Hi-Liter Illinois 2/22/2023

TRUCKS

2021 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE LAREDO X 4x4, 6cyl., auto, air, power all, leather, NAV, heated seats, parking sensors & camera, LifeTime Warranty, Factory Certified. #P2724 WAS $39,995............................... MARKET BASED PRICE $33,418*

2018 JEEP WRANGLER UNLIMITED SAHARA 4WD, 4cyl., auto, air, power all, parking camera, folding rear seat, new tires, NAV, Lifetime Warranty, Factory Certified. #42554A WAS $39,995.............................. MARKET BASED PRICE $36,892*

2019 FORD EXPEDITION MAX LIMITED 4WD, V6 Turbocharged, auto, air, power all, leather, parking camera, heated & cooled seats, Ford Blue Certified. #P5578A WAS $51,995............................... MARKET BASED PRICE $43,995* VANS

2020 CHRYSLER VOYAGER LXI FWD, 6cyl., auto, air, power all, 3rd row seats, parking camera, heated seats, Lifetime Warranty, Factory Certified. #P2737 WAS $29,995............................... MARKET BASED PRICE $24,473*

2020 FORD TRANSIT 6 cyl., auto, air, power

auto, air, power all, trailer hitch receiver & sway control, new brakes, Lifetime Warranty, Factory Certified. #P5586A WAS $48,995............................... MARKET BASED PRICE $41,198*

SLT 4WD, 6cyl. Cummins

2020 FORD F-150 XLT SUPERCREW 4WD, 6cyl., auto, air, power all, parking camera, trailer sway control, heated seatds, Lifetime Warranty. #P2772 WAS $46,995............................... MARKET BASED PRICE $42,854*

Northwestern Medicine McHenry Hospital expands cardiovascular services, receives distinguished rating

Hospital recognized as #9 ranked hospital in Illinois, according to U.S. News and World Report

The Northwestern Medicine Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute at McHenry Hospital recently received a Three Star Rating from the Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) for coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) procedures.

The three-star rating, which denotes the highest category of quality, places Northwestern Medicine McHenry Hospital among the elite for heart bypass surgery in the United States and Canada.

CABG is a procedure used to treat coronary artery disease. Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the narrowing of the coronary arteries – the blood vessels that supply oxygen and nutrients to the heart muscle. CAD is caused by a build-up of fatty material within the walls of the arteries. This build-up narrows the inside of the arteries, limiting the supply of oxy-

gen-rich blood to the heart muscle.

A procedure to treat the blocked or narrowed arteries bypasses the blocked portion of the coronary artery with a piece of a healthy blood vessel from elsewhere in the body.

Blood vessels, or grafts, used for the bypass procedure, may be pieces of a vein from the leg or an artery in the chest. An artery from the forearm may also be used. The physician attaches one end of the graft above the blockage and the other end below the blockage. Blood bypasses the blockage by going through the new graft to reach the heart muscle.

“It’s an honor to receive this recognition from the Society of Thoracic Surgeons,” said Aqeel Sandhu, MD, director of cardiac surgery at Northwestern Medicine Bluhm Cardiovascular Insti-

tute McHenry Hospital. “We are very proud of the cardiac surgery program at Northwestern Medicine McHenry Hospital where we provide world class care to patients in the community. We continue to offer new and innovative treatment options to patients, where a few years ago, they would have had to travel to our academic medical center in Chicago.”

James Smith, 57, of Oakwood Hills, Ill., was a recent, direct recipient of this care. Smith, an avid hiker and mountain biker, started to feel a sensation in his chest. He first just thought it was a chest cold or something left over from COVID, which he had a few years back, but didn’t think much of it. Several months after he had occasionally felt the chest sensation, Smith had his annual physical exam with Nathan

Kakish, MD, internal medicine at Northwestern Medicine Woodstock Regional Medical Group. His general physical checked out fine, but when they were wrapping up, Smith mentioned that he had felt a mild but almost burning sensation in his chest—mostly after working out. Dr. Kakish responded immediately, stating he needs to stay so that he can take a closer look. Despite Smith not having any more common cardiac symptoms, he was immediately sent for a chest x-ray and an EKG, and both came back with normal results. He was also instructed to get a stress test the following day at Northwestern Medicine Huntley Hospital. Vincent Woo, MD, interventional cardiology at Northwestern Medicine, conducted an angiogram, a procedure for diagnosing severe heart artery

blockages.

Two days later, Smith was put in an ambulance from Huntley Hospital to McHenry Hospital as he required a three graft CABG. Dr. Sandhu conducted the surgery, and the next thing Smith remembers is waking up and being told he had triple bypass surgery, and that he is in recovery and doing well.

“Had Dr. Kakish not taken the extra step from my very casual comment, I would have likely had a very different outcome,” said Smith.

“The care I received from the staff from the minute I walked in for my physical exam to waking up in recovery at the hospital was exceptional. They went above and beyond, and I am so grateful that I had the team that I had.”

After his surgery, he began cardiac rehabilitation, where

they then discovered he also had an irregular heartbeat, which can be common after surgery. The team monitored the situation, and Tonye Teme, MD, cardiac electrophysiology, at Northwestern Medicine McHenry Hospital eventually conducted the ablation surgery to fix it.

“I feel like a new person, and am back to doing what I love. I am once again able to hike, bike and be with my family—and now with a healthy heart.”

Since his surgery, Smith has completed a hike on the Continental Divide Trail in Colorado, climbing to a peak of 14,000 feet with his child and grandchild—and ready for more to come.

For more information about the Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute at Northwestern Medicine, please go to nm.org.

Survey pushes for greater focus on teacher recruitment and retention amid shortages

State board data shows unfilled classroom positions reached a five-year high in 2022

By Nika Schoonover

CAPITOL NEWS ILLINOIS

Illinois schools are still grappling with a teacher shortage that seems to only be getting worse, a recent survey by the Illinois Association of Regional Superintendents of Schools shows.

This mirrors the state’s own data, which shows Illinois’ teacher shortage is at the highest level in the last five years. More than 5,300 classroom positions, including administrative and support personnel, went unfilled in 2022, according to the Illinois State Board of Education

As a result, teachers often have to absorb unsupervised students into their existing classes or fill in for subject areas in which they have no background.

“No matter how much we’re trying, we’re not filling all the positions and the ones

we are filling are people who aren’t necessarily qualified to teach what their assignment is,” IARSS President Mark Klaisner said in a recent interview.

The IARSS, a trade group for the public officials who serve as an intermediary between local school districts and the Illinois State Board of Education, has surveyed nearly 700 school districts on the state of the teacher shortage crisis for the past six years. But this year’s survey focused more intently on short- and long-term solutions proposed by school districts statewide. According to their 2022 survey, 68 percent of districts reported fewer teacher applicants than the year before. And 45 percent of districts reported the shortage in their school had worsened from the year prior.

Klaisner said everyone in-

volved in education needs to be heard when considering policy changes, as problems with teacher recruitment and retention have different causal mixes in different parts of the state.

“There are lots of people working on how to come to solutions,” he said. “Some of it is related to money but a lot is related to reestablishing the teaching profession and, whatever that takes, we need to work with higher ed, we need to work with early childhood and everywhere in between.”

One area of focus, Klaisner said, is improving the pipeline between education institutions and Illinois’ K-12 schools by starting educator recruitment earlier. That could include programs that allow middle schoolers to shadow teachers.

Other policy recommen-

dations in the IARSS report include making college more affordable for prospective educators and increasing the pool of substitute teachers.

Improving the pipeline

The report emphasized the importance of making the teaching profession more desirable for prospective educators, outlining policy recommendations that would lessen financial burdens and encourage greater diversity.

Along with job shadowing programs, he advocated for dual credit programs that allow students to earn some college credit while in high school.

“We need to look for expedited routes that are going to be less expensive,” Klaisner said.

The report also calls for direct state funding to key areas to encourage more diversity

within the profession. This includes increasing funding from $4.2 million to $7 million annually for the Minority Teachers of Illinois scholarship; investing more money into the Illinois Teachers Loan Repayment Program which helps pay down student loan debt for Illinois college students that qualify to teach in low-income areas; and further increasing the state’s Monetary Award Program by $50 million.

Those MAP grants go to eligible college students and do not need to be repaid. While the program’s funding has grown to $601 million from about $400 million in the past four years, the report suggested increasing it by $50 million will ensure more teachers from minority communities will receive the grants.

To better fill gaps in the short term, Klaisner pointed to incentivizing teachers to complete additional subject endorsements, which can be done through the ISBE website.

“If you’ve got a good

teacher who’s willing to try something new, give them the appropriate endorsement, but then give them three years to be able to complete the coursework to be fully certified in that area,” Klaisner said.

By giving teachers the time and space to complete supplemental endorsements, Klaisner said it will better equip them to fill in potential staffing gaps.

Other recommendations include observing how districts have used federal pandemic-era Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief, or ESSER, funds to help teachers get provisional licenses in shortage subject areas. Additionally, the survey recommends strengthening the state’s educator prep programs by showing which paths have stronger results in teacher placement and success.

Several survey respondents also noted that a 2010 state law creating a lower tier of pension benefits for new

See TEACHERS, Page 5

Treasury Department highlights Advance McHenry County

The Department of the Treasury singled out the Advance McHenry County initiative as an example of how local governments are putting federal COVID relief funding to good use in their communities.

Week-Long Overnight Camps

McHenry County was one of 17 counties highlighted in a fact sheet that was put out Feb. 14, https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy1272, by the Treasury Department as examples of county governments that are leveraging American Rescue Plan Act funds to make “transformational investments” in promoting economic growth, public health, infrastructure, affordable housing, and other categories.

“The Advance McHenry County program, since its inception, has exceeded my expectations – it’s great to see that the County Board’s wise decision to invest at least half of our COVID relief funding back into our communities

has been uplifted as an example to follow by the Treasury Department,” County Board Chairman Mike Buehler, R-Crystal Lake, said. “Of almost 3,200 county governments in the United States, the Treasury Department chose us as a model of a local government making an impact by spending money wisely.”

The County Board created Advance McHenry County to invest half of the $59.7 million it received in ARPA funding into thoughtful and impactful projects that directly benefit county residents.

To qualify, applicants had to prove that their proposals would be self-sufficient and could continue beyond their initial funding.

To date, the county has approved 20 grants, totaling almost $14 million, into infrastructure capital projects, workforce development and jobs programs, nonprofit agencies, special districts, and local governments.

Pritzker lays out $49.6 billion spending plan

Calls for new investments in education, efforts to combat poverty

By Peter Hancock CAPITOL NEWS ILLINOIS

Gov. JB Pritzker last week laid out a $49.6 billion spending plan for the upcoming fiscal year that calls for significant new spending for early childhood education and efforts to combat homelessness among other areas.

He also claimed credit for putting the state back on more secure financial footing.

Speaking to a joint session of the General Assembly, Pritzker delivered a combined State of the State speech and budget address in the House chamber since his pre-pandemic address in February 2020.

Pritzker’s proposed budget appeared to signal a transition to a post-COVID kind of normalcy, with a focus on typical state issues like education, health care and social services as opposed to grappling with a public health disaster and the economic calamity that came with it.

“The last time I stood here seems like a lifetime ago,” Pritzker said. “So many fiscal challenges laid ahead. And so much progress has been made.”

Pritzker came into office in 2019, succeeding Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner, whose single term was marked by a two-year budget impasse that resulted in a nearly $17 billion backlog of past-due bills and multiple credit downgrades.

But with those old bills paid and credit rating agencies now giving the state upgrades, Pritzker appeared to revel in pointing out the contrast.

“In the age-old fight be-

tween happy warriors and misery’s carnival barkers, we’ve shown that if we resolve to do it, happy warriors win every time. And we are winning,” he said. “Which is why, here in Illinois in 2023, I’m confident in saying the state of our state is stronger than it has been in decades, and we’re getting stronger every day.”

Early childhood ‘Smart Start’

The signature new program in Pritzker’s proposed budget is a multi-year plan called “Smart Start” that aims to expand child care services and make preschool available to every 3- and 4-year-old in Illinois whose parents or guardians seek it over the next four years.

Beginning with a $250 million appropriation in the upcoming fiscal year, Pritzker said his proposal would add 5,000 preschool spots in the upcoming year—the first in a four-year plan to increase those seats by 20,000. That quarter-million-dollar proposal would also stabilize funding for child care services to enable providers to boost workers’ salaries, and increase funding for early intervention services and home visits to reach families in need.

“Thanks to our stronger fiscal standing, we can afford to do this,” Pritzker said. “And as every provider, teacher, and parent in this state knows, we can’t afford to wait.”

The plan also calls for spending $100 million from the Rebuild Illinois capital

improvements program to build and upgrade child care buildings and facilities, including in areas he called “early childhood deserts,” essentially doubling the amount of money originally allocated for that purpose.

“Smart Start Illinois will save taxpayers $7 for every one dollar invested and will vault Illinois to national leadership in early childhood development,” he said. “Enhancing quality early care and education is a win-win solution for re-mobilizing parents in the workforce, enhancing brain development and kindergarten readiness, saving taxpayers money, and increasing economic activity now and in the decades ahead.”

K-12 education

Pritzker is also proposing a $350 million increase in Evidence Based Funding for K-12 education, which is the minimum year-overyear increase required under the 2017 law that overhauled school finance in Illinois.

Of that money, the first $50 million is used to fund property tax relief grants to districts that apply for them.

The other $300 million is distributed primarily to school districts that are furthest away from their funding adequacy target.

That amount is consistent with what the Illinois State Board of Education had requested, but other school advocates, including Advance Illinois and the Center for Tax and Budget Accountability, have urged the state to put in even more money.

Environmental/Natural History scholarship applications being accepted

The Friends of Volo Bog and Friends of Moraine Hills State Park are offering a total of five scholarships for $1,000 each to outstanding Illinois students interested in pursuing an environmental science or natural history career.

The Friends of Volo Bog has three Scholarships that are awarded at two levels –Entering College and Continuing College.

Entering College scholarship

To be eligible for the Entering College scholarship, the applicant must have a permanent residency and attend a accredited Illinois high school in Lake, McHenry, Cook, DuPage, Will, Kendall or Kane County, have a minimum B average, and plan to attend an accredited college or university. The applicant should be planning to enter a career directly related to preserving the natural environment.

Continuing College scholarship

To be eligible for the Continuing College scholarship the applicant must be currently enrolled in an accredited college of university pursuing a degree directly related to preserving the natural environment. The applicant must have a permanent residence in Illinois, have graduated from an Illinois high school in Lake, McHenry, Cook, DuPage, Will, Kendall or Kane County, and currently hold a minimum B average in their

college studies.

The Friends of Volo Bog is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization, dedicated to promoting citizen awareness of the local natural heritage of Volo Bog State Natural Area, portions of which are dedicated to state nature preserves, and to preserving the same through special events, educational and training programs, acquisitions of properties for such purposes and taking whatever steps deemed necessary to insure the continued care and preservation of Volo Bog State Natural Area as a natural site.

Applications are due by March 31 for the school year starting in the fall. Application packets are available at www.friendsofvolobog.org/ scholarships.

The Friends of Moraine Hills State Park is offering two $1,000 scholarships to outstanding Illinois students interested in pursuing an environmental science or natural history career.

To be eligible for these ‘Entering College’ scholarships, the applicant must have a permanent residency

During a House committee hearing Tuesday, Advance Illinois president Robin Steans said that if the state only adds $350 million a year to the EBF formula, it would take until the year 2038 to reach the law’s goal of bringing all districts up to 90 percent of their adequacy target.

“And that is another 15 years, and that is a generation of students who will be in schools who will be in schools that are underfunded, in some cases by significant amounts,” she said. “So from our point of view, and we hope and trust from yours, that’s too long.”

Steans urged lawmakers to raise the minimum annual increase to $550 million— including the $50 million in property tax relief grants— which she said would put the state on track to reach the 90-percent adequacy goal within eight years.

Rep. Will Davis, D-Homewood, who chairs the budget committee that deals with K-12 education, said in an interview after a Feb. 14 hearing that the final amount that goes into EBF funding will be a subject of negotiation.

“I personally would like to see it more than $550 (million),” he said. “I mean I’d rather us get to full funding quicker rather than later. But it’s not a decision that I make in a vacuum by myself. It requires others participating and communicating. So we’ll see where we land.”

The added spending brings ISBE’s total budget to $10.3 billion, or roughly 20.5 percent of all General Revenue Fund spending.

Higher education

community college student and 40 percent of public university students whose household incomes are at or below median income levels to attend college free of tuition and fees.

The plan also calls for a 7 percent increase, or $100 million, in basic operating funds for community colleges and public universities, which he said would be the largest increase in more than two decades.

“This is yet another way for us to make college more affordable,” Pritzker said. “After years of decline, we’re seeing growth across higher education in Illinois that’s well above the national average. This is our moment to take it all to the next level.”

The governor ’s proposed higher education budget also calls for a number of investments geared toward workforce development: $8.3 million for dual credit and noncredit workforce grant programs; $11 million to develop advanced manufacturing, EV technology and data center workforce training programs; $25 million for the Pipeline for the Advancement of Healthcare, or PATH Workforce Program; an additional $2.8 million for the Minority Teacher Scholarship program; and $750,000 to expand English language services.

Homeless services

Pritzker also proposed a $50 million increase in services for people experiencing homelessness, bringing total funding in that area to $350 million, through a program he called “Home Illinois.”

in and be attending an accredited Illinois high school in McHenry, Kane or Lake County, have a minimum B average and plan to attend an accredited college or university. The applicant should be planning to enter a career directly related to preserving the natural environment.

Applications are available at www.friendsofmorainehillsstatepark.org and are due by April 30 for the school year starting in the fall.

Recipients are determined by a review committee of Friends of Moraine Hills State Park. The Friends of Moraine Hills State Park is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization, dedicated to promoting citizen awareness of the local natural heritage of Moraine Hills State Park, portions of which are dedicated to state nature preserves, and to preserving the same through special events, educational and training programs, acquisitions of properties for such purposes and taking whatever steps deemed necessary to insure the continued care and preservation of Moraine Hills State Park.

While campaigning for reelection last year, Pritzker talked about wanting to make college education free for people who met certain income guidelines, and last week he claimed the budget he is proposing would go a long way toward accomplishing that.

Pritzker called for a $100 million increase in funding for Illinois’ Monetary Award Program, or MAP grants, the state’s needs-based scholarship program.

That would bring the total amount of MAP funding to $701 million, a 75 percent increase compared to the year Pritzker came into office.

According to the governor ’s budget office, when combined with the federally-funded Pell Grant program, the increase in MAP funding would allow nearly every

ment of new permanent supportive housing units, street outreach and employment assistance.

Pritzker ’s budget proposal also calls for additional spending to combat poverty, including a $50 million increase in Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, or TANF, and $20 million for a new Illinois Grocery initiative to eliminate food deserts by opening and expanding grocery stores in underserved areas.

State of the State

In addition to laying out a budget plan, Pritzker spoke about social and political issues facing the state and nation, including the overturning of Roe v. Wade and the enactment of anti-abortion legislation in other states, including those that border Illinois.

Restrictions on abortion access in other states have resulted in a sharp increase in demand for abortion services in Illinois, where the procedure remains legal. That prompted Democratic lawmakers to take action during last month’s lame duck session, passing an omnibus reproductive health care law aimed at increasing the number of abortion providers in Illinois. But Pritzker said he intends to continue speaking out for abortion rights.

Pritzker said it’s estimated that over 120,000 people in Illinois experience homelessness annually, including 76,000 children, and that Black people are eight times more likely to experience homelessness than white people.

“But the faces of Illinoisans with no home to go to are not homogenous,” he said.

“They include single parents with infants and toddlers. Sixth graders trying to complete their homework using toilets as a desk in temporary shared housing and LGBTQplus high schoolers who were kicked out of their homes by their parents. Homelessness is not an identity. It’s a set of circumstances.”

That money would go toward a variety of programs, including prevention services, emergency shelter, short-term rental assistance, develop-

“There are women in this country right now who are facing untold mental and physical anguish because of the fall of Roe v. Wade,” he said. “Here in Illinois women know their rights are protected. But that doesn’t take away our obligation as Americans to speak up for the rest of the nation and we will keep doing it.”

He also commented on other social and political trends in the United States, including a rise in antisemitism, censorship and discrimination against the LGBTQ community.

“There is a virulent strain of nationalism plaguing our nation, led by demagogues who are pushing censorship, with a particular attack right now on school board members and library trustees,” he said. “It’s an ideological battle by the right wing hiding behind a claim that they would protect our children, but whose real intention is to marginalize people and ideas they don’t like.”

He said addressing such matters “doesn’t stop with just snuffing out ideas.”

CLC recognized as a 2023 Leader College by Achieving the Dream

College of Lake County (CLC) announced that it has been designated a Leader College by Achieving the Dream (ATD), a national nonprofit dedicated to advancing community colleges as hubs of equity and mobility in their communities.

“I am honored that College of Lake County has achieved Leader College designation,” said CLC President Dr. Lori Suddick. “This designation recognizes the improved outcomes for students that are being achieved as a result of the transformative change efforts implemented over the past several years by dedicated faculty and staff throughout the college. CLC is committed to building an equity-minded and student-focused culture.”

Lake County Rising holds 10th annual awareness event

On Tuesday, February 14, members of the Lake County community gathered for Lake County Rising, an awareness event focused on the violence against women. This year marked 10 years since beginning this event and was sponsored by the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office, in partnership with NICASA Behavioral Health Services, A Safe Place, Zacharias Sexual Abuse Center, Mano a Mano Family Resource Center, YWCA of Metropolitan Chicago, and National Louis University.

The program opened with Mundelein High School students, Lily Jones and Eva Pechtl singing “The Climb.” Then, Jones accompanied on guitar for their second rendition, Rachel Platten’s Fight Song.

The event continued with featured speakers from Lake County community organizations, discussing the changes they’ve observed over the past 10 years that had an impact on crimes against women.

Damaris Lorta, Chief Development Officer of A Safe Place, shared that while improvements have been made over the past 10 years, sadly, crimes against women still happen at

appalling rates.

“I’d like to be out of a job,” Lorta said during her presentation.

She emphasized that community collaboration and increased engagement between service providers have been hallmarks of positive changes over the past 10 years.

Sandy Williams, Executive Director of Zacharias Sexual Abuse Center, reminded the audience of the increased awareness that has occurred as the result of movies such as, The Hunting Ground, which focused on sexual assaults on college campuses, and the “ME, TOO” movement.

Lake County State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart echoed the sentiment that community engagement is a significant factor in making sure victims of crime receive the support they deserve. State’s Attorney Rinehart said that he and the entire staff of the State’s Attorney’s Office are committed to do their part to ensure that perpetrators of violence are held accountable and that the legal system acts holistically to address the root causes of crime.

For the past few years, Lake County Rising has had an art contest

for Lake County students in 8th grade, and an essay and poetry contests for high school students.

Winners of these contests were presented with certificates and shared their winning submissions. Mariana Zepeda-Tamez, a student at River Trail School in Gurnee, was the winner of the art contest. The winning essayist and poet both hail from ZionBenton Township High School. Senior Jared Dawkins shared his essay.

Dawkins’ essay stated, “By speaking out and challenging oppressive systems, we create a culture of respect and safety for all. This will involve a collective effort and requires citizens to take an active role in advocating for the rights of women and other marginalized communities.”

Sophomore Sierra-Rayne Lincke shared her poem, “When Did Violent Minds Mean the Death of Women?” Lincke’s poem paid homage to Sarah Everard, India Cummings, Mahsa Amini, Breonna Taylor, and Brayla Stone, all women who have lost their lives due to violence. In her poem, she vows to “speak up and hope my word finds you well, reminding you of every single woman and girl who lost their life to violent minds.”

Volunteers sought for Volo Bog State Natural Area

Volo Bog State Natural Area is seeking volunteers for docent positions. The docents enjoy interacting with people, have a passion for nature and the environment, spend time enjoying the site and are motivated learners.

Docents greet and assist visitors, answer questions, and offer information about seasonal natural occurrences at the sites. They invite guests

• Teachers

to share their experiences and tell of ways to be more involved in enjoying and supporting the parks. Volo Bog SNA docents also help run the Friends of Volo Bog Tamarack Shop.

All new docents receive required readings and mentoring from staff, then shadow experienced docents for a minimum of three sessions before being able to sign up

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employees has made the teaching profession less desirable from a compensation standpoint.

Increasing substitute teacher accessibility

When it comes to filling short-term gaps, the report focused on increasing the pool of substitute teachers.

“When you don’t have enough classroom teachers, and then you don’t have

enough subs, then you’ve got classrooms that are literally empty. I mean, the children are in the room but there’s no teacher,” said Rep. Sue Scherer, D-Decatur, who was also a teacher for 34 years in Decatur and Maroa-Forsyth.

Last April, Gov. JB Pritzker signed a package of four bills to address the shortage, including House Bill 4798, which allows currently enrolled teaching students with

solo.

The two options and training schedule are as follows:

Monthly weekend docent – volunteer one weekend day per month for a minimum of one year. Training is Saturday, March 4 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Weekly weekday docents/ interpretive office support –volunteer one day per week (Wednesday or Thursday)

at least 90 credit hours to be licensed as substitute teachers.

According to the survey, 60 percent of respondents said HB 4798 has helped recruit and retain teachers.

In addition, 80 percent of districts support a plan which would increase the number of days retired teachers can substitute from 120 days to 140 days without impacting their retirement benefits.

The number was increased

Leader Colleges play an important role in accelerating the adoption of effective practices within the ATD Network and across higher education. Leader Colleges are recognized for the quality of their work in whole-college reform, resulting in increased completion rates for all students. Leader Colleges develop innovative ways to work with other colleges to share knowledge and facilitate an exchange of ideas about evidence-based reform strategies.

CLC is part of the ATD Network, made up of 300+

colleges committed to advancing equity and supporting student success at their institutions and throughout their communities. CLC has been a member of the ATD Network since 2019.

CLC is recognized as a Leader College in the ATD network because of its good work over the last few years to improve the student experience. CLC will continue improving outcomes for students through two selective experiences.

CLC was one of nine schools selected for the second cohort for the Racial Equity Leadership Academy (RELA). RELA is a oneyear engagement that began Feb. 13. It is an intensive institute designed to support teams of leaders as they develop bold, strategic racial equity plans and implement actionable change efforts at their institutions.

Additionally, CLC was one of four schools selected for Building Capacity for Change: Strengthening Professional Learning on Your Campus (BCC), a program designed to help colleges engage educators and build student success. Working with campus-based teaching and learning teams, BCC empowers colleges to apply a comprehensive framework for high-impact professional learning to campus needs and goals.

Lake County residents can stay connected with 211

211 is a free, confidential one-stop resource that connects those in need to people that can help. All year long, trained expert navigators at Lake County’s 211 connect people to locally available resources, including help with rent, food, utility bills, employment and job training, childcare and after-school programs, legal services, health and mental health assistance, and so much more.

The service works by call-

ing 2-1-1 or texting your zip code to 898211 to speak with a real person who can help. Trained expert navigators are standing by to guide you to the help you need. 211 is available 24 hours a day, every day of the year in more than 150 languages. Tell your friends and family about this free service so they know that help is only one phone call or text away. For more information about 211, visit 211LakeCounty. org.

for a minimum of one year. Weekday docents are comfortable with data entry, copying, filing and other light office tasks. Training Thursdays are March 2 and 9 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

All trainings are two days plus mentoring. To apply contact Stacy Iwanicki, Natural resources Coordinator, at 815344-1294 or dnr.vologog@ illinois.gov.

to 120 from 90 in a bill signed in April, Senate Bill 3893, but it was scheduled to expire in 2023. The idea was supported by 79 percent of IARSS survey respondents, and the report advocated for making the extension permanent.

The laws allowing college students to serve as substitute teachers is also scheduled to expire, and the report suggested making it permanent as well.

SUBMITTED PHOTO Hi-Liter/MCN

Pet of the week

Carol, is about 2 years old, spayed, up-to-date on routine shots (incl. rabies), tested negative for FIV, feline leukemia and heartworm and microchipped.

While walk-ins are welcome, adoptions are by appointments only to ensure we have the staff available to help adopters. For information and/ or to complete an online application, please visit www.saveapetil.org/adopt.

SUBMITTED PHOTO Hi-Liter/MCN

Mundelein High School students, Eva Pechtl (left) and Lily Jones opened the Lake County Rising program by singing “The Climb”. The event raises awareness on violence against women.

Antioch man arrested for the online grooming of a minor Police chief encourages parents to educate themselves and their children about online safety

A 28-year-old resident of the Village of Antioch has been arrested on charges he sent sexually explicit pictures and attempted to groom an underage victim online.

Jared Lorenzen, of the 800 block of Mockingbird Drive, Antioch, was arrested at his home February 16 evening by Antioch Police. The underage boy Lorenzen was communicating with was actually an undercover Mundelein Police Department detective who was assisting Antioch Police Detectives with their investigation.

Investigators say Lorenzen was corresponding with who he thought was a 14-year-old male, beginning in November 2022. The correspondence included Lorenzen sending self-pornographic images to the 14-year-old and eliciting pornographic images. Lorenzen also groomed the 14-year-old male to engage in sexual conduct.

During a search warrant conducted on Lorenzen’s home, a loaded firearm was also recovered. Charges are being reviewed by the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office for owning a firearm without a FOID card.

Lorenzen was arrested and held on a $500,000 bond. The Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office approved three Class 4 felony charges of 2 x Grooming and 1 x Harmful Material. Charges include: Count 1: Grooming, 720 ILCS 5/11-25(a)- Class 4 Felony; Count 2: Grooming, 720 ILCS 5/11-25(a)- Class 4 Felony; and Count 3: Harmful Material, 720 ILCS 5/11-21(G) – Class 4 Felony.

Antioch Police Chief Geoffrey Guttschow says a strong message needs to be sent to child predators.

“Keeping our children safe is a top priority of the Antioch Police Department,” said Guttschow. “Let this incident serve as a warning to anyone who may be considering engaging in this sort of activity, law enforcement is watching and we will use every legal means necessary to prevent you from harming our children. You will be caught and we will arrest you.”

Guttschow also advises parents to educate themselves and their children about the dangers of engaging with strangers online.

“The anonymity of the internet makes it easy for sexual predators to seek out potential victims,” Guttschow said.

Online safety tips

Parents are encouraged to follow these online safety tips to help keep their children safe:

1. Educate yourself about the websites and social media apps your child uses.

2. Monitor your child’s social media accounts and have conversations with them about what is appropriate to say and share.

3. Make sure your child’s account privacy settings are set to restrict access to any personal information.

4. Tell your child to never share their location with anyone other than family.

5. Tell your child to avoid communicating with anyone they do not personally know.

6. Ensure your child knows they can come to you with any inappropriate or concerning activity.

The Antioch Police Department thanks the Mundelein Police Department and the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office for their partnership in this investigation.

Man attacks court officer after being sentenced to prison

On February 15, at approximately 4:15 p.m., Maseo B. Rosser, 22, of the 200 block of West Oak Lane, Winthrop Harbor, was in court, being sentenced on a 2020 criminal charge of aggravated discharge of a firearm. Rosser was out on bail prior to the sentencing. During the sentencing, a Lake County Judge sentenced Rosser to seven years and six months in the Illinois Department of Corrections.

A Lake County Sheriff’s Court Officer began the process of taking Rosser into custody. Rosser attacked the court officer, punched him in the face and headbutted him. Another court officer and two deputies who were in the courtroom were eventually able to subdue Rosser, although he continued to resist arrest for several minutes.

After being subdued, Rosser verbally threatened a local police officer, who was in the courtroom and just provided testimony at the sentencing hearing.

Rosser was taken into custody and remanded to the Lake County Jail, prior to being transferred to the Illinois Department of Corrections.

The court officer sustained a broken nose as a result of the attack.

Rosser ’s violent actions were reviewed by the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office and the following charges were approved: Aggravated Battery to a Peace Officer (Class 2 Felony), Resisting a Peace Officer Causing Injury (Class 4 Felony) and Aggravated Assault (Class 4 Felony).

Rosser was scheduled to appear in court the following day on his new charges.

Sheriff John D. Idleburg said, “Instead of accepting accountability for his past actions, this individual made the poor choice to attack our staff, which is nothing short

You ought to be in pictures!

We are interested!

t Show the community what your group has been doing!

t NO EXPERIENCE NEEDED!

t Just shoot and e-mail!

t We need you to ID everyone in the photo first and last names required

t Tell us what’s happening in the photo

t Please do NOT crop your photos.

t Tell us who took the photo and we will give them a photo credit

of cowardly. I, along with all of our staff, are wishing our court officer a speedy recovery, and we look forward to having him back at work soon.”

Warrant issued for man who tried to meet ‘child’ for sexual encounter

On February 9, the Lake County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division in collaboration with the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) concluded an investigation which resulted in the arrest of a man for the offense of indecent solicitation of a child.

For the past several weeks, Connor N. Smith, 32, of the 8200 block of Hillcrest Drive, Orland Park, was communicating with an undercover detective online. The detective was posing as a girl under the age of 15. During the conversations, Smith sent ‘the child’ sexually explicit images and videos of himself. Smith then made arrangements to meet the ‘girl’ for a sexual encounter.

On February 9, Smith drove to meet the girl to engage in a sexual encounter with her. When Smith arrived, detectives moved in to apprehend him. Smith, however was able to escape and fled in his vehicle.

On February 10, sheriff’s detectives obtained a nationwide arrest warrant for Smith for: Traveling to Meet a Minor (Class 3 Felony), Grooming (Class 4 Felony), and Disseminating Harmful Material (Class 4 Felony).

A Lake County Judge set bond on the warrant at $1,000,000.

Smith indicated he would surrender himself on the arrest warrant, but thus far, has failed to do so. If you see Smith, do not approach him, please contact the local law enforcement jurisdiction where you see him.

Father of alleged Highland Park shooter formally arraigned

On February 16 Robert Crimo, Jr. entered a not guilty plea, after he was indicted by a grand jury on February 15, on seven counts of felo-

Remember

ny Reckless Conduct.

Crimo, Jr., was arrested on December 16, 2022, after prosecutors and Highland Park police officers alleged that Robert Crimo Jr. was criminally reckless at the time that he sponsored his son’s FOID application to the Illinois State Police.

As an individual under the age of 21, Crimo III was unable to obtain a FOID card without his father’s participation in the application process.

After the indictment, Lake County State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart stated, “Parents who are reckless when they help their kids get weapons of war are morally and legally responsible for the harm that follows. We presented our evidence to a grand jury, and they agreed the case should move forward. We will continue to seek justice for the victims and prosecute those who endanger the community.”

Crimo, Jr., appeared in bond court on December 17, 2022. Under an agreement between the State’s Attorney’s Office and Crimo, Jr.’s defense team, bond was set at $50,000.

Crimo, Jr. is scheduled to appear back in court on April 4. The date was agreed to by the parties as the defense stated they would need to review the information the State provided in court.

McHenry man arrested for possession/ dissemination of child pornography

In August of 2022 the National Center of Missing and Exploited Children provided the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office information received from the Internet Crimes Against Children data system pertaining to the possible possession of child pornography by a subscriber. Upon receipt of this information, the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office initiated an investigation. The investiga-

tion led to the identification of the offender, Justin R. Griletz, and verification of his possession and dissemination of child pornography.

In the early morning hours of February 9, 2023, members of the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office Investigations Division served a search warrant and arrest warrant at 4805 William Street in unincorporated McHenry. Justin R. Griletz was taken into custody as a result of the arrest warrant.

Justin R. Griletz was taken to the McHenry County Jail and was charged with the following: Dissemination of Child Pornography (Class X Felony), 2 counts of Possession of Child Pornography (Class 2 Felony), and Possession of Child Pornography (Class 3 Felony).

The investigation is on-going and additional charges are expected. Bond for Griletz was set at $300,000 and his next court date is Feb. 28.

Driver runs red light and causes serious crash

On February 18, at approximately 4:15 p.m., Lake County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to Route 41 and Route 173, Wadsworth, for a traffic crash with injuries. Sheriff’s deputies arrived and found two vehicles with major damage.

Preliminary investigation shows a Nissan Altima, driven by a 45-year-old man of Zion, was traveling westbound on Route 173. Witnesses indicate he was driving recklessly and a high rate of speed. The driver of the Nissan ran the red light at Route 41 and ‘T-Boned’ a southbound Ford F150, driven by a 42-year-old man of Zion.

The driver of the Ford was transported to Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville with critical, life-threatening injuries. The front seat passenger in the Ford, a 50-year-old woman of Zion and two back seat passengers, a 12-year-old boy of Zion and 10-year-old girl of Zion, were all treated and released at the scene.

The driver of the Nissan and a front seat passenger in the Nissan, a 50-year-old woman of Zion were transported to Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville with serious, non-life-threatening injuries.

The crash remains under investigation by the Lake County Sheriff’s Office Technical Crash Investigations Unit.

Correctional staff attempt to save life of inmate

On February 18, at approximately 4:00 p.m., a Lake County Jail inmate was found having a seizure in his cell. The inmate, a 50-yearold man of Zion, had been in the jail’s custody since October 5, 2022.

One of the jail’s nurses was already in the inmate’s pod and quickly responded to the inmate’s cell, as did several corrections officers. When the inmate stopped seizing, he stopped breathing. CPR was immediately administered by the jail’s nurse

and several corrections officers. An Automated External Defibrillator (AED) was also utilized. Paramedics were summoned and transported the inmate to Vista East Medical Center in Waukegan, where he was subsequently pronounced deceased.

A review of the security surveillance cameras showed the inmate walked into his single-inmate cell, just before collapsing and seizing inside of his cell.

There were no signs of trauma on the inmate’s body

and no indications of foul play. The Lake County Coroner’s Office scheduled an autopsy for the inmate on February 21.

The inmate was being held on the charges of armed habitual criminal, felon in possession of a firearm, and aggravated unlawful use of a weapon.

Per protocol, the Lake County Sheriff’s Office contacted the Lake County Major Crime Task Force to conduct an independent investigation.

Jared Lorenzen

Justin R. Griletz

Robert Crimo, Jr.

Maseo B. Rosser

Connor N. Smith

Lake County Sheriff’s arrest bulletin

The Lake County Sheriff’s Dept. reported the following arrests in Lake County. Suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Jan. 19

Nariah P. McKnight, 24, Gurnee, was cited for a warrant arrest: battery;

Aaron C. Palomar, 21, Beach Park, was cited for improper transportation of cannabis;

Jan. 20

James Nolting, 58, Harvard, was cited for a warrant arrest: violating bond (McHenry County);

Yovani Sanchez, 36, Round Lake, was cited for no driver’s license, suspended registration and no insurance;

Brittney C. Jones, 27, Forest Park, was cited for aggravated speeding (73 mph in 40 mph zone);

Ira J. Williams, 32, Zion, was cited for DUI – alcohol, and improper transportation of cannabis;

Jayson P. Souza-Temaner, 44, Gurnee, was cited for battery;

Dylan M. Beshel, 31, Beach Park, was cited for ag-

gravated DUI, driving while license revoked, leaving the scene of an accident, no insurance, and a warrant arrest: DUI;

Cristian Sceves-Beltran, 18, Beach Park, was cited for no driver’s license;

Jan. 21

Joshua K. Francia, 28, Zion, was cited for DUI – alcohol and no insurance;

Amanda S. McKimmy, 34, Lake Villa, was cited for DUI – alcohol, and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia;

Enrique R. Alfaro, 61, Beach Park, was cited for a warrant arrest: driving while license revoked;

Vincent R. Coleman, 18, Antioch, was cited for DUI – alcohol, improper transportation of cannabis and no insurance;

Lucia Vazquez-Cordada, 33, Waukegan, was cited for DUI – alcohol;

Aidee A. Morales, 45, Madison, WI, was cited for driving while license suspended;

Jan. 22

Thomas K. Barr, 52, Beach Park, was cited for failure to register as a sexual offender;

Mirek Koperski, 50, Mundelein, was cited for DUI – alcohol.

Jan. 23

Merly Gonzalez, 24, Wauconda, was cited for DUI –alcohol, aggravated speeding (107mph in 55 mph zone), and no insurance;

Chasney L. Fry, 24, Gurnee, was cited for unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia;

Jan. 24

Matthew J. Wegat, 47, North Barrington, was cited for aggravated speeding (90 mph in 55 mph zone);

Jan. 25

Rut Garcia-Cruz, 18, Park City, was cited for improper transportation of cannabis;

Devin K. Erickson, 24, Downers Grove, was cited for leaving the scene of an accident;

Raymond E. Winters, 38, Waukegan, was cited for operating a commercial vehicle without a commercial driver’s license;

Jan. 26

Joe L. Robinson, 26, Zion, was cited for no driver ’s license and no insurance;

Nancy M. Raudales, 28,

Waukegan, was cited for no driver’s license;

Ryan M. Smith, 37, Round Lake, was cited for DUI – alcohol and no insurance;

Matthew Kaminski, 31, Palatine, was cited for aggravated speeding (91 mph in 55 mph zone) and a warrant arrest: aggravated assault (Cook County);

Axel O. Rodriguez Manguia, 22, Waukegan, was cited for no driver’s license, and no valid registration;

Jan. 27

Albert St. Clair, 33, Gurnee, was cited for a warrant arrest: domestic battery;

Bethany C. Moreno, 24, Beach Park, was cited for no driver’s license;

Angel Valencia, 21, Mundelein, was cited for criminal damage to property;

Jan. 28

Julizza A. Ayala, 23, Beach Park, was cited for criminal damage to property;

Jan. 29

Raymond D. Shoemaker, 57, Grayslake, was cited for violation of an order of protection;

Joel S. Saxe, 49, Spring Grove, was cited for domestic

McHenry County Sheriff’s arrest bulletin

The following arrests in McHenry County were reported by the McHenry County Sheriff’s Department. Suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Jan. 18

Anthony R. Staford, 31, Joliet, was cited for 3 counts of retail theft;

Tiffany A. Vincente, 38, Bull Valley, was cited for violation of stalking no contact order;

Karl Wadowski, 22, McHenry, was cited for possession of controlled substance;

Terrance M. Kampas, 33, Lake in the Hills, was cited for aggravated battery, aggravated assault – offense based only on victim (peace officer, fireman, ER mgmt. worker, medical personnel), fleeing or attempting to elude a peace officer, improper turn at intersection, fail to obey stop sign, mfg/del 1<15 gr cocaine/anlg, possession of a controlled

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substance, and resisting or obstructing peace officer;

Lucious T. Hemphill, 21, Maywood, was cited for calculated criminal drug conspiracy, possess with intent to manufacture/deliver controlled substance, possession of controlled substance;

Recie E. Alderson, 19, Downers Grove, was cited for possession of controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and obstructing identification;

Heather Zamet, 30, Lake in the Hills, was cited for possession of controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia;

Amanda R. Rasmussen, 31, Fox Lake, was cited for aggravated fleeing/attempting to elude peace officer, resisting or obstructing peace officer, reckless driving – drive vehicle with willful or wanton disregard for safety of persons or property, operating a vehicle with no valid license, improper lane usage, and pos-

session of a controlled substance;

Joseph D. Wilson, 45, Wonder Lake, was cited for unlawful use or possession of weapon by felon or person in custody DOC facility, and possession of controlled substance;

Dawun Harvest, 24, Elgin, was cited for obstruct justice/ destroy evidence, mob action, and 2 counts of aggravated assault – offense based on use of firearm, device or motor vehicle;

Dashaun Harvest, 24, Elgin, was cited for armed robbery, mob action, and 2 counts of aggravated assault – offense based on use of firearm, device or motor vehicle;

Jan. 19

Mark M. MacCarron, 50, Marengo, was cited for driving while license revoked;

Jackson T. Hatfield, 24, Crystal Lake, was cited for 2 counts of disorderly conduct;

Jan. 20

Joshua D. Eller, 32, McHenry, was cited for vio-

lation of bail bond – violates condition of release when victim is family or household member;

Abel Padron, 36, Crystal Lake, was cited for driving while license suspended or revoked;

Abel Padron, 36, Crystal Lake, was cited for driving while license suspended or revoked;

Jacob C. Adams, 37, Woodstock, was cited for A-2 domestic battery/physical contact;

Jan. 23

Drikiah L. Stewart, 19, Rockford, was cited for theft – obtains/exerts unauthorized control over property of the owner 10k<100k

Jesus A. Hernandez-Rodriguez, 43, Crystal Lake, was cited for 3 counts of violation of an order of protection;

Brian A. Moreno-Martinez, 22, Berwyn, was cited for obstructing justice/destroying evidence and obstruction identification.

battery;

Adam C. Rodriguez, 21, Beach Park, was cited for no driver’s license, suspended registration and no insurance.

Jan. 30

Michael C. Porter, 28, Gurnee, was cited for DUI –drugs, unlawful possession of a controlled substance, and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia;

Jan. 31

Sean P. Kenny, 54, Palatine, was cited for driving while license revoked, and no insurance;

Jorge D. Vazquez Ibarra, 20, Glendale Heights, was cited for no driver’s license; Alfonso S. Camargo, 20, Waukegan, was cited for aggravated speeding (80 mph in 40 mph zone); Marlon S. Balendre, 178, North Chicago, was cited for aggravated speeding (70 mph in 35 mph zone) and no insurance;

Feb. 1

Azontae Hicks, 20, Waukegan, was cited for battery; Amieron Williams, 19, North Chicago, was cited for battery.

Sheriff’s Office announces traffic safety campaign results

The Lake County Sheriff’s Office made one DUI - Alcohol arrest and issued the following additional citations during the recent Super Bowl enforcement campaign: three seat belt citations, nine speeding citations, and two other moving violation citations.

The Super Bowl weekend “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” and “Click It or Ticket” enforcement effort ran from Friday, February 10, through the early morning

Automobiles

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Bicycles

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hours of Monday, February 13. The goal was to keep impaired drivers off the roads and ensure more people buckle up and follow all traffic safety laws.

The recent law enforcement campaign was made possible by federal highway safety funds administered by the Illinois Department of Transportation as part of the statewide “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” and “Click It or Ticket” campaigns.

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Sports/Classic Cars

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

Notice

STORAGE UNIT CONTENTS to be sold in one separate lot. All contents of Unit 407 rented by Richard Classon. Auction will be completed on BID 13.com, February 13, 2023 at 5:00 pm. Hwy 43 Self Storage, 801 E. Centralia St., Elkhorn, WI 53121.

Pets

TEDDYBEAR PUPS 6 Maltese/ Shihtzu. Trained, Non-shed & will deliver. 8 weeks old. $950. 262234-7296 or 262-886-4299.

Produce/Feed

HAY & STRAW FOR SALE

Good quality, big bales, round & small squares. 262-949-4495.

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