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Memorial Day in Villa Park

Graduation day at Willowbrook

Villa Park Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 2801 conducted its annual Memorial Day service on Monday morning at Cortesi Veterans Memorial Park, 318 E. Kenilworth Ave. Post Commander Jim Blankshain is pictured (top right) while speaking during the service to honor the members of the United States Armed Forces who died in defense of their country. Anna Seelbach, who recently graduated from Willowbrook High School, sounded taps at the end of Monday’s ceremony. She is pictured (bottom right) as (left to right) Blankshain, Post Vice Commander Jim Urso and Post Junior Vice Commander Mike Spacucello salute in the background.

Play at the plate

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

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

Arbor Day in Villa Park

InsIde:

Memorial Day in Villa Park

Villa Park Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 2801 held its Memorial Day service on Monday morning at Cortesi Veterans Memorial Park. Post Commander Jim Blankshain is pictured bowing his head as Willowbrook High School students Lily Hendrickson and Anna Seelbach sound taps at the 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.

To receive that recognition, a community must have a tree board or department, a tree-care ordinance, a comprehensive com-

Villa Park Review

CHRIS FOX PHOTOS Villa Park Review

Care For Your Smile and Let It Brighten

• Gentle dental care for adults and children.

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• Watch movies or listen to music while you have your teeth fixed. • Whitening, implants, and smile makeovers.

Addison Trail, Willowbrook participate in annual WSC Sports Spectacular

On Friday, May 26, Willowbrook hosted the annual West Suburban Conference (WSC) Sports Spectacular.

During the event, nearly 180 students with special needs filled Willowbrook’s field house, gymnasiums and room C2, all from four schools in the West Suburban Conference (Addison Trail, Willowbrook, Hin-

sdale South and Hinsdale Central), as well as the School Association for Special Education in DuPage County (SASED).

The event began with opening ceremonies to introduce the schools in attendance. The pupils played basketball, cosmic bowling, balloon badminton and more. There were other games, activities, karaoke and

tasty treats.

The Sports Spectacular was founded in 1994 by a group of West Suburban Conference athletic directors.

Retired Addison Trail physical education teacher Sheri D’Ambrose wanted to continue the event to offer students an atmosphere of fun, and District 88 looks forward to keeping the event going for years to come.

Disrict 88, Elmhurst University collaboration program earns national grant

District 88 is committed to providing multiple and flexible pathways for students to ensure they are college and career ready and continues to partner with colleges/universities and local businesses to enhance these opportunities.

One of those collaborations is with Elmhurst University, to provide students with access to courses that allow them to earn college credit.

The district has announced that Addison Trail, Willowbrook and Elmhurst University have received a $59,404 grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH)

See GRANT, Page 13

Willowbrook student Casey Barnes enjoys a snow cone treat during the annual West Suburban Conference Sports Spectacular that included Addison Trail, Hinsdale South and Hinsdale Central, as well as the School Association for Special Education in DuPage County (SASED).

Addison Trail special education teacher Jessica Sokolowski (left) sings “Let It Go” with Addison Trail students Brianna Duncan (center) and Geronimo Galan Jr., as they participate in karaoke during the annual West Suburban Conference Sports Spectacular. The event took place on May 26 at Willowbrook.

SUBMITTED PHOTOS Rock Valley Publishing

Villa Park reView

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240 N. West Avenue Elmhurst, IL. 60126

Main Phone 630.834-8244 Fax 630.834-0900

The Villa Park Review is published every Thursday by Rock Valley Publishing, LLC, 240 N. West Avenue, Elmhurst, IL. 60126.

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The Villa Park Review is mailed to the 60181 zip code areas for $45.00 yearly. Out-of-area mail subscriptions are $50.00 yearly. For home delivery information call 630.834-8244.

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Villa Park to honor seven veterans from World Wars I and II and Korea on June 17

The Village of Villa Park has proclaimed Saturday, June 17, as Veterans’ Remembrance Day in honor of seven Villa Park veterans’ service to our country.

World War I veterans Charles Doswell, Frank Bonfield and Stanley Ohlman; World War II veterans William Hruska, Edwin Forsberg and Stanley Moldenhauer; and Korean War veteran Floyd Haynes and their remains will be honored at a memorial service at 1 p.m. June 17 at Knollcrest-Steuerle Chapel, 350 S. Ardmore Ave.

This event is inspired and coordinated by Eagle Scout Candidate, Cooper Merrinette of Troop 99, Tall Grass District of southeastern DuPage County. Knollcrest-Steuerle Chapel has been stewards of the seven veterans’ cremated remains, since their passing. No one has been able to identify any living relatives of these veterans to transfer their remains to.

Ultimately, their cremains will be interred in the Columbarium at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery, Elwood, Ill., with honors for final disposition.

The June 17 ceremony at Knollcrest-Steuerle Chapel will include DuPage County Chairwoman Deb Conroy, Villa Park Village President Nick Cuzzone, a chaplain, and local veterans organizations, as well as musicians, military representatives assigned by the Veterans Administration and several Scouts.

Police conducted increased traffic enforcement during Memorial Day period

The Villa Park Police Department recently announced it would step up enforcement for the Memorial Day “Click It or Ticket” campaign that ran from May 19-30, and reminded motorists to buckle up for safety.

“Click It or Ticket” leverages education and enforcement to save lives.

“Seat belts have proven to be life-saving in the event of a crash,” said Villa Park Police Sgt. James Cihak. “Unfortunately, many still don’t buckle up. Worse yet, not wearing a seat belt is a habit that can be passed on to younger generations who follow the example set by their elders.”

Memorial Day weekend marked the unofficial start of summer, a popular time for traveling to visit family and friends. Whether you are traveling down the block or across the country this summer, make sure you buckle up every time.

Wearing a seat belt can reduce the risk of fatal injury by 45 percent. Seat belts save lives every day, but they’re only effective if they’re used.

While Illinois currently has a 93 percent eat belt use compliance rate, unbelted occupants still account for more than half of those killed in motor vehicle crashes.

The simple click of a seat belt could save thousands of lives each year. The “Click It or Ticket” campaign is administered by the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) with federal highway safety funds.

Forest preserve district cautions drivers to watch out for turtles

The Forest Preserve District of DuPage County reminds drivers to watch for turtles on the roads as these reptiles become more active in the spring.

Now through October, streets near lakes, ponds and marshes can be frequent crossing sites for turtles in search of water, food, and mates. Now to mid-July, females may travel even further away from the water to find just the right spot to dig their nests.

“Turtles aren’t able to move quickly to avoid cars, so it’s up to drivers to avoid hitting them,” said district ecologist Dan Thompson. “Car horns and flashing lights have no effect on turtles; they simply can’t move any faster to get out of the way.”

Motorists can avoid turtles by following basic rules of the road, including focusing on driving, following the speed limit and not tailgating.

Drivers should never stop abruptly on busy roads.

Despite their hard shells, turtle bodies have little protection from injury. The loss of one adult turtle is significant to the overall population. For example, a 30-year-old state-endangered female Blanding’s turtle can lay a dozen or more eggs each year and live 70 or 80 years. The loss of that one female would mean the loss of the 500 or more hatchlings she would have produced in her remaining life.

Making matters worse, hatchlings have low survival rates, and those that survive take 14 to 20 years to reach sexual maturity. In effect, at least 90 percent of adult Blanding’s turtles must survive each year to simply sustain the population.

Anyone who finds an injured turtle should consult the Forest Preserve District’s Willowbrook Wildlife

Church offers free chair yoga classes

Community Presbyterian Church in Lombard at 1111 E. Madison is offering free chair yoga to all. Classes meet at 1 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, with some exceptions for holidays.

The class has both men and women participants, and caters to many different levels of flexibility and agility. Many participants are in their late 80s, but others are in early 60s or even 50s. You do not need to know yoga poses or have practiced before. We welcome everyone, and each can do to their own ability. The program is designed to work around injuries so that participants can grow in strength.

Call the church office at 630-627-0306 to let them know you are coming. The church provides all equipment; no need for special mats.

Classes are held in the church basement, and entry is through the door at the back of the church on the southeast corner. In the rare instance the class is canceled, it will be announced on the website. (www.CPCLombard.com).

Center in Glen Ellyn, which provides care and medical treatment to injured, orphaned and sick native wild animals. The animal admittance area is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, but people are asked to call 630-9426200 before heading to the center.

DuPage County is home to a variety of native turtle species, including musk, snapping, eastern spiny softshell, common map, painted, and Blanding’s.

For information, call 630-9337200 or visit dupageforest.org, where you can also link to the District’s e-newsletter and Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and TikTok pages.

State Rep. BlairSherlock to have a team at American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life

State Rep. Diane Blair-Sherlock, D-Villa Park, will be leading “Team Blair-Sherlock” at the Relay for Life of Elmhurst, Addison, Lombard and Villa Park on Friday, June 9, at the The Hub at Berens Park, located at 493 Oaklawn Ave. in Elmhurst.

Registration begins at 7 p.m., and the race kicks off at 8 p.m. This year, there is a Glow for Hope 1-Mile Walk with Luminaria to honor those who have been touched by cancer.

If you would like to join “Team Blair-Sherlock” or make a donation, visit https://bit.ly/TeamBlair-Sherlock. For more information on the event, call 630-415-3520 or email JaxWest.D46@gmail.com.

SUBMITTED PHOTO Rock Valley Publishing

From left to right: Jeff Merrinette, Troop 99 Tall Grass District Scout Master; Eric Shoesmith, funeral director at Knollcrest-Steuerle Funeral Home; Cooper Merrinette of Troop 99, Eagle Scout candidate; and Villa Park Village President Nick Cuzzone are shown here after Cuzzone presented a proclamation declaring Saturday, June 17 as Veterans’ Remembrance Day in Villa Park.

Warriors nearly pull off an upset against Glenbard East

Willowbrook can’t convert a match point against the Rams, who edge Warriors in a three-game thriller

The Willowbrook boys volleyball team almost delivered an upset victory in its post-season opener against Glenbard East at last week’s IHSA Naperville Central Regional.

The Warriors won the opening game of their regional quarterfinal against the Rams on May 22. Glenbard East won the second game to even the match and force a decisive third game. Willowbrook held a lead late in the third game and had a match point after taking a 24-23 lead, but the Warriors were unable to close out a victory.

Glenbard East, which won the final three points of the match, edged the Warriors 23-25, 25-19, 26-24.

Willowbrook finished its season with an overall record of 10-26.

The Warriors entered the post-season as the No. 25 seed in the 30-team Oswego Sectional. Glenbard East was the sectional’s No. 8 seed.

“It was quite the match; we just couldn’t pull it out,” said Willowbrook coach Ryan Bazon of last week’s battle against the Rams. “The boys played extremely hard and I was proud of them.”

Junior Andrew Ciesinski provided a team-leading 11 kills for Willowbrook in their post-season battle against the Rams. Senior Pat-

rick Dasbach supplied nine kills for the Warriors, while senior Teronce Walker contributed seven kills and seven blocks.

Willowbrook junior Carter Ferguson handed out 25 assists and made four digs. Freshman Jonnie Gosmire delivered four digs for the Warriors.

Willowbrook began its 2023 season with a home match against the Rams on March 21. That contest also lasted three games, with Glenbard East earning a 25-15, 22-25, 25-14 win.

After beating the Warriors on May 22, the Rams defeated Plainfield North 25-19, 25-23 in a regional semifinal at Naperville Central on May 23. Glenbard East’s season ended with a 25-20, 25-17 loss to Lyons Township in the regional final on May 25.

Glenbard East finished its season with an overall record of 25-13. Lyons Township, which is the No. 1 seed in the Oswego Sectional, beat Hinsdale Central 25-21, 25-20 in a sectional semifinal contest on Saturday. The Lions faced Downers Grove North in a sectional final earlier this week. The winner of that match advanced to the IHSA state quarterfinals, which begin this Friday at Hoffman Estates High School.

Warriors’ season ends with 1-0 playoff loss to the Tigers

STAFF REPORT

The Willowbrook baseball team opened IHSA Class 4A post-season play with last week’s 1-0 loss to Wheaton Warrenville South in a semifinal game at the Lake Park Regional in Roselle.

The Warriors finished their season with an overall record of 22-11.

The Tigers scored the only run of the May 24 game in the top of the third inning.

A Wheaton Warrenville South player reached base on a one-out single. He then stole second base and scored on a teammate’s single.

The Tigers connected for only three hits in the game. After picking up two singles in the third inning, Wheaton Warrenville South managed one more hit—a leadoff single in the top of the fourth inning.

Junior left-hander Gabe Ness pitched the first five innings of the post-season contest for the Warriors. Ness allowed one run, three hits and two walks. He struck out four batters.

Senior right-hander Alex Chaltin took the mound in relief of Ness and fired two scoreless innings. Chaltin retired the side in order in both the sixth and seventh innings. He recorded three strikeouts.

Willowbrook picked up five hits against the Tigers. The Warriors didn’t pick up any hits in the bottom of the seventh inning, but they had runners on first and second base with no outs. Willowbrook still had runners on first and second base after a fielder’s choice. The Warriors’ next two batters struck out to end the game.

Senior Joey Tumilty went 2-for-3 in Willowbrook’s post-season opener. Junior Aiden Baerenklau also went 2-for-3 for the Warriors, while senior James Degnan went 1-for-3.

Willowbrook entered the IHSA Class 4A playoffs as the No. 3 seed in the South Elgin Sectional. Wheaton Warrenville South, which finished the regular season with a 10-21 record, is the sectional’s No. 15 seed.

After beating the Warriors in the regional semifinal, the Tigers beat Lake Park 5-3 in nine innings in Saturday’s regional final. The Tigers, who improved their overall season record to 12-21 with the win, advanced to this week’s sectional semifinal game against Batavia at Judson University in Elgin. The winner of that contest will face either St. Charles East or York in this Saturday’s sectional final.

CHRIS FOX FILE PHOTO Rock Valley Publishing Willowbrook’s boys volleyball team finished its season with a three-game loss to Glenbard East in last week’s IHSA regional quarterfinal at Naperville Central High School. The Warriors won the opening game of the May 22 match. Glenbard East won the second game to force a decisive third game. Willowbrook had a match point after taking a 24-23 lead in the third game, but the Rams won the next three points to earn a 23-25, 25-19, 26-24 win. Willowbrook finished its season with an overall record of 10-26. Senior Patrick Dasbach (No. 15) of the Warriors, who is pictured earlier this season, contributed nine kills during last week’s post-season battle against Glenbard East. Junior Andrew Ciesinski drilled a team-leading 11 kills for the Warriors. Glenbard East won its next playoff match, beating Plainfield North in a regional semifinal. The Rams’ season ended with a loss to Lyons Township in the final of the Naperville Central Regional.

Warriors finish season with a loss to Lyons Township

STAFF REPORT

The Willowbrook softball team opened the IHSA Class 4A post-season with last week’s 18-4 loss to Lyons Township at the Riverside-Brookfield Regional.

The Warriors finished their season with an overall record of 17-15.

Willowbrook entered the post-season as the No. 6 seed in the 16-team Marist Sectional. Lyons Township is the sectional’s No. 11 seed. The two teams met during the regular season, with the Warriors earning an 11-1 victory in a six-inning game in Villa Park on April 12.

The Lions scored three runs in the

top of the third inning to take a 3-0 lead in the May 24 post-season contest against the Warriors. The Lions erupted for nine runs in the fourth inning to build a 12-0 lead. Willowbrook scored four runs in the bottom of the fourth inning. Lyons Township piled on six runs in the top of the fifth inning. The Lions finished off their five-inning victory by holding the Warriors scoreless in the bottom of the fifth inning.

Lyons Township lashed 15 hits during last week’s victory over the Warriors. Willowbrook committed five errors in the game.

Three days after beating the

Warriors, the Lions beat Riverside-Brookfield 15-3 in Saturday’s regional final. Lyons Township advanced to this week’s Marist Sectional. The Lions faced York in a sectional semifinal. The winner will tangle with either Marist or Mother McAuley in this Friday’s sectional final.

Junior Lindsey Rugg went 2-for-3 and scored one run for Willowbrook in last week’s post-season loss to Lyons Township. Senior Kayleigh Dennison went 1-for-2 and scored one run. Sophomore Sonia Ruchala went 1-for-3 and drove in one run for the Warriors, while senior Chloe Klamecki went 1-for-1.

Ness and Chaltin hold Wheaton Warrenville South to three hits; Tigers score the game’s lone run in third inning

Police Reports

Area police departments recently reported the following arrests and citations.

Readers are reminded that an arrest does not constitute a conviction, and that suspects are considered innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.

Persons charged with domestic battery are not named in order to protect the privacy of victims. Juveniles age 17 or younger are not named.

Addison

May 16

Jose Jimenez Caprio, 32, of Addison, was charged with two counts of DUI near Lake and Swift at 9:39 p.m.

David E. Lepey, 27, of Crystal Lake, was charged with theft at 9:52 p.m.

May 14

Cirilo Perez-Babian, 42, of Chicago, was charged with DUI and failure to reduce speed near Mill and Willow at 6:43 p.m.

Semaj N. Jackson, 24, of Chicago, was charged with two counts of violation of an order of protection near State and North at 4:58 p.m.

Mira Patel, 26, of Hoffman Estates, was charged with two counts of DUI, expired license and speeding 40 mph or more over the limit near Lake and Marcus at 2:06 a.m.

May 12

Rumen Y. Grigorov, 33, of Des Plaines, was charged with DUI near Addison and Byron at 7:41 p.m.

Holger A. Ortega Sangurima, 37, of Melrose Park, was charged with two counts of DUI near Lake and Iowa at 2:46 a.m.

May 11

Deonte Hill, 25, of Chicago, was charged with criminal trespassing to vehicles at 1:42 p.m.

Daniel Loe Herrera, 32, of Elmhurst, was charged with DUI, aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, improper bumpers and speeding 40 mph or more over the limit near Lake and Bruce at 2:05 a.m.

May 10

A 33-year-old Chicago man was charged with two counts of domestic battery, violation of an order of protection and criminal trespassing to vehicles near 5 th and Kostner at 2:08 p.m.

A 23-year-old Villa Park woman was charged with two counts of domestic battery in the 700 block of N. Highview at 1:41 a.m.

Villa Park

May 20

A complainant at a business in the 600 block of S. Route 83 reported at 8:59 a.m. that a suspect was causing a disturbance and damaged some property in the office.

A complainant in the 900 block of W. North reported that several subjects were fighting in the area. No complaints are to be signed.

May 19

Police said Mellissa Rosinski,

26, of Villa Park, was arrested on a failure to appear warrant out of DuPage County.

A complainant in the 1-100 block of W. Roosevelt reported at 4:41 p.m. that a suspect was harassing them telephone.

May 18

Christopher M. Becerra, 26, of Addison, was charged with violation of domestic violence bail bond in the 400 block of N. Ardmore at 12:45 a.m.

A complainant at a restaurant in the 1-100 block of S. Villa reported that a suspect was harassing employees and causing a disturbance. Officers spoke with the suspect and trespassed them from the business.

May 17

A complainant in the 600 block of E. Wildwood reported at 12:08 p.m. that an unknown suspect used an unknown object to shatter the rear window of a vehicle parked in a parking lot.

May 16

Police said Dylan T. Smith, 31, of Woodridge, was arrested on an original complaint and warrant, and charged with aggravated battery in a public place for an alleged incident that occurred March 12.

May 15

Police said Jessica L. Brown, 27, of Harvey, was arrested on a failure to appear warrant out of Dekalb County at 4:28 p.m.

Daniel J. Rivera, 25, of Villa Park, was charged with obstructing justice, DUI, transportation of open alcohol by a driver, driving a vehicle on a sidewalk and no insurance near E. Kenilworth and S. Villa at 9 p.m.

A complainant in the 100 block of E. Division reported that a suspect removed items from an unsecured vehicle parked in front of their home.

A complainant in the 1-100 block of E. Park reported at 1:54 p.m. that a suspect was harassing them via text messages.

A complainant at a fitness center in the 200 block of W. Roosevelt reported than an unknown suspect broke the lock off their locker and removed their wallet. A short time later, the complainant’s debit card was being used.

Fraud, identity theft

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

Catalytic converter theft

According to information provided last week by the Villa Park Police Department, police reported one incident of a catalytic converter being removed from vehicles: at a restaurant in the 1-100 block of W. Roosevelt at 8:25 a.m. May 19.

Bensenville

The Bensenville Police Department recently reported the follow -

ing arrests and citations. Persons who are charged with domestic battery are not named in order to protect the victim’s privacy. Readers are reminded that an arrest does not constitute a conviction, and that suspects are considered innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law. Juveniles age 17-or-younger are not named.

May 24, 1:46 p.m. in the 900 block of S. York Road, a complainant reported missing items taken by a known suspect. This incident is under investigation.

BEPC2300437

May 24, 5:33 p.m. near W. Grand Ave. and S. Church Road, Jesus Carrillo, 26, of Franklin Park, was arrested for unlawful use of weapon and another traffic violation.

BEPC2300438

May 23, 10:17 a.m. near Grace Street and E. Jefferson Street, Miguel A. Flores-Ramirez, 26, was arrested for driving while license suspended, three failures to appear warrants out of DuPage County, possession of a controlled substance and other traffic violation.

BEPC2300434

May 23, 1:16 pm. in the 100 block of George Street, a complainant reported a damage property by a known suspect. This incident is under investigation. BEPC2300435

May 23, 1:51 p.m. in the 900 block of S. York Road, a complainant reported receiving threatening text messages from a known suspect. This incident is under investigation. BEPC2300436

May 22, 10:09 a.m. in the 400 block of Park Street, a complainant reported graffiti on the outside building. Public works was notified. BEP23005773

May 19, 4:09 a.m. near S. York Road and George Street, Scott T. Bradley, 39, was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol and other traffic violation.

BEPC2300419

May 21, 4:40 a.m. in the 400 block of Park Street, a complainant reported a domestic situation with a known suspect. This case is under investigation. BEPC2300427

May 21, 7:33 a.m. in the 1000 of Judson, a complainant reported a known suspect entering his apartment without permission. This case is under investigation.

BEPC2300428

May 21, 6:59 p.m. in the 1300 block of W. Irving Park Road, a complainant reported their car stolen by a known suspect. This case is under investigation. BEPC2300430

May 19, 11:28 p.m. in the 300 block of W. Hillside Dr., a complainant reported a known suspect took her car without permission. This incident is under investigation. BEPC2300423

May 19, 11:16 a.m. in the 200 block of James Street, a complainant reported an unknown suspect gained access to one of their vendor checks and made alterations. This case is under investigation. BEPC2300420

Man charged with felony after allegedly injuring sheriff’s deputy while resisting arrest

DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and DuPage County Sheriff James Mendrick announced that a Naperville man has been charged with one count of resisting or obstructing a peace officer with injury (Class 4 felony) after allegedly resisting a sheriff’s deputy following a court proceeding in a DuPage County courtroom Tuesday, May 23.

Nathan Pope, 40, appeared at a bond hearing where Judge Joshua Dieden set bond at $250,000.

On Tuesday, May 23 at approximately 10:17 a.m., a DuPage Coun-

ty Sheriff Deputy attempted to take Pope into custody following a court proceeding stemming from an outstanding arrest warrant. It is alleged that Pope physically resisted the deputy’s efforts causing injury to the deputy’s lower back and arm. It is alleged that the deputy called for assistance and Pope was ultimately taken into custody with the help of several additional sheriff’s deputies.

Pope’s next court appearance is scheduled for Monday, June 12 for arraignment in front of Judge Mia McPherson.

State report: Catholic churches harbored hundreds more abusers than previously disclosed

Attorney general closes out investigation into abuse at hands of Catholic clerics in Illinois

By Hannah Meisel CAPITOL NEWS ILLINOIS

Catholic dioceses in Illinois failed to disclose hundreds of abusive clerics before the state opened what would become a yearslong investigation into sex abuse within the church, Attorney General Kwame Raoul announced last week.

Included in a scathing 700-page report published by Raoul’s office at the end of the four-and-a-half-year investigation is the most comprehensive list to date of Catholic priests and religious brothers—451 in Illinois – who abused nearly 2,000 victims since 1950.

When former Attorney General Lisa Madigan initiated the investigation on her way out of office in late 2018, only the Archdiocese of Chicago and the Diocese of Joliet disclosed the names of clergy with substantiated sex abuse allegations against them. Between the two dioceses, they disclosed 103 names.

During the course of the investigation, the other four dioceses began listing their own names of known child sex abusers who ministered within their purviews, eventually upping the number of disclosed clergy with substantiated sex abuse claims against them to 320. The original 103 names disclosed by the Archdiocese of Chicago and Diocese of Joliet had some overlap with lists of names disclosed by the other four dioceses.

But last week’s report names 149 more abusive clergy members than the dioceses had ever disclosed.

“Decades of Catholic leadership, decisions and policies have allowed known child sex abusers to hide, often in plain sight,” Raoul said at a news conference in Chicago. “And because the statute of limitations has frequently expired, many survivors of child sex abuse at the hands of Catholic clerics will never see justice in a legal sense. But it is my sincere hope that this report will shine a light on those who violated their positions of power and trust to abuse innocent children, and on the men in church

leadership who covered up that abuse.”

A 2017 law eliminated Illinois’ prior statute of limitations for child sex abuse, under which a 20-year clock began ticking on a victim’s 18th birthday. But that law was only prospective; a 2009 Illinois Supreme Court decision affirmed that attempts to alter the statute of limitations retroactively violated the due process rights of the accused.

Asked if he would support an amendment to the state’s constitution to allow older victims to file lawsuits, Raoul declined to give an answer.

“I’m not going to speak to that,” he said.

Raoul and Assistant Chief Deputy Attorney General Thomas Verticchio on Tuesday said investigators referred certain cases to local law enforcement any time they had reason to believe the statute of limitations window may have still been open. But they couldn’t say how many cases were actionable.

However, they did say the most recent abuse detailed during the investigation occurred in approximately 2010.

The investigation spans more than seven decades, with some of the oldest priests named in the report having been ordained in the 1910s. Raoul on Tuesday confirmed that the majority of those named in the report—330— were already dead.

“These perpetrators may never be held accountable in a court of law, but by naming them in this report, the intention is to provide public accountability and a measure of healing to survivors who have long suffered in silence,” Raoul said.

The attorney general’s office made “more than 600 confidential contacts” with survivors of child sex abuse by church leaders, including in-person, video and phone interviews, in addition to messages left on the attorney general’s hotline, plus emails and letters.

Lawmakers OK bill to limit constitutional lawsuits to Cook, Sangamon County Democrats accuse plaintiffs of ‘venue shopping’ in suits challenging COVID-19 orders, weapons ban

By Peter Hancock and Hannah Meisel CAPITOL NEWS ILLINOIS

Democrats who control the General Assembly muscled through a last-minute measure that will require any constitutional challenge to state laws to be filed in either Cook or Sangamon counties.

The Illinois House on May 25 gave final passage to a set of amendments to House Bill 3062, a measure supporters say is intended to put a stop to what they describe as “venue shopping.” The Senate originally passed the amendments on Friday, May 19, by a vote of 37-16. The House concurred with those amendments by votes of 69-35. It clears the way for the measure to head to Gov. JB Pritzker.

In the last few years, the state has been named as a defendant in a flurry of lawsuits challenging the constitutionality of COVID-19-related executive orders as well as high-profile laws eliminating cash bail and banning assault-style weapons.

Litigation over those issues was filed in several of Illinois’ 102 coun-

Blair-Sherlock seeks teammates for ACS’s Relay for Life

State Rep. Diane Blair-Sherlock, D-Villa Park, issued the following statement Wednesday:

State Representative Diane Blair-Sherlock has announced that she will be leading ‘Team Blair-Sherlock’ at the Relay for Life of Elmhurst, Addison, Lombard and Villa Park on Friday, June 9 at the The Hub at Berens Park, located at 493 Oaklawn Ave in Elmhurst.

Registration begins at 7 p.m. and the Race steps off with the Survivor Lap at 8 p.m. This year there will be a Glow For Hope 1 Mile Walk with Luminaria in honor of those who have been touched by cancer.

If you would like to join ‘Team Blair-Sherlock’ or make a donation visit bit.ly/TeamBlair-Sherlock

For more information, call 630415-3520 or email JaxWest.D46@ gmail.com.

ties, based on where various plaintiffs either lived or believed their constitutional rights were violated. Similar suits were eventually consolidated, but sometimes not until after judges from multiple jurisdictions issued conflicting rulings, creating confusion until an appellate court could rule on the matter.

“There has been considerable judge shopping as a tactic that has been used by litigants to secure sweeping court orders blocking state policies by steering cases to judges perceived to be sympathetic to these causes,” the bill’s sponsor, Rep. Jay Hoffman, D-Swansea, said during House debate May 25.

Several of the COVID-19 lawsuits

were filed in southern Illinois courts by Bond County-based attorney Thomas DeVore. He gained statewide notoriety through the lawsuits and went on to become the unsuccessful Republican candidate for attorney general in 2022. DeVore was also the lead attorney in an Effingham County lawsuit challenging the assault weapons ban, one of two such suits currently on appeal before the Illinois Supreme Court.

Hoffman didn’t mention DeVore by name but did reference the attorney’s tactics during debate.

“One lawyer was charging people $200 just to have their name added as plaintiffs to the lawsuit,” Hoffman said.

Democratic proponents of the bill argued that limiting proper judicial venues to Cook and Sangamon counties is already law for certain types of cases.

Senate President Don Harmon, D-Oak Park, said that because most constitutional challenges against the state will inevitably end in an appeal to the state’s high court, the Attorney General is currently spending unnecessary resources fighting essentially the same case in multiple counties.

“They all eventually end up in the (Illinois) Supreme Court,” Harmon said during the Senate’s debate last week. “Which, by the way, sits in Sangamon County and Cook County.”

Hoffman described many of the lawsuits filed against the state in the last few years as “frivolous” and echoed Harmon’s arguments about straining the resources of the attorney general’s office.

But Republican Rep. Patrick Windhorst, of Metropolis, rejected that argument, noting that Attorney General Kwame Raoul has been asking lawmakers for additional authority to take on cases in other areas of law throughout the spring session.

“This is the same attorney general’s office that has requested from this body additional authority to investigate and bring actions against See LAWMAKERS, Page 13

Senate Democrats send budget to House

By Jerry Nowicki CAPITOL NEWS ILLINOIS

The Illinois House planned to work until the early hours of Saturday morning, May 27, to finalize a $50.6 billion state spending plan for the fiscal year that begins July 1.

That announcement came May 25, more than 24 hours after Gov. JB Pritzker and the Democratic leaders of the General Assembly announced an agreement on a budget framework. And it came just hours before the Senate voted 34-22, largely on partisan lines, to approve the Fiscal Year 2024 budget.

The discussion in a Senate committee earlier May 25 was at times laudatory as Republicans thanked Democrats for their inclusion in the budget process. Praise was especially strong for Sen. Elgie Sims, D-Chicago, who sponsored the budget and had nearly lost his voice by the time it came for a vote due to the long hours of negotiating.

But Republicans ultimately unanimously voted against the spending plan despite GOP lawmakers acknowledging their support for some

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of its components. Sims, in turn, gave a fiery defense of the plan after Republicans lobbed criticisms in floor debate.

“This budget does reflect our priorities,” Sims said. “It reflects our shared priorities to move our state forward. It reflects our ability to invest in communities. What you call expenditures, we call investments, what you call overspending, we call building up.”

In his first year leading the super minority caucus, Senate Republican Leader John Curran, of Downers Grove, said the inclusion of Republicans in negotiations was “a step forward in our working relationships across the aisle for the betterment of the people of Illinois.” But in the end, he said he rejected the budget as an expansion of government.

“A few Senate Republican priorities—really some joint priorities— are reflected in this budget,” Curran said. “However, what matters to the people of Illinois not the process, but the product. As you will see by the uniform ‘no’ votes from our caucus, this final product does not reflect the

entire state of Illinois.”

Members of his party cited Democrats’ choice to not address the January 2024 expiration of a $75 million annual state tax credit program that funds private school scholarships, along with inaction on requested changes to the state’s strictest-inthe-nation biometric privacy law as a sticking point in negotiations. That law has been the basis of dozens of costly lawsuits for businesses that unknowingly violate it.

Senate President Don Harmon, D-Oak Park, said he was disappointed Republicans had apparently decided “nonbudget” matters precluded a unanimous vote. But he said Democrats would continue to work with the minority party in future budget years.

The budget—contained amendments to Senate Bill 250 and House Bill 3817 spanning more than 4,000 pages—was filed and passed in short order May 25 after a frenzied two days of final negotiations.

The House couldn’t move on the bill until May 27, due to a constitutional requirement that a bill be read

on the floor on three separate days before it can receive a vote. The House’s plan was to work into the early hours of May 27 rather than return to Springfield next week.

That agreement was hammered out during House Democrats’ roughly four-hour caucus meeting May 25, which concluded at about the same time the budget amendments were filed.

If all goes according to that plan, the chambers will have approved a spending plan that’s substantially similar to the one Pritzker proposed in February—only with about $1 billion in additional spending. That’s despite April revenues plummeting more than $1.8 billion from one year ago.

Pritzker’s office has pointed to the conservative nature of his office’s original revenue estimates as the reason he and lawmakers had the flexibility to craft the budget that was filed May 26. The $50.7 billion in revenue expected for the upcoming fiscal year would be roughly level with the current year’s projected revenue numbers.

“This budget makes transformative investments in the children and families of Illinois while building on our record of fiscal responsibility,” Pritzker said in a statement. “This budget will make child care and education more accessible, healthcare more affordable, and our state’s business and economic position even stronger.”

‘Smart Start Illinois’ childcare program

One major Pritzker priority funded fully in the Senate-approved budget is “Smart Start Illinois,” a multi-year plan that aims to make childcare and preschool available to every three- and four-year-old whose family wants those services. For the upcoming fiscal year, that includes $250 million to increase the number of preschool slots available, stabilize the early childhood workforce and expand the early intervention and home visiting programs.

The budget plan also includes $100 million in general revenue funds to pay for capital improvements at early childhood learning facilities—the same amount proposed in February but $50 more than what the governor’s office announced earlier last week.

“Home Illinois,” the governor’s plan to fight homelessness, is set to receive more than $350 million, an $85 million increase from the current fiscal year. It would go to support homelessness prevention, affordable housing, outreach and other programs aimed at reducing homelessness.

Next year’s budget also includes a $100 million increase in funding for public universities and community colleges, along with a $100 million increase in Monetary Award Program financial aid grants. Pritzker has said that will effectively make a two-year community college education available tuition- and fee-free for every working-class student in Illinois when combined with federal grants.

Medicaid-style healthcare coverage for noncitizens

One major point of contention among both Republicans and Democrats during the budget-making process was a rapidly growing program that provides Medicaid-style health care coverage for noncitizens aged 42 and older who would be eligible for Medicaid if not for their citizenship status.

The program is new as of 2021, and Democrats have now twice expanded eligibility from the original 65 and over population. Illinois’ AllKids program has long allowed for noncitizen minors to receive health care.

Pritzker’s office earlier this month estimated the program’s cost would grow to $1.1 billion during the next fiscal year, but it now predicts it can cap spending at $550 million. His office claims it can do so with new emergency rulemaking authority granted in a Medicaid-related proposal that was also moving through the General Assembly this week.

Puzzle page

APPLES

ARUGULA

AVOCADO BEANS BEETS

BERRIES

CELERY

CHICKEN

CHICKPEA

CROUTONS

KALE

LETTUCE

NUTS

OIL

OLIVES

ONION

PEPPERS

RADISHES

SEEDS

SPINACH

SPROUTS

TOMATO

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. Sloping position

5. Descendant of a notable family

10. Following accepted norms

12. Root vegetable

14. Having a shape that reduces drag from air

16. Integrated circuit

18. Records electric currents of the heart

19. Used to anoint

20. Japanese city

22. After B

23. Muffles

25. Pass over 26. Vase

27. Soft touch

28. A baglike structure in a plant or animal

30. Patti Hearst’s captors

31. Israeli politician

33. Degrade

35. Type of wrap

37. Polyurethane fabric

38. Avoids capture

40. Vegetarians avoid it

41. Decay

42. Soviet Socialist Republic

44. Vessel to bathe in

45. Inches per minute (abbr.)

48. Frosts

50. Dipped into

52. Controversial replay system in soccer

53. Comforts

55. Needed for yoga

56. Ands/__

57. South Dakota

58. Printing system

63. Dramatic works set to music

65. Highest points

66. Social division

67. Used to treat Parkinson’s disease

CLUES DOWN

1. Hill or rocky peak

2. Initial public offering

3. Type of light

4. Test

5. Flaky coverings

6. Former NFLer Newton

7. Part of the eye

8. Roman god of the underworld

9. Negative

10. Indiana pro basketball player

11. Replaces lost tissue

13. Denotes one from whom title is taken

15. Historic college hoops tournament

17. Hut by a swimming pool

18. Defunct European monetary unit

21. Feeds on insects

23. Adult male

24. Melancholic

27. Sheets of glass

29. Slang for famous person

32. Not good

34. “Ghetto Superstar” singer

35. The “World” is one

36. Used to make guacamole

39. Midway between south and southwest

40. Wet dirt

43. Ancient Egyptian name

44. Set of four

46. Strips

47. Wife

49. More dried-up

51. Socially inept person

54. Clusters on fern fronds

59. Bar bill

60. Prefix indicating “away from”

61. Very important person

62. Fiddler crabs

64. Special therapy

VINEGAR Answers

Hello. I’m calling from Villa Park. I’d like to thank the volunteers who organized the spring sweep in Villa Park. It was well organized. It was well attended. Thank you to all volunteers. It’s the thing that Villa Park does annually, and I would like to see it continue. Thank you very much, volunteers.

* * *

To the person who was saying that we shouldn’t count the votes of leftist California, that it’s circling the drain as a state, here are some facts: California pays more than $250 billion in federal taxes each year, which is 15 percent of the national total, and which is more than

the combined contribution of the bottom 28 states. California also receives back only 65 cents for every dollar it contributes. Seven of the 10 states most dependent on the federal government are Republican-voting. Of the states that sent more than they received back, 52 percent or Democrat voting. These Republican voting states, which are always screaming for smaller government, sure don’t have a problem sticking out their hands and taking back more than they contribute.

* * *

Biden and other Democrats frequently talk about white supremacy and racism. When was

the last time Biden talked publicly talked about horrible academic results and test scores for kids in Democrat-run cities? Look at the numbers from public schools in Chicago, Baltimore, Detroit, Washington, D.C., and other cities. They are pathetic. Thousands and thousands of kids (of different races) are stuck in horrible school systems. Some of these school systems have a terribly low number of kids who are actually proficient at their age level in reading and math. You want to talk about systemic racism—there it is. And the teachers unions in those cities seem to be against making any changes.

* * *

Russia must be stopped. Come on people, figure it out. Same things happened in World War I, World War II, and all these other wars. We’ve got to stop Putin. Get with it.

* * *

Thank you, federal government,

for raising interest rates over and over. This is being done to reduce inflation? That is a laugh. What it did for me was make my mortgage payments skyrocket since 2022 and I may be forced to move. I am getting crushed and my lender is not being very sympathetic. Gee, and with grocery and gas prices so high, that puts a senior like me more behind the eight ball. Shaking my head.

* * *

Biden claims he reduced the deficit by $1.7 trillion. The so-called $1.7 trillion reduction was caused by COVID allocations expiring. Biden has raised the national debt by $4 trillion in the last couple of years.

* * *

We Democrats are losing our credibility because of the Dumb-ocrats. That’s d-u-m-b-ocrats of the far left who exist in our party. What real American patriot believes open borders, running up the nation -

al debt, shutting down our energy supplies, men can get pregnant and freebies from the government are good things?

* * *

Now that Ron DeSantis has officially become a presidential candidate, it’s no surprise Trump has resorted to more fifth-grade name calling and mocking DeSantis every chance he gets, instead of debating the issues with him and going after Biden. I find it amusing that Trump says DeSantis is unelectable. The fact of the matter is Trump is unelectable. His base will vote for him, but who else will? The left will be galvanized to get out the vote, and then we will be stuck with four more years of incompetency with Biden or some other radical leftist in the White House. Trump has turned off too many people and worn out his welcome. I sure hope DeSantis or one of the other GOP candidates is nominated.

Kissane visits Dairyland

It’s been a while since Villa Park comedian Matt Kissane has performed a comedy show in America’s Dairyland but he recently appeared at the Jack Links National Headquarters. “I was so nervous but as with all the Wisconsin audiences I have performed for, they were wonderful!” he said. Kissane stayed afterward to pose for photos and make personalized Matt Foley Motivational Speaker videos. “It was a blast! Even did a couple Aaron Rodgers-themed motivational speeches,” he added. Kissane has an upcoming performance at The Lyric Theater in Blue Island. He will be joined by other comics including Dan Brennan, Ed Kerfin, Anthony and Ron Malchiodi and singer Kristin Rose Kelly.

Part of the parade

The participants in the recent Lilac Parade in Lombard included young musicians from two Villa Park schools. The marching band from Willowbrook High School and the drum line from North Elementary School both provided entertainment during the parade, which took place in ideal weather conditions on Sunday, May 21.

CHRIS FOX PHOTOS Rock Valley Publishing

SUBMITTED PHOTO Rock Valley Publishing

Sen. Win Stoller, R-East Peoria, said the difference between those estimates gave him reason to doubt the budget was balanced. Another was that the proposal doesn’t account for enough of a spending increase for state worker wages that will grow amid budget negotiations this year.

Pritzker’s office said his options for capping spending on noncitizen health care include limiting future enrollment in the program, requiring copays from program participants, maximizing federal reimbursement and a possibly moving participants to the Medicaid managed care system.

The Illinois Legislative Latino Caucus had pushed to expand the program to cover adults aged 19 to 41 and to allow it to grow without a spending cap. The expansion to younger noncitizens wasn’t included in the final budget.

“If there are caps, it is on behalf of the governor, it is not on behalf of the legislators,” Sen. Celina Villanueva, D-Chicago, said in an interview. “My push is always to make sure that we’re protecting our communities so

• Grant

that we’re doing as much as we can to help serve those immigrant communities that are also taxpayers.”

Sen. Chapin Rose, R-Mahomet, the Senate Republican caucus’ top budgeteer, cited the noncitizen health care program spending as the reason he ultimately didn’t vote for the budget. He said the spending increase it forced could have funded the continuation of the Invest in Kids tax credit scholarship program or greater increases for providers who care for people with disabilities among other priorities.

The $75 million Invest in Kids scholarship was established as part of Illinois’ 2017 overhaul of how the state funds public education. It was a priority of Republican then-Gov. Bruce Rauner, a vocal proponent of so-called school choice and frequent critic of public schools. The budget did not extend the program beyond its built-in sunset date of Jan. 1, 2024.

“I’m not standing here yelling and screaming,” Sen. Chapin Rose, R-Mahomet, said in a nod to the amicable negotiation process. “I am say-

(Continued from page 3)

to help fund the Elmhurst University/District 88 Collegiate Extension Program, “a two-year program engaging underserved high school students with college-level humanities study of diverse voices in literature through student enrichment and teacher workshops.”

The grant will support the follow-

ing District 88/Elmhurst University courses:

• English 12 Collegiate Credit

• Hidden Voices

This funding cycle includes the first round of awards made under NEH’s new Spotlight on Humanities in Higher Education grant program.

ing there’s a fundamental difference but eventually we have to figure this out. Those kids are too important. We can’t leave them stranded.”

Providers for individuals with developmental disabilities who live in community facilities would see a $2.50 hourly rate increase. Pritzker in February had proposed upping the state’s current $17 hourly rate for direct service professionals by $1.50 in his budget proposal. Providers had originally requested a $4 increase in

• Lawmakers

accordance with a state-funded rate study that showed that amount was needed to provide adequate care.

The plan also includes a $350 million increase to the K-12 education funding formula to fulfill statutory obligations and a $200 million pension payment beyond what is required by law.

Lawmaker pay would also increase by 5.5 percent in the budget, a rate tied to the federal government’s Employment Cost Index that raises

(Continued from page 7)

crisis pregnancy centers this session, to bring actions against and investigate gun manufacturers this session,” Windhorst said. “It doesn’t seem that the Attorney General’s Office is lacking resources when they’re constantly coming to this body requesting more authority to do things. So I think that argument strains credulity.”

Windhorst also argued that while it may be an inconvenience for the attorney general’s office to respond to cases in counties far from Chicago or Springfield, it is equally inconvenient for constituents in his district,

which abuts the Ohio River, to seek justice far from their homes.

“You know, where I live, I’m closer to the state capitol of Tennessee than I am Illinois, and I’m almost as close to Atlanta, Georgia, as I am Chicago, Illinois,” he said. “So to say if this body passes an unconstitutional law, in order for me or another person in my community to contest that law, I’ve got to travel a great distance and bear that expense that comes with that, is not fair to the individuals in these communities.”

If the bill becomes law, any future lawsuit challenging the consti-

lawmaker pay annually as a function of state law. That would bring their base salary to $89,675 annually, in addition to any committee and leadership stipends. Democrats had already pushed a pay bump to $85,000 annually during January’s “lame duck” session.

Local governments, meanwhile, would see a roughly $85 million funding increase for the upcoming fiscal year as their cut of the state income tax is increased to 6.47 percent.

tutionality of a state statute, rule or executive order would have to be filed in either Cook or Sangamon County. The bill also states that the legal doctrine of “forum non conveniens”—which holds that a court can dismiss a case, even though it has jurisdiction, if another forum is more convenient or appropriate—does not apply in such cases.

An additional amendment added in the Senate provides that the bill would not apply to cases arising out of disputes between the state and labor unions representing state employees.

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Windows

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

Addison

1131 WHITE FENCE LANE, ADDISON, Fri., 6/2, Sat., 6/3 & Sun., 6/4, 9am-4pm. Furniture, luggage, household, sports, craft items and much, much more!

Elmhurst

819 N. EMROY AVE., ELMHURST June 2, 8-4 & June 3, 8-3. Huge Garage Sale. Something of everyone. Kitchen items, cloths, snow ski’s, American Girl dolls, baseball supplies, dresser, toys and much more!

CLASSIFIED

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

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.

Burial Needs

7 CEMETERY PLOTS Willing to sell as a group or individually. Located at Roselawn Memory Gardens 3045 WI-67, Lake Geneva, WI 53147. This is a private sale. Contact Randy, the seller at randy@slpublishers.com.

Lombard

509 E. PRAIRIE AVE., HUGE MOVING SALE, Thurs., 6/1, Fri., 6/2 & Sat., 6/3, 9am-5pm. Clothing, housewares, crafts, books, movies, snowblower, powerwasher & furniture.

The dioceses cooperated in the investigation, giving staff in the attorney general’s office access to thousands of files and allowing diocese leadership to sit for interviews with investigators.

“It’s important to note, when we say substantiated, we were not calling balls and strikes,” Raoul said “The Church is, in the end, substantiating.”

According to the report, 22 clergy members associated with dioceses in Illinois had preyed on five or more children. Nine of those had at least 10 victims over the course of their careers, and one former priest, Joseph Fitzharris of Chicago, had at least 20 victims dating back to his first assignment in Puerto Rico in the late 1960s.

Fitzharris spent 17 years associated with eight churches in the Chicago area before moving on to Missouri, Indiana, California and Colorado, where he continued abusing children until the mid-1980s, according to the report. He was convicted of sexual abuse of a minor in Illinois in 1987, removed from public ministry in 1991, resigned in 1995 and was finally laicized by Pope Benedict in 2009.

Survivors’ accounts

The report is full of anecdotes and direct quotes from survivors interviewed by the attorney general’s of-

Answers

PUZZLE 1

fice. In one heart-wrenching story, a woman referred to by the pseudonym “Shanice” recounted how she was repeatedly raped by Father Robert Boley in the late 1980s when she was a fifth grader at Saint Cyril in Chicago’s Woodlawn neighborhood.

Boley’s abuse began with inappropriate touching behind his desk while the rest of the class worked on math problems. But eventually Boley would regularly hold Shanice back from going to recess, raping her in the empty classroom.

“He told me I was bad,” Shanice told investigators from the attorney general’s office. “He told me that Je-

sus made me bad, that he was there to help me.”

Shanice said she both trusted Boley and feared him. She also said she knew she wasn’t the only one of her classmates targeted by Boley.

“I think that what people don’t understand is when you are a child, you don’t separate a priest from God,” she was quoted as saying in the report. “He was God. To me, he was God’s worker.”

According to Shanice, another priest even caught Boley one day, bursting into the empty classroom at recess and witnessing Shanice on his lap. But instead of doing anything about it, Shanice recalled the other priest asked Boley a question, then locked the door behind him on his way back out.

Boley was moved to three other assignments before ending up back in Illinois, where he worked at Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Darien in 2002 when another woman accused him of abusing her when she was a young girl in the 1980s, close to the time of Shanice’s abuse.

After decades, Shanice finally told her mother about the abuse in 2019, and eventually agreed to a settlement with the Archdiocese of Chicago in 2022.

According to the report, Boley was removed from public ministry in 2006 and is “on a safety plan.”

Elmhurst University Athletics announces partnership with Elmhurst Bank

Elmhurst University Athletics has announced a three-year partnership with Elmhurst Bank, a branch of Hinsdale Bank & Trust, N.A., and a Wintrust Community Bank®.

As a partner, Elmhurst Bank will serve as the lead sponsor of Elmhurst University’s scoreboard and scorer’s table in R.A. Faganel Hall, with its name displayed during all Elmhurst sporting events held in the gymnasium. Elmhurst Bank will also be a featured sponsor on the University’s athletics web page, elmhurstbluejays.com.

“We are extremely excited to begin our partnership with Elmhurst Bank,” Elmhurst University director of athletics Glen Brittich said. “They are a trusted and highly recognizable member of the Chicagoland community, and our partnership will benefit our studentathletes in the promotion and support of their experience here at Elmhurst. We are thrilled to work with Elmhurst Bank over the next three years.”

“Elmhurst Bank is excited to embark on this partnership with Elmhurst University,” said president of Elmhurst Bank John Czyzycki. “Elmhurst University is a long-standing, proud institution with a stellar reputation and prolific athletic teams. We are fortunate to align ourselves with such a quality institution.”

LEGAL NOTICES

NOTICE

CERTIFICATE NO. 79080 was filed in the office of the County Clerk of DuPage County on MAY 5, 2023 wherein the business firm of PENA CLINIC, 440 S YORK ROAD, BENSENVILLE, IL 60106 was registered; that the true or real name or names of the person or persons owning the business, with their respective post office address(es), is/are as follows: Alvaro Pena MD, 1729 N 78th Avenue, Elmwood Park, IL 60707.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and Official Seal at my office in Wheaton, Illinois, this 5TH day of MAY, A.D. 2023.

Jean Kaczmarek DuPage County Clerk

(Published in the Addison Independent, Bensenville Independent & Villa Park Review May 18, 25 & June 1, 2023) 437955

NOTICE

CERTIFICATE NO. 79094 was filed in the office of the County Clerk of DuPage County on MAY 16, 2023, wherein the business firm of KEY STEPS CHILDREN’S THERAPY, 53 E. PARK BLVD., VILLA PARK, IL 60181, 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:

Rebecca Williams, 35 W. Jackson St., Villa Park, IL 60181.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and Official Seal at my office in Wheaton, Illinois, this 16TH day of MAY, A.D. 2023.

Jean Kaczmarek DuPage County Clerk

(Published in the Addison Independent, Bensenville Independent & Villa Park Review June 1, 8 & 15, 2023) 438643

PUZZLE 2

CROSSWORD

“ I think that what people don’t understand is when you are a child, you don’t separate a priest from God. He was God. To me, he was God’s worker.”

– Shanice, survivor of abuse