VPR032323

Taking a plunge for a good cause

Play at the plate

Graduation day at Willowbrook

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

Freshman Lindsey Rugg of the Willowbrook softball team is pictured while attempting to score a run during Friday’s game at Downers Grove South. Rugg tried to score from 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-

Administrators and staff members from Willowbrook High School and District 88 joined Willowbrook School Resource Officer Donald Giammarino and other members of the Villa Park Police Department to participate in the recent 2023 Law Enforcement Torch Run Polar Plunge for Special Olympics Illinois. The event took place at the Oak Brook Bath and Tennis Club. Participants took a brief plunge into an outdoor pond at the club during the March 11 event. The Polar Plunge is a fundraiser for Special Olympics Illinois athletes. Giammarino, who is a detective with the Villa Park Police Department, organized the team that included members of the police department and the Willowbrook/District 88 staff and administration. The team raised approximately $8,000. Team members included

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.

Giammarino (front row, far left), Villa Park Police Chief Michael Rivas (far right, standing), Willowbrook learning services teachers Gabrielle Horabik (front row, third from left) and Dalila Ramirez (front row, fourth from left), District 88 Director of Student Services Alena Edwards (front row, fifth from left), Willowbrook physical education teacher Rachel Karos (back row, second from left), Villa Park Police Officer Elizabeth Gonzalez (front row, seated), Willowbrook Learning Services Department Head Nick Hildreth (back row, second from right), Willowbrook Principal Dan Krause (back row, third from right), Villa Park Police Officer Kordell Kitching (back row, fourth from right) and Willowbrook Dean Malcolm Ross (front row, far right).

Arbor Day in Villa Park

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.

Please

Memorial Day in Villa Park

Villa Park Village Trustee (and Village President-Elect) Nick Cuzzone and Leslie Allison-Seei—chair of the Villa Park Community Pride Commission. Arbor Day is observed on the last Friday of each April. The National Arbor Day Foundation has recognized Villa Park with Tree City 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.

several years. A veteran of the U.S. Navy, Bergh died in October 2020. He was 94 years old.

was the post’s last surviving World War II veteran.

CHRIS FOX PHOTO Villa Park Review

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

Bergh

CHRIS FOX PHOTO Villa Park Review

Grand Subaru, Park District present Egg Hunt, Eggstravaganza

Hop to it! It’s fun for the whole family when the Bensenville Park District’s annual Egg Hunt and Eggstravaganza returns Saturday, April 1, to Varble Park Hill and the Deer Grove Leisure Center (DGLC), 1000 W. Wood St. The event is free and no registration is necessary.

The event is taking place, thanks to the generous support of Grand Subaru Dealership, located on Grand Ave. in Bensenville.

The egg hunt begins at 10 a.m. for

little ones age 3 and under, with other age groups commencing at 10:10 (ages 4-5, 6-7) and 10:20 a.m. (ages 8-9 and 10 and older). Thousands of candy-filled eggs will be scattered across the hill at Varble Park, just waiting to be found. Don’t forget to bring a basket, bag or container to hold them all.

After the egg hunt, the whole family is invited into the DGLC for fun and games, crafts and inflatables. All are invited to take photos with the

Easter Bunny until the event ends at 12:30 p.m.

Yoga Bunny at 11 a.m. requires registration

Wood Street Fitness also invites families to join in Family Storytime with Yoga Bunny—a premium, interactive mind-body storytelling session in conjunction with the egg hunt—11 a.m. to noon, in the DGLC’s exercise room. After the story time, in which participants learn the

Eva Sanchez, REALTOR®

child’s pose and other basic yoga moves, kids will make a bunny craft, and the special event will end with a visit from the Easter Bunny and unique photo opportunity with farm bunnies, Patty and Lucy.

Advance registration for is required by Wednesday, March 29. Fees are just $8 ($7 for those resid-

ing within Bensenville Park District boundaries). In-person registration can be completed at the DGLC or by phone at 630-766-7015.

Information about the Egg Hunt and Eggstravaganza and Family Storytime with Yoga Bunny may be found on the park district website, BvilleParks.org.

D88 urges parents to participate in Illinois

District 88 administration is asking parents or guardians of students of D88 schools to complete the Illinois 5Essentials Survey and District 88 administration. This research-based survey helps identify strengths and areas for improvement in a school’s learning environment and provides stakeholders with a voice in improving their schools, according to school officials.

The survey provides a comprehensive picture of a school’s organizational culture in an individualized report measuring five “essentials” critical for school success. They are:

• effective leaders;

• collaborative teachers;

• involved families;

• supportive environment; and,

• ambitious instruction.

District 88 truly values receiving feedback and all responses will remain confidential and will be shared. The goal is to gather a variety of input to ensure the district continues to accomplish its mission of working for the continuous improvement of student achievement. Parent/guardian participation also will impact each school’s performance on the Illinois Report Card.

Parents/guardians are encouraged to complete the survey before the deadline of Friday, March 31

To take the survey in English or in Spanish, go to survey.5-essentials. org/Illinois.

Warriors finish third, Addison Trail fourth at girls conference indoor meet

Gwaltney wins title in the 300-meter run; Barrington takes first in high jump

STAFF REPORT

The Willowbrook girls track and field team finished the indoor portion of its season by competing in Saturday’s West Suburban Gold Conference Indoor Meet at Proviso West High School in Hillside.

The Warriors finished third out of seven teams in the meet’s team standings with 90 points. Downers Grove South won the team title with 172 points. Hinsdale South placed second with 108 points.

Willowbrook sophomore Olivia Gwaltney won the meet’s title in the 300-meter run, which she completed in 44.36 seconds. Senior Molly Morris of the Warriors finished second to Gwaltney. Morris completed the race in 45.17 seconds.

In addition to winning the title in the 300-meter run, Gwaltney

turned in a fourth-place finish in the 400-meter run, which she completed in 1 minute, 6.58 seconds. Gwaltney added a fifth-place effort in the 200-meter run, which she finished in 28.64 seconds.

Senior Mia Barrington of the Warriors won the individual title in the high jump. She cleared a personal-best height of 5 feet, 2 inches in her best jump of the meet. Barrington added a second-place finish in the long jump. She traveled 16 feet, 5 inches in her best jump of the meet.

Willowbrook’s foursome of senior Brianna Alandy, senior Sarah Ball, Morris and sophomore Naomi Campbell raced to a victory in the 4 x 200-meter relay. The four Warriors completed the relay in a first-place time of 1 minute, 53.26 seconds.

Sophomore Amelie Ojeda provid-

Warriors claim second,

STAFF REPORT

ed Willowbrook with a second-place finish in the 800-meter run, which she finished in 2 minutes, 31.97 seconds. Ojeda also delivered a third-place time of 5:40.96 in the 1,600-meter run.

Ball provided a fifth-place time of 7.65 seconds in the 55-meter dash.

Sophomore Emily Hogan of the Warriors finished fourth in the shot put. Her best throw of the meet traveled 28 feet, 10¾ inches.

Willowbrook senior Sara Stout finished second in the high jump. She cleared 4 feet, 10 inches in her best jump of the meet. Sophomore Malin Meeker of the Warriors placed fourth in the triple jump. Her best jump of the meet covered 30 feet, 4½ inches. Willowbrook junior Mia McBride claimed fourth in the long jump. She sailed 15 feet, 3½ inches in her best

jump of the meet.

Addison Trail

Addison Trail finished fourth in the conference meet’s team standings with its total of 46.5 points.

Junior Brooke Greaves of the Blazers won the meet’s individual title in the 55-meter hurdles, which she finished in 8.73 seconds. Greaves joined senior Lettia Hoda, senior Ingrid Balbuena and junior Jackie Tecuanhuehue to deliver a second-place finish in the 4 x 400-meter relay. The Addison Trail foursome completed the race in 4 minutes, 37.01 seconds. Greaves, Balbuena and Tecuanhuehue joined junior Natalie Lupa to earn a third-place finish in the 4 x 200-meter relay.

The four Blazers completed the relay in 1:56.96.

Addison Trail’s foursome of sophomore Sandra Olascoaga, freshman Zuzanna Kwasinewski, junior Monserrat Abarca and senior Ximena Juarez turned in a fourth-place finish in the 4 x 800-meter relay. The foursome posted a finishing time of 11 minutes, 15.49 seconds.

Hoda ran to a second-place finish in the 3,200-meter run (12:21.53). Juarez posted a fourth-place time of 5:43.97 in the 1,600-meter run. Senior Clarita Gaytan of the Blazers finished fifth in the shot put. Her best throw of the meet traveled 27 feet, 10¾ inches.

Lupa contributed a fifth-place finish in the high jump. Her best effort of the meet cleared 4 feet, 4 inches. Tecuanhuehue placed fifth in the triple jump. Her best jump of the day covered 30 feet, 3 inches.

Addison Trail sixth at boys indoor conference

Weder wins title in the high jump and the triple jump

Willowbrook’s boys track and field team earned a second-place finish in the team standings of Friday’s West Suburban Gold Conference Indoor Meet in Villa Park. Competing in their school’s field house in the seven-team conference meet, the Warriors posted a second-place team score of 116 points. Downers Grove South won the team title with 165 points.

meet

Willowbrook junior Evan Weder won a pair of individual titles in Friday’s meet. Weder prevailed in the high jump and the triple jump. His best effort of the day in the high jump cleared 6 feet, 1½ inches. Weder traveled 40 feet 5½ inches in his best attempt of the day in the triple jump.

Senior Bernardo Alberran of the Warriors finished second in the shot put. Sophomore Jake Koterba of Wil-

lowbrook delivered a fourth-place finish in the shot put. Alberran’s best throw of the meet traveled 45 feet, 6 inches, while Koterba’s longest throw of the day covered 43 feet, 6 inches.

Junior Daeveon Madison of the Warriors earned a second-place finish in the long jump. He sailed 21 feet, 2 inches in his best jump of the day. Freshman Ottis Powell of Willowbrook claimed third in the long

jump. His best jump of the meet covered 20 feet, 2¼ inches.

Powell also contributed fourthplace finishes in both the high jump and the triple jump. He cleared 5 feet, 9¾ inches in the high jump at Friday’s meet. His best effort of the day in the triple jump covered 38 feet, 6½ inches.

Sophomore John Brisbois of he Warriors finished third in the pole vault. He cleared 7 feet, 6¼ inches in

his best effort of the meet.

Willowbrook’s foursome of senior Elijah Smith, Weder and juniors Luca Parato and Sam McNeilly won the meet’s 4 x 400-meter relay title. The four Warriors won the race in their first-place time of 3 minutes, 44.72 seconds.

McNeilly joined senior Henry Sloan, sophomore Kasen Blain and

See MEET, Page 17

sustainable plan for our community

Showcase Bensenville businesses by leveraging their services to ful ll village needs

Villa Park reView

Your Hometown Newspaper

240 N. West Avenue Elmhurst, IL. 60126

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District 88 Board of Education candidate profiles

Editor’s note: Five candidates (vote for four) are running to serve a four-year term on the District 88 Board of Education. District 88 is comprised of two high schools: Addison Trail and Willowbrook. Willowbrook draws its students from Villa Park, Oakbrook Terrace and portions of Lombard, Oak Brook and Elmhurst.

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.

Mubasher Max Ashrafi

Office sought: District 88 school board member

Family: Jennifer Ashrafi (wife), Michaela Phelps (daughter), Raina Ashrafi (daughter).

Social media addresses: https:// www.facebook.com/mubasher.ashrafi

https://twitter.com/mash1074

Occupation: I am a senior marketing and graphic design consultant for a Chicago-based insurance company.

Education: Triton College, River Grove, IL (1997). AS degree in in advertising computer design; Illinois Institute of Art, Schaumburg, IL (2002). Certificate in multi-media design.

Community or civic involvement: I serve on the Addison Trail High School Theatre Board and volunteer to support the Addison Trail music and athletic boosters. I am also a member of the 46th District of Illinois Immigration Advisory Committee. Why are you running to serve as a member of the District 88 Board of Education?

To ensure the district keeps academic standards high and challenge our students to reach their full potential. District 88 must continue to assist students who are headed to junior college, trade school, military, or directly into the workforce. I hope to continue to build relationships with the College of DuPage, industry workforces, and trade leaders to help our students plan for their futures. Our community is a true melting pot of cultures and ethnicities. I want to continue to celebrate our diversity by embracing our differences. The combination of our unique characteristics, values, and beliefs makes District 88 schools special.

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?

We must make sure our children are prepared for life after high school, providing students with several pathway options including college and career development. Continue to offer AP classes that will challenge them and offer dual credit opportunities. Also, develop classes that help provide technical skills for the new modern workforce. We must be ready to address any mental health issues our children may be suffering from. Continue providing a

safe environment to learn and grow, and have the ability to apply criticalthinking strategies in everyday life once they graduate from our high schools.

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

I have been a homeowner in District 88 for over 18 years and understand the concern of property taxes increasing due to funding our schools. I look at it as an investment in the community and the lives of our children. Also, schools that test well are schools that are usually funded well by their local property taxes. In return, schools that are well-ranked in achievements will increase the value of our homes and enrich the lives of our communities.

Donna Craft Cain Office sought: District 88 school board member

Family: M. David Cain, Jr. (spouse); Theresa, Rachel and Deborah Occupation:

Attorney

Education: Willowbrook High School (1981); University of Illinois, B.S. Accountancy (1985); C.P.A. (1985); Illinois Institute of Technology Chicago-Kent College of Law J.D. (1988)

Community or civic involvement: Partnership for Inspired Education Foundation, 2009; Villa Park Chamber of Commerce, member. President, 1993; DuPage County Bar Foundation member of the board of directors; various other volunteer positions including Girl Scout Leader, 4-H leader; Destination Imagination coach Awards received (either professional or community related): Illinois Association of School Board, Master Board Member; Illinois State Board of Education Those Who Excel Meritorious Service Award; INSPRA Award.

Previous elected offices held: DuPage High School District 88: appointment 2004, elected 2005, 2009, 2013, 2017 and 2019; secretary 2009-2011; president from 2011 to present.

Why are you running to serve as a member of the District 88 Board of Education?

I have served on the board since 2004. I have always wanted to make sure that every child has the opportunities available to them so that they can pursue their dreams. For some students that may be college, for some it may be trade schools and others may want to enter into a career.

I have enjoyed being able to support the district’s initiatives to help our students and would like to continue to work towards those goals.

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?

Finances will always be a challenge for school boards. District 88 has

always been one of the most diverse districts in the state of Illinois so we always need to be prepared to meet the needs of our students. Education is always evolving and districts need to prepare for the future. We are currently focusing on pathways for students to transition to college and careers. Social/emotional needs of students are also important.

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

I understand the concerns, however, it is important to understand that property taxes are 80 percent of school funding. I believe in developing balanced budgets within the PTELL limits. To control costs, we have worked on developing a five-year plan for building maintenance so that we obtain the best bids. We have worked with our unions to develop contracts tied to CPI that are sustainable within our current financial limits. We need to pursue grants to offset costs of programs and initiatives. I have encouraged state legislators to not pass unfunded mandates and for the state to pay their share.

Amy Finnegan Office sought: District 88 school board member Family: Daughter Abbigail attends Willowbrook High School

Social media addresses: https://www.facebook. com/amyfinneganfor88

Occupation: Realtor Education: Bachelor’s degree Community or civic involvement: Over the years, I have been a Girl Scout leader, Girls on the Run coach, a booster member at Ardmore, Jackson, and Willowbrook, and a member of the Villa Park Jr. Women’s Club.

Awards received (either professional or community related):

As a board, we earned the School Board Governance Recognition designation from the Illinois Association of School Boards (IASB).

Why are you running to serve as a member of the District 88 Board of Education?

I value public education and want to ensure that our schools continue to offer the best education possible to all students, regardless of whether they are college bound, looking for a career right out of high school, have special needs or are a combination of those things.

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?

Helping students to bridge any learning gaps that resulted from the pandemic is a priority of the district, and it is currently being addressed. I believe that another challenge facing the district is continuing to meet the social-emotional needs of students. As more teens face mental health challenges, it is imperative that our schools work to meet their needs. We

have added additional counselors and created new pathways for students and families to access care, but we need to monitor the situation to ensure that it is enough.

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

As a homeowner in the district, I fully understand the importance of fiscal responsibility when managing the budget. As prices increase for homeowners, the same is true for expenses within the schools. In order to maintain a quality education and properly care for our facilities, increases correlated to the consumer price index are hard to avoid, but we continue to look for additional sources of revenue to fund the needs of the district.

Gail Galivan Office sought: District 88 school board member Family: I have enjoyed the gift of raising five children who are now thriving adults.

Occupation: Holistic healthcare professional; community college continuing education instructor; business owner. Education: Holistic medicine certifications and associations.

Community or civic involvement: I served on the board of a nonprofit annual film festival held at the Chicago Cultural Center. The associated youth program, Dialogues for Peace, provided opportunities for film showings and film festival award ceremonies for productions created by youth. In-school programs and field trips were organized with partner schools for conversations around films approved for viewing by school administrators. I have been involved in community conversations around equity and diversity, and volunteered for conflict resolution programming at a high school and library.

Why are you running to serve as a member of the District 88 Board of Education?

Our youth are the future. The 2022 $68 million public schools Illinois Children’s Mental Health Plan will utilize the “whole child” approach. I bring to the board the experience of the “whole child” holistic approach after doing research in the intensive care unit at Children’s Memorial Hospital. We treated the child, their family and hospital staff. I have been involved in curriculum and equity discussions in education and at a local municipality. I helped children reintegrate socially and learn online at a nonprofit “essential business”

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?

There seems to be a growing divide in many nearby communities. This can be prevented by staying focused on education and learning non-judgment. It is necessary to

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

March 14

Candido Rosales, 34, of Carol Stream, was charged with DUI, improper turn at an intersection, improper turn signal and being on the wrong side of a way-divided road in the 1700 block of W. Army Trail at 1:40 a.m.

March 13

A 31-year-old Glendale Heights woman was charged with two counts of domestic battery in the 100 block of S. Waters Edge at 9 p.m.

March 12

Alfredo Benitez, 43, of Northlake, was charged with DUI, speeding and two counts of endangering the life of a child near Lake and Friendship at 1:47 a.m.

A 52-year-old Northlake man was charged with two counts of domestic battery near Swift and Corporate at 11:40 a.m.

March 11

Emmanuel T. Beard, 26, of Chicago, was charged with DUI, criminal trespassing and obstructing justice in the 100 block of W. Byron at 1:37 a.m.

Alexander M. Duenas, 29, of Westmont, was charged with two counts of DUI at 11:55 p.m.

Eduardo Garcia Garcia, 29, of Stone Park, was charged with two counts of DUI and improper lane usage near Iowa and Lake at 2:14 a.m.

March 10

Gerald Leland Doran, 77, of Lombard, was charged with sex predator in a public park in the 100 block of E. Oak at 2:15 p.m.

A 41-year-old Addison man was charged with two counts of domestic

battery in the 100 block of N. Prairie at 9:30 a.m.

March 9

Juan Arturo Balderas-Marquez, 42, of Chicago, was charged with DUI, driving while license expired, improper stop or turn signal and no insurance in the 200 block of W. Factory at 11:07 p.m.

March 8

Marcin Kwiatkowski, 42, of Plainfield, was charged with theft by deception at 3:15 p.m.

Villa Park

March 11

Mauro Cuazitl-Tlahuetl, 37, of Addison, was arrested on the above date for battery causing bodily harm and battery making physical contact of an insulting or provoking nature that was reported Feb. 28.

Carrie L. Rodriguez, 48, of Lombard, was charged with DUI, driving too fast for conditions or failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident in the 1500 block of S. Euclid at 2:58 a.m.

A complainant in the 300 block of E. Roosevelt reported at 9:10 p.m. that a suspect removed a vehicle that was parked in the parking lot.

March 9

A complainant in the 1100 block of S. Euclid reported at 9:43 a.m. that an unknown suspect removed signs from multiple properties.

March 8

Police said Patrick D. Johnson, 44, of Lombard, was arrested on an original complaint and warrant on the above date for an incident that was reported on Feb. 27, 2018.

A complainant at a store in the 200 block of W. Roosevelt reported at 2:20 p.m. that an unknown suspect removed a guitar from a display shelf and left the store without paying.

March 7

Police said Blayre A. Nash, 31, of Batavia, was arrested on an original complaint and warrant in the 900 block of S. Route 83 on the above date for an incident that was reported March 6.

March 6

A complainant at a restaurant in the 300 block of E. Kenilworth reported at 1:05 a.m. that subjects were causing a disturbance. Officers spoke with the subjects, who were issued no-trespass notices.

March 5

Alejandro Delgado, 53, of Franklin Park, was charged with DUI and improper lane usage near N. Princeton and W. St. Charles at 2:08 a.m. Police said Marvin Young, 32, of Chicago, was arrested on an original complaint and warrant on the above date in the 400 block of W. Division for an incident that was reported Nov. 30, 2021.

A complainant near S. Summit and E. Highland reported at 2:09 p.m. that a subject was harassing them while they were walking around town.

Fraud, identity theft

According to information provided last week by the Villa Park Police Department, police reported four 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 remind-

ed 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 15, 5:12 p.m., a complainant reported a known suspect conducted a scam and, in the process, took a vehicle in the amount of $19,200. BEPC2300238

March 15, 12:20 a.m. in the 400 block of Supreme Drive, a complainant reported an employee made verbal threats at work.

BEPC2300237

March 14, 7:26 a.m. in the 200 block of Williams Street, a complainant reported tools to be missing out of his trailer. BEPC2300236

March 14, 11:07 p.m. near Devon Avenue and Busse Road, a Bensenville police officer assisted the Elk Grove Police Department with a crash in their area. BEP23002947

March 13, 6:28 p.m., Bensenville Tac officers assisted the Willowbrook Police Department in attempt to recover a stolen Mercedes Benz that was taken from a dealership. The car was recovered in Chicago.

BEP23002906

March 12, 12:13 a.m. in the 1000 block of Argyle Street, a 36-year-old Bensenville man was arrested for battery, attempted battery and assault. BEPC2300227

March 12, 1:35 a.m. in the 200 block of S. Barron St., Sildi Drabo,

30, of Bensenville, was arrested on March 13 for violation of order of protection. BEPC2300228

March 12, 3:08 a.m. in the 100 block of Bridget Court, a complainant reported criminal damage to vehicle by an unknown suspect.

BEPC2300229

March 12, 9:14 a.m. in the 1000 block of Argyle Street, a 41-year-old Bensenville man was arrested for domestic battery. BEPC2300230

March 12, 11:05 a.m. in the 800 block of E. Grand Ave., a complainant reported a large gathering of adults and juveniles in the front lobby, who appeared to be starting a fight. This case is under investigation. BEPC2300321

March 11, 11:35 p.m. in the 200 block of S. Addison St., a complainant reported a domestic situation. BEPC2300226

March 10, 4:10 p.m. in the 100 block of Grand Avenue, a complainant reported check fraud by a known suspect. BEPC2300222

March 10, 10:33 p.m. in the 200 block of Miner Street, Pablo Castro, 19, of Hanover Park, was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol. BEPC2300224

March 9, 9:16 p.m. in the 100 block of Gerry Steven Court, a 31-year-old was arrested for domestic battery. He was processed and transported to the DuPage County Jail. BEPC2300221

Justices consider constitutionality of SAFE-T Act’s pretrial detention provisions

By Jerry Nowicki CAPITOL NEWS ILLINOIS

The state’s highest court heard arguments March 14 in a case that could drastically alter the legal landscape for criminal defendants who are incarcerated as they await trial.

It’s the latest development in the ongoing legal challenge to the pretrial detention provisions of the SAFE-T Act criminal justice reform – short for Safety, Accountability, Fairness and Equity-Today—which the high court put on hold in December just hours before it was scheduled to take effect.

The case pits Illinois’ attorney general, legislative leaders and the governor, who wish to uphold the pretrial detention overhaul, against state’s attorneys and sheriffs representing 64 counties who say the legislature should have put a constitutional amendment to voters if they wanted to make such a change.

If the Supreme Court allows the pretrial detention changes to take effect, judges would no longer be able to incarcerate a defendant who is awaiting trial solely because they cannot afford to post bail. The system replacing cash bail would allow a judge to order pretrial detention based on an accused person’s level of risk of reoffending or fleeing prosecution.

But the law would also create a list of lower-level nonviolent offenses for which a defendant cannot be held pretrial if they are not already out on pretrial release when committing the alleged offense or proven to be a

“willful flight” risk.

The case was appealed to the Supreme Court by the state after a Kankakee County circuit court judge ruled in December that parts of the law were unconstitutional. The court must decide whether the state’s constitution gives the judiciary a “right” to assess cash bail and whether lawmakers overstepped their bounds by passing a law that infringes on such a “right.”

The law’s opponents based their claims of unconstitutionality on two references to “bail” in the state’s constitution. Section 9 states that “all persons” accused of crimes “shall be bailable by sufficient sureties” except in certain specified circumstances. And Section 8.1, the Crime Victims’ Bill of Rights, notes a crime victim’s right to safety must be considered “in denying or fixing the amount of bail.”

In oral arguments before the high court March 14, Deputy Solicitor General Alex Hemmer with the attorney general’s office argued that if the circuit court’s ruling is allowed to stand it would severely limit the future authority of the General Assembly.

The high court, Hemmer argued, has consistently allowed the General Assembly to regulate pretrial practices, including by setting sentencing requirements, prohibiting the use of unsecured commercial bail bonds and prohibiting detention in certain circumstances.

“We’re talking about six decades of legislative regulation of pretrial

practices that are all called into question by plaintiffs’ expansive reading of judicial power and their narrow reading of legislative power in this area,” Hemmer said.

The constitution’s mention of bail and “sufficient sureties” don’t imply a monetary nature, he argued. He said that language was derived from the state’s 1818 constitution which passed at a time when the modern monetary bail system was “all but unknown.”

“Bailable just meant eligible for release on those conditions imposed by a court,” he said.

Judges maintain the authority to impose conditions of release under the new law, he added.

But opponents argued the constitution’s mentions of “bail” essentially serve as a requirement that the state maintains a system of monetary bail.

In particular, the prosecutors argued that the Crime Victims’ Bill of Rights was brought to voters as a constitutional amendment in 2014, which was the proper avenue for such a change.

Kankakee County State’s Attorney James Rowe argued that lawmakers put amendments to the voters in the 1980s when looking to expand the list of nonbailable offenses in the constitution. He contrasted that effort with the January 2021 passage of the SAFE-T Act which moved quickly through the legislature and came for a vote in the middle of the night.

Hemmer countered that the constitution has multiple references to institutions that no longer exist.

Warriors start their season

Willowbrook’s badminton team began its 2023 season with a busy schedule last week. The Warriors began their season with a 10-5 home loss to Wheaton Warrenville South on March 13. Willowbrook faced three opponents in a March 15 quad at Downers Grove North. The Warriors battled Downers Grove North to a 4-4 tie. Willowbrook earned another 4-4 tie against Andrew. The Warriors lost 8-0 to Hinsdale Central. Willowbrook played a quad at Glenbard East on March 16. The Warriors beat Joliet West in the quad, but suffered losses to Glenbard East and Lockport. The Warriors finished their week by winning the team title at Saturday’s Shepard Invitational. Willowbrook’s tandem of senior Adreana Vega (above) and sophomore Abigail Schnittker (below), pictured during last week’s event at Glenbard East, won the No. 1 doubles title at Saturday’s event. Junior Lillian Caron of the Warriors earned a second-place finish in the No. 1 singles flight of Saturday’s invite. Willowbrook’s schedule this week includes a West Suburban Gold Conference battle against Addison Trail.

Warriors kick off 2023 season

Willowbrook’s girls soccer team opened its season by competing in the 32-team Windy City Classic. The Warriors played their first three matches of the event on their home field in Villa Park. Willowbrook opened the tournament with a 2-1 win over Stagg on March 14. Sophomore Emily Barth scored in the closing seconds of the first half to tie the match at 1-1. Neither team scored during the second half. Both teams failed to score during a pair of five-minute overtime periods. Willowbrook then prevailed in a penalty-kick shootout. In their next match of the tournament, the Warriors lost to Glenbrook South. The match was scoreless through two 35-minute halves and two 5-minute overtime periods. Glenbrook South earned the victory in a penalty-kick shootout. Willowbrook’s third match of the tournament—Friday’s battle against Joliet West—was also scoreless through regulation and a pair of 5-minute overtime periods. Willowbrook prevailed by beating Joliet West in a penalty-kick shootout. Senior Kennedy Vannoy (No. 5) of the Warriors is pictured during Friday’s match. Willowbrook will complete play in the Windy City Classic this week. The Warriors will open their West Suburban Gold Conference season with a home match against Addison Trail on April 4.

Winning Warriors

Willowbrook’s girls track and field team competed in Saturday’s West Suburban Gold Conference Indoor Meet at Proviso West High School. The Warriors earned a third-place finish in the team standings of the meet, which included seven teams. Willowbrook’s foursome of (left to right) sophomore Naomi Campbell, senior Molly Morris, senior Sarah Ball and senior Brianna Alandy raced to a victory in the meet’s 4 x 200-meter relay. The four Warriors completed the race in 1 minute, 53.26 seconds.

Jade Inoshita receives 88’s

Best honor for February

Willowbrook High School senior Jade Inoshita of Villa Park was named her school’s recipient of the 88’s Best award for the month of February. Inoshita was honored during the District 88 Board of Education’s Feb. 27 meeting. She is pictured (right) at that meeting with Willowbrook Principal Dan Krause (left). Inoshita is one of the most accomplished students in Willowbrook’s Class of 2023. She has not decided where she will continue her academic career after she graduates from Willowbrook in May. Inoshita will study biochemistry. She plans to be a cardiovascular surgeon.

CHRIS FOX PHOTOS Rock Valley Publishing

CHRIS FOX PHOTO Rock Valley Publishing

SUBMITTED PHOTO Rock Valley Publishing

SUBMITTED PHOTO Rock Valley Publishing

Slices of life

In the last two years I’ve had to step out of my comfort zone.

Then again, I’ve stepped right into it.

There’s both, and it’s all mostly good.

In stepping out, I’ve sold and bought houses and cars. I’ve negotiated with air conditioner technicians and auto mechanics. I’ve tackled home improvement projects that would have been in my husband’s realm, not mine.

I’ve had to pay attention to things that never, ever, would have warranted my attention in the past.

In stepping in, I’ve explored interests I never realized were interests before. I’ve discovered I love creating something out of nothing and the bigger the nothing the better. I’ve built lighting fixtures and tables. I’ve attempted free-flow

If at first you don’t succeed …

By JILL PERTLER Columnist

abstract painting. I’ve sculpted and worked with rocks and wood and tile and resin. Most lately I’ve poured artistic-themed geodes, sparkly resin earrings and grown borax crystals.

I like to share my work with friends. I guess because it gives me joy and joy doesn’t work well in isolation. I don’t purport that any of my projects are art-worthy or even good, but they bring me fulfillment and that is something. They also help to fill an empty house - and that’s another.

I realize my projects are all over the place - from furniture to lamps to planters to decorative items to art to jewelry and so on. Sometimes I wish I could focus on just one thing. To specialize. But that isn’t me. I’m a squirrel - all over the place. I like to do a little bit of this and a little bit of that.

A Jill of all trades, if you will.

I’m decorating my house with my projects-slash-art. It really doesn’t matter if they are beautiful (although I think they are). I like looking at them and seeing what my hands created. People see my work and often have the same question: “How do you dare try that? Aren’t you afraid you’ll mess up?”

The answer is a quick, “No.”

I’m not afraid I’ll mess up because I already have. I mess up nearly every day. It’s happened many, many times

so there’s nothing to fear in that. It’s already been done.

Mistakes are part of the process. Part of learning.

The items I display in my home are the end result. They aren’t necessarily the first attempt; they most often are the fourth, fifth or 13th attempt.

Hardly any of us get it right on the first try.

But if the first try ends in failure and you stop there, how will you ever succeed? Worse yet, what if something looks so complicated that you never try at all?

I don’t know of one baby - in the history of humankind - who learned to walk on the first try.

I don’t think even Michelangelo, Curie, Mozart, Angelou, da Vinci, Einstein or Dickinson got it right on the first draft.

And look at where their third,

fourth and fifth tries took them. (Insert awe-inspired sigh here.)

I don’t claim to be Amadeus Mozart or Emily Dickinson. Not even close. But I can aspire. I can try. I can create and I can allow that to bring me joy.

I don’t have to get it right the first time, or even expect that, because we all learn as we go.

It doesn’t have to be perfect, because life never is.

But perseverance? Continuing? Trying, and finally, in the end, succeeding at some level?

That, my friends, is what it is all about.

Keep at it. I’ll be doing the same.

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.

State lawmakers closer to bridging gaps in coverage for dental procedures

By Dr. Kenneth G. Rawson

As president of the Illinois State Dental Society and a pediatric dentist, I am thrilled to see that dental insurance reform legislation is gaining traction in Illinois. With key reforms passing Illinois House and Senate committees in recent weeks, we are one

step closer to providing our patients and their families with the dental coverage they need and deserve.

One of the most frustrating challenges our patients and families face is limited and sporadic dental insurance coverage. Many are often surprised at the amount they are required to pay out of pocket, and this can be especially true for children with various oral health treatment needs. We often see insurance simply will not cover services that are widely

accepted as the standard of care.

I have seen firsthand the devastating effects of limited dental insurance coverage on our patients and their families. Recently, I had a young patient who required work on 12 teeth, but his insurance would not cover general anesthesia. As a result, he had to endure four visits, and each time both the boy and his mom struggled in tears. It was heartwrenching for him, his family, and our staff, who could see the emotional toll it was taking

on everyone involved.

Dental insurance barriers like this are not just an issue of inconvenience; they can have a real and lasting impact on our patients’ health and quality of life.

Limited dental insurance coverage has had a detrimental impact on patients and their families for far too long, especially for those who cannot afford high out-of-pocket

See DENTAL , Page 9

from page 8)

costs. Necessary procedures are often not covered or are severely restricted, leaving patients to shoulder the burden of costly outof-pocket expenses or delay critical oral care. All the while, dental insurance companies continue to go unchecked, with up to 40 percent of patient premiums going toward administrative costs that include extravagant marketing and executive bonuses.

This is why the Illinois State Dental Society has launched the More for Your Smile campaign, which advocates for reforms that remove barriers to care and ensure that patients and employers get better value for their money. The legislation removes barriers to care by requiring dental insurance companies to direct at least 80 percent of patient premiums toward patient care, ensuring patients and employers will get better value for their money, and that out-ofpocket costs are reduced. It also puts an end to schemes used by big insurance companies to gain

additional revenue streams that hurt dentists’ abilities to maintain financially healthy practices and ultimately impact patient access to care.

The solution is clear: More patient premium dollars should go toward patient care, not insurance companies. I am encouraged that lawmakers in Springfield are considering reforms that could make a real difference in the lives of patients across our state.

Patients can join these efforts to help give children and families better access to the dental care they need and deserve by contacting their lawmakers and urging them to support More for Your Smile legislation.

Help us send the right message to big dental insurance executives: It’s time to put patients first and ensure that dental insurance coverage meets their needs, not the needs of insurance company profits.

Dr. Kenneth G. Rawson is president of the Illinois State Dental Society.

Can’t-miss events throughout DuPage County

Editor’s note: Our next DuPage Destinations section will be published Thursday, April 13. If you have information on an event in DuPage County taking place after April 13 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

Registration for Forest Preserve summer camps open for DuPage residents

The Forest Preserve District’s popular lineup of summer camps will return for the summer of 2023 Registration is now open for DuPage County residents and for nonresidents starting March 1. Kids entering first through eighth grades can connect to nature with more than a dozen camps, many focusing on science, technology, engineering, and math. Most camps are five days, Monday through Friday and run from 9 a.m. to noon or 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Half-day camps are $150 for DuPage residents and $175 for nonresidents, and full-day camps are $250 for DuPage residents and $290 for nonresidents. For more information, visit: dupageforest.org or call 630-933-7200.

Now through March 25

USA Artistic Swimming U.S. Collegiate Championships, Westmont

Each day at FMC Natatorium at Ty Warner Park, 275 Plaza Drive, artistic swimming requires a unique combination of overall body strength and agility, grace and beauty, split-second timing, musical interpretation, stamina, and dramatic flair. Many have described the sport as a mixture of swimming, dance and gymnastics. For more

information and tickets, visit: www.universe.com/events/2023collegiate-championship-ticketsP6VS20

Now through March 26

Maple Sugaring, West Chicago

From 1-4 p.m. at Kline Creek Farm, 1N600 County Farm Road, recurring weekly on Sunday, Saturday, discover how sap becomes syrup as you try tapping with tools from the 1890s, check the collection buckets, watch sap thicken over a fire, and try a taste of real maple syrup. The program is free, for all ages, but but there’s a suggested admission donation of $5/person for ages 3 and up. For more information, visit: www. dupageforest.org/calendar-ofevents

Now through March 28

Joe Naper’s Discovery Play, Naperville

From 10:30 a.m. to noon Feb. 28, March 14 and March 28, children ages 3-5 and their adults are invited to join Naper Settlement for Joe Naper’s Discovery Play. Each session engages curious preschool aged children through social engagement and learning. Naper Settlement’s learning experiences team will guide children and their caregivers through fun activities and explorations. Pre-registration is required to attend. Price $15 per child (ages 3-5); $12 per adult. For more information, visit: https:// napersettlement

See EVENTS, Page 12

• Events

Friday, March 24-

(Continued from page 10)

Saturday, March 25

Naperville Bluegrass Festival

Starting at 6 p.m. both days at the Sheraton Lisle-Naperville, 3000 Warrenville Road (there’s also a 3 p.m. Saturday show), the weekend features seven bluegrass bands. Admission is $90 general seating, $95 reserved seating for all Friday and Saturday shows; and $70 general admission, $75 reserved for the Friday night, Saturday night or Saturday afternoon shows. For tickets and more information, visit: www.napervillebluegrassfestival. org/ticket-info

Saturday, March 25

Easter bunny visits Yorktown Center, Lombard

From 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Yorktown Center is celebrating with a Bunny Bash, Easter Bunny visits, and pet photos with the Easter bunny. It’s a free event that will include a live DJ, magic show, balloon artists, face painting, crafts, and more. The magic show will take place from 10:15-11 a.m.

Divine Beauty Women’s Retreat, Lisle

From 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Science of Spirituality Meditation Center, 4105 Naperville Road, join the eighth annual women’s retreat where we explore the divine beauty in all women and how

empowerment, transformation, and meaningful changes come from within. Admission: Free. For more information, visit: www.sos.org/ programs/women-retreat-divinebeauty

Forest therapy walk, Lisle

From 9-11 a.m. at the Morton Arboretum, 4100 Route 53, awaken your senses and reconnect with nature during these mindful walks with a certified forest therapy guide. Afterward, warm up by the fire with a closing ceremony. For ages 16-and-over. Price: $36. For more information, call 630-719-2468 or visit: mortonarb.org/explore/ activities/adult-programs/foresttherapy-walks/#overview

Saturday, March 25Sunday, March 26

Easter Egg Geocache Hunt, Wheaton

From 1-2:30 p.m. or 3-4:30 p.m. both days at the Wheaton Park District, Harrison Street and Pierce Avenue, hunt for Easter eggs using Lincoln Marsh GPS units. Find them all to get a prize. For children ages 6 and up. Children must be accompanied by a nonpaying adult. Admission: $20 for residents, $25 for nonresidents. For more information, visit: https:// wheatonparkdistrict.com/

March 25-April 30

Illinois State Bowling Tournament, Addison

Recurring weekly on Saturday, Sunday at the Stardust Bowl, 37 e. Lorraine Ave., test your skills against other bowlers. The USBC Open will be coming to Stardust Bowl at the end of March and will be held on weekends throughout the entire month of April. For more information, visit: https:// illinoisstateusbc.org/tournaments/

Sunday, March 26

Brews and Yoga, Downers Grove

From 11 a.m.-noon at Alter Brewing Company, 2300 Wisconsin Ave., Suite 213, come to the Alter Barrel Room and 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-alter-brewingco-tickets-546241873147

Tuesday, March 28

Pet photos with the Easter bunny, Yorktown Center, Lombard

Pet photos with the Easter bunny will be available on the above date.

Wednesday, March 29

Seinfeld Trivia Night, Roselle

From 7-9 p.m. at the Pollyanna Brewing Company, 245 E. Main St.,

“Yada yada yada ...” Come show off your knowledge of the “show about nothing” at our Seinfeld trivia night! Sean with Baig of Tricks Entertainment will be quizzing you over every season of the hit show. Admission: Free. For more information, visit: www.facebook. com/events/1375051990001454

Friday, March 31

Egg-citing Family Night, Wheaton

From 4-5:30 p.m. at Cosley Zoo, 1356 N. Gary Ave., tour the zoo while completing a scavenger hunt, play games, make a craft (or take it to go), meet the Easter Bunny and live animals too! Children ages 2-12 will receive eggs and other goodies throughout the event. Preregistration required. There will be no walk-up registration. Fees: $12 for ages 2-12, $10 ages 13-17, $10 ages 18-and-over. For more information, visit: https://cosleyzoo. org/3-31-eggciting-family-night

Adults-only egg hunt, Glen Ellyn

From 8:30-9:30 p.m. at the Lake Ellyn Boathouse, 645 Lenox Road, for ages 21-and-up, partake in an egg hunt with prizes fit for ages 21

and up. Participants are encouraged to bring their own baskets and flashlights for this nighttime outdoor event. Hundreds of eggs will be cleverly hidden throughout the park. Eggs contain coupons, gift cards, candy, and other special treats. Light snacks and beverages will be provided before the hunt begins. Registration fee: $15 for residents, $30 for nonresidents. For more information, visit: https://gepark. org/gepdevent/adults-only-egg-hunt

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

Future opportunities

At last year’s College Fair, a representative from the University of St. Francis shared information about the campus with two visitors. Addison Trail will be hosting a College Fair on Thursday, April 20 from 6-8 p.m. at the high school, 213 N. Lombard Rd. Nearly 80 colleges and universities are expected. Admission is free. Students and families from Addison Trail, Fenton, IC Catholic Prep, Montini Catholic, Willowbrook and York are urged to attend. Talk to your guidance counselor for more information.

SUBMITTED PHOTO Rock Valley Publishing

Flexx Personal Training & Nutrition

I am tired of Social Security being referred to as an “entitlement,” as if I am getting a handout. How long did I work for that? And Medicare is not an entitlement either. I pay for that out of Social Security, whether I want to or not. And, should I ever need to go on food stamps or any other government assistance, I paid taxes to the government all my working life, which has supported others who receive assistance—some who never paid into it. So, I would not feel guilty should I need some of my own money back to buy food.

* * *

I was shopping at a local Jewel-Osco recently. I was looking to get a box of cereal. I know grocery prices have gone up, but I had to do a double-take when I saw that a regular size box of Kellogg’s Corn Flakes is $7.49. That’s $7.49. Wow! Isn’t Joe Biden’s America wonderful?

* * *

It would be nice if companies did the “right” thing by offering paid time off as a perk of the job. As a part-time employee, I get no paid vacation or sick time, or paid holidays, even though those hours I work contribute to the success of the company. I feel fortunate that the new bill requiring paid leave will help when I need it, although it should go into effect sooner. I am conflicted, however, because I still believe the government should keep its nose out of private companies and the way they run their business, unless there is blatant abuse.

* * *

I read there was yet another highspeed car chase in our area, this one resulting in a fatality. I think it’s time the police reconsider car chases, especially in high-traffic areas, and radio ahead so other officers can step in, either with spike strips or some other measure to stop a suspected criminal. I don’t think it’s worth risking lives to chase someone unless that person (or persons) is suspected of committing arson, murder or some other heinous crime.

* * *

So it appears that Illinois Democrats want to use the force of law to prevent crisis pregnancy centers from dissuading any woman from having an abortion. That’s incredible. It just goes to show that the Democrats are not a pro-choice party, they are a pro-abortion party.

* * *

Whatever happened to “throwing the book” at criminals? That used to be a commonly used term, but you don’t hear it so much anymore. It seems like more of today’s crime stories refer to reduced bail and reduced sentences. Some of these stories also mention a ridiculously large number of a criminal’s prior arrests.

* * *

Is this country ever messed up! We know we can’t yell “Fire!” in a crowded theater. Maybe this affects a few hundred people. Not good even with just a small crowd with a few dozen people affected. I asked, and was told it wouldn’t be good to yell “Fire Extinguisher!” in an empty theater. That’s the an -

swer I expected as somebody might be in the building and not hear the “extinguisher” part and hurt themselves exiting. But. it’s OK to downplay the seriousness of a pandemic? It’s OK to downplay proven preventive measures such as masking and social distancing? It’s OK to play doctor and downplay thoroughly tested and approved vaccines, while encouraging the use of quackery! Experts say this misplaced denialism led to an estimated 100,000 American deaths, not to mention who knows how much more sickness. Not what I would call an insignificant number. I predict, and, I’m never wrong, that after the snakes are beheaded, the cockroaches will be next. Yes, Tucker Carlson, I’m looking at you and your kind. Prepare to be sued. Maybe go to jail for manslaughter? P.S., I’m not a Democrat. I’m a RAT; Republican Against Trump.

Some people might think shoplifting is a minor offense. It’s a major problem. How much merchandise is being stolen every day? Imagine several people taking $100 in merchandise from a store in one day. If that happens every day of the year, and it probably does, that’s hundreds of thousands of dollars in annual losses. How do stores respond? Some will close. Others will raise their prices or fortify their shops, which will cause more of a hassle for law-abiding citizens. Shame on shoplifters.

More information about voting in the April 4 election

Early voting and mail-in votes are already available and underway for the upcoming Consolidated Election on Tuesday, April 4. Some key dates coming up for voters include:

Thursday, March 30 – This is the last day the DuPage County Election Division will receive Vote-By-Mail requests.

Monday, April 3 – This is the last day of early voting. (Early voting began Monday, March 20.)

Tuesday, April 4 – Election Day. Vote in person from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. at your polling location.

Also, all “Vote-By-Mail” ballots must be postmarked on April 4 Ballots must be received by the Election Commission by Tuesday, April 18.

If you do not know your polling location, go to dupagecounty.gov and click on “Voter Lookup Tool.” There you will find sample ballots, precinct maps, polling places and directions to get there, and much more.

The deadline to register to vote in the April 4 election has already passed. If you are not registered, have moved, or have changed your name, please contact the Registration Division at (630) 407-5600 before the next election.

Willowbrook Music Boosters to hold Trivia Night event on April 15

The Willowbrook Music Boosters Club will hold its annual Trivia Night at the school on Saturday, April 15. The event will take place from 7 to 10 p.m. Check-in will begin at 6 p.m.

The registration and payment deadline for this year’s Trivia Night is Wednesday, April 12.

All Willowbrook students, parents/guardians, alumni, staff, community members and friends are invited to participate. Teams should consist of eight to 10 players. The entry fee is $100 per team. Proceeds will go toward scholarships, grants and other music department needs.

The evening will also feature raffles and prizes, including a prize for the team with the best theme.

To register, and for full event details, visit https://tinyurl.com/WBTriviaNight2023.

Why is Merrick Garland, the attorney general of the United States, lying about what happened on Jan. 6, 2021? He just said that five police officers died that day at the Capitol. That’s a total lie. No police officers died on that day. Are any media outlets noting this lie?

Leftists used to support free speech. These days, it seems like a lot of leftists are labeling speech they don’t agree with as “hate” speech in an effort to silence different viewpoints. And how about Democrats attempting to prevent

• Profiles

Tucker Carlson from airing Jan. 6 footage on the Fox News Channel? What a joke. Leftists want you to see one side, but not the other. They control a large part of the media, but they freak out when an outlet they don’t control doesn’t parrot their opinions. * * *

For everyone complaining about the gender issues, inflation, invasion of illegal immigrants, Chinese spy balloons, etc., do your research on who you’re voting for next time. We got what we voted for.

(Continued from page 4)

meet each child where they are at to build confidence and a strong desire for learning. It is important to identify and close knowledge gaps as a foundation for success, avoiding distractions. With a “onepointed focus” one can achieve goals much quicker and with less stress.

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

Reduce spending by consolidating resources and purchasing in-bulk across districts. Exorbitant consultant fees must be examined closely, and any costly outsourced curriculum programs must be scrutinized. Local business partnerships may reduce budgetary spending. Develop whole family curriculum for property tax assessment appeals. LEND representatives might help accomplish allocation of a portion of income tax and sales tax toward schools, reducing the burden placed upon property taxes. These savings adjustments would enhance the quality of education.

Daniel Olson Office sought: District 88 school board member Family: Three sons: Tyler, Lucas and Sean. All have reached the rank of Eagle Scout.

Social media addresses: https://www.facebook.com/ Daniel582/ https://www.facebook.com/ DanOforDistrict88/ https://twitter.com/

Daniel582Olson https://www.linkedin.com/in/ danieljolson/

Occupation: Information systems

Education: Bachelors: Northern Illinois University; MBA: Aurora University

Community or civic involvement: Scout leader Scouts

BSA – 29+ years; work with Troop 417B in Elmhurst; work with Three Fires Council in leader training, Advancement Committee Awards received (either professional or community related): Lifetime Achievement from Willowbrook Athletic

Boosters; District Award of Merit; Silver Beaver Award; Wood Badge

Previous elected offices held: First term With DuPage High School District 88; currently board vice president

Why are you running to serve as a member of the District 88 Board of Education?

Serving on the board is another step in my commitment to service. Others before me gave their time to be on the school board while my sons attended Willowbrook. By attending sporting events, award ceremonies and music concerts, I am showing support for those activities. Then participating and reviewing in the decisions related to finances, safety and the curriculum, I can speak for students, parents and staff that may not be speak to the district.

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?

There is not just one challenge facing the district. They face many challenges to keep the curriculum as rigorous to help the students meet the demands ahead of them after graduation. There are challenges related to the everchanging social and emotional issues facing the students. Then, the never-ending financial challenges to providing quality education, retaining staff and teachers, and keeping the building and grounds in quality conditions that are safe for the students. To meet those challenges, it takes a gigantic cooperation effort between staff, the school board, and the community.

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

Balancing spending and offering a quality education has been, and always will be, a major function of the school boards across the country. Not a unique issue to just District 88. The board works with the District 88 staff on planning a budget and following that budget. As a board member, asking questions when the monthly information pertaining to the budget is presented is key. The district’s financial staff works daily to track and monitor income and expenses to keep the budget on track.

Puzzle page

CLOUDY

DEW

GALOSHES

GUSTS

HUMIDITY

INDOORS

JACKET

PUDDLES

RAINFALL

SLIPPERY

SLUGGISH

SOGGY

UMBRELLA

WET

WINDY

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. Influential American political family

5. __ Chantilly, __ de Menthe

11. Within

12. Pleasure seekers

16. Computer manufacturer

17. Home to college sports’

Flyers

18. Fungal disease

19. Sleepwalk

24. Spielberg sci-fi film

25. Seasonable

26. Taxis

27. Radio direction finder (abbr.)

28. Thin, narrow piece of wood

29. “Mystic River” actor Sean

30. Ingenuous

31. Musical composition

33. Turkish surname

34. High or hilly area

38. Wilco frontman

39. Pour it on pasta

40. Electric car company

43. Sea eagle 44. Walk with difficulty 45. Sign of healing 49. Boy

50. Protein-rich liquid

51. Washington city

53. Individual portion of TV series (abbr.)

54. Thought over 56. Scads

58. News agency 59. Standard

Deadlock 63. Pre-Columbian empire 64. Removed 65. French commune

CLUES DOWN

1. Large, dangerous animals

2. Straighten out

3. Family tree

4. Large stinging paper wasp

5. European river fish

6. Cut down in size

7. Denotes past

8. Larry and Curly’s partner

9. Samoyedic ethnic group

10. Male parent

13. Specific gravity

14. Demeaned oneself to

15. Rigidly

20. Yankovic is a “weird” one

21. Belonging to me

22. Path

23. Airborne (abbr.)

27. Level

29. Atomic #94

30. Born of

31. Midway between northeast and east

32. Northeastern bank

33. Defunct airline

34. Having no purpose

35. A low wall

36. Swedish city

37. Earn a perfect score

38. Atomic #81

40. Beginner

41. Give off

42. Incorrect letters

44. Telecommunication service provider (abbr.)

45. Idyllic

46. Popular beer

47. A way to fine

48. Evildoer

50. More withered

51. Seventh note of a major scale

52. Commercial

54. Abnormal breathing

55. Moved more quickly

57. City of Angels

61. Partner to Pa

62. Equally

https://homepaintingillino.wixsite.com/website

https://homepaintingillino.wixsite.com/website

Gutters

Tree Service T

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

(Continued from page 3)

senior Charlie Hayes to finish third in the 4 x 800-meter relay. The foursome finished the race in 8:48.1.

Sloan finished second in the 600-meter run, which he completed in 1:31.22. Elijah Smith posted a second-place time of 55.59 seconds in the 400-meter run.

Sophomore Jaylin Miller of the Warriors contributed a fourth-place finish in the 55-meter dash, which he completed in 6.8 seconds.

Willowbrook senior Kevin Diederich ran to a third-place finish in the 3,200-meter run, which he covered in 10 minutes, 16.67 seconds. Diederich finished fifth in the 1,600-meter run, which he completed in 4 min-

LEGAL NOTICES

NOTICE

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 TOWNSHIP OF YORK in the County of DuPage and the State of Illinois, that the ANNUAL TOWN MEETING of said Township will take place on:

TUESDAY, APRIL 11, 2023 being the second Tuesday of said month at the hour of 7:00 O’clock P.M. at York Township Hall

1502 S. Meyers Road, Lombard for the transaction of the miscellaneous business of the 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 especially to consider and decide the following:

THE ANNUAL TOWN MEETING OF THE TOWN OF YORK APRIL 11, 2023

AGENDA

1. Call to Order

2. Invocation

3. Pledge of Allegiance

4. Welcome and Introduction by Anthony Cuzzone, Town Clerk

5. Call for Nomination of Moderator

a. Closing of Nominations

b. Election of Moderator

c. Oath of Moderator

6. Approval of Minutes of the

a. Annual Town Meeting of April 12, 2022

7. Supervisor’s Statement of Financial Affairs

a. Fiscal Year 2022/2023

8. Resolution of Electors: Authority to Sell or Lease Property

9. Public Comment (limit to 3 minutes)

10. Announcement of Next Annual Town Meeting on April 9, 2024 at 7:00 p.m.

11. Benediction

12. Adjournment

utes, 58 seconds. Junior Cody Wenkus of the Warriors contributed a top-five finish by placing fourth in the 50-meter hurdles. He completed the race in 8.36 seconds.

Willowbrook’s 4 x 160-meter relay foursome of freshman Maxi-

Answers

milian Wilkison, Miller, Parato and junior Jadin Harris turned in a fifthplace finish, completing the race in 1 minute, 21 seconds.

Addison Trail

Addison Trail finished sixth in the team standings of Friday’s con-

ference meet. The Blazers posted a team total of 26 points.

Senior Damarius Allen of the Blazers finished second in the 200-meter run, which he finished in 24.22 seconds.

Allen added a fifth-place finish in the 55-meter dash, which he com-

Anthony Cuzzone Town Clerk

(Published in the Addison Independent, Bensenville Independent & Villa Park Review, Elmhurst Independent & Lombardian March 23, 2023) 434601

pleted in 6.86 seconds.

Addison Trail sophomore Daniel Lupa ran to a second-place finish in the 55-meter hurdles, which he completed in 8.74 seconds.

Lupa delivered a third-place time of 8.30 seconds in the 50-meter hurdles.

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”

Fifth Lenten Service March 22, 2023

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

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

Fourth Lenten Service March 23, 2022

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

Sixth Lenten Service March 29, 2023

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

Fifth Lenten Service March 30, 2022

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

Sixth Lenten Service April 6, 2022

Maundy Thursday Communion 7:00 pm, April 6

Good Friday Tenebrae 7:00 pm, April 7

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

Easter Sunrise 6:30 am, April 9

Maundy Thursday Communion 7 p.m., April 14

Easter Breakfast 8:00 am, April 9

Easter Festival 10:15 am, April 9

Good Friday Tenebrae 7 p.m., April 15

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

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