hall on the campus

of Elmhurst University in 1937. In 1948, Dr. C.C. Arends, director of both Elmhurst College Theater and Elmhurst Community Theatre productions, offered sponsorship of an Elmhurst community children’s theatre. Today, ECT proudly continues the tradition of its founders, bringing the Elmhurst community together to enjoy high-quality productions and enriching the lives of children through involvement in the performing arts. Once sponsored by Elmhurst’s PTA Council, ECT is now a self-supporting 501c3 non-profit organization, sustained through participation fees, class tuition, ticket sales and donations of all sizes from our committed community.

Children in fifth through eighth grade who live in Elmhurst or attend District 205 or parochial schools in Elmhurst may audition for ECT productions. ECT stages two main stage productions with a full pit orchestra, a summer double feature show and the Unintentionally Hilarious Sketch Comedy Troupe each year, hiring professional directors and relying on parent volunteers to manage productions and rehearsals, create costumes, props and sets. Classes and camps are offered throughout the year for children in first through eighth grades.

The Moreci Family Invites You to Experience

Located on First Street, across from the Metra station, the former Pink Elephant space has remained vacant since June of 2019. Now home to ECT, this space remains part of the land slated for development by the Elmhurst Centre for Performing Arts.

As a parent who has been directly involved with ECT, Shawna Roubitchek, ECPA managing director, understands firsthand the challenges ECT Board, volunteers, and participants face with each show, camp, and class.

“ECPA is thrilled that the Pink Elephant space is a great fit for ECT,” she said. “It will allow Elmhurst children to imagine, create, and continue to hone their craft in the heart of Elmhurst City Centre. [The fact] that ECT’s new home is a space that will hold future live productions is kismet.”

ECT will open our doors to children in the community starting on Monday, June 19 with auditions and rehearsals for the upcoming Summer Double Feature program – two different Broadway shows performed back-

to-back at Timothy Christian Auditorium on July 20, 21 and 22. The first show features students in grades 4-7 and is a fan favorite. Disney’s The Lion King Kids is a oneact musical designed for young performers, based on the Broadway production directed by Julie Taymor and the 1994 Disney film. The show will be directed by Jeremy Nemec, music directed by Lisa Griffith, assisted by ECT and York drama alum Aidan Costanzo.

After a short intermission, ECT’s cast of students in grades 6-9 will take the stage for a one-act performance of the 2007 Broadway show Legally Blonde Junior, based on the book by Amanda Brown and the MGM hit movie starring Reese Witherspoon. Legally Blonde Jr will be directed by Kelly Bricker, joined by ECT and York drama alumni Kathryn King as music director and CeCe Lampa as choreographer. One ticket is good for both shows. More information including advanced online ticket sales is available at ectshows.com.

Police department begins

Neighborhood Roll Calls

Kids gathered around to get freebies and giveaways from Elmhurst police officers when the Elmhurst Police Department held its first Neighborhood Roll Call of the summer season on Tuesday, May 30 on Alexander Blvd. Roll Call events take place in different neighborhoods around town, typically on Tuesday and Thursday evenings, to put a face to the police, get to know the neighbors and learn safety lessons. To find out the Roll Call schedule, visit the Elmhurst Police Department’s Facebook page.

ELMHURST POLICE DEPARTMENT PHOTO Elmhurst Independent

Puzzle page

BASKET BEACH

BOARDWALK

BREEZY

BRIGHT

COASTAL CRASHING

FOAM

LAUGHTER

MARINE

OCEAN

RELAXATION

RIPTIDE

SAIL

SANDCASTLE

SANDY

SEAWEED

SUNGLASSES

SURFING

SWIMMING

SWIMSUIT

TAN

UMBRELLA

SUDOKU

Fun by the Numbers

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

CLUES ACROSS

1. In a place to sleep

5. Chemical compound (abbr.)

8. A way to fish

11. Classic Linklater film “__ and Confused”

13. Legume

14. Indonesian island

15. Smooth, creamy substance

16. Arctic

17. Wood sorrels

18. Defied

20. Cattle

21. Tableland

22. Honorably retired and retaining one’s title

25. Repossession

30. Danced

31. Adult males

32. A type of section

33. Type of Japanese animation

38. Satisfaction

41. Fit

43. “Ain’t No Sunshine” singer

45. Failure

47. Israeli city

49. French river

50. Cavalry-sword

55. Nocturnal S. American rodent

56. Liquefied natural gas

57. Afflicted

59. Electronic countercountermeasures

60. Popular HBO fantasy series (abbr.)

61. Spiritual leader of a Jewish congregation

62. Large body of water

63. __kosh, near Lake Winnebago

64. Impudence

CLUES DOWN

1. Payroll firm

2. Unit of transmission

3. Rockers Better Than __

4. Bambi is one

5. Highest parts of something

6. Correct behavior

7. Batty

8. Cyprinid fishes

9. Expression of sorrow or pity

10. Site of the famous Leaning

Tower

12. American rocker Snider

14. W. African language

19. Symbol to mark for removal

23. __ Squad

24. Resident

25. Federal savings bank

26. Paddle

27. Returned material authorization (abbr.)

28. One point south of due east

29. Winter melon

34. Last or greatest in an indefinitely large series

35. Anger

36. Central European river

37. First responders

39. Spanish noble

40. Persons with absence of skin pigment

41. Defunct airline

42. Small island (British)

44. The extent of something from beginning to end

45. Capital of Bangladesh

46. Dutch cheese

47. Imitates

48. A contest of speed

51. Swiss river

52. Prejudice

53. Actor Idris

54. UNLV’s are Runnin’

58. Criticize

Windows

DISCLAIMER NOTICE This

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

Burial Needs

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.

*FAST DELIVERY* MULCH AND TOPSOIL

SHREDDED HARDWOOD..............$23

DYED RED ......................................$35

DYED BROWN ................................$35

PLAYMAT ........................................$35

PREMIUM BLEND ..........................$38

BLONDE CEDAR ............................$54

**Plus Delivery**

SPREADING AVAILABLE ALSO TOPSOIL, GARDEN MIX, GRAVEL, MUSHROOM COMPOST, SAND, FIREWOOD

SUREGREENLANDSCAPE.COM

847-888-9999 630-876-0111

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

Community calendar

Pick of the Week: 27th Annual June Jazz on the University Mall

Saturday, June 17

Beginning at 6:30 p.m., the Jeff Hamilton Trio, performing with the Elmhurst University Jazz Band, will headline the University’s 27th Annual June Jazz concert on the University Mall. Free. Bring your own chairs, blankets, picnics. Info: elmhurst.edu/JuneJazz or call (630) 617-3611.

Friday, June 16

At 7 p.m., a concert of Brazilian choro music will be performed on the north lawn of York High School. Free and open to the public. Bring a chair or blanket to sit on. Rain location: York auditorium.

Saturday, June 17

• Between 6 – 8 p.m., Pints, 112 So. York St., is hosting a discount ticket event for the Elmhurst Heritage Foundation’s 8th Annual Elmhurst Craft Beer Fest coming on Saturday, Sept. 16 on the grounds of the Elmhurst History Museum. This limited, one-time ticket event offers general admission tickets (1-6 p.m.) for $40, $5 less than the early-bird price; early entry tickets (12-6 p.m.) will be $50, also $5 less than the early-bird. Regular ticket sales will begin Saturday, July 1 online at elmhurstcraftbeerfest.com.

Sunday, June 18

The First United Methodist Church of Elmhurst, 232 S. York St., is holding a Juneteenth Celebration from 10:30 a.m. to 12 noon on the front lawn of the church (weather permitting). There will be live music, food, guest speakers and activities for kids of all ages.

Monday, June 19

From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., the Elmhurst History Museum invites families to Museum Maker Monday for a free event. Drop in on select Mondays throughout the summer for free, family-friendly activities. Kids and caregivers can explore exhibits on a day reserved just for families, plus play games, and make a travel-themed craft (while supplies last). Bring a picnic to enjoy outdoors on the museum grounds (weather permitting). Appropriate for elementary age children accompanied by an adult, no registration required. Craft changes each month. Info: elmhursthistory.org.

Wednesday, June 21

Beginning at 7 p.m. the Backyard Caucus will meet at the Elmhurst Public Library. Guest speaker Dr. Jessica J. Sim, assistant professor at Elmhurst University, who will discuss and address microaggressions, subtle, sometimes unintentional ways marginalized people experience racism. Registration required via email to backyardcaucuselmhurst@gmail.com. Info: backyardcaucus.org.

Thursday, June 22

• Beginning at 6:30 p.m., join the Elmhurst History Museum for the Elmhurst Community Ride. Join members of the Elmhurst Bicycle Club for a fun summer ride on low traffic streets throughout Elmhurst. Helmets are required. Ages 14 and younger must be accompanied by an adult. Meet in the Elmhurst History Museum parking lot. The museum will be open after hours from 5-6:30 p.m. to view the new exhibit, “The Bicycle: Two Wheels to Adventure,” prior to the ride. The event is free, but reservations are required. Visit elmhursthistory.org.

• At 6:30 p.m., the Spring Rd. Business Assn. hosts Music at the Gazebo on Spring by the Prairie Path. This week Ginger Road will perform. Bring a lawn chair or a blanket.

• From 7-10 p.m., the York High School Alumni Assn. is hosting a gathering of York alumni and friend qat the Bottle Theory Taproom at 5642 Spring Rd. Free, pay-as-yougo, no RSVP required.

Friday, June 23

• From 5:30-9 p.m., the Elmhurst YMCA, 211 W. 1st St., is hosting Y-Fest with yard games, DJ-curated music and food provided by sponsors Bacci Pizzeria, Elmhurst Brewing Company, Guac N Tacos, Krafted Burger Bar & Tap, Pazzi di Pizza and Pilot Pete’s. Adult tickets (must be 21+) are $50 (incl. two drink tickets). Youth tickets are $15. Dollars raised at the event will support the Elmhurst and Greater LaGrange YMCAs Scholarship Fund. Tickets and info: elmhurstymca.org.

• From 6:30-9 p.m., the Elmhurst Artists’ Guild will hold an artist’s reception of the Inspired By Warhol juried exhibition based on the works of pop artist Andy Warhol that opened Sunday, June 11 and will remain through Friday, July 28 in the EAG gallery inside the Elmhurst Art Museum. Event is free but RSVPs are required. To register, go to Eventbrite.com/e/ inspired-by-warhol-opening-reception-tickets-623277659257. Info: elmhurstartrmuseum.org.

Saturday, June 24

From 1-4 p.m., the Elmhurst Art Museum will host a Family Day: Exploring Superheroes. Join others for superhero-themed hands-on art activities, inspired by the works found in Marvelocity: The Art of Alex Ross Explore your personal superpowers and create your own power cuffs and masks. Drop-in drawing with a costumed superhero will take place from 1-3 p.m. EAM members may attend free. Non-member tickets are available at the EAM web site at elmhurstartmuseum.org/.

Sunday, June 25

Beginning at 2 p.m., the Elmhurst History Museum presents an adult lecture called “Cycling in Chicago.” manufacturing in the U.S., with two-thirds of all bicycles nationwide made here. Join avid cyclist and author of Cycling in Chicago, Chris McAuliffe for an intriguing look at the history of cycling in the area and its influence on recreational culture throughout Chicago’s history. Program take place in the Education Center. Reservations required. FREE to members, $5 non-members. To register, visit elmhursthistsory.org.

Tuesday, July 4

Registration is already open for the 18th annual Elmhurst Running Club “4 on the 4th” race, which steps off at 7:15 a.m. At 8:20 a.m., the one-kilometer Kids Race will step off for ages 5-12. To register, visit 4on4th.com.

Sport S

Leslie headed to Le Moyne

Will play volleyball for Division II school

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

York baseball team finishes fourth in the state

By Mike Miazga CORRESPONDENT

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

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

Dukes made first appearance in finals since 1993; Sloan throws no-hitter in supersectional

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 libero.

By Mike Miazga CORRESPONDENT

The York baseball team capped off an exciting postseason run by finishing fourth at the recent Class 4A state finals held at Duly Health & Care Field in Joliet. York lost to Edwardsville 7-3 in the semifinals and 9-4 in eight innings to New Trier in the state third-place game. Edwardsville went on to win the Class 4A state title. The Dukes were playing in their first state finals since the 1993 team won the Class AA title. York finished the season 2515-1.

“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 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.”

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.”

In the loss to Edwardsville, the Dukes found themselves in a 5-0 hole after the first inning. York scored a single run in the fourth and two in the seventh. Chris Danko, Josh Flemming, Ryan Lisowski (double), Jack Braun, Matt Barton, Eli Maurer (double) and Paul Reedy each had a hit. Barton, Mauer and Reedy each had one RBI. York had seven hits in the game, drew seven walks and left 11 runners on base. Tommy Van Daff took the loss for York and dropped to 5-5 on the season. Lucas Bormann and Noah Hughes pitched in relief. Ed -

wardsville’s Joe Chiarodo was the winner. He went 5 1/3 innings and struck out eight batters.

In the third-place game against New Trier, York led 1-0 after the first inning and 2-1 after three. New Trier scored single runs in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings, while York scored two runs in the bottom of the fifth. New Trier’s run in the sixth tied the game at 4-4. New Trier then exploded for five runs in the top of the first extra inning. New Trier had 14 hits in the game, while York had nine. Maurer had two hits, while Vinny Marini,

Timothy Christian girls soccer team rakes in accolades

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.

By Mike Miazga CORRESPONDENT

Flemming, Ryan Turner, Braun, Barton and Reedy each had a hit. Turner and Bruan each drove in two runs. Danko scored two runs and stole two bases. York used four pitchers in the game. Joey Pagni suffered his first loss of the season and finished with a 5-1 mark. He threw the final three innings and struck out two. Hughes, Danko and Brendan Fleming also pitched. Hughes started the game and went 2 1/3 innings. He struck out three. The game was witnessed in front of 534 fans in Joliet.

finals thanks to a 5-0 win over Rockton Hononegah in the Class 4A Kane County Cougars supersectional held at Northwestern Medicine Field in Geneva in a game that saw Ryan Sloan throw a no-hitter for the Dukes. Sloan pitched seven full innings and allowed no hits and walked just one batter, while striking out nine. He faced one over the minimum batters (22) and threw 51 of 79 pitches for strikes.

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.”

Trojans reached Class 1A sectional title game

producers.

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

• Stopka

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.”

York came into the state final having won eight in a row, including a 5-0 run through the postseason. The Dukes’ only two previous state finals appearances resulted in state titles. The 1960 team went 3-0 and won the title under coach Erl Ellingson, while that 1193 team went 3-0 at state and won the Class AA title (5-4 win in nine innings over Morris for the title).

York broke a scoreless tie with two runs in the fourth and added on three more runs in the fifth for the final margin. The Dukes had six hits in the game. Jack Rozmus went 1-for-3 with a double, a run scored and a walk. Danko was 1-for-4 with a run scored. Fleming scored a run, while Turner went 2-for-3 with a run scored, an RBI and a walk. Braun had a hit and two RBI, while Barton had one RBI as well, as did Maurer. Brian Filosa went 1-for-2 with a run scored.

The end-of-season accolades were plentiful for the Timothy Christian girls soccer team. Maddie Drye and Hope Huizenga recently were named to the Illinois High School Soccer Coaches Association all-sectional team, while Angie Tornabene was an IHSSCA all-sectional honorable-mention pick. In addition, Drye was named the Metro Suburban Conference Blue Division MVP, while Huizenga and Tornabene were named to the all-conference team as well, as were Mili Martens, Marta Veenstra and Chloe Leppink. Martens earned an IHSSCA sportsmanship award, while Veenstra was an IHSSCA all-academic selection.

“We played together pretty well down the stretch,” Timothy coach Jon Hamelinck said. “Our attack was more creative as the season wore on, and the girls really seemed to enjoy playing with each other and being around each other. We had a good group of seniors leading the way and they played exceptionally well for the last half of the season.”

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

But if all systems are a go, Leslie can’t wait to take her skills as a libero to the next level with the Dolphins. “I feel like being a libero you have to be really quick and that is typically what I am good at. I have really good reaction time,” she said. “I like diving on the floor and saving balls. It’s a really good feeling when you make a save. The position fits my personality, too. You have to be the loudest one on the court. I have a loud personality. You have to be pretty loud if you want to be a libero. I think I match that description.”

in the season who weren’t starters to begin the season. Victoria Nation stepped up in a big way and played a lot of minutes. Freshman Emily White and Caroline Ewald also stepped in with some injuries and got some important minutes in for us. Chole Leppink was solid all year and Marta Veenstra slide into the middle after playing on the outside the previous two or three years.”

(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 hell of a season if you ask me.”

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.

Timothy finished the 2023 season with a 14-5-2 overall mark and finished 4-1 in conference play. The Trojans advanced all the way to the Class 1A sectional round where they lost 5-2 to Montini.

York is under the direction of 13 th-year coach Dave Kalal, who has a 263-186-3 mark according to IHSA records. Kalal’s York teams have won 20 or more games nine times during his time there.

York reached the Class 4A state

This year marked the second in a row that York made a deep run into the postseason. The 2022 team, a No. 10 sectional seed, also won a Class 4A sectional before losing to top seed McHenry 2-1 in the supersectional.

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.”

“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

Previously, the Trojans defeated Chicago Victoria Soto 10-1 in the sectional semifinals and defeated Chicago Hope Academy 2-1 to win a Class 1A regional title. Individually, Drye led the team is scoring with 34 goals and 15 assists. Tornabene had 20 goals and 11 assists, while Huizenga had 17 goals and 15 assists, giving the Trojans a trio of robust point

Hamelinck said the team’s offensive attack became an eventual key strength this season. “Once we got past the halfway point of the season, offense was a strength for us,” he said. “We generated a lot of looks and were scoring goals in a variety of ways. Corner kicks, set pieces, off transition, far post runs, wing play. There was lots to like about our attack. Between Hope, Maddie, Mili and Angie, they had been playing together for the past three years and looked really comfortable making runs off each other and stringing together passing sequences in the final third.”

Hamelinck said the team’s defensive lineup was in flux much of the season, but also settled in and became a key cog in the team’s success.

“Our backline went through a lot of turnover throughout the season,” he explained. “We had a lot of girls step up and play important roles later on

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

ble and transparent and communicate with everybody.”

Juliana Norman was lauded for her play in goal for Timothy. “Juliana took over the starting spot in net and did a nice job,” Hamelinck said. “The final game didn’t go as she wanted it to, but that didn’t fall on her. We failed to contain Montini’s attack and made some errors in front of her that ultimately ended our season.”

Hamelinck also heaped praise on Tornabene and Veenstra for their play down the stretch. “Angie really took her game to another level the last few games of our season,” he said. “She had an extra jump and really left it all out there. Marta also really stepped up and played well down the stretch. She was aggressive, physical and had some timely tackles in tough moments.”

Of numerical note, Drye reset her own school record for most goals in a season with 34. She broke the record last year when she scored 28 goals.

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 RYAN SLOAN YORK BASEBALL

While York finishing fourth in the state last weekend is certainly of note, also of great note is Sloan, who threw a seven-inning complete-game no-hitter to punch York’s ticket to the Class 4A state finals for the first time since 1993. Sloan struck out nine, walked one and allowed no hits to help the Dukes defeat Rockton Hononegah in the Class 4A Kane County Cougars supersectional in Geneva.

“ 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

CHRIS FOX PHOTO Elmhurst Independent

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

Elmhurst Public Library programs

Friday, June 16 from 2-4 p.m.

Friday Features: Back to the Future

Enjoy an afternoon at the movies. Find each week’s featured film at elmlib.org/Friday. No registration.

Saturday, June 17 from 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Preschool Vision Pre-Screening

Get your kids a free vision pre-screening. Presented with Elmhurst Lions Club. Drop-in. No registration. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Saturday, June 17 from 10 a.m.-12 p.m.

Canasta

Join us for a friendly game of Canasta every week. Prior experience is required. Live in-person. No registration.

Monday, June 19 from 7-8:30 p.m.

Ciao Italia!

Improve your Italian language skills while exploring a different aspect of Italian culture each month. All skill levels welcome. Live in person and virtually on Zoom. Register to receive the information to join.

Local area writers come together for anthology

They dreamt of being published. The dream of every writer is to be published. They decided to do something about it. Soon “Coffin Stories” will be released on Amazon.

“Coffin Stories” offers 17 different short stories from 17 different writers who share a love of the craft and the passion for sharing their stories. Three of the local writers are Bonnie Becker of Addison, Cynthia Massey of Lombard and Marilyn Fisher of Elmhurst.

All 17 are former students of writer and teacher Paul Barile at College of DuPage (COD). When the course was over, the classmates stayed in touch and this fall/winter, they plan to release a compilation of 17 short stories, each with the word “Coffin” in the title. They were given the month of January 2023 to write their story and submit it for editing. Once edited, the final stories will be uploaded to Amazon and made available for purchase.

Elmhurst YMCA prepares for Y-Fest

On Friday, June 23 from 5:30-9 p.m., the public is invited to Y-Fest at the Elmhurst YMCA, 211 W. 1st St. There will be treats and drinks, yard games, and upbeat DJ-curated music with food provided by partnering businesses and restaurants including Bacci Pizzeria, Elmhurst Brewing Company, Guac N Tacos, Krafted Burger Bar & Tap, Pazzi di Pizza and Pilot Pete’s. Adult tick -

ets are $50 and include two drink tickets (must be 21+), youth tickets are $15 each. Proceeds raised support the Elmhurst and Greater LaGrange YMCAs Scholarship Fund, ensuring that all people and families can benefit from the Y’s core community services and programming, regardless of cost. For tickets, sponsorship opportunities and more, visit elmhurstymca.org.

Community calendar

Elmhurst Farmers Market

Every Wednesday from now through October, the Elmhurst Farmers Market will be open from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the municipal lot on Vallette St., one half block east of York St. Fresh fruits, vegetables, flowers, honey, cheese, bread, hummus, much more. Info: elmhurstfarmersmarket. com.

Elmhurst History Museum

A new exhibit, The Bicycle: Two Wheels to Adventure, opens Saturday, June 9 and remains through Sept. 17. Learn about the many ways this 19th-century invention significantly impacted Chicagoland manufacturing, transportation, and infrastructure, and how the bicycle rede-

Tuesday, June 20 from 1-3 p.m.

Bridge & Pinochle

Enjoy an afternoon of card games every week. Prior experience is required. No registration.

Tuesday, June 20 from 2-3 p.m.

Coloring for Mindfulness

Choose from beautiful designs and become absorbed in the joy of coloring. Live in-person. No registration required.

Tuesday, June 20 from 7-8 p.m.

Hidden Mickeys

Did you know there are more than 1200 versions of the Mickey Mouse silhouette hidden throughout Walt Disney World? Some can be easily spotted, others take some detective work, and still more can only be seen from the sky! Disney expert Valerie Gugala returns to share her favorite hidden Mickeys and tips for your own search. Hybrid event. Registration required.

Bethel Church hosts annual rummage sale

Bethel United Church of Christ, 315 E. Saint Charles Road, will host its annual indoor rummage sale in its air-conditioned Welcome Center on Friday, June 23 from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. and Saturday, June 24 from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Buyers will find a wide range of housewares, linens, books, children’s toys and equipment, electronics, tools, jewelry, sports equipment, and much more.

Proceeds from the sale go in part to Bethel’s Human Concerns budget which helps to support a number of local organizations. Parking is located behind the church and can be accessed from St. Charles Rd. or from Huntington Lane off of Poplar. Church facilities are fully accessible. For more information, visit www. bethel-ucc.org.

Wednesday, June 21 from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. American Mah Jongg: Open Play

Gather every Wednesday for American Mah Jongg, a game of skill, strategy, calculation, and a certain amount of chance. Live in-person. No registration required.

Wednesday, June 21 from 7-8 p.m.

Braiding Sweetgrass and the Honorable Harvest: A Conversation with Robin Wall Kimmerer

Come to the library for a special evening with Robin Wall Kimmerer, the award-winning author of Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants. This event is made possible by Illinois Libraries Present, a statewide collaboration among public libraries offering premier events. Live on Zoom. Registration required.

Thursday, June 22 from 8-9:30 a.m.

Elmhurst Business Connection: What Is Your Marketing Strategy?

Join Fox Valley SCORE mentors for a monthly roundtable discussion on new topics. Meet with business owners

• Concert

in the Elmhurst and surrounding communities to get advice, network, and share experiences with peers. Live on Zoom. Register to receive the information to join.

Friday, June 23 from 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Preschool Vision

Pre-Screening

Join a certified yoga instructor for a series of simple movements to strengthen and stretch your whole body while comfortably seated in a chair. No prior yoga experience required.

Friday, June 23 from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Chair Yoga

Join a certified yoga instructor for a series of simple movements to strengthen and stretch your whole body while comfortably seated in a chair. No prior yoga experience required. Live in-person. Registration required.

Friday, June 9 from 2-4 p.m. Friday Features: O Brother, Where Art Thou?

Enjoy an afternoon at the movies. Find each week’s featured film at elmlib.org/Friday. No registration required. For more information call (630) 279-8696. Or elmlib.org/events.

(Continued from front page)

for the band while Professor Emeritus Judy Grimes and Professor Eric Morong will be featured as a guest conductor on the second concert.

Music to be performed includes light classic overtures, including “Pineapple Poll” by Gilbert and Sullivan, “Carmen” by Bizet; movie music from “The Magnificent Seven,” a musical tribute to Louis Armstrong, folk songs, novelty pieces, and dances and marches from around the world.

Knowledge located on Prospect Avenue with parking available on campus or across the street at the Wilder Mansion. In case or rain or excessive heat, Hammerschmidt Chapel will become the concert site.

fined an era of newfound leisure and independence. Info: elmhursthistory. org or call 630-833-1457.

Elmhurst Art Museum

Open now and remaining through Sunday, Aug. 20, Marvelocity; The Art of Alex Ross is on display at the Elmhurst Art Museum. Don’t miss the related exhibit in Wilder Park, which has life-sized Superheroes created by various artists. They will remain through July 31.

The Elmhurst Art Guild’s Inspired by Warhol opens Sunday, June 11 and will remain through Friday, July 28. There will be an artist’s reception on Friday, June 23 from 6:30-9 p.m. Info: elmhurstartmuseum.org or 630-834-0202.

To post a community event or club meeting, email the information to Independent@rvpublishing.com and put “Community Calendar” in the Subject line.

Guidelines for writing, submitting a letter to the editor

The Independent encourages our readers to reach out to the community by writing a letter to the editor.

Letters are limited to 500 words; if a letter exceeds 500 words, it will be sent back to the author to reduce the length of the letter. Authors must include their first and last name, the city or village in which they reside, and a phone number and email address where they can be reached in case of questions.

Send letters to: independent@rvpublishing.com

Letter-writers will be limited to one letter per month except for locally elected officials, or individuals specifically associated with local village governments or entities such as school districts, park districts or library districts.

No letters directed to a third party will be accepted for publication. We reserve the right to edit a letter for reasons of clarity, space restrictions and libel

Arrive early and bring lawn chairs, blankets, drinks and a picnic to celebrate a return to the outdoor sounds of summer. The concert is free and will be presented at the Gates of

New members welcome Community members looking for an opportunity to perform with the band are still welcome. Rehearsals are every Monday and Wednesday in June from 7-9 p.m. in Hammerschmidt Chapel.

There are three rehearsals prior to each concert. If interested, please email Dr. Hile at james.hile@elmhurst.edu

Weather preparedness key for Midwest storms

FEMA is urging the Midwest and central United States to stay alert for severe weather risks.

Remain alert, keep your cell phone charged and take steps to prepare now to potentially save lives and protect property when severe weather strikes.

Have several ways to receive alerts. Download the FEMA app (available in English and Spanish) to receive real-time emergency alerts from the National Weather Service and find a nearby shelter.

Pay attention to local warnings and follow the safety guidance of your local officials.

Make sure your emergency kit is stocked and includes non-perishable food, cash, charging devices, a flashlight and batteries in case of power outages.

Consider special needs you and your household members might have. Older adults and people with disabilities may need extra assistance

to prepare for the storm. Visit Ready. gov/older-adults and Individuals with Disabilities to get more tips and information.

Don’t forget the needs of your pets. Many shelters do not take household pets, so remember to create a plan and have supplies available for your animals.

Check on your neighbors. As you prepare your family and loved ones for a disaster, check on neighbors in your community to see if they are doing the same or if they might need help to get started.

Prepare your property for dangerous weather by clearing out any large or loose materials. Remove dead trees, hanging branches and loose objects in your yard or patio that could be dangerous during severe winds.

Create an emergency plan with your family. Use the new “Make a Plan” form to get started. You can easily save an electronic copy or share it with other family members.

2023

Meet Diane Kilcommons, Center Director of Huntington of Elmhurst

Huntington Learning Center helps every student become the best academic version of him/herself. Diane Kilcommons has a master’s degree in education and has taught for 40 years, including home educating her four children. Diane and her husband, Mark, have owned Huntington Learning Center for the past twelve years. Huntington Learning Center helps children improve their foundational skills in reading, writing, spelling, math, study skills, and phonics. They also help students prepare for college with their individualized ACT/SAT programs. Higher test scores mean more opportunities.

Many students have not become efficient learners due to the challenges they have experienced in their educational journeys. Huntington Learning Center helps every student become the best academic version of him/herself. When our students master skills, the direct result is higher confidence and motivation for learning.

Besides managing a learning center, Diane was very active in raising her children. Her oldest daughter, Lauren, has a master’s degree from Loyola and is a school psychologist in a suburban school district. Her second daughter, Julia has a master’s degree in nursing from DePaul and is a nurse practitioner in the western suburbs. Diane‘s youngest, twin sons, Patrick and John were able to benefit greatly by attending Huntington Learning Center themselves. Pat and John graduated from Dartmouth College and are gainfully employed on the West Coast.

Lauren is on the left, Diane is in the middle, and Julia is on the right.

Eva Sanchez, REALTOR®

With over 25 years in the industry, I am very well versed in the process of buying and selling a house and I am very experienced in the local market. Consistently ranked among the top REALTORS in the region, I have an e�ec�ve and e�cient o�ce team, innova�ve technology, and resources to take YOU to your next home!

An Elmhurst resident since 1996, I am a proud Elmhurst University alum and an ac�ve member of three of my favorite community organiza�ons: The Elmhurst Chamber of Commerce, The Elmhurst Lions Club and The Elmhurst Garden Club.

Get in the

Community Bank of Elmhurst ha created a “Business Zone” for all our customers at our 330 W. Butterfield Road location. The Zone features everything you need to work remotely in a comfortable and private space that can be your office away from your office! Even if you are working from home, the Business Zone can be a change of pace for you. If you need a place just for a day or so, the Business Zone can be a quick and convenient spot. If you need small, conference room space, we have that at our 133 N. York Street location and you can book it in advance by contacting us. Give the Business Zone a try, CBE “values our customers and community first”.

New law limits venue for constitutional lawsuits to Sangamon, Cook counties

By Peter Hancock CAPITOL NEWS ILLINOIS

People who file lawsuits in state courts challenging the constitutionality of a state law, administrative rule or executive order will now have to file those cases in either Sangamon or Cook counties.

Gov. JB Pritzker signed House Bill 3062 last week, which applies only to cases brought against the state or any of its officers, employees or agents in which the plaintiff seeks to have a law, rule or action declared unconstitutional or they seek an injunction on the grounds of constitutionality. However, it also specifically exempts cases arising out of collective bargaining disputes.

It cleared the General Assembly with only Democratic support.

The bill came in response to a flurry of lawsuits filed in recent years in courthouses throughout the state challenging such things

as Pritzker’s COVID-19 mitigation orders, a law that would end cash bail, and, most recently, the state’s ban on assault-style weapons and large-capacity magazines.

Senate President Don Harmon, D-Oak Park, who sponsored the bill in the Senate, said those cases typically end up being consolidated, and most of them eventually end up before the Illinois Supreme Court, which sits in Springfield and Chicago.

But he also accused plaintiffs’ attorneys in recent cases of selectively choosing where they file their cases in order to improve their chances of finding judges who may be more sympathetic to their cause, a practice Harmon described as

Answers

“forum shopping.”

“And what we have seen recently is similar cases being filed in scores of counties, causing the attorney general to have to defend the same action in multiple counties with forum shopping,” he said during floor debate on the bill. “This is a simple effort to make sure that all important, critical constitutional questions end up in the right venue.”

But Senate Republican Leader John Curran, of Downers Grove, accused Democrats of engaging in their own brand of venue shopping by restricting constitutional challenges to courts in Springfield and Chicago.

“Courts exist to serve the people, which is why they are located where people live,” he said in a statement after Pritzker announced the bill signing. “This legislation is clearly an attempt by the governor and the attorney general to send constitutional challenges to courts that they believe will be more favorable to the administration.”

Harmon argued that while Springfield is the state capital, Chicago is also a kind of second seat of state government.

“The statutes are actually replete with jurisdictional references to Cook and Sangamon as the two primary jurisdictions,” he said. “I think it’s the same reason that I have an office in Springfield and an office in Chicago; Leader Curran has an office in Springfield and an office in Chicago; the governor, the attorney general, all the constitutional officers have an office in Springfield and an office in Chicago. It is essentially an alternative place of government.”

PUZZLE 1 PUZZLE 2 CROSSWORD

Republicans, however, argued that it would inconvenience people who may be aggrieved by a state law or action but don’t live anywhere near Springfield or Chicago.

In the House, for example, state Rep. Patrick Windhorst, from the town of Metropolis on the banks of the Ohio River, noted that he lives closer to the state capital of Ten -

nessee than he does to Springfield, and he is almost as close to Atlanta, Georgia, as he is to Chicago.

“So to say if this body passes an unconstitutional law, in order for me or another person in my community to contest that law, I’ve got to travel a great distance and bear that expense that comes with that, is not fair to the individuals in these

communities,” he said during floor debate in the House.

The language of HB 3062 originated in the Senate and was inserted as a set of amendments into a House bill that originally dealt with landlord-tenant relations. It passed the Senate on May 19 by a vote of 37-16. The House concurred with the amendments 69-35.