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THURSDAY, MAY 13, 2021 THURSDAY, MAY 6,2022 2021 THURSDAY, AUG. 11, THURSDAY, MAY 27, 2021 THURSDAY, JUNE 3, 2021

After over 100 years in business, Pioneer Garden and Feed will close this month Villa Park patrons bid farewell to a business that opened in 1918

STAFF REPORT

A beloved Villa Park business that opened more than 100 years ago will close its doors this month.

Pioneer Garden and Feed, located at 118 S. Villa Ave., will close in the coming days. Villa Park residents Angie and Tony Rojek, who have owned the business since 2015, announced last week on social media that Pioneer Garden and Feed would soon close.

“It’s been an emotional last few days, quite honestly,” said Angie Rojek, who spoke on Friday morning while taking a brief break from working the store register. A steady stream of shoppers, some of whom

have patronized the business for decades, visited Pioneer Garden and Feed in the days after the Rojeks made their announcement. Many of those shoppers offered kind words to the Rojeks and their employees.

“I did not expect the outpouring of love and support and a line out the door since we announced it,” said Rojek. “So almost everything’s gone at this point. We’re going to be closed on Sunday [Aug. 7], just to take a day. There are three floors here, so there are still a lot of display items. We’re going to take them down and put them for sale. But

See BUSINESS, Page 4

Graduation day Play at the plate at Willowbrook

SUBMITTED PHOTO/CHRIS FOX PHOTO Villa Park Review

Villa Park’s Pioneer Garden and Feed, which opened in 1918, will close this month. Angie and Tony Rojek, who bought the business seven years ago, announced on Aug. 2 that they had sold the property, and that the business would soon close. The Rojek family is pictured in front of the business, which is located at 118 S. Villa Ave. Angie and Tony Rojek are pictured in the front row. Their sons Carter (left) and Ethan (right) are in the back row. Carter graduated from Willowbrook High School earlier this year. Ethan graduated from CHRIS FOX PHOTO Villa Park Review Willowbrook in 2018. A plaque on the south side of the business notes that Pascal Skemp purchased the Freshman Lindsey Rugg of the Willowbrook softball team is pictured while at- lowbrook rebounded from Friday’s loss to post an 11-2 win in Saturday’s game at land and began running the Villa Park Feed and Milling Company from Pioneer’s current location in 1918. In tempting to score a run during Friday’s game at Downers Grove South. Rugg tried Hinsdale Central. The Warriors bashed three home runs in the second inning of Satthe early years, the store sold chicken feed and fertilizer to local farms and fruit orchards.

“It’s Villa an Park institution CHRIS FOX PHOTO Review West Suburban Silver to score from second base on a single by sophomore Katelyn Cox in the top of urday’s non-conference battle against the Red Devils of the in Villa Park,” said Villa Park Village President Nick Cuzzone of Pioneer Garden and Feed. “We’re definitely Conference.

Senior Knudtson, freshman Isabella Dugo and that sophomore the second inning, the game tiedcelebrated at 2-2. Downers Grove South’swith catcher Willowbrook Highwhen School’s Class was of 2021 its commencement two ceremony that beganAnnemarie at 9 a.m. The others participated in the ceremony started going to miss it.” Angie Rojek stated last week that she couldn’t yet announce who bought the property. She Kayleigh the home Dennison (No. 5) is pictured in the tagged Rugg out at home for the third out of theon inning.

Themorning.

Mustangs separate ceremonies in theplate school’s main gymnasium Sunday Thewent en- at 11 a.m. Dennison The photoprovided shows members of runs. the Willowbrook Senior Choir performing said the buyer will be making an announcement soon. She did say the 104-year-old building would come background of the above photo. more aboutsee thePage Warriors, on to defeat the Warriors 7-3students. in the West Suburban Conference contest. Wiltire class includes over 470 About half ofGold those students attended the during the day’s first service.

ForFor more photos, 4. see page 14. down. “It will no longer be Pioneer—I can say that,” she said. “It won’t be a feed store anymore.”

Arbor Day in Villa Park

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CHRIS FOX PHOTO Villa Park Review SUBMITTED PHOTO Villa Park 390271 Review

Memorial Day in Villa Park KATE KATE DRURY DRURY

The Village of Villa Park observed Arbor Day with a tree planting on Friday, April 30. Pictured (left to CONTACT ME right) at the tree planting at the village’s Franklin Park, located at 218 N. Third Ave., are: Villa Park Village your local agent Trustee Christine Murphy, Justin Shlensky—chair of the Villa ParkTO Environmental Concerns CommisBUY OR SELL! sion, Margaret Schiefer—a member of the Villa Park Environmental Concerns Commission, Villa Park Village Trustee Cheryl Tucker, Contact me forVilla a 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 630-514-9961 Villa complementary Park Veterans of Foreign Warson (VFW) Post 2801 of held itsApril.

Memorial Day service onDay Monday mornCommission.

Arbor Day is observed the last Friday each The National Arbor Foundation 630-514-9961 ing at Cortesi Veterans Memorial Park.

Post Commander Jim Blankshain is pictured bowingthat his recognihead as 630-514-9961 kdrury@atproperties.com has recognized Villaanalysis Park with Tree City USA designation for 36 straight years.

To receive market Willowbrook High School students Hendrickson and a Anna Seelbach soundataps at the end ofcomthe kdrury@atproperties.com tion, a community must have a tree Lily board or department, tree-care ordinance, comprehensive kdrury@atproperties.com ofThe your home!! ceremony. post’s 2020and Memorial Day event was canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. This munity forestry program an Arbor Day observance. 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 I would to help! 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.

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Local Knowledge, Global Reach

Federal judge sets trial date for State Sen. Tom Cullerton--Page 4

2 • Thursday, Aug. 11, 2022 - Rock Valley Publishing

Police Department reminds residents to drive sober on Labor Day weekend There will be increased police patrols during the upcoming holiday enforcement campaign

SUBMITTED PHOTO Rock Valley Publishing

Crop walk to be held Oct. 2

The annual Great Prairie Trail Crop Hunger Walk will be held Sunday, Oct. 2. The community is invited to participate in this event by registering at crophunger.org/lombardil, through your church, community group, individually or by contacting Hester Bury at hesterbury@gmail.com. Supporters of the walk are encouraged to get donations from family, friends and neighbors, even online contacts. Organizers especially would like children to participate in this event—bring your children by stroller, wagon or on foot. By participating in an active mission project to help the hungry and hurting people of the world, they learn to better understand the purpose of the walk and the fact that “they can help too.” All are welcome. Twenty-five percent of the donations goes to local food pantries; 75 percent goes to Church World Service. In 1021, the Walk raised $23,000 to support Church World Service’s hunger relief efforts around the world.

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As families and friends plan their end-ofsummer celebrations for Labor Day weekend, the Villa Park Police Department is partnering with the Illinois State Police and law enforcement agencies across the state to stop impaired driving and help save lives.

“We’ll be out in force to keep impaired drivers off the roads with the goal of ensuring our community’s residents and visitors make it home safely once the parties end,” said Villa Park Police Sgt. James Cihak. “If you’ll be celebrating, we urge you to plan ahead for a sober ride.”

The high-visibility “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” enforcement campaign runs from Friday, Aug. 19, through the early-morning hours of Tuesday, Sept. 6.

During this period, law enforcement will be stepping up efforts focused on impaired, unbuckled and distracted drivers.

Before the party starts, remember to des-

ignate a sober driver and don’t let friends or family members drive impaired. Other important tips include: • If you’re hosting, make sure all your guests designate a sober driver in advance, or arrange ride-sharing or another sober ride home. Also, serve lots of food and include non-alcoholic beverages at the party.

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

• Don’t let friends leave your sight if you think they are about to drive impaired.

• Always buckle up—it is your best defense in a crash.

The Labor Day “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign is made possible by federal highway safety funds administered by the Illinois Department of Transportation.

An increase in mosquito samples throughout the county testing positive for West Nile virus (WNV) has the DuPage County Health Department (DCHD) reminding residents to protect themselves from mosquito bites and the risk of contracting WNV. The key factors in determining the degree of West Nile virus activity are temperatures and rainfall. In hot, dry weather, mosquitoes that carry West Nile virus (primarily Culex mosquitoes) breed in areas with stagnant water, such as street catch basins, ditches, birdbaths, flowerpots, and buckets, where the mosquitoes multiply rapidly.

“As people spend more time outdoors enjoying the end of summer, DCHD is reminding everyone to protect yourself and your family from mosquitoes and West Nile virus,” said Karen Ayala, health department executive director. “Protect yourself, protect your family, and prevent mosquitoes from breeding around your home by following the “4 Ds of Defense”: • Drain: Drain items that collect standing

water around your home, yard, or business.

Scrub and refill pet water dishes and birdbaths regularly (at least weekly).

• Defend: Use an insect repellent containing DEET when outdoors and reapply according to directions.

• Dress: Wear long pants, long sleeves, and closed-toe shoes when outside to cover the skin.

• Dusk to dawn: Wear repellent outdoors during these prime times for mosquito activity. Residents should check the Personal Protection Index (PPI) on the DuPage County Health Department’s website for the current WNV activity. To view the PPI page, visit: https://www.dupagehealth.org/243/PersonalProtection-Index.

The PPI ranges in risk level from zero-tothree, with zero being no activity and three reflecting multiple human cases of WNV in DuPage County.

The current level is 1: “Localized abundance of active mosquitoes, climate conditions favorable for development of virus.”

West Nile virus activity in DuPage County prompts health advisory

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The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) reported 30,762 new confirmed and probable cases of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Illinois, including 59 deaths since July 29.

According to the CDC, 59 counties are now rated at High Community Level for COVID-19.

An additional 34 counties in Illinois are now rated at Medium Community Level.

Currently, IDPH is reporting a total of 3,594,415 cases, including 34,416 deaths, in 102 counties in Illinois since the beginning of the pandemic.

As of Aug. 4, 1,413 individuals in Illinois were reported to be in the hospital with COVID-19.

Of those, 140 patients were in the ICU and 51 patients with COVID-19 were on ventilators.

The preliminary seven-day statewide case rate is 241 COVID-19 cases per 100,000 Illinoisans.

IDPH Director Sameer Vohra is urging parents and guardians to take the steps necessary to get children vaccinated, especially small children under 5 for whom COVID-19 vaccines were recommended by the CDC on June 18.

IDPH is supporting an education and outreach campaign by the Illinois Chapter of the

American Academy of Pediatrics to educate healthcare providers and parents about the effectiveness and safety of the newly authorized vaccines for children under 5.

The counties listed at High Community Level are Boone, Cook, DeKalb, DuPage, Grundy, Kane, Kendall, Lake, Lee, McHenry, Ogle, Stephenson, Whiteside, Will, and Winnebago in northern Illinois; Adams, Brown, Cass, Champaign, Christian, Clark, Coles, Cumberland, Effingham, Fayette, Ford, Fulton, Henderson, Knox, Logan, Marshall, Mason, McDonough, Menard, Pike, Sangamon, Schuyler, and Warren in central Illinois; and Alexander, Bond, Calhoun, Crawford, Franklin, Gallatin, Hardin, Jackson, Jersey, Johnson, Lawrence, Madison, Marion, Massac, Perry, Pope, Pulaski, Saline, Union, Wabash and Williamson in southern Illinois.

At the Medium Community Level, persons who are elderly or immunocompromised (at risk of severe outcomes) are advised to wear a mask in indoor public places. In addition, they should make sure to get up to date on their COVID-19 vaccines or get their second booster, if eligible.

Rock Valley Publishing - Thursday, Aug. 11, 2022 • 3

Pritzker highlights Rebuild Illinois funding Six-year, $45 billion spending plan passed on bipartisan lines in 2019 Cahokia, what is now Cahokia Heights—that meant something totally different,” he added. “Anxiety set in and you’re like ‘oh my God,’ you know, you start boxing things, precious things to you, because you didn’t want to lose them.”

The $9.9 million would be immediately released by the state, Pritzker said, focusing on, among other things, repair or replacement of 35 lift stations and several thousand feet of pipeline repair.

Cahokia Heights Mayor Curtis McCall Sr. said at a news conference “there has never been this type of money” available from the state to fix chronic problems in the area.

“I’m 60 years old; all of my life I’ve been dealing with this,” he said.

“Once we have this $10 million that the governor brought down today, we would probably say, according to the engineers, three to five years before this project is completely

done. But I can tell you that our residents will start seeing tremendous progress as early as two months.”

At another news conference in Franklin County, Pritzker announced $17.5 million from Rebuild Illinois will go toward the renovation of the Rend Lake Resort at the 3,300-acre Wayne Fitzgerrell State Recreation Area, which is operated by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.

It had been closed since December 2016 after IDNR found mold and other maintenance issues on the property.

The resort site features a hotel, conference center, cabins, restaurant, boatel, gift shop, pool, tennis courts and more, most of which will be renovated under the state construction plan, once again enabling the resort to host guests, conferences and other events.

State Rep. Dave Severin, R-Ben-

ton, voted for all three components of the capital plan in 2019. He said the announcement marked one of his two best days in the past six years, the other being when he was elected to the House in 2016.

“The potential is amazing, what it’s going to bring back to Southern Illinois as far as jobs,” he said of the resort. “Of course, people who have jobs, what are they doing? They’re paying taxes. With those taxes we’re able to help with the things here in Southern Illinois.”

Jason Ashmore, mayor of Sesser, praised the economic potential as well.

“The river resort is an important part of the regional economic engine and the return of the resort will continue to offer more opportunities to the over 2 million visitors to the Red Lake area each year and capitalize on more tourism dollars,” he said.

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Bible Study 9 a.m.

Worship Service at 10:15 a.m.

Rally Day Picnic Sunday, September 11 after worship Join us for food, fun and fellowship! ✥ Fully handicapped-accessible ✥ Bible Study, Sunday School, Handbell Choir, 1st Steps In Music classes

Adult Bible Study Wednesdays after 7 p.m. service (7:40 pm.)

August 27th Game Night from 4-8 p.m.

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When state lawmakers voted on bipartisan lines in 2019 to double Illinois’ motor fuel tax and raise several driving-related fees, it laid the groundwork for a $45 billion infrastructure plan, the largest in Illinois’ history and the first in nearly a decade.

The plan, spanning six years, dedicates $33.2 billion to road, bridge and other transportation-related infrastructure.

The fruits of that spending can be seen statewide in the program’s fourth year, which includes $350 million for projects on interstates 24 and 57 in Southern Illinois, and $100 million for railroad, bridge and other transportation projects in the Springfield area among several others.

“It’s why I proposed and signed the historic, largest-ever in the history of Illinois, bipartisan Rebuild Illinois capital plan—so that we could deliver the repairs that our residents needed on a fast-tracked timeline,” Gov. JB Pritzker said in one of two news conferences highlighting recent or upcoming expenditures. “And we are seeing the effects of that legislation in real time.”

The Rebuild Illinois plan also included a “vertical infrastructure” component for state buildings such as crime labs, schools and colleges, as well as other non-transportation infrastructure.

Those portions of the bill are funded through a gambling expansion and a $1-per-pack cigarette tax increase, both of which were also approved in 2019.

Both revenue bills and the Rebuild Illinois spending plan passed with broad supermajority support from members of both parties. The gas tax hike passed 48-9 in the Senate and 83-29 in the House, while the gambling expansion was approved 46-10 in the Senate and 8727 in the House.

The original Rebuild Illinois spending plan passed on even broader margins, 95-18 in the House and 53-6 in the Senate.

One lawmaker voting against all three of the bills was then-state Rep. Darren Bailey, of Xenia, who was later voted to the state Senate and is now the Republican nominee for governor against Pritzker, the plan’s biggest champion.

Bailey has frequently criticized the 2019 gas tax increase, which was indexed to inflation. He’s attacked not only Pritzker, but also state Rep. Avery Bourne, of Morrisonville, the running mate of his main primary rival who voted for the infrastructure plan in 2019.

Pritzker, meanwhile, has made a near-weekly commitment to publicizing the state’s infrastructure spending since the bill’s passage in his first year as governor.

On Aug. 3, that included stops in

Cahokia Heights in the Metro East and Whittington in Southern Illinois to publicize funding for sewer improvements and renovations at the Rend Lake Beach Resort.

Projects in Cahokia Heights, the newest city in Illinois which incorporated in 2021, will receive $21 million, including $9.9 million to revamp its sewer system—correcting a problem that residents said has existed in the area for more than 50 years.

State Sen. Christopher Belt, D-Swansea, said at a news conference he was raised in Centreville, which is now part of Cahokia Heights.

“The stench of sewer backup—I grew up with it. You grew up with it so much that it became the norm,” he said.

“When the weather forecasts growing up said rain or thunderstorms in Centreville, Allerton,

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4VP • Thursday, Aug. 11, 2022 - Rock Valley Publishing

Love Your Neighbor Day seeks volunteers

Villa Park reView Your Hometown Newspaper 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.

Display Advertising: 630.834-8355 Classified Advertising: 630.834-8244 News: 630.834-8244 General Information: 630.834-8244

E-mail: Advertising Department: ads1@rvpublishing.com News Department: CFox@rvpublishing.com Classified Department: Classifieds@rvpublishing.com

Administration: Chris Fox News Coordinator Debra Hamilton Advertising Director

Homeowners can apply for assistance through Aug. 19

The Christian Church of Villa Park, along with other churches in Villa Park and Lombard, will again be working together on the 8th annual Love Your Neighbor Day on Saturday, Sept. 17.

Applications for assistance are already being received from homeowners in the Villa Park/Lombard area who are having difficulty keeping up with work outside their homes

Obituary

FAY E. ZAROOGIAN, 86 Fay E. Zaroogian, nee Worley, was born April 7, 1936 in Chicago, IL to Isabel, nee Flanagan, and William Worley. She died on Aug. 3, 2022 at Elmhurst Memorial Hospital in Elmhurst, IL. Fay was a 1954 Graduate of York High School. After graduating, she managed her family-run Gambles Department Store, until starting her family in 1964 with her husband George Zaroogian. In 1979, Fay returned to work at Salt Creek Sanitary District, working part-time while her children were at school.

Over the years, Fay transitioned to full-time, eventually earning the position of Business Manager. She retired in March 2007, to much celebration and fan-fare, after 28 years of dedicated service.

Fay was highly involved in her community over the years: PTA, Little League, Cub Scout Leader, and Picture

Advertising: Brenda Garcia Kate McCarty

Subscriptions: 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.

Reprints: Content appearing in the Villa Park Review may not be reprinted without permission of the publisher or editor.

Requests should be directed to Independent@rvpublishing.com or 630.834-8244.

Postmaster: Please send address changes to: THE VILLA PARK REVIEW 240 N. West Avenue, Elmhurst, IL. 60126

Office Hours: Monday-Friday 11am-3pm

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you to volunteer as much of the work to be done includes yardwork and exterior painting. However, those with carpentry and other specific skills can be assigned work that will put these skills to use.

Last year 140 volunteers came together on the Love Your Neighbor Day to provide assistance to 28 homeowners in Lombard and Villa Park.

The number of homeowners who can be helped will depend on the number of volunteers who sign up to help.

Homeowner applications are being accepted through Aug. 19.

Volunteer sign-up sheets and homeowner applications can be obtained by sending an e-mail to loveyourneighbor15@yahoo.com, on the CCVP website at www.ccvponline.net, or by leaving a message at 630/833-7262.

Information and photos from previous years can be seen on the Love Your Neighbor Day Facebook page.

The deadline for submitting volunteer sign-up sheets is Sept. 4.

St. Alexander’s Council of Catholic Women seeks crafters for Crafters’ holiday craft fair Oct. 22

Lady at her children’s school. Then Fay turned toward helping the Village of Villa Park, serving as President of the Villa Park Chamber of Commerce.

Fay also served on the Village of Villa Park Economic Development Commission.

Fay is survived by her husband of 61 years, George; her children Michael (Lisa) Zaroogian, Mark (Marcia Larson) Zaroogian; her grandchildren Gregory, Kathleen, and Erin; her brother, David; her nephew Lewis and niece Katherine. She was preceded in death by her parents; her brother, Donald; and granddaughter, Anna Larson.

Services were held Aug. 8, 2022 at Steuerle Chapel, 350 S. Ardmore Ave. Villa Park, IL 60181.

Interment Queen of Heaven Cemetery. Memorials to Friends of the Villa Park Libary, 305 S. Ardmore Ave. Villa Park, IL 60181, are appreciated.

Funeral Info: 630-832-4161 or www. steuerlefh.com

The Village of Villa Park will conduct its annual Big Rigs and Kids event this Saturday, Aug. 13, from 10 a.m. until noon, at Cortesi Veterans Memorial Park. The park is located at 318 E. Kenilworth Ave.

The hands-on event allows kids and adults to climb in, on and around a variety of vehicles, including some large vehicles used by the village’s police, fire and public works departments.

(Continued from front page) at the nearby site at 100-110 S. Villa then, probably after that, that’s it.”

Rojek said she was touched by Ave. “It will no longer be Pioneer—I the kindness that Villa Park residents have shown since she and her can say that,” stated Rojek, who husband made the Aug. 2 announce- said the business’s building will ment that the business would be come down. “It won’t be a feed closing. That announcement related store anymore.”

The Aug. 2 announcement notthat all merchandise, except bird seed, would be sold at 50 percent off ing Pioneer Garden and Feed’s impending closure cited rising costs the regular price.

“Everybody has been so nice,” and supply chain problems, along she said. “People are coming in and with big box and online competitelling us their stories. People are tion, as some of the reasons for the bringing us gifts and donuts and closing.

The Rojeks bought the business pizza. One girl made me this card; I in April 2015. They made the purcompletely broke down.” chase after learning the owner at the time—Ron Leston—might be Business opened in 1918 Pioneer Garden and Feed opened interested in selling the business, in 1918, four years after the village, which had been in his family for then known as Ardmore, was in- decades. His father, John Leston, corporated. The village’s name was began running Pioneer Garden and Feed in 1965. changed to Villa Park in 1917.

“Neither of us had been in retail “The business opened in 1918; the original part of the building is before,” said Rojek. “I was a video still here,” said Rojek. “It’s been producer. Tony was a video editor. added onto through the years. Ev- We lived in town. We’re gardeners. erybody loves this old building, and We shopped here, and we had been certainly, we do too. But a 104 year- wanting a change. We had been looking to do something different. old building has a lot of issues.”

The Rojeks, who have lived in This kind of fell in our lap.”

Rojek noted that she and her husVilla Park for more than 25 years, have sold the Pioneer Garden and band took the business over during Feed business and its property. Ang- the spring—Pioneer’s busiest time ie Rojek said on Friday that she and of the year.

“We did not know what we were her husband weren’t yet allowed to say the buyer. She did mention that getting into, because April is when the buyer will be making an an- it really starts to pick up,” she said. nouncement soon, and that the sale “Mother’s Day is like our Super is not connected to the planned de- Bowl. The whole year revolves velopment of about 220 apartments around Mother’s Day, basically.”

Family thanks employees; ‘This was a hard decision’ Rojek said the business included about 15 employees during its recent spring seasons. The Rojeks’ announcement offered special thanks to Bill Karges for his many years of employment at Pioneer and his service to Villa Park. The Rojeks also thanked another Pioneer employee—Maggie Krott—who has been with them since they bought the business.

“A lot of local kids have worked here; it’s a great first job,” added Rojek on Friday. “People learn a lot being here, and it’s a friendly place.”

Rojek referred to the deep connection that many village residents have with the business, which has been their longtime go-to store for flowers, plants and several other garden-related items.

“It means a lot to people,” said Rojek of Pioneer Garden and Feed.

“People live in Villa Park for a long time. People stay, and their families stay. That’s one of the really wonderful things about it.”

As a business that offered pet and agricultural supplies, Pioneer Garden and Feed was considered an essential business, so it never closed during the COVID-19 pandemic. After offering curbside service for the first few weeks of the pandemic in the spring of 2020, the business was able to reopen its doors to its customers on May 1 of that year.

“I’ll never forget May 1 [2020], when we could open the doors again,” said Rojek. “There was a line around

the building. I’ve never experienced anything like that, until these last few days. The pandemic brought out the gardeners, so that part of it was actually really good for business.”

Rojek emphasized how she and her husband carefully considered their decision to close the business and sell the property, which is located on the west side of Villa Avenue, just south of the Great Western Trail.

“I think that’s what I guess I’d want people to know the most—we did not take this lightly,” Rojek said.

“This was a hard decision.”

Rojek repeated that there were a number of factors contributing to the end of Pioneer’s 104-year history of selling a wide range of garden-related items and other supplies.

“It’s everything that all the small businesses are going through right now,” she said. “People keep asking where they should go now. What I would like to say is wherever you go, go to the little guys. Go to other small garden centers. They need you. The little people need support.”

Rojek noted that she and her husband will continue to live in Villa Park, and that they will remain active in the community. She also said she will soon have a little more time to work in her own yard, which was one of the stops in the Garden Club of Villa Park’s Garden Walk a few years ago.

“We feel privileged and glad we were here,” Rojek said. “We kept it here seven years longer than it would have been.”

• Business

Pete Cruger Publisher

because of financial, physical or other limitations.

Volunteers are now needed so that assistance can be provided to these homeowners on Love Your Neighbor Day 2022. Yard work and exterior home repairs will be done by small groups of volunteers from churches and the community at no cost to the homeowners.

No specific skills are necessary for

St. Alexander’s Council of Catholic Women in Villa Park is seeking crafters for its Crafters’ holiday craft fair which will be held on Saturday, Oct. 22, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the St. Alexander parish hall/gym.

Space is available for more than 40 crafters. Spaces are approxi-

mately 6 feet by 10 feet and can be reserved for a base fee of $30.

The fair features hand-crafted items only. Hand-made candies are welcome, but no other baked goods or raffles.

For more information, contact Fran at 708-548-9674 or Pat at 630247-0327.

Big Rigs and Kids takes place this Saturday Event runs from 10 a.m. until noon at Cortesi Veterans Memorial Park

Rock Valley Publishing - Thursday, Aug. 11, 2022 • 5VP

CHRIS FOX PHOTO Rock Valley Publishing

Warrior awarded Pizzotti Family Scholarship

Willowbrook High School’s Athletic Booster Club presented its Senior Athletic Banquet near the end of the 2021-22 school year.

The event featured the presentation of several awards and scholarships to student-athletes in the school’s Class of 2022. The honored Warriors included Katie Linnig, who received the Pizzotti Family Scholarship. Jill Pizzotti, who graduated from Willowbrook in 1984, joined two of her nieces—fellow Willowbrook graduates Allie Pawlak (Class of 2015) and Olivia Domin (Class of 2014)—to present the scholarship to Linnig. Pictured left to right are Pawlak, Linnig, Domin and Pizzotti. Speaking at the banquet, Pizzotti noted that she has two older sisters and four nieces (including Pawlak and Domin) who graduated from Willowbrook. She said her family presents the annual scholarship to give thanks to the Willowbrook coaches and teachers for the positive impact they made in her family members’ lives. Pizzotti added that her family wants to pass forward the love and support they received at Willowbrook to a senior student-athlete. Linnig was a key member of the Warriors’ girls volleyball team that enjoyed a record-setting season in the fall of 2021. In addition to winning the West Suburban Gold Conference championship, the Warriors won the program’s first IHSA regional and sectional titles.

The team, which posted an overall record of 37-2, concluded its memorable season with a loss to Mother McAuley in an IHSA Class 4A super-sectional. Linnig will continue her academic and volleyball careers at the University of Missouri-St. Louis.

Standout seniors

Senior achievers

CHRIS FOX PHOTO Rock Valley Publishing

The honorees at Willowbrook High School’s Senior Athletic Banquet included the senior members of the school’s boys soccer team. Pictured left to right are: assistant coach Ryan Bazon, Alexander Kuban, Adrian Gonzalez, Riley Johnson and head coach Dan Riskind. The team’s highlights during the fall 2021 season included winning a championship in its level at the PepsiCo Showdown. Johnson and junior Ricardo Acosta were named to the West Suburban Gold Conference’s All-Conference Team. Kuban and Johnson earned Academic All-Conference honors. The Willowbrook Senior Athletic Booster Club presented the Senior Athletic Banquet near the end of the 2021-22 school year.

Willowbrook High School’s Athletic Booster Club honored the student-athletes in the school’s Class of 2022 at the Senior Athletic Banquet. The banquet took place at the school near the end of the 2021-22 school year. The honored Warriors included the senior members of Willowbrook’s girls tennis team. Pictured left to right are: Mackenzie Parente, Brooke Vandergrift, Caitlyn Kulczyski, Gillian Enriquez, Rebecca Lopez

CHRIS FOX PHOTO Rock Valley Publishing

Egan, Penelope DelValle, Naba Khan, Anaelie Cavazos, Misbah Kaludi and head coach Eddie DeLaCruz. The Warriors finished third in the West Suburban Gold Conference standings during the 2021 fall season. Every player on Willowbrook’s varsity team medaled at the conference tournament. The team posted an overall record of 29-13 during the season.

6 • Thursday, Aug. 11, 2022 - Rock Valley Publishing

Police Reports Area police departments recently reported the following arrests and citations. Readers are reminded that an arrest does not constitute a conviction, and that suspects are considered innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law. Persons charged with domestic battery are not named in order to protect the privacy of victims.

Juveniles age 17 or younger are not named.

Addison July 21 Timothy Gene Goings, 51, of Addison, was charged with assault and criminal damage to property in the 100 block of W. Elizabeth at 11:02 p.m.

July 20 Roslind S. Dudley, 41, of Wheaton, was charged with four counts of endangering the life of a child in the 500 block of W. Green Oaks at 10:34 p.m.

Villa Park July 29 Kierra U. Jackson, 29, of Chicago, and Chaquela B. Moore, 31, both of Chicago, were charged with retail theft/possession of displayed merchandise exceeding $300 at a store in the 200 block of W. Roosevelt at 9:16 p.m.

A complainant in the 500 block of E. Lane reported at 9:13 p.m. that an unknown suspect(s) ripped down a flag from the front of their home and damaged siding.

A complainant at a business in the

100 block of W. Roosevelt reported failure to appear warrant out of DuPat 11:16 p.m. that an unknown sub- age County near S. Addison and E. ject was causing a disturbance.

Division at 12:21 a.m.

Retail theft was reported at a store July 28 in the 100 block of W. Roosevelt at Deandre D. Jones, 22, of Glendale 8:50 p.m. A complainant reported Heights, and Mark A. Mohamed, 18, that an unknown suspect removed of Villa Park, were charged with ag- multiple items from display shelves gravated unlawful use of a weapon/ and left the store without paying. The vehicle (loaded) near N. Harvard and suspect was issued a no-trespassing W. Division at 11:26 p.m. notice.

Allan W. Lata, 73, of Villa Park, was charged with DUI, failure to Fraud, identity theft reduce speed to avoid and accident According to information providand no insurance near S. Villa and E. ed last week by the Villa Park Police Wildwood at7:30 p.m.

Department, police reported four incidents of residents being a victim of July 26 fraud or identity theft.

Retail theft was reported at a store in the 1-100 block of E. North at 9:47 Catalytic converter theft a.m. A complainant reported that a According to information providsuspect removed a vacuum from a ed last week by the Villa Park Police display shelf and left the store with- Department, police reported no inciout paying. dent of a catalytic converter being removed from vehicles at the following July 25 location: Police said Tyran Bascomb, 40, of Champaign, was arrested on a failure Unwanted person on property to appear warrant out of Champaign According to information providCounty in the 1-100 block of W. ed last week by the Villa Park Police Roosevelt at 3:12 a.m.

Department, police reported two inA complainant in the 500 block of cidents of complainants having an E. Riordan reported that an unknown unwanted person on their property: suspect battered them at 10:10 a.m. both incidents in the 400 block of S. A 13-year-old juvenile was Riverside at 7:40 p.m. July 24 and at charged with disorderly conduct in 10:02 p.m. July 29. the 400 block of W. Division at 1:55 a.m. and released to their parents.

Bensenville The Bensenville Police DepartJuly 24 ment recently reported the followPolice said Josue L. Rodriguez, ing arrests and citations. Persons 28, of Villa Park, was arrested on a 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.

Aug. 4, 6:53 a.m. in the 700 block of Grand Avenue, a victim had license plates stolen off of their vehicle. The incident is under investigation. BEPC2200664 Aug. 3, 10:59 a.m. in the 600 block of Supreme Drive, a victim noticed boxes missing from a pallet shipment. The victim believes 20 pair of Apple wireless headphones were taken. The incident is under investigation. BEPC2200659 Aug. 3, 8:08 p.m., there was a report of juveniles fighting in Redmond Park. The juveniles were detained and released to their parents.

BEPC2200660 Aug. 3, 9:21 p.m. in the 400 block of Park Street, Maria M Brito De La Cruz 32, of Addison, was arrested for obstructing police and resisting arrest. BEPC2200661 Aug. 1, 9:36 a.m. in the 600 block of Green Street, a complainant reported an unknown suspect emailed the payroll department to his work portraying to be the complainant and changed his direct deposit to Huntington National Bank without his authorization. This case is under investigation. BEPC2200653.

July 31, 11:18 p.m., officers were dispatched to the 1100 block of David Drive for a well-being check on a

female. A male on the scene, Darion Gomez, 22, of Des Plaines, was discovered to have two failure to appear warrants. The suspect was arrested, transported to the station, processed, posted bond, issued a court date, and released. BEPC2200651 July 30, 8:30 p.m. near York Road and Forestview, Jorge R. Gomez-Cruz, 25, of Bensenville, was stopped for a traffic violation. He was found to have a revoked driver’s license and a failure to appear warrant. He was arrested, transported to the station, processed, posted bond, issued a court date, and released.

BEPC2200647 July 30, 10:16 p.m. in the 200 block of W. Grand Ave, Ramon Rodriguez, 41, of Bensenville, was cited for public intoxication.

BEPC2200648 July 29, 4:05 p.m. in the 600 block of George Street, Saveyon Barber, 22, was cited for traffic violations, and arrested for a failure to appear warrant. He was processed at station, posted bond and was issued a court date. BEPC2200642.

July 28, 2:42 p.m. in the 1-100 block of Mason Street, a complainant reported that the sum of $9,000 in unauthorized transactions were executed from his Bank of America bank account. This case is under investigation. BEPC2200638.

July 28, 8:55 p.m. in the 900 block of Daniel Drive, a complainant reported a known suspect has been sending verbal threats via voicemail and text messages. This case is under investigation. BEPC2200639.

10-day sales tax reduction on clothing, school supplies now under way Tax on eligible items decrease to 1.25 percent from 6.25 percent through Aug. 14

By Jerry Nowicki CAPITOL NEWS ILLINOIS

Now through Aug. 14, the state is reducing its sales tax rate from 6.25 percent to 1.25 percent for certain clothing items costing less than $125 and school supplies.

The “tax holiday” was included in Gov. JB Pritzker’s “family relief plan,” one prong of several bills making up the Fiscal Year 2023 operating budget.

The tax breaks passed with nearly unanimous support in the General Assembly and provided an estimated $1.8 billion in tax relief for Illinois-

ans.

“These past two-and-a-half years, for everyone, of managing through the pandemic has been hard,” Pritzker said at a news conference. “And the last nine months of inflation on top of that has strained the budgets of parents and teachers alike. Prices have risen for everything from gas to groceries to school supplies, and everyone is taking a hit. It’s at moments like these that we need thoughtful and creative solutions that provide financial relief for Illinois families.”

The state estimated the sales tax reduction would amount to $50 mil-

lion in savings for taxpayers.

Included clothing items The 10-day tax reduction includes clothing items costing less than $125 individually.

Clothing items, as defined by the law, include the standard items such as shorts, pants, skirts, shirts and underwear. The tax reduction will also apply to aprons, hats, caps and earmuffs, coats and jackets, belts and suspenders, rubber pants, lab coats, hosiery, scarves, bathing suits, school uniforms and neckties.

It also applies to footwear—shoes,

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shoelaces, slippers, insoles, boots, regular 6.25 percent rate.

Textbooks, reference books, maps socks and sandals. and globes are all excluded from the “holiday” as well.

Excluded items Electronics and computers will also But it does not apply to ballet, tap or athletic shoes, roller or ice skates, ski be taxed at the regular rate. That includes computers and related supplies boots, waders, or fins.

Shoppers also should not expect such as flash drives, memory cards, the reduced sales tax rate on accesso- data storage, computer cases, cables, ry items such as briefcases, hair bows, printers and ink.

Shoppers also should not expect any handbags, jewelry, sunglasses or wigs.

The reduction also does not apply to breaks while buying cameras, cellsports gloves, goggles, hand and elbow phones or handheld electronics.

The task of adjusting the tax rate for guards, life preservers, wetsuits, shoulder pads, shin guards or mouth guards. individual items will fall on retailers, Also excluded are protective equip- who collect sales tax and remit it to ment items such as breathing masks, the state. Guidance from the Illinois hearing protectors, face shields, hard Department of Revenue on qualifying hats and helmets, respirators, protec- items can be found here. tive gloves, safety goggles or tool belts.

Other tax relief Other tax relief measures approved Included school supplies Binders, book bags, calculators, cel- in the budget include a property tax lophane tape, blackboard chalk, note- rebate up to 5 percent of the homeownbooks, erasers, folders, index cards, er’s tax bill up to $300, and a one-time legal pads, lunch boxes, pencils and income tax rebate of $50 per individual sharpeners, supply boxes, protractors, and $100 per dependent, up to a limit rulers, compasses, and scissors are all of three children per family.

Those would be available to indieligible for the reduced tax rate.

So are glue, highlighters, markers, viduals with incomes up to $200,000 and joint filers with incomes up to crayons and colored pencils. $400,000.

The package also suspends for one Excluded items Shoppers should not expect other art year the 1 percent tax on groceries and supplies to be eligible for the reduced puts a six-month pause on the automatrate, however. Clay and glaze, paints ic inflationary increase in the state’s and paint brushes, sketch pads and motor fuel tax, which was estimated to drawing pads will all be taxed at the be 2.2 cents per gallon.

VIEWPOINT 7

Rock Valley Publishing

Rock Valley Publishing - Thursday, Aug. 11, 2022 • 7

Viewpoint

Aug. 11, 2022 • 7

Slices of life

Hello, friends

This column is about friends.

Before writing it, I thought to myself, ‘I wonder if there is an official Friends Day?’ So I did the Google.

Turns out there is an International Friendship Day. It is July 30.

Guess which day I did this particular Google? Yep. July 30. I took it as a sign.

There are no coincidences when it comes to serendipity—or friends.

Apparently I’m supposed to write about friendships this week. It’s a lovely topic because I’ve been surrounded by friends of all types throughout my lifetime (so far).

To my old friends who have been around for it all: You will never be old in my eyes (or heart.) Thank you for staying by my side throughout the years. You’ve seen me at my best and my worst and you’ve accepted both. For that, I love you.

We all have those friends who seem to stay in our lives throughout love, loss, youth and the decades beyond. They are beyond worth.

Acknowledge them as such. Hug abundantly.

To old friends who have emerged from the past: I am so thankful for you. You knew me then and you’ve stepped forward to know me now and that feels so much more than generous on your part.

I’m glad we have reconnected. It feels new and old in the best of ways.

Hello, again! I’m glad we’re growing again, together.

To new friends: I appreciate you more than you know. You are willing to take a chance on me, an unknown weirdo, in the name of friendship. You are willing to invest the time and energy it takes to do that, especially with someone who has the baggage I carry. You well know about my baggage and still offer me grace and acceptance. Both gifts I don’t deserve, but am so grateful to you for offering.

To widows and widowers I’ve met who have become fast friends: I’m sorry we are in this club, but I am glad we met. You have supported me in ways only those of us in the club can. I hope I return the favor.

Our bond is one we never wanted, but it is real just the same. Our losses have brought us together and cemented relationships that others may not understand. But we do, and that is all that matters.

To my family: Beyond blood, you are some of my best friends. I love you and am so grateful for you. You are my rocks.

You’ve lost, just as I have lost, and still we hold one another up. If that isn’t miraculous, I don’t know what is.

You are the greatest gift your dad and our dad and mom ever gave me.

By

JILL PERTLER Columnist

Finally, to old friends who will always feel like new friends because they are my best friends: You know who you are. You were the people I called in my most dire days because I knew you would listen.

You were the ones who called me when you knew I was hurting because you wanted to listen. You were there for me because you love me and that will never, not ever, be overlooked or forgotten.

This year, July 30 was officially International Friendship Day, but we all know we don’t need a special day to appreciate friends. Quite the opposite.

We can celebrate them every day.

Every moment. Today, I celebrate mine. All of them. All of you.

Jill Pertler is an award-winning syndicated columnist, published playwright and author. She invites readers to follow the Slices of Life page on Facebook.

America has lost its way

By Jim Nowlan America has lost its way, or so I worry. Can we get back on track?

What do we mean by The American Way? Each of us might define it differently, though I think there are some common threads.

In 1937, social commentator William Herberg gave it a shot in a lengthy paragraph, from which I extract here some key words: self-reliant, striving, success, humanitarian, idealistic, stewardship, character.

America helped save the globe during World War II, with our sacrifice and materiel. When I grew up post-WWII, America was on top.

The rest of the developed world was prostrate from war devastation. We had some swagger. We were positive and generous. It was a great time to grow up.

I thought of America as perfect, though we weren’t. After all, blacks were still being casually lynched in the South, and until this year, Congress hadn’t been able to pass a simple anti-lynching law.

Since my childhood, other nations have been catching up with us, as

would be expected of energetic, well-educated, emerging nations. We also lost some of the kick in our step with our failure in Vietnam.

In the 1970-80s, we allowed our manufacturing base to be hollowed out. And we can’t seem to climb up from mediocrity in educational achievement. This may not have been important when I was a kid, but is now. Our university and government-sponsored research have been top drawer, yet China is investing much more in its rapidly developing research centers and universities (they know where the future lies!) than are we.

Nor can we seem to resolve our “us v. them” squabbles among whites, blacks and browns; elites v. rural folks, and regarding gender roles.

Further, luxury has a corrosive effect on the spirit, I would contend, possibly weakening our resilience as a people. On my three visits to China as a visiting professor over the past 15 years, I found that the Chinese are not that impressed with us, maybe agreeing with their supreme leader Xi Jinping that Americans have become soft.

Then, we have the mind-bending, unsettling, warp speed rate of change in our world, with digital devices pushing the human aside, or threat-

ening to do so. And, of course, the pandemic. And now, medieval bestiality in Ukraine, which I had hoped, naively, we had evolved away from in the 21st century.

So, we have little swagger left.

Where are we? Where are we headed?

Many of my senior generation appear to have given up, taking their still fertile brains to Florida and the links.

The political class on the Left appears to think the way out of our plight, if such we be in, is to shower us with government money. On the Right, the objective appears to be to protect the incredible wealth being scooped up by a tiny fraction of us.

From what I see among my former university students, our well-educated young are buoyant with energy and optimism, which is great. At 81, I think my generation, with its immense aggregate wealth, needs to do a better job of supporting my former students, and our grandchildren.

I have cynically mused that the U.S. could use a “good little war” to unite us in behalf of a renewal, an awakening. We have such a little war in progress in the Ukraine, plus an economic war with China. In the Middle Ages, war was economic development; today economic development is “war.”

This can be seen by China’s efforts to extend its sphere of dominant influ-

ence, from Southeast Asia to Africa.

Yet most Americans are so consumed with our pursuit of material stuff that we are blithely ignorant of what is transpiring in the world beyond our border.

If anything, The American Way has been about success, achievement, stability, example. These are the really big issues that aspiring national leaders should be trumpeting to the American public. Yet, I fear many so-called leaders fear such declarations would fail to capture voter imagination and spirit, and so they tap into voter fears and anger. One of the downsides of democracy is that, to stay in office, leaders often become followers.

I smile when I see the bumper stickers: “Ask me how much I love my grandkids!” How much, indeed?

Enough to provide them a stable nation and world? If we can do that, we will have reclaimed The American Way. Jim Nowlan is a former professor, politician, government executive and newspaper publisher. His recent gigs have been as a senior fellow at the University of Illinois Institute of Government and Public Affairs, and as a foreign expert (visiting professor) at Fudan University in Shanghai. He lives in Princeton, Ill.

8 • Thursday, Aug. 11, 2022 - Rock Valley Publishing

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Rock Valley Publishing - Thursday, Aug. 11, 2022 • 9

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10 • Thursday, Aug. 11, 2022 - Rock Valley Publishing

Puzzle page AIMING ALIGNMENT APPROACH ATTACK BACKSWING BALANCE BALATA BIRDIE BLOCK BOBBING BOGEY BUNKER CADDIE CARRY CHIP CONNECTION DIVOT DRIVER EAGLE GRIP PUTT ROTATION SHAFT SWING

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!

Answers on page 14

CLUES ACROSS 1. Breezed through 5. Time units (abbr.)

8. Pigeon’s murmur 11. Moves aside in fright 13. Partner to “ahh” 14. Taxis 15. Monetary units of Turkey 16. Returned material authorization (abbr.)

17. Prolific Italian opera composer 18. Restaurants 20. One’s grandmother 21. Ancient Greek City 22. Italian mountain ranges 25. Data 30. Acted in an obedient way 31. Autonomic nervous system 32. Not on the up-and-up 33. Mock lightly 38. Mimic 41. Built 43. A neighborhood 45. Inflammation of the kidneys 48. Semitic fertility god 49. Temporary name of Seaborgium 50. Wise people 55. Tear down 56. __-fi (slang) 57. Diamond weight 59. Frosted 60. Predecessor to EU 61. Makes changes to 62. Some are secret 63. Tooth caregiver 64. Old English poet CLUES DOWN 1. Sign language 2. In style 3. Norwegian river 4. People with impaired hearing 5. Large stinging paper wasp 6. Bucharest is its capital 7. River in Ireland

8. Type of TV 9. Double-reed instruments 10. Spanish motorcycle manufacturer 12. Midway between south and southeast 14. French commune 19. Alike 23. A bachelor’s apartment 24. Foot part between the ball and ankle 25. Belonging to a thing 26. Japanese classical theater 27. Supervises flying 28. Not even 29. Capital of Saudi Arabia 34. Electronic countermeasure 35. Consumed 36. American politician (abbr.)

37. Sun up in New York 39. Casually looked through 40. Revealed the presence of 41. Peyton’s little brother 42. Diana __, singer 44. Study of moral values and rules 45. Civil Rights group 46. Makes less severe 47. Made an emotional appeal 48. Vivacity of style 51. One who is highly skilled 52. Gets around in pursuit of pleasure 53. Famed guitarist Clapton 54. Most common Japanese surname 58. Recipe abbreviation

Rock Valley Publishing - Thursday, Aug. 11, 2022 • 11

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12VP • Thursday, Aug. 11, 2022 - Rock Valley Publishing

What a loss to our community! Pioneer Garden and Feed on Villa Avenue in Villa Park has been a staple for home gardeners for many years. We will all miss it very much. *** Since declaring one’s personal pronouns seems to be all the rage these days, should we ask our pet dog or cat if they want to declare their personal pronouns? One bark or meow if they want to use he/him pronouns. Two barks or two meows for she/her, and three barks or meows for they/them. *** I think the Jan. 6 Committee is do-

World War II veteran turns 100 this Saturday

ing a great job laying out the case to indict Trump. Nothing would make me happier than to see Trump go to prison. *** In response to the person who stated in Speak Out on July 28 that batteries for electric cars cost thousands of dollars to replace when they no longer hold a charge, it is true that they will. However, you apparently overlook the fact that batteries in electric cars last for several hundreds of thousands of miles. When batteries can no longer be used to power a car, they are still viable for other uses. (Source for this information is in Consumer Reports, Feb. 23, 2022.) The majority of folks who own electric cars will not face having to replace the batteries. My advice to you is: Don’t hold your breath waiting to laugh at people who are trying to help our environment. By the way, you also benefit in the form of cleaner air from other people’s electric car ownership. *** About 0.25 percent of the registered vehicles in Illinois are electric

vehicles. Why aren’t more people buying electric vehicles? I mean, according to “climate change” zealots, we are facing an existential threat, and our planet could soon be unlivable if we drive vehicles that run on gas. Maybe electric vehicles aren’t selling that well because they are expensive. On top of that, it takes several hours, if not days, to fully recharge them. Also, cold weather has a major effect on an electric vehicle’s range. Additionally, electric vehicles are more prone to fires than cars that run on gasoline. And fires in electric vehicles aren’t typical fires—they are very hard to put out. *** I bet if Trump or another Republican was president, the regressive leftists and their lapdogs in the media wouldn’t be trying to rewrite the definition of a recession. *** If COVID-19 can’t derail a feeble 79-year-old with multiple health problems, why should we be overly concerned about it? Why does Pritzker keep extending the so-called “emergency” in our state? *** If you are voting off of what you see and hear in TV and radio ads, you should have your head examined. Do you realize Pritzker spent millions on ads against Irvin? That was not Republican against Republican. Look at what the Democrats did in Michigan to Rep. Pete Meijer. They ran ads against him so they could get the opponent they wanted. There is so much meddling in elections today; do some independent research before voting on some ad or commercial.

This country is headed in wrong direction and we need better, or at very least, new politicians in November. ***

I noticed JB Pritzker and Lori Lightfoot are pulling out all the stops to have the Democratic National Convention in Chicago in 2024.

The Democrats would feel right at home if the convention was held in Chicago. Most of the cities they run are already used to high crime rates, paying high taxes on hotels and entertainment and seeing boarded up buildings. *** Pritzker has declared monkeypox a public health emergency, and now so has Biden. Can we declare both of them public nuisances? *** If you are getting your voting information from mainstream media, you are part of the problem. You are being lied to, people. There is an agenda and it’s not yours. *** For those of you who border on socialism and the radical left, I recently read a quote from an unknown source that makes sense, since you seem intent on taking and distributing my money however you want—what little I have of it left after taxes in this state. To paraphrase, it states that wealth must be created to be shared.

In other words, capitalism has its place in our society, and should not be shot down. *** I happened to save a gas station receipt from Biden’s first day in office—Jan. 20, 2021. I paid $2.55 per gallon at a station on Roosevelt Road. How ridiculous that Biden and his administration are patting themselves on the back now that gas prices have dropped in the last month.

Hello! Yes, the prices have gone down, but it’s still not exactly something to celebrate. ***

Seeing the kangaroo court the Democrats have created in Washington, D.C., I have come to the conclusion that the modern Democratic Party is much closer to the Chinese Communist Party than any current or former political party in the United States. *** It is absolutely amazing how many people are falling for this rhetoric from the current administration that things are just fine. Gas, prices food prices, etc. The Senate voted to fund $40 billion to Ukraine yet blocked a bill worth $48 billion to help restaurants and small businesses. This current administration cares nothing about you or your hardship. It is now the what’s-in-it-for-me administration. *** Our president and our governor, who are “fully vaccinated” against COVID-19, both tested positive for the virus. One is old. The other is obese. They are both fine. I hope our area’s school districts don’t impose any senseless masking or “vaccine” policies for the upcoming school year. *** Not long ago, we were the largest oil producer in the world. But 81 million votes crushed that. *** A guy kept hitting himself on the head with a hammer. When asked why he’s doing that he said, “It feels so good when I stop.” Sounds like today’s politicians in Washington. *** Ask yourself: Why is it that liberal Democrats want to push abortions on innocent babies? Yet they are opposed to the death penalty on criminals that have done brutal killings of innocent people. It’s not common sense.

Well-wishers can send him birthday cards and letters; they can also take part in a drive-by parade in Villa Park

Villa Park’s Edward Bye, who served in the U.S. Coast Guard during World War II, turns 100 years old this Saturday, Aug. 13.

His family is asking people to send him a birthday card or letter. Anyone who wants to wish Bye a happy birthday can send their cards or letters to: Edward Bye, 234 E. Harrison Street, Villa Park, IL 60181.

There will be a drive-by parade to celebrate Bye’s birthday this Saturday. The parade will start at 1 p.m.

Well-wishers can line up near Albright Middle School (at Harrison Street and Villa Avenue). The parade procession will head west on Harrison for a couple of blocks to the Bye residence.

The celebration will include signs, balloons, music and more. The Bye family will be handing out treats to parade participants.

Senior leaders

CHRIS FOX PHOTO Rock Valley Publishing

The members of Willowbrook High School’s Class of 2022 who were honored at the school’s Senior Athletic Banquet included the seniors on the Willowbrook girls volleyball team. The Warriors won the West Suburban Gold Conference title with a perfect 6-0 record during the fall 2021 season. Willowbrook went on to win IHSA Class 4A regional and sectional titles before losing to Mother McAuley in a super-sectional match. The Warriors’ girls volleyball program had never won a regional or sectional championship before the 2021 season.

Willowbrook finished the season with a 37-2 record. All of the school’s senior student-athletes received certificates at the athletic banquet.

Pictured left to right are: assistant coach Rachel Karos, Katie Linnig, Elizabeth Bruschuk, Kyla Ostrowski, Madlynn Hoffman, head coach Irene Mason, assistant coach Hannah Walsh and assistant coach Katherine Milling. Later in the banquet, the Willowbrook girls volleyball team was recognized as the school’s Team of the Year for the 2021-22 school year.

Rock Valley Publishing - Thursday, Aug. 11, 2022 • 13

Regulatory work behind push for 1 million electric vehicles in full swing in Illinois Ten months after Illinois lawmakers passed the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act which set a goal of putting 1 million electric vehicles on state roads by the end of the decade, state agencies are engaged in a flurry of regulatory planning aimed at meeting those goals.

The effort to electrify the state’s transportation sector and ensure the power grid can meet increased demand involves the Illinois Commerce Commission, Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, the state’s Department of Transportation, and Illinois’ two largest public utilities, among others.

Between those agencies and utilities, there’s hundreds of millions of federal, state and ratepayer dollars available for EV charging infrastructure, vehicle rebates and other plans aimed at accelerating EV adoption.

While the regulatory force behind CEJA lies with several agencies, the task of ensuring all of them are working together lies in the hands of the state’s electric vehicles coordinator.

That person is Megha Lakhchaura, who was appointed to the position officially on July 1 at a salary of $180,000 after serving in an administrative capacity at IEPA since April.

She has previously served as the director of policy in North America for the electric vehicle supply company EVBox, policy director for the rooftop solar and battery storage provider Sunrun Inc., and public utilities regulatory analyst for the California Public Utilities Commission.

It’s a diverse private sector and regulatory experience which she said has helped her hit the ground running.

“So the job is basically figuring out how all of these pots of money work together,” Lakhchaura said in a recent interview with Capitol News Illinois.

“What are the pieces that we have to look at? Where do we put our resources? How do we think of things comprehensively and having a comprehensive charging strategy for the state?”

She praised the top-down vision laid out by the governor’s office and CEJA but said lawmakers and regulators will have to continue to adapt to meet the 1 million EV goal.

“CEJA is a good starting step,” she said. “I think that it sets up some very good practices. …It puts out a road for utilities, it puts out a rebate for vehicles, for charging. It’s a good first step, but we’re going to have to do more to get to 1 million vehicles.”

Challenges It’s a time of rapid growth for EV adoption, Lakhchaura said, with nearly 9,000 EVs added to state roads in the first seven months of this year, bringing the total number licensed in Illinois to 46,645 as of July 15.

Still, there are challenges.

“There is a lot of demand, there’s no doubt about it,” she said. “I think the problem right now is price, and buying an EV at this point in time, it’s very difficult. They’re sold out, there’s not enough that are being produced to meet these kinds of demands.”

To defray cost, the state on July 1 launched a rebate program through the IEPA that will provide up to $4,000 off for the purchase of an all-electric vehicle and $1,500 for an all-electric mo-

torcycle. The current application window runs through Sept. 30, and those who purchased and EV must apply online within 90 days of the purchase date.

As of July 1, the Electric Vehicle Rebate Fund had a balance of about $17.9 million, with funds to be distributed once the portal closes.

While many EVs remain expensive, Lakhchaura mentioned a cheaper model, the Chevy Bolt, which retails for just under $26,000 for a base model on the company’s website. If a purchaser receives a state rebate on top of a $7,500 federal tax credit available for certain EV models, she said, the price point becomes more reasonable.

But there are still other challenges, such as a global shortage of lithium and other materials needed for EV batteries, she added.

It’s something being addressed on the national stage with a $3.1 billion investment from the federal bipartisan infrastructure law to improve domestic commercial facilities that produce EV batteries and their parts. As well, President Joe Biden invoked the Defense Production Act earlier this year, an effort to increase U.S. independence in mining for EV-related minerals.

“Yes, in the short-term, the next two, three years or so, demand is causing a shortage,” Lakhchaura said. “But on the other hand, we are also gearing up and trying to solve this problem, not only nationally but globally.”

Negotiations in Congress were still ongoing Friday for an inflation reduction plan which included $369 billion in spending to combat climate change, including electrification measures and renewable energy investment.

Electrification plans On the state side, Lakhchaura said CEJA was meant to be forward-thinking, ensuring that the grid and state policies adapt along with the rapidly evolving technology.

A key piece in that effort is a requirement that the state’s two largest public utilities adopt beneficial electrification plans for ratepayer-funded investment in incentives, education and infrastructure to support electrification.

Among other things, the plans must focus on incentivizing EV charging during off-peak hours to limit the effect on the grid, and electrifying heavy vehicle fleets, public transportation and school buses.

CEJA also requires charging infrastructure investment, with 40 percent of the plans’ spending in that area to be done in equity investment eligible communities, where pollution has historically been higher and economic opportunities fewer.

Funding for the plans can’t exceed a 1 percent charge on the distribution portion of a ratepayer bill, and the ICC can approve, deny or require changes to the plans.

For Commonwealth Edison, serving 4 million customers in northern Illinois, the proposed plan includes $300 million in programs from 2023 through 2025.

Ameren Illinois, serving 1 million customers in central and southern Illinois, proposed spending $11.8 million through 2024.

ComEd’s initial plan included, among other facets:

• $15 million annually for residential ratepayer programs, including EV and charging rebates, a new hourly pricing program, and incentives for electrified household items; • $63 million annually for commercial and industrial programs, focusing on commercial fleet and school bus electrification; • $9 million annually for outreach on the available programs; • $5 million annually for other pilot programs.

Ameren Illinois’ plan is less extensive, including $2.2 million in current- and previous-year spending, and about $9.6 million in 2023 and 2024.

It consists of some new programs and changes to existing programs to allow greater participation for multi-family homes.

The plan included, among other things: • Expanding existing time-of-use rate offerings and increasing outreach efforts; • A driver education program offering financial assistance for EVs and charging equipment in schools in equity investment communities; • A fleet assessment program for private fleet, education, and transit customers.

The Ameren plan also mentioned its participation in the rollout of a national pilot program aimed at providing ride sharing opportunities and low-cost EV rentals for inhabitants of multi-family homes.

view of those ratepayer-funded plans, an expected step in the agency’s regulatory role to ensure the plans are meeting statutory goals on a cost-effective basis.

Outside organizations, such as the National Resource Defense Council, the Environmental Law and Policy Center and others, will have the opportunity to suggest changes to the plans before the ICC approves them sometime next year.

The utilities must then file an updated plan by July 1, 2024, and every three years thereafter.

Along with overseeing the electrification plans, the ICC also last month issued the first draft of its Renewable Energy Access Plan, a long-term view as to what level of stress electrification might add to the grid and how to alleviate it.

One major challenge the REAP seeks to address is the fact that widespread electrification of vehicle fleets, household appliances and more could require between 64 and 450 added terawatt-hours of electricity production in the state – a massive increase considering CEJA also aims to take fossil fuels offline by 2045.

A follow-up draft is due out later this year and will seek to fine-tune the load forecasting projections and determine how to best prepare for increased demand.

Other resources The state will also have a role in determining how $148 million in federal Regulatory oversight funding for charging infrastructure will The ICC this month initiated a re- be allocated. The Illinois Department

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of Transportation began that process with a public meeting for stakeholder input on July 28.

The money is meant to create charging “corridors” to ensure chargers are spaced at least every 50 miles on key transportation routes throughout the U.S. The median range for an electric vehicle currently is 250 miles, enough to get from Chicago to Springfield with 50 miles to spare.

When it comes to rolling out chargers, Lakhchaura said priorities include building out corridors and ensuring charging infrastructure is available in areas where at-home charging is not feasible.

That means bulking up on public Level 2 chargers, which can charge a vehicle in 6-8 hours, as well as fast chargers, which take 15-30 minutes to charge an EV. The state will look to increase charging accessibility in areas with many multi-family homes, as well as on corridors to reduce range anxiety, Lakhchaura said.

IEPA will also oversee a charging grant program funded with $70 million from the state’s Rebuild Illinois capital infrastructure plan to launch at an unspecified date.

The Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, meanwhile, is overseeing the Reimagining Electric Vehicles Act, which aims to incentivize companies that manufacture EVs and their parts to relocate to Illinois.

To date, no contracts have been signed since the measure passed eight months ago, although outreach continues.

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14 • Thursday, Aug. 11, 2022 - Rock Valley Publishing

Productive summer for IC Catholic Prep boys basketball team

By Mike Miazga

CORRESPONDENT

Longtime IC Catholic Prep boys basketball coach TJ Tyrrell wishes it was November right now. That’s how excited he is about the prospects of his 2022-2023 squad that recently wrapped up its summer slate. “We had a really great summer,” Tyrrell said. “We made a lot of progress from the start. The commitments from the guys were at a very high level. We have guys who want to put in the work, and they care about each other.

A lot of them are playing ball yearround. We’re all excited from the staff to the guys.”

Part of Tyrrell’s enthusiasm stems from a pair of veteran returners in Kal Kilgast and Jake Gallagher. “Kal is a senior starter for us,” Tyrrell noted.

“We graduated four seniors who start-

ed, but we still have a nice balance with some senior leadership now and some younger guys coming up. Kal put in a lot of time with his strength and conditioning. He’s been a leader for us this summer. He’s a high basketball-IQ guy. We are looking forward to having him this season. Jake worked hard this summer. He was our sixth guy last year, and finished quite a bit for us last year, which matters more. He could have started last year.

He’s another guy who is a gym rat.

He has been working on his offensive game and his strength and being able to be a top defender for us. That came up this summer.”

Tyrrell is also excited about the prospects of players such as AJ Walsh, Dean O’Brien and Aidan Johnson among others. “AJ Walsh set or tied a school record in the

high jump during the track season,” he said. “He’s another guy who has been putting in a lot of work into his body and his game. He had a breakout summer. He played limited minutes last year with early injuries, but he will be a guy we will count on this year.

“Dean O’Brien has been a major bright spot for us. He played behind John Hilgart and Antonio Richardson, who were rocks inside for us.

He didn’t have the confidence yet that was needed for him to flourish and this year we have already seen that confidence come through. Dean is a heart-and-soul guy for us with how physical he has played and doing the little things for us. He put in a lot of time in the weight room and in the gym. We will lean on him pretty heavily.”

Johnson, along with Matthew Karsten, saw action as sophomores on the varsity last year. “Aiden was up on the varsity last year as a sophomore,” Tyrrell noted. “He can play multiple positions for us and does a really nice job finishing at the rim.

We expect a breakout year from him as well. He will play a key role on the varsity. Matthew played up on varsi-

ty and also played on the sophomore team. He’s an outside shooting threat for us, playing the point guard position. He’s a good chance-of-pace guy.

I love that we have guys where no one is similar. They all have different strengths and skill sets. It’s cool as a coach to be able to utilize various talents when making decisions that will keep opposing teams off-balance.”

Jesse White: Remove disability placards while driving

Illinois Secretary of State Jes- State.”

People should not drive a motor se White is reminding motorists to help improve road safety statewide, vehicle with any objects obstructing including not driving with disability the driver’s view, placed, suspended, placards or other items hanging from or hanging from the rearview mirror or between the driver and the front the rearview mirror.

“Disability placards must be dis- windshield, rear window, or side played when the vehicle is parked windows. Violators of this law can in an accessible parking space,” said face up to a $500 fine.

“One of my top priorities is road White. “Once the vehicle is moving, the placard should not be displayed. safety and driving with a placard or tration Building (421 N. County It is illegal to drive on roads with a any other item displayed impairs the Farm Road, Wheaton) during nor- parking placard hanging from the driver’s view. Let’s keep one another mal business hours from 8 a.m.- rearview mirror as stated on each safe by making sure our windshields 4:30 p.m. placard issued by the Secretary of are unobstructed.”

Comments on the proposed changes must be submitted in writing by the close of business on Aug. 22 to Michael Dirkse, Sr. Civil Engineer with DuPage County Stormwater Management, by mail to 421 North County Farm Road, Those looking to learn the latest dance moves or receive a small Wheaton, IL 60187 or by email to introduction into some basic dance styles will have an opportunity to Michael.Dirkse@dupageco.org. try it for free through the Bensenville Park District.

Park district dance instructors will provide a crash course in some basic dance moves with tunes from a local disc jockey from 11:30 a.m.

CROSSWORD to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 13. The event at Rose Park, David Drive and E. Belmont Ave. in Bensenville, is free and open to those of all ages.

Dance Dayz is a part of the Bensenville Park District’s Park ‘n Play initiative aimed at meeting people where they live by providing programming in neighborhood parks. A complete listing of activities taking place in neighborhood parks can be found online at BvilleParks. org/park-n-play.

DuPage County Stormwater Management opens public comment period for stormwater ordinance revisions The DuPage County Stormwater Management Planning Committee voted to open the public comment period for the revised DuPage County countywide stormwater and floodplain ordinance. Comments will be accepted through Aug. 22.

Persons within DuPage County involved in development activities, stormwater permit submittals or permit review may be interested in reviewing the proposed changes and providing comment.

The DuPage County Stormwater Management Planning Committee and County Board will review and consider all appropriate comments prior to adoption of the ordinance revisions.

The ordinance revisions are available online at https://www. dupageco.org/EDP/Stormwater_ Management/Stormwater_Regulatory_Services/60379/. In addition, hard copies are available for review at DuPage County’s JTK Adminis-

Answers PUZZLE 1

PUZZLE 2

Learn the latest moves at Dance Dayz Saturday, Aug. 13

Rock Valley Publishing - Thursday, Aug. 11, 2022 • 15

Serving Addison, Bensenville, Elmhurst, Lombard & Villa Park

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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.

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

Say this prayer for three consecutive days and then you must publish and it will be granted to you.

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

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16 • Thursday, Aug. 11, 2022 - Rock Valley Publishing

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