1 • Thursday, June 4, 2020 - The Elmhurst Independent
Elmhurst
TAKE ONE
Independent
Enjoy a cool and co mfortable home this summer
(630) 834-4777
unlimitedheatingco
Elmhurst’s Locally Owned and Operated Hometown Newspaper
VOL. 18 • NO. 24
185 N. York St. Rea
WWW.THEINDEPENDENTNEWSPAPERS.COM
oling.com
r, Elmhurst
374689
FREE
THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 2020
Local officials close Walmart, Oakbrook Center amid protest fears Gov. Pritzker issues disaster proclamation for Cook County
FOR THE ELMHURST INDEPENDENT
As if the COVID-19 Coronavirus wasn’t enough to worry about, the entire Chicagoland area has been concerned about protests following the death of George Floyd, an African American man who was televised telling Minneapolis police officers he could not breathe while he was being restrained during an arrest. Floyd eventually died. The four officers who were present during the arrest and subsequent incident that took Mr. Floyd’s life were fired. The officer who can be seen on camera pressing his knee on Mr. Floyd’s neck for several minutes was identified as Derek Chauvin. On Friday, May 29, Chauvin was charged with third-degree murder and second degree manslaughter. Unrest in Chicago reaches the suburbs After threats of possible riots and looting stretching from downtown Chicago to the suburbs, local area law enforcement officials closed down and blocked the entrances to Walmart on Rte. 83 in Villa Park and to Oakbrook Shopping Center. Other places were closed as well including Yorktown Shopping Center. On Sunday, Gov. JB Pritzker had signed a disaster proclamation for Cook County to expedite the use of state resources, personnel and equipment to help the City of Chicago in its work to keep people safe. Earlier Sunday, the Governor activated 375 Illinois National Guard soldiers for State Active Duty to assist the Chicago Police Department in protecting the City of Chicago and its residents. The Guard’s role will be supporting local authorities in enforcing
street closures in Chicago. In addition to the soldiers from the Illinois National Guard, personnel from the Illinois State Police and the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) are aiding the City of Chicago in this operation. The State Emergency Operations Center moni-
tored operations and fulfilled requests from local governments. All soldiers deployed for Active Duty will be outfitted with personal protective equipment (PPE), such as face shields and masks, to address the threats the current COVID-19 environment. On Sunday, IEMA Director Alicia
Tate-Nadeau also ordered a 24-hour closure of all community-based testing sites in Illinois to protect the staff and patients attending those facilities. Local area police were dispatched to set up blockades at Walmart on Rte. 83 in Villa Park and at Oakbrook Shopping Center mid-afternoon Sun-
Phase 3 begins, the City reopens
day. Despite rumors, police confirmed there was no looting at the shopping center as of Sunday evening. Nationwide outrage came on the heels of Floyd’s death while in custody of the Minneapolis police, an event that has caused backlash at major cities across the country and a few in Europe.
DEE LONGFELLOW PHOTO Elmhurst Independent
A happy family enjoys dining outdoors at 100 South Chophouse on Sunday, June 1, the first day of “Phase 3” of Governor Pritzker’s plan to re-open the state to the public.
Inside:
Police Reports...........6 Sports �������������������� 18 Viewpoint.................8 Classifieds..............17
370248
By Dee Longfellow
PROUD TO BE A
WINTRUST COMMUNITY BANK
YOUR COMMUNITY BANK 150 E. Butterfield Rd. | 400 W. Lake St. | Elmhurst 630-592-2000 | www.suburbanbank.com Surburban Bank & Trust is a branch of Hinsdale Bank & Trust Company, N.A.
Postal Customer **ecrwss