VPR020923

Warriors play in national event

Willowbrook High School’s girls flag football program completed its memorable inaugural season by playing at the NFL FLAG Championships, which took place in Henderson, Nevada, near Las Vegas. In October, the Warriors won the title at the Girls Flag Football State Championship at the Chicago Bears’ facility at Halas Hall in Lake Forest. In November, the Warriors’ Black team won five straight games to capture a title at the NFL FLAG Regional Tournament in Canton, Ohio. Winning the regional championship in Ohio secured a berth in the national competition in Nevada, which began on Friday. The Warriors played three games on Friday in Henderson. Unfortunately, Willowbrook lost all three contests, falling 21-7 and 28-0 before losing a 7-6 overtime battle. Willowbrook played one more game in Nevada, losing 28-0 on Saturday. Members of the Warriors, pictured left to right at the national competition, are: (front row) freshman Marli Smrz, senior Emily Pearson, senior Rimon Kari, junior Jaydah Smith and senior Olivia Brach; (back row) junior Emma Anderlik, senior Kayleigh Dennison, senior Roslyn Sanchez, senior Kennedy Vannoy and senior Sarah Ball. The team’s coaches are Rachel Karos and Nick Hildreth.

Play at the plate

Graduation day at Willowbrook

Villa Park Review

Freshman Lindsey Rugg of the Willowbrook softball team is pictured while at tempting to score a run during Friday’s game at Downers Grove South. Rugg tried to score from second base on a single by sophomore Katelyn Cox in the top of the second inning, when the game was tied at 2-2. Downers Grove South’s catcher tagged Rugg out at home plate for the third out of the inning. The Mustangs went on to defeat the Warriors 7-3 in the West Suburban Gold Conference contest. Wil-

Willowbrook High School’s Class of 2021 celebrated its commencement with two separate ceremonies in the school’s main gymnasium on Sunday morning. The en tire class includes over 470 students. About half of those students attended the

InsIde:

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 Saturday’s non-conference battle against the Red Devils of the West Suburban Silver Conference. Senior Annemarie Knudtson, freshman Isabella Dugo and sophomore Kayleigh Dennison provided the home runs. Dennison (No. 5) is pictured in the background of the above photo. For more about the Warriors, see page 14.

Villa Park Review

ceremony that began at 9 a.m. The others participated in the ceremony that started at 11 a.m. The photo shows members of the Willowbrook Senior Choir performing during the day’s first service. For more photos, see Page 4.

Arbor Day in Villa Park

Memorial Day in Villa Park

USA designation for 36 straight years. To receive that recognition, a community must have a tree board or department, a tree-care ordinance, a comprehensive community forestry program and an Arbor Day observance.

Villa Park Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 2801 held its Memorial Day service on Monday morning at Cortesi Veterans Memorial Park. Post Commander Jim Blankshain is pictured bowing his head as Willowbrook High School students Lily Hendrickson and Anna Seelbach sound taps at the end of the ceremony. The post’s 2020 Memorial Day event was canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. This 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 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.

CHRIS FOX PHOTO Villa Park Review

JOE PEARSON PHOTO Villa Park Review

Two Addison Trail wrestlers win individual regional titles

Duarte and Olascoaga deliver championship efforts at the Oak Park/River Forest Regional

STAFF REPORT

A pair of Addison Trail juniors won individual titles at Saturday’s IHSA 3A wrestling regional at Oak Park/River Forest High School.

Martin Duarte and Elmer Olascoaga captured individual titles for the Blazers at the regional. Duarte won the 160-pound title at the regional, while Olascoaga captured the event’s 195-pound championship.

Duarte and Olascoaga will join one other Addison Trail wrestler in this week’s individual sectional at Conant High School. The top four finishers in each of the sectional’s weight levels will qualify for the IHSA Class 3A individual state meet, which takes place Feb. 16-18 at the State Farm Center in Champaign.

Duarte received a first-round bye at the regional. He then earned a first-period pin in the semifinal round. Duarte produced another first-period pin in the 160-pound final, beating Leyden junior Brian Gonzalez about one minute into the match.

Duarte will enter this week’s sectional with an overall season record of 24-5.

Olascoaga also received a firstround bye at the regional. He pinned his opponent in the second period of a semifinal match. Olascoaga pinned York senior Anthony Mancini in the second period of the 195-pound final.

Olascoaga will head to the sectional with a season record of 16-6.

Addison Trail freshman Josh Amorn-Vichet earned a sectional berth with his third-place finish in

the 120-pound level at Saturday’s regional. Amorn-Vichet, who earned a 9-2 win over his opponent in the 120-pound division’s third-place match, will enter the sectional with a 21-11 season record.

The Blazers finished fourth in the team standings of the six-team regional with their total of 90 points. York won the regional’s team title with its score of 230.5 points.

Willowbrook

Willowbrook senior Isaiah Smith earned an individual berth in this week’s Class 3A Hinsdale Central Sectional with his second-place finish in the 132-pound weight level of Saturday’s Glenbard East Regional in Lombard.

Smith opened the regional by pinning his opponent in the first period of a quarterfinal match. Smith then won his semifinal match with a second-period pin. Smith lost a 5-3 decision to Wheaton Warrenville South junior Cooper Hollis in the 132-pound final.

Smith will enter the sectional with an overall season record of 24-12.

Smith was the only Willowbrook wrestler to earn a berth in the sectional. The top three finishers in each weight class at the Glenbard East Regional advanced to the sectional.

Three Warriors—junior Noah Brockie, senior Darren Jackowiak and sophomore Elias Samayoa— earned fourth-place finishes at the regional. Brockie finished fourth in

the 145-pound level and completed the season with a record of 27-16.

Jackowiak, who placed fourth in the 152-pound division, finished the season with a 24-20 record. Samayoa wound up fourth in the heavyweight level and wrapped up the season with a 28-16 record.

Willowbrook placed seventh in the team results of the eight-team regional with its total of 52.5 points. Naperville Central won the regional title with its score of 213.5 points.

Right: Senior Isaiah Smith of the Willowbrook wrestling team earned a berth in this week’s IHSA Class 3A individual sectional at Hinsdale Central when he turned in a second-place finish in the 132-pound weight level of Saturday’s Glenbard East Regional. Smith, who is pictured on the awards stand at the regional, opened the regional with a first-period pin in the quarterfinal round. He delivered a second-period pin in the semifinal round to advance to the regional’s 132-pound championship match. Smith lost a 5-3 decision in the regional final. The top three finishers in each weight class at the Glenbard East Regional qualified for this week’s Hinsdale Central Sectional. The top four finishers in each weight level at the sectional will advance to the IHSA individual state meet in Champaign.

CHRIS FOX PHOTO Rock Valley Publishing

Blazers’ girls bowlers win a regional title; Willowbrook takes second

Both teams advance to this week’s Hinsdale Central Sectional

STAFF REPORT

The Addison Trail and Willowbrook girls bowling teams claimed the top two spots in the team standings of Saturday’s 12-team IHSA Hinsdale South Regional at Bowlero in Woodridge. Both teams advanced to this week’s Hinsdale Central Sectional at Suburbanite Bowl in Westmont.

Addison Trail won the regional title with its overall score of 5,326. Willowbrook finished second with its total of 5,248. York (5,159) claimed third, while Downers Grove North (5,030) secured fourth, narrowly edging out fifth-place Downers Grove South (5,020) for the last available team spot in the sectional.

The top four teams at the Hinsdale South Regional advanced to the team competition of this week’s Hinsdale Central Sectional. Twelve teams will battle in that sectional’s team competition. The top four teams at the sectional will qualify for the upcoming IHSA state meet, which takes place Feb. 17-18 at the Cherry Bowl in Rockford.

Addison Trail sophomore Val Pizzoferrato led the Blazers to their regional title with her six-game regional total of 1,112 (an average of 185.3 per game). Senior Kylie Fiermuga, who nearly matched Pizzoferrato’s total, contributed a six-game regional score of 1,109 for Addison Trail. Senior Hannah Melone (1,079), sophomore Amelia Leslie (1,014) and sophomore Grace Cannizzo (1,012) rounded out the Blazers’ regional lineup.

Pizzoferrato, who wound up ninth in the regional’s individual standings, bowled her best game of the event in her second game, when she fired a 257. Fiermuga, who placed 10th among all individuals at the regional, also bowled her best game of the event in her second game, when she rolled a 206.

Melone rolled a 223 in her fourth game at the regional. She finished 12th in the event’s individual standings. Leslie and Cannizzo placed 19th and 20th, respectively, in the regional’s individual competition. Leslie fired a 190 in her fourth game of the day, while Cannizzo shot a 189 in her fifth game.

Addison Trail led Willowbrook by 18 pins through five games at the regional. The Blazers outscored the Warriors 890 to 830 in the sixth and final game to beat the Warriors by 78 pins. Addison Trail outscored York by 116 pins (890 to 774) in the final game. The Blazers led the Dukes by 51 pins with one game to play.

Willowbrook bowling

Junior Jacquelyn Porro led Willowbrook to its second-place finish at the regional with her six-game total of 1,169 (an average of 194.8 per game). Porro finished fifth in the event’s individual standings. She turned in her best game of the regional in her second game, when she rolled a 246. Porro added a 227 in her fourth game of the day.

Junior Olivia Williams of Willowbrook, who placed sixth in the regional’s individual competition, con-

tributed a six-game score of 1,147. Williams posted her best game of the regional—a 218—in her third game.

Willowbrook senior Brianna Smalling (1,059) placed 13th in regional’s individual standings. Smalling produced her best game of the regional when she fired a 230 in her third game.

Junior Lauren Carson of the Warriors supplied a six-game total of 951. Carson delivered her best game of the regional when she bowled a 190 in her first game.

Willowbrook junior Annabelle Thompson bowled four games at the regional and turned in an overall score of 644, which included a 195 in her final game of the day. Junior Maddie Wolf bowled two games for the Warriors at the regional. She provided game scores of 150 and 128.

Addison Trail girls gymnastics

Addison Trail senior Maddie Muccianti earned an automatic sectional berth with her fourth-place finish in floor exercises at last week’s Wheaton Warrenville South Regional. Muccianti received a score of 8.9 for her routine on the floor during the Jan. 30 regional. She also earned an at-large sectional berth on the uneven bars with her regional score of 8.05. That score produced a seventh-place finish for Muccianti at the regional.

Addison Trail finished fourth in the team standings of the Wheaton Warrenville South Regional with its total of 120.85. DeKalb won the regional title with its score of 141.275. Wheaton Warrenville South (138.15) finished second, while Kaneland (120.975) claimed third.

Muccianti landed in ninth place in the regional’s all-around standings with her score of 31.25. Junior Nicolette Franczak of the Blazers delivered an eighth-place score of 31.55 in the regional’s all-around competition.

This week’s sectional competitors will attempt to qualify for the IHSA state meet, which will take place Feb. 17-18 at Palatine High School. The top five finishers in each event of this week’s four sectionals will automatically qualify for the state meet.

Willowbrook’s girls bowling team competed in Saturday’s 12team IHSA Hinsdale South Regional. The Warriors earned a second-place finish in the regional’s team standings to advance to this week’s Hinsdale Central Sectional. Addison Trail won the regional title. York and Downers North placed third and fourth, respectively. The top four teams at the regional advanced to this week’s sectional, which will be held at Suburbanite Bowl in Westmont. Willowbrook’s regional lineup, pictured clockwise from the bottom, included: junior Annabelle Thompson, junior Maddie Wolf, senior Brianna Smalling, junior Jacquelyn Porro, junior Olivia Williams and junior Lauren Carson. The top four teams at the Hinsdale Central Sectional will qualify for the IHSA state meet.

Villa Park reView

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Bond set for trio of

Cook County residents charged with burglary from Willowbrook Walgreens and fleeing authorities in a high-speed chase

DuPage County State’s Attorney

Robert Berlin and Willowbrook

Chief of Police Robert Schaller announced that bond has been set for three Cook County residents accused of stealing perfume and other merchandise from a Willowbrook Walgreens store located in the 500 block of Plainfield Road.

Kyla Simmons, 20, of Chicago; Duane Robinson, 23, of Chicago; and Monteriana Williams 20, of Oak Park, each appeared in bond court where Judge Joshua Dieden set bond at $75.000 with 10 percent to apply for Simmons, $50,000 with 10 percent to apply for Robinson and $10,000 with 10 percent to apply for Williams.

All three defendants are charged with one count of burglary (Class 2 felony) and one count of retail theft (Class 3 felony). Additionally, Simmons is charged with two counts of aggravated fleeing and eluding (Class 4 felony) and Robinson is charged with one count of robbery (Class 2 felony).

On Jan. 31 at approximately 9:42 p.m., officers with the Willowbrook Police Department were dispatched to the Walgreens for a call for a retail theft. A nearby Darien police officer was on patrol at the time of the call and located a vehicle suspected of being involved in the theft at the intersection of Route 83 and Plainfield Road.

The officer positioned his squad car behind the suspected vehicle, allegedly driven by Simmons, at which

time the vehicle made a U-turn on Route 83. At this time the officer activated his emergency lights. It is alleged that the vehicle sped up and continued driving, reaching speeds of up to 70 mph in a 35-mph zone.

Following a high-speed pursuit which included multiple law enforcement agencies and a Chicago Police Department helicopter, the vehicle was located near Central Park Avenue and Harrison Street in Chicago. It is alleged that when Cook County Sheriff’s deputies pulled in front of the vehicle, Simmons put the car in reverse and crashed into another officer’s vehicle causing damage.

It is further alleged that officers found 21 bottles of perfume and approximately $5,000 in cash in the vehicle. All three defendants were taken into custody at this time.

Following an investigation, it is alleged that at approximately 9:25 p.m., Simmons and Robinson entered the Walgreens together, followed by Williams a short time later.

It is alleged that Robinson asked a store clerk to double-bag twenty-one bottles of perfume totaling approximately $1,668.58 and after the clerk did so, Robinson grabbed the bag from the clerk and fled the store. It is further alleged that Simmons and Williams took items from the store including candy, band-aids and Neosporin and fled the store.

“The type of criminal behavior alleged against these three defendants clearly displays their complete disregard for public safety and the rule

Future Warriors

Willowbrook High School recently held its annual Curriculum Showcase and Meet the Coaches/Clubs Night. The event provided incoming and current students and their parents/guardians with information about the academics, clubs, activities and sports that are offered at the school. Participants were able to meet with school counselors, representatives from each academic area, athletic coaches/activity advisers, District 88 Board of Education members and Willowbrook and District 88 administrators. Genevieve Kling (left) and Ruby Kingji (right), who will both begin their freshman year at the school in August, are pictured with some of their new Willowbrook gear.

of law,” Berlin said “The allegations that these three defendants entered a retail store, stole merchandise and then put the public at risk by leading authorities on a high-speed chase through a residential area, will not be tolerated in DuPage County. The fact that the defendants were in custody less than one hour after the initial call sends the message that if you commit this type of crime in DuPage County, we will use every tool available, including neighboring law enforcement agencies and the use of a helicopter, if necessary, to ensure you are caught, charged and held responsible for your actions. I thank the Willowbrook Police Department for their work on this case and for their continued efforts in keeping our retail establishments safe. I thank the Darien, Villa Park, Hinsdale, Burr Ridge, Berkeley, Bensenville, Oak Brook, Elmhurst and Chicago po-

lice departments as well as the Cook County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance on this case.”

“I would like to personally thank the men and women of the Willowbrook Police Department that worked collaboratively with officers from Hinsdale, Villa Park, Hillside, Elmhurst, Berkeley, Oak Brook, Darien, Burr Ridge, Bensenville and the Cook County Sheriffs Police Street Crimes unit” Schaller said. “These arrests demonstrate the importance of collaborations between local law enforcement to better protect communities and hold individuals accountable. I also thank State’s Attorney Bob Berlin and his office for their commitment to public safety.”

The next court appearance for all three defendants is scheduled Feb. 27 for arraignment in front of Judge Brian Telander.

Villa Park resident celebrates his 94th birthday

Villa Park resident Earl Pearson (left) celebrated his 94th birthday at the York Township Senior Nutrition Center in Lombard on Jan. 30. York Township Supervisor John W. Valle (right) surprised Pearson with a cake. The senior center’s lunch crowd joined in a cheerful chorus of “Happy Birthday to You.” Per Pearson’s request, the cake was cut and shared with everyone as dessert after lunch. “We wish Earl a happy and healthy birthday,” said Valle. “We are glad he is a regular at the township and wanted to show him how much we care.”

Mating season means more coyote sightings

Late winter is mating season for coyotes, and the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County reminds residents it’s not unusual to see these animals as they search for mates and monitor their territories.

“Just because you see a coyote isn’t a cause for alarm. Consider yourself lucky, and enjoy the rare opportunity to observe it from a safe distance,” says Forest Preserve District ecologist Dan Thompson.

“Whether you see them or not, coyotes are all around, and the more we can understand they’re just trying to live their lives, the more we can safely share our neighborhoods.”

Coyotes, after all, play a vital role in the ecological community by keeping populations of rodents and

other small animals in check.

In winter, when coyotes may spend more time foraging for food, they can also be easier to spot on the snowy landscape or in areas with limited vegetation and places to hide. Thompson acknowledges coyotes can be intimidating due to their apparent large stature and may be bolder this time of year.

“They may view other canines, including dogs, as competition. Likewise, they might approach a female dog in heat as a potential mate,” he said.

In DuPage, coyote breeding season peaks in late February or early March. Litters are born in April, and coyotes raise their young in dens until late June.

SUBMITTED PHOTO Rock Valley Publishing

SUBMITTED PHOTO 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.

Addison

Jan. 29

Jose A. Rivera, 47, of Berwyn, was charged with two counts of DUI and improper lane usage near Addison and Green Meadows at 12:18 a.m.

Jan. 28

Pablo J. Hernandez Funes, 50, of Addison, was charged with two counts of DUI near Fullerton and Addison at 3:11 a.m.

Jan. 27

Ludin Alejandro Chavez, 27, of Addison, was charged with endangering the life of a child at 12:53 a.m.

Kaja I. Stanisz, 24, of Bartlett, was charged with DUI, resisting a police officer, improper lane usage and no insurance in the 600 block of Briar Hill at 12:44 a.m.

Jan. 26

Police said Agurio Vargas-Flores, 39, of Addison, was issued a warrant near Lake and Mill at 8:58 p.m.

A 25-year-old Chicago man was charged with two counts of domestic battery in the 500 block of N. Mill at 11:26 a.m.

Jan. 22

Fernando Aguilera, 18, of Addison, was charged with aggravated battery, obstructing an officer, criminal trespass to a building and consumption of liquor by a minor in the 500 block of W. Green Oaks at 9:52 p.m.

Jan. 21

Police said Tina George, 36, of Addison, was issued a warrant in the 1700 block of W. Army Trail.

Jan. 20

Julian J. Senase, 27, of Addison, was charged with DUI and speeding over 40 mph over the limit in the 100 block of S. Villa at 2:48 a.m.

A 29-year-old Addison man was charged with two counts of domestic battery in the 700 block of N. Swift at 3:35 a.m.

Jan. 18

Juan Santiago Lopez, 21, of Addison, was charged with DUI and making an improper U-turn near Lake and Michigan at 8:13 p.m.

Jan. 17

Jerry John, 41, of Addison, was charged with obstructing identification in the 1700 bloc of W. Army Trail at 1:44 a.m.

Jan. 16

Julio C. Cruz-Sanchez, 48, of Addison, was charged with DUI, illegal possession/transportation of liquor by a driver, speeding and improp-

er lane usage near Lake and Mill at 2:25 a.m.

Jan. 15

Alexis Cruz-Martinez, 27, of Addison, was charged with wo counts of DUI near Mill and Army Trail at 1:45 a.m.

Moises Ramos Chable, 34, of Mount Prospect, was charged with DUI and improper lane usage near Lake and Grand at 1:54 a.m.

Elvis J. Salas-Bastardo, 32, of Addison, was charged with speeding 30-39 mph over the limit and two counts of DUI near Army Trail and Heritage at 9:37 p.m.

Jan. 14

Shanna B. Arnett, 44, of Lombard, was charged with DUI and speeding near Army Trail and Swift at 10:31 p.m.

Sipriano A. Tomas Garcia, 31, of Addison, was charged with DUI and improper parking near School and Byron at 3:40 a.m.

Jan. 13

Pierre Alei Carll Moton, 20, of Chicago, was charged with aggravated unlawful use of a weapon on person near Army Trail and Swift at 10:01 p.m.

Justin Alexander Cosby, 22, of Chicago, was charged with aggravated unlawful use of a weapon on person and speeding 40 mph or above over the speed limit near Army Trail and Swift at 9:59 p.m.

Jan. 12

Jesus Macias, 42, of Addison, was charged with DUI, illegal transportation/possession of liquor by a driver and driving while license suspended in the 800 block of College.

Jan. 11

Juan R. Gutierrez-Rivas, 57, of Addison, was charged with three counts of violation of an order of protection at 12:45 p.m.

Villa Park

Jan. 27

Police said Gina A. Auriene (homeless), 60, was arrested on a failure to appear warrant out of DuPage County at 3:47 p.m.

A complainant at a store in the 300 block of N. Illinois reported at 5 p.m. that a suspect was damaging multiple items in the store.

Michael J. Ducksworth, 35, of Harvey, was charged with felony possession or use of a weapon/firearm/ammunition when on parole, receiving, possession or selling a stolen vehicle, possession of a controlled substance, fleeing or attempting to elude a police office in a vehicle, resisting or obstructing a police officer, reckless driving and driving while license suspended near Summit and Roosevelt at 12:08 a.m.

Jan. 26

A complainant at a hotel in the 1-100 block of W. Roosevelt reported at 1:20 a.m. a subject threw their laptop off the balcony after the complainant argued with the subject.

A complainant in the 400 block of N. Douglas reported at 1:30 p.m. that a suspect battered them.

Jan. 25

Retail theft was reported at a store in the 200 block of E. Roosevelt at 11 p.m. A complainant reported that several unknown suspects removed multiple bottles of alcohol from display shelves and left the store without paying.

Jan. 24

A 23-year-old Chicago man was charged with two counts of domestic battery at a hotel in the 300 block of E. Roosevelt at 6:42 p.m.

Jan. 23

Shannon D. Harper, 23, of Streamwood, was charged with retail theft/ displayed merchandise exceeding $300 at a store in the 900 block of S. Route 83 at 12:31 p.m.

Theft was reported at a business in the 900 block of N. Ellsworth at 1:14 p.m. A complainant reported that an unknown suspect removed propane tanks from a secured fence.

Theft was reported at a hotel in the 1-100 block of W. Roosevelt at 3:35 p.m. A complainant reported that suspects removed a wallet from their room.

Jan. 22

A 39-year-old Chicago man was charged with two counts of domestic battery, theft and unauthorized control/possession of cannabis near E. St. Charles and N. Villa at 1:37 a.m.

A complainant in the 400 block of N. Hamilton reported at 8:57 a.m. that an unknown suspect was harassing them.

Jan. 18

Retail theft was reported in the 900 block of S. Route 83 at 8:32 p.m. A complainant reported that a suspect under-rang items while checking out.

Fraud, identity theft

According to information provided last week by the Villa Park Police Department, police reported one incident of residents being a victim of fraud or identity theft.

Bensenville

The Bensenville Police Department recently reported the following arrests and citations. Persons who are charged with domestic battery are not named in order to protect the victim’s privacy.

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. Juveniles age 17-or-younger are not named.

Jan. 31, 6:37 p.m. in the 1300 block of Irving Park Road, a victim reports someone stole a package he ordered from his apartment complex. The incident is under investigation.

BEPC2300111

Jan. 30, 1:41 p.m. in the lobby of police station, Ernesto Candia-Campos, 49, of South Elgin, turned himself in on an outstanding warrant. He was taken into custody, processed, issued a court date, posted bond and released.

BEP23001211

Jan. 29,7:43 AM, at the Edge Ice Arena an unidentified male threw a pallet through the window of a municipal vehicle. The incident is under

investigation. BEPC2300103

Jan. 29, 9:27 a.m. in the 1000 block of Argyle, officers responded to verbal argument. Police said Freddy Lopez Garcia of Bensenville, was discovered to have a failure to appear warrant. He was transported to the station for processing, then transported to the DuPage County Jail.

BEPC2300104

Jan. 29, 1:28 p.m. in the 400 block of N. Wood St, a stone angel statue at St Alexis Church was spray-painted with red paint sometime overnight. The incident is under investigation.

BEPC2300105

Jan 29, 2:50 p.m. near Minor and Memorial, graffiti found on the sidewalk by a resident. Public works was notified for removal. BEPC2300106

Jan. 28, 1:20 a.m. near Jefferson and County Line Road, Marcus Greene, 31, of Palatine, was arrested for criminal damage to property. Police said Greene was upset after crashing into the structure and struck the main entrance glass door with a closed fist, shattering it. He was transported to the station for processing, issued complaints, a court date and released, BEPC2300098

Jan. 28, 11:55 p.m. in the 700 block of Larsen Lane, two victims report being battered and robbed of items by three males—one with a

knife. The incident is under investigation, BEPC22000101

Jan. 27, 2:51 p.m. in the lobby of the police station, Francisco Arizmendi-Garcia, 38, of Carpentersville, turned himself in on an outstanding warrant. He was taken into custody, processed, issued a court date, posted bond and released. BEPC2300093

Jan. 27, 2:51 p.m. in the lobby of the police station, Oscar Gil-Sandoval, 47, of Chicago, turned himself in on an outstanding warrant. He was taken into custody, processed, issued a court date, posted bond and released. BEPC2300094

Jan. 27, 4 a.m. in the 500 block of E Jefferson, graffiti was discovered on the White Pines event sign. Photos taken for evidence; the incident is under investigation. BEPC2300092

Jan. 26, 10:09 a.m. in the 100 block of Grand Avenue, a victim states a person cashed a fraudulent check. The incident is under investigation. BEPC2300088

Jan. 26, 5:02 p.m. in the 200 block of W. Grand, Laura Schneider, 59, of Melrose Park, was taken into custody and charged with deceptive practice. Reference case BEPC2300088. She was brought to the station for processing and then transported to the DuPage County Jail. BEPC2300089

Appellate court upholds restraining order on assault weapons ban

By Peter Hancock CAPITOL NEWS ILLINOIS

A temporary restraining order that partially blocks Illinois’ new assault weapons ban from being enforced will remain in place after a divided state appellate court panel’s ruling Jan. 31.

The restraining order was issued Jan. 20 by Effingham County Circuit Judge Joshua Morrison, but it applies only to the 800 or so gun owners and firearms dealers named as plaintiffs in the suit. The case was filed by southern Illinois attorney Thomas DeVore, the unsuccessful Republican candidate for attorney general in 2022.

In a 2-1 ruling, the justices said plaintiffs in the case made a plausible argument that the law violates their rights to equal protection under the law. Under the law, some categories of people—active and retired law enforcement officers, correctional officers and military personnel on active duty, for example—may purchase and possess those weapons. Other groups, such as retired military personnel or those who are not on active duty, are barred from obtaining assault-style weapons after Jan. 1, 2024.

Attorneys for the state argued that it was reasonable to exempt certain groups of people who have extensive training in the use of such firearms. But the court majority rejected that argument, saying: “The fundamental rights at stake require lawmakers to ‘narrowly tailor’ legislation to effec-

tuate its purpose.”

“Perhaps, as suggested during the circuit court hearing, some of the plaintiffs’ employment render them more or equally qualified to possess and purchase weapons than the qualifications required for the exempted classes,” the justices wrote. “Perhaps, some of the plaintiffs’ training is equal to, or superior to, that of the exempted classes.”

In accepting the argument that equal protection rights are at stake, the appellate court also rejected arguments that the General Assembly violated the Illinois Constitution’s requirements that bills deal with only one subject, that they be read three times on different days in both chambers, and the guarantee of due process.

Justice Barry L. Vaughn wrote the decision. Justice Mark M. Boie concurred in the opinion while Justice James R. Moore dissented in part, saying he would have overturned the circuit court entirely by rejecting the equal protection argument.

The law passed through the General Assembly during its lame duck session in January. Although a House Committee held extensive hearings on the bill in December, there was not enough time in the brief lame duck session to meet the constitution’s three-reading requirement.

In order to get around that requirement, they used a common procedure known as a “gut-and-replace,”

In 2-1 ruling, court says law likely violates equal protection guarantee

Warriors lose key conference battle to the Mustangs

Downers Grove South wins WSGC title with a 10-2 record; Willowbrook finishes with a conference mark of 8-4

STAFF REPORT

The Willowbrook girls basketball team wound down its regular season by winning one of three games last week. The Warriors finished the week with an overall season record of 14-15.

Willowbrook began its week with a 48-15 West Suburban Gold Conference win at Leyden on Jan. 31. Three days later, the Warriors completed their conference season with a home game against Downers Grove South. The visiting Mustangs edged Willowbrook 46-42 in Friday’s game in Villa Park. With the victory, Downers Grove South clinched the conference title with a mark of 10-2.

The Warriors entered Friday’s contest with a conference record of 8-3. If Willowbrook had won Friday’s game, Downers Grove South and the Warriors would have had identical 9-3 conference records.

Willowbrook defeated the Mustangs 49-40 in the teams’ first meeting of the conference season in Downers Grove on Dec. 16.

The Warriors overpowered Leyden in last week’s game in Northlake. Willowbrook led the Eagles 16-5 after one quarter and 26-10 at halftime. The Warriors’ lead grew to

37-14 by the end of the third quarter.

Senior Sara Stout scored a team-leading 17 points for the Warriors in last week’s win over Leyden. Junior Elle Bruschuk, who provided eight of Willowbrook’s 16 first-quarter points, added 12 points. Senior Rimon Kari, who sank a pair of 3-point attempts, contributed eight points.

The Warriors and Mustangs were tied at 8-8 through one quarter of Friday’s conference battle. Downers Grove South held a 20-18 halftime lead. Willowbrook owned a 34-31 lead at the end of the third quarter.

Stout scored a basket early in the fourth quarter to give the Warriors a 36-31 lead, but Downers Grove South then went on an 11-0 run to take a 42-36 lead. The Mustangs made a pair of shots from 3-point range during their 11-0 burst.

Willowbrook trailed Downers Grove South 42-36 with less than two minutes to play. Senior Yazmin Setaram sank a 3-point shot to cut the Mustangs’ lead to 42-39 with 1:20 remaining. Moments later, Bruschuk connected on a 3-point shot to tie the game at 42-42 with 54 seconds on the clock.

Downers Grove South regained

the lead by making a pair of free throws with 46.5 seconds to play. The Mustangs scored the final points of the night when they made two more free throws with 5.9 seconds remaining.

Stout scored a team-high 14 points in Friday’s loss. Bruschuk, who made a pair of 3-point shots, contributed 10 points. Setaram sank three 3-point baskets to provide nine points.

Junior Tia Kelly delivered six points by making two 3-point shots in the second quarter.

Willowbrook finished the week with Saturday’s 75-34 non-conference loss to Fremd in Villa Park. Fremd, one of the state’s top Class 4A teams, improved its overall season record to 27-2 with Saturday’s win.

The Warriors played one game this week; they tangled with Downers Grove North of the West Suburban Silver Conference in a crossover game in Villa Park. Willowbrook will open the IHSA Class 4A post-season with a Feb. 14 game against Wheaton North at the St. Charles North Regional. If the Warriors beat Wheaton North, they would likely face St. Charles North in the regional final on Feb. 16.

Three Willowbrook gymnasts earn individual sectional berths

Sarah Ball of the Warriors delivers three top-three finishes at the Glenbard West Regional

The Willowbrook girls gymnastics team competed in last week’s IHSA Glenbard West Regional in Glen Ellyn. The Warriors finished second in the team standings of the four-team regional. Three Willowbrook gymnasts earned individual berths in this week’s Lake Park Sectional.

Glenbard West won the team title at the Jan. 31 regional with its total of 140.175 points. Willowbrook delivered a team total of 130.5 in its second-place finish. Bartlett (128.875) and Morton (110.175) claimed third and fourth, respectively.

Glenbard West advanced to the sectional’s team competition. The Warriors fell short of earning one of two available at-large team berths to the sectional. The team champions (DeKalb, Glenbard West, Lake Park and Glenbard North) from four of last week’s regionals automatically advanced to the sectional’s team competition. The two teams from those regionals with the next-best team scores (Wheaton Warrenville South and Oak Park/River Forest) claimed at-large team berths with their respective totals of 138.15 and 134.875 at different regionals.

All gymnasts who earned top-five finishes in the regional automatically qualified for the sectional. Additionally, the next 12 top scorers in each individual event, and in the allaround competition, from the four regionals (Wheaton Warrenville South, Glenbard West, Glenbard East and Leyden) that fed into the Lake Park Sectional earned at-large sectional berths.

CHRIS FOX

Rock Valley Publishing

Three members of Willowbrook’s girls gymnastics team advanced to this week’s Lake Park Sectional after delivering strong performances in last week’s Glenbard West Regional. The top five finishers in each regional event automatically qualified for the sectional. Additionally, some gymnasts earned at-large sectional berths. Willowbrook senior Sarah Ball (above right) secured sectional berths in three events—the vault, floor exercises and the balance beam. Ball delivered second-place performances on the vault and in floor exercises at the regional. She also earned third-place honors on the balance beam. Junior Mia McBride (right) of the Warriors advanced to the sectional with top-five finishes in two events. McBride placed fourth on the balance beam at the regional. She also finished fifth in the regional’s uneven bars competition. McBride earned an at-large sectional berth in the all-around competition with her total regional score of 32.225. Sophomore Naomi Campbell (above left) of Willowbrook also advanced to this week’s Lake Park Sectional. Campbell finished fourth in the regional’s floor exercises event. She also earned a pair of at-large sectional berths. Campbell obtained one of those at-large berths in the all-around competition with her total regional score of 32.975. She also earned an at-large sectional berth on the balance beam.

CHRIS FOX PHOTOS Rock Valley Publishing Willowbrook’s girls basketball team finished its West Suburban Gold Conference season with Friday’s 46-42 loss to Downers Grove South in Villa Park. The Warriors led the Mustangs 36-31 early in the fourth quarter, but Downers Grove South delivered an 11-0 run to take a 42-36 lead. The Warriors tied the score at 42-42 with a pair of late 3-point shots by senior Yazmin Setaram (No. 4 - above left) and junior Elle Bruschuk (No. 33 - above right). Downers Grove South scored the game’s last four points at the free-throw line. The Mustangs won the conference title with a 10-2 record. Willowbrook, which beat the Mustangs earlier in the season, could have won a share of the conference title if it would have won Friday’s game. The Warriors, whose overall season record fell to 14-14 with Friday’s loss, finished the conference season with an 8-4 record. Willowbrook will open the IHSA Class 4A playoffs with next week’s game against Wheaton North at the St. Charles North Regional.

PHOTOS

Viewpoint

Inviting students to help revive our democracy

Editor’s note: This op-ed was distributed by Capitol News Illinois on behalf of the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute. The opinions expressed in this article are the author’s own.

By John T. Shaw

Sen. Paul Simon was keenly aware of the endless challenge and enduring opportunity to revitalize our democracy and strengthen our communities.

He believed that democracy can be sustained and enhanced when citizens respect values such as tolerance and responsibility and take practical steps to make the world better.

In his book, “Fifty-Two Simple Ways to Make a Difference,” Simon outlined dozens of specific things we all can do to become better citizens who build better communities.

Inspired by his vision and commitment, the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute will soon accept applications for the inaugural Paul Simon Democracy Prize.

The Institute will award $5,000 prizes to three current Illinois college or university students for the design—and implementation—of projects to strengthen democracy in their communities. Proposals could involve hosting public discussions or debates, registering voters, funding school newspapers to cover local issues, creating a speaker series on community matters, developing a program to recruit and train poll watchers, or an entirely

new idea.

To enter the competition, students must submit a video proposal by April 1, 2023, to the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute. Winners will be announced on April 17. We are looking for proposals that are persuasive, imaginative, optimistic, and can plausibly be implemented within six months. Videos should be between 3 and 5 minutes and will be assessed on the quality of the proposal, not the video itself. However, creative and well-produced videos will get our attention!

The three winning videos will be posted on the Institute’s website and YouTube channel. Prize recipients will be invited to a celebratory reception at the Institute in the fall of 2023 and asked to describe how their proposals are being implemented.

Complete details of the Paul Simon Democracy Prize will soon be available on our website, https:// paulsimoninstitute.siu.edu/.

The Simon Institute recently hosted a conversation with Rachel Kleinfeld, a democracy expert at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Dr. Kleinfeld described the many challenges confronting our democracy but warned against despair. She urged America’s colleges and universities to encourage students to renew and reimagine our democracy.

This challenge resonated with me and it’s in that spirit that the Institute is creating the Paul Simon Democracy Prize. It complements two ongoing Institute programs focused on “Better politics and

Slices of life

Lessons from the past two years

The last couple of years have been doozies—for just about all of us. The world has changed before our eyes, in ways we never would have or could have imagined.

I’ve found—often the hard way—that difficult times are opportunities for growth, new perspectives and outlooks.

Two years ago, my world felt devastated because it was. We were smack dab in the middle of COVID and I had the bonus life change of becoming a new widow. New widow. How’s that for a conundrum of terms?

State Rep. Jenn Ladisch Douglass, D-Elmhurst, has been appointed to serve on the Appropriations - Health and Human Services committee, the Appropriations - Public Safety committee, and on the Energy and Environment, Insurance, Judiciary - Civil, Public Utilities, and Tech Innovation and Entrepreneurship committees.

“Whether I’m fighting for investments in human services or working to support small businesses, I plan to use my professional and lived experience to improve the lives of my constituents and all Illinois residents,” Ladisch Douglass said. “I look forward to using my membership on these committees to make sure my community’s voices are heard.”

She said she would work to uplift small businesses, fund health care and human services priorities and to improve public safety, as a member of these key House committees.

“There’s a lot of work to be done to continue moving Illinois forward, and I’m excited to let Springfield know exactly what our communities expect,” she said. “Serving on these committees gives me the chance to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support working families and make Illinois a better place for all.”

(Editor’s note: This was received from the office of State Rep. Jenn Ladisch Douglass.)

I wouldn’t want to repeat the last two years of my life. Not ever. I’m glad I’m here (now) and not there (then). Still, as I alluded to above, times of great stress can be times of great learning and positive change. I hope I’ve accomplished both. I guess I’m still trying, and that, in itself, counts for something.

The past two years have been life-changing. I’ve written about these changes and outlooks, but I’m putting some of them together here as a sort of summary. A Cliff Notes for life, if you will.

Life is fleeting; it is short. It can all change in an instant. Live in the present—not yesterday, not tomorrow, but now. Live in the now, and appreciate it for all that it is.

Having said that, understand the big picture. What troubled you last year or last month is likely no longer on your radar. Appreciate

By JILL PERTLER Columnist

what is good right now. Understand the hurdles and challenges along your path are most likely temporary.

We are all connected. We all look up at the same sky and are warmed by the same sun. We all claim the same home—Mother Earth. We all breathe the same air. Our bodies are universally hydrated by the same H2O compound known as water. We all yearn for love. We have more in common than we have differences. Be kind.

Happiness and joy come from within, as does the most important emotion of all: love. They are always in you, waiting—an infinite reservoir of beauty, reverence and delight, yours for the taking. You, and you alone, can choose happiness and joy—or the opposite.

Choose joy. Choose love.

We all make mistakes. Every day. Give yourself grace. Forgive yourself abundantly. The best you can do is learn and step forward, wiser for the lesson.

The world has a tendency to judge harshly. Don’t repay the favor — for yourself or for anyone else whom you may be tempted to judge. In that, realize that not

judging yourself may very well be one the hardest things you’ll ever aspire to do.

I read a quote about the moon that I love. The premise isn’t original with me, but I think it’s good enough to share. The moon, much like people, goes through different phases of darkness and light—a quarter moon, a half moon and so on. Much like the moon, you may change as the illumination in your life waxes and wanes, but through it all you are always whole. Remember this wholeness is always within you.

As much as you (and I) dislike it, we are not in control. The world provides us with both possibilities and hardships. Take both with equal amounts of gratitude and fortitude. Make the best of every circumstance and hold your head high, despite setbacks and heartbreak.

You’ve got this.

Life can be hard. It often is hard. But you’ve made it this far. Keep pressing forward. Keep going. You can always quit tomorrow. But don’t. Please don’t. You are worth fighting for. Day after day after day.

I’m rooting for you. I’m right there with you.

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

DuPAGE DESTINATIONS Your Dining & Entertainment Guide to the Western Suburbs

Addison-Villa Park-Bensenville happenings

Here are some upcoming events and programs you won’t want to miss:

Addison

Valentine’s Dance Friday, Feb. 10

From 6:30-8:30 p.m., parents and guardians of those ages 3 and older are invited to dress up and come to a sweetheart dance at the Community Recreation Center, 120 E. Oak St. Dinner and refreshments will be provided as well as a commemorative photo. Fee: $15R/$20NR per person. To register, go to addisonparks.org and use Code 602811.

Ladies Night Wine and Golf Wednesday, Feb. 22

From 7:30-9 p.m., ladies are invited to get together with friends at the Golf Dome, next to Links & Tees golf course at 900 W. Lake St.. While the course is closed for the season, the Golf Dome remains open. Enjoy 90 minutes of practice time, short game practice with a certified coach, light snacks, a glass of wine or bottled water. Pre-registration is not required, but participation is on a first-come, first-served basis and there is a limit of 20 participants. The fee is $40. Info: addisonparks.org. This event is offered on selected Wednesdays through the winter months. For information or to register, visit: addisonparks.org.

Bensenville

Little Chefs

The kitchen is heating up with Little Chefs. Your child will love this introductory cooking class. New skills and easy DIY recipes will be introduced each week. Please inform the front desk of any food allergies upon registration. The program starts Tuesday, Feb. 14. Register at the Deer Grove Leisure Center by Feb. 11.

Tiny Tot Tumbling

Parents, do you want your little one to be a gymnastics champion? Get them started with Tiny Tot Tumbling. Beginning Feb. 21, this class is designed for preschoolers and will teach body awareness and coordination. Students will learn fundamental tumbling moves, balance and basic motor skills. Register by Feb. 14 at the Deer Grove Leisure Center or

call 630-766-7015.

Crochet Shell Lace

It’s time to learn the crochet shell lace on Feb. 28. This pattern is very easy to learn and you’ll enjoy creating this quick project. Some experience is required. Call 630-766-7015 for more information. Register by Feb. 14 at the Deer Grove Leisure Center.

Women’s basketball league

The women’s basketball league starts Feb. 22. Does your team have what it takes to win the cash prize? With 12 players on the roster, eight guaranteed games and an exciting playoff season, you won’t want to miss out on this action-packed experience. Register by Feb. 14 at the Deer Grove Leisure Center.

Tumbling

Tumbling classes start Wednesday, Feb. 22. Students will learn the basics to increase their flexibility and strength, such as forward rolls, handstands and cartwheels. Register by Feb. 15 at the Deer Grove Leisure Center.

Cheerleading program

The Bensenville Park District is hosting an in-house cheerleading program starting Feb. 18. Learn stunts, tumbling and cheer at basketball games. Open to new and experienced cheerleaders. Register by Feb. 15 at the Deer Grove Leisure Center.

Villa Park

Valentine’s Day Craft Open House Friday, Feb. 10 and Saturday, Feb. 11

The Villa Park Public Library will hold a Valentine’s Day Craft Open House on Friday, Feb. 10 and Saturday, Feb. 11 from 2-4 p.m. Children of all ages are invited celebrate sweethearts with a fun craft project. Young children will need some adult help. Registration is not required but supplies are limited. For more information, visit: www.vppl.info or call 630-834-1164.

Cocoa Crawl starts at library Saturday, Feb. 25

From 1-4 p.m. the Villa Park Public Li -

Sebastian’s Ale House offers vegan menu

Sebastian’s Ale & Whiskey House, located at 801 Roosevelt Road. in Lombard, is usually thought of as a great place to have a beer and watch a game on one of its 36 HDTV screen— or to try your luck at their live video gaming machines.

The food has always been a good complement to the sports bar atmosphere at Sebastian’s with a list of nine bacon appetizers such as bacon croquettes and bacon mac and cheese eggrolls.

Diners will even find bacon-wrapped Oreos on the dessert menu!

Other appetizer selections appear on the menu, such as soft pretzels, sliders, housemade chips, kabobs and wings in your choice of 12 available sauces. There are also soups, salads, pizza and sandwiches. The dinner menu offers meatloaf, stuffed peppers, chili mac and fish and chips, among its options. However, the biggest news at Sebastian’s is there is now a vegan menu available, which offers many of the same dishes as the regular menu but made with “impossible” meat. There

See MENU, Page 11

brary will be the first stop at this winter’s Villa Park Cocoa Crawl a fun-filled day of supporting local businesses and sampling cocoa beverages—some hot, some cold and even some for those 21 and older.

Each $10 ticket includes a passport/ticket book that covers the cost of your cocoa drinks and a map to the participating vendor locations.

Tickets are free for children ages 16 and younger. There are also a limited number of souvenir Cocoa Crawl mugs available and distributed on a first come, first served registration basis for each paying adult (one per paid reservation).

All registrants will pick up their passport (and souvenir mug, if applicable) at the library, then visit other participating locations in any order. Passports can be dropped off at the last location visited for a chance to win raffle prizes.

This event is co-sponsored by the Friends

of the Villa Park Library, Villa Park Chamber of Commerce and the Villa Park Public Library. Tickets are available now and must be purchased in person at the Villa Park Public Library during business hours. Cash, check and credit card will be accepted. For more information, visit: www.vppl.info or call 630-834-1164.

Parks and Recreation sponsoring Princess Ball Friday, March 3

From 6-8:30 p.m., young ladies and their favorite “Dad Dates” are invited to Elm West (formerly the Diplomat West). Don your finest attire, hop into your carriage and get ready to enjoy a memorable evening that includes being treated like royalty and dancing the night away. You’ll get a keepsake photo of you and your date in the photo booth and there are packages that include a corsage and boutonniere. Register for FEA07 at invillapark.com/Parks & Recreation.

Your Dining & Entertainment Guide to the Western Suburbs

Can’t-miss events throughout DuPage County

Editor’s note: Our next DuPage Destinations section will be published Thursday, Feb. 23. If you have information on an event in DuPage County taking place after Feb. 23 that you would like us to consider listing here, please email that information to: news1@rvpublishing.com

Ongoing

North Suburban Carvers meetings

The North Suburban Carvers meet on the first and third Mondays of each month at the Wood Dale Public Library from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Anyone interested in carving, power carving, wood burning or special finishing techniques is welcome. North Suburban Carvers is a non-profit organization that promotes carving in the Chicago area. For more information, visit: northsurburbancarvers.com - .org/calendar.aspx

Friday, Feb. 10

Family Night Out, Lisle

From 6-8 p.m. at the Lisle Recreation Center, 1925 Ohio St., MP Rooms 1 and 2, join the Lisle Park District for its first family night out with the theme of Game Night. Dinner will be provided. Fee for ages 3 and up: $12 for residents, $18 for nonresidents. Register by Feb. 3. For more information, visit: www.lisleparkdistrict.org/ familynightout

Taylor Dayne live, Naperville

Enjoy an evening of cocktails, threecourse dinner, and a live concert from pop star Taylor Dayne in support of arts education at the Yellow Box Theater, 1635 Emerson Lane. Doors open at 6 p.m., dinner is at 7 and the concert begins at 8. Academy of the Arts is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. For more information, visit: https:// illinoisartsacademy.ticketleap.com/ taylordayne

Saturday, Feb. 11

Victorian Valentines, Wheaton

From 1-3:30 p.m. at the DuPage

County Historical Museum, 102 E. Wesley St., Valentines of the Victorian era were treasured keepsakes, incorporating feathers, beads, and bits of fabric. Create your own Victorian-style valentines in a fun, afternoon workshop. Admission: Free, but there is a suggested donation of $3 per participant. For more information, https:// dupagemuseum.org/events/victorian-valentines

Best of the Second City, Glen Ellyn

At 5 p.m. and 8 pm. at the McAninch Arts Center at College of DuPage, The Second City has been laughing at love and its infinite scroll of side effects for decades. In the world-famous comedy company’s latest laughter-inducing undertaking, The Second City takes shots at heartbreak, missed connections and the mire of human relationships. May contain adult languages and themes. Ticket prices range from $30 to $48. For more information, visit: https:// www.atthemac.org/events/the-best-ofthe-second-city-2

Valentine Family Geocache, Wheaton

From 1-3 p.m. at Northside Park Girl Scout Cabin, 1300 N. West St., Cupid has hidden Valentines in Northside Park. Use a GPS unit to find them all and you will receive a prize. Recommended for ages 6-and-up. Children must be accompanied by a non-paying adult. One GPS unit provided per family. Price: $20 for Wheaton residents, $25 for nonresidents. For more information, call 630-871-2810.

Sunday, Feb. 12

Super Bowl Sunday, Itasca

Starting at 5:30 p.m. at Church Street Brewing Company, 1480 Industrial Drive, join us in the taproom for the Super Bowl. $4 beers during the game and a free buffet during half-time. Admission: free. For more information, visit: www.churchstreetbrew.com

(Continued from page 9)

is a vegan chili bowl, vegan sliders, vegan kabobs, quesadillas, an “impossible” burger and “impossible” buffalo wings. Other menu choices are vegan pasta, burritos, stuffed peppers, and pizza as well as six choices of vegan sides.

Diners will even find two vegan dessert options: vegan chocolate peanut butter ice cream and three-layer

Wally’s Big Bowl Family Bash, Lombard

From 4:30-9 p.m. at Enchanted Castle Entertainment, 1103 S. Main St., Wally Wizard is once again hosting the Big Bowl Family Bash on Super Bowl Sunday. Football fans can watch the top two teams battle for glory on a 10foot jumbo wall projection TV while enjoying a tailgater’s buffet of pizza, pasta, salad, unlimited soft drinks, and more. Price: $21.95 per guest (buffet only), $46.95 per guest (buffet plus unlimited fun pass). For more information, visit: https://enchanted.com

Brews and yoga, Downers Grove

From 11 a.m.-noon at Alter Brewing Company, 2300 Wisconsin Ave., Suite 213, get together with fellow beer lovers for an invigorating one- hour yoga session. Please bring your own yoga mat if you have one. Price: $20. For more information, visit: www. eventbrite.com/e/brews-yoga-at-alterbrewing-co-tickets-519178947207

Tuesday, Feb. 14

Valentine’s Day four-course dinner, Naperville

From 4-10 p.m. at Tapville Social, 216 S. Washington, celebrate Valentine’s Day in style this year with a romantic four-course prix fixe dinner. The menu has a variety of exciting dishes that are sure to please. Price: $65 per person. For more in-

formation, visit: www.facebook.com/ events/3464570043864646

Thursday, Feb. 16

Love Bug Dance, Naperville

From 5:30-8 p.m. at the DuPage Children’s Museum, 301 N. Washington St., You’re invited to celebrate an evening of love, friendship, and family with your little “Love Bugs” at DuPage Children’s Museum. Groove out with Bach to Rock’s family-friendly DJ, indulge in sweet treats, remember the evening with special photo-ops, explore a variety of fun activities, and play in the museum’s exhibits. Price: $12 for DuPage Children’s Museum members; $17 for nonmembers. For more information, visit: https://dupagechildrens.org/family-fun/love-bug

Thursday, Feb. 16 and Thursday, March 16

Your Friendly Neighborhood Historian, Naperville

From 6-7 p.m. both days at Naper Settlement, 523 S. Webster St., learn about fascinating topics in history and hear museum staff and occasional guest historians debate challenging questions at Naper Settlement’s Your Friendly Neighborhood Historian. Each program date has a different theme. Feb 16: “No, that really happened.” March 16: Solving problems that men couldn’t. The surprising impact of women philanthropists.”

Admission: $10 per person. For more information, visit: https://napersettlement.org

Friday, Feb. 17

Bags and Brew Tournament, Glen Ellyn

From 6-10 p.m. at Ackerman Sports & Fitness Center, 800 St. Charles Road, face off in a good old-fashioned cornhole competition. Two Hound Red will be on hand with craft beer for purchase. Teams will consist of two players and will participate in a double-elimination tournament. Each team receives a swag bag full of stuff. One person will register as the team captain.

Tournament rules, bracket, and waiver forms will be emailed to the team captains prior to the event. Registration fee: $50 for residents, $65 for nonresidents. For more information, visit: https://gepark.org/gepdevent/ bags-and-brews-winter

The Challenge: Trivia quiz game, Addison

From 7-8:30 p.m. at The Preserve at Oak Meadows, 900 N. Wood Dale Road, for ages 18 and up, challenge your friends and neighbors, and show off your knowledge as you compete for prizes during this friendly quiz game featuring categories to test your familiarity with music, animals, geography, history, and more.

vegan cake, which is also gluten-free.

If you’re a strict vegan or your friends are, there’s no place like Sebastian’s to get together and enjoy vegan food along with a beer and the game.

Sebastian’s can be reached at 630376-6947 or visit sebastianshouse. com. They also have a smartphone app.

PRIVATE GAMING ROOM

HDAILY DINE IN ONLY SPECIALS H

SUNDAYS

50¢ Boneless Wings LIMIT 12 (with side purchase)

$5 Sausage & Peppers ‘Wich (with side purchase)

$9 Pasta Marinara (add $2 for Vodka, Meat, Carbonara or Alfredo)

$10 Bacon Wrapped Pickle Spears

$10 Vegan Pasta Marinara

$4 Mimosa - $6 Tito’s Bloody Mary

$4.50 Miller Lite or $6 Import 22 oz. Drafts

$17 Bottles of Woodbridge House Wine

TUESDAYS

$2 Beef/Pulled Pork Taco

$3 Chicken - Fish - Pork Belly - Steak

$4 Vegan Tacos - Impossible Meat - Chicken - Pork

$4 Cilantro Lime Rice or Seasoned Black Beans

$10 BACON Nachos

$4 Modelo Draft

$6 Don Julio Margaritas

$7 Don Julio Frozen Margaritas

$20 Any Mexican Beer Buckets

VEGAN

Vegan Chili Bowl - $7

Vegan Chicken

WEDNESDAYS

FREE Bar Bingo/Kids eat free

10 and Under - Ask server for more details

$5 Gourmet Cheeseburger (with side purchase)

$10 BACON Wrapped Mushrooms

$8 Impossible Burger (with side purchase)

$5 U Call Its $8 and Under Wine/Liquor ONLY

THURSDAYS

$5 Pulled Pork ‘Wich (with side purchase)

$10 BACON Wrapped Mozzarella Sticks

$8 Vegan Chicken Parmesan ‘Wich (with side purchase)

$4 Drafts $8 and Under

Half Price Bottles of Wine $25 or More

1/2 Off any $20 or More Bourbon, Scotch or Whiskey

FRIDAYS

$5 Pepper & Egg ‘Wich (with side purchase)

$15 Fish & Chips (1/2 Pound Alaskan White Fish)

$10 Bacon Stuffed Avocado

$8 Vegan Burrito (with side purchase)

$5 Stella Draft

$5 Crown or Titos

$25 High Noon Buckets

SATURDAYS/UFC

$5 1/2 Lb BLT ‘Wich (with side purchase)

$10 BACON Croquettes

$8 Vegan Buffalo Chicken ‘Wich (with side purchase)

$5 Sam Seasonal Draft

$5 Proper Twelve Shot

$5 Absolut or Jameson

$22 Modelo Buckets

CLOSED - MONDAYS

H H H

99¢ Chicken Tenders ~ SLIDERS ~

$2 Grilled Chicken - Meatball - Pulled Pork

$3 Burger - Fish - Pork Belly

$4 Vegan Chicken or Impossible Slider

$5 Italian Beef ‘Wich

$8 Medium Cheese Pizza - $3 Full Toppings

$12 XL Cheese Pizza - $4 Full Toppings

$4 Well Gin, Rum, Tequila, Vodka & Whiskey

$4 House Wine (Woodbridge)

$5 Blue Moon Drafts

$15 Domestic Buckets - $20 Import Buckets

$8 Jefferson Old Fashioned

$5 Jefferson 1.25 oz. Pour

350 Bourbons, Scotches & Whiskeys

Puzzle page

BABY BASSINET BATH

BOTTLES

BOUNCER BURP CLOTH

CARRIAGE

CARRIER CAR SEAT

CRIB

DIAPERS HAT

MOBILE MONITOR

ONESIE

PAJAMAS RATTLE

SLING SPIT

SPOONS STROLLER

SWADDLE

SWING TOYS

SUDOKU

Fun by the Numbers

Like puzzles? Then you’ll love sudoku. This mind-bending puzzle will have you hooked from the moment you square off, so sharpen your pencil and put your sudoku savvy to the test! Here’s How It Works: Sudoku puzzles are formatted as a 9x9 grid, broken down into nine 3x3 boxes. To solve a sudoku, the numbers 1 through 9 must fill each row, column and box. Each number can appear only once in each row, column and box. You can figure out the order in which the numbers will appear by using the numeric clues already provided in the boxes. The more numbers you name, the easier it gets to solve the puzzle!

CLUES ACROSS

1. Functions

5. Records electric currents associated with contractions of the heart

8. Trigonometric function (abbr.)

11. Secret political clique

13. Type of gibbon

14. Nocturnal S. American rodent

15. Famed American playwright

16. Mesopotamian goddess

17. Abba __, Israeli politician

18. Long ridge of gravel and sediment

20. A place to stay

21. Actor Idris

22. One who behaves in a rebellious way

25. A way to measure movement

30. Distinguish oneself

31. Type of drug (abbr.)

32. Basketball great Baylor

33. Masses of salivary matter

38. Calls balls and strikes

41. Plant that grows along the ground

43. A recreational activity in the air

45. Consumes too much

47. Island nation

49. Pistol

50. Mixtures of soul and calypso

55. Ancient Greek City

56. Similar

57. Roughly trimmed tree trunk used in a Scottish game

59. Semitic fertility god

60. Born of

61. Frogs, toads, tree toads

62. School in the northeast (abbr.)

63. Soviet Socialist Republic

64. “__ the Man” Musical, baseball player

CLUES DOWN

1. Fiddler crabs

2. Discount

3. Partner to “flows”

4. Ethnic group of Laos

5. Beloved “Seinfeld” character

6 .Book of tickets

7. The last name of “Hermione”

8. Type of TV package

9. Helps to heal a cut

10. Town in Galilee

12. Actor Horsley

14. “Hocus Pocus 2” actor Ed

19. Bird-loving group (abbr.)

23. They respond when someone is sick

24. Emerged

25. Midway between south and southeast

26. Monetary unit of Afghanistan

27. Unit of work or energy

28. Indicates near

29. Famed river

34. For each

35. News organization

36. CNN’s founder

37. They __

39. Areas off to the side

40. Satisfies

41. A spare bed

42. Legendary singer Diana

44. Frothy mass of bubbles

45. A kind of sorcery

46. River in South Africa

47. Philippine Island

48. County in China

51. S. American plant

52. Beverage containers

53. Edge

54. Protein-rich liquids

58. Moved quickly on foot

Answers

Let me begin by saying the police officers who were charged with second-degree murder in the death of Tyre Nichols in Memphis deserve to be charged. I saw the video. It was horrible. All that said, why does a tragic death like this need to be politicized? You have Kamala Harris and an opportunist like Al Sharpton giving what amounted to political speeches at Tyre’s funeral. The family of Tyre should have been given the courtesy of being able to grieve in peace instead of turning his funeral into a political circus. It’s shameful.

* * *

Have you been reading about auto thefts in Chicago? During the first 22 days of the new year, there were 2,169 such thefts reported. Nearly 100 auto thefts a day! What a disgrace. According to Pritzker and Lightfoot, crime is going down. Why should anyone believe them? And how much revenue is the city losing because suburban residents and other out-of-towners who used to visit Chicago shops and restaurants are staying away?

* * *

When government officials and politicians start enforcing illegal immigration laws, then they can speak out against a sheriff who is choosing the Constitution over a law that will get struck down. Or is it only a oneway street? Where is Sean Casten speaking out on enforcing immigration laws?

* * *

Regarding the Maywood man accused of firing a “machine gun” in Villa Park, it was stated that he is a “habitual violent criminal” but many will have blinders on, blaming the type of weapon he used. He obviously figures the gun laws don’t apply to him, and was able to get a 50-round drum magazine, bent on doing some real damage to someone. What about making penalties so harsh that even first-time offenders caught using any gun, say a six-round revolver, would hopefully think twice about committing a crime?

* * *

As if we don’t have enough drama going on in the world. Right here in Villa Park, we have trustee candidate, Carine “Cari” Alfano, doing everything she possibly can to prevent resident Jorge Cordova from getting on the April ballot for trustee. * * *

Regarding the Jan. 26 Speak Out comment from someone who doesn’t think there was any evidence the 2020 election was suspicious and tainted: There’s ample evidence. Up

until 2020, in-person voting was the norm. In 2020, there were millions of votes cast by mail. Before 2020, Democrats and Republicans both stated that mail-in voting was an invitation to fraud. As one commentator wrote: the more boxes, bags and hands of “agents” a ballot has to pass through, the less confidence the voters will have in the outcome.

* * *

According to the authoritarian commenter in Speak Out on Jan. 26, Speak Out shouldn’t print comments from people who question the 2020 election. Does this person think Speak Out shouldn’t have printed all of the comments we read from people who bought the entire Russia collusion hoax about the 2016 election, or were those acceptable? Can you tell us what else is off-limits? Are we forbidden from questioning COVID-19 death counts, the origins of COVID-19 and effects of the alleged vaccine? Are we allowed to question the effects of illegal immigration and the hysteria about socalled “climate change,” or would you also like Speak Out to suppress those comments?

* * *

The governor signed a bill that gives nursing homes two more years to comply with minimum staffing levels. I know progress takes time, but in those two years, I shudder to think how residents will likely not get the quality of care they need because these facilities are so shortstaffed. It seems we have a slanted view of worth in this country. Actors, athletes, civil service jobs like village managers and school superintendents (who all have well-paid assistants with whom to delegate) making the mega bucks, while certified nursing assistants, or CNAs, preschool teachers and even some college instructors are at the other end of the totem pole. We have some of the most understaffed nursing homes in the country, and wages for the kind of work CNAs do are abysmal, because profit is the bottom line for these places. That, too, needs to scrutinized with checks and balances.

* * *

In 2022 the federal government spent $400 billion in interest on the national debt. The Congressional Budget Office says we will be spending $1.2 trillion in interest by 2032. The Republicans and the Democrats are both fiscally liberal and this is the result. Wake up America—we are spending too much and our deficits are way too large!

* * *

If you have not educated yourself

on the Twitter files release and how you were manipulated by the media and current administration, you are doing yourself a disservice. This is blatant corruption, and the media darlings continue to bury the news. Government officials actually created a false narrative to fit their agenda. This is not a conspiracy theory; this actually happened. If you are honest with yourself and read through these documents, I don’t know how you could ever believe anything the mainstream media publishes.

* * *

Wow! DISH TV just raised our prices 50 percent a month! And they want it retroactive to last year! This is terrible, so we have cancelled DISH TV and found out we can still get our shows through the internet with T-Mobile for only $50 a month. We have the smart TV and a Fire Stick also works on non-smart TVs. Save some money—try it! * * *

It’s February. It’s cold outside in

our area. It’s cold in our area because it’s the middle of winter. In six months, in August, it will be much warmer around here, because we’ll be in the middle of summer. That will also be the case in one year, five years, 10 years, 50 years and 100 years. What a shame that so many people, including children, have been hoodwinked by the “climate change” fearmongers who want to control our lives. I’ll start listening to these fearmongers when they can control the Earth’s axis.

* * *

It is really puzzling how Lori Lightfoot and her socialist cohorts can turn an unused school into housing for illegal immigrants while American veterans are left homeless on the streets or offered unsafe beds in homeless shelters. Disgusting.

* * *

I thought, as President Truman once said, we had a do-nothing Congress. But boy, would you look at what they’ve done? Oh, man.

They’re sure taking care of the Taylor Swift and Ticketmaster issue. We’re safe now.

* * *

Hi. Why are people complaining about high taxes that are getting higher? After all, who’s going to take care of all the immigrants coming here? They come here, and we give them lodge, food, everything, even cable TV. They have phones, they have everything and we, the taxpayers, are paying for it. That’s why our taxes are getting higher and higher. And don’t forget, they’re still coming in here. Bye. * * *

Hi. In regard to Ben Ruddell’s message from the ACLU regarding fairness (Jan. 12 issue), I think if he looks at what he said in his column, he’s making a great case for enforcing the right to a speedy trial. That would seem to take care of all these issues he has regarding the SAFE-T Act. It’s just a suggestion. Take care, bye-bye.

Warriors earn a pair of conference victories

Willowbrook avenges earlier losses to Leyden and Downers Grove South

STAFF REPORT

The Willowbrook boys basketball team won two of three games last week to move its overall season record to 8-17. The Warriors earned those two victories in West Suburban Gold Conference games against Leyden and Downers Grove South. Willowbrook finished the week with Saturday afternoon’s 66-63 non-conference loss at Romeoville.

The Warriors began last week’s action with a 64-57 win over Leyden in Villa Park on Jan. 31. The triumph marked Willowbrook’s first home win of the season. The Warriors opened the current season with five straight home losses.

Last week’s conference game between Willowbrook and the Eagles featured some wild swings. The Warriors led Leyden 24-11 after one quarter. The Eagles cut Willowbrook’s lead to 33-28 by halftime. Leyden then outscored the Warriors 18-6 in the third quarter to take a 46-39 lead. Willowbrook then delivered a 25-11 burst in the fourth quarter to pull out the victory, and avenge a 70-67 overtime loss at

Leyden in the teams’ first conference meeting on Jan. 6.

Senior Isaac Sobieszczyk led the Warriors to last week’s win over the Eagles by providing 25 points, nine rebounds, three assists and three steals. Sobieszczyk made eight of 11 field-goal attempts and sank all nine of his shots from the freethrow line during the game.

Junior Andrew Ciesinski contributed 16 points, 10 rebounds and three blocked shots in Willowbrook’s win over Leyden. Senior Luke Davis, who made four of nine shots from 3-point range, supplied 13 points. Senior Noah Campbell scored five points and made five steals. Senior Tyler Royal added three points and three assists, while senior Joey Tumilty scored two points and handed out five assists.

The Warriors avenged another earlier loss when they traveled to Downers Grove South on Friday and earned a 57-52 conference win.

The Mustangs beat Willowbrook 59-48 in the teams’ first conference meeting, which took place in Villa Park on Dec. 16.

• Gymnasts (Continued from

Willowbrook senior Sarah Ball secured automatic sectional berths in three separate events with her strong performances at the Glenbard West Regional. Ball finished second in the regional’s vault competition, earning a score of 9.3 in that event, which was her first event of the regional. Ball then delivered a second-place score of 8.85 in floor exercises. She completed the regional with a thirdplace score of 8.6 on the balance beam.

Junior Mia McBride of Willowbrook secured automatic sectional berths with a pair of top-five finishes in last week’s regional. McBride produced a fifth-place score of 7.9 on the uneven bars. She finished the meet with a fourth-place effort on the balance beam that earned a score of 8.45.

McBride also claimed an at-large

page 7)

berth in the sectional’s all-around competition with her total score of 32.225 at the regional.

Willowbrook sophomore Naomi Campbell delivered a top-five effort in floor exercises at the regional. Campbell received a score of 8.7 for her performance on the floor, which was good for fourth-place honors in that event. Campbell’s score of 8.175 on the balance beam secured an atlarge sectional berth.

She also picked up an at-large berth in the sectional’s all-around competition with her total score of 32.975 at the regional.

This week’s sectional competitors will attempt to qualify for the IHSA state meet, which will take place Feb. 17-18 at Palatine High School. The top five finishers in each event of this week’s four sectionals will automatically qualify for the state meet.

The Warriors, who improved their conference record to 3-6 with Friday’s win, led Downers Grove South 10-6 after one quarter. The Mustangs held a 17-16 advantage at halftime. Downers Grove South held a 26-18 lead during the third quarter, but Willowbrook tied the score at 34-34 by the end of the quarter.

Campbell delivered 22 points, six steals and four rebounds in Friday’s win at Downers Grove South. Sobieszczyk piled up 13 points and 11 rebounds. Campbell, who made three shots from 3-point territory, sank seven of eight free-throw attempts. Sobieszczyk converted seven of 11 shots from the free-throw line.

Davis made three 3-point shots and sank both of his free throws to contribute 11 points in Friday’s road victory. Tumilty provided six points, five assists and four steals. Ciesinski tallied five points, five rebounds and four blocked shots.

The Warriors trailed Romeoville 24-16 after one quarter of Saturday’s game. Romeoville led Willowbrook 36-28 at halftime. The Warriors erupted for a 25-12 burst in the third quarter to take a 53-48 lead with eight minutes to play.

Campbell amassed 20 points, four rebounds, four assists and two steals in Saturday’s loss. Sobieszczyk provided 15 points, 12 rebounds and three assists. Ciesinski added 14 points, six rebounds and two blocked shots. Davis supplied 14 points and three assists, while Tumilty had eight assists and seven steals.

The Warriors’ season continues with this week’s non-conference game at York, along with Friday’s conference game at Proviso East and Saturday’s conference home game against Addison Trail. The Warriors will finish their regular season with next week’s conference home game against Hinsdale South (on Feb. 14) and a non-conference home contest against Plainfield Central (on Feb. 16).

New murder mystery by local playwright comes to GreenMan Theatre

Dinner theatre production opens Friday, Feb. 24 at Angelo’s

All grown up and ready to solve their first-ever murder mystery – set in Elmhurst, no less! – familiar characters from a classic TV cartoon show will take the stage in performances of GreenMan Theatre’s “Shooby Doo in That’s the Way the Cookie Murders!” on Friday and Saturday, Feb. 24 and 25, and Friday, Saturday and Sunday, March 3 through March 5.

About Justin Vidovic, director and playwright

The murder-mystery dinner theatre will be directed by veteran GreenMan Theatre actor and director Justin Vidovic. Vidovic was a big fan of the cartoon since age six.

“I loved the way the show was able to make fearful things manageable through friendship, teamwork and humor,” he said.

“This brand-new production sends a beautiful message about handling challenges together.”

“Shooby Doo in That’s the Way the Cookie Murders!” features a familiar gang of intrepid mystery buffs and a dog who come to Elmhurst when they hear that Angelo’s restaurant is being haunted by a Cookie Elf who attacks anyone who orders dessert. It’s just a usual day for this team of whodunit solvers, complete with friends new and old, clues, high jinks, and plenty of wild chase scenes. That is, until someone is murdered by a ghost from Elmhurst’s past. They’ve always handled masked villains aplenty, but is the gang ready to take on its first MURDER investigation?

Vidovic, also the murder-mystery’s playwright, is an English professor and play director at Prairie State College in Chicago Heights. He previously directed GreenMan’s productions of “Monstrous Regiment” and “Moon Over Buffalo.”

The actors in “Shooby Doo in That’s the Way the Cookie Murders!” are of different ages, which “allows us to connect multiple generations,” Vidovic said.

“Some of the actors are fans of the original cartoon series, too,” he added. “They’re great comic performers who bring energy and ideas to the play and are wonderful representations of their characters.”

Many talented local actors are set to appear in GreenMan Theatre’s upcoming production of “Shooby Doo in That’s the Way the Cookie Murders!”

Tickets and information

The show runs five performances over two weekends at Angelo’s Ristorante at 247 N. York Rd. in Elmhurst. The production opens Friday, Feb. 24 with additional shows Saturday, Feb. 25 and Friday through Sunday, March 3 - 5. Performances on Friday and Saturday evenings are at 7 p.m. with Sunday’s show at 6 p.m.

Tickets are $57 and include the show and a Italian dinner served by Angelo’s. Cash bar and a chance to mingle with the cast begins an hour before curtain. There is ample free parking available, but seating is limited. Tickets must be purchased in advance and are available at greenmant-

Cast members surround director and playwright Justin Vidovic (seated) in “Shooby Doo in That’s the Way the Cookie Murders!” a tribute to a beloved cartoon series, performed by the GreenMan Theatre Feb. 24-25 and March 3-5. For tickets and information, visit greenmantheatre.org or call 630-464-2646.

heatre.org or by calling 630-464-2646. The dinner production is a popular event and performances sell out early.

Solving the mystery

After a famous bumbling detective arrives to help the gang, the audience will have an opportunity to win prizes by guessing the killer or killers. Prizes will also be awarded to audience members who dress up as their favorite groovy characters.

Appearing in “Shooby Doo in

That’s the Way the Cookie Murders!” will be several actors new to GreenMan’s stage, including Cayley D’Anna, Gwynneth Davidoff, Kevin Hathaway, Kimberlyn Gayle, Elmhurst resident Doug Peterson, Stephen Pickering, and Vinny Prisco.

Returning to GreenMan will be Elliot Brtva, Derek Dillon, Elizabeth Ley, Tom Ochocinski, and Lombard resident Debbie Proska. Behind the scenes is stage manager Katie Lahey, Proska working on props and cos-

tumes, and Steven Soria, working on sound and lights for the show.

In its 19th season, GreenMan Theatre Troupe is a non-profit 501[c]3 organization whose mission is to provide a source of cultural enrichment and pride for the community by presenting diverse, quality productions and providing opportunities for personal growth in the theatrical arts. GreenMan programs are partially supported by Explore Elmhurst, as well as other individual and corporate donations.

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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 1-900669-9777. The toll-free tele phone number for the hearing impaired is 1-800-927-9275. EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY

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

Business briefs

Hospital announces new president

Kimberley Darey, MD, CPE, FACOG, a board-certified physician in obstetrics and gynecology (OB/ GYN) and certified physician executive, is now President of Elmhurst Hospital, one of nine hospitals part of NorthShore – Edward-Elmhurst Health. Dr. Darey takes over for Pamela Dunley, RN, MS, MBA, CENP, who retired after 25 years at Elmhurst Hospital and 40 years in healthcare.

State Education

Superintendent appointed

On Tuesday, Jan. 31, Governor JB Pritzker named School District U-46 Superintendent Dr. Tony Sanders the new Illinois State Superintendent of Education.

DuPage County events

Saturday, Feb. 18 Dance party, Willowbrook

From 9 p.m.-1 a.m. at Dell Rhea’s Chicken Basket, 645 Joliet Road, Time for an epic dance party with DJ’s spinning 1960s, 70s, and 80s hits. Appetizers: fried ravioli, cheese curds, chips, onion rings, mac ‘n cheese balls, and more. Reservations recommended. Price: $10 per person for appetizers. For more information, visit: www.instagram.com/p/CnzeqeZMkJl

Seedy Saturday Seed Swap, Wheaton

From 1-2:30 p.m. at Cantigny Park, 1S151 Winfield Road, want to add some new varieties to your seed collection? Connect with others in the local gardening community? Share some favorite seeds with others, find

Women urged to apply for AAUW scholarships Application deadline April 15

Need help continuing your education? The AAUW Elmhurst Area Branch is offering three scholarships of $3,000 each to women from the communities of Elmhurst, Addison, Bensenville, Berkeley, Northlake, Oak Brook, Oakbrook Terrace, or Villa Park who need financial assistance to continue education at the undergraduate or graduate level.

An applicant may be studying full or part time. Besides being from one of the above communities, the applicant must be continuing her education after completing at least 12 credit hours at an accredited college or university and be age 25 or older.

The AAUW mission is to advance

equity for women and girls through advocacy, education, philanthropy, and research at both the national and local levels.

Funds for these scholarships come from the Used Book Sale that AAUW hosts each summer.

The 2022 Used Book Sale was so successful that the organization is pleased to be able to offer three scholarships this year.

Scholarship requirements as well as the application form for the scholarship can be found on the Elmhurst AAUW website: www.aauwelmhurst.org.

The application deadline is April 15, 2023.

new favorites, and save some money in the process? Join Cantigny Park for its first Seedy Saturday Seed Swap. Admission: $5. For more information, visit: https://cantigny.org/event/seedysaturday-seed-swap.

Winter Beer Festival, Westmont

From 3-7 p.m. presented by the Westmont Park District at Ty Warner Park, 700 Blackhawk Drive, the festival features craft brewers from the Chicago area. Ty Warner Park will host breweries such as: Elmhurst Brewing Co., Riverlands Brewing Company, Noon Whistle Brewing, and more. Participants will receive 20 four-ounce pours of a variety of craft beer selections. The event will have heated and lighted tents, bonfires, outdoor seating, and food trucks. General admission: $50; at the door: $70; designated driver: $10 (complementary non-alcoholic beverages available). For more information, visit: www.westmontparks. org/event/winter-beer-festival-2023

Sunday, Feb. 19

Vegan Market, Downers Grove

From noon-4 p.m. at Alter Brewing Company, 2300 Wisconsin Ave., Suite 213, Cruelty Free You and Me will be at Alter Brewing for another afternoon of feel-good sipping and shopping. Peruse a variety of vegan goods while you get to know fellow beer lovers. In addition, the event is kid-friendly. Admission: free. For more information, visit: www.alterbrewing.com/events

Sunday, Feb. 26

81st Illinois Plastic Kit and Toy Show, Wheaton

From 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at the DuPage County Fairgrounds, 2015 West

Joint statement on DuPage County public safety

Editor’s note: These statements, released Jan. 30, are attributable to DuPage County Board Chair Deb Conroy, DuPage County Sheriff James Mendrick and DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin:

“DuPage County Board Chair Deborah Conroy, Sheriff James Mendrick, and State’s Attorney Robert Berlin engaged in a meaningful conversation during which they discussed their shared commitment to the safety of DuPage County residents. The conversation also included discussion of Illinois’ new assault weapons ban, known as the Protect Illinois Communities Act. Enforcement of this law does not demand that deputies go door to door seek-

Answers

PUZZLE 1

ing to remove weapons from those licensed to own them.

“With this understanding, Sheriff Mendrick is committed to enforcing all state and local laws. Chair Conroy is committed to supporting the Sheriff’s Office in maintaining safe communities within DuPage County and sees no reason to pursue a censure resolution at this time. All parties look forward to positive, productive collaboration on important initiatives that will keep DuPage residents safe and ensure the security of our communities moving forward.”

Feb. 2 update

There have been several inquiries regarding the term “license,” as used in the Joint Statement on DuPage

PUZZLE 2

County Public Safety issued on Jan. 30. Our reference to “licensed” owners in the Joint Statement by Chair Conroy, Sheriff Mendrick and State’s Attorney Berlin means “…law-abiding gun owners”.

We would like to clarify that the County of DuPage has not passed an ordinance or resolution regarding the registration or licensing of firearms. Matters regarding the Protect Illinois Community Act endorsement affidavit, required to be provided by Jan. 1, 2024, will be handled at the State level.

Under the Protect Illinois Communities Act, the Illinois State Police will be the agency for these matters. Visit their website at https://isp.illinois.gov.

CROSSWORD

Manchester Road, buy, sell, trade or just browse. Admission: $7. For more information, visit: https://www.facebook.com/Illinois-Plastic-Kit-andToy-Show-1052168418157988/ or call 630-969-1847

Saturday, April 22

Paper shred event, Lisle From 8-11 a.m. at the Sea Lion Aquatic Park parking lot, 1825 Short St., The Lisle Park District will host its annual shred event where you can drive-up and dropoff documents while an on-site industrial shredder destroys the documents into high-security confetti-size pieces. Event staff will help remove the bags from your vehicles and load them into the shredding truck where they will be destroyed. All shredded material is recycled and you save 17 trees for every ton of paper recycled. For more information, visit: https://www.lisleparkdistrict.org/shredevent.html.

• Students

(Continued from page 8)

Smarter government” in our state: the Renewing Illinois Summit for Illinois college and university students and the Paul Simon-Jim Edgar Award to acknowledge and celebrate statesmanship in state and local government in Illinois.

When Senator Simon announced his candidacy for president in May of 1987, he offered both inspiration and a challenge. “You and I are on this planet but a short time,” he said. “Let us seize this time and opportunity to build a better tomorrow so that generations to come will look back upon us and say, ‘These were people of uncommon compassion and vision and courage.’ ”

The Democracy Prize, along with the Renewing Illinois student summit and the Simon-Edgar statesmanship award, embody Paul Simon’s highest values and aspirations.

John T. Shaw is the director of the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. Shaw’s monthly column explores how Illinois can work toward better politics and smarter government.

in which the Senate stripped out the contents of a bill that had already passed the House. Language originally contained in House Bill 5855 was inserted into House Bill 5471, which originally dealt with insurance regulations. The Senate then sent the amended bill back to the House for its concurrence with the amendment.

The House voted to concur on Jan. 10, the final day of the lame duck session, and Gov. JB Pritzker signed it that evening.

The law bans the sale and purchase of a long list of semi-automatic weapons defined as “assault weapons,” .50 caliber rifles and large-capacity magazines, as well as various devices that effectively convert other weapons into something identical to one of the banned weapons.

It also allows people who already own such weapons to keep them, but it requires those owners to register them with the Illinois State Police by Jan. 1, 2024, while also restricting where they can be used or stored.

The law came in response to multiple mass shootings in the United States in which those types of weapons have been used, including the July 4, 2022, mass shooting at an Independence Day parade in Highland Park that left seven people dead and dozens more injured and traumatized.

The ruling means that the state is prevented from enforcing the law against the named plaintiffs in the case. The decision is expected to be appealed to the Illinois Supreme Court.

PUBLIC NOTICE

TowerCo 2013, LLC proposes to construct a 130-foot monopole tower (with appurtenances) located at 307 W Highridge Road, Villa Park, IL 60181, DuPage County (N 4151-59.90, W 87-59-11.48). Lighting- None (Not Lit). The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Antenna Structure Registration (ASR) filing number is A1237584. We invite your comments pertaining to the effect of the proposed tower on historic properties. Please submit comments within 30 days to Amy Perrine c/o MartinEnviro at 3830 Crown Point Road Suite F, Jacksonville, FL 32257, aperrine@martinenviro. com, or call (904) 737-1034.

(Published in the Addison Independent, Bensenville Independent & Villa Park Review Feb. 9, 2023) 432517

Valentine’s / Galentine’s Day —

We have the sweets for your very special Sweetie!

Flying solo or practicing self-care? Our desserts are portioned for those wanting to treat themselves deliciously! We’re full of love with our decadent heart cake for one or many, who doesn’t l-u-u-u-u-v-e a richly dressed strawberry?

Cooling things down? Try our Berry Berry Raspberry Italian Ice or Gelato . . . We have it all and we’re open til 5pm on Sunday.

Don’t forget your Paczki!

Paczki Day is February 21st

We’re taking orders for your faves!

Our go-to flavors: Apple, Apricot, Blueberry, Bavarian Creme, Buttercream, Butter Plum, Cheese, Cherry, Fudge, Lemon, Pineapple, Raspberry, Strawberry. Kick up your Paczki game with our Extreme Paczki - Turtle, Fresh Strawberry and Cream, Banana, Maple Chocolate Bacon (wait...did someone say BACON?) and Cannoli (but of course!) We’ll see you soon!