VPR121720

Review

also serving Oakbrook Terrace

VOL. 16 • NO. 52

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Police Reports...........6 Obituary ���������������� 15 Viewpoint.................7 Classifieds..............13

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THURSDAY, DEC. 17, 2020

Pictures with Santa Paws

CHRIS FOX PHOTO Villa Park Review

The Villa Park Parks and Recreation Department held its annual “Pictures with Santa Paws” holiday event last week at the Depot at Cortesi Veterans Memorial Park. Residents brought their pets to the park for a picture with Santa. In past years, some residents have brought their cats in for a photo. This year’s event exclusively featured dogs. One photo from last week shows (left to right) Zoey (age 7) and Shadow (age 8) with Santa. Tony and Laura Cavazos of Villa Park, who own the two dogs, brought them in and coaxed them to pose for a few photos. Santa presented a small treat to each of the dogs who attended last week’s event.

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2 • Thursday, Dec. 17, 2020 - Rock Valley Publishing

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Health Department COVID-19 vaccine weekly update First shipment of approximately 13,000 doses expected next week care facility residents and staff.

Long-term care facilities are provided with vaccinations through a Federal program, called the Pharmacy Partnership Program.

Initially, vaccine amounts will be limited and there will be a need for sub-prioritization. Personnel at the highest-risk of exposure to COVID-19, including those who currently work in patient care units, have direct contact with patients, as well as the staff who will administer the vaccines, will be the priority.

DCHD officials are in communication with local hospitals and health care partners to finalize these plans as further information about vaccine shipments is available.

A COVID-19 Vaccine webpage has been launched for the public to stay informed of the latest infor-

mation regarding the vaccine and plans for distribution in DuPage County. As more information becomes available, DCHD will update its website. To view the page, visit dupagehealth.org/covid19vaccine.

In the meantime, the Health Department urges residents to continue doing their part in slowing the spread of COVID-19 by: • Washing your hands often; • Wearing a mask whenever outside your home or with anyone not from your household; • Watching your distance, staying at least 6 feet from people outside of your immediate household and avoiding in-person gatherings; and • Staying home if you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 or if you have been in close con-

Governor extends Restore Illinois enhanced mitigations Illinois Governor JB Pritzker on Saturday, Dec. 12 signed a new Gubernatorial Disaster Proclamation extending his statewide declaration through Saturday, Jan. 9, 2021, and signed Executive Order 2020-74 to extend Restore Illinois Tier 3 enhanced mitigations, in response to an increase in Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic cases.

Region 8 (DuPage County) and all other regions in Illinois are currently under Tier 3 enhanced mitigations, which impact restaurants and bars, health and fitness centers, hotels, indoor and outdoor recreation,

theaters and cultural institutions, manufacturing, meetings, social events and gatherings, personal care services and retail businesses. For more information, visit Illinois Municipal League web site at ilm.org/ COVID-19 Update – November 19, 2020.

Under the new disaster proclamation, public meetings may continue to be held remotely as long as certain requirements are met. Visit ilm. org/FactSheet.

The application deadline for Round 2 of the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Oppor-

tunity’s (IDCEO) Business Interruption Grant (BIG) Program is on December 15 at 5 p.m.

The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) in a press release announced its daily test data is available online at dph.illinois.gov.

Preliminary seven-day statewide positivity for cases as a percent of total tests for December 4-10 is at 9.4 percent, while the preliminary seven-day statewide positivity rate is at 11.1 percent. Visit coronavirus.illinois.gov to access the state’s Coronavirus website for cases by county.

County officials take oath of office DuPage County hosted a virtual and in-person inauguration ceremony Monday, Dec. 7 for 11 elected officials who were sworn into office.

County Board Chairman Dan Cronin delivered opening remarks, welcoming the new and returning elected officials.

“DuPage County faces significant stresses due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” he said. “I’m confident we will work collaboratively to bring carefully crafted and thoughtfully considered ideas to the table. These

challenging times require us to demonstrate leadership, to advocate and ensure our residents get the help they need as we face this unprecedented public health crisis.”

County-wide elected officials, who were sworn in to serve four-year terms, included State’s Attorney Bob Berlin, Circuit Court Clerk Candice Adams, Auditor William White, Coroner Dr. Richard Jorgensen, and Recorder Kathleen Carrier.

The six County Board members elected in November will serve two-

year terms. The following Board members took the oath of office: District 1 – Don Puchalski District 2 – Paula Deacon Garcia District 3 – Brian Krajewski District 4 – Lynn LaPlante District 5 – Amy Chavez District 6 – Greg Schwarze Berlin and Jorgensen are incumbent countywide elected officials, and Puchalski and Krajewski are incumbent County Board members.

All others are newly-elected officials.

County’s RxBOX collects 66+ tons of medication The DuPage County Health Department’s (DCHD) safe medication disposal program has collected and safely disposed of more than 132,250 pounds, or in excess of 66 tons, of medications since the program launched in 2009.

On Friday, Dec. 4, 17 municipalities participated in a DCHD drop-off event where 3,701 pounds of medications were collected. In 2020, the RxBOX program held three collection events, during which 12,093 pounds of medications were collected.

“During this pandemic, we continue to see the importance of the RxBOX program’s efforts to encourage residents to clear out their medicine cabinets and safely dispose of their medications,” said Karen Ayala, executive director of DuPage County Health Department. “Safe disposal of unused medications helps address the ongoing concern of substance use within our communities and to reduce the opportunities for these medications to be misused. We are thankful to our municipal partners and the residents of DuPage County

for making this effort possible.”

After collection, the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (ILEPA) arranges for the incineration of these medications to ensure they are not reused.

The DuPage County Heroin Opioid Prevention and Education (HOPE) Taskforce has supported safe drug-disposal through RxBOX and other drug take-back programs.

For more information including a list of items that are not accepted and RxBox locations, visit HOPE DuPage.

tact with a person infected with COVID-19, and contacting your healthcare provider for appropriate evaluation, testing, and care.

Anyone who is seeking testing is reminded of the various options

throughout DuPage County, including the two drive-thru community-based testing sites in Wheaton and Villa Park. For more information, please visit dupagehealth.org/ covid19testing.

COVID-19 updates for DuPage County As of 8 a.m. on Sunday, Dec. 13, there were 52,966 total cases among DuPage County residents, including 841 deaths. Since Saturday, there were 606 new cases and five deaths related to COVID-19.

The DuPage Health Department advised that due to delays from IDPH, data may be incomplete.

Number of cases by town At press time, the DuPage Department of Health reported the following number of COVID-19 cases in our readership communities as follows: Addison 3,355, Bensenville 1,740, Elmhurst 2,674, Lombard 2,726, Oakbrook Terrace 163, Villa Park 1,610, Wood Dale 1,056.

And now for the good news …

Elmhurst Hospital reports that 88 inpatients with confirmed cases of COVID-19 were discharged as of Monday. Since March 24, a total of 1,069 patients have been discharged.

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The DuPage County Health Department (DCHD) is preparing to receive and distribute the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine in DuPage County next week. At this time, the amount of vaccine in the first shipment to DuPage is expected to be about 13,000 doses. The amount of vaccine in future shipments is unknown but weekly shipments are expected.

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Village board approves intent to issue up to $5 million in bonds to finance Garden Station project

Villa Park reView Your Hometown Newspaper

Proposal calls for 344 residential units and nearly 13,000 square feet of retail space near the village’s Metra station

240 N. West Avenue Elmhurst, IL. 60126 Main Phone 630.834-8244 Fax 630.834-0900

STAFF REPORT

The Villa Park Village Board voted unanimously during its Dec. 7 meeting to approve a resolution declaring an official intent to issue Tax Increment Revenue bonds of up to $5 million to facilitate the construction of a mixeduse, residential project near the village’s Metra station.

According to information provided by the village, Hawthorne Development has requested that the village issue tax-exempt obligations payable solely from available tax increment revenues of the project. Those funds would finance a portion of the design and construction of the project.

“These bonds will not be backed by the full faith and credit of the Village of Villa Park,” the village noted in the agenda for the Dec. 7 board meeting.

“These bonds are for the purpose of financing a portion of the cost of the design and construction of the project.

The total amount which the village intends to borrow through the issuance of the bonds will not exceed $5 million.”

Dr. Ganesan Vish, the founder of Hawthorne Development, gave a presentation about the project during the Dec. 7 board meeting, which took place remotely.

His firm’s proposal calls for a $115 million project—called Garden Station—that will be built in two phases adjacent to the village’s Metra station.

The area for the proposed development is surrounded by Ardmore Avenue to the west, Vermont Street to the north, Beverly Avenue to the east and Terrace Street to the south.

The total project would consist of

The Villa Park Review is published every Thursday by Rock Valley Publishing, LLC, 240 N. West Avenue, Elmhurst, IL. 60126.

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344 residential units (270 one-bedroom apartments, 64 two-bedroom apartments and 10 three-bedroom apartments), along with 12,930 square feet of retail space and 454 parking spaces.

Vish said the first phase of the project will include the construction of 145 of the one-bedroom units, 39 of the two-bedroom units and five of the three-bedroom units. He stated the estimated monthly rental rates of the units would be between $1,612 and $2,101 for the one-bedroom apartments, between $2,629 and $2,951 for the two-bedroom units and $3,324 for the three-bedroom units.

The second phase would include the construction of the additional apartment units, with similar monthly rental fees as the apartments built during the first phase. The online presentation during the meeting stated the project called for 344 residential units, but the numbers in a table included in the presentation add up to 349 units.

Listing some of the amenities of the proposed Garden Station project, Vish noted a courtyard with a swimming pool, a clubhouse/resident lounge, a business center/sun deck, a fitness center, conference rooms, a climate-controlled parking garage and a pet spa.

The project would also include four passenger elevators and two freight elevators. Vish also described the Garden Station project as an energy-efficient building.

Vish said his firm’s goal is to include a restaurant and a breakfast place in the project’s retail space. Vish added that he expected the first phase of

the project to be completed in the third quarter of 2022. He said construction for the project’s second phase would begin around that time, and that the entire project would be completed by the end of 2023.

Before voting to approve the resolution to express the village’s intent to issue the bonds for the project, board members asked Vish several questions.

Trustee Nick Cuzzone asked Vish if he was concerned about locating the project near a train station at a time when fewer people are commuting to Chicago by train. Vish said that while there has been an exodus from the city, people have to live somewhere, and many of them prefer a suburban environment.

Cuzzone also asked if any of the project’s apartments would be Section 8 units for low-income residents. Vish said there were no plans for Section 8 housing in the project. He also said two professional companies are vying to serve as managers of the residential units.

Trustee Cheryl Tucker asked Vish about the project’s large number of one-bedroom units. Vish said he expected Garden Station’s primary clientele to be single working people who are looking for one-bedroom apartments. Tucker also asked if Vish’s company was ready to begin construction by March 2021. Vish said his firm has a construction firm ready to begin

by that date.

Trustee Christine Murphy asked Vish why his project included apartments instead of condominiums. Vish said that current trends indicate that suburban apartments are more attractive than condominiums. He said that could change in the future.

Villa Park Village President Albert Bulthuis stated that the village has been waiting a long time to have something developed in the area around the village’s Metra station. In 2016, the village board approved a redevelopment agreement with another developer—Golden Spike Development— for a six-story complex of about 230 residential units at the same site of the current project. That proposal, which never materialized, called for the construction of mainly apartments.

Golden Spike’s proposal to build in the area near Villa Park’s Metra station dates back several years before the 2016 redevelopment agreement. Golden Spike initially proposed building condominiums at the site, but in 2012, the company asked the village board to allow the development to be built as an apartment complex.

The village created a Tax Increment Financing (TIF) district in the area including the proposed Garden Station site in 2014. TIF status allows municipalities to utilize future property tax revenues to fund improvements in an underdeveloped area.

District 88’s longtime superintendent passes away

Brenda Garcia Marguerite Micken

Subscriptions:

Helton served as the district’s top administrator since 2012

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District 88 Superintendent Scott Helton died on Thursday, Dec. 10. According to a statement released by District 88 Board Dr. Scott of Education Helton President Donna Superintendent, Craft Cain, School Helton suffered District 88 a stroke in late October and was being treated at a rehabilitation facility.

District 88 includes two schools—Willowbrook High School and Addison Trail High School. The district serves about 3,900 students; each of its two schools has an enrollment of approximately 1,950.

Helton became the district’s superintendent in the summer of 2012, when he replaced Steve

Humphrey, who retired that year.

Prior to that, Helton spent 11 years as Addison Trail’s principal.

Craft Cain’s statement noted that Helton had more than 33 years of experience in education.

“At this time, we ask that you please keep Scott’s family— including his three sons, Scott Jr., Joe and Tommy—in your thoughts and prayers,” added Craft Cain’s statement.

The president of the District 88 Board of Education added that she’s known Helton since she joined the board in 2004.

“His passion and dedication were second to none,” said Craft Cain. “He was a tremendous leader who always put the needs of students first. Scott will be greatly missed, and his impact on our schools and community and the legacy he has left behind will last for years to come.”

Willowbrook Principal Dan

See SUPERINTENDENT, Page 5

CHRIS FOX PHOTOS Rock Valley Publishing

Holiday photos with Santa

The Villa Park dogs who attended last week’s “Pictures with Santa Paws” event at the Depot at Cortesi Veterans Memorial Park included 3-yearold Phillip (above). His owner, Jo McCarthy of Villa Park, was one of the village residents who brought her dog in for a photo with Santa. Another photo shows 7-year-old Liddy, (left) who attended the event with her owner—Lisa Bodnar of Villa Park.

Leave it to the media to make comparisons between those who’ve died from COVID to those who’ve died in battle serving our country.

The latest such comparison is that COVID-19 deaths have surpassed 292,000, or more than all the U.S. battlefield deaths in World War II. Around 655,000 Americans died from heart disease last year, with another 600,000 dying from cancer. Do we ever compare deaths from heart disease and cancer to the number of battlefield deaths in World War II? No, we don’t. As sad and tragic as all these COVID deaths are, why do

CHRIS FOX FILE PHOTO Rock Valley Publishing

District 88 Superintendent Scott Helton passed away on Thursday, Dec. 10. According to a statement released Friday by District 88 Board of Education President Donna Craft Cain, Helton suffered a stroke in late October. Helton became the district’s superintendent in the summer of 2012. Before that, he spent over a decade as the principal of Addison Trail High School. District 88 includes two schools—Addison Trail and Willowbrook high schools. The file photo shows Helton at Willowbrook’s 2018 commencement ceremony.

• Superintendent (Continued from page 4) Krause praised Helton in a series of Twitter posts on Saturday.

“Missing, honoring and celebrating the man and my friend who helped us all remember to be great even when we were good, that we all stand on the shoulders of giants, and our successes will always be journeys, not destinations,” stated Krause in a portion of his online comments.

“Thoughts and prayers to the entire Helton family and all who knew and loved Scott.”

the media put their deaths ahead of anyone who dies from heart disease or cancer or any other disease? The media are a disgrace. *** We shall see how our suburban legislators are looking out for us when it comes time to vote on an income tax increase. I read in a newspaper that Speaker Madigan plans to support it, so my hunch is his minions will follow suit. It couldn’t come at a worse time, when many people are out of work, laid off or have had their hours cut. DuPage County is going to impose a gas tax increase in 2021, when many of the people living or working here who front lines and/or have to physically go to work can least afford it. Why would we majority lower- and middle-income voters shoot ourselves in the foot at the polls over the so-called Fair Tax, only to have our own taxes raised? The message is loud and clear. We don’t trust the government with our money. *** I am in favor of women’s reproductive health, but when that gets defined as an abortion on demand because having a baby is inconvenient, that is not what I call reproductive health. A pregnancy causing a life-threatening condition does fit the description. I won’t judge others for their choices, but don’t want my tax dollars to pay for abortion on demand. For example, I would not object to my tax dollars going toward paying for a nose job to correct a deviated septum, but for cosmetic purposes alone? No way. Read about Kermit Gosnell, or watch the “Independent Lens” episode about minority and poor women in prison who were involuntarily sterilized for the good of their “reproductive health.” *** So, Time magazine put Biden and Harris together to come up their Person of the Year. Okay, let’s see here. Now, I guess somebody will say that Trump was named Person of the Year. And, that’s true (in 2016).

But, this past October, a law enforcement magazine, Blue, named him their Man of the Year in thanks for the support he has given them, even before becoming president. Seems to me that means more than giving somebody a Nobel Peace Prize before they even did anything like Barack Obama. I guess we should expect that, given that the media is so-o-o highly not biased. *** Did you ever notice how the media gives glowing coverage to newly elected females when they are Democrats? Isn’t this refreshing … it’s the year of the woman, etc. Newly

elected Republican women never get the same treatment. The trend is the same with women in a presidential administration. If they’re Republicans, there’s no glowing coverage, and it’s fine to criticize them. If they’re Democrats, they’re praised, and any criticism of them is deemed sexist. *** The country patiently waits for the COVID-19 vaccine. I don’t agree with the media coverage of where the vaccine is made, who ships it, how it is shipped, how it is packaged, where it is stored and video of the inside of the warehouses. Call me paranoid. This is a major event. Are there organized crime, third-world militias or other criminal entities who will attack and take the vaccine shipments for ransom or use in their country?

What kind of riots, protests and disturbances will take place arguing over the priority of who gets the vaccine first? Like the COVID-19 testing that went to celebrities and sports stars before everyday citizens. Let’s hope status and money doesn’t play a role in who gets vaccinated first.

Health care workers, senior citizens and first-responders should be the priority for all of the U.S. Let us all be patient and respectful as this process plays out. ***

Rock Valley Publishing - Thursday, Dec. 17, 2020 • 5VP

Democrats like to describe Trump as a dictator, but it’s the Democrat governors like Pritzker who are obsessed with dictatorial behavior.

They have no problem issuing endless emergency declarations and stay-at-home orders. They’re also eager to close schools, churches and restaurants. The only thing Democrats seem eager to allow is rioting. *** The United States of America is the best country in the world. I believe in free and fair elections—not recounts, which never change, but we need ballot integrity. Nobody has the resources or connections to truly verify every vote. Not sure what happened in this election. Midnight ballot dumps, all for Biden, citizens giving affidavits of irregularity with the ballot count, etc. Biden will be our next president, but I have a lot of questions over how it happened. If this was reversed, the media would be going absolutely crazy. The media now calls for unity and moving forward. After Trump was elected why didn’t they do that? The media is supposed to be an independent arbiter of the facts. The media is now in bed with the Democratic Party; that is unbelievable. Let’s hope we can move forward and get this fixed and work together as one. God help us all and our wallets if the Democrats take

the majority in the Senate. *** After eight or nine months, I think the conclusion can be said that this whole COVID-19 is a Democrat-controlled hoax by the globalists to destroy certain wage businesses and to prop up an and empower loyal businesses to this political party.

The harassment of the mask is also a neurotic and eccentric habit of the Democrat Party as they seek to be a one-party socialist state. Capitalism is under attack by the dark forces of a medical industrial complex and un-democratic socialist internationalists. It seems masks do nothing to stop the spread. *** Thanks to the media’s nonstop reporting of how many new cases of COVID-19 there are every day, how many deaths every day, or which coach or player or actor or actress or politician has tested positive for the virus, is it any wonder why people are freaked out? I routinely see people driving alone, yet wearing masks.

I also notice people out walking or jogging alone. There’s not a single human being within 500 yards of them, yet they wear a mask. It’s as if this virus is the bubonic plague or the Ebola virus. Keep up the good work, media. You’ve trained the sheeple well.

Villa Park K-9 officer now wearing bulletproof/stab-resistant vest Donation provides potentially life-saving gear to German shepherd STAFF REPORT

The Villa Park Police Department’s K-9 officer recently received some valuable protective gear.

Luke, a German shepherd who joined the department earlier this year, now wears a bulletproof and stab-resistant vest while on duty.

Vested Interest in K9s, a 501c(3) non-profit charity, provided the vest, which Luke has been wearing for the last few weeks.

Luke’s handler, Villa Park Police Officer Matt Rol vel Rul, applied for a grant with Vested Interest in K9s to obtain the protective vest, which has a five-year warranty and an estimated value of between $1,750 to $2,300. A Waukegan resident, Elizabeth Ohanian, sponsored Luke’s vest, which is embroidered with the words, “Born to Love–Trained to Serve–Loyal Always.”

Since its inception in 2009, Vested Interest in K9s has donated more than 4,100 K-9 ballistic vests to law enforcement agencies in all 50 states.

The organization has also provided about 1,300 opioid reversal NARCAN kids, more than $67,000 in K-9 medical first-aid kids, over $150,000 in K-9 medical insurance premiums and three Chevy Tahoe patrol vehicles for a K-9 unit.

All of Vested Interest in K9s’ programs are made possible with funds raised through contributions, grants and fundraising events.

The charity’s program for the protective vests is open to U.S. dogs who are at least 20 months old and actively employed and certified with a law enforcement or related agency.

K-9s with expired vests are also eli-

gible to receive vests from the Massachusetts-based charity.

Luke has been working for the Villa Park Police Department since June. He is Villa Park’s first K-9 officer since Inoe—a Belgian Malinois—retired in 2015.

A donation from Ken Witkowski, a retired part-time Villa Park officer, allowed the department to purchase Luke and pay for his training.

In addition to working with Rol vel Rul, Luke lives with the officer.

Rol vel Rul has been a full-time officer in Villa Park since 2013. He

joined the department as a part-time officer in 2010.

Luke was born in Mexico. According to his birth certificate, he is nearly 3 years old. Rol vel Rul recently noted that Luke acts much younger than his age.

Luke is trained to detect narcotics, including cocaine and heroin. He is also trained to assist in building searches, human searches and article searches.

For more information about Vested Interest in K9s, visit its website at www.vik9s.org.

SUBMITTED PHOTO Rock Valley Publishing

Luke, a German shepherd who serves as the Villa Park Police Department’s K-9 officer, recently received a donation of a bulletproof and stab-resistant vest to wear while on duty. Luke is pictured with his handler—Villa Park Police Officer Matt Rol vel Rul. Luke joined the department earlier this year. Rol vel Rul applied for a grant for the protective vest. Vested Interest in K9s—a non-profit organization that has donated more than 4,100 vests to law enforcement agencies in all 50 states, provided Luke’s vest. Elizabeth Ohanian of Waukegan sponsored Luke’s vest, which features the words, “Born to Love– Trained to Serve–Loyal Always.”

6 • Thursday, Dec. 17, 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.

Dec. 4-Dec. 5 Burglary was reported in the 400 block of N. Ellsworth. Police said an unknown suspect entered an unsecured shed located at the rear of the property and stole a weed whacker and a bicycle sometime between 5 p.m. Dec. 4 and 9:45 a.m. Dec. 5.

Dec. 3 Everett D. Duke, 30, of Oak Park, was charged with phone harassment/ abuse, threaten or harass, and two Addison counts of electronic harassment/ Dec. 5 making a threat in the 800 block of Raymond Martinez, 32, of Glen- W. North between April 20 and April dale Heights, was charged with DUI, 24. The original complaint and arrest failure to reduce speed to avoid an warrant were issued Dec. 3. accident, no seat belt and no insurance in the 700 block of N. Winthrop Dec. 4 at around 12:38 a.m.

Andre T. Boykin, 31, of Maywood, was charged with retail theft/ Dec. 4 possession of displayed merchandise Osmar F. Funes-Merida, 22, of exceeding $300 at a local store at Addison, was charged with obstruct- around 12:01 p.m. Nov. 5. The origiing identification, no valid driver’s nal arrest was made on Dec. 4. license, failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident, driving the wrong Dec. 1 way and improper lighting at around Theft was reported in the 500 2:49 a.m. Police said Funes-Meri- block of S. Yale. Police said an unda provided a police officer a false known suspect stole a garbage can name. that was left outside sometime between noon and 3 p.m.

Villa Park Dec. 5 Nov. 30 Armando L. Quintana, 20, of Burglary was reported in the 300 Glendale Heights, was charged with block of N. Illinois at around 9:13 DUI, transportation of open alcohol a.m. Police said an unknown susby a driver, possession of less than pect entered a secure storage locker 30 grams of cannabis, possession of through a neighboring unsecured tobacco by a minor without parental storage locker and stole several paper permission, unlawful possession of good products. cannabis by a driver, failure to report an accident to police authority by a Bensenville driver and no valid driver’s license Dec. 9, 9:37 p.m. in the 100 block in the 500 block of N. Addison at of W. Grand Ave., a complainant around 2:23 a.m. reported that an unknown suspect Criminal trespass to a vehicle changed the name and address on the was reported in the 400 block of N. complainant’s company check and Douglas at around 9:12 p.m. Police cashed it. This case is under investisaid an unknown suspect entered an gation. BEPC2001047. unsecured vehicle and rummaged Dec. 9, 5:08 p.m. in the 300 block through the contents of the vehicle. of E. Green St., a complainant reNothing appeared to be missing at ported an incident of unemployment this time. fraud. This case is under investiga-

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tion. BEPC2001048.

Dec. 9, 8:14 p.m. in the 200 block of S. Mason St., Juan Ozuna-Marin, 45, was arrested for two counts of driving under the influence of alcohol and other traffic violations.

BEPC2001049.

Dec. 9, 9:05 p.m. in the 100 block of W. Sonny Lane, Lisandro Lopez-Fabian, 28, was arrested for a failure to appear warrant and obstructing identification, and Jose Carrillo, 23, was arrested for a failure to appear warrant. BEPC2001050.

Dec. 8, 12:37 p.m. in the 100 block of George Street, a complainant reported a financial loss through an online financial loan scam. This case is under investigation. BEPC2001043.

Dec. 8, 1:59 p.m. in the 1200 block of Ellis St., a complainant reported a known suspect unlawfully made transactions using the company’s fuel card at various locations. This case is under investigation. BEPC2001044.

Dec. 8, 11:39 p.m. in the 600 block of N. Route 83, a complainant reported he found his vehicle to be missing from his work parking lot.

This case is under investigation.

BEPC2001046.

Dec. 7, 12:15 p.m. in the 1-100 block of S. York Road, a complainant reported that a known suspect took his iPhone XR without complainant’s permission. This case is under investigation. BEPC2001040.

Dec. 7, 2:55 a.m. near Route 83 and Thorndale Avenue, Hakeem E. Adams, 30, was arrested for driving under the influence alcohol, possession of cannabis by driver and no insurance. BEPC2001038.

Dec. 6, 12:36 a.m. near Addison Street and W. Wood St., Edilberto Bravo-Leyva, 33, was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol and was issued a traffic violation.

BEPC2001032.

Dec. 6, 2:17 a.m. near W. Irving Park Road and N. York Road, Giovanni Bosques-Luyando, 24, was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol, possession of ammunition, no insurance and other traffic violations. BEPC2001033.

Dec. 6, 5:48 PM, on the 1100 block of Ellis Street, a complainant reported he found his vehicle to be missing. This case is under investigation. BEPC2001037.

Dec. 5, 7:44 p.m. in the 1100 block of S. York Road, a complainant reported that two unknown suspects took an unknown amount of allergy medicine without paying for items.

This case is under investigation.

BEPC2001028.

Dec. 5, 8:29 p.m. in the 1100 block of S. York Road, Alexander M. Zarco, 23, of Hanover Park, was arrested for driving under the influence of drugs and other traffic offenses.

BEPC2001029.

Dec. 4, 4:47 p.m. in the 1000 block of N. Route 83, a complainant reported that the company’s fuel card they leave in the key box at Pilot for their drivers had been used to purchase numerous gift cards by a known suspect. This case is under investigation.

BEPC2001026.

Dec. 4, 6:08 p.m. near W. Green St. and S. Center St., Patryk P. Miodonski, 21, was arrested for possession of controlled substance, leaving the scene of an accident, failure to provide information, possession of cannabis by driver, no valid driver’s license and other traffic violations and Carter Panopoulos-Warner, 19, of Roselle, was cited for possession of cannabis by passenger and permitting unauthorized driver. BEPC2001027.

Dec. 3, 9:47 a.m. in the 300 block of E. Green St., Oliber Arzeta Hurtado, 40, of Franklin Park, was arrested on a failure to appear warrant.

BEPC2001023.

Dec. 3, 11:36 a.m. in the 100 block of S. Addison, a complainant reported she found a flowerpot to be missing from a displayed in the front of the business. This case is under investigation. BEPC2001022.

Dec. 3, 1:40 p.m. in the 1-100 block of W. Irving Park Road, a complainant reported that her purse was taken from a shopping cart outside, by an unknown suspect. This case is under investigation. BEPC2001025.

Four charged with stealing iPhones from GH Target On Sunday, Dec. 6, DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and Glendale Heights Chief of Police Douglas Flint announced that charges have been filed against six individuals for allegedly stealing merchandise from a Glendale Heights Target store. Aaren Verrett, 41, of Chicago, Matthew Martin, 20, of Merrillville, Ind., Dante Smith, 21, of Chicago and Terrance Knight, Jr., 18, of Chicago, appeared in Bond Court where Judge Timothy McJoynt set bond at $3,000 with 10% to apply for Smith and Knight, $20,000 with 10% to apply for Verrett and $100,000 with 10% to apply for Martin. The state had asked for a bond of $200,000 with 10% to apply for each defendant. Two juveniles were also charged and were to appear at a detention hearing on Monday, Dec. 7. All defendants have been charged with one count of Retail Theft, a Class 3 Felony and one count of Burglary, a Class 2 Felony.

In addition, Martin has been charged

with one count of Aggravated Battery, a Class 3 Felony.

On Friday, Dec. 4, at approximately 4:30 p.m., Glendale Heights police officers responded to the Target store located at 175 W. Army Trail Road for a report of a Target store employee being struck by an individual who was attempting to steal merchandise from the store. It is alleged that all six defendants arrived at the Target store together in a car driven by Verrett. It is alleged that Verrett parked the car on the side of the store and remained in the car while the other five defendants entered the store. It is further alleged that the defendants went to the back of the store and that one of the juveniles and Martin approached the iPhone display where the juvenile took wire cutters out of his pocket and cut the security wire that secured an iPhone to the display.

It is alleged that at this time an alarm sounded and all the defendants began walking toward the front of the store

with the iPhone, when the juvenile and Martin were approached by a store employee. It is further alleged that Martin punched the employee in the face while the juvenile returned to the display and cut another iPhone from it. It is alleged that all defendants returned to the car in which Verrett was waiting and fled the scene. The Glendale Heights Police Department immediately began an investigation into the matter which resulted in the vehicle allegedly driven by Verrett being pulled over a short time later by Warrenville police officers. All six defendants were taken into custody at this time. The value of the two iPhones allegedly stolen is approximately $4,000.

The next court appearance for all the defendants is scheduled for Monday, Jan. 4, 2021 for arraignment.

Members of the public are reminded that this complaint contains only charges and is not proof of the defendants’ guilt.

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Rock Valley Publishing - Thursday, Dec. 17, 2020 • 7

Rock Valley Publishing

Viewpoint

Dec. 17, 2020• 7

How to end Madigan’s legacy of corruption once he’s gone

By Joe Tabor

The feds are circling Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan in a bribery investigation involving utility giant ComEd. His allies are facing indictments. Members of his party are publicly demanding his ouster as party chair, and they have the votes to deny him another term as House speaker.

It’s tempting to think just overthrowing Madigan will clean up the mess.

But ousting Madigan won’t eliminate Illinois’ ethics problems or disperse power so the state again has representational government. Illinois leaders must throw out the corrupt system Madigan has built over decades.

Three years ago, Madigan celebrated his record as the longest-serving state House speaker in U.S. history. Today, it looks as if his grip on power is slipping. As of this writing, 19 state representatives have publicly opposed Madigan’s re-election this January. But these lawmakers won’t just be voting on Madigan: they’ll also vote to adopt the House Rules,

which help determine how much control the speaker has over the legislative process. These rules, coupled with the lack of safeguards against this steady accumulation of power, have led Madigan to where he is today. Without change, a shrewd politician could simply pick up where Madigan left off.

The House Rules establish how business gets done in the legislature.

These rules let the speaker decide which bills get a fair hearing and which quietly die. They allow the speaker to select which politicians receive generous stipends as committee chairs. They allow politicians to gut and replace bills to rush through legislation – such as all 1,581 pages of the $40.6 billion fiscal year 2020 budget, originally a single-sentence bill appropriating just $2.

And, contrary to the Illinois Senate, which sets term limits of the Senate president at 10 years, the House Rules do not limit the number of terms a speaker can hold. Terms as speaker should be limited to prevent another Madigan.

See LEGACY, Page 10

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8 • Thursday, Dec. 17, 2020 - Rock Valley Publishing

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 $598,000 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. $598,000

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!

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

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

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 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

Sharp Brick Ranch

Sharp Brick Ranch

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 & $369,900

Don’t Miss This One!

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

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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

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

Perfect Family Home

Perfect Family Home

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. 17, 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

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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. 17, 2020 - Rock Valley Publishing

• Legacy

(Continued from page 7)

This January, state representatives should reject the current House Rules. They can and should be amended.

But change can’t end there. Illinois needs to reform the way it draws political maps. Every 10 years, Illinois is required to redraw voting districts to adjust for shifts in population. But redistricting in Illinois has been used to keep incumbents in power. Earlier this month, 63 candidates ran unopposed for legislative office, including a whopping 52 of the 118 seats in the

Illinois House of Representatives.

This result is entirely predictable: Illinois legislators are responsible for voting on the map, so of course they will do what they can to benefit themselves. And Madigan’s bid for a new term has centered on his argument that he has the power to deliver another map that keeps his people from facing opponents.

It doesn’t have to be this way. Illinois could join the 17 other states that put independent commissions or other bodies in charge of redistrict-

ing – not lawmakers. Voters should choose their elected officials, not the other way around.

There needs to be more transparency and accountability in Springfield. Sitting lawmakers should not be able to lobby local governments or state executive agencies, and they should have a “cooling off” period after leaving the General Assembly before they lobby their former peers, as is the case in most other states.

Lawmakers need to provide more detailed financial disclosures and

should have to recuse themselves from voting on legislation in which they have a conflict of interest. Finally, the legislative inspector general needs the authority to open investigations and publish findings of wrongdoing without obtaining permission from lawmakers on the Legislative Ethics Commission, who have a propensity to cover for their own.

Madigan may be down, but he’s not out. Whether he can win back enough votes to get a 19th term as

speaker remains to be seen, but Illinoisans deserve ethics reform no matter what. Changing the House Rules, adopting fair maps and instituting ethics reforms would begin unraveling Madigan’s web of corruption.

Joe Tabor is a senior policy analyst at the Illinois Policy Institute, a nonpartisan research organization that promotes responsible government and free market principles.

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with Meat . . . $17

If you want the best it costs a little extra!

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Choice of Beef, Steak, Carnitas or Chicken.

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Tres Gringos Tacos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $12 Steak, chicken, pork carnitas, tilapia, beef or vegetable.

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Giant Burritos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $14 Steak, chicken, carnitas, beef or vegetable on a large flour tortilla with Chihuahua cheese, refried beans, Pico de Gallo, shredded lettuce.

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Quesadillas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $14 Steak, chicken, pork carnitas, beef or vegetable stuffed into a large flour tortilla with Chihuahua cheese, served with sour cream, Pico de Gallo and guacamole on the side.

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Tres Enchiladas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $14 Chicken, beef or steak rolled in corn tortillas topped with spicy red sauce and melted cheese.

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Chicken $18

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Rock Valley Publishing - Thursday, Dec. 17, 2020 • 11

COD seeking to train contact tracers Meeting an urgent public health need while providing employment ed.

“The urgency and the sheer number of contact tracers the country needed was incredible,” Lori said.

“When the need arose, we recognized that we, the College, needed to create a short-term training program to teach people the skills and knowledge they need. And we had to create it quickly.”

“In a matter of weeks, Lori worked with full-time faculty to develop this wonderful program,” said Joe Cassidy, assistant vice president of Economic Development and Dean of Continuing Education and Public Services at COD. “This is a great example of how we can flex as a college to meet an urgent need. It’s also a perfect example of what can happen when we collaborate on-campus and off-campus, with partners like

[the] DuPage County Health [Department].”

You don’t have to be a scientist or a public-health expert to become a contact tracer. To enroll in the College of DuPage program, all you need is a high school diploma (or equivalent) and a computer.

Contact tracers are a diverse group, consisting of many demographics. COD’s program has seen students ages 18 to 72 (the 72-yearold had recently graduated and was hired soon after). And while students come from all walks of life, many fall into one of three categories: retirees, college-aged students or those who were recently unemployed.

For retirees, becoming a contact tracer is the perfect way to fight back against the pandemic. It’s entirely remote, so you don’t have to

put your own health at risk. It can also be a good way to get some much-needed socialization.

For college students interested in the medical industry, contact tracing is a good way to gain some real-world experience in the world of public health. For those who were recently unemployed, a career as a contact tracer is a win-win. The pay is good—contact tracers make up to $28/hour—and the work is fulfilling.

And while there may be no “typical” contact tracer, Lori said the majority are drawn to the program simply from a desire to help their community.

“Not surprisingly, they tend to be the most diligent students,” she said.

This article was presented by Choose DuPage.

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DuPage County Health Department. The Health Department employs numerous contact-tracers, so they knew exactly what skills were needed. With their guidance, College staff tailored the curriculum to focus on these key skills.

“Right off the bat, the Health Department told us they wanted soft skills, like customer service,” Lori said. “As a contact tracer, there are a lot of phone conversations, and these conversations are very sensitive. With that in mind, we incorporated communication skills into the curriculum. We actually have a script that students learn—it’s part of the final exam.”

The program that Lori developed—with curriculum designed

by COD Surgical Technology Professor Kathy Cabai—covers a wide range of “hard” and “soft” skills at the core of contact tracing: from building the student’s knowledge of infectious diseases, to learning how to build rapport with cases and accounting for cultural sensitivities.

The program consists of four modules over four weeks. It’s entirely online; instructors are available to answer questions; and students largely determine the pace over the course of each week.

For those who pass the final exam, the prospects of landing a career are good. There’s no guarantee of employment, but contact tracers are in high demand. Students are often employed by public or private institutions shortly after graduating. Many are employed by the DuPage County Health Department, and they find themselves fighting COVID-19 within their own community.

To date, more than 400 students have enrolled.

While many of us are learning about contact tracing for the first time, it isn’t a novel concept. Tracing has been used to fight a variety of infectious diseases, from the 1918 Flu Pandemic to the 2014 Ebola outbreak. In tandem with other measures—like masks, social distancing and vaccines—contact tracing has been used to reduce the spread of diseases and, in certain cases, eradicate them.

Dr. Sanjeeb Khatua, Executive Vice President and Chief Physician Executive at Edward-Elmhurst Health, is the Incident Commander for the organization’s COVID-19 response. He says that contact tracing is a critical component of any community’s response to the pandemic—and it also benefits individuals.

“Contact tracing allows us to identify individuals who have COVID-19 and their contacts, so we can warn them and inform them,” he said. “The more we’re able to do that, the better it’s going to be for all of us. The less community spread, the less chance you have of actually getting COVID-19.”

And while contact-tracing is nothing new, the demand for contact tracers in 2020 has skyrocket-

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When we think of the fight against COVID-19, we tend to think of doctors, nurses, scientists and other frontline workers. But there’s a growing army of individuals— largely consisting of retirees, medical students and those who were recently unemployed—fighting the pandemic from behind the scenes.

Known as “contact tracers,” these trained workers help limit the spread of COVID-19. And now, thanks to the hard work of several individuals and a collaboration amongst local institutions, an innovative new program at the College of DuPage is preparing hundreds for careers in contact tracing.

To date, more than 400 students have enrolled, and many are helping fight the spread of COVID-19 right here in DuPage.

Known as “contact tracers,” these trained workers help limit the spread of COVID-19. And now, thanks to the hard work of several individuals and a collaboration amongst local institutions, an innovative new program at the College of DuPage is preparing hundreds for careers in contact tracing.

When Lori Gache-Garcia stepped into her role as program manager at the College of DuPage, she never imagined that her first year would be defined by a pandemic. And then, over the next three weeks, COVID-19 swept across the nation, Illinois ordered residents to shelterin-place, and the College sent faculty home.

It wasn’t the beginning she expected.

Still, Lori didn’t panic. Instead she got to work.

As the nation faced a public health emergency and an unemployment crisis, the College of DuPage responded on both fronts, introducing a new course designed to train people for careers fighting the pandemic. Working from her home computer, Lori collaborated with College staff and local organizations like the DuPage County Health Department to develop the contact-tracing program.

As a contact tracer, your job is to track COVID-19 and limit its spread. The work is entirely remote. You spend a lot of time on the phone with people who have been exposed to the virus, encouraging them to quarantine and identifying others with whom they may have come into contact.

Contact tracers are often compared to detectives. There is some scientific sleuthing involved, as you follow a trail of evidence, gather clues, conduct interviews and piece together a bigger picture.

But contact tracers are often less like detectives and more like counselors, broaching uncomfortable subjects while providing valuable guidance and information.

The best contact tracers are often the most personable and empathetic people.

To create an effective contact-tracing program, the College of DuPage collaborated with the

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12VP • Thursday, Dec. 17, 2020 - Rock Valley Publishing

County health department reports 841 deaths related to COVID-19, along with nearly 53,000 cases since March According to the IDPH, about 65 percent of the county’s COVID-19 related deaths involve long-term care facilities

STAFF REPORT

The DuPage County Health Department’s daily COVID-19 update of Dec. 13 reported there have been 52,966 confirmed cases of the coronavirus and 841 COVID-19 related deaths in the county since March.

There have been 1,610 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 11 deaths related to the coronavirus in Villa Park residents since March. Lombard has reported 2,726 cases and 35 deaths.

The county health department’s update from one week earlier—Dec. 6—reported 48,891 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in DuPage County.

More than 4,000 confirmed cases of the coronavirus, therefore, were re-

ported in the county during the weeklong period from Dec. 6-13.

The Dec. 6 update reported 1,478 cases in Villa Park residents, with 11 deaths. In the seven days from Dec. 6-13, therefore, the county reported 132 additional cases in Villa Park residents, with no additional deaths related to COVID-19.

The DuPage County Health Department’s latest COVID-19 figures are posted on its website at dupagehealth.org.

The county’s first death related to the coronavirus was reported on March 19. According to the Dec. 13 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, 47 in October and 157 in November. As of the Dec. 13 update, there had been 39 COVID-19 related deaths in the county during the month of December.

The health department’s daily up-

date of Dec. 12 reported 10 additional COVID-19 related deaths, including five females in their 90s, three males in their 90s and two females in their 100s. The county does not provide specific dates of death in its daily reports, so those 10 deaths did not necessarily take place during the previous day.

The Dec. 13 daily update reported five additional COVID-19 related deaths—three males in their 70s, one female in her 90s and one male in his 90s.

According to the county health department, about 57 percent (481) of the 841 COVID-19 related deaths in DuPage County residents, as of Dec. 13, involved residents 80 and older.

Another 211 deaths involved residents in the 70-79 age group, while 96 deaths involved residents in their 60s.

Nearly 94 percent of the COVID-19 related deaths in the county, therefore, have involved residents 60 and older.

The Dec. 13 update from the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) reported 848,904 confirmed cases of COVID-19, and 14,291 deaths related to the coronavirus in state residents.

According to the IDPH, more than 11.7 million total tests for COVID-19 had been performed in the state as of Dec. 13. The state has a total population of about 12.67 million.

While the DuPage County Health Department reported 841 COVID-19 related deaths in the county as of Dec. 13, the IDPH’s daily update from the same day indicated 848 deaths related to the coronavirus in the county.

The figures from the county and state health departments, which aren’t always aligned in each department’s daily reports, are provisional and subject to change.

As of Dec. 11, the IDPH reported 54,907 total cases of COVID-19 in long-term care facilities, along with 6,954 COVID-19 related deaths in

those facilities. According to those figures, long-term care facilities in Illinois have accounted for nearly 49 percent of the state’s COVID-19 related deaths, while accounting for about 6.5 percent of the state’s overall cases.

As of Dec. 11, the IDPH reported that about 65 percent (549 of 848) of DuPage County’s COVID-19 related deaths involved residents and staff of long-term care facilities. The IDPH reported 4,224 confirmed cases of the coronavirus in DuPage County among residents and staff of long-term care facilities.

The IDPH reported 54,533 confirmed COVID-19 cases in DuPage County residents as of Dec. 13.

According to the IDPH, therefore, long-term care facilities had accounted for about 65 percent of the COVID-19 related deaths in the county while accounting for about 7.7 percent of the county’s overall COVID-19 cases.

DuPage Foundation Grants total $763,192 from two grant programs

CHRIS FOX FILE PHOTO Rock Valley Publishing

The DuPage Foundation has announced its volunteer grant committee has been working overtime to review and make 80 grants for a total of $763,192 available to non-profit organizations from two DuPage Foundation grant programs.

The funds are being disbursed before the end of the year and have come from either the DuPage Foundation COVID-19 Response Fund or the Community Needs Grant Program.

The two grant programs have separate qualifications and application cycles, but happened to coincide along the same schedule, with grants being approved at the Nov. 19 DuPage Foundation Board of Trustees

meeting.

Forty-four grants were awarded, totaling $400,000 from the DuPage Foundation COVID-19 Response Fund—making the total grant amount awarded from this fund $1,400,000 since April in four rounds of grantmaking.

In addition, 36 organizations received grants from the Foundation’s signature grant program: the Community Needs Grant Program (CNGP).

Those grants totaled $363,192 and were awarded to organizations with programs that fell into the categories of education, arts and culture, environment and animal welfare.

More than 130 grant applications were reviewed during the process of

making grants by two volunteer committees, chaired by Megan Shebik.

Of those, 80 grants were awarded to 73 organizations based on the qualifications and needs of the grantees and the money available to be granted.

Shebik said, “The pain people are experiencing during this pandemic has really ramped up the need in our community. Researching so many worthy applications and making decisions on what we could fund was extremely challenging for our volunteer committee, but they rallied, read through every application submitted, asked great questions, sought answers and I’m very proud of the decisions they made. I wish we could have funded every single qualifying

application.”

While the COVID-19 Response Fund was created and funded last spring in response to the emerging pandemic, the Community Needs Grant Program has been a cornerstone of the foundation’s grantmaking process over the past 34 years.

CNGP grants are awarded in the spring and fall. The next application deadline for CNGP is at 5 p.m.

March 5, 2021, and will be directed toward organizations in the category of Health & Human Services.

For more information about DuPage Foundation’s grant programs, contact Barb Szczepaniak, vice president for programs at 630-598-5280 or barb@dupagefoundation.org.

Playing at the next level

Willowbrook senior Caroline Dooley recently announced she will continue her academic and softball careers at Briar Cliff University in Sioux City, Iowa. Dooley has been a pitcher on the Warriors’ varsity softball team since her freshman season.

She also plays for the Wasco Diamonds travel organization.

Willowbrook’s 2020 spring softball season was canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Willowbrook’s 2021 softball campaign is tentatively scheduled to take place during the IHSA’s recently created summer season. The IHSA’s 2021 summer season is supposed to run from May 3 to June 26. The Briar Cliff University Chargers compete in the Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) and are nationally affiliated with the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA).

SUBMITTED PHOTO Rock Valley Publishing

Firebirds go undefeated at out-of-state tournament

The Firebirds Soccer Club’s U18 Select team enjoyed a successful weekend at the recent Showcase KC event, which took place last month at three different venues in and around Kansas City, Missouri. The Firebirds played three matches at the event. They won all three matches, scoring eight goals while allowing one goal, to finish first in their four-team flight. The Firebirds opened the event with a 2-0 victory over a team from Oklahoma. In their second match of the tournament, the Firebirds earned a 4-0 win against a team from Kansas. The Firebirds closed out the tournament with a 2-1 victory over a team from Missouri. The Firebirds played their first match of the tournament in Kansas City, Missouri. They played their second match in nearby Overland Park, Kansas, and completed the tournament with a match in Olathe, Kansas. Members of the team (pictured left to right) are: (front row) Allison, Peyton, Haley, Matea, Maddie, Gracie, Mackenzie and Leah; (back row) Keeli, Kendall, Brielle, Brooke, Erin, Allie, Rachael, Sophia S. and Alex. Not pictured is Sophia H. The Firebirds’ U18 Select team’s coaches are Adam Hewitt and Jordan Lomax.

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14 • Thursday, Dec. 17, 2020 - Rock Valley Publishing

IC Catholic Prep’s Fisher gets hall of fame call Part of 2020 Illinois Basketball Coaches Association induction list

By Mike Miazga CORRESPONDENT

Todd Fisher’s journey as a successful girls high school basketball head coach had an interesting start to it.

Fisher, IC Catholic Prep’s current girls basketball coach, was in his second year at then Walther Lutheran High School in Melrose Park and was coaching baseball there.

“The administrator comes up to me and says they need some help on the girls basketball side and would you mind helping and being an assistant varsity coach,” Fisher recalled. “No problem. I was taught a lot. I was an assistant varsity coach one year and JV coach another year. We go into the next season and the Friday before the season starts there is suddenly a need for a head girls varsity coach in the program. With the admin that time it was one of those, ‘We need you to do this’ kind of things.”

And the rest, as they say, is history.

Fisher enjoyed a tremendous run at Walther before shifting over to IC Catholic Prep last season. Fisher’s accomplishments in the sport have landed him a spot in the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame.

The group recently announced its 2020

inductees from across the state.

“It’s very humbling, for sure,” said Fisher. “If you look at the list of IBCA hall of famers, it’s very humbling to be mentioned with that group. There are a ton of great coaches in the area and in the state of Illinois. The first thing I thought of when I found out is it’s truly humbling, and it’s something that when I first started coaching and even up to last year was not on my radar.

That’s not something you think about.

Something like this would be in your wildest dreams.”

COVID-19 pandemic-pending, Fisher is scheduled to start his 22nd season as a head coach. He goes into the 2021 season with a 408-204 career record between Walther and IC Catholic Prep. His 2006-2007 Walther team took fourth in Class A, while his 2012-2013 team also took fourth in Class 2A. In 13 of his previous 21 seasons, Fisher-coached teams won 20 or more games. He is a nine-time IBCA District 7 coach of the year recipient.

“It’s important to say this,” Fisher said. “This doesn’t happen without great players and great coaches along the way. Something like this doesn’t happen without great people. I’m lucky to have had great players and

coaches along the away as well as the support of administrators. It makes you kind of speechless.”

Fisher earned his undergraduate degree from North Central College and his master’s from Concordia in River Forest. When he took the head hoops job at Walther his goal was simple.

“We kind of struggled that first year (1-17) and then kind of improved each year from there,” he said. “When I took over the program needed stability.

The seniors had four coaches in four years. It was one of those things where stability was important and having expectations for everybody was important. And then we went from there.

Again, all of it is not possible without great players and great people to work with.”

Fisher’s second team at Walther enjoyed a 10-win improvement and his third team enjoyed another nine-game improvement from there. His fourth team won a regional title and he was named the now defunct Private School League coach of the year. Three years later Walther was one win away from a Class A state finals appearance.

Fisher also lauded the support he’s received over the years from his wife, Sarah, and children, Brennan (fresh-

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man baseball player at Quincy University), and Lily (will be a freshman at ICCP next year). Sarah Fisher is the head softball coach at Concordia University in River Forest.

“My wife and I are two coaches and that helped us along the way with our kids,” Fisher said. “Sarah has been

great. She has been very supportive.”

And Fisher thanked the IBCA for the prestigious honor. “I have been the all-state nominating committee (District 7 rep) for a long time,” Fisher said. “The IBCA is an awesome group to be part of. I want to thank them for this award.”

Quick study

IC Catholic Prep’s Hall to continue football career at UW Whitewater

By Mike Miazga CORRESPONDENT

When Justin Hall came to IC Catholic Prep as a freshman, football wasn’t his thing.

Hall’s sport was basketball, but the gridiron soon came calling.

“Coming into high school I was a basketball kid,” he said. “I didn’t play football until my first year of high school. It was my first time playing. I came into IC and found it was a pretty football school and had just come off a championship. It was something new to try and something new to do. I gave it a try and it ended working out.”

Quite well, in fact. Hall recently announced he is continuing his education and football career at NCAA Division III perennial powerhouse University of Wisconsin Whitewater.

“It means a lot to me especially coming into high school as a basketball kid,” Hall said. “Being able to switch sports and now being able to play this new sport at the next level is something I am very proud of. And I am proud to be able to play at such a great program like Whitewater.”

Hall, a wide receiver and free safety, contacted Whitewater over the summer and ended up attending one of their combine-type camps. “That’s where I met the wide receivers coach and we kept in close contact since then.”

Hall green-lighted Whitewater for more than just its gridiron excellence.

“They have a great business school and that is what I am going to major in,” said Hall, who said an accounting major is a possibility. “They also have a very successful football program. When I got up there to visit I was able to relate coming out of IC having a very successful program here all my years. I don’t know how to exactly put it; It was familiar — all the success they have had.

The coaches also were welcoming and very nice.”

Hall chose Whitewater over the likes of North Central College, Augustana and UW Platteville. “Whitewater has a very nice campus,” he said. “It’s a public school, but it’s not crazy big. They have 12,000 kids on campus. It’s very nice and has a very modern vibe to it compared to some of the other schools.

I loved it. It seemed like there is always something to do there.”

While his football acumen blossomed, Hall continued to play basketball at IC Catholic Prep. However, he dislocated his shoulder after last football season. “I had to sit out last basketball season and right now it’s not looking very good for getting another season (due to the pandemic). That’s

tough. I always have had a love for basketball.”

Hall said the transition into football in high school took some getting used to. “I would definitely say the physicality was something I had to get used to with blocking and tackling, and not having really practiced it before high school,” he said. “It’s something I had to adjust to and get used to. I think being a wide receiver and a defensive back helped my ball skills a lot with getting to the high point of the ball or tracking the ball down. Those things were similar between the two positions. I think playing both positions gave me a lot more options with not only playing, but learning the game.”

The whole IC Catholic football program experience is something Hall said has been hugely beneficial for him. “We have a very strong tradition that we try to uphold,” he said. “Losing isn’t exactly accepted. We come in here every day and we grind and work hard not to lose.

The coaches here have been great. I don’t think I would be the player I am or be in the position I am today without the coaches here. Coach Doherty has been super-helpful with the recruiting process. He sends out a form and we fill it out and we get broken-down film from Hudl (video service widely used in the college recruiting process) so we can highlight our plays and put it on tape.”

Hall is hoping he and the rest of his teammates get to enjoy a senior football season, which if allowed, would start in February with practices. “For sure, I am praying we have season,” he said.

“I don’t think it would be right if we left here without one more go with my guys. This is a season we have waited for a long time — me and the seniors.

This would mean a lot to us. I feel like we have just as much talent as we always have had the last couple years.”

Hall explained he’s been hard at work during the pandemic to get himself ready for the next chapter at Whitewater. “I wouldn’t say I picked up any new hobbies, it was more working out and trying to develop myself and better myself to go to college,” he said. “I am looking forward to Whitewater a lot. I know it will be a grind and I am all for it. I am willing to work my butt off every day to become a better athlete, man and student.”

Whitewater finished 13-2 in 2019 and advanced to the NCAA Division III Stagg Bowl where it lost in the national-title game to North Central College. It was Whitewater’s 10th appearance in the national title game in the last 15 years. Whitewater also won its 37th WIAC title in 2019.

Rock Valley Publishing - Thursday, Dec. 17, 2020 • 15

Obituary Bluesmyth, just to name a few.

In 1974, he married his second love, Linda Giannini. Together, they raised 3 children/roadies—Minjah, Kimberly and Christopher. Later in life, Norm battled several debilitating health conditions and upon retirement, Norm and Linda moved to the beautiful rolling hills of western Kentucky.

He is survived by wife Linda (nee Giannini), daughters Minjah (Perry) and Kimberly, son Christopher, grandson Miles, many nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends.

He is preceded in death by his father, Norman Sr., mother Irene, and sister Linda.

Raise a glass and turn it up because heaven just got a little louder! In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Anna Mae Owen Residential Hospice House, 803 Poplar Street, Murray KY 42071.

Memorial services will be held at a later time.

Imes Funeral Home and Crematory, downtown Murray is entrusted with caring for the family of Mr. Normal Duddridge.

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NORMAN DUDDRIDGE JR., 70 Mr. Norman John Duddridge Jr., 70, passed away peacefully at home in Kirksey, Ky., surrounded by family on Sunday, December 6, 2020.

Stormin’ Norm was a loving husband and father, friend to everyone he met, and master blues guitarist. He was a musician’s musician, living and breathing for every note.

His passion for music was rivaled only by his sense of humor! With one foot in the blues and the other in rock and roll, he was born on September 10, 1950, to Norman Sr. and Irene Duddridge. Norm grew up in Villa Park, and attended Willowbrook High School. It was then that he met his first love — the guitar.

His storied career in music includes countless rowdy nights making noise with the likes of Chicagoland legends: The Ikons, Condor, Lord Zipper, Take This, and

16 • Thursday, Dec. 17, 2020 - Rock Valley Publishing

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