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VOL. 16 • NO. 51

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THURSDAY, DEC. 10, 2020

Pride commission gives special holiday designation to festive Madison Street home Fillipp’s extravagant display of lights draws a crowd each season STAFF REPORT

Andy Fillipp received a unique honor from the Villa Park Community Pride Commission last week.

On Friday, Dec. 4, the pride commission designated Fillipp’s home at 39 W. Madison St. as “The Official Villa Park Holiday House.”

Each holiday season, Fillipp creates a colorful holiday scene outside of his home. The festive display of lights attracts visitors from Villa Park and beyond.

“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime award,” said Leslie Allison-Seei, the chair of the pride commission, of the honor given to Fillipp. “No one else will get this award.”

Each year, the pride commission presents its Holiday Decorating Awards to homeowners with the best holiday displays in Villa Park.

Residents can submit their own homes for consideration. They can also submit other homes. The commission judges the submissions before deciding the award winners.

Fillipp, a Villa Park firefighter/ paramedic, has lived at his home on Madison Street since 2011. He received one of the commission’s Holiday Decorating Awards in 2015. According to the pride commission’s rules, a homeowner can only win those awards no more than once every five years.

“Every year, his [Fillipp’s] name keeps coming up,” said AllisonSeei. “Last year, we talked about how terrible it was not to acknowledge his house. This year, we decided to give him a one-time, special award. It’s sort of a lifetime achievement award.”

Fillipp usually starts constructing his holiday extravaganza shortly after Halloween. He normally lights up the display for the first

CHRIS FOX PHOTO Villa Park Review

The Villa Park Community Pride Commission has designated Andy Fillipp’s home on West Madison Street as “The Official Villa Park Holiday House.” Fillipp, who is a Villa Park firefighter/paramedic, creates an elaborate display of holiday lights outside of his home each year. He is pictured (left) on Friday with Leslie Allison-Seei, the chair of the pride commission. Allison-Seei noted that the commission presents its Holiday Decorating Awards to village homeowners each year. Fillipp received one of those awards in 2015. According to the commission’s rules, a homeowner can only win a Holiday Decorating Award once every five years. “Every year, his name keeps coming up,” said AllisonSeei of Fillipp. This year, we decided to give him a one-time, special award. It’s sort of a lifetime achievement award.”

time of the season on Thanksgiving evening. Fillipp maintained that tradition this year.

“2020 has obviously been an

Inside:

Police Reports...........6 Sports �������������������� 14 Viewpoint............... 11 Classifieds..............13

interesting year,” said Fillipp on Friday. “Sometimes it’s hard to get motivated. By the time Halloween rolled around, I started getting everything ready and prepped.

People stopped and honked and waved. I realized what I was actually doing for not just myself, but for everybody else. It was kind of nice.”

Joined by his wife Katelyn and their children—Ben (age 9), Violet (age 7) and Luke (age 6)—Fillipp accepted the special award from Allison-Seei and another member of the pride commission—Tracy Gabriel.

Last year, Fillipp’s holiday display earned recognition from

the Daily Herald. That exposure helped to increase the amount of onlookers to visit his home.

“A school bus came by last year,” said Fillipp. “There was a limo this year.”

One year ago, Fillipp started teaming up with Toy Express, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to brightening the lives of underprivileged children in the western suburbs. Toy Express provides toy-drop boxes at the Villa Park Fire Department and at Villa Park Village Hall during the holiday season. Last year, Fillipp’s home became the first residence to accept toys as part of the Toy Express holiday collection. The

collection at Fillipp’s home is continuing this year. Unwrapped new toys for children from newborns to 12 years old can be placed into the wishing well that’s part of Fillipp’s display.

During Friday’s presentation, which was broadcast live on the pride commission’s Facebook outlet, Fillipp noted that his holiday setup isn’t free; his December electric bills have become as eyepopping as his display of lights.

“It’s so worth it,” added Fillipp, who is repaid by the joy of the many people who pass by his display. “I enjoy people driving by

See PRIDE, Page 4

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While facing prison time, former State Senator dies from COVID-19 complications

By Dee Longfellow FOR THE ELMHURST INDEPENDENT

Former Democratic State Senator Martin Sandoval died Saturday, Dec. 5 from COVID-19 complications, according to his criminal defense attorney Dylan Smith. Sandoval was 56.

Sandoval had been facing prison time after pleading guilty to taking bribes from the red-light camera company SafeSpeed.

Smith said he spoke with Sandoval’s family and learned the once-powerful Illinois politician had died after contracting the novel coronavirus.

Smith said Sandoval, “cared deeply about his community and he did a great deal of good... Although he had made mistakes, he took responsibility for them and was sincerely remorseful.”

Sandoval pleaded guilty to corruption charges and was helping authorities to reveal more wrongdoing. He admitted to bribery and tax

evasion charges in federal court last January, acknowledging he illegally pocketed more than $250,000 and abused his power at a state lawmaker on behalf of a red-light-camera company.

And just last month, federal investigators wrote in a court filing that Sandoval “has provided valuable cooperation that is expected to last several months.”

Sandoval lived in the Gage Park neighborhood on the southwest side of Chicago and died at 10:01 a.m.

Saturday, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office.

Illinois public health officials reported 9,887 COVID-19 cases and 208 related deaths Saturday, the second-highest daily death total since the start of the pandemic.

dent reported that Sandoval and SafeSpeed LLC, the red light camera company, were targets of a racketeering lawsuit that seeks to void tens of thousands of traffic citations issued through the company’s devices. The lawsuit alleged that SafeSpeed, its officers and employees, paid bribes to Sandoval and several other local government officials to gain approval for placing its red light cameras at various intersections in area suburbs.

The lawsuit alleged that Sandoval and others were paid as “undisclosed sales agents” or “consultants” based on a percentage of the revenue generated by the cameras.

Sandoval served in the state Senate from 2003 until Jan. 1, 2020, when he resigned amid the corruption scandal. Starting in January 2009, he was chairman of the powerful Senate Sandoval, SafeSpeed Transportation Committee and was sued for racketeering instrumental in securing passage of In February, 2020, the Indepen- last year’s $45 billion capital im-

County plan in place for distribution of COVID-19 vaccine In anticipation of COVID-19 vaccine availability, the DuPage County Health Department (DCHD) is preparing to receive and distribute vaccines later this month.

This work includes developing plans to ensure equitable and timely distribution, assessing logistical capabilities, and communicating vaccine safety and effectiveness to diverse populations in multiple sectors.

Additionally, DCHD officials are working with partners at all levels, including hospitals, health care providers, and community leaders, on flexible COVID-19 vaccination programs that can accommodate different vaccines and scenarios.

In accordance with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and their Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommendations, DCHD will follow a multi-phased approach.

The following priority groups have been recommended for vaccination at this time. These are subject to change.

• Phase 1a: Health care personnel and long-term care residents will be prioritized for initial vaccine allocation.

• Phase 1b: Essential workers (e.g., Education Sector, Food & Agriculture, Utilities, Police, Firefighters, Corrections Officers, Transportation).

• Phase 1c: Adults with high-risk medical conditions and adults 65 years and older.

Additional information on the implementation and local availability of a COVID-19 vaccine will be

shared as it becomes available.

As plans for vaccination continue to develop residents are reminded to continue following public health guidelines to slow the spread of COVID-19: • Wash your hands often; • Wear a mask whenever outside your home or with anyone not from your household; • Watch your distance, staying at least 6 feet from people outside of your immediate household and avoid in-person gatherings; and • Stay home if you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 or if you have been in close contact with a person infected with COVID-19, and contact your healthcare provider for appropriate evaluation, testing, and care.

For people seeking COVID-19 testing in DuPage, there are two drive-thru community-based testing sites (CBTS) available: • DuPage County Complex Drive-Thru Test Site • 421 N County Farm Rd, Wheaton • Monday – Friday, 7 a.m. to 12 noon • Odeum Expo Center Drive-Thru Test Site • 1033 N. Villa Avenue, Villa Park • Sunday – Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

For additional testing locations, please visit www.dupagehealth.org/covid19testing.

Additional COVID-19 information and resources can be found dupagehealth.org/covid19.

More information on COVID-19 vaccines is available can be found at cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019ncov/vaccines/index.html.

provements program known as Rebuild Illinois. He was removed from his chairmanship in October, just weeks after federal agents executed a search warrant on his Statehouse office in Springfield where they seized a number of computers, cellphones and boxes of documents.

On Jan. 28, Sandoval pleaded guilty to one count each of federal bribery and tax fraud charges as part of a deal with prosecutors in which he agreed to cooperate with their ongoing investigations.

The suit was filed on Feb. 3 under the federal Racketeering, Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO), a law most often used to prosecute organized crime syndicates.

But RICO also allows for private civil suits for actions that are part of a criminal enterprise.

The RICO lawsuit, however, is separate from the criminal case, but it is based largely on the same set of facts to which Sandoval has already pleaded guilty.

The suit alleged that beginning sometime in 2016 and continuing through October 2019, SafeSpeed operated a corrupt enterprise, known as an “association-in-fact,” by conspiring with the other defendants to pay bribes or kickbacks to public officials who would steer contracts toward the company for operating red light cameras.

Sandoval is accused of using his position in the Senate to serve as the company’s “protector” by ensuring legislation unfavorable to the company, including bills to ban the use

of red light cameras, would never pass and to help override objections from the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) about the placement of certain cameras.

In exchange, SafeSpeed and its employees reportedly arranged to pay $20,000 a year in donations to Sandoval’s campaigns.

The lawsuit was filed as a proposed class action on behalf of an estimated 100,000 or more individuals who were fined between $100 and $200 for each ticket issued by a red light camera that was “corruptly and improperly installed, over repeated objections from IDOT, as a direct and proximate result of bribes paid.”

While the claim of each individual member of the class is relatively small, the lawsuit argues, combined they add up to millions of dollars.

Among the defendants named in the suit was Oakbrook Terrace Mayor Tony Ragucci, whose home was investigated in October of 2019, when federal agents seized more than $60,000 in cash from Ragucci’s home.

It is the second RICO case that lead plaintiff attorney Lawrence Gress has filed involving Sandoval.

Another pending case was originally filed in 2017 after Gress was passed over for a job as community relations representative for the Pace Suburban Bus Company in favor of Sandoval’s son, Martin Sandoval II. That suit refers to Sandoval as “the kingpin at the center of the wide-ranging and longstanding conspiracy” alleged in the case.

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During the season of giving, Red Cross urges blood donation December may be the season of giving – but it’s typically a challenging time to collect enough blood donations. Add in a pandemic, and this year could be even tougher than usual. That’s why the American Red Cross is urging those who are feeling well to give the gift of life by donating blood or platelets this holiday season.

The need for blood doesn’t stop for holidays. Between Thanksgiving and Christmas, more than 1 million blood transfusions will be given in the United States. Donations of all blood types are needed to ensure hospital shelves remain stocked to meet patient blood needs.

Make your appointment to give

blood, platelets or plasma with the Red Cross by downloading the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enabling the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device.

To encourage donations this holiday season, those who come to donate blood, platelets or plasma with the Red Cross Dec. 18-Jan. 4 will receive a long-sleeved Red Cross T-shirt, while supplies last.

Nearby locations of upcoming blood drives include: Hinsdale Wednesday, Dec. 30 from 8 a.m. 1 p.m., The Community House, 415 West Eighth Street

Oak Brook Wednesday, Dec. 9 from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. at JVM Realty, 903 Commerce Dr, #250 Thursday, Dec. 10 from 9 a.m.

- 2 p.m. at Oakbrook Center, 100 Oakbrook Center

Wheaton Monday, Dec. 21 from 9 a.m.

- 2 p.m. at Cantigny Park, 1s151 Winfield Rd. Monday, Dec. 21 from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. at Greenhouse Christian CoSchool, 422 North Prospect Monday, Jan. 4 from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. at Greenhouse Christian Co-School, 422 North Prospect St.

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4VP • Thursday, Dec. 10, 2020 - Rock Valley Publishing

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

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Unique home receives special honor

CHRIS FOX PHOTO Rock Valley Publishing

Villa Park resident Andy Fillipp received a special honor from the Villa Park Community Pride Commission on Friday, Dec. 4. The commission proclaimed Fillipp’s elaborately decorated home on West Madison Street as “The Official Villa Park Holiday House.” Fillipp, a Villa Park firefighter/paramedic, has lived in the home since 2011. Each year, he creates a colorful scene of lights outside of his home.

The attendees of Friday’s presentation included three members of the Villa Park Village Board. Pictured left to right are: Villa Park Trustee Robert Wagner, Villa Park Trustee David Cilella, Villa Park Trustee Nick Cuzzone, Fillipp, Villa Park Community Pride Commission Chair Leslie Allison-Seei and Tracy Gabriel, a member of the pride commission. The commission is accepting submissions for its 2020 Holiday Decorating Awards through Dec. 21. To submit a home, including your own, for consideration, visit the commission’s Facebook page at facebook.com/villaparkpride, or send an email to Pride@invillapark.com.

Administration: Chris Fox News Coordinator Debra Hamilton Advertising Director

Lawmakers seek additional hearings into LaSalle Veterans’ Home outbreak

Cullerton: ‘The most important thing is to get answers’

Pete Cruger Publisher

By Sarah Mansur

Advertising:

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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.

Reprints: Content appearing in the Villa Park Review may not be reprinted without permission of the publisher or editor.

Requests should be directed to Independent@rvpublishing.com or 630.834-8244.

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Republican lawmakers renewed calls for a House Veterans’ Affairs Committee hearing into the cause of a coronavirus outbreak at the staterun veterans home in LaSalle where about 20 percent of the residents have died of COVID-19 related illnesses.

Reps. Randy Frese, R-Paloma, David Welter, R-Morris, and Dan Swanson, R-Alpha, recently held a virtual news conference during which they demanded House members be included in a future hearing about the LaSalle Veterans’ Home outbreak.

The Illinois House Republicans’ news conference comes about a week after the state Senate Veterans Affairs Committee held a hearing into the outbreak that began on Nov. 1, and resulted in the deaths of at least 28 residents. There are 100 residents currently at the home.

Since the beginning of the outbreak, the veterans home has reported a total of 106 residents and 96 employees testing positive with COVID-19. As of Nov. 27, 38 residents and 76 staff had recovered from the virus.

Sen. Paul Schimpf, R-Waterloo, a member of the Senate Veteran Affairs Committee, and Sen. Sue Rezin, R-Morris, whose district includes the LaSalle home, also called for the next hearing into the LaSalle facility to be scheduled soon.

Last week, Schimpf and Rezin sent a letter to the committee’s chairman,

Sen. Tom Cullerton, D-Villa Park, requesting he “set the next hearing date within the next few weeks.”

In an email, Cullerton said the senators did not reach out to him directly and he was “disheartened that I had to learn about their concerns from the press.”

Cullerton said the next hearing date has not yet been set, but he is working with lawmakers on both sides of the aisle to plan the next meeting.

“The most important thing is to get answers as to why so many innocent lives have been lost and ensure no more people suffer the pain these people and their families have,” Cullerton said in the email.

Last week, Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs Director Linda Chapa LaVia announced the acting inspector general from the Illinois Department of Human Services would conduct an independent investigation into the LaSalle outbreak.

Gov. JB Pritzker said he supported the independent investigation.

“If there’s any failure of procedure or wrongdoing, then that should be brought to the forefront and people should be held accountable,” Pritzker said.

The IDVA also released two reports from two separate on-site visits at the LaSalle home—the first conducted by an official from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs on Nov. 12, and the other by an official from the Illinois Department of Public Health on Nov. 17.

The visit reports found issues that required immediate change, including replacing all non-alcohol-based hand sanitizers with alcohol-based sanitizers, performing COVID-19 tests for residents and staff twice weekly rather than once per week, and requiring staff to follow strict personal protective equipment guidelines.

The U.S. VA official’s report found specific examples of staff violating PPE protocols, such as staff wearing masks below their chins. That report also noted that staff who eventually tested positive had attended a Halloween party.

When Chapa LaVia was asked about the staff attending a Halloween party during last week’s hearing, she said that could not be substantiated and the information was based on “word of mouth.”

During a recent hearing, IDVA Chief of Staff Anthony Kolbeck revealed that five employees at LaSalle continued to work at the home after being notified they tested positive, although they worked with residents who also already had tested positive.

Members of the House Veterans Affairs Committee, including Frese and Swanson, initially requested a hearing into the COVID-19 outbreak at LaSalle on Nov. 10, through a letter sent to Rep. Stephanie Kifowit, D-Oswego, who chairs the committee.

According to Frese, members of the House Veterans Affairs Committee should have been allowed to

participate in the Senate committee’s hearing but were not invited. While the Senate has approved procedures for conducting virtual hearings, the House has not. This means any House committee meeting must take place in-person at the Capitol, which the General Assembly has avoided due to the ongoing pandemic.

Welter, whose district includes the LaSalle Veterans Home, said members of the House Veterans Affairs Committee need a hearing “to find out what protocols were missed, what were dropped, and if there was additional help that they asked from the state that may not have been received.”

• Pride

(Continued from front page)

and honking, waving, telling me how much they enjoy what we do for the community. I do it because I like it.”

The pride commission is taking submissions for its 2020 Holiday Decorating Awards through Dec. 21. This year’s awards will honor homeowners in three categories: traditional, most colorful and free-for-all/freestyle. To submit a home, including your own, for consideration, visit the commission’s Facebook page at facebook.com/ villaparkpride, or send an email to Pride@invillapark.com.

Rock Valley Publishing - Thursday, Dec. 10, 2020 • 5VP

Hey, this is Villa Park calling and I’m calling about your paper in general. I have noticed that every new photograph of people in your newspaper is now required that they must wear a mask in order to be in the picture. Is it your newspaper’s policy to only put out pictures in your attempt and the media’s attempt to visualize a new mask acceptance?

Why does every picture in your newspaper the Villa Park Review have individuals wearing masks?

How absurd is it that every picture has to have people wearing masks?

This is utterly insane.

Editors’ note: There is no policy in place at the Villa Park Review requiring individuals to wear a mask in order to be in a picture.

It is their choice whether or not to do so. *** Question for the governor of Illinois: Why are people moving out? *** There’s been a big push in recent years to reduce carbon emissions and shift to electric cars. Nothing against electric cars if the average

person could actually afford one, but here’s the irony. In order to raise additional revenue, especially during COVID, one of the first things state and municipal governments have done is raise the gasoline tax. In the last few weeks, Chicago raised their gasoline tax by 3 cents a gallon and DuPage County is raising their gas tax by 4 cents a gallon. Last year, the state increased the gas tax to 38 cents a gallon from 19 cents. Any ideas how that revenue is going to be replaced if the radical left gets their way, and either phases out gasoline powered vehicles or eliminates them altogether? *** I read a report stating that Illinois has lost more than one-third of its small businesses since the beginning of the year, according to Harvard and Brown universities and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. These certainly are not conservative organizations. I keep hearing that we’re all in this together, stay strong, blah, blah, blah, but if you’re a small business owner, I guess you’re the economic sacrifi-

cial lamb during COVID-19 while the big-box stores make money and the public sector and school districts maintain their budgets. *** Democrats used signature matches to keep the Green Party off the ballot in several states. Democrats also used signature matches to keep Kanye West off the ballot in Illinois.

Why shouldn’t the same signature standards apply to absentee ballots in this year’s election? *** Does the media ever report any details about the supposed COVID-19 death tally? Do they ever mention that more than half of the supposed COVID-19 deaths in Illinois have been in long-term care facilities?

Do they ever mention that the average age of the people who supposedly died of COVID-19 is about 80 years old? Do they ever mention that the vast majority of people who supposedly died of COVID-19 had some other serious medical condition? In other words, they died with COVID-19, not of COVID-19. On the whole, our nation’s media is an embarrassment. ***

According to the DuPage County Health Department, as of Sunday, Dec. 6, there have been 48,891 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 792 COVID-19 related deaths in the county since March.

There have been 1,478 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 11 deaths related to the coronavirus in Villa Park residents since March. Lombard has reported 2,526 cases and 34 deaths.

There are several figures and statistics related to COVID-19 on the DuPage County Health Department’s website—dupagehealth.org.

The health department’s update of Monday, Nov. 30, indicated 739 COVID-19 related deaths in DuPage County since March. The Dec. 6 update noting 792 deaths does not mean there were 53 deaths related to the coronavirus in the previous week.

Some of the recently reported deaths took place earlier in the year. The county does not report the actual date of death in its daily updates.

As of Nov. 30, there were 204 COVID-19 related deaths during April. As of Dec. 6, there were 206 deaths in April. As of Nov. 30, there were 206 deaths related to the coronavirus in May. As of Dec. 6, the number of May deaths related to COVID-19 stood at 209.

All of the county health department’s figures are provisional and subject to change.

DuPage County’s first death related to the coronavirus was reported on March 19. According to the Dec. 6 update, there were 14 deaths related to COVID-19 in March, 206 in April, 209 in May, 94 in June, 34 in July, 18 in August, 23 in September, 46 in October and 145 in November. As of the Dec. 6 update, therefore, there were 789 COVID-19 related deaths in the county through Nov. 30, and three additional deaths related to the coronavirus during December.

The county health department’s daily update of Dec. 5 states, “Since yesterday, there are 730 new cases of COVID-19 in DuPage County with seven deaths of persons with COVID-19 infection reported.”

According to the health department’s daily update of Dec. 6, “Since yesterday, there are 634 new cases of COVID-19 in DuPage County with 10 deaths of persons with COVID-19 infection reported.”

Those two updates imply that there were 17 COVID-19 related deaths in the county from Dec. 4-6.

Again, the county does not provide the actual date of death in its daily reports. As of Dec. 6, the county’s figures indicate three COVID-19

trimming a few days before the holidays because, well, it’s a few days before the holidays. Therefore, it’s a work day. They have work to do.

Now guess how much your birthday affects their schedule? Now guess who is going to be out fixing lines when a tree falls on them on Thanksgiving, Christmas, your birthday, my birthday, morning, noon or night? And, I bet you would be the first to call them. And, no, I don’t work for ComEd or any other utility. *** I get the impression that our political leaders look upon us with contempt and disdain. We are things to be manipulated, and told what to do because we are not capable. There really is a shadow government and swamp. It is so powerful that a sitting president was hounded and mercilessly pursued. We must wake up and take our nation back. *** What they’re telling you about the virus is true. I’ve had it. I beat it, but it’s still wrecking my body. Well, don’t let them con you into thinking that it isn’t true. The virus is not nice to have. Bye.

District 88 gives an update regarding COVID-19 First-semester exams have been canceled at Willowbrook and Addison Trail; winter athletics remain on hold

District 88 provided an update related to the current COVID-19 pandemic during its newsletter of Dec. 4.

“DuPage County remains in the Substantial Community Transmission level—the highest of three levels—for the seventh consecutive week,” noted the update from District 88, which includes Willowbrook High School and Addison Trail High

County health department reports nearly 49,000 COVID-19 cases, with 792 deaths, since March

STAFF REPORT

The Lombard/Villa Park Food Pantry will open again on Dec. 11.

Many thanks to all the volunteers and pray that they all are well during this temporary shutdown. They give of their time every week to help feed our neighbors. *** What happened to the riots? Did the rioters achieve what they wanted, or did they just get tired? Did they stop because the weather got colder? *** If Joe Biden won fair and square, how come Democrats don’t want anyone to match the signatures on the mail-in ballots? Wouldn’t Democrats welcome an audit, or are they afraid that an audit will show that a massive amount of mail-in ballots for Biden will have signatures that do not match? *** A doctor told me the best reason the keep wearing a mask and social distancing—sometimes called staying away from bunches of people— is that they don’t give vaccines to corpses. *** I guess ComEd schedules tree

related deaths in the county during December.

The Dec. 6 update states that 448 (about 56 percent) of the county’s 792 deaths related to COVID-19 involved residents 80 and older. Another 200 deaths involved residents between the ages of 70-79, while 91 deaths involved residents in their 60s.

One of the county’s 792 deaths related to the coronavirus involved a resident in the 20-29 age group.

None of the 792 deaths involved a resident 19 and under.

According to the county health department, 417 (about 53 percent) of the 792 COVID-19 related deaths in the county involved males, while 375 involved females.

Another figure in the county’s reports noted that, as of Dec. 1, about 5.8 percent (2,639) COVID-19 cases in the county were associated with long-term care facilities. About 68 percent of the county’s COVID-19 related deaths, however (504 of 741, as of Dec. 1), were associated with long-term care facilities.

The county health department’s statistics also note that as of Dec. 1, underlying medical conditions were reported in nearly 90 percent of the COVID-19 related deaths in DuPage County.

School. “The county is in the Substantial Community Transmission level for four of the six factors on the DuPage County COVID-19 School Metrics Guidance and is in the Moderate level for the other two categories.”

The update added that the district will continue to offer fully remote instruction.

“As a result of these numbers, District 88 will maintain remote learning and its adaptive pause. This means all in-person curricular and extracurricular activities (including athletics, clubs, learning centers and in-person instruction) are suspended until further notice. During its Nov. 16 meeting, the District 88 Board of Education approved the administration’s use of adaptive pauses in the event of significant increases in COVID-19 case counts, local outbreaks and/or staff shortages due to exposures and quarantines.”

The update stated that the district will continue to provide a robust curriculum, and is prepared to move to a hybrid/in-person learning environment when data and guidance provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Gov. JB Pritzker, the Illinois and DuPage County health departments, the Illinois State Board of Education and the DuPage Regional Office of Education support that decision.

In its Nov. 16 meeting, the District 88 Board approved several amendments to the 2020-21 school calendar. One of the amendments canceled the final exams for the first semester.

Those exams had been scheduled to take place Dec. 16-18. Those three days will now be regular school days.

As for winter athletics, the district noted that it is following the guidance and recommendations from Pritzker and various agencies.

“While we await approval from

“

This means all in-person curricular and extracurricular activities (including athletics, clubs, learning centers and in-person instruction) are suspended until further notice.”

–District 88 update

those organizations and the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) to begin the season, we are working with winter and high-contact sports [basketball, football and wrestling] to plan remote activities to keep student-athletes engaged,” stated the district. “These include virtual workouts, mentoring and skill-building/ team-building events. Our coaches and sponsors continue to look for creative ways to connect with and care for pupils.”

The district plans to run five winter sports, including boys swimming and diving, cheerleading, dance, girls bowling and girls gymnastics. The district has one co-op boys swimming and diving team, consisting of students from both Willowbrook and Addison Trail. Each school has its own teams in the other four sports.

“At this time, we haven’t received approval to allow boys and girls basketball to take place during the winter season,” noted the district’s Dec. 4 statement. “We will continue to monitor this sport and will share any provided updates.”

In October, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) elevated basketball from a medium-risk sport to a high-risk sport.

6 • Thursday, Dec. 10, 2020 - Rock Valley Publishing

Police Reports Area police departments 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.

block of N. Winthrop at around 11:27 suspect entered upon a residential p.m. property without permission, damaged property within the residence, Nov. 29 and aggressively came at the victim Andrew M. Guca, 47, of Addison, with a drinking glass in an attempt to was charged with violation of an or- strike the victim with the glass. der of protection in the 500 block of W. Mills at around 7:49 p.m. Police Nov. 27 said Guca violated an active order Courtney D. Celestino, 33, of of protection by remaining on the Chicago, was charged with DUI, property of a protected person. driving while license suspended, imWilmer A. Lopez-Pu, 23, of proper parking on a roadway and no Addison, was charged with DUI, insurance near Swift and Collins at speeding, improper lane usage, around 2:38 a.m. Police said officers

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Addison Dec. 2 Davita R. Young, 37, of Addison, disobeying a traffic control signal, was charged with disorderly con- illegal use of an electronic comduct-filing a false police report in munication device while operating 116 S. at Main Lombard, IL 60148 a vehicle and no insurance subsethe 600 block of Meadows around St. quent to a traffic stop near 3:13 a.m.

627-7010 Fax: 627-7027Lake

from the

responded to a call of a person sleep- block of N. Bierman at around 10:30 ing behind the wheel of a vehicle, p.m. Police said an unknown suspect and Celestino was found to be DUI. used counterfeit money to purchase laptops off a private seller.

Nov. 25 A 28-year-old Roselle man was Nov. 23 Criminal damage to a vehicle charged with domestic battery and DUI in the 1300 block of W. Lake at was reported near Route 83 and around 1 p.m. Police said the suspect Riverside at around 2 p.m. Police said an unknown suspect threw pushed the victim. objects from a moving vehicle, striking another moving vehicle, Villa Park causing several dents along the Nov. 28 Theft was reported in the 600 passenger side.

LOMBARDIAN/VILLA PARK REVIEW

Dec. 1 Juan G. Olivares, 35, of Glendale Heights, was charged with DUI, failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident, driving the wrong way and driving on a sidewalk in the 700

and Kennedy at around 2:35 a.m.

A 39-year-old Glendale Heights woman was charged with domestic battery, criminal damage to property and criminal trespass to property in the 900 block of N. Rohlwing at around 8:59 p.m. Police said the

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Animal Services. That’s when staff found the microchip and were able to determine Mejeur was the owner.

“I just lost it,” Debra Mejeur said about the phone call from Animal Services. “I started crying.”

Animal Services Committee Chairman Brian Krajewski said this story underscores the importance of microchipping pets.

“It’s extremely important to microchip your animal,” Krajewski said. “If someone comes across a stray and brings them to us, we can scan them and reunite them with the family. If you don’t microchip, it’s a lot more difficult.”

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When Debra Mejeur lost her dog Lola in October 2017, she never thought she would see her furry friend again. But thanks to a microchip, DuPage County Animal Services reunited Debra and her husband Steven Mejeur with Lola on Saturday, Dec. 5.

A black Labrador mix, Lola wandered away from a home in Elk Grove Village where her owners were visiting friends in 2017. Mejeur, a resident of Kalamazoo, Mich., searched the area for a month before giving up hope of finding the dog again.

Earlier this week, a Glendale Heights resident found the dog and was able to bring her in to DuPage

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AD TO RUN 7.3.13 Testing positive for SARS-CoV-2, The following symptoms are associatthe virus that causes COVID-19, is a ed with COVID-19: SIZE potentially life-changing moment. So 2• Fever x 4 or chills many factors — age, underlying health • Cough APPROVED BY conditions, access to medical care — • Shortness of breath and difficulty determine how the illness will affect breathing you. PeopleDATE who test positive likely • Fatigue have a lot of questions, like, “What • Muscle or body aches should I do now?”

• Headache • New loss of taste or smell I tested positive for COVID-19.

• Sore throat What should I do next?

• Congestion or runny nose • Stay home. If symptoms are mild • Nausea or vomiting and non-life threatening, the best thing • Diarrhea to do is stay home and care for yourself as if you had the flu. Avoid going into How can I protect the people I public places, including public trans- live with from getting sick? portation. Only leave home for mediCOVID-19 is most commonly cal care. spread from an infected person to oth• Isolate from anyone else in the ers through: home to avoid infecting them.

Wearad a with Your • Respiratory droplets promask in common areas. duced by coughing, sneezing and us brings • Tell close contacts that you test- talking results! ed positive and they may have been • Close personal contact exposed to the virus. The Centers for (within about 6 feet) Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) COVID-19 is sometimes spread reports an infected person can spread from an infected person to others COVID-19 starting 48 hours before through: the person has any symptoms or tests • Airborne droplets that can positive. linger in the air for minutes to hours • Monitor your symptoms. If you (even if further than 6 feet away from have trouble breathing, persistent chest an infected person or after an infected pain or pressure, new confusion, if person has left the space) someone is unable to wake you or you The best thing to do at home is find can’t stay awake, or you have bluish a room to isolate from others. If poslips or face, go to an emergency room sible, avoid sharing anything with the or call 911. rest of the household, including a bed, bedding, bathroom, towels, dishes and What symptoms could I have? cups, silverware or food. Avoid hugs COVID-19 symptoms can range and other close contact until you are from mild to severe and may appear not contagious. If someone needs to 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. go in a common area, wear a mask and

maintain physical distance from others.

Wash hands often and cover coughs and sneezes.

How long will it take to get better?

It typically takes about two weeks to recover from a mild case of COVID-19. Severe cases could take up to six weeks. But reports indicate SARS-CoV-2 tends to linger, as some people continue to have symptoms, such as a cough, loss of taste or smell, and fatigue, up to four months after their diagnosis.

What treatments might I receive for COVID-19?

Doctors have learned a great deal about how to better treat patients with coronavirus. There are also investigational drugs for COVID-19 being studied in clinical trials across the globe.

The current methodology to treat COVID-19 involves using antiviral medications, anti-inflammatory medications and immune system modulators.

Mild to moderate COVID-19 symptoms may be treated with supportive care such as hydration (IV fluids), pain and fever control, and breathing treatments.

If you have more severe symptoms, you may be admitted to the hospital and treated with various medications to slow the progression of the disease and relieve symptoms. Some patients need supplementary oxygen and mechanical ventilatory support.

See COVID-19, Page 10

Rock Valley Publishing - Thursday, Dec. 10, 2020 • 7

A festive scene at the Rugaard Gazebo

CHRIS FOX PHOTOS Rock Valley Publishing

The Villa Park Chamber of Commerce wasn’t able to hold its usual Joyful Traditions event this year because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The event’s organizers have organized an alternative that’s been designed to bring joy to the community for nearly three weeks. The village’s Joyful Traditions celebration usually takes place on a Saturday in early December along the Illinois Prairie Path, near the Rugaard Gazebo. The free event, which includes a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus, isn’t feasible in 2020. This year, the chamber of commerce, which co-sponsors Joyful Traditions with the Village of Villa Park, arranged a colorful holiday display in and around the gazebo. The display opened on Saturday, Dec. 5, and will be up through Christmas Day, Dec. 25. Instead of holding one event with a large crowd, this year’s arrangement will allow for people to come and go as they please. Residents can enter the gazebo to take a selfie with full-size Santa. They can also take a “Selfie with an Elfie.” Additionally, residents can drop a letter in the “Santa Mailbox” to tell Santa what they love about the holidays. Include your name, age, address, phone number and email address in your letter. The mailbox is located just south of the gazebo. If you submit a letter, you will have a chance to win a 6-foot or 8-foot toy-filled stocking. Santa will personally deliver the stockings on Dec. 20.

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8 • Thursday, Dec. 10, 2020 - Rock Valley Publishing

All Brick McDougall Ranch

All Brick McDougall Ranch

This 3 bed/2 bath home sits on a 60 x 168 lot across the street from Visitation Grade School. Hardwood floors throughout the entire first floor, new kitchen floor tiling, Stainless Steel Appliances, Newer Countertops, Breakfast nook picnic table,

This 3 bed/2 bath home sits on a 60 x 168 lot across the street from Visitation Grade School. Hardwood floors throughout the entire first floor, new kitchen floor tiling, Stainless Steel Appliances, Newer Countertops, Breakfast nook picnic table, well kept Living Room Fireplace perfect for the Winter months, Finished basement with an additional 4th Bedroom w/ large walk in closet, All Brick 2.5 Car Garage, large spacious deck for Summer months and deep back yard. Low taxes! Close to Oak Brook Mall, Expressways, and More! $410,000

$410,000 FIRST OFFERING!

What a View!

What a View!

Open and airy 2 bed / 2 bath Condo featuring 11 foot floor to ceiling windows. Beautiful and spacious kitchen with granite tops, stainless appliances and backsplash & ample storage.

Master bedroom with large walk-in-closet, en-suite with double $419,000 NEW PRICE!

Best Value in Town!

Best Value in Town!

This Charming 5 bedroom, 3.5 bathroom Home has plenty of room to grow, 2,466 sf with an additional 1,502 sf of finished living space in the basement, including a wet bar. Beautiful hardwood floors throughout the 1st floor. The 2 bedrooms on $600,000 NEW PRICE!

This Charming 5 bedroom, 3.5 bathroom Home has plenty of room to grow, 2,466 sf with an additional 1,502 sf of finished living space in the basement, including a wet bar.

Beautiful hardwood floors throughout the 1st floor. The 2 bedrooms on the main level offer flexibility for a home office, art studio, or an in-law arrangement. The 2nd floor addition features large master bedroom with en suite. Highly efficient dual zoned heating and air conditioning. The oversized lot (63 x 221) has plenty of privacy, yardspace, and a patio space for entertaining. Large 2.5 car garage with walk-up loft. $600,000

Rarest of Opportunities

Rarest of Opportunities

Rare 1st floor master suite on a 3,500sf main level footprint.

Set on a 75x190 meticulously landscaped lot on one of the center of town’s quietest and best streets. Lots of prep for the market - tear off roof (2020), new carpet, fresh paint, $1,299,900 Center of Town with 1st Floor Master

Perfect Family Home

Perfect Family Home

This MacDougall Split Level has 4 finished levels with nearly 3,600sf of finished living space. Well-cared by this 2nd owner, this home is a great family home with 4-5 bedrooms, oversized rooms, an eat-in kitchen, master suite with master

This MacDougall Split Level has 4 finished levels with nearly 3,600sf of finished living space. Wellcared by this 2nd owner, this home is a great family home with 4-5 bedrooms, oversized rooms, an eat-in kitchen, master suite with master bath, family room with stone fireplace, home office, a finished basement with tons of storage, attached 2.5 car garage, large laundry room, back deck and huge backyard. Walkable to Jefferson school with bus service to Bryan JRHS and York HS. Also, 3 blocks from the IL Prairie Path. Updates include AC, Hot Water Heater, Furnace, and Tear off Roof. $535,000

$535,000

Walk to Town/Train Location! This solid home has gorgeous HWD flrs a showstopper kitchen w/ open concept floorplan. 3 Bedroom 1 Level Living with over 2,200 sqft of finished living space. All the heavy lifting is done, you can move right in &

Don’t Miss This One!

Attention Builders or Rehabbers. Great potential for building your Dream House located in awesome neighborhood. The home is situated on a 50 x 167. 3 bedrooms, 1.5 baths, stainless steel appliances, full unfinished basement. Tiny Tot

Attention Builders or Rehabbers. Great potential for building your Dream House located in awesome neighborhood. The home is situated on a 50 x 167. 3 bedrooms, 1.5 baths, stainless steel appliances, full unfinished basement.

Tiny Tot Park located just 3 homes away. Close to downtown Elmhurst amenities, great expressway access.

Home needs TLC or build new! $329,900

$329,900

Center of Town

Center of Town

This new Center of Town luxury home’s location puts you within walking distance to everything! Over 4,800 sf with its finished basement - exercise room, rec room, custom bar and wine room! Gracious 10 ft first floor ceilings welcome you to

Attention Savvy Investors!

Well-maintained 3 bed / 2.1 bath townhome in sought after Lancaster Square. Open floor plan w/ hardwood floors & spacious living area. Large eat-in kitchen w/ island, stainless appliances & great storage leads to balcony space. On the

386200

Walk to Town/Train Location! This solid home has gorgeous HWD flrs a showstopper kitchen w/ open concept floorplan. 3 Bedroom 1 Level Living with over 2,200 sqft of finished living space. All the heavy lifting is done, you can move right in & enjoy! The 167 foot lot offers loads of greenspace, mature, private landscaping! Lovely easily accessible patio area for dining al fresco & 1 car attached garage. HUGE Basement w/ Rec Rm/office space/ TV/Lounge Area for R&R. Potential 4th bedroom & SO MUCH STORAGE! Walk to Hawthorne GSl, Wilder Park/Court Plus/ Whole Foods, the WHOLE Package for the Affordable Price! $369,900

This new Center of Town luxury home’s location puts you within walking distance to everything!

Over 4,800 sf with its finished basement exercise room, rec room, custom bar and wine room! Gracious 10 ft first floor ceilings welcome you to this impressive home with HWF’s & extensive trim & ceiling detail throughout, 5 beds, 4.5 baths, 2.5 car garage, custom kitchen w/ highend SS appliances open to family rm, master suite w/ spa bath, designer plumbing/lighting fixtures, surround sound + more! Equipped with all the bells and whistles - backup generator, central vac, security system, & irrigation system.

1,295,000

1,295,000

Attention Savvy Investors!

$269,900

Rare 1st floor master suite on a 3,500sf main level footprint. Set on a 75x190 meticulously landscaped lot on one of the center of town’s quietest and best streets. Lots of prep for the market tear off roof (2020), new carpet, fresh paint, refinished hardwood floors, and new windows. 4 beds, 4 baths, & heated 3 car garage w/ internal staircase to the basement. Chef’s kitchen w/ large prep/entertaining island, large separate eating area, high end SS appliances, w/ vaulted ceilings. And MUCH MORE! $1,299,900

Sharp Brick Ranch

Sharp Brick Ranch

$369,900

Don’t Miss This One!

Open and airy 2 bed / 2 bath Condo featuring 11 foot floor to ceiling windows. Beautiful and spacious kitchen with granite tops, stainless appliances and backsplash & ample storage.

Master bedroom with large walk-in-closet, ensuite with double vanity sink and large soaking tub. In-unit laundry. Steps to everything in this vibrant Fulton Market / West Loop localeRestaurants, Bars, Mariano’s, Whole Foods, Jewel, CTA, Metra, easy highway access & much more. Well-managed building with Doorman, Fitness Center, Dog Run & Bike Storage. Indoor heated garage is included. Unwind on your private balcony with picturesque Skyline views. $419,000

Well-maintained 3 bed / 2.1 bath townhome in sought after Lancaster Square. Open floor plan w/ hardwood floors & spacious living area. Large eat-in kitchen w/ island, stainless appliances & great storage leads to balcony space. On the 2nd level you will find the primary bedroom en-suite w/ walk-in-closet, two additional bedrooms / home office, full bathroom & conveniently located laundry. Cozy lower level family room w/ gas fireplace & attached 2 car garage. Ideal location is easily accessible to downtown Lombard, Yorktown & Oak Brook malls, shopping, restaurants, schools, IL Prairie Path, train & major transportation routes. $269,900

Gold Coast of VP

Gold Coast of VP

Right when you walk in the door the cathedral ceiling floor to ceiling fireplace will take your breath away! Gorgeous HWD Flrs throughout, Arched Doorways & the Charm/Character w/ the Open Concept/Updates to Envy! Updated Kitchen with $399,900

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Right when you walk in the door the cathedral ceiling floor to ceiling fireplace will take your breath away! Gorgeous HWD Flrs throughout, Arched Doorways & the Charm/Character w/ the Open Concept/Updates to Envy! Updated Kitchen with Bonus 1st Floor Family beats anything on the market! Valuable Features include: New Windows, Roof, deferred maintenance items checked off the list! 3 HUGE BRs, 2 BAs this Home has over 3200 sqft of finished space, plus TONS of great storage space and a HUGE yard with a Trex Deck and Pool AND additional greenspace all within a 5 minute walk to the BEST of Villa Park & Prairie Path! $399,900

Rock Valley Publishing - Thursday, Dec. 10, 2020 • 9

Interest rates under 3% and low inventory levels make this a perfect time to sell your home! Call 630-279-9500 for a FREE MARKET ANALYSIS on your home.

Premier Location!

Premier Location!

Rare opportunity to own this updated & expanded brick Georgian that has been lovingly looked after for over 45 years.

Enjoy the quiet single tree-lined block of S Lawndale from your front porch, yet close to all Elmhurst has to offer in this $559,000 NEW PRICE!

Rare opportunity to own this updated & expanded brick Georgian that has been lovingly looked after for over 45 years. Enjoy the quiet single tree-lined block of S Lawndale from your front porch, yet close to all Elmhurst has to offer in this center of town location - shops, restaurants, train. This 3 bed / 2.1 bath home boasts flexible living & entertainment options w/ a great floor plan perfect for today’s owner- Living room w/ gas fireplace, separate dining room, large Great room w/ expanded ceilings & exposed brick accent wall, family room/office w/ walls of windows. Large eatin kitchen w/ solid wood cabinets, SS appliances, backsplash & granite tops, wine fridge & wet bar. $559,000

Double Wide Lot For Sale

Double Wide Lot For Sale

Endless possibilities and potential to build your dream home on this oversized 100x125 lot close to City Centre, restaurants and Metra. Convenient access to all major transportation routes. Top-rated Field Elementary school. Well built 2 bed / 2

Endless possibilities and potential to build your dream home on this oversized 100x125 lot close to City Centre, restaurants and Metra.

Convenient access to all major transportation routes. Top-rated Field Elementary school. Well built 2 bed / 2 bath / 1765 sq ft brick and stone Ranch home is currently on property. Flexicore basement ceiling. Rehab, add on, or build new. As-Is Sale. Value in the land. $279,000

$279,000

Rarest of Opportunities

Built for the long-haul inside and out! Rare, 1st floor master suite on a 3,500sf main level footprint - enjoy all the convenience of single level living while still having a 2-story home with an entertainer’s dream basement offering another $1,299,900

Center of Town with 1st Floor Master Rarest of Opportunities Built for the long-haul inside and out! Rare, 1st floor master suite on a 3,500sf main level footprint - enjoy all the convenience of single level living while still having a 2-story home with an entertainer’s dream basement offering another 3,500sf. 75x190 meticulously landscaped lot on one of the center of town’s quietest streets. Updates: tear off roof (2020), new carpet, fresh paint, refinished hardwood floors, and new windows. 4 beds, 4 baths, and heated 3 car garage with internal staircase to the basement. Chef’s kitchen with vaulted ceiling, large prep/entertaining island, separate eating area, & high end stainless steel appliances. 2 story great room will blow you away with access to the back paver patio and yard from all sides. The basement is great for all ages - shuffle board court, vintage London pub, see-through fireplace, media room, gaming area with huge lightwell, tons of storage and steam shower. Zoned HVAC with radiant heat for the garage and basement. Within a short walk to downtown Elmhurst & schools. $1,299,900

Chic, Modern Farmhouse

2016 built modern farmhouse in sought after Jefferson school district. Covered, bluestone front porch welcomes you to 4 impressive levels of finished living space. Open 1st floor with white custom kitchen with large island, large family room with 1,125,000

386201

Chic, Modern Farmhouse 2016 built modern farmhouse in sought after Jefferson school district. Covered, bluestone front porch welcomes you to 4 impressive levels of finished living space. Open 1st floor with white custom kitchen with large island, large family room with gas fireplace flanked by built-ins, 1st floor office/e-learning, mudroom with built-in, powder room, formal dining room, and parlor room. The 2nd level offers 4 beds & 3 full baths, with impressive primary suite with walk-in closets and gorgeous bathroom. All bedrooms have bathroom access and large walk-in closets. The 3rd level is a finished yoga/zen/workout space with full bathroom.

Fully finished basement with full bath, bedroom, play area, and rec room with fireplace. Fenced yard with large playset and dog run on side yard. Freshly painted interior, custom window treatments and backup generator. Walk to Butterfield Park, Jefferson/Visitation schools, the Prairie Path, and great highway access. Nothing to do but unpack! 1,125,000

10 • Thursday, Dec. 10, 2020 - Rock Valley Publishing

Illinois Republican Party chairman resigns Tim Schneider steps down after more than six years

By Dee Longfellow

FOR THE ELMHURST INDEPENDENT

During an online meeting held Saturday, Dec. 6, Tim Schneider informed members of the Republican State Central Committee, that he would be resigning his position as Chairman.

“During my tenure, the Illinois-GOP has stood for reform - term limits, fair maps, and the end to the rampant corruption plaguing our state,” Schneider said in a written statement. “And we were united around our conservative values of smaller government, lower taxes and personal responsibility.”

A former Cook County commissioner, Schneider became Illinois Republican chairman in 2014 when Republican Bruce Rauner was serving as governor. Schneider’s term was supposed to run through May 2022.

While Democrats control state government, in the recent election Republicans helped defeat Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s plan to overhaul Illinois tax rates.

Lake County GOP chairman Mark Shaw tried to challenge Schneider for the party’s chairmanship two years ago but accepted the title of party co-chairman for conservative and grassroots outreach, according to the

Chicago Tribune.

Unanimously elected to the post in May of 2014, Schneider’s top priority as Chair has been to unite and grow the Illinois Republican Party by advancing a message of “good government” – value for tax dollars, a quality education for our kids, term limits on career politicians, and a booming economy with more jobs and higher pay.

As a small business owner and entrepreneur, Schneider has dedicated his life in public service to promoting fiscally conservative values of smaller government, lower taxes, less spending and fighting corruption. At

the township, county and statewide levels, Schneider has endeavored to be a steadfast voice for reform and accountability.

Serving three terms as a Cook County Board Commissioner, Schneider led the fight against increased taxes and spending – advocating fiscal responsibility and transparency in government.

He spearheaded the effort to repeal Todd Stroger’s sales tax increase, sponsored legislation to combat “pay-to-play” and workers compensation, and worked to cut millions in wasteful taxpayer spending, the Tribune reported.

Learn your HIV status: World AIDS Day held Dec. 1 The only way to know for sure whether you have HIV is to get tested. Knowing your status is important because it helps you make healthy decisions to prevent getting or transmitting HIV. Testing is still important and available during the pandemic.

World AIDS Day, which has been observed since 1988, is important because it reminds the public, healthcare providers, and the government that HIV has not gone away—there is still a vital need to raise money, increase awareness, fight prejudice and stigma, and improve education.

The theme for World AIDS Day 2020 is “Ending the HIV/AIDS Epidemic: Resilience and Impact.” The 2020 theme focuses on the impact of the global commitment to deliver quality, people-centered HIV prevention, and treatment services. Also, the focus is on strengthening the capacity and resilience of

communities and health systems to address HIV services amid a global pandemic. Learn what you can do to promote HIV prevention, treatment, care, and research by visiting HIV. gov and CDC.gov/hiv.

More tools than ever are now available to prevent HIV. If you have HIV or are at risk, it’s important to make choices that keep you healthy and protect others. You can use strategies such as abstinence (not having sex), limiting your number of sexual partners, never sharing needles, and using condoms the right way every time you have sex. You may also be able to take advantage of HIV prevention medicines such as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP).

Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is a once-daily pill that, when taken as prescribed, can protect HIV-negative people at high risk for infection. PrEP is up to 99 percent effective

We are now taking reservations

at preventing the sexual transmission of HIV and at least 74 percent effective for people who inject drugs. The DuPage County Health Department offers PrEP as part of its Sexually Transmitted Disease Clinic services and also provides PrEP trainings to healthcare providers.

DuPage County residents may be tested for HIV through several options including doc-

tors’ offices, home-test kits, and at the Health Department’s Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) Clinic, which provides screening, counseling, and referrals. HIV testing is provided at no cost.

For information about HIV testing, PrEP, and treatment options in DuPage County, contact the Health Department at (630) 6827400.

• COVID-19

(Continued from page 6) How long after I tested Am I immune to COVID-19 positive will I be contagious? once I’ve had it?

At this time, experts do not know how long The CDC recommends people wait until 10 days since symptoms first appeared AND they someone is protected from getting sick again afhave gone 24 hours with no fever without the use ter recovering from COVID-19.

For more information, of fever-reducing medications AND their other visit www.eehealth.org/coronavirus. symptoms of COVID-19 are improving before they spend time around other people again.

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Rock Valley Publishing - Thursday, Dec. 10, 2020 • 11

Congressman Raja offers update on pandemic, building bipartisanship

My office and I are here to help I want to thank you for continuing to stay vigilant and engaged during these difficult times and remind you to please contact my office if you have any questions or concerns by calling (847) 413-1959, emailing me at IL08.helpline@mail.house.gov, or sending a message through my website https://krishnamoorthi.house. gov/contact/email.

Raja Krishnamoorthi Representing the 8th District of Illinois U.S. House of Representatives

Slices of life

True love – part 2 “Do not be dismayed at goodbyes.

A goodbye must happen before you can meet again. And meeting again, whether it’s after days or lifetimes is certain for those who are friends.”

Richard Bach My husband and I were one of “those” couples. We were joined at the hip and preferred to do most things together. I knew what he was thinking and vice versa. We went to bed together at night and made the bed together each morning. Growing together over the years with a person like that is nothing short of a miracle. It’s a gift.

He was a gift.

I said a sorrowful goodbye to him recently, but I prefer to think of it as an, “Until I see you again.” We even expressed this sentiment in our wedding vows. Instead of the traditional, “Until death do us part,” we opted for the phrase, “All the days of our lives.”

Even back then, I didn’t believe death on earth would separate us.

We would live on, and eventually live on together. He is still with me now. I don’t feel his presence (yet), but he is here. He lives on in my heart. He always will. I am so thankful for the bond that we had and that we have still.

If I had to describe him in three words they would include: kind, loyal and loving. He was the smartest person I knew, but that that trait couldn’t compare to the three I just listed. I know if it were up to him he’d pick kind over smarts, and loyalty over power any day. He was a good man.

We raised a family of one daughter and three boys. We were busy, but it was a good busy. The best of busy.

He and our boys were football fans and they tuned in during the NFL season on Monday nights.

By

JILL PERTLER Contributor

During the game, I typically spent some alone time upstairs with some other show. As an introvert, this was just fine with me.

Often, when it wasn’t an exciting football game he’d come up at halftime and want to watch with me. I sometimes saw this as an interruption to my alone time and I’d be a little bit (silently) annoyed.

I’d give anything to have him annoy me like that again.

While dating and over the course of our years together, we wrote each other love notes. Corny, I know.

Today (most randomly) I stumbled across a book I made for him shortly before we were married.

I’d forgotten about it, but there it was 30-plus years later, not a week after he passed away. There are no mistakes in the cosmos.

I read the pages, reverently, remembering. The words and ideas and love were young, philosophic and precious.

Some of his thoughts were so very tender and eloquent. At one point he contemplated love. He wrote: “About love. Love is one of the only things in this world that isn’t relative. Everything else I can think of is always relative when compared to circumstances. But not love. Love is joyous. Love is kind. And love is always constant in my eyes. Love is uncompromising and everlasting when it’s right. Love is not relative to me. It is beautiful and enduring.

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I would like to take this opportunity to provide a brief update on the current status of the Coronavirus pandemic in our state. Illinois has had 738,846 cases of COVID-19 and 12,403 fatalities from COVID-19 in total. Our state virus positivity rate is 10.4 percent with an average of over 7,000 new cases per day. Across the country, 20 percent of all hospitalized individuals have COVID-19. Unfortunately, many experts have warned of an upcoming surge in cases due to holiday travel and gatherings. Given this situation, please continue to follow public health guidelines, and if you need to be tested for COVID-19, Cook County and DuPage County list testing locations on their websites.

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12VP • Thursday, Dec. 10, 2020 - Rock Valley Publishing

Former Broncos are hoping to get a shot with the Warriors

Thornton and Sullivan helped Montini to a third-place trophy last season; Now at Willowbrook, they are waiting to take the court

STAFF REPORT

The 2020-21 Willowbrook girls basketball team should have played several games by now. Of course, this hasn’t been a typical year. The Warriors, along with every other high school girls and boys basketball team in Illinois, have been sidelined by the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s uncertain if there will be any basketball played during the 2020-21 school year.

If the Warriors do take the court this season, they are going to be very strong. Senior Stephanie Dasbach—Willowbrook’s leading scorer and rebounder from last season—is one of the team’s standout returning players. Dasbach recently signed a letter of intent to continue her academic and basketball careers at Winona State University.

This season’s other key players include senior Annemarie Knudtson, who made four 3-point shots and scored a team-leading 18 points in the Warriors’ season-ending game—an overtime loss to Batavia in an IHSA Class 4A regional semifinal on Feb. 18. Senior Grace Tumilty, who missed her entire junior season due to a knee injury, is ready to play this year. This season’s team also includes some highly regarded underclass players.

The Warriors’ most intriguing addition this season is a duo of elite players who have transferred from Montini Catholic High School. The two former Broncos who are now at Willowbrook are senior Taris Thornton and junior Sophie Sullivan. Last month, Thornton signed a letter of intent to attend Eastern Illinois University, where she will play for the Panthers’ women’s basketball team.

Thornton and Sullivan helped guide the 2019-20 Montini team to a 33-5 record. The Broncos earned a trip downstate to the IHSA Class 3A state semifinals at Redbird Arena in Normal. Montini claimed the third-place trophy at the state tournament. One day after losing to Simeon—the eventual Class 3A state champion—Montini finished its season with a victory over Springfield’s Lanphier High School in the third-place contest, which took place on March 7.

Less than one week after that game, the pandemic dominated the nation’s headlines. At the end of classes on March 13, all K-12 schools in Illinois closed to in-person instruction. The state’s school buildings remained closed for the rest of the 2019-20 school year.

In May, Jason Nichols stepped down as Montini’s girls basketball coach. Nichols guided the Broncos to four state championships in his 17 seasons as the program’s head coach. Nichols left Montini to become the head coach of the women’s basketball team at Morton College in Cicero.

Nichols’s exit from Montini triggered an exodus of the program’s top players. While Sullivan and Thornton transferred to Willowbrook, junior Tatiana Thomas moved on to Bolingbrook High

School. Taylor Charles, another current junior who was a key contributor to the 2019-20 Broncos, is now at Burlington Central High School.

Sullivan and Thornton are both familiar with Willowbrook head coach Terry Harrell. As grade-schoolers, the two new Warriors played for Harrell in the West Suburban Sharks Basketball Club.

In addition to playing together at Montini, Sullivan and Thornton have been teammates in the Illinois Lady Lightning—a girls basketball program that competes in various leagues and summer Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) contests.

All of the pieces are in place for a successful Willowbrook girls basketball season. Unfortunately, the pandemic has brought so much, including high school athletics, to a halt.

“It’s so frustrating,” said Thornton of the COVID-19 shutdown that’s prevented the start of the 2020-21 season, which should have begun in mid-November. “I hate it; it’s horrible. It’s definitely way better to be out there playing games.

I’m just trying to work on training and getting stronger. That’s all I can really do.”

While the shutdown has been especially tough on seniors, it’s also been costly to elite junior players, who should have been able to showcase their talents to collegiate coaches at club events during the summer of 2020. Those coaches of college programs would also be tracking juniors during what should be the current high school season.

“The most important time for recruiting is your junior year,” said Sullivan, who noted that she has had some contact with colleges, but won’t be making a commitment anytime soon. “There wasn’t much exposure this summer. There were some AAU games in July, but college coaches weren’t allowed.”

Like Thornton, Sullivan is upset that the pandemic has so far prevented the Warriors from an exciting season.

“It’s really frustrating,” said Sullivan. “We all would work really well together. “We haven’t had any contact days. I haven’t met the team in person. We’ve just done some Zoom calls. I haven’t even been in the school [Willowbrook] since I’ve transferred. It’s not looking good at the moment, but there’s not much we can do about it. We’ll just keep working out on our own.”

Thornton and Sullivan both noted how they are looking forward to bringing the intensity of Nichols’s Montini program to Willowbrook.

As Broncos, Thornton and Sullivan played a brutally tough schedule that included intense post-season competition. In addition to playing in hard-fought games, they battled in energized practices for a coach who demanded excellence.

“They’ve been playing with each other,” said Thornton of her new teammates at Willowbrook.

“They would have to get used to how tough we played [at Montini].”

CHRIS FOX FILE PHOTOS Rock Valley Publishing

Senior Taris Thornton (No. 25 - above) and junior Sophie Sullivan (No. 1 - right) transferred from Montini Catholic High School to Willowbrook High School following the end of the 2019-20 school year. The duo helped Montini’s girls basketball team claim the third-place trophy at the IHSA Class 3A state tournament last season. Thornton, a Lombard resident, and Sullivan, who lives in Villa Park, both transferred from Montini to Willowbrook after Jason Nichols resigned as the Broncos’ head coach in May. Nichols spent 17 seasons at Montini, guiding the program to four state championships. The two former Broncos are eager to take the court with their new Willowbrook teammates, but high school girls and boys basketball, along with all other IHSA winter sports, have been on hold because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Warriors’ girls basketball program’s season was supposed to begin in mid-November. The team hasn’t even held a practice yet, and it isn’t clear if there will be any high school basketball during the current 2020-21 school year. In October, the Illinois Department of Public Health elevated basketball from a medium-risk sport to a high-risk sport.

Sullivan, who played for Nichols for two seasons, agreed with Thornton’s assessment.

“I totally get what she’s saying,” said Sullivan in discussing the influence of Nichols and the Montini program.

“There was intensity at every practice. It was a different schedule and a different style of play. It was just nice to get coached by him [Nichols] for two years.”

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!

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14 • Thursday, Dec. 10, 2020 - Rock Valley Publishing

Rock Valley Publishing

Sports

Dec. 10, 2020• 14

IHSA says no winter sports until first of year at the earliest Girls badminton looking at possible winter season move

By Mike Miazga CORRESPONDENT

During a recent Illinois High School Association Board of Directors virtual update session, the board explained it has not expectation to begin any winter sport seasons until 2021, but will remain agile in its preparation and willingness to adapt should a window present itself sooner.

IHSA Executive Director Craig Anderson noted that given Governor Pritzker’s current COVID-19-related mitigations, the board has no expectation of starting the IHSA low-risk winter sports prior to January. Boys and girls bowling, boys swimming, girls gymnastics and competitive cheerleading and dance are considered current low-risk sports, as outlined by the Illinois Department of Health. Boys and girls basketball was bumped to a high-risk sport by IDPH and remains in flux as to its start, while wrestling, long ago deemed a high-risk sport by IDPH during the pandemic, already was axed and moved to a special summer season.

Anderson said the board and IHSA staff will continue to monitor the Tier 3 resurgence mitigations currently in effect. The IHSA added that when there is a timeline for the state to emerge from the current restriction, the board is prepared to restart lower-risk winter sports quickly.

Additionally, the IHSA board hopes to reestablish contact days in January for any winter sports that cannot begin, as well as spring and summer sports. The introduction of the contact days, the IHSA explained, will be based on mitigations from the governor and IDPH at that time. Further guidance on contact-day limits, the IHSA added, will be established at a future board meeting.

Another key development out of the board update deals with girls badminton. The IHSA said given badminton’s status as a low-risk sport, the board also discussed the possibility of moving girls badminton from the spring season to the winter. Schools, the IHSA said, should begin preparing for this possibility, as action on this could be decided at the Dec. 14 IHSA board meeting.

“The board reiterated they remain committed to creating as much opportunity as possible for all sports that remain to be played this school year,” Anderson said in his statement.

“They intend to evaluate the equity of each season as a potential resumption date in January begins to materialize.

The board appreciates the flexibility displayed by our schools throughout the pandemic, and although they recognize the challenges each modifica-

tion creates, they continue to ask that schools be adaptable in the new year.

The board continues to evaluate season start and ending dates, depending on when the winter season resumes.”

Anderson added the board and

IHSA staff have received questions from schools regarding the interpretation of the Tier 3 resurgence mitigations and the application in use of the weight room and open gyms before and after school. The IHSA board

said it believes that only local schools and districts whose facilities serve as a shared space for community members may interpret whether or not their facilities are made available as public health and fitness centers.

Before- and after-school weightlifting and open-gym activities at school facilities that are not open to the community would remain prohibited outside of usage in the school-day educational setting.

CLUES ACROSS 1. Partner to “oohed” 6. Relaxing places 10. Humorous monologue 14. Simple elegance 15. Bearable 17. Disobedience 19. Express delight 20. Gov’t attorneys 21. Wake up 22. A type of band 23. Remain as is 24. Turfs 26. Battle-ax 29. Volcanic crater 31. The mother of Jesus 32. One’s life history 34. “Rule, Britannia” composer 35. Doubles 37. Jacob __, American journalist 38. House pet 39. S. African river 40. Broad sashes 41. Establish as a foundation 43. KGB double agent Aldrich __ 45. Part of a book 46. Taxi 47. Pancakes made from buckwheat flour 49. Train group (abbr.)

50. Frames per second 53. Have surgery 57. Formal withdrawal from a federation 58. Guitarist sounds 59. Greek war god 60. 2,000 lbs.

61. Helps escape

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8. Boxing’s GOAT 9. Legislators 10. Flightless birds 11. U. of Miami’s mascot is one 12. Floating ice 13. Low, marshy land 16. Seldom 18. Lyric poems 22. Law enforcement agency (abbr.)

23. Full extent of something 24. __ Claus 25. Naturally occurring solid material 27. Acquired brain injury behavior science (abbr.)

28. Thirteen 29. Partner to cheese 30. Member of a Semitic people 31. One thousandth of an inch

33. Former CIA 35. Most lemony 36. Engage in 37. Small Eurasian deer 39. Provisions 42. All humans have them 43. Swiss river 44. Storage term (abbr.)

46. Famed Broadway lyricist Sammy 47. Dutch colonist 48. Full-grown pike fish 49. Egyptian sun god 50. Flute 51. Flew off!

52. Scottish tax 53. Young women’s association 54. Populous Brazilian city 55. Malaysian Isthmus 56. Pointed end of a pen

From Edward-Elmhurst Health

Make these medical appointments every year

Healthy adults probably don’t give a lot of thought to seeing a doctor unless they get hurt or seriously ill.

Most healthy adults don’t need a lot of medical attention. But there are some things they should keep tabs on, even if they aren’t sick.

Making these medical appointments each year will help keep adults’ health on track as they age because doctors can address budding health concerns before they become big issues.

In your 20s and 30s: • Primary care physician (PCP). Get an annual checkup, including blood work, from an internal medicine physician or a family medicine physician.

A doctor will know when vaccinations are due, including a tetanus booster or chickenpox vaccine (which some adults may need if they never got the MMR shot as a child). Make a calendar note each fall to get a flu shot.

• Women: Gynecologist. An annual exam should include a Pap test, HPV test, pelvic exam, clinical breast exam, and, if there is a new sex partner, screenings for sexually transmitted infections (STIs). If women have more than one sexual partner, it might make sense to have a Pap test and STI test every six months.

• Dermatologist. Make an annual appointment for a full-body skin check, especially fair-skinned adults or those with a family history of skin cancer.

• Eye doctor. The American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends that adults with healthy vision have a complete exam by an ophthalmologist once in their 20s, twice in their 30s and at age 40.

• Dentist. The American Dental Association recommends dental cleanings/check-ups once or twice a year.

In your 40s, add: • Women: Mammogram. This annual screening can detect breast cancer in its early stages when it’s most treat-

Rock Valley Publishing - Thursday, Dec. 10, 2020 • 15

Answers PUZZLE 1

PUZZLE 2

able. Ask a gynecologist about dense breasts and 3D mammograms.

• Men: Annual rectal exam/PSA blood test from a primary care doctor to screen for prostate cancer.

In your 50s (or earlier if you have risk factors), add: • Colonoscopy. This important screening can detect early signs of colorectal cancer and remove polyps and tumors.

For more information, visit EEHealth.org.

• Slices

(Continued from page 11) That is why my life is so meaningful right now. Because I love you.”

Back then, he went on a nineweek trip to Europe (without me).

I couldn’t imagine that expanse of time without him (sigh). Now the words I wrote as he left mean even more today than they did then: “As you are leaving, do not be dismayed by our distance apart.

Distance is relative. Realize that in our short time together we will learn to appreciate things some people never learn to recognize. As you are leaving, do not worry about the future. We have no way of knowing the direction our travels will take us.

As you are leaving, trust in what is yet to be. Believe the best is ahead of you. Laughter is just around the corner. Believe in that.”

Until we meet again, Thom.

Watch over me. Until then, I will always love you– all the days of our lives.

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.

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age stamping printing receiving re ing shipping caring smiling helpin g addressing boxing delivering la suring pack and ship guaranteein ing postage stamping printing rec ning sending shipping caring smi g addressing boxing delivering la suring pack and ship guaranteein ing postage stamping printing rec ning sending shipping caring smi ng giving addressing boxing delive ing measuring pack and ship gua aging packing postage stamping ving returning sending shipping c ng helping gifting giving addressi ering labeling measuring pack an anteeing packaging packing posta essing boxing delivering labeling andship guaranteeing packaging 16 • Thursday, Dec. 10, 2020 - Rock Valley Publishing

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