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Graduation day Play at the plate at Willowbrook Warriors win a share of the conference title

Freshman Lindsey Rugg of the Willowbrook softball team is pictured while attempting to score a run during Friday’s game at Downers Grove South. Rugg tried to score from boys second base on team a single by sophomore Cox in the top of Willowbrook’s basketball clinched a share ofKatelyn the West Suburban Gold the second inning, when the game tiedcelebrated at 2-2.

GroveTrail South’s catcher Conference title with last week’s 77-57was conference winDowners over in Villa Park.

Willowbrook High School’s Class of 2021 itsAddison commencement with two tagged Rugg out at home for gave the third out of theaon inning.

Themorning.

Mustangs The Feb. 15 victory over Blazers the Warriors final conference record of separate ceremonies inthe theplate school’s main gymnasium Sunday Thewent enonThe to defeat theare Warriors 7-3students. in the West Suburban Conference contest. Wil10-2.

Warriors pictured after last week’s win over Addison Trail. attended Willowbrook tire class includes over 470 About half ofGold those students the and Proviso East share the conference title; both teams posted 10-2 records in West

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1 • Thursday, Feb. 24, 2022 - Rock Valley Publishing

394 390 396 445 396917

THURSDAY, MAY 13, 2021 THURSDAY, MAY 6,2022 2021 THURSDAY, FEB. 24, THURSDAY, MAY 27, 2021 THURSDAY, JUNE 3, 2021

CHRIS FOX PHOTO Villa Park Review CHRIS FOX PHOTO Villa Park Review

lowbrook rebounded from Friday’s loss to post an 11-2 win in Saturday’s game at Hinsdale Central. The Warriors bashed three home runs in the second inning of SatCHRIS FOX PHOTO Villa Park Review urday’s non-conference against the Redsplit Devils of conference the West Suburban Silver Suburban Gold play. The battle Warriors and Pirates their series.

Proviso Conference.

Senior Knudtson, freshman Dugo and sophomore East beat Willowbrook Maywood on Jan. 21.Isabella The Warriors defeated the Piceremony that beganAnnemarie at82-74 9 a.m.inThe others participated in the ceremony that started Kayleigh provided the home Dennison 5) is pictured in the rates in Villa Park on Feb. 12. Willowbrook opens the (No. IHSA post-season with this at 1179-77 a.m. Dennison The photo shows members of runs. the Willowbrook Senior Choir performing background of the above photo. more about thePage Warriors, see page week’s game against York at the Class 4A Glenbard West4.Regional.

For14. more about during the day’s first service.

ForFor more photos, see Willowbrook, see Page 7.

Arbor Day in Villa Park

Police Reports. ..........6 Reports...........8 ..........8 Police .........6 Reports Legal Notices ......... 15 Viewpoint ................6 Viewpoint. .................6 ...............8 Viewpoint

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Memorial Day in Villa Park KATE DRURY KATE DRURY KATE DRURY

The Village of Villa Park observed Arbor Day with a tree planting on Friday, April 30. Pictured (left to contact to Village right) at the tree planting at the village’s Franklin Park, located at 218 N. Third Ave., are:me Villa Park your local agent may your Trustee Christine Murphy, Justin Shlensky—chair of the Villa Park Environmental buy orConcerns sell! Commission, Margaret Schiefer—a member of the Villa Park Environmental Concerns Commission, Villa Park always Village Trustee Cheryl Tucker, Contact me forVilla a Park Village President Albert Bulthuis, Villa Park Village Trustee (and Village President-Elect) Nick Cuzzone and Leslie Allison-Seei—chair of the Villa Park Community Pride be too small to hold all your 630-514-9961 complementary Villa Park Veterans of Foreign Warson (VFW) Post 2801 of held itsApril.

Memorial Day service onDay Monday mornCommission.

Arbor Day is observed the last Friday each The National Arbor Foundation 630-514-9961 ing at Cortesi Veterans Memorial Park.

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

To receive market 630-514-9961 Willowbrook High School students Hendrickson and a Anna Seelbach soundataps at the end ofcomthe kdrury@atproperties.com tion, a community must have a tree Lily board or department, tree-care ordinance, comprehensive ofThe your home!! kdrury@atproperties.com ceremony. post’s 2020and Memorial Day event was canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. This munity forestry program an Arbor Day observance. year’s observance included a reading of the names of the Post 2801 members who have recently died.

That list included World War II veteran Charles “Sid” Bergh, who served as the master of ceremonies I would to help! of the post’s annual Memorial Day service for several years. A veteran of the U.S. Navy, Bergh died in October 2020. He was 94 years old. Bergh was the post’s last surviving World War II veteran.

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

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

2 • Thursday, Feb. 24, 2022 - Rock Valley Publishing

It’s National Children’s Dental Health Month.

Did you know that dental-related ailments are responsible for the loss of more than 50 million school hours each year? That’s right. Thousands of children miss school every year because of some dentalrelated ailment. Fortunately, many of these ailments can be prevented through good oral care.

This National Children’s Dental Health Month, make your child’s smile a priority. Take them to the dentist regularly and teach them to care for their teeth properly.

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Rock Valley Publishing - Thursday, Feb. 24, 2022 • 3

Choose DuPage releases economic indicators report

By Dee Longfellow

FOR THE INDEPENDENT

The economic development alliance known has Choose DuPage has recently issued its economic indicators report for 2021.

Beginning with unemployment, in Quarter 4, the unemployment rate in DuPage County dropped from 5.3% in the previous quarter to 3%. This is the lowest unemployment rate in northern Illinois. The rate for the state of Illinois is 4.3% and 3.7% for the entire United States.

Counties neighboring DuPage had the following rates of unemployment: Cook 5.0%, Lake 4.0%, Kane 4.4%, Kendall 3.3%, and Will 4.1%.

Unemployment insurance claims were relatively flat through most of 2019, making a small uptick at the end of the year after COVID-19 surfaced. In the year 2020, claims skyrocketed in March and April. In February of 2020, 1,823 claims were filed, but in March the number went

to 29,794 and in April to 36,813.

The number of claims fell off over the next few months with 18,009 in May, 11,093 in June, 7,793 in July, 5,450 in August and 5,542 in September. The numbers began to spike again toward the end of the year and into 2021. Claims reached 15,615 in October, 16,533 in November and 33,862 in December. Then in 2021, there were 28,284 in January, 19,312 in February, and 13,093 in March, then leveled off more or less through the remainder of the year as follows: 3,528 in April, 5,449 in May, 7,637 in June, 4,532 in July, 4,203 in August, 1,849 in September, 1,474 in October, 2,168 in November, 3,043 in December.

Jobs and the workforce DuPage County is home to nearly 90,000 businesses that are taking advantage of skilled and educated workforce. Together these companies represent 607,056 jobs across a

variety of industries. Total employment in 2021 was 607,056; the labor force size was 512,380. Top industry sectors are 1) health care and social assistance, 2) professional, scientific and technical services, 3) retail trade, and 4) manufacturing.

At the end of 2021, there were 71,524 job opportunities posted in DuPage County. Compared to the same time last year, this represents an increase of 30.44%. Top job openings by occupation were 1) retail sales, 2) stockers and order fillers, 3) registered nurses, 4) customer service representatives.

Office, industrial, retail vacancies The office vacancy rate dropped to 16.3% at the end of Q4, down from 16.5% in the previous quarter. At this time last year, the office vacancy rate was 15%. Class-A office vacancy remained at 23.2% in Q4. At this time last year, Class-A office vacancy was

20.6%.

Leasing activity and sublet availability indicates what is happening short term in the market. Leasing activity, based on the number of deals closed, increased by 88% in Q4 compared to Q3. In total, there were 145 lease deals completed, compared to 77 last quarter and 136 at this time last year.

The sublease availability, or the amount of sublease space on the market, decreased in Q4 by 9.5% compared to Q3. This is a 7% increase compared to the same time last year.

construction in DuPage.

The overall retail vacancy rate in Q4 rose to 7.8%, compared to 7.6% in the previous quarter. Last year, the rate in DuPage County was 7.5%.

The cost of living index estimates the relative price levels for consumer goods and services. The cost of living in DuPage County is 26.2% higher than the U.S. average and 17.1% higher than the State average.

In Q4, the average annual salary rose to $70,710 compared in $69,987 in Q3. At this time last year, the average annual salary was $66,481.

The industrial vacancy rate dropped to 3.2% in Q4, compared to 3.5% in Q3. At this time last year, the rate was 5.3% In Q4, there were 98 industrial/flex lease deals. Industrial vacancy is at a historic low for the county and asking rents are continuing to rise to their highest levels. Currently, there is a 3.4 million square feet of industrial space under

This information was drawn from the 2021 annual report from the Choose DuPage economic development alliance. Sources include the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, JobsEQ, CoStar, IDES, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Illinois Department of Employment Security. For a full copy of the report, visit choosedupage.com.

Elmhurst University, District 88 partner to offer social justice course Elmhurst University and DuPage High School District 88 have teamed up to offer a college-level course on social justice topics to students from the district’s two high schools.

Fifty-five students from Addison Trail High School in Addison and Willowbrook High School in Villa Park are enrolled in Explorations in Social Justice.

The multidisciplinary course introduces students to contemporary equity and social justice issues by

equity is a journey, and we continue to look for ways to enhance this critical initiative and remove barriers to help all students achieve their goals.

Our new course with Elmhurst University is a tremendous example.”

The topics in the year-long course are viewed through a national lens but during the spring term, the course places a special emphasis on equity and social justice issues that affect the Chicago metropolitan area.

The students work in person every day with their high school teachers and then, twice a week they meet remotely from their classrooms with different Elmhurst University faculty members, who address topics like immigration, residential segregation, tual and in-person events, connec- criminal justice, health care, educations to philanthropic and community efforts, and much more.

During the centennial celebration, the firm will initiate volunteer activities to achieve impact in the areas of partnering for lasting financial strength, promoting healthier futures and advancing inclusive growth. It will also expand on its efforts to foster economic inclusion in the communities it serves, actively collaborating with organizations to make meaningful progress that enables every community to thrive.

To learn more, visit centennial.

EdwardJones.com. having them explore social movements and current events related to race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation and class; and discuss how those concepts influence relationships and understanding in the world today.

“One of our top priorities at District 88 is to create and sustain an inclusive environment through ongoing equity work,” said Jean Barbanente, superintendent of DuPage High School District 88. “We know

Edward Jones Co. celebrates centennial anniversary

Financial services firm Edward Jones announces today the celebration of its centennial, marking a century of transformative growth and the positive impact it has made for its clients, colleagues, communities and society.

This year and beyond, Edward Jones’ more than 50,000 colleagues will join in activities that celebrate this monumental milestone and set the stage for the continued growth of firm’s impact in the next 100 years.

Throughout 2022, Edward Jones will celebrate its centennial across the communities it serves with vir-

tion and environmental racism.

Associate Professor of History Karen Benjamin is a strong advocate for the course’s multidisciplinary approach.

“It gives students an opportunity to look at this huge concept of social justice from all of these different angles, to find where their own specific passion or interest lies,” she said.

“So, no matter what the next step is for them, they have a lot of different ways to think about things.”

The course also gives students a sense of all the different majors available to them at Elmhurst University or somewhere else, Benjamin said.

“It allows them to blend this idea of care and concern for the world

with ‘What am I going to do after I graduate from high school?’” she said.

Explorations in Social Justice is the latest of several Elmhurst University courses that are available to District 88 students. Others include college-level Algebra, Calculus III and English 105. All offer high school students the opportunity to experience the rigor of higher education and earn college-level credit while also connecting with Elmhurst University.

“We know our students continue to succeed inside the classroom and beyond because of these collaborations and we truly value and appreciate our strong partnership with Elmhurst University,” Barbanente said.

Jesse White urges online license plate sticker renewal

Motorists are allowed to drive without an up-to-date vehicle renewal sticker on their license plate as long as they have the receipt from the secretary of state showing that they bought the sticker before expiration.

The receipt is valid for up to 30 days from the expiration of the previous registration sticker’s date.

Last year, 209,844 customers purchased license plate renewal stickers during the last seven days in February. Of this total, 87,520 purchased their license plate sticker online.

White initiated Public Act 981103, which took effect Jan. 1, 2015, to further encourage online transactions.

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Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White is reminding customers with license plate stickers expiring at the end of the month that they can renew online at ilsos.gov, print their receipt and keep that receipt in their vehicle to comply with Illinois law.

“This is a consumer friendly initiative that encourages online transactions with my office,” said White.

“Many customers visit our Driver Services facilities to buy their stickers the week before they are set to expire. I am reminding the public that they can make the same transaction online, and use their receipt as proof of up-to-date registration and compliance.”

4VP • Thursday, Feb. 24, 2022 - Rock Valley Publishing

Willowbrook teacher placed on administrative leave

Villa Park reView

Blair also resigns as president of union representing District 88 teachers; message to fellow union members criticizes ruling to nullify mask mandate in schools

Your Hometown Newspaper 240 N. West Avenue Elmhurst, IL. 60126

STAFF REPORT

The head of Willowbrook High School’s English Department recently resigned from the presidency of the District 88 Teachers Council after he sent a message to his fellow union members about the district’s new mask-optional policy.

Brett Blair, the head of the Villa Park high school’s English Department, was also placed on administrative leave.

Blair sent a message to union members on Sunday, Feb. 6, one day before District 88’s mask-optional policy went into effect. District 88, which includes Willowbrook High School and Addison Trail High School, began its mask-optional status after Sangamon County Circuit Court Judge Raylene Grischow issued a temporary restraining order on Feb. 4. That restraining order nullified Gov. JB Pritzker’s executive order that required masking in Illinois’ schools.

District 88 was one of about 140 Illinois school districts named in multiple lawsuits related to Pritzker’s executive orders regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. Grischow issued the temporary restraining order after reviewing those lawsuits.

On Feb. 6, Blair, in his capacity as the president of the District 88 Teachers Council, sent a message to members of that union.

“I have been awaiting guidance

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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from the Local/IFT [International Federation of Teachers] since Friday [Feb. 4] to advise all of you on what can be our next steps regarding this horrendous deciBrett Blair sion by an inept and corrupt judge,” stated Blair at the beginning of his message to the union members.

Blair went on to state that the union’s members should remain masked when on campus and/or representing District 88 in any capacity.

“Unfortunately, we are going to receive letters from Jean [District 88 Superintendent Jean Barbanente] tonight that state that we are not to confront

students who are unmasked tomorrow [Feb. 7],” added Blair in his message.

Blair stated that the District 88 Teachers Council was filing a grievance against the district for not following Pritzker’s mask mandate.

He then made an apparent reference to five Willowbrook students whose parents were reportedly involved in the lawsuits that led to the temporary restraining order. Blair appeared to support the view that the temporary restraining order only applied to families involved in the lawsuit.

“If these five … children …at Willowbrook want to remain unmasked, then they can be dealt with; however, all other children should remain masked,” Blair wrote in his message.

“This is the contention of the Union and will remain so. The problem is,

badly raised students will probably be unmasked tomorrow [Feb. 7].”

Blair went on to reiterate that every District 88 employee must continue to follow Pritzker’s masking and testing mandates related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Honestly, tomorrow, you may want to make sure that you double mask, wear KN95s, wear shields, tape off your desks so no unmasked student crosses a line, etc.,” stated Blair near the end of his Feb. 6 message to fellow union members.

“I am at a loss,” Blair wrote at the conclusion of his message. “The IFT has filed their appeal. Pritzker may be filing a new Executive Order soon.

Districts named in the lawsuit have

See TEACHER, Page 14

Space available for crafters at ‘Swing into Spring’ event March 19 St. Alexander’s Council of Catholic Women in Villa Park is seeking crafters for its “Swing into Spring” craft fair which will be held on Saturday, March 19, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the St. Alexander parish hall/

gym.

Space is available for more than 40 crafters. Spaces are approximately 6 feet by 10 feet and can be reserved for a base fee of $30.

The fair features hand-crafted

items only. Hand-made candies are welcome, but no other baked goods or raffles.

For information, please contact Fran at 708-548-9674 or Pat at 630941-8592.

Obituaries

Debra Hamilton Advertising Director

Lawrence J. Massino, 82 Lawrence J. Massino, of Villa Park, passed away recently at the age of 82. Beloved husband of Sally Massino, nee Virus; loving father of Lora (Brian) Ciferri and Nick Massino; dear son of the late Sandrina, nee Carrara, and the late Frank Massino; devoted grandfather of Zachary and Michael; fond brother of many; uncle of many nieces and nephews.

CHRIS FOX PHOTO Rock Valley Publishing Arrangements provided by Steuerle District 1-J (D1J) Motorcycle Lions Club conducted a recent drive to collect toys, games and other Funeral Home. Info: 630-832-4161 items for children served by Tri-Town YMCA. D1J brought the items to Tri-Town YMCA’s administrative or visit steuerlefh.com. office in Villa Park last week. Pictured (left to right) in the back row are Sarah O’Donnell—Tri-Town YM-

Pete Cruger Publisher

Advertising: Brenda Garcia Marguerite Micken

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.

Postmaster: Please send address changes to: THE VILLA PARK REVIEW 240 N. West Avenue, Elmhurst, IL. 60126

Office Hours:

352518

Monday-Friday 11am-3pm

Joyce McCullough, 92 Joyce Darlene McCullough, nee Williamson, of Villa Park, passed away recently at the age of 92.

Beloved wife of the late Gary McCullough; loving mother of Stephen (Sandy) McCullough, David (Tracey) McCullough, and the late Michael McCullough; devoted grandmother of Courtney (Dave), Daniel, AJ, Ryan, Donovan, Hannah and Charlotte; dear sister of Ruth (the late Paul) Rossi and preceded in death by 9 siblings; aunt of many nieces and nephews.

Joyce loved to garden and play the piano. She was great baker, had a sarcastic sense of humor, and loved spending time with her family.

The McCullough family would like to acknowledge and thank the Rossi Family, especially Cindy and Paula, who treated Joyce like one of their own; filling the space our physical distance could not. You loved her and cared for her daily, and we are forever grateful. Arrangements provided by Steuerle Funeral Home. Info: 630-

CA’s chief executive officer and executive director—and Justin Shlensky of D1J Motorcycle Lions Club.

They are pictured with some of the children Tri-Town YMCA serves, along with a portion of the items donated during the drive.

Motorcycle club’s drive collects toys, games and more for children served by Tri-Town YMCA STAFF REPORT

District 1-J (D1J) Motorcycle Lions Club held a recent drive to collect new and gently used toys, games, sports equipment, stuffed animals, children’s bicycles and more for Tri-Town YMCA, which serves Lombard, Villa Park and Oakbrook Terrace.

Wild Fire Harley-Davidson, located at 120 W. North Ave., Villa Park, collaborated with the drive by providing collection boxes at its dealership. D1J’s drive began on Jan. 3, and continued through Feb. 13. D1J presented the collected items as a Valentine’s Day gift to the children served by Tri-Town YMCA. The club issued the following statement following the successful

collection drive: “District 1-J Motorcycle Lions Club is extremely grateful to all of those that donated new and/or gently used games and toys to benefit the children of Tri-Town YMCA. Since we began this nearly monthand-a-half-long collection effort, we received positive support from our local communities and other not-forprofits, including the Roselle Lions Club. We have no doubt that the collected items will be well used and enjoyed by the Tri-Town kids, as they were enthusiastic to receive the donated items when we delivered them on Valentine’s Day this past Monday [Feb. 14].

“We are very thankful to Windy City Motorcycle Company for serv-

ing as a collaborator and collection hub in this effort. A special thanks goes to Travis Christopherson (Regional General Manager) and Sydney Hatton (Local Store Marketing Coordinator), as they were instrumental in promoting the collection efforts at their Wild Fire Harley-Davidson and Fox River Harley-Davidson locations, and via social media.

“We look forward to continuing to serve the needs of our communities.

We already have great fundraisers and rides planned for this upcoming riding season, and if any organizations would like us to assist in any efforts throughout the year, please reach us via email at infomotorcyclelions@ gmail.com and/or via social media @ District 1-J Motorcycle Lions Club.”

Rock Valley Publishing - Thursday, Feb. 24, 2022 • 5

Mabutas competes at IHSA individual state meet

Willowbrook standout wins one match in Champaign; Addison Trail’s Skamra wrestles in 2 matches

which concluded on Saturday at the Willowbrook senior Nick Mabu- State Farm Center in Champaign. tas competed at the IHSA Class Battling in the 170-pound weight 3A individual state wrestling meet, STAFF REPORT

division, Mabutas won his first match in Champaign before suffering a loss in the quarterfinal round.

Mabutas then suffered a narrow loss in the consolation round.

Mabutas finished the season with an overall record of 33-7.

Mabutas delivered a second-period pin in his first match at the state meet. That victory propelled Mabutas into the quarterfinal round. Mar-

mion Academy’s Tyler Perry earned a second-period pin against Mabutas in the quarterfinal round.

Austin Stewart of Collinsville edged Mabutas 7-6 in a consolation-round match.

Mabutas earned his berth in the state meet with a third-place finish in the 170-pound weight class at the Conant Sectional on Feb. 12. He qualified for the sectional by winning

the 170-pound title at the Wheaton North Regional on Feb. 5.

Addison Trail junior Seth Skamra competed in the Class 3A individual state meet’s 182-pound weight level.

Skamra suffered a 9-2 loss in his first match in Champaign. He then lost a consolation-round match by a score of 15-7.

Skamra completed the season with a 25-10 record.

Eva Sanchez, REALTOR® To buy or sell a house call EVA today

Call or Text: (630) 561�8742

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Taking You and Your Family To Your Next Home!

www.SeeYourHouseRightHere.com Email: SeeYourHouse@outlook.com CHRIS FOX PHOTO Rock Valley Publishing

Blazers finish their season

130 West Park Ave., Elmhurst, IL 60126 408189

Junior Elena Papanicolaou (No. 1) of the Addison Trail girls basketball team is pictured during last week’s IHSA Class 4A regional semifinal against St. Charles North. The North Stars defeated the Blazers 52-44 in Addison. Papanicolaou sank a pair of 3-point shots during the second quarter of the Feb. 15 game.

6 • Thursday, Feb. 24, 2022 - Rock Valley Publishing

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.

Addison Feb. 14 Jasmine Guerrero, 23, of Maywood, was charged with DUI in the 700 block of N. Rohlwing at 12:45 a.m.

Police said Robert A. Mezza, 40, of Addison, was issued a warrant in the 600 block of W. Diversey at 8:35 p.m.

Feb. 13 Manuel Carrillo, 45, of Addison, was charged with two counts of DUI and illegal possession/transportation of liquor by a driver near Rozanne and Michael at 3:31 a.m.

Feb. 10 Artemio Carmona-Velasco, 29, of Addison, was charged with two counts of DUI, no driver’s license and no insurance in the 300 block of W. Dale at 11:24 p.m.

Feb. 9 Adrian Enciso, 20, of Streamwood, was charged with two counts of battery at 7:25 p.m.

Feb. 8 Francisco Juan Salvador, 23, of Des Plaines, was charged with two counts of DUI and no driver’s license or permit near Kingston and Army Trail at 12:18 a.m.

Feb. 7 Izabela Weronika Ciukaj, 19, of

Addison, was charged with two counts of DUI and stopping/standing/parking in a non-business district near Rozanne and Marilyn at 1:32 a.m.

evelt and S. York at 10:44 p.m.

A 26-year-old Villa Park man was charged with two counts of domestic battery in the 200 block of N. Wisconsin at 2:17 p.m.

A complainant in the 200 block of Feb. 6 W. North reported at 2:27 p.m. that A 47-year-old Chicago woman an unknown suspect was threatening was charged with two counts of do- the complainant. mestic battery in the 1100 block of N. Swift at 12:07 a.m.

Feb. 10 Elver F. Ramos-Garcia, 24, of AdA complainant in the 100 block of dison, was charged with DUI and im- E. Washington reported at 9:31 a.m. proper lane usage near Addison and that an unknown suspect slashed a Sidney at 12:21 a.m. tire on the complainant’s vehicle while it was parked in a lot.

Feb. 5 Theft of vehicle parts was reportRobert M. Garcia, 24, of Addison, ed at a business in the 100 block of was charged with two counts of DUI E. North at 9:40 a.m. A complainant and failure to notify concerning dam- reported that an unknown suspect reage to an unattended vehicle in the moved a catalytic converter from a 1200 N. Aspen at 1:43 a.m. vehicle that was parked in a lot.

A complainant at a car wash in the Feb. 3 700 block of N. Addison reported at Drew R. Cornwell, 35, of Glen El- 2:34 p.m. that a subject was causing lyn, was charged with possession of a disturbance. Officers spoke with a controlled substance, two counts of the subject, who was issued a trespossession of drug paraphernalia and pass notice. driving while license suspended.

Feb. 9 Jorge C. Ramirez, 57, of Villa Villa Park Park, was issued citations for conFeb. 12 Police said Kenneth D. Hartman, spiracy/leaving the scene of an ac25, of Villa Park, was arrested on a cident involving damage to the atfailure to appear warrant out of DuP- tended vehicle, driving while license age County in the 400 block of N. suspended, failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident and no insurance Addison at 2:27 p.m.

Police said Karen E. Valles, 22, of near N. Ardmore and E. Vermont at Villa Park, was arrested on an origi- 6:38 p.m.

Burglary was reported at a fitness nal complaint and warrant in the 400 block of N. Ardmore at 4:36 p.m. center in the 200 block of W. Roostemming from an incident Nov. 9, sevelt at 6:59 p.m. A complainant reported that an unknown suspect 2021. broke the lock on their locker and stole money.

Feb. 11 Theft of vehicle parts was reported Bryan R. Dordain, 28, of Broadview, was charged with possession in the 1-100 block of W. Plymouth of a controlled substance/other drug, at 11:12 p.m. A complainant reported unlawful possession of cannabis by See POLICE, Page 17 a driver and speeding near E. Roos413054

Police Reports

Bond set at $1 million for Warrenville woman accused of Feb. 13 murder DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert B. Berlin and Warrenville Chief of Police Raymond Turano have announced that bond has been set for a Warrenville wom- Deanna Coakley an charged with the murder of her daughter’s father, 31-year-old Joseph Strock.

Deanna Coakley, 27, appeared at a bond hearing in front of Judge Daniel Guerin who set bond at $1 million with 10 percent to apply. Coakley has been charged with one count of first-degree murder.

On Feb. 13 at approximately 6:51 p.m., Warrenville police officers responded to a call at Coakley’s residence for a report of a woman screaming. Upon their arrival, police said officers found Coakley on top of a male, later identified as Strock, near the front of the residence directly in front of the door. Strock was bleeding from the neck and a large pool of blood was under his body.

Strock was transported to a local hospital for a laceration to the right side of his neck and was pronounced deceased.

Following an investigation by the Warrenville Police Department, it is alleged that at some point in the evening, a verbal altercation between Coakley and Strock turned physical at which time Coakley stabbed

Strock in the neck with a kitchen knife.

It is alleged that following the stabbing, Strock exited the apartment and collapsed on the ground outside the front door where authorities found him.

“Nationwide, domestic violence remains a silent epidemic that unfortunately occurs predominantly behind closed doors,” Berlin said. “If left unchecked however, the consequences can be deadly, as is alleged in this case. I urge anyone who finds themselves in an abusive relationship to seek help from any of a multitude of social service programs available throughout the country that offer assistance and guidance to people in an abusive relationship. I offer my sincerest condolences to the family and friends of Joseph Strock on their loss. I thank the Warrenville Police Department and DuPage County MERIT for their work on this very sad case.”

“I am extremely pleased that through the hard work and professionalism of the Warrenville Police Department, DuPage County MERIT and the DuPage County Coroner’s Office, we were able to bring a successful resolution to this tragic incident,” Turano said. “I also commend State’s Attorney Bob Berlin and his office for their legal guidance throughout the entire investigation.”

Coakley’s next court appearance is scheduled March 10 for arraignment in front of Judge Guerin.

Man charged with concealing loaded gun in baby’s crib/possession of illegal drugs Weapon allegedly had an extended magazine and one bullet in chamber

DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert B. Berlin announced that bond has been set for a Woodridge man accused of possessing more than 55 grams of illegal narcotics Tenzell Terry and illegally possessing a loaded handgun.

Tenzell Terry, 22, appeared at a bond hearing where Judge Robert Kleeman set bond at $350,000 with 10 percent to apply. Terry has been charged with one count of armed violence (Class X felony), two counts of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance (Class X felony) two counts of possession of a controlled substance (Class 1 felony) and one count of unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon (Class 3 felony).

On Feb. 8 at approximately 5:30 a.m., as part of their ongoing investigations into the sale of illegal narcotics in DuPage County, officers with the Woodridge Police Department executed a search warrant at Terry’s residence.

Occupants of the residence included Terry, another individual and Terry’s one-year-old baby. It is alleged that while performing their duties, officers found a loaded Glock 9mm handgun with an ex-

tended magazine of 30 rounds and one bullet in the chamber underneath the mattress in Terry’s baby’s crib. It is further alleged that located in a closet in the baby’s room were items of clothing containing packaged heroin/fentanyl (approximately 20 grams) and cocaine (approximately 37 grams).

It is further alleged that in a second bedroom, officers found a second magazine with five rounds inside and two additional empty magazines along with $1,064 in cash.

Terry was taken into custody at this time.

“The very idea that someone would hide a loaded weapon with one bullet in the chamber and an extended magazine under a mattress where his baby slept, as is alleged in this case, is just beyond belief,” Berlin said. “Additionally, the illegal narcotics allegedly found in the baby’s room are further evidence of Mr. Terry’s complete disregard for the safety of a one-year-old baby. I commend the Illinois State Police, the DuPage County Metropolitan Enforcement Group and the Woodridge Police Department for their work on this case and for their continued efforts in keeping illegal narcotics out of our communities.”

Terry’s next court appearance is scheduled for March 7 in front of Judge Brian Telander for arraignment.

Rock Valley Publishing - Thursday, Feb. 24, 2022 • 7VP

Warriors lose regional final to St. Charles East Willowbrook posts a season record of 22-6

STAFF REPORT

The Willowbrook girls basketball team’s 2021-22 season ended with a 49-46 loss to St. Charles East in last week’s IHSA Class 4A regional final in Villa Park. The Fighting Saints held a 26-17 halftime lead over Willowbrook in the Feb. 17 contest. The Warriors mounted a comeback in the second half, and the teams were tied at 44-44 with about two minutes to play.

Willowbrook completed its season with an overall record of 22-6.

That record includes a perfect 12-0 mark in West Suburban Gold Conference play.

St. Charles East, which improved to 20-6 with its win over Willowbrook, advanced to this week’s Bartlett Sectional. The Fighting Saints battled Geneva in a sectional semifinal contest on Feb. 22. The winner of that game will play Wheaton North or Batavia in tonight’s sectional final.

The Warriors opened the post-season with a 53-37 victory over Conant in a regional semifinal in Villa Park on Feb. 14.

Senior Sophie Sullivan scored a team-leading 17 points for Willowbrook in the regional final against St. Charles East. Sophomore Calli Kenny provided 16 points. Freshman Hannah Kenny added five points, while sophomore Elle Bruschuk supplied four points and 10 rebounds.

Junior Sara Stout added three points.

The Warriors trailed the Fighting Saints 48-46 in the game’s closing seconds. Willowbrook missed an inside shot with less than 10 seconds to play. The Warriors then fouled St. Charles East with 4.1 seconds on the clock to force two free throws. The Fighting Saints missed the first free throw and made the second shot to raise their lead to 49-46.

Sullivan then drove down the court and launched a last-second 3-point attempt from near the half-court line that could have tied the game. The shot hit the rim and bounced away.

Willowbrook led St. Charles East 11-9 at the end of the first quarter.

The Fighting Saints took a 26-17 halftime lead, but the Warriors reduced that lead to 39-34 by the end of the third quarter.

“I felt like we were still close enough at halftime to make a run on them,” said Willowbrook coach Terry Harrell after the season-ending loss to St. Charles East. “We came out in the second half and put pressure on them.”

The Warriors made 12 of 24 freethrow attempts during the regional final.

“We just didn’t make enough free throws, and that’s not us,” said Harrell, who stated the Warriors made around 70 percent of their free throws during the season.

Sullivan scored 17 points in Willowbrook’s win over Conant in the

regional semifinal. Calli Kenny provided 15 points. Hannah Kenny added eight points, while Bruschuk scored six points. Junior Angie Lizasuain contributed five points for the Warriors, who made eight of 12 free throws in the game.

Willowbrook led Conant 18-6 through one quarter and 28-15 at halftime.

CHRIS FOX PHOTOS Rock Valley Publishing

Willowbrook’s girls basketball team finished its season with last week’s 49-46 loss to St. Charles East in an IHSA Class 4A regional final in Villa Park. The Warriors finished the 2021-22 season with an overall record of 22-6. Willowbrook opened the post-season with a 53-37 victory over Conant in a regional semifinal on Feb. 14. Senior Sophie Sullivan (No. 1) scored 17 points in the win over Conant.

Sophomore Calli Kenny (No. 15) provided 15 points. Sullivan and Kenny provided 17 and 16 points, respectively, in the regional final on Feb. 17. Sullivan is pictured (left) during the regional semifinal against Conant. Kenny is shown (above) during the regional final against the Fighting Saints. St. Charles East advanced to this week’s Bartlett Sectional.

Warriors beat Blazers to clinch a share of conference title Willowbrook posts conference record of 10-2 to share title with Proviso East

STAFF REPORT

The Willowbrook boys basketball team earned a share of the West Suburban Gold Conference title by beating Addison Trail 77-57 last week in Villa Park.

The Warriors finished their conference and regular season with the Feb. 15 win over the Blazers. Willowbrook improved its overall season record to 20-9 and completed its West Suburban Gold season with a 10-2 record.

The Warriors share the conference title with Proviso East, which also posted a West Suburban Gold record of 10-2. Morton had a chance to claim a share of the conference title, but it finished the season with a loss to Hinsdale South on Feb. 15. Morton completed the conference season with a 9-3 record.

Willowbrook poured in 29 first-quarter points in last week’s game against Addison Trail. The Warriors led the Blazers 29-17 after one quarter and 45-30 at halftime.

The Blazers cut the Warriors’ lead to 56-44 by the end of the third quarter.

Senior Marquel Saleek scored a team-leading 27 points for the Warriors in last week’s win over Addison Trail. Saleek scored 11 points in the first quarter. He added seven more points in the second quarter.

Junior Joey Tumilty connected on three shots from 3-point range during the first quarter. Tumilty scored 12 points in the opening quarter. He

drained another 3-point shot in the second quarter. Tumilty finished with 16 points.

Senior Noah Campbell provided 15 points, while junior Isaac Sobieszczyk supplied 11 points.

Seniors Jacob Daniels and Nathan Johnson both scored 13 points for Addison Trail. Freshman Luke Smith

scored 11 points.

The Warriors will open the IHSA Class 4A post-season with this week’s game against York at the Glenbard West Regional. The winner of the regional semifinal between Willowbrook and York will likely meet Glenbard West in Friday’s regional final.

CHRIS FOX PHOTOS Rock Valley Publishing

Willowbrook’s boys basketball team finished its regular season with last week’s 77-57 West Suburban Gold Conference victory over Addison Trail in Villa Park. The Warriors completed the regular season with an overall record of 20-9. Willowbrook posted a conference record of 10-2. The Warriors claimed a share of the conference title. Proviso East also finished the season with a conference mark of 10-2. Senior Marquel Saleek (above right - No. 3) scored 27 points in Willowbrook’s Feb. 15 win over Addison Trail. Junior Joey Tumilty (No. 20, pictured above left with Addison Trail senior Samuel Renc–No. 5), who made three shots from 3-point range in the first quarter, provided 16 points for the Warriors.

8 • Thursday, Feb. 24, 2022 - Rock Valley Publishing

Rock Valley Publishing

Viewpoint

Feb. 24, 2022 • 8

Legislature bears some blame for disarray in social services

By Jim Nowlan This past month, a Cook County judge held the director of the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services in contempt of court, an unprecedented action.

In this latest instance, two DCFS youngsters languished in mental health facilities months after they were ready to be discharged.

What’s new? DCFS has been under a federal court order to do better for the 21,000 young in its care—for 30 years! This is a reflection of the uneven, often poor, job Illinois has done in providing and delivering services to the four million Illinois residents (out of 12.8 million) who receive health and social services from the state.

As a former Illinois House member whose service predates the four decades of the House Speaker Mike Madigan era, I have recommendations for reform of both our people services and the Legislature.

The state of Illinois spends more than 4 of every 10 dollars of its operating budget on health and social services, while we spend just 2 in 10 of our state dollars on educating our kids, from preschool through our colleges and universities. Obviously, getting things right in providing services to people, which will never be easy, is a big deal.

Yet, according to research that Tom Johnson and I did for our book Fixing Illinois (University of Illinois Press, 2014), problems with the state’s delivery of social services go much deeper and broader than DCFS. A few examples: · Agencies and divisions operate within “silos,” unable to share information digitally about clients, whose problems they often share. As one bureaucrat put it: Interagency cooperation is an unnatural act among unwilling partners. · Perverse incentives. As a mom lamented recently to a nonprofit agency director: “I want out of welfare, but I’m trapped in the system.” That is, if she takes a job on offer, she will immediately, before she can get her life back together, lose health care and other services for her children. So, she opts for what she thinks best for her kids and stays on welfare.

· We strand people in the system too long. DCFS keeps children in foster care longer than any state in the nation. · The wrong people are in charge.

Governors come and go, and often enter office with little knowledge of state government. By the time they develop some understanding, the guvs and their agency directors are out the door.

As a result, social services are largely directed by the powerful public employee unions, plus the interest groups that represent hospitals, doctors, nursing homes and other interests. Their leaders are, maybe understandably, often more concerned about their members than about the mostly powerless people they are supposed to serve.

So, who is to represent the poorly educated single mother who made bad decisions early in life? Or the veteran in a state nursing home, or any of the 4 million of us who receive state social services?

My friends say it’s the governor’s job, but governors are transient. The DCFS failures have been with us for 30 years, and six governors have been unable to fix the problems.

I say the responsibility ultimately falls to the Illinois General Assembly, with its fundamental responsibility to oversee the executive branch. Parliamentary systems such as in the United Kingdom do not even have an elected executive branch. Walter Bagehot, 19th Century English political economist and founder of the Economist news magazine, observed: “The job of a minister (always a member of their Parliament, that is, legislature) is not to run his ministry (department), but to see that it runs well.” That is the challenge for our General Assembly.

Our legislature has, however, become fragmented and woefully inept at handling big-picture problems. The Illinois House has 47 committees(!) for a body of 118 members. Each can deal only with a little piece our sprawling state bureaucracy.

This ridiculous number of committees has been created because: 1.) each chair and minority party spokesman receive a $10,000 bump to his or her pay for heading a committee; almost every House member is a “committee leader,” and 2.) the fragmentation increases the power of the legislative leaders.

See SERVICES, Page 17

Slices of life

Grief tutorial 2.0 — Part 1

About a month after I lost my husband, I put together a tutorial of sorts for what to do (and not to do) when someone you love is grieving.

It’s been over a year since and then and in that time I’ve gained myriad knowledge about the grief process.

(Yeah me!)

Losing is a part of loving and loving is a part of life so I think this is knowledge we all can use, whether we are helping someone through grief, we are grieving ourselves or both.

This information was too much for one column, so I’ve put together advice for those who are grieving (this column) and those who love someone who is walking the walk (next week’s message).

When you are grieving: It’s tempting to compare your situation to that of someone else’s.

Don’t.

The death of a child, a spouse, a friend, a sibling, a parent or anyone you love or have loved—they are all devastating. You can’t measure or compare devastating. Each experience is unique. Don’t equate your grief with someone else’s, especially if theirs is newer than yours. Give them the moment.

As much as you want it to end, it never will. I remember on day two vowing I wouldn’t be defined by widowhood. I now realize

eternal and more beautiful than I ever knew before grief.

Grief may leave you alone, but By alone comes with certain unique JILL possibilities. When you share PERTLER your world with another person Columnist it is wonderful, but it also means sharing your world. Grief leaves you free to not share. This means that might be impossible. Much pursuing you. It is realizing it’s like other significant roles in life, OK to have your own bucket list you can’t pretend widowhood because the “our” bucket list may away. The event doesn’t have to not longer exist. Take this for what completely define you, but much it is and bucket your way away. like the significant gain of a Give yourself grace. You are marriage or birth of a child, it will walking a walk that you never change you and will forever affect planned nor would have chosen. you. You simply can’t deny it.

You were forced to pivot midAfter a deep loss, every day step and keep breathing the whole starts out hard because it often while—that is nothing short of Olympic. Give yourself a medal for comes with the realization of the life you are now living; Sometimes participation; make it a gold one at the aloneness is nearly too much to that.

No one chooses grief, or loss; bear. But every day is also a new it descends upon us and claims a day with opportunities to take a permanent spot in our lives. Grief step (even a small step) forward. isn’t something you get past or get If you falter and stand still or go over. It is something you learn to backward, give yourself grace. live with—in tandem. It remains in There’s always tomorrow. your life, but whether it rules you The people we loved are not or you rule it is in your power. gone or lost. They are close, Claim your power. especially if we acknowledge and Jill Pertler is an award-winning believe in their closeness. They want us to acknowledge and believe syndicated columnist, published in their closeness. Love never dies; playwright and author. She invites human bodies die, but love remains readers to follow the Slices of Life page on Facebook. intact. It continues to grow. It is

Rock Valley Publishing - Thursday, Feb. 24, 2022 • 9

Campers take the floor

CHRIS FOX PHOTOS Rock Valley Publishing

Willowbrook High School’s cheerleading program held a week-long camp for girls in kindergarten through fifth grade during the week of Feb. 7. The 31 girls who took part in the camp performed during halftime of the Warriors’ boys basketball game on Saturday, Feb. 12. Willowbrook’s cheerleading program will conduct another week-long camp for kids this summer.

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Rock Valley Publishing - Thursday, Feb. 24, 2022 • 13

Bill seeks pay raise for tipped workers Sponsor says it is a step out of poverty for millions of working families

A bill in the Illinois House would do away with the sub-minimum wage paid to waitresses, bartenders and other tipped service workers.

Rep. Camille Lilly, D-Chicago, introduced House Bill 5139 last month. If the bill becomes law, workers who supplement their wages with tips will receive the state’s minimum wage starting on Jan. 1, 2025, in addition to their tips.

Its passage may be a tall order, however, as the Illinois Restaurant Association successfully lobbied when lawmakers overhauled the minimum wage schedule in 2019 to allow businesses to continue to pay less than minimum wage to employees who earn tips.

Lilly’s bill has currently not received a full committee assignment and has no cosponsors.

In 2019, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker signed legislation into law providing a path to increase Illinois’ minimum wage rate to $15 per hour and $9 for tipped workers by 2025. Servers and bartenders who receive tips are currently subject to a $7.20 an hour minimum wage.

At a bill signing for that 2019 law, Sam Toia, president of the Restaurant Association, appeared along-

side Pritzker and praised the law for maintaining the credit which allows employers to pay tipped workers 60 percent of the minimum wage if tips make up the other 40 percent.

The IRA did not respond to a request for comment as of this publication.

But Lilly, in a recent news conference, noted that Valentine’s Day is the highest grossing day of the year for restaurants, making the announcement of the effort to eliminate the sub-minimum wage in Illinois poetic.

“This work comes from the heart,” Lilly said. “This is the beginning of addressing poverty for each and every worker across the state of Illinois.”

“Two years ago, we raised the minimum wage, but we left tip workers out,” Lilly said. “This is a way to address that.”

Since 2020, more than a million workers have left the hospitality industry nationwide. In Illinois, about 90,000 workers have left the industry since 2020, according the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The bureau reported that a record 4.5 million Americans quit their jobs in November, but the quit rate in the hospitality and leisure industry was 6.4 percent – more than double the

average of all the combined industries.

The virtual news conference was hosted by the organization One Fair Wage, based in New York.

Attendees said the hot job market led many in the hospitality industry to find higher paying jobs in other sectors.

The added challenges for restaurant workers included enforcing COVID-19 mandates, as well as exposing themselves to the virus by those who refused to comply with mitigation efforts. Also, sexual harassment is often tolerated because waitresses and bartenders depend on tips to supplement their hourly income.

In 2019, women made up 51 percent of workforce in the hospitality industry.

Tabina Gibson, of Chicago, worked in the hospitality industry for 20 years. Gibson, who attended the news conference with Lilly, is the mother of five and grandmother to two.

When the pandemic hit and she was laid off, she said she found she made too little in wages to collect unemployment. She used a grant and started a small business with her daughter selling lip gloss and other personal care items.

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“Give and it shall be given back to you,” he said.

Love’s daughter, Grace, is a waitress at her father’s restaurant. She currently gets paid $9 an hour plus tips.

State Democrats vote to remove maskless Republicans from chamber Drama once again delays start of session

By Grace Kinnicutt CAPITOL NEWS ILLINOIS

The Illinois House voted to remove nine Republican members from the House floor Feb. 17 for their refusal to comply with face covering requirements, delaying the start of the legislative session for the third straight day.

In a 66-39 vote, Democrats voted to remove Reps. Joe Sosnowski, R-Rockford, Tony McCombie, R-Savanna, Blaine Wilhour, R-Beecher City, Brad Halbrook, R-Shelbyville, Adam Niemerg, R-Dieterich, Da-

vid Welter, R-Morris, David Friess, R-Red Bud, Chris Miller, R-Oakland, and Andrew Chesney, R-Freeport.

While most of those lawmakers chose to participate remotely after that action, one, McCombie, remained on the floor, unmasked, without incident for the remainder of the Feb. 17 session.

The removed GOP members were accompanied by most of their caucus upon exiting the floor, and they

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Gibson isn’t alone. In March 2020, one in four people in Illinois who lost their jobs was in the restaurant industry, but two-thirds of restaurant workers reported they couldn’t access unemployment benefits because their subminimum wage was too low to qualify for benefits.

Victor Love owns Josephine’s Southern Cooking in Chicago. He said he has challenges. His restaurant survived the pandemic and the violence that occurs in the neighbor-

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When politicians and so-called experts claim that the science regarding COVID-19 has changed, don’t trust them. It’s more accurate to say that these politicians and “experts” didn’t know what they were doing for about two years. Closing beaches and playgrounds never made sense. I remember when they dumped a ton of wood chips on the skate park in Villa Park to keep

kids away. I also remember when parents couldn’t go to their kids’ outdoor sporting events. Parents had to watch cross-country meets from their cars, or from parking lots of nearby businesses.

And the kids who ran the race had to put their masks on and head to the bus as soon as they crossed the finish line.

What a joke. Hopefully more people are wising up.

Porro claims 47th at IHSA state meet Sophomore bowls 12 games in Rockford

STAFF REPORT

Willowbrook sophomore Jacquelyn Porro finished 47th in the individual standings of the IHSA girls bowling state meet, which took place Friday and Saturday at the Cherry Bowl in Rockford. Porro bowled a total of 12 games at the state meet.

Porro rolled a six-game score of 1,131 on Friday. She opened the state meet with a game score of 199. She then added scores of 215 and 196 for a three-game total of 610. Porro delivered a score of 521 in her next three games (scores of 135, 202 and 184 on Friday) to tally her six-game score of 1,131.

The top 30 individual bowlers who weren’t members of a state-qualifying team advanced to Saturday’s third and fourth rounds at the state meet. Porro finished among that group of individual competitors.

She rolled a 166 in her first game on Saturday. She added scores of 172 and 218 in her next two games for a three-game total of 556. In her last three games on Saturday, she bowled scores of 184, 202 and 181 for a three-game series score of 567.

Porro’s six-game total of 1,131 on Friday, combined with her total of 1,123, yielded her overall 47th-place state-meet score of 2,254.

*** How refreshing it is to see the appellate court stand up to King Pritzker and reject his appeal of a temporary restraining order on his school mask mandate. I’m not surprised his royal highness will now go all the way to the Illinois State Supreme Court to try and get this appellate ruling overturned.

Authoritarians like Pritzker can’t stand to be challenged, let alone overruled.

The sad thing is King Pritzker stands a good chance to win in the state Supreme Court because the court has four Democrats and three Republicans. *** People can, and will, continue to complain about our Illinois governor—that is their right. But, please remember there was no “play book” on how to handle a pandemic and he is doing what he and his advisors think is the right thing to do for our state. Hindsight is great for all those who would have done things differently. *** That pretty boy dictator in Canada, Justin Trudeau, is a real piece of work.

His emergency orders would freeze the bank accounts of the truckers who are protesting and the bank accounts of anyone linked with the protestors. I bet the regressive leftists in this country love what he’s doing and are taking notes. *** You really have to feel sorry for Republicans these days. The RNC is making a fool of themselves by calling out other Republicans who are doing the right and proper thing to find out who tried to overthrow our government last year. Thankfully some Republicans, like Mitch McConnell, are seeing the light, and admitting that the RNC and the former president were wrong. *** I was watching Dr. Allison Arwady on the Chicago news the other day.

She’s the commissioner of the Chicago Department of Public Health. I heard her say she’s not committed to lifting the mask mandate on Feb. 28 in Chicago along with the rest of the state. Why would anyone want to live in Chica-

• Teacher

CHRIS FOX FILE PHOTO Rock Valley Publishing

State-meet competitor

Willowbrook senior Bella Naumovsky competed in the IHSA girls gymnastics state meet, which took place Friday and Saturday at Palatine High School. Naumovsky earned an all-around berth in the state meet with her performance at the Glenbard West Sectional on Feb. 10. She also earned state-meet berths in three individual events—the uneven bars, the balance beam and the vault. Naumovsky placed 19th in the state meet’s all-around competition with her score of 36.25. She earned that all-around total with scores of 9.1 on the vault, 9.225 on the uneven bars, 9.3 on the balance beam and 8.625 in floor exercises. The top 10 competitors in each of the four individual events during Friday’s preliminaries advanced to Saturday’s finals. Naumovsky did not qualify for the finals in an individual event. She tied for 14th on the uneven bars in Friday’s preliminaries with her score of 9.225.

Her score of 9.3 on the balance beam was good for 13th place.

Naumovsky placed in a 27th-place tie in the vault with her score of 9.1. Naumovsky is pictured during her performance on the uneven bars at the Glenbard West Sectional.

go at this point, let alone do business or own a business there, with control freaks like Arwady and Lori Lightfoot calling the shots? *** When Republican governors relax COVID-19 restrictions, the media goes berserk and claims Republicans don’t care if people die. When Democrat governors relax COVID-19 restrictions, the media treats it like a simple news story. *** Trump is on videos stating that “you don’t have to claim the 5th Amendment if you have nothing to hide.”

Well, he, Trump junior and Ivanka are all likely to “take the 5th” when ordered to testify in the New York fraud investigation. That should show everyone that he is guilty, as are his kids. He is such an embarrassment to our county.

We recently learned that he considered all voting machines to be confiscated after he lost in 2020. He stated, also on video, that he wanted to “be king” and not just president. His “reign” is over and maybe this country can start being great again. *** For the last 23 months Democrats told us we must obey the law on masks. Now they are defying the law on masks since things have changed. I see now. Laws for thee but not for me. *** Democrats are all for organized protests when it suits them. If leftists want to burn down police stations, loot American cities, tear down statues, stand in freeways and intimidate political opponents, Democrats and their allies in the media are supportive.

But when the Canadian truckers come along, it’s a different story. *** The White House pushes for mandates and new laws to increase socialism that breeds communism with the guise and purpose make our life better off. Why do we look at China and Russia as adversaries? We can’t even take a walk at night in Chicago without heavy concern for safety and life. Maybe we should reinstate cor-

poral punishment and hard labor for habitual lawbreakers like they do.

Thank you. *** It’s getting totally out of hand that reports of catalytic converter thefts are more frequent in the police blotter. Maybe manufacturers should put a special serial number or GPS-like device on them, or an alarm that goes off if tampered with. That may be the extreme, but the police can’t be everywhere to catch these thieves. It is hard to imagine reputable buyers would purchase them, no questions asked.

But at least with a serial number, the converter could be traced to its vehicle.

Obviously, these converters are being sold to unscrupulous buyers. Let’s get a sting operation going, because it is my guess with all the thefts in Lombard alone, there is a buyer not too far away. *** I hope the Biden administration pays Press Secretary Jen Psaki enough because she is really good at what she does. She has talent. It is pretty hard to sugarcoat all the things that are happening; if the sugar melts too fast, she says we’ll circle back. Eventually, everyone will get busy. *** I wonder if the liberals and the left are having more enjoyment complaining about food and gas prices than they did complaining about Trump’s personality and hairdo. *** Good morning. It’s Thursday, Feb. 17. I’d like to congratulate the local school districts for getting a spot in the Guinness Book of World Records for the least-snowiest snow day. Do these people not even watch the weather before they decide to shut down the schools for absolutely no reason whatsoever? Do they have any idea what this does to working parents who now have to figure out what to do with their children? This is crazy. We were supposed to trust them about the mask issue and they can’t even figure out how much it’s going to snow? Give me a break. Thank you.

(Continued from page 4)

filed their appeals. The Grievance is digitally filed and will be hand-delivered tomorrow. We now wait. Hopefully, reason will happen sooner than later.”

Blair’s message to union members soon appeared on various social media outlets. On Feb. 11, Barbanente issued a message to the community.

Her message noted that the district was aware of the communication sent

by Blair in his capacity as the president of the union representing District 88 teachers.

“As a result of these communications, the person who sent the messages has been placed on administrative leave until further notice, pending a personnel investigation,” stated Barbanente. “As this is a personnel matter, please understand we are unable to share further details at this time.”

Barbanente’s message added that Blair had resigned as the union’s president, effective immediately. Blair’s brief statement announcing his resignation from the presidency of the District 88 Teachers Council also appeared on social media outlets.

“The union is independent of Dis-

trict 88, and the person who sent these communications did not do so as a representative or a spokesperson of District 88,” Barbanente added in her message to the community on Feb. 11. “The personal opinions expressed in the communications are not shared by the District 88 Board of Education, District 88 administration, or the administration of Addison Trail or Willowbrook high schools and do not reflect District 88’s expectations that staff maintain high standards in their school relationships and be considerate.”

The superintendent’s message stated that the district will keep its environments free from bullying, harassment and intimidation.

“Our highest priority is to ensure ALL of our students feel safe at school and that the rights of each and every student are respected”, stated Barbanente. “Please be assured all students will be cared for and supported by our staff.”

Before resigning as president of the District 88 Teachers Council, Blair issued a message to the district’s students, parents and the entire District

88 community. The letter appeared on the district’s website, under the headline of “Letter of apology from DuPage District 88 Teachers Council President.”

“As a longtime member of the District 88 family, I have such immense respect for the students, parents, community, and staff,” Blair wrote in his letter. “I grew up in this community as an educator, and to jeopardize that respect and love for this community is devastating. I wrote an email out of frustration, and that was very wrong.

I made a terrible mistake that I need to own.

“My priority, for my entire career, has always been the health and safety of our students, parents, and entire school community. I let my frustrations get the best of me in a moment that I should have had more control over.

“I need you to know that I am sorry, and I made a terrible mistake. I respect and adore the students in District 88, and I own my mistake. Please know that I have always been here to serve the District 88 community in its entirety.”

Rock Valley Publishing - Thursday, Feb. 24, 2022 • 15

ALBUM BAND CAKE CATER CENTERPIECES CEREMONY DANCING DATE DISK JOCKEY GOWN GUESTS HAPPY INVITATION LICENSE MARRIED MUSIC OFFICIANT PHOTOGRAPHER RECEPTION RESPONSE RINGS TUXEDO VOWS WEDDING

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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!

Puzzle answers on page 17

CLUES ACROSS 1. Constrictors 5. Abounding in rocks 11. Speed 14. German city 15. Lacking sympathy 18. Visionaries 19. Wastes away 21. One precursor to the EU 23. Nursemaid 24. Unconsciousnesses 28. Baby’s word for father 29. Equal to 64 US pints (abbr.)

30. Senses of self-importance 32. Midway between south and southwest 33. When you hope to get there 35. Electronic data processing 36. Passports and drivers’ licences are two 39. Fishes 41. Air Force 42. Personal computers 44. Ecological community 46. Wings 47. Halfway 49. Cool, calm and collected 52. Jewelled headdress 56. Musical composition 58. __ Falls 60. Repeating remarks 62. Periods in one’s life 63. Hyphen CLUES DOWN 1. __ Humbug!

2. Devices that alert pilots (abbr.)

3. Grocer 4. One point east of southeast 5. Subjects to hostility 6. Work unit 7. Atomic #56 8. British thermal unit 9. “Elusive Butterfly” singer

10. Fastened over animal’s neck 12. Device 13. Rechargeable power source 16. Ancient sage 17. Consist of two elements 20. “Pygmalion” writer 22. “The Centennial State” (abbr.)

25. Of I 26. Get older 27. Brotherhoods 29. Buzzing insect 31. Sunscreen rating 34. Brew 36. Leader 37. Indigo bush

38. Burn with a hot liquid 40. Junior’s dad 43. Horse mackerels genus 45. Morning 48. Unit of linear measurement (abbr.)

50. Double curve 51. Small, twisted bunch 53. Developed 54. Mars crater 55. Humanistic discipline 57. Word element meaning ear 58. Last or greatest in an indefinitely large series 59. Wood residue 61. It cools your home

16 • Thursday, Feb. 24, 2022 - Rock Valley Publishing

Mazzochi: Pritzker’s mask mandate chaos ‘utterly predictable,’ ‘entirely avoidable’ After nearly two years of exhausted students, parents and school boards working through the chaos caused by Gov. JB Pritzker’s ever-changing mask mandates, State Rep. Deanne Mazzochi (R-Elmhurst) confirmed that finally, some members of the legislature have brought them to a halt, at least for now.

Gov. Pritzker’s last mask mandate emergency rule expired on Sunday, Feb. 13, shortly after a court order issued in a civil suit characterizing

his school masking rules as void and unenforceable. In response, Governor Pritzker had the Illinois Department of Public Health file yet another emergency rule on Monday, Feb. 14, to reinstate the rule notwithstanding the court order striking it down.

However, the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules, a bipartisan legislative committee, finally had enough. On Tuesday, Feb. 15, it issued a bipartisan vote to suspend the Governor’s latest school mask rule

from going into effect.

In response, Gov. Pritzker begrudgingly stated his willingness to work with the General Assembly, school districts, parents, communities and all stakeholders going forward. Mazzochi called that “too little too late.

“It was utterly predictable that his approach of ruling by Executive Order, bypassing the legislative process, ignoring the specific needs of parents and school boards, and denying due process would be polar-

izing and demoralizing,” she said.

“Had he respected the legislative, school board, and individual due processes, much of the chaos our schools, parents and students have endured these last two years would have been entirely avoidable.”

The end result of the Governor’s misstep is that now no school mask mandate rules are in effect at the state level. Mazzochi explained that even if the appeals court were to lift the lower court’s restraining order against the prior rule, Governor

Pritzker cannot reinstate it after the legislative committee’s suspension.

“Whatever your position is on masks, the appropriate way to decide these issues was at the local level; or through the legislative process,” Mazzochi noted. “It is time to end the Governor’s practices of making new law through Executive Order, and get back to a more normal, balanced approach to governance.”

(This was received from the office of State Rep. Deanne Mazzochi.)

Local ophthalmology practice offers SMILE procedure Kovach Eye Institute is the first Ophthalmology practice in the state of Illinois to perform the SMILE procedure, the latest advancement in laser vision correction for myopia (near-sightedness), with or without astigmatism, providing LASIK-like outcomes. SMILE is a one step, one laser, minimally invasive procedure.

SMILE is an acronym that stands for “Small Incision Lenticule Extraction.” Simply put, a laser is used to create a thin, contact lens-shaped layer just beneath the surface of the eye and then a small opening, through which the layer is removed.

During the procedure, the surgeon uses a computer guided, highly focused laser light to cut a tiny incision in the cornea and will use it to remove a small piece of corneal tissue (called a lenticule).

“SMILE is a game-changing procedure for laser vision correction

that goes beyond PRK and LASIK, as it redefines refractive surgery,” said Kevin J. Kovach, M.D. “At Kovach Eye we believe in vision for life. We are Chicagoland’s leading provider of advanced vision correction and visual health.”

This revolutionary procedure developed by ZEISS utilizes the VisuMax® femtosecond laser which Kovach Eye Institute acquired in December 2021. With this new treatment option, Kovach Eye Institute is now offering patients access to the most advanced refractive laser vision correction technology available.

SMILE is a safe and proven method of vision correction with more than four million procedures done worldwide. With SMILE, there is no flap, therefore there are no flap complications. Unlike LASIK, the SMILE procedure is bladeless, flapless, and effortless.

The benefits of SMILE include: • Minimally Invasive Procedure Your surgeon only needs to make a small, precise opening 4mm to 6mm to correct your vision.

• Quick and Proven - SMILE takes only a few minutes from start to finish and people worldwide have experienced clearer vision thanks to SMILE. • Rapid Visual Recovery - Vision recovers quickly after SMILE. Many people return to most of their normal activities the next day.

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“Kovach Eye Institute consists of a dedicated team of world-class ophthalmologists, partnering optome-

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Kovach Eye Institute has offices conveniently located in Elmhurst, Naperville, South Barrington, Lincolnwood, and Itasca. If you are considering laser surgery to correct a refractive error such as nearsightedness and/or astigmatism, SMILE may be a viable option. To learn more about SMILE or to book a consultation for any of your vision needs, please visit https://www.kovacheye.com or call 630-833-9621.

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SMILE is a game-changing procedure for laser vision correction that goes beyond PRK and LASIK, as it redefines refractive surgery. At Kovach Eye we believe in vision for life. We are Chicagoland’s leading provider of advanced vision correction and visual health.”

– Kevin J. Kovach, M.D.

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• Maskless

Rock Valley Publishing - Thursday, Feb. 24, 2022 • 17

(Continued from page 13

went to a private caucus meeting for about an hour before mask-compliant members returned.

The motion for the GOP removal came from Rep. Lakesia Collins, D-Chicago.

“If you choose not to wear your mask, do that outside of the chamber,” Collins said. “But while we’re in here, I ask that you respect the chamber’s rules, wear your masks, and get the work done.”

Passed at the beginning of the pandemic, House rules require all members to wear a mask unless they are eating, drinking or speaking into the microphone.

“We’re not sitting over here and telling you to take off your masks.

We’re merely asking you to respect us as we respect you,” Niemerg said.

The unmasked members speaking on the floor criticized what they called Democratic hypocrisy, citing the fact that Democratic members are frequently seen out in public at fundraising events without masks.

House minority leader Jim Durkin, R-Western Springs, called on Democrats and Republicans to act with “civility” after receiving a letter from House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch about a week ago regarding the chamber’s need to “be more civil and work more collaboratively together.”

Durkin noted that while the removal of members is within the House rules, it is a “very serious sanction,” and does not help the situation.

“It does not put me in a frame of mind that there is still a place for civility where we can actually have an honest discourse between both sides of the aisle,” Durkin said.

Rep. Mark Batinick, R-Plainfield, noted that the main frustration among Republicans the past few days is there have been two votes to remove Republican members from the chamber, but the body has not yet taken a vote to impose COVID-19

• Services

“

I believe in masks, so wearing one is not a problem.

But at the same time, to kick out members of the caucus, we’re part of the Republican team.”

– Rep. Seth Lewis, R-Bartlett

speaker Mike Madigan eliminated all the permanent legislativepublic commissions, as part of his concentration of power in the speaker’s office.)

I know many good, smart people within both the Illinois bureaucracy and state legislature. Unfortunately, neither is organized to function effectively.

Jim Nowlan is a former Illinois legislator, state agency director, an aide to three governors, chair of the Illinois Executive Ethics Commission, a professor and a community newspaper publisher.

We want to print your news!

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Community Calendar listings are free!

Send details to independent@rvpublishing.com

(Continued from page 6)

that an unknown suspect removed more at 5:53 p.m.

A complainant at a bar in the 300 a catalytic converter from a vehicle block of E. Kenilworth reported at parked in a parking lot.

12:22 a.m. that subjects were physically fighting at the bar.

Feb. 8 Theft of vehicle parts was reportRetail theft was reported at a store in the 600 block of N. Addison at ed in the 100 block of N. Princeton 4:08 p.m. A complainant reported at 5:44 p.m. A complainant reported that an unknown suspect removed that an unknown suspect removed multiple items from display shelves a catalytic converter from a vehicle parked in the driveway. and left the store without paying.

A complainant in the 900 block of S. Euclid reported at 10:41 p.m. Fraud According to information providthat a suspect was sending harassing ed last week by the Villa Park Police phone calls.

Department, police reported five incidents of residents being a victim of Feb. 7 Theft of a vehicle was reported in fraud. the 1400 block of S. Cornell at 12:32 Bensenville p.m. A complainant reported that an The Bensenville Police Departunknown suspect stole a vehicle that ment recently reported the following was parked in the driveway. arrests and citations. Persons who are Theft was reported in the 100 charged with domestic battery are not block of N. Addison at 4:51 p.m. named in order to protect the victim’s A complainant reported that an un- privacy. Readers are reminded that an known suspect removed money from arrest does not constitute a conviction, the complainant’s room. and that suspects are considered innoRetail theft was reported at a store cent unless proven guilty in a court of in the 900 block of S. Route 83 at law. Juveniles age 17-or-younger are 7:43 p.m. A complainant reported not named. that an unknown suspect removed Feb. 16, 11:48 a.m. in the 1100 multiple items from display shelves block of S. York Road, an unknown and left the store without paying. suspect entered the business and took a set of Samsung Galaxy Ear Feb. 6 buds without paying for the item.

A 36-year-old Lombard man was This case is under investigation. charged with two counts of domestic BEPC2200136.

Feb. 16, 12:08 p.m. in the 600 battery in the 600 block of N. Ard-

mitigations beyond what has been put forth in executive orders from the governor.

“I find it pretty unfortunate that this is the second vote we’re having to remove members of the body and we haven’t taken one vote or held one hearing on the governor’s mitigations,” Batinick said during floor debate.

“You guys have chosen to abdicate your duty to provide oversight. Live with it.”

Rep. Steve Reick, R-Woodstock, said the House should make its own rules regardless of influence from the governor’s office.

McCombie, who remained in the chamber, said when she was close to others, she asked if they would be more comfortable if she wore a mask. But the floor mandate was too far-reaching.

“Mind your own business, mitigate your own risk,” McCombie said.

Rep. Seth Lewis, R-Bartlett, a Answers freshman lawmaker, said he joined the rest of the GOP caucus in leaving PUZZLE 1 the floor when his colleagues were asked to leave.

“I believe in masks, so wearing one is not a problem,” he said in an interview after the vote. “But at the same time, to kick out members of the caucus, we’re part of the Republican team.”

(Continued from page 8)

I have some thoughts. First, reorganize the Illinois General Assembly. Forty-seven House committees is nutty. The fragmentation assures that nothing comprehensive and significant will be accomplished.

Instead, for example, create a permanent Blue-Ribbon Commission on Social Services, a panel of legislators plus outside expert members (interest group leaders ineligible to serve). The commission would meet throughout each year and become students of the big picture issues. (In the 1980s,

• Police

PUZZLE 2

block of N. York Road, a possible fraudulent sale of $134,000 worth of Covid-19 testing kits was reported. This case is under investigation.

BEPC2200137.

Feb. 16, 4:16 p.m., a ruse burglary occurred in the 200 block of E. George St., when an unknown suspect offered to repair a dent in victim’s vehicle.

When the victim entered the condo to retrieve money to pay the suspect, the suspect entered the condo with victim, and then took victim’s safe and ran. This case is under investigation.

BEPC2200138 Feb. 16, 10:49 p.m. in the 130 block of George Street, a 29-yearold Bensenville man was arrested for two counts of domestic battery.

BEPC2200139 Feb. 14, 10:49 a.m. in the 300 block of E. Green St, a complainant reported two of three mailboxes on the exterior, were broken into and mail taken without authorization.

BEPC2200125.

Feb. 14, 11:46 a.m. in the 300 block of E. Washington St., a complainant reported scribbling was found in one of the women’s bathroom. This case is under investigation. BEPC2200123.

Feb. 14, 11:39 p.m. in the 200 block of E. George St., Vincent W. Zapata Jr., 28, was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol, resisting and obstructing justice, aggravated resisting a police officer and a traffic violation. BEPC2200128.

18 • Thursday, Feb. 24, 2022 - Rock Valley Publishing

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Elmhurst Office (630) 834-8244

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PUBLISHER’S NOTICE All real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Fair Housing Act which makes it illegal to advertise any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, disability, familiar/ status or national origin, or an intention to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination. Familial status includes children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians, pregnant women and people securing custody of children under 18. This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis. To complain of discrimination call HUD toll-free at 1-900-669-9777. The toll-free tele phone number for the hearing impaired is 1-800-927-9275.

EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY

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Rock Valley Publishing - Thursday, Feb. 24, 2022 • 19

Pedersen Ryberg Funeral Home Since 1958

Well over sixty years, Pedersen Ryberg has provided meaningful and proven options with total respect in keeping with traditional values - whether a traditional funeral, traditional cremation, flameless cremation, or memorial service. We strive to maintain family wishes with uncompromised quality and value, and guide families in creating a way to remember loved ones.

Pre-Planning

We’re here for you

Peace of Mind Option to Pre-Pay Relieves Burden on Family to make Decisions

Respect Compassion Comfortability Affordable for any budget

(630) 834-1133

www.PedersenRyberg.com

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info@PedersenRyberg.com

411594

435 North York Street • Elmhurst, Illinois 60126

20 • Thursday, Feb. 24, 2022 - Rock Valley Publishing

Heartfelt Care for Your Loved One And peace of mind for you!

For individuals with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia, Clarendale of Addison is a safe haven.

You can trust our highly trained staff, innovative Heartfelt CONNECTIONS – A Memory Care Program® and homelike memory care neighborhood featuring a secure courtyard designed by an industryrecognized landscape architect.

CALL 630-345-8702 TO LEARN MORE ABOUT CLARENDALE MEMORY CARE. |

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MeMory CAre

ClarendaleOfAddison.com 1651 West Lake Street | Addison, IL 60101 web

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