VPR031623

Library welcomes an artistic display

Play at the plate Graduation day at Willowbrook

The Northern Illinois LEGO® Train Club visited the Villa Park Public Library on Saturday and Sunday. The free event attracted children and adults, who were able to get a close look at a colorful and detailed display created by the adult club of LEGO® enthusiasts. Saturday afternoon’s visitors included Judy Grenier of Villa Park, who brought her four children to see the display. She is pictured above with (left to right) Kalina (age 2), Cade (age 4) and Inara (age 6). Not pictured is her son Gavin (age 9). For more information about the club, visit its website at www.niltc.org.

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

Arbor Day in Villa Park

InsIde:

Memorial Day in Villa Park

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

on the last Friday of each April. The National Arbor Day Foundation

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.

Villa Park Review

CHRIS FOX PHOTOS Villa Park Review

District 88 takes part in AA Conference

Addison Trail, Willowbrook recognize Black History Month

On Friday, Feb. 24, Addison Trail hosted an African American Conference (AA Con) to recognize and celebrate Black History Month.

About 80 students from Addison Trail and Willowbrook high schools attended a session with six speakers, who discussed the importance of heritage, motivation, using your gifts, discipline and having a coach/mentor. They also met with a black author and had lunch in the auditorium that was decorated with items to celebrate Black History Month. Later, the students attended an awards ceremony to honor black staff members at Addison Trail, as well as seniors who are members of the school’s BEYOND Club.

BEYOND provides mentorship and academic support for black students to enable them to thrive holistically in high school and BEYOND.

BEYOND is led by Addison Trail student success coordinator VaLarie Humphrey, who also coordinated the conference.

“The goal of hosting AA Con was to help the students develop self-love and understand that the ceiling is really the floor of the next level –sometimes we forget we can make our dreams a reality,” she said.

I want the students to realize that no matter what happens, you can move beyond your past and your mistakes. I want them to be proud to be a part of District 88 and see that the district cares about them and has limitless opportunities to prepare them for ‘BEYOND’ high school.” Humphrey works to create a space for black students, but also wants them to know they are part of the Addison Trail community and belong. She added the conference might expand next year to include sessions for parents.

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ATHS CLARA ETHERIDGE PHOTO Rock Valley Publishing Taylor Musgrove (left) and Khari Blasingame speak during Addison Trail’s AA Con (African American Conference) on Friday, Feb. 24 to recognize and celebrate Black History Month. About 80 students from Addison Trail and Willowbrook attended the conference. Musgrove is a producer for TMZ, WGN News and ABC 7 Chicago. Blasingame is a fullback for the Chicago Bears.

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Black History Month

Black staff members at Willowbrook High School were honored on Friday, Feb. 24, when District 88 students took part in the African American Conference (AA Con) to recognize and celebrate Black History Month. The Conference was held at Addison Trail.

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Pictured are Addison Trail seniors (from left): Serena Sheats, Malik Hopkins, Damarius Allen and Darius Calvin. As seniors in Addison Trail’s BEYOND Club, which provides mentorship and academic support for black students to enable them to thrive holistically in high school and BEYOND, they received a graduation stole as part of the school’s Black History Month celebration.

Villa Park reView

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District 45 Board of Education candidate profiles

Editor’s note: Four candidates (vote for three) are running to serve a four-year term on the District 45 Board of Education. District 45 includes six elementary schools and two middle schools located in Villa Park and Lombard.

Here are the candidate profiles listed in alphabetical order. The Villa Park Review will not be endorsing candidates in this race, or any of the other races in in the April 4 election.

Carol Klamecki Office sought: District 45 school board member

Family: I have been married to my husband, Mike, for 29 years and we have raised three daughters who have all attended District 45 schools. We have spent all of our married life in Villa Park and could not ask for a better community in which to raise our family.

Social media addresses: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/

VoteForCarolD45/ Name of Facebook page: Experience matters,re-elect

Carol Klameki for D45 School Board

Occupation: Customer service

Education: BA in English/ Communications from the University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana

Community or civic involvement: North School PTA President (20102016); Jefferson School PTA President (2016-2019); Board member for D45 for eight years Awards received (either professional or community related): Key Contributor award (District 45) May 2013.

Why are you running to serve as a member of the District 45 Board of Education?

I feel that my work is not finished. A board member’s first term is all about listening and learning. After serving on the board for two terms, I enjoy contributing my talents while collaborating with other board members and the superintendent to work as a team. If re-elected, a goal would be to create stronger ties between the board and the stakeholders (the community) as we keep children as the focus and work together to accomplish our goals. Also, since our current superintendent announced his retirement, I would love to help prepare our rising superintendent for his new role.

What do you see as a major challenge, or challenges, facing the district?

The pandemic continues to take its toll on districts. Students have urgent academic needs along with mental health needs of both students and staff. These are not new, and the district is currently working on ways to address them, but the work is far from done. Another challenge is a growing teacher shortage and lack of substitute teachers. District 45 has ideas on how to address these challenges and it’s a constant process. One process that is exciting is potentially partnering with District 88 and mentoring our current student population to be future District 45 teachers.

What is your philosophy on balancing spending and

maintaining a quality education with taxpayer concerns over rising property taxes?

The district depends on property tax because it’s the single largest source of local revenue for schools. As a board member, one of my goals is fiscal responsibility because the money is coming from hard-working people in our community. In lean times, state governments often cut aid to schools. This means that public schools increase their reliance on property taxes to make up for declining school aid. I want our community to know that their taxes make all the difference in allowing District 45 to complete their mission of “collaborating to ensure high levels of learning for all”.

Allen Legutki

Office sought: District 45 school board member

Family: My wife (Melissa) and I are educators, and we have three children enrolled in District 45 schools.

Social media addresses: www. al4d45.com; www. facebook.com/AllenLegutki

Occupation: Associate Professor and Chair—Visual, Performing, and Media Arts at Benedictine University

Education: Bachelor of Music Education (Illinois State University); Master of Music Education (Illinois State University); Doctor of Philosophy in Music Education (University of Illinois at UrbanaChampaign)

Community or civic involvement: I am currently serving on the District 45 Board of Education. I have been involved in scouting (as an Eagle Scout and volunteer leader), have held two church choir director positions, and was an active volunteer with the service-learning program during my time as a high school teacher. I have served as PTA treasurer at North Elementary School, as treasurer of the District 45 Music Boosters, and as park district soccer coach. I currently serve as leader of a community band (Des Plaines, IL), as state research chair for the Illinois Music Education Association, and as a martial arts student and mentor in Lombard (earned a black belt, October 2021). I have also served on the board of directors of the Northshore Concert Band (2011-2022).

Awards received (either professional or community related): Collegiate Chapter Award, Illinois Music Education Association, Faculty Advisor, 2022; Distinguished Faculty Award for Teaching, Benedictine University, 2021; Distinguished Faculty Award for Service, Benedictine University, 2016; Chapter of Excellence Award for Professional Development, National Association for Music Education, Faculty Advisor, 2014; Marilyn Pflederer Zimmerman Doctoral Fellowship in Music Education, University of Illinois, 2009-2010

Previous elected offices held: I am currently serving the remainder of an unexpired term on the District 45 Board of Education, to which I was appointed in March 2022. Prior to my service on the board, I was elected

by the membership of the North Elementary School PTA to serve as treasurer (2017-2021), and by the membership of the District 45 Music Boosters to serve as treasurer (20212022).

Why are you running to serve as a member of the District 45 Board of Education?

I currently serve on the District 45 Board of Education, to which I was appointed in March 2022 to finish an unexpired term. As a long-time educator and D45 grad, I am running for election in 2023 because I want to return the investment that our schools made in me. We live in a great community, and I want to do my part to ensure that all D45 students have access to the knowledge, skills, and opportunities that can open doors and provide a firm foundation when they graduate.

What do you see as a major

challenge, or challenges, facing the district, and what do you think needs to be done to meet that challenge, or challenges?

I celebrate high-quality, accessible public education, and support our district’s outstanding teachers, staff, and administrators in their daily work with our kids. A perennial challenge for any school district is to respond effectively to the changing needs of our students, which leads to my interests in DEI policy, mental health, safety, leadership, learning communities, and supporting teachers in “preparing students to successfully navigate a dynamic world” (from the D45 vision statement). Growth in these areas requires decision-makers to consult current research and implement best practices in education that move the district forward in See PROFILES, Page 14

This St. Patrick’s Day, plan before you party

Remember: Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over

All too often, St. Patrick’s Day celebrations turn deadly because of impaired driving. However you celebrate, make sure you and your friends stay safe this St. Patrick’s Day by remembering one important piece of advice: If you’ll be drinking alcohol, using cannabis or any other impairing substance, remember “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” and “Drive High. Get a DUI.”

“This year, St. Patrick’s Day falls on a Friday, and that means more parties throughout the weekend,” said Villa Park Police Sgt. James Cihak. “If you’ve been drinking, using cannabis or any other impairing drug, make the smart choice and plan for a sober driver to get you and your friends home safely. Before you put your keys in the ignition, remind yourself: Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving.”

The Villa Park Police Department will increase its traffic patrols during the holiday weekend. The St. Patrick’s Day enforcement campaign is funded by federal traffic safety funds from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and is administered through the Illinois Department of Transportation.

“We want everyone to enjoy St. Patrick’s Day, but safe driving is everyone’s responsibility,” Cihak added.

In addition to looking for alcohol and cannabis-impaired drivers, the Villa Park Police Department will be stepping up seat belt enforcement, particularly at night when seat belt usage rates are lowest. Speeding, distracted driving and all traffic laws will be strictly enforced.

“Before celebrating St. Patrick’s Day this year, decide whether you’ll drink or you’ll drive, or whether you’ll use or you’ll drive,” Cihak stated. “If you choose to drink or use cannabis, designate a sober, reliable driver to get you home safely.”

Always designating a sober driver and not letting friends drive drunk are just two simple steps to help avoid a tragic crash or an arrest for driving under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol.

Other important tips:

• Remember, you can be held liable and prosecuted if someone you serve is involved in an impaired driving crash.

• Make sure all guests designate a sober driver in advance or help arrange ride-sharing with other sober drivers.

• Serve lots of food and include lots of non-alcoholic beverages at the party.

• Keep the phone numbers for local cab companies handy and take the keys away from anyone who is thinking of driving drunk.

• Designate a sober driver before the party begins and give that person your keys.

• If you do not have a designated driver, ask a sober friend for a ride home, call a cab, sober friend or family member to pick you up or just stay where you are and sleep it off until you are sober.

• Never let a friend leave your sight if you think they are about to drive drunk.

• Always buckle up.

Pedestrians are at risk, too. If you are walking, keep an eye out for cars. Designated drivers: Be alert for impaired walkers who may not obey street signs.

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

March 6

A 24-year-old Addison man was charged with two counts of domestic battery at 1:58 a.m.

March 5

Juan R. Gutierrez, 61, of Addison, was charged with three counts of violation of an order of protection in the 800 block of Fullerton at 9:45 p.m.

Marciela Rodriguez, 42, of Glendale Heights, was charged with two counts of DUI and driving in the wrong lane near Lake and Lincoln at 1:48 a.m.

March 4

Police said Samantha Marie Carrillo, 25, of Villa Park, was issued a failure to appear warrant near Addison and Lincoln at 8:18 p.m.

Eugene P. Hughes, 33, of Romeoville, was charged with possession of a controlled substance at 3:45 p.m.

March 3

Kevin Catano, 21, of Addison, was charged with two counts of DUI and illegal lane usage near Stone and Route 53 at 1:26 a.m.

Vernon D. Thompson, 39, of Addison, was charged with aiding/abetting/ possessing/selling a stolen vehicle.

A 42-year-old Addison woman was charged with two counts of domestic battery in the 900 block of E. Lake at 9:06 p.m.

Villa Park

March 3

Emily S. Demay, 46, of Lombard, was charged with two counts of DUI near E. St. Charles and N. Villa at 4:33 p.m.

Police said Silver Edosio, 23, of Villa Park, was arrested on three failure to appear warrants out of DuPage County near S. Ardmore and E. Van Buren at 10:33 a.m.

A complainant at the Rotary Playground reported at 8:21 a.m. that an unknown suspect used blue spray paint to draw on the playground.

March 1

Shahbaz A. Chaudhry, 26, of Villa Park, was charged with retail theft/possession of displayed merchandise at a store in the 900 block of S. Route 83 at 1:02 p.m.

A complainant at a school in the 200 block of W. School reported at 3:27 p.m. that they were battered by a suspect.

Feb. 28

Police said Nahom T. Abraha, 36, of Villa Park, was arrested an original complaint and warrant out of Joliet in the 100 block of W. Roosevelt at 1:27 a.m.

Titus Perez, 30, of Chicago, was charged with retail theft/possession of displayed merchandise at a pharmacy in the 200 block of E. Roosevelt at 3:55 a.m. Police said Perez also was arrested on a failure to appear warrant out of De Kalb County.

A 23-year-old Villa Park man was charged with two counts of domestic battery in the 1600 block of S. Michigan on the above date for an incident that occurred Feb. 23.

Feb. 27

A complainant in the 500 block of N. 2nd reported at 10:04 p.m. that unknown suspects used a large piece of

asphalt to break the rear window of a vehicle parked in the street. The suspects also used a large rock to damage the siding of their home.

Feb. 26

A complainant at Lions Park reported at 9:35 p.m. that an unknown suspect used purple spray paint to write on a village sign in the park.

A complainant near N. Princeton and W. Terrace reported at 6:39 p.m. that unknown suspects used a brick to damage a vehicle’s front and rear driver’s side door while it was parked on the street.

Feb. 25

Brian G. Vera Morales, 23, of Melrose Park, was charged with two counts of DUI and speeding in the 17W500 block of W Roosevelt at 11:50 p.m.

Fraud, identity theft

According to information provided last week by the Villa Park Police Department, police reported three incidents 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.

March 8, 1:35 a.m. near N. Route 83 and Brookwood Street, Lisette Andrea Valdez, 26, of Addison, was arrested for driving while under the influence of alcohol and other traffic violations.

BEPC2300216

March 7, 9:50 a.m. in the 900 Fair-

way Drive, a complainant wanted to report a suspect used a credit card in a fraudulent manner. This case is under investigation. BEPC2300210

March 7, 3:37 p.m. in the 200 block of S. Church Road, a complainant reported juveniles fighting. This case is under investigation. BEPC230021113

March 6, 9:11 a.m.in the 1000 block of Ferrari Drive, Antoni Figueroa Ramos, 22, of Elmhurst, was arrested for two failures to appear warrants out of DuPage County. BEPC2300206

March 6, 3:01 p.m. in the 300 block of E. Green Street, Aiden A. Ocampo, 19, of Hanover Park, was arrested for failure to appear warrant.

BEPC2300207

March 6, 5:14 p.m. in the 100 block of Gerry Steven Court, Ronal Alonza-Garcia, 32, of Bensenville, was arrested for disorderly conduct.

BEPC2300208

March 6, 7 p.m. in the 200 block of E. George St., Phillip Casillas, 34, of Bensenville, was arrested for disorderly conduct and resisting a police officer. BEPC2300209

March 5, 5:15 p.m. in the 200 block of May Street, a complainant reported that an unknown suspect shot his car windshield and their house window with a BB gun. This case is under investigation. BEPC2300203

March 5, 7:15 p.m. in the 300 block of S. Barron St., Steven R. Tucibat, 58, of Bensenville, was arrested for a failure to appear warrant out of DuPage County. BEPC2300204

March 4, 11:13 a.m. in the 1100 Twin Oaks Street, a complainant reported a known suspect has been harassing her via phone which is a violation of her order of protection. This case is under investigation. BEPC2300198

March 3, 6:11 a.m. in the 1200 block of Medinah Street, a complainant reported an unknown suspect stole their

car. The car was recovered in Chicago. This case is under investigation.

BEPC2300194

March 3, 6:16 am. near Elmhurst Street and N. Route 83, a 39-yearold man from Lackawanna, N.Y. and a 21-year-old woman from Buffalo, N.Y., were arrested for domestic battery against each other. The woman also was charged with criminal damage to property. BEPC2300196

March 3, 7:27 a.m. in the 900 block of Brookwood Street, a complainant reported an unknown suspect entered their car and took miscellaneous items. The items were found in a stolen vehicle in Chicago (Ref: BEPC2300194).

This case is under investigation.

BEPC2300195

March 2, 10:26 a.m. in the 1000 block of Route 83, a truck driver reports he parked his truck on March 1, and upon return, his truck was gone. Truck was entered into nationwide data base as stolen. BEPC2300188

March 2, 12:46 a.m. in the 200 block of Grand Avenue, a business reported a suspect came into business and produced a fraudulent check for cashing.

The incident is under investigation. BEPC2300189

March 2, 1:17 p.m. in the 900 block of Irving Park Road, a vehicle caught on fire while at a car wash in the location. The fire was extinguished and the vehicle was removed from scene. BEP23002479

March 2, 3:19 p.m. in the 400 block of Supreme Drive, a victim reports that their vehicle was keyed while in parking lot. The incident is under investigation. BEPC2300191

Bill would protect consumers from automatic renewal fees

A measure led by state Sen. Suzy Glowiak Hilton would require clear notice to be given to consumers before they enter contracts that automatically renew.

“From streaming services to cell phone contracts, contracts are regularly renewed without clear consent from consumers,” said Glowiak Hilton (D-Western Springs). “We must ensure consumers are aware of automatic renewal commitments before accepting the terms.”

Glowiak Hilton’s measure would require businesses to give notice to consumers before a contract renews. It would also allow consumers to terminate automatic renewal contracts more easily by phone or online–something that is often not offered by companies. Businesses that offer free trials or reduced one-time offers must also provide notice before the promotional period ends.

“Businesses take advantage of the loopholes automatic subscriptions present,” said Glowiak Hilton. “Addressing these loopholes gives people assurance that they are receiving transparency when making a purchase.”

Senate Bill 328 passed the Senate Judiciary Committee Tuesday and awaits further consideration.

Editor’s note: This was submitted by the office of State Sen. Suzy Glowiak Hilton.

Warriors place third out of 12 teams at Niles West’s John Burkel Invite

Javier earns fourth in the meet’s all-around standings

STAFF REPORT

The Willowbrook boys gymnastics team earned a third-place finish in the team standings of Saturday’s John Burkel Invite at Niles West High School in Skokie. The Warriors turned in a team score of 126.35 in their third-place showing at the 12team invite. Hersey won the competition’s team title with its score of 143.8. Naperville North (133.75) finished second in the invite’s team standings.

Willowbrook sophomore Daniel Javier finished fourth in Saturday’s

all-around competition with his score of 46.0. Javier compiled that total with his second-place score of 8.95 on the vault, his third place score of 7.5 on the pommel horse, his thirdplace score of 7.95 on still rings, his fourth-place score of 8.4 in floor exercises, his seventh-place score of 6.1 on the horizontal bar and his 11thplace score of 7.1 on parallel bars.

Freshman Jae Newman of the Warriors placed sixth in the allaround competition at Saturday’s invite at Niles West. Newman’s allaround total of 41.65 included his

Warriors win an invitational title

Willowbrook will finish its indoor season by hosting this Friday’s West Suburban Gold Conference Indoor Meet

STAFF REPORT

The Willowbrook boys track and field team won the team title at Saturday’s Raptor Last Chance Invite at Rich Township High School in Richton Park.

The Warriors compiled 372 team points during their winning effort at Saturday’s nine-team event.

Marian Catholic of Chicago Heights placed second in the invite’s team standings with 207 team points. Rich Township claimed third with 166 team points.

The Warriors’ individual champions in the meet included freshman Ottis Powell, who delivered first-place finishes in a pair of field events—the high jump and the triple jump. He cleared 6 feet, 2 inches to win the title in the high jump. Powell covered 40 feet, 8¼ inches in his first-place effort in the triple jump. Powell reached indoor personal bests with his winning performances in both events.

Willowbrook sophomore John Brisbois won the event’s championship in the pole vault. He reached an indoor personal best by clearing 6 feet, 6 inches at Saturday’s meet. Senior Bernard Albarran of the Warriors claimed the first-place medal in the event’s shot put competition. His best throw of the meet traveled 44 feet, 5 inches.

Senior Kevin Diederich provided Willowbrook with a first-place finish in the 3,200-meter run, which he completed in a winning time of 10 minutes, 28.17 seconds. Sophomore Adriano Quintero of the Warriors turned in a second-place time of 10:35.46 in the event.

Sophomore Kasen Blain of Willowbrook ran to a second-place finish in the 1,600-meter run, which he completed in 5:07.47. Junior Declan Abercrombie of the Warriors posted a third-place finish in the same event, which he finished in 5:10.33.

Willowbrook seniors Elijah Smith and Isaiah Smith placed second and third, respectively, in the meet’s 400-meter run. Elijah Smith completed the race in a second-place time of 55.20 seconds. Isaiah Smith crossed the finish line in a third-place time of 55.61 seconds.

Willowbrook freshman Maximilian Wilkison ran to a third-place finish in the 200-meter run, which he covered in 24.27 seconds. Senior Henry Sloan of the Warriors earned fourth-place honors in the 800-meter run, which he finished in 2:13.78.

Sloan and Blain teamed with freshman Evan Haworth and junior Sam McNeilly to win the 4 x 800-meter relay event. The Willowbrook foursome completed the relay race in 8:52.88.

McNeilly and Elijah Smith joined juniors Liam Moran and Cody Wenkus to post a second-place finish in the 4 x 400-meter relay. The four Warriors turned in a finishing time of 3:44.18.

Willowbrook’s foursome of sophomore Jaylin Miller, junior Luca Parato, junior Joe Hanson and senior Mike Wangler claimed a secondplace finish in the 4 x 200-meter relay. The four Warriors completed the relay in 1:36.72.

Willowbrook junior Evan Weder turned in a second-place finish in the high jump. Weder cleared 6 feet in his best jump of the day. Junior Daeveon Madison of the Warriors contributed a second-place effort in the long jump. Madison’s best jump of the day covered 20 feet, 9½ inches.

The Warriors will wrap up their indoor season by hosting this Friday’s West Suburban Gold Conference Indoor Meet.

fourth-place score of 7.5 on the horizontal bar, his fifth-place score of 7.1 on the pommel horse and his sixthplace score of 8.25 in floor exercises.

The other Warriors who contributed to the team’s third-place finish on Saturday included senior Matthew Casey, who delivered a sixth-place finish on the pommel horse (7.05), and sophomore Sam Gordon, who posted an eighth-place score of 7.1 on the still rings. Gordon added a 15th-place score of 6.6 on the parallel bars.

Willowbrook opened its season by

placing fourth in the team standings of the Vic Lesch Invite in Villa Park on March 2. The Warriors earned a fourth-place score of 78.1 in the seven-team event. York won the team title with its score of 97.5. Glenbard North (79.35) claimed second, while Glenbard West (79.05) finished third.

Javier placed fourth in the all-around standings of the season-opening meet on March 2. His all-around total of 41.5 included his second-place score of 7.7 on the still rings, along with his third-place score of 8.3 in floor exercises and his

third-place score of 8.6 on the vault. Javier finished fifth on the horizontal bar (6.5), eighth on the pommel horse (5.05) and ninth on the parallel bars (5.35).

Newman posted a fifth-place allaround total of 36.6 at the Vic Lesch Invite. Newman delivered a thirdplace score of 7.3 on the horizontal bar.

He finished fourth on the still rings (7.35), fifth in floor exercises (8.15), fifth on the parallel bars (7.2) and sixth on the pommel horse (5.6)

Warriors place fourth in last week’s invite at Glenbard North

The Willowbrook girls track and field team finished fourth in the team standings of Friday’s Bud Swanson Invitational at Glenbard North High School. The Warriors amassed 140 team points in their fourth-place effort in the eight-team competition. Naperville North won the invite’s team title with 218 points. St. Charles North (170 points) placed second, while Glenbard North (162 points) claimed third.

Willowbrook sophomore Amelie Ojeda ran to a victory in the invite’s 800-meter run. Ojeda finished the race in a first-place time of 2 minutes, 36.18 seconds.

Willowbrook’s foursome of senior Amelia Barrington, sophomore Olivia Gwaltney, senior Molly Morris and sophomore Camryn Dooley delivered a victory in the 4 x 400-meter relay. The four Warriors completed the race in a winning time of 4:36.91.

Morris and Barrington placed third and fourth, respectively, in the 400-meter run. Morris earned third-place honors after completing the race in 1 minute, 7.17 seconds. Barrington turned in a fourth-place time of 1:07.48.

Gwaltney and Morris teamed with seniors Brianna Alandy and Judy Roelle to post a third-place finish in the 4 x 160-meter relay. The four Warriors turned in a finishing time of 1:29.00.

Dooley joined Roelle, sophomore Naomi Campbell and senior Olivia Brach to earn a fourth-place finish in the invite’s 4 x 240-meter relay. The Willowbrook foursome finished the race in 2:25.79.

Alandy ran to a third-place finish in the 55-meter dash, which she completed in 7.76 seconds. Campbell provided Willowbrook with a fifth-place finish in the 200-meter run, which she covered in 29.33 seconds.

Barrington finished second in the high jump at Friday’s invite. Her best jump of the competition cleared 5 feet, 1 inch. Senior Sara Stout of the Warriors placed third in the high jump. Her best effort of the invite cleared 4 feet, 9 inches.

Willowbrook sophomore Emily Hogan finished fifth in the shot put. Her best throw of the invite traveled 30 feet, 2½ inches.

Sophomore Malin Meeker of the Warriors placed fourth in the triple jump. Her top effort at the invite covered 30 feet, 11 ¾ inches.

Willowbrook junior Mia McBride earned a fifth-place finish in the long jump. She sailed 15 feet, 5 ½ inches during her best jump of the competition.

The Warriors will complete the indoor portion of their season by competing in this Saturday’s West Suburban Gold Conference Indoor Championships at Proviso West High School.

Birthday celebration

On Friday, March 3, York Township Supervisor John W. Valle surprised Lombard resident George Williams with a cake to help celebrate his recent 93rd birthday. He is a regular at the York Township Senior Nutrition Center, 1502 S. Meyers Road in Lombard, and enjoys having lunch with fellow friends. Per George’s request, the cake was cut and shared with everyone as dessert after lunch. Supervisor Valle said, “We wish George a happy and healthy birthday. He is a longtime regular here at York Township Senior Center and we wanted to show him how much we care.”

STAFF REPORT

Viewpoint

Slices of life

Like my cat

This morning I woke up late. I’d planned on an earlier day, but sleep had other plans.

As I got up and got ready for the rest of my day, my cat lounged comfortably under the covers. She made a snoozy sound and curled into herself for some more and much-needed even-later morning sleep. It was at that moment I realized something important.

I want to be more like my cat.

I want to sleep in late, when I feel like it and take a nap later because that feels good too.

But that’s only the beginning.

I want to bask in the sunshine.

My kitty can find a spot of sunshine in any room at any time any day.

When she does, she puts herself smack dab in the middle of it and sets out to do what she does best: relax and soak it all in.

I want to live in the moment.

My kitty gets a special treat every day at 4:00, but she doesn’t worry about this at 11 a.m. or even 3 p.m.

At 11, she is most likely sleeping and at 3 most likely napping. She isn’t worried about the treats in her future.

She just lives (or sleeps as the case may be) in the moment. When it is treat-time, she enters the kitchen with tail held high and happy—a sign of confidence— because that is all that living in the moment requires.

I want to eat the good treats first—at least sometimes. These days my diet focuses on two things: Health and hydration. My kitty hardly ever ponders health. I do that for her. She has heathy cat food and then slightly less healthy treats.

She always eats the treats first because they taste better. I get that. I also get health. It’s a balance. Between the two of us, we are working on it.

I want to strut my stuff. My kitty walks with her tail held high, clearly proud of her new collar, and especially its bell. It announces her presence in a room and she seems to revel in this power.

I want to purr from deep within, without even knowing why or how this occurs. I want others to know I’m happy because my joy resonates so loudly that it can’t be ignored.

I want to land on my feet. Cats have an uncanny ability to jump from high places and consistently and conveniently land on all fours. I want to conquer any adversity in my path and come out on the other end still standing.

By JILL PERTLER Columnist

I want to keep it neat, complete and inside the litter box.

Cats know and recognize some of the basic tenets of life - like pooping. They don’t get all messy with their urination or defection. We all have messiness in our lives. Cats understand this and keep it contained - in a box. I’d love to take all of the messy aspects of my life and box them up.

On the flip side, my cat thinks outside the litter box. She loves to look out the windows to the outside world. Her inside world is only enhanced by the world outside - even if it is safer for her to view it from behind a pane of glass.

This doesn’t deter her. Not in the least. She still quivers at the sight of a squirrel or bird. She hunts them without hunting, but at the same time with the wildness of a lioness.

It’s a sight to see. Her imagination and resourcefulness are to be admired.

When given the chance, she embraces the chance to be outdoors, beyond the glass, in the truest sense. She’s been known to track mice, snakes, birds, squirrels and any critters worth crittering with near reckless abandon. I appreciate her passion and love of adventure.

I want to think outside the box and pursue adventure whenever the door is open—or whenever given the chance.

I want to be honest and unapologetic in all that I do. My cat doesn’t fake it. If she loves you, she lets you know— wholeheartedly. If she harbors distain for you, well, ditto. She is either all-in or all-out and there is no guessing about where she stands. She isn’t a people pleaser, yet she pleases me all the time. She walks the line without ever walking the line, and I love her for her honesty.

That, and her gorgeous collar.

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

By Jerry Nowicki CAPITOL NEWS ILLINOIS

With two months to go before the adjournment of Illinois’ spring legislative session, Gov. JB Pritzker’s state budgeting task may have gotten easier.

The Commission on Government Forecasting Accountability increased its revenue estimate for the current fiscal year by $575 million— yet another positive development in a monthslong streak of revenue growth.

The commission is a bipartisan, bicameral group of lawmakers and is staffed by nonpartisan economic analysts.

“You can see in every single month so far this fiscal year we’ve actually had a gain where we’ve generated more revenue in this fiscal year compared to the same time a year ago,” Eric Noggle, senior revenue analyst for COGFA, said at the commission’s March 7 meeting.

All told, COGFA anticipates revenues for the fiscal year that ends June 30 to exceed original estimates by $5.5 billion, rising to a record $51.9 billion.

Much of that surplus has already been appropriated. Lawmakers allocated at least $3.6 billion supplemental spending package in its January lame duck session, and Pritzker pro-

posed spending another $490 million by the end of the fiscal year when presenting his proposal for next year’s budget last month.

COGFA’s new estimate for the current fiscal year is $545 million beyond the amount assumed by the Governor’s Office of Management and Budget in Pritzker’s budget proposal.

COGFA is also projecting stronger revenues in the upcoming Fiscal Year 2024 than the most recent estimate from GOMB. The $50.4 billion COGFA estimate marks an increase of $465 million beyond the revenues the governor proposed.

Noggle noted that COGFA’s estimate was higher than GOMB’s because the commission had an extra half of January and all of February to factor into its projections. Because base revenue growth remained strong over that span, the commission was able to increase the estimate. That drove up the current year base revenues, which in turn drove up estimates for next fiscal year.

In recent years, lawmakers have directed surpluses to retiring debts early, increasing payments to the state’s pension system and to longterm savings. For the upcoming fiscal year, Pritzker has proposed added spending across state government— especially on child care and educa-

tion—while adding an extra $200 million to the pension fund.

Read more: Pritzker lays out $49.6 billion spending plan

The March 7 update could give the governor additional breathing room to usher his budget through the General Assembly and—if the past is any guide—potentially increase pension contributions or long-term savings.

Noggle said the expected growth was driven by strong performances in the state’s base tax revenue sources—corporate and personal income tax and sales tax driven higher by inflation.

The good revenue news in COGFA’s March update was the continuation of a nationwide state revenue boom which the Pew Charitable Trusts predicted last month could be reaching an “inflection point.”

That report was highlighted by the Illinois Department of Revenue in its testimony to a House committee recently. Pew calculated Illinois’ post2020 revenue growth at 10.8 percent over what it was expected to be based on pre-pandemic trends. That put Illinois at the third-best growth of all states.

Still, IDOR, GOMB and COGFA are all in general agreement that a recession is on the horizon—or at

Analysis: State revenue projections increase again in fiscal year’s final stretch $575 million increase gives Pritzker leeway in budget talks as fears of recession persist

District 88, others attend ‘Amplify’ student leadership conference

On Thursday, March 2, about 400 students from District 88, Naperville Community Unit School District 203, Glenbard Township High School District 87 and Lyons Township High School District 204 participated in “Amplify,” a Student Leadership Conference held at College of DuPage.

The conference consisted of 13 sessions that focused on amplifying student voice, mental health aware-

ness, celebrating diversity and identity, social justice, building community, the importance/benefits of performing arts (and how they can assist with equity, activism and mental health) and more.

The opening keynote speaker was Christopher LeMark with Coffee, Hip-Hop & Mental Health (CHHAMH 6453 NFP), a Chicago-based 501(c)(3) charitable organization that aims to bring awareness to the impor-

tance of mental health, emotional intelligence and self-awareness to one’s quality of life, particularly in the black community. The closing presenters were Luis Tubens and Tarnynon Onumonu with Chicago Poetry Center. The goal of “Amplify” was to provide students with an environment to build the skill, will and knowledge to intentionally make a positive impact within their peer groups and larger communities.

Care coordination center for veterans now available 24/7

Illinois Joining Forces (IJF) is pleased to announce the relaunch of its Care Coordination Center as a 24/7/365 service.

The center is designed to connect veterans, service members, and their families with the critical services and resources they need, at any time of the day or night.

“IJF understands that a veteran’s need to connect extends beyond 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Expanding our hours provides the entire state of Illinois veteran community the opportunity to connect to a Veteran Peer any time of day or night, reducing isolation and confusion about where to turn for support,” said Brenda Osuch, executive director of IJF.

The around-the-clock availability of the IJF Care Coordination Center is made possible by the SSG Park-

• Analysis

least they are relying on outside economic forecasts that predict such a scenario.

While IDOR’s presentation last week noted a recession could occur in the first two quarters of the current calendar year, COGFA and GOMB had a different take.

“So far, we’re just not really seeing that looking at our income tax data and our sales tax data and the jobs numbers,” COGFA Chief Economist Benjamin Varner said at the March 7 meeting. “Now, tax receipts obviously probably lag economic activity a little, but so far, we think the slowdown is probably going to be a little later in the year.”

er Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program. IJF was awarded the grant in 2022, the only statewide organization in Illinois to receive this grant.

Individuals can access the Care Coordination Center by calling 1-833-INFO-IJF (1-833-463- 6453) or by visiting the IJF website at www.illinoisjoiningforces.org.

The IJF Care Coordination Center provides integrated, holistic case management and is staffed by trained professionals who have extensive knowledge of the military and veteran communities in Illinois. By providing upstream services and resources, IJF aims to prevent crises.

Individuals experiencing a crisis should call the Veteran Crisis Line. Dial 988, then press 1.

About Illinois Joining Forces:

(Continued from page 8) not as strong in tax year 2022, so we’re anticipating final income tax payments to drop during this last quarter of Fiscal Year 2023,” Noggle said. “But we still have had strong wages, we’ve had strong personal income...And so we think that they’re going to offset each other a little bit. The question is how much is there going to be a decline in the remainder of Fiscal Year 2023?”

All three fiscal forecasting entities have also agreed on another thing in recent months: forecasting has been

Illinois Joining Forces is a statewide nonprofit founded in 2012 that brings together government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and the private sector to create a more coordinated and comprehensive system of support for service members, veterans, and their families–to include caregivers and survivors–regardless of discharge status. IJF helps those groups navigate the “sea of goodwill” to find the support they need, when they need it.

Whether they are struggling with unemployment, mental health, physical health, housing, finances, or another issue, IJF connects service members, veterans, and their families to the services and resources they need, as close to home as possible. For more information, visit www.illinoisjoiningforces.org.

Christopher LeMark with Coffee, Hip-Hop & Mental Health was the opening keynote speaker for this year’s Student Leadership Conference, called “Amplify.” The event took place at College of DuPage and focused on amplifying student voice, mental health awareness, celebrating diversity and identity, social justice, building community, and the importance/benefits of performing arts.

COGFA’s report noted other factors that could change the state’s revenue outlook moving forward. Among them are the possibility of another COVID-19 resurgence, a worsening of the war in Ukraine, and the impacts of inflation and further possible interest rate hikes by the Federal Reserve.

But the report also noted that its $575 million upward revision was “very cautious,” based on the fact that final income tax receipts could drastically alter the revenue landscape.

Final payments were “especially strong” in the previous fiscal year due to an influx of capital gains taxes amid a booming stock market. But that pace has slowed, leading to the cautious approach, COGFA said.

“The market conditions have been

difficult in an era marked by the COVID-19 pandemic and unprecedented levels of government stimulus.

“We keep expecting that slowdown’s going to happen,” Noggle said at the end of the COGFA meeting. “But it just hasn’t happened yet.”

Jerry Nowicki is the bureau Chief of Capitol News Illinois, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news service covering state government that is distributed to more than 400 newspapers statewide.

SUBMITTED PHOTO Rock Valley Publishing

Guitarra Azul ensemble returns to Music@Bethel series

Returning by popular demand, Grammy-nominated Guitarra Azul will perform at Bethel United Church of Christ on Saturday, March 25 at 7 p.m. as part of the church’s Music@Bethel Concert Series. With their breathtaking techniques, irresistible rhythms, world class musicianship and spirited dance, Guitarra Azul promises to transport you to another place and time.

Guitarra Azul (Spanish for blue guitar) is a six-piece Chicago-based band consisting of Spanish guitars, conga drums, percussion and bass. The group’s all-original music is best described as a mix of rumba, flamenco, Latin jazz, and world music, performed by an international line up of virtuoso musicians.

Members of the ensemble include Steve Edwards, guitar; David Chiriboga, guitar; Rafe Bradford, bass; Osvaldo “Ozzie” Aviles, percussion; and, Ronaldo Monge and Nalanie Molina, performing dance.

Guitarra Azul has been steadily making a name for itself as a dynamic and endearing live act. With its captivating charisma, dynamic virtuosity, soul stirring and heartfelt melodies, conspicuous camaraderie, and masterful techniques, Guitarra Azul appeals to all lovers of fine music.

Since its inception, the Music@Bethel Concert Series has been under the artistic direction of world-class, award-winning pianist Jeffrey Panko, minister of music at Bethel Church and a frequent performer in the series.

“Guitarra Azul’s stunning performances as part of Music@Bethel’s concert series have consistently been the most exciting and riveting concerts I have ever had the good fortune to hear,” Panko said. “Our audience can assuredly expect yet another passionate, vivacious performance showcasing family-friendly accessibility and a warmth of spirit that would appeal to all music lovers.”

A reception will follow, where guests can enjoy refreshments while mingling with other music lovers. Bethel United Church of Christ is located at 315 East St. Charles Road in Elmhurst. Tickets are available on Eventbrite or by calling 630-279-4040. Tickets are $20 and students are free. The church is fully-accessible and parking is free. Enter at the Sandburg Middle School entrance from St. Charles Road, or from Huntington off Poplar Street.

Steve Edwards and David Chiriboga are the guitarists who make up part of the group known as Guitarra Azul, (Spanish for blue guitar), which combines irresistible rhythms and world class musicianship with spirited dance. Guitarra Azul will perform for the Music@Bethel concert series on Saturday, March 25 at 7 p.m. at Bethel United Church of Christ, 315 E. St. Charles Road in Elmhurst, next to Sandburg Middle School. Tickets are $20 per person and can be obtained on Eventbrite or by calling 630-279-4040. Students may attend free. The church is fully-accessible and parking is free.

SUBMITTED PHOTO Rock Valley Publishing

Flexx Personal Training & Nutrition

Pritzker touts $70 million plan for addressing teacher shortage

Grant program targets vacancies in 170 school districts accounting for 80 percent of vacancies

By Nika Schoonover CAPITOL NEWS ILLINOIS

Gov. JB Pritzker recently highlighted a proposed grant program

that would direct $70 million per year over the next three years to school districts facing the greatest teacher shortages.

The Teacher Pipeline Grant Program, which Pritzker included in his budget proposal to lawmakers, would target vacancies in 170 school

Are you a Roman Catholic?

7 Hours of Confession

When was the last time you received Reconciliation? Was it recently? In the past year?

The priests of Eastern DuPage County will be available to celebrate the Sacrament of Forgiveness of Sin!

Saturday, March 25, from 8am until 3pm There will be select times when the Sacrament will be offered in Polish and Spanish.

All are invited to receive God’s grace Immaculate Conception Church

132 Arthur St. Elmhurst, IL 630-530-8515

Why do you live in Elmhurst?

"Mark"

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has been a big part of why Elmhurst is loved by so many.

districts that account for 80 percent of all unfilled teaching positions in Illinois. The districts would have “maximum flexibility” to decide how the funds are disbursed, according to a news release.

Funds could be used for signing bonuses, housing stipends, down-payment assistance and providing residencies or apprenticeships, among other hiring incentives. Districts may also use the funding to reimburse tuition and fees or to provide teaching supplies, coaching and additional school support.

“The result will be that over 870,000 Illinois students will see an improved teacher-student ratio, a critical factor in classroom success,” Pritzker said at a news conference. “Our collective goals are to make sure we have enough great teachers in every classroom.”

The governor touted some of his earlier accomplishments aimed at improving the teaching workforce, including increasing the teacher minimum wage, increasing scholarships and grants for aspiring teachers, and reducing the reinstatement fees for a lapsed educator license.

Pritzker also made a call to other teachers in surrounding states to move to Illinois.

“We have surrounding states where teachers are paid less than teachers in the state of Illinois and I want to formally invite every teacher in every state surrounding us to jump over the border,” Pritzker said, eliciting laughter from the crowd.

He was joined by newly appointed State Superintendent of Education Tony Sanders, a former superintendent for Elgin Area School District U46, the second largest school district in Illinois.

Sanders pointed to Illinois State Board of Education data that shows Illinois schools reported 3,558 unfilled teaching positions as of October 2022.

“These shortages don’t just affect students equally. These vacancies are concentrated in bilingual education, special education and STEM,” Sanders said. “This is why the teacher pipeline program will target districts with the resources they need to solve locally the challenges they have for recruitment and retention and remove barriers preventing aspiring educators from pursuing a calling to teaching.”

In addition to the grant program, ISBE will also spend $6 million in federal funds to hire a multimedia advertising and marketing firm to create a statewide teacher recruitment campaign.

The governor has spent several recent news conferences publicizing his plans on education issues, including his proposed “Smart Start” program to expand access to preschool and child care throughout the state. In the weeks following his budget address, he visited Springfield, Rockford, East St. Louis, Chicago, Mount Vernon, Chicago, Peoria and See SHORTAGE, Page 17

Early Voting Starts

March 20 @

"As you may be aware, I am running for 7th Ward Alderman. I have been honored to serve you and I ask for your continued support.

for me, Mark Mulliner."

Illinois considers legalizing ‘human composting’

While proponents say it’s greener than traditional burial, critics doubt its dignity

By Andrew Adams CAPITOL NEWS ILLINOIS

Religious and environmental ideals are at odds for some in the ongoing debate around what to do with human remains.

A proposal at the Illinois Statehouse would legalize and regulate “natural organic reduction,” a process in which human remains are rapidly decomposed into compost. The process is also known as human composting or terramation.

That process turns human remains into dirt over the course of several weeks. Companies that offer this service place a person’s remains in a vessel with wood chips, straw and other organic material and heat it to accelerate the growth of microbes that break down the body. This is distinct from “natural burial,” in which a body is buried with no casket or in a biodegradable container.

The measure, House Bill 3158,

Elmhurst University

After a sold-out inaugural event, “TEDxElmhurstUniversity” is back.

The theme of this year ’s event, to be held on Saturday, April 1, is FIRSTS, and will feature a diverse group of speakers discussing topics ranging from autism to public art to slang and more.

This year ’s speakers represent a cross-section from the University and the greater community. They include:

• Rajee Aerie ’07, an actor, model, product specialist and speaker. Her talk is about “How Love Can Transform Your Setback Into a Superpower.”

• Rafael Blanco, M.F.A., a public artist and assistant professor of art at Elmhurst University. His topic is “Public Art as a Public Service.”

• Gena Cox, Ph.D., an industrial and organizational psychologist. She will discuss “Skirting Career Quicksand: A ‘Yes … And’ Strategy.”

• Liza Gabrek MPH ’23, a graduate student in the master of public health program at Elmhurst University. She will present “Second Firsts.”

• William Hirstein, Ph.D., a professor of philosophy at Elmhurst University. His talk is titled “Is Human Consciousness Actually Private?”

• Neeraja Kumar, a high school student, will talk about “Walking the Path of Firsts Towards Adulthood.”

• Marvin Malone MBA ’23, creative project manager at NBCUniversal and an MBA candidate at Elmhurst University. He will address “Speaking to the Crowd.”

• Lukas Munoz ’23, an economics and philosophy student at Elmhurst University. His talk is titled “A Dream Deferred.”

• Morgan Ogunleye ’23, an Elmhurst University nursing student. Her address is titled “The Art of Unlearning.”

See TEDX, Page 17

passed in the House Energy and Environment Committee on March 7 on a 16-10 vote. It now goes to the House for consideration, although its sponsor, Rep. Kelly Cassidy, D-Chicago, said an amendment to the bill is likely.

If lawmakers approve the proposal, Illinois would become the seventh state to legalize this process. Washington, Colorado, Oregon, Vermont, California and New York have already made the process legal, according to the human composting company Recompose.

Recompose pushed for the legalization of human composting in Washington. Its website notes that a body will stay in the vessel for four to seven weeks before the resulting soil is allowed to cure for two to six weeks. A person’s loved ones are then left with approximately one cubic yard of soil.

“Natural organic reduction is,

in fact, the most environmentally friendly death care option,” Haley Morris, a representative of the human composting company Earth Funerals, said during the committee hearing.

“It’s less resource intensive than any other option and it reduces carbon dioxide emissions by nearly 90 percent relative to traditional options,” Moris added Representatives of several environmental groups around the state have also voiced their support of the bill in witness slips filed with the committee. These include the Illinois Environmental Council, the Illinois Chapter of the Sierra Club and Go Green Winnetka.

Cassidy filed an amendment on March 8, altering some of the fee structures for licensing the practice and indicated in an interview that another forthcoming amendment will modify some of the regulations

around testing the compost.

“This is about creating choices and options and in particular choices that are less harmful for the planet,” Cassidy said.

Cassidy also said she updated her own will last year to include that she would like her body to undergo the natural organic reduction process.

Notable among the bill’s opponents is the Catholic Church. Daniel Welter, the recently retired chancellor of the Archdiocese of Chicago, spoke to lawmakers at the request of the Catholic Conference of Illinois on March 7.

“Turning the mortal remains of a human person into compost for the purpose of fertilization, as one would with vegetable trimmings or eggshells, degrades the human person and dishonors the life that was lived by that person,” he said during the committee hearing.

Welter added that he and the

church “oppose any tendency to minimize the dignity of a human being, even after death.”

Representatives of the death care industry also oppose legalizing this process. LeNette Van Haverbeke, a representative of Illinois Cemetery and Funeral Home Association, told lawmakers that many in the field “oppose human composting as lacking the traditional dignity afforded to the dead.”

Others in the field are not as critical. After a similar bill was met with opposition last year from the Illinois Funeral Directors Association, Cassidy met with representatives of the industry to craft new language regulating the vessels used in the process, professional licensing and soil testing among other elements of the bill.

“I’m not saying we’re a proponent of it, but the sponsor did listen to us,” said Margaret Vaughn of the Illinois Funeral Directors Association.

Worship Services Directory

St. Timothy Evangelical Lutheran Church

547 N. Main St., Lombard, IL 60148 630-627-2435

Lent and Easter Services at 7 p.m.

Sunday Worship at 10:15 am Sunday School & Bible Study 9am

“The Crucial Hours”

Second Lenten Service March 9, 2022

Rev. David Ernest “Satan Has Asked to Sift All of You” Jerusalem Lutheran, Morton Grove Matthew 27:15-26

Lent and Easter Services at 7 pm

Third Lenten Service March 16, 2022

“His Final Steps”

Fourth Lenten Service March 15, 2023

Rev. Jonathan Bergemann “Led to Some Greeks” Good Shepherd, Downers Grove John 12:20-33

Rev. Paul Spaude “What to Remember When Your are St. Matthews, Niles Seized with Remorse” Matthew 27:3-4

Fourth Lenten Service March 23, 2022

Fifth Lenten Service March 22, 2023

Rev. Jonathan Bergemann “I Will Keep the Passover” Good Shepherd, Downers Grove Matthew 26:18

Rev. Caleb Klatt “Led to His Father’s House” St. Matthews, Niles Matthew 27:3-4

Fifth Lenten Service March 30, 2022

Sixth Lenten Service March 29, 2023

Rev. Tom Nicholson “They Bound Him” Resurrection, Aurora John 18:12

Rev. Tom Nicholson “Led to His Enemies” Resurrection, Aurora Luke 20:9-19 ✝

✝ ✝ ✝ ✝ ✝ ✝ ✝ ✝

Sixth Lenten Service April 6, 2022

Rev. Phil Schupmann “The Semblance of Legality” Resurrection, Aurora Luke 22:66

Maundy Thursday Communion 7:00 pm, April 6

Good Friday Tenebrae 7:00 pm, April 7

Easter Sunrise 6:30 am, April 9

Maundy Thursday Communion 7 p.m., April 14

Easter Breakfast 8:00 am, April 9

Good Friday Tenebrae 7 p.m., April 15

Easter Festival 10:15 am, April 9

Easter Sunrise 6:30 a.m., April 17

Everyone is Welcome!

Easter Breakfast 8 a.m., April 17

All services are live streamed. SaintTimothy.org

Easter Festival 10:15 a.m., April 17 434050

’Tis the season for ignorant bicyclists to ignore traffic laws. Apparently, they don’t know or care that they are also required to stop at stop signs and stop lights just like motor vehicles. I nearly hit a guy recently because he went flying through a stop sign with no intentions of stopping. Then he had the nerve to flip me off. I obviously don’t want to hit anyone, but the law will be on my side if a bicyclist fails to yield. * * *

I totally agree with last week’s caller who asked if it was more important to have diversity or to have competent people in charge. While they don’t have to be mutually exclusive, I want the most competent person flying the plane, performing my surgery, etc., as the caller suggested, no matter who it is. Just look at the man who was running for village board in Mundelein who claimed in a Daily Herald interview Asians are smarter than everyone else. Let’s see if he gets elected. * * *

So Gov. Pritzker is proposing to fund $70 million to a grant program over the next three years to school districts with the greatest teacher shortages. We all know how that turns out. First throw money at the problem; then once the money runs out, our taxes get raised to keep that fund going. I doubt those school districts will be able to sustain the funding necessary to keep paying the teachers they hire. He also put out a call to teachers in surrounding states to move here to teach. People are moving out of Illinois, not into it, but on the other hand, the teachers do get a nice pension here, so there’s that. * * *

Cars are constantly speeding. It’s way beyond excessive. Also, nobody stops at a stop sign anymore. Pumping your brakes, rolling through and not stopping at all is not a stop. This is happening in Lombard and Villa Park. I am out walking usually between the hours of 7 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. and it’s dangerous. I understand the police can’t be everywhere at every moment but I rarely see a police car, and this is true for Lombard and Villa Park. I don’t know what the solution is, but I hope that one can be found. With the nice weather

• Profiles

(Continued from page 4)

meeting students’ needs. What is your philosophy on balancing spending and maintaining a quality education with taxpayer concerns over rising property taxes?

Schools require resources to operate, and taxpayers expect responsible financial stewardship. I am committed to learning as much as I can about every decision I make as a board member, and I believe that all decisions must be informed by a strong rationale that supports student growth and financial viability.

Melissa Slinn

Office sought: District 45 school board member

affecting students. This ensures that we maintain a quality education. While the board did pass a referendum in 2020 in order to complete a muchneeded building project, the district only requests tax increases up to the allowed amount.

Katie Wagner Office sought: District 45 school board member

Family: My husband, Zak, is a pastor at a Villa Park church. I have three boys who all attend District 45 schools.

over five years ago. During that time, we felt accepted and welcomed. By serving on the board, I can give back to a community that has given so much to my family. I am also concerned about the mental health of administrators, teachers and students. I want to work with the board and superintendent to create a better working environment for teachers and a better learning environment for students.

What do you see as a major challenge, or challenges, facing the district, and what do you think needs to be done to meet that challenge, or challenges?

and summer vacation approaching, it will only mean the speeding will ramp up with more cars on the road.

* * *

Please, please, for the love of canines, do not let your dog stick its head out the window of your vehicle. There are so many reasons why this is potentially dangerous; flying debris, having to slam on your brakes, to name a few. If your dog wants to sniff the air, crack the window enough to let it do that. You wouldn’t let a kid stick their head out the window, so why is it OK for a dog?

* * *

A few weeks ago, I remember hearing a radio talk show host talking about Willie Wilson sponsoring gas giveaways when he was running for mayor of Chicago, insinuating he was buying votes. Willie lost in the primary, but guess what? I heard Willie being interviewed today (caller referring to Friday, March 10) and he’s going to be sponsoring another gas giveaway. So much for buying votes. Speaking of buying votes, how about our billionaire governor? Did you know JB Pritzker spent a grand total of $350 million on his two campaigns for governor? Now you do. My source is the Chicago Tribune . Look it up. Last year, Pritzker also donated $1 million each to Illinois Supreme Court candidates Mary O’Brien and Elizabeth Rochford. Both are now on the Supreme Court. Let me know when JB Pritzker sponsors a gas giveaway instead of spending millions and millions on his own political interests and raising the gas tax. * * *

I was livid when I found out lawmakers in this state got an 18 percent pay raise this year, but now I see why they deserve such a substantial pay hike. I noticed they passed hard-hitting legislation that allows Illinois residents to change their sex on their birth certificates without getting a doctor’s consent. Now there’s a bill being discussed that would allow noncitizens to vote in Illinois school board elections. And another bill calls for setting standards for multi-occupant, all-gender restrooms. These woke, do-nothing legislators don’t deserve a dime more in salary, let alone 18 percent.

Family: Husband, David; three children ages 20, 18 and 16

Occupation: Speech therapist/ administration

Education: Speech language pathology assistant, A.A.S College of DuPage

Community or civic involvement: District 45 school board member since 2015; PTA president Awards received (either professional or community related: VPEA Community Member of the Year

Previous elected offices held: District 45 school board member Why are you running to serve as a member of the District 45 Board of Education?

I am running for re-election to the District 45 school board because I believe in the importance of serving my community. In my time on the school board, many things have been accomplished and I would like to continue to make positive changes in our community. My overall motivating factor for service on the school board is to prioritize the needs of the children. I strongly believe that all decisions need to be approached with a “kids first” lens. My previous experience and knowledge will also be helpful as we enter a period of transition within our administration.

What do you see as a major challenge, or challenges, facing the district, and what do you think needs to be done to meet that challenge, or challenges?

One major challenge that our district is facing is behavior in the classroom, especially with some of our youngest learners. In order to address this challenge, the district needs to continue to have a focus on social emotional learning. It is important to focus on mental health, not only for our students, but also our staff. The district is implementing new curriculum in this area, but this is not enough. The board needs to continue to explore options of additional staff and further training of current staff in order to address this issue that is bordering on a crisis.

What is your philosophy on balancing spending and maintaining a quality education with taxpayer concerns over rising property taxes?

When it comes to finances, District 45 does an excellent job of finding areas to make cuts without directly

Social media addresses: https:// www.facebook.com/katiewagnerd45 and katiewagnerd45.com

Occupation: Director of Outreach and Engagement for State Rep. Diane Blair-Sherlock Education: Bachelor of Science in Education from Illinois State University. My focus is on middlelevel education with endorsements in math and science.

Community or civic involvement: I currently volunteer on two boards: a local daycare and a local baseball league. Both boards consist of diverse groups of people. Volunteering on a board is a thankless job. Everyone is there because they ultimately want what is best for the children. On both boards, I worked to set up new systems. On the daycare board, I researched and selected insurance for the teachers. For the baseball board, I organized over 25 baseball and softball teams. I would describe my style as a problem solver. It can be easy to talk about problems and push them to the next agenda, but I like to work to get things done.

Why are you running to serve as a member of the District 45 Board of Education?

I am running for school board because I believe in the power of public education. All children should have access to high-quality education. My family and I moved to Villa Park

Like many school districts in the country, teachers have been quitting the profession at a high rate. The one thing no one is talking about is creating a better working environment for teachers. A teacher’s work environment is a student’s learning environment. The school board and district office need to take some of the responsibilities off the administration and teachers so they can focus on the students. We cannot control the outside world, but we can support and empower administrators and teachers in the building. Teachers need support, not in the form of pizza or jeans Friday, but in a change in ideology.

What is your philosophy on balancing spending and maintaining a quality education with taxpayer concerns over rising property taxes?

I believe to maintain a thriving public education, the community must be willing to fully fund our schools. Communities have to approach schools as an investment, and it can take several years to see a return on that investment. If we can show patience with this investment, we can see the youngest members of our community become young adults ready to take on the world. Taxing involves trust between the taxpayer and the school district. There has to be trust that schools will be funded, but trust that the money will be spent wisely.

Be a part of the history of soils in Illinois

Your land, your soil may have been part of an historical and extensive soil sampling program dating back to 1899 by University of Illinois. University researchers and Illinois Nutrient Research and Education Council are looking for landowners whose property was part of the original research to take new samples and understand changes that have happened in the past century.

“Our predecessors had the foresight to keep records of soil sampling locations and to store those samples at the university,” says Andrew Margenot, crop sciences assistant professor. “By resampling soil from these same locations, we will gain unprecedented insight on how these soils have changed over 120 years.”

The results will enable improvements in soil fertility management and conservation, including updates to the Illinois Agronomy Handbook. The project is funded by NREC and the Illinois Farm Bureau.

Many of the original soil sample sites, from around 450 locations, are now located on private land. Researchers are working to identify and contact landowners or producers to ask permission to sample soils. Sampling will take place with a small soil probe down 3 feet at three points within a 10to 15-foot-area. All soil sample results will be shared at no cost and will be anonymous to protect privacy of the sampling location.

A map of the site locations is available to review. Those interested in participating, can select the a specific location to share contact information with the research team for follow up, or contact the research team directly at rothman@illinois.edu or margenot@ illinois.edu. More information about the project history, goals, and process can be found on the Illinois NREC website.

Editor’s note: This article was originally released by NREC on Feb. 15 and written by Julie Hewitt.

Puzzle page

BENEATH BUDDING

COMPOST

CURE

FARM FRUITS

GEORGIA

GROUNDNUT

HARVEST

HOPPER

LEGUME

PEANUT

PEG

PLANTING

POD

PRODUCTION

ROASTED ROOTS

RUNNER SOIL

SPANISH

VALENCIA

VARIETY

VIRGINIA

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. Belonging to a thing

4. Pass or go by

10. Partner to cheese

11. Subjects

12. U.S. State (abbr.)

14. Bits per inch

15. Forest-dwelling deer

16. Illinois city

18. A salt or ester of acetic acid

22. Wholly unharmed

23. Cuddled

24. Bane

26. Global investment bank (abbr.)

27. Oh my gosh!

28. Arrive

30. Famed Spanish artist

31. Home of “Frontline”

34. Group of quill feathers

36. Keyboard key

37. Army training group

39. Detail

40. Pole with flat blade

41. Football play

42. Makes unhappy

48. Island in Hawaii

50. Back in business

51. Of an individual

52. Painful chest condition

53. Tropical American monkey

54. Matchstick game

55. For instance

56. Even again

58. Popular beverage

59. Evaluate

60. Time units (abbr.)

CLUES DOWN

1. Stain one’s hands

2. Nocturnal hoofed animals

3. Back condition

4. Popular movie alien

5. City of Angels

6. Peaks

7. Infantry weapons

8. Left

9. Atomic #99

12. Told a good yarn

13. Vale

17. Resistance unit

19. Aquatic plant

20. Bluish greens

21. About some Norse poems

25. Reinforces

29. Egyptian mythological goddess

31. Supportive material

32. Subatomic particle

33. Expired bread

35. Cereal grain

38. Goes against

41. Walkie __

43. One who does not accept

44. Beliefs

45. Indicates near

46. Brazilian NBA star

47. Grab quickly

49. Romantic poet

56. College dorm worker

57. Set of data

I BUY OLD TOYS

American Flyer, Lionel trains, Barbie and other dolls; G.I. Joe, Tonka, Matchbox, Hot Wheels cars, slot cars & more! Plus any other antiques and collectibles. Call: 630-248-3222

Gutters

CLASSIFIED IN-COLUMN ADS cannot be credited or refunded after the ad has been placed. Ads canceled before deadline will be removed from the paper as a service to our customers, but no credit or refund will be issued to your account.

Mount Carmel Prayer to the Blessed Virgin Mary

Oh, most beautiful flower of Mt. Carmel, fruitful vine, splendor of Heaven. Blessed Mother of the Son of God, Immaculate Virgin, assist me in my necessity, Oh Star of the Sea, help me and show me here you are my Mother. Oh Holy Mary, Mother of God queen of Heaven and Earth, I humbly beseech you from the bottom of my heart to succor me in my necessity (make request). There are none that can withstand your power. Oh Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee (say three times). Holy Mary, I place this prayer in your hands (say three times). Amen. Say this prayer for three consecutive days and then you must publish and it will be granted to you.

I am confident my prayers will be answered. Thank You Mother of God!!! JC

349866

Automobiles

2014 CHEVY EQUINOX, all wheel drive, 163,000 miles, new engine, new brakes, runs great, $14,500. 630-222-3140.

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

https://homepaintingillino.wixsite.com/website PAINTERS. FULL-SERVICE.

PAINTERS. FULL-SERVICE. INSIDE. OUTSIDE. HOME. BUSINESS. SATISFACTION GUARANTEED. CALL GREG: (630)234-1471.

https://homepaintingillino.wixsite.com/website PAINTERS. FULL-SERVICE. PAINTERS. FULL-SERVICE. INSIDE. OUTSIDE. HOME. BUSINESS. SATISFACTION GUARANTEED. CALL GREG: (630)234-1471.

DISCLAIMER NOTICE 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.

Tree Service

Illinois Supreme Court grants expedited appeal in assault weapons ban case

Macon County judge ruled parts of the law unconstitutional

By Peter Hancock CAPITOL NEWS ILLINOIS

The Illinois Supreme Court agreed last week to fast-track the state’s appeal of a Macon County judge’s ruling against parts of a recently passed state ban on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines.

Lawmakers passed the ban during a lame duck session in January and Gov. JB Pritzker signed it into law almost immediately. The law came in response to numerous mass shootings in the United States, including at an Independence Day parade in Highland Park last summer in which the shooter used an assault-style weapon, killing seven people and injuring dozens of others.

The new law bans the sale and manufacture of a long list of firearms defined as “assault weapons,” assault weapon attachments, .50-caliber rifles and .50-caliber cartridges, as well as large-capacity magazines.

The law allows people who already own such items to keep them, but it restricts their ability to sell or

• Shortage

transfer them to someone else. And it requires current owners of such weapons to register them with the Illinois State Police by Jan. 1, 2024.

The law also exempts certain people from the ban, including current and retired law enforcement officers; wardens, superintendents and keepers of state and federal prisons; members of the armed services or reserve forces while they are performing official duties or traveling to or from their places of duty; and companies that employ armed security guards at federally supervised nuclear sites.

Passage of the law prompted immediate legal challenges in both state and federal courts by gun rights advocates who said it violated both the Illinois and U.S. constitutions.

One of those suits was filed by a group of plaintiffs led by Republican state Rep. Dan Caulkins, of Decatur.

On March 3, Judge Rodney S. Forbes ruled that the exceptions to the assault weapons ban violate the equal protection clause in the Illinois Constitution as well as the “special

(Continued from page 12)

Macomb to rally support for the plan.

“When I came into office, the state of Illinois was providing nearly the lowest percentage of school funding for K-12 and P-12,” Pritzker said.

“That was four years ago. But during the last four years, with the General Assembly’s help, we’ve addressed

• TEDx

this woeful underfunding of K-12 education with an increase of more than $1.5 billion from the state of Illinois.”

His proposed plan calls for $250 million to fund the first year of Smart Start and an additional $350 million aimed at the Evidence Based Funding formula.

(Continued from page 13)

• Felicia Shakespeare ’96, an educator, author and founder of A Purpose Driven Woman LLC. She will present “You Are Your Brand: Building From the Inside Out!”

• Sarah Strom Kays ’90, Ph.D., associate professor and chair of the Department of Communication and Media at Elmhurst University. Her talk is entitled “Say What? Slang is More Than ‘Being Hip.’”

• Angela Williams ’06, a school administrator, learning behavior specialist, and faculty director of Turning Pointe Autism Foundation. She will discuss “Fears, Failures and Firsts in Autism.”

TEDxElmhurstUniversity 2023 will be held on Saturday, April 1, beginning at 3 p.m. in the Mill Theatre on the campus of Elmhurst University. For directions, visit elmhurst.edu/campusmap.

General admission is $15 (with a

Answers

two-ticket maximum due to limited seating). Tickets are available at elmhurst.edu/tedx. If demand permits, an on-campus livestream option may be made available. For more information, email marketing@elmhurst.edu.

TED began in 1984 as a conference where Technology, Entertainment and Design converged, and today covers almost all topics — from science to business to global issues — in more than 100 languages. Meanwhile, independently run TEDx events help share ideas in communities around the world. More than 3,000 events are now held annually.

Last year’s TEDxElmhurstUniversity featured 14 talks whose videos have since garnered thousands of views on TED.com and YouTube. They also can be viewed at elmhurst.edu/TEDx.

PUZZLE 1 PUZZLE 2

legislation” clause that prohibits the General Assembly from passing “a special or local law when a general law can be made applicable.”

“We look forward to vigorously defending this final judgment by Judge Forbes,” Caulkins said at a news conference March 8. “We believe that we have the facts on our side.”

That decision, the judge wrote, was based on a 5th District Court of Appeals ruling in another case in which an Effingham County judge had granted a temporary restraining or-

NOTICE TO BIDDERS

THE VILLAGE OF BENSENVILLE, DuPAGE COUNTY, ILLINOIS, will receive sealed bids for the CRESTBROOK SUBDIVISION ROADWAY RECONSTRUCTION PROJECT until Eleven A.M. (11:00 A.M.) (prevailing time), April 4, 2023 at the office of the Municipal Clerk in the Village Hall, 12 South Center Street, in the Village of Bensenville, Illinois, at which time and place all bids will be publicly opened and read aloud.

The contract documents, including plans and specifications, are on file at the office of the Owner, Village of Bensenville – Department of Public Works, 717 East Jefferson Street, Bensenville IL 60106, (630) 350-3411. Copies of the bid documents may be obtained from the Village of Bensenville website https://www. bensenville.il.us/bids.aspx or email Brad Hargett, Assistant Village Engineer, at bhargett@bensenville.il.us at no charge for each set along with a copy of the Contractor’s “Certificate of Eligibility” issued by the Illinois Department of Transportation.

A bid bond, certified check, bank draft or irrevocable letter of credit on a solvent bank, payable to the Village of Bensenville, or cash in an amount of not less than ten percent (10%) of the amount of the bid shall be submitted with each bid.

The successful bidder will be required to furnish a satisfactory performance bond in the amount equal to one hundred percent (100%) of the Contract sum as a security for the faithful performance of the Contract and also a Payment Bond in the amount equal to one hundred percent (100%) of the Contract Sum as a security for the payment of all persons performing labor on the Project under the Contract and furnishing materials in connection of the Contract. The successful bidder shall also furnish a Certificate of Insurance. No bid shall be withdrawn after opening of bids without the consent of said Municipality for a period of sixty (60) days after the scheduled time of opening bids. The Village of Bensenville reserves the right to reject any or all bids and to waive any informalities in bidding and to accept the bid deemed most advantageous to it, all in accordance with the standard specifications.

(Published in the Addison Independent, Bensenville Independent & Villa Park Review March 16, 2023)

434383

CROSSWORD

der to block enforcement of the ban. That order, however, applied only to the roughly 800 plaintiffs who were named in the case. That case, Accuracy Firearms LLC v. Pritzker, also is on appeal before the Supreme Court. Although the Accuracy Firearms case went through an appellate court before reaching the Supreme Court, Attorney General Kwame Raoul appealed the Caulkins case directly to

the high court. In both cases, Raoul filed motions for an expedited hearing schedule. But on March 7, the court chose to take only one, accepting the Caulkins case and denying the motion in the Accuracy Firearms case. According to the court’s order, oral arguments in the Caulkins case are scheduled to be heard sometime in May.

LEGAL NOTICES

NOTICE

April 9, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. Or After

CERTIFICATE

NO. 78989 was filed in the office of the County Clerk of DuPage County on FEBRUARY 28, 2023, wherein the business firm of MC DESIGNS, 250 N. WESLEY DRIVE, ADDISON, IL 60101 was registered; that the true or real name or names of the person or persons owning the business, with their respective post office address(es), is/are as follows:

Alvaro D. Mercado Delgado, 250 N. Wesley Drive, Addison, IL 60101.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and Official Seal at my office in Wheaton, Illinois, this 28TH day of FEBRUARY, A.D. 2023. Jean Kaczmarek

DuPage County Clerk

(Published in the Addison Independent, Bensenville Independent & Villa Park Review March 9, 16 & 23, 2023)

433787

ANNUAL TOWN MEETING

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN

To the legal voters, residents of the Town of Addison in the County of DuPage and State of Illinois, that the Annual Town Meeting of said Town will take place on Tuesday, April 11, 2023, 7:00 p.m.

401 N. Addison Rd. Event Center Addison, IL

For the transaction of the miscellaneous business of said town; and after a Moderator having been elected, will proceed to hear, and consider reports of officers, and decide on such measures as may, in pursuance of law, come before the meeting; and specially to consider and decide the following.

I. Call To Order

II. Pledge of Allegiance

III. Qualification of Voters

IV. Election & Swearing in Of Moderator

V. Approval of Minutes of Annual Town Meeting of April 12, 2022

VI. Reading of Expenditures from All Funds for Fiscal Year 6-1-2022 to 5-312023

VII. New Business

Resolution to delegate to the Township Board for a period of 12 months the power to purchase, sell or lease township property and to authorize the Township Board to specify any such property.

VIII. Unfinished Business

IX. Notice of Next Annual Town Meeting

X. Public Comment

XI. Adjournment

BY: Pamela Joy Moretti Town Clerk

(Published in the Addison Independent, Bensenville Independent & Villa Park Review March 16, 2023)

434224

PUBLIC NOTICE: BENSENVILLE –INTENT TO ISSUE A CATEGORICAL EXCLUSION

The Village of Bensenville (Village) Department of Public Works is replacing the Pressure Adjusting Station located at 130 North Church Road. This project will provide new water infrastructure to control flow to the Village’s potable water storage and distribution system. The Village is seeking loan assistance from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) under the IEPA Public Water Supply Loan Program.

In accordance with the IEPA Loan Rules, Title 35, Subtitle F, Chapter II, Part 662.330 (State Environmental Review), the IEPA has determined that the Water Supply Pressure Adjusting Station Replacement Project (Project), may be excluded from a detailed environmental impacts review. The IEPA may categorically exclude certain types of projects from environmental reviews if no potential for negative environmental impacts exists. All proposed construction will occur outside the floodway and wetlands on previously disturbed land, and the Project has received categorical exclusion from a detailed environmental review.

Information related to the Project and Categorical Exclusion prepared by the IEPA are available for review at the Village of Bensenville Village Hall, located at 12 S. Center St, Bensenville, IL 60106. There will be a 10-day public comment period subsequent to the publication of this notice to receive comments from interested and affected parties. Comments may be submitted to the Village of Bensenville, Public Works Department, Attn Jeff Maczko, P.E. 717 E. Jefferson Street, Bensenville, IL 60106.

(Published in the Addison Independent, Bensenville Independent & Villa Park Review March 16, 2023)

434280

Board of Directors

George F. Hammersmith, Jr. Chairman of the Board

Fran Marcucci Decker Gonnella Baking Co.

Joshua Bretl FSR Wealth Strategies

Richard W. Reichert President & C.E.O.

Ken Bartels Sr. Vice President

Maryann Gorski

Martha Hammersmith-Delgado

Dr. Lawrence B. Carroll Elmhurst University

MOVING BENSENVILLE FORWARD

Early Voting March 20th - April 3rd at 345 E. Green St. Bensenville ote Tues, April 4th

Longtime Bensenville Resident

Active Member of Bensenville Neighborhood Watch Program

Zion Lutheran Church Ladies Aide and Member, Church Fellowship

Past Treasurer for Bensenville Community Foundation 2017- 2018

Volunteer Distributing Toys for the Village’s Annual Toy Drive

Contributed to the Success of Car Seat Giveaway Events

Campaign Office: 114 Green St. Bensenville | 224.661.0897

Longtime Bensenville Resident

Member, DuPage Mayor’s and Manager’s Caucus Legislative Committee

Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Elmhurst University

Assistant Vice President of Loan Operations for Millenium Bank

Volunteer for Toy Drive Distribution, Coffee with the Village President, Music in the Park and Holiday Magic

Advocate for the Bensenville Senior Community

50 Year Wood Dale/Bensenville Resident

Longtime Senior Luncheon Attendee

Volunteer at Bensenville Food Distribution Events During the Pandemic

Volunteer for Music in the Park, Liberty Fest, and Holiday Magic

Rosa, Nick, and Marie are passionate, independent leaders who put the best interests of Bensenville residents first. They will continue to protect taxpayers, preserve senior services, fight for government tranparency, and keep our neighborhoods safe.

Frank DeSimone, Village President

ROSA CARMONA Village Trustee NICHOLAS PANICOLA JR. Village Trustee

MARIE T. FREY Village Trustee