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Thursday, Sept. 21, 2023

Villa Park

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Graduation day The Warriors are going downstate Play at the plate at Willowbrook

Willowbrook’s girls volleyball team will play in this week’s IHSA Class 4A state semifinals in Normal. The Warriors advanced to the state semifinals with three wins lastFreshman week. TwoLindsey days after beating Lyons Township in a semifinal at the HinsRugg of the Willowbrook softball team ismatch pictured while atdale Central Willowbrook facedgame Oak Park and River Forest in the sectiontempting to Sectional, score a run during Friday’s at Downers Grove South.

Rugg tried al The Warriors lostbase the opening game the HuskiesKatelyn in the sectional final, tofinal. score from second on a single bytosophomore Cox in the topbut of rallied for a three-game win. that avenged its onlywith losstwo of the second inning, theWith game was tiedcelebrated atWillowbrook 2-2. Downers Grove South’s catcher Willowbrook Highwhen School’s Class of victory, 2021 its commencement the season.

The qualified the state with Friday’s super-sectional tagged Rugg outWarriors at home plate forfor the third outmeet of the inning.

Themorning.

Mustangs separate ceremonies in the school’s main gymnasium on Sunday Thewent enwin over Joliet West at Bolingbrook School. improved its overall on to defeat the Warriors 7-3students. in the High West Suburban Conference contest.

Wiltire class includes over 470 About halfWillowbrook ofGold those students attended the

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THURSDAY, MAY 13, 2021 THURSDAY, MAY 6,2023 2021 THURSDAY, NOV. 9, THURSDAY, MAY 27, 2021 THURSDAY, JUNE 3, 2021

CHRIS FOX PHOTO Villa Park Review

season record to 39-1 with that victory. The Warriors will face Benet Academy in one of this Friday’s Class 4A semifinals in Normal. The winner will face McAuley CHRIS FOXMother PHOTO Villa Park Review orlowbrook Barrington in Saturday’s The photo from last game week’sat rebounded from state-championship Friday’s loss to postmatch. an 11-2 win in Saturday’s sectional shows senior Elizahome Ramey (No. and someinning of her teamHinsdalefinal Central.

TheWillowbrook Warriors bashed three runs in4) the second of SatCHRIS FOX PHOTO Villa ParkSilver Review mates, including senior Elisa Chivilo (No.the 3), Red senior Calliof Kenny (No. 9, pointing) and urday’s non-conference battle against Devils the West Suburban junior Annathat Marinier (jumping theothers air) reacting afterIsabella the team wonand a point during Conference.

Senior Knudtson, freshman Dugo sophomore ceremony beganAnnemarie at 9 a.m.in The participated in the ceremony that started the third game. isprovided the Willowbrook girls volleyball program’s downstate Kayleigh Dennison the home Dennison (No. 5)first is pictured intrip the at 11 a.m.

The This photo shows members of runs. the Willowbrook Senior Choir performing to the state semifinals.

Thephoto. program won itsabout firstsee regional title 2021. background of the above more thePage Warriors, page 14. during the day’s first service.

ForFor more photos, 4. insee

Arbor Day in Villa Park

..........6 14 Police Reports Reports ..........8 Sports ��������������� Sports.................... ....................

16 Opinion. ...................4 16-18 Police ..........8 Sports 17 Legal Notices ......... 15 Classifieds..............21 Classifieds..............13 Viewpoint ................6 Classifieds..........17-18 Police.......................8 Viewpoint ................6 Classifieds..............16

Memorial Park KATE FALL IN Day in WITHVilla FALL DRURY KATE DRURY

The Village of Villa Park observed Arbor Day with a tree planting on Friday, April 30. Pictured (left to right) at the tree planting at the village’s Franklin Park, located at 218 N. Third Ave., are: Villa Park Village your local agent Trustee Christine Murphy, Justin Shlensky—chair of the Villa Park Environmental Concerns Commission, Margaret Schiefer—a member of the Villa Park Environmental Concerns Commission, Villa Park Village Trustee Cheryl Tucker, Contact me forVilla a Park Village President Albert Bulthuis, Villa Park Village Trustee (and Village President-Elect) Nick Cuzzone and Leslie Allison-Seei—chair of the Villa Park Community Pride 630-514-9961 complementary Sweaters - Arbor FootballDay - Bonfires - S’mores -the Pumpkins -2801 Flannel - Apple Orchards -630-514-9961 Colorful Leaves -Monday Hayrides Villa Park Veterans of Foreign Warson (VFW) Post held itsApril.

Memorial Day service onDay mornCommission. is observed last Friday of each The National Arbor Foundation ing at Cortesi Veterans Memorial Park.

Post Commander Jim Blankshain is pictured bowingthat his recognihead as kdrury@atproperties.com has recognized Villaanalysis Park with Tree City USA designation for 36 straight years.

To receive market Willowbrook High School students Hendrickson and a Anna Seelbach soundataps at the end ofcomthe kdrury@atproperties.com tion, a community must have a tree Lily board or department, tree-care ordinance, comprehensive Kate Drury ofThe your home!! ceremony. post’s 2020and Memorial Day event was canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. This munity forestry program an Arbor Day observance.

630.514.9961 year’s observance included a reading of the names of the Post 2801 members who have recently died. kdrury@atproperties.com That list included World War II veteran Charles “Sid” Bergh, who served as the master of ceremonies I would to help! of the post’s LoveVillaPark.com annual Memorial Day service for several years. A veteran of the U.S. Navy, Bergh died in October 2020. He was 94 years old. Bergh was the post’s last surviving World War II veteran.

LOW INVENTORY!

Federal judge sets trial date for State Sen. Tom Cullerton--Page 4

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CHRIS FOX PHOTO Villa Park Review SUBMITTED PHOTO Villa Park 390271 Review

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Rock Valley Publishing

Thursday, Nov. 9, 2023

FBI searching for suspect who allegedly robbed bank in Lombard

Suspect reportedly displayed handgun

Staff report

The Lombard Police Department is assisting the FBI in its investigation of an armed robbery that occurred at the Chase Bank branch near Roosevelt Road and Highland Avenue Wednesday, Nov. 1.

At approximately 12:21 p.m., Lombard police officers were called to the scene, and found that the suspect had fled. The suspect is described by the FBI as an older white male with blue eyes, between 5-foot-8 and 5-10 with a thin build, wearing a tan or beige jacket, a black beanie-style hat and a blue surgical mask. The FBI noted the suspect may be experiencing a loss of skin pigmentation on his face, such as that generally associated with vitiligo, an autoimmune disorder.

The suspect allegedly walked into the bank with a black handgun, approached an employee in the lobby, displayed the gun and ordered the employee to hand over an undisclosed amount of money. The employee

complied, and the suspect then fled on foot.

Witnesses were able to provide officers with a possible suspect and vehicle description, enabling Lombard police, in collaboration with the FBI, to locate and interview a person of interest. That individual was later cleared of any involvement.

According to police, Lombard police cleared an area near the 500 block of South Finley because of police activity. Police then notified officials from the College Preparatory School of America and Madison Elementary School out of an abundance of caution.

Both schools were temporarily placed on soft lockdown.

The investigation is ongoing, and law enforcement is following up on leads. Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Detective Brown at the Lombard Police Department (630-873-4655).

Anonymous tips may be reported at 312-421-6700, or at tips.fbi.gov.

fbi chicago photos Rock Valley Publishing

These photos show the suspect who allegedly robbed the Chase Bank branch near Roosevelt Road and Highland Avenue in Lombard on Nov. 1.

Latest state school report card shows proficiency gains, persistent gaps on racial lines

Reading, math scores up; graduation rate at 13-year high

By Peter Hancock Capitol News Illinois

Elementary and secondary students in Illinois showed consistent improvements in their reading and math scores while the state’s high school graduation rate reached a 13-year high for the most recently concluded school year.

Those are some of the conclusions from the most recent annual statewide school report card, released last week by the Illinois State Board of Education. The report includes data from the 2022-23 academic year, including results of the standardized tests that students took in the spring.

Although statewide average proficiency rates remained below pre-pandemic levels, the results showed improvement over the previous year across all demographic categories.

“Educators and families should be proud of the remarkable progress we see on the 2023 Illinois report card while remaining focused on understanding and meeting the students’ academic and social emotional needs at this phase of recovery,” State Superintendent of Education Tony Sanders said during a media briefing on the report.

Robin Steans, president of the education advocacy group Advance Illinois, agreed that the report was positive overall, but said it also contains some cautionary information, especially regarding racial achievement gaps and attendance rates.

“I think there is some legitimately encouraging news in the new state report card,” she said in a separate interview. “I think there’s also a lot of information that reminds us we’ve a lot of work to do still.”

The annual report card offers a look at how well individual schools, districts and the state as a whole are performing across a wide range of

indicators. In addition to student performance on standardized tests, the report also includes information about factors such as student demographics, graduation rates, college readiness, career and technical education, and school faculty.

Much of the public’s attention, however, focuses on the standardized test scores, which are often seen as an indicator of how effectively schools are teaching the basics of reading, writing and math, and what kind of achievement gaps exist among different demographic groups.

English and math Overall, the biggest area of improvement over the last year was in English language arts, where the proficiency rate rose from 29.9 percent to 34.6 percent.

That’s still below the 37.4 percent proficiency rate recorded in the 2018 to 2019 school year—the last before the COVID-19 pandemic caused major interruptions the next few years.

But last year’s gain translates to roughly 39,000 more students than the year before who met or exceeded grade level standards in reading and writing.

And while it may seem problematic that only about one-third of all students are considered “proficient” in that subject, Sanders pointed out that Illinois has among the highest standards in the country for English language proficiency.

“So it’s not possible to compare our proficiency rates to other states because it’s like comparing apples to oranges,” Sanders said.

Equally important, Sanders said, was the fact that there were year-overyear gains across all demographic groups, although significant gaps still exist between those groups.

For example, a significant gap still

existed between Black and white students in English language arts proficiency. But on a percentage basis, black students saw the biggest gains in proficiency rates, rising from 12.1 percent to 16.1 percent—a 33-percent increase.

Still, the gap between white and black proficiency rates widened by more than a full percentage point, as did the gap between white and Hispanic students. White students had a proficiency rate of 44.9 percent compared to 22.2 percent of Hispanic students and 16.1 percent for black students.

Sanders also emphasized that the low proficiency rates among black students is more a reflection on the state’s education system than on the students themselves.

“We educate black students disproportionately in underfunded ‘Tier 1’ school districts with more teacher vacancies, higher teacher and principal turnover, higher chronic absenteeism,” he said, referring to Illinois’ targeted system of education funding in which Tier 1 schools receive the least amount of money from their local property tax base.

“So our black students in general have less access to supports, to the resources they need to learn at the rate to be on par with their peers,” Sanders continued.

Math scores also improved in 2023, although the gains were less significant and the overall proficiency rate remained below pre-pandemic levels.

White students scored proficiency rates of 35.6 percent, compared to 14.3 percent for Hispanic students and 8 percent for black students.

The statewide proficiency rate rose by just over one percentage point, to 26.9 percent, while all demographic groups gained on their scores from the year prior. As with English language

arts, black students saw the biggest as missing 10 percent or more of the gain in proficiency rates, at 1.2 per- school year, regardless of whether it’s an excused or unexcused absence. centage points.

Last year, 28.7 percent of students were classified as chronically absent.

College and career readiness The report card also includes sev- That was down from just below 30 eral indicators of how well students percent the year before, but it was still are progressing toward a successful well above the pre-pandemic level of completion of the preK-12 experience 17.5 percent.

The rate was even higher for miand how ready they will be to enter nority and low-income students—42.1 college or the workforce.

Among the most basic of those percent for black students; 34.5 for metrics is the percentage of ninth Hispanic students; and 38.2 percent for graders who are on track to graduate. students classified as low-income.

“This should be very concerning,” That means at the end of their ninthgrade year, they have earned at least Steans, of Advance Illinois, said. “As five full-year course credits and have I am around the state, this is not lost received no more than one semester on anybody. And I think there’s a lot of an “F” in a core subject such as En- of energy and effort going into it, and glish, math, science, or social studies. rightly so. But we’re just not back In 2023, 87.4 percent of ninth-grad- where we want to be, by a lot.”

Overall, Sanders attributed improveers were on track to graduate, which is up from 86.6 percent in 2022, and the ments in the 2023 report card to increased funding for public schools, the same 86.6 percent in 2019.

According to ISBE, students who result of the Evidence-Based Funding finish their ninth-grade year on track formula that went into effect in 2018.

“State funding for education has inare nearly four times as likely to graduate from high school as those who creased by $2.38 billion since the enactment of EBF, and we see the results are not on track.

Perhaps the most significant indica- in many of the metrics that you see tor, however, was growth in the state’s today, but most especially in the fouryear graduation rate for our students,” high school graduation rate.

In 2023, the four-year graduation he said.

Steans agreed, saying, “I think it is rate stood at 87.6 percent, the highest level recorded in at least 13 years. a reflection that funding is doing what Black and Hispanic students also saw it’s meant to do.”

She added that federal pandemic-regains in graduation rates over that pelated funds have also helped schools riod.

ISBE did note, however, that the better educate students. “I think both graduation rate was artificially in- of those have been used by schools flated at 88 percent during the pan- and districts to put in special supports demic year of 2020 when emergency for students, be they social and menactions were taken to reduce gradua- tal health supports, be it tutoring, after-school programming, be it bringing tion requirements by one semester. in more teachers or more reading specialist instructional coaches, things like Chronic absenteeism One area of concern reflected in that,” she said. “I think both of those the report card was the rate of chronic funding sources have really been helpabsenteeism among students, defined ful and made a difference.”

Thursday, Nov. 9, 2023

Two Venezuelan migrants charged with burglary from Oak Brook Macy’s Two other Venezuelan migrants were charged with burglary at the same store 8 days earlier DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and Oak Brook Deputy Chief of Police Reid Foltyniewicz have announced that charges have been filed against two individuals for allegedly stealing more than $2,800 worth of merchandise from the Oak Brook Macy’s store Oct. 31.

Luis Luis Mendez-Gomez, 28, Mendez-Gomez and Frank Montez-Davila, 23, both of Venezuela currently staying in Chicago, appeared at First Appearance Court where Judge Joshua Dieden denied the state’s motion to deny pre-trial release for both defendants.

Both defendants are charged with one count of burglary (Class 2 felony) and one count of retail theft (Class 3 felony). Additionally, Mendez-Gomez was cited for misdemeanor driving without a valid driver’s license.

These alleged burglaries occurred eight days after two other Venezuelan migrants, Abel Barrios-Estava, 20, and Rafael Mata-Torres,

25, allegedly stole more than $1,700 worth of merchandise at the same store Oct. 23.

On Oct. 31 at approximately 1:42 p.m., Oak Brook police officers were on patrol at the Oak Brook Center parking lot when they allegedly observed suspicious behavior by two individuals, later identified Frank as Mendez-Gomez and Montez-Davila Montez-Davila, as they exited the Macy’s store carrying a “happy birthday” bag and a backpack containing merchandise.

It is alleged that the pair entered a car and left the area. A short time later, officers conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle during which officers allegedly found 16 high-end fragrances and one pair of pants with a total approximate value of $2,832.50.

Following an investigation into the matter, it is alleged that Mendez-Gomez and MontesDavila entered the Macy’s store together and that once inside the store, Mendez-Gomez

removed the “happy birthday” bag and backpack from under his shirt. It is alleged that the pair then filled the bag and backpack with the fragrances and pants and then exited the store without paying for the items.

“With the holiday shopping season fast approaching, I want to assure the public that in DuPage County we are 100 percent committed to protecting our retail establishments, their employees and patrons, and anyone accused of robbing, burglarizing or shoplifting from any DuPage County business will be apprehended, charged and prosecuted,” Berlin said.

“According to the National Retail Federation, from 2021 to 2022, retail theft nationwide increased by approximately $16 billion to more than $112 billion. These losses not only cause significant financial hardship to businesses and their employees, but also result in higher prices for shoppers and loss of tax revenue for the entire community.

“I commend the Oak Brook Police Department for their work apprehending the defendants in this case.”

Obituary NORMA A. TAYLOR Norma A. Taylor nee Berger, of Villa Park, formerly Maywood, died on Nov. 1 at Oak Brook Care Center.

Norma grew up in Maywood Illinois, the daughter to the Fred and Alice, nee Hahn, Berger. Norma was quite an athlete growing up, and was fond of baseball. After she graduated high school, her dad Fred took her to try out for the All-American Girls Baseball League. She made the team as a pitcher and her sister Barbara made the team as catcher.

Norma’s team, the Springfield Sally’s, traveled across the country and she even got to pitch a game in Yankee Stadium. Later in life she was asked to be a consultant

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Villa Park reView Your Hometown Newspaper 240 N. West Avenue Elmhurst, IL. 60126 Main Phone 630.834-8244 Fax 630.834-0900 The Villa Park Review is published every Thursday by Rock Valley Publishing, LLC, 240 N. West Avenue, Elmhurst, IL. 60126.

Display Advertising: 630.834-8355 Classified Advertising: 630.834-8244 News: 630.834-8244 General Information: 630.834-8244

E-mail: on the movie “A League of Their Own” starring Tom Hanks, which highlighted the All-American Girls Baseball League. Norma was flattered but politely declined that request.

When Norma finished her baseball days, she started her career in banking. She began at Melrose Park Bank before working 25+ years at Villa Park Bank as a bookkeeping supervisor. Her friend set her up on a blind date where she met Bobbie R. Taylor, the love of her life. The were married on April 16th 1955 and were married for 56 years. Norma would go on to become the mother of two daughters, Bonnie and Vickie. Her two daughters would go on

to marry brothers Bert Dale and Jeff Dale.

Norma is the proud grandmother of Traci (Dennis) Maher, Allie (Dan) Walters, Bryan Dale, Steven Dale, and Zach Dale; great-grandma of Aubrey Maher, Emily Maher, Benjamin Walters and Nicholas Walters. Norma is the loving aunt, relative and friend of many. She will be truly missed.

Norma is predeceased by her siblings and in-laws, Fred (Lois) Berger, Audrey (Tony) Annarino, and Barbara (George) Brown.

In her free time, Norma liked to drive and was famous for her lead foot. Her family jokingly nicknamed her Shirley ‘Cha Cha’ Muldowny,

after the famous drag car racer.

In more recent years, Norma was the host of Christmas Eve dinner, where the family would all get together. She’d order pizza for everyone.

Funeral Services were held Monday, Nov. 6, 2023, with Visitation from 9 a.m. until the time of the Funeral Service at 11 a.m. at Brust Funeral Home, 135 S. Main St., Lombard. Interment followed at Mount Emblem Cemetery, Elmhurst.

Donations in Norma’s memory may be made to the American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 7023, Merrifield, VA 22116-7023.

Info 888-629-0094 or www.brustfuneralhome.com.

Willowbrook presents fall musical next week Performances of Disney’s ‘The Little Mermaid’ take place nightly from Nov. 16-18

Willowbrook High School invites the community to take a journey under the sea and experience the school’s fall musical, Disney’s “The Little Mermaid,” next week.

There will be three performances of the musical in the school’s auditorium—one on Thursday, Nov. 16, one on Friday, Nov. 17, and one on Saturday, Nov. 18. Each performance will begin at 7 p.m.

The story tells the classic tale of transitioning from youth to adulthood—discovering who you are and where you belong, falling in love and finding your voice.

Ariel is a 16-year-old mermaid who longs for adventure and to explore the world beyond her home in the waves. While on an excursion to the shore, Ariel saves a young man (Prince Eric) during a shipwreck, and an instant connection forms between the two.

When Ariel’s father, King Triton, finds out she disobeyed his orders to stay away from land and humans, he destroys her precious collection of items from the world up above. Devastated, Ariel makes a dangerous deal with the sea witch,

Rock Valley Publishing

Ursula, and risks it all for the life she desires.

Junior Gillian Falco plays Ariel and said she’s thrilled to portray her “favorite princess.”

“I hope the children in the audience feel a connection to the character like I had growing up and that I can provide them with a sliver of the joy I always experienced when I watched this show,” Falco said. “We’re able to add a level of depth and humanness by bringing the story to life on stage. It’s an opportunity to rediscover that childhood wonder, and we can all relate to Ariel trying to figure out her path—especially after the impact of COVID-19.”

Senior Sean O’Brochta, who plays Prince Eric, said he recently watched the cartoon version of “The Little Mermaid” for the first time.

“People can expect to see the story they know and love, but it will be an enhanced version, with expanded scenes and music,” O’Brochta said. “When people leave, I want them to have the iconic songs stuck in their head for days.”

Tickets cost $10 for adults (13 years old and older) and $5 for children (12 years old and younger).

Admission is free for those with a District 88 Student ID or a District 88 Senior Gold Card.

Tickets for the musical can be ordered online at https://www.dupage88.net/site/page/15745. Tickets will also be available outside of the auditorium.

For more information about the musical, contact Willowbrook Theater Director Regina Wathier at rwathier@dupage88.net.

Kiwanis Club holds spaghetti dinner before the Nov. 17 performance of ‘The Little Mermaid’ The Kiwanis Club of Villa Park will hold its annual spaghetti dinner at Willowbrook High School on Friday, Nov. 17. The dinner will take place from 5 to 6:45 p.m., before that evening’s presentation of “The Little Mermaid.”

Tickets for the spaghetti dinner, sold separately from tickets for the musical, cost $10 for adults, $7 for teenagers and $5 for children ages 6 to 12. Kids 5 and under can eat for free.

Willowbrook Parent Organization holds its craft fair this Saturday The Willowbrook High School Parent Organization (WPO) will hold its annual craft fair in the school’s field house this Saturday, Nov. 11, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The event will feature more than 100 crafters and vendors.

Admission is $5 for adults. Admission is free for children 12 years old and younger.

Proceeds from the event will ben-

efit the WPO scholarship program for graduating Willowbrook students.

The Brook Catering Co., which is comprised of Willowbrook culinary students, will offer a special menu of breakfast, lunch and snack items, along with beverages, at Saturday’s event.

For more information about this Saturday’s craft fair, contact Anne Goodhart at wbhscraftfair@gmail. com, or call/text 630-779-6774.

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Subscriptions: The Villa Park Review is mailed to the 60181 zip code areas for $45.00 yearly. Out-of-area mail subscriptions are $50.00 yearly.

For home delivery information call 630.834-8244.

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Page 4

Rock Valley Publishing

Thursday, Nov. 9, 2023

Opinion

Slices of life

If trees could talk: Part 1

This is the first of a two-part column. Because trees not only require but deserve two parts of our attention.

Magestic. Beautiful. Larger than life. Strong. All-knowing. All-seeing.

Reaching skyward. Extending downward. Life-providing. Life sustaining. Simple. Complex.

Miraculous. Useful. Worthy. Alive.

Silent.

Trees.

Trees don’t fight traffic or scramble in the morning hoping not to be late to work. They don’t ever cross the street or engage in friendly gossip.

They don’t cross the street because they don’t move (at least not on their own). They don’t gossip because they don’t talk.

If only trees could talk. Think of the stories they could tell.

I lived in a small town for 20-plus years. My husband and I raised our children there. Our house was built in 1920—as were many of the houses— because the entire town, or nearly so, was destroyed by the great fire of 1918.

It was a series of unfortunate events that started with a spark from a train that landed on grass and foliage near the tracks. It had been an extremely dry summer, making the land ripe for ignition. High winds and low humidity contributed to the perfect storm.

People fled. Many lost their lives.

Even more lost their homes.

But not every home was lost.

For decades I thought the entire town burned down in 1918, but I recently learned a small few survived.

Homeowners sprayed water on roofs in hopes of avoiding personal catastrophe.

And sometimes it worked—as it did in the case of 758 Lilac Street (not the real address.) Recently, someone posted on social media that they used to live at this address and it was one of a handful of homes that survived the Big Fire.

Imagine my surprise. This is my daughter’s current address.

She confirmed the information. Her house was built in 1910—pre-fire.

That got me to thinking. If walls could talk. If trees could talk. Think of the plethora of information they could pass on. What would they say?

The trees that built my daughter’s house — that continue to support it even 100 years after the great fire, started their lifetimes long, long before 1918. They started as seedlings likely in the the mid-1800s, if not before.

In human terms they’ve witnessed roughly seven generations (give or take) of our own (so very) important lives. That means my daughter’s great, great, great, great grandparents could have planted the trees that serve as the

By

Jill Pertler Columnist

backbone of her house.

If only they could talk. The tales they might tell.

During the first part of their life, they sat around in the forest observing bunnies and serving as refuge for squirrels. They saw owls pursue prey and sighed in reverence when a white-tailed dear nested and nestled under the cover of their branches. They looked upward, pursuing the sun, priding themselves on being at the top of the sun-chain: the first to see the sunrise and the last to view the sunset.

And then, one fateful day, a human came with the axe and the peaceful existence they’d known forever was no more. They may have thought life was over.

Because it was over, at least as they knew it at the time.

But the universe had other plans for these trees. They had a life yet to live, a purpose yet to fulfill.

The human with the axe cut the strong, healthy trunks into boards, cut the boards to size and fashioned them into the frame of a house. When realizing this, the tree understood that life wasn’t over. It was just beginning.

It was a new start with a new perspective, providing opportunities to see the world in ways the tree never have imagined—before.

And in that, before became but a memory and the tree (now wooden boards) immersed itself in its new existence. A brand new life.

But what would that life be? What would it mean? What would it lead to?

Tree was about to find out.

As can we—all of us—if we are open to new and unknown things. An event that appears to be life-ending could be a beginning, if we are only able to see it as such.

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

Letter to the editor Longtime Lombard builder says thanks

Thank you to all my customers for your business these past 50 years.

Signing off.

Carl Wunschel Carl Wunschel Builders Lombard

Helmets to Hardhats helps veterans transition into civilian life, careers

By Tim Drea For many veterans, moving into a meaningful career can be challenging, even alienating. Zara Jefferies’ union made the transition from helmet to hard hat smooth and rewarding.

Zara joined the military out of high school, after trying college and learning it wasn’t a good fit. She jumped into an HVAC training program and ultimately became a staff sergeant in the Air National Guard – U.S. Air Force, where she serves today.

United Association (UA) Local 137 Plumbers and Steamfitters Union in Springfield reached out when they learned Zara was looking for an HVAC career. Knowing her background in HVAC, they proposed she join the union’s apprenticeship program to train as a plumber through the national Helmets to Hardhats program that helps provide the licensing, certificates and professional training to veterans in a career similar to their military job.

Veterans name finding a job as the greatest challenge in transitioning to civilian life. Many employers see military service as a resume gap and others shy away from hiring active servicemen for fear that they will be deployed. On this Veterans Day, Zara has the flexibility to take time off for drills and deployments. Through her union, Zara knows that her job is protected when she is called for duty.

Zara knows the other union members serving in her squadron. They share a bond, seeing each other at union meetings, on job sites, and even taking trips together on the

Zara Jefferies

weekends. They created a deeper connection, personally and professionally. When her military time eventually ends, these connections will help her transition into civilian life full time.

As Zara Jefferies works happily toward her plumbers license and certificate while serving our country, many other veterans and servicemen without the added support of a union are not so lucky.

Veterans struggle to convert those skills they learned in the military into rewarding, meaningful careers back at home. They lack the professional networks needed to find the right career fit. They are unemployed or underemployed, even after showing the work ethic and discipline to serve proudly.

The Helmets to Hardhats program

is organized labor’s commitment to make those connections easier for our veterans.

We share a common purpose of a higher duty to service. Veterans often share the core values, specific training and an unrelenting focus on getting the job done right that makes them a success in union construction jobs. GI bill benefits allow veterans to go through on-the-job training – debt-free schooling where the benefits can be used as a monthly housing allowance during apprenticeships.

Across the United States for the past 20 years, Helmets to Hardhats has helped more than 41,000 military service members find high-quality careers and training in the construction industry. Today, the affiliate union and partner contractors operate more than 1,600 U.S. training centers. H2H identifies areas where veterans have a career interest, and then it connects them with appropriate apprenticeships to match those skills and interests in a location that works for them and their families.

Join us this Veterans Day in honoring our military service members and veterans by thanking them for their service, and take it a step further: if you know of a veteran who needs a better career direction, urge them to consider the Helmets to Hardhats program. Our veterans have proven they have what it takes to be successful, and organized labor wants to make sure they follow through on that promise.

Tim Drea is president of Illinois AFL-CIO in Springfield and is a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps.

Thursday, Nov. 9, 2023

So three guys were accused of stealing over $6,000 from a Lombard liquor store get to be released, despite the state’s request to have them held in jail. The slap on the wrist was to avoid going to any Lombard Liquors, like there is more than one?

Then two immigrants from Venezuela are accused of stealing from Macy’s, and also get a slap on the wrist, released with ankle monitors, despite requests from prosecutors to keep them in jail. In this case, I blame the judges for using poor “judgment” in releasing these guys, only to have them perhaps do this again somewhere else. *** Like a caller said in the Nov. 2 edition, I am frustrated being approached on private property by panhandlers. At a fast food place I frequent in the morning, a guy actually walks up to the cars in the order line, and the other day, stood between the order speaker and my car. When I told the cashier about this, she said the police (not Lombard) have been called frequently, but they either do not show up or just ask the person to leave. I know several years ago a federal judge ruled that panhandling is a free speech issue, but getting up in my face and my space is also a violation of my rights. *** To probably the same caller who again expressed that Brittney Griner should be in prison: While I agree people should know the laws where they are going, she did not have “weed” on her as you stated, but a form of cannabis oil that was prescribed by a doctor for a medical condition. Repeat that, prescribed for a medical condition, and the Russian government is the one to blame for either overlooking that or ignoring it, or maybe using it as a smokescreen to get a criminal released in

exchange for her. She was facing 10 years in prison. I don’t like it either that we traded a serious criminal (Viktor Bout, a Russian arms dealer) for her release, but get real. I think you have some other agenda here.

But what you don’t seem to have is compassion. *** Our nation’s colleges are sadly filled with leftist faculty members who teach far-left opinions as facts.

Unfortunately, many of our young people have been brainwashed by this leftist nonsense. That’s why there are so many ignorant young adults who think the USA is a terrible country, we are in a “climate emergency” and Israel deserves to be attacked by terrorists. *** I was reading an online story about the three Chicago men who allegedly stole over $6,100 in merchandise from a Lombard liquor store. After allegedly putting over $6,100 in items (that’s a lot!) into bags, these men left the store and fled in a vehicle before they were apprehended in Chicago. Guess what? These men aren’t even in jail. They were granted a pre-trial release. What a joke.

The report from the DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Office says that while these men are free, they must “refrain from entering any Lombard Liquors store.” How reassuring! By the way, there’s only one Lombard Liquors store. This pre-trial release law is pathetic. It’s only going to encourage criminals to commit more crimes. Thanks so much to Pritzker, his colleagues in the Illinois Legislature and the fools who elected them. *** People, quit blowing and raking all these darn leaves into the street, and tell your landscapers the same thing; pick them up put them in a bag. You’re making a mess and

How Speak Out works • Speak Out is a forum in which readers can express their opinion anonymously concerning local, state, national and international topics.

Each call is limited to 200 words whether the caller calls 630-629TALK or emails their opinion to speakout@rvpublishing.com.

• The views expressed by callers are their own.

• All calls are checked by four editors. If a consensus of editors believes a particular call is deemed to be in poor taste, erroneous, inaccurate, libelous, doesn’t make sense, or if claims stated in a call cannot be verified, the call will not be published.

• With regard to calls of a political nature, it is not possible to have an equal balance of calls with liberal and conservative viewpoints during any given week. The editors of Speak Out don’t have control of who calls in, what their political leanings happen to be, and the topic(s) they want to discuss.

• If you have further questions about Speak Out, email: news1@ rvpublishing.com.

you’re making the roads terrible and difficult to drive on, and people are going to have crashes. So knock it off. Thank you. *** Hello Speak Out. To the person talking about the need to have a legal obligation to accept people who consider themselves a refugee to this country, I have one comment to you. That is an outdated thing that makes no sense for this country. We cannot sustain these numbers in a money sense. The magnet will continue to attract more people, and as far as U.S. citizens only voting, this is surely a way for Democrats to increase the size of their political base.

Next, they will ask for citizenship for these people. Wake up, America..

Thank you. *** Biden said don’t, don’t, don’t.

Well, they did, did, did. Now, what will you do, do, do? My dad served under General George Patton in World War II. Joe, you ain’t no Patton and only a fool believes that climate change is more important than

nuclear war or more dangerous than nuclear war. And I’m non-partisan. *** Hi there. Yeah, I’ve never been a big fan of Brittney Griner, who got tangled up in that Russian thing, but I’ve got to tell you, apparently it made a good impression on her.

Because apparently now she stands up for the national anthem and is a little bit more positive about America. Well, that’s a good thing. There are probably a few more people who need a little awakening, as they might say. Appreciate what we have here in America. As we used to say back in the ’70s, “Love it or leave it.” God Bless America and Lombard, too. Bye-bye. *** I saw Vice President Kamala Harris on the news talking about Artificial Intelligence in London. What an embarrassment. I shudder to think she’s a heartbeat away from the presidency. *** This is in response to the person who said in Speak Out (Nov. 2 issue)

Coming events

Terra Costa Howard hosting personal items drive This month, Rep. Terra Costa Howard’s office is hosting a donation drive to benefit children and families in need throughout our district, in partnership with the Abundant Children and Family Services Agency in Wheaton, collecting essential personal items such as toilet paper, paper towels, body wash and shampoo and conditioner. For more information about Abundant and their causes, you can view their website here or contact them at abundantcfsa@gmail.com. To learn more, or to schedule a drop-off or porch pick-up, please call Costa Howard’s office at 630-812-9292 or email reptch42@

Guidelines for writing, submitting a letter to the editor Rock Valley Publishing encourages our readers to reach out to the community by writing a letter to the editor.

Letters are limited to 400 words; if a letter exceeds 400 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 with 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.

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that we have a legal obligation to accept people who consider themselves refugees under the 1951 Refugee Convention. So, the U.S must abide by a U.N. resolution that is over 70 years old, while we haven’t been enforcing our own borders and immigration laws? Give me a break. Over 4 million people have come into this country across the southern border since Biden took office. You can’t tell me each and every one of these 4 million people fits the definition of being a refugee who’s seeking asylum. Even if they were all seeking asylum, this country simply does not have the resources to take them all in and provide housing, food, clothing and medical care for them until they get a court hearing—and that’s assuming they show up for their hearing at all! Since this 1951 Refugee Convention was established by the U.N., here’s a novel idea: Have the U.N. set up refugee camps along the Mexican side of our southern border and provide the refugees with all their necessities until they get their court hearings.

gmail.com.

chamber.com.

Single Mothers Support Group to meet Nov. 12 SHE Single Mothers Support Group will meet on Sunday, Nov. 12, 12:15 p.m., at Elmhurst Christian Reformed Church, 149 W. Brush Hill Road, Elmhurst. We offer complimentary lunches for all who attend, free child care (ages infants -12 years), guest speakers, fellowship and support from other single moms.

All are invited to attend this monthly event. RSVP to elmhurstcrc.org/she.

Civic Awareness Program at Cantigny Nov. 16 Cantigny, in partnership with the League of Women Voters, invites the public to their next Civic Awareness Series program on Thursday, Nov. 16, at 7 p.m. DuPage County State’s Attorney Bob Berlin will present an update on public safety and discuss the county’s restorative justice programs. He will cover the SAFE-T Act’s implications for the criminal justice system, including pre-trial provisions of the Act which became Illinois law in September. The free presentation is in-person and online. Registration is not required for the program at the Cantigny Park Visitors Center, and parking is complimentary. Online viewers should register at Cantigny.org to receive a Zoom link.

Village blood drive Nov. 14 The Village of Lombard will hold its fall blood drive, celebrating our veterans and remembering the late village president, Bill Mueller, on Tuesday, Nov. 14, at Yorktown Center in the mobile bus, on the lower level near Von Maur, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.; and at First Church of Lombard, 220 S. Main St., in Fellowship Hall from 1:30-7 p.m. Give blood, receive a coupon for a buy one, get one half off entrée from Noodles & Company, while supplies last. Register at www.versiti.org/IL or email Carol Bauer at bauerc@villageoflombard.org.

Glenbard East fall musical Nov. 16-18 Glenbard East Theatre is excited to present its fall musical, “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,” by William Finn. The play will be presented at 7 p.m. from Nov. 16 through 18 in Rider Hall at Glenbard East, 1014 S. Main St., Lombard.

Tickets are $12 for students and seniors and $15 for adults. Purchase tickets at www.gefinearts.org.

Chamber Pop Up Lunch Nov. 10 Come have lunch with your fellow chamber community with our newest chamber member. Say “hello” to Cindy and welcome her to our group and enjoy some of her excellent food. Chicks ‘n Salsa, 100 W. 22nd St. - Ground Level, Lombard, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Register at lombard-

‘Brew it Forward’ at Cantigny Nov. 11 Those who have always wanted to “pay it forward” on Veterans Day will get their chance this year at the First Division Museum at Cantigny. The museum is hosting “Brew it Forward” on Saturday, Nov. 11. Hours for this popular beer tasting event are 1-4 p.m.

Proceeds benefit the Midwest Shelter for Homeless Veterans in Wheaton.

Veterans who attend may draw from a basket of beer tokens paid for and donated for their use by visitors wishing to say “thank you” on Veterans Day. Guests may also donate directly to the shelter. “Brew it Forward” will take place in the Tank Park located outside the First Division Museum, weather permitting. Fire pits surrounded by hay bales and Adirondack chairs add a fun and social element to the event.

Food and family activities also will be available. Admission to “Brew it Forward” is free, and so is parking at Cantigny on Veterans Day. First Division Museum hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Veterans Day weekend is the final opportunity to see the museum’s 2023 special exhibit, “65 Years.” For more information, visit fdmuseum. org.

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Rock Valley Publishing

Thursday, Nov. 9, 2023

Jane Charmelo PHOTOs Rock Valley Publishing

Christmas shopping in Lombard Maple Street Concerts presents musical duo Nov. 12 Maple Street Concerts welcomes Robert Jones and Matt Watroba at the historic Maple Street Chapel, 200 S. Main St., Lombard on Sunday, Nov. 12, at 3 p.m.

They will be making their debut performance at Maple Street Concerts.

Robert and Matt met over 35 years ago when they hosted back-to-back radio shows on WDET-FM (Detroit).

In forging their musical partnership, they discovered a friendship based in mutual respect and a love for traditional American music: Folk, Blues, Spirituals, Work Songs, Chants, etc. This American Roots Music is the common music across America and the world, and it is music that matters. It reflects history, social change, migration, hopes and dreams, and it is rich and diverse, direct and powerful.

As talented as they are individually,

With over 100 artists, crafters and vendors to choose from, the annual Lombard Christmas Mart on Saturday, Nov. 4 brought visitors from as far away as Gurnee—like Christine Cashmore, pictured at left shopping at St. John’s Lutheran Church. At Calvary Episcopal Church, Ellie and Joe Bingaman, above, of Soapy Roads of Lombard were among the artisans greeting customers. Other participants included the First Church of Lombard, Lombard Bible Church, the Lombard Historical Society and First United Methodist Church. Several venues also offered food fare and baked goods among the items for sale.

together they form a synergy that is engaging, inspirational, and soul-nurturing. They formed a non-profit company called “Common Chords” to connect communities through music and the arts. Jones and Watroba utilize the folk process to bring people together through music and showcase what we all have in common. Music and stories bypass the brain and go straight to the heart.

For more information on Robert Jones and Matt Watroba, visit the website at https://www.commonchords. net.

Tickets are $20 (online ticket purchase includes a $1.25 processing fee, so $21.25). Tickets may also be purchased at the door with cash or check only, pending availability. All sales are final. (Doors open at 2:30 p.m.) Visit www.maplestreetconcerts.org.

submitted photo Rock Valley Publishing

More than 600 people take part in annual ‘A Walk to Remember’

Submitted PHOTO Rock Valley Publishing

The duo of Robert Jones and Matt Watroba will perform Sunday, Nov. 12, at the Maple Street Chapel.

Despite the rain, more than 600 people took part in SHARE’s 19th annual “A Walk to Remember” on Saturday, Oct. 14, at the Riverwalk Grand Pavilion in downtown Naperville. SHARE is a support group at Edward-Elmhurst Health for those who have experienced a miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, stillbirth or neonatal death. The event featured a memorial service in which the names of 239 babies were read, followed by a one-and-a-half mile walk. Walk proceeds support SHARE’s counseling services, bereavement training and education, and the Wings of Hope Angel Garden at Edward Hospital, an outdoor space that was designed as a place where grieving parents can seek peace and comfort, as well as memorialize their child. Pictured here is Lombard resident Nicole Nagel with her daughter, Morgan.

Thursday, Nov. 9, 2023

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submitted photo Rock Valley Publishing

Montini Catholic celebrates 2023-24 legacy students

Free Medicare Information Meeting

Montini Catholic High School recently gathered a unique group of students prior to the end of the 2022-23 school year for what has become an annual photo. The group represents what Montini Catholic endearingly defines as its “legacy students”—children of alumni parents who once walked the halls of the school. This year, 55 students of alumni are carrying on their parents’ legacies. The number represents over 10 percent of the school’s total student body. Pictured above are third-generation legacy students, all from Lombard. They are, left to right: Charlotte Payne Zabojnik, Ava Neustadt, Bryce Ryan, Johnathan Neustadt, Julianna Neustadt and Joseph Neustadt.

Guide to winter gardening Gardeners Corner is a quarterly newsletter of syndicated columns from University of Illinois Extension experts around the state. Each issue highlights best practices that will make houseplants, landscapes, or gardens shine in any season. Join the Gardener’s Corner email list at go.illinois.edu/GCsubscribe for direct access to timely tips.

caregivers as they enter one of the most exciting and important phases of parenting. Go to glenbardgps.org for further information and the links to these two webinars.

Day! Pajamas are encouraged.

One Brief, Shining Moment: The Kennedys in Chicago Wednesday, Nov. 15, at 7 p.m. As the 60th anniversary of President Kennedy’s shocking assassination approaches, we take the time to honor his life, legacy, and his legendary family ties to Chicago. Join Clarence Goodman for this engaging presentation that spans the decades. Register at helenplum.org.

Music Bingo Nights at Villa Park Library Bring your family and friends to the Villa Park Public Library on Nov. 16, at 6 p.m. for a fun night of music bingo presented by Baig of Tricks!

GPS program Nov. 9 All ages are invited; under age 12 The Glenbard Parent Series: with an adult. For more information, Trinity Lutheran anniversary (GPS) Navigating Healthy Fami- visit the library’s website at www. dinner Nov. 11 lies will present “Congratulations, vppl.info, or call 630-834-1164.

Celebrate Trinity Lutheran You’re Having a Teen! The GuideChurch’s 110th Anniversary with a book You’ve Always Wanted” with Plum Library programs Bountiful Harvest Dinner on Sataward-winning author Dr. Ken GinsPajama Jam Tuesday, Nov. 14, urday, Nov. 11, at 5:30 p.m., 300 S. burg in two-hour seminars at noon at 6:30 p.m. Drop-in storytime for Ardmore. Tickets are available at the and 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 9, via families with children of all ages. door, but RSVP is needed at margaZoom. A renowned parent and teen The whole family can snuggle up ret@trinityvp.com or 630-834-3440. communication expert, Ginsburg re- and wind down with this special sto- Save the date, and join us for an turns to GPS to inform and inspire rytime to celebrate Family Pajama amazing dinner.

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Rock Valley Publishing

Thursday, Nov. 9, 2023

Dressed to run

CHRIS FOX PHOTOS Rock Valley Publishing

Participants in the Villa Park Junior Women’s Club’s recent Trick or Trot 5K Run/Walk and Little Devil 1K Dash were encouraged to wear their Halloween costumes. This year’s Trick or Trot/Devil Dash took place on Saturday, Oct. 28.

The first-place finisher in the 5-kilometer (3.1-mile) race was Rob Miller (182 top left) of Villa Park. The next two finishers in the 5-kilometer race were Ben Cunneen (254) and his father Jim Cunneen (255 - top middle), both of Villa Park.

Ben, who graduated from Willowbrook High School in 2021, is now serving in

Police Reports The Villa Park Police Department recently reported the following arrests and citations. Readers are reminded that an arrest does not constitute a conviction, and that suspects are considered innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law. Persons charged with domestic battery are not named in order to protect the privacy of victims.

Juveniles age 17 or younger are not named.

battery and resisting or obstructing a police officer in the 400 block of W. Division at 7:06 p.m.

A complainant at a bank in the 100 block of E. Roosevelt reported that a suspect battered them.

Oct. 27 Jordan P. Carmody, 29, of Crystal Lake, was charged with retail theft exceeding $300 at a store in the 200 block of W. Roosevelt at 4:33 p.m.

Oct. 28 Oct. 26 A 29-year-old Cicero man was A complainant in the 700 block of charged with two counts of domestic N. Lincoln reported several unknown

the United States Army. April Hanrahan (221 - above left) of Villa Park was the female champion of the 5-kilometer race. Another photo (above) shows a few of the runners at the start of the 1-kilometer dash for kids. One more photo shows (top right - left to right) Tom D’Alessandro and Villa Park Village President Nick Cuzzone. D’Alessandro served as the event’s public address announcer. He also sang “The Star-Spangled Banner” before the start of the 5-kilometer race. Cuzzone was the official starter of that race.

suspects attempted to gain access to A 22-year-old Franklin Park man their vehicle that was parked in the was charged two counts of domesparking lot. tic battery and arrested on the above date for the incident, which allegedly Oct. 24 occurred Sept. 4.

A complainant in the 100 block of A 26-year-old Villa Park man W. Madison reported that a suspect was arrested on the above date and battered them. charged with two counts of domestic battery and criminal damage to propOct. 23 erty for an incident that allegedly ocKonteria D. Banks, 57, of West- curred Oct. 9. mont, was charged with DUI and A complainant in the 700 block of stopping, parking, or standing on a Roy reported that an unknown susroadway not in a business or residen- pect used black paint to draw graftial area near W. North and N. Addi- fiti on the west side of the building, son at 1:39 a.m. northside steps and a shed on the

eastside of the building.

Two reports of criminal damage to property occurred at 5:21 p.m. in the 600 block of W. Ridge. In one incident, a complainant reported that an unknown suspect used black paint to draw graffiti on the side of a building.

In the second incident, a complainant reported that an unknown suspect used black paint to draw graffiti on the side of a building.

A complainant at an entertainment center in the 700 block of W. North reported that an unknown suspect used black paint to draw graffiti on the rear of the building.

Thursday, Nov. 9, 2023

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415739

847-217-9604

Christ the King CCW

Craft Fair/Bake Sale at Christ the King Church 1501 S. Main St., Lombard (Parish Life Center)

St. Pius X School’s boys and girls volleyball teams successfully concluded their respective seasons.

The eighth-grade boys volleyball team won the TCCA Conference championship Oct. 29. Team members are Christian A., Joe C., Edwin H., Kal G., Joe J., Tim J. and Olivier R. Meanwhile, seven members of the eighth-grade girls volleyball team earned all-conference honors: Christian A., Dehlia B., Nora F., Kayli G., Kal G., Neda U. and Evvie W.

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Sunday, Nov. 19 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.

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SUBMITTED PHOTOS Rock Valley Publishing

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Rock Valley Publishing

Thursday, Nov. 9, 2023

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Lombardian Lombardian

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LOMBARDIAN

Celebrating years

65

1959-2023

Thursday, July 13, 2023 Page 1 LOMBARDIAN

20, 2021 Thursday, May 6, 27,2021

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Vol. 651959-2021 No. 29 Vol. 63 No. 19 13, 2023 21 Thursday, May 2021 Thursday, May20, 6, 2021 22Thursday, July 27,

Sebastian’s Ale FREE and Whiskey House helps raise over $13,000 for Adopt A Solider Woman at annual charged with aggravated DUI VeteransScholarships presented in deadly crash at Glenbard East Suicide/PTSD Graduation day Awareness Local Scholarship Awards Night at Glenbard East fundraiser

60¢ 60¢

1

1 • Thursday, July 13, 2023 - Rock Valley Publishing

Addison

TAKE ONE

Independent

VOL. 20 • NO. 30

Get out and Play!

Saturday, July 15

FITNESS DAYZ

Yoga at the Farm

WWW.THEINDEPENDENTNEWSPAPERS.COM

10-11 a.m.

Fischer Farm

MOVIE IN THE PARK

Sonic 2

8:15 p.m. | Dusk Varble Park

BvilleParks.org/Park-N-Play

Villa Park

VOL. 17 NO. 21 VOL.19 17••••NO. NO.30 20 VOL. 17 23 VOL. 17 NO. 24

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DuPage County State’s Attorney CHRIS FOX PHOTO Lombardian Robert Berlin CHRIS FOX PHOTO Lombardian Glenbard East High its Local 2021 Scholarship Awards Night last week. after the ceremony.

Pictured (left to right) are: (front row)SUBMITTED Emily DinaLombardian Jovaand DuPage PHOTO Emmie Sathy was School namedheld Lombard’s Lilac Queen during Saturday coronation continued a tradition that began 91 years ago. Ryan, Lombard’s first CHRIS FOX PHOTO More than 40coronation members of the school’s Class of 2021 scholarships Rocco Marcello, TinainDjordjevic andEmmie Sophia Heatley; row) Maddie Sebastian’s Ale and Whiskey House, 801 E. Roosevelt, Lombard—with support theQueen welfare of active members and isveterans theLombardian United afternoon’s ceremony in Lilacia Park.

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Queen a senior(back at of Glenbard East Sheriff James during the May 13 celebration Biester Auditorium.

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Glenbard East’s Classabout of 2021 willstucel- of Glenbard East High Class ofstaff/crew, 2021 of celebrated its commenceThis year’s graduating classVanderbilt at Glenbard East includes 560 the help of many generous individuals, businesses, event and States armed forces, their immediate families and the families Princesses to take the School’s stagein at the beginning the ceremony.

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Several ofbe thefound graduates pictured at the end of first the incredible community—raised atsash its and recently held thirdinLilac annual deceased Presenting the check Sue Wackerlin (middle), founder accepted the crown, cape as this year’s year’s More photos can inside thisto issue.

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Veterans Suicide/PTSD Awareness fundraiser. funds go toceremony support ofauditorium Adopt A Soldier, (left) Johanna Marks Brocious that bond has Adopt A Soldier—a 501(c)3 organization whose mission is to lift morale organized the event. beenwho set for Christine Brocious, 36, of Chicago Ridge.

Brocious is charged with one count of aggravated DUI causing death (Class 2 felony) and two counts of aggravated DUI causing great bodily harm 4 felony) stemming from Opinion ........................... 4 Police reports ................. 7 a(Class June 29 crash that claimed 2020 SCHILLER TEAM SALES: the life of another motorist, About...................

6 Sports .......................11-12 .........................9-10 25-year-old Opinion ...........................Out 4 &Police reports ..............2-3 $140,000,000 & 276 CLOSED UNITS Jorgo Cukali and severely injured Jorgo’s Out & About................... 6 Sports ............................ 10 30-year-old sister, Nastika Cukali, who was a passenger in his vehicle. #1 REALTOR ® • #1 TEAM • #1 OFFICE Brocious appeared at a bond hearing where Judge Daniel Tim Schiller | 630.992.0582 | tim@theschillerteam.com Guerin set bond at $1.5 million *MRED, LLC, includes all closed sales in Lombard for all property types, all agents, and all offices, 1/1/2020-12/31/2020. with 10 percent to apply.

On June 29 at approximately 11:30 p.m., DuPage County Sheriff deputies responded to unincorporated Winfield at Mack and Winfield Roads for

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Graduation Play at theday plate at Willowbrook

Freshman Lindsey Rugg of the Willowbrook softball team is pictured while attempting to score a run during Friday’s game at Downers Grove South. Rugg tried to score from second base on a single by sophomore Katelyn Cox in the top of the second inning, the game tiedcelebrated at 2-2. Downers Grove South’swith catcher Willowbrook Highwhen School’s Class was of 2021 its commencement two tagged Rugg out at home for the third out of theon inning.

Themorning.

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Villa Park Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 2801 held its analso serving Wood dale nual Fourth of July Parade last week. TheCHRIS parade, which began at FOX PHOTO Villa Park Review VOL. conditions.

19 • NO. 30 WWW.THEINDEPENDENTNEWSPAPERS.COM 10 a.m., took place loss in warm andan sunny The honor guard lowbrook rebounded from Friday’s to post 11-2 win in Saturday’s game at Naval Station Great Lakes off in the parade.

The honor Hinsdale Central.from The Warriors bashed three homeled runs the second inning of guard Satis shown (top left) while proceeding west on Central Boulevard near CHRIS FOX PHOTO Villa ParkSilver Review Woman urday’s non-conference battle against the Red Devils of the West Suburban Harvard Other parade participants included Willowbrook Conference.

Senior Annemarie Knudtson, freshman Isabella Dugo and that sophomore ceremony that began at 9 Avenue. a.m. The others participated in the ceremony started charged with

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High School’s band (left), along with Villa Park inVillage Kayleigh provided themarching home Dennison (No. 5) is pictured the at 11 a.m. Dennison The photo shows members of runs. the Willowbrook Senior Choir performing aggravated President Nick (above), who, like other14. parade parbackground of the above photo.

For more aboutsee the Warriors, seeDUI page during the day’s first service.

ForCuzzone more photos, Page 4. many ticipants, distributed candy to young in spectators. deadly crash

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Crash killed one, CHRIS FOX PHOTO Villa Park Review PHOTO Villa Park 390271 Review severelySUBMITTED injured

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Federal judge sets trial date for State Sen. Tom Cullerton--Page 4

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a June 29 crash that claimed the life of another motorist, 25-year-old Jorgo Cukali and severely injured Jorgo’s 30-year-old sister, Nastika Cukali, who was a passenger in his vehicle.

Brocious appeared at a bond hearing where Judge Daniel Guerin set bond at $1.5 million with 10 percent to apply.

On June 29 at approximately 11:30 p.m., DuPage County Sheriff deputies responded to unincorporated Winfield at Mack and Winfield Roads for

See CRASH, Page 4

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Police Reports..........6 Puzzles............8 & 14 Viewpoint...............10 Classifieds..............13

Village joins LibertyFest Parade

These parade-goers are ready to step off with this Bensenville Park District float, which ap the Wood Dale LibertyFest Parade. More photos inside.

These youngsters took part in the Kids Race portion of the 4 on the 4th race that takes place every year on 4th of July near Elmhurst University.

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The Village of Villa Park observed Arbor Day with a tree planting on Friday, anotherApril who 30. Pictured (left to subsequently died right) at the tree planting at the village’s Franklin Park, located at 218 N. Third Ave., are: Villa Park Village your local agent DuPage Trustee Christine Murphy, Justin Shlensky—chair of the Villa Park Environmental Concerns CommisCounty sion, Margaret Schiefer—a member of the Villa Park Environmental Concerns Commission, Villa Park State’s AttorneyVilla Park Village Trustee (and Village Trustee Cheryl Tucker, Contact me forVilla a Park Village President Albert Bulthuis, Robert Berlin Village President-Elect) Nick Cuzzone and Leslie Allison-Seei—chair and of DuPage the Villa Park Community Pride 630-514-9961 County Villa complementary Park Veterans of Foreign Warson (VFW) Post 2801 of held itsApril.

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Post Commander Jim is pictured bowingthat his recognihead as Mendrick kdrury@atproperties.com hasatrecognized Villaanalysis Park with Tree City USA designation forBlankshain 36 straight years.

To receive market Christine announced Willowbrook High School students Hendrickson and a Anna Seelbach at the end ofcomthe kdrury@atproperties.com tion, a community must have a tree Lily board or department, tree-care ordinance, ataps comprehensive Brocious that bondsound has ofThe your home!!

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630.514.9961 LOCALof AGENT. LOCAL year’s observance included a reading of the names the Post 2801RESULTS. members who Brocious is charged withhave recently died. kdrury@atproperties.com one count DUI That list included World War II veteran Charles “Sid” Bergh, who served asof aggravated the master of ceremonies I would to help! causing death (Class 2 felony) LoveVillaPark.com of the post’s annual Memorial Day service for several years. A veteran of counts the ofU.S. Navy, Bergh died in and two aggravated DUI causing great bodily harm 438517 October 2020. He was 94 years old. Bergh was the post’s last surviving World War II veteran.

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enrollees in the programs because they have often gone long periods without preventative care. While it is expected that individual patients’ costs will level out as they receive routine care, growing enrollment means the expensive first-time costs continue to grow as well.

“Compared with the traditional Medicaid population, monthover-month enrollment has grown at a higher rate, and per-enrollee costs have tracked higher among the HBIA and HBIS-enrolled populations due to more prevalent, untreated chronic conditions and higher hospital costs, pushing the limit of the funds made available for these programs for the current fiscal year,” HFS said in a statement.

Before a recent legislative rulemaking oversight committee, HFS attorney Omar Shaker said the department remains in discussions with the federal government to implement copay and cost-sharing measures.

Initially scheduled to go live on July 1, the copays would have cost $250 for inpatient hospitalizations and $100 for an emergency room visit. Enrollees receiving certain outpatient services at hospitals or surgical centers would be subject to 10 percent coinsurance, which the department said at the time “could range from $3.70 to $202.95, depending on the service received.”

But early in September, the administration paused those requirements to ensure they don’t jeopardize federal matching dollars for services that are subject to reimbursement, such as emergency

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department.

While the latest estimate exceeds the budgeted amount, it’s nearly $300 million below a May estimate from the Pritzker administration that projected program cost could grow to $1.1 billion without cost-saving measures.

The advocates behind the push for the noncitizen health care programs—most notably the Illinois Legislative Latino Caucus—have long argued that providing health care, especially preventative care, to immigrant populations would be cheaper than making them dependent on emergency room visits.

The Healthy Illinois Campaign, an advocacy coalition that’s another main backer of the programs, has also long referred to health care as a human right. They took to social media to encourage eligible enrollees to apply for the program prior to the cap taking effect.

“While expected, the announcement is still a disappointing step backwards from the collective progress our state has made around health care access,” Healthy Illinois Campaign Director Tovia Siegel said in a statement. “The HBIS program provides vital, lifesaving health care services to thousands of vulnerable older adults across Illinois.”

She said the move will “significantly diminish the state’s ability to care for its elderly residents” and urged the administration to “continue to work with advocates and community organizations to find fiscally responsible solutions” while protecting health care access for those enrolled in the program.

But the administration has noted that the costs are greater for new

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Wielding that authority shortly after signing the bill, Pritzker capped HBIA enrollees as of July 1 and announced a 16,500 cap on HBIS enrollees—a threshold the Department of Healthcare and Family Services expects to hit early this month.

But the latest cost estimates from HFS show that those caps—combined with administrative delays in launching copay and co-insurance requirements for enrollees—have failed to control program spending.

An analysis dated September 2023 from the HFS website shows the program is expected to cost $831 million in FY 2024, more than $280 million beyond the allocated amount. That estimate was based on total program enrollment of nearly 69,000 individuals with a per-patient-per-month cost estimate provided by the actuarial firm Milliman, which contracts with the

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Gov. JB Pritzker’s administration is pausing enrollment in a state-funded health care program for certain immigrants aged 65 and older—the fulfillment of a previously announced plan to cap spending on the program.

It’s an expected move that the administration announced in June to control the rising costs of a program that has proven more expensive than its initial estimates since it became law in 2020. While no new enrollees will be accepted for the time being, those already in the program will not see any changes to their current benefits.

The Health Benefits for Immigrant Seniors program provides state-funded Medicaid-like benefits to individuals who would qualify for the federal program based on their income levels if not for their

immigration status. That includes individuals in the U.S. without legal permission and those who have obtained a green card but not yet completed a five-year waiting period making them eligible for federal benefits. An associated state program, Health Benefits for Immigrant Adults, provides similar benefits to noncitizens aged 42-64.

But unlike traditional Medicaid, which is jointly funded with state and federal money, the immigrant health care programs are funded almost entirely with state dollars due to federal reimbursement limitations for noncitizens.

Together, lawmakers allocated $550 million to fund those programs in fiscal year 2024, which began July 1. Lawmakers also gave the Pritzker administration authority to take action through the state’s administrative rulemaking process to keep spending at those levels.

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By Jerry Nowicki

Thursday, Nov. 9, 2023

Rock Valley Publishing

Page 11

Gun rights advocates question proposed assault weapons registration rules State police holds public hearings on registering existing firearms under new ban

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The Illinois State Police are facing pushback from gun rights advocates over proposed rules requiring owners of certain firearms to register them before the end of the year.

ISP is in the process of adopting new rules to implement part of the state’s new assault weapons ban— officially named the Protect Illinois Communities Act. That law, which lawmakers passed last January, prohibits any new sales or purchases of firearms defined as “assault weapons,” large-capacity magazines and certain kinds of gun attachments. But it says people who already owned those items before the law took effect are allowed to keep them, as long as they register them with ISP before Jan. 1.

About 50 people turned out for a public hearing Nov. 2 in Springfield to comment on proposed rules to implement the registration portion of the law. One of those was state Rep. Brad Halbrook, R-Shelbyville, an outspoken opponent of the assault weapons ban, who asked what the state intends to do with people who refuse to register their weapons.

“Hundreds of thousands of people will absolutely not comply,” Halbrook said. “It is up to the governor and the legislature to truly decide if they’re prepared to declare war on law-abiding gun owners or not. One thing will be certain. This we will defend: the right to bear arms shall not be infringed.”

The law was passed during a special lame duck session of the General Assembly last January. It came in response to a mass shooting last year at an Independence Day parade in Highland Park that left seven people dead and dozens more injured and traumatized.

The alleged shooter in that massacre is said to have used a Smith & Wesson M&P 15 semiautomatic rifle equipped with three 30-round magazines.

But some of the people who spoke or submitted comments at the public hearing argued that the law, and the proposed rules, apply to a wide range of firearms and accessories, many of

which are in common use by hunters and sportsmen. They also argued that language in the law, which ISP has noted is “very broad,” makes it difficult to know what items are being regulated and what items are exempt.

Although officials at ISP have tried to address those technical questions and concerns with information on its website, those who conducted the Nov. 2 public hearing were unable to provide immediate answers to many other questions.

“It was frustrating at times,” Josh Witkowski, a lobbyist for the Illinois Federation of Outdoor Resources, said in an interview after the hearing.

“You come hoping to get answers and instead get told ‘put your questions in writing.’ It’s a little frustrating to come to a public hearing and be told ‘just submit it in writing.’”

Witkowski said gun owners are looking for answers “sooner rather than later” given the fact that registration must occur by Jan. 1.

“And a lot of these firearms, they (gun owners) don’t realize have to be registered under the incredibly expansive definitions in the act,” he said.

Gregory Magnuson, an Illinois native who said he moved back to the state in 2021 after living in California for several years, predicted the law will prompt many gun owners to leave Illinois for more gun-friendly states.

“Illinois’ decision to enact the same type of poorly written reactionary gun ban as California will drive any gun owner out of the state who’s able to leave,” he said. “Illinois is surrounded by gun-friendly states that would gladly receive patriotic taxpayers as new residents.”

According to data maintained by ISP, there are more than 2.4 million Firearm Owner Identification card holders in Illinois, although not all of them own firearms covered by the assault weapon ban. As of Nov. 2, only 2,430 individuals had submitted registrations since the agency began accepting them on Oct. 1.

But State Rep. Bob Morgan, D-Deerfield, a lead sponsor of the bill, said at an unrelated event Nov. 2 that he believes people who own

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such weapons will eventually comply with the law.

“This is new for the state of Illinois. … Historically, we’ve registered people with our FOID card registration,” he said. “This is the first time we’re registering weapons themselves. I also think there are a lot of individuals who have these weapons that are considering whether to sell them to someone out of

state, which is a provision in the law that they’re allowed to do.”

Morgan acknowledged that many gun owners may also be waiting for a final decision from federal courts about whether Illinois’ assault weapons ban is constitutional. One federal judge in the Southern District of Illinois has ruled the law is unconstitutional, but two judges in the Northern District have ruled that it is

not. Those decisions are now under review by the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals and may eventually be appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court.

ISP was scheduled to hold another public hearing Nov. 3 at the Michael A. Bilandic building in Chicago. A final hearing was scheduled Monday at the Caseyville Community Center in the Metro East town of Caseyville.

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By Peter Hancock

Page 12

Rock Valley Publishing

Thursday, Nov. 9, 2023

Federal appeals court upholds Illinois’ assault weapons ban 2-1 ruling sets up likely appeal to U.S. Supreme Court

By Peter Hancock and Hannah Meisel Capitol News Illinois

In a 2-1 ruling Nov. 3, a federal appeals court declined to block enforcement of the state’s assault weapon ban as well as similar local ordinances, saying the rights guaranteed under the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution are not absolute.

The judges sided with two lower

court decisions from the Chicago area, but overturned the ruling of a federal court in southern Illinois, stating that the plaintiffs “have not shown the likelihood of success on the merits, based on the fact that military weapons lie outside the class of arms to which the individual right applies.”

“The Second Amendment to the Constitution recognizes an individu-

al right to ‘keep and bear Arms.’ Of that there can be no doubt,” the majority opinion began, citing a string of recent Supreme Court cases. “But as we know from long experience with other fundamental rights, such as the right to free speech, the right peaceably to assemble, the right to vote, and the right to free exercise of religion, even the most important personal freedoms have their limits.”

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Still, the Nov. 3 decision applied only to the preliminary injunction and did not amount to a definitive ruling on constitutionality, the court noted.

The decision involved three consolidated cases that challenged the state’s assault weapon ban as well as local ordinances enacted in Cook County, Chicago and Naperville.

Both the state law and the Naperville ordinance were passed in response to a mass shooting last year at an Independence Day parade in Highland Park that left seven people dead and dozens more injured and traumatized.

Illinois lawmakers passed the state law during a special lame duck session in January, and Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker signed it within hours of its passage out of the General Assembly.

The new law sparked immediate challenges in both state and federal courts. The Illinois Supreme Court upheld the law in August against narrow challenges under the state constitution. But the broader legal issues were aired in federal courts, where judges in different districts reached different conclusions.

One judge in the Southern District of Illinois ruled in April that the law violated the Second Amendment of the constitution. But two judges in the Northern District came to the opposite conclusion. Those three cases were then consolidated in the appeal to the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals.

Judge Diane Wood wrote the majority opinion, joined in concurrence

by Judge Frank Easterbrook, while in a 44-page dissent—nearly as long as the opinion itself—Judge Michael Brennan wrote the state and municipal governments that enacted the bans “failed to meet their burden to show that their bans are part of the history and tradition of firearms regulation.”

He also ripped his colleagues’ “remarkable” conclusion that personal ownership of assault-style weapons and high-powered magazines is not protected by the Second Amendment. The majority wrote the firearms banned under Illinois’ law are “much more like machine guns and military-grade weaponry” than those typically used for self-defense, like handguns.

“The AR-15 is a civilian, not military, weapon,” Brennan wrote. “No army in the world uses a service rifle that is only semiautomatic. Even so, the majority opinion uses a civilian

“

The AR-15 is a civilian, not military, weapon. No army in the world uses a service rifle that is only semiautomatic.

Even so, the majority opinion uses a civilian firearm’s military counterpart to determine whether it is an ‘Arm.” – Judge Michael Brennan

firearm’s military counterpart to determine whether it is an ‘Arm.’” Gun control advocates issued immediate statements praising the decision.

“This is an important victory in the fight against gun violence, and a victory for all states and municipalities that are fighting to keep their residents safe,” Douglas Letter, chief legal officer for the anti-gun violence group Brady, said in a statement.

“States and cities should have the right to stop these weapons of war from decimating our communities, and this ruling demonstrates that assault weapon bans are indeed constitutional.”

Gov. JB Pritzker praised the court’s opinion, saying in a statement the majority recognized the assault weapons ban as a “commonsense law” and urging Congress to pass an assault weapons ban “so Illinois is not an island surrounded by states with weak protections.”

“Despite constant attacks by the gun lobby that puts ideology over people’s lives, here in Illinois we have stood up and said ‘no more’ to weapons of war on our streets,” Pritzker said. “This is a victory for the members of the General Assembly who stood alongside families, students and survivors who worked so hard to make this day a reality.”

The opinion comes in the midst of a series of Illinois State Police hearings on the part of the assault weapons ban law that allows gun owners who already possess banned weapons and high-capacity magazines to be able to keep them so long as they’re registered with the state.

(Continued from page 10)

room care. Providers who had collected copays were instructed to return them.

Shaker told the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules this week that the department would like to reinstate the copay and coinsurance measures, possibly as early as Jan. 1. But he acknowledged that the new rules authorizing them might not be ready by that date.

As of Jan. 1, however, he said

he did expect the department to begin a “coordinated effort” to involve managed care organizations in the provision of the health care program. That’s a state system that involves private insurers in the Medicaid program, ensuring patients receive regular checkups and follow-up care.

Shaker said the department expects that move to further lower program costs.

Thursday, Nov. 9, 2023

Rock Valley Publishing

Page 13

DuPage County Health Department offering 2023-2024 updated COVID-19 vaccine for eligible children through the VFC Program, visit the VFC Provider Search. “Updated 2023-2024 COVID-19 vaccines are a safe and effective way to prevent COVID-19 and keep kids healthy,” said Adam Forker, executive director of the DuPage County Health Department. “The updated vaccine more closely targets current COVID-19 variants. The purpose of these vaccines is to save lives and prevent severe disease. They can also reduce the risk of Long COVID.” The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

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For those without health insurance or whose insurance does not cover all COVID-19 vaccination costs, visit www.vaccines.gov to find a Bridge Access program vaccine provider near you.

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Page 14

Rock Valley Publishing

Thursday, Nov. 9, 2023

CUTE AGE IN PLACE AGING CAREGIVER COMPASSION CONTINUING COORDINATOR DAYCARE EQUIPMENT FAMILY GERIATRIC HOME HEALTH AIDE HOSPICE ILLNESS MEMORY NURSE NURSING HOME PALLIATIVE PROXY RESPITE SKILLED THERAPY VOLUNTEER

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. Happen again 8. Large flightless birds 13. A type of account 14. Beyond what is natural 15. Beloved comfort food 19. Rural delivery 20. Belonging to us 21. Typical 22. Pie _ __ mode 23. Returned material authorization (abbr.)

24. Not us 25. Discharge 26. Made empty 30. Fishing net 31. Fast-moving, harmless snake 32. Analyzed into its parts 33. In a way, chilled 34. Hindu queen 35. Circles around the sun 38. Used for emphasis 39. Reactive structures 40. Recommendations 44. Feel intense anger 45. Puke 46. Rural Northern Ireland community 47. Naturally occurring solid material 48. British watch brand 49. Toddler 50. Integrated circuit 51. Being revered 55. “Pets” you can grow 57. Continual 58. Puts together in time 59. Houses temporarily CLUES DOWN 1. Vital public document 2. Disinter 3. Musical performances 4. After B 5. Every body has one (abbr.)

6. Utilize 7. In a way, disproved

8. Fisherman’s tool 9. Of she 10. Trauma center 11. Commercial flyer 12. Administered medicine to calm 16. Popular R&B performer 17. Regretted 18. Leg (slang) 22. “Night Train” author 25. More supernatural 27. Baltimore ballplayer 28. Shoe parts 29. Scores perfectly 30. More lucid 32. Trim by cutting

34. Disreputable people 35. Dramatic behaviors 36. Disorder 37. Private box in a theater 38. More dried-up 40. Raw 41. In operation 42. Pillager 43. Butterflies with brown wings 45. Disallow 48. Own up 51. Hungarian city 52. A way to condemn 53. Tax collector 54. Lease 56. Not out

Answers on page 22

Thursday, Nov. 9, 2023

Rock Valley Publishing

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Page 16

Rock Valley Publishing

Thursday, Nov. 9, 2023

Sports

Rams beat Blazers to earn a trip to Class 7A quarterfinals Larson runs for 296 yards and four touchdowns to carry Glenbard East to its first quarterfinal playoff game since 1999

The Glenbard East football team advanced to the IHSA Class 7A quarterfinals following Friday’s 28-13 victory over Addison Trail in a second-round playoff game in Addison.

The Rams, who improved their overall season record to 10-1 with Friday’s victory, will face Normal’s Community High School (11-0) in this Saturday’s quarterfinal game in Lombard. The contest will begin at 2 p.m. The winner will face either Downers Grove North or Lincoln-Way West in a semifinal matchup.

The Glenbard East football program has not played in a quarterfinal playoff game in 24 years. The 1999 Rams won three playoff games before losing to Naperville Central in a Class 8A semifinal contest.

Glenbard East made its first-ever playoff appearance during the 1999 season. After winning three playoff contests in 1999, the Rams didn’t win another playoff game until 2018, when they picked up a first-round win in the Class 7A level.

Community High School of Normal is the No. 1 seed in this year’s 32-team Class 7A playoff field.

Glenbard East is the No. 9 seed.

Community High School advanced to the quarterfinal round by edging Bradley-Bourbonnais (the No. 16 seed in the Class 7A field) 31-30 in overtime in Saturday’s second-round game in Normal.

Senior running back Matt Larson led the Rams to Friday’s victory in Addison by rushing for 296 yards on 28 carries. He scored all four of Glenbard East’s touchdowns.

“This was a statement game for me,” said Larson after the victory. He also praised the effort of his team’s offensive line.

“The O-line was moving; it all starts with them,” said Larson. “We were planning on running the ball a lot.”

The Rams led the Blazers 14-7 at halftime. Larson broke a 66-yard touchdown run in the first minute of the second half. The ensuing extra-point kick raised Glenbard East’s lead to 21-7 with 11:09 left in the third quarter.

Addison Trail, which finished its season with an overall record of 7-4, scored a touchdown late in the third quarter to cut the Rams’ lead to 2113. The Blazers missed the ensuing extra-point kick.

Glenbard East sealed its victory with a 77-yard scoring drive that ended with Larson’s 1-yard touchdown

run with 1:47 to play. Senior Ryan Snell added his fourth extra-point kick of the night to account for the game’s final point.

“Matt’s a very good player,” said Glenbard East coach John Walters while speaking about Larson after Friday’s win. “Our offensive line did a great job all game. If you’ve got a guy who can get it done, you kind of feed the beast. Matt was kind of the beast tonight.”

Larson’s spectacular night didn’t start very well. On the Rams’ third offensive play of the game, Larson turned the ball over on a fumble—his first of the season. The Blazers recovered the ball at their own 22-yard line.

“I haven’t fumbled all year,” said Larson. “I think a helmet just hit the ball. I went into the game very confident. I think it [the fumble] happened for a reason, to settle me down a little bit. I knew I was going to come out and get it back.”

A few plays later, Glenbard East’s defense forced Addison Trail to punt.

The Blazers weren’t able to execute a clean snap to their punter, who was tackled at his team’s 14-yard line before he could kick the ball.

Larson then completed a two-play drive with a 12-yard touchdown run with 7:05 left in the first quarter.

Snell’s extra-point kick increased the lead to 7-0.

Addison Trail evened the score on its next drive, which covered 62 yards. On a fourth-and-eight play from the Rams’ 16-yard line, sophomore quarterback Nico Dill broke a 13-yard run to Glenbard East’s 3-yard line. Senior Damari Jones then capped the drive with a 3-yard touchdown run. Sophomore Franco Mangione made the extra-point kick to even the score at 7-7 with 1:49 left in the opening quarter.

The Blazers turned the ball over on a second-quarter fumble. Glenbard East senior Dakota Smith recovered the fumble at the Rams’ 30-yard line. Moments later, Larson broke a 55-yard run to advance the ball to the Blazers’ 14-yard line. Larson then delivered a 14-yard touchdown run with 3:51 left in the second quarter.

Snell’s extra-point kick raised the Rams’ lead to 14-7.

Senior Gianbiagio Brusca of Glenbard East intercepted an Addison Trail pass late in the second half.

On the next play from scrimmage, Addison Trail senior Arturo Quiroga intercepted a Glenbard East pass.

The Blazers’ next drive ended with a

Chris Fox photos Rock Valley Publishing

Glenbard East’s football team advanced to the quarterfinals of the IHSA Class 7A playoffs following Friday’s 28-13 second-round win at Addison Trail. The Rams improved their overall season record to 10-1 with their victory over the Blazers. Glenbard East will face Normal’s Community High School in this Saturday’s quarterfinal game in Lombard. The Glenbard East program has not played a quarterfinal contest since 1999, when the Rams advanced to the Class 8A semifinals. Senior running back Matt Larson led Glenbard East to Friday’s victory over the Blazers by rushing for 296 yards on 28 carries. Larson scored all four of his team’s touchdowns during Friday’s game. He is pictured (above) during a 55-yard run in the second quarter. One play later, Larson ran 14 yards for a touchdown. Another photo (below) from Friday shows junior Nick Payne (No. 33) celebrating during the game’s closing moments.

punt. Glenbard East then ran out the last few seconds of the half to hold its 14-7 halftime lead.

Larson gave the Rams’ large crowd of supporters a reason to cheer when he unleashed his 66-yard touchdown run in the opening minute of the third quarter. Snell’s kick raised the Rams’ lead to 21-7.

Dill’s 5-yard touchdown run cut Glenbard East’s lead to 21-13 with 1:18 left in the third quarter.

The Rams turned the ball over on downs early in the fourth quarter.

Glenbard East’s drive ended with an incomplete pass on a fourth-and-five play from the Blazers’ 32-yard line.

A long run by Dill moved the ball into Glenbard East territory, but the Blazers then fumbled the ball. Senior Daniel Zlatanov of the Rams recovered the loose ball at his team’s 23yard line.

Glenbard East then delivered the game-clinching drive, which ended with Larson’s 1-yard touchdown run with 1:47 to play.

“We knew we had the caliber of team to make it this far,” said Larson.

“That’s our real motivation; to keep making a deep playoff run to create an even bigger historical season.”

In addition to praising his own team, Walters noted the effort of the Blazers in Friday’s playoff battle.

“That team played their hearts out,” said Walters of the Blazers. “I have nothing but respect for Addison Trail, their coaching staff and their kids. They played a great football game tonight.”

Thursday, Nov. 9, 2023

Rock Valley Publishing

Broncos roll into Class 3A quarterfinals with an impressive road win

Page 17

Marre returns opening kickoff for a touchdown to ignite Montini’s 44-20 triumph over Prairie Central

The Montini Catholic football team earned a trip to the IHSA Class 3A quarterfinals following Saturday afternoon’s 44-20 victory over Fairbury’s Prairie Central High School in a second-round playoff game in Fairbury.

The Broncos will play another road game in the quarterfinal round.

They will travel to Princeton to meet the Tigers in this Saturday’s post-season showdown. The game will begin at 1 p.m.

Montini will enter the game with an overall season record of 8-3.

Princeton’s record is now 10-1. The Tigers are the No. 2 seed in the 32team Class 3A playoff field. Montini is the No. 6 seed.

The winner of the Montini-Princeton clash will meet either Byron (11-0; the No. 1 seed in the 3A field) or Durand-Pecatonica (9-2; the No. 5 seed) in the semifinal round.

“We were the better team, but we kept shooting ourselves in the foot,” said Montini coach Mike Bukovsky while discussing Saturday’s second-round win.

“We had some penalties that elon-

gated their drives. We’ve got to clean some things up for next week.”

Senior Alex Marre gave the Broncos an immediate jolt in Saturday’s second-round game in Fairbury by returning the opening kickoff 82 yards for a touchdown.

Senior Cole Stumbaugh made the extra-point kick to move Montini’s lead to 7-0.

Nearly two months ago, Marre returned the opening kickoff 91 yards for a touchdown in Montini’s home game against Nazareth Academy.

The Broncos went on to beat the Roadrunners 24-23 in that contest in Lombard on Sept. 8. On Sept. 22, Marre returned a kickoff 85 yards for a touchdown during his team’s 35-26 victory at Marian Catholic.

The Broncos extended their lead over Prairie Central with a 77-yard scoring drive later in the first quarter. Marre completed the drive with a 12-yard touchdown run. Stumbaugh added the extra-point kick to give Montini a 14-0 lead.

Prairie Central, which dropped to 6-5 with its loss to the Broncos, scored a touchdown early in the

Blazers battle Rams

second quarter of Saturday’s second-round game. The Hawks made the ensuing extra-point kick to trim Montini’s lead to 14-7.

Moments later, Prairie Central intercepted a Montini pass at the Broncos’ 44-yard line. The Hawks’ offensive unit proceeded to drive for a touchdown—a 3-yard run. Prairie Central’s holder rolled to his right and passed the ball into the back of the end zone on the extra-point play.

The Broncos broke up the pass to maintain a 14-13 lead.

Montini junior Santino Florio delivered a 25-yard touchdown run in the second quarter. Florio danced around a couple of Prairie Central defenders and broke a couple of tackles near the 5-yard line on his way into the end zone. Stumbaugh’s extra-point kick pushed the Broncos’ lead to 21-13.

Stumbaugh kicked a 22-yard field goal in the closing seconds of the first half to give Montini a 24-13 halftime lead.

In the opening minute of the third quarter, Montini junior Jeremiah Peterson intercepted a Prairie Central

Chris Fox photo Rock Valley Publishing

The Addison Trail football team’s season ended with Friday’s 28-13 loss to Glenbard East in an IHSA Class 7A second-round playoff game in Addison. The Blazers finished the season with an overall record of 7-4. Addison Trail sophomore quarterback Nico Dill (No. 15) is pictured during Friday’s game. Dill broke a 13-yard run on a fourth-and-eight play from the Rams’ 16-yard-line in the first quarter. The Blazers scored their first touchdown of the game on the next play—a 3-yard run by senior Damari Jones. They made the extra-point kick to tie the score at 7-7. Dill delivered a 5-yard touchdown run late in the third quarter to cut Glenbard East’s lead to 21-13. The Rams scored their final touchdown of the game with less than two minutes to play.

pass and raced 22 yards for a touchdown. The extra-point kick from Stumbaugh raised the Broncos’ lead to 31-13.

Marre’s 2-yard touchdown run later in the third quarter sent Montini’s lead to 37-13. Stumbaugh missed the ensuing extra-point kick.

The Broncos scored their sixth and final touchdown of the day on a 5-yard pass from junior Gaetano Carbonara to Florio in the middle of the fourth quarter. Stumbaugh added the extra-point kick to push the lead to 44-13.

Marre rushed for 128 yards and two touchdowns on 19 carries during Saturday’s win in Fairbury. Senior George Asay provided the Broncos with 24 rushing yards on three carries. He also made three receptions

for 44 yards.

“I was happy with the way we ran the ball,” said Bukovsky, whose team piled up 403 yards of offense, including 243 rushing yards, in Fairbury.

“You’ve got to be able to run the ball to have success in the playoffs.”

Carbonara completed 14 of 23 pass attempts for 160 yards and one touchdown. He threw one interception.

Prairie Central scored its third touchdown of Saturday’s game with about one minute to play.

Bukovsky said the Broncos will need a sharper performance to beat Princeton in this week’s quarterfinal game.

“Princeton is tough; we definitely need to step up and clean some things up,” he said.

Broncos close out season at IHSA Class 1A state meet

Sydney Gertsen earns All-State honors with her eighthplace finish in the girls race; Nolan Ferris leads the Broncos’ boys team with his 35th-place effort

Montini Catholic’s girls and boys cross-country teams both competed at Saturday’s IHSA Class 1A state meet in Peoria. The Broncos’ raced to a 21st-place finish in the team standings of the girls race. Montini earned an 18th-place finish in the boys race.

Montini sophomore Sydney Gertsen delivered an All-State performance in Saturday’s Class 1A girls race. She completed the 3-mile race in an eighth-place time of 17 minutes, 27.29 seconds. The top 25 individuals in the race, which included more than 250 finishers, earned AllState recognition.

Sophomore Ashlynn Lindt posted a 37th-place finish for Montini at the state meet. She completed the race in 18 minutes, 35.55 seconds.

Junior Annalee DeFeo (21:18.13; 178th), freshman Rosie Callaghan (22:17.73; 220th) and junior Naomy Gonzalez (22:34.07; 226th) completed Montini’s scoring lineup. Freshman Maryfaith Considine (24:49.36; 251st) and junior Yeon Park (30:45.11; 258th) also represented the Broncos in Saturday’s state meet.

Montini’s girls team compiled a score of 507 points in its 21st-place finish in Peoria. The Broncos were one of 30 teams that participated in the event’s team competition. Unity High School of Tolono won the Class 1A team title with its winning score of 109 points.

Junior Nolan Ferris led the Broncos in Saturday’s Class 1A boys race in Peoria. He finished the 3-mile race in a 35th-place time of 15 minutes, 44.86 seconds.

Montini freshman Nino Pesola (16:19.19) sprinted to an 87th-place finish in Saturday’s race, which featured 256 individual finishers. Freshman Andrew Vreeland (16:57.26) posted a 158th-place effort for the Broncos. Montini junior Conor Kaefer (16:59.41) placed 160th, while senior Hugh Flannery (17:07.99) finished 172nd.

Freshmen Gavin Conway (17:08.94; 175th) and Adriel Garcia

(17:41.66; 218th) rounded out the Broncos’ boys team’s lineup in Peoria.

Montini’s boys lineup earned a team score of 460 points in its 18thplace finish in the 30-team Class 1A team event in Peoria. Tuscola’s boys team raced to the Class 1A state title with its score of 97 points.

submitted photo Rock Valley Publishing

Sophomore Sydney Gertsen of the Montini Catholic girls cross-country team delivered an All-State performance during Saturday’s IHSA Class 1A girls state meet in Peoria. Gertsen finished the 3-mile race in an eighth-place time of 17 minutes, 27.29 seconds. The top 25 finishers in the race earned All-State honors. Gertsen, who is pictured after Saturday’s race, led the Broncos to a 21st-place finish in the team standings of this year’s Class 1A girls state meet. Gertsen also earned All-State recognition as a freshman when she ran to a 21st-place finish in the individual standings of the 2022 Class 1A state meet.

Page 18

Rock Valley Publishing

Thursday, Nov. 9, 2023

Red-hot Warriors punch their ticket to Normal Willowbrook advances to Class 4A state semifinals; Two days after winning sectional title, Warriors capture super-sectional championship

The Willowbrook girls volleyball team is headed downstate.

The Warriors won three post-season matches last week to earn a berth in this week’s IHSA Class 4A state semifinals in Normal.

On Monday, Oct. 30, Willowbrook edged Lyons Township 2624, 25-22 in an exciting semifinal match at the Hinsdale Central Sectional.

Two days later, on Wednesday, Nov. 1, the Warriors rallied for a thrilling 23-25, 25-23, 25-12 victory over Oak Park and River Forest in the sectional final in Hinsdale.

Willowbrook avenged its only loss of the season with that victory.

On Friday, Nov. 3, the Warriors defeated Joliet West 25-18, 25-14 to win the super-sectional title at Bolingbrook High School.

Before the 2021 season, Willowbrook’s girls volleyball program had never won a regional title. The Warriors’ 2021 team won regional and sectional titles before losing a super-sectional contest. One year ago, Willowbrook’s 2022 team won a regional title before losing in a sectional final.

The Warriors improved their overall season record to 39-1 with Friday’s win over Joliet West. Willowbrook will finish its historic season with two matches at CEFCU Arena (formerly Redbird Arena) at Illinois State University in Normal.

The Warriors will face Benet Academy (38-2) in one of this Friday’s Class 4A state semifinals. The winner will meet Mother McAuley (35-5) or Barrington (also 35-5) in Saturday night’s state-championship match.

The losers of Friday’s semifinal matches will square off in Saturday’s third-place contest.

Willowbrook senior Calli Kenny provided eight kills, 14 assists, 10 digs and four aces in last week’s win over Lyons Township. Her sister—junior Hannah Kenny— contributed 10 kills, 12 assists and eight digs.

Junior Anna Marinier of the Warriors delivered four kills, 10 digs and two aces in last week’s victory over the Lions. Senior Elisa Chivilo supplied eight digs, three aces and two assists.

Senior Elle Bruschuk added three kills and two digs, while senior Keri Ostrowski made five digs.

Junior Lily Javier and senior Eliza Ramey added three and two kills, respectively.

Last week’s sectional final between the Warriors and the Huskies featured an egregious error by the scoring crew at Hinsdale Central.

Willowbrook held a 21-20 lead late in the tight first game.

Oak Park and River Forest won the next point to tie the score at 2121, but the Huskies received two points on the scoreboard, which showed them with a 22-21 lead.

The Warriors noticed the error and alerted the officials, who apparently weren’t keeping track of

the score. The Huskies went on to win the first game by a score of 2523, even though they only won 24 points during the game.

“That was just going to add fuel to our fire,” said Willowbrook coach Irene Mason of the scoring blunder. “We were going to use it, stay composed and come back from it. We got a little deficit [in the second game]. But the confidence they have in themselves and in each other is what helped get us through.”

The Huskies, who finished their season with a 31-7 record, took a quick 5-0 lead in the second game of the sectional final. Their lead grew to 7-1 before the Warriors rallied to even the score at 8-8. Willowbrook won the next four points to build a 12-8 lead.

The Warriors held a 17-12 lead in the second game, but the Huskies won five straight points to even the score at 17-17.

The Huskies owned a 20-19 lead, but the Warriors won the next point to tie the score at 20-20. Willowbrook won three of the next four points to take a 23-21 lead.

The Warriors closed out the second game on a finesse play, with Calli Kenny tapping the ball into an open spot on the Huskies’ side of the court.

Willowbrook caught fire in the third game, building a 12-6 lead that grew to 19-7. As the lead grew, so did the excitement of the Warriors’ fans in the stands.

While every Warrior on the court made a contribution during the team’s victory over the Huskies, Calli Kenny was exceptional. It seemed she refused to let her team’s season end in the sectional final.

“She went into a different mode,” said Mason of the team’s senior standout. “She has that in her. She’s a clutch type of player.

She has that refuse-to-lose mentality.”

Calli Kenny piled up 21 kills, 20 assists, four digs and two aces in the Warriors’ win over the Huskies in the sectional final. Hannah Kenny delivered seven kills, 20 assists, 15 digs and four blocks in the intense match.

“We already lost to them, so we kind of had nothing to lose,” said Calli Kenny after her team’s win over the Huskies.

“This has been such a special season. We want to get to state.

After the second set and going into the third, we just had the confidence and the momentum. Everyone stepped up. It was just a great team win.”

Chivilo made 17 digs and handed out three assists for the Warriors in the sectional final. Marinier provided three kills, eight digs and three blocks.

Bruschuk hit six kills and made five digs. Ramey delivered three kills and four blocks. Javier hit four

See WARRIORS, Page 19

Chris Fox photos Rock Valley Publishing

Willowbrook’s girls volleyball team won three post-season matches last week to earn a berth in the IHSA Class 4A state semifinals in Normal. The Warriors defeated Oak Park and River Forest in a three-game battle in the championship match of the Hinsdale Central Sectional on Nov. 1. Willowbrook lost the first game of the sectional final, but rallied for a three-game victory. One photo (above) from the match shows junior Hannah Kenny (No. 6) and senior Elisa Chivilo (No. 3) celebrating after the Warriors won a point in the decisive third game. Another photo (right) from the sectional final shows Willowbrook senior Calli Kenny (No. 9), who supplied 21 kills and 20 assists in the match. The Warriors qualified for the state semifinals when they beat Joliet West in Friday’s super-sectional match at Bolingbrook High School. Willowbrook improved its overall season record to 39-1 with Friday’s win.

The Warriors will face Benet Academy in one of this Friday’s Class 4A semifinals. This will be the Willowbrook program’s first appearance in the state semifinals. “Going to state was one of our goals this year,” said Willowbrook coach Irene Mason, who has guided the Warriors to Class 4A regional titles in each of the last three seasons.

The 2021 team also won a sectional title before losing a super-sectional contest. “We’ve known that in order to be the greatest volleyball team that Willowbrook has ever seen, we had to accomplish this. It feels amazing to be a part of another historic season.”

Thursday, Nov. 9, 2023

JOE PEARSON PHOTO Rock Valley Publishing

62years

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DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and Villa Park Chief of Police Michael Rivas announced that bond has been set for a Florida man accused of leading Omar Castro police on a high-speed chase.

Omar Castro, 22, appeared at a bond hearing where Judge Michael Reidy set bond at $100,000.

Castro is charged with two counts of aggravated fleeing and eluding a police officer (Class 4 felony) and multiple misdemeanor and petty traffic offenses including two counts of aggravated speeding in a construction zone, reckless driving and driving while license suspended, all Class A misdemeanors.

On Thursday, June 22 at approximately 8:28 p.m., an Elmhurst police officer responded to a call of a stolen motor vehicle near Route 83 and North Avenue. It is alleged that

Lombardian PHOTO PHOTO Lombardian

FOX FOX PHOTO Lombardian CHRIS CHRIS eight CHRIS FOX Dina Jovaprovided first Ryan, Weltin d its Emily Lombard’s net. row) Maddie ago. the continue (front row) Lombardian PHOTO Eastat FOX are: East above (back 91 years CHRIS rising celbegan at Glenbard Heatley; finish (left to right) will stuGlenbard e 560 11)tradition thatand Sophia aasenior (No. of 2021 Pictured sixth-plac a Classabout Tennessee.

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Florida man charged with leading police on high-speed chase

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Register in advance by calling 630-766-7015.

438525

THURSDAY, JUNE 29, 2023

DEE LONGFELLOW PHOTO Bensenville Independent

Celebrating all things Warhol

As many museums are celebrating Andy Warhol and his legacy of pop art, July 28. Pictured are (from left): Daley Wangler, Reilly Costello, Katy Costello, the Elmhurst Artists’ Guild hosted reception for its Inspired By Warhol exhibit, a whose works were on display in the exhibit, Allison Haas and Katie Fox. Info: juried exhibition based on the works of Andy Warhol on display through Friday, elmhurstartmuseum.org.

1 1 • Thursday, June 29, 2023 - Rock Valley Publishing

Villa Park

eview R Review

60¢¢¢¢ County sheriff investigating Juneteenth shooting incident 60 GolfOne killed, 23 wounded; deceased victim was father of two Driving multiple weapons into a large crowd tified as 31-year-old father of two returned immediately to the celebra- time again, gun violence is a public Lessons

STAFF REPORT

Range

No arrests have been made as of at around 12:30 a.m. during a gather- Reggie Meadows, died after sufferpress time in connection with a mass ing to commemorate Juneteenth held ing a gunshot wound to the abdomen. shooting at a the stripINDEPENDENCE mall in unincorpo- in the parking lot at the mall, located Deputy Chief Eric Swanson of the Call Pronear PARADE Shop rated DuPage County Willow- DAY near Honeysuckle Lane and Route DuPage County Sheriff’s Office said MarchJune Register with83. brook to early Sunday morning, Today the park district! in a news conference Sunday, June 18, the day designatedSign as Juneteenth. up at BvilleParks.org/Libertyfes Approximately 23 people were 18 that at least two other victims 766-0304 t The (630) DuPage County Sheriff’s wounded by gunfire. Victims were were in critical condition.

Office said an unknown number of taken to hospitals in DuPage, Cook “The motive behind this incident suspects fired multiple rounds from and Will counties. One man, iden- is unclear,” Swanson said. “This is JULY 4 SWIM still an active investigation.”

Noon-5 p.m. | July “We are working around the clock 4 Register WhitePinesGolf.com to bring those responsible to justice,” in advance by Bensenville Water Park calling 630-766-7015. akbROOk eRRace akbROOk errace eRRace the sheriff’s office said in a recent akbrOOk akbROOk eRRace 394390 396445 akbROOk eRRace 438525 396917 post on Twitter, urging anyone with information to call 630-407-2343.

VOL. 17 NO. 21 WWW.THEINDEPENDENTNEWSPAPERS.COM THURSDAY, MAY 13, 2021 VOL.17 17••••NO. NO.23 20 WWW.THEINDEPENDENTNEWSPAPERS.COM THURSDAY, MAY 6,2023 2021 VOL. 19 28 WWW.THEINDEPENDENTNEWSPAPERS.COM THURSDAY, JUNE 29, WWW.THEINDEPENDENTNEWSPAPERS.COM THURSDAY, MAY 27, 2021 VOL. 17 NO. 24 WWW.THEINDEPENDENTNEWSPAPERS.COM THURSDAY, JUNE 3, 2021 The Juneteenth celebration started SUBMITTED PHOTO Addison Independent at around 6 p.m. Saturday, June 17.

According to the Daily Herald, DuPage County Sheriff’s deputies had been monitoring the celebration, but Joe Benedetti, known as “Joe the Barber,” recently retired after 50 years of serving the Addison responded to a 911 call of a fight that community. The owner of Joe’s Hair Styling Unisex at 611 W. Lake Street was honored by the Village had broken out nearby. of Addison at a Board meeting on Monday, June 5, where he received a Proclamation in honor of his While deputies were investigating 50 years in business. Nearly 100 community members attended the meeting to congratulate him. that call, they heard gunshots and

alsoserving servingOO O also also serving

‘Joe the Barber’ honored by Village

Graduation Play at theday plate at Willowbrook

Freshman Lindsey Rugg of the Willowbrook softball team is pictured while attempting to score a run during Friday’s game at Downers Grove South. Rugg tried to score from second base on a single by sophomore Katelyn Cox in the top of the second inning, the game tiedcelebrated at 2-2. Downers Grove South’swith catcher Willowbrook Highwhen School’s Class was of 2021 its commencement two tagged Rugg out at home for the third out of theon inning.

Themorning.

Mustangs separate ceremonies in theplate school’s main gymnasium Sunday Thewent enon to defeat the Warriors 7-3students. in the West Suburban Conference contest. Wiltire class includes over 470 About half ofGold those students attended the

T T T

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Police Reports..........4 Puzzles ....................9 Viewpoint ................8 Classifieds..............10

tion.

“Out of nowhere, there was a major gunfight for like 30 seconds,” eyewitness Bartosz Majerczyk told ABC 7 Eyewitness News. “I’d say, 60 plus rounds. You could tell it was two different groups of people shooting at each other.”

Another witness, who said she was at the celebration, told ABC 7 Eyewitness News “everybody started running” when the gunfire erupted.

“There was a man,” she said. “He fell on top of me. He had a gunshot wound to his leg. It was like something you can’t imagine.”

In a statement, Governor JB Pritzker said he is closely monitoring the shooting.

“Gathering for a holiday celebration should be a joyful occasion, not a time when gunfire erupts and families are forced to run for safety,” Gov. Pritzker said. “As I’ve said time and

health emergency in this country and I remain committed to banning these dangerous weapons and making our state safer for everyone.”

Meadows was described as a “devoted father whose life was tragically taken from us amidst a Juneteenth celebration” on a GoFundMe page set up to provide support to his two young children, RJ and Gabby.

Meadows was “a beacon of love and strength, who fell victim to a devastating crossfire incident that shattered the peace and joy of what should have been a day of celebration.

“Amidst the chaos, Reggie tragically lost his life, leaving an indelible mark of grief on his family and community. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the other victims who were injured, as we mourn the loss of Reggie, a remarkable individual who touched the lives of many.”

CHRIS FOX PHOTO Villa Park Review

lowbrook rebounded from Friday’s loss to post an 11-2 win in Saturday’s game at Hinsdale Central. The Warriors bashed three home runs in the second inning of SatCHRIS FOX PHOTO Villa ParkSilver Review urday’s non-conference battle against the Red Devils of the West Suburban Conference.

Senior Knudtson, freshman Isabella Dugo and that sophomore ceremony that beganAnnemarie at 9 a.m. The others participated in the ceremony started Kayleigh the home Dennison (No. 5) is pictured in the at 11 a.m. Dennison The photoprovided shows members of runs. the Willowbrook Senior Choir performing background of the above photo. more aboutsee thePage Warriors, during the day’s first service.

ForFor more photos, 4. see page 14.

Arbor Day in Villa Park Departing Mariners LOW INVENTORY!

CHRISFOX FOXPHOTO PHOTOVilla VillaPark ParkReview Review CHRIS SUBMITTED PHOTO Villa Park 390271 Review 377325

InsIde nsIde:

Memorial Day in Villa Park

Every Thursday

The Village of Villa Park observed Arbor Day with a tree planting on Friday, April 30. Pictured (left to right) at the tree planting at the village’s Franklin Park, located at 218 N. Third Ave., are: Villa Park Village your local agent

Trustee Christine Murphy, Justin Shlensky—chair of the Villa Park Environmental Concerns Commis..........6 14 PoliceReports Reports............4 ..........8 Classifieds................10 Sports.................... ....................17 16 sion, The Margaret Villa Park Mariners recognized six Villa departing swimmers during Saturday’s meet against Police Reports ..........8 Sports Police Schiefer—a membertheir of the Park “senior” Environmental Concerns Commission, Villa Park KATE DRURY Hanover Park at Jefferson Pool.Villa Pictured to right at the end of the meet—Villa final home meet of Village Trustee Cheryl Tucker, Parkleft Village President Albert Bulthuis, VillaPark’s Park Village Trustee (and Contact me for aRoscoe, DRURY Legal Notices ......... 15 Speak Classifieds..............13 Viewpoint ................6 Classifieds..........17-18 the season—are: (front row) Grace Harper KATE Conboy Knudtson; (back Viewpoint ................6 Classifieds..............16 Puzzles ......................9 Out................8 row) Village President-Elect) Nick Cuzzone andCaitlin LeslieO’Connor, Allison-Seei—chair of theand VillaGabby Park Community Pride complementary Alexander Dean and Simon Luedtke. All six of the pictured Mariners are630-514-9961 members of Willowbrook High

Villa Park Veterans of Foreign Warson (VFW) Post 2801 of held itsApril.

Memorial Day service onDay Monday mornCommission.

Arbor Day is observed the last Friday each The National Arbor Foundation 630-514-9961 School’s ClassVeterans of Villa 2023.

Roscoe, has been with the Mariners for years, willTo attend the University ing Cortesi Memorial Park.

Post Commander Jim is pictured bowing his recognihead of as kdrury@atproperties.com hasatrecognized Park withwho Tree City USA designation forBlankshain 36seven straight years. receive that market analysis Wisconsin-Madison.

O’Connor, 11or years with and the Mariners, and Knudtson, who’s a Mariner Willowbrook High School students Lily Hendrickson Anna Seelbach soundataps at been the end ofcomthe kdrury@atproperties.com tion, a community must have awho treespent board department, a tree-care ordinance, comprehensive of your home!! for sevenforestry years, will both attend Illinois State University.

Conboy,because who hasofbeen member of the Mariners ceremony.

The post’s 2020 Memorial Day event was canceled the a COVID-19 pandemic.

This munity program and an Arbor Day observance. for 10 years, and Luedtke, who’s been with forof six years, both attend College of DuPage. year’s observance included a reading of the team names the Postwill 2801 members who have recentlyDean, died. who’s been with theWorld Mariners 11 years,Charles will attend theBergh, Milwaukee Villa Park beat That list included War II veteran “Sid” who School served of asEngineering. the master of ceremonies I would to for help!

Hanover Park annual 372-205Memorial in Saturday’s to improve its season record to 2-4.

TheU.S. Mariners finish their of the post’s Daymeet service for several years. A veteran of the Navy,will Bergh died in eight-meet regular season with this Dale a meet in Roselle July 8.

October 2020.

He was 94 years old.week’s Berghmeet was in theWood post’s lastand surviving World Waron II veteran.

Federal judge sets trial date for State Sen. Tom Cullerton--Page 4

The Lombardian, Villa Park Review, Addison Independent & Bensenville Independent Your hometown newspaper is now available in both print and online versions.

The printed newspaper is delivered by the post office every Thursday for only $45 for a full year. A digital eSubscription will also be available for only $35 per year and can be read on a computer, laptop, or tablet. The eSubscription is a PDF copy of the print version that will be available online every Thursday. A link to the online newspaper will be emailed to you every week.

To order an online eSubscription or print home delivery by mail, please call 630.834-8244 or mail the coupon below. ___ Yes. Please send the print version of the newspaper by mail at the special rate of $45 for a full year. ___ Yes. Please send me an eSubscription with a weekly email link for only $35 per year. Enclosed is my check for $35.

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I think we all just wanted it so bad. We had such a good team effort. Everybody had really key, important moments. We came out with so much fire and energy [in the third game]. We just shut them down. Our energy and our vibe was insane.”

1

1 • Thursday, June 29, 2023 - Rock Valley Publishing

s presented Scholarship East at Glenbard day n ship Scholar adulatio GrLoca t st enbrdsardNighEa at GlAwa

Page 19

In Print and Online

2021 20, 6, 27,2021

P EP OE OPPLLEE O MLBO AM RB AD R D R FPOE RR FL O R 60¢ 60¢ W S P AN PE WE S P A A RA DL ONMEB A R D 2021 6, 2021 2023 27, 30, May May20,

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regular-season loss to Oak Park and River Forest, the Warriors set a new program record for wins in a season when they beat the Huskies last week. Willowbrook’s 2021 team posted 37 victories. The Warriors won 36 matches during the 2022 season.

Calli Kenny supplied 10 kills, 12 assists and eight digs in Friday’s super-sectional victory over Joliet West in Bolingbrook. Hannah Kenny provided seven kills, 10 assists and seven digs.

Marinier had eight digs and three aces, while Chivilo made six digs.

Ramey connected for three kills, while Bruschuk and Javier bashed two kills each. Ostrowski made two digs.

1959-2023

Thursday, May

LOMB A Celebrating

**ecrwss

kills and made two digs. Ostrowski contributed four digs and an ace.

“I think we all just wanted it so bad,” said Hannah Kenny after Willowbrook’s win over Oak Park and River Forest. “We had such a good team effort. Everybody had really key, important moments. We came out with so much fire and energy [in the third game]. We just shut them down. Our energy and our vibe was insane.”

Oak Park and River Forest defeated the Warriors 25-17, 24-26, 25-10 during the teams’ regular-season match in Oak Park on Sept. 29. Willowbrook slipped to 19-1 with that loss. The Warriors have won 20 straight matches since that loss.

In addition to avenging their

65

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Willowbrook’s girls volleyball team earned a berth in the IHSA Class 4A state semifinals following Friday’s victory over Joliet West in a super-sectional match at Bolingbrook High School. The Warriors, who improved their overall season record to 39-1 with the victory, are pictured with their super-sectional plaque. Willowbrook will face Benet Academy in one of this Friday’s Class 4A semifinal matches in Normal. The winner will play in Saturday’s state-championship match. The Willowbrook program won its first regional title in 2021.

The 2021 team also won a sectional title before losing a super-sectional match. One year ago, the Warriors won a regional title and lost in a sectional final. This year’s team set a new program record for victories in a season with last week’s win over Oak Park and River Forest in the championship match of the Hinsdale Central Sectional.

The Warriors’ 2021 team won 37 matches.

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Rock Valley Publishing

Thursday, Nov. 9, 2023

Supporting the Warriors

CHRIS FOX PHOTO Rock Valley Publishing

The fans of Willowbrook’s girls volleyball team had plenty to cheer about during the third game of last week’s match against Oak Park and River Forest at the IHSA Class 4A Hinsdale Central Sectional. After losing the first game of the Nov. 1 sectional final against the Huskies, the Warriors won the second game to even the match. Willowbrook then pulled away in the third game to earn a 23-25, 25-23, 25-12 victory.

The photo shows some of Willowbrook’s supporters after the team won a point during the third game.

The Warriors avenged their only loss of the season with their victory in the sectional final. Willowbrook advanced to Friday’s match against Joliet West at the Bolingbrook Super-Sectional. The Warriors beat Joliet West 25-18, 25-14 to earn a trip to this week’s Class 4A state semifinals in Normal. Willowbrook (391) will face Benet Academy (38-2) in one of this Friday’s semifinal matches. The winner will play either Mother McAuley or Barrington in Saturday’s Class 4A state-championship match.

ADVERTISEMENT FOR BID-2024 Capital Improvements 1.1 BID INFORMATION A. Sealed bids will be received by the Board of Education, Addison School District 4 on, the 30th day of November, 2023 at 3:30 p.m. prevailing time for the 2024 Capital Improvements at Addison School District 4.

B. Lump sum bid proposals will be received for this project at the scheduled time of receipt bids and will be publicly opened at that time.

Ojeda runs at the state meet

Willowbrook junior Amelie Ojeda ran to a 37thplace finish in Saturday’s IHSA Class 3A girls crosscountry state meet in Peoria. Ojeda completed the 3-mile race at Peoria’s Detweiller Park in 17 minutes, 49.1 seconds. She is pictured just before the race. The Class 3A girls state meet included 234 finishers. Ojeda earned her individual berth in this year’s state meet with her strong performance at the Class 3A Hinsdale Central Sectional on Oct. 28. She delivered a 12th-place finish in the sectional race at Katherine Legge Memorial Park.

LEGAL NOTICES

C. A Pre-Bid Conference has been scheduled on November 7, 2023 at 3:30 p.m. at Fullerton Elementary School, 400 S. Michigan Avenue, Addison, Illinois 60101. There will be the opportunity to go to Stone Elementary following Fullerton Elementary. Please Note: All Contractors that plan on attending must present a valid Drivers License or State ID to gain access to the School at this time.

D. Bid security in the form of a bid bond only in an amount equal to 10 percent of the base bid amount shall be submitted with the bid. Bid security shall be made payable to the Board of Education Addison School District 4.

E. Bids shall be submitted on or before the specified closing time in an opaque sealed envelope addressed to: Ms. Melissa Morgese, Assistant Superintendent for Business, Addison District 4, 222 North Kennedy Drive, Addison, Illinois 60101. The Bid Package # must be clearly marked on the envelope.

SUBMITTED PHOTO Rock Valley Publishing

F. The Board of Education reserves the right to reject any or all bids or parts thereof, or waive any irregularities or informalities, and to make the award in the best interest of

the District.

G. All bidders must comply with applicable Illinois Law requiring the payment of prevailing wages by all Contractors working on public works. Bidder must comply with the Illinois Statutory requirements regarding labor, including Equal Employment Opportunity Laws.

H. Bidding documents are available in electronic format only from International Contractors, Inc., on or after October 31, 2023 at www.icibuilds.com and click on the Plan Room tab.

I. Board of Education: Addison School District 4.

(Published in the Addison Independent, Bensenville Independent & Villa Park Review Nov. 9, 2023) 446384

NOTICE CERTIFICATE NO. 79242 was filed in the office of the County Clerk of DuPage County on OCTOBER 20, 2023, wherein the business firm of MANOR SHOPS, 35101 EAST FULLERTON AVENUE, ADDISON, IL 60101 was registered; that the true or real name or names of the person or persons owning the business, with their respective post office address(es), is/are as follows: Daisy Kalapurackal, 1864 Harvest Ln., Glendale Heights, IL 60139.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and Official Seal at my office in Wheaton, Illinois, this 2oTH day of OCTOBER, A.D. 2023.

Jean Kaczmarek DuPage County Clerk (Published in the Addison Independent, Bensenville Independent & Villa Park Review Oct. 26, Nov. 2 & 9, 2023) 445926

Thursday, Nov. 9, 2023

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CLASSIFIED IN-COLUMN ADS cannot be credited or refunded after the ad has been placed.

Ads canceled before deadline will be removed from the paper as a service to our customers, but no credit or refund will be issued to your account.

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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.

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Rock Valley Publishing

Thursday, Nov. 9, 2023

Warriors’ season ends with a second-round loss to Hononegah

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The undefeated Indians beat Willowbrook 44-0

The Willowbrook football team’s 2023 season ended with Saturday’s 44-0 loss to Rockton’s Hononegah Community High School in an IHSA Class 7A second-round playoff game in Rockton.

The Warriors finished their season with an overall record of 8-3.

Hononegah, which improved to 11-0 with its victory on Saturday afternoon, advanced to the Class 7A quarterfinals.

The undefeated Indians will face Batavia (10-1) in this week’s quarterfinal matchup in Rockton. The winner of that game will meet either Quincy or Mount Carmel in a semifinal contest.

Hononegah is the No. 2 seed in the 32-team Class 7A playoff field. Batavia is the No. 7 seed. Willowbrook was the No. 15 seed.

Hononegah held a 24-0 halftime lead in Saturday’s game against the Warriors, which took place in sunny and pleasant conditions on the school’s grass field.

The Indians extended their lead to 30-0 by returning the second-half kickoff for a touchdown. Hononegah added the extra-point kick to boost its lead to 31-0.

Willowbrook’s offense had trouble sustaining any drives during the game. A couple of the Warriors’ drives ended with short punts that gave the Indians excellent field position.

Hononegah scored its first touchdown of the day on a 46-yard pass with 6:31 left in the first quarter. The

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Bensenville Receive a digital copy of your hometown Addison Independent Independent newspaper every week with an eSubscription. The eSubscription is a PDF copy of the printed newspaper emailed to you every week for only $35 a year.

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Your link to the weekly newspaper will be emailed to you every Thursday. The digital version of the newspaper can be read on a computer, laptop or Arbor Day in Villa Park tablet.

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INDEPENDENCE DAY PARADE March with the park district!

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INDEPENDENCE DAY PARADE March with the park district!

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at BvilleParks.org/Libertyfest

at BvilleParks.org/Libertyfest

JULY 4 SWIM

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Noon-5 p.m. | July 4 Bensenville Water Park

WWW.THEINDEPENDENTNEWSPAPERS.COM

when the officer located the vehicle, later determined to be driven by Castro, Castro put his car in reverse and proceeded southbound on Route 83. It is alleged that as the officer pursued, Castro reached speeds of approximately 107 mph in a 45-mph zone and disobeyed three traffic lights.

It is alleged that near 16th Street, Castro completed a U-turn and continued driving northbound on Route 83 reaching speeds of approximately 100 mph in a 35-mph construction zone, at which time the pursuing officer lost sight of the vehicle.

A short time later, the vehicle was located abandoned in a school parking lot. Officers responded to the school parking and at approximately 8:42 p.m., located Castro approximately one block away from the school. He was then taken into custody after a brief struggle with the officers.

Castro’s next court appearance is scheduled July 27 for arraignment in front of Judge Telander.

WWW.THEINDEPENDENTNEWSPAPERS.COM

Celebrating all things Warhol

As many museums are celebrating Andy Warhol and his legacy of pop art, the Elmhurst Artists’ Guild hosted reception for its Inspired By Warhol exhibit, a juried exhibition based on the works of Andy Warhol on display through Friday,

Noon-5 p.m. | July 4 Bensenville Water Park

Register in advance by calling 630-766-7015.

438525

THURSDAY, JUNE 29, 2023

DEE LONGFELLOW PHOTO Bensenville Independent

July 28. Pictured are (from left): Daley Wangler, Reilly Costello, Katy Costello, whose works were on display in the exhibit, Allison Haas and Katie Fox. Info: elmhurstartmuseum.org.

County sheriff investigating Juneteenth shooting incident One killed, 23 wounded; deceased victim was father of two

multiple weapons into a large crowd No arrests have been made as of at around 12:30 a.m. during a gather1 press time in connection with a mass ing to commemorate Juneteenth held shooting at a strip mall in unincorpo- ¢¢ ¢in the parking lot at the mall, located rated DuPage County near Willow- ¢near Honeysuckle Lane and Route brook early Sunday morning, June 83.

18, the day designated as Juneteenth.

Approximately 23 people were The DuPage County Sheriff’s wounded by gunfire. Victims were Office said an unknown number of taken to hospitals in DuPage, Cook suspects fired multiple rounds from and Will counties. One man, idenSTAFF REPORT

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Graduation Play at theday plate at Willowbrook

Noon-5 p.m. | July 4 Bensenville Water Park

According to the Daily Herald, DuP-

age in County Sheriff’s deputies had Register WhitePinesG advance byolf.com been630-766-7015. monitoring the celebration, but calling 395484

SWIM

Freshman Lindsey Rugg of the Willowbrook softball team is pictured while attempting to score a run during Friday’s game at Downers Grove South. Rugg tried to score from second base on a single by sophomore Katelyn Cox in the top of the second inning, the game tiedcelebrated at 2-2. Downers Grove South’swith catcher Willowbrook Highwhen School’s Class was of 2021 its commencement two tagged Rugg out at home for the third out of theon inning.

Themorning.

Mustangs separate ceremonies in theplate school’s main gymnasium Sunday Thewent enon to defeat the Warriors 7-3students. in the West Suburban Conference contest. Wiltire class includes over 470 About half ofGold those students attended the

..........6 14 PoliceReports Reports............4 ..........8 Classifieds................10 Sports.................... ....................17 16 Police Reports ..........8 Sports Police Legal Notices ......... 15 Speak Classifieds..............13 Viewpoint ................6 Classifieds..........17-18 Viewpoint ................6 Classifieds..............16 Puzzles ......................9 Out................8

Open!

Police Reports..........4 information to call 630-407-2343.

The Juneteenth celebration started Viewpoint ................8 Classifieds..............10 JULY 4 at around 6 p.m. Saturday, June 17.

alsoserving servingOO O also also serving

Joe Benedetti, known as “Joe the Barber,” recently retired after 50 years of serving the Addison akbROOk eRRace akbROOk errace eRRace akbrOOk akbROOk eRRace akbROOk eRRace community. The owner of Joe’s Hair Styling Unisex at 611 W. Lake Street was honored by the Village of Addison at a Board meeting on Monday, June 5, where he received a Proclamation in honor of his VOL. 17 ••NO. NO. 21 WWW.THEINDEPENDENTNEWSPAPERS.COM VOL. 17••attended NO.23 20 WWW.THEINDEPENDENTNEWSPAPERS.COM 19 28 WWW.THEINDEPENDENTNEWSPAPERS.COM 17 WWW.THEINDEPENDENTNEWSPAPERS.COM 50 years in business. Nearly 100 communityVOL. members the meeting to congratulate him.

VOL. 17 NO. 24 WWW.THEINDEPENDENTNEWSPAPERS.COM

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tified as 31-year-old father of two Reggie Meadows, died after suffering a gunshot wound to the abdomen.

Deputy Chief Eric Swanson of the DuPage County Sheriff’s Office said in a news conference Sunday, June 18 that at least two other victims were in critical condition.

“The motive behind this incident is unclear,” Swanson said. “This is

Driving

Range

Officially

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SUBMITTED PHOTO Addison Independent

‘Joe the Barber’ honored by Village

Golf Lessons

still an active investigation.”

Call theINDEPENDEN Pro Shop CE DAY PARADE “We are working around the clock to Register Today March with to bring to justice,” the those parkresponsible district! the sheriff’s office said in a recent Sign up at BvilleParks.org (630) /Libertyfest 766-0304 post on Twitter, urging anyone with Puzzles ....................9

394390 responded to a 911 call of396445 a fight that 438525 396917 had broken out nearby.

THURSDAY, MAY 13, 2021 THURSDAY, MAY 6,2023 2021 THURSDAY, 29, THURSDAY, MAY 27, 2021 While JUNE deputies were investigating THURSDAY, JUNE 3, 2021 that call, they heard gunshots and

returned immediately to the celebration.

“Out of nowhere, there was a major gunfight for like 30 seconds,” eyewitness Bartosz Majerczyk told ABC 7 Eyewitness News. “I’d say, 60 plus rounds. You could tell it was two different groups of people shooting at each other.”

Another witness, who said she was at the celebration, told ABC 7 Eyewitness News “everybody started running” when the gunfire erupted.

“There was a man,” she said. “He fell on top of me. He had a gunshot wound to his leg. It was like something you can’t imagine.”

In a statement, Governor JB Pritzker said he is closely monitoring the shooting.

“Gathering for a holiday celebration should be a joyful occasion, not a time when gunfire erupts and families are forced to run for safety,” Gov. Pritzker said. “As I’ve said time and

time again, gun violence is a public health emergency in this country and I remain committed to banning these dangerous weapons and making our state safer for everyone.”

Meadows was described as a “devoted father whose life was tragically taken from us amidst a Juneteenth celebration” on a GoFundMe page set up to provide support to his two young children, RJ and Gabby.

Meadows was “a beacon of love and strength, who fell victim to a devastating crossfire incident that shattered the peace and joy of what should have been a day of celebration.

“Amidst the chaos, Reggie tragically lost his life, leaving an indelible mark of grief on his family and community. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the other victims who were injured, as we mourn the loss of Reggie, a remarkable individual who touched the lives of many.”

LEGAL NOTICES NOTICE CERTIFICATE NO. 79240 was filed in the office of the County Clerk of DuPage County on MAY 23, 2019 wherein the business firm of BLUSH AND GLOW SKINCARE AND WAXING, 577 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE, GLEN ELLYN, IL 60137 was registered; that the true or real name or names of the person or persons owning the business, with their respective post office address(es), is/ are as follows: Michelle Fry, 430 Woodmoor Drive Unit 216, Lombard, IL 60137.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and Official Seal at my office in Wheaton, Illinois, this 16TH day of OCTOBER, A.D. 2023.

Jean Kaczmarek DuPage County Clerk (Published in The Lombardian Oct. 26, Nov. 2 & 9, 2023) 445888

CHRIS FOX PHOTO Villa Park Review

lowbrook rebounded from Friday’s loss to post an 11-2 win in Saturday’s game at Hinsdale Central. The Warriors bashed three home runs in the second inning of SatCHRIS FOX PHOTO Villa ParkSilver Review urday’s non-conference battle against the Red Devils of the West Suburban Conference.

Senior Knudtson, freshman Isabella Dugo and that sophomore ceremony that beganAnnemarie at 9 a.m. The others participated in the ceremony started Kayleigh the home Dennison (No. 5) is pictured in the at 11 a.m. Dennison The photoprovided shows members of runs. the Willowbrook Senior Choir performing background of the above photo. more aboutsee thePage Warriors, see page 14. during the day’s first service.

ForFor more photos, 4.

Departing Mariners LOW INVENTORY!

CHRISFOX FOXPHOTO PHOTOVilla VillaPark ParkReview Review CHRIS SUBMITTED PHOTO Villa Park 390271 Review 377325

1 • Thursday, June 29, 2023 - Rock Valley Publishing

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Police Reports..........4 Puzzles ....................9 Viewpoint ................8 Classifieds..............10

VOL. 19 • NO. 28

THURSDAY, JUNE 29, 2023

Florida man charged with leading police on high-speed chase

DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and Villa Park Chief of Police Michael Rivas announced that bond has been set for a Florida man accused of leading Omar Castro police on a high-speed chase.

Omar Castro, 22, appeared at a bond hearing where Judge Michael Reidy set bond at $100,000.

Castro is charged with two counts of aggravated fleeing and eluding a police officer (Class 4 felony) and multiple misdemeanor and petty traffic offenses including two counts of aggravated speeding in a construction zone, reckless driving and driving while license suspended, all Class A misdemeanors.

On Thursday, June 22 at approximately 8:28 p.m., an Elmhurst police officer responded to a call of a stolen motor vehicle near Route 83 and North Avenue. It is alleged that

also serving Wood dale

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VOL. 20 • NO. 28

Register in advance by calling 630-766-7015.

Memorial Day in Villa Park KATE KATE DRURY DRURY

The Village of Villa Park observed Arbor Day with a tree planting on Friday, April 30. Pictured (left to right) at the tree planting at the village’s Franklin Park, located at 218 N. Third Ave., are: Villa Park Village your local agent Trustee Christine Murphy, Justin Shlensky—chair of the Villa Park Environmental Concerns CommisThe Margaret Villa Park Mariners recognized six Villa departing swimmers during Saturday’s meet against sion, Schiefer—a membertheir of the Park “senior” Environmental Concerns Commission, Villa Park Hanover Park at Jefferson Pool.Villa Pictured to right at the end of the meet—Villa final home meet of Village Trustee Cheryl Tucker, Parkleft Village President Albert Bulthuis, VillaPark’s Park Village Trustee (and Contact me for aRoscoe, the season—are: (front row) Grace Harper Conboy Knudtson; (back Village President-Elect) Nick Cuzzone andCaitlin LeslieO’Connor, Allison-Seei—chair of theand VillaGabby Park Community Pride 630-514-9961 complementary row) Alexander Dean and Simon Luedtke.

All ofFriday the pictured Mariners areNational members of Willowbrook High Villa Park Veterans of Foreign Warson (VFW) Post 2801 held its Memorial Day service onDay Monday mornCommission.

Arbor Day is observed thesix last of each April.

The Arbor Foundation 630-514-9961 School’s ClassVeterans of Villa 2023.

Roscoe, has been with the Mariners for years, willTo attend the University ing Cortesi Memorial Park.

Post Commander Jim is pictured bowing his recognihead of as kdrury@atproperties.com hasatrecognized Park withwho Tree City USA designation forBlankshain 36seven straight years. receive that market analysis Wisconsin-Madison.

O’Connor, 11or years with and the Mariners, and Knudtson, who’s a Mariner Willowbrook High School students Lily Hendrickson Anna Seelbach soundataps at been the end ofcomthe kdrury@atproperties.com tion, a community must have awho treespent board department, a tree-care ordinance, comprehensive of your home!! for sevenforestry years, will both attend Illinois State University.

Conboy,because who hasofbeen member of the Mariners ceremony.

The post’s 2020 Memorial Day event was canceled the a COVID-19 pandemic.

This munity program and an Arbor Day observance. for 10 years, and Luedtke, who’s been with forof six years, both attend College of DuPage. year’s observance included a reading of the team names the Postwill 2801 members who have recentlyDean, died. who’s been with theWorld Mariners for 11 years,Charles will attend theBergh, Milwaukee Villa Park beat That list included War II veteran “Sid” who School served of asEngineering. the master of ceremonies I would to help!

Hanover Park annual 372-205Memorial in Saturday’s to improve its season record to 2-4.

TheU.S. Mariners finish their of the post’s Daymeet service for several years. A veteran of the Navy,will Bergh died in eight-meet regular season with this Dale a meet in Roselle July 8.

October 2020.

He was 94 years old.week’s Berghmeet was in theWood post’s lastand surviving World Waron II veteran.

Federal judge sets trial date for State Sen. Tom Cullerton--Page 4

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Indians completed a short pass on the play; their receiver then sprinted down the sideline and into the end zone.

A 31-yard touchdown run and the ensuing extra-point kick lifted the Indians’ lead to 14-0 with 1:02 remaining in the first quarter.

Hononegah returned a Willowbrook punt for a touchdown with 7:21 to play in the second quarter. The extra-point kick pushed the Indians’ lead to 21-0. Hononegah added a 35-yard field goal with 1:36 left in the first half.

The Warriors drove the ball inside the Indians’ 25-yard line in the final minute of the first half. The drive ended with an interception by Hononegah near the Indians’ 15-yard line.

After returning the second-half kickoff for a touchdown, Hononegah’s defense prevented Willowbrook’s offense from making a first down. The Warriors then kicked a short punt that allowed the Indians to begin a drive at Willowbrook’s 40-yard line. The Indians then drove for a touchdown—a 5-yard scoring run. They couldn’t convert the extra-point try, leaving their lead at 37-0 with 8:52 left in the third quarter.

The Indians delivered an 83-yard touchdown drive on their next possession, which ended with a short scoring pass with 5:18 to play in the third quarter. The extra-point kick boosted Hononegah’s lead to 44-0.

The Indians’ sixth touchdown of the day led to a running clock for the rest of the game.

NOTICE CERTIFICATE NO. 79241 was filed in the office of the County Clerk of DuPage County on OCTOBER 19, 2023, wherein the business firm of PAITHANI A FAMILY HERLOOM, 3251 HOPEWELL DRIVE, AURORA, IL 60502 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: Madhumeeta R. Chandge, 3251 Hopewell Drive, Aurora, IL 60502.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and Official Seal at my office in Wheaton, Illinois, this 19TH day

of OCTOBER, A.D. 2023.

Jean Kaczmarek DuPage County Clerk (Published in The Lombardian Nov. 2, 9 & 16, 2023) 446112 IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE EIGHTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT DU PAGE COUNTY, ILLINOIS PUBLICATION NOTICE OF COURT DATE FOR REQUEST FOR NAME CHANGE (ADULT) Request of: ANNA HESSEL Case Number: 2023MR000527

There will be a court date on my Request to change my name from ANNA HESSEL to the new name of CATHERINE MARIE REES-HESSEL. The court date will be held November 27, 2023 at 9:00 a.m. at 505 N. County Farm Road, Wheaton, IL, DuPage County, in Courtroom #2007. /s/ Anna Hessel Dated: 10/17/2023 Candice Adams Clerk of the Circuit Court 8085-936829 (Published in The Lombardian Oct. 26, Nov. 2 & 9, 2023) 445774

Thursday, Nov. 9, 2023

Rock Valley Publishing

Page 23

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Rock Valley Publishing

Thursday, Nov. 9, 2023

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