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Park

Willowbrook’s Class of 2024 turns the page to a new chapter

Commencement

takes place this Sunday

Willowbrook High School’s Class of 2024 will celebrate its commencement this Sunday, May 19, in the school’s main gymnasium.

Two members of the school’s graduating class—Natalia Garcia-Avila and Sean O’Brochta—will speak during Sunday afternoon’s event. Garcia-Avila is the president of Willowbrook’s Class of 2024. O’Brochta was chosen to speak because of his superlative academic rank.

Garcia-Avila and O’Brochta are Villa Park residents.

Last week, both speakers shared the titles of their speeches at the commencement service. O’Brochta’s speech is titled “Just Have Fun.” Garcia-Avila’s speech is titled “Survival Guide: What You Need to Know.”

“I focus on how this is the end of a chapter, but more importantly, it’s the beginning of a new chapter,” said O’Brochta, who added that he won’t fill his speech with recommendations to his fellow graduates. His main tip to them happens to be the title of his speech—“Just Have Fun.”

“I try to avoid the advice in usual graduation speeches,” he said. “I don’t feel qualified to give advice like that.”

O’Brochta mentioned that he was honored to be chosen to speak during the commencement service.

“I was very excited to be asked,” he said. “It means a lot. We have a very impressive class. It’s a distinct honor.”

Play at the

Detailing the highlights of her speech, Garcia-Avila referred to some of the advice she’s frequently received from her mother.

Graduation day at Willowbrook

“The major theme of the speech would be to knock on the door of opportunity,” Garcia-Avila said. She not-

Willowbrook High School’s Class of 2024 will hold its commencement ceremony this Sunday, May 19, in the school’s main gymnasium. The two class members who will speak during the service are (left to right) Sean O’Brochta and Natalia Garcia-Avila, who are both Villa Park residents. Garcia-Avila is the president of Willowbrook’s Class of 2024. O’Brochta was chosen to speak because of his outstanding academic rank. Garcia-Avila will attend the University of Notre Dame. O’Brochta will attend Northwestern University.

plate

ed that every morning that she left for school, she would hear her mother say, “You should knock on the door of opportunity.”

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-

O’Brochta has been a mainstay on the stage in Willowbrook’s theatrical and musical productions. He’s been a cast member in all of the school’s theatrical presentations during the last four

years. As a freshman, he and his fellow cast mates gave those performances on Zoom. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Willowbrook students endured remote learning for nearly all of the 2020-21 school year—O’Brochta’s freshman year.

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

“I have so many profound memories and have made so many friends through music and theater,” O’Brochta said.

added.

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.

members of the District 88 Superintendent Student Advisory Committee. That committee, which includes 10 Willowbrook students and 10 Addison Trail students, meets with District 88 Superintendent Jean Barbanente every two months to discuss a range of issues at their respective schools.

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.

Garcia-Avila, who attended Jackson Middle School before attending Willowbrook, is headed to the University of Notre Dame, where she will double-major in political science and Latino studies on a pre-law track. She plans to become a lawyer.

For the last three years, Garcia-Avila has been the president of Willowbrook’s HOLA (Hispanic Organization of Leaders in Action) Club. When she began as president, there were only about 20 students in the club. After learning that approximately 25 percent of Willowbrook’s students are Hispanic, she led the effort to build the club to its current membership of about 270 students.

Additionally, O’Brochta and Garcia-Avila have both been involved in District 88’s annual Relay for Life event, which raises money for the American Cancer Society.

Pictured (left

“If it wasn’t for Willowbrook, I probably would not consider even going to college,” said Garcia-Avila. In addition to helping her believe in herself, the school’s teachers and staff provided her with guidance to assist her in continuing her education.

Memorial Day in Villa Park

Before attending Willowbrook, O’Brochta attended St. Pius X School in Lombard.

right) at the tree planting at the village’s Franklin Park, located at 218 N. Third Ave., are: Villa Park Village Trustee Christine Murphy, Justin Shlensky—chair of the Villa Park Environmental Concerns Commission, Margaret Schiefer—a member of the Villa Park Environmental Concerns Commission, Villa Park Village Trustee Cheryl Tucker, Villa Park Village President Albert Bulthuis, Villa Park Village Trustee (and Village President-Elect) Nick Cuzzone and Leslie Allison-Seei—chair of the Villa Park Community Pride 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.

Later this year, he will attend Northwestern University, where he will study neuroscience.

“I’m looking forward to exploring a lot of different courses,” said O’Brochta, who is unsure of his career path.

Garcia-Avila is also a member of Willowbrook’s girls soccer team. O’Brochta and Garcia-Avila are both

“I’m going to broaden my horizons before I narrow it down to something that I want to pursue after college,” he

“I don’t just represent my class; I also represent the Hispanic community,” said Garcia-Avila in describing the honor of speaking at Sunday’s commencement service. She added that she’s specifically hoping to represent Hispanic girls when she delivers her speech.

“Just seeing somebody like me up there can inspire,” she said.

Villa Park Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 2801 held its Memorial Day service on Monday morning at Cortesi Veterans Memorial Park. Post Commander Jim Blankshain is pictured bowing his head as Willowbrook High School students Lily Hendrickson and Anna Seelbach sound taps at the end of the ceremony. The post’s 2020 Memorial Day event was canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. This year’s observance included a reading of the names of the Post 2801 members who have recently died. That list included World War II veteran Charles “Sid” Bergh, who served as the master of ceremonies of the post’s annual Memorial Day service for several years. A veteran of the U.S. Navy, Bergh died in October 2020. He was 94 years old. Bergh was the post’s last surviving World War II veteran.

CHRIS FOX PHOTO Villa

Montini Catholic 2024 prom king and queen receive their crowns

Montini Catholic High School congratulates its 2024 prom king and queen—Rory O’Connor and Betsy Beirne—who were crowned at the school’s prom at Venuti’s in Addison on April 26. The theme of this year’s prom was: Monti-ni Carlo! Pictured left to right at the prom are: (front row) Gianna Luna, Jasmin Baker-Rohlehr, Betsy Beirne (queen), Rory O’Connor (king), Ella Herrmann (Lombard) and Sofia Fisher (Lombard). Back row: Anthony Spidale, Cole Stumbaugh and Maddox Shepherd. Not pictured is Anjay Dhir (Lombard).

DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Office, U.S. Secret Service team up

Efforts saved nearly 18,000 website visitors from falling victim to financial scam

DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and United States Secret Service Deputy Special Agent in Charge Derek Mayer have announced that a recent joint sting operation conducted by the two agencies, along with DuPage County’s IT Department, resulted in shutting down more than 350 fake websites designed to con visitors through fraudulent investment scams.

Commonly known as “Pig Butchering,” the scam involved three individuals from another country who posed as a successful, friendly individual or romantic interest to deceive their victims into providing funds for fictitious emergencies, investments, employment opportunities or other schemes only to disappear once they had received money from their victims.

The 90-day effort diverted approximately 17,800 visitors from the phony websites. Following the successful conclusion of the operation, Berlin’s and Mayer’s offices once again joined forces to produce a public service announcement to help the public steer clear of such scams. The public service announcement is available at:

• YouTube: https://youtu.be/safpK5gfbjI

• DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Facebook page: https://www. facebook.com/DuPageSAO/

• DuPage County State’s Attorney’s website: https://www.dupagecounty.gov/elected.../state_s_attorney/

How these schemes work

that if they invest more money, they will be able to recoup their losses.

Once the target realizes they have been scammed, the scammer goes silent and the website of the phony brokerage stops working. Because perpetrators often live outside the country, investigators often focus on taking away their money and dismantling their infrastructure to commit fraud.

“While the use of technology has certainly enhanced our lives from keeping in touch with loved ones through being more productive at work, it has also made us much more vulnerable,” Berlin said. “Even for those who are familiar with potential scams on the Internet, it is still extremely easy to become a target of such scams. To minimize the chances of becoming a victim, do not provide any personal information, particularly financial information, to anyone you have only corresponded with online or on the phone. I would also say to trust your instincts. If something doesn’t feel right about a transaction, do not complete it.”

Mayer praised the work of those involved in the operation, including the U.S. Secret Service, the DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Office and the DuPage County IT Department.

“This is a significant case both in DuPage County and the state of Illinois, and it led to protecting so many people from falling prey to these online traps,” Mayer said. “The Secret Service appreciates our partnership with the DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Office that ended up helping so many people.”

“I am extremely proud of our partnership with the U.S. Secret Service in combatting online scams designed to take advantage of trusting, innocent individuals,” Berlin added.

Such schemes typically work as follows. First, the fraudsters create a phony online persona which typically shows them living a glamorous lifestyle. Once equipped with this fake persona, the con men then took to the Internet, sending messages to people on dating and social networking websites. After contact is made with their victim, the fraudster then works on gaining the victim’s confidence and trust before pivoting their conversations to investments and the success they have had.

The con man ultimately convinces their victim to “invest” real money into phony brokerage accounts with them, promising training and tutelage along the way. The manipulation continues with the scammer exploiting their victim’s emotional and financial vulnerabilities to convince them to “invest” even more funds.

Once the victim was either unwilling or unable to continue “investing,” the victim’s perceived success suddenly stops, often times with the explanation that their investment suffered a huge loss that wiped out all the funds.

The fraudsters then attempt one last swindle, informing their victim

“I am equally as proud of DuPage County’s IT Department’s Network and Web Services Teams for their outstanding work in helping protect DuPage County residents as they navigate their way through the Internet. While no prosecutions or arrests resulted from this operation as the individuals involved all live outside the United States, I still feel this endeavor was a tremendous success as it allowed us to remove these websites from the Internet, putting an end to this scheme and the probability of future victims.”

“Our Information Technology staff went above and beyond while assisting with this criminal investigation. I appreciate the invaluable work of everyone involved and am grateful we were able to keep so many of our residents safe,” said DuPage County Information Technology Committee Chair Yeena Yoo.

For further information on how to protect yourself from online scams, visit the Federal Trade Commission at https://consumer.ftc.gov/scams.

submitted photo Rock Valley Publishing

Pre-trial release denied for Chicago man charged with robbing Bensenville gas station at knifepoint

DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and Bensenville Chief of Police Dan Schulze have announced that Judge Leah Bendik granted the state’s motion to deny pre-trial release for a Chicago man accused of robbing a Bensenville gas station at knifepoint.

Willie Weaver, 47, appeared in First Appearance Court and is charged with one count of armed robbery, a Class X felony.

At approximately 10:50 p.m. May

3, Weaver allegedly followed a clerk who was working at the Casey’s Gas Station, located in the 1200 block of E. Devon Ave., into the store as the clerk returned from disposing boxes outside. It is alleged that once inside the store, the clerk unlocked the door to an employee only section of the store. It is alleged that after the clerk unlocked the door, Weaver prevented the clerk from closing and locking the door behind him. It is alleged that Weaver then pointed a knife, which had a blade of approximately three inches, at the clerk, who was retreating with his hands up and then forced him to open a cash register.

It is further alleged that after a brief

struggle, during which Weaver lunged at the clerk with the knife, Weaver took $129 from the register and then fled the scene in a black Nissan. An investigation into the matter led to Weaver as a suspect.

On May 9 at approximately 4:20 p.m., detectives conducted a traffic stop on the black Nissan, allegedly driven by Weaver, near Elmhurst Road and Touhy Avenue. Weaver was arrested and taken into custody at that time.

“It is alleged that Mr. Weaver threatened at knifepoint a man who was just trying to make an honest living,” Berlin said. “In DuPage County we have zero tolerance for the type of armed violence as alleged in this case and

Chamber holds installation event

The Villa Park Chamber of Commerce held its annual installation event last week at Crazy Pour, 105 E. North Ave. Those who were installed as members of the chamber’s board of directors during the May 8 event were: (front row, left to right) Agnes Banaszewski, Director; Jackie Rossi, Executive Director; Alex Saucedo, President; Katy Atkerson, Director; Rae Rupp Srch, Vice President; Dani Brink, Secretary; Deborah Cain, Director; and Jeff Stulgin, Director; (back row, left to right) Len Loverher, Director; and Kyle Schnettler, Director.

DuPage Water Commission purchases property in Northbrook

The DuPage Water Commission (DWC) announced last week that it has closed on the purchase of a 127-acre parcel in Northbrook, known formerly as the Green Acres Golf Club.

According to the commission, its acquisition of the site is “a critical step for the DuPage Water Commission to enable the possible advancement of a new regional Lake Michigan source water project.”

While the commission did not disclose how much it paid for the land in Northbrook, multiple reports stated the purchase price at approximately $80 million.

“This location is uniquely suited for our project, including ideal proximity to Lake Michigan, electric transmission facilities, and railroad and highway corridors,” said James Zay, Chairman of the DuPage Water Commission. “When we became aware that the property was available, we moved quickly to secure the site for the benefit of DuPage County residents and the larger suburban region.”

In a release issued by the DWC last week, Zay stated that “large develop-

ment sites in the suburban region are becoming increasingly rare as the location of data centers and distribution centers exert pressure on the market.”

In its release, the DWC stated that it has been evaluating alternatives [to the City of Chicago] to “provide improved access to Lake Michigan water for suburban and northeastern Illinois residents for several years.”

The commission’s office and facility is located at 600 E. Butterfield Road, Elmhurst.

The commission’s website notes that its water comes from Lake Michigan, and that it purchases that water from the Chicago Water Department. Chicago’s Jardine Water Purification Plant treats the water that the commission purchases. That plant, according to the commission, is the largest potable water filtration plant in the world, with a capacity of 1.4 billion gallons per day.

The commission buys water from the City of Chicago and sells it to dozens of communities in DuPage County, including Lombard and Villa Park.

In 1984, the commission signed a

we are all thankful that the clerk was not injured. I commend the Bensenville Police Department for their outstanding work in the identification and apprehension of the defendant in this case. Thanks to their efforts, Mr. Weaver now finds himself facing the possibility of between six to 30 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections.”

“I am extremely proud of the efforts put forth by our Bensenville police officers whose work the past few days led to the arrest of the defendant in this case,” Schulze said.”

Weaver’s next court appearance is scheduled June 3 for arraignment in front of Judge Mia McPherson.

Villa Park officers will be on the roof at Dunkin’ this Friday to support Special Olympics

This Friday, May 17, the Villa Park Police Department will join other agencies throughout the state to support the Illinois Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics by standing atop Dunkin’ rooftops.

Between 5 a.m. and noon on Friday, members of the Villa Park Police Department will accept donations at the Dunkin’ located at 298 W. North Ave., Villa Park.

Special Olympics Illinois provides year-round sports training and competition in a variety of Olympic sports for local children and adults with special needs by giving them opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, and experience achievement while building friendship with other Special Olympics athletes and their communities.

40-year agreement to buy water from the City of Chicago for redistribution in DuPage County. The commission went into full operation in May 1992.

In February of this year, the commission announced it signed a 17-year contract to extend its current water redistribution agreement with the City of Chicago. The commission signed that new 17-year contract about one month before the expiration of its original 40year agreement with the City of Chicago.

“The economics now present an opportunity for a new regional system to be constructed which will position suburban communities in northeastern Illinois to manage water resources in a way which provides improved governance and ensures rate stability for future generations of Lake Michigan water consumers,” said DWC general manager Paul May.

The commission related in its recent release that it has “already engaged prospective partners, including other regional water wholesalers and suburban municipalities, and it continues to seek partners in the project.”

Village holds its Spring Sweep on Saturday Drive-through event is free to Villa Park residents, except for fees for paint recycling

Villa Park’s F.U.N. (Focus on Unifying Neighbors) Commission is joining the Villa Park Environmental Concerns Commission to hold the 2024 Villa Park Spring Sweep recycling and shredding drop-off event from 9 a.m. to noon this Saturday, May 18.

The drive-through Spring Sweep will take place along Home Avenue, near Villa Park Village Hall. Traffic will enter from Harvard Avenue, heading north, and exit onto Ardmore Avenue.

Participants will recycle from the safety of their vehicles by driving to each station. Volunteers will collect and remove items from vehicles for disposal. Attendees are asked to remain in their vehicles at all times. If possible, residents should pack items in easy-to-carry boxes clearly labeled with what items are inside.

The event is free to Villa Park residents, but a fee will apply for

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Willie Weaver

CHRIS FOX PHOTO Rock Valley Publishing

Xi Jinping has tough economic choices ahead

China likely to pick security over prosperity

By U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi

Xi

Jinping,

the general party secretary of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), is in a bind.

The economy of the People’s Republic of China is facing a oncein-a-generation crisis. The country’s real estate market is in free-fall, its population sank by 2 million people in 2023, and its stock markets have lost roughly $7 trillion since 2021. Numerous countries are cooperating multilaterally to take countermeasures against what they view as the CCP’s military and economic aggression. Xi’s grip on his rule is secure for the moment, but he is confronting unprecedented challenges to his leadership.

Fundamentally, Xi faces a dilemma over China’s future. He and his government must decide whether to continue to prioritize increasing security and centralizing his control over the country, chilling the animal spirits of entrepreneurship in the process, or to loosen his control over the country and reduce aggression toward his neighbors, allowing for greater growth and prosperity. It is highly unlikely that he will choose the latter—and we in the United States must now begin to ready ourselves for potential challenges.

Although the latest official economic statistics show China hitting its growth targets, those figures often reflect CCP narratives more than reality, and other indicators show that

China’s economic state is precarious at best. Some outside analysts put China’s actual GDP growth as low as 1.5 percent in 2023. The country has lost at least $4.7 trillion in housing wealth since its market peaked in 2021. Other market indicators offer no hope for a rapid recovery, as the housing sector has just reported its worst performance ever recorded for both new and existing housing sales, while new construction has declined by a record 60 percent compared to pre-pandemic levels. After defaulting on more than $100 billion in international bonds over the past four years, China’s largest developers have either collapsed or survive only through government support.

Injections of foreign capital have not helped to close the gap. Foreign direct investment into China is at its lowest point in three decades. China’s stock markets are down by nearly 20 percent over the past year. While stocks are relatively unimportant to Chinese household savings, public wealth is overwhelmingly tied up in real estate

Major players—such as Evergrande, Vanke, and Country Garden—are teetering on the brink of collapse as property prices continue to fall despite the government’s best efforts to prop them up.

The situation could grow far worse as the country approaches a potential deflationary crisis following the largest drop in consumer prices in 15 years. All this comes as the country faces the beginning of its demographic free-fall, during which an aging Chinese population may decline by as much as 100 million people by 2050.

Since the beginning of former leader Deng Xiaoping’s reform and opening, the CCP has sold China’s economic growth as a key pillar of its legitimacy. Many in the party still recognize the importance of solving these economic challenges to its legitimacy and control. One important way out is foreign direct investment. Some in the CCP are eager to court U.S. capital and reassure U.S. investors that China remains a hospitable market for doing business.

At the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit last November, Xi dined with U.S. business leaders and emphasized that “China is ready to be a partner and friend of the United States, and there is plenty of room for bilateral cooperation.”

However, despite Xi’s rhetoric, the actions of the Chinese government do not line up with creating a hospitable business environment for U.S. and other foreign companies. China has been steadily tightening its national security and data protection laws at the expense of businesses being able to conduct due diligence, market research, or otherwise normal operations.

Earlier this year, the Chinese government broadened the scope of its state secrets law, making it even more difficult for businesses to provide information for foreign investors and stakeholders. Even more chilling is the detainment of business leaders; in 2023, many top Chinese executives from technology, finance, and real estate companies were detained or went missing. This threat is not limited to Chinese executives, as foreigners have faced exit bans

Illinois can lead the way in the fight for a cure to Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

By Daniel Flessner

I was like a lot of people who are aware of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy but never really thought much about it until about three years ago when my son, Mason, was diagnosed with the disease.

Duchenne is a genetic disorder characterized by the progressive loss of muscle. It is a multi-systemic condition, affecting many parts of the body, which results in deterioration of the skeletal, heart, and lung muscles. Duchenne is caused by a change in the dystrophin gene. Without dystrophin, muscles are not able to function or repair themselves properly. Because the dystrophin gene is found on the X-chromosome, it pri-

See CURE, Page 5

Letter to the editor

Fundraising success brings thanks, gratitude April was the busiest month we have ever had at The Outreach House with 2,155 total visits.

The Chinese military’s increasingly aggressive actions in Taiwan also rattle U.S.-based and other foreign businesses. The Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has steadily increased incursions into Taiwan’s air defense identification zone, and in September 2023, there was a record number of PLA aircraft around Taiwanese airspace in one day.

In the event of an invasion of Taiwan, the United States and other Group of Seven countries would likely impose severe economic sanctions, and estimates of the damage to the global economy are in the trillions of dollars.

Companies do not want to become caught in the crossfire. Yet Xi seems willing to contemplate taking these risks for his ambition of controlling Taiwan.

Xi now faces a fundamental dilemma in balancing his country’s prosperity and his party’s level of control. Despite the importance of maintaining economic growth for his popular support, Xi has consistently prioritized control ahead of his people’s prosperity.

As Xi wrestles with this choice, we and others—including the Chinese people—must hope for the best while continuing to prepare for the worst.

Raja Krishnamoorthi represents the 8th Congressional District of Illinois, which includes part of Addison, Wood Dale and Bensenville. He is the ranking member of the House Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party.

We served over 1,000 families from our community, distributed 22,659 diapers and have created a new delivery day on Thursdays for our guests who are veterans and/or 65 years and older.

This amazing growth is only possible because of your support. We set a very ambitious goal for our Giving DuPage Days fundraiser this year and with your help, and the generous matching gifts we received, we have already raised over $54,000, with checks continuing to be received in the mail.

We are so pleased to announce that we topped the leaderboard of 62 participating DuPage County fundraisers!

Please continue to follow us on Facebook and Instagram, share our stories so those who need our help can find us and those in a position to support us can do so. Together we are making a real difference in our community!

The Outreach House would like to extend an enormous thank you! to these outstanding community partners who helped make our 2024 Giving DuPage Days campaign such a success:

Lombard Bank and Trust

FT Cares Foundation

Grateful Head Hair Studio

Gianario’s Pizza and Pasta

@ Properties—The Schiller Team

Reebie Storage & Moving Co

Marriott Chicago/Naperville

Righteous Kitchen

Anonymous Donors

Catherine Lynott

Executive Director

The Outreach House Lombard

A 25 percent property tax increase; all of it in District 44 and 87. Glad you voted for that big District 87 referendum? If I could, I’d be gone tomorrow.

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I had to comment on a story I saw about the Lombard Police Department announcing results from a distracted driving enforcement campaign. The story didn’t say how long the campaign was conducted, but I was astounded to see police issued 335 distracted driving citations. Wow! But come to think of it, why should anyone be surprised by these numbers? I see drivers on their phones all the time, especially on expressways when they pass me up at 80 mph with a phone in their hand. We all can’t do without smartphones and having the world at our fingertips, but I think about the number of people who have been either killed or seriously injured by drivers on their cell phones, and the families of those injured or killed that have been affected.

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I just received my 2023 property tax bill. The Village of Lombard provides infrastructure, fire, police and public works and accounts for 7.5 percent of my tax bill. The Lombard Park District owns 450 acres and has 23 buildings and accounts for 4.9 percent of my tax bill. The library has one building and 1.93 acres of land and accounts for 5.5 percent of my property taxes. Why? I guess we know where our money is going. The library is out of hand and the residents of Lombard have to start demanding accountability and fiduciary responsibilities of the Library Board of Trustees. Figure out your costs to run the new building and reduce the tax burden when the building is paid off. The library has been collecting the increase in prop-

erty taxes since January 2017. More than five years later they finished the building. Put a sunset clause on the tax increase for the building. Enough is enough!

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I really enjoyed the Lombard arts and crafts fair on May 5, but I was bothered by one thing. There was a vendor with products that might be considered “R-rated” involving the “S” word, used in what was meant to be humorous sayings of sorts. Fine, if that’s your sense of humor, but I think these items should not have been displayed at the front of the tent or booth, but in the back. I get that the vendor was trying to attract customers—and yes, they were eye-catching—but I am thinking of the kids, and having that kind of item right out in the open. Another vendor had wall art all related to “poop” themes, but at least they didn’t have the “S” word in them. OK, this is meant to be humorous, but I would caution the people who select the vendors for next year to please scrutinize how some things will be displayed, because if I had a young kid, I would not want that displayed in such a manner.

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How many more deaths is it going to take for our legislators and judicial system to stop people charged with domestic abuse from being released pretrial? The reported murder-suicide in Villa Park is the latest example of an alleged abuser not following the law to stay away from his accuser, and then he ends up killing her. An order of protection is not worth the paper it is written on. Every time this kind of scenario happens, law enforcement, state’s attorneys, legislators, etc. weigh in on how to prevent it from happening again, but nothing is done, and it happens again and again. People who face charges of domestic violence need to be con-

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sidered dangerous and not let out of jail pending trial. If an abuser knows he or she will be incarcerated until trial, that may be a deterrent and give them pause to think about the consequences, and maybe save a life. I find this a deplorable act of injustice by our justice system. Any accusation/ charge of violent behavior should not be rewarded with pretrial release. Pretrial Fairness Act? It sure isn’t fair to the victims of those criminals who got released.

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People, when driving in parking lots, please watch out for back-up lights and vehicles slowly backing out of parking spaces. Me, I back out as slowly as I can and watch for oncoming vehicles, but with so many SUVs and larger vehicles, it is impossible to see you going down the aisle when trying to back out. I try to be aware of drivers backing out of parking spaces and go very slowly down the aisles, knowing you may not see me. But so many people race down the aisle like they own it. Please be courteous and slow down. It may avoid a fender-bender. * * *

With Social Security on the line, the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) not being re-funded, budget cuts all over the map; yet we can spend and send billions to aid other countries’ military efforts. I get that it is an investment of sorts in our continued freedom, but at the same time, what about those in our own country who are in dire need, who worry about the sustainability of the Social Security they/we have worked all their lives to receive, possible cuts to Medicare (and check out how much Medicare doesn’t cover), and the list goes on. And then there is money being spent on illegal immigrants; some of them are getting better housing and health care than our own citizens.

• Cure

* * *

I see people are commenting on the postal service and the price of stamps going up again. The Pony Express started in 1860 and went out of business in 18 months because of losing money and the invention of the telegraph. Today’s post office is still using the same business model as the pony express. And because of email and the internet it is becoming obsolete. The United States Postal Service has lost money for more than 20 years straight. In 2023 the postal service had a loss of $6.5 billion. Partly because, by law, the post office must fund all future health care cost for all the retirees today. Costs that won’t be used for years must be paid now. That is why the cost of a single stamp will be 73 cents this year, and they will still continue to lose money. Congress has to change something.

* * *

Just a shout-out and a thank you to the Villa Park Public Works Department/Forestry Division for their quick response and resolution to my request for addressing a potentially dangerous issue of a large hanging limb over the public sidewalk from a tree on my parkway. I reported the issue on Monday, and they came out Tuesday afternoon. The crew leader listened to my concerns and addressed an additional issue about my tree and took care of it. As a retired public works employee from another municipality, I appreciate the work load these guys have, often with limited personnel and/or resources in the name of budgeting. Additionally, forestry work is extremely physically demanding and usually hazardous work, as these workers have to put safety as a top priority at all times. I was impressed at how this crew handled the situation. When you see them working on our streets, give them a wide berth for safety. If you

(Continued from page 4)

marily affects males, while females are typically carriers.

We found out my wife is a carrier, which is why Mason was diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and why my youngest son, Dawson, was also diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.

Knowing that both of our sons have what is essentially a death sentence was and is devastating.

Every case is different. The average life expectancy for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy is 20 to 30 years. Our kids are very young, so we remain hopeful that with the right research and medical advancements, they will beat the odds.

Gene therapy seems to be helping to mitigate the effects of the disease in our children, but it is far from a cure. More research is needed and to make that happen, we need to create more awareness about the disease in the public.

To that end, I joined other parents like me in conjunction with Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy (PPMD), a nonprofit organization leading the fight to end Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, for an advocacy day in Springfield. Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy has initiated a pilot project to focus on state-specific advocacy efforts and Illinois has been selected as

get the chance, thank them for what they do. They would appreciate that.

* * *

Hello Lombard. Can we please, please end this not mowing thing?

And let people mow their lawn, have people mow their lawn? This is terrible. It looks terrible. It’s a mess. I’m all for the environment and saving whatever needs to be saved, but this has gone on long enough. This must end.

Editor’s note: There was no mandatory ordinance issued by the Village of Lombard. Participation is strictly voluntary.

It’s hard to understand how anyone can claim to be an American patriot and vote Democrat when their establishment runs the Biden Administration. If we have four more years of Biden, this country will never come back to what we know as the American dream.

*

Demonstrations and chaos need to be dealt with in a more forceful manner. The inmates are running the asylum. The president is not doing much to stop the riots in blue states and universities. Four more years of Biden is four more years of what we have now.

*

It’s really disheartening to see how Biden is handling the war in Gaza. He wants it both ways because all he’s interested in is getting reelected. On one hand, he says he supports Israel’s right to defend itself, but then he withholds a weapons shipment to Israel just as Israel is about to go in and root out Hamas in Rafah, the terrorist group’s last major stronghold in Gaza. I give the Israeli prime minister credit for sticking to his guns and getting rid of Hamas despite all the condemnation he’s getting worldwide. He has resolve and guts. Biden has neither.

the inaugural state for this initiative.

The Advocacy Day in Illinois focused on highlighting key legislative measures, including:

• House Resolution 636, which designates Sept. 7 as Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Awareness Day in Illinois.

• Senate Bill 3277, which seeks to implement newborn screening for Duchenne in Illinois.

• SB 3277, which aims to develop mandatory protocols and best practices for providing medical guidance for Duchenne.

I urge lawmakers to enact these common-sense bills and help Illinois become a leader in the fight for a cure for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. It is not easy to tell our story, but it is an important one to tell. My family is not the first one to deal with this terrible disease and we certainly won’t be the last.

We love our children and we are committed to doing everything we can to ensure other families do not have to go through this. We are trying to change history and with the help of the Illinois Legislature we can and will get closer to the cure families like mine are fighting for every single day.

Daniel Flessner lives in Roberts with his wife, Lindsey, and their sons, Mason and Dawson.

Coming events

High School Exam Study Nights at Villa Park Library

The Villa Park Public Library will host High School Exam Study Nights on Tuesday, May 21, and Wednesday, May 22, with extended hours from 5 to 10 p.m. High school students are invited to study at the library with free Wi-Fi, snacks, and therapy dogs. A therapy dog will visit each night from 6 to 8 p.m. Snacks will be served at 8:15 p.m. For more information, visit the library’s website at www.vppl.info or call 630834-1164.

Summer Reading Program at Plum Library

2024 Summer Reading Program now through Saturday, Aug. 3. Books and summer sunshine are simply “mint” to be. And getting rewarded for reading is the cherry on top. Readers of all ages can join the 2024 Summer Reading Program by signing up on the Beanstack app or website or stopping by the library to pick up a paper reading log. Read all summer long for chases to win sweet prizes.

Lombard teacher chosen as district, state VFW award recipient out& about Jane Charmelo

Jill Metzger says ‘I’ve always been a patriotic person’

The Lombard VFW Lilac Post #5815 is just one of the VFW posts across the country participating in the national VFW organization’s Teacher of the Year competition, and according to post Commander Tom Zilla, Jill Metzger was the hands-down choice in the K-5 category this year.

Metzger has been a teacher for 14 years, and currently is a first-grade teacher at Pleasant Lane Elementary School in Lombard. According to Zilla, it has been her continuous effort to create classroom- and schoolwide programs, with themes of patriotism, that brought her to their attention to be considered a nominee for the award.

In fact, “We made one selection and that was her,” the commander emphasized.

Metzger has a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from Northern Illinois University, a Master’s Degree in Education Reading Specialist from Olivet Nazarene University and an English as a Second Language Endorsement from the University of St. Francis.

She previously taught kindergarten in Elgin from 2009-10, and was a substitute teacher in

Public

Wood Dale and Yorkville from 2010-11.

When asked about choosing teaching as a career, Metzger, a West Chicago native, recalled that “It was between teaching and nursing,” and teaching won out. She recalled how teaching dance at the age of 15 “sparked my interest in teaching.”

Add to that a patriotic spirit, and Metzger has incorporated a number of topics related to patriotism that she has presented to her students.

“I’ve always been a patriotic person,” the teacher shared, adding that she has family members who have served in the military.

With that in mind, her desire has always been “to impart that sense of patriotism” in the classroom, and even beyond to the whole school, the teacher commented.

Metzger has created classroom and school programs such “Adopt a Veteran,” a school poppy program, an Armed Forces Project, Field of Flags, America’s White Table and Veterans Day interviews, to name a few.

“Every year I try to teach them something new about veterans,” the teacher said, so she got in touch with the Lombard

officials

VFW post for help as a resource.

“She had contacted us … and always did something in her classroom that developed into a school-wide program,” including having VFW members speak to classes at Pleasant Lane, Zilla narrated, which is how she came to the VFW’s attention.

“I’m very fortunate that Tom and Dennis [Jensen, Quartermaster] are so generous with their time,” Metzger praised. “I’m very honored to work with them.”

Zilla reiterated that in choosing a teacher to receive the District 19 Teacher of the Year recognition, the members look for “people who have done patriotic things at [their] school.”

Not only did Metzger win the award for the Lombard VFW’s district, but out of all the winners in the state’s 19 districts, she also was named the State Teacher of the Year in grades K-5.

“Mrs. Metzger has not only instilled the required curriculum in her students but an interest in America’s history and patriotism,” Zilla summed up.

Metzger and grade 6-8 winner Katie Sommer (Harry E. Anderson Post #9545, New Lenox,

seek greater

District 18) and grade 9-12 winner Paula West (Olney Memorial Post #4226, Olney, District 13), were honored at an award dinner in February at the Villa Park VFW Post #2801 headquarters.

Next, Metzger will be honored at a state event in June at the Illinois VFW convention in Springfield.

When asked how she felt about being recognized by the VFW, Metzger responded simply: “Honestly, I’m very humbled and excited,” and added that she hopes to “spread that patriotic sprit throughout the district [School District 44].”

The VFW and education

According to information provided by the VFW, the organization was founded in 1899, and “highly supports the education of America’s youth.”

The VFW has continually created programs to help educators “stimulate an interest in America’s history, traditions, Americanism, civic responsibility, flag etiquette and patriotism.”

Each year, the VFW recognizes the teachers who teach these concepts and “promote America’s history and traditions effectively.”

oversight of

SUBMITTED PHOTO Rock Valley Publishing Pleasant Lane Elementary School (District 44) first-grade teacher Jill Metzger was awarded Teacher of the Year recognition from both district and state VFW organizations. She has created a number of programs—that focus on patriotism— to help her students learn more about military service to our country, and also to help them develop a better understanding of what it means to be patriotic.

prescription drug middlemen

Two state departments say they are open to further regulating industry

By Dilpreet Raju CAPITOL NEWS ILLINOIS

As state lawmakers hold hearings targeting the role of pharmacy benefit managers—an influential arm in how the health insurance industry prices prescription drugs—multiple state agencies are considering how to better regulate the industry.

Often referred to as pharmaceutical “middlemen,” PBMs act as third-party intermediaries who negotiate the availability and price insurance companies or pharmacies pay for prescription drugs from pharmaceutical manufacturers. In determining the drugs covered by a given employer insurance plan, the companies can ultimately dictate what drugs are available to patients and pharmacies alike.

PBMs have received growing scrutiny on both a state and national level for the effect many claim they have on driving up drug prices. Local pharmacy owners testified at recent committee hearings that they are being squeezed by PBMs through the price of acquiring drugs wholesale and dispensing them, often at no profit or even at a loss. Over 40 percent of local pharmacies in Illinois—about 300 locations— have closed since 2013, according to the National Community Pharmacists Association.

“On almost every brand name medication that you fill, you lose money,” Michelle Dyer, pharmacist and owner of Michelle’s Pharmacy in Macoupin County, told the House Health Care Availability and Access Committee this week.

It was one of multiple recent hearings on the companies, and it followed last week’s review of a scathing audit of the state’s oversight of the industry. In part, the audit from 2023 found state regulators had scant documentation required for effective oversight of PBMs.

Joe Butcher, of the auditor general’s office, told lawmakers on the Legislative Audit Commission that the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services failed to collect documents relevant to state Medicaid spending, which it is responsible for overseeing. Without necessary documents, Butcher said, the state cannot adequately exercise oversight authority.

“HFS was not engaging in monitoring practices of PBMs as mandated by the Illinois Public Aid Code, which establishes several provisions for monitoring PBMs,” he said.

HFS Director Elizabeth Whitehorn, who was appointed in January, said she was not sure how HFS failed to obtain documentation from entities under its watch.

“I don’t want to speak for what the department did or did not do before I was here,” she said. “I don’t know if the department ever asked for the contracts and they were not provided, or if the department simply didn’t ask for them.”

Whitehorn told lawmakers the department will soon file a new rule to help the department supervise PBMs, in part by requiring PBMs to divulge more information about their potential conflicts of interest. That will kick off a rulemaking process through which the department plans to submit the rule by June to the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules.

Corporate consolidation

Many PBMs, part of an industry that launched in the 1960s as prescription drugs became a consistent part of health plans, started as independent companies but were purchased by drug manufacturers in the 1990s.

Three publicly traded PBMs—CVS Caremark, Express Scripts and Optum RX—control about 80 percent of the U.S. PBM market, and the top six companies have over 95 percent, according to the Journal of the American Medical Association.

The state’s newly appointed insurance director, meanwhile, indicated

her willingness to help regulate the industry, citing the consolidation of ownership as detrimental to patients. Ann Gillespie, a former CVS Caremark employee, was elevated to insurance director from the Illinois Senate by Gov. JB Pritzker last month.

“Corporate consolidation has exacerbated the situation, turning the existence of independent pharmacies from just a competitive market issue into a health care access issue,” Gillespie said at the House committee hearing May 7. Gillespie also said the Department of Insurance is willing to “design and implement additional regulatory tools” with the General Assembly.

“PBMs have continually sought to evade scrutiny and accountability,” she said. “As legislators and regulators across the country have sought greater transparency, PBMs have also challenged state regulatory authority in the courts, creating additional barriers to stall regulatory efforts.”

Attendees at recent committee hearings referenced 4548, which aims to change Illinois’ insurance law so state government can better regulate PBMs. Proposed changes include having PBMs disclose the net cost of drugs covered by a health benefit plan, and restricting PBMs from ushering pa-

tients toward using pharmacies owned by associated companies.

Last year’s audit recommended consistent monitoring of PBMs, including requiring an annual report, which is outlined in HB 4548. The bill also outlines measures requiring PBMs to pay pharmacies a dispensing fee and reimburse them at a rate equal to the national average drug acquisition cost dictated by Medicaid.

The bill remains in a procedural committee in the House, making it unlikely to pass by the General Assembly’s end-of-May adjournment. The Federal Trade Commission is also in the midst of an ongoing antitrust probe of six of the largest PBMs, five of which are owned by insurance companies themselves. Last year, the FTC withdrew prior statements of support for PBMs. And at a White House event in March, FTC chair Lina Khan said companies are not cooperating with the probe.

CVS Health, which has the largest share of the market, disputed the claim, according to news reports; but Rep. Natalie Manley, a Joliet Democrat who chairs the Illinois House committee that’s probing PBMs, criticized the lack of attendance by PBM executives at her committee’s first hearing on the industry last month.

CHARLES E. ALLEN, 25 Charles

“Chuck” Emmett Allen, age 25, born at home on May 3, 1999—on his brother’s 4th birthday, died doing what he loved on May 4, 2024, one day after his birthday.

Chuck is survived by his parents Joyce and Bryan Allen of Lombard; brother Steve Allen of Lombard; grandfather Walter (Deb) Allen, Jr., of Wisconsin; Jayme (Andy) Czocher of Chicago, Kyle (Andrea) Kuramitsu of Chicago; Uncle Martin (Darniece) Mlynarski of Elk Grove, Uncle Gary (Kari) Mlynarski of Texas, Aunt Lindy (Robert) Brown of Texas, Uncle Todd (Kim) Mlynarski of Texas and the late Aunt Gwen (Mark) Upton of Texas.

Chuck was the fond Uncle of Silas and Sapphire Allen; he had special cousins Christopher Allen and Marcus (Daniella) Allen; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, and endless friends.

Chuck was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Steve and Rita Mlynarski, and paternal grandmother Jean Allen, Aunt Nanette Allen, and Great-Uncle Geoff (Tammy) Allen.

Growing up he played baseball and soccer on traveling teams. He loved the outdoors and spent a lot of time camping, fishing, riding ATVs, snowboarding and motorcycle riding. He attended Glenbard East High

School, Glenn Westlake Junior High School, and Butterfield Elementary School.

Chuck worked construction with Dad, alongside his brother at Bryan Allen Designs.

Funeral Services were held on Wednesday, May 15, 2024, at Bloomingdale Church, 264 Glen Ellyn Rd., Bloomingdale, IL. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the family. Info: www.brustfuneralhome.com or 888-629-0094.

JOHN A. CHAMBERS, 85

John A. Chambers, 85, of Plano, formerly of Lombard, IL, passed away peacefully Wednesday, May 8, 2024, at his home with his loving family by his side.

He was born May 3, 1939, the son of William and Mary (Lane) Chambers. He married Donna Diana Hanks on November 20, 1965. John proudly served in the US Army in Germany as a mechanic. After his time in the service, John’s passion for custom cars and interiors became his livelihood. He worked for Rigg’s Brothers Auto Interiors for 46 years.

John owned JC Pinstriping, he had an incredibly steady hand. He was a regular fixture at all the local car shows. John and Donna loved to dance every weekend. Music was another passion of John’s, he was always at the local dance halls and had

an amazing record collection, there were tunes playing at all times.

He is survived by his children, Donna D. (Steve) Grzelak, Dorothy M. (Paul) Worman, John P. (Laura), Marie B. (Mark) Schultz, and Michael J. (Jennifer); his grandchildren, Sean, Danielle, Nicholas, Katie, Robert, Rachael, Josh, Jesse, Ryan, Thomas, Allison, Sarah, Eva, Cody, John, and Makayla; his great grandchildren, Angelo, Ayana, Amere, Arya, Ellanor, Zane, and Angel; one great great grandson, Xander; his siblings, Mary, Joseph, Thomas, and Dorothy; numerous nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his loving wife, Donna, and his brothers, Bill and Mike.

John will be laid to rest privately beside Donna at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Disabled American Veterans. For more information or to sign the online guest book, go to www.EighnerFuneralHomes.com.

MICHAEL J. CLANCY

Michael J. Clancy, born on Dec. 29, 1951, in Oak Park, Illinois to the late George and Lorraine (nee Hayes) Clancy, passed away May 4, 2024. Michael was a resident of Lombard for 15 years.

A Memorial Gathering will be held on Friday, May 31, from 2-9 p.m. with Military Honors at 3 p.m., at Brust Funeral Home, 135 S. Main St., Lombard. Info: www.brustfuneralhome.com or 888-629-0094.

2024 Lilac Parade takes place Sunday

Lombard police announce parking restrictions and road closures during event

The 2024 Lilac Parade will return to Lombard on Sunday.

The parade will begin at Glenbard East High School, 1014 S. Main Street, and head north towards Maple Street at 1:30 p.m. To ensure a safe and orderly event, Lombard Police Chief Tom Wirsing announced temporary parking restrictions and a road closure during the parade.

Parking restrictions will be in effect from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. on Sunday. When possible, Lombard residents are encouraged to leave their cars at home and walk to the parade.

Residents and attendees are urged to cooperate with the village and the Lombard Lilac Festival Parade Committee to help prevent individuals from removing the posted “No Parking” signs before and during the parade. Additionally, everyone is advised to follow the temporary parking restrictions so the parade can run as smoothly and efficiently as possible.

Main Street will be closed to all vehicle traffic from Central Avenue to Parkside Avenue shortly before the parade begins at 1:30 p.m. Detour routes

Coming event

Local comedian to participate in Biondi film screening May 26

Local comedian and actor Matt Kissane will be part of the lineup on Sunday, May 26, at The Moonlight Theater in St. Charles to honor Chicago Radio legend Dick Biondi. Just added to the show is Scott Mackay from 95.9FM The River radio station. Also participating are Chicago

for Main Street will be posted and are as follows: From the North: St. Charles Road east to Grace Street and south on Grace Street to Central Avenue. Central Avenue west to Main Street, then onto Edward Street continuing west to Finley Road or St. Charles Road west to Finley Road merging onto Crescent Blvd. and then south on Finley Road. From the south: Edward Street west to Finley Road and then north on Finley Road.

Volunteers from the Lombard Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association will assist the Lombard Police Department with traffic direction and crowd control during the parade.

As a reminder, the Lilac Parade is a family event, and the consumption of alcoholic beverages along the parade route is prohibited under Village Ordinance Title 9, Chapter 95.03, Section (A).

The Lombard Fire Department will station one ambulance at the intersection of Main Street and Harrison Street and another at Main Street and Hickory Street to ensure adequate emergency care during the parade.

For more information about the parade, visit www. lombardlilacparade.com

LYNNE RAUSCHER-DAVOUST, 88

Classic Rocker Joe Cantafio, along with the film producer Pam Pulice.

Showtime is 2 p.m. and the Dick Biondi film will be shown in its entirety with a Q&A session immediately afterward! Buy tickets online at https://moonlighttheatre. com/events/the-voice-that-rocked-america-the-dick-biondi-story.

Lynne Rauscher-Davoust (nee Rauscher), age 88, of Elmhurst, IL, died May 2nd, 2024. She was born on December 7th, 1935, in San Francisco, CA, the daughter of the late Irma and Walter Rauscher. She was the loving and beloved wife of the late Merritt J. Davoust, and is survived by her loving brother Warren Rauscher, nephew Brent (Cheryl) Rauscher, grand-niece Brittany (Tre) Williams and her children (Hallie, Sophie, and Luke), and many Davoust in-laws.

She graduated from Abraham Lincoln HS (1953), the University of California, Berkeley (BA 1957), and San Francisco State University (MA 1978). She taught grades 5-6 for 19.5 years in the San Francisco Unified School District. In 1969, BBC-TV filmed her teaching “Family Life Education”. She was active in the District Integration Task Force and Presented many in-service programs to District teachers in Content Area techniques.

After her marriage in 1977, she moved to Elmhurst, IL, as her husband’s main office was in Chicago. She taught in the Villa Park School District 45 for 23 more years as a Reading Specialist, K-5, known to her students as “Ms. R-D”. She received the District’s “Teacher of the Year” honor in 1988. She developed several District programs, such as Young Authors, STAR, Read/Write, and LEARN. In addition to making over 120 presentations at local school districts and reading conferences, she also was an occasional

adjunct instructor at National Louis, St. Xavier, and Benedictine Universities, and Elmhurst College, teaching reading techniques.

Lynne chaired the Suburban Council of Reading Consultants from 1981-2001, getting well-known speakers to present programs on reading twice a year. She also was on the Boards of the West Suburban, Prairie Area, and the Illinois Reading Councils. She received many certificates of recognition, including the “Those Who Excel Award of Recognition” from the Illinois State Board of Education, and the Illinois Reading Council’s Literacy Award. She organized the 1989 DuPage County Reading Institute Day, helped with the 1982 and 1993 IRC Regional Conferences, and was also a presenter for DuPage’s “Reading First” programs for teachers in 2004-5. She was a world-wide traveler all her life and visited more than 2/3 of the world.

Entombment will be at Cypress Lawn’s Lower Garden in Colma, California. Memorials may be sent to the Elmhurst Symphony Orchestra or the charity of your choosing.

CHRISTOPHER

STANLEY SOSIN,

68 Christopher Stanley Sosin, 68, of Lombard, IL, passed away on May 4, 2024, in Maywood, Illinois. He was born on November 23, 1955. Christopher was a loving father, stepfather, husband, and a cherished friend to many. He is survived by his son, Aaron Sosin, stepson Matthew Tabian, spouse Lisa Tabian-Sosin, sisters Amy Sosin and Abigail Sosin, nieces, nephews, and a host of friends. Christopher was preceded in death by his parents, Stanley and Mary Jane Sosin.

Illinois State Police celebrating Law Enforcement Appreciation Month

Throughout the month of May, Gov. JB Pritzker, the Illinois State Police (ISP), and law enforcement agencies across the state will celebrate Law Enforcement Appreciation Month in Illinois.

Pritzker proclaimed May as Law Enforcement Appreciation Month in Illinois to serve as a time when we come together to remember those who have lost their lives in the line of duty, honor those who have served and continue to serve, and offer support to fellow officers and their loved ones.

It’s also an opportunity for citizens to show their appreciation to the men and women who keep our communities safe while dealing with the inherent dangers of police work.

Obituary

LYNNE RAUSCHER-DAVOUST, 88

“Our Illinois State Police force is one of the best in the country,” said Pritzker. “As we celebrate Law Enforcement Appreciation Month in Illinois, we must thank them and other members of law enforcement for selflessly protecting our communities. Their brave commitment to service is felt statewide and I commend them for their sacrifice.”

Law enforcement has been regularly ranked as one of the 10 most dangerous occupations in the United States, specifically for police and correctional officers, according to the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics cited by the University of Illinois Chicago Law Enforcement Epidemiology Project.

In 2021, 159 law enforcement officers died on the job, of which approximately 40 percet were caused by assaults/homicides, and 40 percent were caused in transportation incidents.

Montini Catholic fine art students showcase talent at annual Spring Art Show and Concert

Lynne Rauscher-Davoust (nee Rauscher), age 88, of Elmhurst, IL, died May 2nd, 2024. She was born on December 7th, 1935 in San Francisco, CA, the daughter of the late Irma and Walter Rauscher. She was the loving and beloved wife of the late Merritt J. Davoust, and is survived by her loving brother Warren Rauscher, nephew Brent (Cheryl) Rauscher, grandniece Brittany (Tre) Williams and her children (Hallie, Sophie, and Luke), and many Davoust in-laws.

She graduated from Abraham Lincoln HS (1953), the University of California, Berkeley (BA 1957), and San Francisco State University (MA 1978). She taught grades 5-6 for 19.5 years in the San Francisco Unified School District. In 1969, BBC-TV filmed her teaching “Family Life Education”. She was active in the District Integration Task Force and Presented many in-service programs to District teachers in Content Area techniques.

Lynne chaired the Suburban Council of Reading Consultants from 1981-2001, getting well-known speakers to present programs on reading twice a year. She also was on the Boards of the West Suburban, Prairie Area, and the Illinois Reading Councils.

She received many certificates of recognition, including the “Those Who Excel Award of Recognition” from the Illinois State Board of Education, and the Illinois Reading Council’s Literacy Award. She organized the 1989 DuPage County Reading Institute Day, helped with the 1982 and 1993 IRC Regional Conferences, and was also a presenter for DuPage’s “Reading First” programs for teachers in 2004-5.

She was a world-wide traveler all her life and visited more than 2/3 of the world.

Entombment will be at Cypress Lawn’s Lower Garden in Colma, California.

Memorials may be sent to the Elmhurst Symphony Orchestra or the charity of your choosing.

After her marriage in 1977, she moved to Elmhurst, IL, as her husband’s main office was in Chicago. She taught in the Villa Park School District 45 for 23 more years as a Reading Specialist, K-5, known to her students as “Ms. R-D”. She received the District’s “Teacher of the Year” honor in 1988. She developed several District programs, such as Young Authors, STAR, Read/Write, and LEARN. In addition to making over 120 presentations at local school districts and reading conferences, she also was an occasional adjunct instructor at National Louis, St. Xavier, and Benedictine Universities, and Elmhurst College, teaching reading techniques.

Police Reports

The Villa Park Police Department 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.

May 7

A complainant at a store in the 1-100 block of E. St. Charles reported being threatened by a suspect.

May 5

A complainant at a store in the 900

“ As we celebrate Law Enforcement Appreciation Month in Illinois, we must thank them and other members of law enforcement for selflessly protecting our communities. Their brave commitment to service is felt statewide and I commend them for their sacrifice.”

– Gov. JB Pritzker

“Every day, law enforcement officers, and their families, face the potential of making the ultimate sacrifice,” said ISP Director Brendan F. Kelly. “During the month of May, Illinois honors this service and remembers those who have made the ultimate sacrifice. The work is dangerous and demanding, day after day—work that must honored, not just this month, but every month.”

Troopers from across the state traveled to the Illinois State Capitol in Springfield May 2 to participate in the Illinois Police Officers Memorial Ceremony which focused on memorializing law enforcement officers around the state.

In celebration of National Police Week May 12-18, ISP is sending its elite Honor Guard to Washington D.C. for the national law enforcement celebration held at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Park from May 15-21.

The celebration includes a K9 Memorial Service, a candlelight vigil, a police vehicle display, the National Peace Officers’ Memorial Service, a Pipe Band competition, National Honor Guard competition, and more.

Montini Catholic fine ar t students entertained parents, friends and art fans for the last time this school year at the annual Spring Art Show and Concert held May 6 in the auditorium. The concert, directed by Donnie Glowinski, included performances by the A Cafellas and Treble Makers groups, Concert Choir, Chamber Choir and Combined Bands. “I really had a great time working with all our students for the spring concert, especially our seniors,” said Glowinski, who directs three concerts each year at Montini in addition to directing the orchestra for the annual spring musical. “They started high school, in the thick of COVID, when making music was considered a risky activity. They persevered through that difficult time and have turned into some wonderful young people and musicians. There will be a big hole left behind by them”. Above, front row (left to right): Chamber Choir members Arcy Pozo, Sammy Menapace, Nolan Ferris and Jonny Kosinski, along with (back row) Maryfaith Considine, sophomore Michael May of Villa Park, Michael Breier and freshman Jasmine Brunke of Lombard perform “Love: Then and Still” by Susan LaBarr.

• Spring Sweep

residents who drop off paint for recycling. There is a $20 flat fee per vehicle for non-residents for electronics and paper shredding, in addition to the paint recycling fees.

The paint fees for latex paint are: $1 for a quart or less, $3 for a gallon and $15 for a 5-gallon bucket. The paint fees for oil-based paint are: $5 for a quart or less, $10 for a gallon and $50 for a 5-gallon bucket.

Paint must remain in its original container to be recycled. Combining or conjoining products is prohibited.

Accepted items include adult bikes, hardcover and paperback books, used

(Continued from page 3)

clothing and shoes, small appliances in working order, full and discharged fire extinguishers, old and faded American flags, eyeglasses, paint, computers, monitors, printers, digital cameras and cell phones.

The document shredding offers a limit of three banker boxes per household. Small engines, compressors, units, medications and sharps, Styrofoam, microwaves and tires will not be accepted.

For more information, or to volunteer for the event, send an email to the Villa Park F.U.N. Commission at pride@invillapark.com.

block of S. Route 83 reported at 7:37 p.m. that unknown suspects removed multiple items from display shelves and left the store without paying.

A complainant in the 700 block of N. Lincoln reported an unknown suspect entered their unsecured vehicle, removed their wallet and later attempted to use their debit card.

May 3

A complainant in the 300 block of W. Roosevelt reported while driving from Matteson, he was being followed on the highway by subjects with guns.

A complainant in the 100 block of N. Addison reported that a suspect bat-

tered them.

A complainant in the 600 block of N. Westmore reported their property as stolen.

A complainant at a store in the 100 block of W. Roosevelt reported at 7:40 p.m. that a suspect attempted to commit a retail theft. The suspect was issued a no-trespass warning.

May 2

Edwuin T. Nava Rubio, 25, of Lombard, was charged with DUI, failure to remain at the scene of a vehicle damage accident, driving while license, permit, or privilege to operate a motor vehicle is suspend-

ed or revoked and no insurance near N. Addison and W. Terrace at 10:51 a.m.

Mactresea L. Wilbourn, 23 of Maywood, and Antwan D. Labon, 18 of Hanover Park, were charged with retail theft at a store in the 900 block of S. Route 83 at 1:58 p.m.

A complainant at a store in the 200 block of W. Roosevelt reported at 3:55 p.m. that a suspect removed merchandise from display shelves and left without paying.

May 1 Victor Santiago, 41, of Villa Park, was charged with retail theft at a store

in the 1-100 block of E. St. Charles at 11:43 a.m.

A 24-year-old Villa Park man was arrested and charged with domestic battery and violating pretrial release on the above date for an alleged incident that occurred April 21.

A complainant in the 200 block of W. North reported a cash box lid flew open and various unknown subjects picked up the bills and kept them.

April 28

A complainant in the 300 block of W. North reported at 11:31 p.m. that unknown suspects were damaging vehicles with their own vehicles.

Deputy honored

Deputy Nicholas Sanzeri recently received the DuPage County Sheriff’s Department’s Employee of the Month award. Sheriff James Mendrick (left) and Corrections Bureau Chief Mark Garcia (right) presented the award to Sanzeri (center). “In a moment of crisis, Deputy Sanzeri’s keen observation and quick response saved a life,” noted a statement from the sheriff’s office. “Spotting a detainee experiencing medical distress akin to stroke symptoms, Deputy Sanzeri sprang into action, providing vital aid until medical help arrived. His swift and decisive actions within the DuPage County Correctional Center averted potential tragedy, ensuring the safety and well-being of those in his care. Congratulations, Deputy Sanzeri, for your commitment to service and dedication to protecting lives!” Sanzeri graduated from Montini Catholic High School in 2013. During his senior year, he was a middle linebacker on the Broncos’ 2012 football team that won the IHSA Class 5A state championship.

Coming events

Lombard Garden Club meeting

May 17

Amy Greenamyer will speak on “Garden Tool Maintenance 101: Getting Down and Dirty with Cleaning Your Tools” at the May 17 Lombard Garden Club meeting. Greenamyer will explain the ins and outs of tool maintenance and sharpening. She will present a hands-on program and is bringing tools so attendees can learn how to clean, sharpen and practice their technique. It’s time to get “down and dirty” while learning a very practical skill.

Please mark your calendars for Friday, May 17 at 2 p.m. at the Lombard Community Building, 433 E. St. Charles Road in Lombard. There is no charge and the public is welcome to attend.

Single

Mothers Group to meet May 19

SHE Single Mothers Support Group, Sunday, May 19 (note date change), 12:15 p.m., Elmhurst Christian Reformed Church, 149 W. Brush Hill Road, 60126. Complimentary lunch, free child care (ages 0-12), and support from other single mothers. This is the last event for the season. You won’t want to miss this one. RSVP: elmhurstcrc.org/she.

Pre-trial release denied for man allegedly found in possession of loaded gun at Naperville recreation facility

DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and Naperville Chief of Police Jason Arres have announced that Judge Brian Jacobs granted the State’s motion to deny pre-trial release for a Cook County man who was allegedly found to be in possession of a loaded gun at a Naperville recreation facility.

Gary Howard, 20, of Palos Park, appeared at First Appearance Court and is charged with one count of aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, a Class 4 felony.

On May 10 at approximately 9:51 p.m., Naperville police officers on routine foot patrol at TopGolf on Odyssey Court, observed a handgun with an extended magazine in plain view on the rear driver’s side floorboard of a vehicle.

While conducting surveillance on the vehicle, it is alleged that officers observed two individuals, a male and a female, return to the vehicle with the female entering the front passenger seat. It is alleged that the male, later identified as Howard, opened the rear driver’s side door, retrieved an item, and then entered the driver’s seat. At this time, Naperville police officers immediately activated their emergency lights and converged on Howard’s vehicle.

It is alleged that when officers searched Howard’s vehicle, they found a loaded Glock 23 .40 caliber pistol with an extended magazine that had been moved to the driver’s floorboard from the rear driver’s side floorboard of the vehicle. Howard was taken into custody at that time. Howard is currently facing aggravated fleeing and eluding and aggravated unlawful use of a weapon charges out of Cook County. Howard’s next court appearance is scheduled May 13 for arraignment in front of Judge Joseph Bugos.

LEGAL NOTICE

VILLAGE OF BENSENVILLE ADDISON CREEK STORM SEWER IMPROVEMENTS PHASE II NOTICE TO BIDDERS

THE VILLAGE OF BENSENVILLE, DuPAGE COUNTY, ILLINOIS, will receive sealed bids, as a general contractor, for the Addison Creek Storm Sewer Improvements Phase II Project, to be let as a single contract, until Eleven A.M. (11:00 A.M.), Tuesday, June 4th, 2024 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.

MINORITIES AND WOMEN OWNED BUSINESSES (MBE) ARE ENCOURAGED TO SUBMIT BIDS ON THIS PROJECT.

The contract documents, including plans and specifications, are on file beginning at Thursday, May 16th, 2024 at the office of the Engineer, Engineering Resource Associates, Inc., 3s701 West Ave., Suite 150, Warrenville, Illinois, 60555, (630) 3933060. Digital or paper copies of the documents may be obtained from Engineering Resource Associates, Inc. by depositing $25.00 non-refundable deposit, payable to Engineering Resource Associates, Inc., for each set along with a copy of the Contractor’s “Certificate of Eligibility” issued by the Illinois Department of Transportation.

revocable letter of credit on a solvent bank, payable to the Village of Bensenville, or cash in the amount of not less than ten percent (10%) of the amount of the bid shall be

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 Labor and Mechanical 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 the 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 Daily Herald and Bensenville Independent, on Thursday, May 16th, 2024.

An optional pre-bid conference will be conducted at 10 am on Thursday, May 23rd, 2024 for all General Contractors intending to submit proposals for this Project. This conference will be held on-site at Sunrise Park, 301 Memorial St, Bensenville, IL, 60106.

(Published in the Addison Independent, Bensenville Independent & Villa Park Review May 16, 2024) 455722

submitted with each bid.

submitted photo Rock Valley Publishing

Montini Catholic names Anjay Dhir of Lombard as its March Student of the Month

Montini Catholic High School has recognized senior Anjay Dhir of Lombard as its March Student of the Month. Dhir, who was pleasantly surprised when hearing the news, was nominated by Principal Chris Tiritilli for his outstanding academic accomplishments and extraordinary extra-curricular involvement at Montini.

“Anjay exemplifies all of the traits

and characteristics of what we want all Broncos to be,” said Tiritilli on the heels of an all-school clap-out for Dhir and his teammates as they prepared to leave for the VEX World Robotics Championship in Dallas, Texas (April 25-27). Dhir, who has been involved in Robotics since his first year at Montini, played a leading role in getting Montini to Worlds for the

second year in a row.

Montini technology director and robotics coach Pete Farina was happy to hear the news of Dhir’s Student of the Month achievement. “He has been an honor and a pleasure to teach and coach,” Mr. Farina said. “Over the last four years he has demonstrated an unparalleled level of focus, determination, maturity, and motivation in his

Worship Services Directory

Sunday Worship at 9:45 AM Come worship with us!

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

Weekend Masses: Saturday: 4 PM (Vigil)

Sunday: 7:30, 9:30 & 11:30 AM and 6 PM

Daily Masses:

Monday—Friday: 6:15 and 8:15 AM

Saturday: 8:15 AM

Robotics classes and as a leader of our Robotics Team. Back-to-back Worlds would not have been possible without him.”

“I’m extremely excited to be heading to Robotics Worlds for a second time,” said Dhir.

“More importantly, I’m glad I’m going this year with the other two seniors who didn’t go last year. They have worked incredibly hard and put numerous hours of dedicated effort into our team. I’d like us to leave a lasting mark on the team.”

Dhir, who most recently earned Academic All-Star status at Montini (by attaining a cumulative grade-point average of 3.95 or above after seven semesters) is a leader who wears many hats at the school. The Illinois State Scholar and AP Scholar is the vice president of Montini’s National Honor Society, vice president (junior year) and current PR Officer of Montini’s Tri-M Music Honor Society, President of Mu Alpha Theta and President of Montini’s math team—a team he helped accelerate to a sixthplace state ranking earlier this spring.

fellow students struggling with academic courses.

Athletically, Dhir played in Montini’s boys volleyball program during his freshman and sophomore years and has been a member of the Broncos’ boys golf team for all four years—landing the captain position during his senior season.

To top off his senior year, Dhir was nominated by his peers to the 2024 Montini Prom Court.

“Being nominated by your peers for Prom Court says a lot about the kind of student and friend Anjay is,” said Tiritilli. “We are very proud of Anjay and the success he has accomplished during his senior year.”

Dhir will be attending Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Florida this fall.

“His commitment to excellence and attention to detail in all of his work is simply outstanding,” added Farina. “Anjay has developed an exceptional and diverse set of engineering skills and abilities from coding to design and building and I am confident that he will succeed in his studies at Embry-Riddle. We can’t wait to hear about his adventures in engineering!”

“The Crucial Hours”

Sunday School & Bible Study 9 am

Second Lenten Service March 9, 2022

Ladies Bible Fellowship Mondays at 6:30 pm

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

Saturday, May 25 Game Night at 4 pm

Third Lenten Service March 16, 2022

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

Everyone is Welcome! All services are live streamed. Watch on our website or on Facebook. sainttimothy.org

Fourth Lenten Service March 23, 2022

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

“Anjay Dhir always gives 100 percent, no matter the task,” said math teacher and math team coach Chrissy McManus. “He wants to be the best he can possibly be. More importantly, he wants the best for everyone else. He is constantly striving to reach these goals. His enthusiasm and positive attitude are infectious. He possesses great empathy for others and is always willing to help. He truly cares about his classmates, teachers, and the school in general. He takes great pride in Montini Catholic.”

Fifth Lenten Service March 30, 2022

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

Sixth Lenten Service April 6, 2022

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

Confessions: Saturday: 3�3:45PM Sunday: 5�5:45 PM

Adoration:

Dhir is also a member of the Spanish Honor Society, Spanish Club, Broadcasters Club, Audio Crew and Flight Club—and serves as a Peer Tutor, making himself available to help

When asked about what advice he would give to those getting ready to start their high school adventures, this student of the month had some very sound advice. “Get outside of your comfort zone. Try new things, talk to people you don’t know, and find something you like. My involvement in school has served me very well. I figured out what I wanted to do with my future, met some of my best friends, and got to be on a team that made Montini history, all because I tried a new [Robotics] club I knew nothing about!”

Dhir graduated from Glenn Westlake Middle School in Lombard.

SUBMITTED PHOTO Rock Valley Publishing

Montini Catholic High School announced senior Anjay Dhir of Lombard as its March Student of the Month. Dhir is pictured with Principal Chris Tiritilli, who nominated him for the award. Dhir will attend Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Florida this fall.

BETTER EVENT Hearing

Getting your hearing checked is the first step to better hearing health, which is why we’re offering Free* Hearing Evaluations at our limited-time event!

Your local Miracle-Ear® Hearing Instrument Specialist will use a video otoscope to look inside your ear canal. This process is painless and will help determine the cause for any changes you’ve noticed in your hearing or concerns you have about hearing loss.

Your Exam May Reveal Such Common Problems As:

• Excessive Wax Build-Up

• Damage To Your Eardrum

• Other Conditions Which May Make It Difficult To Hear Clearly

After the completion of your exam, you will receive a Free** Walmart or Target Gift Card, along with an individualized plan to address your hearing health needs.

You’ve got nothing to lose and so many wonderful sounds to gain!

Quilt club fundraiser

On Friday, May 17, from 9:30 a.m. until moon, handmade merchandise will be available for purchase at the Sunset Knoll Recreation Center, 820 S. Finley Road, Lombard. There will be quilts for kids and adults, baby bibs, microwave bowls, phone holders and many other items available for purchase. These fabric products have been made by the quilting club that meets every Friday morning during the year. The Meadowlark Quilt Club constructs quilts and other items to donate to various groups in Lombard and the greater DuPage area. Each year more than 1,000 quilts are provided to the various charities supported by the group. Most of the fabric is donated by people in the community. This is a selfsustaining program in the park district. Additional funds are required to purchase various supplies and to provide timely repairs and maintenance for sewing machines. Proceeds from the sale will enable the club to purchase additional materials.

Folk singer Dvorak brings songs, stories and banjos to Lombard May 20

The Helen H. Plum Memorial Library will present Chicago’s “official troubadour” Mark Dvorak in a special performance, “Once I Had an Old Banjo,” starting at 1 p.m. Monday, May 20.

“Once I Had an Old Banjo,” is Dvorak’s exploration into the origin and evolution of the five-string banjo.

“The five-string banjo is truly an American instrument,” said Dvorak who will show and play about a dozen banjos from his collection.

“The sound of the 5-string banjo captures something in the foundation of American roots music. It’s an essential voice in our shared history.”

“I’ve been rehearsing up material for an all-banjo record,” said the singer. “I’ve had a lot of requests for it over the years, and it feels like the right time,” he said.

The five-string banjo is said to be America’s only original folk instrument. Though its development coincides with the early history of the United States, scholars now agree that the five-string banjo originated in Africa.

When Africans were brought to North America as slaves, they naturally brought with them the ability to make crude banjos out of common materials. Thomas Jefferson noted that the banjar was the chief instrument played by slaves on his estate.

May 20 at 1 p.m. at the

A Virginian named Joel Sweeney is credited with developing the modern banjo as we know it around 1831. When traveling minstrel shows became popular at the same time, the sounds of the five-string banjo were carried across America.

By the late 1890s, popular culture had grown tired of the banjo and minstrel shows all but disappeared. But, the five-string banjo had found a new home in the lonesome hollers of the Southern mountains.

Mountain fiddlers worked at the contraption and a brand of music emerged that was neither African-American nor minstrel style, nor an exact transcription of their own old-time fiddle tunes, but a wonderful, musical mixture of them all.

Dvorak is celebrating his 21st recorded release, Live & Alone, and his 4th collection of essays, 31 Winters: Finding the Folk Way. He has won awards for journalism, and was honored with the 2013 FARM Lantern Bearer Award from Folk Alliance International. In 2008 he received the Woodstock Folk Festival Lifetime Achievement Award.

For more information phone 630-627-0316 or visit www.helenplum.org.

SUBMITTED PHOTO Rock Valley Publishing Renowned folk singer Mark Dvorak will participate in a special performance, “Once I Had an Old Banjo,” on Monday,

Helen Plum Memorial Library.

4 on the 4th Race opens registration

Registration has begun for the 19th Elmhurst Running Club 4 on the 4th, a four-mile run and one-kilometer kids (ages 5-12) event staged the morning of the Fourth of July.

The four-mile race begins at 7:15 a.m. and the kids race goes off at 8:20. All kids race finishers will receive medals. Both races start and finish on Prospect Avenue, adjacent to Elmhurst University and Wilder

Park. The website address (new this year) for information and to register is 4ON4TH.RUN. Entry fees will go up $5 on June 6, the day after Global Running Day.

“This is a fun holiday event, drawing participants from Elmhurst as well as many surrounding communities,” race director Bob Richards said. “We urge early registration and

Rep. Blair-Sherlock seeks interns

State Rep. Diane Blair-Sherlock is looking for students who are interested in serving as interns and learning about state government. Interns’ duties include:

• Canvassing

• Assisting staff with event planning

• Performing light clerical work, including data entry

• Developing graphic elements for social media and constituent materials

• Other duties as assigned

Minimum qualifications include:

• Excellent time management and communication skills

• Ability to work and thrive in a fast-paced office environment

• Working knowledge of Google Drive

• A passion for public service

• A valid driver’s license

High school and college students are invited to apply. Interns will be expected to work 10-15 hours per week at $15 per hour; hours can be flexible to accommodate school schedules.

This internship is based out of Blair-Sherlock’s Villa Park district office.

Interested applicants should send their resume and a cover letter to JaxWest.D46@gmail.com or send to 28 S. Villa Ave, Villa Park, IL 60181. Questions: call 630-415-3520.

pre-race day packet pickup.”

Packet pickup will be available at Fleet Feet Elmhurst, 124 E. Schiller, Elmhurst, on Saturday, June 29 and

Wednesday, July 3; and at the Elmhurst University start/finish area on race morning. The not-for-profit Elmhurst Run-

ning Club event makes donations to local charities each year.

“We hope to see lots of local runners on July 4th,” Richards said.

Taking their pick

Pictured are (left to right) Princess Jade Dhamers, Princess Alyssa Borbath, Queen Kendra Trummer, Princess Gabby Walton and Princess Brooke Seymore of the 2024 Lilac Court. They met in the garden of Barb Madigan, president of the Lombard Garden Club. Jade chose the “President Lincoln” lilac, Alyssa chose “Bailbridget,” Kendra selected “Common Purple,” Gabby picked “Jeflady” and Brooke chose “Sensation.” Lilac Time occurs in Lombard now through May 19 this year. Many activities have been planned, culminating with the Lilac Parade, scheduled for this Sunday, May 19. Visit www.lombardlilactime.com for information.

NOTICE TO BIDDERS

THE VILLAGE OF BENSENVILLE, DuPAGE COUNTY, ILLINOIS, will receive sealed bids for the VILLAGE HALL PARKING LOT RECONSTRUCTION PROJECT until Eleven A.M. (11:00 A.M.) (prevailing time), June 4, 2024 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 May 16, 2024)

Broncos run to a sectional title

Gertsen delivers two first-place finishes; Montini runners sprint to a pair of relay victories

The Montini Catholic girls track and field team won the championship plaque at last week’s IHSA Class 2A sectional at Ridgewood High School in Norridge.

The Broncos won the title at the May 8 sectional with their total score of 98 points. St. Francis finished second in the sectional’s team standings with 83 points. The competition featured 11 full teams, along with athletes from four other schools.

Montini’s girls track and field program had never won a sectional title until the 2024 Broncos achieved the feat in Norridge last week.

Several Broncos who competed at the sectional earned berths in the IHSA Class 2A state meet, which takes place this Friday and Saturday at Eastern Illinois University in Charleston. The top two finishers in each sectional event automatically qualified for the state meet. Other athletes earned state-meet berths by reaching qualifying standards in their respective events.

Montini senior Takeisha Berry won the sectional title in the 100-meter dash, which she completed in a first-place time of 12.64 seconds. Berry set a new program record with that time. Senior Sofia Fisher of the Broncos sprinted to a first-place finish in the sectional’s 200-meter run, which she completed in 25.59 seconds. Fisher’s winning time in the 200-meter run established another new program record.

Sophomore Sydney Gertsen of Montini won the sectional champi-

Montini Catholic High School’s girls track and field team delivered a winning performance at last week’s IHSA Class 2A sectional at Ridgewood High School in Norridge. The Broncos won the championship plaque at the May 8 sectional after earning a first-place team score of 98 points. The victory produced the first sectional title in the history of Montini’s girls track and field program. Several Broncos who competed at the sectional earned berths in the IHSA Class 2A state meet, which takes place this Friday at Saturday at Eastern Illinois University in Charleston.

onship in the 1,600-meter run, which she finished in 5 minutes, 16.53 seconds. Sophomore Ashlynn Lindt of the Broncos also earned a state-meet berth in the 1,600-meter run. Lindt met the state-qualifying standard with her fourth-place time of 5 minutes, 25.73 seconds at the sectional.

Gertsen and Lindt produced a 1-2

finish for the Broncos in the sectional’s 3,200-meter run. Gertsen won the race with her time of 11 minutes, 27.44 seconds. Lindt turned in a second-place time of 11 minutes, 40.43 seconds.

Montini’s foursome of junior Camryn Amouzou, Fisher, Berry and senior Ja’Niyah Hall won the

sectional’s 4 x 100-meter relay. The Broncos completed the race in 47.92 seconds. They established a new program record with that time.

Amouzou, Fisher and Berry joined junior Julia Gergen to deliver a first-place time of 1 minute, 46.89 seconds in the sectional’s 4 x 200-meter relay. The Montini quar-

tet finished that relay more than four seconds ahead of the event’s second-place team.

Montini freshman Brooke D’Amico qualified for the state meet by placing second in the sectional’s triple jump. D’Amico traveled 31 feet, 3¾ inches in her best jump of the sectional.

Brandt and Flanagan win four matches at state meet Rams’ doubles duo opens the meet with three straight wins before losing in the quarterfinal round; duo finishes the season with a 49-4 record

Glenbard East’s senior duo of Ellie Brandt and Claire Flanagan won four of six matches in doubles action at the IHSA state badminton meet, which took place Friday and Saturday at DeKalb High School.

The two Rams reeled off three straight wins on Friday to advance to the quarterfinal round of the doubles competition at the state meet, which featured 64 singles players and 64 doubles teams. Brandt and Flanagan lost their first match on Saturday, dropping a close battle to a duo from Stevenson High School in the quarterfinal round. The Glenbard East tandem then won one match in the consolation round of the doubleelimination event before finishing the tournament with a three-game loss.

The doubles duo of Brandt and Flanagan finished the 2024 season with a 49-4 record.

Brandt and Flanagan did not lose a

game in their three victories on Friday. They lost 23-21, 21-15 to a Stevenson tandem in Saturday’s quarterfinal round. That Stevenson duo went on to lose to a Neuqua Valley twosome in the state meet’s doubles final.

The Glenbard East tandem posted a 21-12, 21-15 win over a Hinsdale Central team in the consolation bracket’s quarterfinal round. Brandt and Flanagan faced another Hinsdale Central duo in the consolation bracket’s semifinal round. That pair of Red Devils outlasted Brandt and Flanagan 21-11, 27-29, 21-16. Those two Red Devils then lost in the doubles tournament’s fifth-place match. Brandt and Flanagan played doubles together in three consecutive state meets. Their performance at this year’s state meet was similar to their showing in the 2023 tournament, when they opened the meet with three straight wins, lost in the quarterfinal round, and won one match in

the consolation round before ending the tournament with a loss.

Senior Emily Puth represented the Rams in the singles portion of the state meet. Puth suffered a narrow three-game loss in her first match of the event. She won the opening game 21-11, but her opponent from Lincoln-Way East won the next two games to prevail 11-21, 21-15, 22-20.

Puth won one match in the consolation round before her tournament ended with a loss.

Caron reels off four straight singles wins in the state meet’s consolation round

Willowbrook senior Lillian Caron won four matches on her way to placing among the top 16 finishers in the state meet’s singles competition in DeKalb. Caron lost her first match of the event, dropping a tight three-game decision to an opponent from Maine South. Caron won the opening

game, but her opponent rallied to earn an 18-21, 21-16, 21-18 win.

Caron then steamed through the consolation round, winning four straight matches. Her first victory in the consolation bracket was a 13-21, 21-9, 21-17 win. Caron then earned two straight wins without dropping a game. Her fourth win of the tournament was a 21-16, 1921, 21-19 triumph over an opponent from Deerfield.

Caron’s tournament then ended with a 21-7, 21-10 loss to a Glenbrook North opponent.

Willowbrook’s doubles duo of senior Jasmine Langston and junior Abigail Schnittker opened the state meet with a 20-22, 21-18, 21-11 victory over a Buffalo Grove tandem. Langston and Schnittker then suffered a 21-16, 21-17 loss in the second round. Their tournament ended after their next match—a three-game loss in the consolation round.

submitted photo Rock Valley Publishing

PUZZLE Page

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. Geological time

4. Ooze

9. A set of eight

14. Obstruction

15. Swiss mathematician

16. Philosophy

17. The night before

18. A timid person

20. Unifies

22. Gangs

23. Alternative name

24. Acumen

28. Cathode-ray tube

29. Tantalum

30. Soluble ribonucleic acid

31. Humiliate

33. Earthy pigment

37. Air Force

38. Adult males

39. Stiff untanned leather

41. Before

42. Atomic #18

43. Beer mug

44. Nostrils

46. Type of chef

49. Midway between north and east

50. They __

51. Splits

55. Walk in a timid manner

58. Preserved animal skin with hair

59. Popular donut shop item

60. You smear it on bagels

64. Don’t know when yet

65. Equal to 10 amperes

66. Synthetic acrylic fiber

67. One point south of due east

68. Of mixed ancestry

69. Home of the Pyramids

70. A way to change color

CLUES DOWN

1. Excessive fluid accumulation in tissues

2. Untangle

3. One from the U.S.

4. Academic terms 5. San __ Obispo, in California

6. Not healthy

7. Self-assessment questionnaire (abbr.)

8. Arugula genus 9. VIII 10. Makes a monarch 11. Tormentor

12. Commercials 13. Sprinkle 19. Make a mistake

21. Freshwater fishes

Vermont town

Man-made device

Entrap

Places to store important things

Accumulate

Greek mythological nymph

Gregory __, American dancer

ASHRAM AWARENESS

BODHI

BUDDHISM CHAKRA CHANT CREATIVE DHARMA ENERGY

ENLIGHTENMENT GROUNDING HINDUISM

KARMA MANTRA MEDITATION

MENTAL MINDFULNESS

NIRVANA

PEACEFUL REST

SANSKRIT TRANQUILITY VISUALIZATION ZEN

35. Denotes past

36. Becoming popular again

40. Indicates position

41. Came before

45. An extra seed-covering

47. Cheerful

48. Deli sandwich staple

52. Skateboarders love them

53. Mandela’s party

54. Sierra lake

56. Nickname for Elizabeth

57. Remove from record

59. Employee stock ownership plan

60. Former NFLer Newton

61. Relative biological effectiveness (abbr.)

62. Work unit

63. Town in Cambridgeshire Answers on page 20

NOTICE

CERTIFICATE NO. 79419 was filed in the office of the County Clerk of DuPage County on APRIL 25, 2024, wherein the business firm of D/HH SOCCER ACADEMY, 226 GLEN ELLYN ROAD, APT. 301, BLOOMINGDALE, IL 60108 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: Thomas Contreras, 226 Glen Ellyn Road, Apt. 301, Blooningdale, IL 60108. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and Official Seal at my office in Wheaton, Illinois, this 25TH day of APRIL, A.D. 2024.

Jean Kaczmarek DuPage County Clerk

(Published in The Lombardian May 2, 9 & 16, 2024) 454863

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN by the Board of Education of Bensenville Elementary School District 2 that a tentative amended budget for the district for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2023, will be available for public inspection between 7:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. beginning on May 21, 2024, at the Education Administration Center, 210 S. Church Road, Bensenville, Illinois, until June 20, 2024.

NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that a public hearing on the District’s tentative amended budget will be held at 6:30 p.m. local time on Thursday, June 20, 2024, in the Lifelong Learning Center of the Education Administration Center, 210 S. Church Road, Bensenville, Illinois.

Dated May 16, 2024.

Jacqueline Dye, Secretary BOARD OF EDUCATION SCHOOL DISTRICT 2 COUNTY OF DUPAGE, STATE OF ILLINOIS

(Published in the Addison Independent, Bensenville Independent & Villa Park Review May 16, 2024) 455649

LEGAL NOTICE/PUBLIC NOTICE NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a Meeting of the Community Development Commission of the Village of Bensenville, DuPage and Cook Counties, will be held on Tuesday, June 4, 2024 at 6:30 P.M, at which a Public Hearing will be held to review case No. 2024 –11 to consider a request for:

Variation, Fence in the Corner Side Yard Municipal Code 10 – 7 – 4C – 7A

At 621 Grove Avenue is an existing R-3

Single-Unit Dwelling District. The Public Hearing will be held in the Village Board Room at Village Hall, 12 S. Center Street, Bensenville.

The Legal Description is as follows:

LOT 17 IN BLOCK 1 IN VOLK BROS, FIRST ADDITION TO BRETWOOD, BEING A SUBDIVISION IN THE SOUTH HALF OF SECTION 14, TOWNSHIP 40 NORTH, RANGE 11, EAST OF THE THIRD PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN, ACCORDING TO THE PLAT THEREOF RECORDED MAY 7, 1927 AS DOUCMENT NUMBER 235106, IN DUPAGE COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

Commonly known as 621 Grove Avenue, Bensenville, Illinois 60106.

Oscar Higreda of 621 Grove Avenue, Bensenville, Illinois 60106 is the owner and the applicant for the subject property.

Any individual with a disability requiring a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in any public meeting held under the authority of the Village of Bensenville should contact the Village Clerk, Village of

LEGAL NOTICES

Bensenville, 12 S. Center St., Bensenville, IL 60106, (630) 766-8200, at least three (3) days in advance of the meeting.

Applicant’s application and supporting documentation may be examined by any interested parties in the office of the Community and Economic Development Department, Monday through Friday, in the Village Hall, 12 South Center Street, Bensenville, IL 60106. All interested parties may attend the Public Hearing and be heard. A link for electronic viewing will be posted on the Village website at least 48 hours prior to the meeting date. Written comments mailed to the Village Hall, and online comments submitted on the Village website, will be accepted by the Community and Economic Development Department through June 4, 2024 until 5:00 PM.

Office of the Village Clerk Village of Bensenville

(Published in the Addison Independent, Bensenville Independent & Villa Park Review May 16, 2024) 455701

LEGAL NOTICE/PUBLIC NOTICE NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a Meeting of the Community Development Commission of the Village of Bensenville, DuPage and Cook Counties, will be held on Tuesday, June 4, 2024 at 6:30 P.M, at which a Public Hearing will be held to review case No. 2024 –13 to consider a request for:

Variation, Fence in the Corner Side Yard Municipal Code 10 – 7 – 4C – 7A

At 807 Dennis Drive is an existing R-2 Single-Unit Dwelling District. The Public Hearing will be held in the Village Board Room at Village Hall, 12 S. Center Street, Bensenville.

The Legal Description is as follows:

LOT 24 IN BRENTWOOD TERRACE, A SUBDICISION OF PART OF THE SOUTH HALF OF SECTION 24 AND PART OF THE NORTHWEST QUARTER OF SECTION 25, TOWNSHIP 40 NORTH, RANGE 11 EAST OF THE THIRD PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN, ACCORDING THE PLAT THEREOF RECORDED NOVEMBER 10, 1956 AS DOCUMENT NO. 823155 AND CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION RECORDED DECEMBER 14, 1956 AS DOCUMENT NO. 826909 AND CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION RECORDED SEPTEMBER 12, 1957 AS DOCUMENT NUMBER 856155, IN DUPAGE COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

Commonly known as 807 Dennis Drive, Bensenville, Illinois 60106.

Joshua Berngard of 807 Dennis Drive, Bensenville, Illinois 60106 is the owner and the applicant for the subject property.

Any individual with a disability requiring a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in any public meeting held under the authority of the Village of Bensenville should contact the Village Clerk, Village of Bensenville, 12 S. Center St., Bensenville, IL 60106, (630) 766-8200, at least three (3) days in advance of the meeting.

Applicant’s application and supporting documentation may be examined by any interested parties in the office of the Community and Economic Development Department, Monday through Friday, in the Village Hall, 12 South Center Street, Bensenville, IL 60106. All interested parties may attend the Public Hearing and be heard. A link for electronic viewing will be posted on the Village website at least 48 hours prior to the meeting date. Written comments mailed to the Village Hall, and online comments submitted on the Village website, will be accepted by the Community and Economic Development Department through June 4, 2024 until 5:00 PM.

Office of the Village Clerk Village of Bensenville

(Published in the Addison Independent, Bensenville Independent & Villa Park Review May 16, 2024) 455702

LEGAL NOTICE/PUBLIC NOTICE NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a Meeting of the Community Development Commission of the Village of Bensenville, DuPage and Cook Counties, will be held on Tuesday, June 4, 2024 at 6:30 P.M, at which a Public Hearing will be held to review case No. 2024 – 14 to consider a request for:

Planned Unit Development Amendment Municipal Code 10 – 4 – 4

With the following Code Departures

C-2 District Requirements, Maximum Front Setback Municipal Code Section 10-6-18-1

C-2 District Requirements, Minimum Transparency Municipal Code Section 10-6-18-1

Maximum Driveway Width Municipal Code 10-8-8-1

Parking Design Standards: C-2 District Standards Municipal Code 10-8-6L

Parking Lot Perimeter Landscaping Municipal Code 10-9-5B-1C-2

Parking Lot Interior Landscape Island Spacing Municipal Code 10-9-5C-1

Refuse Area Location Municipal Code 10-9-7B-1

Refuse Area Screening Municipal Code 10-9-7B-3

At 1005 Commerce Court is an existing C-2 Commercial District. The Public Hearing will be held in the Village Board Room at Village Hall, 12 S. Center Street, Bensenville.

The Legal Description is as follows:

LOT 2 IN SEXTON PROEPRTY RESUBDIVISION, BEING A SUBDIVISION OF PART OF THE NORTHEAST QUARTER OF SECTION 25, TOWNSHIP 40 NORTH, RANGE 11 EAST OF THE THIRD PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN, ACCORDING TO THE PLAT THEREOF RECORDED NOVEMBER 5, 2020 AS DOCUMENT R2020-131035, IN DUPAGE COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

Commonly known as 1005 Commerce Ct, Bensenville, Illinois 60106.

Grand County LLC of 2233 West Street, River Grove, IL 60171 is the owner and the applicant for the subject property.

Any individual with a disability requiring a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in any public meeting held under the authority of the Village of Bensenville should contact the Village Clerk, Village of Bensenville, 12 S. Center St., Bensenville, IL 60106, (630) 766-8200, at least three (3) days in advance of the meeting.

Applicant’s application and supporting documentation may be examined by any interested parties in the office of the Community and Economic Development Department, Monday through Friday, in the Village Hall, 12 South Center Street, Bensenville, IL 60106. All interested parties may attend the Public Hearing and be heard. A link for electronic viewing will be posted on the Village website at least 48 hours prior to the meeting date. Written comments mailed to the Village Hall, and online comments submitted on the Village website, will be accepted by the Community and Economic

Development Department through June 4, 2024 until 5:00 PM.

Office of the Village Clerk Village of Bensenville

(Published in the Addison Independent, Bensenville Independent & Villa Park Review May 16, 2024) 455703

LEGAL NOTICE/PUBLIC NOTICE NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a Meeting of the Community Development Commission of the Village of Bensenville, DuPage and Cook Counties, will be held on Tuesday, June 4, 2024 at 6:30 P.M, at which a Public Hearing will be held to review case No. 2024 – 14 to consider a request for:

Zoning Map Amendment, I-2 General Industrial District to C-2 Commercial District Municipal Code 10 – 3 – 6

At 1100 N Route 83 is an existing I-2 General Industrial District. The Public Hearing will be held in the Village Board Room at Village Hall, 12 S. Center Street, Bensenville.

The Legal Description is as follows:

PARCEL 1:

LOT 3 (EXCEPT THE WEST 171.73 FEET THEREOF) OF THORNDALE BUSINESS PARK IN BENSENVILLE, A SUBDIVISION IN THE NORHTEAST ¼ OF SECTION 3, TOWNSHIP 40 NORTH, RANGE 11 EAST OF THE THIRD PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN, ACCORDING TO A PLAT THEREOF RECORDED SEPTEMBER 4, 1974 AS DOCUMENT R74 – 45805, IN DUPAGE COUNTY, ILLINOIS

PARCEL 2: A NON-EXCLUSIVE EASEMENT FOR THE BENEFIT OF PARCEL 1 AS CREATED BY PARKING AND EASEMENT AGREEMENT DATED DECEMBER 20, 1977 AND RECORDED JANUARY 4, 1978 AS DOCUMENT R78 – 01007, MADE BY AND BETWEEN DENNY’S INC., A CALIFORNIA CORPORATION, AND THORNDALE RACQUET HOUSE, INC. FOR PASSAGE OF MOTOR VEHICLES AND PEDESTRIAN TRAFFIC TO AND FROM PARCEL 1 AFORESAID, OVER THE FOLLOWING DESCRIBED LAND:

THE EAST 27 FEET OF THE WEST 171.73 FEET OF LOT 3 IN THORNDALE BUSINESS PARK IN BENSENVILLE, A SUBDIVISION IN THE NORTHEAST ¼ OF SECTION 3, TOWNSHIP 40 NORTH, RANGE 11 EAST OF THE THIRD PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN, ACCORDING TO A PLAT THEREOF RECORDED SEPTEMBER 4, 1974 AS DOCUMENT R74 – 45805.

CONTAINING 60,000.3916 SQ. FT.

Commonly known as 1100 N. Illinois Route 83, Bensenville, Illinois 60106.

The Zoning Map Amendment is being sought by the Village Board.

Any individual with a disability requiring a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in any public meeting held under the authority of the Village of Bensenville should contact the Village Clerk, Village of Bensenville, 12 S. Center St., Bensenville, IL 60106, (630) 766-8200, at least three (3) days in advance of the meeting.

Applicant’s application and supporting documentation may be examined by any interested parties in the office of the Community and Economic Development Department, Monday through Friday, in the Village Hall, 12 South Center Street, Bensenville, IL 60106. All interested parties may attend the Public Hearing and be heard. A link for electronic viewing will be posted on the Village website at least 48 hours prior to the meeting date. Written comments mailed

to the Village Hall, and online comments submitted on the Village website, will be accepted by the Community and Economic Development Department through June 4, 2024 until 5:00 PM.

Office of the Village Clerk Village of Bensenville

(Published in the Addison Independent, Bensenville Independent & Villa Park Review May 16, 2024) 455704

LEGAL NOTICE/PUBLIC NOTICE NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a Meeting of the Community Development Commission of the Village of Bensenville, DuPage and Cook Counties, will be held on Tuesday, June 4, 2024 at 6:30 P.M, at which a Public Hearing will be held to review case No. 2024 – 16 to consider a request for:

Special Use Permit, Motor Vehicle Repair and/or Service Municipal Code 10 – 7 – 2 – 1

At 500 Eastern Avenue is an existing I-2 General Industrial District. The Public Hearing will be held in the Village Board Room at Village Hall, 12. S. Center Street, Bensenville.

The Legal Description is as follows: LOTS 15 AND 16 IN DEVON-ELLIS RESUBDIVISION, BEING A RESUBDIVISION IN THE WEST HALF OF THE NORTHEAST QUARTER AND THE EAST HALF OF THE NORTHWEST QUARTER OF SECTION 2, TOWNSHIP 40 NORTH, RANGE 11 EAST OF THE THIRD PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN, ACCORDING TO THE PLAT THEREOF RECORDED SEPTEMBER 11, 1985 AS DOCUMENT R85-76742, EXEPTING THEREFROM THAT PART OF LOT 16 CONVEYED TO THE VILLAGE OF BENSENVILLE BY WARRANTY DEED RECORDED MAY 8, 1989 AS DOCUMENT NUMBER R89-001255 DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS: THAT PART OF LOT 16 LYING WEST OF A LINE DRAWN PERPENDICULAR TO THE NRTH LINE THEREOF THROUGH A POINT THEREIN 100.0 FEET EAST OF THE NORTHWEST CORNER THEREOF, IN DUPAGE COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

Commonly known as 500 Eastern Avenue, Bensenville, Illinois 60106.

Mario’s Trucking Services Inc., represented by Magdalena Zdzichowski, of 500 Eastern Avenue is the owner and applicant for the subject property.

Any individual with a disability requiring a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in any public meeting held under the authority of the Village of Bensenville should contact the Village Clerk, Village of Bensenville, 12 S. Center St., Bensenville, IL 60106, (630) 766-8200, at least three (3) days in advance of the meeting.

Applicant’s application and supporting documentation may be examined by any interested parties in the office of the Community and Economic Development Department, Monday through Friday, in the Village Hall, 12 South Center Street, Bensenville, IL 60106. All interested parties may attend the Public Hearing and be heard. A link for electronic viewing will be posted on the Village website at least 48 hours prior to the meeting date. Written comments mailed to the Village Hall, and online comments submitted on the Village website, will be accepted by the Community and Economic Development Department through June 4, 2024 until 5:00 PM.

Office of the Village Clerk Village of Bensenville

(Published

Junior Mackenzie Fodrey of Glenbard East’s girls track and field team will compete in the triple jump at this week’s IHSA Class 3A state meet.

Fodrey earned her state-meet berth with a second-place finish in the triple jump at Friday’s Lake Park Sectional in Roselle.

The top two finishers in each event at the sectional automatically qualified for the state meet, which takes place this Friday and Saturday at Eastern Illinois University in Charleston.

Fodrey traveled 36 feet, 10½ inches in her best jump at the sectional.

Rams capture title at the Upstate Eight Conference Meet

The Rams amassed a total of 130.5 team points in their first-place finish at the 10-team conference meet. West Chicago placed second with its total of 104 points. Bartlett claimed third with its score of 99 points.

Fodrey delivered a first-place finish in the triple jump at the conference meet. She traveled 34 feet, 5¾ inches in her best attempt of the meet. Fodrey also tied for second in the pole vault, clearing 7 feet, 9 inches in her best effort of the day.

Senior Catey Carney of the Rams finished second in the shot put and fifth in the discus throw. Her best attempt of the meet in the shot put covered 33 feet, 8 inches. Her top effort in the discus throw sailed 91 feet, 8

Nine days before competing at the Lake Park Sectional, Glenbard East’s girls track and field team won the championship at the Upstate Eight Conference Meet, which took place at Elgin High School on May 1.

Sophomore Andie Novak provided Glenbard East with a second-place finish in the 800-meter run, which she completed in 2 minutes, 32.76 seconds. Sophomore Alexandra Van Dam of the Rams earned second-place honors in the 400-meter run, which she finished in 1 minute, 1.61 seconds.

Junior Isabella Zucchero of Glenbard East ran to a second-place finish in the 300-meter hurdles, which she completed in 50.2 seconds. Sophomore Amanda Hadraba of the Rams placed third in the same race, which she finished in 55.73 seconds.

Glenbard East sophomore Allison Yuknis secured a third-place finish in the 100-meter hurdles, which she completed in 18.34 seconds. Junior Elena Kosorog of the Rams finished fourth in the 3,200-meter run (12:06.58) and fifth in the 1,600-meter run (5:48.44).

Glenbard East’s foursome of Novak, freshman Taylor Griffith, Van Dam and senior Samantha Kelly ran to a first-place finish in the 4 x 400-meter relay. The four Rams completed the race in a winning time of 4 minutes, 22.97 seconds.

Willowbrook graduate joins St. Louis Cardinals Pitcher makes three relief appearances in four days

Willowbrook High School graduate Chris Roycroft made his Major League Baseball debut with the St. Louis Cardinals last week.

Roycroft, a who graduated from Willowbrook in 2015, was called up from the Cardinals’ Triple-A team—the Memphis Redbirds—on May 6. The right-handed pitcher made his big-league debut in the Cardinals’ 7-5 home loss to the New York Mets on May 7. He pitched one inning in relief against the Mets, allowing two hits and one earned run.

Roycroft, 26, came out of the bullpen to pitch one scoreless inning in the Cardinals’ 7-1 loss at Milwaukee on May 9. One day later, he pitched one and two-third scoreless innings in relief in his team’s 11-2 loss to the Brewers.

Roycroft, who is 6 feet 8 inches tall, played baseball and basketball at Willowbrook. He then played baseball and basketball at Aurora University.

In four seasons with the Aurora University baseball program, Roycroft had a 17-3 record with eight saves. He recorded 184 strikeouts in 181 innings as a Spartan. He was not drafted after he finished his collegiate baseball career in 2019. After pitching for the Joliet Slammers in the independent Frontier League in 2021 and 2022, Roycroft was signed by the Cardinals in the middle of the 2022 season.

Rams beat the Raiders

Glenbard East’s boys volleyball team improved to 7-0 in Upstate Eight Conference play and 2013 overall following last week’s 25-20, 25-23 conference win over Glenbard South in Lombard. Senior Aidan Weltin provided 18 kills and nine digs for the Rams in their victory over the Raiders on May 9.

Senior Jack Junior handed out 16 assists for Glenbard East. Sophomore Max McDermott contributed 10 assists for the Rams, while senior Payton Stieve (No. 5 - above) made 14 digs. Glenbard East concluded its conference season with a May 14 home match against Bartlett. The Rams will wrap up their regular season with tonight’s non-conference home match against Benet Academy. Glenbard East will open the IHSA post-season with a quarterfinal match against Naperville Central at the Lockport Regional on May 20. If the Rams beat Naperville Central, they would face Hinsdale South or Naperville North in a

semifinal on May 21. The regional final takes place on May 23.

Chris Roycroft

Chris Fox photo Rock Valley Publishing

A good week for the Broncos

The Montini Catholic baseball team won three of four games last week to raise its overall season record to 21-9-1. After opening the week with a 7-6 loss to St. Francis on May 6, the Broncos defeated Riverside-Brookfield 2-0 in Lombard on May 8. Montini ended its week with two more home victories—a 7-3 win over Harvest Christian Academy on Friday and an 8-3 triumph over St. Patrick on Saturday. In last week’s game against Riverside-Brookfield, senior Cash Campbell gave the Broncos a 1-0 lead when he singled to drive in a run in the third inning. Montini senior Anthony Manganello raised the lead to 2-0 when he drilled a solo home run to right field in the fifth inning. Manganello is pictured (top left) while rounding the bases after his homer. He is also pictured (No. 33 - above) while celebrating with several of his teammates after he crossed home plate. Senior Jack Calcagno pitched six and two-third innings for the Broncos in their win over Riverside-Brookfield. Calcagno, who is pictured (left) while making a pitch during the contest, allowed four hits and four walks while recording 11 strikeouts. Junior Drew Church relieved Calcagno with the bases loaded and two outs in the top of the seventh inning. Church struck out the first batter he faced to end the game. Junior Max Bell and Campbell both homered in last week’s loss to St. Francis in Lombard. Bell hit a bases-loaded homer in the sixth inning. His grand slam cut the Spartans’ lead to 7-5. Campbell added a solo homer in the seventh inning. Campbell hit another solo homer in Friday’s game against Harvest Christian Academy. Manganello and senior Quinn Boyer homered for Montini in Saturday’s win. Boyer bashed a two-run homer in the bottom of the first inning to cut St. Patrick’s lead to 3-2. Manganello launched a three-run homer in the bottom of the second inning to give the Broncos a 5-3 lead. Montini will finish its regular season this week. The Broncos will begin the IHSA Class 3A post-season by hosting a regional next week. Montini will face Timothy Christian in a regional semifinal on May 23. The winner of that game will face Wheaton Academy or Fenton in the regional final on May 25.

Warriors earn a playoff victory

Willowbrook’s girls soccer team opened IHSA Class 3A post-season action with Saturday’s 1-0 win over DeKalb in a regional quarterfinal in Villa Park. Freshman Lilli Macias (No. 4 - right) of the Warriors scored the only goal of the match on a free kick with 3:04 left in the second half. Macias’ kick caromed off of a DeKalb player before rolling into the net. Junior goalkeeper Payton Brose delivered a shutout performance for Willowbrook, which improved its overall season record to 3-10-3 and advanced to this week’s regional semifinal against St. Charles North at the Batavia Regional. The Warriors, who are pictured above after Saturday’s win over DeKalb, completed their regular season by playing Providence Catholic to a 1-1 tie in Villa Park on May 9. Senior Grace Soltys (No. 3, pictured top right during Saturday’s match) scored Willowbrook’s lone goal in that contest; her first-half goal evened the score at 1-1.

CHris Fox pHotos Rock Valley Publishing

CHris Fox pHotos Rock Valley Publishing

Warriors place fifth in their own tournament

The Willowbrook boys volleyball team won three of five matches and earned a fifth-place finish in its own 12-team tournament, which took place on Friday and Saturday. The Warriors opened the event with Friday’s 27-25, 25-16 loss to Glenbard North. Willowbrook then beat Larkin 25-8, 25-17 on Friday to finish second in its three-team pool. The Warriors opened Saturday’s action with a 25-21, 25-11 loss to Plainfield East. In its next match, Willowbrook defeated Joliet Catholic 25-13, 25-15. The Warriors completed the event with a 27-25, 25-22 victory over Highland Park in the fifth-place match. Two photos from Saturday’s match against Highland Park show Willowbrook seniors Carter Ferguson (No. 9 - near right) and Andrew Ciesinski (No. 11- far right) Willowbrook’s overall season record at the end of the tournament stood at 12-20. Plainfield East beat Glenbard North 25-16, 25-11 in Saturday’s championship match at the Warriors’ tournament. Earlier in the week, Willowbrook edged Addison Trail 27-25, 21-25, 25-17 in a West Suburban Gold Conference battle in Villa Park. Ciesinski bashed 20 kills in the Warriors’ May 7 win over the Blazers. Ferguson provided 20 assists and seven kills. Senior Jason Hasler supplied 12 kills for Willowbrook. Sophomore Marty Pelesinas contributed 14 assists. The Warriors finished their regular season with this week’s conference match against Proviso East. Willowbrook will open IHSA post-season play by facing Plainfield South in a quarterfinal match at the Oswego East Regional on May 20.

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A Smile You Just Can’t Hide

& Family Dentistry H No Shot Dentistry H Implants

• Gentle dental care for adults and children.

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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.

3045 WI-67, Lake Geneva, WI 53147. This is a private sale. Contact Randy, the seller at randy@slpublishers.com.

Furniture

BURGUNDY LOVE SEAT FOR SALE, good condition, asking $100. 630-674-5201

Misc. For Sale

8 QUILTS FOR SALE, for more information, please call 630-8325730

Personals

Storage Rentals

who is inter-

in going out to dinner, concerts, shows, movies, etc. If interested, please call 630-782-1006

Campers and RVs

1994 WINNEBAGO WARRIER 22’ V8 454 engine, 97,200 miles. Newer tires,

Business & Service DIRECTORY

that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis. To complain of discrimination call HUD tollfree at 1-900-669-9777. The toll-free tele phone number for the hearing impaired is 1-800-927-9275. EQUAL HOUSING

Residential

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